In concert

This weekend saw three huge gigs around the country.

First, Oasis continued their stint playing in Cardiff, as part of their reunion.

No chances were taken, as most tracks were from their first two albums, all sing-a-long classics.

Bigger news is that Liam and Noel haven't falen out yet. Word on the street is that the insurance conditions were ruinous for both of them if they did have a fall out serious enough to put the rest of the gigs in doubt.

I like Oasis, but not enough to have paid "400 to see them in a field in a year's time.

Next up, Black Sabbath played their advertised final gig at Villa Park, Birmingham.

This is due to Ozzy's parkinson's disease.

Ozzy sang the entire gig from a black throne adorned with skulls.

Kiss have had a number of farewell tours and gigs, as have the B52's. So we shall see.

I remember Ozzy when he was at his lowest ebb, having left the band and setting up on his own with a new band, Blizzard of Ozz.

His fortunes reallyperked up with the reality TV show, which I never watched, and he became famous all over again.

The band had reformed in the past, but good that the original line up played this one last time.

Probably.

Finally, Jeff Lynne's ELO played their final gig in Birmingam too.

Pretty much of the rest of the classic line up have left or booted out. Jeff rerecorded many of ELO's albums, so he could get more money from thir use, as sharing income with six other members can leave you short. But then didn't he write all the songs, so he got more money anyway?

I digress.

ELO were the band that got me, and many others, into music back in 1978. Mainly to be part of a clique at school, but there were many bands worse than ELO to like.

Lynn has been making music since 1963, so must be nearing 80.

Let me check.

Seventy seven.

So, there you go.

Friday 4th July 2025

(Formally Independence Day (USA))

I have nightmares still of school trips to the Norfolk Show in the 1970s, mud, rain, tractors. So, when Jools said she and her sister were going to the Kent show, I bailed.

Which meant I would have the day, and car, to myself, once she left at nine.

It is only the bin day that makes us keep track of days now. Friday is bin day, and yoga day for Jools. I woke hearing her drive off in the car, so I get up, get dressed and go down to put the bins out. We were pretty much last to do this in the street, but still in plenty of time.

When Jools comes back from yoga, we have breakfast, and then she is getting ready and gone to wait at the end of the street for Cath to pick her up.

I do the washing up, and then ponder how to spend the day.

Orchids for sure, but then there are few in flower now. So, a return to Sandwich Bay to see the Marsh helleborines at their peak seemed perfect.

A pleasant drive along the Sandwich Road, round Eastry and into Sandwich, taking the road through the estate out to Sandwich Bay, finding a parking spot at the observatory.

Would I do just orchids, or wander to the dragonfly ponds as well?

We shall see.

I passed the bird ringers crossing the meadow that is yet to be harvested for hay. They seemed to be in good spirits and we passed the time of day with a smile.

I entered the meadow by the proper gate, and first of all thought all the orchids had gone over. But soon saw over by the far fence a show of creamy white where the thickest groups of Marsh Helleborines.

So I go over.

Mainly checking for any pale of green spikes, showing those lacking colour, but almost all were of uniform colour, if not size and spike density.

I snap an Essex skipper feeding on one spike, and on another a Common Soldier beetles was climbing over the flowers.

I snap them both.

Then round the corner for the Yellow Bartisia, which are now in full flower and looking glorious. I also find for Helleborines that have spread too.

There is a folk and ale fair on in Sandwich, staring on the 4th, so I thought I would try to find a parking space and get some early beers and ales to take home.

Before I left, I went into the observatory for an ice cream, and was sitting outside finishing it off when the lady on the desk came out with a young man trailing:

"You know about plants, this gentleman is asking where the Marsh helleborines are".

I offered to show him. I mean you can never have enough orchids, can you?

I began to talk to Steve, and turns out he reads the blog: always amazes me when I find new people who do, but there you go. And he had read my last account of my visit here, and thought he would try to find them.

So, we walked back over the road, through the meadow and past the ringing cages to the meadow, where I got his shots, and we shared some information.

Which was very much appreciated.

Sharing the knowledge, where possible, and passion is what had re-enthused me with orchids and makes all the admin on the FB group worthwhile.

