A few things we’ve done recently that I’ve not mentioned:
The Zoo (last Saturday) and the botanic gardens (last Sunday)
The Day the Earth Stood Still was big and fun! I didn’t hear the classic phrase, but some people claim it was said. If it was, it certainly wasn’t in the same context as in the original…
On a completely different scale, Dean Spanley is a period film about a Dean’s secret, revealed only when he’s tipsy on his favourite obscure wine. Top cast – Peter O’Toole & Sam Neill – and a large touch of whimsy! We both enjoyed it a lot, in a low key sort of way. It’s based on a short Lord Dunsany novel written in 1936 and one minor niggle is that all the film adverts, etc. refer to him as Baron Dunsany. This may be accurate, but the entire literary world refers to him as ‘Lord’ not ‘Baron’ Dunsany (except for the few that insist on calling him his given name of Edward Plunket)
The new edition of the book looks great; the novel, the screenplay and several interviews and essays, together with two inserts of stills from the film – in hardcovers for only a tenner!
After work last night, I took Madeleine (well, I met her there!) for a meal at the new Hotel Du Vin, which has very recently emerged from it’s scaffolding up at Bristo Place (the old Blood Donor centre) where a massive rebuild and refurbishment of the site has taken place. Nice little bistro/bar mezzanine upstairs looking down into a very traditional-looking restaurant – all dark wood and framed paintings & posters on the walls.
After a glass of wine and some free olives and nuts, we went downstairs and had the special offer menu choices, so our choice was limited, but it was very nice and we may well be lured back again soon!
Christmas Cards - 2008
