Do Not Pass Go by Tim Moore
A book that tells the story of London since the thirties through the 28 streets, stations and utililties of the Monopoly board . In the wonderful world of Monopoly it still only costs £50 to buy a house in Islington, you can move around London with the shake of a dice and even park your car for free. In Do Not Pass Go Tim Moore, belying his reputation as a player who always paid that £10 fine rather than take a Chance, fearlessly tackles the real thing and along the way tells the story of a game and the city that frames it. Sampling the rags and the riches he stays in a hotel in Mayfair and one in the Old Kent Road, enjoys quality time with Dr Crippen in Pentonville Prison and even winds up at the wrong end of the Water Works pipe. And, solving all the mysteries you'll have pondered whilst languishing in jail and many other you certainly wouldn't, Tim Moore reveals how Pall Mall got its name, which three addresses you won't find in your A-Z and why the sorry cul-de-sac that is Vine Street has a special place in the heart of Britain's most successful Monopoly champion.
The stirring travelogue of one man's erratic progress around those 28 stations, utilities and street, Do Not Pass Go is also an epic and lovingly researched history of London's wayward progress in the 66 years since the launch of the world's most popular board game.
Monday, September 08, 2008
More of wot I have heard…
I bought the following albums after seen the artists at the recent Womad festival. There are all probably loosely called folk, but they are quite different from each other.
The Ha’ O’ Habrahellia by Fribo
As you can tell be the name this group is not totally English in origin.
Their website states that - Fribo is a unique collaboration between three musicians from Norway, Scotland and England, who are rapidly gaining recognition and acclaim for blending their own musical styles together with sensitivity and an exuberant feel for contemporary sounds and rhythms.
The music is lively and different and perhaps a little challenging at times.
I am the Man by Simone White
I like this album very much, it is quirky, modern, and pointed and the singer has a lovely voice. I can listen to this over and over again.
After the Morning by Cara Dillon
Perhaps the most traditional of the three this Irish singer’s album is lovely and gentle collection of good melodies and good tunes.
The Ha’ O’ Habrahellia by Fribo
As you can tell be the name this group is not totally English in origin.
Their website states that - Fribo is a unique collaboration between three musicians from Norway, Scotland and England, who are rapidly gaining recognition and acclaim for blending their own musical styles together with sensitivity and an exuberant feel for contemporary sounds and rhythms.
The music is lively and different and perhaps a little challenging at times.
I am the Man by Simone White
I like this album very much, it is quirky, modern, and pointed and the singer has a lovely voice. I can listen to this over and over again.
After the Morning by Cara Dillon
Perhaps the most traditional of the three this Irish singer’s album is lovely and gentle collection of good melodies and good tunes.
Friday, August 01, 2008
More of wot I have heard…
This was probably the best Womad yet as we were bless with superb weather, a greatly improved site, good food music and company. All together there were twenty of us in five huge tents with a couple of gazebos for cover outside. We would eat breakfast together and study the line-up for the day. The kids would often spend time in the Children’s Area making crafts, listening to stories or learning new skills such as juggling or kite flying. The rest of the group would split up according to what artists they wanted to see and we would meet up during the day at various events often getting together later on when the wine and nibbles came out.
WOMAD REVIEW - BY JANE CORNWELL
There were a many and varied list of artists at this years Womad and we managed to see a lot more this year as the weather was kinder than last year’s ‘Womud’.
Sue and the girls particularly enjoyed their Chic disco fix, and I found it hard to choose between the gentle folk meanderings of Fribo and the pumping Ska rhythms of Babylon Circus. We also really enjoyed the sweet voices of Devon Sproule and of Simone White in our favourite new Little Sicily tent.
Of the rest we enjoyed Squeeze and knew almost all of the songs, Sharon Shannon Big Band feat Shane MacGowan, Damien Dempsey & Mundy who played a foot-stomping ceilidh (kay-lee), Asere and their sultry Cuban rhythms and Cara Dillon and her sweet Irish folk.
We had an unexpected treat watching a couple of friends in a dance competition where they need to dance with a potato pressed between their foreheads as Sarah Savoy & the Francadians played in the Taste the World tent.
