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| Torquay |
It's finally here! After a long drive we arrived in Torquay for the Agatha Christie Festival. It's so exciting to be back in Torquay - it felt like we hadn't been away. I have so many happy memories of Torquay from when I was a child, and now as an adult coming back for the festival each year, it's wonderful. Torquay is looking lovely, the gardens are in full bloom in Princess Gardens and Abbey Park (above). Now all we need is for the weather to improve a bit and it will be perfect!!
We checked into our apartment when we arrived - it's a beautiful place, nicely decorated with lovely furnishings. Great as a base from which to enjoy our adventures this week.
We caught up with some friends we met last year and went over to their hotel for some pre-dinner drinks. Some other friends of theirs were also there, and one of them was dressed as Poirot - he looked amazing - his outfit was perfect, right down to the cane and the pince-nez! I'll get some photos this week (if he doesn't mind). We're going to Burgh Island together, so there should be plenty of opportunity.
The Festival theme for today was 'Festive Family Fun'. There were a number of events during the day that we unfortunately missed as we were driving down. But we were here in time for John Curran's Mystery Film Night!
The event was hosted in the Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey again. Last year we heard a radio play which was followed by a film. However, this year we were treated to two films! As per last year, John Curran didn't tell us what the films were until we saw the opening credits....
The first film was a 25-minute Manga-style adaptation of The Blue Geranium, starring Miss Marple and her great-niece Mabel West (a new character). And what an interesting adaptation it was!!! The adaptation was quite true to the book, but this is the first time I've seen an animated version of any of Agatha Christie's books. The film forms part of a series which includes both Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot cases. Mabel West is the link between the two, as mentioned, she's Miss Marple's great-niece but she also works as Poirot's assistant! If she can pick up skills from the both of them, she'll be an awesome detective!
The second film was was made by the BBC in 1982, John Curran mentioned it had only ever been shown on Boxing Day the same year. It starred Penelope Keith as the main character Clarissa and was based on one of Agatha Christie's plays - Spider's Web. I've never seen this play before, so it was quite a treat to see it on screen and to try and guess whodunnit - and Agatha kept me guessing to the end. Like all Christie's once the culprit was revealed it made sense and I remembered clues I'd previously overlooked. Made me wonder how I could have missed such obvious clues!
Tomorrow is 'Agatha Christie and the First World War' and we're going to one of the talks at the Grand Hotel. Depending on the weather we might also have a walk round Torquay and see if we can find some of the Sturdy Tables!
Bye for now!!
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