Pardon me boy !

The Beatles, The Motown Sound and Swing follow me everywhere I go ~ in a sense ~ since the lyrics spring unbidden into my mind throughout each day.

I sometimes find myself singing along, especially when driving and I may add a little dancing when in any room of the house, including the garden.

Being transported back in time, momentarily, provides an endorphin rush amid the day's 'to do' list ~ which is most days.

It is unlikely that I will remember the song title of the year it was released but the lyrics, I seem to know them all.

Swing was my Father's music of choice, Tamla Motown and The Beatles my own favourites.  There is nothing finer than ChattanoogaChoo Choo  Mercy Mercy me and Let it be  also any song by Coldplay, however, I am unsure about the latest MP3 Download Christmas Lights.

I never got into my brothers' music preferences apart from the inimitable Eric Clapton.

I have sung throughout my life, from as early as I can remember to my Father's records that he played and sang along to, mostly at weekends.

Later on, whilst still very young, I sang at my first concert, to raise funds for The Salvation Army ~ our chorus line was lit by candlelight and we were all wearing pyjamas.  I wish I were able to remember what we sang as it looks as though we are really enjoying ourselves in the photograph.
   

Many concerts followed at primary school where I conducted the school orchestra and, another time, danced at the local Town Hall where the Mayor was present, folks, for the 'One Night Only' performance. 

As a teenager, I had wanted to make singing recordings with my best friend ~ of course, both 45rpm singles and 33rpm albums.  I would imagine being photographed and filmed in London whilst sitting on Lambretta Scooters, wearing a furry~hooded Parker jackets whilst we sang our latest Top of The Pops No. 1 Hit.

The dream was to scoot along on the Lambretta ~ whilst clinging to Paul McCartney ~ towards Carnaby Street, Oxford Street, Kings Road, Kensington, Hampstead and some shopping at Barbara Hulanicki's Biba ... whose clothes I adored and my wardrobe was testament to them.  How I wish I had kept them all !

Musical memories developed into membership of Haileybury Choral Society that has given me so much pleasure over many years.

Last summer, the 70th Anniversary of the Madrigals took place at Amwell Pool, Ware in aid of Isabel Hospice ~ the floodlit willow trees were mirrored in the pool, set perfectly for asthetics and sound ~ the audience appeared as if by magic as volunteers collected donations for the chosen charity.

Betty's Garden Party followed the concert, as it always had, in her magical home set by Amwell Pool.  We would enter the flower garden through a door on the bridge, reminiscent of the beginning of a children's fairytale complete with its happy ending.

Lit candles set inside jamjars illuminated the path towards the al fresco reception for performers and supporters, where Betty's sons and friends served drinks to the gathering communities. 

A wonderful evening to commemorate, annually, the ending of WWII, the homecoming of our heroes and remembering the ones who sacrificed their lives for our country. 

One of the highlights of Summers for my friends and me, always.

Peddling off the Pud

A measure of Warninks Advocaat shaken with a splash of lime cordial and topped-up with a R White's lemonade is a mocktail reminiscent of Butlin's, Bognor Regis, where I spent a family holiday with my parents and three brothers in the 60s.

For the first time, families were able to enjoy a one-stop venue for their annual holiday together where they were fed, watered and entertained before heading back to their chalets to sleep-off the days' sunbathing excesses, only to be woken by a tannoy at 7am ~ kinda "Mornin' Campers" a la Hi-Di-Hi ! 

Fancy Dress competions were a regular feature of the entertainment programme:  my youngest brother was dressed as Popeye  ~ "That's all I can stands, and I can't stands no more!" ~ he wore a Sea Captain's cap, smoked a pipe and completed the ensemble with a 'tattoo' of a ship on his tummy, rolling the ship across the waves with his abdominal muscles to loud applause.  "Well blow me down"!

Trampolining Dads competed for the Best Dad trophy whilst children watched in awe at the high performance double front flips, backflips, front drops, knee flips ... WOW !! ... Mums' flashed glances between themselves and back towards their husbands whose dopamine levels had clearly peaked for the day.

Evening dancing to live bands were a must ... it felt sooo sophisticated to sip Snowball mocktails whilst watching my parents trip the light fantastic around the ballroom.  "You'll have a really wonderful time at Butlins by the sea".  And so we had.

Holidays in dear old Blighty, I predict, will enjoy a resurgence due to the times of austerity we are about to experience, thankfully, this will likely be a saving grace for all, not least, The Kingdom.

Many families book their holidays between Christmas and the New Year.  The world is our oyster ~ Eat, Pray, Love ... England.

Hotels to youth hostels  await us and most will not break the bank ... ... ... so long as the Eurozone is held off.

