Fountains Abbey
Train Spotter
I was clearing out the bedroom getting it ready to decorate when I unearthed my old train set. This was given to me as a christening present so, like me, it is getting on a bit but, unlike me, it is beautifully preserved! There are a few references to the set, a Triang Railways RS 29, …
Reading Abbey, Heritage Open Days 2014
Once a year places of historic interest that wouldn’t normaly be open to the public throw open their doors for Heritage Open Days. I read somewhere that these places are obliged to do so annually as part of the conditions of government/lottery funding, although I can’t find any evidence to back that statement up. Either …
Bluebear is the god
Over the years I have spent many hours watching my kids take part in various extra curricular activities. This has included standing on the side of a football pitch on a cold Sunday morning watching a herd of eight year olds chase a ball, seated in an airless theatre as the local amateur dramatic society …
Tracks Added – August 2014
This months selection includes a contribution from an act I saw at this year’s Weyfest. This months additions are: Kokomo – Kokomo Kokomo – Rise & Shine All About Eve – Fairy Night Lights Yes – Heaven & Earth Asia – Omega Roddy Woomble & Band – Live at Kings Place (SoS) LSO – Haydn – Symphonies No.9 (SoS) This month saw the release of the …
Weyfest 2014
My third time back at Weyfest this year and suddenly the secret seems to be out as it seemed much busier right from the opening act on Friday evening. It’s still a small and friendly festival with four stages spread over a small area making it easy to get about and maximise what you can …
The Making of Harry Potter
As a birthday treat we went to the glamorous setting of the outskirts of Watford at the weekend to visit The Making of Harry Potter at the Warner Bros. Studios. There was much excitement! Caution – spoilers if you read on. The tickets are for a timed entry that ensures that there isn’t an overwhelming …
The Library Enters the 21 Century
I did something that I hadn’t done in a very long time last week. I paid a visit to my local library. Hit hard by the digital age it seems that they are fighting back and to see that for myself I needed to update my library card with my email address and a pin …
Poppies in the Moat, Tower of London
Is Reading Ready for ReadyBike?
So Reading has jumped on the local bike hire bandwagon with the launch of ReadyBike (surely it should be ReadiBike?). This is a scheme similar to the one so popular in London where a number of bike stations have been placed around the town and you and pick-up and drop-off from these. Coverage seems quite wide …