Is Spring starting to spring?

The south of UK was bathed in delightful sunshine with a slight breeze during Saturday.  You could not sit indoors for long after all the cold we have had recently.  It was gorgeous!

My husband and I decided to visit our favourite park to see if any real green shoots had emerged after the snow and ice we saw there on our last visit.  Sure enough!  The birds were singing, flitting here and there gathering food and just generally being full of the joys of a sunny day.  Whilst we took a rest on one of the many benches provided,  which can just be seen here, it was wonderful to be able to admire the view.  So peaceful with the afternoon sun casting its warm glow across the tops of the trees.

As I said the bird song was amazing and so cheerful!  Suddenly, I glanced down to my feet as I spotted some movement.  Looking down I found I had a new friend!  Mr Robin!!

I could not believe how tame he was.  He was actually picking up crumbs at my feet.  We  both sat very still and only just moved enough for me to take these pictures!

Here he looked up to see what I was up to with my camera upon which, once he was satisfied that I would not stop him foraging, he then turned his back to me!

I was so excited to be able to have this wild bird moving so freely and closely to me.  Obviously, the birds in this park are well used to people drifting in and out without minding too much.

Whilst we walked around we saw loads of clumps of snowdrops which is a sure sign that Spring is on its way!!!

Before we left we really wanted to stroll along the edges of some of the lakes which had been frozen over a few weeks ago.

What a difference a little sunshine makes!

Spring has sprung.

Oh no, he didn't! Oh yes, he did!!

Oh no, he didn't!  Or, Oh yes, he did!! These are words that ring out from both children and adults alike during the many Pantomime performances at this time of year in UK.  No, we haven't all gone mad.  Never heard of a Panto or Pantomime?  Well, this could be your lucky day!!

Pantomime, as we know it today is a theatrical show predominantly aimed at children, based on a popular fairy tale or folk legend. The most popular subjects being "Cinderella", followed by "Aladdin", "Dick Whittington" and "Snow White".  Although any story linked with a fairy tale or traditional children's story such as Peter Pan, Jack and the Beanstalk etc can be used.

In the UK, the word "Pantomime" means a form of entertainment, generally performed during the Christmas season during the months of December and January.  Most cities and towns throughout the UK have a form of Pantomime. The origins of British Pantomime or "Panto" as it is known date back to the middle ages, taking on board the traditions of the Italian "Commedia dell’ Arte, the Italian night scenes in which actors concentrated on miming along with song and dance, and British Music hall to produce an intrinsic art form that constantly adapted to survive up to the present day.  Panto has been attempted abroad, usually with a small amount of success. Not surprisingly it has proved popular in countries such as Canada, Australia.  However, in America this very British art form has been less popular, although in 1868 a production of "Humpty Dumpty" ran for over 1,200 performances at the Olympic Theatre, New York, making it the most successful Pantomime in American history!

Pantomime has always combined many elements of theatre throughout its existence.  By adapting itself it has managed to survive.  The main element includes the most important one of tradition with a strong well known story line.  The tale has to be well told, incorporating the all important elements of good battling against evil, and emerging triumphant. In this respect, the concept varies little from the medieval morality plays, performed on village greens. To this day "tradition" says that the Pantomime villain should be the first to enter, from the "dark side", stage left, followed by his adversary the good fairy from stage right. This echoes the tradition in medieval times when the entrances to heaven and hell were placed on these sides.  The evil character is booed and hissed at as he enters.  Whenever he asks the audience whether something is true or not they will always respond in the opposite.  Hence the 'oh yes, you did' versus the 'oh no, you didn't' tradition.

Another important element of a good Panto is the slap stick humour.  This could be derived from the original Harlequin character who would know when the scenery should be changed, and it is believed he would "Clap"  his slapstick to indicate that this should happen, in the form of an audible cue.  It could well be the start of the old superstition that it was bad luck to clap your hands behind the scenes at the back of the stage for fear that the heavy scenery would be moved at an inappropriate time thus causing an accident.

One of the main characters in a Panto is the Pantomime Dame, usually the hero’s mother, such as Widow Twankey in "Aladdin" or "Dame Trott" in Jack and the Beanstalk.  She was a creation that emerged from the early Music Halls of the Victorian era. 

The Ugly Sisters differ from the Dame in that they have to tread the thin tightrope between being hugely comic characters, and yet still remain the villains of the piece.  They were originally played by women but from the mid 1800 men took on the characters.

Tradition also states that the principal boy role should be played by a woman and not a man.    The Victorian male, living in a society where even the legs of the parlour piano were covered for modesty’s sake , craved the vision of a well turned calf, or shapely ankle.

