Mount Wittenberg Orca

This album arrived in my inbox today. Absolutely beautiful.
 


Have a listen to one track here. All profits made from the album will go to the National Geographic Society Ocean Initiative, an organization which protects international marine areas.

Walthamstow Marshes

Saturday was apparently the hottest day of the year
so far (31c!) and boy, did I feel the heat.
Laurie and I went to Walthamstow Marshes which is just a fifteen minute walk from his warehouse. Going there is like stepping out of the city for a minute, and suddenly finding yourself in the countryside. There are, of course, the odd tower blocks in the distance to remind you you haven't strayed too far, but apart from that, as soon as you cross over the water (which apparently is home to diverse wildlife) you're surrounded by nature. The area was lucky to escape the development of the surrounding area - and hopefully it will never be developed upon, as it's undeniable this has become a refuge for a lot of wildlife.

After our sunbathe in the middle of the field, we walked further along across, which led to horse riders and numerous nature walks and pathways. According to friends, there are cherry trees on the marsh, as well as wild rocket, and blackberries in late summer. Sadly I didn't come across either, but there were plenty of elderflower trees!

Photo by Katherine MacDaid

Secret Cinema presents Blade Runner

Cool for Cats

Devo hosted a cat listening party in LA on Tuesday, to promote their new album Something For Everybody which comes twenty years after their last album.

To see the cat party in full swing, visit here.

Elderflower season again

It's the time of the year again for Elderflower cordial-making. I recently picked about thirty heads of the flowers from Abney Cemetery to make a fresh batch of cordial (as to the recipe from my blog entry last July. I was wondering about what other things elderflowers can be used for, and I stumbled across a couple of new recipes online. There are some good recipes here that include elderflower sorbet, elderflower fritters, elderflower jam, elderflower milkshake and many more.

Elderflower Folklore

* One name for it is the Judas Tree, as it was thought to be the tree Judas Iscariot hanged himself from

* To fell a tree without suitable protection could free a spirit called the Elder Mother to take her revenge

* The elderflower was said to be a protection against witches, and a knotted twig kept in the pocket was a charm against rheumatism

* Elderflowers were apparently never struck by lightning, and a cross of elder fastened above stables would protect the animals from evil Medicinal benefits

* Elderflower cordials and elderberry wines are high in vitamins A, B and C

* In A Modern Herbal of 1931, Mrs Grieves recommends an elderflower infusion, taken hot before bed, as a remedy for colds and throat trouble

* Mrs Grieves swears by elder leaves as an insect deterrent. The foul-smelling bruised leaves around tender plants and buds prevent attack by aphids and cater-pillars, and gardeners can add a sprig to their hatband to ward off midges

* Medical herbalist Christine Houghton says a daily elderflower infusion, made with fresh flowers, is helpful in preventing hay fever

Primavera, Barcelona