The Palmours

More birds

2012-01-26T15:58:00.001Z

The Redpolls must have been reading the blog yesterday. They showed up to day for the first time this winter; good to have them back. I saw a Kingfisher down on Clifton Ings, always a beautiful and startling sight.

Meantime here is a Robin enjoying the bird bath in the garden.

Bird News

2012-01-25T18:38:00.002Z

Walking into Leeds I saw these Goosanders on the River Aire. Then today I saw some on the Ouse north of York, so they must be on the march.

The Siskins are back in the garden - hotwing from Siberia no doubt.

I have just read Fire and Steam by Christian Wolmar - a history of railways in Britain that is a lot more entertaining than it sounds. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fire-Steam-History-Railways-Britain/dp/1843546302/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327516696&sr=1-1

Leeds Leeds Leeds

2012-01-23T11:26:00.000Z

While Rowan was at the Triathlon Academy session at the John Charles Stadium in Leeds I walked into the city centre. There is a bike route all the way, via the Middleton Railway [a preserved line] and the River Aire. It was a fantastic walk - empty of people on the way out [truly Wenderesque] then buzzing in the city centre cafe where I had a coffee.
I even wrote a poem. I am under no illusions about the quality of my very rare poetic excursions but here it is anyway.

Leeds Leeds Leeds

The heritage railway here is
Fast behind bars.
Rusting hulks loved but
Brambled.

Cycle paths are made
Millenium bridges thrown up
Capital is spent.
But they are unloved.
Glass is my constant companion
Follow the smashed-bottle road.

Fair ride to Scarboro

2012-01-22T21:08:00.003Z

Danielle took Rowan to the netball tournament at the University on Saturday. Her team won all the three matches and the tournament.
So Dave and I decided to go for a bike ride. Only question: What to do about the high westerly wind? Answer: Ride east. So we took a great Wolds route, stopping at our favorite cafe for lunch, then finishing off in Scarborough and getting the train back home. 60 miles of great riding. A real treat.

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Millington

2012-01-21T21:41:00.001Z

Danielle and I went a walk in the Wolds yesterday; really good to get out together. The dog came too. This is in the village of Millington which has a squat little church that I photographed whilst Danielle and Milo waited.

Campus

2012-01-20T08:59:00.000Z

This is the lake at York University. It is a very pleasant campus, we end up there for all sorts of things [music, netball, Quaker stuff, lectures, dance] but it is still pretty much guaranteed that we get lost. A marvellously confusing place.

Oyez

2012-01-19T14:56:00.004Z

Rowan got this card from us for her birthday; a picture of her running each year from 2006 - 2011.

Ben, her uncle, composed this Cry of her, in his role of town cryer for Alexandria

To Rowan Palmour:

Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!!

Gentle Mistresses and Most Distinguished Gentlemen of York, UK, Gather Close and Lend me your ear.

As I write for you this little rhyming piece
For the worlds best daughter, grand-daughter, cousin and niece.
While I am sure she saw all of this coming,
Because today the tune of "Happy Birthday" everybody is humming.

I still bet this will cause her to put on an embarrassed look
Since I am sure she didn't expect this to be posted to Facebook!
Whereas 14 years ago on this date it all began,
On this day, January 16th, We now get to carry out our plan,

Of wishing a very, very happy birthday for Rowan!

To Rowan, huzzah!
To Rowan, huzzah!
To Rowan, huzzah!

Holgate Windmill

2012-01-18T10:23:00.000Z

The local Holgate Windmill group finally achieved their aim of getting some sails made and attached to the old windmill up the hill. It looks fantastic and is a real achievement.
I was on Radio York talking about a workshop I am running next month on black and white photography. The clip is at http://youtu.be/ym2tf9drNUs you just have to put up with a minute of repeat intro before I am on.

Cake

2012-01-17T18:40:00.001Z

Each year Danielle makes Rowan's birthday cake, usually with spectacular icing [there have been dogs, divers and octopus in the past]. This year she made these cup cakes for Rowan's birthday party - very stylish and saves on the cutting.

14 Today

2012-01-16T10:27:00.001Z

Rowan is 14 today. Yesterday she had a chocolate making party at the York Cocoa House. 14 girls from school and it all went very well. They then had pizza at the Assembly Rooms. Danielle organised this one; relief it is over for another year, everyone happy.

Trig Point

2012-01-15T23:13:00.003Z

Another photo from up on Newbold Wold yesterday. That is an Owl box in the tree, and an unlikely Trig Point beneath it; not exactly a mountain top but the highest point on this bit of the Wolds.

All together

2012-01-14T21:58:00.001Z

A really beautiful day today, a touch of frost in the morning, clear sharp skies. We all went with Rowan to Beverley where she was running for York Schools, then had a walk in the Wolds. Back home Danielle was making Rowan's birthday cake, then we all watched Planes & Trains & Automobiles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planes,_Trains_and_Automobiles which is one of my favorite comedy films [Derwood on the soundtrack too]. We all laughed a lot except Milo; her he is on the Wolds today.

