Finally, an Eternity

Knitting
I managed to finish the Eternity Scarf at the third attempt. I thought black would look good against the pale taupe and I had some of the same yarn (Jaeger Matchmaker Merino) in aran weight in a dark charcoal, but when I tried it, it looked too harsh. So I ripped it again, and tried some of the same yarn in a mid-grey. I did three rows of garter stitch, and then a lace cast-off. Phew.


It's very nice, and I like wearing it. I'll try and get a decent model shot: I did some but they're too dark. It's a really useful sort of scarf if you use a walking stick, because you can't accidentally strangle or hobble yourself with the loose ends. Not that that would be an effective marketing angle, but still.

And I now have my three shades of grey Kidsilk Aura. And a little pink.


Now I only have to decide what to do with them.

Once I have finished my stock of Wool Mix, I'll try the Ecover, Judith. I used to use their stuff, but got out of the habit. Eucalan is an absolutely shocking price here (£10.50 for 500mls, compared to about £5 for 1.5 litres of Wool Mix) so although I might get it for soaking, I probably won't be pouring into my washing machine.

I'm sorry 2010 was so awful for you, Joan. I hope 2011 is already setting a shining example in contrast.

Movies
I saw The Duchess last week, which was even more disappointing than I expected it to be. If you've read the book, you'll know what a thorough piece of work it is and how much of it covers Georgiana's life in politics. The film concerns itself solely with her romantic life and implies that her political role consisted of turning up at a few meetings. The Duke is obliged to display every vice known to the Wicked Georgian Husband, and (Richard Brinsley) Sheridan and (Charles James) Fox are given those awful cameos of the 'And how are you today, Mr Fox?' type, which I thought Monty Python had banished forever. Sheridan doesn't have a single line which suggests he was a wit or might have been capable of cobbling together a play. I can understand why they didn't want the screenplay to be cluttered with prithees but it had no historical feel at all, and I know that Ralph Fiennes and Kiera Knightley can deliver more than one-note performances because I've seen them do it, but there was no evidence of it here - all very flat. I think television does historical dramas so well, although people like me carp on about the make-up and so on, and films have a hard time keeping up. This film doesn't come close.

My favourite thing in it was Georgiana's hat trimmed with fox tails, to indicate her support for Charles James Fox. I should probably watch it again with the sound off, and concentrate on the costumes and interiors.

There's lots more information about it and other costumes here.

I also watched Exit Through the Gift Shop, which is a doco about Banksy, the street artist, and may or may not be a mockumentary about the man who filmed much of his work. Or did he? Either way, it is a commentary on contemporary art. Or it is a piece of contemporary art. Worth seeing and not as annoying as it sounds.

Natural Disasters
You might remember the two Daisy Hats I sent off to my newest relation and her sister in Australia last October. They're the daughters of my cousin's son, and they live in Brisbane, Queensland in the path of the devastating floods. The area they live in is called Cannon Hill, so I was hoping they are on high ground, and they are. He emailed me today to tell me that they and their house are safe and dry. His office is closed because of power cuts and possible flooding, so he's been able to be at home with the family, but it's obviously an anxious time.

Here's a link to the Denver Post's photo blog of the flooding and here are some pix from the blog. Some of the areas which are affected haven't had rain for ten years, and now this. Most of the pix are from Rockhampton, through which the waters passed on their way to Brisbane, but the last is from Brisbane itself.

Felines find refuge on a fence above the flood water level on January 6, 2011 in Rockhampton, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan Wood/Getty Images)

Buildings in the city centre are reflected by remaining flood water at dusk on January 6, 2011 in Rockhampton, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan Wood/Getty Images)

A local resident walks past a flooded building as the Brisbane river burst its banks to cause widespread flooding in Brisbane, Australia, on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011. Queensland has been in the grip of its worst flooding for more than two weeks, after tropical downpours across a vast area of the state covered an area the size of France and Germany combined. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)