Ash Wednesday

It was really lovely on Ash Wednesday being in Hereford Cathedral with my cousin. Traditionally a day of repentance, it signals the first day of Lent which occurs forty-six days before Easter (forty days not counting Sunday). It's a different date each year as it is dependant on the date Easter falls. I have decided to give up all things 'sweet and yummy' this year, saving what I would have spent on these frivolous and unhealthy things, and will pass the money to the Archbishop for Wales Fund.

It was snowing quite heavily in Hereford yesterday when we arrived at the Cathedral and has done so here in Newport today, but fortunately, it was too wet to stick. I am personally glad about that, as I really don't want everything to come to a grinding halt again and all classes, college, theatre trips and so on have to be cancelled, so snow, snow, go away!

Thanks from the Homeless.

I thought this card was a nice touch from the Newport Night Shelter. Inside there are photos taken of the guests we housed for two months, with little notes saying 'Thank you' for giving refuge to them over Christmas, New Year and over the cold spell we had in January. It makes it all worth while for me. 'Thank you' is something that none of us say often enough I feel. It makes the recipient feel good, and especially if it is said with sincerity.

A lovely birthday party

My friend reached a milestone in her life today, she became 40 years old! I wish I was 40 again! Anyway, I was invited to her party and was there when all the flowers were arriving, balloons with cards attached, loads of food and plenty to drink, but most of all it was meeting lovely people and the whole day had a really party atmosphere.

A. thought not so long ago that she may not make 40 years, as breast cancer took its toll on her life, but make it she did, and all of us there today were so glad of that.

I made a quiche this morning to take with me, and after I made it I thought, not for the first time, why do I go and buy these sunken, soggy things from the supermarket when for 20 minutes of my time I can make one that looks so much nicer?

So A's fortieth has come and gone as I have been praying that it would. With the strength of character, determination and sheer zest for life she has, I will wager a little bet we will be celebrating 41 years next year. Please God - let it be so.

Cardiff Coffee Concert

Another interesting day today. I went to my first ever coffee concert which was held in Cardiff Museum. I went to see Llyr Williams play Sonatas for piano and what a superb pianist he is. He played three Sonata's written by Beethoven. After Beethoven finished them he said about the piano that 'after all an unsatisfactory instrument'. He couldn't have got it more wrong, the piano is a wonderful instrument and this man made it talk. I was enraptured. I was amazed, as someone who knows very little about music, that I could sit through and hour and a quarter of listening to someone play the piano. This young man, only 33 years old, is really on his way to being a genius. I can only imagine how he will play in 2o years from now.

Sitting and chatting over lunch with my friend, I noticed a fellow diner whom I had known twenty odd years ago. I was amazed to see her and even more amazed that she remembered who i was. All in all a nice day!

A Hungarian Holiday.

Debrecen

After much persuasion, I decided to go and visit Miss A when she goes home to Hungary later in the year. The small town where I am going is Hajduszoboszlo, near Debrecen.


I fly to Budepest from Bristol in July and then take a pre booked car to Hajdusobozolo, which is cheaper than the train. Miss A will already be there of course.

One of the many Water Parks in Hajduszoboszlo.

I am told the small town of Hajduszoboszlo is 13 miles South West of Debrecen (pop. 24,260). In 1925, after boring down 3,580 ft, water with a temperature of 73 degrees was discovered, as a result this small town was transformed into a popular Spar resort. Today nearly one and a half million tourists flock to the town to the baths.


Not the kind of holiday I had planned, but it will be a different experience and interesting to see a former communist country.


I hope to go back to Pembrokeshire again with my cousin later in the year, so its good to have things to plan for.

Another Musical Evening.

St. David's Centre, Cardiff

Friday evening was a really super evening. Yet again I had the opportunity to go to the theatre because someone else had dropped out. This time I was seated up in the God's but to hear a symphony orchestra play it really doesn't matter as you go for the music, and you can hear that wherever you are.


