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.