Changing Paths

I’ve spent years behind a desk for my job, and I’ve always been extremely lucky to have jobs that I have enjoyed and, most recently, that contribute directly to the wellbeing of others (healthcare, education, training). Though my ‘ideal job’ as a youngster would have been to be a forest ranger (I worked briefly as a volunteer on a nature reserve in North London), my career path took a very different course. This time I’ve definitely hit the jackpot as far as jobs go – and I don’t mean financially, but in terms of fulfilment and engagement. Around me my colleagues talk of their time in Kenya, India, America, Alaska, Indonesia, Viet Nam and Antarctica. I am in fact now working for a conservation organisation where the employees are not just dedicated but hands-on experienced.

The Membership Secretary used to be an Antarctic Scientist, the Comms Officer use to work with endangered Wallabies in Australia and the Fundraising Officer (who I am slightly worried to find out loves dressing up as a gorilla) has spent time in Swaziland. Next month he is going out to Indonesia for more hands on conservation work (hopefully not in costume, he’d have some problems at customs). There are 60 people working for the charity in nearly every corner of the world.

The work I’m doing now, a change from my previous employment, means I need to learn (and quickly) about Fauna & Flora International’s conservation projects: the work we do with (to name but a few) gorillas, trees, people, habitats, bats, carbon emissions, global warming and – crucially – how to fund the work we do all over the planet.

In short, every day I work here inspires me (and also stirs some previously suppressed wanderlust). Most of the people round me are younger and have done or are doing their travelling now (for work, sabbatical, or just for the hell of it). I would love to travel more and even do some field work myself, but I do know that it’s not all ‘cute cuddly animals’ – oh no! The work this fantastic organisation does is much more varied than that – they work with Kyrgyzstani women to help manage the sustainability of their fruit and nut forests, help farmers build buffalo fences to protect their crops (and the buffalo) and help local communities to develop tourism and other forms of enterprise to reduce the impact on their environment.

The dedication of the people in the office is just a reflection of those out in the field – and I am very proud to be part of the oldest conservation charity in the world. I may only be here for a year, but you can bet your last pound (please make sure you tick the ‘gift aid’ box on your donation form!) that I am going to put everything I can into it – I’m already getting so much out. I’ve never been afraid to get my hands dirty, so who knows, one day I may actually do something a bit more adventurous with the rest of my life.

I do, of course, still run the training business, which I enjoy thoroughly, but there is something to be said for working in an evironment where you know you are contributing real value beyond your own existence.

A midwinter night’s drive

My mother has been working on hats for the Rose Theatre’s production of Midsummer Night’s Dream. She made four lovely Elizabethan style hats for the fairies (and the frames for some of the collars, like Oberon's in this picture). The play is one of my favourites by Shakespeare I have to say and it was wonderful to hear the language, the voices and to engage in the action and the story.

The star of this production, to my mind, was not the ‘big name‘ (Dame Judi Dench) but Bottom. Of course it is a role which begs indulgence, and he played it to the full.

The costumes were effective, the staging simple but atmospheric and the theatre, full to bursting, had a natural ambience that felt redolent of a much older building. There was floor space in front of the stage filled with audience sat upon cushions or the polished boards, we sat in the second row on the extreme left. This gave us a close but angled view of the action.

The sound system didn’t really meet the standards of the rest of the production (and being a musician I would, of course, have preferred live musicians), but the music was appropriate and worked well. The actress who played Cobweb had a very clear and pretty singing voice, and one of the fairies (a solid looking guy with dreads) had the most amazing ability to drop what sounded like two octaves in one verse.

The performances by all were, without exception, entertaining. Dame Judi was a wonderful Titania, and her wonderfully tall (by comparison) Oberon was elegant and an excellent foil.

I highly recommend this production (but you'll be lucky to get tickets) and if you haven't been to a play in a while - go see one. The lights, the people in front of you speaking real words from memory (not an autocue) and performing for you, to you, not a camera.

The drive home was much quicker than the drive there which took three hours from Cambridge to Kingston via Temple Fortune (to pick up mother). I drove through sunshine, rain, snow, sleet and hail at various points of the journey (some of these meteorological events lasting only a few minutes), but it was well worth a winter night's drive.

