I thought returning to London after a month in the countryside would be difficult, but my pain was eased by the sweet, melodic sounds of Portico Quartet, who last night performed a secret gig at the wonderful Vortex Jazz Bar in Dalston. It was the last of their live performances for the summer as the boys take a well-earned break after the recording of their second album, set for release in October. As ever, they took me on a sonic journey to faraway places and I enjoyed every minute of it!
After the past few weeks stint of festivals, I'm looking forward to continuing the stomping this Friday at Uni of Dub.
‘Life is full of trials and tribulations and man in his struggle to survive and guide his own destiny has to be prepared to meet its many challenges, particularly in our modern world. Education can harness man’s immense potential and enable him to be better equipped in his life-long pursuit so that he can utilize his strength and intellect to the highest use. Mankind has benefited from this through the ages.
Much as a man has progressed in this scientific and technological fields, he has not made a parallel endeavor to enrich himself spiritually. The materialism of today is over-riding the spiritual values to the extent that today we observe a lot of unrest and social upheavals which have become common phenomena the world over…’
Speech by Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethopia from 1930 to 1974.
In return for some press shots I took recently of Raissa from The Mummers, I was offered a ticket to Latitude last weekend. It was the perfect way to continue my time in the countryside and expand the mind; the site being nestled around a lake and surrounded by mystical woodland and the festival offered everything from film to poetry to cabaret to dance classes. The highlights were my Friday morning Lindy Hop class, the preview of 'Le Donk' by Shane Meadows followed by a Q & A, and Mark Lamarr's God's Jukebox session. There was memorable music from Regina Spektor, Asteriod Galaxy Tour, The Flirtations, Lyrebirds, Thom Yorke and it was great to finally catch The Mummers play live.
Needing an escape from the big city and some time for reflection and tranquility, I made my way to a quiet hilltop near Totnes in Devon for a week's retreat at The Barn. Days were spent meditating, gardening, cooking, reading, walking and practicing yoga, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and all sorts of wild animals. It felt like a realised utopia that has left me serene and energised. Whilst there, we were guided in meditation and learning by Shenyen, a Tibetan monk from Liverpool, who inspired me to read books from The Barn's library late into the night. I came across a poem by Blake that I hadn't read since school and it took on a whole new meaning. It's perfect in its simplicity and its message:
To see a World in a Grain of Sand And a Heaven in a wild flower, Hold infinity in the palm of your hand And Eternity in an hour.
Last weekend I made my way down t'country for a weekend at the Bliss's farm - transformed for 3 days into a magical haven of all things smiling and delicious! Great music from Mumford & Sons, Rebel Control, Barefoot Confessor and the brilliantly reformed Six Nation State. And I particularly enjoyed my jaunts to the secret hedge where I took part in some serious stomping amongst the lasers and between balloons. All in all, a wonderful weekend and the perfect way to start the festival season.
Listening to: 'Hope for a Generation' - Fat Freddy's Drop
I love to spent aimless afternoons ambling around London's markets, and I have recently discovered the joys of nearby Deptford's weekday market; full of second hand tresures, African fabrics and rare foods. These portraits were taken in London and at perhaps my favourite marketplace experience, just outside Budapest.
Last weekend I finally made the journey to Somerset to visit my sister and her partner in their new farm cottage in Castle Cary. Despite the sounds of Glastonbury in the distance, I spent my days in sublime peace; rolling around with their new piggies, Pom and Dotty, and puppy Beau; tending to the sheep; catching up with my sisters; baking and making bunting. Ah, country life!
