"LAUGHTER IS A SUNBEAM OF THE SOUL"*

 * Thomas Mann from The Magic Mountain (obviously he never experienced 'Nui wit).

I had planned to visit Petone again today to go to see Fatherland at the Lighthouse cinema.

This is a new biographical film directed by Paweł Pawlikowski which follows Nobel laureate Thomas Mann and his daughter Erika on a road trip across ruined, post-war Germany in 1949.

The film won Best Director at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival and serves as Poland's official submission for the 99th Academy Awards. 

I'm interested in seeing this on several levels: From a historical perspective as the post war period is of great interest to me; from a political standpoint as the current geopolitical situation has similarities with what is being faced in Europe today; and because I have read a couple of Thomas Mann's books (Death in Venice and The Magic Mountain).

As I said, I was going to go to the opening screening today but The Old Girl has said she would like to see it with me so we will go to a screening next weekend if it is still showing.

She is off to Russell tomorrow and back Monday so I'll have to find someone else to play with over the weekend. By chance I've renewed the Sky Sports monthly pass so will be able to watch the Rugby League World cup men's and women's finals, the All Blacks vs Wales test and some India vs New Zealand cricket. Hey! I might even open a bottle of wine or two while I'm at it.

Just so you don't think I'm a real old moaning codger I won't (hopefully) be complaining about scooter riders and cyclists for a while. I'll laugh about them instead.