Our little Corner of London

 

How not to welcome honoured guests

Spotted on our walk from the docklands to Greenwich. 

London trip: Selected highlights

Decision time at the Deep Blue Cafe in the Science Museum. "mind the draught..." Reconstruction of Babbage's difference engine at the Science Museum. Piles of boxes at the Tate Modern. 

Romsey just before dawn

The view from our bedroom window one fine morning. 

Back to the Source II

...and this is Puffer's Cottage in North Newton where, as far as I am concerned, it all began. 

Back to the Source

We made a pilgrimage (back, in my case) to North Newton. First time for at least 20 years, so it was with some trepidation that I turned off the main road and took the lane past the disused Durston station. Incidentally, this reminds me of a story my dad has told me; that there used to be a secret siding near Durston station where the Royal train used to stop. A related legend is that they would draw the curtains on the Royal train as they travelled through Somerset, which was thought of as a rebel (roundhead?) county from the civil war. This is the 'Puffer' of Puffer's Cottage fame 

A Night at Oliver St. John Gogarty's

This nasty picture is the best I could manage with my mobile phone in the 'Oliver St. John Gogarty' pub in Dublin. Irritating banter from the guitar player, but some sublime music all the rest. This after two pints of Guinness and a curry (we took pity on Michael, ex-patriate Englishman living in Florida, who was lusting after curry, and didn't make him eat Irish stew) made for a good evening out.

La Thuile Skiing II

See a familiar mountain in the background? Who is that masked woman? Last gondola down. 

La Thuile Skiing: Part I

 

...and another one

...by 4pm on the same day (see previous post), we had another one....

A new house guest

We've been having guest appearances by a mouse over the last couple of weeks, and so we finally bought an ingenious trap, with a little hatch that falls shut when the mouse goes in. I set the trap with some finest dark chocolate (bought at the airport in Turin) - nothing but the best for vermin in our house, I'll have you know. On the very first night, we caught our first mouse - so I trudged down the garden at 6am and set him free. Hoping that he doesn't have homing instincts too well honed.

Off Skiiing in Italy

First thing tomorrow, we will be off skiing in La Thuile. Today has been a day of pottering, putting together gadgets 'n stuff to take away. Somehow this is just my perfect start to the holiday. Just to put me in the mood, here is a sample of skiing from our trips to Whistler. Adrian and Dee visited turned up with some fine bottles of beer, including Hobgoblin and Fiddlers Elbow. I am very tempted to get a Wychwood brewery Hobgoblin tee shirt, in honour of the fine music shop of the same name.

Trowbridge Village Pump Festival 2006

Trowbridge Village Pump Festival 2006 looks like a good one; starts on Thursday 20th July

Waterson : Carthy :: Keeping it in the Family ...

Heard an interview with Billy Bragg on "Front Row" on Radio 4. A little clip of music by Liza Carthy has me interested ... Waterson : Carthy :: Keeping it in the Family ...

Folk and Roots - Folk Music Concerts, Gigs and Events UK

I just noticed here Folk and Roots - Folk Music Concerts, Gigs and Events UK that Danú are playing at the Chapel, Salisbury. I think that a visit to see them is going to have to be my birthday treat.

Test Valley Way Walk

We decided to do a walk down the Test Valley way starting at Dunbridge. We were going to take the train but discovered that it had been cancelled. Not to be put off, we got a taxi to Mottisfont. A lovely walk on a cold, clear day. 

Bonfire Night Vanities

A good evening of fireworks and friends. Janice had constructed a remarkable bonfire. Suggestions of dancing around the fire naked were declined. 

Pretty Flowers

This was the picture that finally convinced me that digital pictures could rival 35mm for subtlety of colour, including in print. 

One day, our garden may look like this...  

Swanage Folk Festival

Went to Swanage Folk Festival. Met up with the MacWilliams and saw a good set by

'Breakneck Creek'

The lead singer also played Mandolin, whistle and uilleann pipes. We went for a walk along the shoreline, then bought burritos and nachos from the same stall we'd got them from years ago when we went to Old Sarum (for free). Janice got a pound off as a 'regular customer'.