We also saw Ernest Ranglin, Dengue Fever, Eddy Grant & the Frontline Orchestra, Orchestra Baobab, Martha Wainwright, Finley Quaye, Hossam Ramzy & his Epyptian Orchestra and Justin Adams & Julideh Camara.
I have already bought several CDs and I have a few more in my wish list for later.
We have all set our minds on returning for next year’s event.
WOMAD REVIEW - BY JANE CORNWELL
There were a many and varied list of artists at this years Womad and we managed to see a lot more this year as the weather was kinder than last year’s ‘Womud’.
Sue and the girls particularly enjoyed their Chic disco fix, and I found it hard to choose between the gentle folk meanderings of Fribo and the pumping Ska rhythms of Babylon Circus. We also really enjoyed the sweet voices of Devon Sproule and of Simone White in our favourite new Little Sicily tent.
Of the rest we enjoyed Squeeze and knew almost all of the songs, Sharon Shannon Big Band feat Shane MacGowan, Damien Dempsey & Mundy who played a foot-stomping ceilidh (kay-lee), Asere and their sultry Cuban rhythms and Cara Dillon and her sweet Irish folk.
We had an unexpected treat watching a couple of friends in a dance competition where they need to dance with a potato pressed between their foreheads as Sarah Savoy & the Francadians played in the Taste the World tent.
We also saw Ernest Ranglin, Dengue Fever, Eddy Grant & the Frontline Orchestra, Orchestra Baobab, Martha Wainwright, Finley Quaye, Hossam Ramzy & his Epyptian Orchestra and Justin Adams & Julideh Camara.
I have already bought several CDs and I have a few more in my wish list for later.
We have all set our minds on returning for next year’s event.
More of wot I have read…
Making Money by Terry Pratchett
This is the latest in the Discworld series and as with the many others that have gone before I enjoyed it. It is more of the same, which to my mind is no bad thing.
‘The Ankh-Morpork Post Office is running like . . . well, not at all like a government office. The mail is delivered promptly; meetings start and end on time; five out of six letters relegated to the Blind Letter Office ultimately wend their way to the correct addresses. Postmaster General Moist von Lipwig, former arch-swindler and confidence man, has exceeded all expectations—including his own. So it's somewhat disconcerting when Lord Vetinari summons Moist to the palace and asks, "Tell me, Mr. Lipwig, would you like to make some real money?"
Vetinari isn't talking about wages, of course. He's referring, rather, to the Royal Mint of Ankh-Morpork, a venerable institution that haas run for centuries on the hereditary employment of the Men of the Sheds and their loyal outworkers, who do make money in their spare time. Unfortunately, it costs more than a penny to make a penny, so the whole process seems somewhat counterintuitive.
Next door, at the Royal Bank, the Glooper, an "analogy machine," has scientifically established that one never has quite as much money at the end of the week as one thinks one should, and the bank's chairman, one elderly Topsy (née Turvy) Lavish, keeps two loaded crossbows at her desk. Oh, and the chief clerk is probably a vampire.
But before Moist has time to fully consider Vetinari's question, fate answers it for him. Now he's not only making money, but enemies too; he's got to spring a prisoner from jail, break into his own bank vault, stop the new manager from licking his face, and, above all, find out where all the gold has gone—otherwise, his life in banking, while very exciting, is going to be really, really short…’
This is the latest in the Discworld series and as with the many others that have gone before I enjoyed it. It is more of the same, which to my mind is no bad thing.
‘The Ankh-Morpork Post Office is running like . . . well, not at all like a government office. The mail is delivered promptly; meetings start and end on time; five out of six letters relegated to the Blind Letter Office ultimately wend their way to the correct addresses. Postmaster General Moist von Lipwig, former arch-swindler and confidence man, has exceeded all expectations—including his own. So it's somewhat disconcerting when Lord Vetinari summons Moist to the palace and asks, "Tell me, Mr. Lipwig, would you like to make some real money?"
Vetinari isn't talking about wages, of course. He's referring, rather, to the Royal Mint of Ankh-Morpork, a venerable institution that haas run for centuries on the hereditary employment of the Men of the Sheds and their loyal outworkers, who do make money in their spare time. Unfortunately, it costs more than a penny to make a penny, so the whole process seems somewhat counterintuitive.
