Dyspraxic

Drawing straight lines, and colouring inside of them always eluded me
Yet creativity flows in my veins, and I got an A* in year 9 art, when we moved beyond drawing lines to big ideas
Skating was challenging, jumps and turns impossible
Personal trainer employed, and much practice didn't change my ability to jump; but
Relationships were my real reason for learning to skate and I made lots of friends
Academically minded I thrive on conversation
Xcept those big ideas sometimes get lost on paper 
IQ in places in the superior range.
Clearly dyspraxic

Risen but not shining

As I rise without shining
The dawn fog still clouds my mind
Despite the fact that dawn was many hours ago
On this the second shortest day of the year.

I take a walk to clear my head
Driving to my destination, of course,
A land of smashed avocado and faux marble surfaces
And florists, so much Christmas topiary.

My vision of the shoreline is monochrome
but not lacking in glitter
as the sun makes its wary appearance.
Perhaps the sea-breeze will blow me into technicolour?

The cappuccino wears a thick jumper of woolly foam
A hobnob plays companion to my caffeine pick me up
Will this coffee clear the clouds?
Distracted by this vision of avocado and chorizo, feta
and balsamic vinegar, the colour creeps in...
in the periphery of my vision.

Wandering between shoppers back whence I came
A brass band plays
A woman who sells wooden toys comments that today
The shoppers are 'merry'
Makes a change, I suppose.

Clutching a few choice purchases
I walk back to the car
Accompanied by so many dogs!
(and their owners) of every size,
shape and colour imaginable!

Restored to colour I return home.
Risen and not shining but perhaps
Vaguely rosy round the edges,
warmed by the sun, and chorizo, brass bands
and a fleet of shopping dogs!

Oh Manchester! - my second ode to MCR

Oh Manchester! Promise me you'll never change,
or maybe do, maybe grow and learn,
but promise we'll still enjoy a swift half, or two,
on my return!

Oh Manchester! Don't cry those hefty salty tears,
why not give me a spot of sunshine?
We've had three really good years!

When we first met I'll admit I was a bit scared of you, Manchester
You were bold, brash and upfront, but you always told the truth,
A trait I admired, even if you were occasionally uncouth.

Oh Manchester! We fell in love quickly,
sealed the deal and bought a house together,
you taught me loads about DIY and how to enjoy bad weather

Look Manchester, its true we're going on a break
And that's a fact we'll both have to get used to
But I'll be back from time to time
The rules of a break were always hard to stick to!

Over time we'll both garner new friends, Manchester,
But it'll be more than I can take
If you replace me with another Essex-girl
Leaving me shouting 'we were on a break!'

So how can I show you Manchester, that my love for you is true?
I had your face inked on my leg, bae!
And nothing spells love like a tattoo!

Oh Manchester! Never change!
Or maybe do?
But know the truth is, I'll always love you!

Two Thomases join the priesthood

Two Toms, both alike in dignity

(In fair Angleterre, where we lay our scene),

From lowly parishoners to take one day a curacy,

To serve the church of England both are keen.

Thomas 1 I’ve known since time immemorial

A friend through all my life,

Thomas 2 has faced several foes with me

Not least the Manchester 10k strife.

Both boys fit priesthood hand in glove,

Swift to love and slow to rage,

They’ve a couple of years training to prove

Their academic rigor reading many a page

To theological college you’ll go my friend

So in the power of God we send (you)

(with thanks to Shakespeare for the rhyming skeleton of this sonnet 😉 )

Here is a picture of me with Thomas 1 when we were kids – we’re using his little sister as the baby Jesus. Thomas 1 is caring and generous and thinks very deeply. When we were teenagers we used to have competitions as to who could put their tent up first at camp and we would spend hours on the telephone. He is compassionate and practical – he’s going to be ace at this vicar-ing thing.

Here is a picture of me with Thomas 2 on completion of the Manchester 10k a few years ago. Tom is in a lot of ways the complete opposite of me – he’s an internal processor, he will eat bananas, and look -  he’s so tall I’m sure he enjoys a different atmosphere to me! You don’t have to dig very far to find in Tom 2 similar traits to Tom 1– he is generous with his time, and kind, he has many good ideas that he shares when I shut up long enough to let him get a word in. When I talk to Tom I feel heard and cared for, also optimum vicar material!

