"SPRING is in the AIR!"

WEIGH-IN WEDNESDAY

Well, after two rather cracking weight-loss weeks of 3lbs off a piece - I come

crashing back to reality with a some what modest one pound off. Still in the words of:

IVANA TRUMP

"It is what it is or it is vot it is!"

BOB HOSKINS

1942-2014

I had the good fortune to work with the wonderful Bob Hoskins on three

separate occasions. The first was in a Hand Made Film (The Company

owned by George Harrison.) It was my first big movie and apart from Bob I

was lucky enough to work with another legend, Maggie Smith.

The year was 1987 and the movie was called "The Lonely Passion of Judith

Hearne". It was directed by a Hollywood Director - Jack Clayton. He had made

his version of "The Great Gatsby" (1974) with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. He had also

worked with Kate and her sister Phoebe Nicholls when they were children

with the movie "The Pumpkin Eater".  For "The Lonely Passion" I not only 

had to dye my hair blond but I also had to dye all my body hair as well. The reason being -

I had to appear naked in a bed scene!

I was obviously very nervous working with two such accomplished Stars but Bob

put me at ease very early on. He was so down to earth and friendly. The thing I

remember most about us working together, was standing nearby with him,

waiting for our cue to enter the dining room set - he was just as terrified as me!!

The next time I worked with him was a year later when he asked me to appear in a

movie that he was going to direct as well as act in. Again it was for Handmade Films

and was called "The Raggedy Rawney". 

 Bob had also written the Script which was about a band of Gypsies - set in a fictitious 

European Country during a time of war. I played a farmer that the Gypsies came

upon and settled with for a while.

We shot this in Prague before the Berlin Wall came down. We had Western Caterers

whilst we were filming and they flew in all our food from West Germany. I always

remember being in the make-up room when bowls of fruit were brought in and the

local Czech make-up girls just stared in amazement. When they were told to help

themselves they put the fruit in their pockets to take it home for their children.

My fondest memory of Bob on this movie - was hanging out in his trailer on a 

Night Shoot drinking a little Czech Apple Brandy - waiting for the Lighting to

be completed. Suddenly there was a knock on his trailer door and the

First Assistant Director announced they were ready for Bob - to which Bob

yelled "Hang on Sonny, I'm not in this f-ing Scene" The First Assistant Director

replied "No Bob, but you are the Director!"

The final time I worked with Bob was on a wonderful adaptation of "David

Copperfield" for the BBC. I also got to work with the formidable Maggie Smith again.

She had been a little brittle on "The Lonely Passion" but this time she had

mellowed a lot and was a delight to work with.

The year was 1999 and the show had a very young actor making his first

professional debut as the young David Copperfield. His name was Daniel Radcliffe. I

remember him being very confident and assured and it was no surprise to me

that he went on to such heady heights as "Harry Potter".

I got to play a wonderful wacky character called Mr Dick! It was a very happy production -

with charming performances from Bob as Micawber and Maggie as Betsey Trotwood.

I bumped into Bob on a few further occasions - in restaurants or at screenings. He

was always delighted to see me and was very warm. I count myself extremely

fortunate to have known such a talented, delightful individual.

THE OLYMPIC CINEMA and RESTAURANT

117 Church Rd, Barnes, London, SW13 9HL

During the week I had a lovely evening with my friends Robert and Susie Dickson.

We had a meal in the restaurant of the recently refurbished Olympic Studios and then

watched a film in the luxurious cinema. Up until October 2013 it had been a noted

recording studio:

Featuring in its heyday such groups as the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, the Beatles and

Jimi Hendrix. I had the pleasure of working there myself when we recorded songs for

the TV programme for C4 of the Royal Shakespeare production of "The Life and Times of

Nicholas Nickleby" in 1982.

Robert, Susie and I had a lovely meal in the new Bistro style Restaurant:

Before going upstairs to the luxurious new Cinema

The Foyer

Rob & Susie in Extreme Comfort.

The Founder Members have their very own

Private Bar complete with spectacular chandelier. 

THE DOWNSIDE

The only downside of the evening was the actual film we all saw:

"Calvary" with Brendon Gleeson. I had been looking forward to seeing this

movie, as it had received a 4-Star Rating from a number of reviewers. In

the end all three of us gave it the "Thumbs Down"! - as a pretentious load of old

twaddle! But please don't let me stop you from seeing it - you may absolutely 

love it. I have it on good authority from my neighbours sitting next to me that

I may have nodded off for a couple of zzz - here and there. Something that my

own children accuse me of doing from time to time!

THE DEPOT RESTAURANT

Tideway Yard, 125 Mortlake High St, Barnes, SW14 8SN

I also met Robert for a lunch this week at the charming Depot Restaurant overlooking the Thames

in Barnes. This is something we do every now and again to catch up on what he has been

up to with his Property Company - City Innovations. 

Robert Dickson 

This time we were joined by two of the younger members of his Company:

Finance and Developement Manager - Olivia Goulden

Developement Executive - Elliot Newton

I have known Robert since we were 18 and along with my friend Christopher Monger in

Los Angeles I look on them both as my best friends. Robert and I share many of the

same interests - we both have the same sense of humour - we both were incredibly gifted

sportsmen at school - Robert excelled as a Rugby Scrum-half - I excelled at bringing the

beautifully cut oranges on at half time for the players refreshment. Robert is the type of 

friend who would have no trouble in showing you how to wear a Jock-Strap:

These are tricky things at the best of times - and if you have to run on to the field at half

time with beautifully cut oranges you need to feel properly supported. Thank you Robert.

As you might have gathered these lunches are an light hearted affair,  made all the

more enjoyable by having Olivia and Elliot join us - the youth of today - 

something that Robert has always championed. 

www.cityinnovations.co.uk

MY GARDEN ALLOTMENT

Spring is in the air and with that came a visit to the Garden Centre at Syon Park:

Having started to cook more and more - thanks to the Hairy Bikers Light Cook Book,  I decided

to create a little Herb Garden on the Balcony of my Flat here in Brentford.

What you see here is:

Mint.

Bay Leaves

Thyme, Chives & Parsley.

I'm not sure how long they are going to last as they need to be watered everyday in 

the good weather - some times twice a day! As the novelty has already started to 

wear off - don't be surprised if you see plastic flowers appearing soon!

WALK ABOUT CONTINUED

This time I took the 267 Bus from Brentford to Kew Bridge and then walked back along the Thames 

Path by the River. This was approx one and a half to two miles. A decent little saunter.

I stopped on the way for a cup of tea at the Waterman's Art Centre before 

going on to Tallow Road:

On my way I saw my fair share of colourful barges:

I think this one inspired me to create my Herb Garden! 

And Finally:

A Shout-Out for Kate! After 40 years BBC2 is repeating "THE PALLISERS"

Series of 1974. All 26 Episodes will be screened on weekdays at 2:15pm.

Kate, who plays LADY MARY in the series appears in the Final Six Episodes.

So there is plenty of time for you all to set your DVD Recorders!

Kate as Lady Mary.

By my reckoning - with the Pro Rata Repeat Fees from the BBC that Kate can

expect to receive - she will probably make enough money to take her family out for a 

meal Pizza Express - so get your Glad Rags Ready!

ANOTHER WEEK- ANOTHER BLOG!

Once more thank you all for reading it and thank you all for you comments.

I say it a lot - but they really do mean a great deal - so keep them coming!!