We had a wonderful three hours, on a beautiful sunny morning in Central Park with Birding Bob .
Bird List
American Robin
American Kestrel
American Goldfinch
Black Throated Green Warbler
Black and White Warbler
Black Crowned Night Heron*
Bluejay*
Blue Headed Vireo
Belted Kingfisher*
Canada Geese*
Cormorant*
Common Grackle*
Downey Woodpecker
European Starling*
Green Heron*
Gold Crowned Kinglet
House Sparrow*
Hooded Warbler
Mallard*
Mourning Dove
Northern Cardinal*
Northern Flicker
Northern Water Thrush (a warbler)
Oven Bird
Palm Warbler
Red Tailed Hawk
Red Winged Blackbird
Red Bellied Woodpecker
Swamp Sparrow
Tree Swallow
Tufted Titmouse
White Breasted Nuthatch
White Throated Sparrow
Yellow Warbler
Yellow Rumped Warbler
Yellow Bellied Sapsucker
* are birds that we have seen before.
We also saw plenty of Squirrels, which is good for news for the Red Tailed Hawk, who nest near the park, and Turtles as well as one sleeping Racoon high up in a tree.
Monday, 29 April 2013
OUR JOURNEY HOME!
Saturday morning was spent packing with some last minute shopping but with some glorious minutes in The Roof Bar with a bottle of Bollinger and five plastic ‘glasses’. This was another birthday drink. The bottle came with the compliments of British Airways. All the five of us can speak highly of this ‘British Institution’ for their courtesy, friendliness and their high standards. Having arrived Sunday morning at terminal five we knew that we had hours to spend before our further flight to Alicante. Under normal conditions we would have been lumbered with the luggage until three hours before our 1505 flight was due. They changed the rules for us and booked in our bulky suitcases. We were very grateful and I suppose that is what good service is really all about. We will fly with them out of preference to any other operator. I am now looking forward to getting home.
An overnight flight to the UK, seven hours of waiting for our onward flight to Alicante was not a good way to spend one’s time but it had to be done. The British Airways flight home was superb. I was fed and allowed to sleep most of the way. We knew that the weather was changeable but we had heavy rain once on the road home. I didn’t really care as home is the best place to be when tired.
Would I go to New York again? Well maybe but it will be birding first and city second where ever we will go on a further planned trip.
An overnight flight to the UK, seven hours of waiting for our onward flight to Alicante was not a good way to spend one’s time but it had to be done. The British Airways flight home was superb. I was fed and allowed to sleep most of the way. We knew that the weather was changeable but we had heavy rain once on the road home. I didn’t really care as home is the best place to be when tired.
Would I go to New York again? Well maybe but it will be birding first and city second where ever we will go on a further planned trip.
OUR LAST FULL DAY!
FRIDAY – our last full day – was just that ‘full’. We had booked 30 minutes with Liberty Helicopters taking off from the southern tip of Manhattan Island. This is one of the best ways of seeing this city but at 246 dollars each you need to make the most of it. It was fun. We enjoyed it but beware it is cramped with six but excellent with only five.
Michelle and I wanted to visit Ground Zero. We had been to the locale before but before it had been completed. I had hoped to sit in peace and harmony in this place of remembrance. However it was at capacity with lengthy queues.
We needed to have booked but this was not a site to be rushed through which is apparently what does happen. We chose another way. This was to go and sit in the adjacent O’Hara’s Bar and Restaurant to reflect upon what had occurred over a decade before with a pint of Guinness in my hand. This we did with the help of a friendly barman and to remind us of our visit we bought O’Hara’s T shirt which is a reminder of 9/11. I will try and write something on these few minutes later when I am at home and can properly consider what to say.
Our afternoon was spent circumnavigating Manhattan Island on Circle Line Tours from Pier 83. This was a thoroughly enjoyable way to view the city and to catch up on some history after all George Washington did defeat the British Army to start to instigate what is now the U.S.A. We have considered that this tour would be an excellent way to acquaint oneself with the area on the first day or so of the holiday as opposed to reserving it for the last day which we have done twice. Take my advice do it first, weather permitting of course.
