tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76679042187065746692024-03-15T18:11:11.118-07:00rdb notesintermittent, inconsequentialRogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-77195364337135453592023-12-26T07:58:00.000-08:002024-01-05T02:05:52.116-08:00I Want To Go To Togo, Ghana, Togo<p>
We all know that a happy combination of luck, aggression, predestination and geography causes the base meridian of longitude to go through Greenwich. In earlier times there were several others: Paris, Copenhagen and Berlin all had "their" meridians but we won out (anyway, wouldn't it be stupid to call something the "Greenwich Meridian" if it went through Berlin or Copenhagen?). Incidentally, the French clung on to their Méridienne Parisienne well into the 20th century, silly lot. There is
<a href="https://www.guernicamag.com/carol-spindel-a-line-through-the-heart-of-paris-the-original-prime-meridian/">some interesting psychogeography</a>
to be done in following it.
<p>
Knowing that it goes through Greenwich is useful, but where else? France, plainly (but not through Paris 😀), but where else? Google to the fore, we can draw a circle that goes from pole to pole and back, following the 0° and 180° meridians (Click to enlarge, obvs.).
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<img alt="" border="2" width="200" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="873" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvT3WE9EUqB-762gREqwJjdUwrYI8r2JxBiKWBtoWO7n0_qCmql6lcMkZQbr0UHwstDlDjrbaUyGg5RmA1bgndWvzSQ6c5kZ9stMvf8tMYVfHdXlJD3IcoZ_LypowCSUiwyLRKV4Pn6AWoCdzzIQZOhHHX4HWc1Za0VnmLq2GwyRDHbGIQ7Q73wlWWcv8/s320/globe.jpg"/></a></div>
No surprises that the majority of this is sea (counting the arctic as sea, which it is). The 180 meridian intersects very little land (all Russia), and the 0 meridian is just wet in the southern hemisphere. There are, however, four countries which intersect twice.
<h3>The UK</h3>
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</a>
</div>
Maybe it's cheating to consider the Humber Estuary as an interruption - make your own mind up. The meridian just misses Flamborough Head, but if were visible, you'd see it.
<h3>Russia</h3>
Given its size one cannot be surprised that Mother Russia figures in the list. Off the north coast of Siberia (north of the 70° parallel) lies
<a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Wrangel-Island">Wrangel Island</a>
[О́стров Вра́нгеля]. The Island was named by a Briton after a Russian Admiral who was German, but it has a variety of other names derived from languages more appropriate. It is designated in its entirety as a "nature reserve", which might mean anything in modern Russia.
<p>
There is a great deal to be read about this place; it was home to the last surviving woolly mammoths on earth.
<h3>Spain</h3>
The shape of Spain's Mediterranean coast provides a 30Km (or so) land intersection just south of Valencia. Pleasingly, the Meridian exits toward Africa at <i>Marina Greenwich</i>.
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<img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="873" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjioN-9tgT1OApv3UKMRDxemiK1oVp29S3bPIYyBG0MRNPwEuQZF8WdyxygwikTj5HF7KTNUBxOYWPtx2LXILsVZLC90D_ABlcJ5YYtyzt1teJcLWc0UBx4C1O0Mav_UQDZ8AA_CNt4rA8cIM165UG55MEasCnutzYrZROawiO_M4YPriCrzvCHob_1Cs/s200/SpainMeridian.jpg"/>
</a>
</div>
<h3>Togo/Ghana</h3>
When those Imperialist bastards decided where to draw national boundaries in Africa, they plainly decided to have a laugh when it came to Togo. Leaving Burkina Faso, the Meridian enters Togo, leaves it, enters it again (from Ghana), then leaves it back to Ghana and onward to the seaside.
<p>
The first Togo stretch is about 2Km long (my estimate - it really isn't easy to get precise measurements from Google).
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<img alt="" border="0" width="100" data-original-height="655" data-original-width="873" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG5h4sACfqEpltfb4YJwTnKkrA8bUg65jle_kpTLNvrsu1ZpLaDTqOtEdlhJfEDlkrzfX0oLK_NVrbv1R98sSZXfkVuprJDUU29TJM8UuXbPTi2Ad_vRPho5nS15ily_wtM5ujiUMRdtNZSZIOrilSwpHMMx_kRu00fMOgd1VZ5qDy4nB-_Yzac3vpys/s320/TogoMeridian.jpg"/>
</a>
</div>
<p>
The second stretch is rather longer, at something like 30Km - again, rather approximate.
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</a>
</div>
<p>
I have searched in vain for images of the Meridian meeting/leaving Togo, thus far with no joy. Any I receive will be posted here without delay.Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-16671681245724667922023-10-27T09:41:00.002-07:002023-10-27T12:39:00.853-07:00Many inflatable unicornsA twin-porpoise trip to Shrewsbury, both fulfilled.
<p>
Firstly, a trip to the world's first iron-framed building, and a trip up its smashing tower. Some pictures exist
<A href="https://www.facebook.com/rogerdboyle/posts/pfbid0YNaM9N7GWqEK64SP3EjY68F9T8WGXoNbYmcNYtZVJynvmKYmUMHjQHs6abNx3CyPl?comment_id=1529133384490227¬if_id=1698418693197059¬if_t=feed_comment&ref=notif">elsewhere</a>.
</p>
<p>
Second, to attend the entertainment of Mr and Mrs Willcox (née Fripp) who are touring their Sunday lunch. One wasn't quite sure what to expect: queueing for a beer on arrival I texted the Frau "The regulation KC audience has brought its wife" - Mr Willcox will be surprised to see an audience that is 50% female. She was quick to point out that actually the regulation Toyah audience had brought its husband. The stage was scattered with inflatable unicorns, instead of the 3 massive drumkits KC fans might expect.
</p>
<p>
Fashionably punctual the band appeared. Mr Willcox in his customary funereal garb, and Mrs Willcox in an outfit that would have been awkward to wear on a bus. She provided lively banter throughout, reminding us early on that he is 77 and she 65. There were a few occasions where we got a monosyllabic comment from him, rather more than I have heard him say since I saw him in York in 1974. There was a solitary drummer who, despite coming from Leeds, did not fill the space that three do, two keyboard artistes (one accompanied by her teenage daughter), a bassist, two guitarists, and Mr Willcox. He sat still througout, as one might expect, although was downstage, which I had not see before, and was unaccompanied by the massive cabinet of electronics that is his customary security blanket.
</p>
<p>
The set list was straight from the Sunday Lunch, and Toyah was very happy for us to sing along with her, which I think we all did rather well. Interestingly, the guitarists were of such quality that Robert could be seen just strumming rhythm from time to time. But he also set himself free on a few occasions, notably playing a version of "Enter Sandman" that we certainly hadn't heard before. My neighbour enquired whether I expected them to perform any KC pieces - I thought not. I was correct, although they did do two Bowie pieces on which he has been an original musician (<i>Fashion</i> and, of course, <i>Heroes</i>).
</p>
<p>
The English Music Hall is alive and well, and of great quality.
</P>
<P>
And I found this - isn't it lovely?
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Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-55699885689298443692023-07-19T04:39:00.001-07:002023-07-19T12:35:03.268-07:00Not one, but two!<p>
Montague Burton's retail acumen is well known: ideally chosen corner plots, a style recognisable from 100 yards, complete understanding of the psychology of the customer base,
and teetotal dance halls or snooker halls above the showroom. Appealing to the less well moneyed gentleman, his shops were to be found in nearly all industrial or otherwise
working-class conurbations.
Lucky old Aberdeen: not only two Burton buildings, but separated by a distance of less than 100 yards.
<p>
Like so many others, these splendid edifices are in need of a little TLC. Number 1 on Union Street is currently vacant: the building is instantly recognisable, and has one
surviving foundation stone - highly likely there were once 2 or more.
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<p>
Number 2 is a very short step away on St Nicholas Street: also instantly recognisable, but no foundation stones remaining - the building has been reworked at street level at
least once. No matter - the upper stories are easily viewed by a pedestrian walkway.
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<p>
In spotting this frontage, it suddenly became clear that one could see both buildings at once.
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<p>
I don't know if this can be done anywhere else in the world. When you consider the Keighley Dee-Fest, and meetings with
<a href="https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/benjamin-blundell(794437c4-9c8e-488c-86c2-5d89747214e5).html">Ben</a>,
<a href="https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk/portal/en/persons/katie-eagleton(49be3579-a649-4549-a677-9113d62d8a2d).html">Katie</a>
and
<a href="https://www.abdn.ac.uk/ims/profiles/j.gregory">Jenny</a>,
this seems to have got the Orkney holiday off to a very good start.
(Ironically, we parked outside the latter-day incarnation of Burotns. So three, I suppose, on one day)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyctgroSWA9sgQmfkm9YoNeWJ-J6EfL2EH8qD-vtwM7bRSjJzC7oRZtHaolRcIaPJYuv3o_kqpMuHg4gALLgPLNxB4RVsf0mqOMSkZdjBg1L9ATJu3P202KAixsZO48CUklcxFZ7vknfe58fDvxDz6tuqK4XfCSBBQq3mu80-T970dikLb5BLm5EuKeL8/s938/Burton3.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyctgroSWA9sgQmfkm9YoNeWJ-J6EfL2EH8qD-vtwM7bRSjJzC7oRZtHaolRcIaPJYuv3o_kqpMuHg4gALLgPLNxB4RVsf0mqOMSkZdjBg1L9ATJu3P202KAixsZO48CUklcxFZ7vknfe58fDvxDz6tuqK4XfCSBBQq3mu80-T970dikLb5BLm5EuKeL8/s200/Burton3.JPG"/></a></div>
Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-82483992147402664762023-04-24T00:00:00.001-07:002023-04-24T00:00:57.031-07:00The game is upThe jury remains out on precisely which drugs W Shakespeare had been smoking when scribing <i>Cymbeline</i>, but we'd all like to know. It's not commonly staged: In 1970 (I think) I performed in a production of this play, directed by a far-sighted teacher of English; I saw it again on the West Yorkshire Playhouse stage the evening before one of my weddings in 2006, and then once more last Saturday, produced by the RSC in Stratford.
<p>
I managed to enter the auditorium with some very cocky foreknowledge of this madness, but had forgotten (before checking) that this is where the phrases
<i>Boldness be my friend</i> (A1,s6),
<i>The game is up</i> (A3,s3), and <i>I have not sleep one wink</i> (A3,s4) originate. Now you know.
</p>
<p>It's fairly well known that he got a little wacky towards the end, but this play scales amazin' heights; the appearance of Jupiter at the end, descending from heaven amid thunder and lightning, was even better that that depicted by my late friend Peter Gleeson on the Hele's School stage half a century ago. The RSC could have taken advice from us on the length of the play, which kicked off at 7.15 and let us out at 11pm, with two very short intervals. During the second interval we got to look inside a props cupboard which included a dead chicken and a dead goat. How I wanted to nick one (or both) of these.
</p>
In preparation we viewed Anne Hathaway's cottage, which remained in Hathaway hands into the C20. There was, recently, a Hathaway gathering at the place, when those attending did not have to pay the £13 entrance fee. I told them I was a Hathaway and asked for a refund: while too courteous to tell me to bugger off, they weren't giving in.
