G's mobile by Peter Spowage. See : http://www.pspowageartgallery.co.uk/

Solo by Rana Dasgupta

Quite a story ! This novel is set in Bulgaria across the 20th century up to now. The characters live through all the different political turmoils of this country. It's deeply human.

New bookshelf cases

Robin Hood by Ridley Scott with Russell Crowe

Don't expect to see the Robin Hood everybody knows. This film tells about where Robin came from and how he became a legend. Although I don't believe in Father Christmas I do think Robin Hood really existed. The film goes on and on with battles etc... and you (well I didn't) don't feel a thing for the characters.
Did you know that Russell Crowe had a language coach to speak in a Yorkshire accent ? And that he is a singer too ?
For more info see : www.broadway.org.uk

Bad Lieutenant : Port of Call New Orleans

By Werner Herzog with Nicholas Cage.
A very good thriller set in New Orleans in the aftermath of hurricane Katherina. Nicholas Cage is a corrupted cop with a good heart... Well see for yourself !
For more info see : www.broadway.org.uk

Last Monday : Coach trip with the local National Trust Group to Saltaire

Three people dressed up in villagers from Victorian time were expecting us to tell the story of Saltaire and his founder Titus Salt. We were given each of us a book mark representing a character for us to incarnate for the day. Then we set up for a guide tour. We were free afterwards to do as we pleased. I had lunch at the restaurant in the former Mill. Quite a nice meal actually. The mill hosts several shops, an exhibition on the village and a gallery with David Hockney's art (he is originally from nearby Bradford, remember ?). I finally went round the village again to take photos and had tea and cake at "Don't tell Titus". It's a wine bar. Titus had banned alcohol in his village...
My character was :
"1861. Aged 48. Married. Overlooker Drawing Wool, born in Bradford.
Lives at 63 Georges Street. With his wife and 2 children they all work together in the mill. Henry used to work for Titus Salt in one of his mills in Bradford and likes working for him. He knows that Titus provides the best conditions."
For more info see : http://www.saltairevillage.info/

Saltaire : Georges Street

Saltaire : A back Street

Saltaire : Retirement Houses (1)

Saltaire : Sergeant's House and its Watch tower

Saltaire : The Hospital

Saltaire : The Library

Saltaire : The School

Saltaire : The Mill (2)

Saltaire : The Mill (1)

Sunday : Nostell Priory

This is absolutely a must ! Remarkable property : very well preserved in the 18th c. style with an impressive collection of Chippendale furniture and paintings. The Gardens are amazing too with 2 lakes spreading below the hills. The restaurant is not so good as the one in Lyme but saying that, as usual with National Trust, everything is freshly made with products from the property.

Nostell Priory : View from The Cage (2)

Nostell Priory : View from The Cage (1)

Nostell Priory : The Cage

Nostell Priory : Gardens (2)

Nostell Priory : Gardens (1)

Nostell Priory

Lyme Park on Saturday

Very nice grounds too but we were somehow disappointed with the interior. The restaurant was quite good though : nicely presented and original food. For more info see : ttp://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-lymepark

Lyme Park (1)

Lyme Orangerie

Lyme Hall

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

Friday night we went to see "Death of a Salesman". Although it is a drama we had a good time. Very good acting and interesting set. For more info see : http://www.wyp.org.uk/events/event_details.asp?event_ID=5539

Manchester

Saturday evening - sorry I'll have to get back to Friday evening and Saturday day time - we went to Manchester. I really liked this City. Quite a few fine buildings and very lively. There is a rather large gay neighbourhood and it's not a "all white English population". We ate in the Chinese district.

The Oldest Passenger Railway Station in the World ! (3)

The Oldest Passenger Railway Station in the World ! (2)

The Oldest Passenger Railway Station in the World ! (1)

Manchester : The City Hall

Manchester : The Cathedral

Manchester : Tower (2)

Manchester : Tower (1)

Last week-end in Leeds

Last week end I went to visit my friend C. in Leeds. On the way I visited Hardwick Hall. The gardens are very nice but the Hall is not as interesting as the other 2 I saw with C. at the week end...
For more info see : http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-hardwickhall

Hardwick Hall : back façade

Hardwick Hall : Garden (2)

Hardwick Hall : Old Hall

Hardwick Hall : Garden (1)

Hardwick Hall : front façade

House on top of tunnel

Tunnel from Park Estate to Derby Road

The N0. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency : Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith

Mma Ramostwe, the Sherlock Holmes of Botswana, nicknames the women a bit plump like her "Traditionally Built "! The story of this case, set in the football scene, goes at a slow space, with a lot of wisdom and common sense. It's certainly very refreshing and leave you with a nice feeling of well-being.

Sunny Sunday morning

Yesterday morning although it was still fairly chilly it was nice and sunny. So I set off for an other touristic walk thanks to my guide book. I went round the immediate neighbourhood and as you can see on the photos there are quite a few fine buildings there too.

Four Lions

Four British Muslims are plotting to blow themselves up in the name of Allah. But they can't agree on how or where. It's a comedy and it's indeed funny at times. Above all it shows humanity and gives food for thought.
For more info see : http://www.broadway.org.uk/film_programme.php#last

The Pumping Station

Greek Orthodox Church

General Cemetery Entrance

Derby Rd / Wollaton St

Wellington Circus

Upper College Street

AlbertHall(2)

AlbertHall(1)

The Woman In Black

At the Royal Theater last night. It certainly worked wonder for me as I was jumping on my seat every 5 minutes and therefore making my neighbours laugh on the more tragic moments of the play ! Saying that the acting was outstanding ! The Woman in Black herself didn't show up at the end for the rounds of applause so maybe they did hired a true ghost ?
For more info see :http://markronan.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/the-woman-in-black-richmond-theatre-january-2010/

The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

His previous book "The Shadow of the Wind" was along the same line : mystery, adventure, supernatural, characters larger than life... and love of course. Needless to say that it's a page turner and stays with you for quite a while.

B.B.C Show

This week end on Old Market Square the B.B.C. were having science experiments and live shows as part of their programme "Bang goes the theory" (on Mondays at 7:30 on B.B.C. 1). For more info see : http://www.bbc.co.uk/bang/
Yesterday afternoon I went to a show. It was about touch, smell and hearing. It does help actually to visualize theories. The scientific who was doing it told us that one of his colleagues had to go to Iceland to see the Vulcano... Listening to the News this morning that's make sense !

Science Shows on Bank Holiday Week End in Nottingham

It's a Wonderful Afterlife

U.K., Gurinder Chadha. This film just does the job on a overcast & chilly Sunday : it's funny, moving and the plot is fairly clever. Set in the Indian district of London people are murdered with food or weapons related with cooking.
For more info see : www.broadway.org.uk