Sunset over the Purbecks

No, I wasn't transported to an alien planet in order to capture this totally out of this world sunset. It's the view across Bournemouth Bay to the Purbeck hills from Southbourne beach. Totally far out! 

Recyclers

Some woodland recyclers taking a break in the autumn sun.

Remember what they want you to forget.

If you think today is about remembrance, you're surely mistaken.
'Maybe', it once was, but now the day has been taken.

By politicians who'd send our friends and family to die.
In their endless wars for profit, all based on lies.

We shouldn't wear our poppies with pride.
Because behind their red faces the real truth hides.
That the poppy is now used to stifle public dissent.
For those endless wars on which politicians are hell bent.
That politicians need us to wear poppies to hide the fact.
That those same politicians have broken the military pact.
That 10,000 soldiers sleep cold in the streets.
Whilst our politicians bath in the glory of their heroic feats.
They fell for our freedom is what politicians will say.
As they cynically strip those rights and freedoms away.
Remember the war dead and why they all died?
They died for nothing, and they'll continue to die for lies.

The Fraud @ Chaplins 10.11.16

Heading the night's musical offerings at Chaplins were The Fraud. The Fraud are a superb 3 piece blues rock combo made up of Bob Redman on guitar and vocals, Kevin Roberts on bass and a drummer whose name is a mystery to me.  I stumbled across The Fraud through Snu peas, that fine pre loved vinyl emporium in Boscombe, just prior to their first performance earlier this year; I went to aforementioned performance and impressed, you'd never have imagined it to be their first outing.  I'd been looking forward to catching them again. The band do a very tidy line in rhythm and blues numbers built on rock foundations, nice tracks, man. They've a good solid rhythm section in Kevin Roberts on bass, who pulls some great musician faces, at some points he look bewildered, confused and possibly a little scared as if he'd seen a ghost off stage or had had too many hotknifes or some such and was trying to fathom out why, still, it didn't effect his playing he laid down some clean bass lines throughout. And, the mystery drummer, who remained a mystery tucked away at the back of the stage in drummers alcove, through he beat his skins and crashed his cymbals to great effect, together they created a fine groove. Out front and center was guitarist Bob Redman, a fine guitarist who has an easy understated style, which has depth and character, he's a high grade noodler and no mistake. The Fraud are a really tight sounding band of proficient musicians, and tonight they showed that,  supplying a stream of high quality tunage. I've only one complain, and it's the same as the last time I saw them... it wasn't a long enough set. A great performance though.  If you get a chance to catch The Fraud, take it, they don't disappoint. 

Before, between and after the bands this evening, quality sounds were delivered via the decks of DJWill from Snu Peas, as you'd imagine, great tunes. For those who know, you'll notice down in the corner of the photo, DJ Will.  A big thinks to all involved, it was another top nights music at Chaplins.

Bending Space @ Chaplins 10.11.16

Earlier in the year we caught some bands performing at the Anvil, one of them was called the Acid Valley Nomads. Tonight was the inaugural performance of 'Bending Space', who are in essence a reduced Acid Valley Nomads, as two band members are working away (word is that the Acid Valley Nomads will be back performing in the Spring, which is something to look forward to).  Bending Space are Pete Jones on drums, Luke Skinner on bass and Luke Furr on guitar, all great musicians. A three piece, Bending Space really know how to make some noise and create a buzzing atmosphere. Delivering a stream of short, fast, and blisteringly energetic garage, psyche, surf numbers with sprinklings of punk, all delivered perfectly, with passion and humour; fuck, man, did they belt it out good style. The whole set was tight and beautifully performed. People were loving it. At one point the band played the Acid Valley Nomads number 'He made friends with a window pain' twice by popular demand, which got plenty of folk up dancing.  The end of every track was met with thunderous applause, and rightly so. The band too appeared to be having a right good time, all smiles.  There was a real old school feel to their performance, it made me think of the late 70's and the energy that live bands of that period possessed. It all went too quickly, really.  For a first outing in their reduced form, I thought they were outstanding, and look forward to catching them play again. A big thinks to all involved, it was another top nights music at Chaplins.

