17June2008
Posted by Alison under: Films; Videos.
For those of you that haven’t noticed already, I’m a classic film fan! I especially love musicals too.
I was sad to hear that Cyd Charisse died today, though she did make it to the grand old age of 86, so she didn’t do too badly.
There are a few musicals I like to watch her dance in, but bizarrely, I like to see her dancing in the Broadway Melody sequence in Singin’ in the Rain (which is also one of my top favourites.) I also love the hairstyle and the green flapper dress - right up my street. When I was in my early twenties I had my hair cut in a twenties style just like Louise Brooks’.
Bizarrely, because the sequence is my least favourite part of the film. But hey, here’s to you Cyd:
13June2008
Posted by Alison under: Books; TV.
There’s hope yet for us Vamp TV addicts!
I started reading Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire tales, aka the Sookie Stackhouse books years ago (when they first came out in the US) starting with Dead Until Dark.
I just recently heard that a TV show called True Blood is being made of the series of books! It has already been picked up by HBO, and I understand shows are currently being made starring Anna Paquin as Sookie ( a waitress) and Stephen Moyes as her vampire boyfriend Bill Compton. It premieres in the US in September.
Let’s hope it has more luck than the last ones! Anyhow, I definitely recommend reading the books, even if we never get to see the show.
Charlaine Harris’ website
12June2008
Posted by Alison under: TV.
I love Foyle’s War. Or should I say loved…the final series just showed recently. I’m not normally a fan of WWII dramas, but Michael Kitchen is just a fantastic actor, and really sold Foyle to me.
At the moment, I’m watching all of series one again on DVD, and hope to acquire the others in time. If you haven’t seen it, you’re in for a treat.
In the meantime, you can visit the website here, and there’s talk of a peacetime spin-off show. Yippee!
7June2008
Posted by Alison under: Nature; Photos.
On Thursday we ended up in Huntly, which is quite a large town not too far from where we live. For me, it has the particular distinction of Huntly Castle. I’ve pictured the ruins here before.
We had a wander past the castle with some ice-cream, very civilized I tell you, then found ourselves in the parkland. It was such a hot day we stopped by the river for a paddle.
It was such a hot day, which is fairly unusual here as you get the sea breezes, that I documented our walk, which ended up right the way down the river. Watch out for swimming dogs (when river walking that is)!
All images copyright 2008 Alison Lodge
5June2008
Posted by Alison under: Books.
Whilst I promised, and didn’t, forget about the Georgette Heyer Book Club I talked about aeons ago, I still haven’t found the time to sort something out for it.
I was reminded about this as I’ve been leafing through a book I’ve had for a few years which other Heyer fans may like.
The book is called Georgette Heyer’s Regency World by Jennifer Kloester. I really enjoy leafing through it from time to time, it covers everything from costume to travel and has some great illustrations too. My only criticism, is that it (obviously) only focuses on the Regency books, and I would have liked to see a book that covered the earlier period books, though not necessarily the medieval and Elizabethan ones. May be going a bit far!
Anyhow, I have a slight urge to start re-reading her books, so if anyone wants to join me, just let me know and we will start from the top!
I have been making some notes of other authors that readers may like from this period too. I shall keep you posted.
5June2008
Posted by Alison under: Books.
Just a quick shout for help here. Don’t worry it’s not painful.
I’ve decided to get the nephews some books to read on holiday. They love things like the Astrosaurs, but I am looking for other good series to keep them amused on the journey.
Any good recommendations? They are six, but have been reading books for a reading age of ten, so that’s not a huge problem. Thanks 
5June2008
Posted by Alison under: History; News.
Many of you agreed that we should buy Tillycairn Castle. Hey guys, I’m still waiting for the mortgage money!
I was amazed to see another beautiful historic property up for sale this soon, and so beautifully restored it made the news…though sadly not for the right reasons.
