Rain Stops Play…

Recently we visited the Oval with the family as part of a birthday present to Sue’s sport mad brother Chris. The game of cricket was the Gloucestershire vs Surrey T20 Blast. Gloucestershire were first into bat and later, part way through the Surrey innings, the rain stopped play. Surrey lost by the DLS method (not to be confused with the pop group).

Getting a Man in…

Work has been done on the house (the exterior painted, roof repaired, kitchen lights replaced, taps and shower cubicle replaced) and as I am not a proficient DIYer we employed some of Sue’s Brother’s guys to do the work. They had to struggle through some challenging weather (heatwave and then thunderstorms on different days), but the work has been done. Sue subsequently partially repainted the bathroom to freshen it up and it all looks very smart now.

Sitting in a Field…

Sue, Deb and I enjoyed another Wickham Music Festival (we visited a couple of years ago). This is a lovely small event with only two main tents and several smaller stages scattered around one field. There were several big names from days gone by performing (Gilbert O’Sullivan, Level 42, Judy Collins, Ralph McTell, Graham Nash etc.) and many lesser known acts.

We were lucky for the weather for the most part as it was dry and not too hot during the weekend, the only notable rain started on the morning we started to pack up, resulting in us having to dry out the tent in the garden later when we got home, before packing it away completely for another year.

Among the many acts that we saw performing during the weekend were the following (in no particular order):

• -          Matthews Southern Comfort
• -          Graham Nash (he still has it)
• -          Skinny Lister (a great act that style themselves shanty-punk)
• -          The Proclaimers (we saw them here before and they were very good)
• -          National Youth Folk Ensemble (an impressive collective of young artists)
• -          The Outside Track
• -          The Bar Steward Sons of Val Doonican (a very funny novelty act)
• -          The Spooky Mens Chorale (their usual fabulous selves)
• -          Le Vent Du Nord
• -          Baka Beyond (a very interesting fusion of sounds)
• -          Dreadzone (a foot-stomping good reggae act)
• -          Stanley Jordan (for a short time – a virtuoso guitar performance, but not what we were after)
• -          Level 42 (short time – not quite what they used to be)
• -          Siobhan Miller
• -          Will Pound & Eddy Jay
• -          Cara Dillon
• -          Dervish
• -          The Men They Couldn’t Hang (some)
• -          Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls (some – not overly impressed)
• -          Afro Celt Sound System (great lively performance)
• -          Winters Hill,
• -          Sam Kelly & the Lost Boys
• -          Jamie Smith’s Mabon
• -          Ross Ainslie & Ali Hutton’s Symbiosis
• -          Blazin’ Fiddles (some)
• -          Treacherous Orchestra
• -          The Kiefer Sutherland Band (suitably impressed)
• -          Alabama 3 (a very moving performance after the loss recently of one of the founder members)

There were also a few dance groups (we saw our local Boxhill Bedlam side), and many wandering acts such as the Dinosaur Group, a tall Scotsman and his rude dog, the Sniffer Dog Patrol, a large tortoise etc.

Cultural Day Out…

We visited the Watts Gallery located between Guildford and Godalming near the A3. It was the creation of George Frederic Watts and his wife Mary, both very accomplished artists working in the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement. At the gallery, along with paintings and sculptures by Watts, was an exhibition of some of John Frederick Lewis’s works, and we were very impressed with these and his ability to capture the light and character in his subjects.  

Also at this site they have an artist village where you can take part on courses of a variety of artistic techniques. You can visit their home, Limnerslease, decorated by Mary and containing a reproduction of George’s studio. A short walk down the road you can also visit the remarkable Watts Chapel and its breath-taking interior decorations. We spent a very enjoyable time explore all there was on offer and afterwards went for a drink at the nearby Withies Inn before heading home.

50 Year Tour…

In celebration of their 50^th year the Aldbury Morris Men went for their annual weekend away to Winchester with the Hemlock Morris and we tagged along too.

It happened to be the Hat Fair in town (nothing to do with making hats – the term refers to street performers handing out the hat for donations), and they were scheduled to make a few appearances on the Saturday.

Sue an I arrived early on the Friday and explored the town including the Cathedral, The Great Hall (with Arthur’s Round Table), Wolvesey Castle ruins (the Old Bishop’s Palace) and the working old city mill. We had a lovely lunch at the River Cottage Kitchen, sitting on the terrace and watching the opening parade to the festivities. That evening we caught up with Terry and Katharine for dinner and then joined a few others for a musical jam at a nearby pub.

The next day we followed the sides around as they danced in town and went with them on an outing to The Royal Oak in Fritham, New Forrest, where we met Marc and his Aunt.

We stayed at the Winchester Royal while we were in town.

More of Wot I have Read…

Praetorian by Simon Scarrow

Apparently, this is the 11^th book in the Eagles of the Empire series following the adventures of Roman soldiers Cato and Marco. It is an easy read the rolls along at a comfortable pace without offering too many challenges to the reader.

‘The city of Rome in AD 50 is a dangerous place. Treachery lurks on every corner, and a shadowy Republican movement, ‘the Liberators’, has spread its tentacles wide. It is feared that the heart of the latest plot lies in the ranks of the Praetorian Guard. Uncertain of whom he can trust, the Imperial Secretary Narcissus summons to Rome two courageous men guaranteed to be loyal to the grave: army veterans Prefect Cato and Centurion Macro.

Tasked with infiltrating the Guard, Cato and Macro face a daunting test to win the trust of their fellow soldiers. No sooner have they begun to unearth the details of the Liberators’ devious plan than disaster strikes: an old enemy who could identify them, with deadly consequences, makes an unexpected appearance. Now they face a race against time to save their own lives before they can unmask the mastermind behind the Liberators…’

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

a Booker Prize award winning novel that has a unique style to it, presented as quotes as if it was an interview of the characters within the story or references as part of research. It results in a strange, otherworldly and oddly engaging narrative.