On the way back we called in The Beer Authority for more alcohol and typical NY food. I can give it 10 out of 10 for its selection of quality beers but, the service was poor and the food only average.
We finished off our day with a night-time drink on the roof terrace of our hotel.
For our return trip to Kennedy we had booked an SUV which was much better than a Limo as it is better suited for people with luggage. Take my advice don’t bother with a Limo although it may suit your image better!
Michelle and I wanted to visit Ground Zero. We had been to the locale before but before it had been completed. I had hoped to sit in peace and harmony in this place of remembrance. However it was at capacity with lengthy queues.
We needed to have booked but this was not a site to be rushed through which is apparently what does happen. We chose another way. This was to go and sit in the adjacent O’Hara’s Bar and Restaurant to reflect upon what had occurred over a decade before with a pint of Guinness in my hand. This we did with the help of a friendly barman and to remind us of our visit we bought O’Hara’s T shirt which is a reminder of 9/11. I will try and write something on these few minutes later when I am at home and can properly consider what to say.
Our afternoon was spent circumnavigating Manhattan Island on Circle Line Tours from Pier 83. This was a thoroughly enjoyable way to view the city and to catch up on some history after all George Washington did defeat the British Army to start to instigate what is now the U.S.A. We have considered that this tour would be an excellent way to acquaint oneself with the area on the first day or so of the holiday as opposed to reserving it for the last day which we have done twice. Take my advice do it first, weather permitting of course.
On the way back we called in The Beer Authority for more alcohol and typical NY food. I can give it 10 out of 10 for its selection of quality beers but, the service was poor and the food only average.
We finished off our day with a night-time drink on the roof terrace of our hotel.
For our return trip to Kennedy we had booked an SUV which was much better than a Limo as it is better suited for people with luggage. Take my advice don’t bother with a Limo although it may suit your image better!
THURSDAY
THURSDAY. The weather was clear and sunny with yesterday being good as well the birds should be showing well. We met Bob the Birder at The Dock at Turtle Pond in Central Park. He knows this place and he knows his birds. We spent over three hours with some knowledgeable fellow birders that were very affable, helpful, enthusiastic and friendly. I will put the list on later with some of the better shots that Michelle was able to take. We had thirty first-timers – apparently referred to as ‘bimbos’ in Spain – as well as the ubiquitous House Sparrows and European Starlings.
Thursday evening was reserved for ‘Motown - The Musical’ that we saw in a wonderful theatre just off Broadway. Apparently ‘ the tune is in the groove’ but you may have heard on the grapevine!
There was great music, great songs with some great singers. This was Robbie’s choice while Yvonne toddled off to see Alan Cumming in a one and half hour version of Macbeth.
Thursday evening was reserved for ‘Motown - The Musical’ that we saw in a wonderful theatre just off Broadway. Apparently ‘ the tune is in the groove’ but you may have heard on the grapevine!
There was great music, great songs with some great singers. This was Robbie’s choice while Yvonne toddled off to see Alan Cumming in a one and half hour version of Macbeth.
UPDATE
Here we are – on 24th - in the Grill Bar of the hotel – which is adjacent to alcohol, of course – on the day after St George’s Day. Breakfast, American style, has been ordered and after a deep conversation about English breakfast tea I am trying to make sense of the past two days. Michelle has now inserted the photo from The Three Magpies which is certainly one for the archive. I think it deserves the caption ‘The Only Gentile in the Tribe! However, move on, stir the pot and hope it comes out a strong brown – second tea bag has just gone in. I suppose it is King George’s fault for upsetting those Bostonians centuries ago.
Now, to catch up, on Monday twenty-second. It was a quiet day and we went up above the ‘hurley-burley’ of Manhattan. This was one of our ‘target-events’ to walk what is left of a freight line that is labelled ‘The High Line’. For me, this is something that deserved to be preserved. The southern end had been re-cycled but public voice had ensured the rest remained instead of wiping some more history away to build a new stadium.
