A Hundred and Fifty Two posts and…
…I’m going to have a few days off.
Partly to finish the update of a book I wrote years ago called Making Poldark—and partly to have a few days off!
Back in 1978 I was commissioned by Bossiney Books (a small publisher in Cornwall) to write an account of the filming of the two series. I updated it in 1987 and it had a life with the issue of the videos and the DVDs (only recently released in the United States).
Acorn Media are issuing a box set of both series in the USA soon and are including, as a special “extra”, the first chapter of my original memoir. That inspired me to begin work on a further update.
Here’s a “sneak preview” of the draft of the new chapter:
Making Poldark—PART 3
Twenty five years on and I’m living in a Presbytère—(priest’s house– the last priest moved out 90 years ago)—deep in the countryside of SW France with an American wife, Meredith, six cats and a hen.
I shop in the local markets and cook for the two of us twice a day. I’ve written a cookbook for Type Two diabetics and blog most days about that, cooking and the life here.
What happened to the actor who for years feared the day he discovered he didn’t need to act anymore?
What happened to the townie who found the countryside beautiful–but dull–and couldn’t wait to get back to the city on a Sunday night?
Well—“life moves on” is the easy answer, but that won’t do.
When we reissued Making Poldark in the late 80s, Meredith and I were living in a Victorian house in north London, not far from where I grew up around Hampstead.
London is blessed with large parks and Hampstead Heath was a brisk walk away—you can lose yourself in the woods there and make believe you are in the countryside and still be a 15 minute walk from the local movie house.
I had never thought of owning a second home in the sticks—let alone in France. (I knew Italy better and went to Florence regularly—I love the Italian kitchen.)
It was a shock then to hear myself asking the friends of Hughes Rudd—Meredith’s colleague and friend from ABC News in New York, who had retired down here–if they knew of anyone selling a house.
More shocking still—having visited the house Hughes’ friends came up with—to find myself offering the owner the asking price five hours later! Not exactly businesslike, but the truth was I’d fallen in love (coup de foudre)—again.
Meredith, coup de foudre no. 1 (lightning strike) in 1986, and I were getting married in the summer and though she thought the house was a gem—she must have been asking herself : “Do I need this and a wedding to see to?”
We were married at the Rosslyn Hill Chapel in Hampstead in August and had our reception at the London Zoo.
We honeymooned at the empty house in the Tarn—empty apart from a couple of large beds a friend had made and some cardboard furniture.
The year was 1990.
To be continued…!
Thanks everyone for your continuing support–I am getting a big kick from doing it–and from reading your comments.
A trés bientôt…
rxx
Hi Robin…I have a treasured copy of the 1978 book on my shelves…I must look at it again. And reading this post has sent me to find Jean Graham’s 1981 Poldark Cookery Book, which I now have before me! Very different from your own new cookbook – but very nostalgic & entertaining too. I was an old head on young shoulders as a child…allowed to stay up for Poldark as a special treat when I was 9, and the magical combination of fantastic actors and gripping storylines has never really left me. The benchmark for tv drama and rarely (if ever) attained nowadays. Love the blog and hearing about life in La Belle France! Have a great week.
Dear Robin and Meredith:
I know your 21st wedding anniversary is coming up this weekend and want to wish you the following:
” Wishing you some quiet time to embrace the slow, sweet movement of years, to look back on where you’ve been, and appreciate where you are…
Together.
Wishing you some quiet time to honor every step of the journey you’ve taken, every turn in the road that has led you here… Together.
Wishing you some quiet time to look ahead and anticipate all the wonderful years to come and the ways you’ll share them… Together.”
Some dear friends sent Bill and I an anniversary card this year with the same sentiments. It just seemed to fit the two of you perfectly.
xx Norma and Bill
Dear Norma and Bill–thank you for those lovely words.
Some quiet time would be welcome!!
We are having a quietish week– which we are enjoying.
