Pennine Water

The walk in the Pennines took us past this typical reservoir / moorland scene. I really do feel at home in this environment.

YOS is over

Open Studios is over for another year. Been the usual high octane mix of chat, sales etc. My co-exhibitor took this photo of her dog Rosie making her choice from the Open Studios catalogue - strangely enough she chose Jo and Me.

Pylons

Once upon a time in the Pennines, long before windfarms, electricity pylons were draped across the moors. Hard to imagine it happening now, but on the plus side they do provide useful navigation aids [they are marked on maps] and have a certain majesty I think.

April Walk

Danielle and I continue our monthly West Yorkshire Pennines walks. January was snow, February was fog, March was rain and April was ... beautiful sunshine, dry underfoot, little wind. In other words the most un-Pennine of days. We walked up from Todmorden onto the moors that border Lancashire, a real treat. We saw Dippers, Grey Wagtails, Skylarks and a huge windfarm being constructed on the tops: this was a challenge for me. It is easy to say "I am for wind power" and I do say it. It is easy to say it when the wind farm is on some old airfield somewhere, or out at sea. I certainly don't mind the windmills on the skyline in the Pennines, but when you see the access roads they are having to build across the tops to get the mills there in the first place and service them ... well it is a challenge to stay positive about it all. But I do: they will blend in over time and they have to be the way to go.

Penn Relays

Rowan was running yesterday at the Penn Relays in Philly in the 4x400 relays from Franklin Field. This track meet is the oldest and biggest in the States; we were able to watch Rowan live on a web-feed which was strange!

The photo is by niece Sarah and shows her daughter Rosalind and new baby Felix.

YOS au Velo

Plenty of people use their bikes to get around Open Studios in York. This was the scene out of the window last week. Gratifying.

TPT Circle

I rode the Trans Pennine Trail route to Doncaster, then old railway lines and canals to Barnsley, then up to Wakefield, on to Leeds and finally back to York. It was a beautiful day [sunny, cool, calm] and the post-industrial landscape looked fantastic. It was a real privilege to be able to make the ride, and good training for the London ride in August.

Time Shift

Rowan took this shot at Canary Wharf on her phone. The sweep obviously has not worked as intended, but I like the image a lot.

YOS part 1

The first of the two York Open Studios weekends is over. A good weekend. Always so many stories emerge from talking to people about my work or about the house. This photo was new and went down really well. I had it mounted on acrylic which gave it a really vibrant look.

Almshouses

Just round the corner from Dick Turpin's grave in York are these Almshouses, a lovely terrace, which I had never seen until last week.
First two days of Open Studios has gone OK, good weather which always helps.

York Open Studios Kick Off

York Open Studios starts tonight; usual excitement and anticipation.
Eight years ago was my first time at Open Studios and Rowan drew this sign for me. Each year I get it out and it makes me smile.

Sheffield Half Marathon

Danielle ran the Sheffield Half Marathon with her running mate, Jacquie on Sunday. It went well [under two hours on a hilly course] and she enjoyed it.

Photo is of Rowan with her Indian friend at school [dancing I think]

TdY Stage 2

As a spin-on from the Tour de France in Yorkshire last year there is a three day Tour de Yorkshire pro race in May this year. A very exciting development. Dave, Dave and I rode the stage 2 route yesterday in a very strong wind. The route ran from Selby to Beverely [flat, fast with a tailwind], coffee at an Italian cafe, then into the wind over the Wolds to Wetwang [fish butty at the chippie] and up to Malton, before [still in the wind] getting the Balloon Tree cafe at Stamford Bridge for a final bit of cake to get us back home. Great day.

It was tough but fun and good training for my London 100 mile ride in August [speaking of which, I have reached my target for money raised for the Prostate Cancer charity, but there is still plenty of time for you to donate if you have not already https://www.justgiving.com/Simon-Palmour ]

This stand of trees is right on the top of the Wolds above Wharram Le Street.

Hustings

Friday night Danielle was chairing a hustings with all the MP Candidates for York Central [Green, Lab, Lib, Con, Ukip]. It was a packed meeting and she chaired it very well, I admire her willingness to take on these difficult tasks.

The photo is one from the wedding; these two little kids had crept up to have a look at the ceremony [it has a Fanny & Alexander feel about it to me]

Felix

Niece Sarah and Family [including new arrival Felix] visited Mother at Easter. There is no doubt that the grandchildren and great grandchildren bring much joy to Mother.

Dick Turpin

York is so awash with history that it takes a while to get to find everything. 17 years on and I discovered Dick Turpin's grave for the first time hiding between some office buildings; turns out he was a Palmer.

