When I was a child, my mother would take my brother and I for long walks in the countryside. One of her favourites involved catching a bus to Wigmore or Hempstead, walking from there to the small (and very attractive) village of Bredhurst, and then through the lanes to Bredhurst Woods. I remember one particular occasion when the woods were carpeted with both primroses and bluebells at the same time and it was well nigh impossible to walk through the trees without trampling on the flowers. It is quite unusual for both primroses and bluebells to be in bloom at the same time, although it looks as though that might happen again this year so I am wondering if this is a result of the very cold winter. If that is the case, the occasion I am recalling might well have been in 1948. But whenever it was, in those days it was quite acceptable to pick great bunches of primroses. Bluebells weren't picked as they only last for about 24 hours as cut flowers, but primroses were popular. In more recent years the flower became much less common, supposedly because it was over-picked and had no chance to regenerate. Since picking wild flowers has become verboten, the plant has staged something of a recovery, although the best place to find it is still alongside railway lines.
This bout of nostalgia was prompted by driving down Ditchling Beacon yesterday en route to a village pub for lunch. I remembered driving the same steep, narrow, twisting lane a few years ago and exclaiming, 'Look, a cowslip', and then, 'And another!'. The cowslip was then a fairly unusual sight. I am pleased to say that nowadays one is far more likely to see great patches of the yellow flowers, especially on the Downs alongside the Brighton bypass. It really does seem to have spread like wildfire. I just hope the primrose manages as well.
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Monday, 19 April 2010
Matthew Hervey
One of my favourite authors is Bernard Cornwell and I have enjoyed reading every one of the books in the Richard Sharpe series. Browsing through the stock at the Lions book fair one month, I came across a number of books by Allan Mallinson which looked as though they might be in a similar vein and set in approximately the same time frame, the difference being that the first Sharpe novel is set in 1799 and the last in 1815 (No - there is now a later one) whereas the Hervey series only starts in 1815. Both series feature British army officers, but there the apparent similarity ends. Sharpe, a product of the London slums, has no claim whatsoever to the title 'gentleman', but Hervey, the son of a clergyman, can almost claim that he is one. He also bought his commission.
The series follows Hervey's career in the 6th Light Dragoons. The author is himself (or he was) a serving army officer, reaching the rank of Brigadier, and has quite obviously immersed himself in the history of the cavalry. There are many details which make it easy for the reader to see himself in an 1820s cavalry barracks. Hervey is a likeable hero and the other characters who feature throughout much of the series are well-drawn.
After I had read a couple of the books I felt that they were not as fast-moving as Cornwell's and re-read a Sharpe book to check. I was right - they don't hook me in quite the same way. There is more action in Sharpe than in Hervey, and more strategy in Hervey than in Sharpe, which slows the pace somewhat. That is not to say that I haven't enjoyed those I have read: quite the contrary, but I feel it unlikely that I will want to read any of them again. In fairness, I don't think I can award more than three stars, although I might be pushed to three and a half.
The series follows Hervey's career in the 6th Light Dragoons. The author is himself (or he was) a serving army officer, reaching the rank of Brigadier, and has quite obviously immersed himself in the history of the cavalry. There are many details which make it easy for the reader to see himself in an 1820s cavalry barracks. Hervey is a likeable hero and the other characters who feature throughout much of the series are well-drawn.
After I had read a couple of the books I felt that they were not as fast-moving as Cornwell's and re-read a Sharpe book to check. I was right - they don't hook me in quite the same way. There is more action in Sharpe than in Hervey, and more strategy in Hervey than in Sharpe, which slows the pace somewhat. That is not to say that I haven't enjoyed those I have read: quite the contrary, but I feel it unlikely that I will want to read any of them again. In fairness, I don't think I can award more than three stars, although I might be pushed to three and a half.
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Pay attention at the back!
We have a lot to cover today, so sit up and pay attention.