With almost 200 BEACHES in South East England on which to build sandcastles, we are spoilt for choice amongst the many that also hold Blue Flags.

With 1457.4 hours of sunshine each year, watersports and landside activities offer opportunities to families to enjoy this green and pleasant land ... ... 'til we have built Jerusalem.    

Hertfordshire's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, historic towns and many old villages remain unspoiled with thatched cottages set in leafy lanes.

Broxbourne's Lee Valley Park is unrivalled activities include White Water Rafting, sailing, athletics, golf, horse riding, ice skating, fishing, cycling, bird watching, camping ... the list is endless.

I shall most likely be Peddling off the Pud at 10am-1pm, 29th December with a 15 mile cycle through Lee Valley Park

Meet at Pindar Car Park Windmill Lane, Cheshunt, Herts EN8 9AJ near Cheshunt Railway Station.

Book with Lee Valley 08456 770 600.   See you there?

With Season's Greetings and every good wish for the coming New Year.

Christmases Past : Fare thee well

Child standing at Geffrye Court
with Geffrye Museum in the background
divided by Kingsland Road

As a child, on many weekends and randomly, throughout school holidays, I would queue outside Geffrye Museum to take part in its children's activities.  As the clock struck 10am and 2pm, the entrance doors would be opened by the security guard who would beckon us inside to the silent magical world where time was suspended, my very own Dr Who Tardis in which to travel in time and space.

The Collection of eleven period rooms that span 400 years from around 1600 to the present day were on display.  Children were given question sheets that required answers as well as sketches of objects from the various collections ~ this tested knowledge together with drawing skills.  Sets of completed questionnaires enabled children to apply for Museum membership and eligibility for trips around England ~ brilliant motivational technique that concentrated young minds.

Weaving baskets and tea trays was a treat for me and I found it so easy.  I still have a scar on my left hand where I accidentally stabbed myself whilst lino cutting ~ some TCP and a plaster soon sorted it out.

Behind  '...the Geffrye' via a small staircase was a play park with swings, sandpits and curiuosly, a transit van to sit in ~ boys would pretend to drive it whilst we sat in the back chatting and waiting for the Geffrye's 2pm afternoon session.

In those days, parks had Attendents who would keep an eye on all children who were rarely, if ever, accompanied by adults.

What a blessing the Geffrye was to me and my friends, its beautiful lawns came alive each Spring when daffodils would appear beneath the tall trees where sparrows busily tweeted, it seemed they were chatting to each other as my friends and I sat on the garden benches, safe in the bosom of the Geffrye.

Thesedays, there are period gardens and a walled herb garden to reflect the period room displays.  Virtual online tours can be taken too.  How innovative.

No surprise that I shall be eagerly returning to the Geffrye's Christmas Past Exhibition which offers a fascinating insight into how Christmas has been celebrated in middle-class homes from 1600 to the present day.  The rooms provide the perfect settings to explore the origins of some of the rich and colourful traditions of Christmases Past, from feasting, dancing and kissing under the mistletoe to playing parlour games, hanging-up stockings, sending cards, decorating the tree and throwing cocktail parties.  Get there before Sunday, 2nd January 2011 when the Exhibition will end.

I may also say Farewell to Christmas at the Geffrye's own traditional burning of the holly and the ivy, celebrated with carol singing, stories about Epiphany and a taste of mulled wine and Twelfth Night cake.  Wrap up as this event takes place in The Gardens.

4-5pm,Thursday, 6th January.  Epiphany at St. Paul's

With Season's Greetings and

With every good wish for the coming New Year

Peoples, Populations & Parties



Kinyinya Community Centre, Kigali

Albert welcomed me into his home where he lived with his younger sister amidst 400 parentless households of which he was head.

Recollections of the Genocide encircled me and burst into time-warp photography, played-back in slow motion as he recounted his survival ~ a phoenix risen from the ashes and his cries a beautiful song.

'Shake Hands with the Devil' Lt Gen Romeo Dallaire's account of the Genocide provides the reader with such insights.

Some Genocidaires are 'WANTED' but countless live amongst the survivors wearing a uniform as part of their punishment:  Gacaca courts deliver transitional justice, designed to promote healing and a moving on from the crisis ~ 'Truth, Justice & Reconciliation'.

Mary Kayitesi Blewitt, OBE, founded the Survivors Fund 'SURF' and having lost 50 members of her own family, has now written a book 'YOU ALONE MAY LIVE'.

'Of my family, only my niece survived. Miraculously, she escaped death and managed to clamber out of the mass grave. She ran to some Hutu friends for help.

