Steve & Rosemary Blasdale

Canada – Flying to Vancouver

Posted on May 1, 2025 by SteveJune 10, 2025

1st May 2025

Phil picked us up from home and drove us to Terminal 2 at Heathrow. Checking in, passport, and baggage check were all easy to do. There was a new system, hand luggage & pockets did not have to have bottles of liquid and electronic gadgets removed. We also did not have to take our belts and shoes off.

We boarded the flight, and were herded towards the back, but we did have a spare seat next to us. A man kept on saying “water” to one of the cabin crew. She turned around to face him and told him that if he said “please”, she could probably help him, which she later did. Great stuff.

Of the films on offer, I watched Black Panther both of us watched Paddington in Peru.

Air Canada was quite good on the food and drinks side of flying, I managed a couple of beers and a wine. I even turned down a beer for a fourth round from the trolly.

The captain, a woman, was retiring at the end of this trip after 40+ years service. Ground breaking. Lots of cheering on the flight. She said goodbye to each of us as we left, R gave her a good hug. (Actually, we were routed through business class to meet her at the posh aircraft door.) I believe there were water canons doing an arch of honour in front of the plane to commemorate her retirement.

Passport control in Canada was a first for us, all machines, and open, not like the intimidating UK ones. Where you are locked in. No questions on entry so we were automatically herded through with almost zero human interaction.

Bags picked up, and the driver that Trailfinders had ordered was there in a Tesla model X to take us to the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel opposite the cruise terminal. I have not seen so many Tesla cars on the road together. There were at least five, all next to each other. And we saw two Tesla Cybertrucks. One downside of the X, was that one gullwing door did not open at the airport, but it later opened when we exited. I suspect the Tesla thought the door was going to hit an obstruction.

It was a lovely day in Vancouver, quite warm, and no clouds. Better than the forecast, which, according to Air Canada was for “dreary” weather.

We arrived at the Fairmont, and were soon in our room. Time was around 7.0 We headed out for supper. The lift was full of people, huge queue at the lobby. It appears a group from the Rocky Mountaineer was checking in.

We found an ATM which charged us $3.50 to use it. We ate in the Rogue Kitchen and Wet Bar. It’s part of the station. Good selection of beers, I had a cloudy IPA (a very cloudy IPA, never seen one so cloudy, even had swirls in the cloud), and a Stout. Kept the food to one course, bowls of rice and salmon.

An American ship, The Ruby Princess with 3700 passengers, was in port on its way to SF, leaving at 10pm . Our ship, the Holland and America Koningsdam, was heading south from Alaska, to arrive on Saturday. It will spend the next six months back and forth between Vancouver and Alaska, then when winter arrives it will head to the Gulf of Mexico and the West Indies

Back to the hotel for an early night, we had been up for 24hours, but R found the bed problematical. Too high! Above her waist!

Glastonbury 2025 Music PlayLists

Posted on April 25, 2025 by SteveMay 16, 2025

These playlists have been created by Glastopia, a Glastonbury fanatic. They have been created on Spotify, and I have converted them to YouTube Music. There is a complete lineup playlist, and a stage by stage playlist. Check Glastopia’s Blue Sky account for new playlists and updates. The YouTube Music playlists nearly match the Spotify playlists. The are the occasional missing tracks where the software was unable to match the track.

Looking for Foxes #12 and Badgers

Posted on April 14, 2025 by SteveApril 23, 2025

14th April 2025

The recent weeks have felt noticeably quieter on the animal front, which is why the video updates have been on hold.

However, the grey squirrel still provides some entertainment with its acrobatic dashes up and down the tree, culminating in a daring branch-assisted crossing of the pond.

Our regular visitor, the Grey Heron, continues its foraging trips between our pond and the neighbours’. While I’ve only observed it catching frogs, I did hear a report of one elsewhere preying on the protected Great Crested Newt.

Adding a much-missed face to the local wildlife, a badger made an appearance, initially by the pond and then on the lawn a few days later.

Finally, the Moorhens are still active on the pond and seem to have successfully displaced the ducks, a change from their peaceful coexistence in the previous video.