If you visit this city it is well worth the walk. The photographers were in their element with shots along the length, down onto the street and upwards to the high rise tops. Birches, Cherries, Forsythia with many other shrubs all under-planted with grape hyacinths, daffodils and multi coloured, multi-fluted tulips brought great colours to our morning. All of this in juxtaposition with metal railway lines, concrete and wood. Then there were the sculptures, wall art and the ubiquitous graffiti – all tasteful of course.
I have got my ‘snaps’, my notes and maybe I will get some decent lines from my experience. Awesome!
TUESDAY morning saw another season in NY. The temperature had dropped too bloody low and foolishly one member in the group had decided that a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge was the must thing to do. This was a very poor decision in cloudy, windy, cold conditions with the temperature peaking at five C. It was not the best of days and my intention was to go to The Churchill Bar to celebrate England and St George. I declined but Yvonne and Michelle had a successful evening there while Robbie and Neal renewed their acquaintance with The Heartland Brewery on the next block over.
WEDNESDAY had been reserved for a carriage ride in Central Park. Michelle missed out on this last time and ‘she sure has hell’ was going to do it this time. Yvonne and Robbie accompanied her while I went for another walk-about in the same park while Neal took more photos.
Four of us lunched in The Heartland Brewery on 43rd Street, whilst Yvonne rode an open top bus around Harlem. Neal and Michelle made a belated visit to The International Centre for Photography. Michelle thought that it was a brilliant exhibition but Neal was not enamoured by it. The first exhibition was photos by a photographer called Chim whose photographs showed some of the history of Europe from 1933 to 1956. The second exhibition was photos taken by Roman Vishniac of Eastern Europe and specifically Jewish life during and between the two World Wars.
Now, to catch up, on Monday twenty-second. It was a quiet day and we went up above the ‘hurley-burley’ of Manhattan. This was one of our ‘target-events’ to walk what is left of a freight line that is labelled ‘The High Line’. For me, this is something that deserved to be preserved. The southern end had been re-cycled but public voice had ensured the rest remained instead of wiping some more history away to build a new stadium.
If you visit this city it is well worth the walk. The photographers were in their element with shots along the length, down onto the street and upwards to the high rise tops. Birches, Cherries, Forsythia with many other shrubs all under-planted with grape hyacinths, daffodils and multi coloured, multi-fluted tulips brought great colours to our morning. All of this in juxtaposition with metal railway lines, concrete and wood. Then there were the sculptures, wall art and the ubiquitous graffiti – all tasteful of course.
I have got my ‘snaps’, my notes and maybe I will get some decent lines from my experience. Awesome!
TUESDAY morning saw another season in NY. The temperature had dropped too bloody low and foolishly one member in the group had decided that a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge was the must thing to do. This was a very poor decision in cloudy, windy, cold conditions with the temperature peaking at five C. It was not the best of days and my intention was to go to The Churchill Bar to celebrate England and St George. I declined but Yvonne and Michelle had a successful evening there while Robbie and Neal renewed their acquaintance with The Heartland Brewery on the next block over.
WEDNESDAY had been reserved for a carriage ride in Central Park. Michelle missed out on this last time and ‘she sure has hell’ was going to do it this time. Yvonne and Robbie accompanied her while I went for another walk-about in the same park while Neal took more photos.
Four of us lunched in The Heartland Brewery on 43rd Street, whilst Yvonne rode an open top bus around Harlem. Neal and Michelle made a belated visit to The International Centre for Photography. Michelle thought that it was a brilliant exhibition but Neal was not enamoured by it. The first exhibition was photos by a photographer called Chim whose photographs showed some of the history of Europe from 1933 to 1956. The second exhibition was photos taken by Roman Vishniac of Eastern Europe and specifically Jewish life during and between the two World Wars.
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
SUNDAY
Sunday morning came at a good pace and I investigated the birds in Central Park. There was not that much on show but I did identify a Brown Tree-creeper with the rest being the ubiquitous House Sparrows, Swallows, Starlings but being outnumbered by American Robins. Canada Geese swam on the lake, Stock Doves flew and I am left with one to identify but now I know where all the meeting points are for later in the week.
