Last evening's award ceremony with Clare Macintosh winning with 'I Let You Go' and Val McDermid's achievements being recognized at the beginning of the festival. The words that flowed from Mark Billingham for Val McDermid were endearing and even loving in relation to this writer and to how she had contributed to writing and to the crime genre. Her reply was just as warm and also humble insomuch that she thanked the readers.
The beer jolly is now over and there are two and a half days of the serious stuff with authors being lightly grilled about how they got the kernel of an idea and how they developed the plot. First up this morning was Linwood Barclay and Mark Billingham in the chair. I have not read Barclay, but he has many books to his name and he is very popular.
Next up was Peter James (of Roy Grace and Brighton fame) with a whole panel of people that included writers and Graham Bartlett who was the contact for Police detail in the books. The idea of this event was the thought that 'You Couldn't Make it up or Could You' where real life cases were discussed and does life imitate art far more than art imitate life. In this event Ysra Sigurdardottir was introduced as a new writer to the English scene.
At noon we sat in for Domestic Suspense - The Killer Behind The Front Door with an all women panel. I made more notes on this hour than I thought was possible beforehand. I was considering what the 'under-story' could be which I think I will have to give more consideration to after a period of reflection,
Set a Scientist to Catch a Killer was chaired by Peter James whose brief was to elicit facts from his inspiration for Roy Grace an ex-C.I.D officer Dave Gaylor and a forensic podiatrist Hadyn Kelly. Dr. Brooke Magnanti with a doctorate in forensic science and Belle de Jour, Elly Griffiths with an interest in forensic archaeologist and Kate Medina who has studied psychology all added to this interesting mix.
A new event for both of us was the Dead Good Reader Awards. It was packed as there were gifts on offer. Michelle picked up six books and I walked away with a signed copy of My Sister's Bones by Nuala Ellwood. She was lovely and I thanked her and wished her well.
Finally for entertainment Susan Calman chatted to Val McDermid. Funny, yes, but with many reference to their sexuality. As far as I am concerned it was too much as I try to treat everyone the same irrespective of what they say that they are. But that is me. It is what is inside the person that really matter.
We forwent the last event and sat out on an English Summer's evening and supped ale. great it was.
Saturday, 23 July 2016
Friday, 22 July 2016
Harrogate Crime Writers' Festival
Okay, this is another day in paradise and we are just relaxing and enjoying our own company in Harrogate town. We had achieved enough on Wednesday so that we knew we had ample time to go to to York by train. The rail stations are great reminders of how good England can look with their floral displays and Victorian architecture. The Railway Museum was interesting and we spent a couple of enjoyable hours looking at the history and carriages of a century or so ago.
We discovered in the station precincts,York Tap, run by The Tapped Brewery Company.that served excellent ales in a building that originated a century or more ago. A high domed roof, stained glass windows, marbled floors and a bar with an excellent range of ales. Wonderful. Michelle had a pint of Motueka from Mallingham Brewery at 3.9 abv and I had a pint of Timothy Taylor best at 3.5. We still had time for a pint of U235 by Mallinsons and Michelle supped another pint of Timothy Taylor Best. Upon returning we found Harrogate Tap and called in for a quick one. These were wonderful bars where the staff were friendly and who knew their beers.
Since this is the start of the festival we went to the Old Swan Hotel to collect our passes, tickets and bags of books. We examined the books having ordered a Guinness (not on draught) and a Pinot Grichot. Both not chilled and as I left almost all of the Guinness it was a tenner wasted! Why it is that some bars cannot function properly? I will stick to water in there next time or free coffee.
Prior to the evenings award ceremony we dined in The Old Bell Tavern. The beer, food and service were superb. Thankfully it is a short event, but excellently presented by Mark Lawson. Val McDermid was presented with outstanding praise from Mark Billingham and the award of the outstanding contribution to crime.
The six authors and books shortlisted were:
Mark Billingham withTime of Death
Eva Dolan with Tell no Lies
Robert Galbraith with Career of Evil (she was not present)
Renee Knight with Disclaimer
Adrian McKinty with Rain Dogs
and finally the winner Claire Mackintosh with I Let You Go.
And now a full day from 9am with events on the hour and every hour.
We discovered in the station precincts,York Tap, run by The Tapped Brewery Company.that served excellent ales in a building that originated a century or more ago. A high domed roof, stained glass windows, marbled floors and a bar with an excellent range of ales. Wonderful. Michelle had a pint of Motueka from Mallingham Brewery at 3.9 abv and I had a pint of Timothy Taylor best at 3.5. We still had time for a pint of U235 by Mallinsons and Michelle supped another pint of Timothy Taylor Best. Upon returning we found Harrogate Tap and called in for a quick one. These were wonderful bars where the staff were friendly and who knew their beers.
