Imagine Waking Tomorrow and music has disappeared

"Imagine waking tomorrow and all music has disappeared."
This graffiti caught my eye in Sheffield. So I got this picture with the still waters of the river to reflect in.
When I googled the phrase I discovered it came from Bill Drummond [of KLF money-burning fame] and that it can be found in a variety of interesting places [bridges in Derby and Milton Keynes to start with]. http://alchemi.co.uk/archives/fut/fighting_cultur.html

If it is Sunday it must be Sheffield

Another Sunday, another sport for Rowan and another walk through a post-industrial northern city for me. Last week it was Triathlon and Leeds, this week it is Netball and Sheffield. I saw a Kingfisher right in the centre of the city. The photo shows a poster of Jessica Ennis who is a bit of a hero in our house [mixed-race, multi talented female athlete from Yorkshire – go figure].

BGW

It was the annual Big Garden Birdwatch this weekend. In one hour we saw 15 species in the garden [ a record for us]

Robin 2

House Sparrow 6

Dunnock 2

Blue Tit 2

Wood Pigeon 3

Great Tit 2

Goldfinch 3

Blackbird 1

Starling 4

Coal Tit 1

Magpie 1

Carrion Crow 2

Long Tailed Tit 1

Collared Dove 1

Redpoll 2

The photo is another from the Leeds walk.

Uni

Rowan went to a "future career" event for pupils from secondary schools across York yesterday evening. We, as parents, went to a lecture at the end by a very inspirational head teacher from Leeds. Then we had an indian meal at a restaurant near Danielle's work. So a good evening all round.
This year's first daffodil came up on Monday 23rd January this year, which is early but not the record.
The photo is from the Leeds walk.

More birds

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

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

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

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.

Millington

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.