60th Wedding Anniversary

Well, what an amazing family I have. Just been up to Scotland to celebrate “Hector and Rosina's” Diamond Wedding Anniversary. There we were, the six children together for first time in 22 years (Winnie's wedding) and for 34 years (in Scotland).

And what a ball we had. Family photos from Tony, family quizzes from Hector and Winnie, troubadour Tam unplugged and live, Victoria and Emily “doing anything for you”, “This is your life” from Jimmy. A fab team effort with the trilogy of the youngest wee Walkers “Daisy, Tom & Oliver” doing a stop over on their way to their gym-jams.

Wow - what gorgeous neices I have (Bliss on the left and Jess on the right).

Hector and Rosina were quite overwhelmed with the whole thing in fact so was everyone else, especially when 95 year old Aunt Sarah turned up (thanks John). Cake, banners, flowers and balloons (providing the usual helium fueled hysterics - and that was just the children) were ably tracked by Marilyn.

It was all too short but possibly for that a highly enjoyable evening with many hugs tears in the corner of most eyes.

COGS Ride to Stonehenge

Nineteen riders turned up on a clear morning for a 3.00am departure from the Salisbury Leisure Centre. Amazingly some people still turn up without lights – what can you say, “it’s dark”, “you are an adult” “you are a responsible person”? Each to their own I guess and of course they take their own responsibility!

All those back lights in the distance as your travel up the Woodford valley, no traffic, just peace and quiet.

Beyond the valley you join the track to hear the owls hooting in the copse and the skylarks singing in the background.

And then the scene before you is a dark mass in the distance, the stones silouted by the many camera flashes bouncing in many directions and noise cancelled out by the traffic.

20-30 thousand people throng the stones, a heaving mass of society. From family groups to couples, everyone loving one another and sharing joints, alcohol, food, music, bedrolls and camera phones.

The beat in the stones is captivating as the bodies surge back and forth to the beat with the swaying spaced out conductor, orally leading or making love to his sax, dictating the rhythm and intensity.

And for the first time they actually had recycling – English Heritage see the light! Which is more than can be said for us as the sun was well hidden behind the cloud – ah well maybe next year.

It must be June and National Bike Week

National Bike Week (www.salisbury.gov.uk) is upon us and it got off to great start with the opening of the Golden Way (9th June). As much as we were disappointed that Jon Snow was not able to turn we still had 60 cyclists and the Deputy Porfolio Holder for Transportation and her four children. Cheesy video interviews can be seen on (www.visionnews.co.uk)

The following week we had the Bike Awareness Day (Saturday 16th June) in Salisbury Market Square followed by the Deputy Mayor “Iris Evans'” Cavalcade – unfortunately, due to a back injury Iris is unable to cycle but she sent us off with speech worthy of Robert The Bruce - the cars did not stand a chance (never mind that we were just stuck in traffic jams as we circumnavigated the inner city.

Sunday 17th June found Gill leading off 13 cyclists to the Quaker Open Garden - beautiful spot down by the river near Alderbury. Of course we had to stop off at the Three Crown in Whaddon for quick snack and a few pints of ale.

Cycle rides, fly fishing and canal boats

Out on a cycle ride in late April we took the opportunity to check the Sustrans Route 24 signage last week. Peter had been out the following week re-signing the route. It has to be said that he and Jeff Scholefield really did deserve their award for the signing of the routes through Salisbury.
Another weekend we spent camping in Winterslow when going to the Barn dance in the village to support Uganda project. Following day we were fly fishing (here's Gill casting but not catching!) for the first time courtesy of John and Sally.
Recently spent two weeks on Solong the canal boat. Picking the boat up at Blisworth Tunnel boats we headed North up through Braunston to Nottingham. Stopped here to let Peter and Joan escape back home. Met up with nephew Tom and fed him an almighty steak. Picked up Chris and headed towards Leicester and Loughborough. Rained more than we would have liked but I still managed to end up with the back of my ears burnt. A great few weeks away and met up with some real characters on the cut (canal). Tales of the cut included the elderly lady on Gracie who for the first time has just bought a twin tub. and the old gents, one the son of Chocolate Charlie (he ran milk to the Cadbury's factory in his boat) who has decided that he is unable to cope on the boat and is considering buying a house on land.

Snakes and Pussies

It was solong

Whilst working amongst our compost containers I lifted a plastic lid that had been lying on the ground for some time. Underneath was the most beautiful slow worm. This interesting creature, which fortunately does not bite, had then climbed into another lid in which I was able to photo. Shortly before, Gill had lifted the lid on one of the compost containers, and was busily being stared at by a cute little mouse - how interesting and lively our gardens can be.

What a nice pussy

Being invited round to Karen's for dinner on Saturday night was a great opportunity to view her new kittens - four new British Short Hair - very cute! Gill and I were most impressed and spent ages going - oooooohhhhhhh!!!! Meanwhile viewing the kittens resulted in Karen's pasta overcooking - mind meal was lovely!

Show of Hands at the Albert Hall

Show of Hands (Sunday 8th April)

Back at the Albert Hall Steve Knightly and Phil Beer were at their best to delight another sell out audience. Their trade mark of audience participation was evident from the first impression that someone was coming on stage. The applauding eventually subsided as it was clear that Steve once again was somewhere in the stalls arriving from a far flung place in the farthest point away from the stage. With only his guitar and vocals his haunting voice driffted to us in the gods and set the scene as Phil Beer's drawling violin notes were increasing in volume to match Steve resonating on the other side of stalls. The audience burst into rapturous appreciation of a duet who then spent the evening holding the audience in the palm of their hands or was that on the end of their finger tips.

Joined on stage for most of the evening by Miranda Sykes, who had her own jazz/blues solo later on, SoH settled in to a comfortable night having a few friends round and good old session took place.

Martyn Joseph, Tom Robinson, John Jones as well as a mix of unknown/new artists Jenna, a host of Cornish singers and a trio of young female violin players arrived and left at the end of their sets. Typical of SoH many of these established musicians were given the opportunity to join their heros on stage whilst the floor was given over to up and coming star Jenna. Whilst her music was already well accomplished the highlight of her song was when believing she was well off stage she gave a little jig of sheer excitement at having just performed at the Albert Hall.

Giving thanks, all and sundry were brought back on stage for the unaccompanied final sea shanties where the roof was raised once again on what was a splendid eveving at the Albert Hall.

Buena Vista Social club

Buena Vista Social club

Having come back from Northampton on the Friday (30th March) we were off to see Buena Vista Social club on that evening. This was a splendid evening listening to a group with such vitality and rythm. Right from the first number the crowd were swaying in their seats to the buxom bussom and sensuous back side of Cuba. With outstanding solo perfermonces the coming together of all the individuals was a cresendo of delight.