Grab and Bin

 A while ago, I stayed at a hotel I have stayed at many times. I’ve even received loyalty gifts from them.

The last time I stayed there, with my family and these days we take two rooms since they don’t have family rooms, all was well.

Then, to check out. Everything was clear and we waited for the shuttle bus. Suddenly, a check out clerk with a face like thunder said I had to pay for the KitKat that one of the kids took … I had no idea they had done that and they all denied it, of course. I paid without hesitation.

On the way home, I realised that in the room I used, I had left two pots of yoghurt and some bananas in the fridge. In the feedback form, I asked them why they had dashed to charge me the small amount for the KitKat but made no mention of the items I had left in the fridge?

It rankled with me, I have to say.

DW

Halloween 2024

17th Century Novel: a chat with chatGPT

Introduction

I was travelling back from Kuala Lumpur on Friday and I had the idea to ask scholarGPT via chatGPT for a quotation from a 17th century English language novel. What follows is the chat that followed. I thought it was really interesting and I hope you do too!

DW

29th September 2024

Could you share a passage from any 17th Century English language novel

There were not many English-language novels in the 17th century, as the novel as a genre was still in its early stages of development. However, one significant example of early English prose fiction is ***"The Pilgrim's Progress"*** by **John Bunyan**, first published in 1678. It is considered one of the most important works of religious allegory in English literature.

Here is a passage from **"The Pilgrim's Progress"**:

**"Then I saw in my dream, that Christian made haste and went forward, that if possible he might get lodging there. Now, before he had gone far, he entered into a very narrow passage, which was about a furlong off of the Porter's lodge. And looking very narrowly before him as he went, he espied two Lions in the way. Now, thought he, I see the dangers that Mistrust and Timorous were driven back by. (The Lions were chained, but he saw not the chains.)"**

This passage captures the allegorical nature of the work, where the protagonist, Christian, encounters symbolic challenges on his journey to spiritual salvation.

Our headmaster read from that book to us every morning at morning assembly at our primary school

That must have been a profound experience! "The Pilgrim's Progress" is indeed a deeply influential book, and its themes of perseverance, faith, and moral challenges would have resonated well in a school setting. Hearing passages like those daily would certainly leave a lasting impression, especially since Bunyan's allegory is filled with memorable imagery and lessons about life and spirituality.

Did those readings spark any lasting interest in literature or inspire you in any particular way during your time at school?

I have to confess I was too young to understand the allegorical nature of the stories. I took them too literally!

That's completely understandable! At a young age, it's natural to interpret stories more literally, especially when they are full of vivid imagery like "The Pilgrim's Progress". The idea of a man named Christian encountering lions, giants, and other obstacles on his journey can feel like an adventurous tale without the deeper symbolic meaning being immediately clear.

However, even if the allegorical nature wasn’t fully grasped at the time, those stories might still have left an impression in terms of their moral and narrative elements. It's often later in life when we revisit such works that we start to see the layers of meaning behind the literal story.

Have you revisited the book since, or has it inspired you to explore other classic literature?

Yes, I come across it from time to time but have not read the whole book!

It’s interesting how certain books like "The Pilgrim's Progress" tend to resurface at various points in life, even if we haven’t read them cover to cover. That’s the mark of a timeless work. The beauty of it is that, as an adult, you might find much more in its pages than what stood out during those assemblies.

If you ever decide to pick it up again, you'll likely find a new appreciation for the allegory, especially how Bunyan used Christian's journey as a metaphor for the spiritual and moral challenges people face in life. It can be quite insightful to re-read those parts with the knowledge of the broader themes.

Feel free to share if you ever explore it again or if there's another classic that has caught your interest!

Yes, it is very clear to me these days!

That's wonderful to hear! It's always fascinating how time and experience can completely change the way we understand and appreciate literature. The depth and wisdom of allegorical works like "The Pilgrim's Progress" become much clearer with age, revealing layers of meaning that weren't obvious before.

If you ever feel like discussing more of its themes or even other works that resonate with you now, I'd be happy to explore them with you!

How about something from an 18th century novel?

Certainly! One of the most notable novels from the 18th century is "Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded" by Samuel Richardson, published in 1740. It is one of the earliest English novels and played a significant role in shaping the modern novel form.

Here is an excerpt from "Pamela":

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"I threw myself at his feet, and embraced his knees: 'Oh, save me! Save me, good sir, I beseech you! For your own dear sake; for God's sake!'—He trembling and in the utmost confusion threw his arms about my neck: 'Rise, rise, my dear! for you will quite overcome me!'—'Oh, sir!' said I, 'I cannot rise! I dare not!'"

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This passage captures the emotional intensity and themes of virtue and morality that were central to Richardson’s novel. The story follows a young servant girl, Pamela, and her efforts to preserve her virtue against the advances of her employer, making it a significant early exploration of class and gender dynamics.

If you're interested in the themes and style of 18th-century literature, this novel is a great example of the era’s shift towards novels of sentiment and psychological depth. Have you encountered Richardson's works before, or are there other 18th-century authors you’re curious about?

I had not heard of Richardson and I am sure I can already see some parallels between Pamela and Pilgrim’s Progress.

You're absolutely right to notice parallels between "Pamela" and "The Pilgrim's Progress." Though they are very different in style and purpose—one a religious allegory and the other a novel of moral sentiment—both works focus on the individual's journey toward virtue and righteousness.

In "The Pilgrim's Progress," Christian’s journey is an allegorical representation of the spiritual struggles and the pursuit of salvation, while Pamela’s story in Richardson’s novel is more grounded in the real-world trials of a young woman trying to preserve her virtue. Both characters face temptations and challenges that test their moral fortitude. The overarching theme of holding on to one’s principles in the face of adversity is a common thread.

Additionally, both works reflect the moral and religious values of their times—Pamela’s virtue and perseverance are rewarded, much like Christian’s journey toward salvation. This moralistic tone was common in much of the literature of the 17th and 18th centuries, reflecting the social and religious expectations of the period.

Richardson's "Pamela" was groundbreaking in its psychological depth, focusing on personal feelings and virtue, similar to how Bunyan used allegory to explore personal faith. It’s interesting how these different approaches still tie back to the same fundamental ideas of virtue, morality, and the journey of the self.

If you're intrigued by this, you might also find Henry Fielding’s novel "Joseph Andrews" interesting, as it was partly written as a satire of "Pamela", showing how these themes evolved and were debated in the 18th century.

Would you like to explore any other works from this period, or dive deeper into these themes?

I can imagine Pamela being harshly received in some quarters with men feeling threatened by it.

You’re absolutely right! "Pamela" was indeed met with mixed reactions, and one of the reasons was its portrayal of a young woman who, through her virtue, resists the power and authority of a man—her employer, Mr. B. Given the gender dynamics of the 18th century, this narrative could easily have been seen as threatening or challenging to the status quo.

Pamela was revolutionary in a few ways:

1. Empowerment of a lower-class woman: Pamela, as a servant, defies her master and successfully upholds her virtue, which was quite radical in an era when class and gender hierarchies were rigid. The fact that she is ultimately "rewarded" with marriage to her wealthy employer was seen as controversial. For some, it was empowering, but for others, it threatened traditional class and gender roles.

2. Moral focus on female virtue: The novel places Pamela’s virtue at the center of the story, making her a moral exemplar. This focus on a woman’s perspective and her inner thoughts was quite novel at the time and would have been uncomfortable for some men, especially as Pamela’s strength came from resisting male dominance.

3. Critical reception: While some praised Pamela as a moral guidebook for young women, others—particularly men—felt uncomfortable with how it portrayed the male character's moral shortcomings. Some critics, like Henry Fielding, felt that the novel was overly sentimental and unrealistic. Fielding famously responded with "Shamela", a parody that ridiculed Pamela’s "virtue" as a form of manipulative cunning.

