Okay, I get it. We need to attract wealthy overseas visitors into London. We want them staying at likes of Claridges or Lanesboro.Spending money down Bond or Dover Street. We are happy for them to eat at The Ritz or Ledbury and visit the Royal Ballet and Opera. Having done that, they can tour the rest of the UK.
So let’s just leave the cities as they are for now.
HS2, that whitest of White Elephants, as of April this year, has already cost £40.5 billion.
Imagine if that money had been put into local services? Closed stations and lines opened up. Rejuvenated. Good public transport for those in Sticksville. Allowing folk to get around their own parts of the country with ease and comfort.
Regular markets with fresh produce now easily travelled to and small business benefiting from the footfall.
With ‘Made in Britain’ once again on the forefront of our minds, encouraged and rewarded and craftsmanship recognised and respected…Britain could be great.
Hats off to William Morris for fighting the Industrial Revolution!
Okay, WP. We have certainly got to sing for our supper here today!
I know for a fact that when I’ve finished the post, more thoughts will spring to mind. I shall jot them down along with others that have stirred me for the next time you ask us.
The Green Book.. 2018. An American biographical true story set in the deep South. With Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali. Directed by Peter Farelly. I found this captivating.
Ripley..2024. 1960’s Italy. With Andrew Scott, Elliot Sumner, and Dakota Fanning. Directed by Ridley Scott. The cinematography blew me away!
The Big Wedding..2013. A comedy/romance. With a stellar cast, I have to mention some of them. .Robert De Niro, Diane Keaton, Katherine Heifi, Susan Saradon, and Robin Williams. Written and directed by Justin Zackham. So funny.
If..1968.A British satirical drama/film. With Malcom McDowell, Christine Noonan, Richard Warwick +. Directed by Lindsay Anderson. I saw this as a kid on TV and wrote to whoever to ask about the music. The soundtrack is Missa Luba. I ask Alexa to play this for me from time to time. It always stirs me.
Okay two film here which made me sob…The Passion of the Christ..2004. A historical horror film,really. With Jim Caviezel and Monica Belluci. Directed by Mel Gibson.
And..Hachi: A Dog’s Tale..2009. A family/drama. With Richard Gere and Joan Allen. ( must find the credit to give the dog) Directed by Lasse Hallestrom.
Iris..2001. A British true story about the novelist Iris Murdoch. It’s a really good film with a great cast..Judge Dench, Jim Broadbent and Kate Winslet. Directed by Richard Eyre. I keep begging Netflix to show it again. Perhaps I should ask Prime?
The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny. 1993. An animated family film and my most favourite for children. It’s adorable. With Niamh Cusack, Rory Carty. Andrew Clithero and June Whitfield Directed by Dennis Abey +2.
So that’s 8.
Years ago, I was busy doing something, and the tv was on in the background, then I quickly sat up when the play/movie kicked in. I had always remembered it as Kenneth Brannagh, Othello, and being in black and white. But I my memory is not serving me well. There is a 1995 Othello movie with Kenneth Brannagh and Irene Jacob, but it is in colour. Was it so captivating I didn’t see the colour. Was the lighting just so? Mmm.
I went on the hunt for a b&w version, and I’ve found one by and starring Orson Wells from 1951. Yikes! This looks like something I must watch.
And finally..
Night Always Comes..2025. An American crime/thriller. Good casting. Vanessa Kirby, Julia Fox, Zach Gottsagen, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Eli Roth. It was directed by Benjamin Caron. I watched this the other night and really enjoyed it.
And there we have it, my friends. If you will excuse me I now need to lie down in a dark room. 😆
A few weeks back WP congratulated me on 16 years with them. I had no idea. Blogs have come and gone over the years, most of them deleted. Tomorrow though I will have reached a 200 day streak. So it looks like I may be here to stay this time. I thank you all who have joined me. I’m meeting some cool people here. Like minded souls trying to make sense of this world. Our world, as we see it.
As long as I can remember I have loved reading and writing. ( Sadly, at present reading books is taking a back seat) My first real story was when I was about 10..of course there is a story behind that too, which I will keep for another day.
But as Mae ( you maybe subscribed to her) has already said this morning it’s finding that one space, that’s yours. Free airspace not clouded by others. She’s right, with the stars aligned; time, space, place, a steady pace of life where writing just slips on in there like the most natural thing in the world.Allowing those thoughts and ideas to surface. No holds barred. Letting them out, leaving a less cluttered area in my head.
Im a bit dismayed many are using so much AI for their blogs ( I don’t fear AI at all. Quite the contrary I’m slightly in awe of it) It just feels we may be losing authenticity. Losing the voices with their own stories to tell. Heavens only knows how journalists the world over must feel as they see their craft disappear.
But that’s simply my humble opinion. There’s no stopping AI now.
Each morning I throw open the windows, doors and dusty cupboards in my head and see what can be made of our Daily Prompt..as natural as breathing.
My stomach rumbling was the first thing I heard and felt this morning. Not having enough to eat at dinner ( 😢 …pathetic! lol) had led to a disturbed night’s sleep.
My head was a tad foggy, but there was Himself to walk and feed. Pigeon and Squirrel were letting their presence be felt and that only added to the pressure of getting from A to B and back as quickly as possible.
Patch had other ideas. He was in it for the long haul. I could tell he was on a mission, and there was nothing I could do about it. We go his way or no way. I try and cut corners and say ‘please’, and he’ll just plonk himself down and not move until I say,’ okay, you win.’
I knew it would take a bit of extra time to begin my Prompt, so I thought I’d write this post first….
To open some doors and windows in my head and blow away some cobwebs.
And now, with us all fed and watered, I’ll sit for a while and read through some of what you guys are having to say about writing.
Francis de Sales is the patron saint of writers, journalists, adult education and the deaf. Quite the man.
Chelsea, London. How I loved living in the city. Absolutely loved it!. And on a day like today, I’d enjoy being back there.
Funny old day Sunday. Maybe a feeling left over from childhood, I don’t know. That grey day.
In the capital, it’s the vibrancy that energy. Just try and keep me away from the National Portrait Gallery, or one of those fabulous eateries hidden down a mostly forgotten street.
It’s fair to say I’ve sailed a bit close to the wind at times, but I also know what it is like to enjoy turning left at the door of a plane.
Today, we went out early. Not a cloud in the sky. There was a very tiny nip in the air, which was exciting. The roads were mostly empty. It was quiet and still – except of course, there will always be someone or something going about their lives. Patch was up for a good walk. As usual, I let him him take the lead 😆 and we stayed out for some time. So peaceful, just us together sharing the moment.
My neighbourhood is the best place ever for dog walking, so much choice. As I said, I leave that choice to Himself.
IN THE BOOMER PIGEON HOLE? 
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