‘The American Civil War rages while President Lincoln's beloved eleven-year-old son lies gravely ill. In a matter of days, Willie dies and is laid to rest in a Georgetown cemetery. Newspapers report that a grief-stricken Lincoln returns to the crypt several times alone to hold his boy's body.

From this seed of historical truth, George Saunders spins an unforgettable story of familial love and loss that breaks free of realism, entering a thrilling, supernatural domain both hilarious and terrifying. Willie Lincoln finds himself trapped in a transitional realm - called, in Tibetan tradition, the bardo - and as ghosts mingle, squabble, gripe and commiserate, and stony tendrils creep towards the boy, a monumental struggle erupts over young Willie's soul.’

Sun, Sea and Champagne…

For Sue’s birthday, this year we rented a cottage in the small seaside town of Whitstable on the north Kent coast looking out across the Thames estuary. It is a fishing town with a thriving oyster industry, famous since Roman times for the Native Oyster beds.

The town was also known for one of the earliest passenger railway services, nicknamed the Crab & Winkle line. The old steam engine, Invicta, has been restored and returned to the town museum.

The diving helmet was an invention of the area that was used in salvage work in deep waters.

Out in the estuary are several sea forts (also known as Maunsell forts), large military installations that served as protection against ships and planes during WWII. Now they share the waters with a large wind turbine array that provides power to the country. We took a stimulating boat trip out to the Red Sands installation (once later used as a pirate radio station) that took us right through the edge of the wind farm. Further up the coast is another installation that has declared itself the independent Principality of Sealand.

Naturally we enjoyed many various seafood dishes, eating at the Whitstable Oyster Company restaurant, the oldest restaurant in town – Wheelers, and picking up bits in the market next to the harbour. We did mix it up with Mexican inspired street food at the fun Dirties bar and restaurant in town. As is our way the food was washed down with liberal application of alcoholic beverages.

The weather was unusually hot, reaching well into the 30’s on Saturday, and we were out early wandering around town, up to the ‘castle’, down along Tankerton beach (ice cream in hand), back to the harbour (a fortifying drink in The Harbour Garden Café) before venturing out onto the water to visit the forts and windfarm (at least it was cooler out on the water). When we returned, we had lunch and further explored the town. Watching the sunset whilst sitting on the beach was very memorable.

On Sunday, we had a leisurely breakfast and then drove off to visit the lovely Ightham Mote historical house and gardens as they were having a display from a local sculpture group and we had not been back here for a while.

We picked up some provisions and returned home to relax in the sunshine some more. A very good weekend away. 

More of Wot I have Heard…

We returned to the Isle of Wight Festival this year as a treat for our eldest godson Tom. Sue’s sister Deb also joined us and we stayed at the Silver Glades Caravan Park in the same van we had a few years previously with my mum. We travelled after work on Friday (after Tom’s final exam) and took the ferry from Southampton to East Cowes, then across the floating bridge to West Cowes and on to the caravan park. We went into Yarmouth for dinner at the Blue Crab before having an evening stroll along the pier. While there we saw several black RIBs powering up the Solent without any lights on, they turned towards the harbour and switch on the lights as they cruised in – not sure who they were (we speculated that they might be military, Deb thought they might be delivering her some Milk Tray chocolates).

After breakfast, we drove to a parking spot near the festival site (I volunteered to drive as getting a taxi could have been a bit of an issue later). We were at the gates when they opened at 11am and exploring the site not long after.

It was clear that the weather was not going to be great (some reports of previous days told of a tornado and torrential rain), so we came prepared. As it was the rain was light and patchy and eventually cleared up completely at sunset.

I was wearing my festival top hat (complete with goggles) and my oilskin duster coat, looking a bit like a steampunk cowboy, which got a few comments – positive ones too – from strangers, even an invitation to join a Steampunk Festival the following weekend.

We started at one of the smaller tents and watched a couple of lesser known bands: Floodhounds and The Dead Freights.

At the Big Top we saw Stitch, who impressed us all very much.

After that we moved to set up a place in front of the main stage and as we arrived Andrew Roachford was just finishing. Here we watched KT Tunstall sing her hits, Anne-Marie played up to her pop princess image, Sundara Karma were unknowns who surprised us (the lead singer had a David Bowie’esque sound on some songs), Rick Astley was enthusiastic and fun (he also played the drums on an AC/DC cover), Bastille were just fantastic (they also had a cameo from Rick Astley on the drums for one song), George Ezra had damaged his foot and sat down through his performance which was very polished (he did talk a lot, explaining each song) that culminated in fireworks, and finally, the headliner for Saturday, Fatboy Slim, who put on a particularly impressive show with exciting video images, smoke cannons, laser displays and a thumping sound.

It all finished at about midnight.

The next day we headed off to catch the return ferry at 12:30 and drove back to the Whittenburry’s for a Father’s Day meal as we joined their family.

Sue and I were back home in bed early, still tired from the night before, thankful we only went for the one day.

Green Fingers…

As penance for our excesses we spent the weekend working in our garden getting it tidy (fixing down a deck plank where a wasp nest was evicted from underneath, jet washing the said deck, cutting and trimming and pruning and weeding the greenery until it was all spic and span. We do need to do a few more chores such as paint the fences and wooden furniture, but it is looking much better now.

Afterwards we went to visit 7 local gardens as part of the Pip Brook Open Gardens event in the village that aims to raise funds for a Peace Garden in the St Johns church yard. An excuse for a good nose around other peoples back gardens.

Musical Interlude…

We thoroughly enjoyed and was moved by Rocketman when we saw it recently at our favourite cinema in Reigate, and afterwards we returned to Dorking and spent a drunken evening listening to a lively (if slightly geriatric) band called Blue Haze (or Hayz) at The Old House.