Drax

2012-01-13T16:26:00.003Z

It seems a bit hypocritical to moan about power stations whilst using electricity at an ever increasing rate. So here is Drax in all its beauty. I was on a ride this morning and got this shot.
I had assumed that Drax was an acronym but it is actually a ancient British village near Selby. Whereas Thorp [a nuclear plant in Cumbria] which I thought was the name of a village actually stands for Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant. There you go.

Beverley

2012-01-12T20:47:00.001Z

The trip to Beverley went well. I met up with Nigel the proprietor of the gallery that will be opening in the summer https://www.facebook.com/pages/Creation-Fine-Arts/158203920946381?sk=wall . He wants to show my work, so that will be a good outlet in the East Riding. The photo is of Beverley Minster.

Countryfile

2012-01-11T21:29:00.003Z

I am seeing a gallery owner from Beverley tomorrow with a view to a Wolds exhibition some time later in the year - we shall see.
Friend Thelma alerted me to a Countryfile [Blue Peter for grown-ups] program on the Yorkshire Wolds last week http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006t0bv - it was strange to see the area on the TV, normally it remains totally unheralded.
This photo is one taken in the Wolds on a misty dank day, I will print it on canvas which best suits the subtle low contrast image.

Donny News

2012-01-10T21:01:00.001Z

Doncaster centre is being demolished [insert own "how will you know the difference " joke] and a cultural quarter [insert etc] is being developed in its place. It is all happening outside the office I use when working there. Walking down the stairs today there was a dramatic light on the new-build Council offices, so I took this on my phone. In the distance is Drax power station ...

TPT2

2012-01-09T09:29:00.000Z

The Trans Pennine Trail follows an old cobbled route for a while, and crosses the River Don by way of this packhorse bridge; a lovely spot.
We all watched Sherlock last night on TV - no doubt about it this is a classy production.

TPT

2012-01-08T19:24:00.002Z

Yesterday was Danielle's birthday, so we all went out to the Hotel du Vin for a birthday meal.
Today; another day, another Rowan sport [Netball] another location [Sheffield] another bike ride for me. This time along the brilliant Trans Pennine Trail which runs along old railway lines from Hull to Liverpool. This section was in the Don Valley, including this tunnel that is lit to help cyclists, including this family.

Flood 2

2012-01-07T17:54:00.002Z

Another shot from the mini-flood. The walkways on the right are all beneath the water.
Rowan was tri-training today, so I got a 2 hour ride up the Chevin in. One of those rides where going out was uphill into a headwind, so coming back was 30mph without pedalling; a bit unnerving to be honest.

Flood Time

2012-01-06T21:23:00.001Z

Living in York you tend to get pretty blase about the annual floods. There was a major flood 12 years ago, and every year since there tends to be a pretty impressive flood that most people shrug at and ignore.
The river was well over the banks today, with the wheel reflecting in the waters.

Technology

2012-01-05T11:58:00.001Z

Sometimes modern technology works well. After 15 years of reliable and delicious service [it was a wedding present] our bread machine is showing signs of packing in. So a replacement was ordered from John Lewis online. On the train to London for a family day out [and to check out some venues for an exhibition I want to have in London later in the year] I get an email saying they are delivering today. So an email to our good neighbours asking them to look out for it, and all is sorted. A nice loaf of bread tomorrow would cap it off nicely. The photo is of Nosey the dog on a farm in the Lakes [look carefully and you will see]

Wagamama

2012-01-04T20:49:00.001Z

York now has a Wagamama http://www.wagamama.com/ which we are all pleased about. Danielle and I used to go to one in London when we met, and Rowan just loves the food. So we ended up there for lunch this week when we were midway through a quest for school shoes and spikes for Rowan. Here is the happy eater.

Bank Holiday

2012-01-03T16:54:00.000Z

It was good to get out for a walk on Monday. A beautiful day. I was able to show Danielle and Rowan my favorite Wolds walk; being a bank holiday we saw two other groups of people [ a bit of a shock to be honest] but it was still a great walk.

Cona

2012-01-02T20:00:00.001Z

Long long ago I was given a Cona Coffee machine and loved it. Brewing coffee became a bit of an event, and at a time when most friends were using instant it was an instant hit.
So this much cheaper version that I got for Christmas was a welcome gift - and the coffee tastes brilliant. The cafetiere is struggling to justify continued existance...

Happy 2012

2012-01-01T16:31:00.002Z

My Uncle Geoff, a late-flowering artist, sent us this bespoke painted Christmas Card this year - much appreciated.
New Years Eve we spent at a dinner party at Edward's. Lots of good company, good food, and a quiz that Rowan had devised.
Then today was my favorite invite of the year, to Patrick and Julia's for New Years Day lunch. Caught up with Rob from Islington whom Danielle and I both knew back before we met.