If either Thomas is half as good a priest as they are a friend, their congregations are going to be spoilt rotten!

Watching Star Wars for the first time: some observations on A New Hope

Well did you know that I've never seen any Star Wars? I've managed nearly three decades of living without Star Wars or Star Trek and its been O.K. But the time has come to change this, and after some advice on the best one to try I have watched 'Star Wars: A New Hope' here are some observations of mine in the order that I had them:

1. That R2-D2 looks like a colourful dalek – but I think he’s a good guy.

2. That must be Princess Leia I recognise the buns.

3. Those dudes led by Captain Antilles look like scouts crossed with firemen.

4. I think the pint-sized monk people might be baddies.

5. C-3PO is master of the bleeding obvious, bit annoying, might become endearing, jury still out.

6. Did IKEA base their PS 2014 on the death star?

7. Leia doing sleeping beauty and Luke as Prince Charming had me worried; thank goodness she turns out to be kickass in battle sequences.

8. There better be a good reason why Han Solo is such an ass-hat

9. Is it me or do the pilots in the pilots meeting look like the Oompa Loompas from the 70’s chocolate factory?!

(starwars.com)

10. Chewbacca - now there's an enigma...a bit like Groot its not about what he says but how he says it?

City: Almería

If history makes your heart happy you must visit Almería; regardless of when your favourite period is, this city has something for you. If you don't like history there's plenty to amuse too, beaches, bars, museums but being a bit of a history-nut this post features on places of historical interest.

Alcazaba and Arab baths
In the 10th century Almería was a thriving port city under the Caliph of Cordoba, Abd ar-Rahman III. They developed the relevant infrastructure to go with this and you can visit  - the old Arab cisterns have anachronistically been opened as a museum of traditional Spanish culture. If you want to experience Arab baths a hotel on the old market square has opened an arab-bath experience on the site of a historic bath. At 25E for 2 hours it is good value - you get to use all the facilities, including the flotation tank which was a personal favourite of mine and you can drink as much mint tea as you like!

The Alcazaba or castle also arrived in the 10th century, the distinctive ramparts still dominate the city's skyline although you will have to walk slightly beyond the modern city centre and climb a hill to get there. If you can climb all the steps before it closes the castle and its gardens are free to enter and offer great views of the surrounding city and coastline - aspects that were no doubt fundamental to its original creation.

(Alcazaba ramparts)

(Alcazaba gardens)

Cathedral
It would be easy to confuse this 16th century building with a castle, as it is so well fortified, but it is in fact a cathedral. You do have to pay to get in but it wasn't expensive, maybe 5E, and an audio-tour in English was included in the ticket price. It was quite ornate and pretty inside, a nice place to spend an hour or two but its not a 'day-visit' location.

(Cathedral)

Refugios de Almería
If you like your history a little more contemporary you can take a subterranean trip through the underground bunkers used by the residents of Almería during the Civil war. This was a really great way to spend an 1hr and a half or so and was not expensive. 3E for a video subtitled in English and then a guided tour in Spanish - with brief summaries given in English too - is really good value. Although it is essentially a series of concrete tunnels they have done a good job of bringing people's stories to life and I particularly enjoyed the underground hospital reconstruction.

(Refugio tour)

(Hospital in the bunker)

The Museum of Almería 
This is hands-down the best free museum I have ever been too; that is quite a claim as I have been to many museums, but its true. The museum covers the region's history spanning from Los Millares to the present day with a focus on the early history of the region. What was particularly striking about this museum was the way they fused audio visual with artistic installations by local artists and genuine artefacts, the integrity of presenting real objects wasn't compromised by experience but enhanced by it. I was particularly impressed with a map of the Los Millares site - you could see the geographical layout of the site but you could also learn about their attitude towards the economy and spirituality, for example, through symbolic objects such as beads, shells.

