Greenwich and the Meridian Line

10 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by pat in entertainment, History, London, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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Greenwich, Maritime Museum, The Greenwich Observatory, The Meridian Line, The Old Royal Naval College

On our first day staying in London together last year, My Beloved Brit and I decided to explore Greenwich where the Naval College, The Observatory, The National Maritime Museum and the Meridian Line are.

Kate, The Duchess of Cambridge, attended a breakfast reception there this morning at the National Maritime Museum to meet a number of people supporting the bid to launch a British team in the America’s Cup. I thought this made it an appropriate time to revisit our visit to this incredible site.

As we came off the train and in to Greenwich, we saw bustling town on the edge of the Thames. Photo by me.

Walking down the street towards the Thames, we saw the masts of the Cutty Sark rising above the shoreline.

The masts of the Cutty Sark now on dry land on the edge of Greenwich. Photo by me.

We bypassed the ship tour and headed over to The Old Royal Naval College. Very impressive. It is across the Thames from London and Canary Wharf.

The Old Royal Naval College. Photo by me.

We went through the chapel on the grounds of the college, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The chapel is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, both of whom have connections to the sea. The chapel is filled with naval symbols.

The Chapel at The Old Royal Naval College. Photo by me.

Then walked through the portico…

Photo by me.

…to the Painted Hall. Incredibly beautiful. It is often described as the finest dining hall in Europe, and was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor. It was originally intended for the naval veterans who lived here at the Royal Hospital for Seamen, but was later used for the National Gallery of Naval Art. As of 1939, it was used for dining by the officers of the Royal Naval College, and many grand banquets. The paintings by Sir James Thornhill pay tribute to British maritime power.

The Painted Hall. Photo by me.

Lord Nelson was very attached to the College, and you can see references to him everywhere.

Lord Nelson Photo by me.

We cut back through the edge of Greenwich to head over to the Maritime Museum.

Photo by me.

I knew this was something My Beloved Brit would love. The whole complex at Greenwich Park was wonderful.

The Maritime Museum in Greenwich. Photo by me

The entrance just screamed boating, naval tradition, and the sea.

Photo by me.

When we saw this information, we knew it was going to be a good morning.

Photo by me.

We spent time looking at exhibits on Nelson, arctic convoys during WWII, and all sorts of seafaring memorabilia and displays.

Figure Heads in the museum. Photo by me.

After a time, we went outside and sat down trying to decide whether or not to hike the hill to the Royal Observatory and the Meridian Line.

The Naval College and the Thames behind us. Photo by me.

The Observatory at the top of the hill in front of us. Photo by me.

The views were worth the climb.

The view from The Observatory. Photo by me.

The view from The Observatory. That’s the Royal Naval College down the hill. Photo by me.

The Royal Observatory Greenwich is home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian of the World–Longitude 0. On one side is the Eastern Hemisphere, and on the other the West, just as the equator divides the northern and southern hemispheres. Every place on earth is measured in terms of its distance east or west from the Greenwich Meridian. The Observatory is also home to London’s only planetarium, the Harrison timekeepers and the UK’s largest refracting telescope.

The City of London in the distance. Photo by me.

After a full morning we decided to head back to London on the Thames by boat.

We take off from the Greenwich dock. Photo by me.

We take off from the Greenwich dock with The Naval College behind us. Photo by me.

It was about a forty-five minute ride back to the Embankment in London Center.

Past Canary Wharf and East London. Photo by me.

Under the Tower Bridge. Photo by me.

Leaving The Tower on London behind. Photo by me.

St. Paul’s in the background. Photo by me.

The new Shard on the South Bank. Photo by me.

Another way to see the river. Our ferry was not nearly so flash. Photo by me.

Leaving the east end of the Thames River behind. Photo by me.

Finally. Docking at the Embankment stop. Photo by me.

What a great morning. The weather was gorgeous, the company entertaining…it couldn’t have been a better day. After a trip on The Underground back to our room, we decided it was a full day. And a wonderful one.

