NRM 2016

Rowan and I made our traditional visit to the National Railway Museum this week. It is a joy to revisit!

Man & Dog

I only got into the car to look for a pair of glasses; that was enough for Milo to get in too, just in case I went for a drive/walk without him.

Relations 2

Newest member of the family, Sarah and Markus' son Felix

Relations

Rosalind enjoyed having Rowan to play I think.

Still Knaresborough

I went a ride with Dave, stopped at Knaresborough at our usual cafe, and was greeted with a totally still scene, very rare to get such a perfect reflection.

Christmas Day

On Christmas Eve I heard someone on the radio saying that they had deconstructed their Christmas Dinner and had it as follows: Breakfast = Smoked Salmon & Bagels [the Starter], Lunch = Main Course [Nut Loaf and Vege Haggis for us], Tea = Pudding, Supper = Cheese and Biscuits.
   We all liked the idea so much that we decided to implement it for Christmas. It worked a treat, we fitted a walk to the Pond in as well as watching some Thomas The Tank Engine TV for nostalgia purposes. Everyone happy.

The photo is of Markus made rolls from Christmas Eve; apricots in there made them delicious.

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas to all The Readers

Christmas Eve we went down to Nottingham to see Niece Sarah & Markus, Rosalind and Felix. Ro & Pete were there and Nephew Will, so it was great. We got a short walk in by the impressive River Trent.

Goosander!

Our local pond is usually a place to see the old standards - Mallard, Coot and Moorhen [that is three birds, not a 70s power trio]. But for the last week a female Goosander has decided to spend her winter solstice here. She is a beautiful sight, a powerful diving duck looking a bit out of place in our parochial little pond.

Christmas Biscuits

Rowan iced the home-made Christmas biscuits. I think this is now officially a tradition. I don't think I'll dare to eat one.

Helaugh

I went a short ride with Robert last week. A beautiful afternoon, we stopped at Helaugh Church, where the low sun was catching the gravestones.

Barbican

In London last week I walked through the Barbican complex. I have always liked it, over the years three of four friends have lived there for some time, and it is definitely a building that works. I spotted this juxtaposition of art and trash [you decide] in the bowels of the building.

Guitar Kit

Danielle bought me a guitar kit for my birthday. If all goes to plan I should assemble a Telecaster type guitar. Stage one was to cut a shape for the headstock from the square end that it came with. This was a bit daunting for a skill-less carpenter like myself, but with encouragement from friend Andy who lent me a saw I came up with this. Not lovely but a lot better than I was expecting. Next stage: soldering the wiring for the pickups and controls ...

Best Tracks of 2016 #9 Robin Trower - Where You Are Going To

I saw him last year, and he was OK. Then a new album came out and this track I love.

Photography Show

Here is the flyer for my show in February of next year

Canal Walk part 3

The next leg of our Canal Walk took us from Dewsbury to Wakefield along the River Calder navigation, once more it was a great walk through incredible industrial history. Railways, canals, colliery tramways, a living museum viewed by hardly anyone.

Danielle and Milo ready to start the third leg of our Canal Walk.

Back Home

Danielle and I were at her office party last night [honest], it was quite good. I was next to a forensic accountant which [amazingly] was quite interesting to hear about.
Then today Rowan arrived back from her week-long rowing boot camp at the end of her first term at Warwick. She seems great!

Best Tracks of 2016 #8 Anna Meredith - Nautilus

This is classified as Modern Classical music [mainly because it is written down as far as I can see]. I really like it: a sort of steroided Philip Glass.

More London

Danielle and I met up later in London and had a meal with Rob & Kath, Mark and Lily and James at Masala Zone in Covent Garden. It was a great evening. We stayed with Mark and Mandy in Wimbledon. Next day I was taking some portraits in North London, so a good trip all round.

On my travels I came across this patient dog outside a cafe.

Visit to the Smoke

Saw Victor in Shoreditch, went to Soho House for lunch. Really great to see him, and catch up with a good friend after a quick year.

Best Tracks of 2016 #7 Malted Milk & Toni Green - Just Ain't Working Out

Deep soul, some good telecaster playing, good production. Big in France.

Flag Day

Rowan gave me "Worth Dying For - The Power and Politics of Flags" a new book about international politics by Tim Marshall, the bloke who wrote The Prisoners of Geography, which I really loved. On the inside cover is a map of the world with country shapes filled in by the nation's flags. It is a good idea - which Rowan had 8 years ago when she did a similar map which I got put onto a mug for her. As you can see there is a strong similarity.

Best Tracks of 2016 #6 A-WA - Habib Galbi

Just your regular Yemenite Jewish sisters. A world wide hit.

Book Group

It was our annual Book Group party this week; on my birthday which also happens to be Andy's birthday too. A particularly good bring and share meal and discussion of a depressing book called Drown. The group has been going over 11 years now, not bad and still friends [mostly].

