On the rails

This had to go straight onto the blog!!!!  Such an amazing night, as us Grenoside Top Red carollers led the Folk Train from Sheffield to Edale.

It was all aboard the 07:14 on platform 5a and a quick tune for the cello and fiddles

Then a good rousing rendition of Hark Hark and the rest as we rattled through Grindleford and Hope, carriages packed to the gunnels. Finally pulling into Edale where the masses alighted and the train continued across the silent dark mountains to Manchester.

The Ramblers Rest glowed in welcome as we marched up the unlit lane.

The moon was high in the sky

And the carolling recommenced as glasses were filled with Farmer's Blond

The Sword dancers danced their dance outside in the cold fresh night

And all too soon, after a final Diadem, it was back to Edale station

spilling over its little platform to await the 9:28 to Sheffield

Moon still high

And singing all the way back to the city.

Then a brilliant bonus as we set up shop in Sheffield station concourse for an impromptu sing. Quick tune first . . .


Smiles and photos from passing travellers and acoustics to die for.  It might have been a small one, but for all the world it felt every bit a flash mob!!  I like to think we're now out there on Youtube somewhere . . .

Off to bed now with all the old favourites zooming around my head!!

(All pics taken on my phone so not brilliant standard, but you get the gist!) 


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

journeys' end

Part of our Sunday in London early in December was spent in a wonderful walk through Abney Park Cemetery in Stoke Newington.

It's a real gem of an escape from the thrum and bustle of London.

We had a misty damp sort of day, but even so, rays of sun escaped the clouds and landed mysteriously on the statues and tombs.

Sit back and enjoy our journey . . .

Founder of the Saly Army no less

another sun-struck statue

So who was this - had to have a google - and how interesting.  Click here for the fascinating story of Eric D Walrond, an Afro-Caribbean Harlem Renaissance writer and journalist.  His work is still in print today and has become a classic of its era.  I am now intending to get a copy of Tropic Death, his collection of 10 short stories which he wrote at the age of 28.  Recently I read the amazing book "Their Eyes were watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston, so it will be quite interesting to compare the styles and the slightly later period of black American history.

I started fiddling with camera colour effects when I spotted this bright splash of flowers amidst the old grey gravestones. Votes in the comments box for favourite!!

 Well worth a visit -just love these ancient cemeteries in London

when I grow up

Saturday 30 November

Day 2 in London and another happy action packed day!
(Catch up from the start of the weekend if you prefer by clicking here)

Joined by the gang and fortified with a yummy brunch at the Hox

it was off onto the streets of Shoreditch for a bus to Tate Britain to see the refurb and new spiral staircase - and fabulous it was too

 

and then a mad dash over to Covent Garden as darkness fell for a quick shop

followed by brilliant steaks at the Hawksmoor in Seven Dials and a glass of their tasty draught ale from the Meantime Brewery in Greenwich (please note, you have to be over 18 to view that last link - Ha Ha!)

and finally round the corner to the Cambridge Theatre to see the RSC production Matilda the Musical which was amazing, happy, uplifting and magical and we all came home humming the catchy 'When I grow up' . . .

and it really was a lovely extra extended . . .

PS loving the Citymapper ap on my phone, getting us from a to b so brilliantly and watching our dot move along the route as we sit on top of the bus with all the sites of London sweeping by.

So carry on clicking for Sunday and Monday . . . still down in London

and here's a snippet from Matilda, "When I Grow Up" (have to put these at the end now as iPad's not supporting these YouTube links! - hope you can get it playing OK)

and then the other

. . . but for my birthday we'd moved down to London - my first trip on a Virgin Pendolino swinging train, Lime Street to Euston fast and swish.

Checked in at our favourite Hoxton Hotel (my last review here) where I was regaled with balloons in the room and free champers in the fridge!

And I love that you can have a gorgeous bar of Pears' soap all to yourself back home to remind you of your visit! 

Next it was off to Lincoln's Inn Fields for a far too short visit into the amazing Hunterian Museum.  Gruesome, creepy and fascinating all at once - well worth a longer linger sometime

Followed by the most wonderful birthday meal treat at the trendy Trullo restaurant in Highbury.  The food was totally delicious and absolutely amazing and I have now a new favourite cocktail - Aperol Spritz!  And here's how to make it - click here.

tHaNk YoU oNe AnD aLl FoR a WoNdErFuL dAy XxXxX

and more on the London weekend to read here  ................

first one . . .

Every year Mum pips me to the post in the birthday stakes!

It was her's on Friday and mine on Saturday.

So Friday it is first then.  Dawning dry and surprisingly mild, the day panned out perfectly with opening of presents . . .

followed by a fabulous afternoon tea at Stones in Heswall

and then beautiful flower surprises back at home

A day filled with many Happy Birthday choruses by phone and in person and lots of love and fun.

hApPy BiRtHdAy DeAr MuM xXx