Hope all is well with you.
rxx
Enjoy your brief sabbatical, Robin (if I may use your first name), as I am now enjoying mine. I have a yearlong leave from my teaching post, also for the purpose of writing. Like anyone who has read the books or seen the series, I am a Poldark fan and look forward to reading your updated memoir. Rest assured I’ll be visiting the blog for recipes, even without the daily posts. I hope the book sales in the UK are going well. Still waiting for the publication here in November. All best – Lisa
Thanks, Lisa–I’m looking forward to continuing.
Good luck with your own writing.
I was just a young girl when “Poldark” aired on PBS in Canada. Both my mother (who is now 82), and I (who am now 50) were glued to the t.v. set every Sunday night to see Ross Poldark on the Cornwall cliffs.
I will never forget such a brilliant story and such fine acting.
Thank you!
Kathleen Mortensen
Thanks Kathleen–Winston’s storytelling was superb, you are right.
The characters– such gifts for actors.
So nice that you and your mother remember it well.
The sneak preview is just more proof that you can make plans as much as you like, life often has a different idea….. Life changes, so do you, the world, your friends. Nothing stays the same.
And some wonderful surprises come from those changes. You learn things about yourself you never thought possible.
Atleast, that’s how I see my past that once was my future… Almost nothing happened the way I imagined it, but along the way I found some wonderful friends.
Have fun with your days off, and a happy anniversary!
And thank YOU for your blog, I always said that I would like to get to know the person behind the face. I’m glad to get to know you just a little bit through this blog.
Dieneke
Thanks for the good wishes, Dieneke.
Quite right about planning things–you can try but…!
Hi Robin.
I originally read your blog as a Poldark fan and for help in understanding my mother’s diabetes. Now I totally enjoy reading your stories of life in France, the festivals, and the peace I am so far away from at times. I have also made some of your fine recipes.
Thank you for bringing alive a place so distant from us city folk.
Enjoy your break!
Genie Pohl
Thanks Genie–I’m glad you are enjoying it.
Never thought I’d be telling stories from the countryside!
Oh Robin Ellis! – don’t be too long away, I need my electronically-delivered daily dose of vitamin D which your blog provides. Received, via good old Amazon, your new book a few days ago: it’s a winner in every way – recipes, engaging style and of course the very charming watercolour illustrations. Thanks so much. We have already enjoyed a number of sunshiny meals from your trove and I have given the book a strong recommendation to the nurse who advises upon diet at my GP’s diabetic clinic – lt should be required reading for anyone who might be depressed and anxious about a newly diagnosed condition: great to find that deprivation is not on the menu. Interestingly, you left London and ‘discovered’ rural life at the same time that I ran off with a potter, leaving Soho and Berwick Street market but a happy memory. Sadly, here in South Devon, there are no 5p slightly dodgy avocados to be snapped up at the end of the day, but lots of other compensations.
Warmest wishes, God speed your pen! Di
I’m not convinced slightly dodgy avocados were ever worth “snapping up”–even for 5p, Di!
There were other good things in Berwick market–which I miss.
“Rock ‘ard salad tomatoes” for example!
Such good times.
I’m pleased you like the book.
I’d be interested to know what the specialist nurse felt about it.
Good to know your GP has a diabetic clinic attached.
I have an autographed copy of that book, Robin! My SIL (at the time) stood in line in Truro to get it for me. Also have the whole Poldark series, my husband gave it to me one Christmas. What fun to find you have a blog, in my Favorites now. Shelagh in Vermont.
Hi Shelagh–Meredith and I are off to a signing in Truro on the 17th September.
It’s a long way from Vermont though!
Hello Meredith & Robin enjoy your little holiday, we shall all miss you,but will look forward to reading your delightful blogs when you start again.
I remember watching POLDARK the first time it came on TV my mother god bless her, loved your legs in those boots & would sit there sighing everytime you were in shot. (by the way so did I -though not just your legs. I beg your pardon Meredith).
I have tried to buy your book for years but with no luck,so maybe if it comes out again I will have more success, I hope so.
