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Boat trip in Belgium11:41 PM - Tue 16 December 2008I've not had a minute to blog this week as I've been away then back home with P and my daughter and baby grandchild staying till Christmas - I'd forgotten how time consuming new babies are! Absolutely gorgeous though!P and I had a lovely trip over on the ferry to Belgium on the weekend and helped someone move their boat from Veurne to Brugge. They own a lovely Dutch barge which they'll use for taking people on French cruises eventually. The weather was bitterly cold but clear on the day we moved the boat and the scenery was beautiful. 
There are some PHOTOS at the link. This weekend we're having a songwriters' group re-union which should be a wonderful chance to catch up and play some music. I really must buy some presents and plan Christmas - I always leave it to the last minute every year - doh! We did put the tree up today which is a start I suppose! comments {2}Walking in the Highlands of Scotland!1:53 PM - Tue 9 December 2008What a glorious weekend I had - it was an old friend's 50th birthday and they organised a weekend in a Youth Hostel in Torrodon on the West coast of the Scottish Highlands. I flew up to Inverness then we shared a hire car and drove the couple of hours west to Torrodon.
We went on a spectacular hill walk on the Saturday - do take the time to follow the link to the PHOTOS In the evening we had real 1950's style knees up with Scottish dancing, fancy dress, party games and yummy food. Here's a picture of me in my 50s dress! 
This week I'm trying to get the spare room finished in time for Christmas as I have a lot of vistors coming... Guess how many presents I've bought so far......... Yes - you're right - not one! Ahhhhhh! And finally - a short fun clip from the return leg of the climb! MVI_9346 from http://chandramoon.vox.com/ comments {8}Frozen11:24 AM - Wed 3 December 2008I've had a lovely time but no time to blog. Last weekend we did the sabar workshop in Walberswick - Suffolk - where it all began in 2005. It was wonderful going back there. Modou (our teacher) has been sick though and had to go to hospital but he's coming out today.I'm in P's van by the canal which is frozen solid - I've never seen that before. There's no running water as the source is frozen so they've gone with some containers to get water from the village! I'm going back to Bristol today for a couple of days then off to Scotland for someone's 50th in Inverness - it'll be bitterly cold up there so I'll have to go very well prepared - I'll be playing a set for them at the party. I played a small gig in a local pub in Hook Norton last night - it was good to do something in this area for a start although there was hardly anyone there - which strangely made me feel more nervous than a larger crowd ha ha! Next week I'll be off with P to see a boat he's been working on in Belgium then we'll call in to see my daughter and lovely new grandchild again. Anyway - that's it for now. comments {5}Nottingham7:18 PM - Fri 31 October 2008I'm in Nottingham for a couple of nights at P's daughter's place. Tonight we're going to a Halloween gig at a local pub which should be a laugh.My daughter's baby is due on Nov 12th but the head's engaged and it could be any time so I'll be a granny soon! Exciting...... Have a good weekend everyone! comments {0}Hello from Cropredy8:40 PM - Mon 27 October 2008I've been away with P since my gig on Thursday night when he turned up unexpectedly in Bristol to support me.The gig itself was pretty ropey - the venue was one of those pubs where people aren't really there to listen to the music but to get really drunk! I didn't feel I played particularly well but they've offered me more gigs there and at other pubs organised by the same bloke so I'll think about it I guess! 
P stayed Thursday night then we came to Cropredy on Friday for one night before going off to Nottingham for a night at his daughter's. Yesterday we went to a brilliant party at friend's place - the sort of party that starts in the afternoon with a Sunday roast then carries on till the last person's standing! It was really pleasant and I was able to join in a couple of good music jams with my flute and also some people jammed along to my tunes as well. Today we went for a lovely walk while the sun was out and jumped on a friend's narrowboat for a short boat trip to Cropredy for a bit of shopping. That's it for now....... comments {4}The Haven7:00 PM - Fri 17 October 2008
A picture of me with both my kids at a lovely place in Bristol called the Haven yesterday. comments {5}Wales7:50 PM - Mon 13 October 2008Had a great weekend in Wales - the weather was more like the summer. Here are some pics:http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...=637503707 comments {5}Woops - what an idiot!4:49 PM - Wed 8 October 2008Just back from another lovely weekend with P - the sun actually came out a couple of times.On Saturday I played at a gig at Easton Community Centre which was all very difficult - the bass player went home before we'd played as it wasn't clear what time we'd be on (though we were on about 5 mins after he left) so I had to re-jig the set very fast plus the sound was dreadful on stage (no monitoring). It went down alright anyway and the other acts were pretty good - lots of drumming and African acts. 
