It’s been a fresh week – the balmy, tropical temperatures of the last few weeks have at last given way to what might be considered more “normal” temperatures for this time of year. We had a goodly quantity of rain on Tuesday and brilliant lovely bright blue skies on Wednesday but definitely cooler, which is no bad thing. Mowing lawns in November is just not right.
We enjoyed another “Date Night” on Tuesday. We trotted into Banbury to the Light Cinema again, this time to see The Banshees of Inisherin with Colin Ferrell and Brendon Gleason which was lovely. Fabulous (and desolate) scenery, beautifully filmed, marvellously acted and very, very funny. It’s set on a small island off the west coast of Ireland in 1923 and it’s about two life-long friends, one of whom suddenly decides he no longer likes the other.
There is a real sense of despair and melancholy – the Brendon Gleason character comes to the conclusion that the Colin Ferrell character is mind-numbingly dull and that he can no longer “waste time” with someone so tedious. “But he’s always been dull!” his sister replies to Gleason when he tells her why he no longer wants to spend any time with her brother. As he considers his own mortality, he feels he needs to leave a legacy, through his music and thus doesn’t have time for the day-to-day tediousness which Ferrell represents.
Inevitably, I suppose, the film got me thinking about the similar interactions between Ferrell and Gleason in In Bruges. Completely different story and environment, of course, but the same marvellous relationship between the two characters. If you’ve not seen In Bruges, do so. If you get a chance to see The Banshees of Inisherin do that as well.
In spite of the rain and cooler weather, we’ve had some great walks this week (well, mainly Penny and Daisy but I’ve come along on a couple of occasions as well). On Tuesday afternoon we wandered up Plumpton Lane as the rain eased somewhat, our path marked by a glorious rainbow. Sorry, the photo does not do it justice – it was bright and well-defined with, as they say, all the colours of the rainbow.
And then on Thursday we decided to head up to Everdon Stubbs woods. Everywhere was absolutely sodden and we reckoned that perhaps the woods would not be quite so muddy. We were partly right – the abundance of fallen leaves provided a carpet over the worst bits but it was still pretty wet. At one point along our circuit of the woods there is a vantage point looking out over the adjacent countryside which, as we approached, was bathed in a magnificent light. Very pretty.
The builders are making good progress on the “Guest Wing” bedroom and bathroom refurbishment. The bathroom is almost fully functional! The shower, bath, toilet and sink are all in and the floor is down. Kevin, the carpenter, has built a cupboard with shelves in the eave which makes ues of what was previouly pretty unused space. Unfortunately, the shower screen was scratched so that’s had to go back but, apart from that, it’s looking very good – we’re pleased.
The bedroom is coming along as well. The ceilings with their additional insulation are finished and plastered and Kevin is building a set of cupboards in the eave here too for drawers, shelves and hanging space. The painters come on Monday to give it its first lick.
Watch this space.
Penny and I were Zooming with my brother and two of my sisters yesterday evening and my brother commented that I’ve not had so many of my world-renowned political rants recently. I said that was because the complete shitfuck that is the UK government at the moment doesn’t need any comment – you really could not make this shit up.
Soon after speaking with him I ran across the Political Cartoon of the Year competition which might give him (and others?) that political fix he’s been craving. Amongst my favourites:
Meanwhile, keep happy, keep smiling, be careful, wear a f**king facemask in crowded places and keep your distance. And keep safe. And be gentle to wasps and bees.
Lots of love to you all,
Greg