Have a lovely time together, love laugh and be happy,you always look so in tune with each other & that’s all that really matters.
Best wishes Elaine
Thanks for the good wishes Elaine.
By the way-my legs always looked better in boots!
Congratulations yet again. I want you to know that your continued willingness to talk about yourself, especially “Poldark,” and allowing the rest of the world a glimpse into your life just makes my day, every day. I have pre-ordered the cookbook and am absolutely delightedwith the recipes you’ve posted. I just tried the hummas and it’s fantastic. Since I cannot live in England/Europe, one of the ways I get my “fix” is reading your blog. I too have Poldark I and II and can’t wait to get the updated book “Making Poldark.” You have cats! I knew you were a good person. Enhoy your well-earned rest but hurry back. pmh
Thanks Pat, I’m happy you like the humus–it’s handy and healthy.
Our dear cats–what would we do/be without them!
Nonsense Robin I am sure you have very good legs.
Regards Elaine
Congratulations on the publication of your cook book! Don’t stay away from your blog too long. We all love reading your posts.
Jackie
Tampa, Florida
Thanks, Jackie.
Oh no – can’t make Truro in September, but I will be there next May. I visit my family in Falmouth every other year. I read the Cornish newspapers on-line every morning and shall look for you there!
I met Winston Graham at the book signing for “Bella Poldark” in Falmouth, many years ago. He was 92 I believe, sharp as a tack and quite a flirt with the ladies.
Enjoy your time off, in the meantime I will read back entries till you return. Cheers, Shelagh.
“Bella” was fun–I think he enjoyed the writing of it; certainly reads like it.
Remarkable that he retained that engagement with characters he’d invented 50 years before.
He moved the action on to the next generation and that gave him all sorts of new starts.
He still had that twinkle–you’re right!
I live in New York and recently, happily, acquired the Poldark DVD sets, after not having seen them since they were originally shown in the US oh so many years ago. It’s a certain way to escape for an hour’s vacation, whenever that is needed. I have your original book and look forward to the updated version. I am not diabetic, but am interested in your new cookbook, as I’m sure it’s full of healthful and delightful suggestions.
Do you know what I also appreciate very much? That all these years after the Poldark series (and, by the way, I enjoyed your performances in other films as well), you do not take the tack of disparaging your past work. You display kindness and respect for those who still think fondly of the Poldark programs, even though you have clearly had a full life and career(s) since then. Thank you, and best wishes.
Elaine L
Hi Elaine–thank you for your thoughts.
I have always felt a debt to the series–there have been many “Poldark perks”!
The truth is though I really enjoyed doing it; we were a happy band and spent some good times together.
So it’s not difficult to look back warmly on it.
I will miss finding your emails while you are gone- they are far more interesting than the other stuff that comes my way. But if you have time, sometime, it would be very interesting to know how and when you met Meredith.
Sincerely,
Louise Gover
Hi Louise–I tell the story of how Meredith and I met in the update.
Sorry to make you wait!
Bonjour Robin!
Love the cookbook and the blogs and loved Poldark. We had a home on the Roseland Peninsula at Philleigh-in-Roseland, just up from the King Harry Ferry, linking us to Truro, which my daughter took to school in Truro each day. Missing it was a big round-trip drive through Grampound!I am very much looking forward to re-watching Poldark and reading your account of its making. The blog is a gem, but you certainly both deserve a well-earned break, so that, come La Rentree, we are all fit and ready for more! Have a great time off!
All best wishes
Kim (Rosalyn) Hammill
London and Bath
Lovely story–Rosalyn and thanks for the comment.
I never got to take the King Harry Ferry.
http://www.checkitlive.com/camera/941
This is the link to the live web cam for the King Harry Floating Bridge, as the Ferry has been renamed because it is fixed to chains. Will always be KHF to me.
Enjoy your break, Robin, and a Happy Anniversary to you both!!
Your blog is a delightful read, and I always look forward to hearing what you have been doing.
How long do we have to wait until the new book is available?