Next door, at the Royal Bank, the Glooper, an "analogy machine," has scientifically established that one never has quite as much money at the end of the week as one thinks one should, and the bank's chairman, one elderly Topsy (née Turvy) Lavish, keeps two loaded crossbows at her desk. Oh, and the chief clerk is probably a vampire.
But before Moist has time to fully consider Vetinari's question, fate answers it for him. Now he's not only making money, but enemies too; he's got to spring a prisoner from jail, break into his own bank vault, stop the new manager from licking his face, and, above all, find out where all the gold has gone—otherwise, his life in banking, while very exciting, is going to be really, really short…’
Good night and God bless…
My Aunty J died recently after a long and courageous battle against the dreaded cancer. The end was peaceful and in her own home with family around her and was the best that could be hoped for. Uncle J and Sue were there at the end. J & T had lots of support from family and friends and from the District Nurses and the wonderful Iain Rennie Hospice at Home nurses.
J had been diagnosed seven years ago with terminal breast cancer and given 18 months; she took a lot more, which was down to her determination and positive attitude along with the supurb care she received from the NHS. Sue and I had spent a lot of time with them enjoying long drunken dinners, gardens and National Trust houses and some fantastic holidays abroad and in the UK.
The service in the local church was incredibly moving, well attended as it was by over eighty friends and family. There was music by classically trained neighbours, a song specifically requested by J was performed by the Morris group that T belonged and a eulogy by a long time friend that was all beautiful. The coffin was taken to the grave through and arch of Morris men and everybody was encouraged to witness the internment. Afterwards we congregated at the village hall and talked to each other while we partook of a great spread washed down by suitable beverages. It was an emotional and beautiful day.
Good night sweet lady, we will miss you very much.
J had been diagnosed seven years ago with terminal breast cancer and given 18 months; she took a lot more, which was down to her determination and positive attitude along with the supurb care she received from the NHS. Sue and I had spent a lot of time with them enjoying long drunken dinners, gardens and National Trust houses and some fantastic holidays abroad and in the UK.
The service in the local church was incredibly moving, well attended as it was by over eighty friends and family. There was music by classically trained neighbours, a song specifically requested by J was performed by the Morris group that T belonged and a eulogy by a long time friend that was all beautiful. The coffin was taken to the grave through and arch of Morris men and everybody was encouraged to witness the internment. Afterwards we congregated at the village hall and talked to each other while we partook of a great spread washed down by suitable beverages. It was an emotional and beautiful day.
Good night sweet lady, we will miss you very much.
An educated man…
We were in Hull again recently, this time to witness Jamie gain his degree. Jamie, Sue, her mom and I drove up and met Jamie’s dad there where we had an enjoyable evening out at a local restaurant. The next day we gathered in the town square and, after Sue obtained some extra tickets, we all filed into the Guild Hall to watch the pomp and pageantry (it was like a scene out of Harry Potter) of the great day.
After the presentations the assembled ranks of newly qualified assembled on the steps of the monument for and address by the town-crier, photos and the ritual throwing of the mortar-boards in the air.
After the presentations the assembled ranks of newly qualified assembled on the steps of the monument for and address by the town-crier, photos and the ritual throwing of the mortar-boards in the air.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
The Prodigal Son…
Jamie has returned home to a heroes welcome after finishing at Hull University with a 2.1 in Computer Science. We went up to pick him up and collect his belongs as he moved out of student digs to bring him back home.
On the way up we stopped at Lincoln for Sue’s birthday and checked into a hotel in the old town for the night. We had a quick drink in the Wig and Mitre pub to avoid the crowd of young girls that were queuing to go into the castle for a Sugerbabes concert.
Afterwards we had a stroll around the old town along the cobbled streets alongs side buildings that date back to Roman times. Then had a an evening meal in the delightful Brown’s Pie Shop , where Sue had Scallops to start followed by Fisherman’s pie and cheese to finish. I had Haggis to start followed by Beef and Oyster pie (the most expensive pie ever at £15) and finished with jam roly-poly and custard. The meal was wonderful and we were suitable stuffed when we returned to our rooms after a nightcap again in the Wig and Mitre.
In the morning we visited the imposing Lincoln Cathedral which is a very impressive structure both outside and in, only marred a little by the use of plastic chairs for seating.
We journeyed on towards Hull, crossing the more modern and no less impressive construction that is the Humber Bridge and met Jamie.