The autumn forest

Rock Hills

Ponies dotted the wet heath below Rock Hills this morning, grazing lazily in the late autumn sun, which just occasionally broke cover illuminating and warming the land, only briefly mind, before another blanket of cloud obscured it.  A proper autumn day. 

Kimmeridge sunset

After our walk we decided to hang about for a while and wait to see how the sunset developed, and waited on the hillside above Kimmeridge Village. It was worth the wait.

Moon Knight

From the same creative team that brought us 'Injection', Warren Ellis, Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire, comes 'Moon Knight - From the Dead. Moon Knight remained quite a mysterious character to me, having seen him appear only as a cameo in other stories rather than ever reading any dedicated 'Moon Knight' stories.  From this volume, I gather I've been missing an interesting character. Moon Knight is Marc Spector, a mercenary who whilst looting an archaeological dig in Egypt dies at the foot of a statue of the god Khonshu after trying to protect the people his group are looting from.  He's returned to life by Khonshu as Khonshu's earthly avatar, and after returning to America, in an attempt at redemption, becomes a crime-fighter. That's really only the origin of the character, there's much much more in his development, alter egos, mental illness, all sorts, he appears a very complicated and conflicted character under his cool exterior.  Although this volume assumes you know his long and complicated back story (which I do not), it still works well as a stand alone introduction to the character, and for me, left me wanting more.  This is a collection of short, issue long, stories with Moon Knight employed by the Police to solve some mysterious and eerie crimes (it's a bit tripped out in places), there's also an overarching sun plot. The writing is high quality, it would be, it's Warren Ellis! Though the dialogue is kept to a minimal, with the stories really being delivered through the art. The art and colouring are beautiful and carry the stories with ease. I love the way Moon Knight is depicted in black and white, whereas the rest of the story is rendered in glorious colour.  It really works. I've read it twice in a couple of weeks and was captivated by it both times. It's certainly left me with a hunger to read more Moon Knight.

Springhead

Through a friend of a friend we ended up visiting Springhead Gardens in  Fontmell Magna near Shaftesbury, Dorset. What a wonderful spot. Nestled in Dorset's idyllic ancient Downlands, the gardens are created around (as the name suggests) several natural springs of clear clean water flowing through the chalk of the downs.  We caught the gardens towards the end of their yearly display, although there were still plenty of beautiful colours and forms, enough to make the gardens visually exiting. I'd love to see them at other times in the cycle. We took the opportunity to drink straight from the spring, a wonderfully natural act and sensation. It would have once been common place for people to drink straight from springs, now it's a novelty, how we've progressed, ay? 

A big thanks for the opportunity to visit and the interesting historical background.

Salutes to the Sun

It was freezing first thing this morning, exposed on Spy Holms. The first real frost I've seen this autumn dusted everything, and your breath hung in the air.  I hope it's a sign of what's to come, we could do with a cold winter. It didn't last though, as soon as the sun cleared the horizon proper, the frost was gone and you wouldn't know it had ever been.  A good sized herd of ponies, maybe 30 or so, cantered excitedly up from Red Rise and stood facing the sun, bathing in the lukewarm rays, which although weak were still welcomed.  I bet it gets mighty cold down through Red Rise, cold clinging mists frequently hang around the stream and its dank environs through wet months. They must be made of sturdy stuff these forest ponies.

Clay Hill Bottom

Burley Old

Quiet now increasingly blankets the stands of the old enclosure.

Lean on me

As Bill Whither said, 'We all need somebody to lean on'.

Samhain

Samhain blessings. I hope last harvest finds both your physical and metaphorical barns stuffed full with all the things you desired from the seeds sown earlier in the year. Flags, Flax, Fodder and Frigg y'all

Mudeford sunset #13

Mudeford sunset #13 A sunset of autumnal hues.

