The Aardvark Blog

Maps Exhibition Opened, Awful weather, Cozy Fire
1/05/2016

So yesterday we had the map show opening and the usual scrum of buyers, and I am glad  to say more than a smattering of red dots. Many thanks as ever to those who have helped us principally Martin Blant, Shannon Donovan and Andrew Eastwood and Stephen Bainbridge.

Today after a beautiful sunny start to the morning, the clouds have opened and we are enjoying a very un-Maylike shower. Still as ever the wood burner is roaring and all is dry and cosy in Aardvark Books. Warm weather is however on the horizon thank goodness.

Last night we finally got to catch up on the last episode of Jed Mercurio's 'Line of Duty' on the BBC IPlayer. This season has been an absolute triumph and all concerned are to be congratulated. A perfect example of how pace and the variation of pace are always crucial to a thriller.

This year I have included a number of rare books amongst the maps in the exhibition, and I think that this feature seems to have been appreciated. Some of them such as the 'Heraldry of Herefordshire' and 'Duncumb's History of Hereford'  in two volumes are genuine rarities. People are already asking me what my plans are for next year's map exhibition, so it would seem that there will have to be another one, although in truth it is getting harder and harder to find maps that I have not exhibited previously.

I have finally managed to find a copy  of the second volume in Gerald Durrell's Corfu trilogy, so before watching  tonight's episode of ITV's very free but genuinely delightful adaptation, I will be getting my fill of the real Durrell. Comic writing is truly a great art ( if you wish to see it done at its best then seek out the great but sadly forgotten Stephen Leacock), and Durrell was ever a master of it. Is there a more funny and charming book than 'Rosie is My Relative' ?

Bookings continue to arrive for Aardvark's May Brocante, so I have no hesitation in saying that it is likely to be our biggest ever. What else is there to do on the second May Bank Holiday Monday. Meanwhile the map exhibition is on until the 15th of May and there are still many beautiful and original maps seeking a final home.