Agatha Christie at...Greenway

Greenway

While in Devon, what Agatha Christie trail would be without a trip to Greenway? Agatha Christie called it "the loveliest place in the world". As always, the Queen of Crime was spot on. It's a beautiful Georgian building in stunning grounds, set back from the River Dart.

I remember the first time I caught a glimpse of Greenway, it was before it was open to the public. We took a boat trip along the River Dart and could see the imposing white Georgian house through the trees. It looked so far away, mysterious and secluded. A place I never thought we'd be able to visit.

However, the National Trust bought the house in about 2000 and set about restoring and renovating it - and what an amazing job they've done. It has been renovated in the style of the 1950s and contains a lot of the items and artifacts that Agatha and her second husband, Max, collected over their years together (I believe these were kindly donated by Agatha's grandson, Mathew Prichard).

You can tell Greenway was close to Agatha's heart as it features in quite a few of her novels.

***The following contains spoilers***

In Five Little Pigs, Greenway features as Alderbury - the house of Amyas Crale, and it is in the grounds of Alderbury that Amyas drinks his fatal glass of beer.

In Dead Man's Folly, Greenway appears as Nasse House. The grounds are the setting of a murder hunt, designed by Ariadne Oliver, the boat house is where Marlene Tucker is found strangled and Poirot navigates his way down the array of paths to the quay, where uses the bell to summon the ferry. The 2014 television adaptation of Dead Man's Folly was filmed here at Greenway, and sees David Suchet, as Poirot, wandering around the house and grounds.

Greenway also makes an appearance in Ordeal by Innocence, as Sunny Point House, and once again the bell on the quay is used to summon the ferry to Drymouth (Dartmouth).

Links to Greenway are not only limited to the house and gardens, but to the contents too. In the Hall there is a brass studded Baghdad chest that features in two of Christie's short stories The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest and The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding.

As part of the Agatha Christie Festival, we'll be making a few visits to Greenway. Hopefully we won't find any dead bodies in the Baghdad Chest...

Witness for the Prosecution

Witness for the Prosecution, Leeds Civic Hall

We went to see Agatha Christie's play, Witness for the Prosecution in Leeds last night - and it was amazing!

It was set in a real courtroom, in the chambers of Leeds Civic Hall. I don't want to give too much away, but Leonard Vole had been accused of murdering an elderly lady, called Miss Emily French, with whom he had spending a lot of time. His alibi depends on the testimony of his wife, Romaine Vole - the Witness for the Prosecution.

From the moment we arrived, we felt like part of the play. We were met at the door by a Police Officer who asked if we had been summoned for the case against Leonard Vole. He also checked we did not have any sharp objects before allowing us into the building.

When we entered into the courthouse we were greeted by a lady checking tickets - she was also in character, and dressed accordingly for the era (~1950s).

We walked through the beautiful corridors of Leeds Civic Hall and along the way were characters and props, making it feel really authentic. The characters interacted with us - we were accosted by a man from the press (Percy Ellund), who asked us our opinion on the upcoming case. He was dressed the part and had an old-fashioned camera. The acting was great, and we hadn't even sat down yet!

Then, we were summoned to court!

We had seats in the Jury Box, and had a great view of the judge and the witnesses as they gave evidence. The prosecutor and defence lawyers directed their address to us. Some of the characters were sat in the audience - the defence lawyer, Sir Wilfred Robartes, Q.C. was next to me!

It was very realistic and atmospheric - we were even asked to stand when the judge, Mr Justice Wainwright, entered and left the court.

The acting was outstanding, and it felt like we were in a real courtroom, as part of a trial. The story, of course, was excellent. Agatha Christie keeps you guessing to the end, with the usual twists and red herrings thrown in. I've heard a version of the radio play before, but the performance last night was much better, and really gripping.

All in all it was a lovely evening, watching a great performance in a beautiful setting, which I would recommend to anyone!

The performance is in Leeds until 30 August and you can book tickets here.

 

Agatha Christie in...Churston

Churston

'The train, having done one hundred and eight-odd miles of its two hundred and twelve miles journey at top speed, puffed gently and apologetically through the last thirty and drew into Nassecombe Station. Only one person alighted, Hercule Poirot' (Dead Man's Folly)

In Dead Man's Folly Poirot is invited to 'Nassecombe' by Ariadne Oliver who is creating a murder mystery hunt for a country fair. 'Nassecombe' is based on Churston and 'Nassecombe Station' is actually Churston Station.

You might remember me mentioning Churston Station in a previous blog. Poirot alighted here while investigating the murder of Sir Carmichael Clarke (The ABC Murders). He doesn't seem to recognise the place - although he could be forgiven for not remembering, it was 20 years ago (in book publication years) and the name has changed....!

There are few places in Churston that are linked to Agatha Christie. It is quite close to Greenway, her holiday home, so it's understandable why. Apparently Agatha used to go to lunch with the Churston's at Churston Court. She also played golf occasionally at Churston Golf Course and her knowledge of golf is said to have inspired her novel Murder on the Links.

