Number Seventy News

Seriously good jazz from Tim Garland (various saxophones inc bass) Gwilym Simcock (piano) and Asaf Sirkis (percussion).  Most from their newish double album “Libra”.  Sirkis brings a middle eastern style drum-kit and a slightly world-music tinge; Simcock is a demon player, both cool and belting.  I’d heard Garland once before, in the foyer at the Sage a few years ago but hadn’t realised the magnitude of his talent.  I’m such a sucker for the saxophone, and the bass produces such a rich sound.

Few things more exciting that watching one’s son participating in the leading break in a bike race over 100+ miles, though few things more gutting than having the pros overtake on the last lap, when he’d given his all.  But a great day out – starting with the Moorsbus to Ampleforth, biking across to Hovingham where the cafe/delicatessen does wonderful coffee and sadwiches, and then catching the race from various vantage points with magnificent views over Ryedale as the riders passed on each circuit.  Home from Helmsley on the bus.

The lunchtime 747 from York to Pocklington is a bus, not a jumbo jet, and this one shed all its passengers except me at Full Sutton Prison.  Classic East Yorks scenery through to Bishop Wilton at the foot of the Wolds.  Not up and over this time, but pedalling the Brompton through Skirpenbeck and Buttercrambe to Sand Hutton and Stockton on the Forest.  Wild roses in the hedgerows, cow parsley on the verges, and poppies amongst the oilseed rape.  Light northerly wind to help me along.  (I’d checked this out before leaving – wind assisted cycling is a great way to preserve one’s energies).

I wonder if Stockton on the Forest is the world’s longest village ?

The Portland Street Pedallers don’t get as far out of town as they used to.  Crayke or bust had become Huby or bust and is now The Jacobean or bust.  Three of us made it by bike, through quite cool showers, and two came by car. But I’m still not keen on the Jacobean.  Not much choice of beer and wht there was not particularly well kept. The ride back to The Dormouse  benefited from some pleasant late evening sun and at least the pub had a variety of drinkable beer. Real ale in a pub pastiche.

Sometime back in my youth I believe I saw Harold Pinter’s play “The Caretaker”; I certainly studied it at University and remained baffled.  ”The Homecoming” at the York Theatre Royal, although well reviewed, left me baffled too.  What is the point ?  I don’t leave the theatre feeling that I have learnt anything about human nature, that I have been much amused, that I have experienced any catharsis.  They’re not real people.  (And it’s not the acting)

Pond has 4 fish.

2 goldfish, Marshall and Snelgrove.

2 shubunkins, Hunted and Smallpage.

So far so still alive