Kerry Wilkinson The One Who Fell (A Whitecliff Bay Mystery Book 1) Bookouture, April 2023.
Thank you, Net Galley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.
The One Who Fell, the first in a series, is thoroughly enjoyable. The novels that follow are further evidence that I have found a new series to value. In The One Who Fell Kerry Wilkinson brings together an appealing group of characters, some gentle but effective social commentary, a mystery to be solved and an interesting location. The first chapter is a delight – an introduction that has its comic moments, but then draws the reader into the serious nature of an interchange that impacts the main character’s life. Cheese has its moments, serious and funny along with its consumer, throughout the series. But here, it is while pursuing a choice amongst the many varieties that Millie Westlake is accosted with the question, ‘Did you kill your mum and dad?’ Books: Reviews – see for complete review.
After the Covid update: 10 Extraordinary Places around London; Tasmanian wilderness and film locations; Cindy Lou at Courgette.
Covid Update
On 28 April there were 626 new cases, with 37 people with Covid hospitalised, and 4 in ICU. There were 2 deaths due to Covid.
10 Extraordinary Places That You Won’t Believe Are In London* +
London is full of surprises, but nothing will shock you quite as much as the fact that these places are actually within the boundaries of the M25.
GEORGIE HOOLE • 10 MARCH, 2023
Our city isn’t all concrete and chaos. Believe it or not, we also have castles, caves and calm. Here are ten places that, rather astonishingly, are actually in London (featured image by @madamelena_). What a wonderful world.
10 places you won’t believe are in London
1. Kyoto Garden, Kensington
The beautiful Kyoto Garden is an oasis of calm in the heart of Kensington’s Holland Park. Originally built to celebrate the 1992 Japan Festival in London, this garden is a thing of pure beauty. Who needs a plane ticket to Japan when this is so damn convincing?
You’ll get so lost in the pretty trees and Japanese features that you’ll forget you’re just a stone’s throw away from High Street Kensington. More info here.
2. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Neasden
Sure, most people wouldn’t put Neasden on their London bucket list — but that’s where they’d be wrong. This north-west neighbourhood is actually home to one of the most breathtaking buildings in the city.
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a beautiful, traditional Hindu temple carved entirely out of stone. For a time, when it was first completed in the mid-90s, it was the largest Hindu temple outside of India. Read all about it here.
3. Eel Pie Island, Twickenham
Eel Pie Island is a private island accessible only via footbridge, and it has many stories to tell. It was once a hub for jazz, blues and rock ‘n’ roll and many famous artists played within the ballroom at the legendary Eel Pie Island Hotel, including Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton and The Who. In 1963, there was a period where you could come and see The Rolling Stones play at the Eel Pie Island Hotel every week. Read all about it here.
4. Painshill Park, Cobham
Painshill Park is a gorgeous, landscaped garden that dates back to the 1730s. It was in fact the life’s work of Charles Hamilton; a well-to-do member of the Irish aristocracy.
Inspired by his travels around Europe, Hamilton filled his garden with eccentric follies, Renaissance architecture and a beautiful grotto that you’d never guess was so close to the city. The grounds are well worth a visit, but note that the Crystal Grotto is only open at weekends. More info here.
5. Highgate Cemetery, Highgate
Highgate Cemetery is the resting place of 170,000 people, and that number is continuously growing. But the graveyard, somewhat surprisingly, is full of some impressive sights! In the West Cemetery, Victorian fascination with the Egyptians resulted in the stunning Egyptian Avenue, as well as numerous impressive tombs.
Meanwhile, the equally impressive Lebanon Circle has appeared in many a ‘gram over the years. Less beautiful, but a lot more spooky, are the subterranean Terrace Catacombs; enter if you dare. More info here.
6. St Dunstan-in-the-East, the City of London
First built nearly a thousand years ago, St-Dunstan-in-the-East is now a lovely, secret garden situated amongst the ruins of the former Church of St Dunstan. The church is a Grade I listed building that was severely damaged in the Blitz of 1941 but, instead of being rebuilt, the remains are now open to the public. More info here.
