The other day I watched Saving Mr Banks with my film club. Later we had much to discuss about author P.L. Travers and her difficult relationship with Walt Disney throughout his quest to get her to sell him the film rights to her Mary Poppins books. During our discussion we considered the curious fact that many great children’sContinue reading “The Classic Children’s Author: A Sad Person Who Creates an Amazing Character Loved by Millions?”
Tag Archives: SC Skillman author
Book Review: Born Survivors by Wendy Holden
This is the story of how three young women – Anka, Rachel and Priska – hid their pregnancies from Dr Josef Mengele on the ramp at Auschwitz, and went on to suffer in the concentration camps and give birth to their babies just before Liberation in April 1945. All three of those babies then metContinue reading “Book Review: Born Survivors by Wendy Holden”
Book Review (English Social History): “Through the Keyhole” by Susan C Law
It seems part of the psychological make-up of the English people to bestow power upon the wealthy and privileged; whilst at the same time depriving them of the right to privacy. And as we’ve all recently seen in the General Election, you have to be tough to play for high stakes; winner takes all, and Continue reading “Book Review (English Social History): “Through the Keyhole” by Susan C Law”
A Journey through Golden Fields to Stratford-upon-Avon to see Classic Cars at the Motor Festival
Today I found myself in the driver’s seat once more (6 weeks after my hip operation) and joining the queue of cars heading into Stratford-upon-Avon. The long traffic queues were because Stratford was hosting its annual Motor Festival today. So this gave Abigail plenty of opportunity to take photos of the lovely fields of rapeseedContinue reading “A Journey through Golden Fields to Stratford-upon-Avon to see Classic Cars at the Motor Festival”
Secret Gardens: The First Glimpse of the ‘Privy Garden’ at Kenilworth Castle for Elizabeth in 1575
I find this view of the Elizabethan Garden at Kenilworth Castle very evocative. It would have been the view Elizabeth first saw when Sir Robert Dudley led her into the garden in 1575, hoping that this time she’d accept his proposal of marriage. This first sight of the garden, glimpsed from the Keep, conjures upContinue reading “Secret Gardens: The First Glimpse of the ‘Privy Garden’ at Kenilworth Castle for Elizabeth in 1575”
Words From a Cave – Part 3
Here I am about to step out of the cave nearly 3 weeks after my hip replacement operation – without crutches! Yesterday I took part in a beautiful performance of Mozart’s Requiem with the Coventry Spires Philharmonic Choir in Holy Trinity Church Coventry. I think that, together with a walk through the Coventry city streets, counts as aContinue reading “Words From a Cave – Part 3”
Versatile Blogger Award
I was very pleased to learn that I’ve been nominated for this award by fellow-blogger and Goodreads friend Lance Greenfield whose blog I follow. Lance is the author of “Eleven Miles” a book which I reviewed recently and which I can thoroughly recommend. Writing a weekly blog post is an excellent writing discipline, and a wonderful creativeContinue reading “Versatile Blogger Award”
Words From A Cave – Part 2
Since last week’s post I’m starting to see the light flooding through into my cave. I’m moving around on my crutches (and sometimes without them.) I went to the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter morning services at my church (St Mark’s Leamington Spa) and then later on Easter Sunday I was out at a local beautyContinue reading “Words From A Cave – Part 2”
Ghostly Encounters, Earthbound Spirits and a Promise of Love
Recently my sister in Australia sent me a set of DVDs – ironically made in England, containing a documentary series on Great British Ghosts narrated by Michaela Strachan for the BBC. The set also included a third documentary, narrated by Paul McGann in a balanced, neutral tone, called Ghosts of the London Underground, and this was by far theContinue reading “Ghostly Encounters, Earthbound Spirits and a Promise of Love”
People of Inspiration: The Enduring Love of Mozart’s Requiem
“Mozart stopped writing here.” Those were the words one soprano had written after bar 8 of the Lacrymosa in her score of Mozart’s Requiem: just so she could be sure which bits were from the hand of the master, and which from his much-less gifted composer friend Franz Sussmayr. We were singing with the choir Spires Philharmonic Chorus,Continue reading “People of Inspiration: The Enduring Love of Mozart’s Requiem”
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