Category Archives: Thoughts

Some of my thoughts, ideas and other text based entries

Pictures, Thoughts

May colours at Westonbirt Arboretum

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My first real day out for over a year since the pandemic started, my last big day out before was a trip to Oxford on the day I picked up my new car (which stiil has less than 2,000 miles on the clock) at the end of January 2020. Spurred on by memories of May 2020 where we had some beautiful sunny weather (but couldn’t get out much under lockdown) I had decided to take a week off in May 2021 for some first tentative steps to get out a bit further than the local walks and weekly trip to the supermarket. Of course the weather didn’t really cooperate, although I probably picked the best day for the only real trip I managed to get in:

After not having been for probably more than a decade I decided to visit Westonbirt Arboretum, in the hope of some nice spring colours. A few days before I pre-booked my ticket online, for the time being admission is only with pre-booked tickets so that they can control visitor numbers and make sure it doesn’t get overcrowded, allowing social distancing to keep everyone safe. After an uneventful drive I arrived at 11:00 to some mostly cloudy weather with occasional showers. Luckily the clouds broke up early afternoon, giving me some beautiful sunny intervals to enjoy the colours. My hopes for some beautiful May colours were certainly fulfilled, lots of plants in bloom and a lot of fresh greens (and reds). I took a lot of pictures, here are 10 of my favourites:

  • Picture of three small trees with different leaf colours, green and red
    Three colourful trees
  • Picture of some wet red flowers after a rain shower
    Wet red flowers
  • Picture of a big beautiful tree with big branches behind a field of Bluebells
    Big tree behind Bluebells
  • Picture of a small meadow covered in Bluebells, surrounded by trees
    Bluebells in a sunny meadow
  • Picture of trees in various colours and shades (red, amber, green) over a carpet of Bluebells
    Colourful woods, red, green, amber, blue
  • Picture of trees in various shades of red and green leaves
    Shades of red and green
  • Picture of a pink Rhododendron bush with some green leaves visible
    Green leaves and pink Rhododendron
  • Picture of two red Rhododendron bushes behind a carpet of Bluebells
    Red Rhododendron behind Bluebells
  • Picture of Lime Avenue at Westonbirt Arboretum in the fresh May green on a sunny afternoon
    Lime Avenue at Westonbirt Arboretum in the fresh May green
  • Picture of three tall tree trunks behind some Bluebells
    Three trees behind Bluebells
May colours at Westonbirt Arboretum (click on the pictures for the larger versions)

I spent the whole day until closing time at 17:00 walking around, discovering new views, new trees, new colours, new plants, revisiting places for different light after the sun came out and more. It wasn’t busy most of the time, I think through a combination of the pre-booked tickets and the not very promising weather forecast (with the weather turning out much better than forecasted luckily). Some features (e.g. small parts of the treetop walk) were closed to ensure social distancing, but the vast majority was open. My enjoyment of the arboretum wasn’t diminished at all. The staff was friendly and helpful when I needed them. All in all a great day out, I felt safe pretty much throughout and enjoyed the May colours I had come for.

On my return journey I decided to a small bonus and made a detour to an old haunt of mine, a place I had visited many times when I first arrived in the UK, Avebury. I didn’t stay long, but had a nice time revisiting familiar views.

I arrived back home in the evening very tired, but also very satisfied after a great day out.

Pictures, Thoughts

Big Stones at Avebury Stone Circle

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On my first big day out for over a year due to the pandemic I went to Westonbirt Arboretum (pictures from that in a separate post) on a May day with changeable weather. On my return journey I decided to make a detour via Avebury Stone Circle, a place I had great memories of from my early years in the UK 25 years ago. I hadn’t visited since moving to West Berkshire over 10 years ago. I had the place pretty much for myself (well, apart from the sheep and lambs) and took a few pictures of some of the standing stones during a few short sunny intervals. I used my wide angle lens and went close up, hopefully showing the massive size of these stones.