Best Tracks of 2016 #5 Dinosaur - Extinct

We saw this scarily young and talented jazz band in York. The more I hear it the more I like it. Reminds me of Miles. Laura Jurd the leader and trumpet player is brilliant.

Whitby 2

The coast at Whitby is not pretty, but it is dramatic. We had a good walk along it on the Saturday morning.

Best Tracks of 2016 #4 Samm Henshaw - Our Love

Love his voice, love the style, love the song. Nothing more to say.

Whitby

Danielle took me to Whitby for my birthday weekend. Stayed in Ruswarp [pronounced, obviously, Russup] in a good house. Could walk into Whitby itself and along the old railway line over this viaduct which gives a view of the River Esk [still tidal here] and Ruswarp in the sunshine in the middle distance.

Best Tracks of 2016 #3 Revolutionary Army Of The Infant Jesus - Crowd of Stars

So far we have had Soul, Indy and now weird Psych Folk.

I first heard this in the dark walking the lanes in Suffolk - very eerie and just a little unnerving.

Also one of the great band names I think.

Best Tracks of 2016 #2 Fear of Men - Luna

I heard this via an NPR preview of South by South West. Not my usual thing but I really love it. So here it is.

Best Tracks of 2016 #1 The Suffers - Midtown

So here is annual run through of 12 tracks that are new to me and that I really like from this year.

First up is The Suffers, a great US soul band.

West Bank Park

Our local park, West Bank Park, is just down the end of the road and tends to get a bit forgotten on account of the mighty Hob Moor. But it contains some lovely trees, like these beech, and has had a visiting nuthatch recently which is not common in York at all.

The Carpet Salesmen

Even the statues look good in Birmingham these days. This one of Boulton, Watt and Murdoch was unveiled in 1956 but fell into disrepair. Now renovated and shinier than ever, it looks great in amongst the modern development at the centre of Birmingham.

Canals in Brum

Whilst Danielle was at her last Trustees Meeting at Woodbrooke Quaker educational centre I walked into the centre of Brum and back via the canals. They have done a really brilliant job of renovating and redeveloping the 18th century wonders with the 21st Century flats etc.

Crayke Castle

Crayke Castle is a private house which is also a 15th Century castle high on the hill in the village of Crayke, north of York. It always used to be hidden behind layers of overgrown undergrowth. Not any more, the new owners seem to have taken a chopper to everything. Good.

Back in the saddle

I have had a bad cold/flu thing for weeks and weeks. Finally went to the doctor last week and she gave me anti-biotics and they worked and cleared it up. So today I went for a ride - the first one for weeks. I felt pretty weak but it was great to get out. Near Linton on Ouse I stopped at my favourite bench near this Sustrans fingerpost. Top picture is high summer last year, bottom one is today - a calm autumn day.

Cartoon Cats and Dogs

We get back to the house. Milo enters the garden. Milo sees Cat. Fight ensues. Cat runs up tree. Milo barks. Milo gets bored, goes into house. Cat goes home. Firemen not needed.

Taboo

I consider a photograph of a sunset to be pretty much forbidden - too predictable. So, to be fair to myself, this is not a sunset but just an evening sky taken in York last week. Not great but I quite like the abstract nature of it. Not the first of many.

Annie Whitehead gig

I am closing in on completing the first draft of my book on the Wolds. Taking a lot of time. Sunday we went to the Early Music Centre to see the Annie Whitehead jazz-funk quartet. Patrick and Julia were there too; we all enjoyed it a lot.

Distinctive cobbles on the towpath at Mirfield

Unfortunately Night Must Fall

Friday night we went to Night Must Fall by Emlyn Williams at York Theatre Royal. It was terrible a sort of whodunit without the who [it was obvious from the first scene]. Still, good to support the theatre. I suppose.

There is some great industrial architecture on the canal. This amazing counter-weighted lifting bridge is in Huddersfield, and still in use.

Canal Walk 2

Danielle and I went on the second stage of our canal walk. This time from Huddersfield [where we finished last time] to Dewsbury. It was another great walk [kingfishers, green woodpecker, goosanders] along the Huddersfield Broad Canal and then the Calder & Hebble navigation which was a bit of a challenge to follow. Really enjoyable.

Shoddy & Mungo were not a 70s band, but types of woolen product developed in the region. It is incredible to think that these canals were built so long ago; a beautiful legacy for us all.

Selfie Time

Rowan is back busy at Warwick. It was great to see her. Here is the traditional selfie.

Kingfisher again

Twelve years ago I saw a Kingfisher on the beck on the Moor. 6 years ago I saw it again. Today I saw one once more, flashing low above the water. So I'll get ready for 2022.

The Great Scanning: this is a post card of the Farm in Suffolk where my maternal grandfather grew up.

Elders

Danielle is an Elder at our local Quaker Meeting. This is nothing to do with age (really) and an appointment for three years at a go; after which she just becomes normal again. I took this photo yesterday.

