The winner is ....

Congratulations, Elaine! Molly is delighted to announce that you have won the Cranford DVD. Send me your postal address in an email and we'll get that off to you.

Thanks to everyone who entered. If you think you might have had a better chance if Freddy had made the draw, the truth is that I couldn't find him. Then an anonymous 'friend' sent me an email saying "Freddy as you've never seen him before" and this photograph:Obviously, drawing names out of a bonnet was the last thing on his mind. I'm just off to put the dead lock on the front door before he gets home.

The wedding bonnet

I'm back from the wonderful weekend of celebration. I didn't actually wear a hat for this occasion but here is the one I wore for my daughter's wedding in 2006. Tomorrow evening it will contain the names of all those who have entered the draw for the Cranford DVD.

It isn't too late to enter - just leave a comment (' hello' will do) on the previous post and you will be in with a chance.

Anyone for Cranford?

My pre-ordered DVD of Cranford arrived from the BBC shop this morning. Somehow my pre-order became a confirmed order so they sent (and charged for) two copies. I can't be bothered to sort it out, so if any of you Cranford devotees haven't ordered your own copy yet, it's up for grabs.

If you would like a chance to own this extra copy, leave a comment on this post and I will draw a name from my posh wedding bonnet on Monday. I am afraid that our DVD format may not be compatible with players in the US. Silent visitors, casual callers and regular friends are all welcome to join in. Good luck!

Now I'm off to deliver that cake. Back soon.

Sense and Sensibility again

Jane Austen fan though I am, I tuned in to the latest BBC offering last night with some hesitation. Their last offering of Oliver Twist had made me very wary and, after all, there have been so many film and television versions of Sense and Sensibility in recent years.
Five minutes in to the new Andrew Davies adaptation, though, I was captivated. Hattie Morahan was superb as Elinor Dashwood, much closer to the Jane Austen character than Emma Thompson was in the 1995 film. Dan Stevens is far more convincing as Edward Ferrars than Hugh Grant was, but then, who wouldn't be?
I suppose I could be a little prejudiced by the fact that the programme was filmed here in North Devon. The stunning coast and countryside at Hartland have featured in RD posts on coastal walks already. The Dashwoods cottage is on the Hartland Abbey estate and last night we saw this cove. I am looking forward to seeing more of our local scenery in future episodes.

It looks like an excellent production, so why am I not feeling more enthusiastic? Perhaps it is the fact that we keep seeing the same stories re-worked. Did we need another version of Sense and Sensibility at this time? Why not tackle some other authors? Suggestions welcomed.

What the Dickens?

I wasn't sure that I was ready for more costume drama while the wonderful Cranford is still fresh in my mind. I wish I had followed my instinct and avoided the BBC's production of Oliver Twist last night. I've always considered this to be the weakest, most implausible of Dickens' works but it deserved better treatment than this soaped-up, dumbed-down version by scriptwriter Sharon Phelps.

Over on 60goingon16, D lists the reasons that make this an adaptation unworthy of the BBC. That said, the Beeb does employ Sharon Phelps to write scripts for Eastenders, perhaps therein lies the problem: the literary classes have had their annual treat, now the 'drunken punch-up down the pub' crowd must be entertained. I think I'll give tonight's episode a miss, I'd hate to find Nancy working behind the bar of the Queen Vic.

Farewell to Cranford

Oh ladies, what are we to do on Sunday evenings with no more episodes of Cranford to watch?

Tonight I got through a whole box of tissues. The kindness of Miss Matty's friends brought the first tears, then noble Mr Carter's tragic end, followed by young Harry's heartache and Lady Ludlow's remorse. There were happy endings for some but the sad and tragic scenes made it the best drama on television for a long time.

I couldn't find a picture of the final scene, where the bridal bouquet is thrown but here is one of all the hopefuls waiting for my daughter's bouquet to land. Nothing changes but the fashions!