DROPPED THE MOON

  Jilly Cooper is 86.  I wrote this piece when she turned 80.  I thought it would be a good idea to re-post it.  Her latest novel Tackle  his out now. A goddess. The writer Jilly Cooper is 86 years old and, although no such anniversary excuse is really needed, we should salute her triumphant career as a bestselling author of a wide range of books including, of course, the so-called “bonkbusters” that made her famous. She is not everyone’s cup of tea but no one can deny that she knows how to tell great stories and how to entertain, even if the reader should be prepared for a few blushes along the way. In 2004, she was awarded an OBE for services to literature, an accolade cheered by many and sniffed at by literary snobs and a few prudes. Her appearances on television chat shows over the years show her as effervescent, funny and more than a little cheeky. Her addictive plots, unabashed sexual descriptions and personal charm have proved to be a winning combination....

 Hello again. Sabbatical over (for now!). Two books to promote. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stephen-Boyd-Belfast-Hollywood-Revised/dp/1786101106/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3L9HPYQPM85MS&keywords=%22Joe+Cushnan%27&qid=1700334969&sprefix=joe+cushnan%27%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-1     https://www.amazon.co.uk/Has-Anybody-Here-Seen-Kelly/dp/1803022450/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3L9HPYQPM85MS&keywords=%22Joe+Cushnan%27&qid=1700334969&sprefix=joe+cushnan%27%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-2 A biography of an Ulster-born movie star and a personal memoir about a cowardly father and a heroic mother. And a bit about me.  

  Biggest turn-off when booking a holiday or a short break are the words "dog-friendly". Some people love dogs, I don't. So, no booking.  Woof!

I wrote this profile of Alan Whicker a couple of years ago. Reprinting on his birthday.  Today, celebrity travelogues on television are ten-a-penny.  Prior to this deluge, Michael Palin ruled the globe as the most popular presenter of such programmes, starting in 1989 with Around the World in 80 days.  Prior to Palin, there was the legendary Alan Whicker, still considered by the older generation as master of the genre.  At his peak it is said he travelled 100,000 miles a year and each travelogue was watched on television by around 15 million viewers.   There is some confusion about his birth year, but most sources have stated 2 August, 1925.  He was born to British parents in Cairo and raised in Richmond, Surrey.  He was a commissioned officer in the Second World War, joining the Army Film and Photographic Unit in 1943.  After the war he chose a career in journalism and broadcasting, skills that led him to join the BB...

From July 2011 to March 2023, I built my Dropped the Moon blog and received 333, 384 views.   Here is the link to that archive of musings, poetry, celebrity profiles, fast fiction, book reviews, music reviews, and much else -  https://droppedthemoon.blogspot.com  Please have a browse any time.   Due to a technical hitch, I have decided to create a new blog called '2023 New Dropped the Moon', to carry on doing what I have done since 2011.   I hope you enjoy both the archive and the continuance of posts. J. Lee Thompson - 1 August, 1914 - 30 August, 2002. 88 years old.  What a director. J. Lee Thompson gave us  these and many others:  Ice Cold in Alex (1958) Tiger Bay (1959) North West Frontier (1959) The Guns of Navarone (1961) Cape Fear (1962) Taris Bulba (1962) Mackenna's Gold (1969) Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) and Charles Bronson stuff. A great movie maker. Salute!

  Ladies and gentlemen, I have an admission to make.    I am a competitions junkie.     LATEST WINS   The Times Atlas of the World (First prize in the Sunday Times crossword) £50 (Sunday Post cryptic crossword) If I see a prize worth going for, I enter.  In past years, I have won:   a Mini car (that's a real car, not a toy!) a £4,500 holiday to Alberta, Canada a £500 cosmetics/perfumes hamper a £120 Cross ballpoint pen a TV an X Box tickets to see The Three Tenors at Wembley a bench top tool system/saw set a weekend in Cornwall a cookery school weekend in Aldeburgh several National Lottery tenners several Premium Bond £25s and a couple of £125s an outdoor jacket a laptop computer a selection of computer accessories a lot of books a lot of DVDs a lot of CDs several gift cards etc etc £1,000 cash in a radio competition a hamper of ancient grains, flour, yeast and a bread recipe book Some of these prizes are comparatively small, but a win is a win an...

  India Knight is a very popular columnist writing mainly in the Sunday Times (UK). She is not a fan of the "badly equipped kitchen" in holiday accommodation. Last Sunday (( July, 2023), her In the Kitchen piece in the magazine suggested the following to take on a self-catering holiday cottage in the UK. "Assuming that you're driving, here's what to bring from home to make your life easier." To me, this is somewhere between practical and bonkers.  I like the surprise element and a basic set-up in self-catering places.  It's part of the fun.  Here goes: Proper corkscrew Teabags Kitchen tongs and a fish slice Biggest pot Big colander Weighty chopping board One good knife Shallow 30cm sautés pan with lid Can opener Mini chopper Robust shallow roasting tray Vegetable peeler Big salad bowl Pepper mill Zester Foil, beanbags, dishwasher tablets, squirt worktop cleaner, sponge Preferred herbs and spices Kitchen scales One good cookbook Makings of one simple meal...