Back on the Bike

2011-12-31T18:19:00.000Z

It was great to get out on the bike today. Danielle had bought me an Ortlieb bar bag for my mountain bike for Xmas, so I gave it a test run. My route took me through Tadcaster then on bridle ways to Sherborne and through a strange landscape of recently shut mines and railway systems at Gasgogne Wood to Selby and back to York on the old railway line.
This shot was near Saxton; it is one of those "in loving memory" benches, made more poignant to me by the location - looking across a bleak ploughed field towards a power station.

Frendal Dale

2011-12-30T14:42:00.001Z

A beautiful morning, so Rowan and I took Milo for a walk in the Wolds. I took this photo pretty blind, so was really pleased to find it looked like this; a great surprise.

This is Frendal Dale with a lot of iron age earthworks at its head.

Boston

2011-12-29T20:52:00.002Z

It is always sad to say farewell to Mother; today I drove her to the designated safe-house at Peterborough for the handover to Ro. For the journey back I routed via Boston, where I saw this windmill under a menacing sky, the Lincolnshire Wolds [not a patch on ours] and the Humber bridge.

Helmet

2011-12-28T10:09:00.003Z

Mother bought Danielle this new helmet for Christmas. "Bright" and "different" are some of the words that have been used to describe it.

Boxing Day Walk

2011-12-27T09:37:00.002Z

We went on the Boxing Day Quaker walk at Tockwith. Heavy rain in the night meant the river had flooded so the route had to be altered. Terry had devised an i-spy quiz so everyone was happy. We invited our newish German neighbours to come and they seemed to enjoy.

Fox Hunting

2011-12-26T19:01:00.001Z

Danielle's old school in the States has just received the ultimate accolade: being slagged off by Fox News http://video.foxnews.com/v/1341417697001/students-act-in-occupy-north-pole . Fox is so bad it is hard not to believe it is an Onion spoof from this side of the pond. Haranguing against the dangerous message of peace and harmony...

Meantime the Wheel is back in York. It and the Minster can be seen from Hob Moor.

Happy Xmas 2011

2011-12-25T12:59:00.002Z

Happy Christmas to all.
Danielle, Rowan, Milo and I went a run yesterday. Sad to say I can now confirm that I am the fourth fastest runner in the family. How did that happen?
Three generations in front of the tree just before present opening.
Candlelit Quaker meeting yesterday evening was a great as ever - hard to believe this is our 14th Christmas in York.

Xmas 2002

2011-12-24T18:00:00.001Z

This photo is from Christmas 2002. BJ had died that October so it was good to have Ben and Royce over with us. You may notice that Rowan has changed a bit since this shot.

Cav!

2011-12-23T06:28:00.000Z

Another photo from the netball, the trio arranged in terms of height and age.
A couple of parties yesterday evening. Danielle and I went to Poly and Alan's party for our bit of the street - good to chat to people; we have an amazingly good group of neighbours. Then Rowan and I went to Dave and Emma's who were having a "Cav for BBC Sports Personality of the Year" party. He duly won http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/sports_personality/16303729.stm [despite Rowan voting for Mo Farrah!] and it was good to watch it with a group [it is a truly terrible program though]. Then up early this morning to finish off a bit of work. No rest ...

Family

2011-12-22T09:57:00.002Z

Rowan and I drove down to Oxford to pick up Mother from Stratton Audley. Saw nearly a clean sweep of the relatives, which was good. Then back down to Sheffield on Wednesday where Rowan was doing a netball academy session. Mother got to see Rowan playing netball at the EIS in comfortable surroundings, which is where the photo was taken.

Velodrome!

2011-12-21T16:49:00.001Z

I was back on the boards at the Manchester velodrome yesterday. A mate of Edward's had arranged a session on the track. So 9 of us, including Edward's son Toby and one ex-pro met up and had a go. I was less terified than last time, I got up towards the top of the track this time. Stopping however is nerve wracking in the extreme. One of those experiences that gets better the longer the time from when you did it. I would definitely go back though.

After the session on the track we all went into town for a couple of pints and a curry: my first night out in Manchester for a very long time [it was where I spent quite a lot of my youth]. Good stuff. The photo is after the ride.

Baildon

2011-12-18T18:34:00.002Z

Today was a beautiful crisp morning. Rowan had her first Triathlon Academy get together - a mountain bike ride on the ice. Friend Dave kindly lent her his mountain bike, and she managed it without falling off to many times. All smiles. Meantime Danielle and I went a walk down the Leeds Liverpool canal at Baildon, that is a milestone in the picture [11 miles to Leeds, 161 to Liverpool]. Full of interest.

Christmas Meeting

2011-12-17T17:10:00.003Z

Today was the last day of school for Rowan. Here she is with friend Amelia in the brass section of the orchestra and the Christmas meeting, when we all go and sing carols etc - very enjoyable this year.

Trespass

2011-12-16T16:00:00.002Z

Another shot from the Wolds. This was high above the deserted village of Wharram Percy. I decided on a bit of mild trespass through a wood that led down to the village. Milo, naturally, chose this moment to go missing, do for 20 minutes I was wondering a) would I still have a dog and b) would I get shot by some gamekeeper. In the end all was well.