Playing Games…

Martin, Marc and I joined Rhys on our regular board game pilgrimage to the UK Games Expo in Birmingham. This year we stayed further out towards Coventry as it was cheaper than the hotels next to the venue and was closer to where Rhys lives. The hotel was not great but they were happy for us to game in the bar. On the day, we went into the venue it seemed even busier than last year. We did however find a good table to play many games during the day and into the wee small hours. I think the consensus was that Wingspan and the Quacks of Quedlinburg were our favourite games.

Two Guitar Harmony…

We saw the Americana/Folk duo Milk Carton Kids at the Barbican recently and were impressed how two people could command a stage in such a calm and gentle manner with the whole audience hanging on every harmonious note and amusing anecdote. They were very ably supported by Rosie Carney who has a sweet voice. Beforehand we had a lovely and civilised meal at the nearby Chiswell Street Dining Rooms (in the former Whitbread Brewery building). The otherwise fabulous evening was only marred when I lost my debit card.

Pie Heaven…

Sue made a fabulous Steak, Guinness and Cheese pie for our Kiwi friends, and we were all in raptures afterwards. An absolute culinary masterpiece.  

Geek Life…

I took Ollie to the spring MCM London Comic Con held at the ExCel centre. It was a first for both of us and we were overwhelmed with the number of people and the variety of costumes on show. The event is large and spans several halls with games, comics, costumes, films and collectables everywhere.

Tourist Guides…

Carol visited us a gain for a few days at the end of her European tour before returning home to NZ. We took her around the quaint local villages, slogged up Leith Hill, and wandered around the historic treasure of Polsden Lacey. Sue also took her on an epic tour around London from London Bridge to the Albert Memorial. On a separate outing, they also went to the seaside at Brighton.

Floral Splendour…

We had another visit to RHS Wisely to spend a pleasant day wandering around and taking in the sights and scents of the rather splendid spring flowers.

More of Wot I have Read…

Mars Trilogy (Red Mars, Green Mars and Blue Mars) by Kim Stanley Robinson

These were three heavy weight books that are epic in in scope and take quite some effort to work through as the author expounds detailed theorems for all aspects of the story (space travel, terraforming geology/chemistry/physics/biology, human psychology and physiology, sociology, politics etc.). This focus on the minutia often slows the pace of a narrative to a crawl but it does give everything an air of believability. Worth the effort if you are a science fan.  

‘Red Mars: The Future History of Mars - Part One

1969: Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to set foot on the Moon.

2020: John Boone becomes the first man to set foot on Mars.

2027: The first mass-landing arrives on Mars.

It's the greatest challenge mankind has ever faced.

In 2027, the Ares, the biggest space-worthy craft ever built by man, reaches high orbit around Mars. Inside is a crew who will become the first one hundred people to land on the planet's surface.

Among them are the Russian team, led by the magnetic Maya Toitovna and radical socialist Arkady Bogdanov with their pragmatic engineer Nadia Cherneshevsky; Hiroko Ai - a Japanese biologist; and the Americans, led by Boone and the ambitious Frank Chalmers. Their mission: terraform a frozen wasteland with no atmosphere into a new Eden.

Their mission must succeed. The future of human civilization depends on it.’

‘Green Mars: The Future of Mars – Part Two

Frozen lakes form, lichen creeps over the dry stone, a thin atmosphere wraps the planet. Man's dream of a new world is underway, but corrupted. The revolution defeated, Earth's transnational corporations set about plundering Mars for profit. Countries are bought and sold by the transnationals, why not planets too?

The survivors of the First Hundred know that technology alone won't bring utopia. But though they all have a common enemy – Earth's grasping corporations – they cannot agree to a means, let alone an end. Boone is dead, Hiroko Ai is venerated by believers in the green way, Sax Russell argues for scientific rationalism; Ann Clayborne opposes all interference – Mars should be preserved absolutely. Do they want bloody revolution or peaceful co-existence? The First Hundred is split and weakened; trust and co-operation are as thin on the ground as the Martian air they breathe.’

‘Blue Mars: The concluding volume in Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy – Part Three.

The product of years of dedicated research, the series is a timeless masterpiece, the ultimate in future history.

Mars is now a living, breathing planet, resplendent with genetically engineered plants and animals living beside canals and teeming seas – an Eden to be envied. In this brave and buzzing new world the survivors of the First Hundred have become like walking myths to the Martian youth, but political schisms have hardened into polar opposites. And as civil war looms, an over populated earth looks on bitterly. For many Terrapins, Mars is mocking utopia. A dream to live for, fight for – perhaps even die for.

As the motives, desires and passions of the characters evolve along with the planet they have made their home, the author explores and interweaves the political, sociological, economic and scientific aspects of their terraforming effort.’

More NZ Guests...

Carol and David Burroughs stayed the night with us as they passed through on their way from Falmouth to Germany. Carol will be staying with us later when she returns before heading back home to NZ.

Edinburgh Party...

We had a long weekend away in Edinburgh with Chris & Lynne and Debbie for Chris’s 60^th birthday. We stayed in a flat near the Union canal and we walked along it into town and then besides the Water of Leith to the sea all on the first day. There we had lunch and visited the Royal Yacht Britannia. In the evening, we caught up with Jamie and Gia and had a night out on the town ending up at the fun Mad Hatter. The next day we visited Princes Street and the Old Town where we caught up with Jack and Jean. That evening we had a lovely meal at the Raeburn Hotel.  Next day we wandered around the pretty Royal Botanic Gardens, went on an Underground Ghost Tour and caught up with more of Chris’s friends before gathering for an evening meal in a local curry house. On our final day, we visited the Edinburgh Zoo where we saw pandas and king penguins amongst other animals – the place seems old and I felt uncomfortable about the condition of the enclosures for some of the animals.

Surprise Party...

Jamie and Gia visited and we walked through the woods looking at the bluebells and belted Galloway. Following day was Chris’s surprise 60^th birthday party with many friends and family in attendance.