We walk back to the observatory, and I climb into the car after we had shook hands, I drove to the Quayside, where there was a surprising number of free parking spaces.

I walk into the centre of town, and get talking to an old boy who had a t shirt on for the festival. I ask if there is anything open, or stalls to buy stuff.

No, they're setting up the stage in front of the Guildhall, and it all begins at six.

Bugger.

At least that explains the free parking spaces.

I walk round the town, nothing I really need, and our friend and Tiger trip arranger, John, wasn't in his shop either.

So I walk back to the Quay via a narrow alley way, taking shots of course. Then I remember the chippy and how fine they frying fish and chips smelt.

So, I order a portion of chips, shake on lots of salt and vinegar, then sit outside to enjoy them with a can of pop, and watch the word go by.

That's living alright.

I walk to the car, then drive home, taking my time, as I had all day, getting back just before two.

I had put away the washing up and fed Scully when Jools arrived back, carrying twelve bottles of cider.

We had a brew.

Then relaxed as the afternoon turned to evening. I did the music quiz and came 9th, only ten of us got the right answer, so happy with that.

And as soon as that was done, back into the car to go out.

We had tickets for the Dover Proms, and we were to meet Sean and Ange in the Hoptomist for a swifter before.

It is hard to explain what the Proms, or Promenade Concerts (to give them their proper name), is a series of concerts for the masses that take place at the Royal Albert Hall, culminating with the "Last Night of the Proms", which used to take place the same week as my parent's wedding anniversary in September.

Its all flag-waving and singing along. Used to like it, then didn't for a while. Liked it after the London Olympics, but the jingoism after the Brexit vote makes it unbearable.

At least one woman in the choir waved an EU flag as well as an Union Jack.

I assumed that we had assigned seats: we didn't, so we were scatted all around the Hall as we arrived quite late. Sean and Ang did get to sit together, and Jools and I were on the same row, though five seats apart.

Maison Dieu has just been renovated. Or at least the main hall is complete, all newly painted and cleaned, fitted with new lights.

It looked wonderful

It was a good, local concert, one of the brass section of the orchestra was struggling with the high notes, which did jar somewhat, but he did his best and hopefully will get better.

Most of the players were in their 60s, 70s or 80s, so what happens to such events when they get too old. And my four tuba lessons won't stand me in any great stead.

It all wrapped up at ten with Land of Hope and Glory, aka Pomp and Circumstance Number One in D. Flags waved, people swayed. Huge applause at the end and we could leave.

Ten in the evening in towns is an odd time, at least it wasn't quite dark, but a band in the Prince Albert was having a stab at The Cranberries "Zombie".

I'm pretty sure its dead now.

Down by the Market Square, a couple of new bars were doing good business, but 'Spoons, people were raucous and quite drunk.

But happy enough. We walked back to the car, and I drove us home. Where Scully was still hungry.

Thursday 3rd July 2025

The gym at the leisure centre is closed for refurbishment until the middle of the month. For the time being, the dance studio has some of the old equipment, but it is hit and miss whether the machine you want to use might be free.

We were going to the gym this morning, then Jools said she would rather go swimming, and I changed my mind and instead walked the other half of the new Fasttrack bus route from Richmond Park in Whitfield to the entrance to Tesco.

The reason was so that I could do some botany whilst walking, and get some steps in before it got too warm.

Up at half six, drank my coffee, so by half seven we were out, Jools dropping me off in the Stepford-like new estate of Richmond Park.

As it is a new build, most places all look the same, with 2.5 cars parked outside and Astroturf for lawns.

I walk down Red Kite Way, odd as we don't have many Red Kites in Dover, past the massive new phase being built the other side of the road, round a bend where there was a nice native wildflower meadow between me and the first row of identical houses.

No Orchids now, any I think the soil was turned over too recently. Orchids need a couple of years to grow and establish, but lots of Ragwort, Weld, Mallow, Sorrel and various dandelion and thistles, all growing like crazy.

I'm sure someone is going to complain and get it strimmed and flayed soon.

Its not so far on this the northern part of Fasttrack, and soon the road rises to approach the bridge over the A2.

I crossed over Red Kite Road, across the entrance and exit into Tesco, over the other side of the road past Perry's multiple car dealerships and on to the sports centre, where I went in and ordered a banana milkshake and peanut butter flapjack, while I waited for Jools to come out of the pool, shower and get dressed.