Party pt 2

2011-12-15T08:44:00.000Z

Four days after our last party we hosted another one. This was the much more sedate annual book group get together with a quiz on the books we had read in the year, wine, food that people had brought, wine, a desert island disc choice [one book, one piece of music, one luxury] and a lot of good chat.
The photo is from the Wolds, a couple of the Ash trees that seem to be the only type of tree that thrives in the bottom of the dry valleys.

Keys

2011-12-14T10:12:00.000Z

I was sorting out the keys at home, and thought this would look good as a photo. I like it.

Lowry

2011-12-13T20:02:00.001Z

This photo should give you an idea about the Lowry trail in Berwick. Notice
a] studious tourist
b] the painting of the shelter [on wind-resistant iron easel]
c] the actual shelter
Great idea/

Berwick

2011-12-12T09:26:00.001Z

Here is a shot from Berwick. It is a very interesting town with intact walls, and plenty of snickets like this one with the North Sea in the background. It feels like Scotland, with the accent being more Scottish than Geordie but is part of England [although the football team play in the Scottish league].

Party Party

2011-12-11T18:53:00.001Z

The Party, was a blast. Guests were asked for three favorite dance tracks, these were then subjected to a taste filter. It meant we had a really great night, with everyone on their feet. Adrian had lent me his Fender PA which meant we had a good sound system, Danielle had done some tasty nibbles and Rowan had three friends for company. The room really came into its own.

Over the years I have often had parties at this time of year, near my birthday but not linked to it.
1978 - Princes Road flat in Liverpool 8. It was inconceivable of a party having food, or of it starting before the pubs shut. Door kicked in, TV stolen, a bloke wandering in to our room and asking if I had a spare pair of jeans - his had been stolen.

1979 - we had a sub-culture party at Taylor House in Oxford. I was in Devo, Mark was a rasta ... Rob & Doug and Steve turned up too [they always seemed to somehow]

1981 - first of a series of crazy parties at Cannonbury Place flat in Islington. Included a 70s party that was well ahead of its time, and a Mike and Derwood performance one time.

1994 - a Tottenham party that had my band performing in the garden.

After that parties tended to get a bit more geared to talk and food. We both missed the dancing, hence this party.

People were demanding a repeat for next year - we will see.

Pheasant

2011-12-10T11:37:00.001Z

Here is the Pheasant that graced the garden this week. Where did it come from? Rowan was off playing Netball this morning, I got some last minute supplies for the party this evening.

Berwick

2011-12-09T10:18:00.001Z

For my birthday treat Danielle took me off to Berwick for the day. We stayed at a great little hotel we had discovered when cycling through Berwick last year on the Newcastle to Edinburgh Sustrans route. In the afternoon we walked the Lowry Trail http://www.berwick-pt.co.uk/lowry_trail.htm which was really excellent. After that the storm set in so we were happy to have booked a meal in the restaurant at the hotel http://www.sallyport.co.uk/ .
Amzingly the trains are on time today as we return home. Friend Hilary was house/dog/baby sitting for us.

When I'm 54

2011-12-07T17:06:00.001Z

Birthday. Breakfast in bed, walk the dog in the Wolds. Danielle in London, Rowan gone to Leeds to see Annie [the musical not a person]. Just about to set off to play badminton - Edward is definitely on top at the moment, so if I win I shall let you know.
A few places left on my workshop in the new year.

Clarity

2011-12-06T12:20:00.001Z

Sorry about the gap there. Can't believe it is Tuesday already this week. I had a good work meeting yesterday which clarified what they wanted me to do [not something that is always clear with some of my clients]. This photo is from the walk we did last week, if you look top right you will see the thoughtfully present horse and rider.
Saw a Pheasant in the garden yesterday for the first time for a few years. It looked bewildered and happy to be scoffing the bird seed.

70 miles

2011-12-03T20:25:00.001Z

Dave and I got a 70 mile ride in today. The rain held off and it was not too cold, a bit of sun, a great day. The route&amp;<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">lt;a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">href="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">http://<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">www.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">mapmyrun.com/routes/view/59860436"&amp;gt;Fountains - Long Loop via <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Pannal&amp;<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">lt;<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">br/&amp;gt;&amp;<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">lt;a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">href="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">http://<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">www.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">mapmyrun.com/routes/?location=York"&amp;gt;Find more Runs in York&amp;<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">lt;/a&amp;gt;went via the western edge of Harrogate to Fountains Abbey which is perfect for a lunch stop. The return is more direct via Boroughbridge and Benningborough. Absolutely cattled at the end of it. Good ride.

Millington

2011-12-02T22:10:00.001Z

Danielle and I both had the day off today. We had a great walk in the Wolds at Millington where we discovered this lovely waymark on the Wolds Way long distance footpath [if you look in the distance you will see the third member of the walking party]. We had lunch at the Balloon Tree then saw Rowan play in a school music evening.

