My good friends (and occasional employers) Festive Road, the Milton Keynes based Carnival company, have just finished playing host to the Carnival Network South East’s annual gala. In between cursing Powerpoint and a somewhat eccentric PA system (a role laughingly referred to as ‘Tech Support’), I was able to gather a few impressions… The evening […]
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I do really love a good street procession/festival, especially if it involves fire and/or fireworks. What I really want to do is join in – one of the reasons I run a street-band – but failing that I’ll very happily stand and watch. For hours and hours, if need be, in the freezing cold, crushed […]
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The excellence of ‘Mad Men’ notwithstanding, I have very mixed views about advertising in general (he announced, for no very good reason other than it’s been on my mind of late) On the plus side there’s the high levels of craft skill usually displayed in advertising in most media. Something genuinely beautiful/astonishing/provoking happens along often […]
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Sunday 23rd August view all the photos It doesn’t take much to make Allan happy. A gentle breeze to take the edge of the heat, a seat at a quiet café, a cheap and delicious plate of rice salad and the best part of half a pint of caffe latte will do it pretty well […]
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Saturday 22nd August view all the photos No-one at home will believe this, but I’m up early again, making my way over to the Museo de San Marco. The streets are full of the rattling sound of suitcase wheels, everyone seems to be leaving (or arriving, I suppose), and I have to step off the […]
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Friday 21st August view all the photos Today I went to Sienna and purchased a shirt. Obviously that wasn’t all I did, but I thought I’d get it out of the way first, as it’s been brewing for a while. Having avoided temptation yesterday, half way to the Pitti Palace, today it was just too […]
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Thursday 20th August view all the photos Unusually for Florence, you’re not allowed to take photos inside Santa Maria Novello (the huge church handily just across the road from the station. I’m not aiming to walk as far today). So you’ll just have to take my word for the wonderful Giotto crucifix, single Massacio and […]
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Wednesday 19th August view all the photos Pisa Intrepid as anything, I’m up early today. Bus to the station…slight delay figuring out the automatic ticket machine, then entrain to Pisa. Not only that, but by dint of some effort I manage to stay awake on the train…more or less…and am rewarded by a moderately scenic […]
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Tuesday 18th August view all the photos After successfully finding my hotel and 3 or 4 hours sleep, it does indeed start to get better. Somewhat restored, almost intrepid, I grab a bus and head into town…and gradually drown in…well, Firenze, I suppose. It’s all quite wonderful, but a bit much to take in, all […]
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view all the pictures Friday night in the woods. I know, it sounds a bit dubious, but bear with me. Last friday it was worth it. Artist Linda Johns currently has 9 artworks tucked away in Salcey Forest. Last friday she led an intrepid bunch of folks on a torch-lit walk around them. Wine […]
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