Telemark

I like a good film, and I pretty well warm to anything Military. I also enjoy a good book, and after finishing 'Rifleman' I struck out on a new read that can be best described as an Alpine Ski run. 110 pages on day one, and 102 pages on the second day. Well, it was only natural that I lagged behind given my exertions on the first day.

My current read is about Telemark, in Norway. As I come towards the end of the book, it is clear that 1965 Kirk Douglas, Richard Harris film is not true to the original story. The Ray Mears; 'The Heroes of Telemark' book is an astonishing read. Right up there with the Chris Ryan, 'the One that Got Away'. When you eventually understand what Ryan achieved, you start to comprehend man's ability to overcome difficult and somewhat daunting circumstances.

In 1942 the Norwegians camped out high on the Hardanger Vidda. I don't know what 'Hardanger' means in Norwegian, but simply break the words into two English words and it sort of sums up the environment HARD ANGER. Like Ryan, they seem to have coped with the impossible. It may be Spring in the UK, but back in Norway in 1942 the country was enjoying its harshest Winter in living memory. And there, high up on the plateau were a bunch of heroes doing their best as pathfinders for those that followed them into the inhospitable environment in order to destroy the supply of 'Heavy Water' held by the Germans. It is a tale of endurance, sacrifice and butchery. It is quite upsetting to read about the failed attempt and what happened to the captured British Commandos. It is heartwarming to read of the later audacious and successful attack. Unfortunately like all good books, this one will also come to an end, and then I have to seek out a new read. That is likely to be "Zulu Rising", I like Ian Knight and the book is a present. But I also have to re-read "The Germans" by Norbert Elias along with a few other academic books as I zero in my sights and slip from reading for enjoyment towards reading for publication. As it is time again to start typing with a view to having some more work put out there.

I have a shed load of material, and now I have to decide which direction it is all going to take me. Yep, downhill skiing, my favourite sport, but thankfully not in Norway where it's a tad too cold for this Tommy.

The Heroes of Telemark, I doff my cap to one and all.