Cuthbert/Northumberland

I have long been fascinated with St. Cuthbert. I think of him as belonging to the Celtic Christianity, he was part of the Synod of Whitby. He lived a simple almost Hermetic life, around Bamburgh, Lindisfarne, and the Farne Islands. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuthbert Never having been to Northumberland, it always sounds silly to say you are from England and not been to the North, but when you are from a Southern Island, to me it makes sense. In April I mentioned to my cousin Sue, that I wanted to take a train up to the North for a week when I came over. Sue immediately said she wanted to go too, and would be happy to drive. Our first stop was Durham, Cuthbert’s last resting place. His coffin was moved there from St. Mary le Bow. We arrived there in time to take part in the Shrine prayers in honor of St. Cuthbert in the Shrine. I knew we were on the right track. We reached Bamburgh in the early evening. Our B & B, Bamburgh Hall Farm next to St. Aidans church. Bede writes that St. Aidan first built the church there, outside the Castle walls in AD635. As we left to find dinner a rainbow appeared over the castle. Our trip was being blessed. I was very excited about visiting Lindisfarne. Now I have to admit I was a little disappointed. It was beautiful. The castle interesting but I wanted there to be very few people, which was not the case. It put me off wanting to be part of any further tours etc. The remains of the Priory were amazing. There are far more interesting remains of Cromwell and Henry VIII reformation in the North. My favorite is Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire, and of course Whitby. I did so want there to be the old Bee hive shape wattle huts. However, St. Mary’s church in Lindisfarne has a copy of St. Cuthbert’s coffin with it’s carving of the apostles and some of Cuthbert’s Life. http://www.stmarysholyisland.org.uk/tour.htm# The remains of the Priory were amazing. Bamburgh Hall was wonderful. Sue and I both agreed it could have been my mothers house. Homey but a little disorganized. Breakfast, the first morning I had ordered the full cooked, but got downstairs to discover that they had Muesli, local yogurt, stewed rhubarb, stewed gooseberries and fresh picked raspberries from their garden. That and fresh coffee and I was very happy. We enjoyed the communal breakfast table, chatting happily to the other guests. Gertrude Jekyl's walled garden at Lindisfarne

Spring Garden - lots of red

. Iris Grateful to see a ladybird on this honeysuckle, so many aphids. I had forgotten that this Honeysuckle was red - first time flowering. It is so beautiful

Garden purples

Apparently I thought purple for this Spring Clematis Baptisia - frist time the purple has bloomed Baby beets Oriental poppy

"Alive" and kicking...

One of my favorite Harlem celebrities, may in fact be less known to many of you. Ms. Vy Higginson, she of Mama Foundation. I see her in many different spots here, but she is always surrounded by friends and admirers. People shout across the street, “Hey Vy”. Vy takes the time to listen and talk to all who approach her. I suspect that quietly, she has done more to change Harlem and yet keep it’s integrity. I have been to see “Alive” and kickin’ the new Vy Higginson/Mama Foundation musical, directed by Ken Wydro at the New Dempsey Theatre four times now. Each time it has improved, and every time it has made me laugh, cry and ultimately leave uplifted. I feel I should add that I am probably biased as Num Amun'Tehu, my partner, is part of the cast, But it is very good. I feel that if only the European tourists in my age group that come up to Harlem looking for ‘old Harlem” knew of this show, they would flock too it. I see the tourists walking around, looking, they want to hear the Soul, R & B, Gospel music that they associate with Harlem. Various places offer different aspects of this, but the “Real” feel is in the Dempsey Theatre with “Alive” and the other musicals that Vy produces. And yet, I feel, it goes unrecognized because people perceive it as being a “Black” production for a “Black” audience. Alive is a musical based around the performers stories of their lives and a song that helped the artists express how they felt. So most people in their 40’s and up will know the songs, and will happily sing along, as most of the audience does. The audience reacts in it’s own way too, one or other of the stories on stage reflects their own life experiences. You will leave the theatre having been through every emotion, and yet, you feel refreshed, re-energized and that you can face the world. http://www.mamafoundation.org/alive.html https://www.facebook.com/mamafoundationforthearts/photos/a.188525854523621.42505.188360107873529/622017767841092/?type=1&theater http://drastadub.com/gigs.html Do yourselves a favour and check “Alive” out. You will thank me!

www.drastadub.com

Amazing what a Month of sun and rain can do...

Alium and chive Lily of the valley Ostrich Ferns We gonna have grapes this year!!! I love the pale yellow green against the brick..