Monday, February 24, 2020

February Camp 2020

I was away last week so here's a account of my week away.

For me going to camp was a bit unusual this February in a number of ways of which one was that for all the years I had, the journey involved trains to met with someone who'd then take me with them to the actual venue.

That part was different because where we were going was in the north of Lancashire which is generally to the north of me so actually they'd be very close so they kindly agreed to pick me up enroute which was a matter of just diverting on motorway stop and rejoining.

Well it would of been but for a puncture that had started earlier and required the services of a AA man which meant they were later than expected in getting here on the Saturday but we arrived in time to unload and get our pie and veg tea going while everyone else was on Indian Food.

Sunday saw a group of us go out for a walk in what was the trademark of the week wet and windy weather in Eaves Wood which did result in some mud on my shoes as the ground was soaked to the skin!

It was therefore a good job we called in a local cafe for a drink and a warm.
I helped Miss Green preparing the veg for her Pie, Mash and veg evening meal and the Fruit Salad which was served with ice cream.

Monday saw a group go for another walk, a good four mile round trip one visiting  the Pepper Pot Victoria monument which I was able to photograph as my ten year old Canon Compact had packed up with its sensors having developed a terminal fault  so had to use a bigger less rugged camera instead.

The conditions were arduous, not really suited to me but I made it, flagging at the end and definitely in need tea with sugar.


That you see was really the problem as I was "running out of spoons" to the point I just about got in and had to get to bed immediately cos I didn't have the energy to eat.



I was supposed to have cleared away but when you're not able to eat, that just was not, could not even, happen so sorry if that upset anyone.

 It's a bit of a camp tradition to do a jigsaw or two but this one was hard going being finished near to when some needed to leave.

In the evening Jillian put on a General Knowledge quiz that was well received although I was in bed not really there. Evening meal was a cottage pie made by Mary.

Tuesday I did draw in the Art Class in the afternoon and put on the Cat Girl music quiz whose prize giving will live in Camp history I am assured!  We had a fish (Haddock) and chip evening meal with the odd exception like Cornish pasty.




The Society of Little Girl Engineers were out in force during camp, assembling a big Lego Technics model with a motor. What an achievement !

Later Wednesday morning I did go on short stroll and in afternoon saw some trains at Carnforth, having tea and cake.
By then I had recovered. Evening meal was Karla with Caroline's Steak and Ale hotpot which was delicious reminding me of Lobby, a famous North Staffordshire dish but that is served in bowls with bread.

On the Thursday we came close to not getting to our intended trip to the Lakeside and Haverthwaite railway in Cumbria where we had lunch having grabbed seats (I have uses, lol) and went on steam train due to severe overnight flooding. We stopped off at Arnside for a stroll.

Friday was very rough weatherwise so apart from Miss Green who bought a big supply of quality bacon for Bacon Butties we elected to watch Disney movies such as Toy Story 4 and the remake of The Parent Trap plus episodes of Last of the Summer Wine, a gentle Yorkshire based comedy.

We finished off the hotpot reheating using a Microwave oven something that isn't in Miss Green's home kitchen. 

A few people left that afternoon and we left after doing all the checks about nine o' clock arriving here by half past ten with very little traffic issues.

The Midday meals were prepared by Suzy and Daisy being a meat salad buffet all meals with assistance with serving, clearing away and the dishwasher by all who were able.

Thanks to everyone from those who found this new venue, those who booked it  and contributed meals, activities, assistance and the like that made it an enjoyable camp despite the weather.


Monday, February 17, 2020

Classical Music sacd round up part 14 - Copland

 While I'm away I thought I'd revisit a topic we last looked at in June of last year with a disc that came out not so long ago.
It is a two album on one disc release that does work in that both works are North American and both were original recorded for the same label - Columbia Masterworks - in the same year
 Starting with the first of three works, Carlos Chavez who was a Mexican composer who dead in 1978 conducts his Ballet PirĂ¡mide which has four acts  which in this recording has just acts Three (The Elements) and Four (General Dance) and Los Cuatro Soles (The Four Suns).
For this 1974 recording he uses the London Symphony Orchestra and the Ambrosian Singers which was taped at London's Abbey Road usually used by EMI/Angel in the UK.

The third work is Aaron Copland's masterpiece Appalachian Spring ballet with a difference being the original version of it conducted by the composer himself with the Columbia Chamber Orchestra which remains one of the finest recordings of this work with its Shaker inspired theme.

This disc also contains on the sacd stereo layer only the rehearsals where we hear the interaction of composer/conductor and the players.

These discs were issued in SQ Quadraphonic surround sound on lp and this cd features on a separate portion those mixes in discrete four channel form for those with suitable playback equipment.

These recordings certain repay frequent listening for their playing and the sound.

Monday, February 10, 2020

The going away edition

We'll see if anything gets done as there's a massive storm blowing all around me as I type this up this morning and already I heard something strike the wheelie bin
This week I'm making arrangements for being away which will be a little different from travelling in  different direction than usual and not for the first time ever involving catching a train having taken care of event I'm doing this last week arguing with a networked printer that didn't feel like working.
That wasn't helped by being poorly late last week but at least  it did get done. 
 Mr Theo Bear muttered a little about it being a bit cool midweek and for a couple of days it certainly was but the fire was put on was put on for him but I'm pretty warm blooded myself so while he's saying he's cold despite all that fur I'm taking off layer and on orange juice.
That's just how it goes around here
What girl wouldn't want to be in her shoes surrounded by dollies prams and a sowing machine?
Personally I'd take the teddy!

Monday, February 3, 2020

Hobbies- a good thing to have

As I write this I'm about to nap after Friday's B word  fireworks here disrupted my sleep.
 One thing not least with all the groan up political stuff kicking off in the last few years is it has underscored the need to have something that takes your mind off it, avoiding the tendency to be a news zombie, permanently stuck on the various news stream services, chasing every development as it's happening.

It may be something like dressmaking which I gather requires skills and a far amount of patience running creations for you, your friends or your dollies, buying materials and using pockets of time to work out the how of making it.

You may enjoy making various models from kits which may be figurines that are used in games, car, train or airplane kits that typically use plastic that you need to glue together with reference to the instructions before painting and applying any transfers.

It may be something more out of doors like playing a sport or going for walks enjoying the exercise, fresh air and company of others.
 
Just doing something other than just sitting after school, college or work I find helps, creating friendships that you might otherwise struggle with and escaping all that political discourse around us presently.