Interests

[jackmerlin.livejournal.com]

I know many people have read books because they were mentioned in AF books, especially all the ones Nicola reads, but has anyone taken up a hobby or pursued an interest that they first came across in Marlowland ?

Comments

[smellingbottle.livejournal.com]

Not exactly, but I went to a falcon hospital in the Middle East and showed off halktalk derived entirely from AF. And when my completely bogus exertise meant I was allowed to take a convalescent falcon on my fist, I did channel my inner Nicola. Also my inner Bunty Penfold carrying Sprog in the Wade Minster Christmas play...

[smellingbottle.livejournal.com]

That was intended to read 'hawktalk'... I am not actually illiterate. Groan.

antfan

[(Anonymous)]

embarrassingly no - even though every time I read Cricket Term I think that it does sound all very interesting and I really should get someone to explain the rules...

I do like singing (Nicola) and gardening (Esther) but I can't claim that's down to either character. I'm fairly rubbish at both (unlike Nicola and Esther) but I do enjoy them.

[tabouli.livejournal.com]

Does going to Oxford, copy of 'The Ready-Made Family' in hand, and retracing Nicola's steps count?

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I've just started reading Hornblower, but that was because a friend told me Hornblower was a very interesting and introverted (so very unusual) character.

[res23.livejournal.com]

Not really tried it myself, but I did recommend feather-collecting as a hobby for a pupil of mine who was looking for a collection to work on for a Brownie badge. Can't remember which book that was in, but there was definitely one where other girls were doing feather-collecting, and Nicola thinks that it would be a nice idea.

[colne-dsr.livejournal.com]

The feather collecting was in End of Term, when Lawrie was in the San being sick with disappointment that Nicola had got the part of shepherd boy instead of her.

[antfan.livejournal.com]

I've always been ambivalent about the morality of it, but the "interest" that always comes over as most appealing in AF is fox-hunting! I love that sequence in Peter's Room - so exciting, and such a feel for the landscape, and the jumping of the Cut, and the mysterious disappearance of the fox at the end...

it's never been remotely practical or maybe I'd have been tempted to try it out.... of course I can't ride anyway. could have been a problem.

[joyeuce]

I haven't taken up falconry as it would not be practical (not least because I think my husband would leave!), but I do pester irritatingly to go to any falconry centre within 50 miles of anywhere we happen to be, so I can channel my inner Nicola. If it weren't for AF, I think I'd prefer owls, though.

Also I began collecting and re-reading Hornblower because of Nicola, and he and she helped to reinflame my Nelson-worship.

[jackmerlin.livejournal.com]

I pursued falconry fairly seriously for a few years before coming to the sad realisation that I didn't have time to do it proper justice. I can't say it was entirely down to AF but Nicola and The Sprog were an early spark in getting me interested, and I would still love to fly a merlin.
I went to see The Tempest for the first time with an extra level of interest due to Cricket Term, and like Nicola it's still my favourite Shakespeare play.
Cricket is strange - it always sounds really interesting when described in books but when I try to watch a real game I find it dull beyond belief.

[purplerabbits.livejournal.com]

Does role playing count? Because Peter's room definitely inspired me to try freeform adventures