Whilst ladies were corseted, crinolined or bustled on the street, artistic license allowed ladies upon the stage to wear costumes that revealed shapely legs in tights on condition that they were playing a male role!

Seldom featured, and yet indispensable, Pantomime could not survive without its chorus of dancers, and indeed its troupes of juveniles or “Babes” as they are known.  Today, for reasons of economy the troupe will consist of 6 -8 boys and girls.

In addition to the usual characters on stage modern technology in the form of computer graphics has been used to be incorporated in the performances to enhance lighting effects and sounds to help keep the show as modern and up to date as possible.

And so, my friends, you have a very brief recount of the traditional British Panto!  For many years to come it will remain as the traditional activity for the Christmas period.  A visit to a pantomime may be a child’s first experience of live theatre. If that experience is magical enough, it can leave a lasting impression. In a world where children are surrounded by computer games and videos, DVD's and the all pervasive influences of television, a visit to a pantomime could be a catalyst.

The tradition will continue, children will shout "Oh yes it is!" as loudly as ever, and, when the actor in the white sheet waves his arms behind our hero and goes "Whoo" Whooo!", children of all ages will still cry out "Its-behind-you!"

A very merry Christmas!

Without further ado, I would like to thank all my readers for joining me in my various escapades during the year, the highs and lows!

The parcels/presents are all wrapped and sitting invitingly under the tree... no feeling them to guess what is inside!  The shopping has been completed apart from the few last minute items.  The food is being prepared and readied for cooking on the big day.  Light up the lights, pull a cracker or two and share a 'not so funny' joke with a funny hat on whilst you try to play with plastic toy from the cracker.  Don't you love tradition?

So it just leaves me the important job to wish you all the merriest of Christmases.  May your cup be overflowing, as they say!  Some of you will be experiencing a white Christmas (and how!) whilst the rest of us in parts of UK will be enjoying a cool, damp day.  Where ever you are, may your Christmas be peaceful, share with family and friends bringing you fond memories to relish over the years to come.

Minstrels a Christmas Poem by William Wordsworth

The minstrels played their Christmas tune
To-night beneath my cottage-eaves;
While, smitten by a lofty moon,
The encircling laurels, thick with leaves,
Gave back a rich and dazzling sheen,
That overpowered their natural green.

Through hill and valley every breeze
Had sunk to rest with folded wings:
Keen was the air, but could not freeze,
Nor check, the music of the strings;
So stout and hardy were the band
That scraped the chords with strenuous hand.

And who but listened?--till was paid
Respect to every inmate's claim,
The greeting given, the music played
In honour of each household name,
Duly pronounced with lusty call,
And "Merry Christmas" wished to all.

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Gibraltar

Whilst on our visit to Spain recently we thought we ought to make the effort to travel that little bit further.  In fact, to visit Gibraltar which turned out to be just an hour's drive from where we were staying in Mijas on the Costa del Sol.

The Rock of Gibraltar is located at the entrance to the Mediterranean.  It has a solid economy and because of its history and location has always remained prominent in the world's press and media.  Gibraltar has been a British Territory since 1704. Ceded forever to Britain by Spain in the Treaty of Utrecht (1713), Gibraltar joined the EU in 1973, under the British Treaty of Accession.  When General Franco closed the border for a while ,in the 1950's, with "the Rock" at the nearby La Linea (meaning 'boundary line' in Spanish), it was Algeciras that he decided to develop to absorb the Spanish workers who used to be employed in the British naval dockyards and in order to break the area's dependence on Gibraltar.  Gibraltar has always relied on La Línea for the supply of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and fish as well as many other products. There is also an important Spanish military presence in La Línea.   

First of all I have to tell you that both Hubby and I visited Gib, as it is affectionately known, about 40 years ago!  SSShhsshh!  Where has the time flown?  Anyway, Hubby went there with friends on a holiday and stayed with them on Gib itself.  However, I flew into Gib (always did have to be different!) on my very first familiarisation flight on joining the Royal Air Force.  Gib was and still is a stragetic spot with a small airforce base keeping its presence. The airport serves as a military base as well as a civilian airport.  There aren't many air movements as you can see from the state of the runway!

I see no aircraft this way.......

 

 

 

Or here!   These pictures were taken as we walked across from La Línea , Spain.  You actually walk along a pathway alongside the road for cars.  It is a strange experience and you keep watching out each way in case of aircraft!!  One of the strangest sights to see is that of English policemen around the town.  Here is one on duty outside the Departure lounge at the airport. 

