Lion hearted

2011 is begun!

Happy New Year Everyone!

My new thinking for the New Year? I am thinking like a lion!

Can there be anything more magnificent than a full grown lion?

I was feeling reflective and thought "I must snap out of this" so I decided to watch Christian the lion on youtube for the umpteenth time and yes, that did the trick.

(watch it here- if you haven't already as apparently 60 million people have already viewed it!)

I like the clip of their last encounter it is more subdued, Christian is very much an adult and yet the gentleness that still exists between them is extraordinary.

(watch it here)

Unsurprisingly I suppose that got me thinking about Born Free and the amazing story of Elsa!

Lovely film do watch it!

And so it followed that my thoughts turned to Narnia and THE LION as far as I am concerned.

Pauline Baynes beautifully illustrated the CS Lewis Tales of Narnia.

The Narnia of my imagination will always be hers...those iconic drawings of Narnian ships and Narnian horses. She was brilliant at realising maps too (another little obsession!) not only did she map Narnia but also Middle Earth, Tolkein was said to have been delighted by her work.

Aslan

So wise, so courageous I adored him - I was hooked on the 1980's BBC adaptation when I was a girl. Ronald Pickup voiced him - marvelous!

The Lion King came much later but deserves a mention for the astonishing achievement of the West End Show.

Staggering puppetry and staging.


I am currently being very entertained by BBC's Tinga Tinga Tales

A brilliantly vibrant affair inspired by traditional African animal folkstories, if you have little people you are probably already hooked!

A powerful chidhood memory is driving through London at midnight in a battered 2CV to "see the sights" It was magical, nobody around and London all lit up, we whizzed past Buckingham Palace down the Mall and out of Admiralty Arch to see Admiral Lord Nelson high on his column. I'm afraid he was lost on me as my heart belonged to the four lions proudly surrounding him.

It must be amazing to be asked to wear the Three Lions emblem and to represent your country. The three lions are currently emblazoned across the England cricket team.

One man who has certainly earnt the right to wear them is this chap

Alsitair Cook has had an amazing Ashes series!

One final push tonight boys ~ 3 wickets to go!

Hmm, where was I?

Oh yes, 2011 ~ thinking like a lion..........

I am including this final piece of cheese for your consumption, featuring a marvelously camp performance from Ian Botham, the Sky advert for the Ashes series Ridley Scott style, careful not to spit your tea out!

Come on England!