Friday 9 November 2012

A Family Idyll

Some weeks are just so good.
Unfortunately, they are the weeks when life gets in the way of blogging.

Weather doesn’t come into it,  neither do minor concerns like household jobs, a routine visit to the doctor’s surgery, hair appointments or shopping trips, all of which featured in my diary.

But theatre visits are most definitely among my reasons for happiness. This is the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-on-Avon. Although The Merry Wives of Windsor is a bit of a potboiler, and we have seen the play before, this was my first visit to the newly rebuilt theatre.   I’ll never tire of Shakespeare and a visit to the RSC is always worth the two+ hour drive, particularly, when someone else is doing the driving.  (Thanks, Frank.)
But  must the cafeteria and the bar really charge such extortionate prices for a sandwich and a drink?




Walkies to introduce Millie to the scenery were part of the programme too, of course.
She’s now had a full week with us, has settled in nicely and shown herself to be a well-behaved and sweet-natured member of the clan. When somebody asks after her breed, we say ‘labradollie’, which is feminine and describes her perfectly. We think she approves of her new outlook on life and the empire to go with it. She has also taken to gardener, which she made clear when she helped him with raking leaves into a crackling heap.




She has explored Valley’s End and the hills and woods around us and was not put off from leading me on for hours in spite of drizzle and rain, mist and fog, and squelchy, slippery mud underfoot more or less everywhere we went. Beloved and I must have been insane when we took her on just before the onset of winter. What’s more, my feet are crippled, even my callouses now have callouses. (Come on, Sharla, where are you?) I haven’t walked like this for a year. In spite of her stumpy legs Millie is a tireless rambler.




And yet more culture:



another theatre treat was a performance of Shakespeare’s ‘Timon of Athens’, this time courtesy of ‘Arts Alive’ bringing the National Theatre to a Village Hall near you and me. We have seen other plays this way; if you are a theatre lover and your local cinema offers you the chance, I would say these screenings are well worth attending. The cameras are focused directly on the stage and the actors, which means that even people with dodgy eyesight won’t miss a twitch, a scowl or a love-lorn sigh. Sitting in the auditorium I don’t always see the expression on the performers’ faces.

 National Theatre Live is the National Theatre of Great Britain’s groundbreaking project to broadcast the best of British theatre from the stage to local cinemas around the world. 

Each performance is filmed in high definition and broadcast via satellite to over 500 venues in more than 20 countries.
(From the NTL’s website)



Today was the first full day at home for over a week; I decided to do some cooking and came up with some smoked salmon mousse made out of off-cuts which had been languishing in the freezer for months and this very tasty chicken casserole with peppers, courgettes, carrots, green beans and celery.

I find cooking and spending an hour or two at the kitchen table and the Aga very therapeutic, Beloved helps with the vegetables and he takes care of the dishes; Millie assisted by hoovering up any dropped bits.


63 comments:

  1. That was a great post to read. Know what you mean about extortionate prices at theatres. It's almost worth smuggling in your own bag of Revels like I do at the pictures. Or a chicken casserole in a flask?

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  2. Hi, Friko! Long time, no visit. A busy, busy summer but now I'm snowed in so happily catching up with some blogging friends. I am absolutely drooling over that landscape shot with Millie. So lush and green. Just gorgeous. Hope all is well. ~ kate

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  3. That all sounds wonderful. I've been to theatres in other countries, it only seems to be here that terribly extortionate prices are charged. So glad that Millie is fitting in well.

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  4. I'm glad Millie has settled so quickly...she must appreciate the dropped bits!
    Exorbitant bar prices always annoyed me when going to the theatre years ago in the U.K....so nothing changes!

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  5. I see you are very happy Friko. Millie is obviously not the only one benefitting from new experiences. Your misty photos of hills and sheep make me wish to tramp in the mud with you and Millie. I haven't seen a production of Shakespeare in years. We enjoy going to the theater here in Denver. Also, dinner looks yummy.

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  6. That sounds like a wonderfully busy, happy and satisfying week, Friko. Millie looks so at home already and I'm sure all the exercise is doing you so much good, even if your feet don't yet agree. :-)

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  7. All sounds very peaceful and pleasant, Friko. I hope coming weeks are equally nice and it's so good that Millie is such a delightful addition to the household.

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  8. we def dont go to the regular theatre anymore....it is just too expensive...luckily we have a dollar theatre in town....and we are pretty picky on eating out too....just too expensive with 4 mouths...glad your pups is doing well...smiles....