The programme consisted of Elgar and Mendelssohn conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy which was wonderful. The violin concerto was superb (can't remember the name of the musician who played it.) It was a truly fantastic evening for all who attended.

Vladimir Ashkenazy

Still studying Mr Holmes!

Sketch of 'Sherlock Holmes' as portrayed by Sidney Paget.

I have spent most of Sunday writing up my comparisons between the original Sherlock Holmes and the one portrayed in the film I saw yesterday. The more I wrote, the more I realised that the character hadn't changed at all , it was the portrayal of him, his character, that was different. Instead of being an upright citizen, upper class and considered a gentleman, he had been portrayed more recently still as someone with a brilliant mind, but of some dubious character.

Holmes occasionally used addictive drugs when lacking stimulation in cases, and is a regular user of of morphine, but is strongly opposed to using opium. All three were legal in the late 19th century, and this comes over particularly in this latest film, whereas in earlier films and books these is just a hint of this.

Conan Doyle, Holmes creator, said that the character of Holmes was inspired by Doctor Joseph Bell, for whom he had worked for a while as a clerk in Edinburgh infirmary. Bell, like Holmes was noted for drawing large conclusions from the smallest observations. I sincerely hope I can get my Detective to do the same as Holmes, because I have only 1500 words to tell a tale of murder, then describe the characters and victim, while explaining how the detective and side kick pull their clues together. I think I might need a little help from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle!

* I cannot seem to get Blogger to recognise the parpgraph spacing this week. Sometimes it happens like that - so apologies!

Studying Mr. Holmes.

This term at college the subject is crime fiction, and this weeks homework is to draw a comparison between the original perception of Conan Doyle's 'Sherlock Holmes' against how the modern generation see the character. There was only one way to do this and that was to go and see the new film 'Sherlock Holmes'. I mentioned this to my friend who came kicking, screaming and protesting to the cinema with me. (She didn't actually - she offered quite readily!)

At first I thought I wasn't going to like this movie as the opening scenes were very violent (The Director is Guy Richie - I'll say no more, it was typical Richie) but once I got the hang of it being a very modern take on Conan Doyle's character by giving it a good modern twist, I settled into the plot. This adaptation portrays Holmes eccentricities as a genius perfectly, but makes him seem more like a street fighter than a detective. My friend commented that it was more of a James Bond plot than a Sherlock Holmes mystery!

Robert Downey Jr. is superb as Sherlock Holmes, and Jude law is - well, just Jude Law! Oddly enough the villain, Lord Blackwood, is a double in looks for actor Basil Rathbone who played one of the earlier Sherlock Holmes, which was confusing in the beginning, but once I got the hang of the characters it was okay - but how uncanny? Overall I would say I have read much better Sherlock Holmes stories, but I think the acting in this film came through as it's major success rather than the plot.

Homelessness Project.

The reality of homelessness

I have finished my duty rota for cooking and caring for the homeless. The project that we started at the beginning of December has now successfully been completed, and the good news is that it might continue through February and March with seven new Churches. This is marvellous news. Winter can be bitterly cold as we have all just experienced, and it is wonderful that these people have a regular place to eat and sleep in the bleakest months. With seven Churches on the rota, it means that people know they have somewhere to go every night of the week, and with their bedding packs being transferred for them by Teen Challenge, there is a sense of continuation and familiarity for them, at whatever Church they are directed to.

This was a new initiative in South Wales built on similar projects set up in London and adapted by Teen Challenge (South Wales), thus creating the Newport Night Shelter. Lots of prayers will go out to Jade Holtham and the Teen Challenge team as they extend the project to other denominations and different Anglican Churches in Newport.

If anyone reading this would like to support in any way please contact:

Jade Holtham 07814689634

All aboard!

'Myrtle' - Shoreham - on - Sea, Nr. Brighton

It is with some sadness that I blog this post. My friend J. has finally left Wales and is settling nicely in Brighton. You Blog followers that have met J. have emailed me and asked me if I have a photo of her boat 'Myrtle' - well here it is! It is moored in Shoreham-on-Sea in the midst of a small house-boat community with an eclectic mix of people. J. will fit in well there are this is an 'arty' district and my friend is a very accomplished person.