The Market

This shot did not capture quite what I hoped; a statue to free-market "god" Adam Smith being photographed by someone with a selfie-stick seemed somewhat appropriate, but it does not really work. Oh well...

The Johnson family [who Rowan stayed with when she was doing her work experience in London last year] called in on their way back from a Dales holiday for lunch at Easter. Great to see them all [2 parents, four boys].

York Station

York Station has been the start and end point for many an adventure over the past 17 years for the three of us. As such it has a special place in family hearts. Usually it is the Victorian arches that make the photos but here is an alternative view.

Last night Greg and I went to see Robin Trower http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Trower  at the Barbican here in York. I had his Bridge of Sighs album 40+ years ago and always liked his music. He was great, no messing around with chat or nostalgia, young support band of bass/vocals and drums, just one guitar [white Strat of course] and some good playing. It is amazing how I remembered the tracks and guitar parts for tracks I had not heard for those 40 years - the brain does strange things.

The support act was Joanne Shaw Taylor a young British loud electric blues guitarist who was pretty good too.

Storm

The view from the top of Arthur's Seat; the storm is on the left having moved on across to the city.

Ceremony

Here are George and Kavita mid-ceremony.

A few firsts this week. Yesterday was First Shorts Day. I also saw the first butterflies of the year, Brimstone, Peacock, Whites. And last Monday I saw the first Chiffchaff of the year, and a Goldcrest as well. So Spring is gearing up.

George & Kavita's Wedding

Danielle and I were invited to George and Kavita's wedding at Belvoir Castle near Grantham. It was not a quiet affair. A full Hindu ceremony first, with us being part of George's party arriving with him on his horse, then drinks and food in the amazing Castle itself [definitely in the phenomenal but ghastly category], with a tour of some of the artworks and rooms. After that there was a party down by the lake for 500 or so guests with a disco, drummers, more food, more drink. It was fun, we had a good dance and met some great people.

Arthur's Seat

There is a strange hyper-real feel to Arthur's seat; a kind of miniature mountain, I love it.

Edinburgh 2

The gardens that run parallel to and below Princes Street are a real delight. The low sun cutting through the post-storm dampness gives a great light. 

Edinburgh 1

One of the joys of living in York is that Edinburgh is as easy to get to as London; same train other direction.
This week I had a free ticket to use up so went up to Edinburgh for the day. It is a wondrous city and a good city to wander in.
Off the sun drenched train I headed for Arthur's seat which must be unique in being a real mountain right in the heart of the city. As soon as I set foot on the volcanic plug the sun turned to high high wind and cold cold sleet. It was still a good walk but it felt like a real adventure. By the time I got back down to street level the sun was back out and it was just about impossible to believe that the arctic conditions had ever occurred.

Despite the storm the selfie stick could not be ignored by these two; could her friend have not taken the picture for her?

Derwood Gigs

Friend Derwood is playing some gigs in the UK in May/June. First time in 20 years. I'll be there.

Prom Prom Prom

One more photo of Rowan from her prom with a classmate. Last one, promise.

Junior Prom

It was Rowan's Junior Prom last weekend. No idea what that means but it looks like a posh disco to me. She enjoyed it a lot.

Breakfast at the Sidings

Here is Danielle at the sidings at breakfast. That is the main line a few metres to her right.

Ouse

From the Sidings we walked at Beningborough by the River Ouse on a perfect still sunny morning. Spring is still a way away, very few leaves emerging but it can't be long now. We saw Goosanders on the river [the new Mallard round here].

The Sidings

Danielle had got a Groupon voucher for my birthday [long ago] for a stay at The Sidings, a hotel consisting of old railway coaches just outside York on the East Coast Main Line. We have been to the restaurant a number of times over the years. It is a strange place, built with love and passion and attention to detail by a railway enthusiast, it is now owned and run by people who know nothing of all the railway memorabilia that is strewn around the place. The new owners do, however, look after it. Anyway we had a nice-ish meal and a fun stay.

Morning Light

It is great to be waking up in daylight again. The sun filters through the trees to send a 60 shadow on the wall from the etched glass, and to silhouette Danielle's small collection of jewelry on the chest of drawers.

The Millennium Bridge

The Millennium Bridge was opened in York just after we moved here. It is for cycling and walking and forms a crucial part of many people's routes around the city: hard to imagine life before it was built. I meet Danielle here, in the middle of the bridge when we walk back from her work together, a very peaceful place.

Mother and I

Ro took this photo of Mother and I at the home in Framlingham last week.

Mornington Crescent!

Rowan got the plane back this morning. I must admit it does not get any easier to see her go; we have had a really lovely time for the past two weeks. The key thing is that she loves it over there and it was definitely the right thing to do.
When we were in London we paid a pilgrimage to Mornington Crescent [spoof radio 4 panel game].