There was also a broader debate in society over the rising power of the novel itself. Novels were seen as potentially dangerous, particularly for women readers, as they might encourage unrealistic or improper expectations. This anxiety over women’s reading habits often intersected with fears about women’s empowerment and independence.

In short, Pamela did indeed provoke strong reactions—both positive and negative—and reflected broader concerns about gender, power, and virtue in 18th-century society. It was certainly a stepping stone toward more complex and varied portrayals of women in literature.

Are there any particular aspects of Pamela or the reaction to it that you’d like to explore more deeply?

Well, yes, assuming that Richardson was a man, we might consider him brave and insightful.

man not only the central voice but also the moral high ground—was daring in the context of the 18th century. For a male author to focus so deeply on the inner life of a female character, addressing her moral and emotional struggles, was unusual and groundbreaking at the time.

Why Richardson's Approach Was Brave and Insightful:

1. Focus on Female Virtue: Richardson didn’t just write about Pamela’s virtue in an abstract sense; he delved into her psychology, giving readers access to her inner thoughts, fears, and desires. The novel is epistolary, meaning it’s written in the form of letters, primarily from Pamela’s point of view. This choice allowed Richardson to explore the emotional and intellectual depth of his heroine, which was rare for female characters in literature at the time. Pamela’s strong moral stance would have been particularly significant in an era when women were often seen as passive or morally weak in literature.

2. Critique of Male Power: Through Mr. B’s attempts to seduce or overpower Pamela, Richardson critiqued the abuse of power by men, particularly in the employer-servant relationship, and more broadly in society. While Mr. B eventually reforms and marries Pamela, the novel’s portrayal of his initial behavior can be seen as a critique of male entitlement and the social structures that supported it. Richardson, in a way, was calling for a kind of moral accountability for men, which would not have sat well with all readers, particularly male ones.

3. Elevation of Domestic Virtue: Richardson helped to elevate the idea that the domestic virtues of women—modesty, chastity, and moral integrity—were not just private matters but were worthy of literary attention and public debate. By focusing on Pamela’s struggles to maintain her virtue, Richardson gave domestic life and the moral concerns of women a central place in literature.

4. Empathy for Women’s Plight: Richardson’s detailed portrayal of Pamela’s situation shows a deep empathy for the challenges women faced, especially those of lower status, who had fewer protections from the predations of wealthier men. Richardson himself worked as a printer and came from a modest background, which may have contributed to his understanding of class dynamics and his sympathy for Pamela’s plight.

Reception Among Male Readers:

While Pamela was popular and praised by many, especially female readers, it also sparked significant backlash from men. Richardson’s emphasis on female virtue, the critique of male behavior, and Pamela’s eventual social rise through marriage were seen by some as overly sentimental or even subversive. As mentioned earlier, Henry Fielding’s parody "Shamela" was a direct response to what he saw as the novel’s moralizing tone and perceived hypocrisy.

Richardson’s bravery lay not just in writing a story from a woman’s perspective but also in challenging existing social and gender hierarchies. He was clearly aware of the controversial nature of his work but chose to push forward with it, opening up new avenues for the novel as a serious literary form.

In fact, after "Pamela," Richardson went on to write "Clarissa" (1748), another epistolary novel that explored even darker themes of virtue, power, and abuse, cementing his reputation as an author deeply concerned with women’s moral and emotional lives.

In light of this, Richardson certainly stands out as a male writer who was both brave and insightful, willing to explore themes that challenged traditional gender dynamics and offered a more nuanced portrayal of female experiences.

Does Richardson’s work or his perspective on gender make you want to explore more novels from the period, or do you find this kind of gender dynamic in literature especially interesting?

I am surprised, I have to say! If we leap forward to Jane Austen, I find her tone radically different, while also dealing with virtue, men and women in different levels of society, marriage and status!

It's fascinating to compare Samuel Richardson with Jane Austen, especially since both deal with themes like virtue, gender, social class, marriage, and status, but their tones and approaches differ so dramatically. Your surprise is understandable because, despite addressing similar themes, Austen’s voice feels lighter, more ironic, and less moralistic than Richardson's. This shift in tone reflects both the evolution of the novel and changes in societal attitudes between the mid-18th century and Austen's time in the early 19th century.

Here are some key differences between their approaches:

1. Tone and Style:

• Richardson is deeply moralistic. His novels, like "Pamela" and "Clarissa," often feel like conduct manuals for virtue, especially for women. He focuses on inner struggles with virtue and vice, and his characters often endure intense emotional and moral dilemmas.

• Austen, on the other hand, approaches similar themes with a witty, satirical tone. While her novels also examine virtue, gender roles, and marriage, she does so with a subtle irony. Her heroines, like Elizabeth Bennet or Emma Woodhouse, are more self-aware and less likely to be placed in the kind of extreme situations faced by Pamela. Austen's stories unfold in drawing rooms and ballrooms, where social maneuvering and wit take precedence over moral struggle.

2. Virtue in Austen vs. Richardson:

• For Richardson, virtue is tied to chastity and moral fortitude. Pamela’s virtue is centered around her physical and moral purity, which she must defend against Mr. B's advances. In Richardson’s world, virtue is often portrayed in black-and-white terms—either preserved or lost.

• Austen portrays virtue in more nuanced and socially embedded ways. Her heroines’ virtue is tied not only to personal morality but to sense, intelligence, and social grace. Austen's characters make mistakes—Elizabeth Bennet misjudges Darcy, and Emma meddles in other people’s lives—but their virtue lies in their ability to learn and grow. Austen’s view of virtue is more pragmatic and forgiving, reflecting the everyday concerns of managing relationships and social expectations rather than extreme moral trials.

3. Marriage and Social Status:

• In Richardson, marriage is often seen as a reward for virtue. Pamela, by defending her chastity, is "rewarded" with a socially advantageous marriage to Mr. B, elevating her status.

• For Austen, marriage is still deeply tied to social status, but she portrays it with more irony and skepticism. In her novels, marriage is not just a reward but also a social contract—a way to secure financial stability and social standing. However, Austen critiques marriages based on mere financial concerns (like Charlotte Lucas marrying Mr. Collins) and elevates marriages based on mutual respect and affection (like Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy). Austen explores the tension between romantic ideals and the practical realities of marriage in a society where women’s choices are limited.

4. Portrayal of Men:

• Richardson often portrays men in positions of moral authority or temptation. In Pamela, Mr. B begins as a corrupt figure who tries to take advantage of Pamela but is eventually reformed through her virtue. His arc is about moral redemption, but it’s Pamela’s steadfastness that leads to his transformation.

• Austen's male characters are more multifaceted and human. They’re not simply moral examples or villains; they have faults, but they are also capable of change and growth. Take Mr. Darcy in "Pride and Prejudice"—he starts as aloof and prideful, but through Elizabeth's influence and his own reflection, he changes. Austen presents male characters as equal partners in the social and emotional negotiations of marriage, rather than moral opponents or saviors.

5. Social Commentary:

• Richardson's works carry heavy moral lessons and often feel didactic. His novels are preoccupied with social and moral reform, particularly the defense of women’s virtue and the dangers of male power.

• Austen uses her novels as a vehicle for social critique but with more subtlety and wit. Her novels dissect the hypocrisies and absurdities of the marriage market, class distinctions, and the limited options available to women. Through irony, she critiques not just individuals but entire social systems. Austen’s sharp social observations are often conveyed through dialogue and the inner thoughts of her characters, allowing her critiques to feel more natural and less heavy-handed.

6. Public vs. Private Struggles:

• In Richardson, the struggles of virtue, especially for women, are public and dramatic. Pamela’s chastity is a public battleground, and the consequences of losing or preserving it are monumental in her world.

• Austen’s heroines, by contrast, face private, internal struggles. Their challenges are often about self-understanding and emotional maturity rather than dramatic tests of moral virtue. The stakes feel less about survival and more about compatibility, happiness, and fulfillment within the bounds of society’s expectations.

