Masham Players - Happy Families Autumn 2009

The cast line up for their third encore!

Masham Players Autumn Production of Happy Families by John Godber went down a storm last Thursday night. They played to a full house and had several well deserved curtain calls.

Happy Families follows the life of John, the son of Dot and Vic, from childhood to adulthood. John was brilliantly played by Richard Bailey, and the audience immediately warmed to him.

Other cast members were:
Jenny Bellamy
Jonathan Trenholme
Jill Davis
Brian Howard Gregg
Jacqui Hedley
Susan Smith
Kathryn Carter
Saffron-Skye Headley

Congratulations to the director Julie Prescott who, in my opinion, cast this play perfectly. And to the cast for their hilarious, and poignant performance. I am a big fan of 'The Royle Family' and this play was definitely on a par with them.

I shall never drink Earl Grey again without laughing, and you might guess that in our house it has now become Early Grey!
And, I can remember drinking Rington's Tea during my childhood.

Another great production, however, I was disappointed again that our National Anthem wasn't played prior to the performance. It used to be - why the change?

Sue Who? Book Launch

Sue and I swapping signed copies.

Last night Sat Nav, my niece Amy, and I were guests at the launch of Sue Bulmer's debut novel entitled Sue Who? at The Black Horse, Swainby, North Yorkshire

Sue Who? is based on Sue's own life experiences from her childhood in the East End of London, to becoming a fashion model and successful business woman. Sue describes her book as the 'Life and Loves of a 60's Model'



Back home after the launch I read the introduction; now I can't wait to read the rest.

But . . . I will have to make myself wait until I've finished reading Louise Bagshawe's novel Passion. www.louisebagshawebooks.com
Why?
Because I know that once I start to read Sue's book I won't be able to put it down. www.suebulmer.blogspot.com

Anita Atkinson - Firewalk Wolsingham Club 2009

The video says it all! What a night to remember, the 5th November!

Masham Music Society - Masham Arts Festival 2009

Can you spot Sat Nav and my niece Amy?
It was Amy's public debut with the Society . . . and I have to say she was brilliant (not that I'm biased, of course!)
Sat Nav was brilliant too!

As part of Masham Arts Festival the Masham Music Society performed in the Home Grown Concert on Sunday night in St Mary's Church.
They sang two songs The Miner's Dream of Home, and Grandfather's Clock. Both songs will be part of their annual performance, which will take place in Masham Town Hall on Saturday 5th December 2009.

All of the singers were in good voice. It was obvious that the audience enjoyed them by their tremendous applause, and compliments.

Can't wait for the full show. Well done!

The Sex Pistols Experience

Sex Pistols


Scam 69


The Clash

On Saturday night my niece Amy, Sat Nav and I went along to Masham Town Hall to see The Sex Pistol Experience. And, what an experience it was! There were three tribute bands making music, not my kind of music, but they were very good. The punk rockers certainly enjoyed themselves.

As always, it was great to catch up with our friends Andy, Shaun and Claire. I think the cakes went down well ;-)

Masham Famous Ales and Fortified Wine

In my latest article for the Ripon edition of Infocus magaizne www.jkanorth.com I wrote about how good it is to help one another out.
I call it being kind.

Last Saturday someone was very kind to me.

I went into the wine shop in Masham www.corksandcases.com to ask if they would display a poster for a friend of mine. While I was in the shop one of the owners (Angela) was talking about a very classy vintage fortified Shiraz from Australia. Apparently this wine is available from only five retail outlets in the UK, Corks and Cases being one of them. She invited me to taste it. I don't drink alcohol (only on very rare occasions because it goes straight to my knees, and I was driving) so I declined.

But, I thought I would write about this wine because I think it is amazing that wine such as this is available in Masham.
It's a bit ironic too, as Masham is renowned for its excellent beer being the home of the legendary Masham Ale 'Old Peculier' from www.theakstons.co.uk as well as 'Black Sheep Best Bitter' and 'Holy Grail' from www.blacksheepbrewery.com

I wanted to take a photo of a bottle of this d'Arenberg tipple and tried several times but couldn't get a decent pic on my mobile phone. I didn't have my camera with me.
But then Elias Moubayed came into the shop, picked up on the conversation and offered to take a photo for me, which he did and promptly sent it straight to my email address. Now that's what I call kindness at it's best. Thanks Elias.

Now for my wine buff friends I've take the following information from the d'Arenberg website. You can find out more from www.darenberg.com.au Cheers!




The Characteristics
The wine has a very deep black appearance with a wonderful crimson deep cherry red hue. Intense aromas of ripe, blackberry fruits, liquorice appear first followed by prune-like notes with deep spicy plum pudding characters. As it opens, deeper blackberry mulberry fruits with anise evolve combined with a lifted (and slightly ‘taily’) brandy spirit which is most appealing. The initial attack of primary fruit flavours, combined with the integrated, unwooded brandy spirit ensure the palate is full-flavoured balanced with very fine, almost tea-like tannins and the dry impact of the spirit.
Just wonderful!