It took a great deal of time and clever packing to fit all of Jamie’s possessions in the car and an even more time to ensure that the place was left clean and tidy before we set off for the long trip back home.
We will be returning to Hull the following week for his graduation and then Jamie flies off to Spain for a holiday before come back home and starting to look for a job.
On the way up we stopped at Lincoln for Sue’s birthday and checked into a hotel in the old town for the night. We had a quick drink in the Wig and Mitre pub to avoid the crowd of young girls that were queuing to go into the castle for a Sugerbabes concert.
Afterwards we had a stroll around the old town along the cobbled streets alongs side buildings that date back to Roman times. Then had a an evening meal in the delightful Brown’s Pie Shop , where Sue had Scallops to start followed by Fisherman’s pie and cheese to finish. I had Haggis to start followed by Beef and Oyster pie (the most expensive pie ever at £15) and finished with jam roly-poly and custard. The meal was wonderful and we were suitable stuffed when we returned to our rooms after a nightcap again in the Wig and Mitre.
In the morning we visited the imposing Lincoln Cathedral which is a very impressive structure both outside and in, only marred a little by the use of plastic chairs for seating.
We journeyed on towards Hull, crossing the more modern and no less impressive construction that is the Humber Bridge and met Jamie.
It took a great deal of time and clever packing to fit all of Jamie’s possessions in the car and an even more time to ensure that the place was left clean and tidy before we set off for the long trip back home.
We will be returning to Hull the following week for his graduation and then Jamie flies off to Spain for a holiday before come back home and starting to look for a job.
More of wot I have read…
The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith
This is a gentle and somewhat dull story that didn’t really do it for me. I couldn’t find much sympathy in the main character and was often frustrated by her stuffy middle aged, middle class attitudes.
‘Behind Edinburgh’s regimented Georgian facades, its moral compasses are spinning with greed, dishonesty, lust and murderous intent. Isabel Dalhousie knows this. Isabel, in fact, rather relishes it. An accomplished philosopher and editor of the Review of Applied Ethics, she knows all about the difference between good and bad. Which is probably why, by instinct, she is an amateur sleuth. And instinct tells her the man who tumbled to his death in front of her eyes after a concert in the Usher Hall didn’t fall. He was pushed.
And whatever Isabel lacks in official status, she more than makes up for with accomplices and contacts: there’s her housekeeper Grace, whose applied philosophy is that the Edinburgh way is right and the way of the world is wrong; her beautiful niece Cat; and Cat’s ex boyfriend, Jamie, who is leading Isabel to review her own ethics in the sexual attraction market…’
This is a gentle and somewhat dull story that didn’t really do it for me. I couldn’t find much sympathy in the main character and was often frustrated by her stuffy middle aged, middle class attitudes.
‘Behind Edinburgh’s regimented Georgian facades, its moral compasses are spinning with greed, dishonesty, lust and murderous intent. Isabel Dalhousie knows this. Isabel, in fact, rather relishes it. An accomplished philosopher and editor of the Review of Applied Ethics, she knows all about the difference between good and bad. Which is probably why, by instinct, she is an amateur sleuth. And instinct tells her the man who tumbled to his death in front of her eyes after a concert in the Usher Hall didn’t fall. He was pushed.
And whatever Isabel lacks in official status, she more than makes up for with accomplices and contacts: there’s her housekeeper Grace, whose applied philosophy is that the Edinburgh way is right and the way of the world is wrong; her beautiful niece Cat; and Cat’s ex boyfriend, Jamie, who is leading Isabel to review her own ethics in the sexual attraction market…’
More of wot I have heard…
The Boy Bands Have Won by Chumbawamba
This is one of the best finds for some time and has been played often to family and friends. They are a very sincere and considered band (some times edging towards ‘right-on’) with a superb craftsmanship of word and music of beautiful harmonies, skilled instrument work and joyous lyrics. They have a good time with many of there subjects and the Add Me track pokes fun at the weird and wonderful social networking trends and is a current anthem of ours.
The music has a strong folk influence and has guest performances by big names of the genre, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from giving it a go as it is not all sandals, beards and real ale.