MK Gallery: Andy Warhol: Portrait of America

Posted on April 14, 2025 by SteveApril 25, 2025

14th April 2025

A trip to Milton Keynes and the MK Gallery to see the Andy Warhol Portrait of America Exhibition. The exhibition was run in conjunction with the Tate and National Galleries of Scotland. Despite being bombarded with emails and asked to book tickets, we ventuured forth in the hope of gaining entry without pre-booking. The gallery was not at all busy, and there were plenty of Andy Warhol paintings and drawings, from the early years up until his untimely death. Some images were provocative, the electric chair featured quite a few times. I enjoyed this exhibition far more than our visit in 2024 to see Vanessa Bell: A World of Form and Colour. I could imagine wallpapering the sitting room with the image of the pink cow head on a yellow background. Although it must be produced for the exhibition, R is lucky I have not found any of it for sale.

As it usual on these days out, we ate in the cafe, where the same chef as last time was on duty.

Coton Manor Gardens

Posted on April 10, 2025 by SteveApril 23, 2025

10th April 2025

On yet another bright and sunny spring day, we ventured north to explore Coton Manor Gardens, while meeting up with friends. This was a new destination for all of us. The spring day turned into a surprisingly warm one, making it particularly lovely to relax outside in the courtyard while enjoying coffee, then lunch, and then tea.

We all arrived a little before the scheduled opening time of 11:30 am and met up as we queued at the entrance, eager to begin our exploration. Our first order of business was a visit to the café for coffee and some tempting cakes. We found a table in the sun-drenched courtyard.

We soon discovered that the gardens are privately owned and meticulously cared for. During our visit, we spotted the owner, Susie Pasley-Tyler, diligently tending to her plants. One member of our group, perhaps mistaking her dedication for something else, made the slight faux pas of asking if she was a volunteer helper. The polite and direct reply came, “No, I’m the owner.”

We wandered into the gardens themselves. Laid out on a picturesque hillside, they feature a network of ponds and flowing rills. The water originates from a natural spring. Remarkably, this natural water source is consistently reliable, having continued to flow even during the severe drought of 1975/1976.

Beyond the tranquil ponds, waterfalls, and flowing water features, the gardens are also home to an array of animals including birds. A couple of endearing Kunekune pigs basked contentedly in the warm sunshine before eventually seeking the cool shade of their sty as the day grew warmer. Various duck species, including Mallards, elegant Tufted Ducks, and the more exotic Fulvous Whistling Duck, make their home within the garden’s boundaries. On the lowest pond, there was a small flock of flamingos adding a splash of vibrant colour to the scene.

For R, a particular highlight was discovering a large and flourishing patch of Cowslips, her favourite wildflower. She noted with a touch of disappointment that the Cowslips in our garden weren’t faring as well this year, perhaps a consequence of the preceding wet winter followed by the current dry spring.

Returning to the café for lunch, we enjoyed an excellent meal that was served promptly and efficiently. Then we took a further leisurely walk around the garden, revisiting some of our favourite areas and finding new spots to relax and soak up the afternoon sun. The gardens became pleasantly quieter as the afternoon progressed.

Two areas of the gardens were not yet open, indicating it was still a little early in the season. These were the bluebell woods, which we were informed should open later in April, and the wild flower meadows situated at the bottom of the garden. For those who anticipate multiple visits throughout the year, there is a special season ticket available, which proves to be a worthwhile investment for three or more visits.

The car park is located on the opposite side of the road from the Manor house and gardens. The adjacent fields by the car park are currently planted with elephant grass, a crop grown for biofuel production. Given its brown and dry appearance, I would assume it was awaiting harvesting.

Camsoc Ephemera visit

Posted on April 9, 2025 by SteveApril 25, 2025

9th April 2025

The Berks & Oxon Cambridge Society recently organised a visit to the University of Reading’s Department of Typography & Graphic Communication to explore its fascinating Ephemera collection. You might be wondering, what exactly is ephemera? Simply put, these are items that weren’t initially intended for long-term keeping but have been, through chance or deliberate action, collected and preserved. (The term itself comes from the Greek word ephēmeros, meaning “lasting only a day,” highlighting their transient nature. Interestingly, the word “ephemera” functions as both a singular and plural noun.) Think of everyday items like concert tickets, advertising leaflets, or even old postcards – these can all be considered ephemera.,although there is some disagreement over whether postcards are ephemera or not.