I hope that she will find peace and be happy. As for me, I shall miss our nights out, the giggles, the trying to compose Hiku's over candle light, trying to teach her to jive and the long companionable silences, but life moves on. It will be a different relationship now, but our journey together is one we will both remember for lots of different reasons, and who knows what the future will hold?

Holst's - The Planets

I was lucky enough to get a ticket for the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra of Wales playing at St. David's Hall in Cardiff last night. They were playing Holst's The Planets, known to most of you reading this I am sure. It was wonderful. It was a live broadcast for Radio 3, so therefore only one and a half hours of music, but well worth listening to. My friend tells me that the Welsh Orchestra for Wales has an extensive discograph and have recently been playing the music for the Doctor Who Christmas special. For me I loved it all, it brought back lots of nice memories.

Caring for the Birds.

The savage winter we have been experiencing is pushing Britain's wildlife to the brink of a crisis. Appeals made on TV recently to feed birds and help them survive in this cold snap can make the difference between life and death in many cases.


At another recent visit to the Wetlands, my second in just over a week, we were speaking to the staff about this issue. They are walking the thirty acre site to distribute food for the birds who cannot forage for food in the usual manner.





These pictures show iced over waters, ten days after the first fall of snow, but we can all do our bit. Grated breadcrumbs, nuts etc. can be left out, preferably on walls or roofs, can help birds obtain food. Often food just thrown onto the garden is taken by animals that live above the ground, so to put it somewhere accessible to the birds is essential.





It's thawing here in the city today and raining quite heavily as I write, so maybe the worst is over for now. I am told another cold snap is forecast, if this happens look out for the birds Blog followers!

Shopping for a skipping rope !

The Wetlands - January 2010

The picture I have posted today has nothing to do with what I am writing about - well, indirectly it has I suppose, the subject of the snow!

While traffic in Newport is still flowing freely on main roads, the side roads are still treacherous, as they are everywhere else. This morning I had a call from Miss A to say they had skipping ropes in a store near me which had been advertised in local leaflet drops. It was my job to go out and secure us one each as we have been looking for a good skipping rope for almost 6 months!

As long as people drove carefully it was okay. When I got to the Retail Park, the roads hadn't been gritted. I was slipping and sliding all over the place! There was only me and a few other shoppers about, so I asked the manager of the store why the approach road and car parks hadn't been gritted. He said the City council won't grit private roads and car parks (fair enough I suppose) and that retailers would do it themselves, but the council won't sell them the grit because they are very low on stocks. Where else could this happen? Only in the UK ? My friend rang from her Holiday destination in Spain and said they were in the middle of a cloudburst, and another texted from Tenerife to say the weather had been wet all week. Not all sunshine and holiday fun then?

The Wetlands in the snow

With a fall over over 4" of snow here in the city I felt that it could not pass by with me recording some of the scenes. It is unusual for us to get any 'real' snow as Newport is coastal. I have only known a heavy fall twice in forty years.

I have a friend staying with me at the moment so we decided to go down the Wetlands. The cafeteria & shop were closed to the public due to the inclement weather, so we were the only two people there, in this vast space of sheer beauty covered in snow.

The picture above is my favorite, I might even convert this one and the one of the Robin (of which I have many - it was as if he as posing for me) also above, to Christmas cards for 2010.

It was a refreshing walk and we managed a good few miles even though the snow was fairly deep in parts. Hands and faces tingling when we got back to the car - what a lovely start to a New Year!

A Happy New Year!

A Happy New Year to all you blog followers!

I had a nice evening with the lovely Miss A last night in the city. We bought some raffle tickets and Miss A won. The first prize was this beautiful Christmas cake, which is the size of the bottom tier of a wedding cake! It is homemade and icing decorations created by hand, a really lovely thing to win, but everyone is all eaten out now and no-one wants it. It has been decided to give it to the Salvation Army in Newport as they feed the homeless most nights of the week whereby Newport Night Shelter (St.John's branch) only does that once a week.