Production photos by Nobby Clark - no rights are exerted over these images which remain the property of the original copyright holder.

Snow days

Well, the country is covered in snow from top to bottom! Looking at the satellite pics on the TV yesterday, there was barely an inch not covered in fluffy, white snow laden clouds. And though it's not actually snowing here now, outside the temperatures are making sure that the snow does not melt in the weak winter sun.

I went on to the heath when the snow started and took a few pictures.

2009

I thought, as I took down the calendar, that I'd have a quick look at the year and see what we'd done. It's been a busy one, for sure! Here's a few edited highlights. I've not included the many gigs that Bryan has done - possibly because lots of them didn't get put on the calendar, but mostly because it would fill the blog!

January

Mel flew to New York and not only had to do the long haul flight, but also went to the top of the Empire State. For someone who doesn't like flying, heights and lifts, she did pretty darn good! She did quite a bit of shopping too.

February

Not the most exciting month according to the calendar - but Alex had an ingrowing toenail which was treated.

March

This was a busier month, with the Thriplow Daffodil Festival (where Shani and I played and were not appreciated by some grumpy old granny!), a visit to Coventry for Alex to see the Uni there, and a meeting of the old Shave crew. Goodness - was the reunion really 2008?! Mel also signed on at a children's modelling agency.

April

Ted from Denmark visited and we played with him in London to celebrate the launch of his CD, Gypsies and Butterflies. Carol and I went to the midlands to have a weekend at Sundial, and we had a great time. I also went to Heacham to visit my friend Sandra.

May

Shani and I played at Rougham, the airfield, doing two shows in one weekend. Always good fun, we had a pleasant time and folks liked our music. At the start of the month we had a BBQ at Shani and Nickie's, for Shani's birthday (previous month). I met little Marcus again, Nickie's nephew. My ain't they sweet when they are little?!

June

The calendar is sparse for June again, but I know at work I spent a lot of time working on the business plan. The Writers Circle went for a walk on the heath, which was lovely. I learned a lot about plants and their uses.

July

Ivisited my friends in Bath in July and had a lovely time wandering round my favourity English city. This was also the month that a long time family friend, Don Anderson, passed away.

August

Melody, Rosie and Paige flew out to Mallorca to stay with Sally for just over a week, and Mel stayed on for longer. I flew out to join Mel and Sally, and enjoyed one week of sun! About the only sun we saw at all due to the awful English summer. My friend Nadine ran a 'blog party' which was a huge internet success - an innovative and clever idea that increased site visits and helped lots of authors.

September

Bryan seemed to have a very busy gig month in September, playing with Penni, Strangeworld and the barn dance band. I had one gig with the Brookfield band, and played at a medieval fair with Penni (where I was given the best chat up line ever!)

October

My friend Susannah was in the Times, on TV and on radio; a lady I have a lot of time for and a lot of respect. She and my cousin Nick run a charity called the Aurora Health Foundation. Visit the site to see why she was so busy that month.

November

This was a very busy month, with a visit to the West Country again, to Skirrid Fawr in Wales, and then to London with my friend from Ireland, Cathy. Cathy and I went to the National History Museum, the V&A and the British Museum. We also got lost and spent one evening in an Irish pub watching France cheat at football.

This was also the month I was made redundant by PDT, who could no longer fund my post to run The Complete Trainer. Though I keep hold of Complete Trainer, the security of a salary was ended and the business has to make more money! Job hunting started in earnest and I went for some interviews and, with Shani's help, updated my CV and improved my interview and job pursuit skills.

Sadly this was also the month our dear friend Kevin passed away, far too early. We miss you Kev.

December

Started the month with a Christmas dinner with the Writers Circle. Once again, someone (not naming Colin, but...) set fire to something on the table. Never leave us in the company of live flame! I did more job hunting and was interviewed by Fauna and Flora International, which I found out about through a friend on Facebook. I'm delighted to say I start a one year contract there in February.

Shave also got together for a friendly meal and a chat and had some photos taken. There's some fun ones on Guido's flickr site.