Two of the boys went to the grave, finished off any survivors, then came back to rape her.

Later, when I went to the village to put up a memorial for the 200 killed there, their mother denied they had been involved. She said she felt sorry for me and hugged me, but I didn’t think she was genuine. If you’re really sorry you say, “Yes, my sons did this”.

I stayed eight months in Rwanda and began to despair.

There was so much money for aid, but the agencies spent it all on supporting refugees – many of whom were killers. No one was supporting the widows or the orphans. I couldn’t sit around and wait for something to happen, so I started my own organisation – SURF – to make sure that survivors had support and that their voices would be heard.

What happened in Rwanda was not a tribal issue, but a humanitarian one. Any country in the world is capable of genocide. Survivors say they’ve forgiven, but many don’t understand the word. The world is obsessed with moving on, but there’s no closure for a victim of an atrocity. Without dialogue, accountability or apology you can’t move on. It’s exhausting. Genocide is beyond forgiveness.'

'Project Umubano' led by Andrew Mitchell MP and followed by a team of 104 supporters arrived in Rwanda to support five sectors where politicians meet face-to-face with people in the developing world, in an attempt to better understand their lives and the challenges they face.

Music, dancing and laughter erupted and dissolved spontaneously between sawing, digging, planting and painting at Kinyinya Community Centre, Kigali where I was based, it was such fun, truly.

Visitors would comment on the incredible team spirit and this underlined what was being achieved ~ between people, populations and Parties.

International Development has taught me that individuals can make a difference, no matter how small to the 'hard-headed but not hard-hearted' approach.  Being 'realistic but optimistic' as 'the rewards of these ambitions will be great' 'a better life for millions of people and a safer, more prosperous world for Britain'.  Prime Minister, David Cameron.

My Best Life :  Gap Yah! @StopAtHome may well include a include a return to Africa ~ God willing.

Millennium Walk : Siena-Rome

Montalcino Fortress

On the 10th Anniversary of this epic journey, these reminiscences of a magical walk bring much pleasure.

Siena's museum and rich works of art had to be missed by our group of walkers, as there was only time to look around Le Duomo and also to hear about the II Palio delle Contrade - the bare back horse race around a packed Piazza de Campo - usually preceded by a historical parade of 700 people in 15th Century costumes who cross the city to the piazza where the Contrade ride to win the Palio, a painted silk flag.

As we left Siena, a church bell rang and the Heavens opened, setting the climate for the walk.

Our route through rolling farmland to Vescovado was rather muddy - we met all terrains and made fun of our plight until the thunder clouds rolled over as we ate our delicious picnic lunch.

Our overnight pit-stop allowed us to consider the enormity of the trek ahead which included a walk along an area of scientific interest where the views and flora and fauna were absolutely stunning, demanding our attention to stop and absorb the vista.

Two experienced walkers had sought permission to go ahead, they added about five walking miles to their day, which ended with a hitchhike, as they were unable to find the road up to Montalcino - rather a worrying episode for our guides.

Montalcino's massive fortress views (1,860ft) were impressive as was its cuisine, that is except for the wild boar, which was less than morish.  Veterans bought the local wine - Brunello di Montalcino - which was also sampled in copious amounts at dinner, amply disguising the local delicacies.

The descent into Pescina from the mountain top fortress took us up and down, up and down, up and down to the famous Benedictine Abbey of Saint Antimo where Mass was taking place.

We watched grapes being harvested as we ate our picnic lunch overlooking the vale in which the Abbey sat.  The wind chilled our extremities as the afternoon start to the walk was welcomed and after crossing wilder country, we came to olive groves and chestnut woods, we then spent two nights in the mountain village of Pescina.

Monte Amiata's (5,702ft) views were breathtaking, as was the climb up to its top: the fittest walkers in cloudless skies reap the best rewards.

As the dappled sunlight shone through the leaves of the trees on the descent there was a feeling of lasting contentment abruptly broken overnight by an earth tremor -terrified does describe the fear I felt.  England beckoned.

Alas, Aquapendete's Cathedral crypt contained precious reliquary from the Holy Land - the reverence in which they were held was comforting.  At this point, conversations became very saintly.

Isola Bisentina at Lago di Bolsena provided a much-welcomed excursion to the island via an alternative mode of transport - the waterbus.  The Island's one inhabitant, a Countess, allowed her secretary to accompany us around the island to teach us about its history.

For now, its secrets remain with me until the children's book is published to raise more funds for The Joint Educational Trust also the beneficiary of this fundraising walk.

Montefiascone is a popular holiday resort and it is an important farming town, dominating Lago di Bolsena, it has many important buildings and monuments and a rich history which we were only able to sample.