Heading back to the hotel from the Picadilly underground. Photo by me.

Heading back to the hotel from the Piccadilly underground. Photo by me.

Our biggest challenge of the late afternoon was to decide where to eat. I love London.

Summer’s End in Cornwall

23 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by pat in Cornwall, England, entertainment, Travel, United Kingdom

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Bank Holiday, beaches, Charlestown, labor day

The last few weeks of August the people of England flood to the beaches of Cornwall. It is warm by their standards (in the 70s), and you see them with their pails and shovels and beach chairs, children in tow, going down to the rocky, seaweed strewn beaches.

This is in Charlestown in Cornwall on the southwest coast of England, a seafaring town with ancient ships and lovely beaches. And the British flock there with their families in August for the last gasp of summer.

Monday is England’s “bank holiday”, comparable to our Labor Day in the states. The end of summer. Bittersweet.

The Pub

12 Tuesday Mar 2013

Posted by pat in Cornwall, England, entertainment, Food, Music, Uncategorized

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a pint, beer gardens, chips British, fish and chips, pubs

On a windy, rainy, March day, there might be nothing better than a visit to an English pub. It can warm you up and cheer the day.

A pub in Charlestown, Cornwall. Photo by me

Most likely there is a fire in a corner of the room somewhere…at the very least, a heated discussion at the bar about the latest football match (our soccer).

A country pub in Castle Combe. Photo by me

A pub is one of my favorite places to eat. They usually have a huge menu with lots of choices, both healthy and otherwise, and if nothing else, I can get a warm jacket potato (baked potato) with baked beans and cole slaw. These pubs are cozy and usually “Cheap and Cheerful”, as the British say…a social gathering place as well as a place to eat or grab a drink.

The "High" Street in Burnham has several pubs up and down. Many have their favorite, or "local". Photo by me

The “High” Street in Burnham has several pubs up and down. Many Brits have their particular favorites, or “local”. Photo by me

And there is almost always someone you know if it’s your “local”. Rather like Cheers, UK style.

Southwold is a brewery town (Adnams Brewery-we did the tour), and has many, many pubs at the edge of the sea in eastern England. Photo by me.

I remember growing up in New York and there was an American version of the English pub in every town, or town center.

The pub at the Broadway Hotel in the Cotswolds…a modern twist on a classic Inn. Photo by me

The front room would have the bar and most likely a dart board. The back — the family dining room, often with great inexpensive Italian food.

A pub in Bath, with a great restaurant upstairs. Photo by me

A city pub in Bath,England with a great restaurant upstairs. Photo by me

It’s much the same in England, although the front room bar serves the pint of beer warm, the dining/family area most likely serves fish and chips and gammon (ham) and chips (fries), and there almost alway is a karaoke night.

A friendly pub lunch stop while touring Norfolk area of England between country estate house tours. Photo by me.

A friendly pub lunch stop we made while touring Norfolk area of England between country estate house tours. Photo by me.

If weather permits, there is also usually a beer garden with tables and space for the children to run around.

There is usually space outside to sit. We are always amazed to see people outside on a chilly grey day. Photo by me

There is usually space outside to sit. Hunstanton, Norfolk, England. Photo by me

We are always amazed to see people outside on a chilly grey day sitting in the garden.

A pub on the water in Fowey, Cornwall with great fish and chips. Photo by me

A pub on the water in Fowey, Cornwall with great fish and chips. And mushy peas! Photo by me

One pub I remember even had a room upstairs with a bouncy castle. This definitely is a family affair in England.

A pub in the Lake District on our way to Scotland. Photo by me

The interesting thing is that the social dynamics are very similar to what I remember from New York.

In Essex, our last stop to meet friends before heading to Heathrow. Photo by me

One night sitting in a pub waiting for dinner to come with My Beloved Brit and cousins in Cornwall on the Southwest coast, we watched as the ladies came in and stood at one end of the room, and the men came in and stood at the other.