I caught up with myself while others were shopping. After a siesta, drinks in the bar we made the mistake of eating in The Hard Rock Café in Times Square. This was a mistake for this was the worst one that we have been to. Mediocre at the best and we should have looked at ‘Tripadvisor’ before we went there. I can quote the usual advice preparing to plan etc…… You can read Neal’s superb, to the point, criticism on their website. We didn’t dally and then back for a coffee and a chat.
I caught up with myself while others were shopping. After a siesta, drinks in the bar we made the mistake of eating in The Hard Rock Café in Times Square. This was a mistake for this was the worst one that we have been to. Mediocre at the best and we should have looked at ‘Tripadvisor’ before we went there. I can quote the usual advice preparing to plan etc…… You can read Neal’s superb, to the point, criticism on their website. We didn’t dally and then back for a coffee and a chat.
BIRTHDAY
Michelle’s birthday started early with her running in Central Park with Neal. Robbie watched while I watcher for the birds. Then it was back to the hotel for breakfast followed by a ‘yellow taxi’ ride to Chelsea Pier for the start of our Brewery Tour at Chelsea Brewery. You can always tell when you are greeted by an enthusiast. Tom the assistant brewer obviously loves his work and his lively description of the brewing process was a joy to listen to.
Then we were on the bus for an historical tour through Manhattan, Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Bushwick, and Astoria Queens (the latter named for William Astor in the hope that he would invest there – he didn’t!) We passed brewery buildings that no longer brewed but had been preserved for future generations. I wonder how many other people will have the same interest in later years. The graffiti strewn walls hide other activities that are going on in some of them but not all as some are obviously derelict.
The Breweries we visited were as follows:
Chelsea Brewery, Manhattan
Brooklyn Brewery, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Spuyten Duyvil, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Old Brewers Row, Bushwick, Brooklyn
Bohemian Beer Garden, Astoria, Queens
I have much praise for the entrepreneurs who have created this tour. Check out their website at www.thenewyorkbeerandbrewerytour.com
We met three guys from New Jersey who helped make our day more complete by sharing our enthusiasm for brewing and for being friendly and communicative. It’s good to have a sociable drink in good company.
We returned to the hotel for champagne and cake!
The evening was reserved for a meal with live music at The Prohibition on Upper West Side. Jammed with people but we still ate and listened. Almost a bit too much for all needed a comparatively early night to ensure that we enjoy the next day as much as we had done this one.
Then we were on the bus for an historical tour through Manhattan, Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Bushwick, and Astoria Queens (the latter named for William Astor in the hope that he would invest there – he didn’t!) We passed brewery buildings that no longer brewed but had been preserved for future generations. I wonder how many other people will have the same interest in later years. The graffiti strewn walls hide other activities that are going on in some of them but not all as some are obviously derelict.
The Breweries we visited were as follows:
Chelsea Brewery, Manhattan
Brooklyn Brewery, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Spuyten Duyvil, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Old Brewers Row, Bushwick, Brooklyn
Bohemian Beer Garden, Astoria, Queens
I have much praise for the entrepreneurs who have created this tour. Check out their website at www.thenewyorkbeerandbrewerytour.com
We met three guys from New Jersey who helped make our day more complete by sharing our enthusiasm for brewing and for being friendly and communicative. It’s good to have a sociable drink in good company.
We returned to the hotel for champagne and cake!
The evening was reserved for a meal with live music at The Prohibition on Upper West Side. Jammed with people but we still ate and listened. Almost a bit too much for all needed a comparatively early night to ensure that we enjoy the next day as much as we had done this one.
Monday, 22 April 2013
OUR HOTEL
A Limo is the only way to travel to the hotel with vodka preceded by a bottle of bubbly.
In reception we were greeted with smiles and all the help that we needed. All this was so different to The Comfort Inn (our hotel 2 years previously) across the road where they neither smiled, nor were that helpful without coercion. I recommend The Metro Hotel on 34th. What a difference the width of a street makes!
In reception we were greeted with smiles and all the help that we needed. All this was so different to The Comfort Inn (our hotel 2 years previously) across the road where they neither smiled, nor were that helpful without coercion. I recommend The Metro Hotel on 34th. What a difference the width of a street makes!
THE FLIGHT.