The weather forecast for Sunday was dire so I decided to drive to Cropredy that night so didn't get there till 2am tired out. Sunday we had a lovely meal on a friend's boat after spending the day in Banbury for Canal Day 
On Monday P had to go and fix someone's central heating on another boat so I said I'd walk along the canal later to join him for some lunch. He gave me directions (very simple) - cross the bridge and turn right along the canal path - go past a couple of bridges and you'll find me on the boat - about a thirty minute walk. Doh - simple you'd think? I missed the path, got slightly lost, could n't find the path so went round the back of someone's house adjacent to the canal - there was a bit of a drop down to the canal path so I thought I'd jump - it wasn't far.... Unfortunately I caught my foot in an unseen root and flew through the air onto the tow path right knee first - somehow I didn't smash all the bottles I had in a bag to take to the re-cycling place. It hurt like crazy but I didn't really investigate the damage and carried on walking as after a few minutes the knee went completely numb. Maybe that should have worried me..... When I arrived at the boat (about a mile or so later) I had a look and discovered my knee was quite badly split open and I ended up on P's insistence having it checked out at Banbury Casualty Dept. Just an unpleasant clean out job and stuck back together with Steristrips! What a fool - I've been hobbling around all bruised ever since but it's nothing serious thankfully. Friday we're off to London then to Wales for a party in Moon Palace then actually spend some time in Bristol next week for a change. By the way - I've written a new song - the lyrics are HERE comments {6}Tribe of Doris - Part 24:19 PM - Tue 26 August 2008I'm so sorry but I didn't take a single photograph!It was a wonderful and busy week - there's a big choice of workshops every day culminating in a performance on the last evening to the rest of the camp. I participated in the advanced intermediate Djembe with Mokoulou Swane who's a strict but very good teacher. The rhythm we learnt was tricky and I thought I'd never get the hang of it as there was so much to remember, but we got there in the end. The other workshop was my usual sabar drumming with Modou Diouf which was fantastic as ever. Apart from that, I dropped into several workshops as an observer including baka song. I also sang two songs at the Doris open mic - it didn't go very well but hey - you can't win them all and it stops me getting too cocky ha ha! The weather was erratic with quite bad wind and rain at times but I was snug in the Moon Palace. The closing ceremony was wonderful with performances from the complete beginner drummers and some hand bell ringers. I can't begin to describe what a wonderful week I've had musically, creatively and personally........................ lovely! Watch this space. PS: I did take a few pics after all! 
comments {4}Tribe of Doris12:19 AM - Tue 19 August 2008Apologies for the long silence - I've had a house full of people for a weekend of drumming and we're off tomorrow for a week's summer school in Devon.This will be the last big trip of the summer and the weather forecast is crap but thankfully with the Moon Palace I'll be fine. Hopefully it won't be too bad. I'll take pictures and be in touch in a week if not before. Last time I went away my mobile broadband dongle didn't have coverage and again I'll be in a field in the middle of nowhere so I probably won't post again till next Weds or so. So, keep well and bye for now xx comments {9}Acrobatics and more10:12 AM - Tue 12 August 2008I'm back from doing a sabar gig in Suffolk for someone's birthday. It's a long way from where I live but it was lovely to be there anyway.We practiced all day and then performed in the evening at the party. It was supposed to be outside but it was pissing with rain and very windy so we had to perform inside. 
The aerial gymnast couldn't perform till Sunday morning but I was lucky as I popped back to get my drum and got there in time for an impromptu performance. 
I stayed with a friend on her farm for two nights then came back via my son's in London and got back yesterday evening tired but happy. 
