Feed the Birds......

Peaceful Abberton reservoir from the Layer church carpark, last Friday 8.30 am.

I took a walk over to the Visitor Centre at Abberton Reservoir last week. Essex Wildlife Trust do a great job promoting this special site for wildlife, and to raise funds they now host music events throughout the year - the next is an outdoor event on Friday evening, followed by a Soul party on Saturday. Why not pop along? There are, of course, also some good family activities this week - check out the website by clicking on the link above. I think I'd take a jumper (or two).
For  those twitchers among you, there were great views of Yellow Wagtail, Skylark and Gadwall from the path down from church.

I do hope you enjoy a trip there - I can only blog what's publicised, and I'd like to apologise to anyone who was disappointed by the Farmers' Market at Bourne Mill that I blogged - I was given the information about stallholders just 3 weeks ago by staff there. I'll include an update in a future blog. I'm passionate about local food and try to highlight what's available.  I'm afraid I don't think there's a Colchester Farmers' market this month either - it's usually the first Friday of the month at the Arts Centre, but that will be full of beer this Friday...see the next blog!

Song - Eels - Mark E  - I like Birds....a simple sentiment in a sometimes brutal world.



A yellow Wagtail (sorry, I didn't take this picture)

Bourne Free....

Bourne Mill on a spring day, with thanks to the National Trust

Ok, sorry, that's quite enough 'Born' puns now - but I just wanted to remind you of the Farmers' market at Bourne Mill this Sunday (29th May), featuring over 20 stalls, including my good friends and purveyors of the best pork, Primrose Pork. And from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. if you're going to the market you get in to the Mill for free! So if you haven't been before - now's a great chance! It's just off the Mersea Road almost opposite the Cemetery. I'm told the market could become a regular event if it's well-supported, so I hope you can get down there.

Song...taken from the recent sell-out gig at the wonderful Little Rabbit Barn, American guitarist Janet Robin plays 'What's the matter with the Mill?'. Originally recorded by the original 'Girl with Guitar' Memphis Minnie in 1930!

Nothing new there then....

junk courtesy Mrs. Blogger

At the Minories Saturday 28th May- a fair of 'pre-loved and recycled' items. 10 am 'till 4 pm - why not pop along? It's more than junk - there will be crafts, vintage items, art and gifts - all sold from suitcases or bicycles.

Song - a real New Wave classic - Magazine 'Cut-out Shapes' from the album 'Secondhand Daylight'. A cheerful little number like all of Howard's songs!

The Green Shoots of Spring....

Asparagus and Strawberries courtesy Fiveways Fruit farm

You know it's really Spring when the Asparagus season is in full swing - and we're lucky to have a farm right here in Colchester. Fiveways fruit farm sell Asparagus straight from the field, as well as strawberries, cherries (in July), and their own delicious apple juice. It's almost opposite the co-op 'Fiveways'. See you there!

Song - not many about Asparagus. How about Shonen Knife ' Riding on The Rocket' - contains the great lyrics
 Riding on the rocket I wanna go to Pluto
Space foods are marshmallows, asparagus, ice cream
Blue eyed kitty cat said, "Please let me go with you"

Iko, iko everybody let's go

 

Did anyone see them at the Arts Centre recently? - I was going to, but then got cold feet about seeing a band who had their 15 minutes so long ago, and now I wish I'd gone!

Talkin 'bout my generation.....

With thanks to Sally Parkinson and Firstsite

All of the people getting their 15 minutes of fame in in the wonderful artwork at the entrance to Firstsite have been influenced by 'Pop Art'. Find out more about different aspects of this huge artistic movement, of which Andy Warhol was certainly a leading exponent, in free talks every Saturday. These are given by different independent experts each time, so well worth popping in for (you don't even need to book). See you there!
Music -Patti Smith - My Generation'...fooled you there! - won't get fooled again!

Woody be nice....

past and forthcoming attractions at the Mercury Theatre

So as I said I get a lot of emails about arts events and sadly can't make them all...but here's one you might want to take advantage of. The splendid Mercury Theatre hosts a huge variety of touring shows, often for just one night. And this Thursday there's a show about Woody Guthrie, entitled 'Woody Sez'. I've been emailed a code that will get half-price tickets, and I'm sure the splendid people at the Mercury will be delighted if you use it, since I have other commitments. The code is WOODY11 - yes, tickets for £11 instead of £22. Book online and enjoy the show. Sorry I can't make it.
Song.... national treasure Billy Bragg sings Woody's 'I ain't got no Home' - I saw him sing this last year - brilliant!

Ode to the Silver Screen...

I get so many emails about arts events I can't possibly get to all of them (though I might be tempted to try), but a recent Odeon cinema email caught my eye, inviting me to a film for just £3 - including coffee! The catch? - it's during the day in the week and you should be over 55. No problem for me! - I assumed it would be stuff I wasn't particularly keen on, but no, first up was ' Bridge of Spies' - so along I went one Tuesday. I was a bit miffed they didn't query my age (a young-looking 57!), but to be honest I don't think they care as long as there's people there at 11.00 on a Tuesday.
Anyway, If you fit  the bill, and can make it, I recommend it! And Bridge of Spies is a good film, with great performances and a sharp and wryly witty script from the Coen brothers. It spills over to American sentimentality at the end, but then it is about individuals doing what is humanly right in difficult times.  I also enjoyed 'Joy'  but I think I'll give Dad's Army a miss. 'Spotlight' on this week...

what do you expect for £3?! (including the film)

Song - the Beatles - When I'm Sixty-Four.

Bourne Identity.....

Crab Apple tree in flower today at beautiful Bourne Mill

Colchester's own National Trust property at Bourne Mill is not worth a long detour, but if there's something on it's well worth a visit - and the garden was looking lovely in the spring sunshine today. They have a Farmers' Market on Sunday (8th May) from 10 to 2 pm. And the craft group 'Bourne Valley Crafters' have a craft fair on Saturday  at St. STEPHEN'S CHURCH HALL, Canterbury Rd., Colchester  13.00 - 17.00. If, like me, you were working today and couldn't get to the Colchester Farmers' market, then why not go along on Sunday - see you there!

Song... Bruce Springsteen - Bourne to Run!