The White Hart in Burnham. A popular place to meet. Photo by me

By the time we finished dinner, and a few pints later, the two sides had begun to talk to each other, and it might just prove to be an eventful night.

A London pub at Happy Hour. Photo by me

Of course we elders were gone way too early to really see all the excitement. When the music started, it was time to make our exit.

City Parks: London, Paris & New York

06 Wednesday Feb 2013

Posted by pat in Art, Art Museums & Exhibitions, England, entertainment, Gardens, London, paintings, sketching, Travel, Uncategorized

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Central Park, New York City, Paris, St James's, The Tuileries

I have always loved large cities. And traveling has just increased that love and fascination. What is it about these magnificent cities that lure me back again and again?

A Paris street. Photo by me

I think there is something incredibly special about spending a day in a major city–visiting museums,

maybe a movie or a show…

Times Square in New York City, featuring a movie, a play or just people watching. Photo by me.

or a bit of leisurely window shopping…

Window shopping in Paris. Photo by me.

A shop windows near St. James Palace in London, photo by me

A shop windows near St. James’s Palace in London, photo by me.

And then when you have just about had enough (but never quite), and your feet cannot carry you another block, you find a corner of a cozy park to settle down in with a cup of coffee or a cold drink.

A quiet corner of Central Park, NYC, in summer. Photo by me.

Central Park in summer, with a jazz musician playing under the bridge. Photo by me.

I think it is part of what makes a great city, well, great. A green oasis in the center of the bustle and noise. They have their own excitement and energy…

Central Park in summer, photo by me.

But also moments of peace and tranquility.

Sailing boats in Central Park, NYC. Photo by me.

Of course, I grew up near New York City on Long Island, and spent many happy hours in Central Park. And in the decades I worked in Washington, DC as a graphic designer, I also had a small studio apartment in NYC right across the street from Central Park. I could walk out the door of the building, cross the heavy traffic of Central Park West and I was in that very special place…a city park.

One of Central Park’s Broad Avenues. Photo by me

I have many images of Central Park that I have been looking at and sketching as part of the “Cities” series of paintings I have been working on this year. One of the things I have noticed working on this series is how similar the great parks are. Although each region has its own personality, the parks also have common elements–the broad walking paths, gorgeous ancient trees, people playing games…socializing…walking, and cool swaths of rolling lawn. And of course a water feature.

St. James Park, London. Photo by me.

In London, I think my favorite park is St. James’s Park.

The London park’s incredible flowers. Is it the abundance of rain? Photo by me.

Right down the street from Buckingham Palace you can always find a garden or a group of ducks on the edge of the lake that help to rejuvenate you.

One of St. James’s noisiest residents. Photo by me.

Kensington Gardens, a Royal Park, is one of my new favorites in London, just between Hyde Park and Kensington Palace. On my last trip to London in November it was golden, and I managed to take lots of pictures.

Kensington Park, London. Photo by me.

Luckily a painting was born. I look at this, and see any of the parks I have visited in large cities. This is just the beginning, but although it is Kensington, it could be a scene in New York or Paris.

The beginning of a painting of Kensington Park. Oil sketch by me

The three women are connecting with each other as they stroll through the lanes. You can hear children playing the background, maybe a dog barking, but mostly it is a quiet space where the women stroll in their own special world. The beauty of parks in a big city is it offers the residents a place to come together before retreating back to their small, or large, living spaces behind locked doors.

It reminds me of the painting I did of Bath, England a few years ago. The two women are alone under the trees walking and talking.

“The Voyeur”, painting by me.

In Paris, my favorite park is definitely, without a doubt, the Tuileries. It is a spectacular park. And is so “Parisian”.

The Tuileries in Paris. Photo by me.

All the elements of the other parks are there. The social games…

My version of the scene…

The water feature…

The edge of the Tuileries with the Louvre in the background. Photo by me.

The grand trees and broad avenues …

A lovely road through the park. Photo by me.