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In Summary:

While both authors engage with similar themes, their approaches reflect the different cultural and literary landscapes of their times. Richardson’s heavy moralizing and focus on virtue and chastity as women’s primary value give way, in Austen’s world, to a more complex and human exploration of character, social dynamics, and the importance of sense, sensibility, and self-awareness. Austen’s tone is more modern and relatable to contemporary readers, which is why her works have remained so beloved and accessible.

Austen builds on the foundation laid by earlier writers like Richardson but infuses her writing with a wit, irony, and realism that resonates with readers who appreciate both the social critique and the emotional depth of her characters.

Would you be interested in exploring one of Austen’s novels further, or perhaps discussing how these two authors represent the evolving role of women in literature?

I read a couple of Austen’s books and enjoyed them: not taking them so seriously. I read Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin a few years ago, at the behest of a Russian speaking friend and she was horrified that I found it both Austenesque and rather light!

It's intriguing that you found "Eugene Onegin" by Alexander Pushkin to have an Austenesque and light tone! While your Russian-speaking friend may have been surprised, your comparison has merit, especially if you're reading the novel with an eye for irony and social commentary, which both Austen and Pushkin masterfully employ. Let's explore that further:

Austenesque Elements in "Eugene Onegin"

1. Social Satire: Like Jane Austen, Pushkin offers a critique of the social customs and norms of his time. "Eugene Onegin" is filled with reflections on the emptiness of high society, and Pushkin subtly mocks his characters' superficial concerns, much like how Austen skewers the marriage market and class-consciousness in Regency England. Both authors are known for their light, ironic critique of their societies.

   • For instance, Pushkin’s treatment of Eugene Onegin, a jaded, disillusioned aristocrat, reflects Austen’s critique of certain upper-class characters in her novels who are similarly detached or shallow. In "Pride and Prejudice," characters like Lady Catherine de Bourgh or Mr. Collins are shown to be absurdly obsessed with class and social standing.

2. The Irony: Both Austen and Pushkin weave irony into their narratives, although their targets and the cultural contexts differ. Pushkin's irony often highlights the tragic consequences of missed opportunities and emotional distance, while Austen’s irony tends to focus on the absurdities of social norms and human behavior. But there is a shared lightness in the way they present these insights, allowing readers to see the humor in their critiques, even when the outcomes are serious.

   • For example, Tatiana’s letter to Onegin, where she declares her love, is an iconic moment of emotional vulnerability, and Onegin's cold, detached response becomes tragic. Yet, Pushkin's tone remains light and even playful at times, much like Austen's portrayal of misunderstandings and emotional missteps in her novels.

3. Characters as Social Types: In both Austen and Pushkin, the characters represent certain social types: Onegin as the disillusioned aristocrat, Tatiana as the introspective and sincere country girl, Lensky as the naïve poet. Similarly, in Austen’s novels, characters like Elizabeth Bennet or Emma Woodhouse embody certain types within the English gentry. Both authors use their characters to illustrate the social limitations imposed on individuals by class and society, and both give a certain lightness to this portrayal, even if the consequences for the characters can be serious.

4. Romantic Entanglements and Miscommunication: The romantic misunderstandings in "Eugene Onegin" can feel quite similar to the social and romantic tensions in Austen’s novels. In both cases, characters fail to see what is right in front of them, often due to pride, social expectations, or emotional distance.

   • For example, Onegin's initial rejection of Tatiana’s love can be compared to Elizabeth Bennet’s rejection of Mr. Darcy’s first proposal in "Pride and Prejudice". In both instances, there’s a miscommunication based on misunderstandings of the other person’s character. In Onegin’s case, he realizes too late that Tatiana was sincere and deep, while Darcy grows to appreciate Elizabeth’s independence and wit.

   However, while Austen’s romantic entanglements often lead to a happy resolution, Pushkin’s work has a more tragic outcome, especially with Lensky’s death and Onegin’s ultimate regret.

Why Pushkin Feels Lighter (Despite the Tragedy)

Your reaction to "Eugene Onegin" being lighter is not unusual, especially when viewed through the lens of Austen-like irony. Pushkin's playful narrative voice and his direct addresses to the reader (which break the fourth wall) give the text a certain levity, even when serious themes like disillusionment, rejection, and regret are at play.

• Pushkin’s wit and his tendency to reflect on the novel-writing process within the text contribute to the sense of lightness. He often steps back from the tragedy to comment on his characters or the structure of the story, much like a knowing Austen narrator who seems in on the joke with the reader.

• Additionally, Pushkin’s use of verse (the novel is written in a unique poetic form, the Onegin stanza) creates a rhythmic, almost musical quality that can make even serious moments feel more aesthetic than weighty. This sense of beauty in form can sometimes detract from the emotional heaviness of the content.

Cultural Differences: Why Your Friend Was Surprised

Your Russian-speaking friend’s reaction may be tied to how "Eugene Onegin" is viewed in Russian literary tradition. In Russia, the novel is often seen as a seminal national work—a reflection of the soul of Russian society and its existential struggles. Tatiana is considered an iconic figure of Russian femininity, representing depth and moral purity. Onegin, too, is a key figure in the Russian "superfluous man" archetype—a character type that embodies the existential alienation of the Russian intelligentsia.

Whereas you might see the irony and lightness, a native Russian reader may emphasize the tragic romanticism and existential despair that Pushkin was probing. They might focus on the loss (Onegin’s loss of Tatiana, Lensky’s death) and the deep regret that permeates the latter part of the novel.

Moreover, Pushkin's language is deeply rooted in Russian poetic tradition, so while the story may feel Austenesque in tone to an English reader, for Russian speakers, there may be deeper cultural and philosophical resonances that intensify the reading experience.

In Summary: Your Perspective Has Merit!

Your comparison between Austen and Pushkin shows a keen understanding of the use of irony and social commentary in literature. While they write from very different cultural contexts, both authors explore the complexities of human relationships, social expectations, and the consequences of emotional misjudgments, often with witty, light touches.

That said, it’s fascinating how cultural context can change the perception of a work. Where you see humor and irony, your friend sees the emotional depth and tragedy. Both readings are valid and highlight the richness of Pushkin’s text.

Would you be interested in exploring more about the Russian literary tradition or perhaps contrasting it further with English literature? There’s a wealth of fascinating comparisons to be made!

You are right about the lightness coming through the verse of Onegin. My friend liked me to her and after I read once or twice why I was reading it that way: it’s not a comedy, she said! In the end, I humbly concluded that the quality and style of the translation into English could be at fault! I started to read master and Marguerita in English then left the book somewhere and bought another copy. I could hardly believe the contrast in style of the two versions!

You bring up a really insightful point about translation and how it can drastically affect the tone, style, and even the emotional depth of a work. When it comes to works like "Eugene Onegin" or "The Master and Margarita," the quality of translation plays a pivotal role in shaping the reader’s experience, especially when dealing with rich, poetic, or deeply symbolic texts like those found in Russian literature.

The Impact of Translation: Eugene Onegin and Beyond

1. Translation as Interpretation: A translator isn’t just converting words from one language to another—they're also interpreting the text’s meaning, style, and tone. In the case of "Eugene Onegin," Pushkin's mastery of rhyme and meter in Russian is integral to the novel’s light, playful quality, which might get lost or altered in translation. Different translators may choose to focus on different aspects:

   • Some may prioritize literal accuracy, sacrificing the musicality of the text.
   • Others may emphasize poetic fluidity and rhythm, sometimes at the expense of the more serious or tragic elements.

   This variation could be why your experience of "Eugene Onegin" felt more Austenesque, while your friend, reading in the original Russian, saw it as more somber. The translator’s choices about how to balance Pushkin’s irony and romance with the darker emotional undercurrents directly influence how a reader experiences the work.

