Latest news with #GeraldDurrell
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Jersey Zoo's late founder honoured with sea of flower sculptures
Thousands of flower sculptures are now on display at Jersey Zoo to mark 100 years since its founder was born.A meadow of 5,000 flower sculptures, made as a tribute to the man behind the zoo, conservationist Gerald Durrell, who died in 1995, has been installed at the zoo by artist Stuart after his death, Mr Durrell's wife, Lee, was made honorary director of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, which operates the said the art installation was "fabulous" and "a celebration of wildflowers". "From looking at Gerry's writings we found out what his favourite wildflowers were," she told BBC Radio Jersey."A lot of those exhibited will be of those flowers, and so it's all part and parcel of nature, animals, and plants."Jersey Zoo said the plants - made from 100% renewable plant-based ingredients -would be on display until 30 September."Planting 5,000 of anything is a total mission," said Mr Temple. He added: "It's been a lot of work but I've got them all in the ground and I hope people really enjoy seeing them."Mr Temple said he wanted people to take a flower from the display because it "supports the ongoing work" of Durrell around the world."I want people to think about how important the natural world around us is, and the danger that these habitats are facing, and about the species we're trying to save."
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The Durrells by Richard Bradford: My family and other lies
THE DURRELLS: THE STORY OF A FAMILY by Richard Bradford (Bloomsbury £20, 368pp) Everybody loves tales of Gerald Durrell's family in Corfu, as recounted in My Family And Other Animals, 'a pantomime of nostalgic innocence,' published in 1956. An instant bestseller, it outsold Churchill's A History Of The English-Speaking Peoples. Hannah Gordon, Imelda Staunton and Keeley Hawes, have played Louisa, Durrell's mother, on television. The azure sea and 'a sky that flickered with gold at sunset' is of course a matchlessly photogenic setting. But, as Richard Bradford demonstrates, behind the scenes the Durrells were far from being charmingly eccentric – and Corfu in actuality was nothing but relentlessly hungry mosquitoes and insanitary accommodation notable for lice infestations. Louisa, sad to say, was not attractively daffy but a mentally-ill alcoholic, on the gin at breakfast time. She was often in a nursing home, being treated for depression. Margo, the youngest sister, cried all the time, married an airline engineer and spent the war years in an Italian POW camp in Ethiopia. Leslie, a brother, was frankly unhinged. He shot at gulls and pigeons, impregnated and abandoned the maid and emigrated to Kenya – where he ran fraudulent investment schemes to steal savings from widows. In his famous memoir, Gerald never mentions that Larry, his literary brother, was in fact married and lived 'as far from his mother as it is possible to be,' visiting the rest of the family only on brief occasions. He was frequently unfaithful to his wife, having sex with other women 'behind a rock.' Regarding the other classic characters, Spiro, the comical cab driver (memorably portrayed by Brian Blessed), had in reality lived in America for six years and was perfectly fluent in English. His hysterical manglings – 'Thems being worrying yous?' – now seem a tad racist. Nor was Theodore Stephanides a farcically inept doctor, having qualified in medicine at the Sorbonne. The idea behind My Family And Other Animals is that the Durrells were unconventional and impoverished, and could only make ends meet by moving to some backwater abroad. In truth they were well-off colonialists – Louisa's husband left her almost a million in today's terms when he died in 1928. The family had been in India for generations, building bridges, railways and canals, and chose Corfu in 1930 for 'the carefree island lifestyle', which was reminiscent of the Raj. Everyone, save Margo, who was with her husband on a flying boat in North Africa, had to scurry