<p>
The Crowne Plaza Hotel has corridors that make you feel you are in an Escher drawing
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1vax8PjbCA5hS8-6i05YOnG0ErwfTtMGR-RuQ9q2IgINXRmA2ns_ZPq-k_BCUMuS0J2pP11Q-npjZbzL7mlKw_0HdFHSvm8MQKW5emlJx4pzR7UqhzxODs18WooYKnOey6lbzES6NY4A3XumE_oqAx-f4KSISLYXH9IjIyjrb5jzCpn7Wu_ZwSFO/s1477/Escher.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1477" data-original-width="1423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1vax8PjbCA5hS8-6i05YOnG0ErwfTtMGR-RuQ9q2IgINXRmA2ns_ZPq-k_BCUMuS0J2pP11Q-npjZbzL7mlKw_0HdFHSvm8MQKW5emlJx4pzR7UqhzxODs18WooYKnOey6lbzES6NY4A3XumE_oqAx-f4KSISLYXH9IjIyjrb5jzCpn7Wu_ZwSFO/s320/Escher.JPG"/></a></div>
Interesting, but insufficient to make the shocking service bearable.
<p>
Anything else? The usual RM hotspots.
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Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-85912068689362174922023-03-18T02:55:00.001-07:002023-03-18T02:55:57.010-07:00RabelaisHaving gone over 68 years knowing nothing about Rabelais, I fear I have come to him too late to take maximum advantage.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0xcQ5Ceagiv3m6Yt6gEK1X6kilgFuY44vCZj-L1W4xM7U2X80UrvhqY7dmUnLiqsFf6xve-5g_b00SYPIuRUWLDvGlZ4d4TKTtbWkG800d9_ZdXmLMlIgHesdMiopswgWlHLS-TBJ-uzX_NefwhfDupSrTj9alg4E1_mlCiD5rLTGIekJEiiPFUb/s272/220px-Francois_Rabelais_-_Portrait.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0xcQ5Ceagiv3m6Yt6gEK1X6kilgFuY44vCZj-L1W4xM7U2X80UrvhqY7dmUnLiqsFf6xve-5g_b00SYPIuRUWLDvGlZ4d4TKTtbWkG800d9_ZdXmLMlIgHesdMiopswgWlHLS-TBJ-uzX_NefwhfDupSrTj9alg4E1_mlCiD5rLTGIekJEiiPFUb/s400/220px-Francois_Rabelais_-_Portrait.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>
It surely suffices to draw attention to his list of candidates for toilet paper (appended here) - among my favourites are "Mother's gloves" and "A cormorant".
<p>
Of the goose, Rabelais notes <i>But to conclude, I say and maintain that there
is no arse-wiper like a well-downed goose,
if you hold her neck between your legs.
You must take my word for it, you really must.
You get a miraculous sensation in your arse-hole,
both from the softness of the down and from the
temperate heat of the goose herself; and this is
easily communicated to the bum-gut and the rest
of the intestines, from which it reaches the heart
and the brain.</i>
<ol>
<li> A lady's velvet mask
<li> A lady's hood
<li> A lady's neckerchief
<li> Some earflaps of crimson satin
<li> A page's bonnet, all feathered in the Swiss fashion
<li> A March-born cat
<li> His Mother's gloves, well scented with maljamin
<li> Sage
<li> Fennel
<li> Anise
<li> Marjoram
<li> Roses
<li> Gourd Leaves
<li> Cabbage
<li> Beets
<li> Vineshoots
<li> Marsh-mallow
<li> Mullein, which is as red as your bum
<li> Lettuces
<li> Spinach-leaves
<li> Dog's Mercury
<li> Persicaria
<li> Nettles
<li> Comfrey
<li> His Codpiece
<li> The Sheets
<li> The Coverlet
<li> The Curtains
<li> A Cushion
<li> The Hangings
<li> A Green Cloth
<li> A Table-cloth
<li> A Napkin
<li> A Handkerchief
<li> An Overall
<li> Hay
<li> Straw
<li> Litter
<li> Cow's Hair
<li> Wool
<li> Paper
<li> A Kerchief (again)
<li> A Pillow
<li> A Slipper
<li> A Game-bag
<li> A Basket
<li> A Hat... and some hats are
<ul>
<li> Smooth
<li> Shaggy
<li> Velvety
<li> Of Taffeta
<li> Of Satin<li>
</ul>
...though the best of all are the shaggy ones
<li> A Hen
<li> A Cock
<li> A Chicken
<li> A Calf's Skin
<li> A Hare
<li> A Pigeon
<li> A Cormorant
<li> A Lawyer's Bag
<li> A Penitent's Hood
<li> A Coif
<li> An Otter
<li> A Well-downed Goose
</ol>Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-62269482841480764522023-01-04T00:26:00.001-08:002023-01-04T00:26:31.857-08:002023To Llundain, to see in the new year, inter alia.
<p>
Thursday 29th was an outing to Fulham to play in the EBU Year End Open Pairs event. Partner was the ever understanding Jerry F, who tolerated a number of schoolgirl errors on my part to allow us
<a href="https://app.pianola.net/Results/Session497793">49%</a>
in the morning sesion and
<a href="https://app.pianola.net/Results/Session497794">47%</a>
in the afternoon. I count this as a triumph and know we'd beat 50 in another outing. Jerry, if he as as wise as I suspect, probably wouldn't permit another outing to occur: here is a picture of Jerry in motion, warming up for the day, and the record of how it went.
</p>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImecUjr9CGU83AwXrGqJWIDYSLcMXAvN3PeYdyUSUxtv9LwRiqI04tAgfGOeD3NA9fqgoYqoleRybvoRQguFb7Sqocw69lDLyrkx70AqEdKGk5xmkKVlC29OPFLuMWF-dU-3RnmoLIG9rxDP6aWL9Wy6qqd1KKBXi3ga-E2J9Uxy8mFCrBTxhcAuf/s2221/EBU.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" width="160" data-original-height="1372" data-original-width="2221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImecUjr9CGU83AwXrGqJWIDYSLcMXAvN3PeYdyUSUxtv9LwRiqI04tAgfGOeD3NA9fqgoYqoleRybvoRQguFb7Sqocw69lDLyrkx70AqEdKGk5xmkKVlC29OPFLuMWF-dU-3RnmoLIG9rxDP6aWL9Wy6qqd1KKBXi3ga-E2J9Uxy8mFCrBTxhcAuf/s200/EBU.JPG"/></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-auGzVnQ-jxIO8dDB-L47Mbnzuz_ZJF-YU63J1welfHbv6lEtUFv2xm6TESAy0cBdJq-g_tY45houeBRntKejmS9UEKvlpqeVCqNr_wVOeWtjln7KSifvYMgdAXQArXs1UD06YqruHIKsYS6VzzPnZBsqsccPhcVGNO1CHWY9-cAIXVUqvhQECwq3/s2242/EBU2.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" width="160" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="2242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-auGzVnQ-jxIO8dDB-L47Mbnzuz_ZJF-YU63J1welfHbv6lEtUFv2xm6TESAy0cBdJq-g_tY45houeBRntKejmS9UEKvlpqeVCqNr_wVOeWtjln7KSifvYMgdAXQArXs1UD06YqruHIKsYS6VzzPnZBsqsccPhcVGNO1CHWY9-cAIXVUqvhQECwq3/s200/EBU2.JPG"/></a>
</center></div>
<p>
Friday 30th, to Holborn for the latest of a sequence of beery chats with P and J. Whether the world will actually improve as a result of our analyses of its problems is unlikely, and perhaps the world didn't even know we were there. We last attempted this in 2018, so perhaps of most interest is the before-Covid/after-Covid comparison. Can you tell which is which?
</p>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5mceTOajYoIzn_l0VIC_CZt5eW0Pfl1U3vnJZQCxx9e5KbIsxvKLXUVALLtykfZMCX3CoJTU5Hthc2OoP6dYGBp0cpNTecbdRgsc41jSI7EorqQ0hMJi0W7Rt7uOdtvP_ENytxaN6l4Pvn5LhqfFpAoLjiNKibbwUQ3Ds1rEhkh4QBTjLTNuDolX/s1512/JRP18a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="1177" data-original-width="1512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5mceTOajYoIzn_l0VIC_CZt5eW0Pfl1U3vnJZQCxx9e5KbIsxvKLXUVALLtykfZMCX3CoJTU5Hthc2OoP6dYGBp0cpNTecbdRgsc41jSI7EorqQ0hMJi0W7Rt7uOdtvP_ENytxaN6l4Pvn5LhqfFpAoLjiNKibbwUQ3Ds1rEhkh4QBTjLTNuDolX/s200/JRP18a.jpg"/></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgn-YQlAzvBA8HOFvgcnchtvpNAcegSYvDWSpFCzdmWXL_YXl6S8LFkkL4cpkeXl8KCtNNXh84kV6nmT8NmIz2kS65IlnkSGqJ_JCFrIfc465h43XQ84zYFb2Ak6fjZlPP7fTIM5qwlkFSgksP4DSelId840Zi5-bVJ3sRNAhm73ir4fGhgzSRjbw/s2550/JRP22.JPG">
<img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="1361" data-original-width="2550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgn-YQlAzvBA8HOFvgcnchtvpNAcegSYvDWSpFCzdmWXL_YXl6S8LFkkL4cpkeXl8KCtNNXh84kV6nmT8NmIz2kS65IlnkSGqJ_JCFrIfc465h43XQ84zYFb2Ak6fjZlPP7fTIM5qwlkFSgksP4DSelId840Zi5-bVJ3sRNAhm73ir4fGhgzSRjbw/s200/JRP22.JPG"/></a>
</center>
</div>
<p>
Saturday 31st, to Ashford and around for a Porkrun, and to make the Yuletide visit that was kiboshed by a mysterious esophegeal complaint. Urban highlights were an elegant OOU Post Office,and the partially restored Burton, now a splendid Polish cafe:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcNw-EWvDD18Yn2i9-67JLC7RHP8HSlGsHu4JlWsClKFSQyE2Qk52CormNjVsQb_8UrN2pqyVYPbAbqYTtXrxtEPq1uPLRrEPHWeQ7eqe6hw3rCFI9McyXsn4aF7Q9d0ArZx_i6XDPWFto643DZVW1J5ZVk2KtbMC5N98x0irltCa4Fvm0QFzIYrp/s1698/AshfordPO.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="1603" data-original-width="1698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcNw-EWvDD18Yn2i9-67JLC7RHP8HSlGsHu4JlWsClKFSQyE2Qk52CormNjVsQb_8UrN2pqyVYPbAbqYTtXrxtEPq1uPLRrEPHWeQ7eqe6hw3rCFI9McyXsn4aF7Q9d0ArZx_i6XDPWFto643DZVW1J5ZVk2KtbMC5N98x0irltCa4Fvm0QFzIYrp/s200/AshfordPO.JPG"/></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsNBubpMl4HXCMlaGDM_OXxZgxNClG37xriJ80k_I0hkNcUcgECdP6aysyd4evGx_xTc4q0ZYWM72nU5DVoDOZZvUB5GgbfWs_Jk_4JpmhvVGiv-GHMUVAdQdWEj4hjG9Q4l-Qi1-oJM7Ozui4oebPuwgNDbcRsu5YQMw5TGgwV7pGZLLyrIkFR7v/s1539/AshfordBurton.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="1521" data-original-width="1539" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsNBubpMl4HXCMlaGDM_OXxZgxNClG37xriJ80k_I0hkNcUcgECdP6aysyd4evGx_xTc4q0ZYWM72nU5DVoDOZZvUB5GgbfWs_Jk_4JpmhvVGiv-GHMUVAdQdWEj4hjG9Q4l-Qi1-oJM7Ozui4oebPuwgNDbcRsu5YQMw5TGgwV7pGZLLyrIkFR7v/s200/AshfordBurton.JPG"/></a>
</center>
</div>
And a very jolly visit to the Enkelkinder
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku224bf4ncjLoigzCMTabiKdumgEnbfNL8Xk-43vOXycdDdHP7SbZAzw_flbN6c1wFy1p3n_eq60aOuK-3heZIfclhC_ZFpkOBBEzVcvjotFiUwTZIwQeYSwmGBYOffdLwolrG8T1G_w-8EwZemdCXDgFbUprQWmdL0XlUwHps8xAbOFWilBODXo9/s2216/E.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" width="120" data-original-height="1798" data-original-width="2216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku224bf4ncjLoigzCMTabiKdumgEnbfNL8Xk-43vOXycdDdHP7SbZAzw_flbN6c1wFy1p3n_eq60aOuK-3heZIfclhC_ZFpkOBBEzVcvjotFiUwTZIwQeYSwmGBYOffdLwolrG8T1G_w-8EwZemdCXDgFbUprQWmdL0XlUwHps8xAbOFWilBODXo9/s200/E.JPG"/></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0IisS9ByyINOgH5pabovXkpcOqZAWv6_wRfqay93cTVE6t23jxLoR-W2aBkYlkycfa5nuSKgcY5gVz2ubqwhcLZjmmB5IXu7b9ou1sVWXHuITWDeXrJ-2fYVhltd-FZNz_13sOXkReUnMVc76JZUJyCWpidVMyEWAKKz3V-74Fjt5in7VLpI4DuQ/s1305/O.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="120" data-original-height="1305" data-original-width="1145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0IisS9ByyINOgH5pabovXkpcOqZAWv6_wRfqay93cTVE6t23jxLoR-W2aBkYlkycfa5nuSKgcY5gVz2ubqwhcLZjmmB5IXu7b9ou1sVWXHuITWDeXrJ-2fYVhltd-FZNz_13sOXkReUnMVc76JZUJyCWpidVMyEWAKKz3V-74Fjt5in7VLpI4DuQ/s200/O.JPG"/></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNmVz1rAli28BZBcGFjry_Dxsqt8_4QFS6KvAeF2MWitIwwItOaBxMP2NfgxlwlfwQMRJxxpWs4rfydHmcTFCzt8xI8_ll0I21KU5qsE76t2e_JLhf6bBu6_aILqYLIsACyHkT3UyQp0FuBrwclUigYZrXVn4l_6sPG7lztaMnJGlwjF9biIG3opO/s1982/R2.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" width="120" data-original-height="1572" data-original-width="1982" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNmVz1rAli28BZBcGFjry_Dxsqt8_4QFS6KvAeF2MWitIwwItOaBxMP2NfgxlwlfwQMRJxxpWs4rfydHmcTFCzt8xI8_ll0I21KU5qsE76t2e_JLhf6bBu6_aILqYLIsACyHkT3UyQp0FuBrwclUigYZrXVn4l_6sPG7lztaMnJGlwjF9biIG3opO/s200/R2.JPG"/></a>
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</div>
Blywyddyn Newydd Dda - let it be better than its predecessor. At the very least, let's not break any ribs.
Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-11910574901826653932022-10-10T02:25:00.000-07:002022-10-10T02:25:05.034-07:00Two things<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1m1olOQNrCMtbSZv06vMLhwYNTKZ_2LZfNDbhokTGA5SUC9TbqVeyQi6l9aRXXUWxn_QLz49PHtOav57LjB43mG5JhFbCIk-iwSF3ZG6qWebAFuFUWbuOky7hdyteiZEKpJkp6mVW9VwWltWNpPG1U9jJ7Lwj1vFO5OCGo2pYRKGS4LmFhtaurX8Q/s3050/ODP.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="2438" data-original-width="3050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1m1olOQNrCMtbSZv06vMLhwYNTKZ_2LZfNDbhokTGA5SUC9TbqVeyQi6l9aRXXUWxn_QLz49PHtOav57LjB43mG5JhFbCIk-iwSF3ZG6qWebAFuFUWbuOky7hdyteiZEKpJkp6mVW9VwWltWNpPG1U9jJ7Lwj1vFO5OCGo2pYRKGS4LmFhtaurX8Q/s200/ODP.JPG"/></a></div>
Two things I have just learned:
<ol>
<li>A very rare instance of a Welsh word finding its way into English: penguin. originally, of course, pen-gwyn - white head. Except penguins have black heads.</li>
<li>A committee is sitting in the Vatican considering what to do if and when extra-terrestial intelligence makes itself known to us. Of course, there is but the one God for the entire unverse, but it's not clear whether JC is Saviour of the human race, or all intelligent races. Either way, there will be a need for some sort of evangelism, post discovery. Tricky.</li>
</ol>
These things wre discovered during the most recent Offa expedition, a worthy project interrupted for 2.5 years by, you guessed it, Covid-19. This leg was from
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Crosses,_Powys">Four Crosses</a> to
<a href="http://www.trefonen.org/">Trefonen</a>, which - on paper - was "just another leg" but as ever in reality turned out to be stunning. Flat bits, up bits, down bits, view bits, golf courses ... I could go on.
<p>
Inter alia, we saw
<ul>
<li>Evidence that Offa got the boundary between <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Y_NJZpfQCy81qr9fu7pMSvcWgSsahGiZSU1RkxGZ98dgm_NyUKUYN3mzNjqMN5PF-lT-ApFQDEtCaCzwCcal-NJPlcGQvKznWkrAOsBvh8PRNDJf4XfILJeEYc-bNnorg07ZO_WMIToyPIXOK2zlKwTULkGMRBsw8p9Iq6WZ6TXcINwHJgqZoi-T/s3580/Cymru.JPG" target="_blank">Wales</a> and
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhol4J7H7UXiaTn8OoC4R2c3WB0WInFYtnMJmJr8lr_VI8OGI-rQmrgbhz2LcRAkM5njoG3Lkrofe4SyLgV9oIjPqeu1JIOzGUEludcyJwKUDBouEHPYdSZHTfJ-E0qBEPyETILdrK2jVo5XR0edotAPuSakBNK8WYPbx3keRMPD6-yX-B_2_t2A8fw/s2393/Lloegr.JPG">Lloegr</a> in the right place.</li>
<li>
Views to <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1cALItWVYrSoWsnUVlto-sxw1MAKm6uR8ydUCe2la7vm_X01mAHY_14hfSKjWqRkuW-YsBBhKcULHIDk9r3sDv1VOWxsGCXkGyIaIsaQh4btgVz7B_k9yX2NN7qjv2DMTLzeKxxY5knos-4qqJj0JN6w7svmIUpBT1sX8VHzDyuzhJteRUxYZ50j/s4477/Vista1.JPG">left</a> and
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8q6TfQNeANKFLkCTtujaHUQUPZNLcZ65QLsIOfMaqv6P_JPp08LKFD5b7EygmkI7v443-GXNQ7h6LqGeBgLbHapJnoNiwZ-64RioPz3njZ5NvxWSfHcu-n5dlHT2ytX3YMGBg7JkZ8GXoVXOKjKeYAqOzcr0ypn8cWwjfTtQaQ1nDJNHndiu1JaGf/s4527/Vista2.JPG">right</a>.
Or right and left if you're going the other way.</li>
<li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGSMTao8GDLIxSGT0w9UUTJiNL1Lja-FwqrO--Zb5P2OhXe8YCIru8qbTMVQod_7rugXfSbDbXaOKKIsp2sDzlA5LpFzXDDF-wNuo09RFTx_Ezk8ZTLezGTjW24UnE0qijG_6N8Nxke8jnupdREKSnmCj2yedF_lVdJQyXA8mWqmIEJSGd4fL5V_Z/s3019/Fungus.JPG">Many fungi</a>. One of our number said he knew which were which, and he is still alive.</li>
<li>The <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC3W7Qfv1Pb2sgH4oDXtNd4vvlW9iICLbu8l8Ug1obatELRRxOLyER-MidT4Khvk0nik5QNBN30roBgbcegcO-f3m6kwKiRF-BaGFnu-jkjRQ4iKx-JR6FsDEz-J6lYI9efuhcfnIj3OEirxzcdZa5vHafFJzXPPs-1QRzM3hnNOkOjSDN9YnuHnon/s2551/MWRT.jpg">Montgomery Canal</a>.</li>
<li>Evidence that Oswestry was once <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jpp-4f6Z_F8HoTtZzpxVjojF-PJOzQZDGPjKdQoQzAKV6Xvt5cHPzSZFfKVUNG0iPWkPPwAS-8Tc9FblMjVztzll0zJcWlwb76KQFxG2VfNVOeEyb-ZwGOg4NdMZ3iDvIXlk8vX-aMA_M69WmH-61oT9OYQdzCRQhB4sbem0QmW7NcvFFRmX3S90/s4156/Rails.JPG">railway central</a>.</li>
</ul>
<p>
Culminating with <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotCI9qArEGYFUICPgPfUc_WX0lo7-943C0la_P43qngH7hmMZ7Bu10H6I5DeqmmyYDV7UBO9xZ7vpo8zUL06be8FdciK3qkQJGj1sAKkF0gQ43whOY567L-gkUQox45i-YTFFwYjGXNp2pcxMDktaIpBp45JbHBN3TuFM73qj1IMydKmiTBR0VEIM/s3430/1024965.JPG">a pretty VR wall box</a> as we relocated our transport.
<p>
We are now more than 2/3 of the way up - here we come, Prestatyn.Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-76294973805289621902022-02-24T05:48:00.015-08:002022-02-24T05:52:22.632-08:00Terminalia 2022Is it just me, or does Terminalia seem to come round earlier each year?
<p>
Finding myself halfway between
<a href="http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk/">Peter Hammill</a> and
<a href="https://henningwehn.de/">Henning Wehn</a>, circumstance caused me to celebrate the festival in Scrobbesburh, which was especially exciting as the town was partly submerged as a result of storms Derek, Eric and Fuckwit arriving in a 6 day period. Rudimentary Internet research revealed the course of the largely pillaged town walls and so I advertised a circumnvagation, fully expecting a 25 minute solo perambulation. Imagine my surprise to find
<a href="http://www.andrew-howe.com/">Andrew</a>, Andy and
<a href="https://www.kate-green.co.uk/">Kate the Pipe</a> ready to join me at the start.
<p>
Andrew knew a lot already, and we had the
<a href="https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archiveDS/archiveDownload?t=arch-1096-1/dissemination/pdf/archaeol4-227058_1.pdf">most marvellous document</a> prepared by the Archaeology Data Service. Coupled with Kate's enthusiasm to engage everybody in conversation (<i>"We're doing a tour for Terminalia ..."</i>) this turned into a much longer and really fascinating trip. I think we fulfilled all the aims of the celebration, and I don't recall us mentioning Brexit, Covid, or Ukraine once.
<p>
There's no secret about the tour, so anyone could do it. Just the odd picture may communicate the enthusiasm of the day:
<ol>
<li>Fragments of the wall can be seen in many places, together with some intact sections. These were at their best when they were not really accessible and you had to take sneaky looks ...