In Paris, everything is so neatly trimmed unlike the wild abandon of the English parks…

Kensington’s ducks being fed. Photo by me.

Or the naturally sculpted woods of Central Park…

Central Park’s rolling lawns. Photo by me.

But each has its own special magic. I can’t imagine if I really had to pick a favorite, which it would be.

Good night, dear cities. Sleep well. Your parks will wake up early in the morning.

Paris from my hotel window. Just beyond the rooftops, is The Tuileries. Photo by me.

The Concert of a Lifetime

04 Monday Jun 2012

Posted by pat in Art, Art Museums & Exhibitions, England, entertainment, London, Music, paintings, The Royal Family, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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Diamond Jubilee Concert, Sir Elton John, The National Gallery of Art

After a wet Sunday on the river, it was time for the Jubilee Concert. I had heard the drifting sound of music in the air all weekend as the bands rehearsed on the giant sound stage set up at The Queen Victoria Memorial Fountain outside Buckingham Palace.

Preparations for the concert have been going on all weekend. Photo by me

Mastermind of the three-hour BBC produced musical extravaganza Gary Barlow promised Sir Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Sir Elton John. It also promised to possibly be a rainy night on the Mall.

The clouds are building Monday morning as the blimp flies over St James's Park at the Westminster end. Photo by me.

The crowds were already flooding the park before noon staking out their spots with flags and blankets. The 10,000 grandstand tickets had been awarded ages ago by a national ballot. Those lucky sods also got a picnic in the Buckingham Palace Gardens. These additional attendees were people outside the inner fence trying to get a good view of the big screens set up down the Mall and in St. James’s Park.

These St. James's Park residents could have cared less about the invasion going on around them. Photo by me.

The best part of the morning was Stevie Wonder rehearsing and although there was no image, you could hear “Superstition” loud and clear throughout the park. His music continued for quite a while. Everyone was already rocking.

Before noon, people were already arriving for the show which would really begin at about 8 pm. Photo by me

I decided to take a break, and headed to the end of the park at Trafalgar to pay a visit to the National Gallery.

The National Gallery of Art, the perfect spot on a cool, cloudy London day. Photo by me.

I got my floor plan and carefully laid out my plan of attack on the massive museum. I began with the Impressionists.

Cezanne at The National Gallery. Photo by me

I also managed to fit in lunch at the museum cafe…an asparagus, fennel, and goat cheese tart and salad. It was the perfect accompaniment to Turner.

Turner, The National Gallery. photo by me

After lunch, I decided to spend another hour with Cezanne, Rembrandt and Botticelli. Finally, it was time to leave these perfect companions, and head back through the Mall. The crowds were now setting up mini-tent-towns.

Tents were popping up everywhere like mushrooms. Photo by me

The boards kept flashing notices that if you were planning to stay in the park overnight to view the parade tomorrow, you had to be in St. James’s Park, not on the Mall. In the park overnight!!!

Food stalls were set up everywhere, these two outside Clarence House. This was a mini-Woodstock. Photo by me

This might be a bit tough to get anywhere close to the action tonight. OMG! These people were serious.

Tents in St. James's with Big Ben in the background. Photo by me

I was bound and determined to at least try.

I love the woman with the high heels...what was she thinking. She was going to the palace and she was going to wear her best shoes, that's what! Photo by me.

Security was ultra strict, thank goodness, and they were already limiting access at certain points and checking backpacks and purses as they came in to the area.

The crowds kept pouring in. I imagine within the next couple of hours it would be impossible to get anywhere near. Photo by me.

I was informed by three concert security people that the sneak route I had planned through Green Park would be closed off…for the next two days.

The Official Souvenir Stands were doing a brisk business. Photo by me.

It looked like I might have to open my window and listen to the music from afar, but we’ll see.

These two music lovers have claimed their positions for the night. Photo by me

The weather may have something to do with it. It was threatening rain by 4 pm. The concert and beacons that would light up the sky were planned for later tonight. England’s skies don’t get dark until very late this time of year.