back to Britain in 1939, when war was declared. Gerald, by some unexplained means, brought his collection of owls, toads and tortoises. The Durrells lived in a Bournemouth mansion, with a parquet-floored ballroom. The house soon filled up with chimps, gorillas, poisonous snakes and rabbits, the wildlife 'crawling over the furniture'. Eventually, Gerald, who incidentally was never more than an amateur, and who never studied zoology professionally, was prevailed upon to get a job at Whipsnade Zoo, where he expressed a hope to 'protect species in danger of extinction'. Yet surely the people endangering extinction were the avid European collectors? In receipt of £105,000 from his late father's trust fund, Gerald paid for trips to West Africa and South America, where he trapped baboons and bats. A total of 139 crates of mammals and birds were shipped back to England and sold to zoos. The way to capture a hippo was to shoot the mother and take the calf. In 1959, he began ploughing all his advances, royalties and fees into his own zoo in Jersey, which required a down-payment of £390,000. David Niven visited and witnessed gorillas having sex. 'Wherever I go, this sort of thing happens,' he commented. A mandrill showed Princess Anne its fiery red bottom. 'Wouldn't you love to have a behind like that,' asked Gerald. 'No, I don't think I would,' replied Princess Anne, whom I can imagine bursting out laughing later. Gerald's various books outsold Larry's by a factor of 40 to one. When Gerald called himself with justice 'a hack journalist who has had the good fortune to be able to sell what he writes,' his modesty and commercial success infuriated Larry, who wanted to be thought of as an experimental prose genius, the heir to James Joyce and T.S. Eliot. Like F.R. Leavis, Bradford is a champion debunker of myth-makers, pricking the pomposity of literary legends to expose egomania and bogus reputations. Ernest Hemingway, Norman Mailer and Martin Amis have fallen at his sword – but nothing compares with the massacre here of Lawrence Durrell, who unaccountably was nominated for the Nobel in 1962. Bradford, quite rightly in my view, describes the novels as 'intellectually lazy drivel,' 'gnomic gibberish,' written by 'a humourless pornographer'. It doesn't help that Larry was a horrible person, 'calculatedly deceitful', full of 'cruel self-regard' and puffed up with 'greedy narcissism'. Five-foot-two in his cotton socks, an angry and rotund little man, Larry, nevertheless, made dozens of sexual conquests. His most common remark to a woman was, 'Why don't you shut up!' followed by a slap. His four wives always sported black eyes and bruised cheekbones. He beat them 'once a week on average'. He had a daughter, Sappho, who alleged incestuous abuse, and hanged herself in 1985, aged 33. During the war, despite zero academic qualifications, Larry had been an English instructor for the British Council in Athens and press officer at the British Embassy in Cairo, Belgrade and Cyprus. Bradford says Larry was a part-time agent for MI6, passing on rumours and drunken disclosures, picked up in consulates and military gatherings. There's much drunkenness in this story. Louisa, consuming a bottle of champagne a day, died in 1964. Larry drank himself to death in 1990. Gerald's 'increasingly erratic behavioural habits', drinking and taking tranquillisers, culminated in liver cancer and cirrhosis. He died in 1995, heartbroken at the way Corfu was now covered with concrete mixers and cranes, as modern hotels went up. Leslie, working as a porter in a block of flats and estranged from his family, died in a pub in 1982. 'Most of his wages went on drink.' Margo ran a seedy Bournemouth boarding-house, where she was notable for serving watery stews and fried eggs sprinkled with cigarette ash. She died in 2007. The Durrells may well receive 'massive global audiences,' when their lives are dramatised, but as this book amply shows, the 'amiable chaos' was more 'dysfunctional and deranged' than anyone had imagined. As a family saga, it is filled with pain and conflict, the very reverse of Gerald's memoirs.
