The Annual Blogger’s Bash. June 15 2019.

Where did yesterday go? I was up at the crack of 5am and on the train by 7.46am. I met Eloise, Marje, Marian and Lance at Victoria Station and then it was off to the venue.

Now I did try and take lots of photos but chatting and meeting with people takes precedense But here are some💜.

Above are from the left Marian, Eloise, Shelly, Mary Smith, Sherrie and the lovely Marjorie 💜

Claire Saul, her lovely hubby and April💜

Look at this colourful trio. Martin, Zoé and Rachel💜

Rachel and her husband Adam 💜

Ritu and Hubby, on crutches, Claire and her hubby 💜

One of the Judges Gareth Stevens and his lovely wife Jayne, and Esther💜

The panel Esther, Shelley and Laura one of our two fabulous guest speakers 💜

Photo by Eloise Da Sousa

Laura giving her speech, absolutely brilliant and so funny she had me in stitches.💜

Jemma Todd

Photos by Eloise Da Sousa

Jemma Todd was also incredibly interesting and I for one was totally enthralled.💜

Our Wonderful M.C. Graeme . 💜

Ritu receiving her prize from Geoff.💜

The lovely Sacha💜

Some of the committee.Sacha, Adam and Geoff.

Photo by Ritu

Ritu, Sacha, Geoff, the huggable Hugh and Suzie.💜

I totally failed to get a good picture of Isa , she is sitting at the table in blue top. I was delighted to see her again. It was great to catch up, I wanted a selfie with her but I failed😣 her partner from their blog Jo could not make it. Jo I missed you 💜💜

I really tried to meet everyone but I did not get to speak to these two. I am sorry. If you let me know who you are I will link you in. I am sorry I didn’t get to chat .💜 Just been informed by Lance the young lady is Claire. Just looking for the chap now.

Oh! I have remembered the lovely Simon sorry for the late entry Simon .

I also didn’t get to speak to Ananda Leeks If I missed anyone I am so sorry. Let me know and I will add you 💜

Ritu, me and Marje my Blogging sisters 💜💜💜

I didn’t get any photos of Samantha Smith Here is her winning blog post : If You Only Had Five Minutes, What Would TV You Save?

Excellent story I really enjoyed it 💜💜.

I also didn’t get a photo of of Susanne Tench and her brother. Nor did I get a photo of Jemima Pett

There were others there but I didn’t get photos so if I have left anyone one out please, please forgive me!

I can’t tell you how much it means to me to meet up with my bloggy family. I really love to meet up with old friends and make lots of new friends too. Everyone is happy to chat and so genuine.

If you have never been to a Bash I can really recommend that if you can you do because there is always so much to learn and so many opportunities to network.

We started off with a welcome speech, from Suzie then two awards , followed by the competition presented by Gareth Stevens, and the winner Samantha Smith was at the Bash.

Next Laura had us in stitches. Followed by a few more awards.

Then Jemma told us her story from book devouring teen to published author… absolutely fabulous.

Then lunch, time to relax and chat and mingle, always one of the best parts of the day.

Then it was back in and time for the panel, great questions and great questions.

After the Question and Answers it was Suzie’s Flat Lay presentation

Followed by Geoff doing the final awards, then Sacha closed up .

Time to chat more 💜💜.

So again it was over, months of excitedly looking forward to the ABBA’s planning travel and then poof it’s over and Marian, Eloise and I are quick marching after Lance back to Victoria. We had to step it out because Eloise’s train was due! We said goodbye, Lance made sure Eloise got her train. I saw Marian through to her train, after we had tried to get through a barrier that wasn’t working!

That left me so I found the underground down the escalator Victoria line to Oxford Circus

Image from Pixabay

Oxford Circus, down the escalator again . Then on to the Bakerloo line then up into the daylight at Paddington.

I had to run for my train, not a very ladylike thing to do, not a good idea either with a bad foot!

Image from Pixabay

So where did the day go. But it was great 💜💜 Thank you Committee you produced another winner. To everyone at the bash it was it was wonderful to meet up.

I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE.

Weekly song challenge. 10/6/2019

Weekly song challenge

Laura tells us she’s busy with a golf scramble today, but left us the musical questions she wants us to reply to this week. So, first the rules:

Copy rules and add to your own post, pinging back to her post.

Post music videos for your answers to the musical questions.

Tag two people to participate!

Post a video of a song that makes you think of your youth.

Sunshine Superman by Donovan 1966 and I was 13yrs old crush on Donovan, the Stones, the Yardbirds and the Hollies to mention just a few!

Post a video of a song about having had your fill of BS.

Imogen Heap from her 2014 album Sparks. Run time.

A great song about the end of a relationship, it’s finished done let it go, it’s past its sell by date!