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8JFd2-7KOXyUn5if0ZjyBImAMVKGe9VCT566qTypHPuIiSC50lB-VUc-z1qv0vx87tK9cuAKTBkOhWQDEuwzYZ_j0PtSUlV0ZGRvprxIQTvyfHHvI2HCBWfAaGwEgLK7KkzEMLeqkTbpmmJiDMP5AvnrEfhhirsW6IcklvElAzf3mj2kWT7Gjsy6m=s4361">On the way (1)</a>,
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitgIq_-Krh26JsdYe78t1qaz43zKulMbigXad_8oBy05JJNPyrSdF6tseAVNDe72ZphGPTaO5XPG7_4Gv83rpUM3w6qOjiX68-1Brvki6twxdJDiUonuQrZyzeyhoVE4faEkmJAhWnyUefgj8JjF4h5ZuPvgAlXvdacG85Cd_nztXrhuwENxX6VExc=s2877">On the way (2)</a>;
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiev5LIHKQ7_XNxEWAGW2rsL42Upo80gimplHprNtyuA4zRue5G-N38x3y-C0pObiUtVFMqTxMTYGhtY2DXn-9lezmzD_dpt62O_dx3u031sSGEfvtxKiKD88akhM4iTfdgEge8b5VSybiAjf1Y_lmGWUbeCx7MeD5GfUDWpyLHKJRcfZ4S-JPPY8fC=s3440">a secret bit</a>;
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjv8PAaiFj9dugHVjKCFU0atzMHX40zZsdu57jD2C8i4dolr2DooMp5xiFbJHFme2KY5c1httL0JefZI9ImQf2c5ghMkl6SoFvr2HKsPJaS7vt2FqvmYKPophGdEpzgW-Skz6gu354Orhm4f3yS_hhAP-sIhFTc9syR-QPExkSMFmScOjNuY3RyH0TC=s4411">in a pub garden</a>;
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwhwDh26BK-EIn2YtLdZGHWu-Ien_tq_INAWFqkFjQ0K_3pC07SwRJ42i4ZkmGijsI42ir8WDbWAUlm7tk570e9ebfU3seqMV8ck3Gy02WUn7TyZgy6wP6C8L-rqHbXYJ7A6PUJNnUeNQI_9hNYRQWqO77fkkxWneI_uBVrv7tZ0vv78P6O55d5XB6=s2038">a surviving, rather pretty, tower</a>. God bless Kate Humphreys, although how did she come to own it in the first place?
<li>We met
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEid3_yIuoj4QPXBG5Vevd2d9p2Oku1zPguu8_rDjzKKeBVxmVv7Tj4zA8PI8DJp6EEVwj92AFza3v2M8U3PFY95t_BlP4q8Qnf1vVtNvb2ZP2xC8_gE5KCQsa_48p8mlbWS5BaFcT9LO0gEUK6icT_70EflqjXyfqbAsDT4uVKBxFQQXAeYHXeRATA9=s4031">a very nice chap</a> who owned property on the course of the wall; he had been very badly flooded but took a long time to explain to us how the area had once been.</li>
<li>A
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTNh7ygyOr0IWRxMWQgfgHzt3loXZ2X2wtHa1eB19eqd8QlpshQ_71qPjYEPWZX23NMNYROjYFOFGlps3JDweAtbnw8PYdl-GQy2gUGIKpOz7b9O7lXLm1G4r0ddccq-d148dxgCDVpB1D94bcCRDJX_ryFU0gIS_LmqoxdpIe4eadff4dTgaYkDCO=s3302">collection of wall and other stones</a> had been assembled near a very wet bridge. One was not of the local sandstone, but was very smooth volcanic rock. There is
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjh6qB2ZnzNnmYxI-PG-xb3I2yDw_5izC-T4VAZ8P8SPcViuLeADRlNgoMmG3J2HYu0aGqftVBRrM4hDs60Lo6VPn8gUtXLns2BYpoQXNhU2zyIqpdwi8kqwJ8Fcghp1UxWgFbhM9MvnNEagie9RCicGoAzstzZKSD-QORjmYcKLqa0TpxieFc1oCqh=s2701">
an unflattering picture</a> of Kate smoothing it a little further.</li>
<li>Stopping for welcome refreshment, Kate showed us her current
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7G-fL0fndCRNJDPZ0VtwgHWUyhjCjndBS3elEfPNFXbIbmg9PXnwAf4I-8cVB17i4Dj17KqeQzuhD64b4rk5znbUkwN0o8Dx6UztHNpGS785BL11p43NJueS8c8C_9dx2t2xMUi7wuztRDWuUeiIXQaUNOpIcX9CA2vxvjnLMgqYrXQHyycyiQtCP=s2706">plan</a>,
which we followed as best we could.
<li>Throughout, we were awestruck at the quantity of water flowing down the Severn (more properly Afon Hafren, since it rises in mid-Wales) in the wake of Storms D, E and F.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZWPJYpYoJiq05hQ30pkESsGmjzPVOSEu6uE1aGZibq7okMI5ge4lgx49t1Ur9zkdDSadSijooroaOZozgQ5Y3h-AmEBmsLJS9APxBGw5zxp_1jyy4LBrDgfObj4pHD9bJPkWQWrOlhwmyNbEdog3vFlvQPPwYryuYm268UW2eDD2sYRA59ZFSIrtG=s3668">This picture</a>
fails to capture the awe: on a normal day, this shot would have had no water visible at all
</ol>
<p>
I wonder where Terminalia 2023 will be observed.
Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-83299692978119194782022-02-22T14:47:00.005-08:002022-02-24T00:55:51.067-08:00H to HeTo Manchester, to experience a much postponed concert by Peter Hammill's Van der Graaf Generator. Given the fellow's age (and mine), this is one of those experiences to slot in as soon as you reasonably can. Fate, in the form of Storms Derek, Eric, and Fuckwit nearly intervened, but it was OK in the end.
<p>The trip also took in the valedictory running of
<a href="https://thisisnotaslog.com/Score-10-Roger-Boyle">Blake's 52More Score #10</a>, and a celebration of
<a href="http://www.rogerdboyle.net/Terminalia/2022.html">Terminalia 2022</a>, both of which are detailed elsewhere.
<p>
This trio that has been playing together for ... err ... 54 years so we needn't be surprised at a very polished show. There's no doubt that the absence of a saxophone left a saxophone shaped hole where a saxophone ought to be, but they rang the changes rather well. Having been unfairly tarred with the "prog" label, they managed to dip toes in quite a range of genres, and the man's voice has lost none of its power and almost none of its range. A very few imprecisions, but hey - that's why you go to hear people live.
<p>
It tells you something that they didn't play any of <i>Killer</i>, <i>Man Erg</i> or <i>A plague of lighthouse keepers</i> - they have quite a songbook to choose from. For this reviewer, <i>Scorched Earth</i> was the standout. The setlist is at <a href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/van-der-graaf-generator/2022/the-bridgewater-hall-manchester-england-b8859d2.html">setlist.fm</a>.
<p>
Hammill and Fripp are part of a generation - I believe they get on well together. In contrast to the lip-zipped Fripp, Hammill was happy to banter. Pausing for an interval he noted "It's quiet when it stops, isn't it?"
<p>
I think the jury is out on which of VdGG's albums is most memorable/influential/best but it's inquitous to compare stuff released in the 21st century with that from over 50 years ago. From early days, it's hard to better <i>Pawn Hearts</i><a href="#footnote-1">[1]</a>, but my introduction to all this was in Pat's back room and <i>H to He</i>, whereat I first met the proton-proton fusion reaction. In preparation for the gig, I chose to manufacture my own merchandise by customising a black hoodie thus
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9o9K7Q1yq8Nx-e-kLlf5spoVD6pp5UHZmCkZEYU56Zej8DqoNc6JNaqkJuofw8r4WKWHywTJbhn7hOhNRjGE5Msayzf4PysPRptpjm5Tc4hE8FHarQpIOkfF4MvWMz0qH9CVEGe12niFNsQFT3vqcHzKOxYMxQzs2CgsGa2vigVdy3blpJQJUx8G1=s1153" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="1153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9o9K7Q1yq8Nx-e-kLlf5spoVD6pp5UHZmCkZEYU56Zej8DqoNc6JNaqkJuofw8r4WKWHywTJbhn7hOhNRjGE5Msayzf4PysPRptpjm5Tc4hE8FHarQpIOkfF4MvWMz0qH9CVEGe12niFNsQFT3vqcHzKOxYMxQzs2CgsGa2vigVdy3blpJQJUx8G1=s400"/></a></div>
I think this all worked rather well, even if it does undermine the principle of bands selling massively overpriced garments at their pension fund boosting gigs.
<p id="footnote-1">[1] Pawn Hearts, wherefrom <i>Man Erg</i>. How well known is it that this synchronises wonderfully with Buñuel's <i>Un Chien Andalou</i>?
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTzOP7PvVk4">Check it out</i>.</p>Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-24790691413027359442021-11-19T09:37:00.000-08:002021-11-19T09:37:34.585-08:00Muad'DibSome years ago - more than 50 in fact - I read an SF book, probably on my friend Jonathan's recommendation, that I found to be rather good. Predictably, there were sequels of monotonically decreasing merit and I wisely stoppped after the first such.
<p>
Attempts to film this story have either foundered or been poorly received, and none of my shekels have been diverted to viewing any of them. This year, the most recent such attempt has been well received so we went to give it a spin this week. Yes, it was rather good.
<p>
One of the absolute highlights has to be Leto being ceremonially led onto Arrakis by a bagpiper, but the quality of the thing actually pervades: the visualisation of the various worlds is good enough to make you think "yes, it was like this", and - modulo 50 year forgetting interval - I think it was remarably faithful to the text. There were too many details to capture, but I think I noticed them using both metric and Imperial distance measures (didn't the 'thopter have to rise more than 5000ft?), which is admirable. And the worms were pretty good, leaving a lot to look forward to in the [predictable] sequel.
<p>
Before I saw it I chatted with a 15yo friend who told me he had seen it, and that he had read the book. I told him I was his age when I read it, which I rather liked. In retrospect, perhaps I was spoiled because I came to expect that all SF was of the quality that Herbert, Brunner and Trout generated, but this is false.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gyyTomlZr88/YZfaeMlZ2PI/AAAAAAAAGoU/y_bgNR3Wnl07cch_cmfkHEubPyJeiiRlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s612/vPlexq07kUtDlbQZkTYhkykGnxa4aH6PD02OcdpaOtU.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="612" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gyyTomlZr88/YZfaeMlZ2PI/AAAAAAAAGoU/y_bgNR3Wnl07cch_cmfkHEubPyJeiiRlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/vPlexq07kUtDlbQZkTYhkykGnxa4aH6PD02OcdpaOtU.jpg"/></a></div>Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-59202269175015696942021-06-22T09:36:00.000-07:002021-06-22T09:36:59.976-07:00Score #10I subscribe to the <a href="http://www.walkingartistsnetwork.org/">Walking Artists' Network</a>, which is ironic as I am not an artist and find much walking constrained by circumstances. Anyway, therein
<a href="https://thisisnotaslog.com/">Blake Morris</a> solicited participation in his <a href="https://thisisnotaslog.com/52-More">52 More</a> project. Ever one to jump first and look second, I said "why not?".
