Drinks on the Terrace

We met up with Sue and Eddy at a pub in Goodrumgate with a roof terrace that we had never heard of. Great to catch up with them as usual. Minster in the background.

Way Out East 8

The final day of cycling took us from Great Glemham to Stowmarket where we got the train home. Or rather that was the plan. Instead the train took us as far as Bury St Edmunds where we were met with the dread words "Bus Replacement Service", after wondering for a few minutes if it shouldn't have said "Train Replacement Service" we got down to dealing with a grumpy bus driver, "no room, no insurance" no help. We ended up on the stopping bus to Peterborough across the Fens. Amazingly we got home only one hour late. Rowan and Milo were at the home where Rowan had cooked a great Georgian tuna dish; a great end to a great trip.

The photo is of Danielle as we walked to Folk East.There should always be a bit of menace in folk music, the tree provides it.

Folk East

Danielle and I walked across to Folk East http://folkeast.co.uk/ which is a festival held in the next village. We had a good relaxed day. The best band we saw were Miniature Universe who performed in the local church. https://soundcloud.com/miniature-universe/06-live-thy-life Worth listening to.

This is the frankly rather scary enormous willow rabbit at Folk East that kids play in. 

All a bit too wicker man for me.

Way Out East 7

The route took us on bridleways like this one, as well as old railway lines, and quiet back roads. Today we went through Beccles on the River Waveney where we had a coffee in the church, Halesworth to finally arrive at Ro and Pete's at Great Glemham in Suffolk.

Way Out East 6

We rode from Guist on an old railway line right into Norwich. From there it was along the River Yare to Loddon.

Plenty of beautiful Broads to enjoy.

Way Out East 5

The route today took us to the North Norfolk Coast where we cycled through woods and tourists to finally arrive at Wells Next The Sea [called really be called Wells Full Of Cars] before heading through Walsingham [bizarre place of pilgrimage], and Fakenham to arrive at Guist [pronounced as in Zeit...]

Way Out East 4

Day four took us deep into the Fens, a strange, isolated and dislocated world. We worked our way across to Kings Lynn where we entered Norfolk and were reacquainted with hills, stone buildings and roads that twisted and turned. We passed through Sandringham then got to another great B+B at Dersingham where Gwen [our host] and Jaz [her dog] greeted us.

We really do like to cycle tour together. A great feeling of discovery, action, togetherness and joy. Helps that it did not rain too.

Way Out East 3

We left Lincoln and headed east to Boston on the old railway line next to the Witham river [We pass a club called "Witham 'n Blues"]. It is an idyllic route. At Boston I talk to the vicar about the Stump, basically a super-sized church tower that was a vanity project from the days of wool-trade generated wealth. Those days are long gone; today Boston seems to be the vaping and tanning capital of the fens. We pushed through the wind to Holbeach where we had a great B+B waiting for us and an Indian restaurant around the corner.

Here is the pleasant centre of Boston.

Way Out East 2

A beautiful day took us through the Lincolnshire Wolds [not a patch on the real Wolds but still very beautiful] and into Lincoln city where we stayed in a great 60s hotel right opposite the magnificent cathedral. This is one of the Sustrans way-markers which crop up every so often.

Way out East 1

For our holiday this year Danielle and I cycled from York to my sister's in Suffolk. We followed the Sustrans cycle Route 1 all the way, a very interesting and non direct route; total distance close on 600km. 8 days cycling and no rain. Not bad.
Day One: took us from York on the old railway line to Selby and then east along the Ouse to the Humber and the mighty Humber Bridge. This was the longest suspension bridge in the world for many years, and is still impressive.

NRM Job

The National Railway Museum here in York has played a large part in Rowan's life. She and I used to visit two or three times a week when she was small. She loved it. In fact when I lost her in the Main Hall once, she was about 5, the staff said to me "Don't worry she knows her way around here better than we do!". They were right; she popped up behind me on top of a footbridge very pleased with herself.

So it is fitting that she has got a summer job there, which is going really well.

Here she is in her uniform; Milo looking a little concerned.