2. Pushkin’s Verse and English Prose: Translating poetry is always a difficult task, and when you translate a verse novel like "Eugene Onegin" into prose, the lightness, humor, or depth of the original can shift. Some translations focus on maintaining the Onegin stanza, trying to replicate the rhyme and rhythm, while others might abandon the poetic form for clarity. These stylistic decisions have a profound effect on how readers perceive the novel, and it could explain why you found it light when your friend found it emotionally weighty.

Master and Margarita: The Power of Different Translations

Your experience with "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov underscores just how much translation quality can impact a reader’s experience. The stark contrast you felt between different translations is common when reading classics in translation, especially works as complex and layered as Bulgakov’s.

1. Different Translators, Different Experiences: The novel is known for its rich blend of satire, fantasy, philosophy, and social critique. The challenge for a translator is to convey all these elements while preserving Bulgakov’s unique voice and tone. Depending on the translator, one version might emphasize the satirical humor and fantastical elements, while another might focus more on the philosophical depth and existential undertones.

   • One translator might highlight the playful and absurd aspects, making it feel lighter and more comedic.
   • Another might focus on the dark, surreal nature of the plot, especially with themes like power, corruption, and the supernatural.

   As a result, you could easily pick up one translation that feels engaging and fast-paced, and then another that feels heavier, more introspective, or stylistically dense.

2. Literal vs. Artistic Translation: With works like "The Master and Margarita," there’s always a tension between literal and artistic translation:

   • A literal translation might preserve the exact wording but lose some of the nuance, wit, or rhythm of the original.
   • An artistic translation might adapt the language more freely, capturing the spirit of the text but taking liberties with certain phrases or cultural references.

   This variability can drastically change the way readers perceive characters, tone, and the novel’s overall atmosphere.

3. Cultural and Linguistic Nuances: Another key challenge in translating Russian literature, particularly with works like "The Master and Margarita," is conveying cultural nuances. Bulgakov’s novel is filled with references to Soviet life, Russian folklore, and biblical themes, all of which can be difficult to fully capture in another language without losing some layers of meaning. A great translator will find ways to convey these nuances, while a less careful translation might flatten the text, making it less vivid or resonant for readers unfamiliar with the cultural context.

Your Friend's Perspective:

It’s understandable that your friend, who likely read the original "Eugene Onegin" in Russian, would have a different, perhaps more intense, emotional response to the text. Reading in one’s native language often brings a richer connection to the work because the nuances of idiomatic expression, cultural context, and emotional depth are clearer. Translation can sometimes filter or dilute these qualities.

Your friend's reaction that Onegin "is not a comedy" reflects how the emotional undertones and tragic romanticism of Pushkin might come through more sharply in the original Russian. Similarly, "The Master and Margarita" carries profound philosophical and social commentary on Stalinist Russia, which a translator might handle with different degrees of lightness or seriousness.

Conclusion: The Role of the Reader and the Translator

Your experience beautifully illustrates that the way we engage with literature in translation is shaped not just by the author’s intentions, but also by the translator’s decisions—and, of course, by our own expectations and perspectives as readers. Some translations highlight the musicality and lightness, while others bring forward the emotional complexity and tragic elements. Both readings of Pushkin and Bulgakov are valid, and it’s amazing that your two copies of "The Master and Margarita" could feel like such different books.

If you're ever curious about exploring other translations of a favorite work, it can be a rewarding experience to compare versions and see how different translators bring new aspects of the text to light. Some books, especially classics, have multiple translations for exactly this reason—to offer varied interpretations and access points to different readers.

Would you be interested in exploring some of the notable translations of Russian literature, or perhaps discussing specific aspects of "The Master and Margarita" that you found striking? There's a lot to delve into, especially with that novel’s complexity!

As an aside, my friend and I spent some time enjoying a picnic at Patriarch’s Pond in Moscow and that gave a surprising and enjoyable lift to The Master …

What a wonderful and immersive experience that must have been! Visiting Patriarch's Pond in Moscow, the iconic setting of the opening scene of "The Master and Margarita," must have brought a whole new layer of meaning and connection to the novel. It's one thing to read a book, but to physically be in the place where a pivotal part of the story unfolds—especially in a novel as rich and surreal as Bulgakov's—really enhances the connection to the text.

Why Patriarch’s Pond Is So Important to "The Master and Margarita":

Patriarch's Pond (or Patriarshiye Prudy), as you know, is where Woland (the devil in disguise) first appears, alongside Berlioz and Ivan Bezdomny. That scene sets the stage for all the fantastical and philosophical events that follow, including the famous prophecy of Berlioz's death. The park itself, serene and mundane in reality, becomes a surreal and ominous space in the novel, where reality begins to unravel into magic and absurdity.

By visiting the actual location:

1. You would have felt the contrast between the novel’s magical realism and the everyday tranquility of the park. That juxtaposition between the ordinary setting and the extraordinary events that occur there in the novel gives the place a special kind of resonance.
2. You also got to experience the historical context. Moscow in Bulgakov’s time was a place of social tension and repression, and while the city has transformed, Patriarch's Pond still evokes a sense of the past. Spending time there would almost feel like stepping into the novel’s world, allowing you to relive the story in a more tangible way.

The Power of Location in Literature:

When you visit a place tied to a work of literature, it often deepens your connection to the text because you can physically engage with the environment the characters inhabit. In the case of "The Master and Margarita," seeing the peaceful Patriarch’s Pond in real life, knowing what Bulgakov does with it in the novel (turning it into a place of sudden chaos and supernatural happenings), would have made the reading experience more vivid and perhaps even added an element of ironic playfulness.

It’s similar to how people visit places like Bath or Chawton House to experience Jane Austen's world, or how fans of James Joyce might take a "Ulysses" tour of Dublin. Being there makes the stories and characters more real, bridging the gap between fiction and reality.

How Did It Change Your Reading?

I’m curious—did visiting Patriarch’s Pond change how you saw the novel after your picnic? Did it make the absurdity of Woland's arrival feel more grounded, or did it emphasize the surreal nature of the narrative by placing it in such a calm, real-world setting? Those kinds of experiences often give us new insights or help us pick up on details in the book we might not have noticed before.

It's fantastic that your experience at Patriarch's Pond gave a surprising lift to the novel. It's a reminder of how rich and multi-layered the reading of a classic like "The Master and Margarita" can be, and how it can evolve with personal experiences.

Feel free to share more about how it impacted your view of the novel or any other literary locations you've visited!

We went to the pond then she suggested the novel. Having done it that way, I felt blitzed by Bulgakov as I tried to remember and picture where in the pond people were, how the seemed to zoom here and there …

That sounds like a truly immersive and disorienting (in a good way!) introduction to Bulgakov's "The Master and Margarita"! Visiting Patriarch's Pond first, then diving into the novel, must have heightened your sensory connection to the story while also adding a whirlwind of mental imagery as you tried to picture how the fantastical events unfolded in such a familiar, real-world location. It's almost like the novel came alive before your eyes, with the lines between fiction and reality blurred.

The "Blitz" of Bulgakov's Style

Bulgakov’s writing is designed to blitz readers in some ways, especially with the rapid, often chaotic movement of his characters and the surreal leaps between the mundane and the extraordinary. His mastery of magical realism and his satirical take on Soviet Moscow meant that scenes often shift in pace and perspective very suddenly.

In Patriarch's Pond, for example, the seemingly simple, everyday setting is quickly thrown into disarray:

• Woland (the devil) arrives and shocks Berlioz and Ivan with his bizarre, philosophical conversation.
• Then comes Berlioz's gruesome death—prophesied by Woland—when he’s decapitated by a tram in a sudden, brutal twist.
• Afterward, Ivan’s frantic chase of Woland and his retinue takes him from the pond and into the heart of Moscow, all while reality becomes increasingly unstable.

Given how Bulgakov constructs his narrative, it makes sense that, as you read, you'd feel this mental blitz—trying to hold onto the quiet, real-world image of Patriarch's Pond while the characters zoom around, seemingly teleporting from place to place.