Apethorpe Hall, Northamptonshire was actually bought from it’s last owner with a compulsory purchase order. It had basically been left to rot over about a 20 year period and potentially could have been re-developed. Yay, you may think the government stepped in, saved it and restored it. All good so far.
The twist is that British taxpayers footed the 7.6m bill, and it is now up for sale for just 4m. The new owners, should they purchase, will still have a large amount of work to do, but the taxpayer who saved this property will only have access to see it for 28 days a year, for 21 years. Is it just me, or does this just seem wrong?
Certainly more pricey than Tillycairn. I want that one.
3June2008
Posted by Alison under: History; News.
I do keep tabs on interesting history articles that come up in the news, but often forget to mention them here. Two in particular caught my eye in the past week or so.
Firstly, about Elizabeth I, and secondly Shakespeare. A postive orgy of Elizabethan stuff…had to mention them both together.
- A rare portrait of Elizabeth has been unearthed at Boughton House, Northamptonshire. Rare because there are only 2 other known portaits in existence of Elizabeth before she became queen. The extra good news is that the portrait is on display to the public so we can all go and see it!
You can read the full article at the BBC News page, and find more information about the Duke of Buccleuch’s residence at Boughton House.
- Interesting Shakespeare information being that his tomb is due to be restored despite his curse! It is said that anyone disturbing the tombstone will receive a curse for their trouble. Rather them than me I say…
Again, you can read the full article here. I visited Stratford Upon Avon years ago, quite fancy going back to Shakespeare’s birthplace one of these days. I don’t think I’ve made it to Boughton House either, looks beautiful.
I’ve been going through all my information in order to write about the historic places I’ve been, and perhaps some of you would like to go to. Hope to do this soon.
2June2008
Posted by Alison under: TV.
Hello, so anyone enjoy Tin Man or the Sherlock Holmes weekend? Sadly, not Claire who looks to have been Sky-jacked or something…
For those of you that didn’t manage to watch it, or would like to know what I have been raving on about, here’s what I thought about them.
First up, Tin Man. Innovative idea, just not sure I liked it that much. I suppose I really need to watch it properly from the beginning to decide.
Then there was the Sherlock Holmes Weekend…love Holmes, sadly they didn’t show a lot of the really good stuff, but part of it was two of the more recent adaptations, which are pretty good, the first the Hound of the Baskervilles with Holmes by Richard Roxburgh (liked him) and the second the Case of the Silk Stocking (not a great story) with Rupert Everett, (didn’t like him that much) they were on Saturday, then Sunday, so I had time to watch them both.
The Hound of the Baskervilles is ones of my favourite Holmes stories, though I still miss Jeremy every time I watch something other than the series. Do yourself a favour and watch this if you haven’t already!
Oh, and if you’re a Holmes addict, have you tried the Murder Rooms? This was a mini-series made in 2000-2001 about Arthur Conan Doyle and the beginnings of the character of Holmes. They made a few of these, but then stopped sadly. If they’re not out of print there were also some very good books too.
If you want to look them up, they are in order:
- The Murder Rooms: the Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes
- TMR: The Patient’s Eyes
- TMR: The Photographer’s Chair
- TMR: The Kingdom of Bones
- TMR: The White Knight Strategem
It was actually David Pirie who wrote for the series and the books. Personally, of this series, I like the first two best. Let me know how you get on 
23May2008
Posted by Alison under: TV.
Hello fellow Sherlock fans. Just a quick heads up to let you know the UK channel UKTVDRAMA is having a Sherlock Holmes this weekend, the 24-25 May.
Sadly, I don’t think it includes Jeremy, but it does have at least some of the classics, and a couple of the more recent adaptations which are quite good. If you watch ‘The Case of the Silk Stocking’ with Rupert Everett, watch out for the funeral scenes, this was filmed at Kensal Rise cemetary, which has catacombs you can visit. Yep, I’ve been there
I like the new one with Richard Roxburgh, personally. Set your reminders! Here’s a link to the UKTVDRAMA page.
