Just back from London, and I’ve got to say that ‘Equus’ was amazing. Totally amazing. It’s not often we get to go to the West End to see something, but this has reminded both of us about why exactly we should make this a regular thing.

I’d read the play as an undergraduate but I’d forgotten about the humour in it. I suppose it gets pushed to the side a bit with all of the disturbing psychological issues of Alan and the queries of what Dysart actually does to young minds. Richard Griffiths was every bit as good as we expected, with beautiful dry humour delivered to perfect effect in sharp contrast to Dysart’s growing unease. I’ve not seen him on stage before, but having done so now, I can declare myself a huge fan.

As for Dan Radcliffe, he was somewhat of a surprise. He looked absolutely shattered by the end of the performance (not sure how he would manage an evening show on top of the matinee!) and he was obviously putting everything he had into it (and no, I don’t mean the nudity there!). Some elements of Alan Strang he really got, and it was a good performance that was very gripping in places. Other parts, not so much. He never fell out of role, but the emotional depth of the character wasn’t always as rounded as it could have been. Then again, he’s still only 17 and it’s more than a bit of a challenging role. He did himself credit.

I loved the set - a series of black boxes that the actors moved around as the action went on to form the stage, as well as the fact that it revolved when Alan was riding at night, faster and faster to build up the sensation of movement and the climax of the moment. Very, very simple, but incredibly effective. However, the horses were absolutely the real stars. I can see exactly why they selected dancers for the roles and it really paid off - the movements all helped the suspension of disbelief - and iron hoofs and heads easily became ‘real’.

The story, as always, is deeply disturbing, but it was so well done. Would I see it again? Like a shot. It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen anything as good on stage. Even my hubby was blown away.

As for the ‘Harry Potter Naked!’ headlines… well, yes he was. He’s a braver person than I am, but it’s just such a shame that the press focused on that one scene when the rest of the production was so good. Typical!

We had some really good news during the week and we’re celebrating with a city break to London to see a very good friend and the much discussed production of Equus. I’ve been dithering about it for a while - I read the play waaaaaay back as an undergraduate, but I’ve never seen it. I’d have been long before now but for the uneasy feeling of “But it’s Harry Potter. Noooooooooo!”. However, a librarian friend of ours has been reassuring me that I’m worrying over nothing as Dan Radcliffe can actually pull off the role and Richard Griffiths is not to be missed. So, hubby and I are booked, with a couple of decent seats in the stalls. More on that in a couple of weeks. I’m quite excited about it now!

On my internet travels I came across this article about a girl who had been taken to American Girl’s doll hair salon, but they then refused to do her dolls hair because it wasn’t a “real” doll - i.e. one bought from them. The thing that appalled me about the whole thing is first off the little girl had saved up her own money for the doll she had and obviously loved it to bits, but secondly, she was completely humiliated and made to feel bad by the whole experience.

I’m sorry, but that’s not what childhood is all about. The shop may have its policies and be concerned about damaging other brand types, but there are ways to handle these things without spoiling the magic of a special toy for a little girl. A bit of ribbon and a bit of fuss would have done the trick without any trouble at all. The company will have dealt with this issue before - how can they not? - so to absolutely devastate a child is that way is bang out of order. How will she be left feeling about her favourite toy now? The magical edge has gone, and nothing and no one can put it back. People can be so heartless, thinking themselves so much better than others, and it’s just plain wrong. It’s never down to having money - it’s all about the person you are and what you do with the opportunities with the people you’re given.

As a kid, my first much loved doll was called Vanessa - that being the most glamorous name I’d ever heard! I loved her to bits and she even came on holiday with us, with her very own doll-sized suitcase. I can remember being absolutely traumatised when they searched it in the airport once because I’d spent ages ironing her clothes with my toy iron. (Ahhhh - those were the days! Now it’s more a case of ‘Iron? What’s one of those then?’ ) I’d have been absolutely gutted if anyone had treated her (and me) like that. Not that anyone would have ever dreamt of it back then.

Stories like that make me utterly convinced that some people have lost the plot entirely.

It says a lot that it’s 11am and I’ve only just crawled out of bed. I’m shattered!

Yesterday was just chaotic. Had a lovely chat and breakfast with Stephenie and Elizabeth before setting out to tackle the mayhem of the journey back. Very nice to meet you both properly! Got to Barajas Airport with bags of time to spare, only to find out that the flight had been delayed and I was likely to miss my train connection back up to York in the UK. Cue much groaning and banging of head off the wall.

