Geoff Dyer's Homework is a witty account of provincial boyhood and thrifty, stoic fathers
Among contemporary writers working in English, few are better company than Geoff Dyer. Remarkably eclectic, his 20 or so books – novels and non-fiction – have frequently combined autobiography, cultural criticism and travel writing.
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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Historic pool that's one of the world's most beautiful where you can book private midnight swims
A BEAUTIFUL swimming pool dating back to the 1890s lets you book your own private sessions at midnight. The pool is in Berlin at the 4-star Hotel Oderberger which was actually a former bathhouse. 5 You can have a midnight swim in this historic pool Credit: Hotel Oderberger Berlin 5 The hotel is a former city pool Credit: Tripadvisor Hotel Oderberger Berlin is a historic hotel that was formerly a city pool that operated from 1898 to 1986. After its closure, nobody swam there until 2016, when the hotel opened after an extensive renovation. Now, it's a boutique hotel with 70 rooms and two apartments - but the highlight is the underground pool. Located just at ground level, the swimming pool has a neo-Renaissance style with vaulted ceilings and natural stone finish. Read More on Pretty Pools All guests of the hotel can use the pool at whatever time of day - but for those wanting an extra-special swim, they can go at night. The hotel offers two people an exclusive evening in the pool from 10pm until midnight. The pool will even be illuminated in the colour of your choice, and you can chill in the empty spa during the evening too. Included are towels, bathrobes and a bottle of rosé sparkling wine. Most read in News Travel This of course has to be booked in advance and costs €329 (£276.97) It's a popular spot within the hotel, one visitor wrote on Inside the English spa hidden in the countryside with a serene private outdoor pool away from everyone 5 Midnight swimmers will also get the spa to themselves Credit: Hotel Oderberger Berlin 5 The hotel's restaurant is in the former thermal power station Credit: Alamy Another added: "The pool was beautiful, and seemed popular among locals as well." A third wrote: "AWESOME hotel with a gorgeous pool and excellent breakfast." And the pool isn't just used for swimming, for special events, a hydraulic lifting floor comes up. This means people dance and even hold meetings on the water. The hotel offers lots of events to be held in the pool space from Christmas parties to networking events, galas, award ceremonies, to photoshoots and filming. It's not just the pool that is historic, the hotel's restaurant is located in the former thermal power station of the historic town baths. It's industrial design means it's spread across three levels with high ceilings. It offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails too. The hotel is in central Berlin, an hour north of the airport. Back in the UK, this And this hidden 5 You can take a midnight dip in this historic pool Credit: Alamy
Extra.ie
4 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Jules Thomas reveals battle with 'incurable illness'
Jules Thomas, the ex-partner of Ian Bailey, has revealed she has been battling an 'incurable illness' since 2021. The painter was in a relationship with the English native, who was the prime suspect in the murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier, for more than 30 years with the relationship ending in 2021. Ms Thomas has now revealed her diagnosis which she said she received shortly after the release of a Netflix documentary on the Toscan Du Plantier case. Jules Thomas, the ex-partner of Ian Bailey, has revealed she has been battling an 'incurable illness' since 2021. Pic: Collins Courts The three-part series, Sophie: A Murder in West Cork, drew complaints from Mr Bailey when it began airing, as well as Ms Thomas who described it as a 'piece of self-serving demonising propaganda.' In 2022, it was revealed that Thomas would be suing both Netflix and the production company, Lightbox Media, and director/ writer of the series, John Dower. Earlier this year, it was reveled that celebrity lawyer Gerald Kean had stepped in to help Thomas with her ongoing legal battle with the lawyer providing his services on a no-foal, no-fee basis. Jules Thomas was in a relationship with the English native, who was the prime suspect in the murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier, for more than 30 years with the relationship ending in 2021. Pic: Collins Courts Ms Thomas claimed there was unauthorised filming of her home during the making of the 2021 documentary. She alleged that the series contained 'glaring inaccuracies, fabrications and falsehoods' which resulted in her being treated as a 'social pariah.' Both companies are fully defending her claims. The three-part series, Sophie: A Murder in West Cork, drew complaints from Mr Bailey when it began airing, as well as Mr Thomas who described it as a 'piece of self-serving demonising propaganda.' Pic: REX/Shutterstock Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, Ms Thomas revealed she had been battling an 'incurable illness' since shortly after the release of the show in 2021. 'It's not public knowledge but my daughters know,' she shared, 'I began to feel unwell around the time the Netflix documentary came out. 'My immune system became very low. I was picking up every cold and flu.' Ms Thomas added: 'I'm feeling fine. I tire easily. I've a big garden I do it on my own. I've an acre of grass to cut, I've about 10,000 plants in pots.'
