So what would you choose?

We're staying in a "boutique" hotel here in Yorkshire and I'm intrigued by the selection of CDs and DVDs in our room.  I wondered how accurately  they reflect the interests/taste of the guests here and whether they are aimed more at their desired target group.  Most of the guests here are around our age or even slightly older - couples in their 50s I'd say, with the odd exception, both older and younger.

The music CD box contains:

• American Life,  Madonna
• Spiritus, ?
• Ladies and Gentlemen, the best of George Michael
• Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique
• Bocelli, Sogno
• Songs in the Key of Life, Stevie Wonder
• Come Away with Me, Norah Jones
• Live at Knebworth, Robbie Williams

The DVD movie box contains:

• Y tu Mama Tambien
• 9 1/2 weeks
• Some Like it Hot
• English Patient
• Sleepless in Seattle
• Jamon Jamon
• Dirty Dancing
• The Godfather
• Casablanca
• The Piano

I can't decide whether I think these choices are just too clever by half, revelaing great insight and some adventure, or that I could do better!  I think I would make some changes, most certainly - but I'd definitely keep such classics as Casablanca and Stevie Wonder.  What about you?  What do you think ought to be in there?

Incidentally, we've watched/listened to not a single one!  We've hardly been here, and when we have, we've been eating dinner - had the tasting menu with the wine choices tonight, for after all, when one's bedroom is only steps away, isn't it too good an opportunity to miss?

Day off

A fine day dawned so we headed for Rievaulx Abbey this morning. 

First stop, the exhibition centre where some background information was displayed - I loved the drawings which characterised the explanations of life in a monastery.   Whilst we were there, a school party was being shown around by one of the monks from nearby Ampleforth.  His voice and manner of speaking was delightful to listen to and I was pleased to hear how responsive and thoughtful the children were in answering his questions.

I especially liked the way the grass in the nave revealed a hint of how it was, what had been or even what is hidden beneath.

and in between the squally drizzle, the sun shone and highlighted small details and glimpses through the ruin.

Later in the day, we had company

We met uncoming traffic in some tight spots (but note they're English ducks who know which side of the road to run on)

We stopped for tea in "Aidensfield" - where we seemed to have entered a time warp and some kind of TV country

Finished our day in Lastingham, where the Norman crypt in St Mary's was full of atmosphere and the papier mache angel hanging above the nave was a striking feature in the church above.

Interesting place to work #4

Not exactly in this building, but in this place, which I doubt many would recognise.

Today, my work took us to the county of my birth, to glorious countryside and to a delightful market town:  Ripon, in North Yorkshire.  Having fulfilled my obligations, tonight  we are in Helmsley, a similarly lovely market town in (or on the edge of?) the North Yorkshire National Park and tomorrow we're hoping for good enough weather to explore a few of the lovely places nearby.

How lucky is that?

Interesting place to work #3

This afternoon I was working here , another place where the visual interest is a bit of a distraction from the main agenda - tutor training!  Next time, I'd like to sit on top of that paddle steamer for a better view - see the chairs arranged on the deck?

Of course, the sky didn't stay that colour for long...by which time I was thankful for the roof over my head and the tray of cakes that were brought in at half time.  The tutors' interest perked up then, too!

Tomorrow I'm working somewhere even more off my beaten path.  You'll have to wait to see where.