(Los Millares map with symbols)

With Morocco visible across the water, Almería as a town and as a wider region exists in this liminal space - with a foot in each camp of Europe and Africa - but definitely no-one's pet! Almería owns its ancient heritage; continuing ancient practical practices like building houses into the rocks and cave structures; since the Chalcolithic they have been artisans, creating copper from raw ingredients, firing pots in ingenious fashion whilst looking after the landscape around them.

Luckily for me Almería has been off the tourist track for a long time - as successive governments have ignored it and refused to invest in the area - this has caused real problems financially for the area and is part of the reason why we have the unsightly 'plastics' today, but is also the reason for incredible scenery and for that I am grateful.

Country: Sierra Alhamilla & Tabernas Desert

When I booked my holiday to the Cabo de Gata I had a number of choices about where to stay; the city of Almería - urban, well connected, beaches possible; the coast - bit difficult to get to, bit remote if don't like; the mountains - friendly host, oceans of history, bit remote but close to many interesting things; reader I chose the mountains.

In my initial post I told you a little bit about the village where I stayed, Níjar. This time I'd love to share some of the gems north of the village. Níjar is an old village on the edge of an ancient valley. When the Arabs had control of the region they built an incredible water management system which allowed them to live long-term in the area. The water system is still extant today; more on this later.

One day we took a drive up into the mountains of the Sierra Alhamilla. It is not a drive for the faint hearted; the roads are narrow and full of pot-holes, but you will be well rewarded for leaving the well-trodden path. Within 20 minutes of leaving Níjar we reached this abandoned house; well warned about the snakes I was free to explore the house and its neighbouring threshing-floor where people threshed the wheat over 1000 years. As we continued through the Alhamilla we saw so many plants and animals and I could tell why they felt so happy there as it was so tranquil. Man has clearly made his mark in the Alhamilla; there are plenty of hunting lodges and a couple of satellite stations but in a broadly unobtrusive and respectful way to the landscape.

(Abandoned house)

(Threshing floor)

The famous exception to this is the city of Los Millares, a Chalcolithic settlement and the home of the Bronze Age; it is at Los Millares that they worked out the metallurgy for bronze. As we crossed the Tabernas desert to this famous archaeological site it was awe inspiring to think that we were likely driving the same route as these early pioneers. When we got to the site they had just closed for the day which was a shame but we got to see it and the drive over was truly sensational. The Tabernas Desert is the largest desert in Europe and as such was a cheap location for filming Westerns in the 20th century. I think you can see why!

(Into the Tabernas Desert)

(Tabernas)

Now, I did say I'd tell you more about these water systems. I got up-close and personal with them on one Saturday afternoon when it was suggested I go on a little walk up to the next village, Huebro, for a swim in the reservoir. Heartened by the promise it would only take an hour and the route marked 'facil' I set off. The first 20 minutes or so following the painted signs was easy, but then the markers disappeared. I had to guess the route. At first this was quite fun, I felt like Indiana Jones having slid down into the valley floor, climbing through the undergrowth. But it soon became apparent to me that this was not the route. I was stuck by this stage, surrounded by trees and shrubs, wondering what other animals were sat with me looking at a wall of rock and alluvial sand 3 metres high. How was I going to get out? I had no phone signal and there was no-one around because it was siesta time. I started to really regret being there the decision of a little afternoon walk. It took me three attempts to climb out of this tight spot, every time I stopped to review my progress up the wall if my foot was on compacted sand and not rock I slid back down and had to start again! When I eventually got to the top of the wall, I rolled through brambles to get out - my legs and arms were bruised and scratched but miraculously I was otherwise OK. I carried on my walk to Huebro in a state of shock, and awe at the archaeology. Huebro itself was nice enough, I drank two fanta lemons, ate a sandwich, did not swim in the reservoir as it was more algae than water by the afternoon, and then set off home again. Like the Wise Men I returned via another route...

(Maximising irrigation for agriculture)

(Industrial archaeology)

So the countryside of the Alhamilla and Tabernas - not to be underestimated, but stunning; best viewed in a car that can off-road, although I hear the caving and official(!) climbing opportunities are also good fun.

(Walking away from Huebro)