I hope you enjoy your time in Cornwall – unfortunately I shall not be able to come and see you in Truro, although I live very close, as I shall be away over that weekend. Grrrrrr……
Thanks for the good wishes, Sophie-Jane.
Enjoy your holidays and many thanks for the great blog, Robin. Last week I was in the UK also in Cornwall (!) and had a very good time. It was my first visit after over 20 years. When we arrived in Munich, the taxi driver told us that there was a heat warning and there may be up to 38C. I thought at best I go right back to England. „Crazy summer“ this year !
Hope you come back soon, I’ll miss your blog posts! …
Thanks, Martina.
A hundred and fifty very cool posts I’m sure. I can read the old posts and try the anchovies and zucchini recipe while you are taking time off.
Cheers from Bodega Bay, California
Hope you enjoy it, Penny–the anchovies and zucchini recipe I mean.
Well, since we’re all reminiscing here, let me share with you a wonderful few weeks in the fall of 1978; brilliant leaves covered the ground in little ol’ New Ipswich, New Hampshire. The local papers touted the news that Days-of-Wine-and-Roses Lee Remick was coming to town (“Who’s HE?” I wondered) along with–wait for it!–ROBIN ELLIS, of Poldark fame! I couldn’t believe it! My grandmother & I had watched the show together about a year earlier (although she tried to distract me with popcorn-making during the scene when Ross’s passions overcame him with Elizabeth), and we LOVED Ross! He was the perfect man–dashing, brave, hard-working, always concerned for his poor neighbors…I didn’t understand how stubborn and human he could be, at that first viewing–but hey, he could ride a horse!! And here he was, sort of, coming to a town near me to shoot “The Europeans”! Every day after school, I hopped on my bike and pedaled the five miles to Barrett Mansion. Movie magic had hit the area: the telephone poles were covered with tree bark, dirt covered the pavement, golden plastic cels covered the windows of the mansion to give a nicer color to the rooms inside, and lo and behold–there was Robin Ellis, in a top hat, driving the neighbor’s horse & buggy up and down the street–turning his head “just so” each time!! (Dunno why they redid the shot a few times; it looked perfect to me!) Then he got down, went into the mansion… and never seemed to come out. I didn’t get to talk to you that day, Robin, but brought my school friend for support the next day–she had seen Poldark a few times & wanted in on the action–and this time, THERE you were, clad in breeches & long tailcoat, talking to the film crew, and smoking what looked like French ciggies. (“We should pick them up, after!” my girfriend whispered. Not sure if she did!) We stood there giggling and gawking: me, trying to summon up the courage to even be on the same side of the street as my hero, while Denise, ever the cheeky one, eventually approached and even asked for a HUG! (She wasn’t quite brave enough to ask for a kiss, but that was all right; I wasn’t quite brave enough to ask you to marry me–me, not quite 13 years old, and you, perhaps 36 at the time? Perfect match!) The hug led to a picture of us all together… “He’s so tall!” I thought to myself–and I managed to say how much my grandmother & I loved the series, but I don’t remember much after that–except for a confirmation that you were truly a nice guy–you put up with a couple of giggly school girls & stood around chatting for quite a while! Even returned in your jeans and said goodbye before you left for the evening, while we pedaled back to our homes–our hearts & heads full of dreams!! I did go back other times & saw other scenes being shot, and I hoped that you would turn up at the spaghetti dinner that the school drama club hosted for the cast (met Tim Choate, Lisa Eichhorn, and Tim Woodward, all very nice, too), but we were told the “big names” were on location somewhere that evening–maybe in Massachusetts? But THAT DAY is the one that always stands out in my memory. You didn’t disappoint, Robin! 🙂
So if I daresay, perhaps you could share your memories of “The Europeans” sometime? (And I do have a few pics, if you’re interested, but don’t know how to include them. All we have is regular email.)
Cheers & hugs,
Dianne
Wow, Dianne–what a dear story.
I’m relieved I behaved well!–though why wouldn’t I, I’m sure I felt flattered that you and Denise wanted to chat.