So - a busy year which seems to have got quite squished up with lots happening in my little world at the end of the year. The good news is that I am keeping up with Compelte Trainer and starting a new job, as well as doing some consultancy work.

2010

A busy year ahead with lots of challenges. Stay tuned folks, I hope to keep blogging and keep you up to date with my daft stories and odd points of view on life, the universe and... well, just about anything I can think of that is a suitable enough excuse for me to put finger to keyboard (pen to paper sounds better, but...)

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Did I mention?

Oh goodness, Christmas has come and gone, and I've probably missed lots of 'bloggable' opportunities. There was the trip to London with Cathy, visiting museums and meeting her brother; a gig in Cambridge where the band outnumbered the audience (and we are a duo!) at one point; a week working for a drinks company; a week stacking shelves in the local supermarket and - well plenty really.

And of course changes in job circumstance too! I'm moving back into the not-for-profit sector in the New Year, reviving my fundraising marketing talents with an amazing organisation called Fauna and Flora International.

They are a fantastic international organisation who do amazing work. They are based in Cambridge and I hope to start in February. Meantime I am also doing some consultancy work and still running http://www.thecompletetrainer.com/.

The 'Shave' crew had a get together for some lunch and photos - just for fun.

Well, a short post with not a lot of detail, but once I get my 'flow' back, I'll be blogging again!

Kevin Hill

Kev and Ro, and then Richard. Kev we met through our friend Kevin, the singer in our rock band, Aardvark and No Money - there were always lots of Kevins in our musical world. We quickly became good friends with Kev and Ro and years on, 25 or more years on even, we are still friends.



Kev and Ro are a bit younger than us, but their son Richard is about the same age as our son, Alex. Richard is a talented artist, Kev and Ro worked in the same school (different jobs). The shock of hearing that Kev died, is almost impossible to process. He was, as far as we knew, in good health. He just came home one Friday night, sat down, and said he didn't feel well. And that was it. A heart attack. Not even 50.



We had some good times with Kev and Ro - one of which I will retell here. For New Year's Eve, many years back, Kevin (not Kev, to distinguish the two) worked for Critall Windows in Silver Street. They wanted a band for their party and Kevin suggested that the members of Aardvark play. Not everyone was available so we set up a scratch band which, when we reviewed the wonderful standards we had decided to do, we called 'Shame and Scandal'.



The band featured me on bass, Bryan and Terry (he was our sound engineer) on guitars, Tony on drums, Ro on vocals and tambourine, Kev on keyboards and Kevin singing. It was a riot! In the changing rooms (well, toilets really) Bryan came out and said 'I know you girls put on makeup before a gig, but I've never seen a chap do it'. Kev wore eyeliner, well... it was the 80s!

We had a lot of good times together - Kev and Ro came to festivals with us in the Shave the Monkey days, and we stayed in touch - even if we didn't see each other as often as friends like.

Unfortunately I had to work and couldn't go to the funeral, but John said it was amazing - standing room only and a sunny December day.

I will remember Kev with fondness and affection. And Ro and Richard, I will not lose touch.

So, in loving memory my friend - and to those who have lost someone they love this holiday season, I send my love and warm thoughts. Think of those people as they were when they were living and sharing our lives - and remember those times.

Updated adventures!

It’s been a long time since I posted my last blog, and it’s been a long time since I’ve written anything other than application letters, emails and marketing articles. I’ve just not had the ‘creative muse’ visit me recently, despite having:

- Clambered up the slippery slopes of a small mountain
- Visited the haunts of my youth (and entered a 5000 year old tomb)
- Been to London with my friend from Ireland and ‘done’ the museums
- Visited a Hindu Temple
- Had a couple of gigs
- Been made redundant
- Started winning some squash games!

As you can see, certainly plenty of bloggable material there, but with no muse to date. I’ve not even written any songs lately (or even of my awful poetry). So – what brought it back tonight? No idea! But even though I’m tired out, I’m going to post!

