Rhythm Festival

The Rhythm Festival 2011 in Old Warden Park presents as a good venue with the stages close enough to each other for easy switching and yet not too close to each other to interfere. The surroundings were lovely and the food and drink were at reasonable prices. We went for the 2nd of the three days and saw Slim Chance first up. They did a great set of Ronnie Lane songs - see below.

We had not heard of Sandi Thom but are glad to have seen her - a really lively and accomplished set.

The afternoon was breezy but as you can see, good enough to sit on the grass. The audience was a bit sparse, put off by the weather forecast perhaps or maybe there aren't so many old rockers and hippies about these days, though we did see tie & dye Grateful Dead t-shirts adorning the ample torsos of a few pony tailed, sandal wearing festival goers. We were in anoraks, not at all fashionable, but they came in very handy later on!
Next up was Bobby Valentino. He has played in a few bands over the years (e.g. Fabulous Poodles, Hank Wangford) but this line up was called Bobby Valentino and the Musicians. Good stuff!

One reason I went to the festival was to see Jack Bruce. The very accomplished Norman Beaker Band kicked off with two numbers before Jack joined them during a very heavy downpour. This prompted him to call for 'Sunshine' which went down very well. We got what we came for, some old favourites, including Politician, Born Under a Bad Sign, We're Going Wrong
and White Room. Great stuff! The voice isn't what it used to be but the bass playing is still top notch and the sax player was superb.

So that was five outdoor concerts in summer 2011 and we got wet at four of them; the only dry one was in New York. It's going to take somebody special to get me out there next year...

WGC to Wem

The plan was to cycle from my house in WGC with College friend Nigel to Worcester, our College in 1971, and then on to his house in Cuddington, Cheshire.

A bright and very breezy August moring saw us pedalling into the wind, which continued in our faces almost all day. Mid-morning tea and cake at the Bridgewater Arms in Little Gaddesden was most enjoyable and a prelude to the gorgeous views to be had up to, over and past Ivinghoe Beacon. On through lovely, sunny Buckinghamshire countryside via Mentmore and Wing to discover a great little tea shop in Stewkley.

Continuing via Winslow and Twyford we called it a day after 73 miles in the attractive village of Duddington, where we managed to find a room in a pub/hotel. Day two was through hilly but beautiful north Oxfordshire but we were still cycling into a steady wind. The Lygon Arms in Chipping Camden served us tea and cakes, and thus fortified, we continued west through Elmley Castle and Pershore, veered south-west to cross the River Severn at Upton and then travelled the last flattish miles to Malvern Link for two nights at a spa with our wives. The warm, bubbly water certainly rejuvinated those weary thigh muscles and good food at the Abbey hotel in Great Malvern. We passed on a cycle ride to the summit of the Worcester Beacon. Been there, done that already!

We had a good look round our old College at Worcester, including a visit to one of our old rooms, and Trish found her dissertation in the library. Disappointed with the Student Union - clean, no darts, table football or pinball - it's certainly not the holiday camp that it was!

Cycling Day 3 took us through Hallow and skirting Stourport to Bewdley for more tea and cakes! On through Bridgenorth and Ironbridge, around the Wrekin with fine views all the way. By late afternoon we are looking for somewhere to stay. The countryside in the north of Worcestershire and up into Shropshire is truly beautiful with hardly any population and that's the trouble. There are not many places to stay and the Shrewsbury Flower Show aficionados have taken what few beds there are.

After 73 miles we pitch up in Wem. A rockabilly place, as you can see from the photo below, and no room at the inn for us. It's too far to get to Cuddington before darkness and so we call it a day - train to Shrewsbury and then on to Chester. A kind of failure - Nigel reckoned that we should have booked accommodation in advance - a fair point!

The rain was hammering down in Chester so the venue for the celebration party the station bar. The beer was tasty ebnough and chats to fellow travellers provided additonal fun. The girls picked us up after having watched As You Like It in their cagouls!

Well worth it, thanks Nigel!

Boston and US independence

This photgraph was posted in a shop window in the North End. It describes how, after a two year loan to the USA, Michelangelo's David was returned to Italy with a much more ample midriff!

Charelstown is a lovely part of Boston and it was a pleasure to walk the quiet, sunny streets and admire the houses. Down in the Navy Yard is the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship in the world. You will need photo i.d. to go on board.
The 294 step climb is worth it for the views from the top of the Bunker Hill monument. Finally completed in 1843 after local residents had the C19th version of a cake sale and benefactors made hefty donations, the monument commemorates the Revolution's first major battle. The British won but at great cost. The rest,as they say, is...

