vivdunstan

It's that time of year when I change from my lighter wraparound robe (worn around my pyjamas) to my thicker long dressing gown. I have also this afternoon ordered me some new pairs of bed socks - machine washable, soft and fluffy, and the right length and size. I'm far too frozen in bed, despite an electric blanket and central heating. My nose is also currently cold which is just too much! To be fair I have a long-standing disease of the blood vessels, though it's usually more affecting the blood vessels in my brain, reducing the blood supply there. But peripheral chills can be a problem.

We haven't (so far) lost power, though places very near to us have (including hundreds of houses, just a couple of miles away). It's very windy outside, but Martin has been able to work from home. I have been asleep all night and almost all day. Just trying to wake up now! A wind speed of 122 miles per hour was measured on the Cairngorms, to the north of us. Eek! But yup, doing ok here so far. Just staying indoors. #StormFloris

While I slept a printed copy of the 2024 Glasgow Worldcon souvenir book arrived in the post, very kindly sent by a friend. So I have that now, even though the Glasgow Worldcon recycled all their remaining print copies soon after the con. We had attending memberships (incredibly low membership numbers - we were very early supporters!) but couldn't attend in person in the end due to my neurological illness getting too bad.

Another one featuring Tom Baker's Fourth Doctor and Louise Jameson's Leela. I laughed a lot at one early bit. Leela: "What is the name of this wet world Doctor?" The Doctor: "Well it's called Britain. Great Britain actually. But I think wet world is rather more apt."

Onto another story, and, like "A Scandal in Bohemia", this is one I've appreciated more on reads than watching the Jeremy Brett TV version. And this latest read was no exception.

It is gloriously Christmassy, and I really feel as though I should have been reading it in a couple of months time from now! There are vivid descriptions of the cold, wintry weather. And I think reading that is far more immersive than even a visual depiction on the TV version.

The story revolves around a festive goose which has turned up in mysterious circumstances. And even more mysteriously it turns out to have a giant gemstone inside it. Holmes has to deduce how this happened, and solve a crime, and of course he does so, brilliantly.

There is a very lengthy deduction section, where Holmes shows off his skills. This time starting from a hat. It's great to read, not feeling overlong, and it does set up the rest of the story.

I loved the dashing from location to location as Holmes and Watson followed the clues about the goose, back to its origins. There is also a highly amusing conversation in Covent Garden, with a very reluctant poultry seller. And I was amused when Holmes traced someone by placing an advert in the newspapers, that he was sure the person would see the next day.

Ultimately the mystery is resolved, and things are wrapped up. And all round it's just very satisfying. Though again, I think, best read at Christmas. I do wonder what I will think when I rewatch the Jeremy Brett version soon.

It's ages since I've watched the whole of Robin of Sherwood, but I'm part way through another rewatch. And just finished season 1, the first half of the Michael Praed era. I thought I'd jot down some thoughts. Beware ahead lie spoilers. For those unfamiliar Robin of Sherwood was a British TV series produced between 1984 and 1986 by HTV, starring first Michael Praed and then later Jason Connery.

Watching with adult eyes is a different experience from watching as an 11 year old in 1984. I'm more aware of gender issues, including the poor treatment of women - albeit fair for the historical period. On that subject I'm far from sympathetic towards Will Scarlet's actions in one episode. Marion is still a role model for me, as she was for young me, but I realise how underwritten her character is. And also that there's a surprising lack of chemistry between her and Robin. Or at least that their relationship isn't as prominent as I think it should be.

Frequent long, often comedic, fights between the outlaws and between the outlaws and the baddies are things I'm more likely to fast forward through, lacking the patience to rewatch every feint and parry. But I love the forest scenes, even if adult me wonders how well the outlaws slept when it rained. This is Britain after all!

Although there are a lot of outlaws - and several I'd forgotten, unsurprisingly given how short periods they appear for - there are very few ongoing baddies. It's a remarkably minimal cast, bumped up by villagers, people milling around Nottingham, and the numerous guards. The guest cast is phenomenally strong, and will remain so in later years. Probably due in no small part to the quality of the scripts.

The first season is bookended by two especially strong stories, and slumps somewhat in between for me. But the camaraderie between the outlaws is well handled, and they remain the strength of the show. Having said that I was surprised by some of the things I'd forgotten in the season finale. Not least a plot point which is forgotten by season 2 (( Spoilers... )). I'd also forgotten the mystical ending, which is echoed in future of course.