Sentient @ The King Arthur, Glastonbury 29.10.2016

It's kinda like Déjà vu, man, back at the King Arthur to watch Sentient, but then not so. Yeah, the King Arthur's the same, a public house/venue par excellence, populated with friendly, funny and vibrant staff and punters (more of that later).  Such are the frequency of our visits for gigs, it's taken on a very comfortable homely feel. But Sentient, man, Sentient! They may have been the same four fellows up there on the stage, four musical giants of boundless talent and originality, but each time we see them they bring something new to the party. A tweak here, a nudge into a new direction there, a familiar sound forged anew. What I'm trying to say is, each time we see Sentient they just keep getting better. How the fuck do you consistently improve on what appears perfection? All I know is that they do! For those who don't know, Sentient are: Steffe Sharpstrings on guitar. Steffe's a purveyor of many musical flavours, although he's probably best known for his work with Here and Now and Planet Gong, his glissando and noodling skills are both instantly recognizable and outstanding. Bass is provided by the legendary Mike Howlett, possibly most famously of Gong, although he has many more strings to his bow. When it comes to great bass players look no further, Mike's passion and skill on bass (to my mind) are hard to beat. On drums is the magnificent Steve Cassidy notably of Planet Gong and currently Here and Now. Steve's drumming is clean and powerful, able to drive and maintain the most rhythmic of numbers. Finally on keyboards and synth, Mr twiddly knobbery himself Joie Hinton. You'll know Joie from Ozric Tentacles, Eat Static and currently Here and Now, and, man, does he know his trippy noises. Yeah, I think you've guessed it, Sentient are a kind of counter culture super group.

The room was packed (and, why wouldn't it be!) when Steffe and Joie took to the stage and together began to create some wondrous sounds. Steffe's glissando was bliss, as was his noodling, top shelf stuff and then something new as Steffe played this guitar in a style I'd not heard him play before, fast clean rock shred licks on a jazzy tip (or some such), far out!  All the time Joie, leaning into the keys was watching for cues, smiling, twiddling and tweaking, forming textures for Steffe's guitar to glide across. Way good, man. It's amazing what wonderful musical textures and soundscapes a guitar and keyboards in the hands of great musicians can create (for another great guitar/keyboard combo check out Music of the Andys.) Steffe and Joie played two tracks, both really really nice.  Now Steve and Mike took to the stage to join them, and of course the sound took on new dimensions and directions. The tracks (whether they're 'tracks' or rather the framework for improvisation) appeared to have a stronger funky jazz flavour to them this time around (maybe Mike Howletts influence). I'm not complaining, mind, you gotta love the funk. The sound was rich and deeply layered, inspiration being drawn from diverse musical wells. As well as the funk and jazz elements, there's a dub, space rock, psych feel, as well as the unmistakable echo you hear in a Gong family band. It was bloody beautiful, man, the magic flowed! I love Steffe's guitar style, so natural, he makes it look like a meditation, it's pure guitar poetry, and he looks like he's loving every minute of it, feeling every note. Throughout both sets his glissando and noodling was flawless. Joie was on good form tonight too, his twiddling and tweaking consistently hitting the spot, adding some fantastic synth textures and forms to the mix, which are always welcome. As for Steve's drumming, what a very understated drummer, looking calm and relaxed whilst maintaining a solid unfaltering groove, dropping in great accents and embellishments, as and when. He drove the tracks along. Even when he's going like the clappers, he looks decidedly pedestrian, boss drummer for sure. And then there was Mike Howlett, bass player of behemothic talent and standing.  What a musician, man, his funky bass licks and riffs were something else, with a consistency which was amazing. You couldn't help but stare in awe at his style and presence, faultless bass on every number, the bass flowing through him. I said it last time; the Howlett/Cassidy combination gives Sentient a rhythm section beyond compassion, and that was only re-enforced this evenings performance. I loved the glances the band throw each other, how good a musician you must have to be to improvise and freestyle to such a standard as these fellows achieve. Justifiably, the end of each track was met with loud and sustained applause, the audience were fucking loving it, it was a good audience too, as I previously mentioned, the room was packed. Then there was then a break for refreshments. I noticed a couple of musicians in the audience this evening, Andy Roger of Music of the Andys and Here and Now, and Cary Grace, whose fantastic new release 'The Uffculme Variations' (review to follow) features Steffe (it's an earworm of an album). At the end of the intermission Steve took to the stage and performed some nice solo drumming for us, before the band joined him and they were off again. The second set continued along similar lines to the first, there was a nice reggae-ish number, a rich feast of psychedelic rock flavours with thick layers of jazziness, and plenty of funky flavours too. The band were laying down some seriously sumptuous musical vibes. It was all just so good, man, such a tight sound and yet so free flowing. The band looked to be enjoying it (always nice), and the audience certainly were, most people were up dancing and everybody was certainly having a damn fine time. The evening finished off with a reworking of an old school Here and Now track, and the crowd loved it.  What a spectacular performance, stellar stuff!