Since this is the start of the festival we went to the Old Swan Hotel to collect our passes, tickets and bags of books. We examined the books having ordered a Guinness (not on draught) and a Pinot Grichot. Both not chilled and as I left almost all of the Guinness it was a tenner wasted! Why it is that some bars cannot function properly? I will stick to water in there next time or free coffee.
Prior to the evenings award ceremony we dined in The Old Bell Tavern. The beer, food and service were superb. Thankfully it is a short event, but excellently presented by Mark Lawson. Val McDermid was presented with outstanding praise from Mark Billingham and the award of the outstanding contribution to crime.
The six authors and books shortlisted were:
Mark Billingham withTime of Death
Eva Dolan with Tell no Lies
Robert Galbraith with Career of Evil (she was not present)
Renee Knight with Disclaimer
Adrian McKinty with Rain Dogs
and finally the winner Claire Mackintosh with I Let You Go.
And now a full day from 9am with events on the hour and every hour.
Thursday, 21 July 2016
Crime, beer & books
Books and beer says it all. We enjoy our beer and of course the books last that little bit longer except if the love of your life is a 'book- aholic'. So there you have it and now you know what I have to put up with.
We brought twelve books over with us and the total after this morning's meanderings brings the total to thirty. The idea is that they will all be signed by the respective authors.
Now back to beer. The Montpellier, 4 Montpellier Hill is not CAMRA listed and it did look okay. Both of us went for a brew of Timothy Taylor. Michelle ordered one of her favourites, a Timothy Taylor Landlord and served in the proper glass. I went for a new one to me from the same brewer Lightfoot, but served in a Theakston's glass. I just hate that! Both pints were great, but we only stayed for one. The barman did not know what CAMRA was and didn't seem to care. We decided that it this place was a mixture of chic city centre wine bar and a fake pub. It was empty when we left and I am not surprised.
We always want to support the tenanted local pub, but the pull of Wetherspoon and the whole concept of the The Winter Gardens took us back for the second time today. After all you know what you are going to get both to drink and to eat. Daleside Bitter at 3.7 ABV and Pride of London at 4.0 I will recommend. Total cost just a few pence over £20.
It is so good to sit and chat in fantastic historic surroundings.
Harrogate Crime Writers' Festival starts this evening with the result of the winning book of six 'short listed' for this year. There are some well known names, including a stalwart of the festival and some lesser known. Now I will have more books to read although I have read the Robert Galbraith one before traveling.
We brought twelve books over with us and the total after this morning's meanderings brings the total to thirty. The idea is that they will all be signed by the respective authors.
Now back to beer. The Montpellier, 4 Montpellier Hill is not CAMRA listed and it did look okay. Both of us went for a brew of Timothy Taylor. Michelle ordered one of her favourites, a Timothy Taylor Landlord and served in the proper glass. I went for a new one to me from the same brewer Lightfoot, but served in a Theakston's glass. I just hate that! Both pints were great, but we only stayed for one. The barman did not know what CAMRA was and didn't seem to care. We decided that it this place was a mixture of chic city centre wine bar and a fake pub. It was empty when we left and I am not surprised.
We always want to support the tenanted local pub, but the pull of Wetherspoon and the whole concept of the The Winter Gardens took us back for the second time today. After all you know what you are going to get both to drink and to eat. Daleside Bitter at 3.7 ABV and Pride of London at 4.0 I will recommend. Total cost just a few pence over £20.
It is so good to sit and chat in fantastic historic surroundings.
Harrogate Crime Writers' Festival starts this evening with the result of the winning book of six 'short listed' for this year. There are some well known names, including a stalwart of the festival and some lesser known. Now I will have more books to read although I have read the Robert Galbraith one before traveling.
Wednesday, 20 July 2016
Harrogate Day One
We are here again in Harrogate, Yorkshire, England for the Crime Writers' Festival and it is our third visit. We had flown into Leeds Bradford Airport by 9am and that gave us the whole day to collect books from the Post Office, pre-ordered from Amazon, and another pile from The Works. Included into that are two visits into charity shops and more 'target books'. It's a mission that we are on and the festival does not start until tomorrow night!
It is great to be in England and when we were waiting for the bus a few Jackdaws called, the sky was patterned with some blue, but predominately covered in clouds from dark to light grey. And then it rained a few spots and on the way it threw it down - great globules of it. I loved it and we did not get wet walking to the hotel. This town is beautiful with all the flowers, trees and buildings and it is an absolute change from where we live in Spain.