The exhibition we were shown was based around a theme of entertainment, showcasing remarkable collections from the 17th and 18th centuries, including advertising posters for various events, shows and sales. The department is located in a series of functional brick buildings dating back to the 1940s, constructed during World War II. While these buildings were initially slated for demolition and redevelopment, they are now undergoing a process of gradual refurbishment.

Our tour also included a visit to an area where a collection of historical printing presses is maintained, so showing a tangible connection to the methods used to create some of the ephemera we had seen.

The visit sparked an interesting discussion about the fate of modern ephemera in our increasingly digital and seemingly disposable world. It certainly raises questions about what future generations will collect and how the ephemeral items of our time will be preserved and understood. Of course, we were all faced with the problem of what to do with the printed car park passes & visitor labels we’d been given. Preserve or throw??

Oh and Reading Council sent me a nice picture of my car driving along one of their streets. Shame they wanted £35 for the picture.

Cambridge Chemistry Laboratory

Posted on March 22, 2025 by SteveApril 23, 2025

22nd March 2025

I received an invitation to an open day at the Chemistry Laboratory of Cambridge University. The event commenced with a demonstration led by Professor Peter Wothers. While his demonstrations are typically known for their explosive nature, featuring loud bangs from igniting gases, this particular session adopted a more relaxed approach. It showcased naturally occurring elements and how these everyday substances and compounds can be transformed into explosives.

The demonstrations were fascinating. For instance, we learned that elemental iron is not found naturally on the Earth’s surface, except in some meteorites, due to its high reactivity in our oxygen-rich atmosphere. Professor Wothers then poured iron filings, prepared under an inert gas, onto the floor. They immediately ignited, emitting red and white sparks as they burned.

We also witnessed the manufacture of gunpowder from naturally occurring elements and compounds and observed nitrogen triiodide detonating upon the slightest touch. (This is an explosive I made while I was a Cambridge, and distributed over the floor of the late night bar, as well as in keyholes of student rooms.) The demonstration concluded with an explosion of nitroglycerine, all potentially derived from naturally occurring compounds and elements.

Following the demonstration, we had lunch in a space overlooking the laboratory entrance. Several labs were hosting experiments specifically designed to pique children’s interest in chemistry. These rooms were exceptionally noisy, prompting our swift departure.

Afterwards, R visited Bodies in the Bookshop and left with several books. The very obliging shop owner is now collecting several crime novels set in Cambridge for her. He has contacted her on a few occasions since, and we plan to return to Cambridge in June to collect the books.

Our visit concluded with coffee at Espresso Lane, a somewhat quirky, tiny coffee shop located next door. Interestingly, the former residence of the Cambridge executioner is situated on the same street.

R’s Big Day at The Nut Tree Inn

Posted on March 21, 2025 by SteveApril 23, 2025

21st March 2025

To celebrate another milestone birthday, we headed out for lunch to The Nut Tree Inn in Murcott, a one star Michelin restaurant. For lunch they offer a tasting menu, R chose the vegetarian, while I went for the meat option. Most of the courses are the same in the two options, just changing three. There were six courses, plus an additional, optional cheese course. The waitress asked if we wanted a cheese course, and also suggested having one and sharing it. We further opted to have cheese before the desert.

Unfortunately, because I was driving, I could not have the wine pairings, so opted for a pint of beer. R had a glass of wine.

The meal was excellent, as was the waitress. She was helpful and explained the courses to us. The day was excellent, as was the sun.

Vegetarian Menu

Nut Tree breads
Grant Harrington butter, Ampersand dairy, Bicester

Mushroom veloute
white truffle oil

Ricotta agnolotti
preserved lemon, mint, pine nutsm asparagus, amaretto broth

Twice baked Old Winchester cheese soufle
grain mustard sauce

Roast celeriac barley “risotto”
violet artichoke, ceps, gran kinara, truffle oil

Shared Cheese course
selection of Artisan cheese – may be taken before or after desert

Chocolate egg
chocolate mousse, salted caramet, almond chantilly

Passionfruit souffle
passionfruit sorbet, coconut rum custard

Meat Menu

Nut Tree breads
Grant Harrington butter, Ampersand dairy, Bicester

Mushroom veloute
white truffle oil

Panfried pigs head and black pudding terrine
piccalili, crispy quail egg

Fillet of Cornish Turbot
herb puree, asparagus & caviar “blanquette”, poultry jus

Fillet of beef from Aubrey Allen (cooked Medium Rare)
seared foie gras, cep, roast celeriac puree, Madeira sauce

Shared Cheese course
selection of Artisan cheese – may be taken before or after desert

Chocolate egg
chocolate mousse, salted caramet, almond chantilly

Passionfruit souffle
passionfruit sorbet, coconut rum custard

Looking for Foxes 11

Posted on March 15, 2025 by SteveMarch 25, 2025

15th March 2025

The preceding fortnight has been characterised by predominantly dry conditions and clear skies. While for a few days we experienced warmer temperatures, the majority of the period was marked by cold weather, with the pond occasionally freezing over.