OUR FLIGHT was the best one ever. We were pampered with smiles, lots of good humour with some great service from Andrew and Deborah. Two wonderful people that knew how to work and the interaction between the cabin staff was superb so much so that Neal asked for and completed a customer form which was full of praise for them. Eat your heart out Virgin because you are not a patch on British Airways!
We ate, we drank, we had fun. I slept but not before I was able to watch Hitchcock but there is to be better ways of appreciating a film although no complaint for it did pass away a large chunk of the journey.
We ate, we drank, we had fun. I slept but not before I was able to watch Hitchcock but there is to be better ways of appreciating a film although no complaint for it did pass away a large chunk of the journey.
START OF OUR JOURNEY & REAL ALE!
I am sitting in Terminal 5 at Heathrow on Friday morning at 8.15am with a full half hour before the gate opens for the five of us to board British Airways flight to Kennedy Airport.
Yesterday Michelle, Yvonne and I flew into Gatwick from Alicante. There was a pre-ordered cab waiting to take us on to a Holiday Inn, Bath Road alongside the airport. Shopping was essential for both of them with High Street Kensington’s M&S, Boots and Barclays all requiring a visit. I picked up the dollars and prepared myself for my first pint of English ale for four months. Neal and Robbie arrived just in time to escort me to The Three Magpies where we found a smiling welcome, good beer and now I had good company too. Neal’s shot of the day was ‘a stranger shot’ and our smiling blonde (of course) pint pulling barmaid fulfilled that function – with permission of course. She then reversed the process when she left the bar to take a photo of us standing in her place. Both shots downloaded that day and onto Neal’s web page. We had fun waiting for the ‘must do’ shoppers. It’s so good to be having fun, drinking with two good friends.
I am afraid that the afternoon disappeared into the evening very quickly for at 7.30 we had booked a table at The White Hart in Harlington Road. I know, it’s another pub, but we needed to eat and so the five became seven when Neal’s Ma and Pa joined us. The meal was good but sadly the beer could have been better. That is sad for me as my next English ale could be as far away as late September. Now, we are about to find our gate and fly away.
Yesterday Michelle, Yvonne and I flew into Gatwick from Alicante. There was a pre-ordered cab waiting to take us on to a Holiday Inn, Bath Road alongside the airport. Shopping was essential for both of them with High Street Kensington’s M&S, Boots and Barclays all requiring a visit. I picked up the dollars and prepared myself for my first pint of English ale for four months. Neal and Robbie arrived just in time to escort me to The Three Magpies where we found a smiling welcome, good beer and now I had good company too. Neal’s shot of the day was ‘a stranger shot’ and our smiling blonde (of course) pint pulling barmaid fulfilled that function – with permission of course. She then reversed the process when she left the bar to take a photo of us standing in her place. Both shots downloaded that day and onto Neal’s web page. We had fun waiting for the ‘must do’ shoppers. It’s so good to be having fun, drinking with two good friends.
I am afraid that the afternoon disappeared into the evening very quickly for at 7.30 we had booked a table at The White Hart in Harlington Road. I know, it’s another pub, but we needed to eat and so the five became seven when Neal’s Ma and Pa joined us. The meal was good but sadly the beer could have been better. That is sad for me as my next English ale could be as far away as late September. Now, we are about to find our gate and fly away.
Friday, 12 April 2013
REMEMBER THE DAY
Remember the day; black and white TV;
B.B.C. English – but sod it we spoke it our way
Newsprint that came off on the chips
Nylon was the vogue, lime green socks;
shocking pink; winkle pickers even -
imagination in that name. Doctor Who scarves;
Church choirs; surplices for boys - trust in the priest,
no argument with the establishment
do as you’re told, get yer ‘air cut.
Who needs heroes?
They came: The man with fast moving hands
and the fingers that plucked with hair
that made a sergeant major convulse.
Out with the ballads, Alma, Johnnie Ray
and Frankie left by the Green Door.
They broke the mould
Bill came; kiss curl, halo and all,
over sexed and over here.
Sixth formers jived in the drive.
The Jam sang Eton Rifles and
then there was Alice.
Did she actually give a fuck about
A Town Called Malice.
