Jacqueline

I watched the first episode last night of Apple Tree Yard, adapted from the novel by Louise Doughty. I remember enjoying this book and was looking forward to the tv version, but it was a major disappointment. Absolutely lifeless characters, just about every cliché shoehorned in to something billed as a psychological thriller and the standard incessant music, without which it seems no thought can be thought or action taken. In this case, the dreariness of the music slowed down the action even further. The book as I recall, was not a psychological thriller, more a story of how a woman could be caught up in events that spiralled quickly out of control. But she was a believable character even though she did some very foolish things. I shouldn't judge on the basis of one episode, but as a scene setter there was a disastrous lack of chemistry between the tv version and her secret lover. Their meeting was hard to believe and so was everything that followed. The current trend seems to be depicting women of a certain age as invisible, but guess what, it isn't true that once you get beyond the age of 40 or 50, you are officially past it! The scene where she buys a bottle of water and the young chap behind the counter ignores her as he is texting or whatever on his phone, is presumably an example of her invisibility. It is more likely to be an example of his rudeness and she should not accept it, but she is entirely passive and allows herself to be ignored. This is the point where she meets the mysterious man and we are expected to believe this otherwise intelligent woman is so desperate to be noticed, she will go and have sex in a broom cupboard with this complete stranger. Yeah.... I think this story worked much better on the page than it does so far, on the screen. The book at least allowed the reader, as does any good book, to use their own imagination sometimes. At the end of part one, they were all so unlikeable and the whole production so entirely without nuance, I couldn't care less what happens to any of them

Me too, I much prefer direct contact and checkable details. I saw the programme Janet refers to and one about people putting photos and details online of villas available to rent. A real person pretends to be the owner and takes phone calls from interested parties, bookings and deposits, sometimes full payment. The holidaymakers went on to arrive at the addresses given, only to find that the villas either didn't exist or if they did, the place was already rented or privately owned by people living there, who knew nothing about any holiday rental. It was just a giant scam and no chance of getting any money back. People who had been conned said part of the reason they had booked, was because the place looked so lovely and the man on the phone sounded so nice and friendly!

I think it probably is some sort of game making the doink. Haven't heard it since, hoping she's broken it!

Snowdrops are showing in my garden, lovely to see them coming through again!

Mayerling in the spring and at least two casts in this triple I would love to see. Looks like I will have to crank open my wallet at last. I haven't felt sufficiently inspired until now but wow! Edited to say I am referring to The Dream triple.

Reminds me of that Yorkshire bookshop owner in the news recently, for apparently being grumpy and charging people 50p to browse round his shop. I haven't been there and don't know if the reports of his rudeness are exaggerated. Either way it seems good publicity. People pay to go to a hotel because the manager carries on like Basil Fawlty! I wouldn't object to paying 50p to go into his shop, provided I got it back if I buy something. He is after all open for business, not as a free drop in shelter from the rain and some people are unable to walk round shops without touching things they have no intention of buying and making a mess. I have been on the customer side of counters and the service side and neither location is much fun sometimes. I do wonder though why some people go into a customer facing job, when they clearly have no interest or skill in that department. Other jobs may be available.

I'm not surprised Sim, rant away! That is as you say,totally unacceptable. Please let us know what response you get from management.

Yes, I can see a likeness to young Alec, from his Knots Landing days, long before he started 'impersonating' the Donald. There is also a resemblance to Nick Knowles, in his cheeky chappie do I look like a builder in this gold paint era. Perhaps Mr Okurer could be contacted to confirm whether or not it is himself in the pics. If it isn't him, he may well know who it is.

I have had a morning at home, reading and sorting through some paperwork. All I have heard from next door - the elderly neighbours - is a strange noise I can only describe as a sort of electronic sounding 'doink'. It has been repetitive but not rhythmic or following any sort of sequence. I wondered if she is playing an online game. But if so, she is not doing very well, no ecstatic cries of bingoooooooo for example. It stopped for a while, then it started up again. Doink, doink.........doink.....doink, doink,doink. Twenty minute interval. Then doink,doink.........doink. And so on. I put the radio on to try and block it out. I could still hear it, although the doink may have worked its way into my head by then and I only thought I could still hear it. I turned the radio off and a few seconds later..doink! What could it be? I can't wait to go to work now.

Are the superseats the ones that entitle the sitter to a glass of something bubbly in the interval and a sandwich? I have thought in the past that, for me anyway, they are not actually the best seats view wise.

I have contacted the ROH a couple of times, regarding catering related poor customer service and found their response on both occasions to be wholly inadequate. No attempt made to address my concerns, just advising me that my comments would be passed on to the relevant department and then no follow up. Perhaps I should have been more confrontational in my approach. But I prefer good manners, even when they are not reciprocated.

Perhaps you could record the sound of electric hair clippers or snipping scissors onto your phone and when she's all comfy in her seat before curtain up, lean forward and play her a few bars before you switch your phone off!