I headed over around 5 pm and made it in with many other revelers. Everyone was in an extremely jolly mood to say the least.

A happy group of Jubilee Concert goers. Photo by me

Some people put some real effort into their ensembles. Photo by me.

The sky got dark and it started to rain. But all was not lost.

Even the rain couldn't dampen spirits. Photo by me

Soon the sun was shining again and people were dancing in the street. I had a classic British dinner at the concert…chips (french fries to you Yanks) and a hot chocolate to ward off the chill.

There were many dining options at the Jubilee Concert. I chose chips, a popular choice. Photo by me

And then the boards lit up and it began.

Let the party get started. On the lawn in St. James's Park. Photo by me

The crowd was enjoying the music thoroughly. At the least provocation they sang along, cheered and waved their flags.

One of my favorite moments. This couple had their Queen and Prince masks on the back of their heads, and people kept running up behind them and having their pictures taken without them even being aware. Photo by me.

As it got dark, the music got better and better. Again, the crowd control was phenomenal.

The crowds were huge all over the area, but it was so well organized it was fine. Photo by me.

There were police, security and concert staff everywhere inside and outside the concert area to make sure everything ran smoothly…and it did. I don’t usually like huge crowds, but this never bothered me.

It was finally getting dark, and Annie Lenox came on. Photo by me

I waited for the queen to arrive, and decided it was time to walk back to my room (the concert actually started at 7:30). My usual access was cut off so I had to walk around a much longer way, but there were lots of people with me, a happy crowd, who had spent the day celebrating and were also ready to go home, and plenty of security on the streets to guide me home.

I can still hear the crowds and helicopters outside from my room as I write this. London is a very happy place tonight. May it always be so joyous. Happy Diamond Jubilee everyone.

I head back to the country tomorrow to join My Beloved Brit after his weekend of sailing. It will be so good to see him, but I will miss London.

Bond, James Bond, meets the Queen?

13 Sunday May 2012

Posted by pat in England, entertainment, movies, Olympics, The Royal Family, Uncategorized

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James Bond, knighthood, Skyfall

A new Bond movie is in the works, Skyfall, with Daniel Craig once again playing Bond. The new film will be released October 26th in the UK, November 9th, 2012 in the US. Judi Dench returns as M, and the new plot revolves around her character as “her past comes back to haunt her”. Javier Bardem joins the cast as the “villain”, and the new Bond Girl is Berenice Marlohe as Severine. Sounds intriguing.

From the new James Bond film, Skyfall, Photo: Francois Duhamel/Sony Pictures

According to speculation in an article in The Telegraph, The Queen agreed to make a cameo appearance in the film. James Bond 007 is to have knighthood bestowed on him by the Queen, and the scene will reportedly be beamed around the world during the opening ceremony at the Olympic Games.

Bond, of course, cannot comment. His future missions are top secret, after all.

“Face Britain” Does a Portrait of the Queen

22 Sunday Apr 2012

Posted by pat in Art, Art Museums & Exhibitions, England, entertainment, London, The Royal Family, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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Diamond Jubilee River Pageant, Portrait of the Queen

The Diamond Jubilee celebration is just beginning and the events are becoming more and more spectacular and creative leading up to the first week in June.

Gloiana ready for the jubilee

The Queen’s 94ft royal barge Gloriana that will lead the Thames Diamond Jubilee Flotilla was lowered in to the Thames on Thursday.

And now Face Britain has projected a huge composite portrait of the Queen on Buckingham Palace.

Projected images of the Queen, made up of over 20,000 self-portraits by children, is covering Buckingham Palace for three days this week.

The Prince’s Foundation for Children & The Arts’ original project goal was to give every child the chance to create their own self portrait. By bringing them together, it could create a snapshot of the 2012 generation.