Heroes came and went.
Shunned the order: refused the gong
and everyone moved like Jagger.
Kool and the Gang they couldn’t spell
and did you want to be in my gang?
Heroes- well choose your medicine.
Some chose god or pot or coke or crack,
turned on the priest – innuendo? Well you choose.
Money was easy. Mis-sold; mis-spent; mis-used.
Argued, blamed others, spent more than they had.
Heroes in suits, lawyers, bankers, wankers, and thieves.
Absurdity; Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed –
you can sing it, If you know the words.
Show your hands, if you dare. Stand-up and deliver
those heroes are in my head where I want them to be
The real ones - don’t (necessarily) sing.
They care for someone; our planet;
the whole bloody world. You choose.
Because You Can.
B.B.C. English – but sod it we spoke it our way
Newsprint that came off on the chips
Nylon was the vogue, lime green socks;
shocking pink; winkle pickers even -
imagination in that name. Doctor Who scarves;
Church choirs; surplices for boys - trust in the priest,
no argument with the establishment
do as you’re told, get yer ‘air cut.
Who needs heroes?
They came: The man with fast moving hands
and the fingers that plucked with hair
that made a sergeant major convulse.
Out with the ballads, Alma, Johnnie Ray
and Frankie left by the Green Door.
They broke the mould
Bill came; kiss curl, halo and all,
over sexed and over here.
Sixth formers jived in the drive.
The Jam sang Eton Rifles and
then there was Alice.
Did she actually give a fuck about
A Town Called Malice.
Heroes came and went.
Shunned the order: refused the gong
and everyone moved like Jagger.
Kool and the Gang they couldn’t spell
and did you want to be in my gang?
Heroes- well choose your medicine.
Some chose god or pot or coke or crack,
turned on the priest – innuendo? Well you choose.
Money was easy. Mis-sold; mis-spent; mis-used.
Argued, blamed others, spent more than they had.
Heroes in suits, lawyers, bankers, wankers, and thieves.
Absurdity; Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed –
you can sing it, If you know the words.
Show your hands, if you dare. Stand-up and deliver
those heroes are in my head where I want them to be
The real ones - don’t (necessarily) sing.
They care for someone; our planet;
the whole bloody world. You choose.
Because You Can.
STANZA MAR MENOR MEETING OF FRIDAY 12TH APRIL 2013
Three of us met this morning. David is in Russia and Kathy is busy with her book and painting her house.
Margaret brought four poems to read. Two we had glimpsed before but had not had the opportunity to examine and comment upon. One was ‘Exposed’, that was about her encounter with a ‘flasher’ and ‘The Party’s Over’. This latter one was her recalling a moment from her past working life. All credit to her for putting ‘a long pullover’ into a line – it works for me.
Then there is a change of tone with ‘Turn back time’ and ‘Female World’. There are some clearly expressed sentiments and the images created in all four, but the sensitivity of the latter two, leaps off the page and stays in the mind. There are some great lines with rhymes as well. If you want to read them then ask her – you should.
Douglas was not outdone and came up with ‘Black Epitaph’, a wonderful thoughtful tribute to Nelson Mandela. This ought to be aired again at the appropriate time.
He followed this up with ‘Conundrum’ with the opening line giving some clue as to the subject matter. The line is ‘Queen Lizzie is a Thatcherite!’ There is no vilification here just pure wit, clever writing with some great lines. You should read it.
John came up with forty lines on the subject of heroes – a TWC theme – called ‘Remember The Day’ which he read last Wednesday dealing with ‘trust the establishment’ to today’s malaise of ‘Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed’. He used music as the vehicle to convey but could not refuse a ‘pop’ at the bankers. He may put this on his blog.
He then introduced a work-in-progress for discussion, advice and how to go about to progress it. He read the second version but there are two others already written. More consideration will be given as to form, line length, repetition and rhyme. It may be allowed to ‘sweat’ for a while.
Iarla has been in contact and supplied feedback. We hope to see him soon in sunny Spain.
Margaret is pursuing how to present her poems which may see her published in some form at a later date. I think that the issue of publication and/or what to do with what we write has been/is being considered many times. At the same time some of the work of group members has been or is in the process of being published.