More of Wot I have Seen...

We visited Cambridge in the lovely spring sunshine, wandered around the collages and along beside the river watching the punts. In the evening, we watched Nouvelle Vague play at the Cambridge Junction. Next day wandered around the very pleasant University Botanic Gardens and went and visited Anglesey Abbey and gardens before heading home.

Homegrown...

First home grown asparagus and rhubarb of the season. 

Easter Walk...

The Easter walk with the local history group passed by EM Forster’s house and a memorial to where Samuel Wilberforce (third son of William) died after a fall. We continued and had a drink at the Gomshall Mill and returned via the Witch’s Broom tree.

Teaching Games...

Recently we spent an evening with the Whittenbury’s and learned and played Ollie’s new game (Dungeon Roll).

Kiwi Visitor...

Avette stopped over with us for a few days as part of her trip to the UK. On the first afternoon, we walked around the village and played a few board games. Next day wandered around Shere and went for a pub lunch. Marc joined us later and we played another board game. Visited Arundel and looked around the castle and gardens.

Winning Game...

We supported Tom and the Dorking Rugby team as they won against the London Irish in their final.

Date Night...

Sue and I had a date night in Dorking where we went to a few pubs The Star, The Queen’s Head, and Old Home – where we watched a band called Peach.

Springtime...

As the lovey spring weather continues we spent a day out at Kew with Uncle Terry and Katherine.

Apprentice Geek...

Recently we celebrated Tom’s sixteenth birthday with family and friends and on a weekend afterwards we went into town, taking Ollie to visit comic shops (Orbital, Gosh and Forbidden Planet), a games shop (Orcs Nest) and a record shop (Fopp) and a café, while Tom was out spending his birthday money with his parents. We then all met up for dinner at Polpo.

Spring has Sprung...

We made our regular spring visit to Wisley RHS to see the early blooms as they herald the change of seasons.

Holiday Blues...

Sue went out to Tenerife (Los Gigantes) with a bunch of girlfriends and unfortunately caught a nasty bug.

Felt the Earth Move...

I felt one of the recent earthquakes that has happened in Surrey, it was relatively minor and just shook some ornaments on the sideboard.

Games Day...

Games day with Martin at James’s place where we played several games, including: 

• Roll for It; 
• Okey Dokey; 
• Pirate 21; 
• Karuba; 
• Game; 
• Space Base; 
• Epic Spell Wars of the Battle Wizards.

More of Wot I have Seen…

Sue and I had a night out at the Guildford Electric Theatre where we went to the very entertaining and accomplished Budapest Café Orchestra play. We had a meal beforehand at Yo Sushi.

More of Wot I have Read…

The Axeman’s Jazz by Ray Celestin

I enjoyed this book, partly as I have recently visited the city and like jazz music, but mostly for the well-developed characters and interesting interconnecting storylines that are based on historical events (although altered to give a greater sense of drama).

‘New Orleans, 1919. As a dark serial killer – the Axeman – stalks the city, three individuals set out to unmask him.

Detective Lieutenant Michael Talbot, heading up the official investigation, is struggling to find leads and harbouring his own grave secret. Former detective Luca d’Andrea finds himself working for the mafia – whose need to solve the mystery of the Axeman is every bit as urgent as that of the authorities. And Ida, a secretary at the Pinkerton Detective Agency, stumbles across a clue which lures her and her musician friend, Louis Armstrong, to the case and into terrible danger…

As Michael, Luca and Ida each draw closer to discovering the killer’s identity, the Axeman himself will issue a challenge to the people of New Orleans: play jazz or risk becoming the next victim.’

Spare and Found Parts by Sarah Maria Griffin

I found this book a little annoying. The characters and setting were not well developed and I found the whole thing somewhat contrived and lacking depth.

‘Nell Crane has never held a boy’s hand.

In a city devastated by an epidemic, where survivors are all missing parts—an arm, a leg, an eye—Nell has always been an outsider. Her father is the famed scientist who created the biomechanical limbs that everyone now uses. But she’s the only one with her machinery on the inside: her heart. Since the childhood operation, she has ticked. Like a clock, like a bomb. And as her community rebuilds, everyone is expected to contribute to the society’s good . . . but how can Nell live up to her father’s revolutionary ideas when she has none of her own?

Then she finds a lost mannequin’s hand while salvaging on the beach, and inspiration strikes. Can Nell build her own companion in a world that fears advanced technology? The deeper she sinks into this plan, the more she learns about her city—and her father, who is hiding secret experiments of his own.’

Keeping Warm…

We have had a surprisingly mild winter so far and have even enjoyed an evening meal sitting outdoors around a fire pit at the Whittenbury’s where food was cooked over the coals and we sat well into the night along with Paul and Lorraine and Debbie.

Not all Business…

I had a trip away for a few days at a sales meeting and was treated to an outing for evening meal in the Great Hall at Warwick castle. It was a themed event where we all worn tabards and jester’s hats and we treated to entertainment by some talented Mediaeval musicians, a magician, and a host and hostess. It reminded me a little of a school outing I had many years ago, to a venue in Auckland called Dirty Dicks.

Gregarious Glutton’s…

The semi-regular Gregarious Glutton’s outing went this time into London. We met Marc, Derek and Donna at the Botanist for cocktails and then went on to Casa Brindisa (near South Kensington) for some very enjoyable tapas followed by some delicious gelato next door at Venchi and a few more cocktails at Uncle Barts Speakeasy (an intimate and funky little venue).

Culture and Cuisine…

We stayed up in London after our Gregarious Glutton’s evening out and Marc and I went to the Ashurbanipal exhibition the following morning at the British Museum. Afterwards we caught up with Sue and wandered into a few book shops and a comic shop, had coffee at Café Vernano 1882, a drink or two at Clapham before enjoying a most delicious lunch at the trendy eating establishment, The Dairy, at Clapham.

