masonry, masons' marks, and modern repairs on the aqueduct at Avoncliff

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avoncliff_Aqueduct

loquacious after a good lunch

some corner that is forever ... nah ! forget it !

bob babbitt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01-2pNCZiNk


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Babbitt

elliott school in putney

... is a bit of fifties architecture that needs to be knocked down because the fabric is so grievously dilapidated, but it is to be conserved as an example of design from that period

they are going to sell half their land for 34 million ( they hope ), and then spend most of it on the restoration

its a nice idea BUT ...

whilst the work proceeds they will need temporary classrooms and so they will stack them up right outside our kitchen window

and we shall lose our distant prospect towards the low slopes of the chiltern incline, beyond the edges of london

they say the buildings will be temporary ... three years only ... because the space they occupy must be made available for a play area

hmmm ! wasn't hadrian's wall temporary ?

http://www.elliott-school.org.uk/_files/66D14D277842D144432DA00E5A121604.pdf

disturbing and distasteful

spanish fire fighters protesting against the new conservative government's economic policies in the city of la coruna

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=497299180296666&set=a.313419795351273.96563.248513638508556&type=1&theater

deeply serious but highly recommended ... the "script" is beautiful

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/jul/15/nostalgia-light-chile-pinochet-astronomers?INTCMP=SRCH

http://www.bfi.org.uk/news/sightsound/patricio-guzman-extended-interview/

after the rains ... new flowers, new leaves

a word of warning ... don't buy her prosecco from valdobbiadene ...

... she'll only want to drink it again !

busking by stealth in sabadell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBaHPND2QJg

Seid umschlungen, Millionen! Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt! Brüder, über'm Sternenzelt Muss ein lieber Vater wohnen. Seid umschlungen, Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt! Freude, schöner Götterfunken Tochter aus Elysium, Freude, schöner Götterfunken Götterfunken!

Be embraced, you millions! This kiss for the whole world! Brothers, beyond the star-canopy Must a loving Father dwell. Be embraced, This kiss for the whole world! Joy, beautiful spark of the gods, Daughter of Elysium, Joy, beautiful spark of the gods Spark of the gods!

their prosecco is very easy to drink but not nearly cheap enough to do so frequently

remember lads, on her birthday, the only right and proper thing ...

... is to buy her a fitch

anton chekhov wrote ...

I am neither liberal, nor conservative, nor gradualist, nor monk, nor indifferentist. I would like to be a free artist and nothing else…. Pharisaism, dullwittedness, and tyranny reign not only in merchants’ homes and police stations. I see them in science, in literature, among the younger generation. That is why I cultivate no particular predilection for policemen, butchers, scientists, writers or the younger generation. I look upon tags and labels as prejudices. My holy of holies is the human body, health, intelligence, talent, inspiration, love and…freedom from violence and lies, no matter what form the latter two take.

great heavens, holmes ! the ruthless devious cunning mastermind has installed her own plan chest ...

and she's just written out the labels for the drawers ...

"rule the world in easy stages, one to six ... "

never went in to a charity shop and found this dress ... YET

i suppose its easy when you know how ... oscar peterson and count basie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3drqJ1bUmEA

euro soccer latest ... italians martyred again ... back to the drawing board, lads !

delights and perplexities and ambiguities

In the sun dappled Ashdown Forest, smaller trees are occasionally to be seen encased in honeysuckle, and others in roses.

A woman seated at a bus stop in Acre Lane opens a small handbag and pulls forth a large mirror with a black plastic frame that exactly fits in to it.  She turns her head very slowly from side to side for a minute whilst holding the mirror perfectly still.  It has two cracks, widthways and length ways which cross near the centre, and the four segments are non-aligned.  I can guess what she sees but have no idea what she is looking for.

Before leaving work, I approach Mick, probably the best Irishman that ever drew breath, and shyly beg to ask a question of an unusually personal and intimate nature.  

“Is it true that you have had your body tattooed all over with shamrocks ?”  

In less than a second he replies, “Not entirely !”

"must see" mosaic films animations about children who are refugees

i wandered in to the drivers' rest area at four thirty this morning and this was playing to an empty room

i was rooted to the spot, and tearful

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01k7c4q/Seeking_Refuge_Episode_1/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/seeking-refuge-navid-s-journey-from-iran/13805.

htmlhttp://mosaicfilms.com/2012/06/seeking-refuge.php

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/the-womens-blog-with-jane-martinson/2012/jun/18/uk-child-refugees-stories

to my english friends in spain ... just stand in the river up to your necks until the sun goes down and stop complaining !