Tuesday 19 September 2017

Monday 18th September 17, Launch of Two Rivers Radio

Quite an exciting day as York's new online radio station, Two Rivers Radio was launched, broadcasting from The Corner Pin pub on Tanner Row, in the centre of York.  I was keen to listen as I'm starting my monthly show in a fortnight, and I wanted to get a feel for the thing.  So I listened on-and-off for the first three hours from just after midday, before I had to do some work outside.

I did quite a big pick from the back garden.... hazelnuts, the last of the walnuts, pears from the 'Family Tree', James Grieve apples, nasturtium seeds for salting and pickling.

I composted a vast pile of bread.

Then I had to take the hot water urns back to Red Tower and pick up the Edible York gazebos and cycled them up to the Dormouse where the apple pick was just beginning. I had my long extendable picker and was able to get a couple of trays of nice eaters, and went with some others to try to find a pear tree, which we did eventually find. The difficulty was, the tree was so big the pears were too high up to be able to get, although I did reach a dozen or so.

At 8pm it was the Edible York AGM and I sensibly didn't get myself put forward to become a trustee. I was glad to be there but sad I was missing Kate Lock's first Two Rivers show. I cycled back into town and popped into see Joy who's come back from a weekend with Alan, ad then onto the Corner Pin for the last hour of the show, which finished when the pub shut at 11pm.

I got home and spent quite a bit of time sorting out some of the fruit which needs drying immediately, rather than storing it which I hope I can do with some of the trays.

Monday 21 August 2017

Sunday 20th August 17

Old Goole Gala today, quite a hike, literally, so an early start.  Got up before 7 to get to the station for the 8am train to Doncaster where there was a half-hour wait before the Goole train.  I'd already worked out the route from Goole station to South Park, Google maps had it at 1.4 miles, so a 35 to 40 minute walk with all my equipment, which is further than I generally like to walk before a gig to get to the venue.  I usually have a rucksack with my costume and the 2-wheel and 4-wheel unicycles, the one-wheel kids uni over my shoulder and pushing the adult uni, plus my tennis racquet bag with devilsticks, juggling balls, diabolos and more; this is the heaviest bag.  I usually have a bag for my sandwiches and other stuff, so this time I had taken some pumpkin seeds to shell for my muesli, whilst waiting on station platforms.  But at least the route was easy, south from the station and straight through the docks, over 3 swing-bridges and rail crossings. just following the main road.  So I arrived at the field, which had a funfair on it, soon after 10, so that I could be ready for an 11am start for the parade.

After I got changed in the inaccessible disabled toilet (door wouldn't open due to an obstruction, no light meaning the door had to be left ajar) I was directed to join a marching band who were going to be picked up by a lorry and taken half way back towards town for the start of the parade.  The marching band I was with all had big yellow plumes on their hats, and had a good range of drums, xylophones and little girls carrying batons or pompoms. They were from the Goole and Humberside area.  Another band had come over from Nottingham.  We all got onto the lorry and sat on straw bales for the slow journey along to the start point.  I just took my favourite devilstick, with the intention of going behind a nice funky band and dancing round with my sticks, spinning them and twirling round, throwing it up high, in my usual flowing fashion. I kept away from the bagpipe band as that doesn't work for devilsticking to!

So the hour-long procession started, and wound its way through Old Goole, watched by people from their front gardens and pavements. On a couple of occasions I spotted someone with a walking stick watching, and I went and grabbed it, offering my devilstick in swap, and did an impromptu 30 seconds of spinning the walking stick before giving it back and continuing on my route behind the marching band.

I was glad to arrive back at the field and as I was setting up my area, I had my sandwiches as I knew I'd not get time to take a break once I got started.  So then the full-on workshops and shows started, mainly focusing on devilsticks, unicycle and 3-ball juggling. This went on til 5pm, although towards the end it tailed off a bit and I got a group of more challenging participants.

