Cro Skips the Light Fandango (alone).

I hadn't previously realised what good musicians those Procol Harum boys were. Here they are bringing their big 1967 hit back to life. To my sensitive ears this 'live' 2006 version is even better than the original.



Lady Magnon flew off for a brief visit to London yesterday, so (on this St Valentine's Day) it'll be just me and the dogs, skipping the light fandango together.

Their Master's Voice.

What is it with Dogs!

It's nearly 9am, and we've just returned home from our first 'emptying' walk of the day. I'd been aware that I'd had a big smile on my face throughout our whole walk.

I just love to see them sniffing about, then running off together into the woods, after some imaginary prey.

Then later on, it's just perfect seeing them settled down, curled up, and sleeping by the fire; legs twitching, as they dream of the unsuccessful chase.

But most of all I love calling them to come back to me; and being TOTALLY IGNORED.

Oh yes, pink nose; I'm talking about YOU!

Another Cautionary Tale.

Some of you might remember the dreadful tale of my friend José, who nearly severed his foot with a chainsaw. Luckily (if that's the right word) the accident happened not too far from our house and he (only just) managed to drive here before collapsing outside our kitchen door. We did the necessary, called the emergency services, and he was eventually flown by helicopter to Bordeaux where they patched him up. It took him almost a year to fully recover.

An almost identical accident happened a few days ago to the brother of a friend, but he was not so lucky.

For some strange reason (probably shock) he packed up all his belongings, then drove quite some distance to his own home; where he died at the bottom of the steps that led up to the house. We later heard that he was 'drained of blood'.

He could easily have stopped en route at any one of several houses, including one of a nurse, but preferred to try to reach his own. Instead of stopping for help, he bled to death.

Chainsaws are extremely dangerous things, and complacency can easily replace common sense. My own saw (above) is small compared to many, but the damage it can do is exactly the same.

I suppose, like all chainsaw owners, I occasionally do silly things, and I reproach myself afterwards. So let all of us, who own such things, remind ourselves daily and be aware of the dangers. Treat these vicious machines with the respect they deserve.

Our lives really are at stake. 

Lady M's Shoes.

Lady Magnon does like to make a fashion statement, even when it's muddy and sodden outside. 

When she finds winter shoes that she really likes, she goes for it; she has another pair exactly the same in the kitchen.

In the deep mid-winter.

I much prefer the bare bones of a winter landscape to that of summer.

It strips bare, and rids the subject matter of unnecessary clutter. I paint the structure rather than the clothing; the skeletal remains rather than the war-paint.

There's always some colour in winter, whether it be from reflected light or from dead or alive plant life. However, I still prefer to work mostly in black and white. 

I'm currently working on some larger paintings that, hopefully, will demonstrate a combination of both. 

Watch this space.

The Bastards.

I expect no sympathy from UK residents, but we ex-pats have now lost our BBC TV broadcasts from Sky. For the moment we still have some ITV channels, but as of the 6th Feb, we can no longer receive any BBC TV or Radio. The satellite footprint has been altered, and I have a feeling that ITV will soon be going the same way.

I can watch through my laptop (piss-poor reception), but when one is used to high quality pictures, it becomes tiresome.  

OK, I can't really complain; as ex-pats we don't pay the UK licence fee. But on the principle that English is the world's most important language (and its usage should be further encouraged) I would have thought that to broadcast 'free to air' English language TV and Radio across the world would be of paramount importance. 

Damn you BBC, I shall really miss a handful of your programmes. My weekly rendezvous with Dave at PMQ's, that amazing Sunday programme 'The Big Questions' that keeps me up-to-date with the UK's most serious nut-cases, and of course the BBC's daily News broadcasts. And on BBC Radio, the loss of the World Service and Radio 4 Extra is already having an effect.

Back to reading BOOKS methinks.

Twas thus in 2007.

This was the state of the garden in 2007 (pre 'tower' days).

Since then our Cox's Orange Pippin has died from an attack of Honey Fungus (No 11), Haddock's End is now called just plain 'Haddock's, and 'The Park' has been totally renamed 'Haddock's Paddock'.

I can see that I shall have to do a 2014 version; especially as Freddie (bottom left) no longer scares the bejeezus out of mice, and that the Seagull (top left) never really existed.

We also have a bit more land now, and an almost completed new orchard, so I might need a bigger piece of paper.