"Arrival"

We had lunch and cinema trip on Saturday.

Lunch was very nice at Carluccio's in York. On our way out of the restaurant we decided to buy a christmas pannetone and two slices of chocolate cake (dessert for dinner) Later that evening, we have dinner, go to the bag and...no chocolate cake....such disappointment.

The film we saw, "Arrival", is very good. The Guardian critic describes this first contact movie as "dreamy, freaky, audacious". If you like sci-fi, you will like this (probably).

Follow up to the absent chocolate cake - I phoned the restaurant this morning - lots of apologies - we can have our money back

A15 Galgenberg

This very seasonal photo is from the Facebook page of "Association Ligne Maginot Bois de Cattenom"

The Association has a number of works under their care. This is part of the largest work they have, the Gros Ouvrage A15 Galgenberg, an artillery work with six blocks and two entries. I think this is the Munitions Entry Block. A15 is situated to the North East of Thionville, close to the border with Germany.

Their FB page also has an internal photo,

This page scan below is of page 95 from "Hommes et Ouvrages de la Ligne Maginot - Tome 3" by Mary and Hohnadel. At the top left is the entry block as it was in April 1940.

"Doctor Strange"

Weekend trip to City Screen Cinema in York to see the latest Marvel Comics superhero film - "Doctor Strange". I was a little sceptical as I'm getting somewhat "superheroed out" but the casting persuaded me and we are very pleased we went. It is a very good film, a good story and the studio have spent a fortune on CGI and the sets, particularly the street market which was built from scratch, including stocking all of the stalls and food vendors.

The leading roles were taken by four of my current favourite actors,

Benedict Cumberbatch and Chewitel Ejiofor

Tilda Swinton

Mats Mikkelsen

My thanks to all the people who put these photos onto t'interweb. I found another whilst looking for the photo of Mats Mikkelsen.

I can't wait, best Christmas present

"Jack Reacher : Never Go Back"

We had a trip to our local Vue Cinema to see this film, the second Jack Reacher film made by Tom Cruise and we thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a very good story told with lots of panache and a good pace, just about believable.

I researched the author, Lee Childs, this morning. He has written 21 Jack Reacher novels, so 2 down, 19 to go, enough to keep Tom Cruise in paid employment for some years.