Bach & Buzzard

2011-12-01T23:05:00.001Z

I saw this Buzzard in the Wolds earlier in the week.

20 years after I first got into classical music I finally got around to listening to some Bach cello suites on Spotify. Fantastic stuff and it really does sound hyper-modern in some respects.

Triathlon Academy

2011-11-30T12:07:00.001Z

Rowan has been chosen for the Yorkshire Triathlon Academy http://www.triathlon-academy.co.uk/ which is a great achievement. The program includes trips to the velodrome at Manchester, and a mountain bike weekend away. Here is a photo of her in tri action from warmer times back in the summer.

UFQ

2011-11-29T09:01:00.001Z

Danielle and I went to a gig at the NCEM last night with Patrick and Adrian, it was the Urban Folk Quartet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWp3xxfYBOs&feature=related who were really fantastic.

In the day I got some fresh air after three days of the exhibition by walking in the Wolds [having been talking about to punters all weekend]. These sheep wondered what I was doing. I walked for 2 1/2 hours and saw one other human [bit of a shock, that was].

Inspired 3

2011-11-27T20:37:00.001Z

Final day at Inspired went the best of the three, so things felt a lot better than on Friday. This shot, of Worm Dale got a lot of interest which, again, was pleasing; I like it but was not sure how it would go down.

Inspired 2

2011-11-26T19:57:00.001Z

Inspired picked up a lot today. Plenty of good contacts, some sales. We got coverage in the Press http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/leisure/exhibitions/9385884.The_Inspired_Christmas_2011_

This photo has proved a big talking point, which is good as I really like it, but never assumed it would necessarily strike a chord with others.

Coincidence

2011-11-25T18:09:00.001Z

Inspired started today, and it was a slow day. Problems with the venue. Should be better tomorrow we all hope.
Lunchtime I went for a stroll to Prets to get some lunch. The Isley Brothers on the iPod, one of my all-time favorite bands. I got into them when still at school, loved Ernie's guitar. I have since found out that Danielle's cousin has done their make-up before now. Anyway, Summer Breeze came on the headphones just as I entered the cafe, I was thinking "I have never heard the original of this song..." I order my latte and mozzarella croissant and listen to the music on the Prets sound system; it is Seals & Croft and the original of Summer Breeze. Now what are the chances of that, a 35 year old song being played on cue?

This photo is from 2006, one of the Oxford gargoyles.

Inspired Reminder

2011-11-24T21:40:00.001Z

A reminder that Inspired runs for 3 days from tomorrow. We are all set up and ready to go.

This year I have a large canvas of Coast up which works really well in that medium.
Just back from watching a school production, Alice, which was a nicely post-modern version of Alice in Wonderland that was enjoyable - a big improvement on conventional versions.

Book Group

2011-11-23T20:40:00.001Z

In book group we discussed The View From Castle Rock by Alice Munro. No one really liked it, no one really hated it. Some [ok, me] did not finish it.

My scroll through old photos has got to 2005 and this shot of the Constantine statue outside the Minster, with Rowan and her red nose day nose getting in the shot.

D'Olivera

2011-11-22T09:36:00.001Z

Basil D'Olivera, the cricketer, has died http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_D'Oliveira . I shook his hand when I was a boy watching him play for England at Old Trafford.
The photo is of Cliffords Tower in York.

Spen Valley

2011-11-21T22:08:00.001Z

Saturday, Rowan was cycling down the Spen Valley Cycleway http://www.sustrans.org.uk/sustrans-near-you/north-of-england/easy-rides-in-the-north-of-england/spen-valley-greenway in Bradford with the Triathlon club. So I walked down the converted railway line with Milo and really enjoyed it. It is amazing how quickly the city turns to the semi-rural / sub-urban.
This photo show an interesting philosophical graffiti shoot-out on one of the bridges.

Hickleton Hall

2011-11-20T13:29:00.001Z

My work generally takes me to the dark and dingy side of town. Visiting a social services location rarely coincides with great architecture. So you have to make the most of the exceptions when they arise. This is Hickleton Hall, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hickleton_-_Hickleton_Hall.jpg which is now a Sue Ryder nursing home near Donny which I visited last week.

It is an amazing place, in a lovely location.

Mira Leaves

2011-11-18T22:33:00.001Z

Rowan ran in the York & District schools cross country race on Thursday for her school, years 8&9. 144 competitors, one winner. Proud of her; we didn't even know she was competing.

Mira went back to Germany after staying with us for a week. She is a lovely girl, we were very lucky to have her.
The photo is of Happy Valley at Aberdvy where we go each year.

Candour

2011-11-17T14:09:00.001Z

I don't often take candid shots any more - it used to be my main m.o when I started out in London. On the Walk it seemed intrusive and inappropriate to take shots without asking first. Now I focus on other aspects of my work. But I saw this shot today - the contrast of the joy of materialism and the reality of the lonely fag-break seemed to good to miss. She didn't seem to mind.

