I love receiving parcels through the post, especially ones which have travelled a long way. It was the very last day of the year when a package arrived all the way from Australia, it was from Susan from Granny Smith's Quilting. Inside was not only a Christmas gift for me but one for Archie too.
Back in my Challenge Update - October 2015 post, I'd written about a book which had been sent to me by Lisa from Jumble and Jelly called Miss Phryne Fisher Investigates. Apparently, the books have been made in to a television series and when Susan saw that I'd read and enjoyed this book, she decided that she'd send one of the episodes on DVD for a Christmas present. A gift was also enclosed for Archie, a fabulous pull toy which Susan made herself. Archie loves it. He's a funny dog, he doesn't like balls, anything made of plastic or anything with a loud squeak, but he's had hours of fun already with this toy.
I watched Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries last night whilst I was on my own. Mick was out at cricket practice in the indoor cricket nets and Eleanor was having a leisurely bath. I really enjoyed it. It was quite fast paced, which I liked, there's nothing worse than a programme dragging on for ages just for the sake of it. I always prefer to read a book first before watching a television or film adaptation as I like to form my own opinion of the characters but Phryne Fisher was just as I'd imagined from the book. Lisa's told me that the current series had been on Alibi during December so I shall have to watch out for it being repeated.
Thank you, Susan, I really enjoyed my Christmas gift and as it was a Christmas episode, I shall get it out at Christmas and watch it again.
It's not so good when you watch something on TV and most of the story has been changed so it's good that it was just as you imagined it. No squeaky toys here, they would drive me mad! Two of the dogs like balls, the rest are too lazy to chase/chew anything!
ReplyDeleteI'm always watching television adaptations of books I've read and picking fault with the storyline, they tend to change so much of what's written in the book. Archie's rather lazy too, especially in bad weather, he's more than happy to stay home rather than go for a walk.
DeleteHow lovely and thoughtful, glad you enjoyed your bit of 'me' time xx
ReplyDeleteI did. It was nice to sit down and watch the dvd whilst it was all peaceful.
DeleteThe series is also available on Netflix, if you have it. Now it's got your blessing, I'll mark it down for later viewing.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have Netflix but I'm watching out for it on Sky.
DeleteThat's a lovely package Jo I really enjoyed being partnered up with Susan. I have seen a few episodes of Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries. It's on one of the sky channels & it is very enjoyable x
ReplyDeleteSusan's always so generous, she's sent me some wonderful gifts since we became friends. I'm going to search Sky and see if I can catch the series from the beginning.
DeleteWhat a lovely gift! Alibi is a great channel if you like detective dramas, my Dad was always glued to it - he particularly liked the Murdoch Mysteries set in Toronto in a slightly earlier time. Glad Archie likes his present too! xx
ReplyDeleteI've never watched Alibi, I shall be having a look what's showing on it. Archie always likes getting gifts, he opens them himself too.
DeleteI am going to watch Miss Fisher on Netflix, sounds good x
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it. I'd never heard of it until Lisa sent me the book but I enjoyed that and the dvd so I shall be looking out for the series on Sky.
DeleteWhat lovely gifts from Susan, she is such a kind and lovely lady! xx
ReplyDeleteShe is, she always sends me such thoughtful gifts. I'm always excited getting gifts from abroad.
DeleteSo glad you liked it and I think the actress that plays the part is just as you'd imagine Phryne. Sometime this month (hopefully), we are going to Ripon Lea, which is a National Trust property, where they do the filming for the TV series, as it's one I've never been to, here in Melbourne. My late brother loved it when he went many moons ago. If that channel Alibi shows those mysteries, they might also have The Doctor Blake Mysteries which are filmed in Ballarat and are very good. Woops! I didn't make the dog toy, but a lovely lady who runs a small coffee shop made it and donates all the proceeds to the RSPCA and I've already let her know that a few dogs in the UK love them. take care.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I think they cast a good Phryne. Enjoy your trip to Ripon Lea, I bet that will be interesting. Ooops, I thought it was you who'd made the dog toy. How lovely that the money raised from them goes to help the RSPCA.
DeleteNothing beats a good mystery - lovely to get a gift from the other side of the world!
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy mysteries, even as a child I liked mystery stories. It's always lovely to get gifts through the post, much nicer than bills.
DeleteYou are introducing others to the world of Miss Fisher. I think Jack is very watchable! Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
I'm sure there'll be a few more fans if some of my readers watch it. I've looked on Sky and they've got series 2 on there but I'd like to see if I can find series 1 to watch first.
DeleteTIvvy loves her ball she will play nose ball with it dashing around the house or she likes us to hide it and then she can play hide and seek with it. She also loves making a lot of noise with squeaky toys but soft ones and not those plastic ones.
ReplyDeleteI often find characters in dramatisations of books the characters just do not match what my expectations were. It's especially annoying when physical characteristics are explained in the book and the actors playing the part just look nothing like the descriptions.
Archie loves his soft toys, he's such a softie himself. He used to play with balls when he was a puppy but one hit him on the nose and I can't remember him ever playing with one since, he's such a soft dog. I agree about physical characteristics in books not being carried through when actors have been casted, even down to hair colour which would be so easy to make sure was right.
DeleteLucky you and Archie. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteThey were such thoughtful gifts.
DeleteWe watched all the episodes on Netflix and loved them. They're good fun.
ReplyDeleteI don't have Netflix but the second series is on Sky. I'm hoping to find the first series first though.
DeleteYou simply can't beat a good mystery , escapism in a hectic world . Lucky Archie too .
ReplyDeleteI like a good mystery. Archie loves his gift, he's such a fussy dog but he lovely this toy.
DeleteI have the first two series on DVD - bought from Amazon, and have just finished watching the third series (we recorded it on Sky). I was introduced to Phryne by my friends in Melbourne last time I visited, and I recognise quite a few of the locations - I have even visited one the grand houses. Most of all I love Phryne's gorgeous clothes!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that you're able to recognise some of the filming locations. The clothes are one of the lovely things about programmes or films set back in time, I've just read a book set at various times in the twentieth century and I could picture the outfits being described.
DeleteThey sound like they were the perfect presents for you both!
ReplyDeleteThey definitely were.
DeleteIt is so nice to sit down and watch a good mystery ... always make sure I have a cuppa at my side too!
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I enjoy mysteries, both reading and watching.
DeleteI've not heard of this series, so I'll have to look out for it. It's good to have recommendations isn't it? What a great parcel from Susan, how kind of her to remember Archie too xx
ReplyDeleteI always like to get recommendations. This book or dvd wouldn't have jumped out at me but I've enjoyed both. It was a lovely parcel from Susan and Archie thought so too.
DeleteYou can get the first 3 books on the book people for £3 at present
ReplyDeleteI shall have to check that out. Thank you for letting me know.
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