Post 381. I KEEP READING.

VERY SLOWLY...

BUT WITH NO LESS ENJOYMENT. On Jan 8, 2020 (yes, 2020), I wrote that I had just started reading Bill Bryson's The Road to Little Dribbling and conjectured: it's a long one so lord alone knows when I'll finish it. It turned out to be 460-ish pages long. I have just finished it. Droll, informative, sharp, straight, and gloriously humorous, it is typical Bill Bryson and I should have absorbed every last word by February 2020, even at my island driver's speed, but I got lost somewhere between his views on the paucity of worthwhile BBC television and his final weird experience of the Duchy of Cornwall. When I finally returned to it last week I found myself smiling, laughing, agreeing, regularly saying: “Only a very popular Yank could get away with a comment like that, mister,” and respectfully admitting: “Well there's another thing I didn't know...”right until the end. The man has national treasure status. I like him despite that and I hope he's here for keeps. 

NOW I'M READING

THANKS to daughter Jacqueline I am also a quiet disciple of Ian Rankin. One of my two book Christmas presents from her was the latest John Rebus thriller, A Song for the Dark Times (Orion 2020). which I started mid week and am already about two thirds through: fast reading for me but Ian Rankin is that sort of page turning writer. In this one, the begrudgingly retired detective is called back into action by a late night telephone call from his daughter, Samantha, whose husband has been missing for two days. It's splendidly written of course. I empathise with the ageing Rebus, a man well aware that he is no longer up to knocking your average thug's head off. My fervent hope now is that the writer avoids a Morse, a Van der Valk, or even a Wallander, ending for John Rebus. I think the old guy should enjoy a peaceful retirement: or is that just me? He was a tough cop, not a NHS desk jockey. 

AND WHAT WAS THE OTHER BOOK?

 Oh, The Secret Language of CATS by Susanne Schotz (HQ 2018). Haven't started it and when I do I probably won't believe a word of it. I'll ask the pair we have living here: they'll know.

TELEVISION. 

We have watched The Investigation, a Danish crime drama on BBC2. Six episodes covering the investigation into the death of Swedish journalist Kim Wall. This is a compelling police procedural series and the excellent cast includes (in the role of Kim's father Joachim Wall) Rolf Lassgård who was arguably the best Wallander ever (on a list that includes Kenneth Branagh).

FINALLY THIS MONTH. 

It is with deep regret that I record the death from cancer of Maureen's nephew Phil Butler: a brave, cheerful, popular Gosport resident and lifelong Pompey FC supporter. Phil was in his early sixties, worked hard all his life, and only recently retired. We loved him and will never forget him. I do hope you've found your mum and dad, mate.