Mathew's Blog

My grandmother, of course, had no experience of blogs, but I think she might well have approved of them because they provide a great opportunity for listening. She was herself, without exception, the best listener I have ever known – one of the reasons maybe why she was able to write so many excellent books. For myself, I shall try to learn from her example and listen very carefully as the blog develops, and occasionally contribute myself.

In the meantime, happy blogging!

Login or Register to post a comment

Greenway reopening 2009

17 Sep 08 9:19AM

If you were to ask me what I thought was the most important Agatha Christie thing that was going to happen in the next year, I would say the reopening of Greenway, Nima’s [my grandmother's] lovely house in Devon, now owned by the National Trust.  To me, Greenway means all kinds of childhood things – cricket on the lawn, a loving family, cream teas which Nima drank from a mug called Don’t Be Greedy (an admonition she never obeyed) and watching the Dart steamers steam past with her in the boathouse (read Dead Man’s Folly).

For you it will be a recreation of a 1950s house with all kinds of Agatha Christie memorabilia, family collections and just a wonderful reconstruction of family life refurbishing itself after a horrible war.  I hope all of you who live within reach will visit next year, and those of you that don’t the year after!

• 23 comments

Comment on this story

Login or Register to post a comment

23 comments

oodelally3 17 Feb 11 at 7:36p.m.

Hallo, Matthew!

I'm just now starting to read your blogs. I think it's time for an update...*ahem* I noticed the newest is a year and a half old!

Where did the name "Nima" come from? I quite like it--very unusual!

agathasgreatestfan 03 Oct 10 at 2:22p.m.

Having just visited Greenway for the second time, I was struck anew by the tranquility and the overall sense of happiness that emanates from the house and the photos displayed. I wish I had written to Agatha when she was alive to say how much I enjoyed her books (I was 21 when she died). Failing that I should have written to her daughter to say the same thing. So, this is for Mathew! I was completely overcome when I went to Greenway for the first time - the only experience that came close was visiting NY for the first time . . . but Greenway was better !

Kerr52 22 May 10 at 2:35p.m.

hey g'day!
we visited Greenway and were not disappointed.
in fact walking through the house is very exciting. there are very competent guides to assist and answer any questions. recordings of AC's voice add to the feel. you can be in the very house AC and her family (and at one stage of WW2,the US navy) resided. the furnishing and collections are openly on display and although not to be touched are not screened off or locked up. the National Trust want you to feel that AC has just popped out for a moment and could return any moment, and they are to be commended on the atmosphere. it's not a shrine but a living memorial!
we sailed return from torquay to dartmouth on The Fairmile which although a lovely way to enter the dart estuary but is a longish trip and the sea can be a trifle rough with a stiff breeze. in hindsight i would have preferred to return by train, bus or car. however it was an interesting and unforgettable experience, and not in a bad way.
dartmouth is spectacularly beautiful and to see the boathouse come into view was so exciting.
we spent so much time in the house (i couldn't tear myself away) we had limited time to explore the wonderful surrounds and i'm kicking myself for that.
overall, exploring around Torquay/Dartmouth/Greenway was the pinnacle of my grand tour of the UK (from Australia) and i will always remember with a sense of fulfillment that i made my pilgrimage and experienced a life-long dream.
i thoroughly recommend it!
cheeeeers!

Torquay_Kevin 17 Aug 09 at 3:26p.m.

Is this the Death of an Era?
Agatha Christie’s residence Greenway in Torquay has recently been restored by the National Trust and in celebration of the Queen of Crime’s achievements a festival is held every year in Torbay. Renowned as an area of outstanding natural beauty, The English Riviera has become synonymous with the life and times of Agatha Christie, with millions of visitors having come from around the World to re-live that Golden Era.
Despite this invaluable cultural heritage, developers plan to build high-rise glass tower blocks in the heart of Torquay Harbour near historic buildings (see: TorbayFuture.co.uk) and are being actively encouraged by some senior Officials, all in the name of progress!
The devastation caused by such inner-city style towers to the harbour and Bay will be inmeasurable and with more developers lined up to rip the heart out of Torbay's heritage, millions of Agatha Christie fans will be left with only fond memories of a magnificent bygone Era.

hellofansofachi 03 Apr 09 at 12:46p.m.

I hope there will be pictures inside the Greenway house because Agatha Christie is really my favorite mystery author. Agatha Christie, in my opinion, is the best mystery author in the world.

I just finished reading And Then There Were None and I love it and it's so scary. I am currently still reading Hallowe'en Party.

belfan 15 Mar 09 at 1:22p.m.