FOOTNOTE:
I am now in possession of ‘In Pursuit of Spring’ by Edward Thomas and ‘Cycling After Thomas And The English’ by David Caddy. I will let you know what I think of my new reading.
Margaret brought four poems to read. Two we had glimpsed before but had not had the opportunity to examine and comment upon. One was ‘Exposed’, that was about her encounter with a ‘flasher’ and ‘The Party’s Over’. This latter one was her recalling a moment from her past working life. All credit to her for putting ‘a long pullover’ into a line – it works for me.
Then there is a change of tone with ‘Turn back time’ and ‘Female World’. There are some clearly expressed sentiments and the images created in all four, but the sensitivity of the latter two, leaps off the page and stays in the mind. There are some great lines with rhymes as well. If you want to read them then ask her – you should.
Douglas was not outdone and came up with ‘Black Epitaph’, a wonderful thoughtful tribute to Nelson Mandela. This ought to be aired again at the appropriate time.
He followed this up with ‘Conundrum’ with the opening line giving some clue as to the subject matter. The line is ‘Queen Lizzie is a Thatcherite!’ There is no vilification here just pure wit, clever writing with some great lines. You should read it.
John came up with forty lines on the subject of heroes – a TWC theme – called ‘Remember The Day’ which he read last Wednesday dealing with ‘trust the establishment’ to today’s malaise of ‘Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed’. He used music as the vehicle to convey but could not refuse a ‘pop’ at the bankers. He may put this on his blog.
He then introduced a work-in-progress for discussion, advice and how to go about to progress it. He read the second version but there are two others already written. More consideration will be given as to form, line length, repetition and rhyme. It may be allowed to ‘sweat’ for a while.
Iarla has been in contact and supplied feedback. We hope to see him soon in sunny Spain.
Margaret is pursuing how to present her poems which may see her published in some form at a later date. I think that the issue of publication and/or what to do with what we write has been/is being considered many times. At the same time some of the work of group members has been or is in the process of being published.
FOOTNOTE:
I am now in possession of ‘In Pursuit of Spring’ by Edward Thomas and ‘Cycling After Thomas And The English’ by David Caddy. I will let you know what I think of my new reading.
BIRTHDAY MONTH IS NOW REALLY HAPPENING!
LISTEN UP LOOK UP. I know that it has been Michelle’s birthday month for a few days now but I haven’t been taking that much notice – so far and I think that I have been getting away with it! Would you believe that two friends from the early 90’s are here in Spain just to celebrate with us. We met them in Florida, they live in Folkestone and they are here for her. We saw them yesterday, lunched with them in L’Afaz de Pi and chatted for hours. Well that is what good friends are for isn’t it?
Things are winding up, events are getting closer. Sister Jos arrived from Woodhouse Eves on Wednesday evening before the bars close, of course. There will be another trip to the airport on Friday evening where two lovely people, Rachel and Claudio will be arriving from Schipol which will require more eating and drinking. However it will be good to talk and catch up.
On Saturday things will definitely hot up with a lunch-time barbeque here followed by another noisy, hectic evening in The Stray Sod. A few snacks laid on for forty people, but some will have eaten, some will arrive early and some will not stay that late. The ancient and the infirm will decline but the aged ones will insist on their early to bed philosophy and we can’t possible sleep in the day syndrome! It’s great you know, a siesta, for it stops you falling asleep with a glass in your hand. Some will come later and stay with us to the boozey, rumbustious end.
Unfortunately Neal and Robbie will not be here but we will see them on Thursday week when we meet up for some Real Ale when we overnight in preparation for our flight the following morning to New York. Then it will be all go as we have lots of things planned. We had a great time two years ago and I don’t see that this should be anything other than wonderful. There are different things planned – compared with last time. I am now really looking forward to it all for it should be a great trip.
In the present Lee, our personal hairdresser is here (Wednesday afternoon). I didn’t want a colour this time but Michelle has had the full treatment. She now has blonde roots - fantastic. Of course there has to be more pampering for eyebrows and hairy legs. I wonder what they do with those obsolete bits. Horse hair mattresses are now out of fashion but we would have to search for a modern use other than birds’ nests. Sell them to the Chinese, I suppose.