India Today
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Gerald Durrell's autobiography
Published 30 years after his passing, and in his centenary year, Myself & Other Animals should revive interest in naturalist Gerald Durrell's legacy. Jamshedpur-born Durrell's childhood was spent in a wild rapture. Happily for his readers, he never grew up. In 1930, following his father's death, his mother Louisa moved with her four children (including eldest son Lawrence, later another famous writer) to England. But the India-raised Durrells couldn't cope with life there. The family followed Lawrence to Corfu, a Greek island where young Gerald spent an idyllic Mediterranean boyhood among creatures great and small. There he met his natural history mentor, the polymath Theodore Stephanides. These recollections would appear, garnished with saucy humour and serendipity, in the bestselling Corfu Trilogy—My Family and Other Animals; Birds, Beasts and Relatives; and The Garden of the Gods.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
THE ROUTE OF THE VIKINGS: CASTLES, FJORDS AND ANCIENT LOCHS TO HEADLINE SEABOURN'S 2025 NORTHERN EUROPE SEASON
SEATTLE, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Seabourn, the leader in ultra-luxury cruising and expedition travel, is offering an extraordinary line-up of Northern Europe itineraries for the summer 2025 cruise season. From May to August 2025, Seabourn Sojourn will embark on a series of captivating voyages across The British Isles, Norwegian Fjords and Iceland Coast. Seabourn Sojourn will visit more than 40 destinations in 12 countries on nine itineraries ranging from seven to 24 days. With departures from Dover (London), England; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Greenock (Glasgow), Scotland, guests can explore the mystical lochs of Scotland, chase the midnight sun in Norway's northern reaches, and experience Iceland's breathtaking scenery and quaint villages. The ultra-luxury ship will cap her season with the "24-Day Route of The Vikings", following the historic seafarers' route from Dover to Montreal, Quebec. "Our Northern Europe itineraries bring history and culture to life and provide ample opportunities for guests to explore charming British, Icelandic and Norwegian villages, visit the historic castles of South Wales, and discover the region's stunning fjords and ancient lochs," said Mark Tamis, president of Seabourn. "Guests can connect with the charm, heritage, and hospitality of Northern Europe, while enjoying the ultra-luxury travel experience that we are known for." British Isles Seabourn Sojourn will take guests on a historical journey through the British Isles, exploring cities and villages steeped in centuries of captivating stories. Guests will wander the cobblestone streets of quaint villages and take in the beautiful hillsides of the English countryside and Scottish Highlands. Featured ports include the following: Fishguard, Wales - A haven for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike, this small town boasts a rich history and charming architecture that offer a glimpse into Wales' cultural heritage. Its stunning coastal beauty and breathtaking landscapes instantly capture the essence of life in this quaint harbor. For those seeking to explore some of the largest and best-preserved castles in South Wales, this port is an ideal destination. Oban, Scotland - The quiet, rural feel of Oban is responsible for the abundance of wildlife within the town boundaries. Here grey seals can be spotted swimming in the harbor or resting along the shore. A featured shore excursion is Scotland's Mountains & Gondola Ride that travels along Scotland's beautiful coastlines and windswept, heather-covered hills to view stunning scenery including Loch Linnhe, Glen Nevis. Saint Helier, Jersey - Discover this jewel in the British Isles, neither part of the European Union nor the United Kingdom. Wineries such as La Mare take advantage of the pleasant climate, as does the 32-acre Durrell Wildlife Park, founded by author and naturalist Gerald Durrell. Visitors are welcome to see and learn about the over 130 species they maintain, including a famous family of lowland gorillas. Norway and Iceland Norway and Iceland offer a taste of Viking culture with small gothic villages, warm Norwegian hospitality and the unique natural wonders that inspired Viking and Nordic folklore. Featured ports include the following: Reykjavik, Iceland - The capital of Iceland is the location of the country's first permanent settlement. Its name translates to 'smoky bay,' due to the geothermal nature of the surrounding area. Now known for its bustling city scene and highlights such as the famed Blue Lagoon, it is a must-see for all visitors to the country. Brønnøysund, Norway - Brønnøysund boasts quirky treasures, surrounded by waterways dotted with a maze of small scenic islands. In this fairytale setting, picturesque, colorful houses are set amidst lush thick greenery, turquoise blue water and shallow bays. Towering above the town like a giant troll's hat is the massive granitic