Janet and John.....

what a lot of books -with thanks to Colchester Library/Essex County Council

and a handy place for my bike too!

The Essex Book Festival seems to get bigger every year, attracting famous authors and featuring a huge diversity, linked by a common thread - books (there's a clue in the name). I  just love a proper book, the patina of age on it, turning the pages, using an old train ticket as a bookmark (currently a Miami Metro ticket), the anticipation of a book on a table. And I've been using our libraries as soon as I learnt to read (Janet and John!), and still pop in most weeks. Use it or lose it!
But I do have a problem with a book festival - I love to read, but I struggle with the point of people talking about reading. Still, that's just me and I hope to get to some events. Don't knock it until you've tried it! Many events are held in local libraries and if  you're anywhere near please go along - tickets are from the Mercury Theatre box office. Vince Cable, Richard III, Orson Welles, Queen Victoria, they're all there, and many fictitious characters as well. See you there!
Song - Everyday I write the Book - Elvis Costello - though, I always thought, one of his less-successful songs, until it was rescued by Ron Sexsmith. .

Fifteen minutes of fame....

Dying Star Doorbell, courtesy Katie Paterson and Firstsite

Listen, Firstsite can't be the Arts Centre mark II. I love what Anthony Roberts did, but time to move onwards and upwards. With the appointment of new director Sally Shaw, and Jules Armour managing front-of-house,(she brought life and energy to the National Trust's Bourne Mill last summer), things must continue to improve. Please speak to them - Jules was very happy to hear what I had to say when I popped in last Friday. I also heard a rumour that the next show will be a bit of a blockbuster by a well-known name - a bit of a clue in my title!
Don't forget that the programme of films and events continues, with half-term films just £1.
Song - David Bowie - Andy Warhol. Thanks for the music David.

Apple of my eye

Lovely apples from Daymens Hill at Colchester Farmers' market

Lovely local apples from Daymens Hill near Tiptree, and tasty juice for breakfast treats at the weekend, are just some of the produce in store at Wivenhoe Farmers' market next Saturday morning. It's held at the Congregational Hall, just up the hill from the William Loveless hall (there are good films on there every week, with a special half-term one tomorrow afternoon). There's always seasonal vegetables from Keeper's nursery, and Biodynamic Beef from Willow Farm.
Also in Wivenhoe next Saturday (20th), one of the very popular poetry events at the Sentinel Gallery - I'd book now if you want to go, as it's a small place!

Song - Eat to the Beat - Blondie - great drums!

When you're in a hole.....

As I walked, like thousands of Colcestrians  have done for 2000 years, through the Balkerne gate, I stumbled upon these two chaps from Colchester Archaeological Trust, doing a mini-excavation. It's amazing what the Trust have done for Colchester, and you can support them by joining the Friends group. The latest exciting find, which is in all the press (and not just in Colchester) is of the arcade that fronted the Temple. You can view the remains tomorrow from 10 am, meet at Castle Entrance. See you there!

I think this might be the building - the view was slightly different 2000 years ago!

Song - Adele - A Million Years ago - haven't had a song from the Walthamstow wonder yet..I was completely hooked when I saw her at Somerset House in 2008 (was it really that long ago?...must be, Google doesn't lie does it?... well, maybe a bit when it comes to tax). The new Amy Winehouse she was billed as then, nothing like her of course. By the way, if you haven't seen it catch the film 'Amy' - quite harrowing, it made me cry in row 78 of the A380 flight to Miami recently - other passengers must have wondered what I was on.

Something Fishy...

I was in town shopping at our various market stalls when I encountered this queue. A queue on Colchester Market? - Yes, all wanting to buy fresh fish, predominantly caught off East Anglia. And just round the corner is another stall specialising in Mersea-caught fish.

So now there are two great places to buy fresh fish in Town, particularly on a Friday. I like that too, the tradition of eating fish on a Friday. Why not give it a go? I'm making a tasty fish pie tomorrow!
Song - Jackie Wilson - Sole Galore ...or should that be Soul Galore....Sorry! But seriously - If you want good-time up-beat soul you can't beat the Jackie Wilson compilation 'the Soul Years' - I might go and dust off the vinyl now....

Crazy not to go....

Lots of good stuff behind that door...With thanks to the Mercury

Great to see the Colchester Mercury Studio  up and running after a refurbishment - and with a packed programme of varied performance. So please go along - there's everything from heart-wrenching drama to whimsy and comedy - why not sign-up for the Mercury email newsletter? I'm looking forward to 'Crazy Glue' tomorrow - a show with no dialogue but lots to say! See you There!

Song - 'Crazy' by Patsy Cline - some talents transcend genre and time - and this performance was live!

Me and the Farmer....

Mr Lafleur of Rainbow Bay, Eleuthera, Bahamas

Hi everybody, just got back from my winter trip to the Bahamas (I know, tough work, but someone has to carry Mrs. Blogger's towel and cook her meals). A busy spring scene in the offing in Colchester, which I'll be reporting on over the next week, so watch this space. First up  though I need some good local food, particularly sausages! (With the lovely fresh vegetables from Mr Lafleur's farm we didn't eat any meat for 3 weeks, but with the colder weather here I've developed a craving for some sausages!). Down to the Arts Centre tomorrow for the Colchester Farmers' Market, sausages from Great Wigborough. Sorted....see you there!

My sojourn in the Bahamas was very peaceful, but  we did catch one local band - playing a wide mix of covers but amongst the dross was a perfect rendition of the Gregory Isaacs classic, Night Nurse. Enjoy!