Once we arrived in Gib, we had decided to leave the car in Spain and walk. we headed for the town centre.  Gib is a mixture of historical buildings and modern.  My biggest disappoint was that it was so geared up for the tourist, or rather the English bucket and spade mob as well as the large cruise liners.  Did I really want to choose between a full English breakfast (cholesterol on a plate), a medium sized breakfast or a huge one!!  Other than that you could have bangers and mash (sausages and mashed potato), meat pie etc etc.  When I think of the wonderful fresh fish that should have been available.  Also, because the traffic tended to be a very transient one which meant that visitors would literally spend only a few hours on a day visit, the customer service in many establishments left much to be desired.  Shops along the High Street were all those you would find in any English town.  Such a shame when I felt they could have exploited Gib to far better effect other than appearing to try to fleece the unwary and push so many Duty Free goods that were often cheaper back home!

Still, we did walk around although we did not feel up to going on a tour of the Rock.  Again, the tours that were on offer were so expensive.

Historically, Gib has much to offer from its Garrison days.  This link http://www.gibnet.com/data/facts.htm is very useful and interesting in its recount of the how's and when's of Gib in explaining its long and checkered history.

However, we did walk around and explored many of the side streets which gave the feeling of the real Gibraltar.    Here are remains of the original fort with various plaques such as these of the King's Bastion describing different events. Whilst in complete contrast I managed to capture a picture of a typical old residential building making sure I did not have any tourists or cars in the shot!

Both Hubby I would not have missed this visit for the world but came away feeling somewhat disappointed that such an important and unique place could be so exploited.

Whilst I was shopping in France!

The other day Hubby and I went on a day trip to France.  Nothing unusual there since we tend to go every 8-10 weeks to stock up on wine/beer and some of that lovely French produce.  The vegetables really are fresher than those we have the opportunity to buy in our supermarkets.  You can tell, because not only do they smell fresh, they are not all the uniform size or colour and they only last a few days so you know they have not been pumped full of chemicals to preserve them.  The taste is so good too!

The main aim of the journey was to stock up further supplies for our daughter's wedding in August next year.  It is cheaper to provide our own wine and pay corkage than to purchase the wine on offer from the venue.  Corkage, I hear you say?  Screw 'toppage' more like.  Most bottles these days seem to come with a screw top which is much better.  How often did the cork spoil the wine or when you were trying to extract the cork, did it split?  Personally, I prefer the screw top since when I have had a couple of glasses I can just screw the top right back on and prevent the wine spoiling overnight!

One point, and the real reason for telling you all about our French trip is that whilst we were going around the hypermarket in Calais, called Auchan, a group of youngsters entered the store with their teachers.  The kids were about 11 to 12 years in age.  Their mission was to engage with customers in the store and ask them a few questions, if people were willing.

Two girls approached me tentatively asking in a very good form of English if I would answer a few of their questions?  One of them had a clip board and held the questions under which she was to write my responses whilst the other asked the questions.  Of course, I complied!!

There were the usual questions, did we celebrate Christmas, where did we celebrate it and how?  I was asked what our Poppy Day was all about?  I was able to answer that we commemorated Poppy Day to remember all our fallen heroes in previous wars.  Did I celebrate Halloween?  If so, what manner of celebrations took place.  I explained that in UK it was not as prevalent as in USA but that I always had a bucket of sweets ready for trick or treaters.  After a few more questions, I was asked......  did I follow American politics?  What did I think of Obama?  I explained that I did follow the politics and that I thought Obama was a good choice, anyone would be better after Bush (apologies to anyone who does not believe this)!!  To which they smiled a wry smile!

Last but not least I was asked if I believed in Father Christmas?  Of course I do, I replied!!!

The girls were charming, well spoken and intent on creating the right image.  Their English was exceptional.  After complimenting them on their achievements we parted, each wishing us a very happy Christmas and New Year.

There must have been about 20 or so kids doing this in the store and they were a pleasure to speak with and to watch.  If only they would all grow up to be the same in adulthood!

Another Ramble in Spain!

I shall be continuing for a while so do join me in my rambles about our Spanish holiday.  We spent 2 weeks in a place called Mijas in Andalucia, between the Costa bit and the Pueblo on the Costa del Sol.

