Peaches for Monsieur le Curé - Joanne Harris

Finished in Leeds, 14:10:2016


In Joanne Harris's latest novel about Vianne Rocher Peaches for Monsieur le Curé, she deals with some current issues such as Muslim fundamentalism, alongside the personal stories of some of the characters you'll have met before if you've read  Chocolat and The Lollipop Shoes. Darker than the first of these, the ending is basically optimistic, in spite of two convenient, though perhaps essential deaths. Quite a page-turner.

Touching the Void - film

This is a film, made in 2003, about two mountaineers tackling the unclimbed west face of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes.  Simon Yates was 25, and his companion Joe Simpson was 21.  They had no support team, other than a man with no interest in climbing who stayed in the tent with their equipment.

The ascent to the summit took three days of huge efforts, but they made it, and all they had to do now was descend - but most climbing accidents happen on the way down.   In this case it happened to Joe, who fell and broke his leg, very badly.  

How they coped with this and eventually made their separate ways back to the tent makes for a remarkably gripping film with terrific photography, based on interviews with the three people concerned.


Kevin MacDonald made the film and tells of the difficulties involved in it in this article.

The Scottish Play with extra atmosphere

The wind has been strengthening all day, noticeable on the motorway drive, and more so as we picnic on the stately 'picnic slope' at  Tolethorpe Hall before the play.

We follow the sun, minor heliotropes, shifting our chairs, balancing our plates. We are not of those who dine on weighted down but flapping tablecloths.

"This evening's performance will begin in five minutes."

We take our seats and watch the branches dancing , and hear the leaves whooshing or soughing.  Better than a painted backcloth and a worthy background for the initial meeting of the weird sisters, and the general mood of the play.

Another thoroughly enjoyable production by the Stamford Shakespeare Company, with particularly strong performances in the roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

Far from the Madding Crowd

Watched on the plane.

Lovely scenery, and gorgeous shots. I even noticed the very positive interaction with animals since I listened to a radio programme about Hardy and animals.

Of course my faves were Bathsheba and Gabriel Oakes. And I guess the attitudes were very much of the nineteenth century, when the book was written, and Bathsheba, in spite of being such a strong character, makes a big mistake when she seeks a man who can tame her.

My one niggle was that Sargeant Troy could have been more appealing before showing his darker side.

Yes, yes, he was on the rebound, thinking he'd been dumped by his fomer fiancée, Fanny Robin, but still, but still . . .

Though, of course, Bathsheba could have been pretty overwhelmed by the kiss if she had absolutely no experience.

And in the end it's comforting to see a film based on a Hardy novel which doesn't end in bleak tragedy like Tess of the D'Urebvilles, and Jude the Obscure.

The Barber of Seville at Leeds

A nightmare journey with long delays, but we arrived with time to settle in to the hotel, then make our way into the Grand Arcade for a vegeburger at Roots and Shoots, where most other diners seemed to be heading for the opera too.

The show was magnificent, well-staged, acted and sung with verve and thoroughly entertaining - a pantomime with Rossini's music. The female lead, Rosina was played by a replacement, but you'd never have known. 

And on top of everything the hotel room was quiet and comfortable. 

Next morning we paid a brief visit to Dan and family, and then headed south along a rather quieter A1 than yesterday.

Henry V at Tolethorpe

Preparing to picnic

Excellent evening out and very enjoyable performance - I'd forgotten how much comedy there is in this play, as well as the more serious matters of state and war. 

     

Music at Gretton Church

Chris Hills (piano and organ) and Frances Hynes (flute and Chinese flute)

A varied programme reflecting the theme of the flower festival, "All around the World". The music was played in a light bright church, full of the scent of flowers.