One was a gobby teenager who was a bit of a show-off and demanded a go on the 4-wheel unicycle, and was fairly average, not being steady enough for me to allow her to try the 2-wheel pedal go unicycle, as this is much much more difficult. She was verbally aggressive and very offended that I'd told her she wasn't good enough to do the more difficult skill.  She told me I was wrong to tell her, or anybody, this, although I do this because of safety concerns, as several people have come off the 2-wheeler and got hurt, one even breaking a bone in her foot. She was very persistent and I said that if she waited her turn she could do the 4-wheeler again and show me how competent she was, and this time she was much more careful and focused, and did the 4-wheeler perfectly. I said she could now go on the 2-wheeler and again, she was actually reasonably competent on this and I apologised, saying I'd misjudged her. She was surprised to receive an apology, as I expect most adults don't easily apologise to children.  So I surprised her further by telling her that if she worked with a couple of her friends she could have a go on the children's one-wheel unicycle, whilst I supervised younger children on the other equipment.

But fortunately my finish time was coming up and I was able to gently get them to leave me alone to pack up. I got changed and went to see the organiser, to check she was happy with my work, which she was, and she was apologetic that she couldn't get me a lift back into Goole, which she had told me I'd get when we chatted on the phone.  So I walked back into Goole, getting to the station shortly before 6 which is when my train was due. I fell asleep on the train and was woken at Doncaster as someone asked me to move so she could get out.

There was a 40 minute wait before the York train, but on that train I chatted to a rail weld checker, who'd come to York to oversee someone who'd had some complaints by colleagues.  A fascinating conversation.

I popped into a supermarket on the way home to buy some brandy which Gill needs to soak some fruit for a cake she's making. And home soon after 8pm, absolutely exhausted, but Gill had home-made pizza and chips for me so that was lovely to come back to!

Saturday 1 April 2017

Thursday 30th March 17

Another home-based day spent inside, on the computer or preparing food, and out in the garden, where I had a productive day.

So, in the garden I weeded the long raised bed and put some compost on as a top dressing, and did some log stacking, emptied a tumbler and started refilling, added piles of veg to another two compost systems and put sticks in trays for drying.

I did some sleuthing work to find out if Sally was a Jehovah's Witness, as was suggested by the woman who'd found her body, and reported that to the police officer. I rang someone at the JWs and they confirmed that Sally had been in their congregation, so I hope they will take care of the funeral. I've asked to be notified.

I took the NOx tube down from the tree in the front garden and put it in the post back to the FoE who will analyse it and get a result back to me. It's been passively sampling for a fortnight, and will give an average reading.

Monday 27 March 2017

Saturday 25th March 17

Another full day........... with the Edible York Spring into 2017 event, and then a gig in Alne.

So, I got up early so as I could get to Tang Hall Community Centre for 10am, with some planks which Ruth had asked me to bring so they could be made into signs or plant labels. I cut them into 30cm lengths.  Sadly, the event was poorly attended. Very disappointing, and difficult to understand why. However, Jonathan and Melissa came, and there were quite a few other people I was glad to see.  I came home with some seedlings and seeds, and a possible compost order or two.

The event finished with lunch, and we wound up at about 2pm.  I collected some compostables on the way home including 10kg of very green potatoes. I spent some time chopping these into the tumbler, and soon it was time to get the trailer loaded for my gig this evening.

I needed to be in Alne for a 6pm start, so after checking the route, I reckoned that if I left at 4, I should be there by 5.15 which would give me time to cool down and get ready for the show.

I left at 4.08 and got there at 5.20.  Good estimation!  So there was no rush to get ready and I had a sandwich that Gill packed for me, before getting changed and doing the two shows, the audience were disabled adults, so quite a difficult gig, but there were several who definitely had a great time so I was happy with that.

I took my time getting home, going via Overton which is a narrow and unlit road, which I'd hoped would be safer than the main road with cars zipping past at 60mph. However there was a surprising amount of traffic on this little road, including meeting several on corners, meaning they didn't know I was there until the last moment. I did use the cycle track through the woods but then rejoined the main road just before the junction with the outer ring road.  This cycle home took over an hour and a half and left me very cold. Cycling in shorts and sandals in warm spring sunshine is different to when it is a starry windless night.

Very happy to get in, and Gill had some pasta and veg ready. I lit the stove though as she'd been too creaky to do it. It took me over an hour to warm up.

