Cherry Blossom

 

It's been a good year for Cherry Blossom.

Clouds at sunset

 

Clouds at sunset

Forest pool

 

Forest pool

First foal

 

Continuing on an equestrian tip, the first foal I've seen this year. Ah.

A Thelwell pony?

 

This little beauty put me in mind of the Thelwell ponies. Do you know of cartoonist and illustrator Norman Thelwell? Thelwell was a famous cartoonist and illustrator of the British countryside and contributor to the the magazine Punch. One of my early girlfriends was a horsey girl and introduced me to Thelwells' enchanting cartoons having several volumes of them. If you know them, you'll instantly see what I mean. Made me smile.

Frying tonight

Fry basking in the warm spring sun in one of the head water rivulettes of Avon Water in Holmsley enclosure. I think they're Brown/Sea Trout (Salmo trutta) fry, don't hold to that though. These fish born in the headwaters of small streams have an interesting life journey, some remain in the streams of their birth, others venture out into the sea where they morph into Sea Trout, returning to their stream of birth to spawn and die. Bonus point if you get the title reference 'frying tonight'.

Can't stop the flow

On a narrow restored section of Blackensford Brook running through North Oakley enclosure a bank side tree has toppled into the stream, it would've blocked the flow of water completely, though Blackensford Brook was having none it; first it flowed around the obstruction, then it bored a tunnel through the obstruction and normal service was restored. You can't stop the flow.

Hold on they're coming.

Hold on they're coming, hold on they're nearly here. The buds are all there, bursting to open, and it wont be long before the entire floor of this wood will be carpeted in white and pungent Ramson flowers. I love this time of year; all energy and anticipation.

Clean sweep

 

What do you notice about the woodland floor here? No leaves. Black Water meanders through the woodland here, and whilst in flood has scoured the floor of last autumns' leaves and detritus, leaving a swathe of green through the stands; highlighting the strength and extent of these small forest streams when engorged. 

Electric Crayon Set - Laughing in the Clouds

 

Upon receiving my last package from Fruits de Mer Records I discovered an additional album with an accompanying card reading 'It's a windfall! A complimentary record from Fruits de Mer Records, just because we're in a good mood...and we found a few spare copies down the back of the sofa', how cool, eh, and much appreciated. I'd never heard of Finnish psyche pop combo Electric Crayon Set; I have now and they're bloody good. Electric Crayon Set are Seppo Tyni on bass, guitars, synth and keys, Timo Lilja on drum and precussion, and Timo Paakko vocals, guitars, synth and keys; with additional guitar from Juha Kormano, harpsicord from Pekka Tyni, vocals from Vilma Paakko and backing vocals from Katariina and Veera Lohiniva. 'Laughing in the Clouds' is a wonderfully upbeat romp through the world of psychedelic and progressive music, and although Finnish there's a real Britishness to their sound, specifically 70s/80's progressive pop psyche with a side helping of Mod aesthetic. Electric Crayon Set have added their own contemporary spin on the familiar to create a original take and sound on a favourite genre; each track is an aural joy, it's a lovely album, thoroughly listen-able. A stand out track for me is 'Calling on the cards', especially loving the vibe and production on that one; beautiful vocals by Vilma Paakko, first class. I wholeheartedly recommend this album, and a band to keep your eye on.

'Laughing in the Clouds' by the Electric Crayon Set is available on Psychotron Records; if this is the calibre of their releases, a label to watch.

Mucky work

Timber extraction is a messy business at the best of times, and these are not the best of times. The unseasonal wet has really softened up the forest; it's like walking on a sodden sponge, easily churned up by heavy forestry machinery, broad tracks of deep ruts and mucky puddles quickly form.

The Incal: Psychoverse

 

The Incal: Psychoverse, a prequel to legendary 'The Incal' by Jodorowsky and Moebius is a stupendous new romp through a familiar universe. Written and illustrated by contemporary artists, it's done so well, with such love and reverence for the source material that it's near seamless in aesthetic. Wonderfully written by Mark Russell and beautifully illustrated and coloured by Yanick Paquette and Dave McCaig respectively it's a joy to read, and a damn sight easier to follow. The tale of universes at war, of mad nuns on a mission and an insight into events that led to the events of the The Incal. It's a hell of a bonkers ride too, with is the Metabaron, Kill Wolfhead, and of course private investigator and space chump John Difool driving the story. Apparently there are more graphics set around the characters, worlds and events surrounding The Incal, and if they're as good as this, well.