So, where should I start? Perhaps the mountain – Skellig Fawr. I went to see some friends in the West Country at the beginning of November and on the Saturday we headed over the Severn to Wales and ‘climbed’ the path to the top. I had to stop quite often because I am, alas, unfit, but at every turn it would be ‘not far now’ and then, as we crested each ridge there was an ‘oh, it’s a bit further on than we thought... haven’t done this in ten years’... Aaargh! Well, though the day started off a bit damp, it was only when we reached the top (but not the end of the ridge) that the rain started to come down. ‘Do you want to go on?’ – well, it wasn’t that much further (only another quarter of a mile).

By the time we reached the very end (see how happy I look. We did it!), the weather was appalling. Rain slanted sideways at us, wind whipped at us, and even those hardy folk who had embarked on a remembrance walk for a recently departed friend (we talked to several of them on the way up) had given up and started heading down again. But it was worth it! The view, albeit cloudy, was tremendous.

On the Sunday I left my friends and headed to Wellow, a small village just outside Bath. As a child, my parents and aunt had jointly owned a small holiday cottage there. I spent many happy holiday as a child splashing in the brook, catching fish (loggerheads) with my hands, and enjoying time with my friend Paul, or maybe my cousin Nick or even my brother (like most siblings, we fought a lot). I went for long walks through the village, back to the ford, through the fields and out behind the church. As I went past fields of horses, the sound of the choir and the organ playing drifted gently with me on the chill but dry wind.

Later on I drove a bit out of the village and, after negotiating an extremely narrow lane, parked in a small gravel area and clambered over stiles and through more fields to reach the Stoney Littleton Long Barrow. It was raining by the time I got to the barrow, but not hard. I crawled in – it seemed smaller than when I had visited it last (as a child and once again on my honeymoon, many, many years later). I didn’t go too far in, having to crawl on hands and knees on rough gravel, but at the very end I could see something white that shone, even though there was no light inside the barrow. A couple who were also at the tumulus said that it was a letter – a sad love poem – left by some distraught soul.

I went back to the car and took a slow and happy drive home. I must have walked miles that weekend, and I certainly felt better for it.

So... coming soon! My visit to London and the Museums (and my night in an Irish pub on a football night), and my change in career circumstances.

If you'd like to see more photos of my 'adventures', then please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8100559@N04/ which also contains some pictures of the historic market town of Ware in Hertfordshire.

Abuse

If you get a chance, read this article on the Times on Line Site:

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/article6860532.ece

Abuse by women on children is an awful subject to contemplate, one that the interviewer in the Times suggests we 'refuse to accept' or block out. It's not a subject I can talk knowledgeably on, but like many people, I know people who have suffered abuse, in many forms.

Read the article if you get a chance, and check out the Aurora Health Foundation:

http://www.aurorahealthfoundation.org.uk/

They need support to continue to provide front-line services to survivors. If you can help, or know someone who could, please forward these links and let's see if we can make a different to support a worthwhile charity who are not funded by the Government.

On Thursday 15th October Susannah is on the This Morning programme on ITV. http://www.itv.com/lifestyle/thismorning/ - please tune in if you get a chance.

Thank you.

The best chat up line yet!

Never mind etchings - how about:

"Do you want to come and see my eagle owl?"

OK, it was late and I'd had a few ciders (er, rather too many ciders actually!) but I didn't take up the offer and see his eagle owl, or his buzzard, or snowy owl or any of his other birds. He was a falconer and a Welshman with a nice singing voice. This bird is a crossbreed, beautiful creature! I do like birds, and I understand the conservation work that falconers and other raptor rescuers do, but I love to see them fly free - not chained to little posts in the ground. I know - they probably know no different - but I like watching birds wild, not captive. However - I digress - what was I doing to get asked this question anyway?

Well, another of those 'mad gigs' that we end up doing, of course! We played at a medieval fair in the depths of the Fens, an evening gig for the stallholders once all the visitors had gone home.

By the way, on the way to the gig we saw hot air balloons - I will try and download the photo from my phone showing them descending near the windfarm. It was quite spectacular.

We set up outside the beer (and cider, did I mention the cider?) tent and played as the sun went down. Thankfully there was enough ambient light from a nearby food trailer and the bar itself! It did get a bit chilly though.