Saturday 25 March 2017

Friday 24th March 17

An excellent day.  I'd arranged to meet Michelle at El Piano at midday, but I woke up at 11.17 so I quickly chucked some muesli down, got my bike out and loaded what I needed for after Michelle, and arrived at El P at a minute to midday, just before they opened. Michelle appeared 3 minutes later and we had a tea and a mocha - and the usual excellent chats. She really is one of the most sensible and sorted people I know, although she might not see this about herself.

This wound up at about half one and I cycled over to Bishy Road to see Ben, who'd asked me to come and do his compost bin, a Komp 250 which was nearly full. I removed the top half of material and put it into bin bags.... probably about 80 litres, and then dug out the rest using a Compost Mate and a trowel, and filled 6 bin bags, so maybe 120kg, and popped those in my trailer. The fresher stuff then got thrown back, along with some dry autumn leaves. The job took just under 2 hours and Ben paid me £30 which we were both happy with. I'll be able to mature the material he didn't want (although I did put about 10kg on his garden) and it should make good compost. It was one of the cleanest batches of compost I'd seen, with very few plastic 'contraries' compared to many bins I deal with. I did find a tea spoon though!

So I cycled home with that and decanted it into a barrel I use to mature nearly-finished compost in, and then topped it with some really nice material from a dalek which had rotted down to 25% of what it was 2 years ago. 

I then chopped up some sticks from a pruning job I was doing yesterday to reduce tree/hedge height near my raised beds, as they were too shaded last year. I put those in wooden fruit boxes to dry for a few months.... they should be ready to use for kindling by next winter.

I came in at 7pm as it was getting too dark to work, and had some salad and a vegan pastie Gill had made.  I got the stove going and by midnight had got enough hot water for a bath and hair wash.  Bed before 3am, as have the Edible York event tomorrow, and a Fiddlesticks gig.

Friday 17 March 2017

Wednesday 15th March 17

A fairly early start as I was due down at the 'Shambles Market' (which I knew as Newgate Market) in the middle of town for 10.30 with a medium sized load of compost, 5 sacks of about 20kg each. Bill from Edible York had asked me to deliver as he was setting up two planters there.

There were already several Edible York volunteers there and I worked with them to mix up my compost with mushroom compost and some sandy loam. In the planters we put two fan-trained cherry trees, up against a trellis, and some mint, bright lights chard, and a few strawberries.  Joy turned up and offered to buy some fixing ties from Barnitts, as a gift for Edible York, so I put those on, to help train and support the trees.

I then had to go to West Offices to the Treemendous meeting. After which I was happy to come home!

When I got home I was pleased to find that the nitrogen oxides measuring kit had been delivered. It consists of a tube which has a NOx absorber in, and over 2 weeks will tell what the average air pollution levels are in your area. Friends of the Earth are compiling a pollution map, so I'm happy to take part.  Maybe some of my friends will be too https://www.foe.co.uk/go/clean-air-kit 

I attended a Green Party meeting in the evening, which had a presentation from Richard from York Community Energy, and that was really interesting too!

Thursday 23 February 2017

Tuesday 21st February 17

An early start as I wanted to get going on the lottie and get a good day's work in, but I'd agreed to see Daddy, so after a bowl of cereal at Anna's I went for a coffee with Daddy for 45 minutes. Then the lovely fast cycle down to the bottom of the valley and up the other side, arriving at the allotment in record time.

I had a great day, finishing the long border, apart from one end covered in logs and wood, and cut back a huge thicket of brambles.  Cookie called me and said to come for lunch at 2pm, so I stopped then and zoomed down to hers, and chatted with Danny and Ava, sorted some paperwork and had some ginger and black pepper soup which was just a bit too hot for me, despite being seasoned with beetroot.

I got the 4.19 train back and was home before 6pm, and then went to the Hull Road Ward Meeting with the Councillors and a small number of local citizens. Good meeting though.

Wednesday 22 February 2017

Monday 20th February 17

A fairly early start, 8.30 on the alarm, left Anna's house soon after 9, and enjoyed zooming down to the valley the railway line and station sits in... takes about 10 minutes as it's all downhill, and then about another 20 minutes to get to the venue in Darnall, I arrived at 9.40, before Ava did.  I was made welcome by the staff member and I got myself ready for an unusual mix of balloon show and composting workshop.

