Yes Penny. I was reading that if Hardy had realised the thrush singing was an aggressive territorial thing he probably wouldn't have used it. I disagree. He probably did know anyway. It wasn't that the song was sweet it was that the thrush bothered and kept going. Just like my drongos quarelling. It...

Still trying to navigate on my small phone. Strange but i spent ages finding The Darkling Thrush. Read it at the turn of the century. Was walking the dogs this week and the poem suddenly came to mind. Could not remember the name or author. It was the first day of the year not the last. I live in the...

Just got to Chapter 9 and hugely enjoyed the childhood play acting scenes. But couldn't quite figure out where the book was going till we got to the scene where Jean Louise discovers 'The Black Plague ' pamphlet. Love the description that follows. 'WITH THE SAME suddenness that a barbarous boy y ank...

Thanks, Penny. But wont let me send a private message. will message on Facebook

Hi Penny, Good to see you as Discussion Leader. I can't download to my Kindle anymore, but if i can find the book here i will join in the discussion. Meanwhile, I'm enjoying the comments.

I usually wake up around 1 or 2 am, and then can't get back to sleep. So i read till it gets light, about 7 am. Though i do sometimes nod off in the middle

No reason to be afraid. You have access to good medical care, people who have been in contact with infected persons can be traced, you have good hygiene, dont share bowls of food or travel in overcrowded bush taxis, and are well informed. I live in Gambia, West Africa. West Africa is an area, not a ...

I’ve watched the video a few times now, and it gets better each time. Henry 1V had very good reason to refuse to ransom Mortimer, who was after all, named by Richard 11 as his successor. Hotspur remarks on the terror he sees in Henry 1V’s face at the mention of Mortimer’s name. And when I urged the ...

What is a bard? The Welsh for poetry is barddoniaeth. So not sure if it is an English or Welsh or something other language. But it certainly means a poet

Oh yes! That is why i took a dislike to Hotspur, though fond of Falstaff. I think Falstaff sees through more of the injustice and false honour in their world, while Hotspur just takes it for granted. Hotspur is not much of a thinker.