As sad as you may think that I am I have already listed the real pubs listed in C.A.M.R.A and know that we do not have to walk too far. Living in Spain I am nerdy about good ale and have no intention of missing out on the best there is. I do not waste my time in hotel bars that do not have a 'hand pump'.
We breakfasted in Wetherspoons with Eggs Royals for me and Pancakes with maple syrup and bacon. My one pint was Ruddles Best priced at £2.05 and Michelle supped a pint of Blonde at £2.69. This was for a total of £12.03p. What a bargain. How dare anyone say that England is expensive and free WIFI.
It is great to be in England and when we were waiting for the bus a few Jackdaws called, the sky was patterned with some blue, but predominately covered in clouds from dark to light grey. And then it rained a few spots and on the way it threw it down - great globules of it. I loved it and we did not get wet walking to the hotel. This town is beautiful with all the flowers, trees and buildings and it is an absolute change from where we live in Spain.
As sad as you may think that I am I have already listed the real pubs listed in C.A.M.R.A and know that we do not have to walk too far. Living in Spain I am nerdy about good ale and have no intention of missing out on the best there is. I do not waste my time in hotel bars that do not have a 'hand pump'.
We breakfasted in Wetherspoons with Eggs Royals for me and Pancakes with maple syrup and bacon. My one pint was Ruddles Best priced at £2.05 and Michelle supped a pint of Blonde at £2.69. This was for a total of £12.03p. What a bargain. How dare anyone say that England is expensive and free WIFI.
Monday, 18 July 2016
HELP STOP THE KILLING
THE INGLORIOUSNESS OF AUGUST
A cockroach lay on it's back this morning, motionless, but not to be presumed lifeless. And so it was until I encased it in a plastic tumbler which activated it. It climbed the smooth sides, fell back, agitated it's body and climbed again and again.
This was my lesson for this morning that when there is something that I don't like, something that I think is wrong and an issue that needs addressing then I should get on with it whatever the odds against seem to be.
In my lifetime there has always been a news item reporting on the commencement of the 'grouse shooting season' on 12th August and it has been like a 'drip feed' into our psyche that it is all okay. The norm, but why should it be?
The idea that birds can be shot in the name of sport is only one small piece of what is actually occurring. To get those defenseless birds up into the air there has to be a lot more going on. Environments and habitats have to be manicured for the birds to be raised in with moorland being prevented from doing it's environmental job of soaking up rain water and the loss of territory for our other bird species has enormous consequences. Build into the scenario the killing of beautiful birds of prey that gamekeepers and their bosses consider a menace to their precious grouse then it becomes even more abhorrent to me.
The 'Real Price of Grouse' Episode One follows other videos and articles by Chris Packham. Many words will be said again and again and the brief words 'Sport v Slaughter' and the 'Not So Glorious 12th' encompasses my thoughts.
Let is keep the words flowing against those people who have the ill-considered right to change our landscape and kill for the sake of it.
Please read the blogs, watch the videos and sign the petition and Google the various sites for more information. There should be more to follow from me.
A cockroach lay on it's back this morning, motionless, but not to be presumed lifeless. And so it was until I encased it in a plastic tumbler which activated it. It climbed the smooth sides, fell back, agitated it's body and climbed again and again.
This was my lesson for this morning that when there is something that I don't like, something that I think is wrong and an issue that needs addressing then I should get on with it whatever the odds against seem to be.
In my lifetime there has always been a news item reporting on the commencement of the 'grouse shooting season' on 12th August and it has been like a 'drip feed' into our psyche that it is all okay. The norm, but why should it be?
The idea that birds can be shot in the name of sport is only one small piece of what is actually occurring. To get those defenseless birds up into the air there has to be a lot more going on. Environments and habitats have to be manicured for the birds to be raised in with moorland being prevented from doing it's environmental job of soaking up rain water and the loss of territory for our other bird species has enormous consequences. Build into the scenario the killing of beautiful birds of prey that gamekeepers and their bosses consider a menace to their precious grouse then it becomes even more abhorrent to me.
The 'Real Price of Grouse' Episode One follows other videos and articles by Chris Packham. Many words will be said again and again and the brief words 'Sport v Slaughter' and the 'Not So Glorious 12th' encompasses my thoughts.
Let is keep the words flowing against those people who have the ill-considered right to change our landscape and kill for the sake of it.
Please read the blogs, watch the videos and sign the petition and Google the various sites for more information. There should be more to follow from me.