Post a video of a song about being unapologetic for standing your ground.

Well it’s got to be a young Rod Stewart from 1971. Maggie May. The lyrics just ball at you No More of this shit!

I nominate Ritu and Marian Wood

Weekend Music Share Kate Bush.

Weekend Music Share.

This week Hugh has asked us to share a favourite song or piece of music that you would listen to while travelling, or just share a favourite piece of music or song. We can either share a link to it in the comments on Hugh’s page, or link back to this his post on Hugh’s Views and News from your blog.

Like Hugh I will be traveling up to London to go to the Annual Blogger’s Bash on Saturday 15th June. I will be on the train early, wending my way up to Paddington then by tube to Victoria. Where I am meeting some blogging friends, some I have met and some I haven’t then we will walk together to the venue.

I am not the most confident of travelers so I shall need some music to calm my nerves. There is so much I love but I think I will have to go with Kate Bush and Running up the Hill ( A Deal with God)

Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush. Was the first single from her 1985 album Hounds of Love, released in the United Kingdom on 5 August 1985. It was her first 12-inch single. It was the most successful of Bush’s 1980s releases, entering the UK chart at number 9 and eventually peaking at number 3, her second-highest single peak. The single also had an impact in the United States, providing Bush with her first chart hit there since 1978, where it reached the top 30 and featured prominently in the Dance Charts. Bush also performed the song live for the first time with David Gilmour of Pink Floyd at the Secret Policeman’s Third Ball in 1987. The song’s title for Hounds of Love and all subsequent releases was “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)“.

The Deal with God was not liked in the US. Where it was called just , Running up That Hill.

My thanks to Erika Kind for the inspiration for this feature.

Lord of the Deep: In to The Deep.

After we had returned from ancient Sumeria that Saturday night we all, everyone of us, got changed and fought the biblical weather the thankfully short distance up the hill to the local pub.

We all deserved a break, I was there, just behind the lense. The cosy warmth in the bar was matched by the warmth of these beautiful people who had been traveling along the same path with me. This was every bit as important as a learning curve as the entire workshop itself. Different but just as important.

*******

Sunday dawned bright dry and no wind. We had weathered the flood. Today way the last day of The Silent Eye Workshop.

Had the weather really been that bad that we could not climb the hill and greet the dawn. Had it lashed with rain and wind since our arrival Friday afternoon. Mm ..Yes.

I got up early and sat in the temple for a chance to meditate on where I have been for the last two days. Strangely as I thought over the story I found it difficult to comprehend I had only been here two days. It felt like eons.

After breakfast we had the Triad Ritual which I found very moving, we were asked to speak for voices that are not often heard. Everyone spoke for someone or something, I chose to speak for Mother Nature.

And so In to The Deep.

We returned to the temple to witness what was to become of the big ego, Gilgamesh on his last quest.

We, the Fates, had all the way through this journey been alluding to a huge flood, and a boat that was built. It was to me like the story of Noah and the Arc. Though the names were different the story was the same. Instead of Noah and his wife it was Utanpishtim and his wife Shiduri. They were rewarded by being allowed to live for eternity at the source of the rivers. In a place very similar to the garden of Eden.

******

Tired with travel and full of woe

Gilgamesh meets Shiduri who

Asks, where do you go.

Holding fast her brewer’s vat her fear she hides.

After many days travel Gilgamesh meets Shiduri who asks who he is and where he is going. He tells her is the king of Wall-Girt-Uruk and he is seeking Utanpishtim to gain some of the Herb of Immortality, so his people may live forever.

Shiduri asks why is he so sad, he tells her the sad story of his brother Enkidu.

Shiduri tells Gilgamesh that none but Shamash are brave enough to traverse the sky. Immediately the ego kicks in and Gilgamesh sites his triumphs, which I as a Fate see only as failure.

Gilgamesh is then told by Fate Ash that he may gain help from Urshanabi, Utanpishtim’s boatman. He is in the forest cutting wood in the company of the Stone Men who are very fearsome.

So very wearily Gilgamesh enters the forest in search of the boatman.

It is not long before the Stone Men begin to question and threaten Gilgamesh, who cannot land a blow on any of them before the next distracts him. Eventually he collapses ..

Urshanabi, tells him that the journey is not a simple ferry ride. He must out run Shamash, the sun, for nine hours through the deep of the underworld.

The ego that is Gilgamesh says he can do this… Despite warnings that Shamash is fast and will not slow for any man be he king or not.

Urshanabi leads Gilgamesh to the Deep Underworld. And so for nine hours Gilgamesh has to out run the sun.

To be continued.

Song Lyric Sunday : 2nd June.

This week for Song Lyric Sunday Jim Adams of NewEpicAuthor has given us this prompt Avenue/Boulevard/Drive/Lane/Road/Street.