monolith of Torghatten Mountain. Tromsø, Norway - Situated 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is within the land of the midnight sun during summer months and the elusive northern lights in winter. Featured Shore Excursions The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo | Leith (Edinburgh), Scotland - Available only on Seabourn Sojourn's "7-Day Castles, Lochs & Scottish Highlands" departing August 2, 2025, guests can transfer into the city of Edinburgh and watch the Scottish Edinburgh Tattoo. Synonymous with summertime in the city, the Scottish Edinburgh Tattoo is an evening show held high above the city on the sweeping Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle and includes bagpipers, drummers, marchers, Highland dancers, and a host of other spectacles. Scotland's Mountains & Gondola Ride | Oban, Scotland - Travel along Scotland's beautiful coastlines and windswept, heather-covered hills to view stunning scenery including Loch Linnhe, Glen Nevis -- indisputably one of the Highland's most impressive glens. And Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest peak, rising steeply to the north, this valley has provided the dramatic backdrop to world blockbuster films, such as Braveheart and Harry Potter. 2026 Northern Europe Voyages Space is also available on the line's 2026 Northern Europe voyages. Between May and August 2026, Seabourn Ovation will visit more than 60 destinations in 16 countries on nine voyages ranging from seven to 22 days. The award-winning ship will sail on two 14-day departures through majestic fjords to the northernmost tip of Europe, the North Cape, departing May 16 and June 13, 2026. The June 13 departure coincides with Midsummer, celebrating the summer solstice and offering the ideal opportunity to experience the Midnight Sun. Seabourn Ovation will also sail on a 14-day West Ireland Gems & Solar Eclipse voyage, departing on August 8, 2026, from Dover (London), England, to Reykjavik, Iceland. The ship will visit unique ports in Western Ireland, including Galway and Killybegs, and position itself off the coast of Ireland in the Atlantic Ocean to view the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026. The voyage will also feature a special Seabourn Conversations program with Jane A Green, Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, to educate guests about the solar eclipse. Rounding out Seabourn Ovation's Northern Europe deployment from Dover, are several departures of the 14-day Jewels of the British Isles voyages, which blend top destinations such as Belfast and Edinburgh with smaller gems like Oban, Scotland and Fishguard, Wales. Seabourn Ovation will end the season with the special 22-Day Fire & Ice Passage where she crosses from Iceland via Greenland and Atlantic Canada to reach New York City in time for the fall colors. Sail of the Year Event Select 2025 and 2026 Northern Europe voyages qualify for Seabourn's latest promotion, "The Sail of the Year Event," offering savings of up to 15 percent on select Seabourn ultra-luxury ocean and expedition voyages and up to $1,000USD shipboard credit per suite. The promotion is available through February 18, 2025. Applicable voyages include: May 31 – June 14, 2025, 14-Day Jewels of The British Isles, Roundtrip Dover – Seabourn Sojourn July 5-12, 2025 - 7-Day North Iceland Fjords, Reykjavik to Dover – Seabourn Sojourn July 12-26, 2025 - 14-Day North Cape & Norwegian Fjords, Roundtrip Dover – Seabourn Sojourn June 13-17, 2026, 14-Day Midsummer In The Land Of The Midnight Sun, Roundtrip Dover – Seabourn Ovation June 6-13, 2026, 7-Day Scotland & Iceland's South Coast - Reykjavik to Dover – Seabourn Ovation For reservations or more information on Seabourn's 2025 and 2026 cruises to Northern Europe, please call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391, visit or contact a professional travel advisor. About Seabourn: Seabourn represents the pinnacle of ultra-luxury ocean and expedition travel and operates a suite of six modern ships. The all-inclusive, boutique ships offer all-suite accommodations with oceanfront views; award-winning dining; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available at all times; renowned service provided by an industry-leading crew; a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel at home; a pedigree in expedition travel through the Ventures by Seabourn program and two new ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships, including Seabourn Venture that launched in 2022 and Seabourn Pursuit in 2023. Seabourn takes travelers to every continent on the globe, visiting more than 400 ports including marquee cities and lesser-known ports and hideaways. Guests of Seabourn experience extraordinary offerings and programs, including partnerships with leading entertainers, dining, personal health and wellbeing, and engaging speakers. Seabourn is a brand of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL and NYSE: CUK). Find Seabourn on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. 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