This week I have a gig on Thursday evening here in Bristol then a crowd of people coming for a weekend sabar workshop and then from there we all go off together a week today to the Tribe Of Doris summer school for a week of drum and dance. That's it then - the end of a wonderful summer of drumming and festivals in the van and it'll be back to working on my website and trying to get airplay for the album plus recording new songs that I've written and looking after the more mundane stuff of my life....got to be done! Here's a LINK TO MORE PHOTOS - CLICK comments {3}Back from WOMAD4:10 PM - Mon 28 July 2008What a fantabulous weekend I just had at WOMAD. Compared to last year's horrendous mud fest that many of you will remember the photos of!I have to confess that I didn't take any photos this year due to having been too busy having fun and listening to wonderful music.... The acts were magnificent from all round the world and the whole atmosphere of the festival was marvellous. For such a big festival (around 40,000) it is very trouble free and a beautiful setting at Charlton Park. So, sorry about no photos - I'll have to do better next time (don't worry it won't be long - I'm going to the Big Chill this coming weekend and I promise to get some pics this time! comments {8}Where to start???4:12 PM - Mon 21 July 2008It's been a while since I posted here due to being away and the Efx crash!Not sure where to start......... People who haven't read about Drum Camp the post is over on my Vox blog. After that I spent two lovely days with a friend in Essex then went to Whistable to stay with my preggers daughter and her hubbie. We had such a wonderful time and there are lots of photos over at Facebook We visited an absolutely amazing place called The Grotto at Margate - the actual town seemed like the backend of nowhere - ghastly place but the Grotto was extraordinary - rumoured to be 2,000 years old - certainly no Christian influences or images GROTTO PHOTOS CLICK We spent the rest of the time enjoying ourselves with their friends and going to the beach and the local Whitstable Regatta MORE PHOTOS CLICK EVEN MORE PHOTOS CLICK HA HA HA!! For those who can't be bothered to click the links here's just one for fun: 
comments {9}Bury and York8:48 PM - Wed 2 July 2008Sorry I've been such a slacker updating my blog but I've been very busy!Last weekend I went to visit an old friend who lives in Bury. She's from Barnsley originally and unlike me is an avid football fan. Anyway - on Friday we had a lovely quiet time just chatting and catching up then on Saturday we took the tram into Manchester and then the train to York - what a beautiful town that is! We walked round the ancient streets which are forbidden to cars which makes it so much nicer to walk around than most places. The old town is surrounded by a pretty intact old town wall: 
The Minster is fantastic but was too full of tourists to go round this time but this is the outside (well what I could fit in - you can't stand back far enough to get it all in!) 
After a decent lunch in a lovely old cafe we went to the Museum at the Castle where they've recreated streets and building through the ages: 
You know you're getting old when you see things you remember from your childhood in a museum though! 
Anyway - the rest of the pictures are HERE On Sunday we lounged about and watched the Euro final which was a really good match and I enjoyed seeing Spain win. The drive back on Monday was long but I'd enjoyed seeing my friend as I only see her about once a year. Tuesday I had my usual drumming and open mic and tonight I had a practice as I have a gig tomorrow night here in Bristol. It should be a good one unlike the one I did last week in Weston! comments {7}Bury11:09 PM - Fri 27 June 2008I'm visiting an old friend for a few days in Bury, just near Manchester. Tonight she and I went for a meal and a good chat. The drive up from Bristol seemed interminable, with slow traffic, rain and spray and on top of everything else I go hideously lost in town. Never mind, I got here in the end haha. I'm in bed with the Mac and my magic dongle which gets me onto mobile broadband anywhere!Last night's gig in Weston Super Mare was really weird. It's a bit of a drive from Bristol and when I found the place it was pretty much deserted! I'd been asked to play by a guy who wasn't actually there - mmmm! In the end it went quite well although there weren't many people there apart from the other musicians who were playing as well. I was the only female performer and the whole thing had a completely different vibe than Bristol where people actually want to listen to the music usually. This place, apart from the musicians, people were just yakking away and drinking and the musicians were just background noise! For me though, I just treat those kind of gigs as practice for the real thing and don't take it personally and at least they paid me something. I have a better gig next Thursday in Bristol which I'm looking forward to. Tomorrow we're going on the train for a day trip to York which is a lovely town so I'll take my camera and try and get some good pics. Bye for now x comments {6}Celebrating Sancturay11:42 AM - Mon 16 June 2008It's Refugee Week and in Bristol we always have a series of intercultural events to celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK as well as encouraging better understanding between communities.Yesterday, was the main day and thankfully the sunshine came out and shone on a wonderful event. 
There were several wonderful performances, workshops and talks, food from round the world and other happenings from refugee and ethnic groups. I was lucky enough to be performing on the main stage drumming for the Tolentine Choir - a multicultural choir run by Alphonse Touna. 
The last but one performance was by one of my favourite artists, Emmanuel Jal who is simply brilliant. He was a child soldier in Sudan and was rescued by a British aid worker and went on to write his story in song to inspire others to put down their arms. You can listen to his music on the link above. 
