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The Specials

Pic of the week 21/4/19

It’s hard to think that it was 40 odd years ago that I discovered – and fell in love with – The Specials.

Youth and time is a funny thing – I though that they were around for a significant time as I was growing up, but looking through their history, their lifespan was short lived, only being at the height from ’79 before splitting in ’81.

Their second album “More Specials” was released in October 1980 – and it was this album that cemented my love affair with them, and in ’81 they released “Ghost Town” and then they split.

So really I only knew them for about 18 months, but what an influential 18 months. I loved everything they produced, and I also discovered (but never owned) material from their first album “The Specials”. I loved the music, I loved the look and as a boy growing up in deepest, whitest Somerset I loved their message of inclusion and dissatisfaction with a failing political and social climate. Not only, did they shape my music for life, I think they also had a strong part to play in developing my belief systems.

Last night Beck and I went to see them at Exeter (Great Hall.)

They were fantastic.

I loved it and seeing them has re-ignited my love of their music, it all its wonderful variety.

A great night.

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Project Scorched Earth

Project Scorched Earth

One of the many beauties of our new (still call it new, despite having been here nearly four years) is the ample parking we have. It may not look beautiful, but it is certainly practical and I reckon we could park up to six cars on our gravel driveways.

Last summer I graveled one side in new gravel and it looks much better, maybe I’ll do the other side this summer?

However, my one concern with gravel is the preponderance of weeds to pop up.

So I’m trying a new scorched earth policy. I’ve bought myself a 5 litre pump sprayer from Amazon (£9.99) and filled it with a mix of vinegar (39p for 1/2 a litre from Tescos), salt and a dash of washing up liquid and have sprayed the gravel. I focused on the weeds, but also sprayed the whole area, the idea being to create an area so hostile to growth that not even the hardiest of weed will survive.

We’ll see how it goes.

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Easter hols

Pic of the week 14/9/19

And so the Easter hols roll on. The weather could be better, but it could be worse.

On the whole it has been dry and we’ve seen some sun, but sometimes, like today, it has been cold. Still, in weather forecaster parlance, there has been some usable weather that has seen me potter in the garden for a bit, sit in the garden for a bit, snooze in the garden a bit …

On Friday, Sam and I went for a walk along the Poldens, but this time we went West instead of East, parking at the YHA car park and then walking along the ridge to the windmill and back. A walk of about an hour or so, with some good views back across Street and to the Tor (above) or looking South across the levels.

On Thursday I tackled the hedge giving it a good trim and getting it back into shape.

It was all going so well until I cut through the cable of the strimmer. No drama, no disaster, no loud bang – it just stopped working. Am a bit annoyed with myself as I am normally quite H&S conscious. Not this time.

Anyway, 30 minutes of repairs later and I was back in action.

Becky & Sophie have been to Cornwall for the weekend for Auntie Avril’s 80th birthday – photo montage below. Looks cold & blowy, but the sea a perfect greeney blue, it would have been nice to see the sea.

Meanwhile, I’ve been busy refereeing this week – line on Monday (Floodlight U18 ), middles Thursday (Y&DL), Saturday (JPL U15) and Sunday (Bridgwater League) including a red on Thursday (dissent x 2) – my first non-school cherry.

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Doc Martens

Pic of the week 7/4/19

I love ’em.

On Thursday we went to Bath to buy my birthday D.M.s.

B, S & S all preferred the standard D.M. shoe, but I’ve had my heart set on a pair of loafers for some time.

I tried the shoe, liked them, but not as much as the loafer, so the only question was which colour, and yellow stitching or not.

I settled for black, with the traditional yellow D.M. stitching. It was the right choice, they are a  thing of beauty, I think they will come to define me.

I shall say it again, I love them.

(And, as a bonus pic, here is a picture of the lady I love who bought them for me.)