I had just finished my snack when she came out, so she drove us home where it was breakfast time.

Despite being sunny, the breeze was fresh and took the edge off the temperatures. We ate breakfast at the dining room table, then did chores in the garden and round the house until it was lunch.

Southern fried chicken buns for lunch, with a Leffe to help it go down, before a hard afternoon's lazing around in the sunshine, occasionally doing some deadheading, and once the shadows began to lengthen, did some watering too.

Jools went swimming in the harbour, not as bad as it seems, so I stayed here, fed the cats at five and began to prepare dinner which was Caprese yet again.

There followed an evening of women's football from the Euros, with Spain thrashing Portugal 5-0. Could have been twenty.

Wednesday 2nd July 2025

After the red hot temperatures of the weekend and the first half of the week, the hot snap was due to break Tuesday night.

And indeed it did.

I heard heavy rain on and off through the hot and humid night, but we woke to sea fog and mist, shrouding us and the village.

From Dover Harbour, the fog horn sounded.

Through the day there was supposed to be rain, so best get up early and do stuff.

After coffee I dropped Jools off for her class at eight, and I went to Lydden Hill to visit another roadside reserve.

Through Lydden as the village was waking up, and people leaving home for work or the school run. Here the mist was not so think, but still night and cooling.

I parked on the hill and went through the gates to find there were no orchids left, all had died off due to the hot and dry conditions. I saw a single spindly Pyramidal halfway up the bank.

I left it and returned to the car, so will return next year.

I met Jools in town at ten, so we could have breakfast at Chaplins now it had reopened.

On the way, big fat raindrops began to fall, and by the time I was down past the Castle and parking, it was raining hard enough to need a brolly.

I walked to the café, and inside Jools was waiting. We knew the menu by heart, so ordered, then chatted.

Breakfast was, ever, excellent, and very filling.

Outside, the rain was still falling, so we tried to walk and be covered by the umbrella, but it wasn't quite big enough, nor us have the coordination.

Back into the car, then back out of town, up Jubilee Way to home, as the window cleaner was due. And I owed him money from when we were away.

He came at half eleven, and we chatted as he did the windows. He moved across the village to have a house almost with a sea view.

Almost.

But nice and quiet down there, as long as you don't try to drive through the village during the school runs.

We had to take Scully and Mulder for their annual jabs, and for Scully to have her monthly check up.

Her blood sugars were high, not as high as last month, but high enough.

But she is happy enough, and as she is still losing weight, we are to feed her more.

She will be delighted.

Storms spread up the Channel all morning and early afternoon. But faded out as they mostly see to do. It was still misty and humid, but not hot.

The sun did come out after three, sending the temperatures sky high again, but not as hot as the weekend. Either way, dinner was pork pie salad and Jersey Royals in salted butter.

Not bad at all.

And for the football fans among you, you'll be glad to hear the women's Euros began and will be on for the next month.

I end the day shaping a new RAF beret. Something I didn't think I'd be doing again.

However, as old soldiers and airmen begin to fail, younger ones have to step into their soes, and an appeal went out for ex-RAF Armourers to volunteer to participate in the Remembrance Day Parade at the Cenotaph in November.

I said I would, so am now on the list.

So, come November, watch your telly screen closely as you might just catch sight of me.

Marching again.

Tuesday 1st July 2025

Last day of the mini-heatwave.

And it was hot, let me tell you. At half eight it was twenty four degrees, and by mid-afternoon when Jools left her chiropractor session in Canterbury, it was thirty four degrees.

Though cooler on the coast at about twenty eight, and with a cool breeze if you could get out of the sun.

I did not go with Jools into the city. Just too hot, so I stayed here, did gardening and later on, watered the areas in shade.

Though the weather was due to break on Wednesday, with cooler temperatures and plenty of rain!

We shall see.

The cats lay in deep shady places all morning, then once the patio seats were in shade, they joined me in just watching the activity in the garden.

Meaning, I leapt up to chase a Comma round, finally getting one decent shot when it landed.

Earlier, Jools had dropped me off at Tesco while she went to have a blood test down at Buckland hospital.