First, UK (and much of Europe's) airspace is closed until at least 1.00am tomorrow, Monday. The disruption this is causing to holiday-makers is enormous, given that today is the last day of the two-week Easter school holidays for most of Britain. But it is, of course, not only holiday-makers who are affected. Businessmen are unable to travel and will need to rearrange meetings, a couple who have spent three years planning their wedding in Antigua have been unable to travel, and tons of food waiting to be flown into Britain from Kenya and Egypt (for example) have had to be destroyed. This will mean that farmers in those countries who rely on exporting crops to Europe will suffer, and as a knock-on effect, British shoppers will suffer as there will be shortages of some fresh foods. This will no doubt mean that there will be increased demand for other foods. Am I just being cynical when I suggest that this could lead to price rises in our shops? Then, of course, the airlines themselves are losing millions of pounds a day and it is predicted that these losses will mean some airlines could go bust.
The Icelandic volcano with an unpronounceable name may be responsible for locking down European airspace, but it cannot be blamed for locking down Brighton's roads today. The inaugural Brighton marathon is being run and many of the city's major roads are closed for at least part of the day, including the main east-west road through the city - the sea front. There have been 12,000 people who have paid to enter the marathon, although the organisers expect some 25% of them not to turn up. This will still leave 9,000 runners, and another 30,000 spectators are expected to come into Brighton. Hotels report that they have been fully booked for weeks, and restaurants have heavier than normal bookings for this evening. The weather today is great - it feels warmer than any other day this year and the sky is blue (although there is a distinct haziness towards the horizon, for which we can thank volcanic action). Most people I have spoken to seem to be happy to put up with the disruption the marathon is causing and welcome the fact that it will bring business to the city and that thousands of pounds will be raised for charities, many of them local ones such as Leo House, Martlets Hospice and the Sussex MS Treatment Centre.
It is some time (I think) since I have mentioned books I have read and there are a good few that I should be covering. I think perhaps I will leave the bulk of them for another day and I will mention only the latest Peter James book in the Roy Grace series, Dead Tomorrow. Although, like the rest of the series, largely based in and around Brighton, quite a lot of the action takes place in Bucharest. When bodies found in the sea off Brighton are discovered to be missing organs, it is not difficult to put two and two together and come up with the answer that people trafficking for body parts is the central theme. As with previous books in the series, there are two or three sub-plots that run through each book. It was interesting to see that several of the characters in the book have the same names as some of the people thanked by the author for their help - and what's more, the real-life people appear to have the same roles as the characters in the book. I mentioned in my previous note that each book contained a geographical error. This one is no exception, but I have come to the conclusion that this is a leg-pull by Mr James and that these are deliberate errors on his part. Like his other works, this is a fast-moving tale which works up to a dramatic conclusion. And not everybody lives happily ever after.
First, UK (and much of Europe's) airspace is closed until at least 1.00am tomorrow, Monday. The disruption this is causing to holiday-makers is enormous, given that today is the last day of the two-week Easter school holidays for most of Britain. But it is, of course, not only holiday-makers who are affected. Businessmen are unable to travel and will need to rearrange meetings, a couple who have spent three years planning their wedding in Antigua have been unable to travel, and tons of food waiting to be flown into Britain from Kenya and Egypt (for example) have had to be destroyed. This will mean that farmers in those countries who rely on exporting crops to Europe will suffer, and as a knock-on effect, British shoppers will suffer as there will be shortages of some fresh foods. This will no doubt mean that there will be increased demand for other foods. Am I just being cynical when I suggest that this could lead to price rises in our shops? Then, of course, the airlines themselves are losing millions of pounds a day and it is predicted that these losses will mean some airlines could go bust.
The Icelandic volcano with an unpronounceable name may be responsible for locking down European airspace, but it cannot be blamed for locking down Brighton's roads today. The inaugural Brighton marathon is being run and many of the city's major roads are closed for at least part of the day, including the main east-west road through the city - the sea front. There have been 12,000 people who have paid to enter the marathon, although the organisers expect some 25% of them not to turn up. This will still leave 9,000 runners, and another 30,000 spectators are expected to come into Brighton. Hotels report that they have been fully booked for weeks, and restaurants have heavier than normal bookings for this evening. The weather today is great - it feels warmer than any other day this year and the sky is blue (although there is a distinct haziness towards the horizon, for which we can thank volcanic action). Most people I have spoken to seem to be happy to put up with the disruption the marathon is causing and welcome the fact that it will bring business to the city and that thousands of pounds will be raised for charities, many of them local ones such as Leo House, Martlets Hospice and the Sussex MS Treatment Centre.