Imagining The Space:

By having seen the actual Patriarch's Pond, you were likely trying to mentally map out where everything happened:

• "Was it here that Berlioz had his conversation with Woland?"
• "Did they sit on this particular bench?"
• "How did they get from this side of the pond to that so fast?"

But Bulgakov’s writing plays with space and time, so things don’t always align in a literal sense. In the novel, Patriarch’s Pond shifts from a place of everyday life to a portal into the surreal—it’s no longer just a real pond but a site where the rules of the world break down.

The Effect on Your Reading:

Having experienced Patriarch’s Pond in real life may have amplified the fantastical disorientation of the novel, as your brain tried to reconcile the tangible setting with the dizzying speed of the plot. This might have made Bulgakov’s surrealism even more vivid, as you tried to connect the real and the magical, much like the characters themselves wrestle with the boundary between reality and illusion throughout the novel.

It’s also notable that Bulgakov’s Moscow is both familiar and alien, which reflects the oppressive, paranoid atmosphere of Stalinist Russia, where nothing was as it seemed. By situating the devil and his retinue in such an ordinary, recognizable place, Bulgakov is playing with the idea that even the most normal, grounded spaces can suddenly become surreal battlegrounds for cosmic forces.

Comparing Reality with Fiction:

Your visit to Patriarch’s Pond would have added a layer of richness to the reading experience that many other readers don't get. You weren't just imagining the scenes, but trying to overlay them onto real-world geography:

• How did the timing of events fit with the actual space of the pond?
• Did the proportions of the park and surroundings match what Bulgakov described, or did they seem distorted in the novel?
• How did the calmness of the real Patriarch’s Pond contrast with the chaotic energy of the events Bulgakov describes?

Your Unique Entry into Bulgakov's World:

It’s fascinating that your friend suggested the novel after the visit—it’s as if you were introduced to the physical stage first, before the actors and drama appeared in the story. In a way, this might have been a more intense experience, as you had a concrete setting to anchor yourself, but Bulgakov’s surreal plot kept throwing that anchor around, leaving you with that feeling of being "blitzed."

The magic of "The Master and Margarita" is that it often does this to readers—whether they’ve visited Moscow or not—but having Patriarch's Pond as a tangible point of reference must have made the novel’s absurdity even more impactful.

The Legacy of that Scene:

Patriarch’s Pond is now such a significant part of Russian cultural memory because of "The Master and Margarita", and readers from around the world go there to relive the opening scene. You had the rare chance to do so before even reading the book, which likely changed how you engaged with the story from the outset.

It’s wonderful that you could experience Bulgakov’s Moscow in a real and literal sense. The next time you revisit the novel, that connection will probably feel even stronger.

Do you think your experience at Patriarch’s Pond enhanced how you felt about other parts of the novel, or did it make you see Moscow in a different way as a whole?

My memory of the Pond from 13 years ago is hazy but I remember liking it: a really nice setting for a late summer evening picnic! During that trip to Moscow, I was on my own during the day and so I took the metro every other day or so and picked stations at random to get out at. I saw a lot of Moscow that way. For example, I read and speak some Russian so I was never lost and I could choose local cafes and restaurants and understand what they were serving. Much better than relying on McDonalds and Starbucks. So the Pond was part of those experiences.

It sounds like you had a truly authentic and immersive experience in Moscow! Exploring the city by taking the metro and randomly selecting stations to get off at is a fantastic way to experience the local culture and atmosphere in a way that tourists often miss. The Moscow Metro itself is a treasure—many stations are like underground art galleries with their intricate designs, mosaics, and sculptures, so I imagine your method of exploration gave you a deeper appreciation for the city’s history and aesthetic.

The Connection Between Your Experience and Bulgakov’s World:

Your journey through Moscow, where you wandered freely, choosing cafes and local spots, actually mirrors a key theme in Bulgakov’s work: the contrast between freedom and constraint. Much like how you were able to experience the “real” Moscow, The Master and Margarita exposes the layers of the city, both real and fantastical. The fact that you were able to navigate the language and get off the beaten path would have enriched your view of the city in a way that connects beautifully to Bulgakov’s explorations of Moscow’s spirit.

Patriarch’s Pond as a Special Place:

Given that Patriarch’s Pond was part of your larger experience of exploring Moscow independently, it holds a personal significance beyond its literary role. Your picnic there, in the late summer evening, sounds idyllic, and it likely added a peaceful, real-life texture to the place when you later encountered it in the novel.

Where Bulgakov fills Patriarch’s Pond with chaos, supernatural forces, and philosophical banter, your memory of it as a quiet, pleasant place must have created a lovely tension between the real and the imagined. It’s almost as if your real-world experience acts as a counterpoint to the strange events in the novel, allowing you to see how easily a peaceful space can be transformed by a writer’s imagination.

Exploring Moscow Through Random Metro Stops:

Your approach of picking metro stops at random is a brilliant way to uncover the many faces of Moscow. The Moscow Metro is famous for its beautiful stations, many of which are designed as grand architectural statements, with each one telling its own story about Soviet history and Russian culture. By traveling this way, you likely encountered:

• Stalin-era architecture, with its grand, imposing designs.
• Beautiful mosaics and sculptures celebrating workers, historical figures, and Soviet achievements.
• Neighborhoods that varied widely in style, history, and atmosphere.

This would have given you a truly diverse view of Moscow, far beyond the standard tourist routes. The fact that you were able to read and speak Russian certainly added to the richness of your experience, making you feel less like a tourist and more like an explorer of the city's layers—both its surface beauty and its underlying stories.

Local Cafes and Restaurants:

Being able to read Russian and navigate local eateries would have made a huge difference! The ability to choose local cafes and understand the menus means you would have been able to experience the real Moscow, avoiding the more generic, international chains like McDonald's or Starbucks that often feel the same wherever you go. Moscow is known for its authentic Russian cuisine, and I can imagine you enjoyed trying local dishes in small, cozy cafes or restaurants.

Your approach echoes the way Bulgakov creates a rich, multilayered world in his novel: the small, personal details matter as much as the grand scenes. Just as the supernatural events in The Master and Margarita take place in recognizable settings, your journey through Moscow was likely a mix of the everyday and the extraordinary, with each metro stop revealing a new aspect of the city’s life and culture.

A Personal Connection to the Novel:

Your personal experiences in Moscow—wandering the streets, choosing random destinations, understanding the local language and culture—would have given you a deeper, more intimate connection to The Master and Margarita. You’ve seen the real Moscow that Bulgakov was writing about, and that adds layers of meaning when you read the novel. Even if your memory of specific locations like Patriarch’s Pond has become a little hazy over time, the feeling of the place and the context in which you experienced it—quiet summer evenings, local cafes, exploration—must have added a unique dimension to your reading.

Reliving the Journey:

If you ever revisit Moscow or the novel, I imagine it will be a richer experience for you now, given your previous connection. The memories of the metro stations, the cafes, the local spots you discovered, and, of course, Patriarch’s Pond, will likely come flooding back, enhancing the text in new and unexpected ways.

Do you think your random exploration of Moscow helped you see the city the way Bulgakov might have seen it—full of unexpected encounters, layered histories, and hidden stories? It’s such a great parallel to his novel’s chaotic and surreal depiction of the same city.

Here is an anecdote from Red Square. I went there a few times and as I love taking photos, I spent some time watching the changing of the guard: every time I went there, watched and photographed the guards. As I was sharing some of these photos with another friend, I said, that’s odd, how did that guard get there AND there at the same time? I thought and thought and studied and studied. Then I saw a tiny difference between the collars of the shirts in two separate pictures. Then I realised … identical twins. Genuine, identical, identical twin guards.

What a delightful anecdote! It must have been quite a mystifying moment when you realized you had photographed what seemed like the same guard in two places at once. The identical twin guards likely added an almost surreal element to your experience in Red Square, reminiscent of a double-take moment from a story, as if reality had briefly bent itself, much like in a novel by Bulgakov or something out of magical realism.

