Sorry for the short notice, but über-cipher-mystery The Voynich Manuscript is featuring prominently on an episode of “Castle Secrets & Legends” on the Travel Channel UK (Freeview channel 42) at 9pm tomorrow, i.e. 16th May 2014. It’s also playing on The Travel Channel Europe about now as well, if you happen to be elsewhere in our beloved United States of Europe EU. The blurb goes like this:-
“Behind the gates of the world’s most impressive castles, manor houses and mansions, many secrets are waiting to be revealed. Marvel at these amazing structures in all their glory and hear of the remarkable, mysterious and bizarre tales tied to the rich and powerful who once resided there.”
Yada yada yada. *sigh* All the same, there’s a reasonable chance they’ll have taken some nice footage of Villa Mondragone, which genuinely is an astonishing place in a wonderful location. If so, it’ll definitely be worth recording. Cryptography Schmyptography, eye candy wins out every time, right?
Y’see, Nick, NetFlix is about the only TV I watch nowadays. I loved the Travel Channel, but even it quite often did not provide captioning or subtitles. Quite as often the ‘background’ music would drown out the commentator. So, will you be presenting the highlights of the latest presentation?
I have high hopes for some coherent discussion from you. Cheers!
I’ve seen the episode. Beautiful images. I agree – it is an eye candy for the VMs fans. Richard SantaColoma did a good job keeping neutral and not complicating it for the general public that would learn for the first time about the VMs. Vila Mondragone looks spectacular – I bet you guys had a great time at the 100th year meeting there.
“Eye candy” is a more recent term usually applied when “guys” are “eyeing” the “babes”, “cuties”, or “dolls”. Before that expression evolved, a “wolf whistle” was the non-vocal method for the guys to express their admiration of the passing parade of beautiful women. Sometimes wolf whistles were accompanied by a wink if there was a response from the passing parade of women.
I find it kind of odd for the term ‘eye candy’ to be applied to monuments, buildings, or landscapes. Can you determine when it first appeared? I’m thinking post-Gulf War.
😉
It was while you guys were conferencing at Frascati and Villa Mondragone, that Diane, Ellie, and I began a three-way correspondence. I split off a discussion of the “Nine Rosettes”, and Diane and Ellie’s discussion became “Coconuts and Kings”. Lots of fun! I was really PO’d when your blog was hacked shortly after you returned from Frascati.
Ellie, did you ever get to view Rich’s three-dimensional “flyover” of the “Nine Rosette’s” landscape and fortresses/castles?
So, how do show go? Round n’ round?
🙂
BTW, Nick and Ellie, have you had any contact from Diane O’Donovan (since January of this year)? She’s a ‘classic’!
🙂