Irish Independent
11 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Today's top TV and streaming picks: Casino Royale, Deep Cover and World's Biggest Crash Test
From that Small Island RTÉ One, 6.30pm The coming of the English is the main subject of the second episode of a series exploring the history of the Irish people. It begins 1,000 years ago with an insight into the shape of Europe and Ireland's place within it before the Normans arrived. Mammals RTÉ2, 8.30pm Originally broadcast by the BBC last year, this six-part natural history programme is fronted by David Attenborough, which means it's well worth checking out again. He reveals how mammals have always adapted to their surroundings, beginning with those that thrive in the dark. Pile Up: World's Biggest Crash Test Channel 4, 9pm Feature-length documentary using remote-control technology and specialist cameras to simulate a multi-vehicle crash, the purpose being to figure out how cars and people react to such a terrifying situation. Later... with Jools Holland BBC Two, 10pm & 10.45pm We're being treated to a double bill, which begins with performances from Wet Leg, Sparks, Ludovico Einaudi, Sasha Keable, Annahstasia and Brooke Combe. Afterwards, Peggy Seeger, Sugababes, Wolf Alice, Kae Tempest, Obongjayar and George Houston take centre stage. Casino Royale RTÉ One, 9.30pm Daniel Craig's first outing as James Bond follows 007 during his efforts to bring down Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), a shady figure who funds international terrorism. Eva Green plays the love interest, while Judi Dench returns as Bond's boss M. ADVERTISEMENT 28 Days Later BBC One, 10.30pm Ahead of the third film in the franchise's release, here's a chance to see the original chiller. Cillian Murphy plays a London-based man who awakes from a coma to find a virus has turned most of the rest of the UK into terrifying zombie-like creatures. American Thunder Prime Video, streaming now Celebrating its 100th anniversary in June 2023, the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans — one of motorsports' most prestigious endurance races — introduced an unexpected competitor: stock car aficionados Nascar. As for what they brought to proceedings? A Chevrolet Camaro to compete against cutting-edge Ferrari and Porsche prototypes in this almost fabled, gruelling test of long-distance racing. Competing at Le Mans was the lifelong dream of Nascar chairman and CEO Jim France. As such, he brought in Hendrick Motorsports, the most successful team in Nascar history, to build and race the car (which, again, was a Camaro). On the plus side, he also enlisted the help of elite drivers Jenson Button, Jimmie Johnson and Mike Rockenfeller. Over the course of 18 months, this team transformed a car built for (at most) three-hour oval track races in the US into one capable of surviving the relentless 24-hour challenge. Deep Cover Prime Video, streaming now Not to be mistaken for the 1990s movie starring Fishburne and Goldblum, this film is about an improv teacher and her two students posing as criminals to slip into London's underworld. Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammed and Sean Bean have their work cut out for them to make this fly. Return to the Wild Disney+, streaming now Famed as 'the greatest living explorer', Sir Ranulph 'Ran' Fiennes joins his cousin, actor Joseph Fiennes (no sign of brother Ralph, unfortunately), on a breathtaking journey through British Columbia. As they navigate its rugged terrain, they reflect on Ran's legendary expeditions, his battle with Parkinson's, and the deepening bond forged through their shared adventure. Echo Valley AppleTV+, streaming now Julianne Moore and Domhnall Gleeson are getting all the work of late. Both co-star in this thriller about a mother who will do anything to keep her drug-addled daughter 'safe' (including body disposal). Written by Brad Ingelsby (Mare of Easttown), this moody (if a tad predictable) number stars Sydney Sweeney alongside 'dad' Kyle MacLachlan and Fiona Shaw.