Swim Match

2011-11-16T11:28:00.001Z

We got to watch Rowan swimming for the school last week - it is a couple of years since we last saw a match. It was a good close match, that they won. This is Rowan doing the butterfly.

Drinking

2011-11-15T11:56:00.001Z

Danielle and I went to another Wine Society tasting at St Williams College in York last week. The wines were all from Spain, and we had a great time. As usual there were people we knew there which makes it a nicely informal social occasion. Eddie and people we had cycled in Scotland with last year were there this time.

Meantime here is Milo's approach to drinking when he is thirsty - Get in the Glass.

DVSM

2011-11-14T16:11:00.001Z

On Hob Moor there has been an outbreak of a fungus all over the moor. One of the Friends found out its official title Dog's Vomit Slime Mould http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/june99.html, which has to be one of the best names for anything - it is also surely a band name somewhere in the world.

Magna

2011-11-13T16:48:00.001Z

Last night Rowan had friend Helen and their two German exchanges for a sleep-over. They were all upstairs leaving the downstairs nice and quiet for us. It seemed to go OK. Then today Rowan, Mira, Danielle and I went to Magna http://www.visitmagna.co.uk/ in Rotherham which was quiet and good fun. We then had lunch at Meadowhall http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meadowhall_Centre which was neither, being a massive mall. We did choose Giraffe though, which is a great place to eat.
The photo is of Rowan and Mira amidst Magna, an amazing old steelworks.

Harrogate

2011-11-12T17:05:00.001Z

Rowan was playing netball for the school in a round-robin event at Harrogate, where they played five matches. She went in the school minibus, so Dave and I decided to combine a good bike ride [no rain this week, just mild sunshine]with seeing her play two games. She was brilliant [TISSM] and they did really well as a team.
From Harrogate we went to Knaresborough for lunch then back to York. Dave is still annoyingly fit from his climbing trip to Kyrgystan las month, so I spent a lot of time in his wheel.
Friend Derwood sent me this link http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15689652 reckoning it looks like one of mine. I agree, a bit underpriced though...

Exchange

2011-11-11T19:02:00.001Z

Rowan's German exchange arrived yesterday evening. Mira is a lovely girl, I hope she likes it here. We took her straight to the Weatherby Wailer for fish and chips which seemed to go down well

Woody Returns

2011-11-09T22:36:00.001Z

It has been a couple of years since we saw our Greater Spotted Woodpecker, so it was a great surprise to see him today; I had just put out some new bird-feed so it obviously attracted him.

Inspired

2011-11-08T21:03:00.003Z

I am exhibiting with five other artists at Inspired again this year. Still the St Nicholas Fair weekend, but in a different venue this year.

Coffee

2011-11-07T11:00:00.001Z

When I left home to live in Leeds, aged17 in 1975, I stayed initially with my brother-in-laws brother inChapeltown. Day one, I had courgettes for the first time in my life,cooked by Jane. Day two Steve announced “don't have sugar incoffee, it's too expensive”. I was their guest so I obeyed, but henever said “don't have sugar in tea” so despite not having sugar in my coffee I carried on with sugar in my tea for another 10 years before it dawned on me that I didn't like it.

1984 I was hitching up north. Iarrived, unplanned, at Joanna's family house in Leeds. Jo was notthere, but here mum welcomed me into the busy home. People in andout, conversation criss-crossing the room; “Would you like a coffeeSimon?”,

“Yes please”

“Well here's the grinder, and here isthe coffee”

Up to then I am not sure if I knew thatcoffee came from ground beans, but I got into the swing of grindingthen by hand. It is a ritual that has stayed with me, coffee frompre-ground powder is just not the same.

The photo is one of the first of Rowan walking - although actually she was already running by this stage

Light Showers

2011-11-06T13:39:00.000Z

Dave and I went a ride yesterday. "A couple of showers" said Accuweather. Started off dry, after half an hour a heavy drizzle began, and carried on, and on to Knaresborough for lunch, and on all the way back to York. Oh, and I had a puncture. Wet through, but warm and surprisingly happy, we both rode strongly [the only way to keep the cold away].

In the evening I went to John & Katy's traditional allotment bonfire party - Danielle and Rowan stayed at home to look after Milo.
The photo is Mother and I in 2000 at Waddesdon manor.

35 Years On

2011-11-05T14:56:00.000Z

Tuesday evening in London I met up with Charlie, Rob and Mark and went for an Indian. 35 years on since we met. Then I stayed with Mark & Mandy in their arts & craft house in Wimbledon - very nice.
The next day I had lunch at Regents College where Maria is a lecturer in psycho-therapy, four years or so since we last caught up with each other.

Continuing the trawl through old photos, this is Rowan and her adored friend and neighbour Helen when we lived in Newlands Drive in York.

Halloween

2011-11-03T17:36:00.001Z

Rowan went to a Halloween party on Monday night - that is one annual ritual I am very happy to outsource. Here she is in her ghoulish costume [and hand made t shirt].

