Snippets, Video

Three new bands (New to me) in 2020: (1) The Mysterines

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Over the last two years the two main new bands I listen to were (and still are) The Regrettes and Skating Polly. In addition to them I also discovered Jade Bird. A few weeks ago I decided to go on a hunt for a few new bands (new to me, not necessarily new to the scene) I might like. That hunt turned out very successful as I’ve found three bands (all British) that have been on heavy rotation since and I expect will remain for some time. So I thought I share some of their music, starting with The Mysterines from Liverpool (introduction in the NME), opening with Take Control:

The Mysterines – Take Control

Moving on to Love’s Not Enough:

The Mysterines – Love’s Not Enough

A quite fast version of Gasoline:

The Mysterines – Gasoline

To close just Lia Metcalfe on her own with an acoustic guitar (incl a much slower version of Gasoline):

Lia Metcalfe (The Mysterines) – NME Home Sessions

I hope you enjoyed the music, more in the second part to follow tomorrow.

Pictures

Grass Snake going for a swim on the canal

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Having only taken pictures from my windows for a few weeks I ventured out along the Kennet and Avon Canal when the lockdown restrictions were eased a bit. I stopped near Frouds Lane to try to take a few pictures of birds crossing the canal. That wasn’t very successful. I was just about to leave when I got lucky, although not with a bird. I noticed some motion on the other side of the canal and suddenly a Grass Snake swimming across the canal came into view:

  • Picture of a Grass Snake swimming on a canal
    (1) Grass Snake approaching
  • Picture of a Grass Snake swimming on a canal, seen from the side, tongue out
    (2) Grass Snake swimming
  • Picture of the head of a swimming Grass Snake reflecting on the water
    (3) Head of a swimming Grass Snake reflecting on the water
  • Picture of a swimming Grass Snake with the tongue out
    (4) Swimming Grass Snake with the tongue out
  • Picture of a swimming Grass Snake turning around, showing us the back of its head
    (5) Swimming Grass Snake turning around
  • Picture of a Grass Snake swimming past a twig floating on the water
    (6) Grass Snake swimming back past a twig
A Grass Snake swimming across the Kennet and Avon Canal. Click the pictures for the larger versions

I must admit I didn’t know that snakes can swim until I saw this one doing it. This snake had to cross the canal twice (and did it quite easily it seems): It came across only to realise that on the other side was a retaining wall about 2 ft high, so it couldn’t get out. It had a brief look, then turned around and swam back where it disappeared into the undergrowth (no wall on that side). The tongue was nicely visible several times and the head nicely reflected/mirrored on the water. I hope you like and enjoy these pictures. I certainly enjoyed the moment and watching the snake.

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.

Pictures, Thoughts

Steam Train passing Aldermaston Station

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After the (luckily short) heat wave this week it was pleasantly cool this Saturday morning, also a bit damp as it had rained most of the night and still hadn’t fully stopped by the time I decided to leave for the train station. For it was time to watch and photograph another steam train passing Aldermaston Station.

  • Picture of a steam train approaching behind a bridge
    (1) Steam train approaching from Reading
  • Picture of a steam train passing under a road bridge
    (2) Steam train under the A340 road bridge
  • Picture of a steam train passing under a road bridge
    (3) Steam train clearing the A340 road bridge
  • Picture of a steam train passing a rural train station
    (4) Steam train passing through Aldermaston station
  • Picture of a steam train passing close up
    (5) Steam train close up
  • Picture of a steam train from behind, steaming away into the distance
    (6) Steam train has passed on its way to Newbury

Since the electrification of the line watching steam trains passing through isn’t the same any more, but then again some progress is necessary and I certainly prefer the electric trains over the old stinking and noisy Diesels we had before.

I haven’t bothered looking up the details of the steam engine pulling the train today, I hope you’ll still enjoy the pictures without that information. If you do know more about the locomotive feel free to leave the information in the comments.

Nothing but the truth…