The last vestiges of summer sun and a country that is turning autumnal.

 

I make for the far West: my home region of Penwith, Cornwall.

 

Spectacular skies here. Gwithian beach – a favourite:

 

 

 

 

And , Marazion:

 

 

 

But, soon, I am in an airplane and off to the Isles of Scilly:

 

 

 

It is reputed that once upon, England and this land were joined by the lost city of Atlantis. But, the sea rose. Now they are a collection of five large – inhabited – islands and numerous uninhabited islands – some no bigger than large rocks. Some of these were once the home of hermits, monasteries, etc.

 

I make for St Martins. Its beautiful bay:

 

 

 

I make friends with the local birdlife. Many twitters come here to catch birds on their annual migration to southern climes.

 

 

 

As always, a church.

 

 

 

And, then a view of the Eastern isles on the way back to St Mary’s and eventually Lands End airport: 

 

 

 

The next day, it is a storm force….. such is the Atlantic weather in this SW peninsula.

 

 

 

So, next day, it is fine again: I do a tour of the Wells of St. Just.

 

 

 

 

 

Time to visit Mousehole and a favourite view:

 

 

So, here we are at the Conclusion of the MeM Project. We have our final AAD VII meeting. As always, Kitchen Craft and Lunch is a feature:

 

 

 

I make it to London to see a stage version of Dr. Strangelove:

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Strangelove

 

This 1964 film by the Director Stanley Kubrick is based on a story of an American General going crazy and ordering the US air force to drop nuclear bombs on Russia/ Soviet Union. Famed for the three roles that Peter Sellers plays in the film: a RAF Officer, the President of the USA and Dr Strangelove – a wheelchair bound German scientist. Essentially a comedy, it still has a chilling message about the possibilities of nuclear war.

 

Was the stage version worth? Well, yes, it brings a fantastic film to the stage with a few contemporary twists. Steve Cogan plays the three roles that Sellers played – and a further one of the aircraft pilot. Actually, Sellers was down to play that in the film as well until it became too much for him. 

 

That being said, it does not add much to the film, – it is more a homage than a re-imagining.

 

 

CD this month – some lively, crazy music from Mexico.

 

 

 

I have also been reading Joseph Azize’s biography of J B Bennett. Pretty copious and comprehensive, whist passing over certain key issues in near silence.

 

 

 

 

 

A busy month of travelling and cultural highlights as Summer tips into Autumn.

 

 

First, I make it to Venice – a city I always find enchanting. This is for the Venice Biennale: a large international art festival that is staged every two years. Much art, therefore. It is possible to fill five days but managed to bring this down to 3.5! This year, the curator was Brazilian, and chose for his theme: ‘Foreigners Everywhere’. Of course this was an open door for art depicting refugees, immigrants, emigrants, and multicultural contexts.

 

 

 

 

However, there was also plenty of exploration of identity, strangers to ourselves, etc.

 

 

 

“One is a stranger in a place where one is not recognized, or one does not recognize.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venice has to be one of my favourite places. So, time to visit quiet corners.

 

 

 

Also, found the Church that is featured in one of my favourite films: Don’t Look Now – staring Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland.

 

 

 

A Nic Roeg film – again, a Director I find fascinating – Walkabout, Man Who Fell to Earth, etc.

Key to the film? As one of the first statement: Nothing is as it seems…

 

Also visit Burano: touristy but a lovely colourful place.

 

 

Back home and a chance to visit Belmont House in Lyme Regis. This is the former home of the author John Fowles. A writer of his age, and there was a time when we waited for his next novel like one waited for the next Beatles’ record. This to know their direction: what were they thinking, wearing, etc.

 

 

It was built in C18 and the inventor of ‘false stone’ and terracotta lived there : Eleonor Coede.  It was certainly worst for wear when Fowles died and has been heavily renovated to the period. Still, it was possible to visit his writing room, the window where his had his desk, his view.

 

 

 

 

 

It also has an observatory built by another owner.

 

 

Fowles let the garden go wild – was delighted with the animals that lived there, flowers, etc. 

 

 

Back in London, I attended a new production of Waiting for Godot – by Samuel Becket. I have seen it several times before but really liked this version. Well acted and personable. I saw how almost each exchange is a philosophical statement in itself – to be unpacked. For me, it also became a play about time. The famous line ‘Let’s go – we cannot – we are waiting for Godot’ is there of course. And then the realization that it does not matter that he will not come : they have fulfilled their responsibility and waited for him.

 

 

 

And, more art: this time the Expressionists: an exhibition of the The Blue Rider (early C20)– mostly – at the Tate Modern in London. This included, Kandinsky, Macke, Delauney, Klee and others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CD of the month: I have been listening to Malipiero String Quartets – beautiful

 

 

 

Reading. The Eye of the Needle has preoccupied me this month: both as an exercise and the book of wisdom.  

 

 

I was also invited to contribute a story to the World Bank of Stories. I chose The Wolf by the German author Hermann Hesse, whose work has always meant a lot to me.

 

The Wolf – Hermann Hesse (1907)