Espana en Birmingham

Spanish protestors out in Brum city centre today.  Spanish Grand Prix in the background.  See an article in El Pais about the bigger protests in Madrid as elections are held in Spain amidst anger at high unemployment and government austerity policies ... (sounds familiar?)

Concert and more

Symphony Hall 14th May: CBSO.

Shostakovich's 10th Symphony in the second half: stern, dramatic and a little distant emotionally after the orchestral tour de force of the first half with Rachmaninov's 2nd Piano Concerto, sometimes described as an old war-horse but tonight fresh as ever with a subtle touch on the piano and beautiful moments from the orchestra.

Refugee rights (and legal prejudice)

Read this display board from the British Library's current exhibition on the Census: plus ça change ...

(http://www.bl.uk/census for exhibition details).

Back from the Big City

A weekend in London's always an experience, but sometimes it gets too much. So we came back on an earliesh train today, and one of us is resting while the other one's typing this post. Meanwhile, here's a photo from a previous trip. You might recognise the skyline.

Roar ...

Beneath the surface

Seen in Oxford's River Cherwell ...

Off the beaten Oxford track

Discovering some delights of Oxford after visiting a friend.

In the University Parks area near the University and Pitt Rivers Museum.