This is one of the best finds for some time and has been played often to family and friends. They are a very sincere and considered band (some times edging towards ‘right-on’) with a superb craftsmanship of word and music of beautiful harmonies, skilled instrument work and joyous lyrics. They have a good time with many of there subjects and the Add Me track pokes fun at the weird and wonderful social networking trends and is a current anthem of ours.
The music has a strong folk influence and has guest performances by big names of the genre, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from giving it a go as it is not all sandals, beards and real ale.
Monday, June 23, 2008
More of wot I have read…
Gormenghast trilogy by Mervyn Peake 1911-1968
Titus Groan 1946
Gormenghast 1950
Titus alone 1959 – reworked after his death
This was a very difficult series of books and ultimately took me several months to stubbornly plough my way through. The exciting but complicated writing of Peake had its rewards and challenges and the increasingly surreal imagery proved difficult to overcome. I found the first book the best and the most exciting and beautifully imagined, the second became more complicated and the last book was just to way out there to really be enjoyed.
I remembered the first book being made into a TV series some time ago that thinking back on it recreated much of the gothic grandeur pretty much as I imagined whenI read it.
Moon by James Herbert
Not quite the same sort of book as what I have just been reading previously (Gormenghast) and the technology changes from when it was written did make it feel dated. But it did have some good ideas; however I can’t find enough in it to really recommend it unless you have nothing else to read.
‘He had fled from the terrors of his past, finding refuge in the quietness of the island. And for a time he lived in peace. Until the ‘sightings’ began, visions of horror seeping into his mind like poisonous tendrils, violent acts that were hideously macabre, the thoughts becoming intense.
He witnessed the grotesque acts of another, a thing that glorified in murder and mutilation, a monster that soon became aware of the observer within its own mind, and relished the contact. A creature that eventually would come to the island to seek him out…’
Titus Groan 1946
Gormenghast 1950
Titus alone 1959 – reworked after his death
This was a very difficult series of books and ultimately took me several months to stubbornly plough my way through. The exciting but complicated writing of Peake had its rewards and challenges and the increasingly surreal imagery proved difficult to overcome. I found the first book the best and the most exciting and beautifully imagined, the second became more complicated and the last book was just to way out there to really be enjoyed.
I remembered the first book being made into a TV series some time ago that thinking back on it recreated much of the gothic grandeur pretty much as I imagined whenI read it.
Moon by James Herbert
Not quite the same sort of book as what I have just been reading previously (Gormenghast) and the technology changes from when it was written did make it feel dated. But it did have some good ideas; however I can’t find enough in it to really recommend it unless you have nothing else to read.
‘He had fled from the terrors of his past, finding refuge in the quietness of the island. And for a time he lived in peace. Until the ‘sightings’ began, visions of horror seeping into his mind like poisonous tendrils, violent acts that were hideously macabre, the thoughts becoming intense.
He witnessed the grotesque acts of another, a thing that glorified in murder and mutilation, a monster that soon became aware of the observer within its own mind, and relished the contact. A creature that eventually would come to the island to seek him out…’
Cat-flap catastrophe…
Being new to the neighbourhood our cat has found that he is no longer king of the castle and he has had several run-ins with other cats – mostly limited to singing competitions in the middle of the night. But some of the cats started to come into our house to eat any left over cat food and sleep on the beds, and after a while one of them started to try and show his dominance by spraying in the house. This disturbed our cat and didn’t impress us either, so when I was at the vets I bought the most expensive cat-flap ever. Over a hundred pounds later and I was the dubious owner of a Pet Porte electronic cat-flap. This is designed to detect the cat’s microchip and only allow it in, but the problem was I had to make sure it worked with our cat’s microchip and get it programmed. Sooty is not the most sociable of cats and it usually a two person job just to put the flea drops on him, so I was not looking forward to having to ‘scan’ him across this detector and still retain all of my digits. Luckily I managed to sneak up in him when he was eating and programmed it successfully. The next job was to get it into the door – and for this I fitted it where the old one came out, only now it was to high outside to be able to scan the cat successfully as there is a big step from inside to out and the flap was situated high in the door. The only solution was to some how raise the floor out side the door so that when the cat tried to get in he was within range of the scanner – so now we have a shelf on the outside of the door that looks bloody weird. All this fuss and messing with the door and manhandling of the cat had made him nervous of the whole thing so now we have to retraining him to use it. Oh joy!