It is some time (I think) since I have mentioned books I have read and there are a good few that I should be covering. I think perhaps I will leave the bulk of them for another day and I will mention only the latest Peter James book in the Roy Grace series, Dead Tomorrow. Although, like the rest of the series, largely based in and around Brighton, quite a lot of the action takes place in Bucharest. When bodies found in the sea off Brighton are discovered to be missing organs, it is not difficult to put two and two together and come up with the answer that people trafficking for body parts is the central theme. As with previous books in the series, there are two or three sub-plots that run through each book. It was interesting to see that several of the characters in the book have the same names as some of the people thanked by the author for their help - and what's more, the real-life people appear to have the same roles as the characters in the book. I mentioned in my previous note that each book contained a geographical error. This one is no exception, but I have come to the conclusion that this is a leg-pull by Mr James and that these are deliberate errors on his part. Like his other works, this is a fast-moving tale which works up to a dramatic conclusion. And not everybody lives happily ever after.
Saturday, 17 April 2010
Volcano update
I can't even spell, let alone pronounce, the name of the Icelandic volcano that has caused world-wide travel disruption. The closure of UK airspace has been extended until 0100 tomorrow, Sunday, and much European space is closed as well. There was a thin film of what I assumed to be volcanic dust over the car this morning so the cloud must have reached us, although the sky still seems to be blue.
Yesterday I phoned my daughter in Portugal in case she and her party were unaware of the difficulties they would face trying to return home this weekend. They did know about the problem and had spent several hours trying to arrange alternative travel. The best they could manage was a flight next Wednesday, so she will miss the first three days of the new term and the rest of her party - like so many thousands of others - will also be late returning to work.
Yesterday I phoned my daughter in Portugal in case she and her party were unaware of the difficulties they would face trying to return home this weekend. They did know about the problem and had spent several hours trying to arrange alternative travel. The best they could manage was a flight next Wednesday, so she will miss the first three days of the new term and the rest of her party - like so many thousands of others - will also be late returning to work.
Friday, 16 April 2010
Of matters avian and aeronautical
First, aeronautical. UK airspace has been pretty much closed following the eruption of an Icelandic volcano. The volcanic dust is highly dangerous to aircraft as it can jam the engines and even seep into and corrupt passengers' air.
The picture shows the Met Office ash cloud forecast for 7pm BST on Thursday 15 April, issued at 6.35am. The red areas show the risk of ash at lower levels between ground and 20,000ft - marked in "flight levels" as FL200 - while green areas show the risk of ash between 20,000ft and 35,000ft, marked as FL200/FL350.
Blue areas show the cloud between 35,000ft and 55,000ft - marked as FL350/FL550.
The spread of all three layers over southern England suggests even more disruption to flights is expected later today, as controllers extend air space closures, currently affecting every UK air traffic 'sector' north of London.
It is not known how long the disruption will last, so I'm wondering if my daughter will be able to get back from Portugal in time for the start of the new term next Monday (she is a teacher).
As for matters avian, I have been watching house sparrows, a hedge sparrow, blue tits and blackbirds gathering nesting material over the last few days. The blackbirds have chosen a spot in our neighbours' tree, which is right beside the fence. It's a pretty dense tree with ivy growing up through it. I have seen the cock bird occasionally, but it seems to be mainly the hen doing the nest building. She has imposed a one-way system, flying into the tree on our neighbours' side and out on our side. She generally lands on a post in our garden quite close to the tree where she sorts out her plumage, which gets ruffled as she exits the tree, before going foraging again. It's for all the world as though she is primping her hair before going out and really is quite amusing to watch.