London

2011-11-02T14:09:00.000Z

This is Rowan playing with her cousins James & George long ago.
Yesterday I came down to London for the second of my autumn networking trips. I had lunch with Victor at the House of Lords which is always a bit of a hoot. Then I walked up to Long Acre via the V&A who had a really good photography exhibition on [tucked away on level 3] There were some great Cartier-Bresson shots there which I had not seen for a long while. It made me realise how much I was influenced by some of the old masters. There was a very good Ansell Adams landscape as well. Very inspirational

Deer Barnsley

2011-11-01T11:20:00.000Z

Cycling through the woods on Sunday Istop and look around me. A magnificent stag is having a look at me;but this is no wild beast, but part of the famous [well it was onfarming today once] deer farm of Barnsley. Fenced into fields butstill magnificent, ready to be eaten by humans. Other unusual animalsI have seen farmed recently include Ostrich at Alne and Llama in theWolds.

Desert Island Discs

2011-10-31T10:35:00.001Z

My friend Victor was on Desert Island Discs this week http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b016kgtz/Desert_Island_Discs_Lord_Victor_Adebowale/ It is the first time any one I know has been on. Started thinking about what tracks I would choose... I'm seeing him tomorrow so I can find out what it is like.

The photo is from a great ride I went yesterday between Sheffield & Barnsley whilst Rowan was netballing. Good hills [up to 300m] and interesting old railway lines amidst some lovely woods.

Cross Country

2011-10-30T19:23:00.002Z

Rowan ran her first cross-country for a long while on Saturday. It was on the Knavesmire and part of the West Yorks League. She came 7th in the under 15 race which was a very good result. Here she is at the start of the race.

Half Term

2011-10-29T13:31:00.002+01:00

I had a photo shoot to do yesterday afternoon. Rowan was getting her hair done, she can cycle home from town on her own now which is a big help. She then went off to the pictures with her friend Lucy. Last day of half term. In between all this I played badminton with Edward, testing out my back [nearly back to normal] and by broken toe [still quite debilitating] and loosing.
The photo is from our road-trip across the states in 1998 when Rowan was 7 months old; taken at Mount Rushmore.

Comrades

2011-10-28T10:11:00.001+01:00

I watched the movie Comrades by Bill Douglas about the Tolpuddle Martyrs. I had seen it on release in 1986, not realising that I was one of the few people who felt like watching it. It is a strange film, that went down not so well with the rest of the family [Milo did not like the sheep-dog whistles], but which I enjoyed.

Working my way through my own lost-classics I came across this shot of Danielle in the house in Tottenham.

Business Link RIP

2011-10-26T15:37:00.000+01:00

Business Link is an excellent governmental service for small business. The Yorkshire branch is shutting as a result of government cuts. Yesterday evening was its swansong event at the National Science Learning Centre in York http://www.ee-yorkshire.com/yf/events/register.asp?eventid=632 It was an interesting talk and good networking time. I made a couple of good contacts.

I think this shot of Thixen Dale could look good blown up really big.

Whay Dale

2011-10-25T20:40:00.002+01:00

Mother took Rowan and I to Betty's for lunch on Monday. It really is the perfect place for us to go.
This photo is of Whay Dale in the Wolds. Probably my favorite spot so far: like a mini High Cup Nick. It was wild, lonely and peaceful. I saw deer, buzzards and hares, and had a good rest at the top of the dale in the sun.

Nottingham

2011-10-23T20:46:00.002+01:00

We drove down to Nottingham to see Sarah & Markus' flat and pick up Mother from Ro & Pete. Great meal and good to catch up with the newly weds.
Nottingham is an interesting place, a low national profile considering it has a population of 250,000.

The Yorkshire Savannah

2011-10-21T18:40:00.000+01:00

Milo and I had a good long day in the Wolds yesterday, visiting a number of Dales, chasing hares [him not me] and getting some good shots [me not him]. This is Fairy Dale with horses - gives it a High Chaparral Danielle reckons.

Meal Out

2011-10-20T17:43:00.004+01:00

Saturday Night Edward & Fay invited us and old friends David, Anita, John & Katy for a meal. It was great food and the usual good company.

Back on the Road

2011-10-19T10:57:00.003+01:00

Sunday I persuaded Ted, Dave and Edward to come on a 100k spin up the Wolds for lunch at the Fridaythorpe cafe [a national treasure if ever there was one]. Dave is just back from a month climbing in Kyrgyzstan, Ted has been ill all summer, and Edward and I were out for a meal the night before. So there were differing levels of fitness but it was still a great ride. Good to be back on the road with the mamils.

Thought you might prefer this photo of Rowan and Danielle to one of four sweaty blokes on bikes.

2011-10-18T18:43:00.000+01:00

The vegetable garden fought back this year and got the upper hand; meaning that one photo client looked down upon it from the studio and said "oh, is that some waste land there?" So I have spent the last two days sorting it out. There is still much to do, but a few quick-wins mean that it looks immeasurably better already.
And here is Rowan's photo from the weekend session.

Portrait.