7. Hampstead Heath Pergola & Hill Gardens, Hampstead
Hampstead Pergola is the outcome of a very rich man’s dream to host extravagant summer parties. That man is Lord Leverhulme, who made his fortune selling soap. However, after his death, the Pergola suffered.
And, when the City of London took it under their wing in 1989, the place was nearly falling apart. They’re still in the process of resurrecting it, but it remains a beautiful spot for a wander. More info here.
8. Strawberry Hill House & Garden, Twickenham
I told you we had castles! (Don’t be fooled by ‘House’). This majestic building dates back to 1747 when Horace Walpole decided to purchase the empty Thames-side land and build his very own fairytale castle. As you would if you could, Walpole created a Gothic masterpiece, complete with battlements, towers and all. More info here.
9. Leighton House Museum, Kensington
Deep in the heart of Kensington, you’ll find the incredible Leighton House Museum.
From the outside, you would never suspect that it’s actually a magnificent palace filled with breathtaking art. Lo and behold, the museum is crammed with brilliant paintings, sculptures and beautifully tiled rooms. More info here.
10. Crossness Pumping Station, Abbey Wood
Okay, I’m going to be honest here: this is a Victorian sewage system. But it’s not all sh*t. Known as the ‘Cathedral of Sewage’, Crossness Pumping Station first opened after The Great Stink of 1858, and it’s really rather beautiful. More info here.
* I have visited only two of these, despite living in London for over four years, and making many trips as a tourist. I visited Leighton House early in my stay in London and feel very ready to visit again. It was sumptuous, easily navigated (as long as you do not mind the stairs) and featured dark mysterious rooms as well as the well-lit entrance seen above. Strawberry Hill House and Garden, from recall, was at the end of a tube and bus ride – and well worth the effort. The featured gardens at Holland Park and Hampstead Heath are possibly not well signed as I have been to both Holland Park and Hampstead Heath and seen neither. They present a great option for my future visits to London. My review Victorian Obsession at Leighton House Leighton House Reviewed 26 February 2015 “Leighton house is always worth a visit and even more so with this sumptuous exhibition. At the same time as enjoying the exhibition I again delighted in the decorative rooms with elegant tiling, glorious fabrics and interesting furnishings. I now receive newsletters advising me of special exhibitions or night time viewings and have found it really worthwhile being on the mailing list.”
+ This is a wonderful site for information about London. However, I am not sure that the audience of this blog wants to know about the pubs that are open after 2am in London – another article in the series.
Tasmanian wilderness beckons filmmakers beyond the beaten track
The IF Team· Screen Tasmaniasponsored-content-1 ·April 26, 2023
The view approaching Horsetail Falls, set amongst the mountainous outskirts of Queenstown. Credit: Jess Bonde
Rugged beauty; a wild nature; a captivating coastline; a rich and storied history. Tasmania’s west coast presents as a remote and mostly untouched wilderness dotted with film-worthy towns and welcoming communities.
Credit: Jason Charles Hill
Stretching from Arthur River in the north, south to Strahan and inland to the foot of Cradle Mountain, Tasmania’s west coast lends itself brilliantly to diverse film projects that seek an “off the beaten track” element.
Aptly dubbed Tasmania’s “western wilds”, this enchanting wilderness is within a few hours’ drive of Australia’s southernmost capital city of Hobart and offers all the essentials for on-location filming.
Credit: Brook Rushton
With its ability to conjure a sense of isolation and remoteness, despite its accessibility to a capital city, the west coast offered the ideal setting for ITV Studios Australia’s reality series Alone Australia, which recently premiered on SBS Television.
But it’s the diversity of locations and the collaborative and welcoming attitude that makes Tasmania’s west coast a truly special filming destination. Other major production credits include reality program The Bridge Australia, drama series The Tailings, and the highly anticipated upcoming Archipelago Productions/FremantleMedia drama series Bay of Fires.