The picture shows the Met Office ash cloud forecast for 7pm BST on Thursday 15 April, issued at 6.35am. The red areas show the risk of ash at lower levels between ground and 20,000ft - marked in "flight levels" as FL200 - while green areas show the risk of ash between 20,000ft and 35,000ft, marked as FL200/FL350.
Blue areas show the cloud between 35,000ft and 55,000ft - marked as FL350/FL550.
The spread of all three layers over southern England suggests even more disruption to flights is expected later today, as controllers extend air space closures, currently affecting every UK air traffic 'sector' north of London.
It is not known how long the disruption will last, so I'm wondering if my daughter will be able to get back from Portugal in time for the start of the new term next Monday (she is a teacher).
As for matters avian, I have been watching house sparrows, a hedge sparrow, blue tits and blackbirds gathering nesting material over the last few days. The blackbirds have chosen a spot in our neighbours' tree, which is right beside the fence. It's a pretty dense tree with ivy growing up through it. I have seen the cock bird occasionally, but it seems to be mainly the hen doing the nest building. She has imposed a one-way system, flying into the tree on our neighbours' side and out on our side. She generally lands on a post in our garden quite close to the tree where she sorts out her plumage, which gets ruffled as she exits the tree, before going foraging again. It's for all the world as though she is primping her hair before going out and really is quite amusing to watch.
Thursday, 15 April 2010
What's the date?
While reading today's fishwrap yesterday evening, I found myself looking at the top of the page to check the date. Yep, April 14 it said, although given the story I was reading I fully expected to see that I was reading a two-week old paper dated April 1.
It was reported that a couple from Merseyside in north-west England decided to treat her mother to a day out in France. This involved driving almost 300 miles to Dover, where they put the car in a multi-storey car park. Mother-in-law stayed in the car while her daughter and son-in-law went off to pay for the parking.
Some time later, when the ferry was well into its one and a quarter hour crossing to Calais, the couple wondered where her mother had got to. Then it dawned on them: she was still waiting in the car.
The ferry radioed Dover and the police searched the car park, finding m-i-l still sitting in the back seat of the car, wondering why it was taking so long to pay for the parking.
Daughter and s-i-l caught the next ferry back from Calais and drove home again - with the old lady. I bet that was a lively journey!
It was reported that a couple from Merseyside in north-west England decided to treat her mother to a day out in France. This involved driving almost 300 miles to Dover, where they put the car in a multi-storey car park. Mother-in-law stayed in the car while her daughter and son-in-law went off to pay for the parking.
Some time later, when the ferry was well into its one and a quarter hour crossing to Calais, the couple wondered where her mother had got to. Then it dawned on them: she was still waiting in the car.
The ferry radioed Dover and the police searched the car park, finding m-i-l still sitting in the back seat of the car, wondering why it was taking so long to pay for the parking.
Daughter and s-i-l caught the next ferry back from Calais and drove home again - with the old lady. I bet that was a lively journey!
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
When all else fails
To paraphrase my American friend, if there's nothing else to talk about, the weather is always a good stand-by. We have been enjoying a dry spell and plenty of sunshine, with temperatures reaching the mid-teens Celsius (low 60s Fahrenheit) but unfortunately a brisk north-easterly has taken to edge off the warmth of the sun. The wind generally waits until the flowering cherry trees are in bloom but although the very early ones are out, the main blossom is still to come so perhaps we will have to put up with the wind for a while yet.
I seem to have recovered my energy, so there is a possibility that I will get into the garden this afternoon and mow the lawns for the first time this year. I did wander down to check out the vegetable patch yesterday and was pleased to see that most of the garlic is sprouting well, the new raspberry canes are showing, and the rhubarb being forced under a wastepaper basket is coming on with two sticks several inches long already. A few more days and we will have our first tender rhubarb of the year.
I seem to have recovered my energy, so there is a possibility that I will get into the garden this afternoon and mow the lawns for the first time this year. I did wander down to check out the vegetable patch yesterday and was pleased to see that most of the garlic is sprouting well, the new raspberry canes are showing, and the rhubarb being forced under a wastepaper basket is coming on with two sticks several inches long already. A few more days and we will have our first tender rhubarb of the year.
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