So bank holiday Monday came and went and included Cheese Rolling by the rebellion. First one we've missed in 5 years I think, but we'll be there next year I'm sure. For most, today means back to work. Ha ha! Not me though - no-sir-ee. I very sensibly booked two days holiday. I have a little trip on Wednesday to collect daughter from the airport on her return from Egypt unless her friends have sold her for a camel (customs will be a nightmare if that's the case) and it seemed daft to go back to the ship just for one day. So here I sit on the holodeck.
Monday morning did indeed include mowing and netting installation so the garden's looking pretty good. Next job is the hot tub. Details coming up.
But first - Door Stops & Triffids. Mrs G and I have been looking for a doorstop for the master bedroom door for some time. It's not that it's difficult, but that there are so many to choose from. On Sunday when we failed yet again to find a suitable one I came to my senses an explained to Mrs G that we didn't need a door stop. What we actually needed was something of weight to prop the door open with. This means it could be any heavy object and all of a sudden our options are wide open.
Gloucester has a couple of great antiques centers and this, dear reader, is where we stumbled upon the perfect objet d'art for the purpose. An old stone hot water bottle (now half filled with sand) is just perfect for the job and works a treat. Bingo.
An afternoon of movie watching led to Triffids. The Day of the Triffids is a 1951 story written by John Wyndham. Its been the subject of many Radio Plays & TV Movies, and Sci-Fi enthusiasts the world over, know the story well. For those of you unfamiliar with the plot, it says here:
Last Christmas the BBC made yet another dramatisation of it and it's a cracking job. Sort of Doctor Who/Torchwood on steroids. A proper movie (almost). I recorded it on Sky plus and it's languished there, taking up valuable disk space and waiting for the moment when I had an appropriate slot in my schedule to watch it.
Eddie Izzard plays bad guy 'Torrence', Dougray Scott plays the role of Bill Masen and Brian Cox plays Bill's father. Eddie has become a great all rounder and one of those people you can't help but admire for his drive, ambition and monumental sense of humour. I've long been a fan of his stand-up, so I wasn't convinced about his acting future - but he's more than pulled it off. In fact he is officially a Hollywood Heavyweight. Good for him. He doesn't let the side down here either.
Mr Cox has had a long run of bad guy roles (what with him being the original Hannibal Lecter) but here he plays a good guy reminding us just what a great character actor he is as well. There's also appearances from Vanessa Redgrave & Jason Priestly.
My only real critisism of the piece would be the triffids themsleves. I'm afraid I failed to be convinced that a plant could catch someone - which us a real problem for a story about killer plants especially when the plant looks a bit like rubber on a stick (which it probably was). Regardless, it's a good looking, well made enjoyable romp.
Follow that with the second part of "Terry Pratchett's Going Postal" (8 out of 10 which is exceptionally high scoring, bearing in mind I've only ever given one 10) and a take away curry with Mrs G and my weekend was made.....
So to the tub. We haven't used it for about a month and it's been switched off, so it needs a full drain, scrub down, refill, new chemicals and ph balance and a warm up again. That's going to be a large part of the day and the weather doesn't appear to be on my side. But then at least I'm not at work....
PS: I cocked up my coffee selection by running for the bus on Saturday (to enjoy the abusive public) instead of wandering around Whittards - had to pick up some Lavazza in Tesco. However, if the weather continues to be blughehhggh (technical term) today, then a trip to Chelter's could resolve the situation and Italian Expresso, Monsoon Malabar or Cafe Francais will be the selection.
Monday morning did indeed include mowing and netting installation so the garden's looking pretty good. Next job is the hot tub. Details coming up.
But first - Door Stops & Triffids. Mrs G and I have been looking for a doorstop for the master bedroom door for some time. It's not that it's difficult, but that there are so many to choose from. On Sunday when we failed yet again to find a suitable one I came to my senses an explained to Mrs G that we didn't need a door stop. What we actually needed was something of weight to prop the door open with. This means it could be any heavy object and all of a sudden our options are wide open.
Gloucester has a couple of great antiques centers and this, dear reader, is where we stumbled upon the perfect objet d'art for the purpose. An old stone hot water bottle (now half filled with sand) is just perfect for the job and works a treat. Bingo.
An afternoon of movie watching led to Triffids. The Day of the Triffids is a 1951 story written by John Wyndham. Its been the subject of many Radio Plays & TV Movies, and Sci-Fi enthusiasts the world over, know the story well. For those of you unfamiliar with the plot, it says here:
"The protagonist is Bill Masen, an Englishman who has made his living working with "Triffids", plants capable of aggressive and seemingly intelligent behaviour: they are able to move about on their three "legs", appear to communicate with each other and possess a deadly whip-like poisonous sting that enables them to kill and feed on the rotting carcasses of their victims. The book implies they were bioengineered in the Soviet Union and then accidentally released into the wild when a plane carrying their seeds was shot down. Triffids begin sprouting all over the world, and their extracts prove to be superior to existing vegetable oils. The result is worldwide cultivation of Triffids."
Last Christmas the BBC made yet another dramatisation of it and it's a cracking job. Sort of Doctor Who/Torchwood on steroids. A proper movie (almost). I recorded it on Sky plus and it's languished there, taking up valuable disk space and waiting for the moment when I had an appropriate slot in my schedule to watch it.
Eddie Izzard plays bad guy 'Torrence', Dougray Scott plays the role of Bill Masen and Brian Cox plays Bill's father. Eddie has become a great all rounder and one of those people you can't help but admire for his drive, ambition and monumental sense of humour. I've long been a fan of his stand-up, so I wasn't convinced about his acting future - but he's more than pulled it off. In fact he is officially a Hollywood Heavyweight. Good for him. He doesn't let the side down here either.
Mr Cox has had a long run of bad guy roles (what with him being the original Hannibal Lecter) but here he plays a good guy reminding us just what a great character actor he is as well. There's also appearances from Vanessa Redgrave & Jason Priestly.
My only real critisism of the piece would be the triffids themsleves. I'm afraid I failed to be convinced that a plant could catch someone - which us a real problem for a story about killer plants especially when the plant looks a bit like rubber on a stick (which it probably was). Regardless, it's a good looking, well made enjoyable romp.
Follow that with the second part of "Terry Pratchett's Going Postal" (8 out of 10 which is exceptionally high scoring, bearing in mind I've only ever given one 10) and a take away curry with Mrs G and my weekend was made.....
So to the tub. We haven't used it for about a month and it's been switched off, so it needs a full drain, scrub down, refill, new chemicals and ph balance and a warm up again. That's going to be a large part of the day and the weather doesn't appear to be on my side. But then at least I'm not at work....
PS: I cocked up my coffee selection by running for the bus on Saturday (to enjoy the abusive public) instead of wandering around Whittards - had to pick up some Lavazza in Tesco. However, if the weather continues to be blughehhggh (technical term) today, then a trip to Chelter's could resolve the situation and Italian Expresso, Monsoon Malabar or Cafe Francais will be the selection.
Don't revert to the Dark Side. Starbucks and Cafe Nero are but a short step away and then it is the oblivion from which there is no rescue. Step away from the Lavazza and get your Moon Raking butt down to Whittards. :-)
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