I hope you all get what you are hoping for in 2010. Stay positive and maybe you will find that hope triumphs over experience.

Sleeping Beauty Ballet.

Photographs taken from the programme

It is odd to think that I have never been to a ballet in my entire life, and I have been to three in the last six weeks. This one tonight was a spectacular visual experience, but it is not my favorite story, that has to be the Nutcracker followed closely by How Green is My Valley. Whilst the latter is the better story, it did not lend itself to a dance routine as well as the other two, but so cleverly done. That was danced by a different ballet Company though, The Welsh National Ballet, while the other two were danced by The Russian State Ballet Of Siberia.

The Opera season begins in January and we are booking for Tosca - and my most favorite of all time - Carmen. I am looking forward to the New Year - for the first time in over five years.

A surprise evening!

Having stayed in the valleys on Sunday night, woke up to 3" of snow Monday morning, had to be dug out, skidded on black ice during my journey back to the city, (no damage) I arrived home to find my phone ringing furiously. When I eventually thawed out enough to investigate who was calling, it was another friend from the valleys asking if I would like to go to the ballet that same evening!

The person she was going with was snowed in (I'm not surprised) and would I like the ticket - no charge. I said that I would be delighted and that's exactly what we did. The ticket had cost £40 and the seat was in the third row from the front, right in the middle of the stage. We were almost in the orchestra! It was a lovely production of The Nutcracker by The Russian State Ballet of Siberia. This has to be one of the worlds most famous ballets and it was performed by a very young company just starting out on their careers.

The ballet was in two acts with prologue and apotheosis. The set design and lighting was magnificent. It was all set in an old German town in the 19th century where snow is falling and the whole town is filled with cheer for Christmas eve. All superbly done and was magical for me and my lovely companion. A really great evening.

On a sadder note, my friend has cancer and she looked pale and frail tonight. It almost broke my heart.

God speed you my lovey friend through Christmas and through 2010. I am cherishing all these lovely moments together as you help me to rediscover the world of the arts. Thank you xx.

The accidental sack!

This little pottery sack pictured above is my pride and joy! Not only was it made by yours truly, but is was an accident - a fluke! It is made of paper clay, the first time that I had used this form of clay, and it started life as a holder for a tea-light to use over Christmas. I moved it from the modelling board to the desk, gathered up the cloth from the modelling board,which unbeknown to me had a stray thread which was stuck to the clay. I pulled the cloth to fold it and the candle holder fell to the floor.

When I retrieved it, this is what I found! The tutor decided to fire it and I painted it. This is the result. I have filled it with chocolate ormaments for Christmas for the grandchildren. I could never had modelled a Santa sack like this - 'I'm not clever enough!!!

The Mayor's Parlour.

Having coffee at the Mayor's parlour on Saturday was a really nice experience. Having visited the Civic Centre many hundreds of times over the years for business meetings etc. this was my first visit to the mayoral chambers and parlour. It was a more intimate gathering than I first imagined, and they Mayor and Mayoress had time for a chat with all their guests In the surrounding galleries were sales of work, thrift stalls and local arts and crafts on sale to support a charity of the Mayors choice which this year was St. David's foundation Hospice Charity.


A nice way to spend a Saturday morning and good to support a very worthy cause.

Newsy bits!

Around £4,000 has been raised for the new homeless charity Newport Night Shelter after 26 volunteers slept outside last weekend. Although our Church is part of the joint venture between the Teen Challenge and the Church to house the homeless during the two most difficult months of the year I did not sleep outside, but well done to all that did!

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A new valleys comedy film called 'A Bit of Tom Jones' has been filmed all in Tredegar! The independent film which was shot in just four weeks, centres around a man who buys a body part belonging to singer Tom Jones in a bar. I bet this film is hilarious and I bet the cast were glad they only had to spend four weeks in Tredegar too!