<p>
Blake explains all this very well himself so I won't duplicate: suffice to say that I synthesised a score as
<ul>
<li>Always move away from the restrictive</li>
<li>the passage of time investigates — rather than celebrates</li>
<li>find materials to make an old-fashioned archive and check the accuracy by touching something</li>
</ul>
or, if you prefer, here is the original in cut-ups:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VWDrPX2QzHo/YNIPNH2qnxI/AAAAAAAAGUQ/kw1sKJrjdNEjxbtjtzDGe2uIcWGKnP_7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s781/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2021-06-22%2B17-25-44.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="781" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VWDrPX2QzHo/YNIPNH2qnxI/AAAAAAAAGUQ/kw1sKJrjdNEjxbtjtzDGe2uIcWGKnP_7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Screenshot%2Bfrom%2B2021-06-22%2B17-25-44.png"/></a></div>
</p>
<p>
Blake and I will perform this on the last Tuesday of every month until <a href="https://rogerdboyle.blogspot.com/2020/02/terminalia-2020.html">Terminalia</a> (23rd February, as usual - the last outing will be 22nd February). He suggests an invitation be sent to anyone interested, and so over a period of months we cannot fail to collect an old fashioned archive of some interest.
</p>
<p>
So join in. Blake will be pleased to hear from you.
Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-84034115426906723952021-05-24T04:01:00.217-07:002021-05-24T06:12:41.408-07:00Building a coracle<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CcfIFu1Jycg/YKuH1pggpHI/AAAAAAAAGMo/ire0jZmgYBUpaEbG6gOMpUa43I1ZOQ0ZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN2875.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CcfIFu1Jycg/YKuH1pggpHI/AAAAAAAAGMo/ire0jZmgYBUpaEbG6gOMpUa43I1ZOQ0ZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN2875.JPG"/></a></div>
We spent the last weekend building a coracle at
<a href="http://the-gorfanc-hideaway.co.uk/?page_id=565">Gorfanc</a>. Haven't had so much fun in ages. Gorfanc is an idyllic spot near Carno with lots of lovely things to do, hosted by Pippa and Rob. If you enjoy sleepless uncomfortable nights, you can camp (some people like camping - not me guv'nor).
<p>
Here is how you make a coracle (the pictures which follow imply that H did all the work - not so. She will produce a much better blogpost that has pictures of me doing things):
<ol>
<li>Acquire lots of
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D6lX8ViszOI/YKuR_1zpWGI/AAAAAAAAGMw/O6PPlxSNBZwMOX0F7GzYorNb7ZruyI9rACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN2880.JPG">long thin bits of willow</a>. If they are dry, soak them.
<li>Rob will provide you with a seat plank. Put it on the ground and
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DRUDid9r4zQ/YKuSoHUOGvI/AAAAAAAAGM8/cv5KnmYgHJUM-fWbCYctUgZIya2Oa5y9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN2882.JPG">poke 4 willows into its prepared holes</a>.
<li><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QZlwRaRjJ_Y/YKuSqXdu9QI/AAAAAAAAGNA/vGL55cHr0d8F7hgmw8t-M1gE4LpB0juZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN2885.JPG">Poke 24 more willow sticks</a> into the ground according the the Magic Measuring Sticks you will be gven.
<li><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8SmWTg9GqNw/YKuS6A_E0KI/AAAAAAAAGNU/Ifw7ut8sdho66kxrX--QYDgjj9cyyOHQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN2886.JPG">Say hello to Pippa</a> when she comes round (often) to check you haven't made a total pig's ear of anything.
<li>Remove the seat.
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2uvf8WNNY7M/YKuS1xcnQ7I/AAAAAAAAGNI/K_XPSZEbeKUT6i3qyCtYGpX8-EImdD3AwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN2888.JPG">Start to weave between the poles</a>, according to the instructions you have been given.
<li>Pop the seat back in, and do lots more weaving according to instructions. When finished, take an
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xu5sPr_GGpo/YKuTHg-E76I/AAAAAAAAGNg/L53-TykP2kAQYT8uTEvF4rnAJunFaoBVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN2893.JPG">arty shot of your workpersonship with 2 (two) shadows</a>.
<li><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvHw-5ezaRs/YKuTLurvEsI/AAAAAAAAGNs/el7wtzr62uUgFuQkbI8k1k36dh8xQCXjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN2894.JPG">Listen carefully to Pippa's instructions<a/> to how to bend the poles over.
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-06Kg6_iq_P0/YKuTLCspgEI/AAAAAAAAGNo/qVUaAI_nzYg41V-q4mNMZrr084JsQGsywCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN2895">Then do it</a>. The resulting hoops have to be the same height and curvature. And the willow mustn't snap. Tricky!
<li>Do more <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DPwtFr8UoYE/YKuTPKpCTsI/AAAAAAAAGNw/frZcz1AyUlYZHCC3Rt2nvE2ob-d9TLLIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN2897.JPG">tricky bending</a>.
<li><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6mVkYHqJeWE/YKuTW4MIbzI/AAAAAAAAGOA/KJVOc9ecIHo0cqzYGn08KkJCIw_g3wMmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN2898.JPG">Tie special string</a> around the crissy-crossy bits.
<li><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-USNcYRZkkDg/YKuTTkiWtVI/AAAAAAAAGN4/HL2cRJ-emFU4Yc89fwNG01Bck3lPGN2-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN2899.JPG">Survey the field of inverted part-made coracles</a>: easily mistaken for a neolithic cemetery.
<li><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WqOpSyVHjS4/YKuTW-NFDUI/AAAAAAAAGN8/z-LKPIRLnagv18-mQqrZMr2JbHVZrfA5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN2901.JPG">Detach the coracle from the planet</a>.
Notice it looks like a boat when you <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ofg5ygOi3rk/YKuTaj0zPUI/AAAAAAAAGOI/9lHQGJ7NhU08DzP9zxuVCABQCbou_eexQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN2902.JPG">invert it</a>.
<li>Over coffee, watch a <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-u11fRv0_w/YKuTfct3L_I/AAAAAAAAGOY/DIlpK9GlVu8L7luClmp92YKZ5MKkxW-BgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN2905.JPG">demonstration of paddling technique</a>. Then <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zvpclc96bEc/YKuTgXvlHlI/AAAAAAAAGOc/oxko-tPwnpwfF2vcHOYaOT23G0j-Lz3AQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN2909.JPG">try it</a>.
<li>Find the immense roll of calico, and <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kmHGzICLLTk/YKuTh2cTywI/AAAAAAAAGOg/eo0EcjyldtcZlQ_Ecln5fKPyEv-mv_hoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN2911.JPG">measure out a stretch</a> big enough to shroud your colander.
<li>Following instructions, spend a long time <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D7ZHBpsW0YE/YKuTqS0tu3I/AAAAAAAAGOs/oRBNAVd6Oiw3LhxfsPAobpXV_nIDylHQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN2916">sewing the calico over the basket weaving</a> (yeah, all the effort that went into beautiful weaving is now invisible). Unskilled sewers will leave traces of blood all over the calico, facilitating later DNA identification.
<li>Put your coracle <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ExME9WhiWKg/YKuTrQooMvI/AAAAAAAAGOw/kb-Ki4qO2EIpl6EgOjXI8bbB41rnuxFFACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN2918.JPG">in the boot of your car</a> (notice how easily it fits), and drive it home.
<li>At a later date, when the weather is dry (yeah, right), apply bitumen paint to the underside to effect waterproofing of the calico.
</ol>
Say farewell to a terrific bunch of people and hosts. Take a small detour to try out paddling someone else's coracle on <b>real water</b>. H will provide you with a video of this ...
Take care to grab a picture of the super VR wall box near the old Carno post office.
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Hope to met Pippa and Rob again. If there's a following wind, I may even buy some bees from them.
Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-81705638678158763072021-04-04T09:22:00.000-07:002021-04-04T09:22:35.388-07:00In search of PlasbâchThe Easter weather being clement, I decide to take the new bike out in search of a fine George V lamp box at Plasbâch. All catalogues of the nation's postboxes report it is somewhere between Llangwyryfon and Llandeiniol but you never know quite where.
<p>
Some considerable time with Google Streetview failed to reveal a precise location. In desperation, I turn to the
<a href="https://maps.nls.uk/geo/find/#zoom=7&lat=52.75800&lon=-3.69238&layers=102&b=1&z=0&point=0,0">National Library of Scotland's</a> very considerate Internet provision of archive OS maps.
On the
1906 series, Plasbâch appears at
Lat/Long (52.32367,-4.08583) (or GR
SN5795271894 if you prefer), [<i>click to enlarge</i>]
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while on the succeeding
1953 series map it has disappeared,
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u5uqVd92_qc/YGnc9gEoO-I/AAAAAAAAGAQ/8OKDJwgmVgYmlSi83PXust5pO3dy4PAOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1083/map2.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="120" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1083" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u5uqVd92_qc/YGnc9gEoO-I/AAAAAAAAGAQ/8OKDJwgmVgYmlSi83PXust5pO3dy4PAOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/map2.png"/></a></div>
so no surprise that I cannot find it on a 21st century map.
Back to Streetview with these co-ordinates and if you have the eyes of a hawk you can just see it tucked into a rather overgrown hedge (go on, have a look for it yourself). Bingo.
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<p>On arrival, of Plasbâch there is no sign on the ground whatever: close by is a rather later property. Nevertheless, the box is there and at a very jaunty angle to the horizontal indeed. Someone taking note of
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvRLMATPYHk">HMHB</a>, the hedge has been cut. I can't believe many envelopes get stuck in this fella, so catch it while you can.
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Just up the road is a much easier to find George VI
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where there is also an impromptu shop
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Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-36153069248232347932021-02-27T09:39:00.000-08:002021-02-27T09:39:28.717-08:00Swyddfa'r post ar gauWith Mark Drakeford's permission, I escorted my birthday present up to Banc Y Darren to visit the very best postbox within cycling distance of my home. Strictly speaking, the present escorted me.
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<p>
The condition of the Banc Y Darren sundial has deteriorated since my last visit. I can't believe it ever worked very well.
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<p>
And thence via the precipitous gated road to Goginan to fill a gap in the ongoing survey of SY23 boxes.
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<p>
This box is midway between the much loved but currently closed
<a href="http://www.goginan.com/druid-inn">Druid Inn</a>, and the old chapel that used to be the Goginan Post Office.
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<p>
Swyddfa'r post ar gau. Tafarn ar gau.
Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-49496108589344553162021-01-11T08:30:00.000-08:002021-01-11T08:30:27.368-08:00The King of Mercia and the frog-pool<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9s0kkX95kA/X_x74UFX4iI/AAAAAAAAFys/GbGe2_fZz1w23y-Za-jvgk2z4PaJicQcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1450/DSCN2703.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1450" data-original-width="913" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9s0kkX95kA/X_x74UFX4iI/AAAAAAAAFys/GbGe2_fZz1w23y-Za-jvgk2z4PaJicQcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN2703.JPG"/></a></div>
<p>
Physical bookshelves may be described as a fixed partitioned set
<i>
S = {S<sub>1</sub>,S<sub>2</sub>, ... , S<sub>n</sub>}
</i>
where the <i>S<sub>i</sub></i>
are the fixed physical shelves defined by their length and height.
<p>
A collection of books may likewise be described as
<i>
B = {B<sub>1</sub>,B<sub>2</sub>, ... , B<sub>m</sub>}
</i>
where now the <i>B<sub>j</sub></i> are components of a partition of the books into
categories; fiction, poetry, psychogeography, chess etc. This
partition is poorly defined as a given book may belong to more than
one category: so, does <i>Offa and the Mercian Wars</i> belong to
biography, or geography, or history, or politics? And as for <i>Pond Life</i>.
