Hamilton Saint

Superb book. Probably my favourite Fowles' novel (although I love The Magus, too). I thought the film was good too (I've seen it several times), although the technique of moving back and forth between the story and the actors filming the story was annoying the first time I saw the film. [Harold Pinter wrote the screenplay, BTW.] In subsequent viewings it's not so distracting. I think Pinter was trying to create an effect similar to the metafictional techniques Fowles uses in the novel. I presume you've been to Lyme Regis, where it's set. Fowles' house is just outside the town, half-way up the hill. I've recently watched the newly restored Far From The Madding Crowd, which is also set in Dorset (and surrounding counties). Great film. And it's fun recognising many of the locales they used.

Thanks for sharing the photos.

It just came on - late.

Yes, I agree with you. But, on the other hand, you could say that humankind is quite exceptional for the way its consciousness and scientific knowledge has developed to the point where our understanding of the cosmos permits us to look out into deep space, grasp what is there, and measure its awesome dimensions so accurately.

Right. A different way of looking at it, but you're correct.

Correction. It's not "400 million years ago" (a measure of time), but 400 million light years away (a measure of distance - how far light would travel through space in 400 million years).

Every 2 minutes? Well, I just clicked on your link and they tell me that George Burley has just been announced as our new coach!

No live commentary on the internet. No one answering the telephone at Saints TV. No one answering the phone at Saints FC main reception.

Two fat ladies are 88. 22 is ducks

A total disaster, given the situation we're in. Quite unbelievable.

Let's go, Saints! Three points today.

The mind boggles!

Interesting, but it still doesn't sound correct to me!

more simple = simpler simple (regular) - simpler (comparative) - simplest (superlative) HTH

Don't know about him, but - I agree - he really looks like the Tony Hendra I was writing about.

Sounds like you just can't wait, eh!

Spinal Tap is a brilliant film. Tony Hendra did some great comedy work with National Lampoon magazine and many of the National Lampoon albums. He sang a devastating satire of John Lennon, called Magical Misery Tour for the album Radio Dinner. That LP also includied a hilarious satire of the uber-activist and folk-singer Joan Baez, called Pull The Triggers, ******s (We're With You All the Way) written by Hendra.

Congrats! The first 40 years of parenthood are the worst.

"Made a rag pile of my shiny clothes, Gonna warm my bones, Gonna warm my bones; I got silence on my radio, Let the air waves flow, Let the air waves flow".

Presumably he means that they have to show up AND show the right attitude and effort.

OK, if you like that sort of thing (blue-eyed soul). Daryl Hall is certainly a good vocalist - did some interesting work with Robert Fripp, for instance.

An update: brief account of this week's court appearance. http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/4227791.Headmaster_denies_sex_assaults_on_boys/

Well. I am studying the table after each game, and comparing our fixtures and results with those around us. I've not given up all hope yet. We can still survive. Where there's life, there's hope.

Lots of positives, though, for the other 10%? There was a time when motorcyclists didn't have to wear helmets. Is it a better thing now, do you think, that it's mandatory?

Thanks to you and Minty for the help!