This is a school hall but unlike those I frequented in the distant past it lacks pitch/court markings and wall bars: I guess that's private education. The piano is also a lot fancier and was played with exceptional skill by Jeneba Kanneh-Mason. Despite her EP title, it was not Jane Austen's...
December 15, 2025 at 10:24 PM
This is a school hall but unlike those I frequented in the distant past it lacks pitch/court markings and wall bars: I guess that's private education. The piano is also a lot fancier and was played with exceptional skill by Jeneba Kanneh-Mason. Despite her EP title, it was not Jane Austen's...
It was no Muppet Christmas Carol but not at all bad. The FB Pocket Orchestra creating the full soundtrack live, with just three people, was incredible...
December 14, 2025 at 10:44 PM
It was no Muppet Christmas Carol but not at all bad. The FB Pocket Orchestra creating the full soundtrack live, with just three people, was incredible...
A proper choral Christmas concert from Southern Voices at St Cross tonight with audience carols too. A lot of head voice needed from yours truly and some rather unexpected verses In The Deep Midwinter: possibly omitted from my childhood thanks to references to both 'breast' and 'ass'...
December 13, 2025 at 11:04 PM
A proper choral Christmas concert from Southern Voices at St Cross tonight with audience carols too. A lot of head voice needed from yours truly and some rather unexpected verses In The Deep Midwinter: possibly omitted from my childhood thanks to references to both 'breast' and 'ass'...
Getting properly into the Christmas vibe with the panto themed decorations of Hinton Ampner House. You would be correct to assume my thigh was slapped (by me) and much was discovered behind me...
December 12, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Getting properly into the Christmas vibe with the panto themed decorations of Hinton Ampner House. You would be correct to assume my thigh was slapped (by me) and much was discovered behind me...
A very enjoyable evening being gaslit by the Pegs (and others) at the Platform Tavern...
December 12, 2025 at 1:09 PM
A very enjoyable evening being gaslit by the Pegs (and others) at the Platform Tavern...
Given the total collapse of rail services to Brighton, an emergency walk had to be implemented. Whilst rather muddy and at times fully flooded, the views from Old Winchester Hill were glorious and the passing zephyrs bracing!
December 10, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Given the total collapse of rail services to Brighton, an emergency walk had to be implemented. Whilst rather muddy and at times fully flooded, the views from Old Winchester Hill were glorious and the passing zephyrs bracing!
It is both showtime and Snowtime at the Theatre Royal with the Spitfire Sisters (and band) about to take to the Puss in Boots stage...
December 9, 2025 at 9:39 PM
It is both showtime and Snowtime at the Theatre Royal with the Spitfire Sisters (and band) about to take to the Puss in Boots stage...
Witheridge Hay may, or may not, have been a Shakespearen actor/manager but he is definitely a cheese a chose based on the name in Waitrose on Thursday (20% off at the cheese counter). Having sampled his nose this evening, I can confirm he is delicious
December 7, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Witheridge Hay may, or may not, have been a Shakespearen actor/manager but he is definitely a cheese a chose based on the name in Waitrose on Thursday (20% off at the cheese counter). Having sampled his nose this evening, I can confirm he is delicious
My musical afternoon started in Stockbridge with JS Bach with Wachet Auf and Der Gerechte kömmt um followed by driving like the wind (Force 4 or 5 as conditions allowed) to enjoy the Smugglers Band essay acoustic versions of various heavy rock/metal classics. Very satisfactory!
December 7, 2025 at 10:30 PM
My musical afternoon started in Stockbridge with JS Bach with Wachet Auf and Der Gerechte kömmt um followed by driving like the wind (Force 4 or 5 as conditions allowed) to enjoy the Smugglers Band essay acoustic versions of various heavy rock/metal classics. Very satisfactory!
Last night's band in a bar were the very entertaining Dr Beatroot at Belgium and Blues. It also gave me the chance to sample JW Lees resurrection of Boddingtons. I can report that, unlike many things from that era, it was inoffensive...
December 7, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Last night's band in a bar were the very entertaining Dr Beatroot at Belgium and Blues. It also gave me the chance to sample JW Lees resurrection of Boddingtons. I can report that, unlike many things from that era, it was inoffensive...
The Solent provided more than the usual degree of drama this morning thanks to the wind. It also provided a good range of ducks and waders...
December 6, 2025 at 7:59 PM
The Solent provided more than the usual degree of drama this morning thanks to the wind. It also provided a good range of ducks and waders...
Thursday evening I had a lovely time in the Witch's Brew before catching the bus down to the Platform to see The Henrys. I'd forgotten just how ridiculously good they are and a couple of pints of Hophead sitting on a couch in front of a roaring fire made for an excellent night out
December 6, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Thursday evening I had a lovely time in the Witch's Brew before catching the bus down to the Platform to see The Henrys. I'd forgotten just how ridiculously good they are and a couple of pints of Hophead sitting on a couch in front of a roaring fire made for an excellent night out
Today's visit to Fishlake Meadows was mostly about long-tailed tits, gadwalls and rainbows: make of this what you will...