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  9. Friko, the photo of Millie surveying her the vista that is her new neighborhood is a beauty. How wonderful it is to have this report of how she is settling in and making friends like your treasured Gardener.

    Let's see what else...ah, your theatre-going sounds grand, and also hints that you are feeling so much better. That is terrific news!

    And, I would love to have been able to sample some of that chicken casserole!

    xo
    Frances

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  10. Oops, meant "surveying the vista..."

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  11. The Meal looks fabulous and the area you live is wonderful, a great place to take walks. Your lovely dog will give you many years of love and friendship. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  12. Idyll indeed. Millie is the best thing to happen to you. She will keep you healthy by walking your beautiful valley. I am striving to move to the mountains of North Carolina, USA for the very same reason. BTW, love your stir fry. I'm a wok fan myself.

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  13. Love the vistas and the wonderful canine and your theatre trips, a post so rich I am delighted for you!
    XO
    WWW

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  14. Walking with a great new friend in idyllic surrounds, some culture at the theatre and good wholesome food - it gets no better :)

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  15. It was so much fun to read all your past posts. You showed lovely photos of your flowers and shrubs and I enjoyed being at the hospital with you through your lively rendition of your stay – I hope you are totally recovered.
    I felt for you when I read your post about missing Benno – I still miss my cat Mitsou and am waiting for another Korat, someday. But I was thrilled to see the picture of Millie – how wonderful to have such a lively creature during the coming cold days of winter as it will warm up your home for sure.
    I was so pleased that you had the opportunity to meet some bloggy friends. I have and it has been lovely. I enjoyed looking at your castle and know how sweet it is to have something close by we care about – as I do about my mountain battlefield park.
    A live Shakespeare play sounds nice – I would have a hard time following though – it is the language and the accent – maybe if it was played with a southern drawl…

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  16. MILLIE!!!!!!

    Bless your family!



    Aloha from Honolulu
    Comfort Spiral

    ~ > < } } ( ° >

    > < 3 3 3 ( ' >

    ><}}(°>~

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  17. We go to the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival in the summer, which is not exactly world class but exposes people to the Bard in our little corner of the world. Saw Romeo and Juliet and Love Labour's Lost this past summer. Nice photos, btw.

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  18. You sound very contented in this post - out enjoying life's pleasures - theatre, garden, nature with your Millie, and eating well. So lovely.

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  19. Glad you had a good time at the theatre, extras are always expensive, millie looks like a lovely dog, I hope you are feeling a bit happier now, with another dog to look after.
    Best Wishes
    Karen.

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  20. I have long been taken with Gardener and find I approve of his new relationship with Millie.

    Your visits to the theatre make me feel like I've been there myself; our cinema does showings of operas, and I always mean to attend. You remind me how amiss I've been.

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  21. Indeed, a family idyll! I would have gladly helped Millie-style (minus eating off the floor) with that chicken casserole, it looks very nice.
    With that beautiful landscape around you, anyone would turn into an avid rambler, unless they really can't walk for serious illness or handicaps. How nice that Millie and Gardener get along well (not that I ever doubted they would).

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  22. Frico, you write as you were in the theater and I remembered the visit the house of Shakespeare
    in Stratford-on-Avon, they are unforgettable memories.
    Well, Millie helps you in the kitchen now, there is nothing on the floor!
    beautiful landscape photo with Millie!

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  23. naar het theater en dan z.on heerlijke maaltijd dat is toch puur genieten dat neem niemand jullie meer af.

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  24. ich freue mich, dass es gerade im November so strahlend ist bei euch im Hause, im Leben..! Ich denke, liebe Friko, dass es ein Glück war, dass Millie gerade jetzt kam! Und Deine Theater-Besuche.. wie sehr ich Dich verstehen kann! Ich habe leider keinen Zugang zum Theater, aber seitdem ich wieder regelmässig zu den Konzerten fahre, denke ich, bin ich innerlich ein anderer Mensch geworden. Diese Liebe zur "höheren" Kultur ist wohl für anspruchsvolle (in einem tieferen Sinne gesehen) Menschen lebenswichtig.
    Konnte bisher leider nicht schreiben, hatte wohl eine nicht ausbrechende Grippe in mir und habe mich die ganze Woche sehr unwohl gefühlt. Dieses Wochenende bin ich zu Hause und versuche, mich heute oder morgen zu melden, wenn nicht, dann sobald ich wieder fit bin. Und: Ich freue mich sehr für Dich!
    Schöne und gute Tage wünscht Dir, Renée

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  25. How lovely. I some home missed Millie's arrival, and am so glad she is settling in to a life of love and luxury with you.