“We began talking to the TV programme, Blue Peter, to ask if they would help us to promote the project to children and teachers. One of the editors had the brilliant idea of not just collecting and displaying the children’s self portraits but knitting them into a single composite image of HM The Queen – each portrait forming a pixel of the larger image.” They projected over 20,000 self-portrait images submitted to Face Britain onto Buckingham Palace this week.

What a fabulous idea.

Newton added, “We had to get the Queen’s approval, of course, because we’re projecting on to the front of her home,” he said. “I’m delighted to say Her Majesty loved the idea and loves the imagery.”

And all of these young children are introduced to the glory of creating art. Well done.

Cafes are always entertaining

04 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by pat in entertainment, Travel, Uncategorized

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Paris cafes

England has its pubs, which I love. The Paris equivalent is the outdoor cafe, with a distinct personality all their own. There’s at least one on almost every busy corner in the city. Since the start of my visit, they all seem to be full, and the temperatures have been in the 50s to low 60s. But Parisians love sitting outside at the cafe watching the world pass by.

photo by me

This particular one I saw on my first full day in Paris. It was right outside the Comedie-francais (France’s National Theater) and quite near the Louvre. A group of very talented musicians was entertaining the crowd with classical music while trying to sell their recordings.

Talented musicians. photo by me

They did attract a crowd, and it was quite a gathering of amazing talent on the street. They really were very good and stayed quite cheerful seeing that is was chilly outside.

photo by me

I am sure the cafe didn’t mind one bit. Often you see street performers near a large open air cafe. Definitely a symbiotic relationship.

Les Deux Magots and Cafe de Flore are two of the most popular cafes on the Left Bank. After winding through the little narrow streets near the Seine , I came across them both on this gorgeous wide Boulevard St. Germaine where they are located a block apart.

Les Deux Magots, the name comes from the two wooden statues of Chinese commercial agents (magots) that decorate the interior. Photo by me

They have had the reputation for decades of attracting a great literary and intellectual clientele, beginning with Ernest Hemingway in the 1920s and 30s, and existentialist philosophers and writers in the 50s, including Jean Paul Sartre and Simone de Bouvier. You can just imagine the conversations that took place over a few drinks. The Sorbonne is nearby which can’t hurt cafes reputations for great thoughts occurring around their tables.

Cafe Flore is only a block away, but just as busy. Photo by me

One of the most charming cafes I saw was on Ile de la Cite, right around the corner from Notre Dame. With just a few seats outside, it was none the less attracting a clientele that adored the sunshine under its wall of barely blooming wisteria.

A charming neighborhood cafe on Rue Chanoinesse, one of the oldest neighborhoods on Ile de la Cite. Racine lived here. Photo by me.

My favorite cafe to get coffee in the morning is just a short walk across from my hotel. It looks empty now, but by lunch time it will be packed if it’s a nice day.

My favorite go to cafe located conveniently just in the Tuileries across the street. photo by me

The weather did turn warmer by noon, after a very chilly morning, so…

By noon the entire park was a mob scene. The temps shot up to 59 degrees! Photo by me.

And then there is this…

The MacDonald contribution to the cafe scene. This is right down the street from the first cafe near the Louvre, where the musicians were playing. photo by me.

Somehow it is just not the same thing at all.

Sad but true, it’s time to head home. Luckily I have My Beloved Brit waiting for me at the airport tomorrow. That makes it bearable.

A Dream…Versailles

03 Tuesday Apr 2012

Posted by pat in Art, Art Museums & Exhibitions, entertainment, paintings, Travel, Uncategorized

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Degas, Museum d'Orsay, Paris, Versailles

Ever since I saw Sofia Coppola’s 2006 production, Marie Antoinette, I have dreamed of visiting Versailles. For her movie, Coppola was given unprecedented access to the vast palace and grounds and it looked magnificent.

It was pretty grand in true life, although the billions of visitors made it a tad crowded. Nonetheless…

I wasn't alone wanting to see Versailles this morning. The palace was overrun with tourists speaking many languages. Photo by me

The Versailles Station after a ride through the "country" from Paris on the double decker train. Photo by me

Thank goodness I managed to catch an early train this morning from Paris. The 30 minute ride was very pleasant, and the ticket seller at the station actually was quite helpful. Luckily with internet, I had researched the excursion and sort of knew what I was doing.

