Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1474369
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 24 JULY 2022 10 ALMANAC My essentials RAYMOND FORDER- STENT Artist Studied art and design at Sparsholt College Hampshire leading to a successful landscape design business. I have always enjoyed writing short stories and have also written a novel (as yet unpublished). After retiring and moving to Malta I renewed my passion for painting. In the past I have exhibited my works in collectives and now my first solo exhibition. 1 4 5 1. Book 3 2. Film 3. Internet/TV 4. Music 5. Place OFTEN return to watch wildlife programmes or any- thing by the BBC and David Attenborough. Planet Earth, Life on Earth, Blue Planet to name a few. Museum TV is one of my favourites to watch as it covers art and artist, museums, history of art and culture. GEORGE Michael has been a constant favourite over the years like visiting an old friend. The Older Album shows a more mature artist with jazz influences and personal heart- felt lyrics which is penned on tracks like Jesus To A child and You Have Been Loved. Anyone can relate and identify on a personal level, with the story- telling on each track. BORDEAUX is one of the fa- vourite places I visited and would be happy to return to. It is set close to the Garrone River, with magnificent 18th century architecture, a region famed for the wine, French cuisine and small cafés set in delightful squares, reminis- cent of Paris. There is an air of comfortable living within the city and equally a relaxed at- mosphere in the open gardens by the river with lots of young people, families and friends gather to socialise, share food and a glass of wine. MY favourite author is Patrick Gale for his ability to get un- der the skin of each character he creates with subtle details and sharp observations of hu- man behaviour. My favourite, if I had to chose one is Gentle- man's Relish, a series of short stories, fast paced, witty and often bordering on the surre- al. Always a good read which I have visited many a time. RARELY watch movies but a I have watched the series and the movie of Downton Abbey in the past. The combination of the stately home, the peri- od drama and costumes sur- rounded with beautiful sets, interesting characters and their interaction with one an- other encapsulate a bygone era full of nostalgia and delightful escapism. 2