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  26. I want to sit on one of those benches in your picture. Cold or not, the view is gorgeous. Walking for hours haha! Sounds like Georgia when we first got her. Do you think Millie is making up for lost time that she spent sitting at a shelter? Maybe she'll calm down soon and give your crippled feet a break.

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  27. Idyllic, indeed and just my cup of tea. I am so happy and glad for Millie!

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  28. Your scenery to explore is fabulous! And Mille is quite the beauty. Glad she has made herself at home.
    And I will try the cinema...the opera showings sound fantastic.
    Oh you have an Aga? I am so jealous. I would love to have one...so beautiful.
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  29. Hello Friko:
    How wonderful to have the opportunity to visit the rebuilt theatre at Stratford. We should much like to see it for ourselves and, of course, attend a performance. We were so often there in the 1970s [perhaps you too?] when there were so many really good productions to be seen.

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  30. Playing catch-up here. Delighted at the news of Millie (and the visit to Will's refurbished spot). What's a courgette?

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  31. When I lived in Boulder I went to Shakespeare plays regularly during the summer months. It's been a while, but you have ignited a desire within me to find the closest place around these parts to attend a performance. I love Millie and am so glad to see pictures of her. A "labradolie" fits perfectly! :-)

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  32. Your post is filled with gentle and satisfying days - the best of times. Lovely image of Millie gazing over her domain and also her new found friend, Gardener.

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  33. Hi Friko .. love the photos - and gosh hasn't Millie settled in - brilliant news .. give her time she has lots of countryside to peruse ...

    So pleased with your visit to Stratford - I looked excitedly at the National Theatre Live and see its provided by Arts Alive in Herefordshire and Shropshire .. I'll have to ask the Film Society folk down here ..

    Oh - I could spend time happily in a kitchen with an Aga, a labradollie and a dear Beloved ... looks a delicious dinner - cheers Hilary

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  34. This is an enjoyable look into your life, Friko, and I thank you.
    Of course, the best part, for me was the landscape photography and the image of Millie overlooking her queendom. How beautiful, and how wonderful that she's so enjoying her new life. How lucky for all of you!

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  35. Your week sounds like the perfect reason not to blog, Friko! How incredible it must be to attend a Shakespeare play (even a potboiler) at Stratford-on-Avon! Your countryside pictures are so beautiful and that chicken casserole looks absolutely delicious! I admire cooks who can throw odds and ends from the freezer together and come up with something so splendid!

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  36. I'm so glad you're busy and happy, Friko. Shakespeare and Stratford, how perfect!
    The "happy" part has a lot to do with Millie, I know. Adopting a shelter dog can be a wonderful experience, as we know. Your Millie sounds a lot like our Lindy, especially the short legs, and the love for all humans. Of course they insist on sleeping in our bedrooms, because they are pack animals and don't want to be separated from their family.
    I'm very happy you and Beloved (and Gardener) have a "new" dog in the house. And I love that she responds to different names. Our still-overweight-despite-our-efforts Lindy was nicknamed Lindimus Maximus as soon as she came home, and responds to Lindy, Lindimus, Mussmuss, and Miss Muss quite happily.
    K

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  37. Friko, I find cooking therapeutic, too. And I think I will be taking up some lessons to broaden my fairly basic repertoire. Sometimes when I am at my range, with the oven light glowing over two simmering pots and a warmed skillet, I feel close to heaven.

    Millie looks so very much at home in the mist of your lands. Though I must say I am sorry about the callouses on your callouses. Whoever Sharla is, I hope she gets her act together and comes to save the day.

    It appears to me you have enjoyed a beautiful week off blogging, and it also appears to me that a happy slant of light has pierced through some of the recent challenges. I imagine your skin looking well. Continue to enjoy the walks, the theatre, the excellent food without parallel that is cooked at home. I like picturing the woman who wrote this post. Love to puss.

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  38. the thing I like best about cooking is all the wonderful odors. that said, I hardly ever cook anymore. the other half does it now while I do the dishes.

    Millie has lots of new territory to explore and people to meet. so glad she and you are settling in.

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  39. Oh my
    what beautiful country side
    surrounding you. pleased your new companion is fitting right in.
    your creation looks delicious....
    Your sharing takes me to another world.
    Thank you...

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  40. What a wonderful week Friko. I love how Millie has settled in. Sounds like she will be keeping you fit :-)
    Di
    xxxx

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  41. Was für eine wunderschöne Landschaft um Dich herum ! Da würde ich auch gerne einen Hund spazieren führen. Hier läuft mir nur mein weisser Kater nach, wenn ich zu meiner Nachbarin gehe !

