Afternoon lighting

I loved the late afternoon light on the Oaks and lawn at Balmer this afternoon. The sun showed itself briefly, gently illuminating the stands in a golden hue, which contrast beautifully with the heavy grey blue cloudy skies. Lovely.

Spawn

The frogs appear to be going for it this year, there's spawn in every conceivable wet place. Maybe it's a take over bid? Maybe not. I fear though that their spawning may have been a bit previous, this spawn in the wetland adjacent to Silver Stream at Rhinefield was exposed to last nights frost, and observations over the years suggest that this is, or can be, a bad thing. That said, if the frosts don't continue for too long, I'd imagine the frogs have spawned enough to ensure plenty survive to tadpolehood. Time will tell.

Frog chorus

I was back in the west of the forest again today.  On the whole, I tend to rinse an area for a few days or a week, and then move on to another and do the same there, that way I get around the forest and everywhere is always fresh.  The afternoon was fading, as was the light as I crossed the open, and wet, land between Denny Lodge and Denny Wood; it's where waterways, ditches and streams, converge in an area of extensive seasonal standing water and permanent bogginess. Like several areas of the forest there are bridges for ease of crossing the streams, though getting to the bridges and remaining dry is harder. Upon reaching the final bridge on the edge of Denny Wood I took time to pause, when I was struck by a sound, it sounded like a deep low cat purring on loop, then amplified, it filled the air. At first I thought it must be a machine or something in the distance, though as I focused on it, it was clear it came from close by. As far as could, wetland restricting me, I followed the sound and then it's origin became clear. The wetland in front of me was teaming with frogs, who themselves moved and furiously hopped in 'water' teaming with spawn; no, really, there was more spawn than water. It was an incredible sight to match the incredible sound. I've never seen as many frogs, nor as abundance of spawn. My photo doesn't do the scene justice, though if you look closely you can just see what I'm talking about. And this is only a tiny area of the much bigger wetland, although indicative of the rest. Quite amazing.

Stratigraphy

Walking through the northern reaches of Denny Lodge Enclosure I notice where one of the drainage ditches had recently been re-cut that the material piled on the banks was full of small shells and shell fragments.  These small shells and shell fragments were in grey blue clay, very similar to that which emerges in the cliffs at Barton, in fact they're the exact same Eocene sedimentary deposits. About 40 odd million years ago the whole region was an extensive shallow muddy lagoon/sea.  What struck me was the stratigraphy, or at least how close to the surface these ancient deposits were, the grey blue clay is not more that 30 cm from the surface, and I'm not sure that the orange clay horizon above it isn't just oxidized grey blue clay. The material heaped in the banks was absolutely stuffed with shell, the sea must have been chocker with life. The proximity of the clay to the surface, and that it extends under the whole forest and beyond, explain why the forest is so wet.You're not walking in the forest, you're really paddling in an ancient sea.

Hengistbury Head

Out of sight, out of mind, maybe. Though nature and time ensure that burying our past doesn't mean it's gone for good. Along the seaward face of Hengistbury Head, structures of our Second World War past continue to erode into the present. The Hengistbury headland was heavily utilized and fortified during the war years, and of course post war many of the associated feature were removed, or as I allude to, buried, whilst others, notably infrastructure elements such as the concrete and brick conduits which carried communication and power cables, already invisible underground, remained where they were. Many of the sturdier structures, Anti Tank Obstacles (ATO's), Pillboxes and Gun Emplacements were broken up and buried or used as hardcore. In the cliff face, just as the headland rises, some elements of those broken and buried structures are being exposed by erosion. The photo shows what I believe to be a destroyed Artillery Pillbox with some heavily corroded and concreted ironwork, whether associated with the pillbox or not, I'm not sure. I say an Artillery Pillbox as the embrasure (the aperture to fire through) is too substantial for small arms, offering a broad arc of fire; such a large embrasure would have left men inside with just rifles or light machine guns too exposed. It amazes me how clean and well preserved (except for the intentional damage) these structures can be, just look at the concrete, it looks recent, not 70 odd years old; and these structures were thrown up in haste too, with often not the best materials. As the cliff erodes I'll see if any more diagnostic features emerge. I also had a look at the surrounding fill for any smaller artefacts, though none revealed themselves. A walk that stimulates the mind as well as the body is twice the walk. Nice.

Groyne replacing

They're repairing or replacing some of the groynes along the promenade at the Southborne end of Bournemouth Bay. Usually you only see a low wall of wood and the tops of the pillars, but exposed as they are it's amazing their true size and the scale of the undertaking in their construction. All to try and keep nature in check. Stupid monkeys. Nature always has her way in the end. Every few years Bournemouth council spend millions pumping sand from out in the bay up onto the beaches, the groynes are there to slow long shore drift and keep the sands in check. The fact that the same process is undertaken again and again surely should tell us something. No, like modern day Cnut's, we think we can stem the tides.  The thing is, if the promenade wasn't there, then the sandy cliffs would erode naturally and the beaches would be sandy, as they'd always been, without the need for human intervention.  We make our own problems. Still, interesting to see.

