The Way You Were (The Kingdom by the Sea - Paul Theroux)

Advantages: well written, individual perspective, very of its own time
Disadvantages: biased & dated

...of human beings. He likes his towns and villages grand or at least graceful, but barring very rare instances, his sense of wonder is reserved for the world of nature - and those fleeting instances when a scene of beauty is caught like an intense illumination, when a momentary arrangement of the world seen form a particular angle is captured with perfect clarity, vivid and unforgettable. "The Kingdom by the Sea" is now, of course, a period piece, and Theroux's natural talent for misery and depressiveness is ideally suited to depicting the Kingdom of 1982, the time of the Falklands War, the gloomy hardships of Thatcherite depression with huge unemployment, empty hotels and closed factories, the destruction of industry, the Northern Irish 'troubles' in full bloom, the looming end of the railway network. Oh, and the son of the heir to the throne...

magdadh 03.04.2009 · Read review
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Review of The Kingdom by the Sea - Paul Theroux

An Octopuses Garden By The Sea

Advantages: underwater tunnel
Disadvantages: vastly overpriced

...Deep Sea World in North Queensferry under the iconic Forth Railway Bridge bills itself as Scotland's national aquarium and a fun filled venue for a family day out. The aquarium is easy to reach by car with ample free parking, a nearby railway station and bus service from Dunfermline. The first thing you will have to do when you arrive, depending on the time of year, is queue up for tickets. There are markers at various points along the queue telling you how long until you will reach the door, expect to wait up to an hour at peak times. You queue along the quarry which is supposed to hold seals but was empty the last time I visited. Spending ages in a queue is not the best way to start a visit anywhere and this is one of the many reasons that we do not visit anymore. Once you get inside the first area you come to is a main hall...

wigglylittleworm 19.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Deep Sea World, Edinburgh

Kingdom By the Sea-A Great Read

Advantages: Superb writing. Witty. A compelling read
Disadvantages: Not many

...Kingdom by the Sea by Paul Theroux is a great book.Indeed I find it a thoroughly fascinating book,interesting,well written,witty and the author is undeniably a great wordsmith. American born, Paul, lived in England for a number of years and also taught in Universities in the Far East. In my view he has a great socio-cultural understanding of the British. It is a compelling,thoroughly enjoyable read,written by one of the truly great travel writers. Paul travels around the coast of Great Britain and gives a very candid view of what he found. He didnt think much of the Kent coastal towns, he liked Hastings, had mixed feelings about some of the south coast resorts but seemingly enjoyed most of his stops in the Welsh coastal resorts. His descriptions of rather crummy and dingy bed and breakfast establishments are very vivid whilst his...

ashford 24.08.2000 (03.01.2002) · Read review
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Review of The Kingdom by the Sea - Paul Theroux

SILK

Advantages: SCARY SCI-FI
Disadvantages: SUBTITLES

...SILK. This film has some advanced theoretical science in regard to worm holes, electromagnetic waves and Anti gravity. It deals with Japanese scientist, Hashimoto who is the inventor of the 'Menger Sponge'. When used it traps all free energy within a small radius. With it he can walk on ceilings, slow down time and even trap 'Ghosts'. The film starts with the hideous deaths of some residents of a block of apartments. The specialist team is brought in and soon they have a ghost trapped, the ghost of a young boy with a sad and disturbing past. But soon the team start dieing, who is he escaping from the impenetrable room. What is he wordlessly saying? What horrors is he about to inflict on the world? Does the ghost and the Menger sponge hold the secret of immortality? And how will Hashimoto turn it to his advantage...

MaldivesHoliday 11.04.2009 · Read review
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Review of Silk - DVD

Tosa Restaurant

Advantages: Read Opp
Disadvantages: Read Opp

...of a different variety to fill up. I was also impressed that I received a check back and also got extra green tea refills. The Sushi I was really impressed by the freshness of the fish as well as the texture of the rice as the rice was not too compressed, it was fluffy and well presented. The taste was great in that the freshness of the sushi sea bass option I ordered was really appetising. This is a much better option of sushi compared to buying cheaper Tesco express and Tesco store sushi varieties which are more machine processed and less tasty. With this restaurant it is a case of you get top quality though it is a case of people having to pay for this high standard of food. After the meal The service continued in good fashion as the small dishes and skewer sticks were taken away from the table, and the table was wiped clean...

costas1234 21.12.2009 (23.12.2009) · Read review
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Review of Tosa Restaurant, London

  Harvester Restaurants

Advantages: Always one close by, quick turn out, children are welcome and catered for.
Disadvantages: Toilets can be quite disturbing, not all dishes taste as good they are described.

