"Rogue One"

Yesterday we went to Cityscreen Cinema on York to see "Rogue One". We loved it, it was terrific. It is billed as a Star Wars story as it does not fit into the Star Wars story line and the chronology of the films. It can be seen and enjoyed as a stand alone story in itself (if you see what I mean).

This is really good film - definitely in my top five for 2016.

The Shard

PC technical problems now sorted (I hope).

Last weekend I stayed at the Novotel Hotel on Blackfriars Road in London. The room was on the eleventh floor and had a great view of the Shard. I took some photos.

Saturday night

Sunday morning, early

15 minutes later - the mist descending

After breakfast

Trains passing

Info for any train enthusiasts. The train on the viaduct is a Thameslink, just left Blackfriars Station and now heading south. The lower train leaving the photo on the right is going to Charing Cross Station.

"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.

2017's harvest

Here it is, our garden harvest for 2017.

One red apple....Just the one. Our next door neighbour has done rather better, judging by the tree we can see over the hedge.

Still, I'm sure my apple will taste a lot better than any of his (I'm not jealous. I'm not).

Visit to Pendennis Castle

After flying back from Jersey to England we spent a few days in the South-West. This included a visit to Pendennis Castle, an artillery fort built during the reign of Henry VIII in 1539.

The photo above is the front of the visitor guide that shows the original drum tower.

This is the back of the visitor guide with a map of Cornwall.

1597 - the castle is extended to become a bastioned fort

Lovely classical style gatehouse

A few artillery pieces

Noon - day gun firing

Originally built for a disappearing gun, now has a 6inch piece

Across the bay, another of Henry's forts, St. Mawes

Displays inside the drum tower

Enceinte between bastions

Artillery barracks built during the Edwardian period, c.1901

B leading me out of the castle

Bye - a lovely fort, well maintained, worth a visit if you are in Falmouth

Visiting Jersey : the final day

Our final day was taken up with B's wish to visit Durrell Wildlife Park, run by Durrell Conservation Trust. Photos below.

We enjoyed our holiday and liked Jersey very much. Three full days was not sufficient time to see everything on our lists so we will be returning. Still to see - Mont Orgueil Castle, Fort Regent, the tunnels, St Ouens Bay, Noirmont Point and more.

Spectacled bear

Ring tailed coti

Pied Tamarin

Gorillas

Bali Starling

Very young Orangutan, seemed to love this sack

Spectacled bear - post lunch nap (which is what I needed)

Otters

Black winged stilts

Chough