Gnarly Trunks

It's wonderful how some ancient Oak trunks gnarl up as they return to the earth. Their trunks becoming ever changing patterned landscapes, works of organic art, another aspect of natures art gallery.  The views and vistas of the forest are like the great canvases of old masters and the trunks and stumps wondrous sculptures. Like any good gallery, you can loose yourself in both.

The sun always shines somewhere

The sun always shines somewhere, even on the most overcast of days.

Gavin da Blitz

 Photo pinched from Here and Now Friendface page.

Aw, man. I've just heard that Gavin Da Blitz passed from this world into whatever comes after. Sad sad news, man. Now, I didn't know Gavin personally, it was through his music as keyboard and synth wizard with the legendary Here and Now band I knew him, though that said the sadness I feel today at his passing is as if I did know him. It's weird, you don't often know the musicians you listen too, though spend such an inordinate time in their company that they have a genuine effect on you that a sort of weird friendship develops, as if you did know them. During the 80's we saw Here and Now countless times, and we listened to their albums and bootleg tapes almost religiously, for a while to the detriment of expanding our listening. It was a mainstay in the soundtrack to my formative years, and their albums/bootlegs still get regular plays. I loved them then, and still do now. Here and Now's 'All Over The Show' still gets a weekly play. Gavin's synth wizardry played a major part in their sound, I remember at gigs watching fascinated as he twiddled knobs to create the finest of spaced out sounds that elasticized your mind. He'd not played with the band for some years (other than Keith's 60th, possibly), his role assumed in recent times by the equally talented Andy Roger, though when ever you play one of the older vinyl albums there he is doing his magic. So he's gone, though still here, and will be fleetingly every time you spin a Here and Now waxing. I don't like the phrase 'rest in peace', I'm hoping there's something more beyond, and if there is, then I hope that those who've gone beyond are experiencing what it may have to offer to the full. Thanks for the music Mr Da Blitz.

What?

No, not the 'sword in the stone', but a knife in a tree. Just another example of the weird shit you see if you keep your eyes open when out walking. The knife is quite high up the trunk, higher than I could reach without really stretching, and I certainly wouldn't be able to get it so firmly stuck in.  Again, I'm left wondering, what's the story here? I have to say, I've seen a lot of discarded knifes out and about over the years, often stuck into tree stumps or the ground. Maybe it's some knife cult making ritual deposits? Well, surely that's as good a suggestion as any.

Ouzo Bazooka's Songs from 1001 Nights

Ouzo Bazooka are back with their third album, Songs from 1001 Nights, and as you'd imagine, it's a lovely listen. It arrived at my door this morning and took only moments to find itself spinning. 'Songs from 1001 Nights' keeps bands reputation for producing great psych waxings flying high, a deep rich psych sound which oozes the exotic taking you on a magical psychedelic journey through foreign climes. Though this time on a slightly different tangent. The opening track '1001 Night' is a slow droney number, setting the feel of the album as a whole, it has a hypnotic feel to it, you could imagine yourself wandering tripped out through an kasbah or something to it. While 'Nile Fever' has the feel of a movie soundtrack. On side 2 I particularly enjoyed 'Turkum', again there's a soundtrack feel to it as well as something of the exotic. The whole album has quite a laid back late evening feel to it, check it out. Although different in sound to the bands previous releases, still infused in all the tracks are the bands cultural and regional DNA, and I think that lends Ozuo Bazooka's sound something really original and warm, they've created a unique fusion of sounds. If you get a chance to see Ouzo Bazooka playing live take the opportunity, I've only seen them once, and it was a smashing performance.

A note of amendment.
It's come to my attention since I initially wrote this, that I've been listening to the album at the wrong speed. Not once, no, not twice, no, but on several occasions. Now I realise, it's obvious....now I realise! Yes, I know, I'm a chump, and it renders my musings on 'Songs from 1001 Nights' the ramblings of a mental. Though it does show that some music can be played and enjoyed at the wrong speed (or as I'm going to suggest, a 'different' speed) and still be well worth listening to. I enjoyed the album I thought I heard, I felt it had merit, really droney merit in retrospect. But still. I was going to delete this post, then thought, naw. So, I'm looking at it positively, now I've got 2 versions of an album for the price of one. Stop taking the piss, I didn't have to tell you.

Stir crazy!

First day out of the house after nearly 2 weeks of proper bed ridden flu, well, other than a couple of brief tripped out and nauseated outings to the food fortress, shit doesn't get done if I don't do it. Man, I hate being ill. Today was the first time I'd felt near (only near) human enough to venture out in to the woods. And as if in support, the sun shone, as wrapped in many layers, buffs and topped with a thick beanie, I stumbled coughing through the stands. The forest was beautiful, I stood breathing in the fresh clear air, so refreshing after the thick muggy air of inside, whilst above me the ancient beech and oak of Mark Ash towered reaching for the sky, it's interesting to note how often you see an Oak and a Beech planted together out here in the forest. Ah, healing nature, you can really feel it. My wander only lasted about 25 minutes before, although I wanted to continue, I knew it would probably be to my detriment if I walked further. You notice as you get older, lurgies last longer and you don't bounce back quite as quickly. It's hard to accept, though it is how it is. Well, it's nearly 2 weeks into January and now everything's behind, I'm always trying catch up as it is, better get a shuffle on.

