Wales 1

For 11 years we all went to a hotel in Aberdovey in Wales, 2002 - 2011. This year we were all back, and loved it still. A pretty timeless place. To enjoy a beach I need at least a 100m exclusion zone, and as you can see, that is not a problem on the beaches of mid Wales.

Degree Results

2014 Rowan gets hers GCSE results

2019 Rowan gets her degree result. 

2.1 in Economics from Warwick.

Danielle's work

I often get asked what Danielle does in her job. It is very hard to describe (especially as I don't really know). The people and organisations listed in this article are nearly all supported by her organisation, and I have come across many at  places like Cleveland Ohio earlier this year. So reading this article is a good place to start if you are interested.
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/jun/25/the-new-left-economics-how-a-network-of-thinkers-is-transforming-capitalism?

Preston has become an example of how to reverse the decline of cities under the austerity cosh, here is an article from the New York Times that explains.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/22/world/europe/uk-austerity-preston-ashford-lancashire.html

Ten Years After

Same girl, same place - Tallylyn Railway - ten years difference. 2009 and 2019.

Geneva again

Scattered around Geneva are these fake-grass covered beds to relax and sunbathe. Here we are .

Live at Leeds

Here is the event at Leeds. We left after Elizabeth's performance but it seemed a pretty good atmosphere. Danielle and Rowan getting into the spirit.

Lets Rock

So here are Elizabeth, Rowan, Danielle and a happy and calm Milo. Ready to Rock.

House Guest

Friend Elizabeth stayed the night before her gig as part of Lets Rock Leeds festival. Great to see her, and for her to meet Rowan and Milo for the first time and Danielle again after 25 years or so. All went out for a south Indian meal at the Coconut Lagoon (far far better than it sounds).

Outside the UN in Geneva

Dough

Danielle's sourdough odyssey continues. I think she should go commercial. 

Looks and tastes at least as good as loaves you buy.

Garden News

This group of foxgloves has self seeded from one plant. They seem to enjoy the plentiful rain.

Geneva 4

As we departed on Friday morning the rain started: strangely satisfying after the perfect weather we had been blessed with for our stay. The train journey was another delight, all on time.

Geneva 3

On our third day we walked up the other side of the lake through the botanical gardens and the UN compound, which was disappointingly secured out of reach. Even the flags of all the nations of the world could only be seen through bars.

We walked on through the city and crossed the Rhone, on the left its clear waters emerging from Lac Leman, and the Arve, straight from the glaciers of Mont Blanc and full of sediment. I have never seen such a starkly different rivers merging before.

Geneva 2

Had a great walk along the lake, then contouring the hillside back to the old city and Cathedral quarter. Beautiful weather, we came across a great place for lunch by chance. The figure in this shot is Rowan.

Geneva 1

Danielle and I were going to go to the States this summer for a family reunion in Minneapolis. Then with the dog having inoperable aggressive cancer we thought it'd be best to stay here. So instead Danielle and Rowan are going for a beach holiday in Crete [pass] and Rowan and I went for a rail-break for three nights in Geneva. It was a great trip. Left London at 11.45am, in Geneva by 19.15. Our hotel was five minutes from the station and, apart from looking directly down into a brothel, perfect for our stay. We were recommended a local Swiss-Italian restaurant which was really good.

The water spout in Lac Leman originated as industrial collateral in the 19th Century. I imagine locals thought it would ruin tourism. 150 years on it is their iconic tourist attraction. 

Askham Bog

This is Askham Bog a local Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve that is under threat from a housing development that will lower the water table that keeps the bog a bog. David Attenborough has been to add support to the campaign. It is a beautiful place, and there is no need for the area to be developed, there is plenty of other suitable land elsewhere in the vicinity.

Jodrell Bank

Driving back from Cheshire I headed cross country, finding the turgid motorways too much to bear. Came across Jodrell Bank Telescope peering over the trees. Never been there before, seen it all my life from the M6 and the railway, here it up close on a tiny little lane. Saw signs for Oulton Park where I saw motor racing with my father on Good Fridays when I was young, and Tatton Park where we went on a family trip the day before I was sent away to school. So quite a few memories.

The Wet West

I was in Cheshire for work last week. In terms of farming Cheshire = dairy cattle. These Frisian calves obliged.

Rowan home

It was great having Rowan home for a few days. This shot is from a walk along the river in York.

Acomb Wood

Rowan has been back for a few days before flat-hunting in London for her job which starts in July. It meant we could get some good local walks in, this is nearby Acomb wood where I saw a Nuthatch not long ago.

Mugs

I have had 12 mugs produced with photos of 12 cities for our day to day use. Pretty pleased with them, the more geometrical and garish work best I think.

Gig

Last Sunday we played our gig in the park here in York. It was early, there was some rain, a traffic jam delayed Robert and his drums. But we pulled it off and it went well. We got the volume up to a decent level without complaint (you could hear the bass on the other side of the river) and it was good fun. No photos as yet, will try and find some.

After we played there was a women's choir singing Finnish songs. We knew several of the people in it, and it sounded great. 

Newcastle 4

Last shot of Newcastle for now, I promise. Four great bridges in this shot. The high level (with the train on it), the low level swing bridge, the Sydneyesque Tyne Bridge and the Millennium tilting bridge.

Newcastle 3

On the left, the Sage where we saw Kamasi last week. To the right Newcastle.

Newcastle 2

Taken from Newcastle looking across the Tyne and the tilting Millennium Bridge towards the Baltic art gallery. It is hard to keep the camera away on days like this.

The Wirrall

I did some work in Ellesmere Port the other week. This is what used to be the Station Hotel. It has seen better days.

Walk in the Woods

Bank Holiday Monday we went a walk with Robert and Helen around Bramham. In this shot Milo is howling with impatience; he would make a good wolf.