Ole Birthday…

I thoroughly enjoyed a Mexican inspired meal that Sue made for me especially for my birthday. 

More of wot I have heard…

We went to the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill to see Band of Burns perform songs and tunes inspired by the life and works of Rabbie Burns. We met Paul and Lorraine at the theatre after we had a lovely Thai meal at Sia Kitchen above the Junction pub.

The band were amazing with individual members taking turns to lead and provide information in context to the songs and tunes about to be played. They were a very talented group of musicians and we had a wonderful evening.

Just the Two of Us…

Sue and I had a lovely day out with breakfast in Reigate and then watching the very entertaining film, The Favourite, at the Everyman cinema, and then seeing a steam train thunder past as we waited on the platform for our train home again.

Out in the Shire…

Recently we visited Jodie (and Sam the Dog) in Ludlow with Debbie for a weekend of catching up.

We had a bracing walk up at Clee Hill as the clouds closed in and we also had a visit to the quite spectacular Stokesay Castle nearby.

The next day Dawn and Muz also came over to help with some simple DIY and afterwards we all enjoyed a meal and a few drinks.

The following morning before we left we wandered around Ludlow and across the bridges and along the riverside with a great view back to the castle.

More of wot I have heard…

I have bought some new music from some quite different artists.

What Is Love by Clean Bandit. A new band that is currently very popular with catchy lyrics and exciting sound to them.

The Last King of Pop by Paul Heaton. A retrospective through this artist history from the Housemartins, Beautiful South and to his partnership with Jacqui Abbot.

The Essentials II by Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox. An unusual and slightly novelty act of reinterpreting recent (and not to recent) song in an older style. It can be quite a revelation how some songs are changed and reimagined.

More of wot I have read…

I have been re-reading Saga of the Exiles series of books by Julian May that I first read over twenty years ago, and I was pleasantly surprised how well they stood up to the passage of time. Some events and scientific discovers have since had a small impact to what we know about what was a possible future or knowledge of the past, but not enough to truly effect the story in any great way.

I like the premise of the story of how people are transported back from a future where humans have evolved and encountered other sentient species to a pre-history Pliocene earth where they encounter other alien races inhabiting the land. As I am a fan of Celtic mythology I like how the author provides an alternative narrative as to the origins of these fables and how she succeeds to make a science out of magic.

The series includes The Many Colored Land, The Golden Torc, The Nonborn King and The Adversary. Later she went on to write about how humans evolved and became involved with a galactic federation of races in separate series of books.

For me though I most enjoyed the Saga of the Exiles.

The third and final volume of this series which was originally conceived to continue in several more books, but was halted after artistic disagreements is a darker and more melancholic affair.

The Ballad of Halo Jones Volume 3 by Alan Moore and Ian Gibson

Gregarious Gluttons…

We had arranged to meet up in the New Year with Derek and Donna for a meal and as Marc was around he joined us too. We went to Bada in Godalming where we had some delicious and interesting Asian fusion tapas. We agreed we needed to make this a regular event.

A day to ourselves…

On a rare weekend without prior commitments Sue and I went to the seaside at Clymping and Felpham, for a walk and lunch (fish and chips for me and crab salad for Sue). Later we went on to visit some grand churches and have a coffee (coffee for me, glass of fizz for Sue) at Arundel, and then back home for some board/card games.

Postponed Catch-up…

After the illness suffered by Terry and Katharine we met up for an evening meal with Rod and Jenny where we had a lovely catch up. The next day we went for a pleasant walk around by the Bridgewater Monument on the Ashridge Estate and had lunch at the Valiant Trooper in Aldbury.

Christmas Time…

For us Christmas seems to really start with the annual carols at Uncle Terry’s neighbours, with music by the Morris crew, and professional musician neighbours (and professional musician son). It is a pot-luck dinner with friends and neighbours and has a convivial and uplifting feel to it that sets the scene for the festive period.

There were several changes to our Xmas schedule brought on by unforeseen circumstances such as the sad death of Blonde Deb’s mother, the Whitenburys became ill with a norovirus, and Uncle Terry suffering with a nasty cold-like virus. We stayed with Deb and extra night and visited the Woodman and community owned The Hope where she and Sue caught up with old friends, and next day we decamped for our place and had a relaxing day watching telly at home.

The annual GPE Walk with current and ex-work colleagues was organised this year by Rob and we spent an enjoyable time at the quirky Kingfisher on the Quay in Camberley.

On one day between Xmas and New Year Sue and I watched rugby at Twickenham between Harlequins and Wasps (a scrappy game where Harlequin eventually won). The tickets courtesy of Marc Harrison who couldn’t make it that day.

We had a walk in the low-lying clouds at Reigate Hill with the recovered Whittenburys and Paul and Lorraine (plus dogs) and we went back to P&L’s for a lovely roast dinner.

New Year’s Eve spent at home with the Whittenburys playing a few games, eating lots of cheese and watching Jools Hootananny until the early hours

On New Year’s Day, we went for a walk around the village ending up at the Prince of Wales with the Whittenburys and Reg.

Musicians against homelessness…

In November three of the pubs in Dorking, The Star, the Old Home and the Kings Arms hosted a musical weekend to support the charity Musicians Against Homelessness.

We wandered between venues and caught some very entertaining artists including 3 Men & a Buddha, Box Hill Bedlam, Jess Milne, Kitty, Fillerup, Mr Anchovy and Exlectix amongst others.

Playing around…

Played a couple of the new games (Photosynthesis and Gorus Maximus) with Chris and Carole and guess what? Sue won both games.