On the twelfth day of Christmas

On the twelfth day of Christmas music gave itself to me. Music is the gift that just keeps on giving. Music is the first thing I put on most mornings, and the last thing I turn off at night. It makes me dance around the house when I'm doing the chores, and sends my spirit soaring. It offers me solace and comfort when life's bearing down. It's always there, indelibly linked to my memories, and is forever triggering reminiscences, which in turn normally bring a smile. If music is the food of life, then I'm a unrepentant greedy bastard, and I'm going to carry on gorging myself whilst there food on the table. I wondered what track I could attach to this post, of course it was obvious, it had to be a bit of Todd, what with him being feckin ace. Enjoy.

On the eleventh day of Christmas

On the eleventh day of Christmas music gave to me, the Here and Now band at Unit 23 Totnes. Ah, Here and Now, a band like no other, a band which holds a special place in my heart. The band has seen a few line up changes over the years, comings and goings, though throughout there's always been one consistent, the governor, Keith The Bass. And, with him in the bands current manifestation are those Andys of 'Music of the Andys', Andy Roger on twiddly tings and Andy Burrows on guitar, and Kangaroo Moon's Mark Robson on keyboards and Gem Quinn on drums, and, man, are they good. They've always been good. Shit, man, what am I saying, Here and Now have never just been 'good', they've always been at least 'great', though more often than not, bloody marvellous. And so it was at Totnes, the chemistry and energy of the current line up made this gig as good a Here and Now gig as I've seen, and over the years that's a fair few. It was an evening to immerse yourself in the joy of familiar tunes played with new twists and be enthralled by new material, solid gold shit too. Word is that they've been in the studio since and that a new release is in the offing. Oh happy days. Click this for a nice rendition of 'So Glad You're Here' filmed by John Peters.

On the tenth day of Christmas

On the tenth day of Christmas music gave to me, well, music didn't really give it to me, though it does allow music to give to me, the lovely new Rega Planar 1 record deck I got for my birthday. I'd had my old Dual Audiophile concept cs503-2 record deck for years, though in recently I'd had to replace the headstock, the belt, of course the stylus and the original lid, long broken, was replaced by the lid from my even older vintage Dual cs505-4, which didn't really fit. Still, it played records and allowed my music (records) to keep on giving, in fact it has had a long and distinguished service record of consistency. It's interesting though how you accept compromise without really knowing your doing it, especially if it has developed slowly. I thought that my Dual still sounded fine, and to be honest it didn't sound bad or anything, although from the first spin of the Rega I could hear the difference, it shouted at me. Now the sound appears cleaner, clearer, with more detail and depth. All my records are new again. Huzzah!

On the ninth day of Christmas

On the ninth day of Christmas music gave to me the best gig of the year, the Grace Curvey Collective. Well, that's just what I called them, in fact it was an evening with the Cary Grace Band and The Luck of Eden Hall in the shape of Mr Gregory Curvey, beautifully moulded, melded and exquisitely blended into something unique. Wondrous! I refer you to my post at the time.

On the eight day of Christmas

On the eight day of Christmas music gave me the wonder and nightmare which is bandcamp, and all the magic therein. I'd used bandcamp a few times over the last few years to buy a track or two, here and there, though it was always after being directed to the site, I'd never really explored the site until this year. As I say, it's a real wonder, so much good music to be found and I know I've only just scratched the surface. I'd say most days this year I've listened to at least one new band on bandcamp, more often than not though, I've listened to several more. And, my musical world has expanded exponentially. It's not merely the amount of bands on there, but the immense range of genres and styles, I've found bands I know I'd never have come across otherwise. Bands like 'Stones from the Sky' a French psych/rock/garage whose release 'Live in Agger' is a fantastic listen, 'Between the Buttons' psychedelic pop at it's best, or early 70's Neo-folk 'Comus' who returned for a 21st century reunion album which is great, and I could go on and on. Without bandcamp I'd have missed all of that and more, so, I'm currently loving bandcamp.  I also suggested the site was a nightmare, which it is, the downsides being, there's just so much good music to be found, and my pockets are shallow, if not drought ridden for the most part, and a major bugbear of mine, the prohibitive cost of shipping from the states if you want hard copies of some of the music. Bummer! That said, much of the stuff on there is reasonably priced, or much even name your own price, though that too can pose a dilemma, how much do you give; as much as you can, though what if that's not a lot. Bandcamp is a gift that keeps on giving. A few other bands I've found through the site and I'd recommend you check out are Psychic Lemon, 62 Miles from Space, The Paperweight Array and Nathan Hall and the Sinister Locals. And that really only a few of my recommendations. Once your on the site you've dropped down the rabbit hole into a world of opportunities to feed your ears, my bandcamp 'wish-list' grows daily.