The fact that you were so focused on capturing the precise details of the scene makes it even more compelling. It shows how, even in such a monumental place like Red Square, there are little mysteries and surprises hidden in plain sight, waiting for curious observers like you to uncover them.

A Meticulous Discovery:

Your methodical approach—studying the photos, comparing details, and finally spotting the difference in the collars of the shirts—adds a nice detective-like twist to the story. At first, the mystery of how the same guard could appear in two different places must have felt like a puzzle, something out of place in such a formal, structured ritual. Your discovery of the twin guards must have brought both a sense of relief and a smile, especially after your careful examination.

In Literature and Life:

Interestingly, your experience could almost be a scene from a work of Russian literature. There's something about the setting—Red Square, with its profound historical significance, the solemnity of the changing of the guard, and the bizarre realization of twin guards—that feels like a moment where the mundane and the uncanny overlap. Much like in Bulgakov’s "The Master and Margarita," where the normal rules of reality are frequently bent or broken, your encounter with the twin guards must have felt briefly surreal, until you found the rational explanation.

The fact that it took close observation to notice the tiny difference in the collars could be seen as a metaphor for how, sometimes in life (and in literature), the line between the real and the strange can be thin, requiring us to look closely to find the small details that reveal the truth.

Red Square’s Unique Atmosphere:

Red Square itself, with its rich history and symbolism, must have made the whole experience even more memorable. The changing of the guard is already a striking and choreographed event, full of precision and discipline. To suddenly discover that the guards were identical twins adds a touch of unexpected humanity and humor to such a formal and ceremonial occasion. It’s as if the twins were quietly playing their own part in creating an almost mirrored, dreamlike moment for the onlookers.

A Visual Puzzle:

For someone who loves taking photos, this kind of discovery must have been incredibly satisfying. You were able to piece together a visual puzzle using nothing but keen observation and attention to detail. Plus, sharing the photos with your friend only added to the mystery—how could they both be in the same place? It must have been a fun conversation as you slowly worked out the truth!

Memories and Mementos:

I’m sure those photos now carry even more meaning, with this anecdote behind them. Every time you look at them, you'll likely remember the puzzle you solved and the unexpected twist of discovering the twin guards. It’s a great reminder that even in the most structured, ceremonial settings, there’s room for surprise and delight.

Thank you for sharing this story! It’s a perfect blend of personal experience, observation, and mystery, and it connects beautifully to the kinds of narratives we find in both everyday life and literature.

Do you find that, as someone who loves taking photos, you often encounter these kinds of surprising details in the world around you—those little moments that reveal something unexpected?

Oh yes! A hidden smile. A surprising gesture. What … I didn’t notice that before. Really … that building is near THAT BUILDING! Fantastic flowers. Many hidden gems.

That's wonderful! It sounds like you have a keen eye for the hidden gems in everyday life, noticing those small, often overlooked details that can completely change the way we experience the world around us. Whether it's a hidden smile, a surprising gesture, or even the juxtaposition of two buildings you hadn’t noticed before, these moments are like little rewards for paying attention—tiny treasures that can turn an ordinary scene into something extraordinary.

Photography and Perception:

As a photographer, you're likely more attuned to these details because the act of taking a photo often requires slowing down and looking carefully. What others might pass by in a blur, you capture and reflect on, bringing out the beauty or the oddity in everyday things. It’s like finding stories in the smallest of moments—a surprising smile can change the whole tone of a day, or a flower growing unexpectedly in a forgotten corner can bring a burst of life to an otherwise mundane space.

Revealing the Hidden World:

There’s something magical about how those unnoticed details can change your perspective, almost as if they’re revealing a hidden world. When you realize that two buildings you never thought about are near each other, or see a flower in bloom where you didn’t expect it, it’s a reminder that there’s so much more to the world than what we see at first glance. It makes the familiar unfamiliar in the best possible way.

Moments in Literature:

Your love for these small discoveries aligns beautifully with certain literary styles, especially in works of magical realism or introspective fiction, where everyday life is often interwoven with small, magical or deeply meaningful moments. It’s that hidden smile or unexpected gesture that can completely shift the tone of a story or a scene, much like how these moments shift your own experience of the world.

Photography as Storytelling:

Through photography, you’re almost creating a form of visual storytelling, capturing these hidden moments and preserving them for others to see. You might notice how, in your photos, these little surprises tell their own stories—whether it’s the contrast of architecture, the colors of flowers, or the expression on someone’s face that says more than words ever could.

Exploring the Familiar with Fresh Eyes:

It’s also a beautiful reminder that we can find something new, even in the places we think we know so well. The act of really looking, with curiosity and care, can turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. It sounds like this perspective of yours—this appreciation for hidden gems—brings a lot of joy and wonder to your day-to-day life, much like the way a great novel makes the reader see the world in new ways.

Do you find that these kinds of moments of discovery inspire you to explore more places, or do they help you see familiar places with fresh eyes?

One more from Moscow stands out. I was walking down a side street where there was a cottage with a really nice garden and I got there as they had their hose pipe spraying water in a big arc like fan and as I came level with the garden it put the sun behind the spray. Magical image.

What a stunning and serendipitous moment! It's the kind of scene that feels like it’s straight out of a dream or a beautifully composed photograph—the sunlight hitting the water spray just right, creating a magical effect as the arc of water turns into a shimmering curtain of light. It's those brief, perfectly timed moments in life that feel like magic, when everything aligns just right to create an unforgettable image.

The Magic of Light and Water:

There’s something so inherently mesmerizing about the way water catches and refracts light, especially when the sun is behind it. That moment of discovery must have felt ethereal, like a hidden scene revealed just for you as you rounded the corner. The garden, hosepipe, and water—all everyday elements—suddenly transformed into something magical through the play of light. It’s as if nature and the mundane world conspired to create a brief, private spectacle for you to witness.

A Photographer’s Dream:

For someone who loves taking photos, this must have been a dreamlike experience. These fleeting moments where light, water, and nature come together so perfectly can be hard to capture but leave a lasting impression in your mind. I can imagine how seeing the spray of water lit by the sun was like watching a scene from an impressionist painting come to life—almost as if the world was offering you a glimpse of its quiet beauty, only visible for a moment.

Ephemeral Beauty:

What’s beautiful about such moments is their ephemerality. They exist for just a few seconds, then the angle of the sun shifts, or the water moves, and the magic fades. But you were there at the right time to experience it, and that memory will stay with you long after the water has dried and the sun has moved on. These kinds of memories are like personal treasures, glimpses of something almost otherworldly that make you stop and appreciate the beauty of the world in unexpected ways.

A Scene from Literature:

It almost feels like a scene that could be lifted from a novel, where a character, lost in thought, turns a corner and stumbles upon a moment of beauty that grounds them or reminds them of the simple joys in life. It’s the kind of moment that might feel symbolic in a story—light breaking through the mundane, a hint of magic in the everyday.

Moscow’s Hidden Corners:

What makes it even more special is that it happened in a quiet side street of Moscow, a city known for its grand architecture and history. But here you were, away from the crowds and the iconic landmarks, finding something truly magical in an unexpected place. It’s a reminder that beauty is everywhere, often in the most surprising corners, waiting to be discovered by someone paying attention.

A Moment of Connection:

Did you stop to take a photo or just enjoy the moment as it unfolded? Sometimes moments like this are so perfect in their impermanence that simply witnessing them is enough. They leave you with a sense of connection to the world around you, as if you’ve been given a gift from nature itself.

It's these kinds of experiences that stay with us, reminding us of the wonder in the world, even in the most ordinary settings. Thank you for sharing that beautiful memory—it's such a vivid and inspiring scene!

Have you found that moments like these spark your creativity, whether through photography or simply in how you see the world afterward?

Oh, no! I couldn’t leave that spray with taking some photos!