I even managed to get through the gates of the Palace fairly easily despite the massive crowds. Having the museum pass helped a lot I think. The ticket lines were unbelievable.

And once inside I got to see this…

Inside Versailles. One of many spectacular chandeliers. Photo by me.

and this…

This bedroom might be a tad fussy for me, but you have to admire how they mixed prints. Photo by me.

And this…

Hall of mirrors. Photo by me

Enough of the gold and the crowds, I looked for an exit.

The corridors were lovely and mysterious. Where did they all go? Photo by me

I headed outside, and even though very little had even started blooming or budding “Le Jardins” were spectacular.

Versailles' back garden. Photo by me

I walked around the grounds for hours before escaping back to the Starbucks in town and the train home. Another day in Paradise.

Peace and quiet. The further I got from the Palace, the less crowded it became. This was still on the palace grounds. It went on forever. Photo by me.

I got back to the train station in Paris just in time to catch the last hour at the Museum d’Orsay. I managed to fit in their special exhibit, “Degas, et le nu” (Degas and the nude).

The main hall of Museum d'Orsay. Such a uniquely beautiful museum in an old train station. Photo by me

It was a spectacularly rich show including sketches, influences by other artists and final paintings, but no photography allowed so you’ll have to take my word for it. It even had one of Degas’s small sketch books on exhibit behind glass. Amazing.

The sun sets on Paris and the Museum d'Orsay. Photo by me

I walked back across the park for my last evening in Paris.

A final sailboat race on the fountain pond in the Tuileries. These are the first clouds I've seen all week. Rain tonight. Photo by me

I paused to watch a rousing game of boules. Photo by me

And finally crossed over to my hotel during rush hour. Photo by me

Good Night, Paris.

Mr. Darcy, easy as one two three

22 Thursday Mar 2012

Posted by pat in England, entertainment, movies, Uncategorized

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Mr. Darcy

I am on the waiting list at my local library for the new bestseller Death Comes To Pemberley, a thrilling romp with the Pride and Prejudice characters. It was recently penned by the 91-year-old detective novelist P.D. James. I can only hope I am that active and creative at 91!

The novel is set at Pemberley 6 years after the marriage of Elizabeth and Darcy, two of Jane Austen’s best-loved characters from her novel Pride and Prejudice. You can just never get too much of P&P.

Over the years there have been various tv and movie adaptations of the novel, each with its own engaging cast members. And of course, Mr. Darcy is one of the greatest male romance heroes of all times, and a popular choice to focus on.

Elliot Cowan as Mr. Darcy 2008.

These were 4 very different Mr. Darcy’s on film… Peter Cushing in a 1952 TV version (can’t find a photo of him, sorry), Colin Firth in 1995, Matthew Macfayden in 2005 and Elliot Cowan in 2008 (in “Lost in Austen”, a 4 part British TV series).

Matthew MacFayden in the 2005 version

My favorite is the classic 6 hour BBC mini-series featuring Firth. The story unfolds beautifully with the expansive time of the series, the costumes are appropriately lovely, and Colin Firth just hit the mark for me as the perfect Darcy.

Colin Firth in "one of the most unforgettable moments in British TV history." (The Guardian) From the BBC television series "Pride & Prejudice".

If you get a chance, rent all you can and compare. Meanwhile I’m waiting for my email from the library to see what P.D. James has to say.

accentBritain

~ a romance with art and all things British

Category Archives: entertainment

Greenwich and the Meridian Line

Summer’s End in Cornwall

The Pub

City Parks: London, Paris & New York

The Concert of a Lifetime

Bond, James Bond, meets the Queen?

“Face Britain” Does a Portrait of the Queen

Cafes are always entertaining

A Dream…Versailles

Mr. Darcy, easy as one two three