A variety of avian species graced the area. A blackbird was observed foraging amongst the leaf litter, while a muntjac deer made a solitary appearance, browsing on the grass near the pond. A collared dove was also sighted at the water’s edge. A fox visited the vicinity on several occasions, sometimes venturing close to the camera and at other times traversing the pond’s perimeter beneath the overhanging vegetation. During one such visit, the fox startled a moorhen, which promptly sought refuge in the pond. A jay was also noted as an occasional visitor.

The relationship between the mallards and moorhens has shown signs of improvement compared to the previous years, when the mallards were consistently driven off. While minor skirmishes still occur, the mallards have managed to maintain their presence.

A male pheasant, likely an escapee from a nearby shoot, continues to inhabit the area. The exact origin of the pheasant remains uncertain, as there are currently no active shoots within a significant radius.

Finally, the rabbit population has flourished, providing a vital food source for the various carnivores that roam the region.

Wild life around the pond. A muntjac walks by

Camping at Fforest Fields

Posted on March 10, 2025 by SteveMarch 18, 2025

10th March 2025

The weather in the UK had been dry for well over a week, and it was predicted to remain dry for at least another week, though a little cool with frosts at night. So, we decided to take our first camping trip of the year in our VW T5. We packed the thick duvet. Of course, as soon as we had booked, mysterious snowflakes appeared in the forecast. We set off quite early, hoping to have Sunday lunch somewhere. Our preferred pub, the Hundred House Inn, appeared to be closed, having shut at the end of November after a recent renovation. It appears to be on the market for £525,000. So, we selected another pub, the Fforest Inn, but alas, we hadn’t booked and there was no room. We drove up to Penybont and tried the Severn Arms Hotel. Here, we were able to eat and had a Welsh Sunday lunch. The turkey and beef were carved from generous joints. There were excellent Yorkshire Puddings and masses of vegetables. Perhaps too many?? It was a good Sunday lunch.

We headed to the Fforest Fields campsite to check in. Nobody was there; we just had to go to Reception to write down the pitch number against our booking details. The shop on site had plenty of basics, all paid for through an honesty box. There were a few campers, who disappeared during the week, leaving only us and one other. On Thursday, a few more started to arrive for the weekend. Despite the lack of campers, the shower block was open and was delightfully warm (underfloor heating!) at any time of the day.

Tradition dictates a bottle of fizzy wine on our first night, but we were both too full of Sunday lunch. We did comply with the traditional walk up to the Lookout. Bit misty.

The campsite-come-farm crew were always there in the morning, having coffee and preparing for the day’s work ahead, which appeared to be quarrying and rebuilding some of the roads and paths.

Most days we managed breakfast and lunch outside. But it was cold, with very frosty mornings (yes, we even used the diesel heater) when ice accumulated on the awning. During our stay, we went for walks into the village and above the campsite. I did several 10km walks and explored several paths and tracks I had not done before. On one particular day, the red kites and buzzards were very much in evidence. We even found the Medieval Fforest Wood Castle, an ancient ditched motte castle-type monument in the wood above the campsite. We had never known of its existence; someone must have recently placed it on Google Maps, where R spotted it.

The main boating lake was quite bare around the edges, before the vegetation grows up. There were quite a few coots and mallards, plus a pair of swans. The swans proceeded to build a nest, and one was sitting on it on the final day. Coots had possession of the smaller lake, near the yurts, where we watched them chase off a pair of Canada Geese.

On our last night, I was up early in the morning, just before 5 am, to view a partial lunar eclipse. Unfortunately, the clouds came in quickly, so there was little time to see it. One of the campsite/farm workers had done a lot better with his eclipse viewings than I did.