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Yes, indeed! This is another in the much applauded RuTDP occasional Bar fly series. It's about pleasing shapes and arrangements (in the bar or pub); so let's admire this lovingly restored pine staircase - an example of the period around 1902 when the so-called "arts and crafts" movement was active in British architecture. The Dysart Arms pub in Petersham is a good example of this style.
Camera: Olympus E3. Lens: Olympus 14-35mm (28-70) f2.0.
I won't bore you with too many chairs, but I like the patterns and the tones. The riverside terrace at Richmond Bridge is such a fine place to just sit and watch, and let the thoughts wander.
We seem to be stuck on the theme of places to sit. Anyway, Freefalling of Australia will probably be pleased to see this. Glorious day, and I managed to stagger about in Richmond for a bit. This is the terrace outside Tide Tables Cafe (again: and always great for a good photo).
Camera: Olympus C7070 wz
I get so many kind comments on this blog that I feel bad about "disappearing". Believe me, I don't enjoy "disappearing", but that's how it has to be for now.
Anyway, here's a nice bench to rest on. I'm not managing to take photos, but I certainly am not resting! The bench can be seen in the "Eastern Avenue", one of the long formal approaches to Ham House, starting at the Fox and Duck inn (where else?).
By the way: my right arm now lifts, with difficulty, to about 90-92 degrees of the desired 180 degrees, and the legs are getting stronger. The walking stick is still necessary. It's going to need several more months of work!
What luxury! My bone china "cat-mug" and my speciality shortbread ginger flavoured biscuit, a cup of excellent Indian tea and the News at Ten on BBC Radio 4 before tucking down into my nice cosy bed: my books and electric light to read by.
What really thrills me is the recent discovery that all white Europeans have at least 2% of Neanderthal DNA! "Neanderthal!" is normally an insult neatly hurled across a field of anger at someone you think is culturally and intellectually inferior. (What a base instinct that is).
However, it's certain that Neanderthals lived about a mile away from where I am typing this. I've always had a soft spot for them. Now I can welcome them in to sit down and chat. "Come in cousin. I'm pleased to see you. Have a look around and feel at home. You've travelled a long way, haven't you! But please do wipe your feet and wash your hands first."
In the last two blog entries I've compared and contrasted the original Swedish "Wallander" series and the BBC British version. This link introduces us to an interesting discussion:
http://blogs.sun.com/racingsnake/entry/new_wallander_series_on_bbc
One contributor regrets the fact that in the British version the scene is so bright and sunny and the architecture so "Scandinavian Clean" whereas the Swedish version is more gloomy (weatherwise) and the architecture more dull and not particularly attractive. It's more like the real everyday Sweden.
One important item is the mention of a new HD video camera, the "Red One", that was probably used to make the British version. This camera produces stunning visual results. The British "Wallander" positively dazzles us.
I think that the Director has used this camera very cleverly. He shows a scene bathed in sunlight, and surrounded by clean "stainless" architecture, but the characters and the stories are far from "stainless". They are in fact deeply currupt and disturbing. The contrast is very effective. We are shocked by the differences between reality and image.
For those who know Britain and Scandinavia well there are some fascinating insights to be won when watching these two versions.
Last Saturday's "Wallander" (Swedish version) on BBC television was exciting and also quite bizarre. I guess that the theme was familly relationships and the nature of famillies and how fragmented these modern famillies can be. The bizarre element was that (as far as I could make out) there were at least three and possibly four police officers who were carrying out dangerous operations against Russian mafia killers while at the same time caring for their children as single parents. The most bizarre of all was the single parent "anti-mafia squad" police detective who was living in secret on a tugboat in the harbour together with his young daughter! Each morning he saw her off to school, fed the guinea pig and then set off to track down the world's most viscious men. At the same time his colleagues were going through similar single-parent familly acrobatics.
There was also an undercurrent: the theme of team spirit and mutual support among the police team. The team was the familly, and each one strove for professional excellence and lived or died depending on the vigilance of his/her team mate. The "real" famillies were broken and took second place behind the professional team, but did not lack parental care and love.
Bizarre, and disturbing, but good television. (Until I can get out and about again you're going to have to put up with more of this bizarre "City" photography).