NYC to Boston by train

The Americans do so many things so very well but the train was something of a disappointment. Having booked 'business class' I expected a reserved seat at least. However, at Penn station it was every man for himself and if you don't get on quickly you've had it. The four of us managed to sit fairly close together.

A drizzly afternoon ride on the 'railroad' but the weather did not spoil the views of the beautiful Rhode Island and Massachusets coastlines. It was lovely and warm when we arrived in Boston. Friends had told us that Boston is an easy place to walk around and that is certainly true. Whereas NYC is dramatic and really stimulating, Boston is much more relaxed. NYC citizens are friendly enough but those from Boston are more so.

The North End was not as I had imagined it from reading John Irving's 'Last night on Twisted River' but great fun nonetheless. To say that the portions of Itlaian style food were generous would be understating it considerably. Try La Famiglia Giorgio's in Salem Street for massive portions and tremendous fun. Talking of Salem, the hour long ferry ride from Boston Harbour is a trip well worth making. The guided tour of House of the Seven Gables in Salem was fascinating. the twon centre is full of souvenir shops but it was a pleasure to walk along the residential back streets. Another good ocean trip is to go whale watching. we were more or less guaranteed that we would see whales and we saw many. On boston common we started to watch a Shakespearian performance but unfortunately for us the afternoon was too hot. Strolling on we came across a one man band - can't remember this zany chap's name but he was most entertaining, particularly his song about his love of chocolate.

Harlem's Great Musical History

Miles Davis and John Coltrane are just two of many greats who played at the Lenox Lounge. Built in the 1930s it has been restored to its original splendor. The beer was nice and cool too!

Who has performed at The Apollo Theater? Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, James Brown, The Supremes, Gladys Knight, Mavin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and the Isley Brothers to name but a few!

These days the weekly amateur night is still hugely popular.
The apartment block where Billie Holiday first lived when she moved to NYC.

A Person of Interest

A person of interest is a term used by US law enforcement people when referring to someone who has not been arrested but who is involved in an investigation in some way. On a walk in Greenwich Village we came across a scene being filmed for the forthcoming TV series, 'A Person of Interest'. Extras and crew were happy to talk to us about their work and to explain what was going on. The show will star Jim Cavaziel.

1 World Trade Center

Begun in April 2006, the aim is to complete by the end of 2013 and it is going up fast. At 1776 feet it represents the year of US independence.

Walking in Central Park is never anything less than a delight and there are always new things to see. The singers below entertained a very appreciative audience with their wide ranging songbook and superb musicianship.

New York City

The High Line, or the 'Park in the Sky' is a peaceful nature walk along an old freight railway. It runs from the meatpacking district in west Manhattan to West 34th Street. The original railway was built in the 1930s to take dangerous freight trains off the streets. Now it is a place to walk or rest among an abundance of plants. There are drinking fountains, benches and sculptures along the way. I think that the sculpture below is meant to double as bird boxes. Saw insects but few birds, perhaps they'll come when news spreads!

We were fascinated by the space saving way of parking cars.

You get great views from the top of the Rockefeller Centre because there are no panels or grills in the fresh air at the top.

Elton John at Hatfield House

Great venue and an exceptional line up but what a shame the organisation was so poor. Entry by car was down a long picturesque single track lane but as we drove in, a lot of taxis tried to drive out. Surely a one way system couldn't have been hard to organise? From the car park there was a dearth of signs and having finally arrived at the correct entrance we were held up because the staff were not ready to open the gates.

Elton was on parade, see below.

The idea of having the main music stage and a West End Stage was a great one that enabled continuity. It was such a shame that some lame brain decided to put a fun fair in between the two and so for those not at or near the front of either stage, there was the constant noise of the records being played to accompany the rides.

Best of the West End acts? Million Dollar Quartet, We Will Rock You and Mamma Mia were good but the Jersey Boys are in a league of its own.

It was a delight to see and hear Rumer, and though the breeze was blowing strongly, her singing was as flawless as on her album. The Lighthouse Family were a revelation and the audience responded enthusiastically to their feel-good music.

These were the so-called 'VIP seats'. No picnics allowed, none of your own alcohol allowed, a dearth of food outlets and extremely long queues for food, drink and the toilets, so much so that the men's were being used as a matter of routine by the ladies. Shame on the organisers who probably made a packet from the day.