I have chosen Boulevard of Broken Dreams, from the group Green Day.

It’s a brilliant song takes me back to 2004. Please enjoy it a great song.

And because I have enjoyed digging out old dance numbers here is a real doozy from the 1930’s Ruby Keeler and 42nd Street.

42nd Street” is the title song from the 1933 Warner Bros. backstage musical film 42nd Street, with music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Al Dubin. The song was published in 1932. You can find the above info and more here.

Come and meet
Those dancing feet
On the avenue I'm taking you to
Forty-Second Street

Hear the beat
Of dancing feet
It’s the song I love the melody of
Forty-Second Street

Little nifties from the fifties
Innocent and sweet
Sexy ladies from the eighties
Who are indiscreet

Side by side, they’re glorified
Where the underworld
Can meet the elite
Forty-Second Street

Little nifties from the fifties
Innocent, sweet
Sexy ladies from the eighties
Who are indiscreet

Side by side, they’re glorified
Where the underworld
Can meet the elite
Forty-Second Street
Forty-Second Street

Naughty, bawdy
Gaudy, sporty
Forty
Forty-Second Street

Happy Sunday Everyone.

Weekend Music Share: Soundtrack to Battle Star Galactica.

Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favourite music.

This week, Hugh has invited us to share a favourite song or piece of music that is connected to a favourite genre of yours, or just share a favourite piece of music or song with us. Share a link to it in the comments on Hugh views and News or link back to Hugh’s post from your blog.

Now like Hugh I am a huge SiFi fan and one of my favourites is the series of films and series of the next generation of the Cylons. Battle Star Galactica. I had not been out of hospital long after breaking my back the second time. The series and the fabulous Music by Bear McCleary and Richard Gibbs was a life saver through long winter days and nights! You can read all about the soundtrack here.

My eldest son gave me the film’s and every episode of the series made in the 2000s.

The music is beautiful and haunting and as I say a lifesaver. I still love and listen to it often.

My thanks to Erika Kind for the inspiration for this feature.

Hope everyone enjoys this. Happy Weekend.

Weekly Song Challenge, Round 15!

Time once again for Laura Venturini’s Weekly Song Challenge! Here, as always, are the rules:

Copy rules and add to your own post, pinging back to this post.

Post music videos for your answers to the musical questions.

Tag two people to participate!

Post a video of a song that makes you think of the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Well we don’t have Memorial in the UK . We have Remembrance Sunday in November. But it is celebrated for the same reasons. Here is my first video. Keep the Home Fires Burning by Emma Stevens.

Post a video of a song that has the word war in title or lyrics.

I have chosen Warchild by the Cranberries.

Post a video of a song that is part of a movie soundtrack that had something to do with war. Oxygen by Jean Michel Jarre.From the film Gallipoli.

I nominate

Di

Dale

Song Lyric Sunday Time of Day.

Jim Adams of NewEpicAuthor has given us Dawn/Noon/Dusk/Midnight/Nocturnal/Diurnal as the theme for today’s Song Lyric Sunday prompt.

Right folks I have the 99 year old mother in law over, as we do most Sundays. She gets very ansie if I even look at my phone when she is here. ( She never been keen on me so any excuse to put me down she will. Never mind I am patient and just smile and agree).

So it’s a quick one today but one I love and the video..well I could watch that all day to.

Without futher ado I give you Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and Night and Day. From the film The Gay Divorcée. The tile of the film dates from when gay meant happy and cheerful.

Lyrics by Cole Porter.

Night and day, you are the one
Only you beneath the moon
Under the sun
Whether near to me or far
It’s no matter, darling, where you are
I think of you night and day
Night and day, why’s it so
That this longing for you
Follows wherever I go
In the roaring traffic’s boom
In the silence of my lonely room
I think of you night and day
Night and day, under the hide of me
There’s an, ooh, such a hungry yearning
Burning inside of me
And this torment won’t be through
Till you let me spend my life making love to you
Day and night, night and day

Lyrics found here

WEEKEND MUSIC SHARE – Oxygen by Jean Micheal Jarre.

This week Hugh of Hugh’s News and Views has asked us to share music which inspires us to write when the muse deserts us. Well my favourite piece of music to write to is from the film Gallipoli. It’s called Oxygen written and performed by Jean-Michel Jarre.

A fabulous soundtrack from an extraordinary film about Gallipoli . I have found my favourite part of the film and sound track.

Long story short.

Two Australian lads join upon WW1 both excellent runners. The video shows their story in short. The last section of the video is very poignant. No more spoilers watch the film.

This album never fails to help me.💜

Hugh always thanks Erika Kind for being the inspiration for this Challenge, I join with him 🙋 thanks Erika.

Song Lyric Sunday. Mother’s.

