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A Sense of Place…?

A Sense of Place…?

Strange times. Arguably the most common understatement of the current crisis. I use this expression a lot to summarise my own sense of unreality at this time of lock down. Of course, there are other expressions… The coronavirus outbreak has anchored many of us to our home or the place we ‘live’ in, the place where we must stay, for now. This place is where many of us find new ways to organise our days, to mark and pass the…

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Americana 2: A Tale of New York….

Americana 2: A Tale of New York….

After a few days on the Jersey Shore (see previous blog), we drove back to Newark and caught the train into New York City. This extraordinary city does not, or should not, disappoint. It is hard to define, despite the imprint of colonialism, immigration, opportunity, industrialisation, poverty, politics, and more. It occupies a space neither old or new. New York really is a place of ‘other’. Since my last visit ten years ago, there are many differences: Time Square is…

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Americana 1. The Race of Gentlemen

Americana 1. The Race of Gentlemen

Last month we crossed the ocean to witness a new tradition, The Race of Gentlemen, held every year in Wildwood, New Jersey since 2012. This is Americana at it’s finest! The Race Of Gentlemen or TROG, is held on the East coast on the Jersey Shore under a very fine backdrop of retro America…. Wildwood is where Bill Hayley first performed Rock Around the Clock in 1954 and the town still has examples of over 200 beautiful motels from the…

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Of Swallows & Pilgrims…a walk in the Clettwr Valley

Of Swallows & Pilgrims…a walk in the Clettwr Valley

A sunny morning in early September, a perfect day for walking and gently easing myself back into my ramblings. Thank goodness that my broken leg had healed in time to join the local singer and song collector, Owen Shiers, for a pilgrimage along the beautiful Clettwr Valley in Ceredigion. Owen is founder of Cynefin, http://cynefinmusic.wales/en/home-page , a musical journey of discovery and remembrance of the songs and stories of this beautiful part of west Wales. A Welsh speaker, Owen grew…

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