Posted by Sam on October 20, 2007 at 08:46:35 from 79.64.84.225:
In Reply to: Re: Meeting posted by Pat Bryan on October 19, 2007 at 04:14:30:
The others of our select band have already detailed our intinery for the second meeting of the Farnol Appreciation Society, so repeating it is not necessary; all I can say is how much I enjoyed meeting Julia and Pat and Stuart again. It was a unique experience, not only the actual meeting but also the effort that Pat and Stuart had put into deepening our understanding of what made JF 'tick'. The letters and other documents that Pat had collated (and which he had to bring all the way from Canada as an addition to his luggage), and the walks that Stuart led around the areas of south London that our man would have known, was most illuminating!
As Pat well knows, my sweater did not refer to 'an obscure female author', he is just being provocative! I will draw a veil here over it's connection to the Girl Guide's movement and, not to labour the point and provoke the ire of all for rabitting 'off topic', may I just say that the name referred to in such a disparaging manner is Daphne du Maurier. I've loved all things Cornish from childhood, even before I ever went there (how's that for an enthusiasm/obsession, call it what one will!), and when I first found Daphne's book about Rebecca and the de Winters, I was hooked! What I can say honestly, is that much as I enjoy reading Daphne's stories, I do not return to them, especially for comfort reading, as I do return, again and again to Jeffery's stories. THEY remain a cornerstone of my life. On that subject I might just comment that while I was pop eyed and jaw dropped at Stuart's collection of the the books, first editions and the like, it remains for me that the stories are at the heart of it. Thanks so much Stuart for letting me have a few spare hard back reading copies to cover paperbacks which I have.
Going off topic again (sorry), thank you too Stuart for showing us around Greenwich Observatory; in your capacity as retired Director there, it was great of you to show us around John Harrison's wooden clocks, and to explain their significance in the mastering of Longitude.
Best Wishes all,