The evening was finished off with a really danceadelic band from Zimbwabwe called Chimanimani Anyway - there are lots more photos from the day at More Photos comments {11}St Werburghs Festival9:58 AM - Tue 10 June 2008On Saturday after going to my friends private view of a photographic exhibition she had two pictures in, I went to the St Werburghs Festival - an annual street festival here in Bristol. It was a perfect day, sunny and warm and a great time was had by all!comments {4}National Trust Pictures As Promised!12:46 PM - Sat 7 June 2008Here are some pictures of the lovely National Trust properties we visited last week in Somerset when the festival was cancelled.Enjoy! comments {10}St Catherines Chuch - vlog12:48 PM - Fri 6 June 2008I've got so many wonderful photos of the National Trust properties we visited last weekend but haven't been able to upload them yet - but I will.Here's a clip from inside St Catherine's Church in Somerset - ancient place. comments {9}Catch Up Time10:55 AM - Wed 30 April 2008I'm not sure where to start as so much has happened since I last posted! I suppose at the beginning would be as good a place as any!I set off in Moon Palace for Torquay last Saturday morning - it was a really beautiful day (the only one as it turned out weather wise that is) and the journey went quite smoothly until about half an hour to arrival when the power steering started feeling really weird and stiff - the vehicle weighs 5 tons so it's not funny when the steering plays up I can tell you! Anyway - despite this I arrived at Widdicombe Farm by lunch time - a really pleasant, quiet campsite in the countryside in the outskirts of Torquay at Paignton. The event I was going to was to see Maharaji (Prem Rawat) my spiritual teacher who I've blogged about before as he was speaking on the Sunday at the Riviera Conference Centre. On Saturday afternoon I went for a lovely walk and found a beautiful farm park called Occombe Farm. It's an organic farm which also opens its doors to the public for them to see the animals and also they have a wonderful nature trail (see video clip). 
I spent a long time there wandering about, looking at the animals and walking the trail and finally ruining all the healthy effects of the walk by indulging in what Devon is famous for - a cream tea - naughty but nice! 
In the evening I cooked myself some food with some of the organic ingredients I'd bought in the farm shop then went to the little campsite bar. Well that was weird and a half - everyone there was in old couples except me and it made me acutely aware of how different my lifestyle is to the "norm" - not that I envied any of them believe me - but it made me feel a bit lonely which is very unusual for me. Most of the time when I go to festivals and things there are hundreds of other like minded people around to talk to and this was just such a different environment I suppose. Anyway - after a good night's sleep I went to the programme on Sunday afternoon and it was just wonderful. After a couple of DVDs about his work around the world he spoke in his usual inspiring and uplifting way and I bumped into loads of old friends in the lobby on the way out. I even got a lift back to the campsite with some friends I hadn't seen in years and they came back to the Moon Palace for a cuppa. Synchronicity then took a serious turn as in the meantime someone from the same meditation group had checked into the campsite and remembered me from donkey's years ago and I spent the rest of the evening with him and we spent Monday together as well! It's amazing how life takes twists and turns for the best if you trust in it! Yesterday I dropped my friend off at the train station in Bristol and went to drumming and sang at the open no mic as usual last night and I feel thoroughly uplifted, refreshed and ready to take the world on again. Song writing was cancelled today so I'm catching up on paper work, must sort out the power steering and working on a new song. Bye for now xx comments {12}
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WELCOME! This blog is about my travels, original music and songwriting, drumming, festivals and gigs mainly from Bristol, UK. I also post about my everyday life and happenings. Please respect that any song lyrics are copyright Chandramoon and shouldn't be copied without my express permission. There's a link here called Song Lyrics which will take you to my second blog dedicated to posting my lyrics. There's also a link called Chandra Moon's Music direct to myspace where you can listen to some of my tracks.  Home Register Today! User Profile Archives Friends Control Panel Chandra Moon's Music Words of Peace Sons Blog Daughters Music Sons Music Chandra's Art Rhymester Post Alerts Extra Pages Song Lyrics My Vox Blog You Tube Efx2 Facebook Group IAC Radio Free shoutbox @ ShoutMix Buddies - Patty - libertine - Eclectablog - enidation - grnidlady - womanoffeathers - Squilla - logis - roserose - legsland - LauriesAsylum - kinnigurl - LadyVisine - Vampyre - thelostprophet - jsains - drdog - DeeJay - mothman - Chica - bitzky - Somepoet - birdsnest - copperman - Rubicon - jeremy - fundy - pd - indigomoonarts - wozza - budi - sarai - Mia - slayerbarbie - blacklisted - CleanNeedles - 2bpeegee - elisataufik - readerwil - bob - jeeps - PeriodicallyDemented - bbd Recent Entries - Time time time - HAPPY NEW YEAR - Christmas Pics etc - Happy Christmas - Boat trip in Belgium |
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