The Woman In Black

Susan Hill's The Woman in Black which was written back in 1983 and I've re-read it over the years and it never fails to hit the spot when you need a decent ghost story fix - one of the chapters is entitled 'Whistle and I'll Come to You' as a tip of the hat to M.R. James, master of the art form. The BBC in its wisdom used to screen, on New Year's eve, a ghost story introduced by the delightful Christopher Lee, dressed in M. R. James period scholarly garb in a darkened room by a open fire reading to eager pupils who sat listening attentively at the unfolding woeful tale. Note the annoying printed 'sticker' which publishers whack on their covers these days; poor designers working up book jackets only to have marketing stick these ruinous objects on them. The film is out shortly on February 10th in the UK.

Hastings High Street Retro Centre

Another shop to drop into if you are frequenting the Old Town, Hastings. These good folk are veterans (I used to buy clothes from their shop 'The Black Tulip' when they were based in Forest Hill, South East London, way back when). In this spacious shop there is always a period dress, pair of shoes, suit or hand-knitted tops from period patterns which I'd gladly find yet more room in my overly crammed wardrobe for. 

Anita Lane & Mick Harvey

Distractions, distractions in the record boxes stored under the bed...this time in the form of Anita Lane singing Serge Gainsbourg's 'Harley Davidson'. Rather splendid. Now trying to find my copy of 'The World's a Girl' by Ms Lane which is a gem.

Spending a penny with Pipilotti Rist...

Tuesday was a rather dark, overcast and gloomy day to be back at work. To counteract the grey, the rain and eager blasts of wintry gale force winds, I spent my lunchtime with Pipilotti Rist for a much needed 'Eyeball Massage' at the Hayward Gallery before the exhibition closes on 8th Jan. (Photo taken on my 'phone of a projection on the floor of the women's toilets.)