The Other Hand by Chris Cleave

Synopsis (from the book cover):

We don't want to tell you what happens in this book. It is a truly special story and we don't want to spoil it. Nevertheless, you need to know enough to buy it so we will just say this: This is the story of two women. Their lives collide one fateful day, and one of them has to make a terrible choice. Two years later, they meet again -- the story starts there! Once you have read it, you'll want to tell your friends about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens either. The magic is in how it unfolds.

'Totally believable.' -- Daily Express '

It would be hard not to romp through it.' -- Financial Times

'Impresses as a feat of literary engineering...the plot exerts a fearsome grip.' -- Telegraph

Review:

The story is narrated by two female characters from completely different backgrounds, both of these characters are wonderfully depicted and fleshed out. Tragic events draw the two of them together and the book which starts off by describing a detention centre in Exeter slowly reveals how their lives became entwined.

I found it a compelling read and finished the book within a few days. The story was heartwarming, funny, sad, beautiful and shocking in equal measures. I found it very powerful and thought provoking.

A Weekend Away...

...with family and friends.

I spent the weekend in Kent with family (and friends). On Saturday those of us who weren't visiting the War Games show at ExCeL decided to visit the 'British Museum'. I think it is probably my favourite museum in London and I could happily spend hours there.

We were dropped off at the exhibition centre and after trying to explain to several foreign visitors what type of tickets they needed, we headed for the Dockland Light Railway. On the platform it was extremely windy and chilly and at that particular point in time my coat zip decided to break. Luckily when I got to the museum I was able to fix it, which proved useful later on.

Although as I said earlier I could spend a long time in the museum, my companions got fed after a couple of hours... So we left and visited the Board Game shop in museum street, which was also cut short due to boredom. But not before I managed to pick up a couple of new games ;-) Then the word "shopping" was mentioned and I am not really one for shopping, but never the less we ended up trogging towards Oxford Street in the rain. Luckily a call into M&S ended up being a long stay in the coffee shop until we could meet up with the others for an evening meal.

Meanwhile elsewhere in London my friends and colleauges were taking place in a peaceful demonstration in advance of the G20 summit. The demonstrators were hoping to remind world leaders of the priorities in the current economic crisis. More on that later in the week when hopefully I will have some photographs of the event.

Cherie's Place - Thought for the Week

Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you.

Elbert Hubbard

PhotHunt - Hands

I have been rather busy this week so I haven't had time to take any new photos for this weeks theme. Both these have appeared on my blog before, but hopefully so long ago that most of you won't remember them.

I don't need to explain the first one, it speaks for itself, but the second one probably needs some sort of explanation. I am holding some Moo MiniCards that I had printed with details of my Trade Union action group and their website. If you have never heard of Moo cards before, they are mini business cards where you can put a picture of you choosing on the front. Each picture can be the same or they can all be different. It is up to you. Check them out here they are great fun :-)

I am still rather busy so I might not be able to visit many people this weekend, but I will catch up with you as soon as I can.

For more of this weeks PhotoHunt pictures check out tnchick.

Friday Night Fun

It is ages since I have posted anything from Pixar. Enjoy :-)

Notre-Dame Cathedral, St. Omer

Whilst I was in Saint-Omer last year I visited the cathedral. The Cathedral is over 800 years old and a good example of Gothic architecture from the middle ages. Sadly there is no picture of this from me because it was covered with scaffolding. Just the excuse I need to go back :-)

Within the Cathedral lies the tomb of Saint Erkembode which is covered with shoes:

Saint Erkembode, who lived in the late 7th and early 8th centuries, was an Irish monk who travelled with several companions to Sithin, now Saint-Omer in northern France where he lived in the monastery. He was a disciple of saint Bertin (+709), himself a disciple of saint Columbanus of Luxeuil, the Celtic abbey in the French Vosges mountains. Later he was elected by the people as bishop of Thérouanne, while remaining abbot of his abbey. That abbey of Sithiu became part of the Order of Saint Benedict after the Carolingian reforms of Benedict of Aniane.

Meaning roughly "recognised envoy" (much like the word "apostle"), the name Erkembode comes from old germanic languages, as the region was, till 15th century, part of Flanders, Belgium. The region is now called French Flanders. The name of the See of Erkembode, Thérouanne, was already quoted as the capital of the Morini by Julius Caesar in his Gallic Wars book.

After 26 years of episcopacy, in a diocese that extended far into the mainland, Erkembode died in 734 and was buried in Saint-Omer Cathedral, where his tomb remains.

His shrine is still being visited by parents with crippled children and depressive people. To aid the recovery of their children, parents leave tiny pairs of shoes on the saint's tomb, which are periodically cleared away by roman-catholic cathedral authorities. Pilgrims come from everywhere. His liturgical feast is on April 12/27.

The Seven Essential Items Meme

James has challenged his readers to name 7 essential items that make life bearable. Not things like houses, cars and jobs but things that you need (for whatever reason) and would have to replace immediately if they were lost.

I am always up for a challenge so here are mine:

1. My mobile phone. Even though I don't use it very often, it is so nice to know that my friends are just there if I need them and to know that they can get hold of me if they really need me.

2. My handbag. I never leave the house without one. I shared the contents with you in a previous post ;-)

3. My camera. I am sure you all know how much I love taking photos, especially of gardens.

4. My internet connection. It was bad enough when I was experiencing problems with it earlier in the year, but I would be lost without it.

5. My alarm clock. I don't do mornings very well, so I probably wouldn't make it to work most mornings if I didn't have one!

6. My contact lenses/glasses. I would be totally helpless without one or the other, everything further than four or five inches away is a total blur.

7. My National Trust membership card. I don't think I need to explain why I would miss that so much :-)

How about sharing your 7 things?