December 3, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Today's visit to Fishlake Meadows was mostly about long-tailed tits, gadwalls and rainbows: make of this what you will...
Time to learn about matters polar, useful prep for winter, with Anne Strathie...
December 2, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Time to learn about matters polar, useful prep for winter, with Anne Strathie...
This is Arthur Bell who joined me as part of a swift watching adventure. This is the third time he's flowered this year, to my knowledge, and the least appropriate given the weather. He is clearly a very bold rose...
December 2, 2025 at 6:38 PM
This is Arthur Bell who joined me as part of a swift watching adventure. This is the third time he's flowered this year, to my knowledge, and the least appropriate given the weather. He is clearly a very bold rose...
Day 2 in Cambridge involved breakfast in a record shop, a visit to Ancient Egypt thanks to the Fitzwilliam, discovering the terrifying titanoboa and the word 'siphuncle' at the Zoology Museum, another couple of Shostakovich string quartets, catching up with a friend and using the Elizabeth Line...
November 29, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Day 2 in Cambridge involved breakfast in a record shop, a visit to Ancient Egypt thanks to the Fitzwilliam, discovering the terrifying titanoboa and the word 'siphuncle' at the Zoology Museum, another couple of Shostakovich string quartets, catching up with a friend and using the Elizabeth Line...
My Black Friday involved catching the train to Cambridge, a visit to Anglesey Abbey and my old local with a friend, fortifying tapas followed by three Shostakovich string quartets. An excellent day with zero reduced tat purchased...
November 28, 2025 at 10:19 PM
My Black Friday involved catching the train to Cambridge, a visit to Anglesey Abbey and my old local with a friend, fortifying tapas followed by three Shostakovich string quartets. An excellent day with zero reduced tat purchased...
I do love to get up close to a massive organ and so leapt at the chance of a tour of the mighty Compton organ at Southampton Guildhall prior to it accompanying 1925's Phantom of the Opera. I even got to see a repaired G# Tromba installed and tuned!
November 26, 2025 at 10:14 PM
I do love to get up close to a massive organ and so leapt at the chance of a tour of the mighty Compton organ at Southampton Guildhall prior to it accompanying 1925's Phantom of the Opera. I even got to see a repaired G# Tromba installed and tuned!
So, I *did* go to the Ball and managed to leave no footwear and catch my Class 158 DEMU well before it reverted to a pumpkin. I also had a pleasant walk along the River Dun and through the Mottisfont Estate...
November 25, 2025 at 4:23 PM
So, I *did* go to the Ball and managed to leave no footwear and catch my Class 158 DEMU well before it reverted to a pumpkin. I also had a pleasant walk along the River Dun and through the Mottisfont Estate...
Tonight I watched Sunrise by FW Murnau with live musical accompaniment from harp, piano, accordion and flute (plus miscellaneous others). The film, from 1927, won Oscars and had unlimited budget - which showed - and amazing visual effects. Twas also rather entertaining!
November 23, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Tonight I watched Sunrise by FW Murnau with live musical accompaniment from harp, piano, accordion and flute (plus miscellaneous others). The film, from 1927, won Oscars and had unlimited budget - which showed - and amazing visual effects. Twas also rather entertaining!
Every walk needs an inciting objective and today's was to visit The Naked Man (site of) as shown on my OS map. Starting from Sway I was able to grab some sausages and enjoy Scape Bottom (plus other New Forest delights) in the completion of my mission...
November 21, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Every walk needs an inciting objective and today's was to visit The Naked Man (site of) as shown on my OS map. Starting from Sway I was able to grab some sausages and enjoy Scape Bottom (plus other New Forest delights) in the completion of my mission...
Last night's addition to the week's cultural shenanigans was the annual gig by A Formal Horse. It was the traditional musical joy, and in unusually formal dress...
November 21, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Last night's addition to the week's cultural shenanigans was the annual gig by A Formal Horse. It was the traditional musical joy, and in unusually formal dress...
An excursion to the capital yesterday to see Granny's Attic and the boys did not disappoint with a highly entertaining couple of sets at Cecil Sharp House (probably my first visit). Also managed to take in Secret Maps at the British Library and won the day by travelling from Mornington Crescent...
November 20, 2025 at 10:20 AM
An excursion to the capital yesterday to see Granny's Attic and the boys did not disappoint with a highly entertaining couple of sets at Cecil Sharp House (probably my first visit). Also managed to take in Secret Maps at the British Library and won the day by travelling from Mornington Crescent...
In Portsmouth to see the Dudok Quartet but first, a pint of Mysterons. I shall either become indestructible or I shall take my revenge against the Earth and Spectrum...
November 17, 2025 at 8:17 PM
In Portsmouth to see the Dudok Quartet but first, a pint of Mysterons. I shall either become indestructible or I shall take my revenge against the Earth and Spectrum...
In Portsmouth to see the Dudok Quartet but first, a pint of Mysterons. I shall either become indestructible or I shall take my revenge against the Earth and Spectrum...
November 17, 2025 at 6:24 PM
In Portsmouth to see the Dudok Quartet but first, a pint of Mysterons. I shall either become indestructible or I shall take my revenge against the Earth and Spectrum...