I am looking forward to the 3 Magpies and The White Hart for real beer!
The next time I blog I could be in Manhattan.
Things are winding up, events are getting closer. Sister Jos arrived from Woodhouse Eves on Wednesday evening before the bars close, of course. There will be another trip to the airport on Friday evening where two lovely people, Rachel and Claudio will be arriving from Schipol which will require more eating and drinking. However it will be good to talk and catch up.
On Saturday things will definitely hot up with a lunch-time barbeque here followed by another noisy, hectic evening in The Stray Sod. A few snacks laid on for forty people, but some will have eaten, some will arrive early and some will not stay that late. The ancient and the infirm will decline but the aged ones will insist on their early to bed philosophy and we can’t possible sleep in the day syndrome! It’s great you know, a siesta, for it stops you falling asleep with a glass in your hand. Some will come later and stay with us to the boozey, rumbustious end.
Unfortunately Neal and Robbie will not be here but we will see them on Thursday week when we meet up for some Real Ale when we overnight in preparation for our flight the following morning to New York. Then it will be all go as we have lots of things planned. We had a great time two years ago and I don’t see that this should be anything other than wonderful. There are different things planned – compared with last time. I am now really looking forward to it all for it should be a great trip.
In the present Lee, our personal hairdresser is here (Wednesday afternoon). I didn’t want a colour this time but Michelle has had the full treatment. She now has blonde roots - fantastic. Of course there has to be more pampering for eyebrows and hairy legs. I wonder what they do with those obsolete bits. Horse hair mattresses are now out of fashion but we would have to search for a modern use other than birds’ nests. Sell them to the Chinese, I suppose.
I am looking forward to the 3 Magpies and The White Hart for real beer!
The next time I blog I could be in Manhattan.
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
THE LUCK OF THE IRISH
This evening I met Jim abd Mary again with the intention of visiting another Eagle Owl site. I decided that we would visit some small areas of water en route to our destination. Two of these areas helped make my evening.The first one produced a Green Sandpiper - Andarrios Grande which we identified after a lengthy discussion but it was not a Greenshank. On our second area Mary spotted a tern on a buoy and once we set the scope up Jim identified it as Whiskered Tern - Fumarel Cariblanco. We watched it for several minutes and then we saw it fly and presumeably take insects from the surface of the water. It was wonderful to see it in action. We had many other sightings and these included Little Ringed Plover - Chorlitejo Chico, Red-crested Pochard - Pato Colorado and Little Grebe - Zampullin Comun in breeding plumage.
Patience to see the Eagle Owl - Buho Real was rewarded when it flew and perched. Mary and Jim were delighed again. This is always a good site for raptors and our identification skills were tested when two large birds flew. We cannot say for sure but we believe that they were Golden Eagles -Aguila Real.
We seem to have had a land-fall of the Common Cuckoos because they were calling every time that we stopped. Another great evening spent doing what is good.
This evening I met Jim abd Mary again with the intention of visiting another Eagle Owl site. I decided that we would visit some small areas of water en route to our destination. Two of these areas helped make my evening.The first one produced a Green Sandpiper - Andarrios Grande which we identified after a lengthy discussion but it was not a Greenshank. On our second area Mary spotted a tern on a buoy and once we set the scope up Jim identified it as Whiskered Tern - Fumarel Cariblanco. We watched it for several minutes and then we saw it fly and presumeably take insects from the surface of the water. It was wonderful to see it in action. We had many other sightings and these included Little Ringed Plover - Chorlitejo Chico, Red-crested Pochard - Pato Colorado and Little Grebe - Zampullin Comun in breeding plumage.
Patience to see the Eagle Owl - Buho Real was rewarded when it flew and perched. Mary and Jim were delighed again. This is always a good site for raptors and our identification skills were tested when two large birds flew. We cannot say for sure but we believe that they were Golden Eagles -Aguila Real.
We seem to have had a land-fall of the Common Cuckoos because they were calling every time that we stopped. Another great evening spent doing what is good.
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