I gave up the roll-ups soon after!
We were there right through the leaf season–saw it change from brilliant reds and yellows to silver.
People in London watching the film thought we’d painted the trees!
I don’t remember knowing about the spagetti meal–I’d have been there if I could.
Dear Tim Choate–saw him over the years.
He married a second time and moved to LA.
He was killed by a delivery van when on his motorbike one morning. Just so sad.
I was born in Ipswich, Suffolk–so was intrigued that we were filming in New Ipswich.
It was a long journey each day from Leominster to the location.
I suppose that was the nearest hotel large enough to take everyone.
Thanks for that very touching memory, Dianne.
While my brother Doug (Beardslee) has told me a bit about you and Meredith, I now find that I must get a copy of Poldark, and look forward to reading your life story. I’ll make sure Doug knows about this, too.
Merci, et bonne chance!
Thanks Marilyn,
Happy memories of Doug down here.
Give him our best and to you too!.
lovely to hear about your coup de foudre No 1 and the romantic honeymoon in that house !! love + bises to you both xx Lucie
Do you find this amusing ? You do NOT write the blog and get more comments than when you DO!!
I’m aware of it, Sophie-Jane!
Could be an excuse to take more breaks…
All the choices on computers is much too complicated for me. I hope one of my messages gets through to Robin Ellis. I only do simple email.
I sent another message so won’t repeat.
Thank you for your generosity here on your food website.
I really don’t know how to navigate all these possibilities of blogs. face book, twitter, etc,. etc,. etc., Here’s hoping.
Maria Darlington
Dear Robin, Knowing the other book of making Poldark (that you did fantastic).I will be sure the fresh book will be also very good.I hope you had a good rest.
May the Muses visit you (for inspiration) but I think it will go well.
Have a nice time all the best et à bientôt, Chantal (from-Belgium) xx.
Thanks, Chantal.
Oh, how lovely! Congratulations to yourself and Meredith! I look forward to reading more. I purchased both series of Poldark from the UK, and was able to program my dvd player to play all regions, but with a new release in the US, I will have to purchase that as well.
I fell in love with the series when it originally aired on PBS, and was delighted to watch it when they aired it again in the ’80s. My husband enjoyed it quite as much as I did, and when my daughter Annie got to watch it with me after purchasing the dvds, she fell in love with it as well. I wish they’d re-air Poldark on PBS, it’s much better than some of the other series they air these days. I look forward to reading more.
Thank you, Robin for your wonderful blog. We look forward to reading it and love how gentle life is when you write about happenings in the countryside.
I love your delicious dishes and there is so much for vegetarians too. The photos you post are beautiful and I am painting Alice’s veggies in an egg basket for my kitchen. What a wonderful photograph and an excellent composition to paint.
We love Poldark in the USA and please keep us posted as to when the nw Acorn set with your updated memoir is released. We enjoy it time and again and I even named one of my cats Verity.
Thanks again from Virginia, USA
Kathy
My wife Mary & I just finished the DVD version of series 1 & Series 2 of Poldark.
We wondered about the ending of series 2. We wondered if that was really supposed to be the ending of the whole series or did the company just run out of funds. [We are trying to find your book on making poldark…are you really going to re-issue it soon with some updates? ] Allan & Mary Holtzman/Maryland USA
hello Allan and Mary.
We filmed the 7 existing books at the time.
Winston went on to write 5 more books but at the time (1978) felt–rightly we thought–that it would not serve the characters well to make more episodes based just on storylines.
The updated Making Poldark is being laid out at this minute and will be available as a “print on demand” book soon.
Hello Robin 🙂
What is a “print on demand” book? Will it be able in stores, or only by ordering it online?
Paula
Paula–good question!
We are working on the full reply–ie to be clear exactly how it will be available; the answer is imminent!
Is there a date set for the release of the audio book of ‘Making Poldark’? I keep checking Amazon for the CD version but no luck x
We are hoping for the end of March. It’s quite a process to get it available–not long now though.