The Enid Blyton Society

Daisy wrote:The difference in chapter numbers and length of book is surely down to the length of each chapter. In my experience, some chapters need to be longer than others because of the content. A natural break and progression to the next chapter can't always be tailored to fit a set amount - at least if it is, it can be hard to do!

I agree in a way - but most chapters in Ring O Bells, Rubadub, and Rilloby Fair seem to be the same length and similar size typeface. I guess not though!

That's a lovely hotel, Floragord. We stayed for two nights there last year, with Nigel and Jane. Loved it.

There are a few Victorian hotels in Sidmouth - which still retains a quaint, Victorian atmosphere, largely unspoilt by modern commercialisation. We stayed at The Victoria Hotel, Floragord, although you haven't said where you are staying.

Just received this article from the Swanage Railway website, which may interest those who have seen the stage version of the Railway Children & have a love of Steam trains!

http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/news/de ... locomotive" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Very interesting. Thanks for posting the link, Number 6.

Nice one, Number 6! I'm not a railway buff, but have travelled on the Swanage - Corfe Castle line and also saw the stage show of The Railway Children in London, which I very much enjoyed. I was only disappointed that the steam engine didn't come into it more often! (They only used it for the famous scene in which the children save the train from a landslide on the line, and then again right at the end when their father comes back. Otherwise, all trains in the production need to be filled in by one's imagination. But it's a brilliant play.)

I haven't seen the Railway Children stage show, Courtenay, although I would've liked to. I bet it was still a great experience, despite the Steam train not being involved so much as you expected. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I love the film version with Jenny Aguter & Sally Thomsett, where Toddy the dog (Timmy in the 70's F5 series) made a brief appearance at the beginning! I talk to Sally on Twitter on a regular basis. She's lovely & very down to earth.

Thinking about the chaotic disaster that could have unfolded over where I live since last night. If you've listened to the news you may be aware a helicopter went missing Wednesday night that was flying from North Wales to Ireland over Caernarvon bay (which when I first heard reminded me instantly of Five go to Billycock Hill with its mysteriously vanished aircraft). Due to the terrible weather conditions searches for it had to be called off, but yesterday they found it,not in the sea as they'd first thought, it didn't get that far, it's crashed in the mountainside not far from Trawsfynydd power station and they were searching the lake for the unfortunate five passengers . That is literally over the hillside from me, if it had been just a handful of miles more this way it could have actually landed straight onto our town or surrounding houses . It's quite a sobering and unnerving thought.

It certainly is a chilling thought, IceMaiden. A very sad situation could've been a whole lot worse if, as you said, the helicopter crashed the other side of the Mountain. I used to frequently walk the Welsh Mountains, & the Rhinogs were a particular favourite place of mine, so I know the terrain very well & how treacherous they can be in bad weather. My sympathy goes out to those that died in the tragic crash & to the loved ones they left behind.

Agreed. It's a chilling thought of what could have happened. It's a tragedy to those victims' families.

Moonraker wrote:There are a few Victorian hotels in Sidmouth - which still retains a quaint, Victorian atmosphere, largely unspoilt by modern commercialisation. We stayed at The Victoria Hotel, Floragord, although you haven't said where you are staying.

We are indeed at the Victoria, Moonraker, pleased to hear you and Julie enjoyed your stay here too, it is very delightful - we're spoiled rotten with a vast canopied bed, two bathrooms and two balconies looking out to sea, and the food is absolutely memorable, complete with pianist or quartet each evening, with coffee and home made petits fours on the Verandah! We've managed coffee in the sunshine on the terraces at the Belmont one day and the Harbour the next, but apart from that haven't progressed far from the hotel there's so much to enjoy in situ!

I envy you, Floragard. It is indeed a fabulous hotel. I even took my daughter there towards the end of last year when she passed one of her Masters Degrees. We had a great time, as you say there is plenty to do and see in the hotel and we spent time in the pool and spa and sauna.

Here is a picture of myself on the stairs in the Victoria Hotel.

Sorry it's not very clear!

Julie2owlsdene wrote:Here is a picture of myself on the stairs in the Victoria Hotel.

It's lovely, Julie!

Blimey! Bet those stairs kept you fit, Julie! Nice photo.