Springwatch…
We were given a cute bird box a while ago and I put it up on the side of our house not expect to much from it as I was told it was in the wrong place. But we were pleasantly surprise when a couple of Blue Tits chose it to set up nest and we took to watching and listening to their progress (unfortunately as did our cat and some of the neighbouring cats too). We were rewarded with the chirping of babies and the sight of the parents busily feeding them. Unfortunately nature’s cruel hand cam into play and some of the fledglings didn’t make it. One fell out of the nest and died, and another flew into a window and was killed by our cat as it lay stunned on the ground. We think the others survived and hope that the box will prove to be attractive next year too.
Sue changes jobs…
After being a long term temp Sue has recently been made redundant, however even before she left the old job she was offered something new. Also a temp job this new work has grown and after being there for only a week or two Sue was ask to train the other staff and had been left in charge. Now the company has offered her a permanent job hinting at more responsibility. This doesn’t suit her at the moment and she will probably not take them up on their offer as ultimately Sue hopes to find work nearer to home. Nevertheless it is pretty cool to be so good at what you do that people are clambering for your services.
They actually expect me to work…
My job has an unpredictable workload as we rely on customer’s demands. I provide support to the sales staff in estimating engineered solutions to meet our client’s requirements in the industrial marketplace (mostly petrochemical and chemical sites). And at the moment with the current demand for fuel and chemicals these customers want to increase their capacity by build new sites or expanding existing ones. Of course they all want them done at the same time and over the last few year there has been a steady reduction in people with the necessary qualifications to support these industries, so that now there is not enough people to do the work.
A rambling man…
We have again enjoyed getting out into the lovely Surrey countryside (when we have the time) and have explored a few different paths. We have seen rare wild orchids on Ranmore common and have heard tales of exotic wildlife such as snakes being spotted nearby. Of course the charm of an English country walk is often enhanced by the prospect of a drink in a country pub and these too are very welcome diversions.
Garden in bloom…
Around home we have also been busy in the garden with a small veggie patch providing lots of salad greens and the flowers in the front garden starting to provide colour and scent to what was once a relatively boring patch of lawn and that has now been turned into out version of a cottage garden. We are quite please with the results though we will have to do some more tweaks now we can see what the plants look like fully grown. Now all we need is some time and good weather to be able to enjoy it.
Dig for victory…
We have had a better start this year at the allotment and have benefitted from the new shed by getting the seedlings off to a good start. The ground is still poor and this is something we are going to have to deal with over the next few years. We have a fence around the site to help stop the deer and other wildlife helping them selves to food (though I am not sure it has prevented human intervention – I am sure there were more strawberries than that!). The plots are all full now and we are having to resort to tubs and are planning to extend the available land for crops that are still to go in. Now we are starting reap our rewards with the first pickings of peas and beans and strawberries and we have high hopes for the garlic, though the potatoes seem to be suffering with the poor soil.
The Americans are coming…
Dana & Susan Robinson – This was a night of sweet music mostly written by Dana in a more modern folk style inspired by the rich American folk heritage.
Jeff Warner – He was a man who has grown up with a family that have researched American folk history and who has an obvious passion for the subject that was very inspiring. He spent time explaining the origins of the songs and showed a great knowledge and understanding.
Judy Cook – Mostly singing solo and unaccompanied, Judy had a great voice and expressed her passion for the songs she sang. Another singer who had researched the origins of the songs she sang and who was able to add a greater depth of understanding to the subject.
Mike Agranoff – Here was an entertainer who was lively and engaging whose talent for music shone out even when he was performing his more flippant of songs.
Jeff Warner – He was a man who has grown up with a family that have researched American folk history and who has an obvious passion for the subject that was very inspiring. He spent time explaining the origins of the songs and showed a great knowledge and understanding.
Judy Cook – Mostly singing solo and unaccompanied, Judy had a great voice and expressed her passion for the songs she sang. Another singer who had researched the origins of the songs she sang and who was able to add a greater depth of understanding to the subject.
Mike Agranoff – Here was an entertainer who was lively and engaging whose talent for music shone out even when he was performing his more flippant of songs.
More of wot I have heard…
Upstate Songs by Devon Sproule
Just the right side of odd, I saw this artist on the Later with Jules Holland TV show and knowing that she is scheduled to perform at Womad I picked this up to see what she was like. Charming and qwerky this album probably won’t appeal to everyone, but I like it.
