THURSDAY 20TH DECEMBER

Kosenkov V. 'Winter landscape'.

Have a great time over Christmas and the New Year.


See you in 2008!


I'm off north so will be back blogging full of joy in January.

MONDAY 17TH DECEMBER - jools holland

On Friday evening we went to see Jools Holland and his rhythm and blues orchestra. It was amazing fun!

We had front seats so were really close to the stage - brilliant evening and driving to Plymouth was worth it.

THURSDAY 13TH DECEMBER - memory is strange

NORTHERN EXPOSURE
I was given a DVD box set this quirky drama set in Alaska. I watch an episode periodically and for some unknown reason I just thought of it right now. What prompts a brain to dredge up something completely disconnected from today? I think I might look at one very soon.



Season's Greetings, everybody, from KBHR, the heart and soul of Cicely, Alaska. This is Chris In The Morning. From where I'm sitting, I've got a great view of all the yuletide decorations going up all over town. That's right, everywhere I turn my head I see ebony birds roosting for the holidays. You know, twinkling colored lights are nice, and so are plastic Santas and reindeers and manger scenes, but I'll tell you something, friends... nothing like the sight of beautiful black-as-pitch raven to get you in the Christmas spirit.

Tuesday11th December - raging sea

We went to the North coast on Sunday to watch the sea. We had experienced 3 days of wild weather, driving rain and gale force winds which culminated in severe weather warning on Sunday. It was magnificent as long as you weren't out there.
The foam being blown off the wave tops covered you in seconds.

C

It was clear it was wild as there were no surfers to be seen. There are surfers all year but not this weekend.

It was hard to stand up so these photos are full of the atmosphere which is the reason for blurring.

The UK has a maritime climate and we experience the force of the Atlantic storms here in Cornwall. I love the wind and the rain which makes this type of weather so exciting.

WEDNESDAY 5TH DECEMBER - tulips

For four consecutive birthdays I have been sent a wooden tulip from a very special friend in Finland. They sit on a small shelf with their cheery colour to brighten the grey days of winter.

I have just read a fantastic book by Swedish writer Bodil Malmsten and she told me about tulips so I thought I'd pass it on to you.

In history, the Dutch will be remembered for their passion for tulips. After 400-plus years, theirs is an enduring love affair. First introduced to Holland in 1593, the tulip has become a symbol for the country.

For the origins of the tulip, look to central Asia,the Tien-Shan and the Pamir Alai Mountain Ranges near modern day Islamabad, close to the border of Russia and China.

It feels a useful thing to know don't now when it will be needed, some quiz or game possibly.

FRIDAY 30TH NOVEMBER - yet another addiction

Felt the need to buy some music.
I decided to look on ebay.
Oh dear I have bought a Neil Young that I hadn't got,
2 Deacon Blue,
a Leonard Cohen that I only have on vinyl
and 1 by The Waterboys.

Oh and a book for good measure -biog of Nelson Mandela.

The good thing is that it is recycling after all isn't it?

WEDNESDAY 28TH NOVEMBER - methane fires on ice

A wonderful new programme has hit our screens. It is absolutely fascinating with so much information. It is called The power of the planet.

I hope you can see this click of methane fires in the arctic ice.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/sn/tvradio/programmes/earthpoweroftheplanet/video/epopatmos02?size=16x9&bgc=000000&nbram=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1

Amazing but what global consequences does it hold.

MONDAY 26TH NOVEMBER - IN THE FARM SHOP

I found this at my local farm shop. Isn't it just amazing? Its florets are a fibonacci sequence.

Apparently it is called Romanescu.

I think this is one of nature's very beautiful creations.

I will eat it tonight.

WEDNESDAY 21ST NOVEMBER

I have just got a copy of 'On the road' by Jack Kerouac. This is the road to start a road trip.

MONDAY 19TH NOVEMBER - people watching

We went to the beach at the weekend. It was cold and very windy.

This time of year it is only for the real enthusiasts.

There was a guy swimming with his dog.

There was a kite flyer.

There were strollers some with their dogs.

However I reckon that these chaps have tenacity they sit there for hour after hour apparently never catching anything great opportunity for thinking about life's greater issues. I wonder if they do.

THURSDAY 15TH NOVEMBER

KING JOHN.

BRITAIN HAS TOO MUCH HISTORY SOMETIMES.

This quirky little story was heard on the radio yesterday.