The whole scheme is ad hoc and pays no heed to
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melvil_Dewey">Melvil
Dewey</a> at all. That's probably a mistake.
<p>
Anyway, the problem becomes that of finding an allocation <i>A</i> of the
<i>B<sub>j</sub></i>
to the
<i>S<sub>i</sub></i>
in a manner that is coherent and pleasing. And so that you can
actually retrieve a book that you are certain you own, but cannot
find. This can be tricky and is probably a highly specialised variant
of the well-known
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knapsack_problem">knapsack problem</a>.
<p>So when you have a solution, you cling on tight to it, even if <i>Offa's Pond Life</I>.
is confusingly located.
The problem is that the book set is dynamic, so properly, <i>B = B(t)</i>: usually, the bookset grows, with occasional small contractions as you realise that you're better off not caught with certain volumes. but on the whole, <i>B</i> and <i>B<sub>j</sub></i> have monotonic increasing cardinality.
<p>Then from time to time, as shelves fill, <i>A</i> stops being viable. When this happens, we need a new allocation <i>A'</i>, or - more seriously - a redefintion of the <i>B<sub>j</sub></i>, or - very seriously - the aquisition of new components to <i>S</I>;
<i>S<sub>n+1</sub>, S<sub>n+2</sub>,...</i>.
<p>This happened today.
Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-7720127533317320082020-10-02T01:36:00.001-07:002020-10-02T05:35:09.590-07:0012.7006<p>
<i>(This is all very conceited).</i>
<p>
Today is a notable day, as I have recorded a weight loss of 12.7006Kg in the calendar year. This, as any fule kno, is 2 stone.
<p>
This has been achieved by
<ul>
<li>
Carefully noting my weight each morning. This teaches you quite quickly about how much day-to-day variation you can expect. (This is a tactic recommended to me years ago by <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/computing/staff/82/professor-peter-jimack">Pete Jimack</a>.
<li>
Noting that the so-called "lockdown" was a good excuse for doing little but drink beer and eat biscuits, and deciding not to.
<li>
Instead, deciding that Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays would be snack and alcohol free. This is a soft variant on the <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324303">5:2 diet</a> but a whole lot less rigorous.
<li>
Doing at least 30m hard exercise each day. This is best achieved by swimming in the sea or putting a Netflix/iPlayer device about 80cm in front of your nose. The things i've learned in 9 months ...
</ul>
Here is a graph: the two week-long occasions when I came off the regime and ate/drank like a nutter are quite clear
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(The coloured annotations mean things to me but are dull).
<p>
it's obvious that, as with everything else under the sun, a linear model of behaviour is correct, suggesting that 1 pound/week is about the score. This means that I will disappear completely in 2024, unless Christmases and Easters intervene.
Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-41487547313827086312020-09-16T14:01:00.004-07:002020-09-16T14:05:33.921-07:00HaveriggThere is a little visited area of England called "the Lake District"; just beyond it is the north-western coastline that is even less well known, featuring setlements with names such as Workington, Sellafield, Barrow, Millom and Haverigg.
<p>
Haverigg is at the end of a road that goes nowhere except Haverigg: it is the site of a large caravan and chalet park, with many picnic facilitites
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But in the mid 19th century it was, to all intents and purposes, nothing. Then, a fabulous deposit of hematite was discovered and in short order it was the largest iron ore mine in the world. This was tricky as its coastal, and a barrier was required to stop the miners drowning. Ultimately two were built, as the first failed - the barrier's cresent is very clear on the map:
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No surprises that in the 1960s the mining came to a halt, leaving an odd collection of industrial bits and pieces. And the barrier.
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It's a nice coastline, so no surprises that the chalet park sprung up, but it's also an RSPB reserve and actually a jolly place to visit
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<p>
<a href="https://co-curate.ncl.ac.uk/hodbarrow-iron-ore-mines/">Co-curate</a> have some useful stuff describing and illustrating the history.
<p>
To reach Haverigg, you need to pass through Millom, which only came into existence in the later C19 as a purely industrial (iron and coal) town. In 1883, my Great-great-grandfather Rowland Penny lived as a lodger at the Red Lion in Millom. Walking home one night, he stopped for a rest in The Ship, halfway up the hill. He died in the bar. The Ship is now a short row of cottage: "Old Ship Cottages".
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I09XjoLIjOg/X0_Wnta19eI/AAAAAAAAFTE/Kq3L7ykFVIMO_TfJ_nGXpzcXWzqhMM_UwCLcBGAsYHQ/s632/RowlandPenny-TheShip.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="632" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I09XjoLIjOg/X0_Wnta19eI/AAAAAAAAFTE/Kq3L7ykFVIMO_TfJ_nGXpzcXWzqhMM_UwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/RowlandPenny-TheShip.png"/></a></div>
<p>
Rowland had an almost contemporay Millom namesake who died in an explosion in a dynamite factory. A different bloke altogether.Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-38556833741039857482020-07-22T10:03:00.000-07:002020-07-22T10:27:17.907-07:00The Isle of GrainThere is a list of things I need to see - is this what people mean by a "bucket list"? The things are spread rather wide and it is serendipity as to whether I can tick a particular one off: Ashton Museum, Hen Llan Chapel at Llandysul, the Freemantle Maritime Museum, Cumbrae Island cathedral - do you get the picture?
<a href="http://www.beyondthepoint.co.uk/property/bee-ness-jetty/">Bee Ness Jetty</a> has been on this list for some time, so I was pleased to have a spare morning in Eynsford and go to look for it.
<p>
This is in part a note of warning. Despite having with me 3 (three) digital devices that were map-enabled, I could not locate it: a schoolboy error in not first procuring an OS map, which others are advised to do. It is concealed on a muddy coastline behind a monster power station, with no obvious footpath of approach.
<p>
No matter! The time was well spent in a modest exploration of the Isle with image and informatory highlights as:
<ol>
<li>
The "Isle" is defined by the
<a href="https://collage.cityoflondon.gov.uk/view-item?i=28618&WINID=1595432289837">Yantlet Creek</a>, and the isolated landmass is actually the
<a href="https://julian-hoffman.com/2017/07/11/the-hoo-peninsula-the-shapes-and-stories-of-place/">Hoo peninsula</a>, its name betraying very Saxon origins and history. The Creek is no more but a London Stone can be found - the boundary of London administrative control has its border on the estuary here.
<li>
Dickens was a Peninsula regular. It is understood that his opening of Great Expectations was informed by the "lozenge graves" at Cooling St James:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHGiqfRSuvg/Xxhmn1XXOiI/AAAAAAAAFIU/PfAydASVUHMMCX49Wb-XNdHd00CZ_igNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Pip2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHGiqfRSuvg/Xxhmn1XXOiI/AAAAAAAAFIU/PfAydASVUHMMCX49Wb-XNdHd00CZ_igNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Pip2.JPG" width="200" height="120" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="958" /></a></div>
<li>
Cooling is blessed with [the remains of] a castle.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ap9DXGcA1Z4/Xxhn5SneoKI/AAAAAAAAFIg/w48005IKm-w5dKqGOyFzBzgbzPR9u2Q1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/CoolingCastle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ap9DXGcA1Z4/Xxhn5SneoKI/AAAAAAAAFIg/w48005IKm-w5dKqGOyFzBzgbzPR9u2Q1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/CoolingCastle.JPG" width="200" height="149" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1194" /></a></div>
The peninsula was very vulnerable to any invader and the castle was designed to protect all local residents: thus its gatehouse inscription is not in French or Latin, but the English of the time: <i>
Knouwyth that beth and schul be
That I am mad in help of the cuntre
In knowing of whyche thing
Thys is chartre and wytnessyng</i>.
<li>Some stupendous 21st Century presences:
<ol type='a'>
<li>Big power stations:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MFYBTJRhl-s/XxhpxZV0C-I/AAAAAAAAFIs/VSzRLATEeJsKnnpfVBCwppLAwvZvyBQngCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DamheadCreekPS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MFYBTJRhl-s/XxhpxZV0C-I/AAAAAAAAFIs/VSzRLATEeJsKnnpfVBCwppLAwvZvyBQngCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/DamheadCreekPS.JPG" width="200" height="109" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="873" /></a></div>
<li>Amazon looming:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j29rhssk6jE/XxhqtHpABGI/AAAAAAAAFI0/0mtkaDe9ZHcuASR2iWNlaJhbiwsEiY5VgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Amazon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j29rhssk6jE/XxhqtHpABGI/AAAAAAAAFI0/0mtkaDe9ZHcuASR2iWNlaJhbiwsEiY5VgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Amazon.JPG" width="200" height="100" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="797" /></a></div>
<li>
Easy views of serious boats:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2nVViSpmF2Q/Xxhq7m9tNiI/AAAAAAAAFI4/epCneQKlNEYxF2G3nJuKRQSaxYUzOoqLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/HamburgSud.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2nVViSpmF2Q/Xxhq7m9tNiI/AAAAAAAAFI4/epCneQKlNEYxF2G3nJuKRQSaxYUzOoqLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/HamburgSud.JPG" width="200" height="105" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="837" /></a></div>
</ol>
<li>
And in locating facts for the nonsense you now read, I discover that the RSPB reserve is blessed with a <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2103464">Brennan Torpedo Launcher</a>, which time prevented me visiting.
<li>
And as if that is not enough, there is an easily seen <a href="http://www.medwayyachtclub.com/2015/09/ww1-u122-submarine-wreck-medway/">WW1 U-Boat wreck</a>. Easily seen if you have time, and waders or a dinghy.
<li>And entirely by luck, a smashing GR roundtop:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JWG7GvlfN6g/XxhrrnGOONI/AAAAAAAAFJA/IkHruputYLw9OLVV6MQy1ZPE2ToGorOxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Box1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JWG7GvlfN6g/XxhrrnGOONI/AAAAAAAAFJA/IkHruputYLw9OLVV6MQy1ZPE2ToGorOxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Box1.JPG" width="120" height="200" data-original-width="961" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
(which has caused a puzzle as it does not accord with my records).
</ol>
<p>
So the Jetty remains on my list, and added to it have been the Torpedo Launch station, the London Stone, and UB122. Sigh. Another visit required - I'll bring a bike and a map next time.
<p>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/albums/72157715196652186">Other pictures exist</a>Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-62223254868781044532020-02-23T14:55:00.001-08:002020-02-23T15:00:13.768-08:00Terminalia 2020In what has become traditional fashion, Terminalia was celebrated in Aberystwyth on 23rd February, feast day of the God
<a href="http://www.classics.upenn.edu/myth/php/tools/dictionary.php?regexp=TERMINUS&method=standard">Terminus</a>.
It was customary to walk the boundary of the town that day, visiting the boundary markers of which Terminus was the custodian, and perform a sacrifice at each. We skipped the sacrificial part of the tradition.
It is likely that the more recent tradition of
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beating_the_bounds">"Beating the bounds"</a> derives from Terminalia.