We were feeling a bit damp by the time Elton arrived but he kicked off with a rousing version of Saturday Night's All Right for Fighting...produced a few oldies and then some new stuff.

Anticipating a three-hour wait in a line of traffic to get away from the place, we left a few songs from the end.

Sorry so called 'Lord' Salisbury and Magic FM, you are rip off merchants and we won't be back unless you can plan things with more thought and consideration given to the comfort of your customers.

Rhythms of the World

The day started off lovely and sunny! The festival has been running for 20 years but this was our debut at the Hitchin Priory. A great venue with seven stages, good viewing, food and drink at reasonable prices and an emphasis on welcoming families. Unlike the greedy and incompetent lot who organised the Elton John concert at Hatfield House, the organisers of RotW encouraged people to bring picnics and allowed festival goers to bring their own alcohol. The only downer? You guessed, the English summer weather...



They may sound like a box of matches but the Swanvesta Social Club's Afro-Caribbean rhythms were lively and put the audience in a happy bouncy mood. We loved Randolph Matthews and his soulful vocal melodies, fusing musical styles from around the world. The Welsh folk group Calan were great, including clog dancing and energetic foot tapping songs to keep spritis up during the downpours.


Best of the evening for us were the top class rock and rollers, The Monsters and the blast from the past, the 80s horrible Thatcher era, The Selecter and their hypnotic ska beats.

We'll be back for the 21st I hope.

Tom Jones at Kenwood

We come out of the station at Archway into bright sunshine, but by the time we reach the bus stop for the 210 up Highgate Hill, rain clouds are overhead. From boarding the bus onwards it rains...and rains...and rains...

After sheltering under an oak treee during the warm up act, we go looking for something more substantial. Walking past our designated deckchairs we decide that we are not going to sit or stand in heavy rain, even if we will be close to Sir Tom (but not within knicker throwing distance). There is a group of toilets with a very large canvas canopy covering them that look a possibility - there are already picnicers tucking feasting there. Now sitting on the grass next to toilets may not sound great, but they were nice and clean and hardly anyone was bothering to use them.

Two couples in front of us were very well refreshed, one, so much so that he insisted that I was his bank manager and invited us to have a glass or two of their champagne with him. Meanwhile, Tom Jones was way off down the slope, not recognisable at 200 yards, but clearly audible, so we decided to stick with the ambience around the toilets. The rain continued to pour down and as people became more and more lubricated the Gene Kelly impersonations with umbrellas (and without) began. Good to watch the audience and great to hear the Green, Green Grass of Home, Delilah and It's Not Unusual.

Still raining when we got home.

Champagne man - thanks, and if you read this and see your picture, I assume that you got home safely.

Healsville Sanctuary

It's a drive north-east of Melbourne on the Maroondah Highway, passing through the Yarra valley and past many of the areas splendid wineries.
Healsville Sanctuary is worth a visit, though it was rather crowded when we were there - just after Christmas.

You can see platypus, a very good flying display and, of course, koalas. They don't move much and therefore make themselves easy to photograph.

There's plenty of wildlife in the back yard. Clearing away a mass of ivy we found some large spiders and several geckos. That's my rear view.

Mornington Peninsula

Arthur's Seat is another huge chunk of Victorian granite, named because it supposedly resembles Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh.

The views are magnificent. You can make out the tallest Melbourne buildings over 70 km way.

The sea was cool and refrshing to swim in. You need to be a resident of Dromana to lease a beach hut.

Werribee Mansion, Victoria

Werribee Mansion is about 30km south-west of Melbourne, on the road to Geelong. Entrance is free to the gardens and the Mansion.
The gardens are sumptuous, including the national rose garden and a huge range of native trees and shrubs. The manor is beautifully preserved and provides a great insight into the lives of 19th Century landowners, their servants and the farm workers.

One of the many farm buildings on the estate, this one a farm worker's cottage with a kitchen garden full of flowers, herbs and vegatables.

There is a sculpture park in the grounds. You need to providfe your own model for the picture.

Chirstmas Day in Melbourne

It's a backyard barbecue on Christmas Day. no frost, no darkness, just lots of good food, wine and Australian hospitality provided by Louise and Pete in their newly purchased house.

It may not be a state-of-the-art design but it pumps out some good music!

My mouth waters just looking at it. I might have to go back next Christmas!

We don't just take on the Aussies at cricket.

It's all to much for some people.