Whilst up the mountain in the pretty Pueblo bit we encountered amazing views down the mountain to the coast. This view took in the town of Fuengirola which is about 25 kilometers from Malaga airport.  We were not overly impressed with that town.  Very commercialised for the English tourist, bless them!  There are times I cringe when I think of what our country neighbours must think of us.  Do we really need to stick to our English diet of English breakfasts (cholesterol on a plate), burgers, fish and chips, pies etc?  When I go abroad I want to sample some of the local fare.  Since we were near the coast we ate fish nearly every day.  It was wonderful and ranged from huge prawns cooked in garlic to hake/dover sole lightly fried/whitebait and whatever else was to hand.  The fish was landed every morning so you really were able to enjoy fresh fish wherever you went.

A typical set menu would be comprised of a choice of 3 starters (Gazpacho soup, which was served cold and made from tomatoes and red peppers, avocado served with prawns, pate) followed by a main course which again had a choice of 3 (fish of the day, pork chops or lamb) after which a dessert was offered and you could choose one of the three (creme caramel, ice cream, apple tart).  All that for 8.90 Euros or roughly $9.  Of course you had to have a drink with that!  I usually had a glass of a crisp, cool white wine and then wondered why I always wanted a siesta in the afternoon!!  Of course you could always eat a la carte but even then the dishes where not expensive.  One day, we had a mixed Paella which included rabbit, chicken, mussels, prawns, calamari along with various vegetables such as peas and carrots thrown in.  When ordering this dish it will invariably be for two people and is always cooked fresh so the waiters warn you there will be a wait of around 20 minutes or so.  It is well worth the wait!

Often on our visits to Mijas Pueblo we used to take a stroll in the beautifully kept public gardens which encompassed the remains of fortress walls and allowed the viewer to sample breathtaking views of the surrounding area.   Such a selection of pretty wild flowers were abundant wherever we walked.

In the picture to the right I have tried to show you an area that looked like a series of caves but more importantly, the pigeons that roosted there were amazing!

You could imagine during the very hot summers the birds would need to be able to shelter and stay cool.  After being used to seeing the birds on the ledges of high buildings it did seem strange to see them flying in and out of these caves.

In this picture you can see a couple on the right side nestling up to each other.

As we walked on we saw other sights but I will describe these in my next posts.

Meanwhile I leave you with a couple more views that we so enjoyed.

From these pictures you can see how this village is famous for its white washed houses.  In my next post I will show you some lovely houses in the older part of the village.

Happy Birthday to a very special English Bear!

Well, who would have thought it? Paddington Bear is 50 years young today!

Fifty years ago today, on 13 October 1958 "A Bear Called Paddington" was first published. Paddington Bear was created by an English author called Michael Bond.

Michael Bond recalls in his own words how Paddington first came into being:
"I bought a small toy bear on Christmas Eve 1956. I saw it left on a shelf in a London store and felt sorry for it. I took it home as a present for my wife Brenda and named it Paddington as we were living near Paddington Station at the time. I wrote some stories about the bear, more for fun than with the idea of having them published. After ten days I found that I had a book on my hands. It wasn’t written specifically for children, but I think I put into it the kind things I liked reading about when I was young."

Michael Bond sent the book to his agent who liked it and after sending to to several publishers it was eventually accepted by William Collins & Sons (now Harper Collins). The publishers commissioned an illustrator, Peggy Fortnum, and the very first Paddington book "A Bear Called Paddington" was published on 13 October 1958. Michael had been working for the BBC as a cameraman but once he realised he needed to spend more time on his books he retired in 1965.

Of Paddington himself Michael Bond says:
"The great advantage of having a bear as a central character is that he can combine the innocence of a child with the sophistication of an adult. Paddington is not the sort of bear that would ever go to the moon - he has his paws too firmly on the ground for that. He gets involved in everyday situations. He has a strong sense of right and wrong and doesn't take kindly to the red tape bureaucracy of the sillier rules and regulations with which we humans surround ourselves. As a bear he gets away with things. Paddington is humanised, but he couldn't possibly be 'human'. It just wouldn't work."

These famous books have now sold more than 35 million copies worldwide and been translated into around 40 languages!

To celebrate, Paddington Bear will be taking a tour of London in a black cab. His journey will take him from the Adlwych, Trafalgar Square, London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Natural History Museum and finishing up at Paddington Station (by Paddington’s famous statue). What a trip! Everyone is encouraged to join in the fun, spot him and take a picture so that it can be entered into a competition.

Needless to say, there is a special book being issued for this wonderful occasion called 'A Bear Called Paddington: 50th Anniversary Deluxe Gift Edition'

For further information do go to the official Paddington Bear web site where you will find loads more information about books and CDs that are being issued in celebration!

Now where was that jar of marmalade?