<p>
Celebrations of earlier years have been documented
(<a href="http://www.rogerdboyle.eu/Terminalia/terminalia17.html">2017</a>,
<a href="http://rogerdboyle.blogspot.com/2018/02/terminalia-2018.html">2018</a>,
<a href="http://rogerdboyle.blogspot.com/2019/02/terminalia-in-haverfordwest-mildly.html">2019</a>), and so details of note are mostly aready
known. An addition this year was to note
that houses on Chalybeate Street, being built on the wall alignment, are split level. Noting this
by going though a small archway into some back yards, the tour
members were given A Very Hard Look by a local resident, which translated as "Who the hell are you lot?".
<p>
Weather
prior to the celebration was shocking, so attendance was somewhat short of the 2018 record; nevertheless 10 souls trod the course of the walls and appeased at least one Roman God.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YN9s2_UWGdE/XlMA3vrRfBI/AAAAAAAAEtA/daTn5SPAaosrY_M8Kaut29cnQUSN0b_7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Aberystwyth_2_w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YN9s2_UWGdE/XlMA3vrRfBI/AAAAAAAAEtA/daTn5SPAaosrY_M8Kaut29cnQUSN0b_7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Aberystwyth_2_w.jpg" width="320" height="263" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1315" /></a></div>
<center><figcaption>Archeology Data Service, 2017</figcaption></center>
While physically absent, its course is easy to follow.
It was disappearing over 200 years ago: on the Welsh Tour in 1775, Wyndham wrote:
<blockquote>
Part of the old wall of the town is remaining, but all the facing
stones have been taken away.
<p>
A regular modern ravelin is advanced before the gateway, which was
perhaps thrown up in the time of the Protectorship.
<p>
It is certainly to be lamented that the antiquities in these and some
other parts of the principality are not better preserved. How can the
inhabitants be so negligent of their real interests? and why will
they destroy the almost only inducement for strangers to visit this
miserable coast?
This rage for the destruction of Pagan remains is attributed to the
zeal of the modern
Methodists who abound in these parts. Perhaps this conjecture,
ridiculous as it at first appears, may not be totally without
foundation. For to what absurd and contemptible lengths has
fanaticism been carried in all ages!
</blockquote>
Ah, fanaticism ...Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-37967592801991114672019-12-08T11:44:00.000-08:002019-12-08T13:08:32.499-08:00Lion's Holt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NiYJQ2K2CYo/XezHmWuvcBI/AAAAAAAAEkU/uc5UxviOJJcHGsB-fwKHuXj3woqycn2pQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/GWR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NiYJQ2K2CYo/XezHmWuvcBI/AAAAAAAAEkU/uc5UxviOJJcHGsB-fwKHuXj3woqycn2pQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/GWR.jpg" width="320" height="234" data-original-width="719" data-original-height="526" /></a></div>
<p>
I journeyed from Aberystwyth to Lympstone, involving 5 trains - the
last leg was the branch line from Exeter Central down to Exmouth. As
you will know, Central was the high level station operated by Southern,
who also controlled the Exmouth branch, green livery and all. The major
Exeter station was St David's, built and operated by IKB's Great
Western, in sensible coffee and cream. The link between the Exeter
stations was a gradient of 1:37, which I believe remains the steepest
mainline stretch on the UK network.
<p>
On my lucky day, I encountered a fragment of scheduling worthy of a
GCSE pupil that let me leave St David's and alight at St James Park,
then 5 minutes later board another train for the journey down the estuary to
Lympstone. In all my years of travelling in and around Isca
Dumnoniorum I had never before either boarded or alighted at St James:
what an opportunity!
<p>Midway between Central and Polsloe Bridge Halt [for Heavitree], it was
opened in 1906 as "Lion's Holt", and acquired its proper name in 1946
in recognition of the adjacent St James Park, home of the
<a href="https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/">mighty Grecians</a>.
(It is believed a similar name attaches to the ground of
a little known northern
club). The railings on the steep access ramps are periodically
repainted in the Red and White (see below).
<p>
The branch was late to open, which is ironic as IKB once had plans
before 1850 to
run an atmospheric broad gauge line down to Exmouth, another instance
of his ambition far exceeding practical realities. The line is now
often a victim of its own success as the high-flying Exeter Chiefs
play just outside the Digby station. If City are at home, the trains
cannot accommodate the sporting fervour, meaning they either stop at
St James, or Digby. Never let it be said that the UK rail system is a
total fucking shambles.
<p>
Anyway, here it is. Below, the view toward Polsloe, with red
sandstone bridge and at right, a glimpse of the theatre of dreams.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNNAHjyrmo0/Xe1Qw7sYoHI/AAAAAAAAEkk/BMBdncOf0iEpLvBeHFtn9dqir6iBMoRzACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/StJ2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WNNAHjyrmo0/Xe1Qw7sYoHI/AAAAAAAAEkk/BMBdncOf0iEpLvBeHFtn9dqir6iBMoRzACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/StJ2.JPG" width="320" height="261" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1304" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zj8XbInADyI/Xe1R8P1OkSI/AAAAAAAAEks/AkexuOisU78tSe218w4nb_8pYHf_OUIEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SyJ3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zj8XbInADyI/Xe1R8P1OkSI/AAAAAAAAEks/AkexuOisU78tSe218w4nb_8pYHf_OUIEACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/SyJ3.JPG" width="320" height="187" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="936" /></a></div>
Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-57114844301908710632019-09-09T09:55:00.000-07:002019-09-09T11:19:24.755-07:00What's in Ironbridge other than an iron bridge?A trip to Ironbridge for
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gillian_Arnold_(technologist)">Gillian</a>'s 60th, regrettably coinciding with the
<a href="http://4wcop.org/">4th World Congress of Psychogeography</a> in Huddersfield which regular readers will know I was
<a href="https://rogerdboyle.blogspot.com/2018/09/4wcop.html">part of</a> in 2018.
Spookily, many of the others at the Ironbridge gathering were from Huddersfield so they were missing the Congress too.
<p>
Ironbridge and Coalbrookdale look as though they were built just last month for a new BBC period drama - nothing is out of place except the people and queues of tourist buses. The evening life is also a little anachronistic, although certainly quite fun.
<p>
I psychogeographically compensated for all this by executing
<a href="http://www.rogerdboyle.eu/PSG/WCOP.pdf">my own score</a>
for a quasi-derive on Saturday morning: locating all the scarce postboxes in the postcode (categorised as "A" by <a href="http://lbsg.org/">LBSG</a>).
<p>
It was successful in the respect that I saw many bits of TF10 which others didn't, and that were really very jolly. Two boxes evaded me, but
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/48705033878/in/album-72157710768617697/">here is number 1036648</a>, with its grotty replacement in the foreground.
<p>
But in the nature of the exercise, other discoveries took precedence. The highlight was without doubt the Quaker burial ground
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-edqD7SLdAz8/XXZUrOy5axI/AAAAAAAAEXs/dNaSo4sbbiQJyLNEsoCwoChn0LD1PLzOwCLcBGAs/s1600/Buriala.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-edqD7SLdAz8/XXZUrOy5axI/AAAAAAAAEXs/dNaSo4sbbiQJyLNEsoCwoChn0LD1PLzOwCLcBGAs/s200/Buriala.JPG" width="158" height="200" data-original-width="1265" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
wherein is interred Abraham Darby, the man whose name is on the eponymous bridge. The description shows the grave locations, but all headstones (written in true Quaker style) have been moved to the rim. The result is an area that has a tranquility that makes most cemeteries look like Leeds railway station at 5pm on a weekday.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-STpoltDpHDQ/XXZVD-mgDlI/AAAAAAAAEX0/UTT6piRcsakEeFDdGWVmdV0kAODl3ij8ACLcBGAs/s1600/Burialb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-STpoltDpHDQ/XXZVD-mgDlI/AAAAAAAAEX0/UTT6piRcsakEeFDdGWVmdV0kAODl3ij8ACLcBGAs/s200/Burialb.JPG" width="200" height="150" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1200" /></a></div>
<p>
Other highlights included a marvelous telephone exchange building
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T1_p385xN58/XXZaugCu_lI/AAAAAAAAEYA/Jn_ZQRr2ibwfuWLr67tA_npLmGMU_g9qgCLcBGAs/s1600/Exchange.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T1_p385xN58/XXZaugCu_lI/AAAAAAAAEYA/Jn_ZQRr2ibwfuWLr67tA_npLmGMU_g9qgCLcBGAs/s200/Exchange.JPG" width="200" height="90" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="721" /></a></div>
and a Euro-relic.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESlCCGEJrzE/XXZa6mm_-NI/AAAAAAAAEYE/Eo569YQEvIMrxyAaLHBvZ_OIe_J60Y6rwCLcBGAs/s1600/EU.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESlCCGEJrzE/XXZa6mm_-NI/AAAAAAAAEYE/Eo569YQEvIMrxyAaLHBvZ_OIe_J60Y6rwCLcBGAs/s200/EU.JPG" width="200" height="147" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1176" /></a></div>
<p>I also rather liked a
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/48705534937/in/album-72157710768617697/">view from the bridge</a> that omitted the bridge.
<p>
I believe the birthday party went very well but I find my memory incomplete. And so do many other people. Thanks, Naz.
<p>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/albums/72157710768617697/with/48705033878/">Other pictures</a> exist.Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-12292060950741888342019-06-21T04:56:00.000-07:002019-06-21T04:57:59.545-07:00Impaled on nails of ice, bareback ladies had fishRegular readers will know of earlier reviews of Mr Robert Fripp's current ensemble:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="http://rogerdboyle.blogspot.com/2015/09/a-2015-face-recognition-challenge.html">Aylesbury, September 2015</a>.
<li>
<a href="https://rogerdboyle.blogspot.com/2016/09/bengal-burtons-lizards-and-heroes.html">Aylesbury, September 2016</a>.
<li>
<a href="https://rogerdboyle.blogspot.com/2018/11/empire-of-lizard-you-can-keep-your-hat.html">Liverpool, November 2018</a>.
</ul>
so please take comments therein as read, and I will add an incremental review from the Royal Albert Hall show on 20th June.
<p>
For those unaware, the RAH is big, so it was a handy thing that the 3 drummer lineup persists. Together with a modicum of electronics, hearing them was not a problem. Had they played any errant notes we would have noticed and poured ridicule, but this turned out not to be necessary.
<p>In appearance there is not much change: Collins now starts to resemble a retired physics teacher, although I have never met a physics teacher who can play sax like that. Stacey kept his hat on throughout (again), and spent a protracted period with his back to me hunched over a keyboard that was the size of of a small meringue (I think - maybe he was trying to thread a needle?). Mr Fripp remained imperious at the rear. I suspect he had invisible pieces of string attaching his fingers to each member of the band, thereby ensuring good behaviour.
<p>
Reviews of earlier concerts in the tour promised a long-overdue outing for <i>Cat Food</i>; indeed Levin's web site had
<a href="https://tonylevin.com/road-diaries/king-crimson-2019-europe-tour/london-show1#images-10">a picture of the setlist</a>
confirming this. Well, it seems that on taking the stage, Mr Fripp saw me and my all-too evident enthusiasm for this ditty, so he substituted <i>The Letter</i>. This is, of course, a very jolly song which drew prolonged applause, but I remain unsated. Likewise, <i>LotR</i> remains unexhumed; would it attract negative attenton these days? Hmmmm.
Ballads old and new reinforced the fact that there is a half-century of back catalogue to call on, and three hours was not really enough to do this justice.
Unsurprisingly, C21SM appears as encore but this as a new arrangement, including a splendid contribution from Stacey, and a couple of bars of <i>Colonel Bogey</i> for good measure.
