Ramsons bw

Or, in black and white.

Corfe Valley ramble

A ramble through the Corfe Valley.

Ashes

This isn't a monochrome photo.

Rock Hills fire

Evidently this was the source of the smoke I saw on Sunday whilst walking over Mill Lawn. A huge area along the Rock Hills ridge towards Markway Hill and down across the wet heath below.

Gorse-tastic

I don't remember another year when the Gorse flowers have been so lush and dense. I really should make some wine.

Rock Hills

Oi oi, what's going on here? Walking along Mill Lawn Brook, a huge plume of smoke can be seen rising from Rock Hills. It's not burning season, and it's a Sunday! Shenanigans I reckon.

Common fire #4

Fire season has only just started, and I think this is our 4th fire, and the biggest so far.

Beltane

After a 2 hour drive in the rain, I sat in my car at the bottom of Glastonbury Tor. The rain was still running down the windscreen, it was 0450, and 50 minutes to sunrise. I first came to Glastonbury for Beltane sunrise in 1990 and have been coming every year since (except for the year foot and mouth closed the tor, and another year due to illness). It's become a tradition I hold dear. It's an occasion I usually end up attending alone, I have taken people before, and ask every year, though I think people are put off by the time and the prospect of an early morning climb, not to mention the frequent inclemency. The rain still ran down the windscreen as the clock struck 0500 and it was time to start making my way up the Tor. Miraculously as I left the car, the rain abated; over the years I've found it can often be the way. I like to see it as a sign. The rain may have faded, though the tor was still shrouded in damp mist. As I climbed, part of a long line of pilgrims snaking their way upwards, the ghostly form of the tower emerged. I got closer and could now smell incense wafting on the air, and hear drumming.  Inside the tower folk were crammed, noisily welcoming in the morning, the Green Man and the May Queen. It was getting brighter and the tor filled with more celebrants. Periodically the mist would clear to reveal the patchwork of fields and drains which make up the levels, then just as quickly as they appeared they were gone, and we were returned to standing on an island in a misty sea. Most people had gathered to the north of the tower, small groups doing their thing, others just watching the horizon to the east. The combined morris of Cam Valley and Mendip were preparing to do their thing; I've seen them perform every year and in every weather condition...they are hardcore! About the same time as their accordion breathed life into their dance, a group of women began to sing Deep into the Earth. ''Deep into the earth I go, deep into the earth I know, deep into the earth I go, deep into the earth I know, hold my hand sister hold my hand, hold my hand sister hold my hand,  hold my hand brother hold my hand, hold my hand brother hold my hand'', over and over. They began to form a circle and it soon incorporated more and more smiling people. A hand reached out for mine and I joined the now slowly moving line of people as they wove a labyrinth path around the hill top, still singing. I've been coming to these type of things for nearly 30 years, and still I find it hard to let go, I'm too inhibited, though today  my inhibitions were brought down, first meekly, then with more vigour I joined in the song. As the sky brightened and the clouds began to part, the tor was alive with music and activity, it was beautiful and I remembered (as I always do) why I drive through the night to an often windy hilltop for May morn.  The assembled cheered. Once freed there was no holding back the spring sun, who spread his light across our goddess the land, illuminating all.  One of Rollo's druids blew a horn, people whooped and cheered, smiling they stood transfixed on the sight before them.  The green's face says it all. What a wonderful morning. Beltane blessing to y'all, may the seeds of your dreams and desires fall on fertile ground.

The New Avalon Ballroom Weekender, Day 3, Saturday 15th April 2017

The New Avalon Ballroom Weekender, Day 3; the wonderfully anarchic Architypes, one of the finest groups around at the moment, the most fantastic Cary Grace Band, and the final photo is of the super talented Graham Clarke, who performed with nearly every band and surely deserves the title 'legend'.

The New Avalon Ballroom Weekender, Day 2, Friday 14th April 2017

The New Avalon Ballroom Weekender, Day 2; festy styled ambient wizards Music of the Andys, smiley techo combo Zub Zub, and the legendary, and I mean 'legendary', Here and Now Band (of course including the Music of the Andys pair).

The New Avalon Ballroom Weekender, Day 1, Thursday 13th April 2017

The New Avalon Ballroom Weekender, day 1; the fabulous Magic Bus, and scene stalwarts and multi talented musical ensemble Kangaroo Moon.

The Moonlandingz @ The Wedgewood Rooms 3.4.2017

Goat Girl @ The Wedgewood Rooms, 3.4.2017

I read good headlines about Goat Girl, but only the headlines, I made a point of not reading on, nor listening to any of their music. There's something exciting about seeing an unheard band for the first time, the possibilities. I wasn't to be disappointed, Goat Girl were fecking great! Blisteringly paced, short punchy numbers all delivered with energy and gusto, in an indie, garage style; a four piece from the smoke, with a good tight sound.  I heard they were all still teenagers, which is mental, and bodes well for their future, as if they're this good already (and they really were) we can look forward to some proper good shit to come. Each band member was proficient in their art and all had their own unique style and delivery, which made them as much fun to watch as to listen to.  The lead guitarist/vocals had a cool laid back and quirky style of delivery which drew both eye and ear, the drummer was intense, leaning into her kit, giving it a proper thrashing and pulling some top faces, again great for eye and ear, the bassist was solid and already had that air of stoic cool seen in seasoned bassists, I couldn't properly see the other guitarist (too far over) though she sounded good too. I really enjoyed their set, as did the rest of the audience. A nice surprise and certainly a band to keep an eye on.

Bindon Hill to Flowers Barrow

Not a long walk at 9 miles, though a punishing walk as it was virtually all hills. Park in Lulworth, up the steep side Bindon Hill and along it's hogs back ridge with its prehistoric banks and ditches, followed by a descent in to the small bay of Arish Mell where the waste water pipe from Dorset’s atomic energy establishment site at Winfrith, then directly the citadel heights of Flowers Barrow Iron Age Hillfort rose before us, an arduous climb later the payback was glorious views along the Jurassic coast. That was the out route. After a short rest and time to absorb the beauty before us, it was the return route.  Over ancient ramparts and back down to Arish Mell, past the rusting hulks of cobbled together mutant tanks used for target practice, then up the really punishing rise to Bindon. We then turned towards the sea and down the slippery grass slope with its loose tracks to the rocky bay of Mupe.  With it's rock stack, buckled geology and secret smuggler cave (a proper one!), Mupe Bay is straight out of an adventure story.  It's hard going, the coast here is jumbled rocks, some stable, some not. Once up from the bay it's along the coast to Lulworth Cove, with a quick detour to the fossil forest, described as "one of the most complete fossilized forest of any age", now closed to the public due to access problems, still do-able though. Finally Lulworth Cove and back to the car. Lulworth Cove's great, though a tedious walk (as pebbles always are), especially at the end of a walk, and a notorious honey pot, especially on good days. A great walk, taxing, though well worth the inevitable aching to come. 

April clouds

I really dig clouds.