No market can be set up within a day's donkey ride of South Shields.
A Tyneside town's hope of setting up a weekly market has been dashed by an ancient law involving a donkey.
Since the 1200s, South Shields has the right to block rival markets being run less than a day's donkey ride, or six and two-thirds of a mile, away.
North Shields, on the opposite side of the River Tyne, wants its own market, but is blocked by the ancient charter.
Maggie Richardson said that North Shields needed a market to bring vibrancy to the town centre.
She said: "We have been trying for a number of years to get around this, but every time we have approached South Tyneside Council, they say they were given a market charter some time in the 1200 region by King John, so that no one can set up a market within a day's donkey ride.
A spokeswoman for South Tyneside Council said that the ancient six and two-thirds mile exclusion zone referred to the distance a trader was deemed to be able to travel from home, sell for eight hours, then return in a single day.
She added: "South Shields market is both vibrant and popular.

TUESDAY 13TH NOVEMBER - milk

After many years of buying milk at the supermarket I have reinstated a house delivery and now find cold fresh milk on the doorstep for my morning tea and cereal. It is slightly more expensive but then think of the environmental savings - reusable glass bottles not recyclable plastic containers. Each glass bottle is reused average of 15 times. The dairy is in my county - jobs there and the milk is from Cornish cows feels good to support a very troubled agricultural industry. These are enough reasons to pay a little more per pint. Oh and did I mention it tastes really good too? Such a small gesture and so easily done.

WEDNESDAY 7TH NOVEMBER - LOOK!

I am posting a link to a programme we are being treated to in the UK. I am not a TV fan but this is an exception.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/earth/nature/uk/autumnwatch/

TUESDAY 6TH NOVEMBER - live music

This Canadian folk singer came to our village a week ago.

She sings sweetly and is pleasant to listen to.

She will be touring her home country until Christmas so if she comes near you then go to listen and drink a beer.

MONDAY 5TH NOVEMBER - on the shore

About a year ago I came upon these feral goats munching kelp on the shore of a Scottish sea loch. The delight of unexpectedly encountering unusual wild creatures in our over crowded island is always joyous.

FRIDAY 26TH OCTOBER - environment

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

living within the limits of the natural environment without compromising the needs of future generations.

Maybe a picture of this beautiful planet should be hung in every home to remind us of how lucky we are.

Treasure it.

WEDNESDAY 24TH OCTOBER - meaningful

YOU GO YOUR WAY
AND
I'LL GO YOUR WAY TOO.

LEONARD COHEN

The man's a genius.

MONDAY 22ND OCTOBER - obsession

We went to Bristol on Thursday evening to see our favourite band RUNRIG live at The Colston Hall. It was every bit as fantastic as we hoped if not even better.

Then we drove up to Basingstoke to hear the concert again on Saturday and it was even better!!

AND we had the opportunity to meet and chat to them after the event. What amazingly nice guys all of them.

Coming down to earth is hard but I imagine I'll get there eventually.

TUESDAY16TH OCTOBER - AUTUMN

Maybe the autumn is arriving, today we woke to this. It has been warm and no sign of the wind and rain until today. Still quite warm. Unusual. Is this a sign of global warming? can't help wondering.

WEDNESDAY 10TH OCTOBER - Debra Damo

This door is 18 metres above the ground.

I am reading the most fascinating book and have just read about this most curious place. This is an all-male area. A sign down by the creek said, "No females of any species allowed beyond this point." A similar sign appears near every Ethiopian Coptic monastery. If a female were to be so rash to come this far, the rope simply would not be lowered for her.

MONDAY 8TH OCTOBER - bliss

Just a great place to spend a few hours dawdling and dreaming on a Sunday afternoon.

THURSDAY 4TH OCTOBER - Today's puzzling thought.

When your plane arrives at the destination and the seat belt sign is switched off why do people feel obliged to get off before everyone in front or behind them? I have discovered that waiting until the everyone is off , then disembark walk casually through to baggage reclaim and meet up with your fellow passengers.
No stress involve just a leisurely arrival at your destination.
Why the haste?

TUESDAY 2ND OCTOBER - music / RUNRIG

The guy in the middle is presenting them with a platinum disc, in Denmark, he is not in the band!

The best Scottish folk/rock band starts its English tour tonight in York.

I am going to see them on 18th at Bristol. Bit of a trek mid-week from Cornwall but somethings are just worth it. Saw them last time they werein Bristol, it was the best gig ever.

