Last Friday saw a group bike ride out to Huby. Cold all the way (except in the pub) but bearable until the last few miles when we were hit by heavy icy rain. Good to get home.
Since Scotland I spent a couple of days on a "fundraising for environmetal groups" training course at Trafford Hall near Chester. Three of us went from the York Greenway Champions committtee (I am Chair). York Greenway Champions. I've come back all enthused and have been writing project proposals and funding bids. Next Tuesday we have a workday with a disability group from Harrogate Open Country hacking our way through brambles to clear some space for wildflowers. Then in the evening I'm off to Stamford Bridge (the battle site, not the football ground) to meet the local councillors about a woodland project there.
The last few days have been culture heavy. On Thursday over to Manchester by train to see Paul Kelly at the Deaf Institute. This was a Christmas gift from Matt. Not someone we had ever heard off
but in this we were alone in the audience - all of Manchester Aussie expat community - who not only knew him but all the words to most of his songs. It was a great atmosphere in a really unique venue. The The Deaf Institute is right in the middle of student world and on other days probably not the right place for ageing folkies but a great building with a bar downstairs and a 'music hall' upstairs with a small stage, dance floor, seating and a gallery all in this weird victorian-gothic architecture.
We had had supper with Jim and Matt at the Corner House and they went off to see the movie Haywire. This meant Jim came and collected us and we all drove back to York which was better than sitting on a cold platform waiting for the night train and then cycling back from York Station about 2am. Jim has just left to go down to Bassingbourne to visit Becca's grave with the Hacon family, including Jonny and the Paris cousins, as this week was her birthday. Then he heads on down to Kingsbridge to watch Ben play Rugby. Me, I'll stay in watching the 6 Nations on TV in the warm but then Jim does take his god-father duties very seriously.
Last night we walked down to the Fulford Arms, our nearest pub which has re-invented itself as a local music venue. Its usually local amateur musicians and free but this time it was ticket only for Dave Swarbrick one-time fiddle player for Fairport Convention. Unfortunately time, poor health and (allegedly) substance abuse had taken its toll and it was rather sad, though with occasional glimpses of his old self. Rather better was the support act Rebekah Findlay who is worth seeing with a distinctive voice and a really good guitarist. Seems mainly to play pubs and village halls around North Yorkshire so will keep an eye out for her.
Tonight we're off into town to see "Dependants" with George Clooney although the sight of one's wife drooling is not altogether welcome. Its a matinee so we can cycle quickly back to catch the last two episodes of Borgen on TV - unmissable, what will Danish TV give us next?
Film 2012 had an overload of must-see movies so its going to be a busy month -
Off out to lop some trees before the rain starts - got be done before the bird nesting season starts.
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