Tag Archives: Saxophone

Slow off the mark!

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Well here I am with my head in the sand yet again, completely oblivious to the world (well sometimes anyway). So, I need to do a few things, put a few things right and correct the error of my ways, so here-we-go…

Firstly, a long-overdue thanks to Blue Line for making one of my pictures their photograph of the day – http://www.bluelyn.com/2012/03/07/photo-of-the-day-mar-7/ Very sorry for not acknowledging this sooner. This is a great website and I recommend you all look at it, though evidently I haven’t viewed it for a while :-S

Secondly, I was lucky enough to be nominated for an award on 16 March and have just appreciated that along with an award comes great responsibility so, a BIG thank you to Ummanaal’s Musings for their Very Inspiring Blogger Award nomination. Now I understand that I have to say seven things about myself and make some nominations, ooer :-S There are so many fantastic blogs that it was difficult to choose, I hope you all like my choices and understand why I’ve chosen them!

The nominations (in no specific order):

versatilebloggerawardVersatile Blogger:

http://ambersol.wordpress.com/
http://m5son.wordpress.com
http://latinosinlondon.wordpress.com
http://mehmudahrehman.wordpress.com
http://www.bluelyn.com/
http://catchcarri.com/

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kreativ_bloggerCreative Blogger (sorry, refuse to use K & and drop the E):

http://rodposse.com/
http://lightswimming.com
http://photobotos.com/
http://guroleirvag.wordpress.com
http://justalittlebrit.wordpress.com
http://photolord.com

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very-inspirational-blogger1Very Inspiring Blogger Award:

http://athyfoto.wordpress.com
http://emilygoochphotos.wordpress.com/
http://dezradespain.wordpress.com/
http://ingaphotography.wordpress.com/
http://www.andreudoz.com/ (not sure if this is a blog still)
http://googsy.wordpress.com/

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Toot-toot!

Toot-toot!

Thirdly and lastly, seven things about myself, hmmm…. ok here goes (LOL),

  1. Sneezy
  2. Sleepy
  3. Dopey
  4. Grumpy
  5. Happy
  6. Bashful
  7. Loves coffee & making music :-)

Doc is NOT a character trait and therefore must be ostracised!!!

Oz Nature & Music

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Martyn Thompson and Jesus Contreras (Oz Nature Wildlife) join efforts in creating a new tourism / cultural concept in Almeria: OZ NATURE & MUSIC

A relaxed way to travel, to understand life and the territory… based on contemplation, art and intimacy.

Contact us for something different and travel with us and your senses…

Martyn & Jesus
Oz Nature & Music
Almeria. Spain

Ethiopian New Year 2004

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No doubt you all realised yesterday was New Year 2004 in Ethiopia… yes? Well to tell the truth, I’m not sure I’d have known if I hadn’t received an invite to a New Year’s celebration from Timbé of the Pita Escuela.

Ethiopia still retains the Julian calendar and is 8 years behind the more western Gregorian calendar. New Year or Enkutatash is celebrated on 11 September or 1 Meskerem and the day starts at 6.00am unlike ours which starts at midnight.

Enkutatash means the “gift of jewels”. When the Queen of Sheba returned from her expensive jaunt to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem, her chiefs welcomed her bolts by replenishing her treasury with “inku” or jewels. The date traditionally marks the end of the season of heavy rains and is more recently or historically set by the return of the Queen of Sheba. Flowers and cards were traditionally exchanged, nowadays it’s often just cards.

Timbé serving coffee

The festivities at Pita Escuela began with a coffee ceremony; freshly roasted Ethiopian coffee was served in glasses / small cups from a tray decorated with flowers. This was accompanied with a delicious roasted seed mix and cake. After enjoying a few cups of the surprisingly smooth coffee, we were treated to a slide-show and short film about an orphanage, both detailing projects that Pita Escuela are committed to in Ethiopia.

A big part of the Enkutatash celebration is music and dance and Pita Escuela honoured that tradition. There was a nicely chilled musical jam to round of the evening. Saxophone, keyboards, percussion and bass in one harmonious union playing from the soul – Musicá del Alma.

Agavé together with Chumbos (Moon & Sun)

Now, as it was a full moon there was only one thing left to do and Timbé was good enough to show me around for some moonlight photography… without being attacked by wild boars. Yes, wild boars! We could hear them snuffling about as we were walking around.

The valley around Los Molinos del Río Aguas is fairly unique; an oasis of wonder in the Paraje Natural de Karst en Yesos de Sorbas. Without the spring waters which originate not far up the ravine (barranco) from the village of Sorbas, Los Molinos del Río Aguas probably wouldn’t have come into being. Rainwater percolates down through the gypsum rock beds (for which the area is famous) into underground pools from which it finds it way to the surface at the lowest point in the ravine. The bamboo cane along with many other species of succulent plant, thrives along the ravine  floor where the spring water flows to it’s destination, the sea at Mojacar.

Los Molinos del Río Aguas is an absolute photographer’s paradise offering a wide variety of lush vegetation and wild-life. Watch this space for details of Photography Experiences in this haven of beauty.

Please also visit http://www.edget.org for details of the Edget Baandnet Children Center project.

Back in paradise.

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After a whirlwind few weeks in the UK playing some rather nice shows I might add, I’m back in the most beautiful Cabo de Gata. This time round space was very limited, or at least so I thought was the case for the return journey, so I didn’t bring my camera…. oh how I missed it! We drove back in Amber’s car in the end with… wait for it… Chica the cat!! Yay!!!! Though she didn’t think much to being stuck inside a car for two days :-S