It was quiet enough, so I was able to dash round, which did mean that I had a quarter of an hour wait for Jools to return. I sat on the plastic bench in the store, so to be in air-conditioned bliss, checking the world via my mobile.

We feasted on southern fried chicken crusty seeded rolls and beer for lunch.

In the afternoon I stayed behind while Jools went to Canterbury, so I struggled to stay awake but did stay awake, watching for butterflies, dragonflies and birds.

Foolishly, I cooked Carbonara for supper, and warming up garlic bread. Which raised the temperature in the kitchen to something similar to the surface of the sun.

But the meal was worth it. I even cracked open a bottle of Réserve to go with it.

Lovely.

Monday 30th June 2025

I woke at half five, and wandered to the bathroom, to be treated to the amazing view of the light of the just risen sun, and mist rising from the Dip. illuminated like a long train of golden lace.

I went back to get my camera.

Took a shot, then went back to bed for an hour or so.

Because, Monday is a gym day, if we could get on a machine. And this time we thought that if we hung back to half eight, might get the lull between the workers having a session, and those who might like a lie.

And, whether we were right or not. I got on the bike, did half an hour and was feeling very good. Jools, however, had a bad reaction in her leg, so went to the café for coffee and crisps.

Two of the major food groups.

It was already very warm, and in the afternoon we had to be in Canterbury to sign some documents, so once back home we had breakfast, a fresh brew and cooled down.

It was too hot to do anything. There was cloudless skies and no breeze.

The morning passed.

We had Scotch egg salad for lunch, then in the car to drive to Canterbury, being brave and taking the inner ring road. Traffic map when we left said it was clear.

It was not clear by the time we had inched along the main road from Wincheap to the roundabout, then along to where we could turn off.

Just north of Canterbury West, we turned away from the city and its thirty degree (C) heat, and drive up to the University and the Innovation centre where our financial advisor has his office.

We spent an hour talking over the plans, how being "tax efficient" works, shuffling money from here and there, before signing all the paperwork needed.

These are both our entire savings from our lifetime of work, we are still trying to get out of head the need for saving money and such, and instead spend.

But within limits.

With everything signed, we shake hands and we walk back to the car, ready to tackle the near-rush hour traffic.

In truth, wasn't that bad, and we were soon back on the A2 heading home in the hot afternoon sun. According to the car, it was 31 degrees as we left the city.

Once home I got out the cheese and tomatoes, warmed some bread and soon we were toasting ourselves over plates of Caprese and garlic bread.

No football again in the evening, so to bed at nine, after a shower, and I fell into a deep sleep with no dreams.

Sunday 29th June 2025

It was Sunday.

The third day of Glastonbury Fayre, and now something to be avoided rather than seeked out.

I have heard nothing of this year's festival. I am aware that Pulp were the not very well disguised secret act on Saturday, and Rod the Mod was the closing act on Sunday.

Yes, the same Rod who spoke in support of Enoch Powell after his "Rivers of blood" speech, and now suggests we give Nigel a chance.

It is difficult to separate what an artist says and does, but let me close by saying that The Faces were a closed book to him until it was financially profitable for him do their songbook again, after three out of the five members were dead.

Glastonbury also means the radio, at least Radio 6, is unlistenable, so we don't. There is other stuff, or the silence of St Maggies, broken only by the alarm call of a Blackbird after magpies raid its nest.

I do more deadheading, watering, and generally make myself busy.

The garden is full of butterflies. Mostly Large whites, but a few Small, and maybe a Southern small mixed in. Only a closer look would confirm.

With the U21 final the night before, there is just the Club World Cup or the Women's Euros to watch now, as the endless summer without football enters is second 24 hours.

There's always football.

Somewhere.

Its just a case of if we care.

Or not.

This was the first day of a three, or four, day heatwave, with temperatures expected into the low 30s on Monday and Tuesday.

Too hot to do much.

Lunch was chorizo hash. Yes it was hot and cooking made it hotter, but the next two days would be hotter still.

Salad from now on, until temperatures return to normal.

We laze the afternoon away, then have the radio on in the evening as we dine of cheese and crackers for supper.

Despite doing nothing, I was still tired at half eight.

Bed time.