Credit: Brook Rushton
The jewel in the west coast’s crown is Strahan, situated on the banks of Macquarie Harbour. The often-mirrored waters offer an idyllic lakeside setting, contrasting with the diverse landscapes that lay at the town’s doorstep.
Credit: Tourism Australia
For a location shoot, Strahan offers a comfortable and convenient base, with ample accommodation and easy access to film-friendly location options ranging from the starkness of the Henty Sand Dunes that stand up to 30 metres above the beach at the mouth of the Henty River, to the deep greens of the mossy rainforests with spectacular towering waterfalls.
Credit: Ollie Khedun and West Coast Council
Less than an hour’s drive inland from Strahan is Queenstown – a former mining town where Australian Rules footballers are “so hardcore they play on gravel”, as noted by Cate Blanchett on an episode of the Jimmy Kimmel Show earlier this year.
Queenstown has retained many links to its brutal yet fascinating history. Heritage buildings – including the Empire Hotel with its National Trust-listed Tasmanian blackwood staircase – line the main street of a town that was built solely for the purpose of mining the surrounding hillsides. The rugged slopes are predominantly stripped of vegetation as a result of this mining past, instead offering an other-worldly display of colours in a unique “moonscape” terrain with deep gullies and occasionally snow-capped peaks.
Credit: Flow Mountain Bike
The emergence of Queenstown as an arts hub in more recent years has brought new life and a contrasting element to the town, with murals adorning shop walls and the presence of a renewed energy that is primed to inspire any filmmaker.
Australian drama series Bay of Fires, due to air on ABC later this year, filmed much of its content in Queenstown and Strahan, as well as the small historical mining town of Zeehan and in Hobart.
Credit: Brook Rushton
Bay of Fires co-creator, actor and producer Marta Dusseldorp said her first sighting of the tiny town of Zeehan made a lasting impression.
“I was writing the series and I didn’t have the location yet. I knew I wanted a remote place that looked out of the way but I was warned not to go too remote because of the costs involved,” Dusseldorp said. “I heard about Zeehan and we went for a drive and hit the main street and we saw the place that was in my imagination. I thought ‘I can’t believe a place like this exists’.”
“We went to Queenstown, which I’d always been fascinated by, and it’s the most magical place; the cultural impact of the artists that are living there now.
“I asked the council if I could base a series there and they asked what they could do to help. We were talking about bringing 100-150 cast and crew for 16 weeks in the dead of winter. There was this camaraderie (in the community), with people who just wanted to unlock the doors to this wonderful place.
“Then we went out to Strahan to get that other look that’s not landlocked. Even though we were there in the dead of winter, it was just so beautiful. Everything is close together and easy to get to. I can’t imagine (filming the series) in any other place – our lead character in our series is the west coast. Our show is basically a love letter to Tasmania.”
Credit: Brook Rushton
For screenwriter Caitlin Richardson, Tasmania’s west coast provided the perfect inspiration when penning the storyline for her 2021 SBS drama series The Tailings.
“The West Coast as the setting for The Tailings came about because it was where my parents started their careers as teachers,” Richardson explained. “They met in the tiny mining town of Savage River and went on to work in Queenstown and later Burnie. They have such fond memories of their years living and working on the west coast, primarily because of the strong sense of community there.
“I think, for this reason, I have always associated the West Coast with formative, coming of age experiences. Exploring a couple of transformational moments in the lives of two young women was a central focus in The Tailings, so I was interested in setting our story on the West Coast.”
Both Strahan and Queenstown are served by airports that allow for small fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter access. Hobart’s major commercial airport is located 260 kilometres from Queenstown.
Credit: Ollie Khedun and West Coast Council
The two primary townships of the West Coast are connected by a railway line through the dense temperate rainforest. Now existing only as a tourist attraction – with a scenic steam train journey operating daily – the railway was constructed in 1897 to transport minerals such as gold and copper to Strahan for export.
Mayor of West Coast Council Shane Pitt said the region had become popular with filmmakers seeking something a little different from their location choices.