More Wolds

Rowan in the Wolds with Milo. I hope this shot gives you an idea of the steep dry valleys.

Rowan in the news

Wolds

Rowan Milo and I got a walk in the beloved Wolds last week. As beautiful and deserted as ever.

More London

Rowan enjoyed her day in London I think.

Nearly 90

My mother has now moved permanently into the residential home near Ro & Pete in Suffolk. Her Alzheimers has made it the best solution. We all went down to see her at the weekend, with a mini-celebration ahead of her 90th birthday which is in a couple of weeks.

All Change

When I moved to London in 1980 I used to love exploring on foot and bike. The Regents Canal and Victoria Park in Hackney were interesting but just a little derelict, isolated and dodgy. It has all changed, the canals are now officially greenways with good surfaces, signage and lots of people. This cafe at Victoria Park is a lovely place to have a coffee.

Trad

Rowan has missed traditional English food whilst she has been away. So we put that right in London with an Indian meal and fish and chips.

London Walk

It is great having Rowan home for the spring break. Tuesday she and I went down to London and walked 20 miles or so from the Dome > Greenwich > Isle of Dogs > Canary Wharf  > Limehouse > Regents Canal > Vicky Park > Islington > Camden Lock > Diwana in Drummond Street > British Library > Kings Cross > train home. A really great day.

The photo shows the Dome on the right and Canary Wharf on the Isle of Dogs in the centre.

York Open Studios 2015

Not long to go now. Get planning that visit.

State Championships

Here is a picture of Rowan medalling at the Pennsylvania State Indoor Athletic Championships in the high jump.

West Yorkshire Moors #3

The third of our walks on the West Yorkshire Moors was this weekend. January had brought us snow in Oakworth, February brought us fog in Halifax, and March brought us rain in Riponden. It was a great route again up through the moss clad stone paths and bridges of the valley to the bleak moors, but it was wet and, by the end, cold. Quite a culture shock for Rowan. By my reckoning April should be blazing hot sun; time will tell.

Skinny Living

The three us of went to our first York House Concert, [gigs held in someones house] with Gwen Pam & Andy. It was a young Wakefield band called Skinny Living https://www.facebook.com/SkinnyLivingmusic who were just fantastic. Two acoustic guitars, a singer and a drummer hitting a box, making a great sound. Really fine.

Saw these crocus on the Knavesmire last week

Rowan Home

Rowan has arrived back home for the spring vacation. It was a not uneventful journey. Setting off 4 hours late from a snow bound Philadelphia Airport with most flights cancelled we were just glad she got here today. Everyone happy.

Another photo from Barlow Common.

Teazel

Teazel in the cold at Barlow this week. What do you think?

Barlow Common

There are plenty of naturally beautiful places in Yorkshire. Then there are also plenty of ex-industrial sites that have their own beauty too. Barlow Common was old common land south of Selby that became, basically, a huge dump for the railways in the 20th century. Then it was capped and allowed to become a common again. So now there are ponds and birch woods and a feeling of desolate beauty.

Kenwood

One last picture from the London trip; this is Kenwood on Hampstead Heath.

Saturday

Saturday night we went to see a band, The Jeromes, at friend Paul's local, the Volly. It was fun, good singer and some good players.
Rowan was jumping at the State championships [for Pennsylvania], she came eighth and seemed pretty happy with that. She shall be back with us by the end of the week - very excited [we are anyway].
Saturday morning we walked in the Wolds at Pluckham Dale; everyone happy.

Podcasts

I usually ask people that I know, what they are listening to if I meet them on the Moor with headphones on. Neighbour Peter was enjoying Elements, a series of podcasts by the BBC World Service, with each element getting a programme exploring the use of that element in the world. They are really well done and absolutely recommended. Today I caught up with Carbon, Mercury and Nickel.
The only podcast I have stuck with since hearing it is the Guardian Football Weekly which is funny, informative and irreverent enough to keep me coming back for more twice a week. Second best is NPR All Songs Considered, an American podcast on music that is eclectic and entertaining enough to get me listening most weeks.
Then there is a Sherlock Holmes podcast - I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere - which is pretty good, but more than once a month would be too much; as with so many podcasts a healthy edit would do it a lot of good.
More of Less, another BBC podcast, is brilliantly entertaining and informative in its discussion of statistics in the news.
Radiolab is an American podcast on just about anything of interest in the world, which I am enjoying a lot at the moment [I only just discovered it].
The only other regular at the moment is Brain of Britain Quiz from the BBC which is pretty terrible [old fashioned and struggling] but just about worth listening to.

The photo is a truly bizarre one that Rowan retweeted this week; I love it.