Their music is fantastic but their lyrics are amazing too.

http://www.myspace.com/runrigofficial

just take a short listen!

MONDAY 1ST OCTOBER - grey seaside day

It was grey, it was windy and still the Brits go in the sea. Surfing well bodyboarding, swimming and wind surfing right across the bay.

There were plenty of folk walking above the strand line well wrapped against the strong westerly wind.

This is Gyllingvase beach.

THURSDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER - solidarity

I have just received a message from Sweden to say wear RED tomorrow to show support for the brave people of Burma.

WEDNESDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER - dream on

I woke in the night and while I was waiting for sleep to return I thought of sitting outside and drinking a beer. Lapin Kulta of course and fell asleep happy.

TUESDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER - happy new year!

Ethiopia celebrated the new year yesterday.

HAPPY 2000!

The coming into the 21st century 7 1/2 + years late by our calendar but right by theirs .

MONDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER - freedom

We have enjoyed nearly 20 years of freedom while the people of Burma have been hidden from the world by an opressive regime.
Now it seems as if the people of that country are speaking in a very powerful way.

Peacefully.

Some 100 nuns joined the budddhist monks along with 20,000 members of the public to march for freedom on Saturday in Rangoon.

A leader of the march said, "We want national reconconciliation, we want dialogue with the military, we want freedom for Aung San Sun Kyi and other political prisoners." What a brave lady she is, how much she has given up in the pursuit of freedom.

Tentatively human rights activists have started to refer to this movement as "The Saffron Revolution."

We can only hope that there is not a bloody crackdown by the dictatorship.

Should make us think about how fortunate it is to have been born in a democracy. I shall try to think of this when I get irritated by something trivial today.

THURSDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER - theatre

Went to the theatre yesterday to see The History Boys by Allan Bennett.

He is a great contemporary writer here in the UK such a talented wordsmith.

This was thought provoking and very entertaining.

I just love live entertainment can't be beaten.

TUESDAY 19TH SEPTMEBER - good news

In amongst the doom and gloom in the newspapers I found this little gem.



BLACK-THROATED AND RED- THOATED DIVER NUMBERS ARE ON THE INCREASE.

Two rare diving birds are on the increase in Britain - despite being on the decline across Europe, a survey has revealed.

Both black-throated and red-throated diver numbers have increased
Man-made rafts planted with turf and heather to look like natural islands, anchored in remote Scottish lochs to protect the nesting birds from flooding and predators, have contributed to a rise in the number of breeding pairs from 187 to 217 since 1994.
The red-throated diver has increased its numbers from 935 breeding pairs to 1,255 over the same period, a boost of 34 per cent, despite fears that warming of the North Sea could reduce stocks of the fish it feeds on.

These birds featured significantly on my Finnish trip. Love the sight and sound of them evocative of the wild so very glad that they are thriving here.

MONDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER - cheese

In this little bag are purchases from my very favourite shop in town.

Brie de meaux

Emmental

Gruyere

Gjetost

Sharpham Rustic locally made in Devon.

I love a slice/piece of cheese for lunch on an oatcake with a small side salad of leaves,tomato and cucumber. I am but a simple soul.

FRIDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER - ancient menu

ROAST hedgehog was once as popular a dish in Britain as roast beef is now, research by Welsh academics suggests today.
Researchers from Uwic have found that roasting hedgehogs was very common in Neolithic Britain (about 6,000BC).

Heard this item on the news this a.m. They look sweet but are covered in fleas.

Could they be tastier than cows or pigs? I reckon they won't catch on because supermarkets just won't be adventurous enough.

THURSDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER - wood

While on my last trip to Finland I came across this extraordinary museum at Paateri to a wonderfully talented wood sculptress by the name of Eva Ryynanen. She was so in tune with her suroundings that this was a wonderful atmospheric place to feel privileged to visit.

This bear was 1.5 metres high and has a gorgeous expression.

TUESDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER - PEA SHOOTS!?!

Pea shoots?
What does Pea shoot?
Read on.
'Pea shoots' amongst the salad leaves in the shop.
What an idea........... so had to buy some.
Imaginative marketing there.
Great idea to eat as much of the plant as possible.
They are really quite good.

MONDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER - music

On Saturday night we went to The Sterts Theatre.

Great venue - outdoor canopied amphitheatre set among the granite walled fields high up on the edge of Bodmin Moor.