It was a tough gig.  I prefer a bigger audience as that gives a certain ambience which is lacking if there's under 10 people watching. All four children were under 5, and there were 3 mums and two people connected with the project. The venue wasn't really set up for me to demonstrate my circus stuff, but I did what I could.

The balloon show went well, but the compost info session was made difficult by the children who weren't interested in compost, and were making a lot of noise.  However, I was reasonably happy with how it went and I had a delicious lunch at the centre.I also popped round to one of the participants' house to see her compost bin.  She's just moved in, never had a garden before. The bin was full of grass mowings, hay-like, dry and not composting. I gave her some advice!

Then I cycled up to the allotment and started on the border which still has one end not de-nettled. I did 3 and 3/4 hours there. and stopped because it started to drizzle. It took 53 minutes to get back to Anna's.

Anna said 'would I like a bath?' and I was really glad to be able to have one as I was achy and mucky. And after a good soak, she fed me, pie, potato and peas, with gravy. The pie was goats cheese, spinach and sweet potato.  Lovely. What a pampered evening....

Tuesday 21 February 2017

Sunday 19th February 17

As I've got work in Sheffield tomorrow I'm going to go through this afternoon and stay with Anna, my sister, for a couple of nights.  I was getting a few things together when Ben and his fiancĂ©e Karen turned up.  This was the first time I'd met her and it was so good to see them together.  We chatted about the wedding and a few other things, but they didn't stay long.

I left before 4 to get the 4.25 train which got into Sheffield at 5.15, and it only took me 25 minutes to cycle up to Walkley, despite having a large shrub hanging from the handlebars, my laptop, day-bag and a rucksack with circus stuff in.  Anna cooked up a wholesome pasta dish and we watched a bit of telly and chatted before she got to bed.

I did the washing up and got to bed before 2am. Early for me... but I've a relatively early start tomorrow. I have to be over in Darnall before 10, and I've memorised the map so I know my route. I'll go to the station and up behind it near to where Thomas lives, and the route from there is easy.

Monday 20 February 2017

Saturday 18th February 17

I had a relaxing but hard working day, trying to get the front garden tidied up, ready for the removal of the pointless 'Spirea' shrubs which have grotty pink flowers on them but don't serve any purpose, so that I can put in some fruit trees.

I took advantage of a Radio Times offer and bought two Victoria Plum trees, a single one was £15 but the offer was to throw in a free one, so including the postage, two trees for under £22. I'm happy with that, and spent some time looking up how to train them along wires.

I also did some composting and log stacking, and had two facebook video conversations in the evening, one planned and the other a surprise.

Saturday 18 February 2017

Friday 17th February 17

Woken early by low flying jet planes which made me think back to my childhood when there was a lot of fear about conflict, with the 'Iron Curtain' between the Communist Bloc countries and the West, and a nuclear arsenal which seemed ready to be used at a moments notice. Over the intervening decades things have become a bit more peaceful, with the fall of the Berlin Wall and a relatively peaceful European situation, despite conflicts in the Balkans.  But with Trump with his finger on the trigger in the US, I'm not feeling as safe as I used to, and the UK 'leaving Europe' doesn't help either.

But they were just planes, not warheads or bombers..........

The rest of the day was peaceful.  I went to buy Yesterbake bread and get something from the chemist, did some log stacking and then took Howard's bike to Cycle Heaven to see if I could get a new back wheel or have the axle replaced, then visited Pauline who was pleased to see me and gave me her compostables to deal with. I picked up more compostables on the way home and did assorted outdoors work.

In the evening I re-arranged this blog a bit and started putting together a new segment for Extinction Radio.

Thursday 16th February 17

Today I only had one appointment, up in Huntington to meet with Jon in the Flag and Whistle, to check out the room they have for hire there.  We spoke to Nathan, one of the staff, and he took down details to discuss with his colleague who does the event nights.

I picked up some wood on the way back.  I did a lot of chainsawing during the day, of the bits I brought home over the past couple of days.