In Pursuit of the Perfect English Reader...

This is a follow up to my last post, A Queen and her Diamond Jubilee. Before I proceed, I would like to thank the lovely readers of my blog who forwarded my last post to me. I had an unfortunate mishap with my iPad and managed to delete everything but the post title. Peace and order have entered my life once again...much like The Queen.


This is not a book review, yet. In fact it is about to be a purchase. To get into the spirit of the Jubilee, I have decided to listen via Audio CD to a biography on the life of Queen Elizabeth II. I have mentioned before, my life requires many hours, behind the wheel, on country roads and the confusion of city streets. I learned quickly, upon moving to Surrey, that listening to a story along the way...is well, lovely. I have listened to many and the standouts during my time living in England have been The Hobbit read by Martin Shaw and my most recent journey, Then Again, read by Diane Keaton.

I am particular about my stories, I have to listen to a sample of the Reader first. If I am going to listen to someone for hours on end, I want to enjoy their company. I am very particular on this one. In regards to Queen Elizabeth II, the reader must be English...and have the reverence of a Queen. There are several audio biographies out there, but try as I might, I just couldn't warm up to many of them.  I think I found what I was looking for in the voice of Phyllida Nash. Reading sample, here.

Sarah Bradford is a internationally acclaimed historian and biographer.  George VI, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Princess Diana, Grace Kelly and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis are a few of her many acclaimed and celebrated biographies. 'Queen Elizabeth II - Her Life in Our Times' was released this month. You can read more about Sarah Bradford here.

I am currently driver without reader. When I finished my journey with Diane Keaton, I felt like I was saying goodbye to a dear friend. Yes, I enjoy a good Reader, that much... and well....there is something about Diane. :)

I look forward to the voice of Phyllida Nash...perhaps I might even perfect an English accent. On second thought...this is beyond my capabilities...my American accent with a trace of an Australian lilt...is sealed for life! But I can try...

You can read a review on the 'Queen Elizabeth II - Her Life in Our Times' here
If you shop via Amazon UK, you can purchase the audio CD, here or Amazon USA, here.

How about you... do you enjoy the company of a Reader?


Image and another source to purchase the book, via AudioGo

A Queen and her Diamond Jubilee

February 1952...Legendary hunter Jim Corbett wrote in Treetops' visitors' book: 

"A young girl climbed into a tree one day a Princess 

and after having what she described 

as her most thrilling experience, 

she climbed down from the tree next day 
a Queen-- God Bless her". '

Call me a romantic, but I just loved reading the passage above.
So much so, that it prompted me to write this post. I read it in my favourite weekly magazine,
Country Life. It arrives in my post box on Wednesdays, a sign that a cup of tea is in order to read it.
I have declared to Mr. H that when we move onto Vietnam in July, one luxury must go with us....
my weekly subscription to Country Life magazine and stash of Fortnum and Mason English tea.

This issue (February 1, 2012) is a keeper 

as it is full of details for The Queen's upcoming Diamond Jubilee. 

I am sure there will be more coverage to follow.

 I have highlighted a few events that appeal to me.
If I am lucky, they will suit you as well.

The top of my list in London... 
with links to tickets..
'Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration'
Opening 8 February at the V&A, London

Followed by..
'Leonardo da Vinci: Anatomist'
The Queens Gallery, Buckingham Palace
27 April to 9 September


'The Queen: Art and Image'
The National Portrait Gallery and touring
17 May-21 October


'Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration'
The Summer Opening of Buckingham Palace
31 July to 30 September


June 3
The Big Jubilee Lunch
 'Lunch parties, picnics and street parties
will be encouraged to bring communities together.
The event is being organised by the Big Lunch.'


The Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant
'Up to 1,000 boats from around the world will form a flotilla
and travel down the Thames from Putney to Tower Bridge
led by The Queen travelling in the Royal Barge- The Spirit of Chartwell- 
decked out as a 17th/18th-century royal gallery. The procession
will be accompanied by the ringing of church bells, fireworks and music.
The event is being organised by The Diamond Jubilee Foundation '


June 4
The BBC Concert at Buckingham Palace
'Will be televised and tickets are available to UK residents by public ballot.
The programme will feature musicians from Britain and the Commonwealth.'