Seventh Tree by Goldfrapp
This is the third album we have of them and although it is good it is not quite as good as their first (Felt Mountain). They have made an effort to try new things each time they record, which is a problem if you find one of them that you like.
Thirst for Romance by Cherry Ghost – They have some very good tunes packed into this album. I particularly like the tracks, Mathematics, 4am and People Help The People.
Just the right side of odd, I saw this artist on the Later with Jules Holland TV show and knowing that she is scheduled to perform at Womad I picked this up to see what she was like. Charming and qwerky this album probably won’t appeal to everyone, but I like it.
Seventh Tree by Goldfrapp
This is the third album we have of them and although it is good it is not quite as good as their first (Felt Mountain). They have made an effort to try new things each time they record, which is a problem if you find one of them that you like.
Thirst for Romance by Cherry Ghost – They have some very good tunes packed into this album. I particularly like the tracks, Mathematics, 4am and People Help The People.
An English country garden…
Late spring/early summer is usually a good time to start exploring the English countryside and the gardens therein and it helps us get over the long dark winter just past.
When we moved to our new house we joined a couple of clubs to meet people and get involved with the local community. One of these was the garden club and it was through them we went out to visit the Ramster Gardens . This is a large and rambling informal garden of trees and exotic flowing bushes, specialising in Azaleas and Rhododendrons. It was a very pleasant garden and a lovely day to be out wandering about.
We have been spending a lot of time with my Aunt and Uncle and we have indulged our combined interest in gardens by visiting several private gardens in the National Gardens Scheme, including:
Bledlow Manor owned by Lord and Lady Carrington and a grand and graceful garden peppered with many interesting sculptures. The aging Lord himself was on hand to great people and talk to them and as an ex-politician he had a diplomatic and engaging manner about him.
On a separate occasion we went to the Old Thatch where Enid Blyton once stayed and possibly wrote some of her famous stories. This was a delightful garden that had many elements of a traditional Cottage Garden with some more modern interpretations that fitted together with the lovely old thatched cottage.
A visit to Cublington allowed us to visit two very different gardens, one was a smaller garden behind a modern detached house that was immaculately groomed and stylishly arranged, the other was a larger more rambling affair around an old vicarage.
Later on we visited an old favourite country garden of ours, Sissinghurst, with Sue’s Mum, Auntie Vera and Sarah. We had not been here for quite some time and the gardens was as spectacular as we remembered with individual ‘rooms’ cutting the large area into more manageably sizes and creating intimate views around each corner. After strolling around the grounds we were treated to a lovely meal at Vera and Sarah’s place rounding off a lovely day.
When we moved to our new house we joined a couple of clubs to meet people and get involved with the local community. One of these was the garden club and it was through them we went out to visit the Ramster Gardens . This is a large and rambling informal garden of trees and exotic flowing bushes, specialising in Azaleas and Rhododendrons. It was a very pleasant garden and a lovely day to be out wandering about.
We have been spending a lot of time with my Aunt and Uncle and we have indulged our combined interest in gardens by visiting several private gardens in the National Gardens Scheme, including:
Bledlow Manor owned by Lord and Lady Carrington and a grand and graceful garden peppered with many interesting sculptures. The aging Lord himself was on hand to great people and talk to them and as an ex-politician he had a diplomatic and engaging manner about him.
On a separate occasion we went to the Old Thatch where Enid Blyton once stayed and possibly wrote some of her famous stories. This was a delightful garden that had many elements of a traditional Cottage Garden with some more modern interpretations that fitted together with the lovely old thatched cottage.
A visit to Cublington allowed us to visit two very different gardens, one was a smaller garden behind a modern detached house that was immaculately groomed and stylishly arranged, the other was a larger more rambling affair around an old vicarage.
Later on we visited an old favourite country garden of ours, Sissinghurst, with Sue’s Mum, Auntie Vera and Sarah. We had not been here for quite some time and the gardens was as spectacular as we remembered with individual ‘rooms’ cutting the large area into more manageably sizes and creating intimate views around each corner. After strolling around the grounds we were treated to a lovely meal at Vera and Sarah’s place rounding off a lovely day.
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