<p>
Shall I see them again one day? It would be hard to resist the temptation, but I'd be pleased if they were to appear closer to Abersywtyth: I understand the
<a href="http://rogerdboyle.blogspot.com/2015/12/llawr-sglefrio-caers-caersws-ice-rink.html">Caersws Ice Rink</a> makes a good high-capacity venue.
<p>
The succeeding day, I visited the
<a href="https://londonist.com/london/great-outdoors/the-garden-at-120">roof garden at 120 Fenchurch Street</a>
(free!), of which more anon.Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-27330306872810629502019-06-07T08:14:00.000-07:002019-06-07T08:14:35.841-07:00Llanfihangel Genau'r Glyn [Llandre]In search of Castell Gwallter.
<p>
The castle was a text book motte and bailey (lat/long 52.462459, -4.028706), presumably of timber that was built by a Norman invader (Walter de Bec), captured by a Welsh chieftain (Owain Gwynedd), retaken by the French, and abandoned, all between 1100CE and 1200CE. On the ground, the earthworks are very evident still, but hard to capture from ground level through spring foliage.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WZsdWhskllo/XPp7JgfovwI/AAAAAAAAEJ8/jzKMxNaNecI2WuzUJRi2mSzWzFo13qcCwCLcBGAs/s1600/Hill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WZsdWhskllo/XPp7JgfovwI/AAAAAAAAEJ8/jzKMxNaNecI2WuzUJRi2mSzWzFo13qcCwCLcBGAs/s200/Hill.JPG" width="200" height="117" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="933" /></a></div>
The
<a href="https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/92234/details/castell-gwallter-llandre">Coflein entry</a> has many excellent pictures, some aerial, that make the matter clear.
<p>
The castle overshadows the small church of St Michael which is very grand: in its grounds lie a 2000 year old yew and a terrific cemetery on a precipitous incline.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbzLcFnBVxk/XPp7r6HOcUI/AAAAAAAAEKE/h2x9EbEuaLAkJmRdTihbGWLr_SRaS6_LACLcBGAs/s1600/Mynwent1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbzLcFnBVxk/XPp7r6HOcUI/AAAAAAAAEKE/h2x9EbEuaLAkJmRdTihbGWLr_SRaS6_LACLcBGAs/s200/Mynwent1.JPG" width="200" height="118" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="945" /></a></div>
There is a circular walk which takes in the cemetery and skirts the castle site, along which there is a collection of poetry. Most poems are (wrth gwrs) in Welsh, but here is one that mentions the castle.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWm1txSWJH0/XPp8JpV8qaI/AAAAAAAAEKM/7pSoMTmzqNoGBliGV_tfqTp2VM51bm4kgCLcBGAs/s1600/Poem.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bWm1txSWJH0/XPp8JpV8qaI/AAAAAAAAEKM/7pSoMTmzqNoGBliGV_tfqTp2VM51bm4kgCLcBGAs/s200/Poem.JPG" width="200" height="139" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1108" /></a></div>
<p>
The excellently maintained
<a href="http://www.llandre.org.uk">Llanfihangel Genau'r Glyn website</a> is full of historical information, including a complete list of the cemetery inscriptions, a Herculean achievement. The area was once central to coastal trade, and the parish of disproportionate local importance, meaning that many of the graves are of great interest and significance.
<p>
Dr Beeching did for the railway station, but the line remains, with regular trains to Aberystwyth.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YNfzP8FRfdQ/XPp-9m6JEYI/AAAAAAAAEKY/irK7qJqGHE8eo9qZbF_Fo0zpL2el3gtVwCLcBGAs/s1600/1110878_7e057a4b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YNfzP8FRfdQ/XPp-9m6JEYI/AAAAAAAAEKY/irK7qJqGHE8eo9qZbF_Fo0zpL2el3gtVwCLcBGAs/s200/1110878_7e057a4b.jpg" width="200" height="134" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="428" /></a></div>Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-69032233496321964142019-04-14T07:09:00.000-07:002019-04-14T07:15:04.064-07:00A covert tripThe
<a href="http://www.hannahdee.eu/">Frau</a> went to Belfast with a sister only marginally less
beautiful than herself, leaving open an opportunity.
Having been plagued with foot/leg pains for too long, and having
learned to live with it most days, I wanted to know whether a long walk
would make matters any worse than usual. So I embarked on the 13.5m
Knighton-Kington leg of Clawdd Offa (I am irrtatingly two legs behind
the peloton - this outing would help).
<p>
This is, of course, one of the sections with lots of dyke to be experienced.
<p>
The route permitted an escape trajectory to the 41 bus route after 6m,
which I chose not to take. It's fair to say that after 10m or so it
became quite a struggle, but hey ho - it's been done. Tomorrow will
permit an assement of the lasting damage.
Pictorial evidence recorded en route:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/47553514062/in/album-72157704567588692">LBSG 1034336</a>.
<li>
A dead lamb.
(Actually, I only thought to take a picture of this when I had proceeded 200yds down the path. On reflection, I thought "sod it".)
<li>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/46690830985/in/album-72157704567588692/">LBSG 1034331</a>.
<li>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/47553512502/in/album-72157704567588692/">Information</a>. This saves me the need to explain anything.
<li>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/46882411884/in/album-72157704567588692/">A milestone</a>. Complete with benchmark.
<li>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/32664094397/in/album-72157704567588692/">A
thing on a hill</a>. It's a monument which I forbore to visit.
<li>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/46690830405/in/album-72157704567588692/">A
bit of Dyke</a>: Cymru ar y chwith, Lloegr ar y dde.
<li>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/46690829385/in/album-72157704567588692/">A
lady on a horse</a>, who came and went in a flash.
<li>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/47553511262/in/album-72157704567588692/">A plaque</a>. Nearly 50y old!
<li>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/46690829995/in/album-72157704567588692/">A fingerpost</a>, and a real beauty.
<li>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/47553513462/in/album-72157704567588692/">A
bit of Dyke</a>: Cymru ar y chwith, Lloegr ar y dde.
<li>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/46690829605/in/album-72157704567588692/">A
lost bit of Kington</a>: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kington_Tramway">details</a>.
</ul>
I think it's believed these days that the Dyke was an economic barrier
more than a military fortification. Might come in handy, post-Brexit.
<p>
Anyway, hats off to Offa's boys and girl who built it.
Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7667904218706574669.post-67633928243917432452019-02-26T03:33:00.000-08:002019-02-26T03:45:54.997-08:00Terminalia in Haverfordwest: a mildly psychogeographic weekendThe NHS instructed the
<a href="http://www.hannahdee.eu/blog/">Frau</a> to voyage to Haverfordwest (town of many dentists), so we use the opportunity for a Citybreak in that fine Pembrokeshire settlement.
Unfortunately the appointment is on
<a href="http://terminaliafestival.org/">Terminalia</a>, celebrated in Aberystwyth in
2017 and
<a href="http://rogerdboyle.blogspot.com/2018/02/terminalia-2018.html">2018</a>.
<p>
Nothing daunted, I embark on a one-man celebration of Terminalia by walking the Haverfordwest walls. This is a challenge as no real trace remains of them: luckily, the
<a href="https://rcahmw.gov.uk/">RCAHM</a> have a
<a href="https://coflein.gov.uk/en/archive/6202724/details/504">fine map</a>: this is a hand-annotated copy of the 6-inch OS of the town, allowing a tour of what-was, or what-might-have-been.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DMT1VE8AFFo/XHPb9136aYI/AAAAAAAAD8s/EQ84SK3hO2IPmfDgR9x66o271OvAJ28XgCLcBGAs/s1600/HaverfordWest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DMT1VE8AFFo/XHPb9136aYI/AAAAAAAAD8s/EQ84SK3hO2IPmfDgR9x66o271OvAJ28XgCLcBGAs/s200/HaverfordWest.JPG" width="149" height="150" data-original-width="1573" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
<p>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/albums/72157705573581101/with/47212306331/">Many pictures exist</a>, and your particular attention is drawn to
<ol>
<li>
The sites of four gates:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/47160227272/in/album-72157705573581101/">the North gate</a>,
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/46297882415/in/album-72157705573581101/">the Red Gate</a>,
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/46297891055/in/album-72157705573581101/">the South Gate</a>,
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/47212302201/in/album-72157705573581101/">the West Gate</a>
<li>The only likely
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/46297879495/in/album-72157705573581101/">remnant of original structure</a>, by Perrot Road.
<li>
Between Bridge Street and the river is a ginnel (<i>gwli</i> yn Gymraeg) named
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/47212300441/in/album-72157705573581101/"><i>Hole in the Wall</i></a>,
with its own local attractions. It's now a
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/47212300191/in/album-72157705573581101/">car park</a>.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ynWkw_0U-dY/XHUUAnuWurI/AAAAAAAAD9A/dsoJ0x2UA3Eh5YrOej9hAI3PEN8ob73SgCLcBGAs/s1600/HoleInTheWall2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ynWkw_0U-dY/XHUUAnuWurI/AAAAAAAAD9A/dsoJ0x2UA3Eh5YrOej9hAI3PEN8ob73SgCLcBGAs/s200/HoleInTheWall2.JPG" width="68" height="100" data-original-width="747" data-original-height="1096" /></a></div>
<li>
. . . and various instances of the course of the wall, where the structures in place may well have reused original materials.
</ol>
(I have laboriously noted lat/long in wall feature captions, should anyone wish to follow in my footsteps).
<p>
The day was certainly not without psychogeographic, or pseudo-psychgeographic, or perhaps quasi-pseudo-psychogeographic, experience, and much of this can be seen in the series of pictures. Again, highlights would be
<ol>
<li>
An uncaptioned but important looking
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/46297884115/in/album-72157705573581101/">piece of stone</a>.
<li>
The beautiful
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/47212302751/in/album-72157705573581101/">Palace Cinema</a>.
<li>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/46297889555/in/album-72157705573581101/">An interesting use</a>
of the word <i>managemen</i>.
The picture includes nice reflections of St Mary's Church and the author.
<li>
The
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/46297884775/in/album-72157705573581101/">Price of Rice</a>.
<li>
The somewhat forlorn
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/47212305621/in/album-72157705573581101/">St Mary's Cemetery</a> on Portfield. "Something" was
<a href="https://www.tivysideadvertiser.co.uk/news/pembrokeshire_news/16900767.help-to-clean-up-a-haverfordwest-cemetery-for-remembrance-this-year/">done about this</a> last year.
<li>The
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/46297884535/in/album-72157705573581101/">Old Quay Snooker Club</a> [closed].
</ol>
<p>
An absolute and psychogeographical highlight was approaching the Haverfordwest Museum in the ruined castle, advertised as open 10.00-4.00, except Sundays. On arrival, we discovered the qualifying phrase "Easter-October", making us about 2 months too early. Luckily, a fine
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/47212306331/in/album-72157705573581101/">beshorted angel in company of two baby labradors</a> was there and we fell into conversation. He learned that the visit was primarily to visit Wales' oldest pillar box, and lost no time in beating on the window of the closed, dark building. A woman appeared, looking out suspiciously. "Oi Morag", he cried, "This bloke has come a long way to see the postbox".
<p>
So Morag opened up and let me in:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rogerdboyle/46297888345/in/album-72157705573581101/">a very fine box</a>
- the pictures include supporting documentation, and a picture of Morag.
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<p>
(The angel later confided "Post-boxes don't do it for me".)Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800852933957473625noreply@blogger.com0