Mad Dogs

When Clayton and Bianca first moved to Reikorangi, we suggested that the house be given a name. Having only seen estate agent’s photos on the website, it was difficult for us to come up with names. Eventually, I proposed the name of Winston Churchill’s longtime home “Chartwell” in Mapleton Road, Westerham, just south of the M25. It was my choice simply because of the “romantic” connotations, rather than anything specific.

It was either “Chartwell” or else “Mad Dogs and Englishmen”, which I preferred, but, firstly I was afraid of offending the family dogs, and secondly the nearby British neighbours may not quite classify us as “English”. And quite rightly so.

So “Chartwell” I chose. No-one came up with any other suggestions, so Chartwell it has (unofficially) remained. I may add that the previous name on the gate was “Villa Turl.” Whilst I appreciate that the name probably held a meaning for the original owners (I would guess “Mrs Brown”, whom we hope to meet sometime in the near future), I would respectfully like to have it removed and returned to “Mrs Brown” if she likes.     

But, I digress: On to Mad Dogs.

In tropical climes
There are certain times
Of day
When all the citizens retire
To take their clothes off and perspire.
It's one of those rules
That the greatest fools
Obey,
Because the sun is far too sultry
And one must avoid its ultry
Violet ray.
The natives grieve
When the white men leave
Their huts.
Because they're obviously,
Definitely
Nuts.
Mad Dogs and Englishmen
Go out in the midday sun.

So starts the lyrics of the well-loved song  Mad Dogs and Englishmen penned by Noel Coward back in 1932.

As the nights lengthen, we will be occupied with more indoor-ish activities – one of them being video and television. Over the past two weekends, we have been entertained by British actors Philip Glenister, John Simm, Marc Warren, Max Beesley and Ben Chaplin in Series 1 and 2 of BBC TV “Mad Dogs”, a series I’d partly watched in South Africa. There is still Series 3 and 4 to be watched, as we did not see those from DSTv. Added to that as an extra bonus, the last half of the program is shot on location in South Africa, more especially in Cape Town.

Mad Dogs centres on four friends who holiday in Majorca, though as time passes, their holiday soon turns into a labyrinthine nightmare of lies, deception, and murder.The primary theme for the series is friendship and "growing older."

Philip Glenister elaborated, saying it is not about "a group of blokes hitting their 40s and having a jolly-up, that would have been boring" but is "an undercurrent of something a bit darker", and "about reaching a stage in life, looking at what you've achieved and where you go next, it's about how normal people deal with a certain situation and how they can implode".

One reviewer wrote: "What Mad Dogs lacks in originality it makes up for in energy, verve and humour.” I like the humour.

Another series which we will be watching in weeks to come is another of my few favourites, also starring Philip Glenister and John Simm –  Life on Mars. I cannot wait.