Then followed the walk to Viterbo in the hills around the lake.  'Thrown' stones of basalt reminded us the fragility of the topography of this area.  Magnificent views of the lake, calm, still and appearing mirror-like, added to its reputation of being the largest of its kind in Europe.

We visited Etrusco Roman ruins in the hills - III Century BC - which were fascinating:  a town of shops, baths, town square and residences with some frescoes surviving to this date.

During that afternoon we bathed in thermal springs literally bubbling out of the track - blissful relaxation, elixir for aching bodies. 

Our aches and pains dissolved away, prepared us for 'Day Twelve in Viterbo' where we had a free day to squirrel around the treasures of its medieval quarter.  The San Pelligrino quarter epitomised Viterbo's identity - the beautiful Papal Palace and then onto the gardens of Villa Lanti to name just two.

The path was full of very special memories, including 'Romulus and Remus', the six week old puppies we found and named en route, eventually managing to 'home' them.

Another incident where a walker's shorts began to leak soap powder bubbles that ran down his legs - as it rained or should I say poured -caused much frivolity.  Much to his embarrassment he explained that he had not been able to rinse his shorts properly; practicalities proving very difficult as we daily packed and unpacked our kits.

Sutri and La Storta brought us closer to the unavoidable asphalt walk into Rome across the triumphal Flamino Bridge, along the Tiber to St. Peter's.

The champagne toast held in St Peter's Square was all the more poignant as the Year 2000 celebrations, attended by both the Pope and Queen Elizabeth had taken place that weekend.

Our whistle-stop tour of Rome finished with an celebration dinner that was extraordinary and will be remembered forever by the group.

Swinging 60s

They say that if you can remember the 60s, then you weren't there ... I do remember the 60s, as a young child at the beginning of the most dynamic decade known to Baby Boomers and, probably, everyone else reading this.

Loving the 60s, still, I recall ...

• Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Star - The Beatles, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah !
• Beatlemania, 8pm, 13th October 1963.  I was there!   She Loves You;
• Sir Alex Issigonis 'Mini' car - one of the most iconic objects of the era - I have owned four;
• Mini 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5?  Audioboo.fm
• groovy Lambretta Scooters - my father owned one;
• Lava lamps, another 60s classic - I still have one;
• psychedelic flower power, love beads, free love - the latter for adults only, not myself;
• The 1966 World cup Victory MIGHTY ENGLAND - 'I was there'  say, my father and three brothers;
• Mods & Rockers, gang rivalry at Brighton Beach - as seen, in colour, on tv.  Scooters & Motorbikes roaring along the coast road ... as
• economc migrants poured into the UK ahead of the crackdown on immigration just in time for the freezing winter of 62/63;
• Cheap air travel made holidays abroad accessible for everyone - never mind the Cuban Missile Crisis, the assasinations of President Kennedy and Martin Luther King, the Profumo Affair or Dr Beeching's shake-up of our railways, the Moon Landing - The Mediterranean awaited.  It was FAB;
• Reminiscing, brings back romantic images and experiences - Carnaby Street, mini-skirts, hot pants, love beads, London led the way.  Biba, where I worked on Saturdays;
• Enormous social change took place, 'The Pill' was taken by single women; The Abortion Act became law; Lord Chamberlain's powers of censorship were abolished and all kinds of taboos were broken - as in the 1968 West End Production of 'Hair', thrillingly anarchic whilst totally embarrassing.  For me;
• Top of The Pops was THE place to be go, see and be seen - if not, then compulsory 'tele' viewing;
• Radio Caroline pirate DJ, Tony Blackburn became BBC Radio 1's most famous DJ - teenagers listened on their transistor radios for the weekly Top 20 selling records played on their record players - Roy Orbison's Pretty Woman. It was FAB;  
• Wimpy Bars appeared on the High Streets and 'Wimpy & Chips' was eaten by young children who also enjoyed, for the first time, toys made from durable plastics such as Barbie Dolls;
• The Rolling Stones' Hyde Park concert was the epitomy of Flower Power - butterflies were released to celebrate the life of Brian Jones who had died of a drug overdose - sunshine, music and love, love, love ... ...

It was an extraordinarily wonderful epoch, one of many in my life with the 'Teens' just ahead of me!

Lights of Love

This morning, my dear friend, Mary Whitby, Broxbourne, was selected for a Civic Award for her lifetime's work in the community whereby she envisioned her divine mission and delivered it, with the panache many can only write about whilst being thrilled and delighted for her.

The Lights of Love she implanted far and wide are immeasureable yet tangible when viewed through prisms held in esteem by leaders and courtiers alike.