Church Rides continued

Robert and I continue our Church Rides. Last week we were in the Wolds and visited this lovely church at Wharram Le Street. The village is named after the Roman Road, but the church has a Norman [or maybe even Saxon] tower. As beautiful as Hackney Wick - but in a different way.

Blackbird

Neighbour Gwen took this shot of a baby blackbird drinking from its own personalised cup on her garden table.

Rowan

Drinking beer at the brewery in Hackney Wick. Look of cool indifference perfected.

World Champs 3

It was good to see Katarina Johnson-Thompson win her 200 metres in the Heptathlon. Rowan had competed in a meeting at Sheffield where KJT was also competing, so we like to see her do well.
By the way that photo is a rectangle, just looks like it isn't.

World Champs 2

As you may have heard, Usain Bolt did not win. We were just over the start for the 100 metres so the drama was high. I am not an action photographer, so this is the best I could do, the start of the 100 metre semi-final. I was more interested in watching the race in real time that having a camera in my face.

World Champs 1

We were headed for the Olympic Stadium where we had Saturday evening tickets for the World Athletics Championship. Last time we were here was pre-2012 when Rowan and I watched Danielle enter the stadium as part of a 10k run. It felt a bit different tonight.

Olympic Park

We walked east from Hackney Wick and in five minutes we were in the Olympic Park. Idyllic here too.

Hackney Wick 3

Hackney Wick used to be somewhere the 30 Bus went to, but to which no humans ever ventured. No one lived there, it was just factories and dodgy roads. So it was a bit of a surprise to discover it is now hipster-central. Stepping out from the B&B we were 50 metres from two craft breweries, all sorts of food and many many people. It felt great. The canal towpath which I used to walk on with some trepidation was now awash with leisure cyclists in the sunshine. It might well look different on a wet Wednesday in February but on this August day it was a sight to behold.

Hackney Wick 2

The AirBandB itself was one big room full of artefacts [spot the bike, typewriter, water pipe as curtain rail etc] with a shower. It suited us perfectly.

Hackney Wick

We stayed in an AirBandB in Hackney Wick. It couldn't have been more hipster if it tried. A graffiti strewn old factory, with a entrance through this steel gate. The yard was shared with a very friendly Palestinian street food seller [where we got our tea] much art and many people.

Mike

Saturday we were all in London. I had heard that Mike Gregovic, one of my oldest friends [I remember teaching him Samba Pa Ti when I was 16 or so], a brilliant recording engineer and someone who had fallen on hard times, was busking in Dalston. So far after two years of trying I had not been able to track him down. The odd newspaper article, Facebook pages appeared, a CD emerged. But no Mike. This time as I walked down the ramp to the Sainsburys car park that I knew to be his busking pitch, there he was. Over ten years since I'd seen him, instant recognition and just great. I have a phone number now for him too.

The Artillery

There was a launch of the Artillery project's www.theartillery.co.uk latest commission at a new restaurant in York last week. I hope to be working with them soon. Rowan and Danielle accompanied me. Here's Rowan.

Garden News

Each year my tiny courgette plants struggle to survive the May winds after their grower [me] has, as ever, planted them out too early on the one sunny day in the Spring.

And each year I look at the pathetic little plants and wonder how it can ever be that they hide huge marrows amongst their leaves later in the year. This year, I think, I shall pick every one when small and avoid the summer glut.

I was doing well this year - then I found this lurking unbelievable in a corner that I had not noticed.

Made a good pasta with it.

11 Year Ago

2006 and we were back in Aberdovey and the Talyllyn Railway. Much joy.

12 Year Ago

This month in 2005 we were all in Austria cycling with Royce, Danielle's father. He was 70, Rowan was 7; we were quite a team. In this shot we are just about to go down a salt mine.

13 Years Ago

August 2004 and we were back in Aberdovey with friends Justin, Em and kids. Rowan and Danielle are seen striding boldly into the warm waters of the Irish Sea. I would have joined them but I had to take the picture right?

14 years ago

I know that I have posted this shot before, but it is one of my favourite pictures of my Mum and Rowan. It was taken at Aberdovey exactly 14 years ago. The book that has Rowan's absolutely undivided attention is The Lion The Witch & The Wardrobe. Rowan was 5 and Mother 78.