Scanners

I have been scanning some photos into the machine as part of an ongoing junk clearing program. This is in the Lakes in, I think, 1989.

Laura Jurd

It has been great to have Rowan back for the weekend. We all went to a jazz gig last night with Dinosaur who are a young British modern jazz band with great compositions led by Laura Jurd. Real musicality - even bought the CD [Together As One by Dinosaur]

Osh Skosh

Sister Ro and Pete came to stay, first time for a long time. Had a great time, walked around the local woodlands and ponds, having a coffee at Love to Eat http://lovetoeat.co.uk/ all in the pouring rain. Then we all went to Skosh http://www.skoshyork.co.uk/ for a meal on Wednesday - a really great restaurant here in York.

another shot from Humberhead

Election

First there was Brexit now there is Trump; not a happy time.

More from the bog

Film Festival

Saturday we spent the day at the annual York Short Film Festival  http://www.asff.co.uk/

which was brilliant as before. Saw about 30 films I think, from drama, experimental, comedy, art, animation. Just a great event.

Another view of Humberhead

Back at Humberhead

I had not been to the beautiful lonely Humberhead peat bogs for a couple of years, so it was good to get back there. You park at the scrag end of a pit village that no longer has its pit or raison d'etre, then walk through the pit remnants before getting to the vast bog. Surrounded by wind farms and solar farms it has certainly moved from fossil fuels [peat extraction and coal] to renewables. Unfortunately there seems to be no link between this new resource and the welfare of the village.
I walked for over 5 hours and saw one man and his dogs, a marsh harrier, deer, winchats and plenty more.

Malta and Maps

A Japanese architect came up with this new map of the world, which gives countries their actual size. I think it is brilliant: Africa gets its rightful enormity and Greenland gets much smaller.

My nephew Will has moved to Malta and is blogging about his experiences of the local Maltese Football League; here is the link https://popcornandpies.wordpress.com/2016/11/04/testing-the-water/ 

Black Hill 5

The dog is a fine companion on the hills. The lack of sheep meant that he could be off the lead most of the day.

London

Danielle needed to stay over in London so I went down with her. I had to visit the British Museum to check out some Neolithic Chalk Drums from the Wolds, and then discuss another exhibition in London for next year. More on this later. The British Museum is an amazing now since the revamp 15 years ago; this is a view from the third floor looking down into the atrium area.
In the evening I met up with Danielle who had been at a Big Society Capital board meeting in Kennington. Chatting with the company secretary it turned out he was from Preston, my age, and his friend had moved into Whitefriars [the house we lived in] after we moved out. Small world etc.

We stayed at the Penn Club, the Quaker hotel off Russell Square; always good for a relaxed and quirky experience.

Black Hill 4

A line of farms are abandoned above the reservoir; not as a result of economics, but forcibly shut by the water authorities to ensure the purity of the water for the people of Huddersfield and Leeds. Leads to some sad buildings.

Bike 2

When I was at prep school I had a terrible heavy second hand bike that was very slow. In a very uncharacteristic exchange I made a big fuss at home, saying that my bike was the worst in the school; and I got a new bike for Xmas. The new bike had drops and 5 gears, so I went from the guards van to the vanguard. So here it is at school sports day; I would like to think it is me winning the race but I am not sure about that at all.

Le Weekend

The Sheriff of York this year is a Quaker and Green Councillor, Jonathan Tyler, who is a friend. So we were happy to go to his charity curry club event down the road. We went with Pam, Andy and Gwen and had a good time; good vegetarian food and an Indian contemporary dancer from Paris.

Saturday I got around to spreading the compost from the heaps in the garden onto the vegetable beds. Composting is one of the great satisfactions of life I think. Then in the evening we saw Britten's opera Billy Budd at Opera North; not my favourite of his but a great performance and a full house at the Leeds Grand.

Sunday we started our project to walk the canals of Yorkshire; stage one was from Marsden (where the Huddersfield Narrow Canal starts its tunnel under the Pennines) back down to Huddersfield. It was a lovely walk, which (unbelievably to me) passed an artisan bakery by the canal side that was open for business (West Yorkshire is changing). Looking forward to future walks.

Black Hill 3

I saw one other person on the whole walk, having this lovely lonely valley all to myself.

Black Hill 2

The walk started at Digley Reservoir above Holmfirth. It was built in 1954 so is relatively modern for a Pennine reservoir. This stone sluice is impressive.

Daft Dog: Good Neighbours

Danielle and I went out yesterday evening for a Quaker discussion group. As we finished we realised our neighbours had been trying to contact us all evening about the dog.
Milo had gone through the carelessly open gate [my fault] to the front of the house. Instead of going back to the house he had panicked and gone and sat outside Jackie and Robert's house next door. They have a new dog themselves that would not be happy with Milo in the house, so Jackie took Milo to another neighbour Ken who looked after him for us, until we got home.
All this proves two things.
1 We have a daft dog
2 We have very very good neighbours.

Milo at Ken's last night