Thursday 3 January 2013


Three days into 2013 and my tea-breaks are sorted for months to come. I devoured The Cazalet Chronicles when I read them years ago and I've been meaning to read them again - but now they're being serialised on Radio 4, between now and July, in episodes just long enough for a mug of tea.

Does anybody else remember the lovely gardening page that EJH used to write in Woman's Journal? I didn't even own a pot plant in those days - and I still think of gardening as outdoor housework - but she wrote so beautifully that I read every word.

12 comments:

Darlene said...

A 'pot plant' here in Canada means marijuana, Mary. Whether you're talking about recreational activities or items brought home from the garden nursery it's all fine with me.

Yesterday I was sitting at the table with my Daily Telegraph from before Christmas and read about the radio program...sounds wonderful!

mary said...

Gosh, Darlene - I didn't realise I sounded so racy! But I've never had green fingers, legally or otherwise!

Tabitha said...

I've never heard of Elizabeth Jane Howard, but I'm off to check out her books. Thanks for that! That's just one of the many reasons I read your blog.

mary said...

All of her books are delightful, Tabitha, and it's high time I read them again.
You don't hear about her so much these days, probably because she's so old. 90 this year.

Anonymous said...

I have heard bits of the R4 broadcasts between dozes but was brought up short this morning when someone had to have all her teeth out! Have you any idea why that should have been so? It sounds ghastly.

Happy New Year by the way.

mary said...

Sorry, Toffeeapple - I even pulled the book down from the shelf, but it didn't say why. Don't think it was unusual then. I remember my granny always said it was the best thing she ever did!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for taking the trouble to do that Mary, I appreciate it. I don't think I would be happy to have all my teeth extracted.

Victoria Corby said...

I'm deliberately not listening to the series, I loved the books so much - and they're definitely on my to re-read list - that I'm afraid of spoiling them by a bad adaptation.

mary said...

So far it seems very true to the book, Victoria. But, of course, by listening I've taken the gloss off re-reading simply because it's now fresh in my mind.

Vintage Reading said...

Yes Radio 4 has really come up trumps this Christmas. Loving the Cazalet series and I listened to the Margaret Rutherford programme, too. Even The Archer's has upped its game this Christmas!

Freda said...

I'm so pleased to have found your blog! (and thank you for your heatwave suggestions on Cornflower Books....)

mary said...

It's lovely to have you visiting, Freda.