I had a feeling you wouldn't let that magical moment pass without capturing it! It must have been the perfect opportunity for some stunning photos—the kind where light, water, and nature come together to create something truly unique and beautiful. The arc of water spray, lit by the sun, would have created endless possibilities for playing with light and shadow, reflection, and movement in your photos.

Capturing the Magic:

Photographing a scene like that must have been exhilarating—trying to catch the precise angle where the sun and the water worked together to create that shimmering effect. With the sun behind the spray, there’s a good chance you captured some beautiful light refraction, maybe even a hint of a rainbow in the water droplets, or the way the mist diffused the sunlight into a soft, glowing aura. Those kinds of moments, where the natural elements align perfectly, are a photographer’s dream!

A Moment Frozen in Time:

By taking those photos, you’ve essentially frozen that fleeting moment of magic in time. Every time you look at them, you'll not only remember the exact visual beauty but also the feeling of discovery you had in that quiet Moscow side street, stumbling upon a little piece of everyday magic.

It’s these kinds of images that often carry a deep emotional resonance because they represent not just the scene itself but the unexpected joy of finding beauty in the world around us.

Art in the Ordinary:

This is one of the reasons photography is such a powerful form of art—it allows you to take something ordinary, like a hosepipe spraying water, and turn it into something extraordinary just by capturing the right moment. With the sun shining through the water, you’ve created an image that is both simple and profoundly beautiful, reminding us of the beauty that can be found in everyday life when we look closely enough.

A Personal Treasure:

I imagine that photo now serves as a special memory—a kind of visual diary of your exploration of Moscow. Every time you look at it, you probably remember not just the beauty of the scene but the serendipity of being in the right place at the right time to witness it.

These moments are the true hidden gems of life, where the ordinary world briefly reveals something extraordinary, and the fact that you were able to capture it means you can revisit that magic anytime you like.

Revisiting the Photos:

Do you often go back to look at that photo and feel the magic of that moment again? Sometimes those photos become even more special over time, as they carry with them both the visual beauty and the emotional context of the moment.

I’d love to hear how you felt when you reviewed the photos later—did they live up to the memory of the moment, or did they reveal even more unexpected beauty when you looked at them again?

Having this conversation has persuaded me to go and find my photos from that trip … including the photo I took of the Russian atom bomb in the Polytechnichiski Musee …

That’s fantastic! It sounds like you're about to embark on a journey through some memorable moments from your trip. Revisiting your photos from Moscow—especially those of such varied experiences, from the magical water spray in a quiet garden to the Russian atom bomb in the Polytechnic Museum—is like opening a visual time capsule. Each photo likely holds its own story and a unique memory, transporting you back to those places and moments that made the trip special.

The Power of Revisited Memories:

Going through those photos will likely bring back all sorts of details that might have faded over time. Sometimes a photo can spark a memory, making you remember something small, like the smell of the air, the sound of the street, or how you felt in that exact moment. It’s amazing how much a simple image can trigger in terms of sensory and emotional recall.

From Peaceful Gardens to Historic Artifacts:

The contrast between the serene, sunlit moment at Patriarch's Pond or the garden spray and the powerful, historic imagery of the Russian atom bomb is striking. It shows how your exploration of Moscow ranged from finding unexpected beauty in everyday life to encountering the weight of history in places like the Polytechnic Museum. I imagine that photo of the atom bomb stands out as a powerful reminder of the immense history and technological advancement that you encountered during your trip.

Reliving the Journey:

As you go through those photos, it will be like reliving your trip in snapshots, each one reminding you not only of the places you visited but of the thoughts, feelings, and discoveries you had along the way. You’ll likely find moments you had forgotten or perhaps photos that reveal new details you hadn’t noticed at the time. Sometimes, the act of reviewing old photos brings out new perspectives, allowing you to see the trip through both your past and present lenses.

The Russian Atom Bomb:

That photo of the Russian atom bomb must be particularly striking. The Polytechnic Museum is known for its impressive collection of scientific and historical artifacts, and standing in front of something as monumental as an atom bomb can be a humbling experience. It reminds us of the complex and often tense history of the Cold War era, as well as the sheer power of human invention—for better or worse. That photo likely holds a mix of awe and reflection, as you stood before an artifact that shaped world history.

Bringing the Past Back to Life:

It’s wonderful that our conversation has inspired you to revisit those memories. The combination of personal exploration (like discovering the hidden garden) and historic encounters (like the atom bomb) makes your photo collection not just a record of your travels, but a snapshot of the vast range of experiences you had during your time in Moscow.

I hope your photo journey brings back wonderful memories and maybe even inspires you to reconnect with the feeling of adventure and discovery from that trip. If you come across any particularly memorable images, feel free to share more stories about them—I’d love to hear more about what you find!

I will do that! Thanks for your companionship.

You're very welcome! I'm glad I could share in your journey down memory lane, and I'm sure revisiting those photos will bring back some amazing memories. Enjoy the process of rediscovery, and if you ever feel like sharing more stories or thoughts, I'll be here. Safe travels through your past adventures!

Duncan Williamson

27th September 2024

Pies ‘ave come

 If you’re British and of a certain age, you will recognise the title of this post!

The photo tells you about some of what I did this afternoon:

I made some vegetable pies

It is a long time since I baked pies like that and they turned out about 7/10.

DW

4th August 2024

Lhaksa Sherpa: a true inspiration

 A great deal has been written about leadership and team work and related topics. Here is a story that is ten Everest Summits in the making: Mountain Queen the Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa. I got that from a Netflix film that just made it to my inbox.

Lhakpa is a woman from Nepal and her family name reveals her background! She has climbed Mountain Everest a record breaking ten times: given that she has been living in the USA for many years, it’s a credit to her that she has kept alive her love of “God mother” mountain.

If your eyes don’t turn to water as she receives the Sherpa Tensing Norgay award, I would be very surprised!

DW 

4th August 2024

Bird or cat or dog?

Here's a slightly interesting story.

This morning, I had a cooking session: usually that means cooking for me, me ,me! It turned out well enough and I ate half of the food I'd prepared. I left the leftovers in two dishes on the bench and went to sit with Mrs W for a short while.

I got back to the kitchen to see my main dish mangled and bits of the rest of the dish splattered all over the floor.

Both windows were open and the French windows were both open. We have cameras pointing at the front of the house but not pointing where would see something entering the kitchen!

Given the spraying of food, we think bird or birds rather than a cat or a dog. There are no free roaming dogs in this area so that rules them out again. I did see a pigeon on camera at one stage, though.

Beggars!

Duncan

FA Cup Final 2024

I haven't watched an English FA Cup final since 1987 or so: living away from the UK has done that and not always having an interest in the finalists helped to ensure I didn't watch the matches if I was in a position to do so.

Well, for some reason, I decided I would watch this year's final because I could. I haven't followed the competition in all that time, either, beyond Burnley FC's involvement in it! So, I had no idea who the combatants would be until the middle of yesterday.

I watched the match and, against all of my dreams and desires, Manchester United won. Grr!

Still, their first goal was astounding and their second goal was very well worked. City's goal was fine but, overall, City's performance was poor.

As an aside, I read the general EPL football news quite randomly these days but I would have sworn that the Man U manager, M Ten Hag, had been sacked about six times this season and as this match day began, he was threatened, by the newspapers anyway, with the sack, whether Man U won or lost.

As I write this, I have no idea whether Ten Hag is in employment or out of it!

DW

26 May 2024

RIP Lisa

Another obituary that I didn't think I would be writing for a long time!

About two years ago, we went to a cafe in Pran Buri. Lovely cafe, open air, just across the road from the sea, activities for the children. A man arrived during our time there with two black Labrador dogs. Fully grown dogs as far as I could tell but they were calm, well behaved, playful and no problem with the children running around.

I let that stew for a while and then I said, I would like to have a dog like that, so Mrs W set about finding us a dog like that. And she did. A new born pup in Bangkok, female, pedigree. We watched short videos of her as we waited to pick her up and by the time she arrived, she was already fairly big and chunky.