Half an hour later, back breaking due to overladen rucksack (am sooo glad they don’t weigh hand luggage!) and we were on board. Madrid is unlike any airport I’ve ever been to - you have a lovely 15 minute drive before you reach the end of the runway! Gatwick came up trumps though. 20 minutes after landing, I’m cleared through customs, have collected my baggage and am running like mad to cross London. Not just trying to cross London at manic speeds, but trying to do it… in rush hour.

I wouldn’t recommend it.

However, with a couple of heavy bags and some serious barrelling through the crowds, I sprinted down the platform and JUST made it onto the train before the whistle blew. Spent the remainder of the journey talking to a couple newly back from NZ, until a bunch of my students got on at Doncaster. Kids are funny when you bump into them out of school - they either blank you completely and pretend they’re anywhere other than here, or they bounce across and want a chat. This lot were thankfully the latter type, and spent the rest of the journey grumbling that I could have squeezed them into my suitcase.

As if!

Welcome to the real world.

Last night I had the worst meal I’ve possibly ever had in my life. I ended up in a little Spanish restaurant (no surprises there, as I’m in Madrid) and found myself in a scene that wouldn’t have been out of place in Fawlty Towers. The waitress was female and had no moustache, but that’s where all differences end. She had an abrupt manner, a little Like Basil Fawlty. The menu was thrust at me, then she leaned over me with a note pad and pen tapping her foot (seriously!) until I’d made an order. She flounced back to the kitchen, re-emerging with a stale roll of bread, which she crashed down on the table so hard that the plate bounced. I didn’t dare complain! Even the fish I ate for dinner looked anxious.

Today’s been a lot of fun though. I did a lot of touristy things - Palacio Real and the Prado Museum. I still don’t like Goya. I don’t think I understand his paintings properly, and I was amused to see a terrible Rubens painting of the Duke of Lerma - it wouldn’t have been out of place as a 1950s movie poster with the way the horse looks - thus proving that even the greats can sometimes get it badly wrong. Always reassuring! Other than that, saw some awe inspiring Rembrants and Titians. Excellent stuff all round. If you want to see some pics, check out my photoblog. There are loads on there.

This evening was off to the FNAC and meeting up with Crepusculo-es.com again. Stephenie was doing a question and answer session and a book signing, and by somewhat scary arrangement, we got to perch on the side of the stage. Great for photo opportunities, but a bit scary to be up there. It was interesting seeing how they dealt with the English/Spanish language conflict - with the use of headphones for both audience and Stephenie to translate. It was a huge crowd, and the venue even had to take the seats out in order to fit everyone in.

So, in true fan-girly style, I got my book signed, have an apple and am now packing my case to come home. I’ve met some lovely people in my time here. Thanks very much to you all - and I’m sorry I didn’t get to say goodbye to you all properly. You’ve all been brilliant!

Madrid is lovely, and I must have walked for absolutely miles. My feet are aching. However, I’ve had a really productive day - I’ve done all the touristy stuff and met up with Stephenie Meyer. She’s lovely and very entertaining to listen to:

Hopefully meeting up with her for a proper chat soon - would be fun to get to know her better; I liked her very much as a person.

I also met the Spanish equivalent to the Lexicon’s staff, and they’re great fun. Such good English and so very friendly. Thanks for looking after me, guys! I really appreciated it.

Considering I don’t speak a word of Spanish, I’m managing remarkably well in Madrid. I’m buying fruit in the local market, grinning idiotically when I don’t have a clue what people are saying to me, and I’ve even managed to get some tea to drink (which was a crisis this morning when I couldn’t find any. I never thought I’d be saying it, but God Bless Starbucks!) I’ve done the plazas and the cafe where Hemingway wrote. Tomorrow, I’m off to be cultured with Art and a visit to the royal palace. Life is soooo easy without the kids around - but I’m missing them. It’ll be good to get home too.

I’ve had a couple of really surprising things that have made me squeeeee this week. You’ve heard the radio recording of ‘Nine Tenths of the Law’ now, and I’m still thrilled by that. If you don’t have Real Player, I’ve put the pdf file up so you can read it instead. Click on the ‘extras’ tab on this site and you’ll see it there.

Some other good news arrived yesterday, and that involves spending most of half term in Madrid. Not just being in Madrid, but being kid-free in Madrid with a credit card and lots of shops.

And I’ll eventually get to meet the lovely Stephenie Meyer in person. I’m just sad that I’m not going to get to meet Alphie and Pel in Arizona like we’d first planned, but Madrid sounds like an excellent idea. Guidebooks are on order and I’m foolishly excited. Watch out for lots of photos from 12-15th Feb!