Life can be shit sometimes, man, unrelenting heaviness can drag your spirit down; it's nights like this, that help keep that black dog muzzled. The energy from these evenings resonates far beyond the gig itself. I think Abba hit the nail on the head with, '(music) who can live without it. I ask in all honesty, what would life be?'. Word! The power of a good gig to raise and renew ones spirits cannot, and should not, be underestimated. I am truly grateful for the music. And yeah, I referenced Abba, so what! And the 'Arthur', well, as always it was a joy, every box ticked and many stars awarded. The sound guy was on top form again, you wouldn't believe the sound quality for such a small venue, clean and clear, bravo that dude! Now, if you've read any of my reviews of previous King Arthur gigs you'll know we always meet lovely friendly characters. Tonight whilst sitting in the comfy sofas towards the back of the pub, we spied a familiar face (usually we never seem to meet the same people twice). It was sweet Annie (literally from Frome) from our last visit, she was completely bewildered as to who we were, though after chatting a while I think the mists cleared. We recounted our last encounter, and remarked she was more together this time, to which she replied 'Annie, similar, yet not the same'. You've got to laugh. It was lovely to see Annie, you can't beat nice people, especially in to today's world.

Anyways, another top night was had, for which I give big love and thanks to all involved. If you've not seen Sentient or visited the King Arthur, you really need to rectify that.

Glastonbury Wild Hunt 2016

A few photos from Glastonbury's Wild Hunt. A great day with groovy people, in a vibrant town that knows how put on an event. It all appears so natural. Avalon really is a magical place.

Injection

Injection Vol 2 continues, as with Vol 1, to be a real page turner. If you're not aware of the premise, 5 geniuses in their fields: a strategist/agent,  a scientist/genuine genius, a logician/ethicist, a AI expert and a cunning-man (wizard), are brought together by a government/corporate group (Ministry of Time and Measurement and Force Projection International) to form the Cultural Cross Contamination Unit. The  government and their corporate friends are worried that the 21th century was entering a period of stagnation, our five geniuses are tasked with finding a solution, to make the 21st century more interesting and thus stimulate development, their solution.......the injection. Yup, you've got it, it goes terribly wrong. You can't go injecting magic and stuff into computers, messing with reality, you must know how that's going to go. 

In this volume we focus on Vivek Headland (and his reluctant though resigned assistant and heavy 'Red') as he investigates an abduction, a missing ghost lover who exists in a photo and a lonely messed up rich guy, there's human ham and weirdness of plenty, all courtesy of the injection. It's essentially a detective story, though a strange and bizarre one. We also get to peek into how and what the other geniuses are up to. I loved it. Warren is such a fantastic writer, so engaging and his dialogue carries the story along beautifully; Shalvey's art is wonderfully expressive and conveys emotions perfectly; whilst Bellaire's colouring brings the scenes and characters to life. 