European Tour…

We started our northern European tour by crossing through the Channel Tunnel one evening and stopping overnight at the basic but cheap Ibis Budget Calais Tunnel sous la Manche at Coquelles. This enabled us to get an early start for the long drive to the Essen game fair, crossing through France, Belgium, Netherlands and into Germany. We got to the show mid-afternoon and found all the regular carparks full, so after a long diversion, we ended up at the remote carpark number 10. It was a very busy show for a Thursday with lots of kids about, so it must be holiday time in Europe. Sue was quite overwhelmed by the scale of the show and started to appreciate what it is like for me when visiting. We met David and Kotie there, who had driven up from their home in Antwerp. We were staying, as always, at Mulheim an dur Ruhr at the Handelshof Hotel.

We had only planned to stay two nights before moving on for our holiday. The first night we had dinner in the hotel and caught up with a few people. Sue spent the following day quietly in Mulheim, wandering about or reading at the hotel, while the rest of us went back to the show. That evening, we had a lovely traditional meal at the Mausefalle ‘mousetrap’ with David and Kotie (pig knuckle is their speciality).

Next morning we drove down to Cologne where we planned to stay a couple of nights at the Mercure Hotel Severinshof Koeln City.

We walked into the old town and had a look about where we found a quirky bar called Papa Joe’s Biersalon where they had many different coin-operated animatronic musical machines (including the puppenband) and with a full house the place was vibrant and lively, we had a couple of beers and shared a pretzel and apple cake.

The town is dominated by a large cathedral (biggest in Germany) and we visited it and the glittering treasure chamber rooms. It was the weekend so the town was heaving and since it was almost levelled in the war much of the architecture was relatively new and uninteresting. It was also quite dirty and grey looking.

In the evening, we went to the Papa Joe’s Jazzlokal club (part of the same group as the Beirsalon) to see some enjoyable jazz-blues music. The jazz club does not serve food, so we nipped across the road to a take away joint that prepared fabulous slices of pork in a bun. This club has a reputation for being one of the oldest still running in the world and has music every night. They cram the people in like they do in New Orleans and it had a great buzzing atmosphere, unfortunately after all that excitement I needed a lie down.

The next morning, we took a different route and walked towards the river (stopping for breakfast at a bakery on the way). The area we stared at had been redeveloped and new crane inspired ‘kranhaus’ buildings had been built for commercial and residential use. It was a pleasant stroll as we passed the old Olympic building and past the chocolate museum (we didn’t succumb to temptation though there were a queue of people waiting for it to open). We crossed over and went up a tall building to get a panoramic view back across the river of the city. Afterwards we crossed back passed the ‘love-locks’ that cover railings along the railway bridge. We had lovely rustic lunch back at Papa Joe’s (which was much quieter on the Sunday) and then strolled through the old town into the new passed the original Farina eau de cologne and 4711perfumeries. We picked up an apple strudel and headed back to the hotel for the evening.

We drove on to s’Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) in the Netherlands (where I had visited many years before with work) we took a canalboat tour along the Binnendieze, that runs through and under the old town, after having a lovely lunch at the Bolwerk. After we walked through the delightful town and visited the cathedral, the liquorice and sweet shop called Tum Tum, and had the local delicacy Boschebol (a huge profiterole the size of a child’s head – we shared it) at the famous Jan de Groot bakers.

Our hotel was across the road and was called the Little Duke (the full name of the town translates somewhat to mean the Duke’s forest, and they have a larger hotel in town. This smaller one had no common facilities and even had an automated check-in/check-out system).

In the evening, we went to the fun and lively DIT for a meal where we enjoyed traditional bar snacks such as bitterballen and broodjes along with some fusion Asian food. The town is obviously quite wealthy as is evidenced by the design and trendy boutique shops, and by the interesting breakfast the following morning at CoffeeLab (coffee flavoured acai bowl and mini pancakes dressed with grapefruit and granola). Before we continued our journey, we had a visit to the Hieronymus Bosch exhibition (a local 15/16^th C artist renowned for his disturbing religious imagery of hell), in the display were reproductions of his works (often triptychs with a story to them) and modern, three dimensional models of his more bizarre characters from the paintings.

It had been quite a revelation to us how close everywhere seems to be in mainland Europe, each of our stops being within two hours of each other, however, I would not recommend driving into Antwerp now as the place has always been busy and now with major road works it is a nightmare. The wet weather didn’t help, so with the later start, the traffic and the weather, we didn’t get to see much before we drove out to meet Dave and Kotie at their place. We all went back into town on the more efficient tram. The old city centre looked attractive with the clever lighting and the reflections in the wet cobbles. We ate at Pelgrom where they have a large number of beers and sell flights of them for sampling (which we did). The food is wholesome fare and tasty. We stayed over with David and Kotie at their house and returned to the old town early in the morning to wander around and visit the Cathedral (which had an exhibition that included original Rubens – a local boy – paintings, along with some interesting modern artworks).

Getting to Bruges was much easier and checked into the Velotel, which was further out of town than we would have liked, but as we left it late to book and didn’t realise that All Saints Day was a public holiday, it was the best option for us. It did mean a 40min walk into the old town, but luckily the weather was glorious. We had a beer on the main square and watched the crowds of tourists before joining them and wandered around admiring the architecture and views. We ate and sampled another beer flight at the Bourgogne des Flandres brewery, which has a canal side terrace. We had another drink at a bar decorated for Halloween before having a disappointing meal on the square.

Breakfast the next margining was at the cute and trendy Cafune coffee shop and fortified we wandered around some more before retiring for a leisurely and lovely lunch at ‘t Nieuw Walnutje in a one of the many pretty squares around town.

On way home stopped a Dunkirk to visit the moving Operation Dynamo exhibition and walk along the beaches, before loading the car up with goodies sourced at a wine shop and supermarket and getting the train back to old Blighty.

Soul Sisters…

Recently Sue went to see Soul II Soul with her sister and sister-in-law and friends at Brighton and had a good time getting their groove on.

Racing Hero…

Motor racing hero Rob Walker was celebrated with a car parade through Dorking recently as his famous independent race team was based in the area. Several F1 cars along with other classics were driven around the high street in grand exhaust warbling style.

