Joanna

It was Joanna's memorial meeting yesterday. A packed hall, a real celebration, but I felt pretty bad the whole time. At Liverpool Charlie, Jo and me shared a flat: just me left now.

This photo was taken in Cannonbury in, I think, 1982. 

 

On Reflection

Another recent shot of reflected grass. Not all are great but I like the experimentation. 

Saturday

The trains were up the spout, so I collected Rowan from Doncaster station, with my faithful companion. Danielle and I then went for a meal with Sue & Eddy, and fellow guests Barbara (from Spain who cooked some great food) and Richard and Liz. Just as we settled down to watch Rye Lane (a great movie out this year) I had to leave to collect Nataliia from Leeds Bradford Airport. So a busy day.

Thailand

Rowan has been in Thailand for two weeks with her friend Alice. She is back now, and popped up to see us for the weekend. Sounds like a good trip. Train travel, elephant sanctuary, cooking class etc. And swimming in idyllic places like this.

1979

 An early shot. Friend Karin when we were working at Taylor House in Oxford in 1979.

Mike

I am doing a bit of scanning of old snaps. Found this one of the loved and missed Mike Gregovic from around 1986, I think at a squat somewhere near Westbourne Grove.

More Hatfield

Back to Hatfield Moors this week. Another great walk, met two people. One a scientist monitoring something, one a Buddhist monk. 

Here is Layla looking over her domain. I never cease to find new beauty in this place.

Flood

The river Ouse floods at least a few times each year. Everyone knows what is coming and just gets on with it. This is usually a park with footpaths across it.

This & That

Busy few days. Danielle got Covid on Thursday, so she has been home bound for the last few days. Another test will be taken shortly, hopefully she will be clear. Very few symptoms at all.

Wednesday I went to a meeting about North Yorkshire Open Studios (different to York Open Studios), which I will be exhibiting in for the first time next year. All seems a very positive organisation.

Thursday I ate at John's and had a really good evening. Earlier I went a walk with Robert and the dog around a very sodden and flooded York. Friday I got a short bike ride in, on a beautiful day, Saturday friend Emilie (who had invited us for a meal) kindly brought the food round here for us to have. This was much appreciated.

Then today I went to Quaker meeting and enjoyed being back there having missed it recently. 

This shot is from our local park, just down the road. A very beautiful place, especially with the sun streaming through the trees.

Scotton 3

 

Another one from Scotton.

Scotton 2

Another shot from Scotton, showing the wood this time. And the dog.

Scotton

Part of the Humberhead levels are to the east of the river Trent that flows south from the Humber to Gainsborough. It is not a large area, and much of it is bordered in the east by Scunthorpe. So up to now I had not visited it. But whilst looking at ariel shots of  Thorne and Hatfield moors, I noticed that there was an area of heath and forest and bog that I had not heard of. So I headed to Scotton Common on Monday morning. I am glad that I did, it was an interesting and beautiful area. This shot gives a good indication of what the heath looks like. More shots to follow.

In the evening I had a drink with Eddy in memory of Patrick. Patrick and I, and Eddy when he could make it, used to meet up for Monday evening drinks in as many different York pubs as we could get through. Monday chosen as both Patrick and I were deaf, and needed the quiet Monday vibe to hear what we were saying.

Whisky Galore

 Friday evening we had our first whisky session with John and Carol for over a year. Hard to believe it has been that long. Anyway it was a good evening. More chat than whisky to be honest.

A Pennine reservoir in the fog in November might not be everyone's idea of  beauty, but it does it for me.

Joanna

I saw my friend Joanna in the hospice in Leeds last week, two days before she passed away. I was able to say goodbye, and I am grateful for that. Both my flatmates from my last year in Liverpool have now died, first Charlie, now Jo. This shot was taken at a party in my house in Tottenham in 1993 or thereabouts.

This week was Patricks funeral, a huge turnout at the local catholic church, as expected. The priest really read the room well and it made for just the right tone.

Exhibition 2

On the outsides of the group are Sally (print maker) and Catherine (ceramicist), in the centre our guest Nataliia and her friend who is also a Ukranian living in York.

Exhibition

 Been a bit busy. I was exhibiting at the York Cemetery Chapel at the weekend. I was with nine other artists and makers, ranging from woodwork to prints and ceramics. It went well, selling my  books and a few photographs as well. The 60cm circular prints continue to go well. 

Old Photos

I'm scanning photos from my Mother's album that has plenty of family ones not by me. So you'll see some over the coming months. Not sure who took what but they are interesting. I think Rowan is about 18 months old in this shot.