Friday, 8 July 2016
Juvenile Black-eared Wheatear
Our trip to Estepas de Yecla, as I have previously said, was not very productive, but it still turned up one other bird that was interesting. I would not have been able to identify it on my own, but Bryan was able to do it. It was a juvenile Black-eared Wheatear and this was confirmed when it flew and showed it's distinctive white tail and rump with a broad black terminal band separating the two sides. This is clearly shown in Collins Bird Guide on page 266. We know that this species are in the area as we generally see them, but not in this exact spot. The opportunity to see this species within a few meters of where we were was very helpful when we were watching this young bird. The photograph is not of a flying bird so those diagnostic features will have to be viewed on the page.
While I was writing this short blog an Audouin's Gull landed on a nearby roof and then it flew down and walked in front of the house. Almost a garden bird!
While I was writing this short blog an Audouin's Gull landed on a nearby roof and then it flew down and walked in front of the house. Almost a garden bird!
Monday, 4 July 2016
Yecla and Petrola
Yecla in the morning and then onto Petrola before the water evaporates in the summer sun was our plan for today and we stuck to it.
We arrived in the 'estepas' well before 8am with a temperature of only 20 degrees and a strong breeze. It certainly was quiet, but we heard Sandgrouse calling frequently and eventually we saw four Pintail Sandgrouse flying in the distance. We were not out to search for every bird or to list everyone that we had seen, but we decided to see what was actually about. We were surprised to see only a few Calandra Larks and we had good views of both Crested and (Greater) Short-toed and not a lot else.
Greater Short Toed Lark, (Juv)
We travelled through the valley and headed north on A31 to see what waders had arrived in Corral Rubio, Bonéte and Petrola lakes.
We knew that this would be our last chance to check on the water until September at the earliest. Indeed we found some had dried out and others were drying fast. However we did notice 10 Black-tailed Godwits and numerous Gull-billed Terns in the company of Black-headed Gulls. Red-crested Pochard were also seen and in the company of four Gadwall we discovered one Ferruginous Duck. It was some distance away, but the photographs, although not sharp confirmed what it was with its wrap around white under tail. Waders were few, but we did see Lapwing, Kentish Plovers, one Redshank, numerous Black-winged Silts, Avocets, a raft of Coots and Flamingos.
Gull Billed Tern
Furruginous Duck with Gadwall behind
On the route to first wader stop off point and very close to the road were a male and female Great Bustard. The female walked slowly in front of us and the walked away.
Great Bustard
The photograph says it all and it is the closest both of us have been to this species at ground level. What a beautiful bird and it made our day. Later we saw one more in the distance and then we saw four more near an expanse of water.
Apart from the two highlights we did not have an amazing day, but we both came away with more knowledge of the area and the delight in seeing a Great Bustard close up and be able to see all the detail.
All photographs and any contentious identifications are both due to the skill of Bryan Thomas.
We arrived in the 'estepas' well before 8am with a temperature of only 20 degrees and a strong breeze. It certainly was quiet, but we heard Sandgrouse calling frequently and eventually we saw four Pintail Sandgrouse flying in the distance. We were not out to search for every bird or to list everyone that we had seen, but we decided to see what was actually about. We were surprised to see only a few Calandra Larks and we had good views of both Crested and (Greater) Short-toed and not a lot else.
Greater Short Toed Lark, (Juv)
We travelled through the valley and headed north on A31 to see what waders had arrived in Corral Rubio, Bonéte and Petrola lakes.
We knew that this would be our last chance to check on the water until September at the earliest. Indeed we found some had dried out and others were drying fast. However we did notice 10 Black-tailed Godwits and numerous Gull-billed Terns in the company of Black-headed Gulls. Red-crested Pochard were also seen and in the company of four Gadwall we discovered one Ferruginous Duck. It was some distance away, but the photographs, although not sharp confirmed what it was with its wrap around white under tail. Waders were few, but we did see Lapwing, Kentish Plovers, one Redshank, numerous Black-winged Silts, Avocets, a raft of Coots and Flamingos.
Gull Billed Tern
Furruginous Duck with Gadwall behind
On the route to first wader stop off point and very close to the road were a male and female Great Bustard. The female walked slowly in front of us and the walked away.
Great Bustard
The photograph says it all and it is the closest both of us have been to this species at ground level. What a beautiful bird and it made our day. Later we saw one more in the distance and then we saw four more near an expanse of water.
Apart from the two highlights we did not have an amazing day, but we both came away with more knowledge of the area and the delight in seeing a Great Bustard close up and be able to see all the detail.
All photographs and any contentious identifications are both due to the skill of Bryan Thomas.
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