...Harvester Restaurants Restaurant Reviewed: Stag and Hounds Winchester Road Basingstoke Hampshire (next to Comet and Home Base) The Harvester chain of Restaurants have over 2000 outlets across the United Kingdom and owned and operated by Mitchells and Butlers, who claim to be the UK's leading operator of managed pubs, bars and restaurants. Harvester claim to offer healthy eating, drinking and entertainment in one reasonably priced outlet. **** Parking and Getting a Table ***** As with most of the Harvester's I have visited, there is usually ample free parking at the rear of the establishment. However on Saturday evenings and Sunday lunch times these places are heaving with customers, so avoid the crowds, go early and if possible ring and reserve a table. The Stag and Hounds is no exception but fortunately...

mrsmopples 27.02.2007 · Read review
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Review of Harvester Restaurants

Besides the sea

Advantages: "We joined the navy to see the world?."
Disadvantages: "And what did we see? We saw the sea." (Irving Berlin)

...deficiencies are more than made up for by the visual appeal of the shores. By a kind of paradox the sea, though boring in itself, acts as a catalyst to transform almost any view of land. It does so not just by adding an extra feature, but by adding movement and mood to an otherwise unmoving landscape. Coastlines are fascinating, offering wonderful vistas that come in many shapes and sizes: Rocks and rollers Since this review was prompted by memories of the Amalfi coast, let us begin atop one of the many limestone crags that decorate that region, gazing down to where jagged headlands and islets thrust up through the Tyrrhenian waves. When the sea is at peace and the waves are stilled, the water becomes almost luminous, the colour of the rock beneath seeming to amplify its limpid blue. Limestone is a rather good material...

torr 23.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Where is the best sea view?

Sci Fi with a Twist of SILK.

Advantages: A SPOOKY FILM !!
Disadvantages: Nothing

...SILK. ****** ~Introduction~ Japanese scientist, Hashimoto, has invented the 'Menger Sponge' which is a black hole for electromagnetic waves. The Menger sponge traps and stores energy and when it is full it can defy gravity, basically "Anti Gravity". But with unexpected side effects, Very Scary side effects. ~Synopsis~ In an apartment block a man has died, a horrible ghastly death. The Menger team are brought in and find a ghost, the ghost of a young boy. They spray the room with Menger spores to trap him inside and then set about trying to discover who he is, why he died, what he is doing there and what is he saying when he speaks, wordlessly. The inventor of the Menger sponge brings into his team, a kind of super cop. He is clever, fast and has a special talent. He can read lips, perhaps even the lips of the dead...

Maximus-Qualitus 20.02.2009 · Read review
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Review of Silk - DVD

Will Geoffrey Replace His Silks For Silks?

Advantages: Yet another 'Francis' Novel to educate us . . . this time about legal processes
Disadvantages: Some similarities to other minor plot lines . . . .

...A melodic tune broke into my concentration. I pulled my Pumpkin coloured RAZR out of its case and answered the phone by flicking it open. "Hello?" . . . . . . . . "Is that Mrs James? This is Tettenhall Library. The Dick Francis book you reserved is ready for collection." . . . . . . . . "Is Wednesday okay?" . . . . . . . . . "Certainly; you can only borrow it for a fortnight, though, as it is still on the reserve list, you know!" . ~ ~ ~ ~ SILKS: ~ ~ Racing Silks and Legal Silks? ~ ~ ~ ~ This novel, the 41st of the "Dick Francis" enterprise, centres round an amateur jockey, Geoffrey Mason (known on the track as 'Perry' because his PAYING job is as a Barrister) who rides his own horse, court cases permitting, in steeplechase races reserved for amateur riders. This is his TRUE passion, having been...

jesi 01.12.2008 · Read review
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Review of Silks - Dick Francis & Felix Francis

Blackpools best restaurant by far!

Advantages: Fantastic food and brilliant service
Disadvantages: A bit pricey

...Anon Café & Bistro, Queens Square in Poulton le Fylde Blackpool is definitely a must for any discerning food lover! I can honestly say that it is the classiest restaurant within the Blackpool area, serving the most delicious food! The restaurant itself is fairly small, accommodating around 7 or 8 tables. Each table has a candle which adds to the romantic atmosphere. The walls are decorated with numerous black and white pictures and smooth jazz or swing is played in the background. The tables have pristine white cloths with thick white napkins and contemporary cutlery. The whole setting of one of quality. The menu changes on a weekly basis and includes dishes such as lightly grilled sea bass, escalope of veal and fillet steak to die for! The meal accompaniments are always inventive and boring veg is turned into some of the best I...

weaholt 26.08.2006 · Read review
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Review of Anon Restaurant