“The West Coast has been busy, especially this past year, with many different filming projects being undertaken,” Mayor Pitt said. “The remoteness and uniqueness of this beautiful place we call home makes itself ideal for TV shows like the first ever Australian Alone and The Bridge.
Credit: Rob Mulally
“Our spectacular roads are a match made in heaven for Subaru WRX ads and the gravel oval for AFL ads and photo shoots by some of the best in the sports photography business, such as Steve Waugh Photography. The diverse landscape lends itself to just about anything you can think of.
“Being involved in so many different filming projects has been a fantastic way to showcase our region, and West Coast Council is proud to work alongside production crews who are brave enough to travel just outside their comfort zone.”
Credit: SBS/Good Lark Pty Ltd
Screen Tasmania is happy to connect interstate and international production teams with experienced local creatives and crew, and has programs in place to support film development and production within the state. For more information contact Screen Tasmania on 03 6165 5070 or email info@screen.tas.gov.au or visit www.screen.tas.gov.au.
Cindy Lou at Courgette
Courgette has gone into voluntary administration but is continuing to trade as usual and is encouraging customers to keep their reservations. Cindy Lou thought she would join other Canberrans in trying to keep this restaurant going – it would be a terrible loss. After all, if Cindy Lou cannot get to Aria in Sydney Courgette currently provides a Canberra alternative.
The restaurant was full by 7.00 pm except for one three-person table, so it seems that other Canberrans feel that the restaurant should be supported.
As usual, the food was delicious and the service pleasant and attentive. It seems that the wonderful ash butter is no longer available, and this is a huge disappointment. However, the whipped butter was successful with the warmed rolls (but I wish the ash butter would return!) The three-course menu for a set price ($95) is inventive and comprises meat, fish and vegetarian dishes- and three choices of dessert as well as a cheese platter.
The dishes below are the chicken breast, the beef, fish, and two different desserts.
Kingsolver, O’Farrell among Women’s Prize fiction finalists
By JILL LAWLESS April 26, 2023 GMT
LONDON (AP) — An Appalachian update on Charles Dickens and a tale told by a dolphin are among the six finalists announced Wednesday for the prestigious Women’s Prize for Fiction.
American writer Barbara Kingsolver’s “Demon Copperhead,” a reworking of “David Copperfield” set in modern-day Virginia, and U.K. novelist Laline Paull’s deep-sea drama “Pod” are among the contenders for the 30,000 pound ($37,000) award.
Kingsolver previously won the Women’s Prize in 2010 for “The Lacuna.” Britain’s Maggie O’Farrell, who won in 2020 for “Hamnet,” is a finalist again for Italian Renaissance tale “The Marriage Portrait.”
The finalists also include three debut novels: “Trespasses,” a love story by Irish writer Louise Kennedy that is set during Northern Ireland’s years of violence; “Fire Rush,” a dub reggae-drenched coming-of-age tale by Britain’s Jacqueline Crooks; and Sarajevo-set war saga “Black Butterflies” by Britain’s Priscilla Morris.
Broadcast journalist Louise Minchin, who is chairing the panel of judges, said the six finalists had an “amazing” imaginative scope.
“You’ve got 16th-century Florence, you’ve got the Indian Ocean told from the point of view of the creatures that live in it,” she said.
Minchin said that by giving personal voices to the opioid crisis in America, the siege of Sarajevo, late-1970s London riots and Northern Ireland’s conflict, other books on the list take readers behind the headlines in a way that is “very insightful and very moving.”
Founded in 1996, the prize is open to female English-language writers from any country. Previous winners include Zadie Smith, Tayari Jones and Susanna Clarke. Last year’s prize went to Canadian-American novelist Ruth Ozeki for “The Book of Form and Emptiness.”
The winner of the 2023 Women’s Prize will be unveiled June 14 at a ceremony in London.
Oh Dear… so I got it wrong?
See my review of Demon Copperhead in Books: Reviews December 7 2022.
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