  • Picture of a stone circle seen from an embankment on a May evening with sunny intervals
    Avebury Stone Circle
  • Picture of standing stones in a stone circle on a sunny May evening
    Big Stones at Avebury Stone Circle (1)
  • Picture of standing stones in a stone circle on a sunny May evening
    Big Stones at Avebury Stone Circle (2)
  • Picture of a standing stone in a stone circle with a big tree in the background on a sunny May evening
    Big Stone and a Big Tree at Avebury Stone Circle
  • Picture of standing stones in a stone circle with a big tree in the background on a sunny May evening
    Big Stones and a Big Tree at Avebury Stone Circle
  • Picture of standing stones in a stone circle on a sunny May evening, a sheep wandering past
    Big Stones and a Sheep at Avebury Stone Circle
Big Stones at Avebury Stone Circle (click on the pictures for the large versions)

I didn’t stay long as I was tired after a long day walking around Westonbirt Arboretum, also some heavier clouds moved in and it looked like rain was on the way. But I’m sure I’ll be back later this year or next year as we hopefully progress with overcoming the pandemic and the country opens up further. In the meantime I hope you’ll enjoy these pictures.

Thoughts, Video

What I’ve been listening to recently

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Having been moved from Google Play Music (now shut down) to YouTube Music by Google a few months ago I’ve been playing around with playlists a bit. It seems I can share them, so here’s one I’m using a lot at the moment:

My “Bad Mood Blaster” playlist, showing the first song on it. Not ideal but that’s what it does. Open it in YouTube to shuffle, view the full list etc

I’ve called it “Bad Mood Blaster”, partially because it came to my mind first and after that I couldn’t think of anything better, partially because that’s what it helps me with, picking me up and cheering me up both when I need it and just generally. I’ve described it as this:

Loud songs to blast any bad mood away. Guitar, bass and drum focused. Max 2 songs per artist. From the 1980s to the 2020s

That’s about it. It will continue to grow and change as I add artists and in some cases possibly switch out songs (as I want to stick to the max 2 songs per artist “rule”). Some well known songs/hits you will probably know, some lesser known songs you might not know.

Obviously includes six songs from the three bands I discovered for me last year, The Mysterines, Dream Wife and The Big Moon. I wonder which bands new to me I will add this year, if any?

Pictures, Thoughts

Birds and more from my windows

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During the first several weeks of the Coronavirus lockdown I wasn’t able to go out with my camera. As I live in a flat and therefore don’t have a garden I couldn’t even go out into the garden and take pictures there. Still, I did have my windows (including the door of my “fake balcony”) and I managed to take a few pictures from there. Here are some of the better ones:

  • Fluffy Blue Tit
    Fluffy Blue Tit
  • Great Tit above some fresh leaves
    Great Tit above some fresh leaves
  • Sparrow balancing on a vertical branch
    Sparrow balancing on a vertical branch
  • Sparrow among fresh shoots on a tree
    Sparrow among fresh shoots on a tree
  • Heron in (and behind) distant trees
    Heron in (and behind) distant trees
  • Insect on some tree buds (1)
    Insect on some tree buds (1)
  • Insect on some tree buds (2)
    Insect on some tree buds (2)
  • Beautiful Moon in the afternoon light
    Beautiful Moon in the afternoon light
Birds and more from my windows, click on the picture for the large version in a gallery

Nothing spectacular, Blue Tits, Great Tits and Sparrows are what I mainly see from my window. But also a distant Heron at the top of some trees around a nearby pond. Also some insects collecting pollen. And a beautiful clear Moon in the afternoon light.

Thoughts, Video

My New Year’s Eve 2019 Playlist

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So that’s another year and a decade coming to an end. Having a relaxing evening at home, probably aiming for a reasonably early night so that I can be ready for the New Year’s Day concert from Vienna tomorrow (same as this year). Currently baking an improvised garlic and onion bread, which I’ll enjoy with a beef steak with black garlic butter soon. And while that’s going on I’m listening to one of my favourite playlists I’ve built up this year. Some is from bands/artists I discovered this year, some is from bands/artists I’ve known for a while. Some I’ve mentioned on this blog before, some will be new. They all have something in common though, I’ll let you figure out what that might be. Thought I’d share that playlist, where I’ve found a YouTube video I’ve linked it so you can listen if you’re interested:

Sorry, no YouTube playlist (I exported the list from my Google Play Music playlists and looked up the videos, picking live alternatives in some cases where studio versions were not available). You’ll have to pick the individual songs you’re interested in. Hope you find something you’ll like.