With significant bottle age, ‘The Vintage Fortified’ made with Shiraz gains extraordinary complexity. The intense young colour becomes a lighter, more ruby-red initially, then quite amber. Fruit and brandy spirit integrate further, making way for whiffs of roses, chocolate/walnut, coffee and orange/cumquat peel smells. The palate becomes more balanced and develops further complexity with notes of caramelised figs, dark chocolate, malt, coffee and vanilla mixed with tobacco-like flavours with a finish that’s very soft and delicate.

Jervaulx Abbey - North Yorkshire

An afternoon of fun at Jervaulx Abbey. It was peaceful until we arrived ;-)

My niece Amy and I tried to make this little video last week, however, it wouldn't save due to my hard drive being full. So, I went along to Curry's in Ripon on Monday and bought a new external hard drive. The staff in there are very helpful and friendly. They helped me pick the right one for my computer. Isn't technology confusing! Thanks guys.

Middleham Castle - North Yorkshire

Middleham Castle, another contender in the search for my new office! www.english-heritage.org.uk

Scottish Highlands September 2009

Just thought I'd share my highland fling with you!

How Stean Gorge - North Yorkshire

A fun afternoon at How Stean Gorge www.howstean.co.uk The instructor invited me to don a wet suit and abseil down the gorge. Would you?

My iPod Touch from Moreover.com

This is my new iPod Touch (sorry the light is reflected in the photo) that I won from www.moreover.com I completed a survey for them a few weeks ago. I am new to iPods so it will be fun trying to work it out. Engraved on the back of the iPod is a lovely thank you message from Moreover.com, which I thought was a very nice gesture.

Thank you Morover.com

Book Signing Borders Gateshead 23rd August 2009

I had a great time book signing at Borders Gateshead yesterday www.borders.co.uk/store/gateshead/15/ with fellow author Mark Jackman www.mark-jackman.com
I hope you enjoy the uncut video!

Nearly forgot, the chocolate muffins from Starbucks are still as tasty as ever ;-)

Podcast: Richmond Castle - North Yorkshire

Supple Joints Part 2 Cetyl M update

This is the promised update regarding the progress of the joint supplement Cetyl M trial on our veteran equine Katie.

Those of you who read the first blog will know that the trial started in May. Under normal circumstance the loading dose of Cetyl M is 2 scoops morning and evening for the first 4 weeks, however, because of Katie's great age Garbriela from Collarways www.collarways.com who distribute Cetyl M and who requested the trial, recommended the loading dose period was extended to 5 weeks.

After 5 weeks Katie was given 2 scoops daily in a very small feed in the evening.

The improvement in her movement and stiffness has continued, and been sustained.

Last weekend Kathy Boyer, Equine Therapist, gave Katie a massage.
Kathy knows Katie's condition very well so is in the perfect position to comment on her improvement. During the session Kathy did a series of stretches with Katie and she was amazed at the result. Kathy's parting shot when she left was, Keep giving her that supplement - it's marvellous stuff!.

This morning we had the second visit from our farrier, Richard Stephenson, since Katie started on the trial. On Richard's previous visit he had confirmed that in his opinion (as well as ours) there was some joint improvement.
Today Richard was amazed at the improvement in Katie's arthritis and how easily she moved. He said it was brilliant because she offered no resistance while he tended to her.

Both Kathy and Richard are willing and able to confirm the huge improvement in Katie.
Kathy can be contacted by email at Kathymboyer@googlemail.com and Richard on 07976612834.

Thornton Watlass Hall - Horse Trials 2009

Yesterday Sat Nav and I took ourselves along to the Thornton Watlass Horse Trials www.thorntonwatlasshorsetrials.co.uk at Thornton Watlass Hall www.thorntonwatlasshall.co.uk

The sun shone, and we had a lovely exciting day. We watched some spectacular riders performing dressage, show jumping and finally the cross-country (my fave).

Between us we managed to get some photos of horses and riders in mid-flight.

I had a chance to wander around the craft stalls and met Carl Hierons www.carl-hierons-photo-gallery.co.uk partner ( would you believe I don't know her name?) We chatted about his photographs which are truly mesmerizing, I loved the one he had taken on the beach at Bamburgh, Northumberland where the waves are crashing onto the beach like white horses, and the castle stands proud in the background.

Vlog!

I am in the process of creating a regular Vblog. If any of you have any questions you would like to ask me about my book, publishing, aliens, me, or anything at all (that could be fun) please send them via email, and I will do my best to answer in my Vblog. Please state if you want to remain anonymous.

Solberge Hall

There are some beautiful hotels and country houses in North Yorkshire so when Sue Bulmer and I decided to meet up somewhere near to Northallerton (a midway point) to discuss writing, I wanted to find somewhere with the comfortable style that appeals to me and offered free Wi-Fi!

And look what I found . . . The Solberge Hall Hotel. www.solbergehall.co.uk







Today, Sue and I spent a few hours in its pleasant, well furnished lounge being looked after by the friendly, welcoming staff.

Sue Bulmer is a new author. Her first book entitled Sue Who? is due to be published in November 2009. The book is an autobiography. It tells the story of her city life as a model to her now rural life as a farmer.