A Boy made of Blocks

Stuart, K. (2016). A Boy made of Blocks. London:Sphere.

Dr Anne is reading the Richard and Judy selection of books for 2017.  This book rang true with Dr Anne as she has worked with autistic children in her dance context.  She was totally absorbed in Alex's dealings with his son Sam.  He had put work ahead of his family and this had consequences.  He had found it difficult to deal with his son as he did not fit the norm.  Separating from his wife and losing his job changed Alex. Through Mindcraft, Alex realised his son was a human being with a keen brain and personality.  This is a neat book giving insight into the mind of an autistic child.

Dr Anne awards 8/10.

Baby Doll

Overton, H.  (2016) Baby Doll. London: Arrow Books

Dr Anne has memories of the book The Flowers in the Attic.  The story of the children kept in the attic disturbed her enormously.  She dreamt of the attic in the derelict house next door.  Subsequently she read Room now it is Baby Doll, the story of a teenager who was kidnapped and abused over a number of years before she escaped.  The story tells of the aftermath of the escape rather than the life in capture so quite a different angle from the other two books.

This was a compelling read with a happy ending.  Dr Anne awards 7/10.

Betty's 80th Birthday

Dr Anne went to London this weekend to celebrate her cousin's 80th birthday.  The family had supper at the Tate Modern on Saturday night.  They met up on Sunday for Dr Anne's treat - the Lion King at the Lyceum.  The performance was awesome.  Tea followed at a Tapas Restaurant on Long Acre Street.

I'm Travelling Alone

Bjork, S. (2015). I'm Travelling Alone. London: Tranworld Publishers.

Dr Anne enjoyed The Killing and Borgen as box sets.  She decided to give this Norwegian thriller a go.  There were a lot of plots running in the book - kidnapped baby, a pastor and a boy, a dubious church, a care home where the dying were persuaded to give their money to the church.

Holger Munch and Mia Kruger were the lead officers in the Criminal Investigation Team.  Who who did what and why?

Dr Anne awards 7/10 as there were too many plots and a lack of continuity.

Dr Anne went on a sleepover

Dr Anne has never been on a sleep over.  What does one do?

Suzanne, Fia, Ellen and Dr Anne decided to have a sleepover at the newly opened Sail Loft in Portsoy.  Suzanne booked Heathery and the Downie for Saturday night. They all packed their cases and drove around Portsoy.  They had this amazing accommodation - two rooms with and adjoining door.  They unpacked and met up with friends Helen, Jason and Emma.  Susan was the on duty as the warden.  First on the agenda was supper.  There was garlic bread and pizza, and trifle.  This was followed by G&Ts and juice for the junior members.  There were snacks and sweets during the evening.  Ellen and Dr Anne won the scrabble.

A strategy meeting discussed Brigit Jones Night In to be held in April and a Danceathon in September.

All four slept well in very comfy beds.  Breakfast was coffee and croissants.  All too soon, it was time to come home.

Emma, Blaine, Fia, Susan, Ellen and Dr Anne

The kids tuck into the fireplace in one of the bedrooms.

The kids prepare the pizza in the kitchen and the dining room is in the foreground.

Suzi, Jason and Helen relax in the living area.

Time to go home.  Jason bombs into the picture.

2017

For Dr Anne this appears to be the year of fundraising and helping others.

It started off with a soup and sweet on the 21 January in aid of the Church Redevelopment Fund.  For £4 one could get Boyne Hotel broth, Dorothy's Cullen Skink or a tomato and sweet potato soup.  This was followed by a delicious array of sweets.  There was a raffle and a sales table with Dr Anne's jams.  £800 was raised.

The second event was also in aid of the Church Redevelopment Fund.  SuziAnne with Fia and Ellen planned an Ab Fab evening in the Salmon Bothy. They decided to show the Ab Fab film on the big screen but they added lots of add ons.  It was a sell out with a waiting list.  There was prosecco and canapés.  Friends joined SuziAnne and prepared four savoury canapés and four sweet canapés.  There were nibbles and amazing popcorn.  14 bottles of prosecco were downed, cocktails and there were lots of BYOB. To make additional pennies there was a pamper hamper and an amazing fizz raffle.  To serve the prosecco there were butlers who then became bouncers, flyers with raffles, security men when the raucous women rolled £1s for a smart bottle of gin and taxi drivers to take the ladies home or to the pub along the road.  Over £1000 was taken in and after the expenses of the license and venue, £800 will go to the Church Redevelopment.

Kirsty's cup cakes.

Fia, Ellen and Dr Anne

Fia checking that all is in order for the Ab Fab evening.

A History of Britain in 21 Women

Murray, J. 2016. The History of Britain in 21 Women. London: Oneworld Publications.

This was Dr Anne's Christmas present from Greygranite.  We had met at the Banff Springs for lunch before Christmas and Greygranite handed me what looked like a book.  Dr Anne whooped in delight thinking it was her Christmas book.  No it was Dr Anne's favourite present - a beautiful notebook.  Two or three days later, a parcel arrived from Amazon.  It was this book by Jenni Murray of Radio 4's Women's Hour.  Dr Anne was so delighted.

The book took Dr Anne from Zurich to Lucerne to Interlaken to Lugano to Milan.  She paced the reading and enjoyed everyone of Jenni's biographies.  The biographies took us from Boadicca - Nicola Sturgeon.  All biographies were women who were the first woman in their field.  It was lovely holiday read.  It's a 8/10.