Jubilee Beacons
'Across the country, 2012 beacons will be lit and there will be others on the Channel islands,
the Isle of Man and across the Commonwealth. The Queen will light the National Beacon
as she did in 2002 and there will be Church Tower beacons on the battlements
of the Tower of London, St James's Palace, London and The Palace of Holyroodhouse,
Edinburgh and Killyleagh Castle, Northern Island, among many others.'

Are you feeling what I am feeling??
It's going to be fun!

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PS..
For those of you who wondered about Jim Corbett  (1875-1955), as I did.
He was a British hunter, conservationist, author and naturalist.
He was an avid photographerand was famous for slaying a large number
of man-eating tigers and leopards in India.

I enjoyed discovering Jim Corbett as well today too.

Just love this blogging business!

Credits:
Images and text from Country Life February 1, 2012 issue
Jim Corbett image here

--

Missing in Action

A strange post I know...

but my recent post 

'A Queen and her Diamond Jubilee' 

has gone missing. 

Long story involving an iPad... mine...but, 

if you happen to be one 

who receives notification of my posts 

via email and has the full length version. 

Could you forward it back to me?

 jeannecollageoflife@gmail.com

This blogger, would be most grateful. :)

Postscript: 
Problem solved. 
I knew there was a good
reason to add my children's emails 
to my distribution distribution list.
Many thanks Miss Christine!
:)

Sentimental in Russell Square

 With six months left before moving on from England to Vietnam, 

I start to notice the little things. Normally, when I step off the London Tube, 

my first glance goes to the direction of the 'Way Out' sign. 

You have to act quick to make sure you slot into the pace of the masses. 

Yesterday, I stepped out of the tube and stopped. Lucky for me it was a quiet morning.

There was something about this sign that made me want to reach out and hug it.

I should mention, that when moving countries is on the horizon, one tends to get emotional. 

I take that as a good sign as it heightens ones interest and makes you 

appreciate everything around you...even a sign in a tube stop. :)

I stepped off at Russell Square, and thought how much I enjoy 

seeing the older Tube stops. The ones that have not been swept into the Olympic frenzy. 

I like to think Russell Square and others like it will stay just as they are. 

I was on my way to the Charles Dickens Museum. In addition to being

mad about Sherlock Holmes, I am equally enamoured with the life

and times of Charles Dickens. I have lots to share on that front...soon.

If you would like to meet Alice and Albert 

and read my latest suggestions for

English books and TV/cinema, read on...

The arrival of Alice and Albert from India... here

Globetrotting style..here

Having one foot in England and one foot in Vietnam...here

New finds in English books here and TV/cinema here 

Thanks so much for stopping by...it is always nice to meet up 

with a friend or two here. Best wishes for a lovely weekend.

Jeanne :)

images~me

Discovering Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock...window gazing at the British Museum

I was doing a bit of 'I Spy' on my way to the British Museum the other day. I discovered a menagerie of Sherlock's in a tourist shop window, facing the British Museum. It made me think of all the mysteries hidden within the museum..so many, that I imagined Sherlock Holmes 'on the case' and having a time of it.

I have long been a fan of  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 'Sherlock Holmes' mysteries. I should be honest and mention that my enjoyment has come from the TV/movie versions. Sad to say, I have not read his books...yet.

When it comes to TV/movie versions, I can not say that I have an all time favourite as I enjoy them all. At the end of the day, in the role of Sherlock Holmes, whether it be Robert Downey Jr, Benedict Cumberpatch or Jeremy Brett, they each have their own spin on the character and I find them all endearing. Jude Law, Martin Freeman and David Burke as the familiar Dr Watson play their roles brilliantly. It's all good fun!

Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock Homes and Jude Law as Dr. Watson

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Benedict Cumberpatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson

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Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes and David Burke as Dr. Watson

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Detail on all of the above, in My Shop Around the Corner, here.

The House of Silk by Anthony Horwitz, 

new to  my reading stack...read more here.

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How about you? 

Do you go in for a bit of Sherlock and Watson? 

Have a favourite duo? Any recommendations? 

I love a good mystery....