Indian Summers with Julie Walters

I just had time to preview the first episode of Indian Summers before my trip and it is well worth watching. A wonderfully well done drama depicting the lives of British socialites in India in the 1930s who went to the cooler Himalayan hills for the hot summers to rule from afar and enjoy.

Julie Walters has a ball as Cynthia Coffin, the lively owner of the exclusively white Royal Simla Club, she sports a rather pronounced East End accent. This seems to be a reminder that all classes could be on equal footing in India in the time of the British Raj and she certainly seems to enjoy controlling more than the music, roast beef and Yorkshire pud at her club.

The first episode sets up a lot of stories from both clashing cultures and foreshadows the trouble ahead, as the Indian independence movement simmers and flares. Just as gorgeous as Downton Abbey (with a more exotic flavour) Indian Summers will draw you in and make you feel the heat!



I will leave you hanging there but do catch this one on PBS starting Sunday September 27 at 9 pm.

Cheers and follow me for the next 2 weeks at Jenny & Gillian Wandering England!

Vacation in London, Salisbury, Avebury, Wiltshire/Dorset Borders and Bath

Avebury Stone Circle, Wiltshire

The anticipation is building as my friend Gillian and I are now days away from our "geeky history girl" tour of the UK. I am hoping to be able to regularly post photos for our family and friends, but anyone who would like to follow along with us is very welcome at Jenny & Gillian Wandering England.

Pulteney Bridge Bath

Please feel free to leave any comments on the Jenny & Gillian blog. We have planned our accommodations in advance, as well as having our 4 day walking tour of the Wiltshire Dorset borders meticulously planned by Alison Howell of Foot Trails walking tours. The rest of the trip will develop on the fly, as we have lots of possible destinations and excursions researched, but a certain amount of chance and serendipity is going to determine our final route. We're sooooo excited!

Wardour Castle Wiltshire

These photos are "borrowed" from some online snapshots, however from here on in, only our photos will be posted. Wish us luck!

Cheers and hopefully I will come back with renewed energy for The Jane Austen Film Club!

Shaun the Sheep Movie

Shaun the Sheep Movie is not period drama. However it is a very English film, which I figure qualifies it for this blog and besides, I found it very entertaining! I dragged my sister to this on a recent girl's weekend, reasoning that this was a true all ages film. What can I say? I don't have a young child or grandchild at this point but I love this kind of film which amuses all ages.

If you are a fan of Aardman Animations, who have done Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run, you may also already know Shaun, Bitzer the dog and Farmer from the Shaun the Sheep television series and you will likely eat this up. If not, but you love the sound of a bouncy fun film with no dialogue but a super soundtrack and lots of sight gags then you will still appreciate this little gem.




I didn't really like the trailer so I have given you the theme song video which gives you a much better idea of whether you will like the movie. And such a cute catchy song too!

Lots of visual gags like this one...an homage to the Beatles Abbey Road photo and a nod to the fact that the music was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London.

That is all I am going to say about this adorable little film.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Cheers!