Unusual Celebration…

For our friend, Dave’s 50^th a group of his family and friends met at Borough Market for a few drinks before going off to join a very entertaining Jack the Ripper Tour that ended up at Spitalfields Market where we had a few more drinks before getting a meal at a nearby Meze Bar. A slightly unusual choice to celebrate your birthday, but everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

More wot I have read…

Silence by Shusaku Endo

This was a book written in 1966 but in such a way as it felt like translations from letters written by the characters. It was interesting to appreciate another part of history that I was not aware of, but the narrative itself did not engage me at all.

‘A Japanese Catholic, Endo tells the story of two seventeenth-century missionaries attempting to shore up the oppressed Japanese Christian movement. Father Rodrigues has come to Japan to find the truth behind unthinkable rumours that his famous teacher, Ferreira has renounced his faith. But, after his arrival, he discovers that the only way to help the brutally persecuted Christians may be to apostatize himself.’

Low Town: The Straight Razor Cure by Daniel Polansky

More of romp through a fantasy world this story was quite silly, but it had diverting characters and rollicking action. A bit of time waster.

‘Welcome to Low Town.

Here, the criminal is king. The streets are filled with the screeching of fish hags, the cries of swindled merchants, the inviting murmurs of working girls. Here, people can disappear, and the lacklustre efforts of the guard ensure they are never found.

Warden is an ex-soldier who has seen the worst men have to offer; now a narcotics dealer with a rich, bloody past and a way of inviting danger. You'd struggle to find someone with a soul as dark and troubled as his.

But then a missing child, murdered and horribly mutilated, is discovered in an alley.

And then another.

With a mind as sharp as a blade and an old but powerful friend in the city, he's the only man with a hope of finding the killer.

If the killer doesn't find him first.’

Green Fingers…

We have had a mixed year in the vegie garden as we had a late and wet spring followed by a very dry and hot summer. Sue has spent a lot of time watering, weeding and generally tending the crops and our most unusual success were two avocado plants growing out of the compost.

Bonny Scotland…

Recently we visited Jamie and Gia at their new house in Edinburgh for the weekend.

It had been some time since we had been in Edinburgh so we did a little sightseeing on our own before meeting up again for a catch up. During our stay, we played a few games, enjoyed the company of their friends and watched a movie.

On Saturday, we went to lunch at a fabulous restaurant called Forage & Chatter that specialised in Scottish inspired dishes. It was delightful and friends commented that the name of the place suited Sue and I very much. We also had a few cocktails at an eclectic bar called Paradise Palms.

On Sunday, we took a long walk along the Water of Leith to Leith itself, from near Dean Village via Stockbridge Market (where I picked up a black pudding scotch egg), stopping for a ‘snack’ at The Ship on the Shore (oysters and champagne for the girls, muscles and calamari and beer for Jamie and me. We returned via Holyrood Park past Arthur’s Seat (luckily, we didn’t have to climb it), the Palace of Holyrood house, Scottish Parliament, the old town beside Edinburg Castle, and finally eating stonking burgers at Foundry 39 (where there was a case of unfortunate mistaken identity – Scotch Bonnet for a dehydrated tomato on Bloody Mary).

Art and Nature…

On a bright autumn day, we visited the RHS Wisley as we are members and we like the gardens. It just so happened that the Surrey Sculpture Society were displaying artwork throughout the gardens and so we followed the trail around enjoying the mix of art and nature.

In and Out in London…

Having enjoyed visiting several interesting places last year with the Open House London weekend event, we decided to do it again this year and we invited my Uncle Terry to join us.

Our route took in some very interesting places such as Foreign & Commonwealth Office, The Banqueting House, Admiralty House, Burlington House (Chemistry, Linnaeus, and Geology Societies), the personable Argentine Ambassador’s Residence and the very grand Guildhall.

We also took in a couple of public houses by way of an interlude and respite, the Golden Lion – King Street and Ye Olde Watling – Watling Street.

Put your hands up…

Listening to our regular radio station I was inspired to book tickets for the Radio 2 All Star Party at Bridlington Spa. Unfortunately, after securing them I found out there was no accommodation in town. This error was compounded when I looked for accommodation further afield on the main train route and booked in at the Star Inn at Nafferton. But I booked for the Friday night and the event was on Saturday. Trying again they did not have vacancy for the Saturday, so I ended up booking a different place for the Saturday. A couple of days before the event I looked at the timetable for the trains and discovered that they were not running on Saturday due to industrial action. Sheesh!

So, on the Friday we had a leisurely drive up to Yorkshire stopping for a visit to the interesting and educational National Trust Workhouse in Southwall.

We drove down towards Bridlington the next morning, taking the Scenic Route and stopping briefly at a church in Rudston with an enormous Neolithic monolith (apparently, the tallest standing stone in Britain) as well as two Roman sarcophagi in the churchyard. At Bridlington, we walked down through the old town (used in the Dad’s Army remake), and then went to the seashore and wandered along the lovely beach, through the harbour and past the amusement arcades.

Near lunchtime we drove up the coast towards Scarborough, but the traffic was heavy (there was a jazz festival on in town) so we continued to Whitby where it was equally busy. We ended up going to the beautiful village at Robin Hoods Bay where we eat a seafood lunch in the Bay Hotel listening to a group singing sea shanties on the boat ramp.

Our second hotel was the Bell Inn at Driffield, and we checked in and had a bit of a rest prior to the party later.

The show was live performances of three of the Saturday night shows hosted by Trevor Nelson, Craig Charles and Ana Matronic in turn. There was also live music from the following: Clean Bandit, Incognito, Lemar, Kid Creole & The Coconuts, Fantasy Funk Band featuring Gabrielle, Jaki Graham and John Turrell.

