Saturday, December 31, 2016

NRM 2016

Rowan and I made our traditional visit to the National Railway Museum this week. It is a joy to revisit!

Friday, December 30, 2016

Man & Dog

I only got into the car to look for a pair of glasses; that was enough for Milo to get in too, just in case I went for a drive/walk without him.

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Relations 2

Newest member of the family, Sarah and Markus' son Felix

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Relations

Rosalind enjoyed having Rowan to play I think.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Still Knaresborough

I went a ride with Dave, stopped at Knaresborough at our usual cafe, and was greeted with a totally still scene, very rare to get such a perfect reflection.

Monday, December 26, 2016

Christmas Day

On Christmas Eve I heard someone on the radio saying that they had deconstructed their Christmas Dinner and had it as follows: Breakfast = Smoked Salmon & Bagels [the Starter], Lunch = Main Course [Nut Loaf and Vege Haggis for us], Tea = Pudding, Supper = Cheese and Biscuits.
   We all liked the idea so much that we decided to implement it for Christmas. It worked a treat, we fitted a walk to the Pond in as well as watching some Thomas The Tank Engine TV for nostalgia purposes. Everyone happy.
The photo is of Markus made rolls from Christmas Eve; apricots in there made them delicious.

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas to all The Readers
Christmas Eve we went down to Nottingham to see Niece Sarah & Markus, Rosalind and Felix. Ro & Pete were there and Nephew Will, so it was great. We got a short walk in by the impressive River Trent.

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Goosander!

Our local pond is usually a place to see the old standards - Mallard, Coot and Moorhen [that is three birds, not a 70s power trio]. But for the last week a female Goosander has decided to spend her winter solstice here. She is a beautiful sight, a powerful diving duck looking a bit out of place in our parochial little pond.

Friday, December 23, 2016

Christmas Biscuits

Rowan iced the home-made Christmas biscuits. I think this is now officially a tradition. I don't think I'll dare to eat one.

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Helaugh

I went a short ride with Robert last week. A beautiful afternoon, we stopped at Helaugh Church, where the low sun was catching the gravestones.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Barbican

In London last week I walked through the Barbican complex. I have always liked it, over the years three of four friends have lived there for some time, and it is definitely a building that works. I spotted this juxtaposition of art and trash [you decide] in the bowels of the building.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Guitar Kit

Danielle bought me a guitar kit for my birthday. If all goes to plan I should assemble a Telecaster type guitar. Stage one was to cut a shape for the headstock from the square end that it came with. This was a bit daunting for a skill-less carpenter like myself, but with encouragement from friend Andy who lent me a saw I came up with this. Not lovely but a lot better than I was expecting. Next stage: soldering the wiring for the pickups and controls ...

Monday, December 19, 2016

Best Tracks of 2016 #9 Robin Trower - Where You Are Going To



I saw him last year, and he was OK. Then a new album came out and this track I love.

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Photography Show

Here is the flyer for my show in February of next year


Saturday, December 17, 2016

Canal Walk part 3

The next leg of our Canal Walk took us from Dewsbury to Wakefield along the River Calder navigation, once more it was a great walk through incredible industrial history. Railways, canals, colliery tramways, a living museum viewed by hardly anyone.
Danielle and Milo ready to start the third leg of our Canal Walk.

Friday, December 16, 2016

Back Home

Danielle and I were at her office party last night [honest], it was quite good. I was next to a forensic accountant which [amazingly] was quite interesting to hear about.
Then today Rowan arrived back from her week-long rowing boot camp at the end of her first term at Warwick. She seems great!

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Best Tracks of 2016 #8 Anna Meredith - Nautilus



This is classified as Modern Classical music [mainly because it is written down as far as I can see]. I really like it: a sort of steroided Philip Glass.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

More London

Danielle and I met up later in London and had a meal with Rob & Kath, Mark and Lily and James at Masala Zone in Covent Garden. It was a great evening. We stayed with Mark and Mandy in Wimbledon. Next day I was taking some portraits in North London, so a good trip all round.
On my travels I came across this patient dog outside a cafe.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Visit to the Smoke

Saw Victor in Shoreditch, went to Soho House for lunch. Really great to see him, and catch up with a good friend after a quick year.

Monday, December 12, 2016

Best Tracks of 2016 #7 Malted Milk & Toni Green - Just Ain't Working Out



Deep soul, some good telecaster playing, good production. Big in France.

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Flag Day

Rowan gave me "Worth Dying For - The Power and Politics of Flags" a new book about international politics by Tim Marshall, the bloke who wrote The Prisoners of Geography, which I really loved. On the inside cover is a map of the world with country shapes filled in by the nation's flags. It is a good idea - which Rowan had 8 years ago when she did a similar map which I got put onto a mug for her. As you can see there is a strong similarity.

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Best Tracks of 2016 #6 A-WA - Habib Galbi


Just your regular Yemenite Jewish sisters. A world wide hit.

Friday, December 09, 2016

Book Group

It was our annual Book Group party this week; on my birthday which also happens to be Andy's birthday too. A particularly good bring and share meal and discussion of a depressing book called Drown. The group has been going over 11 years now, not bad and still friends [mostly].

Thursday, December 08, 2016

Best Tracks of 2016 #5 Dinosaur - Extinct



We saw this scarily young and talented jazz band in York. The more I hear it the more I like it. Reminds me of Miles. Laura Jurd the leader and trumpet player is brilliant.

Wednesday, December 07, 2016

Whitby 2

The coast at Whitby is not pretty, but it is dramatic. We had a good walk along it on the Saturday morning.

Tuesday, December 06, 2016

Best Tracks of 2016 #4 Samm Henshaw - Our Love



Love his voice, love the style, love the song. Nothing more to say.

Sunday, December 04, 2016

Whitby

Danielle took me to Whitby for my birthday weekend. Stayed in Ruswarp [pronounced, obviously, Russup] in a good house. Could walk into Whitby itself and along the old railway line over this viaduct which gives a view of the River Esk [still tidal here] and Ruswarp in the sunshine in the middle distance.

Saturday, December 03, 2016

Best Tracks of 2016 #3 Revolutionary Army Of The Infant Jesus - Crowd of Stars



So far we have had Soul, Indy and now weird Psych Folk.

I first heard this in the dark walking the lanes in Suffolk - very eerie and just a little unnerving.

Also one of the great band names I think.

Friday, December 02, 2016

Best Tracks of 2016 #2 Fear of Men - Luna



I heard this via an NPR preview of South by South West. Not my usual thing but I really love it. So here it is.

Thursday, December 01, 2016

Best Tracks of 2016 #1 The Suffers - Midtown





So here is annual run through of 12 tracks that are new to me and that I really like from this year.

First up is The Suffers, a great US soul band.