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  42. Dear Friko, I so like that expression "hoovering up" in your last line of this posting. The cats do that also--they hoover up the tidbits I drop on the floor.

    Such a packed week of plays and walks and cooking. Life can be so good. And so often it's good unexpectedly. Peace.

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  43. Die Bilder aus deiner Umgebung sind Nektar für die Seele. Muss wunderbar sein dort zu atmen.

    Danke für die Inspiration mit dem Stück von Shakespeare. Einen guten Sonntag dir.

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  44. You live in the most beautiful place. I never tire of seeing your idyllic scenes. Millie must think she has gone to heaven on earth. She has all these places to roam, a mistress who loves her and accompanies her on her explorations, and then she get to come home and eat tidbits that fall on the floor. Life is good for Millie. I suspect Millie is also making life more fun for you too.

    That chicken dish looks wonderful. I may try making a similar dish.

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  45. I also enjoyed the countryside photos here Friko. Britain has beautiful countryside and the older buildings add to the beauty. Glad you enjoy Shakespeare. I haven't been to one of his plays since I was at school - Dave

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  46. Looks like you had a nice week, Friko. If I could travel to Britain, I’d like to see a Shakespeare play at the theater, hopefully with wireless translation. I like Shakespeare, his themes are timeless. Millie looks perfectly fit to that nice environment of Valley's End. I'd like to sit and relax myself on one of benches in the 4th image. Well, it’s time for dinner, at 18:12 in Japan. You made me hungry.

    Yoko

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  47. It seems to me you have 'got your game back'. Dianne

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  48. You've just given me a tip to follow up on. I noticed yesterday that our local cinema was screening The Metropolitan Opera's "The Tempest". As it turns out, it was a one-day event, but I'll keep an eye on their offerings now to see what else might come along.

    I'm delighted beyond words to see Millie settling in so well - and dragging you out and about, it seems! The photo of her with Gardener is so perfect, in so many ways. No doubt he's as pleased as you are to have such a fine companion come to share his time. And your hills are as gorgeous as ever, even with the bit of fog. Especially with the fog. I love fog, almost beyond words - just as long as I don't have to drive in it.

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  49. When I was a junior in college in California, I took a three-week Theatre in England course. Still remember seeing "Merry Wives". As I recall, Helen Mirren was in the cast. I still remember the experience of 17 plays in 21 days.

    Your photos are glorious!

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  50. Yet another reason I should quit putting off getting a dog - they must be walked. I won't be able to skip evening walks because he'll need me. Your Millie seems like a wonderful addition to the family. I hope you continue to enjoy long walks together.

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  51. Sounds like a perfect week - for you and Millie. Pleased you also found time to blog about it.

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  52. Lovely to hear that Millie is settling in and twisting you and Beloved around her heart! Sorry to hear of the bunions on bunions---no fun, but we have to keep moving! The alternative would not be good and I'm sure would not meet with Millie's approval.......Speaking of approval, if a dinner like that were to appear in front of me tonight, without me having to make it happen, I would be highly approving. Just so's you know!

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  53. What a happy post! Lucky Millie!

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  54. Ah, a bit of heaven (several bits, but actually better, because no deities are involved!). I love particularly the photo of Millie surveying the surrounding countryside. Wish I were there to survey it all with the three of you!

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  55. Hi Friko!

    Aaaaw I love how you anthoporphize your dog! And what a cutie she is. Feminine indeed!

    -Ashley

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  56. i've never been to the RSC as such - but did go to one of their secondary theatres in stratford to see David Tennant in Hamlet.

    Glad you enjoyed

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  57. Adjusting to a younger dog is not easy and you haven't progressed slowly through her puppyhood with the broken nights and extended periods of sleeping. Never fear, you will adapt.She sounds great fun.

    The NTL scheme sounds innovative - what a brilliant idea.









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  58. That all sounds highly satisfactory !!

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  59. That casserole looks delicious! And Millie at the top there, surveying her new kingdom, is outstanding! What a photo!

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  60. We so much wanted to go to the Avon theatre this past May but they only had performances in Urdu that week. They have some unique ways to serve up Shakespeare!
    Thanks for the tip of the BBC shows and I'm happy to hear Millie has the best place ever and you know it.

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  61. Everything about this post is delightful - the scenery, Shakespeare and that lovely casserole. But my best bit would be Miss Millie's detailed survey of her new neighbourhood!

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