For this week’s Song Lyric Sunday Jim Adams at NewEpicAuthor said :The theme today is Mom/Mother/Flowers. Pick up some flowers, or candy, or even a card for your mother. Better yet, give her a call or go visit her and tell her how much you love her.

Why? Because it’s Mother’s Day in the US. So happy Mother’s Day to America. A day for Hallmark, florists, and chocolatiers to celebrate.

Personally I think it should be parents day everyday.

But enough let’s go with the prompt.

My mum has been dead a long time over 20years. I still miss her so much. I wrote this poem in her honour.

Gentle she was.

Gentle she was, a young woman of means, beautiful in her Marcel Wave she was.

A hair dresser with her own shop a teaser of hair and tresses.

Then the quiet Irish man took her eye and her heart.

Not impressed were her parents with the young Irish trade unionist from the motor trade.

Time eventually brought them round to accept the vows the young couple had made.

Grief she bore when her fist born died at six months

Brave she was to have more. Three girls then two boys , and two more angels lost in-between.

Then after all was finished me, making six.

Hard she worked to bring us up and support her quiet man who was there for her too.

Kind she was, good and open hearted she was.

The door always open to family and waifs and strays

Big hearted she was to all who past through our door.

Always there she was, with words of wisdom and comfort.

Her beautiful heart shone through her eyes.

Patient she was but there was temper there if needed,

She was not strong or mean but if needed her children and her man she would defend to the death!

Beautiful she was in features and in heart

there was not task she would not finish if she had made a start.

Cried for her daughters she did as her man gave them away

And when her sons went too she had a proud day.

Together alone by themselves again.

Happy she was full of the business of her quiet man.

Yet she was always ready to talk and help and ease our pain.

Cleaver she was but not school or college wise she was wise in life and love and truth and need.

Lonely she was when her man was taken ,

Wept she did as she wanted to join him.

Lost she was without the quiet man .

Heart broken she became though she threw herself in to caring for grandchildren.

Gone she was before her body, her mind and soul went to him.

Lost to us she was, a smile here and there maybe a flash of recognition.

Unknowing of all around her she was,sad eyed frighted lamb lonely lonely.

Tiny she was when she went sadly lost to us long before .

Gone into her mind to find her quiet man.

Tears we shed for her,we wept in grief and I in anger because so long had she been gone and I had wanted to talk to her,

But gone she really was.

Anemones her favourite flowers were they always remind me of her.

I forgave her for leaving me and now accept she had to go

As by the side of her quiet man was where she had to be.

Never to be forgotten.

So I have picked Like a River by Carly Simon.

Carly wrote the song for her mother Andrea Simon, written just after her passing in 1994.

The song speaks of her mother’s spirit always being there for her and the family. It just how I feel about my mum. She saw all my boys but none of my grandchildren …she died years before they were born. She watches over them as she does over the whole extended family.

Like A River

Dear mother the struggle is over now

And your house is up for sale
We divided your railway watches
Between the four of us
I fought over the pearls
With the other girls
But it was all a metaphor
For what was wrong with us
As the room is emptying out
Your face so young comes into view
And on the back porch is a well-worn step
And a pool of light you can walk into

I’ll wait no more for you like a daughter,
That part of our life together is over
But I will wait for you, forever
Like a river…

Can you clear up the mystery of the Sphinx?
Do you know any more about God?
Are you dancing with Benjamin Franklin
On the face of the moon?
Have you reconciled with Dad?
Does the rain still make you sad?
Last night I swear I could feel you
Moving through my room
And I thought you touched my feet
I so wanted it to be true
In my theater there is a stage
And a footlight you can step into…

I’ll wait no more for you like a daughter,
That part of our life together is over
But I will wait for you, forever
Like a river…

In the river I know I will find the key
And your voice will rise like the spray
In the moment of knowing
The tide will wash away my doubt
‘Cause you’re already home
Making it nice for when I come home
Like the way I find my bed turned down
Coming in from a late night out.
Please keep reminding me
Of what in my soul I know is true

Come in my boat, there’s a seat beside me
And two or three stars we can gaze into…

I’ll wait no more for you like a daughter,
That part of our life together is over
But I will wait for you forever
Like a river…

I’ll never leave, always just a dream away
A star that’s always watching
Never turn away
We’ll never leave, always just a thought away
A candle always burning
Never turn away
The moon will hide, the tree will bend
I’m right beside you
I’ll never turn away

Letters Never Sent” (1994)

Letters Never Sent
Lost In Your Love
Like A River
Time Works On All The Wild Young Men
Touched By The Sun
Davy
Halfway ‘Round The World
What About A Holiday
The Reason
Private
Catch It Like A Fever
Born To Break My Heart
I’d Rather It Was You

Lyrics from A to Z Lyrics.