Music - Show of Hands Folk music from a Devonian Duo.

A good evening but the musicians were lacklustre maybe they had worked hard with a summer of festivals. The evening was fun but then live music is so much better than staying in without a doubt I think.

FRIDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER

I am reading The Spirit Wrestlers by Philip Marsden.

Incredible people discovered and talked to in the old Russia. These people I am reading about are the Molokans in who live in the Caucasus mountains. They are known as the "old believers."
This is a closed society who can be considered as the Russian equvalent of the Armish in America. www.armeniapedia.com

I am very interested in minority peoples and I had never heard of Molokans and can't wait to find out more.

I read lots but although fiction has its place a book with "meat" is far more satisfying.

Have you got any suggestions?

WEDNESDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER - delicacy

I managed to bring home some food from Finland, bread and chocolate but on the last evening after a wonderful meal my friend went to her freezer to get some cloudberries :lakka: squashed them into a jar with some sugar.

I transported them through all the baggage handlers safely and to Cornwall.

I ate a few teaspoonfuls last night with ice-cream.

They are a wonderful food.

We can only buy them as very sugary jam in IKEA here in the UK which just isn't good enough.

Oh well the excuses to return to gather them in the wild.................

SUNDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER - home

It is so difficult to wind down after a fabulous holiday don't you find?

The last fifteen days in Finland has been so fantastic that coming back to the real world makes it feel that I have had the best dream ever but it was REAL.

The need to return is very strong which is why I do just that. The log cottage by a lake, the rowing boat, solitiude and peace but best of all sauna and swims daily, combine to make this wonderful experience almost perfect. Oh and the loads of friends we have there too. We even heard wolves nightly when we sat out drinking beer, by candlelight, in the dark.

No photos yet as I have to just look at them today.

Kiitos!

WEDNESDAY 15TH AUGUST

There will be no more posts on this site until September as I am off on my hols. tomorrow. Bye for the moment!

MONDAY 13TH AUGUST - HORSES

THE HEAVY HORSE SHOW.

The crowd in the sunshine watching, applauding, enjoying and relaxing.

It was a glorious summer day and this horse showing off to the crowd.

This magnificent pair in all their glory.

This annual event takes place in a small cornish village and becomes the focus of life there for the day. You are assured of meeting someone or many people you know so it is a social hub and great fun for all ages.

TUESDAY 7TH AUGUST - MEVA

We came here last evening for a traditional English meal of fish and chips. The evening was glorious with the light on the coast beautiful and you could see all along to almost Plymouth.
F&C isn't really very healthy but to sit at the harbour side makes it excusable doesn't it?

THURSDAY 2ND AUGUST - CROC. TAIL

We had a bbq last night.

We enjoyed the usual fare of sausages, burgers, salad, bread and beer.

Then we tried something a bit unusual - crocodile tail steak.

It tasted fishy, chickeny, rubbery and was quite nice really.

It was quite hard to get out of your mind where crocs live in the wild and the fact that they just don't look pretty at all but it was a positive culinary experience.

WEDNESDAY 1ST AUGUST - POEM

It is Spring, moonless night in the small town,

starless and bible-black,

the cobble streets silent and the hunched,

courter's-and-rabbits' wood limping invisible down to the sloeblack, slow, black, crowblack, fishingboat-bobbingsea.

The houses are are blind as moles or blind as Captain Cat there in the muffled middle by the pump and the town clock,

the shops in mourning,

the Welfare Hall in widows'weeds.

And all the people of the lulled and dumbfound town are sleeping now.

Late last evening this piece of poetry was unexpectedly spoken. I think the words are beautiful. It is from Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas and is very well known here.

I don't particularly enjoy poetry preferring prose but then the radio surprises.

TUESDAY 31ST JULY - GLORIOUS DAY.

I was enjoying a chicken wrap for lunch when I looked up and saw the sky through the trees. It was a beautiful blue. I felt so happy after weeks of wet, wet, wet.

MONDAY 30TH JULY - TREAT!

It was our anniversary yesterday. We don't usually do anything special but yesterday we went out for a meal. It was such a treat.

We went to the Headland Hotel and ate in the brasserie. Between us we ate scallops, monk fish and skate wings.It was a beautiful evening after the endless rain we have had. The sunset was lovely over the sea.

I want to show you where we went - what a position!

It was such a treat. We will treat ourselves again next year!!