Other lovely sights I’ve taken in over the last month in London include the absolutely gorgeous Audley End Home and Gardens out in Essex, near Cambridge. The home is one of England’s grandest Jacobean houses and was given to Thomas Audley by Henry VIII! Neil and I had a wonderful Saturday road trip out there in picture-perfect weather (see pics). The home reminded me a bit of Castle Howard in York and the gardens were incredible. They do summer concerts there so I don’t think it’s the last I’ve seen of Audley End. Speaking of concerts, can we talk about Buffy/Torchwood’s James Marsters’ amazing show! OMG, I was definitely under his spell. The concert was right down the street from me in Union Chapel, a church by day, but fantastic concert venue by night. It’s almost circular in shape, beautiful old stonework and lit by candles. The acoustics are fantastic and there was just something so wild about seeing this former bad-boy vampire from Buffy singing on a church altar (see pics). He sang a lot of his own original songs, as well as Tom Waits and Nirvana covers. Heaven! (no pun intended)I've also been under the spell of two very different movies - Persepolis and Iron Man. The first is the Oscar-nominated animated film about a young woman growing up in Iran in 70s/80s. Creative, touching, moving - it is a must-see. Judging by the box office totals, I'm guessing many of you might have already seen the second, aka the Best summer/superhero movie perhaps ever. Is Robert Downey Jr. just perfect in the role or what? If you haven't seen it, get thee to a multiplex asap! I think I might be becoming a Downeyite..lol (though I will not wear a corsage). I can't stop watching this trailer!