It was a fun evening with Penni, Craig (a friend of Penni's) and Martin on drums (me on the old bass). Much to my surprise I met up with some of my friends - people who I knew as Viking reenactors, not medieval! "We just slipped a few centuries" Emma explained. It was great to catch up with them and to meet their lovely nippers - feet and faces dirty from running round the field all day. A lovely passtime for little ones, these medieval fairs and reenactment shows.

Later in the bar, I met a chap who asked if I had played in Aardvark and No Money. Goodness gracious, yes! That was our first folk rock band back in the 80's - it was Mark, the guy who engineered our very first recording at Woodworm Studios all those years ago. Small world! We munched on a pig corpse in the bar - leftover from the hog roast. Weird sort of bar snack to offer, but tasty.

After we finished playing is when the enthusiastic (and also a little drunk) falconer targeted me for some further entertainment and though the offer of a night in his caravan (shared with his birds?! I don't know) was politely refused, it was still charmingly made and gave my ego a bit of a boost.

I usually go swimming on a Sunday morning - this morning I decided to sleep in. You know, just because I was tired, not because of a headache or anything like that, oh no... not at all.

The most amazing blog party on earth!

It's over - a whole month of blog party on Nadine's site, - and it was amazing!

It had visitors from 56 countries! Authors gave away 31 books... and there were not only many participants in each daily 'party' (with some days running to nearly 100 comments) but hundreds of 'lurkers' who just hung around and watched the fun.

Nadine is not only a good writer, she's an amazing friend to writers all over the world. She shares her experience and wisdom (I keep telling her she should charge for this!) and her blog party was incredible - giving other authors exposure, new site visits and more sales.

When it comes to writing, people think it's a lonely world (visions of dusty attics, clattering typewriters and smoke-ridden, dusty dens), but the internet has changed that. Writing is usually a solo experience, but with forums like http://www.mywriterscircle.com/ and authors like Nadine out there, it isn't like that any more.

Visit her blog, take a look through the posts, find out about some amazing books, and visit her website too. Spread the word, spread the love, and help independent (and mainstream too) writers:

http://www.nadinelaman.blogspot.com/

http://www.nadinelamanbooks.com/

Simple Guide to Mallorca

I went over to Mallorca again to visit mother and so that I could travel back with my daughter Melody, who'd been over for some weeks..

On the flight over I heard some kids talking 'So they talk Mayorceese do they? Spanish?' and I thought, well... not a lot of folks know much about Mallorca beyond the hotels and beaches on the holiday channels. So here's my simple (slightly tongue in cheek) guide

1. Is Mallorca part of Spain? Think of Mallorca to Spain like you do Wales to England. Own language, own culture, own history, but governed by the local 'big boys'. The Mallorcan (pronounced mayorkeen) language is a derivation of Southern Spanish language. So, like Welsh and Irish are both Gaelic languages, so Mallorcan is a Catalan language.

2. How do you tell the difference between a Mallorcan and a Spaniard? Not easy for visitors! The difference is accent is hard for a non-Spanish speaker to tell. But there are more blondes (natural) in Mallorca than in Spain. But be polite, do not assume everyone on the Island you speak to is Mallorcan or even Spanish. If you can, ask.

3. Are the natives friendly? I have found them to be so. When you walk down a small town street, people will say hello. Say 'Ola' to the younger generation, and 'Buenas Dias' to the older people (show respect). If you are in a really far flung place, where they may only speak Mallorcan, just smile.

4. Can I get egg and chips in Mallorca? Of course you can - there are plenty of English bars and places that will sell you all sorts of international foods - but if that's your cultural exploratory limit in cullinary tastes then forget going to this lovely island, pay for a few sessions at your local tanning club and stick with your local chippy.

5. What is good Mallorcan food? There is good Spanish fare and good Mallorcan food on the island. Fritos Mallocan are lovely - but bear in mind it is chips and liver! The rabbit and meat roasts are wonderful (not great for vegetarians). The traditional Spanish tappas, tortilla, paella and, of course, marvellous fish dishes from the ports are also highly recommended. Pan bolli (phonetic) is a plate and then lots of cold meats, salads, bread (the pan bit) and olive oil instead of butter.