Another place to visit in Churston is the Church of St Mary's. Agatha donated the royalties from her short story, Greenshaw's Folly, to pay for a new stained glass window. The church is open to visitors from 17-19 September, between 10.30am and 4.30pm. We'll have to make sure we visit on one of these days! There's free parking too. You can find out more information on the Agatha Christie Festival website, or on the Church of St Mary's the Virgin website.

So, Churston is on the list of places to visit, with a few things to see while we're there - Churston Station, Churston Golf Course and the Church of St Mary's.

Less than two months to go now until the Agatha Christie Festival!!! It's getting close now....

Agatha Christie on...Burgh Island

Burgh Island

'They came up over a steep hill and down a zigzag track to Sticklehaven - a mere cluster of cottages with a fishing boat or two drawn up on the beach. Illuminated by the setting sun, they had their first glimpse of Indian Island jutting up out of the sea and to the south.' (And Then There Were None)

This is the description of Burgh Island in And Then There Were None. Although it's called 'Indian Island' in the version of the book I have. Burgh Island a lovely place set on its own tidal island in Bigbury-on-Sea. Standing on the island is a beautiful art-deco hotel. Agatha Christie spent some time here and it gave her the inspiration for two of her novels - And Then There Were None and Evil Under the Sun. In the hotel, there's even a Christie room you can stay in.

And Then There Were None is one of Agatha Christie's most successful novels. Ten strangers are invited to an island and then one by one they are murdered! It's a very good novel and one of my favourites!

This year for the Agatha Christie Festival, the Agatha Christie Theatre Company will be doing a production of And Then There Were None at the Princess Theatre.

I read an article earlier saying the BBC are going to film another version of And Then There Were None - I hope they film it in and around Burgh Island. It's due to be aired in time for Agatha's 125th birthday this year - we'll probably be down in Torquay, so it would be great to see it while we're down there (as long as we're not already out and about!).

So, there lots going on for And Then There Were None this year!

The other Agatha Christie novel that was inspired by Burgh Island is Evil Under the Sun. In this novel, Hercule Poirot goes over to the island on the recommendation of his doctor, for a little relax and recuperation. However, as always, a murder occurs - the murder of Arlena Stewart who is a famous actress (the more cynical person may suspect Poirot, he's always around....).

The 2001 t.v. adaptation with David Suchet was filmed on Burgh Island and includes many of the places we visited last year. In this adaptation, we see Hercule Poirot boarding the sea tractor over to the island! Although, I don't think he enjoyed it as much as we did!! (Season 8, Episode 1).

So, Burgh Island is definitely on the list of places to visit. We'll hopefully be going to the Agatha Christie Luncheon again this year so should be able to take in the sites while we're there.

Something a bit strange, while writing this I've been watching Death in Paradise (Season 1, Episode 5) - and what would you know...Agatha Christie is mentioned! The episode is very much like an Agatha Christie book - the murder takes place on a boat (so there's a closed pool of suspects), the victim is a criminal handcuffed to a police inspector, and everyone on the boat has a potential motive for killing him. There's even an 'interfering, amateur sleuth' trying to help out the police. Remind you of anyone...!? The plot thickens!

It just goes to show how popular and well-known Agatha Christie is.

Here are a few of our photos of Burgh Island from our visit last year...

Sea Tractor, Burgh Island

Burgh Island

Palm Court Bar

Pixy Court

Burgh Island & Bigbury-on-Sea

Agatha Christie in...Elberry Cove

Elberry Cove 

'Suddenly we came out on a grassy ridge overlooking the sea and a beach of glistening white stones. All round dark green trees ran down to the sea. It was an enchanting spot - white, deep green - and sapphire blue'

This is Hasting's description of Elbury Cove, also known as Elberry Cove in The ABC Murders. This peaceful, little white-pebbled beach is the setting for the Churston murder in The ABC Murders!


In this novel, the murderer sends Hercule Poirot taunting letters, detailing a date and location of a future murder and challenging 'Mr Clever Poirot' to solve the mystery. The letters are always signed A.B.C. and at each of the murders, is a copy of an A.B.C. Railway Guide.

Following the A.B.C. theme, the first victim is murdered in a place beginning with A, the second in a place beginning with B and so on, here are the victims:

Mrs Alice Ascher in Andover
Miss Betty Barnard in Bexhill-on-Sea
Sir Carmichael Clarke in Churston
George Earlsfield in Doncaster

The last victim's name doesn't follow the pattern and doesn't begin with a D, but when you read the book, it will make a bit more sense...

Elberry Cove isn't that far from Greenway - Agatha Christie was a keen swimmer and Elberry Cove was another favourite of hers for bathing.