I am really looking forward to my visit of Greenway house next summer. I saw the gardens a few years ago and it's a truly lovely place to stroll and wander around. The views over the river Dart are stunning and you can imagine getting new ideas for writing about. I can recommend going there by ferry from Dittisham. You can park your car there and then ring the bell that is installed to summon the ferry that takes you across the river.

Alistair 06 Mar 09 at 12:51p.m.

Have you been there before?
Is it possible to tell us how the place was like?
I would love to go there someday...

huff217 21 Feb 09 at 5:04p.m.

Since the first book (Mysterious Affair at Styles ) I have been hooked and that was about 28 yrs ago. I have often wondered what her life was like how she grew up and how she was able to construct her stories. I hope some day I'll be able to visit Greenway and Devon.

belfan 25 Jan 09 at 7:10p.m.

I visited the gardens a few years ago and explored the AC Mile in Torquay. Next July I will be visiting the house itself and I feel quite emotional about it, to be in the rooms where she lived and feel the atmosphere... I have been a huge fan for more than 25 years now and she made me the devonlover I have become. Could you keep me posted about the exact date the house will open?

Chimneys 15 Jan 09 at 10:08p.m.

When we were in the Agatha Christie Society we were welcomed at Greenway by Mr & Mrs Hicks (Agatha's daughter and son-in-law), a wonderful house and grounds and we then had lunch at the Grand Hotel feeling honoured to sit next to them at table. Wonderful memories.

Rea_Potter 11 Nov 08 at 8:26p.m.

Hi all!

I am from Hungary. I woul like to go to Grrenway but I think it can't be.:(
I have 92 books by and of Agatha Christie. I miss only 3 novels and the Star over Betlehem.
Greenway could be beautiful, I saw a lot of picture of this house.

annushka 30 Oct 08 at 6:48p.m.

Hi Mathew, I am from Belarus. The news about Greenway reopening is wonderful! I was in Devon this May and went on a boat trip from Totnes down the river Dart. I am looking forward to the next year visit of famous Greenway! I am the greatest fan of Agatha Christie's masterpieces. She is second of none.

Madeleinn 28 Oct 08 at 4:12p.m.

Hi Mathew
I really think that I can not visit Devon!, because I live in Argentina. I like Agagtha Christie, all the books I've read, and I would love to go to England in the future ...
I would like to know more about Agatha Christie
Greetings

galia 09 Oct 08 at 8:22p.m.

I like the site. My favourite writer is Agatha Christie. I have 50 Agatha Christie`s books.And I read 67 books from her.In Bulgaria is very hard to buy her books because we have only one publisher who publish her books.And here we don`t have all her books published it is a pity but I hope that they do this and publish all her books. I want to wish you Mathew many luck and health. Now I read Laura Thompson book "Agatha Christie An English Mystery". This book is very interesting.Before I read and Agatha Christie`s Autobiography.And I like it.

ariadnepoirotmarple 08 Oct 08 at 7:22p.m.

I have never been in England and I wished I could go there. I love Agatha Christie and I might be only 11 but I am in love with all of her novels. They are all wonderful and mean a lot to me.
Í wish to know more about Christie as a person.

Malou 07 Oct 08 at 12:15p.m.

Hi Mathew
Could you please tell us about your grand-mother.
Thank you in advance

AgathaSpain79 05 Oct 08 at 3:41p.m.

I have never been in England yet, I´m from Spain.
But be sure that I´ll be there very soon. I can´t wait for that moment!
The house and gardens are wonderful!

Tamara Dommarco
www.TamaraDonmarco.spaces.live.com

nobbynorm 04 Oct 08 at 12:47p.m.

I spent a week walking Dartmoor enjoying the peace and scenery. During that week I visited Greenway and explored the gardens, which even at the end of March was a beautiful place to visit. There are some lovely views to see and as it was low tied, I walked out onto the river Dart from the boat house. Unfortunately the house was under wraps, so all I saw was scaffolding, but I will return. Once visited you understand why Agatha felt so happy and free from the world.

kerrywhittall 30 Sep 08 at 10:41a.m.

My husband and I went last year but we were unable to visit the house, just the gardens. I can't wait until next year when we can visit the house.

MatthewChristensen 29 Sep 08 at 5:05p.m.

Mathew:

It sounds wonderful. If I ever make it to England again, I would love to visit Devon and see it.

Matthew Christensen
www.christieinayear.blogspot.com

detectivepauljohn 27 Sep 08 at 8:30a.m.

I wish I will be able to go there but I can't because it's too far.The house sounds amazing! Anyway I love her books especially Death On the Nile and Evil Under the Sun.

dada222 27 Sep 08 at 8:13a.m.

I wish I was able to go too :(

Sabrina776 25 Sep 08 at 12:28a.m.

I wish I was able to go! It sounds amazing!