6. Mallorca is just beaches and hotels. Wrong... it has some amazing beaches and some super hotels I'm sure, but it is an amazing island with wonderful mountains, fantastic little bays and ports and lots to explore beyond the pool and the hotel bar. If you can, go on trips away from your resort and explore what your locale has to offer - for example the Monastery at Lluc, the Cathederal and the Arab baths in Palma, the extraordinary caves and the wonderful architeture of towns like Alcudia and the beautiful Pine Walk in Pollensa. The island is a haven for those who are sailing enthusiasts, and anyone who loves the sea. Explore a little!

7. What is beach etiquette? The first thing that I notice is that the sandy beaches are accepted as one giant ashtray. Though they clean the beaches every night, you will find that everyone leaves their fag ends on the beach. This is disgusting. But the beaches are still cleaner and tidier than any English beach I've been on for a long time.

You may bathe topless at most beaches. I recommend if you want to that you don't sit next to another English family though - as long as no one knows you are English (or a visitor of any non-residential kind), then unless you have startlingly white skin (as per me) then no one will bother. If you are heard speaking English and go topless, they will think you are weird. This is just my take on it though... try it for yourself and see.

Dogs are mostly not allowed on the beaches. Watch out for the 'jellyfish flag' which means that there are jellyfish in the water and you may get stung.

8. What's the sea like? Wet. Apart from the odd jellyfish, it's pretty clean and warmish - though if you go into deeper water it can get quite chilly. Sometimes it can get quite rough, and there are hidden currents further out from the beaches, but make sure you follow beach safety rules wherever you go swimming. Little hidden beaches are wonderful, but make sure someone knows where you are and don't fall asleep on your inflatable and end up drifting towards Africa! There is some flotsam - but mostly weed and the occasional plastic bag; the latter is not the sea's fault.

Here's something that may be a surprise to you... There Are Fish In The Sea! Swimming in Illetas I love to snorkel over the weeds and watch the fish (I counted about seven different types, quite pretty). They also swim around you in the water but you don't know they are there. When returning to the beach after one little snorkling session I told a friend how wonderful the fish were. "You mean there are fish in here? I don't like the thought of that..." said one British woman. Der... it's the sea?

9. Do they like animals? Yes, especially roasted, grilled... but as a nation they seem to prefer dogs to cats. Cats are everywhere and a useful pest control population, but they need control themselves. There are many places where feral cats multiply and they are not the most hygienic of creaters. However, there are usually some ex-pat do-goders around who will either feed them or otherwise look out for these feral felines.

Dogs are everywhere and where I stay they are a nuisance... they bark day and night and the poop on the pavement doesn't get cleared up by owners. Dogs are used for guarding empty properties, dogs are companions and dogs are also taken into places like restaurants and shops, but not all.

10. Can I smoke in a bar in Mallorca? Of course you are not allowed to by law. Which means, broadly speaking, yes, if anyone else is. Restaurants have areas for smokers, bars don't seem as worried about the non-smoking regulations as they are in the UK, but for goodness' sake ask before lighting up.

11. Why should anyone go to Mallorca? Because the people are friendly, the architechture is amazing, the history is troubled and fascinating, the beaches are great, the sea is warm, the food is great (unless you are vegetarian) and the mountains beautiful. If you want to sit on the beach and suntan, you can. If you want to swim, you can. If you want to cycle or climb or run or explore - you can. There are water sports, land sports, equestrian centres, every kind of activity you could possibly imagine.

12. Why should anyone not go to Mallorca? If you want to avoid the English, German, Spanish or Smokers, this isn't the place for you. It is a hugely popular holiday and retirement destination. The island is crawling with expatriot residents who have happily lived there for 40 or more years and will still have strong opinions on the economy and government of their home country, even though they've not lived there or participated in the democratic process since they left. However, they do expect to be cared for by social services or the NHS when they return 'home'.

OK, a light-hearted look at Mallorca - but seriously, don't just book your hotel and flights and head for the beach. If you do, you will be missing out on a lot.

Entertainers needed for London Charity

Hi folks - anyone able to help with this request from Wendy?