So, Elberry Cove is also going on the list of places to visit. I've had a look at how to get there and it looks like we'll have to park at Broadsands and walk along the South West Coast Path. Broadsands is another lovely beach - I used to go on holiday here with my family when I was younger, and we spent some good times on the beach and in the sea here. Oh, happy days!

Next on the list is Churston, I know I've mentioned it briefly, but there are a few more locations in Churston that are either in novels or important to Agatha, so I'm covering that separately.

Until next time...!

Agatha Christie in...Kingsbridge & Salcombe

Broadsands, Devon

I've not had chance to write anything for a week as I've been busy reading and researching all the places in Agatha Christie books. There are so many places to visit and so many things to see!! We might not be able to visit all places - but we'll try!

Next on my list are Kingsbridge and Salcombe...

Both places feature in one of Christie's novels - Towards Zero. There's a map at the beginning, and it's quite clear that the map is of Kingsbridge. In the novel, Kingsbridge becomes Saltington and nearby Salcombe becomes Saltcreek.

Saltcreek is described in the novel as 'a straggling picturesque fishing village set on the side of a hill'. 

The t.v. adaptation of Towards Zero was filmed around here too. As with a few of Christie's books, the novel doesn't originally feature Miss Marple, but she's the main character in the adaptation - and it's up to her to solve the mystery - which of course, she does! In the novel, the main protagonist is Superintendent Battle, who is on holiday with his nephew.


It's a shame he has been replaced, because I quite like Superintendent Battle, he appears in a couple of Christie's novels, including Murder is Easy, The Secret of Chimneys and The Cards on the table - in which he appears with Hercule Poirot. So, it's a bit odd that he was replaced by Miss Marple. This is the second time I've noticed that the main male character has been replaced by Miss Marple when adapted for t.v....the plot thickens...

Although Kingsbridge and Salcombe don't appear in any other novels (as far as I'm aware), Peril at End House, which was set in Cornwall, was adapted for t.v. in 1990, and was filmed around Salcombe. It was mainly filmed around the harbour, where we see the main character, Nick Buckley, sail in and dock at Victoria Quay.

According to Exploring Agatha Christie Country, 'Union Street was the location for the scene in which Poirot, enjoying afternoon tea, has the workings of his 'little grey cells' distracted by the sight of a woman at another table feeding a bulldog' (p38).

I don't think I've ever been to Kingsbridge or Salcombe, so these are definitely on the list! We'll have to make sure we visit Victoria Quay and Union Street! Can't wait - it looks lovely around this area!

Until next time....!

Agatha Christie in...Dartmouth

River Dart

Where to start on the Agatha Christie Trail...? Good question. I thought I'd start with Dartmouth - a place that Agatha Christie loved. She loved it so much she bought her holiday home, Greenway, just down the river. Greenway features in a few books but I'll leave those for another day...

I've found three Agatha Christie books that feature Dartmouth, so this is a definitely a place to visit on our literary trail!

Isaac Pointz gives Dartmouth his seal of approval in The Regatta Mystery and calls it a 'Pretty little place' (ch.1). After watching the yacht race Mr Pointz and his party of friends head to the Royal George hotel for lunch - said to be based on the Royal Castle Hotel. While they are dining, one of his guests, Eve Leathern, bets Pointz she can make his famous 'Morning Star' diamond disappear. Which she does. Parker Pyne is called in to solve the mystery. According to the Agatha Christie website, the original magazine story from 1936, featured Hercule Poirot, but was replaced by Parker Pyne when the story was published in a book.

Dartmouth also features in Ordeal by Innocence.  According to the Agatha Christie website this was one of Agatha's favourites. The main protagonist is a Dr Calgary, who solves the mystery. I don't want to spoil the plot, but in the course of the story he visits Dartmouth. The Royal Castle Hotel appears as the Royal George again. There have been a couple of adaptations of this book, the 1984 film was filmed in and around Dartmouth. Then televised in 2007 - however, it featured Miss Marple as the protagonist, even though she wasn't in the original novel.

Finally, Dartmouth features in Dead Man's Folly. Ariadne Oliver asks Poirot down to help her create a Murder hunt, however, it soon turns into a real murder hunt when Margot Tucker is found dead in the Boathouse! Etienne De Sousa moors his boat in Dartmouth harbour before heading up the river to see his cousin, Lady Stubbs.

So, Dartmouth has been visited by Parker Pyne, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple (although not in the original novel), and will be one of the places we'll be visiting in September.

We have already visited Dartmouth - back in 2007. We were staying in Paignton and we caught the Paignton to Kingswear train. We passed some stunning scenery - Goodrington Sands, Broadsands and the beautiful Devonshire countryside.

We then caught the passenger ferry to Dartmouth where we caught a boat and took a cruise down the River Dart. We saw the Greenway Boathouse and caught a glimpse of Greenway. At the time you couldn't go and visit (I think only the gardens were open). It was a gorgeous day. Here are a few photos...

Dartmouth

Greenway

Greenway Boathouse

Kingswear & Dartmouth