The magnificence of her highly accredited work will grow exponentially and in perpetuity via the profession, community, those she trained and encouraged, individuals along with their families who benefited from her counsel.

Certainly, a Whitby Master Class for the followers of Prime Minister, David Cameron's 'The Big Society'

The Big Society: Anatomy of the New Politics

'Divine goodness awaits us and surrender is the doorway to serenity'

Debbie Ford, NY Times best-selling author.

My prayer

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen

Those Lights of Love will shine too, for Isabel Hospice, Van Hage, Ware

when a congregation will gather to celebrate our dearest Lights who have passed away.

Rest in peace

Lights of Love, Van Hage, Ware

Prince William's heart's desire

Catherine wears the late Princess of Wales’s engagement ring. Prince William: “My way of making sure my mother didn’t miss out on today.”  Clarence House

The mark of a great man, born to be King.  A leap of faith, in a 'commoner' who has found her Prince without kissing a single frog.

An enchanting classic fairy tale to defrost the Nation's heart, chilled by austere times.

Divine intervention?

Prince William fought for his heart's desire and claimed his gifts, two tickets to freedom;  by demonstrating reverence and humility to all those around him, especially himself.

His worth will now be celebrated by all, always.

Feeling inspired, so I do ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...  ...  it is Party time !    What to wear?


 

Are YOU worthy of YOUR heart's desires?

Cycling around London on Boris Bikes certainly provides exhileration for the dopamine receptors, raising motivation, pleasure, cognition, memory, learning, fine motor control and neuroendocrine integration - what is more, its free for the first 30 minutes!

Launching my journey of self discovery, there was no better way to motivate myself than to hop onto a bicycle and view London close-up and personal.

Big Ben viewed whilst waiting at red traffic lights (alongside Boadicea's statue situated on the corner of Westminster Bridge on Victoria Embankment) focuses my mind until Hip Hop, Grime and R&B, DJ & Television Presenter, Timothy Westwood known for Pimp My Ride cruises by in a purple London Taxi.

(By the way, London's 'Black Taxis' are World Class, the safest way to travel - 'the Ayes have it' - by drivers with 'bigger brains'.) The Knowledge 

I can confirm that Trafalgar Square is equally 'pumped', as Alistair Kirkwood, Managing Director, NFL UK advises, despite the queues to be searched upon entering the arena.

Suddenly, Maureen Lipman comes into view as she signs autographs outside The Garrick Theatre where J B Priestley's 'farcical comedy' When we are married plays for a limited season.

My dear father would often quote Samuel Johnson "Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford. Government statistians may well be tasked to make 'happiness' the new GDP during these times of austerity:  conversely, 'happiness comes from within' as Author, Debbie Ford eloquently explains. The 21-Day Consciousness Cleanse Windows to Heaven Buddhism's The Second Noble Truth suggests that cravings, desire and ignorance lead us to suffering.  Conversely, Debbie Ford suggests that we ALL deserve our heart's desires.  Well, do we or does it depend on that which we seek?  Let's see ....    

Eat Pray Love

A woman realises what she wants out of life and sets out on a journey of self discovery that takes her around the world ...


... played by Julia Roberts, pictured right, Eat Pray Love is based on a memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert, interviewed here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9B9zFo4RFw

Eat Pray Love grossed $180,963,085 worldwide with 400 merchandising tie-ins like, jewellery, perfume, tea, ice cream, prayer beads ... and The Home Shopping Network ran 72 consecutive hours of programming featuring these around the time of the film's release, out on DVD & Blu-ray this month.
http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/eatpraylove/


Florence + The Machine, 'Dog Days are Over' is featured on the advertisements for the film. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWOyfLBYtuU

Here begins my personal Eat Pray Love 'Gap Yah! @StopAtHome' a 'funny you should say that', 'Spiritual, cultural, political exchange thing ....' not 'brutal and demeaning' and 'just like Fulham' certainly without the lawbreaking ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKFjWR7X5dU

All you need is love http://videos.wittysparks.com/id/559741858

Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6" Display, Graphite - Latest Generation

The Art of Marriage

Like a bolt from the Blue, Wilferd Peterson's poem encapsulates an ideal to which we ALL aspire

A good marriage must be created

In marriage, the little things are the big things

It is never being too old to hold hands

It is remembering to say 'I love you' at least once each day

It is never going to sleep angry

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives

It is standing together and facing the world

It is forming a circle of love that gather in the whole family

It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget

It is giving each other an atmosphere, in which each can grow

It is a common search for the good and the beautiful

It is not only marrying the right person, it is being the right partner

It is discovering what marriage can be, at its best