Elizabeth Taylor died today. While I’ll be the first to say she went a bit odd in the end, I must confess to having had a huge crush on her when she starred in National Velvet. To be fair, I first had a crush on the girl in the television series but once I watched Liz, I was smitten.
And then there’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? I sat through many performances of the nomad production of this. I always thought our own Liz (Griffiths) was excellent until I saw Ms Taylor. What a fantastic performance. She was Martha, completely. Never to be bettered. One of the best female performances I’ve ever seen in a movie.
However…let’s not dwell on such sad news. After Nicktor left for work and I’d spoken to mum and dad, we went to the park for a walk.
Given that she’s still recuperating, Carmen had to stay on the lead while Day-z was allowed to run free. Carmen was a bit surprised at this but the vet told me to be careful with her. Of course she had her coat on but even so. She didn’t mind too much because her bright green pressure bandage garnered her a bit of sympathy with a couple of dog walkers who thought she had a sore leg. She didn’t correct them, not wanting them to see her shaved back!
The park looked gorgeous in the sunshine and a lot of dog walkers were out and about, soaking it up. Lots of couples, which is odd for a week day. The avenue of trees looked especially lovely.
The Avenue of Trees, Farnham Park
In a complete change to yesterday, Day-z ran around like a lunatic this morning. I’m not sure whether she was making up for her sister not being able to or she was showing off but whichever, she roamed far and wide. If you measured the distance she travelled it was probably four times as much as Carmen and me.
Back at the house, the garden was all set for working in. Which I did. Copiously. I potted up some stripy plants, planted some Aquilegia (granny’s bonnet) and ripped out some nasty weeds. I even erected the Insect Hotel we bought so long ago at Crondall Primary School.
The Insect Hotel
According to the weather station, it reached 29.9 degrees in our garden! I know this is direct sunlight on the thermometer but, even so, it was hot where I was working. I even worked up a sweat!
Here’s a photo of Carmen, just before she decided to have a lay down on the tulips next to me…
Carmen striding purposely over to me
…and one of Day-z.
Day-z helping me by sitting on my lap and looking mysterious
Delighted to see the Insect Hotel at last – it spent the winter on a garden chair leaking blue paint everywhere.
I hope Carmen didn’t squash the tulips!
National Velvet was the best role Elizabeth ever played. She was brilliant and the most beautiful girl of her age ever seen on screen.