2011-10-17T11:24:00.002+01:00

Danielle and Rowan went off to a portrait session at a photo studio in York, which Danielle got through groupon. It involved make-up, a lot of time and a disc of photos at the end of it. I think they did a good job. Here is the best of Danielle with Rowan's to follow.

Freshers Fair

2011-10-16T20:40:00.000+01:00

I helped man the Quaker stand at York University's Freshers Fair on Saturday. Friend Bev ran it, the photo is of Bev and daughter Ella. It was very successful. We seemed to get more people signing up than the German Society opposite that was tempting students with bottles of beer.

Dobro

2011-10-15T09:27:00.003+01:00

It was good to see that my old house in Tottenham is being well cared for. This is an interior shot from when I lived there. The Dobro I bought in Barrow when on holiday in the Lakes. It then went to California with Derwood and made its recording debut. The globe lives on - just.

London Days

2011-10-13T13:05:00.000+01:00

Most of my work for the past 18 monthsor so has been in the North. This is great in most repects, but itdoes mean that I visit London less and so I see London friends less.My usual practice has been to work, then meet up for an evening drinkbefore catching the 8pm train home. This has worked well for the past13 years. So as not to loose touch with people I decided to use acouple of free return tickets I had to go to London and catch up.

Walking from town to Muswell Hill viaIslington and Crouch End was a great experience, seeing so manyplaces from my time in London. I saw Mark in Exmouth Market for acoffee and came away with the usual bag-ful of books he gives me [heis a publisher]. This time this included a book on the Olympics[popular with Rowan] one on Fonts [both Danielle and I will likethat] and a novel written entirely in questions?

Next stop was to see Paul and Coral inCrouch End in their new house, then up to stay with David and Cathyand Jessie in Muswell Hill. Just great to catch up. David runs theRoyal Free Hospital – now that is a big job.

Next day I walked via Ally Pally, WoodGreen [where we used to live and I used to work] then past my oldhouse in Tottenham. My neighbour from 16 years ago was in her gardenso I had a chat which was great. Then on into the city to see Andywho I have known for 35 years since we met on day one at Liverpool;again great to catch up.

So all in all quite an emotional coupleof days.

The photo is of Lavender Dale in the Wolds, a very shallow dry valley.

Deltic Blues

2011-10-12T14:56:00.001+01:00

I roll up at the station, ready tocatch the London train. I hear a rumble, look up and see a powerfulhaze around a line of five Deltic diesels on a special movement fromShildon to the south. It is an amazing sight – Deltics have not runon the main line since the 80s – I reach for my camera. Bag down,pocket found, camera got, switched on, aimed and … I got one ratherfeeble shot [coming soon]. Oh well it is a sight that I will longremember. As I resumed my saunter I saw someone arrive on his bikelooking aggrieved - “It was 10 minutes early”, he knew all aboutit and had come specially to photograph it.

The photo is of a field up above the dales on top of the Wolds. Yes that is Milo on the right

Kite Flying

2011-10-10T21:02:00.001+01:00

Red Kites are pretty ubiquitous round here now, but they still excite. This one was having a look at Milo in the Wolds; it obviously didn't think he was worth the bother...

Squash Harvest

2011-10-09T17:50:00.001+01:00

Here is the squash harvest from the garden. Small, not perfectly formed, but one made a very nice curry last night.
Back in Sheffield today for Rowan's first academy netball day. Yesterday she led the school team to the Yorkshire schools finals next month. I walked into the city centre and got some more photos while listening to The Looking Glass War by John Le Carre - great but grim.

?

2011-10-08T14:37:00.003+01:00

Another one of the strange modern marker stones on the Wolds near Huggate. I have been able to find refreshingly little out about them.

Netball News

2011-10-07T15:14:00.002+01:00

Last week I took a ride up through Thixendale, where I took this photo. As you can see it was a perfect summer's day.
Rowan qualified again for the Yorkshire regional netball academy. There is a danger that we take all of this for granted, but she is the only girl from all of North Yorkshire in the regional academy of 35 girls, so she has done really well. Lots more trips to Sheffield coming up...

Strange Signs

2011-10-06T10:40:00.004+01:00

Hi up on the Wolds are these strange estate stone signposts. This one tells you how far it is to petrol. In furlongs.
Danielle and I watched a Velvet Underground documentary dvd - great. A band that touched us both at different times and on different continents.

Dykes

2011-10-05T15:25:00.002+01:00

This is Huggate Dykes on the Wolds. The earthworks are 3000 years old. There is so much of natural beauty in the Wolds that I have barely looked at the man-made environment. Dykes and tumuli are all around.
Danielle is back today from the Tory party conference, last one out of the way.

Food

2011-10-04T11:31:00.001+01:00

York has been praised for its restaurants - http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9285832.York_rated_better_than_Bologna__London_and_Edinburgh_in_food_poll/ not a situation many would have predicted.

We also have a brand new bridge, which connects Foss Islands with Hungate which is being redeveloped.
Living in York there is always something going on and things moving forward.