"I am currently in the process of organising a firewalk to raise money for our charity. The Fawcett Society is the UK’s leading campaigning organisation in the UK which campaigns for equality between women and men.

We don’t have a budget for any entertainment, but having someone there to entertain the crowds would mean the event was much more than just a firewalk. I wondered if there was anybody that would donate their time for this event. It is happening on the 3rd December 2009, from about 5.30 in the evening in London, E1. In return we would promote them on all our materials, on our website and in any marketing that goes out.

It really would be amazing to have someone there, to bring the event alive!

I really want this event to be a success and am contacting anyone I can think of to ask for help! If you aren’t able to help then don’t worry. "

Many thanks

Wendy Hall
Business Officer

The Fawcett Society
1-3 Berry Street
London, EC1V 0AA

Our vision is of a society in which women and men enjoy equality at work, at home and in public life. Add your voice to our campaign! Join us at www.fawcettsociety.org.uk

Fawcett Society. A company limited by guarantee no. 4600514. Registered in England. Registered Charity no 1108769.

If you are interested in helping - please email me at carolyn (at) thecompletetrainer.com and I will forward your offer.

It's my turn to party!

Nadine's Blog Party features yours truly today!

She's put up some of my songs and has written a (flattering!) piece too. Go take a look - join in the party and win prizes ALL month!

http://www.nadinelaman.blogspot.com/

Bombs in Mallorca

I know the lovely Ballearic Island of Mallorca reasonably well, compared to most holiday destinations I've visited. Reason is, I go back there often as mother lives there part of the year. - in a small village above Palma.

My daughter is out there now, with her friends, with my mother. And the bombs, claimed by ETA (the Basque separatist group), are in places I know, places we've been. The first bomb killed two policemen and was a 'military' (establishment?) target. Subsequent bombs have been in tourist areas. But no tourists killed. ETA don't want that kind of publicity I guess - but see policemen as acceptable targets?

I don't know the politics - I think of Mallorca/Spain a bit like Wales/England. A separate cultural history, language, but subsumed (not always a negative) by the larger neighbour. But no matter what politics is involved, I can't accept bombing - even of static targets (buildings, things, not people).

Am I worried? Not really - I think statistically the chances of my family being hurt by a bomb in Mallorca are probably smaller than them getting hit by a car in our home town. But I'm a long way away, and that does hurt. Good thing I'm going out soon.

Blog Party!

It's a blog party! Sounds a bit like 'block party', doesn't it? And has some similarities - Nadine's Blog Party is bringing together bloggers from all over the world to have a knees up!

So much going on - I can't begin to cover it all here. The thing to do is visit Nadine's blog (First Draft) next week and join in the fun!

www.nadinelaman.blogspot.com

You can win one of my books (The Ghost Sniffer) on one of the days - check out Nadine's blog every day to see what you could win (and how!)

Painted Ladies!

Watch the painted ladies dance
In a gentle breeze
Their light lives
Flitting, fleet.
Let them stop to sup
And watch
As their wings
Stretch in the sun.

At least 12 painted ladies in my garden! Ah... but you know actually I mean butterflies, not any other kind, so it's not so bad. At one point I saw 14 butterflies on our buddlea, including Peacock, Painted Ladies, Red Admiral and Cabbage White.

Here's the Painted Lady in all her splendour. I spent ages in the garden today just watching them. the buddlea is collapsing on to the lawn and needs cutting back, but whilst it is host to such a glorious assortment of butterflies, bees, lady birds and other creatures, I can't bring myself to do it. Once it's finished flowering though...

Storytelling

I wrote a post on my work blog about storytelling. I think that 'storytelling' is my skill/talent/passion. Whether it's in song, the written (or spoken) word, for entertainment or for business.

When I write articles (and quite a few have been published I am not shy in saying), I still access that 'storyteller' part of me to deliver my business message in an accessible way.

And the posts on here - they are 'mini-stories' too. Some recount my exploits, some are just reflections. But if you wonder why I post my writing on a blog that probably very few people read, the answer is simple: I am a storyteller. I have to keep writing and telling stories (even when no one is listening).