I think you could enjoy this read as a stand alone, having not read Injection volume one, just as a detective story. Then again, maybe not, I don't know. Shit! Get them both, you wont be disappointed.

Mudeford sunset #12

Mudeford sunset #12
Oh yeah! 

Dartmoor

Dartmoor, forever you hold a piece of my heart captive; captivated as I am by your natural beauty and tangible spiritual energy.  I don't visit Dartmoor often any more (something I must rectify), though when I do my spirit soars. Today we took the path from New Bridge on the Holne side of the Dart up to Dartmeet. A path which starts of broad, then narrows and narrows, down to uneven and rocky winding single track, until finally the path exists only in your imagination, though you push on still. The moor is drier than I've known it at this time of year, and the walking easier for it. It's warm too, well, down in the steep closely wooded river valley anyway (it was a different story later when we made our way out of the valley and up onto the open moor above).  Immersed in this hidden woodland world which carpets the amazing River Dart valley, I feel connected to the land and nature in a tangible yet inarticulable way.   My imagination wanders, flitting from idea to idea like a coked up butterfly, I'm focused (you have to be walking in such a hazardous environment) and at the same time lost in each moment, each new vista, each new wonder. Lost in the enchanting wildness of it all. I strike out and have soon left my companions behind (if you walk with me, you'll know it's a bad habit of mine, unintentional, but still), I don't mean to, I can't help it, the land takes me, and I'm off, so absorbed.  At every turn there was something beautiful to see, it was magical. Noticed a couple of prime wild camping sites, which it would be rude not to investigate, in say, spring.

After an arduous 5 miles, or so, of rock jumping and scrambling up and down, we reached Dartmeet and the stepping stones on the East Dart. Last time we were here at this time of year, they were all but submerged in the torrent, not today though, where the river remained at summer levels, the stepping stone stood proud. We took the opportunity to cross the East Dart and visit the nearby ancient clapper bridge, which was nice. Soon though, after a short break, it was up out of the wooded Dart valley, up onto the exposed moor and Combestone Tor. Combstone Tor is not particularly grand, nor is one of the highest at only 356m asl, although it does afford some spectacular views down the Dart valley and over the moor. Man, the wind, though. It drove the chill air right through you and we didn't hang about for too long before deciding it would be prudent to return to the calm and relative warmth of the valley.  We didn't go all the way back down to the river at first, favouring instead a path running along the contours of the valley just within the woodland. This path had been well constructed (I think to carry a water pipe from the nearby Venford Reservoir), though now had fallen into disrepair in some sections and become overgrown in others, nevertheless, it was a lovely path and gave lovely views of the river below, as seen through the autumnal canopy. Man, the colours of the canopy! After a while we left the path in search of the Venford Brook waterfall, which we found with ease, although due the lack of water on the moor it wasn't as spectacular as it could've been; that said, it was still lovely and well worth the detour.  Then it was back down to the river and its hypnotic roar, past the deep clear pools and rumbling rapids, imagine walking through Rivendell, it was like that (I imagine).  The light was fading as we approached the car park, tired after an arduous 12 miles, our elation slowly replaced with the acceptance that the walk was over and the sadness that brings. Funny, however tired you feel walking, when you get near the car you always think 'you know, I could probably do a couple more miles'.  Too late for that though.

What a lovely day. I promised myself I wouldn't leave it so long before visiting again, I'm going to try for once a month.

Don't be fooled.

The Amethyst Deceiver (Laccaria amethystina) is a common sight in both broad leaf and coniferous woodlands and can appear in large quantities, though edible, their flavour is slight, although they do look good in a risotto. The laccaria family is large and the Amethyst Deceiver gets its 'deciever' label as when it weathers it looses its distinct colour making it harder to identify.  Edible yeah (I've eaten them countless times) though one cautionary note, apparently it can bio-accumulate arsenic. 