After several hours of standing and dancing about we eventually bailed just after midnight with very sore feet.

South Coast Sunshine…

There are several lovely spots along this stretch of coastline but Ferring beach is one that is dog friendly and that is the main reason we visited with the Whittenburys and their crazy hound. After a walk along the pebble beach and a paddle in the water we had a tasty lunch at the licensed BlueBird Café. It was such a hit that Sue returned with other friends and their dogs for another visit soon after.

Game Daze…

This time of the year it is difficult to get all our gaming friends together as holidays and other commitments get in the way, nevertheless I managed to sessions of board games recently – one at Derek’s with Martin, and then at Kevin’s also with Martin. I do enjoy playing but I am not particularly adept and it shows as I rarely win a game, but I still had fun.

Under a Shady Tree…

One hot summer’s day (we have had a few of those this year) we ventured out to Winkworth Arboretum where we could walk under the shade of the many and varied trees and around by the serene pond. Nearby is Oakhurst Cottage, a small 16^th century home that has not changed much over the hundreds of years (the National Trust did install a cold water tap in the house for the occupants at their request, but this has since been removed), as it is small, old and fragile the house is only open at certain times and usually as part of pre-booked tours.

Out in the Fresh Air…

This beautiful summer weather has enabled us to spend a lot of time outdoors and as the seasons change to autumn we are reaping the rewards for the hard work in the garden (harvesting crops and flowers to eat fresh, freeze for later in the year and for to pickle and turn into jams and sauces). We have been out walking in the countryside that we are blessed with around home and have foraged through the hedgerows for blackberries to add to our bounty.

A Long Weekend…

Starting on Friday evening with Sue cooking a wonderful dinner for us, her sister Deb, and the Whittenbury clan. It was a good night with plenty of chat, laughter and libations.

The following day we decided to walk some of the excesses off in the local countryside collecting blackberries and wild apples and taking a new route that passed the Dorking Community Orchard and stopping for a little drink at a local pub or three.

Saturday evening, we went to an informal dinner party at a friend’s place with our neighbour and mutual Howard. The host, Neil, had arranged for the food to be cooked by his friend, a former Italian chef, Alex. We had a great time watching Alex create his magic in the kitchen and we perhaps should have stopped there – but martinis were beckoning to some of our party back at Howards.

Sunday was a wet and dreary day so the girls took to the kitchen to create magic and I sloped off to the attic to play on the computer. Later that night we ventured out to the Kings Arms in Dorking to watch, listen and dance to the very entertaining local band the Eclectix.

Bank Holiday Monday was nicer weather so in the afternoon we went to nearby Polesden Lacey where they have live jazz playing to audiences on the main lawn during summer. We had arranged to meet with the Whittenbury’s, Deb and Linda and Mark for a picnic and a relax.

Sussex Prairie Gardens…

The Sussex Prairie Gardens had been on our list to visit for a while so when our friends Paul and Lorraine said they had a stand at a show being held there, we decided to go visit and arranged to meet the Brown there too. The gardens are relatively new (ten years or so) and are laid out in a spiral of beds, some of the outer ones raised to offer wider views. As suggested by the name the planting uses a lot of grasses as might be found on the prairies. The site was quite crowded due to the show, but even so clever planting allowed guests to walk into the beds and find some respite in secluded spaces contained within. After our visit, we went with the Browns to a pub for a late lunch before returning home. I think this is a place we will return to on a non-show day to see it at its best. 

More wot I have read…

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

I was not sure about this book, thinking it would play more with the mystical themes revealed early one, but which spent a lot more time as a family drama unfolding separately for each offspring. The way people react to information they think will impact their lives is an interesting theme and the different responses were well realised, but overall it was a less than satisfying story for me.

‘It's 1969, and holed up in a grimy tenement building in New York's Lower East Side is a travelling psychic who claims to be able to tell anyone the date they will die. The four Gold children, too young for what they're about to hear, sneak out to learn their fortunes.

Over the years that follow, the siblings must choose how to live with the prophecies the fortune-teller gave them that day. Will they accept, ignore, cheat or defy them? Golden-boy Simon escapes to San Francisco, searching for love; dreamy Klara becomes a Las Vegas magician; eldest son Daniel tries to control fate as an army doctor after 9/11; and bookish Varya looks to science for the answers she craves.’

The Ballad of Halo Jones Volume 2 by Alan Moore and Ian Gibson

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid

Another interesting concept provided as a mechanic to this story, but not what it is about at all. I got lost in what the author was trying to get across to me and I found the narrative ponderous and a bit tiresome.

‘In a country teetering on the brink of civil war, two young people meet—sensual, fiercely independent Nadia and gentle, restrained Saeed. They embark on a furtive love affair and are soon cloistered in a premature intimacy by the unrest roiling their city. When it explodes, turning familiar streets into a patchwork of checkpoints and bomb blasts, they begin to hear whispers about doors—doors that can whisk people far away, if perilously and for a price. As the violence escalates, Nadia and Saeed decide that they no longer have a choice. Leaving their homeland and their old lives behind, they find a door and step through.’

The Sudden Appearance of Hope by Claire North

I was intrigued by the premise of this story and found it entertaining in execution. Again, as in many of these books, there are deeper themes at play throughout, but they do not takeover or distract too much from the narrative. And I do like the title very much.

‘Listen.

All the world forgets me. First my face, then my voice, then the consequences of my deeds.

So listen. Remember me.

My name is Hope Arden, and you won't know who I am. We've met before - a thousand times. But I am the girl the world forgets.

It started when I was sixteen years old. A slow declining, an isolation, one piece at a time.

A father forgetting to drive me to school. A mother setting the table for three, not four. A teacher who forgets to chase my missing homework. A friend who looks straight through me and sees a stranger.

No matter what I do, the words I say, the people I hurt, the crimes I commit - you will never remember who I am.

That makes my life tricky. But it also makes me dangerous...’