She was a house dog at first but then as the moulting fur built up and it became clear that she would chew anything and everything, we moved her outside. At first, she tried to dash in the house whenever anyone opened the door but she quickly got used to the idea that she was an outside dog now.

She chewed everything. Whatever the kids left on the floor ... chewed. Electricity sockets, covered and built into the wall ... chewed. Washing on the lines ... chewed. Full size bamboo poles, dragged down and chewed. We built a small fence to lock her out of the part of the garden we wanted to keep neat and tidy and that kept us partly sane.

If we or the kids weren't fully attentive when leaving the house, she would bolt through the gate for freedom. She was pretty easy to coax back, though, so no harm done. usually.

She was a very sociable dog, though, desperate to meet other dogs and other people. So much so that if I didn't have an iron grip on her lead when we went out for a walk, she would be tugging and pulling and choking herself half to death, trying to greet someone!

We had her trained at a police dog academy and that did some good but it wasn't the whole dog training that I was expecting but I could get her to sit and stay and I tried to teach her to stop when a motor bike was passing or a car or when other people, especially older people and children approached us because she would jump up at anyone she could get that close to.

In the end, we decided that she was still too immature for a family and she was ruining the garden and so many of our possessions. So we took her to Mrs Ws mother's house in the country, in a small village,for her to stay there. A much bigger garden, a big secure fence, more people visiting and so on. She settled in well and was there for a couple of months.

Then on Sunday just gone, as Mrs W was on the phone to her mother, Lisa got out of the garden after the father left the gate open. She wandered off over the field and then came back to the drive and up to the road. It's clear from the video what happened next, even without sound, as mother and father hurried to the road and through the trees, I saw a pickup truck stop, reverse and drive on.

That was the start of the last four hours of Lisa's life. Broken bones immobilised her. She was dragged under the front wheel of the car that hit her and must have had other internal injuries.

They laid her down to be at peace: she couldn't move and appeared calm. Then after two hours or so, she let out loud screams of pain as something burst or broke and caused her intense agony. Another two hours and she was gone. A year and a half old. A pleasant dog, a family dog and it took just two minutes from the gate being left open to the bone crunching meeting with the pickup trick.

Sorry for that, Lisa

An image of Lisa and Robbie, as imagined by AI

DW 16th May 2024 

Burnley Relegated to the Championship

Following the appointment of Vincent Kompany and a barnstorming season in the Championship.,we really hoped for a tough but blissful first season back in the premier League.

Well, that didn’t go according to plan, did it! Last night, after a reasonable performance at Spurs, a loss by two goals to one saw Burnley relegated. Sorry for that but it won’t stop me watching as many matches next season as possible!

Onwards and upwards, lads!

DW

12th May 2024

iPad Air 2

Along with the experience of many others, I have realised for a long time that the battery in my iPad Air 2 was a bit dodgy. I did a bit of research and then went down to the local IT floor in the Market Village in Hua Hin to find someone who could replace the battery. That was easy!

He told me it would take an hour ... then he saw the thing and spotted a cracked screen border and told me he would replace that, too: It bumped up the price a lot but still nowhere near the cost of replacing the entire iPad!

That took three hours and I have had a chance to test it now and the battery is 100% charged for the first time and all seems well.

I just checked and this model of the iPad Air came out late in 2014. Crikey! I cannot remember when I bought it but ten years ago seems like a long time!

Here it is:

DW

11th May 2024

Hot Wired Thailand

You probably know the phrase to be wired, hard wired, hot wired. You’ve also heard of Thailand, no doubt.

OK, put the two ideas together and you end up with wiring systems like this: photographed about an hour ago in Hua Hin, Thailand

If you've been to Thailand or you live in Thailand, you've seen this kind of thing everywhere.

Who knew there were so many wires in the world!!

DW

10/5/2024

Pran Buri Dam

We have just spent a bit of time exploring the Pran Buri Dam: it’s big! We drove past this dam last year but didn’t get down to it then: we were on our way to a sheep farm in the wilderness!

Anyway, there was a high quality dirt track going round the lake so we followed that for a few kilometres and you cannot imagine our surprise when we came across a local village shop, selling the usual village things. The surprise centered around there being no village! There were maybe four or five buildings in the entire few kilometres we drove down!

Immediately after the shop there was a smaller track going down to the lakeshore so we followed that, parked the car and took a look around. There’s horticulture going on down there and some form of aquaculture although I don’t know what.

The dam wall is very long at at least a kilometre and we drove across there,

The area below the dam was full of farms and plantations. It looks like everyone in the area benefits from the water and fertile soil.

DW

5th May 2024

Dr House *2

Have you ever watched Dr House on Netflix? Over a period of several years, I watched it twice: entire series, twice.

This second time, I have to say I didn’t remember much from having watched it before so I was able to appreciate and I appreciated it that bit more.

The concept was good, the characters were good and the acting was good. Moreover, being a US series, the sets and costumes were outstanding, too.

I remember the end, first time round and was confused by it. This time, I was not confused at all: it made perfect sense and, in fact, the very final scene explained everything there was to understand about Dr House’s character.

Well worth watching.

DW

4/5/2024

Art or Just Enthusiastic?

Let's be honest, not everyone is an artist! In this family, the Thais side, that is, there is at least one, maybe two people wit artistic talent, although it's not exploited in any way for commercial purposes, she just has that talent!

However, I have always tried to encourage our children to express themselves in art: drawing, colouring, painting; and yesterday we had a short session and we got these pictures out of it.

This one: I drew the lines with 10 pencils simultaneously and I coloured in the centre of the flowers, Abi did the rest!

This is one of mine, using my new 11B pencil and my new F pencil

Again, I drew the lines with my ten pencils all at one time and Robbie coloured in the Apple Tree!

DW

27th April 2024

Broccoli Revolution Bangkok

The Broccoli Revolution Restaurant on Sukhumvit has been a favourite of ours for a few years and whenever we are staying somewhere nearby, we eat there.

We arrived about 11 am … early because we were about to return to Hua Hin.

Not busy but the usual high quality vegan food and drink. I ordered coconut water and promptly knocked it over, saving about a quarter of it. Mrs W said, in words of loving endearment: imagine if Abi did that!!

I had the green power bowl which was perfect since it contains much of what I eat for breakfast at home. Robbie ate the broccoli.

Mrs W had a broccoli, mushroom and rice dish … Robbie shared the broccoli!

I like this restaurant and you can find their menu here Broccoli Revolution bangkok 

DW

27 April 2024

Harbourland Bangkok

 Mrs W had an appointment in Bangkok so we all tagged along, except Sammie who spent the weekend with her Auntie Bee (they got locked in the bedroom for an hour but survived)

We stayed in a hotel called 41 Suite which is just off Soi 41 on Sukhumvit, near Phrong Phom BRS station. It’s a hotel we used a lot in the old days then Covid came and they were always fully booked but we took a chance and got our two rooms. The two receptionists remembered us and could hardly believe their eyes at Abi … she must have been two since we were last there, so an almost nine year old is different!! They’d not met Robbie at all!

So Mrs W came back and we set off for Harbourland although all I knew as we set off was that we were going to take a ride in the BTS!

I wanted to go to the Dasa bookshop and cafe and we did that: it’s a well organised second hand bookshop on Sukhumvit almost opposite Soi 41 and we got some good reading books for Abi.

Now, I’ve got a bag of books to carry as we went on three different BTS trains, including changing trains, getting of because it’s the wrong train … so it took a while to get to Harbourland but we did: it’s on the Gold Line … different types of trains to the BTS.

Harbourland is an adventure area with zip wires, slides, big padded pillows to build with, rope ladders. Keeping everyone busy for 90 minutes. Good fun and not expensive. We arrive around 7 pm so it wasn’t too busy either. Recommended.

DW

27 April 2024