When my kids were little I made up all sorts of adventures and characters to tell them at night; for example The Emerald Isle was populated by extremely clever and magical horses (for my daughter). I used the stories to help calm and relax the children, to get them to use their imaginations - asking questions as well as 'telling'. "Well, what colour do you think Starlight's mane was?" and the child's answer was always right, of course.

Writing a book or an article a great way of delivering your message, but by storytelling you can engage on a totally different level. I'd love to try proper storytelling one day - there are lots of professional storytellers out there. A really good storyteller can entrance an adult audience as well as a young one.

When I sing one of my story songs, I usually have a chorus that people can join in. I want to bring people in to my world, engage them directly in the story - perhaps why I personally prefer songs just to instrumentals. The power of the word, without the picture, is that the listener's imagination provides so much more of the 'fill'.

When you see a film, watch TV or visit a live performance, everything is provided for you. Sound, action, character, visual and also (think of cinema or theatre) other senses are engaged too - smell, touch, temperature... we are given a full range of sensory experiences that leaves the imagination very little to play with.

Perhaps that's why I love reading books and listening to radio plays. The characters are built in my imagination, as I like to see them. Everything is set up in my head - from the huge country house for the murder play, to the hot desert sands in the action adventure. I have, of course, plenty of references to build these images from.

I love storytelling and I love reading - fiction, biographies, historical, factual, business, leisure... the power and versatility of language is what fuels me.

Check out the storytelling article on my work blog - I'm always grateful for comments: http://www.thecompletetrainer.blogspot.com/

Summer

Yesterday when we left work at just gone 5pm, the temperature was about 15 degrees celcius. It was warm, but muggy. By the time we had travelled a few miles in the car, the temperature had plummeted to 7 degrees, we had driven through torrential rain, thunder and lightning and were then bombarded by hail!

It has rained almost permanently for a whole week. That night the sky went a dark, purply grey and we had more thunder, rain and lightning. But this morning the sun is shining and bright and warm and everything is green and growing and almost stretching in the sun - escape at last from the relentless rain.

I walked down to the town market, bought some goodies for the kids (and some chocolate for me.. shh, no one else has found it yet!) and then walked home. I walked back through an alley and at one point, where there is a small car park at the top of a lane, there were blackberry bushes and they were burdened with ripe fruit.

Sticking very much to 'above doggy pee height' I tasted some of the ripe, juicy berries. They were warmed by the morning's sun and tasted of England. There is nothing so delicious as wild fruit, ripe and warm, juicy and 'scrumped'.

I checked my blackberries at home - at the bottom of the garden - they are ripe too. Blackberry and apple pie tomorrow!

Mister Mister

Last Tuesday we attended the funeral of an old family friend - Don Anderson. We'd know Don for about 29 years - he was the partner of our best friend's mother, Veronica. I've know Guido, Veronica's son, since I was 14 (so that's a LONG time!). We spent many Christmas holidays with his family - often going to their house on Boxing day and nearly always seeing them over the holiday period at some time.

Last Christmas Don and Floss (Veronica is known to some as 'Floss') spent Christmas day with us along with Guido, his wife and children. I'm glad now we had that time together, as Don departed rather suddenly. He was 73, but had been hale and hearty up until a short while ago when he was diagnosed with a cancer that took him rapidly.

His funeral was in New Southgate and the small chapel was very full - it was standing room only at the back. There were family (the children and family of his first wife), his friends from the RAF, fellow steam train enthusiasts and many others who knew him.

The service was very touching. And, as always at these events, we learned more about Don now that he was dead from the eulogies and conversation than we had known of him when he was alive.

But why have I called this post 'Mister Mister'? Because Don and Veronica spent a lot of time in Spain, and it always amused the Spanish to hear him called Don (which means Mr in Spanish), so he was dubbed Don Don - meaning Mister Mister.

He was not a man I knew well, but he is a man I have fond memories of. I am gald I knew him.

It's a strange world

Bryan's band Strangeworld played at Ely Folk Festival last weekend and, by all accounts, they stormed it! Here's a snippet for you to enjoy.


There's lots more on their site at Strangeworldmusic.com, and you can buy their CDs from their site too (or from me).