I like to keep my stuff with me as well. But I always travel very light and I don't wear big coats if I am going to be spending most of the time indoors or at least undercover. I even lighten the load in my wallet by taking out cards I won't need 250 miles from home. I dislike clutter and having to carry stuff. It amazes me how much people seem to take on just a simple trip out.

As I scrolled down the pics, I thought wow, those first two dancers have incredible powers of balance! That will teach me to look at the pics before I read the text. Sorry, I have no idea who he is, but comparing with photos of the dancer mentioned by LinMM, it could indeed be Mr Okurer.

Or Don Quixote?

Thanks for that Jane, very helpful. I think I will take a trip to Sutton Hoo in the spring, when the weather picks up and the daffodils are about. It would be good to see the actual site and get the sense of place. I remember going to Stone Henge in 1976 and hearing the strange humming sounds created by the wind and stones. Very atmospheric and before I knew anything about such sounds existing. I hadn't yet read Tess or any of the works that mention them. There was a radio programme recently about a guy who has recorded these noises. Anyway, I digress. I just love atmospheric places. I will check out the BM next time I am in London.

Did the mouse have clogs on going clip clippety clop?

I was watching a doc recently about Sutton Hoo which reminded me it is somewhere I would like to visit. I looked at the website and gather it is National Trust and that most of the exhibits are replicas, the originals are to be seen at the British Museum. I wonder if anyone could advise which is best - the site itself or the real deal at the B.M. or both. It must be interesting to see the actual burial mounds but replica relics make me think of Del Boy Trotter.

I wouldn't bother with refreshments at the ROH again, although it used to be a nice little treat and an opportunity to relax after travelling to see a performance. I don't know if they have a high staff turnover but the last time I wasn't impressed with the service, the prices or product quality. I asked for black coffee and a slice of cake. The coffee was presented in a cup just half full and I had to ask that it be topped up to a reasonable level. We managed to put it all together eventually - a satisfactorily filled cup of coffee, on a saucer with a spoon even if the customer is not having milk, a slice of cake on a plate with a fork and paper napkin. All on a tray, so I could carry it to a table. I really wouldn't expect to have to ask for what is surely basic customer service in what as far as I know is not a self service canteen. If they can't manage that, don't expect a tip or a return visit.

Annamk's comments about the ENB's Giselle were interesting to me, as I had similar feelings about the RB production I saw last year with Nunez and Muntagirov. I have seen Giselle several times live over the years, have different versions on dvd and it remains my favourite ballet. I seemed to be very much in a minority in 2016, although not entirely alone in feeling that it perhaps wasn't the best thing since anything, although dancewise it was pretty faultless. There was nothing I could put my finger on as to why it just didn't move me and I concluded, as there was nothing actually wrong with it, the problem was one of over familiarity. I knew exactly what was going to happen, who would do what, when and why. The same could be said of any story, ballet, play or film one knows well and sometimes it doesn't matter. One can, hopefully, just enjoy it for what it is. Last year, it didn't work for me and I haven't booked to see the Skeaping Giselles. No doubt I am missing a treat but with all getting to a London show entails, I decided to give it a miss and come back to it one day with a fresh eye.

I agree it would be good to hear more about the 'civilised' wider world now and again. Even though we have 24hr rolling news, it still only covers a narrow remit. It is strange to think there are so many countries on this planet that we hear absolutely nothing about and I don't mean the secretive, oppressive regimes. Just those that manage to mind and go about their business without causing mass mayhem. Then again, my heart sinks when I hear about tribes being discovered or new - to us - species of creatures that have somehow managed to survive until now, without our western assistance/interference, diseases, destruction of natural habitat and not forgetting that great invention that everybody must have, whether they want it or not - democracy - I think, please leave them alone.

Today's ST supplement The Dish is devoted to healthy eating, related recipes and the like to improve your diet and get you fit for life. The magazine kicks off proceedings with a full page ad for a brand of gin. Start as you mean to go on! Not dance related but made me smile.

I was sorry to hear this news on the radio earlier. Miss Saward showed such courage, both at the time of the terrible attack to which she was subjected and the disgraceful aftermath. My condolences to her family and friends. Thank you Janet, for bringing this to the attention of the forum.

Thanks for the review. The only thing I disagreed with was the reference to gushing tributes. It was indeed a warm tribute for a man held in high regard and affection, with many interesting contributions but none, as I recall, was gushing. The lack of gush was partly why it was such a good programme. In my opinion.

Just been on the weekly supermarket run. Was in the pie aisle - other delicacies are available - and overheard a young child sitting in a trolley seat and giving his mother chapter and verse about pies and who likes what in their family. Granny likes chicken, uncle likes steak etc. The little lad certainly knew his pie likes and dislikes and he was quite cute about it, not in any way precocious or annoying. For some reason, his mother was determined that he say the word cucumber. I don't know what her frame of reference was but she kept saying to him Say cucumber, say cucumber. In the end, he broke off from his pie run down and said cucumber, clearly and without difficulty but in a tone that suggested he had no idea why she wanted him to say it, but he would do so if it would stop her asking, when he was trying to discuss something else. She said something like clever boy and I am sure he rolled his eyes!