Mudeford sunset #11

Mudeford sunset #11

Moon-shroom

I looked down only to find the moon had fallen from the stars and was now just lying there in the grass. I think it called to me, that's how I found it; I've always loved the moon, enjoyed moonlit walks and felt its pull on me. Down here it didn't look so big, that said, it was still quite beautiful. I'll check the sky tonight to see if it has returned to its celestial station.

Shrooooom

Mushroom season has been an odd one this year, some have been coming along well, some appearing intermittently, others only just appearing in any numbers now.  Oysters and Ceps, although not about in large quantities (on my roam, at least), have been fairly consistent, Chanterelles and Parasols have been relatively common, and Hedgehogs are only just appearing. A mixed season. Today I saw psillies for the first time in moderate numbers, no doubt I'll be coming across groups of youth, some with tubs of magic mushrooms and others with their mixed bags of tiny mushrooms, some which may give them a gippy tummy, though frequently none of which will give them their desired effect. Bless.

Pigs doing their thing

They're here! The pigs are out to pannage. This group were wandering about the wooded environs of Red Rise Brook (which as I suggested yesterday were back to normal, all the flood waters gone and the gravel bed of the brook exposed in places), and there was plenty for them to forage for. They were quite a friendly bunch, more interested in us than anything. I wish we hadn't sanitised our countryside, it's one of the aspects of re-wilding which most appeals to me, the idea of reintroducing once common, now absent wildlife.  Yeah, I know it would cause problems initially, but we'd get over it, we'd adapt. Other countries retain wild animals, some dangerous, and they get by. It's a real joy seeing the pigs out, if you're lucky, you'll spot pigs, ponies, cows and deer, all mingling together. I did. I say 'if you're lucky', as I've only seen that twice, it was cool, though.

Wet Woodland

Yesterday I walked through these woods and they were bone dry, I crossed the Red Rise Brook with ease, gravel shoving in many places, today though after a just little rain, the stream exceeds the boundaries of its banks and it's woodland fringe is wet woodland. It's a testament to the effectiveness of the restoration project, as a few years ago this water would have been whisked out of the forest by the straightened dredged streams and drains, now the land hold the water and slowly releases it. If the rain holds off I'm sure it'll be back to normal tomorrow. It makes you think though, the forest can become problematic to traverse very quickly, I'd imagine centuries ago the forest would have been a wild and forbidding place in wet season, impossible for those who didn't know it to travel through, and awkward for those who did. Still beautiful though.

Look at my nut sack!

Shame on you! It's not that sort of blog. No, the sack of nuts I was referring to, is this sack of Sweet Chestnuts. It's a mixed season, some trees good, some not so, even on individual trees there's quite a range in size. But the good sized ones are shop sized, though why people would buy an easily forage-able resource is beyond me. It was a seasonal tradition to go out Chestnut collecting when I was young. How disenfranchised we've become as a people from nature and her cycles and bounty. Anyway, I've postulated that the larger nuts are to be found around and just beyond the canopy's fringe. I reckon it's because they're big, when the case hits the ground they bounce out. It's not a 100% rule, but I'd say 70% of the good sized nuts I found fitted my hypothesis.  If you want some, get out there soon, the woodland folk are going through them at a pace, around some trees all there was to be found were gnawed shells.

Mudeford sunset #10

Glorious, man, just plain glorious.

The fall begins

The fall begins, as nature disposes of last seasons fashions, opting instead for nudity. Where a fallen bough lays across Red Rise Brook, fallen leafs have gathered blanketing the stream. You'd get a moist surprise kicking through these autumn leafs.

Acorns

After last years poor acorn crop, it's good to see many of the Oaks sporting fair sized fruits and plenty of them. I've noticed though, I've not seen the pigs out at pannage yet. Pannage started nearly a month ago (12th September), and traditionally I've seen pigs snuffling about the Oak stands of Red Rise, both sides of the brook by now.  Maybe they're hiding from us, that said, they'll often chase you about....which is fun.