Author Archives: BarryH

November Daily Blog 15: grey in the brain, lost in the mists

Posted on November 15, 2012 by BarryH

Wednesday night I fell asleep in front of the TV until 02.30 so on Thursday morning I groped and blinked my way downstairs even more befuddled and foggy-brained than usual. When we moved to this house from Cardiff we decided … Continue reading →

Posted in Grey Britain, Pontypool, Reflections, Wales, Winter | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

November Daily Blog 14: What divides the nation

Posted on November 14, 2012 by BarryH

There are many divisions in a nation as cosmopolitan as Britain.  These differences are the consequence of many factors: long-ago invasions (Celts, Anglo-Saxons, Norse, Roman, Norman …); internal conflicts between those wanting to be top-dog; royal dynasties being imported from … Continue reading →

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November Daily Blog 13: a day in the City

Posted on November 13, 2012 by BarryH

Though I was born and grew up in a city I’m not and never was a City Person.  But sometimes it’s got to be done.  Occasionally I have to go back for practical reasons and, though I dislike admitting it, … Continue reading →

Posted in Autumn, Grey Britain, Reflections, Wales | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

November Daily Blog 12: climate change and Blue House thinking.

Posted on November 12, 2012 by BarryH

There is nolonger any doubt that world climates are changing.  What is disputed is the extent to which the change is simply part of a natural cycle and the extent to which it is man-made.  I have no doubt whatever … Continue reading →

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November Daily Blog 11: sky, clouds, mountains.

Posted on November 11, 2012 by BarryH

It was the end of the afternoon before I went out for a walk on Sunday.  I had waved the family off, leaving after a late lunch, been sidetracked by having a chat with neighbours taking advantage of sunshine to … Continue reading →

Posted in Autumn, Mountains, Pontypool, Wales | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

November Daily Blog 10: trees, storm clouds, autumn colours.

Posted on November 10, 2012 by BarryH

Saturday was a day with the family.  After grey skies and morning rain the sun came out and so did we, taking the grandchildren to Bailey Park in Abergavenny.  The older two, aged 6 and 4, each had cameras and … Continue reading →

Posted in Autumn, Monmouthshire, Wales | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

November Daily Blog 9: reminiscences of gorges, waterfalls and footpaths.

Posted on November 9, 2012 by BarryH

My visit yesterday to the Brecon Beacons ‘Waterfall Country’ reminded me of the Viros Gorge running from the Taygetos Mountains to Kardamili on the west coast of the Mani Peninsula in the far south of the Peloponnese.  The two weeks … Continue reading →

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November Daily Blog 8: waterfalls and footpaths.

Posted on November 8, 2012 by BarryH

The sky was mostly blue when I got up on Thursday.  The sun was showing red through a narrow slit between the hill on the opposite side of the Valley and a band of cloud.  The forecast was for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Autumn, Wales | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

November Daily Blog 7: inactivity and verbal rambling.

Posted on November 7, 2012 by BarryH

I have to ‘fess up.  When I started the November Daily Blog as part of the NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) challenge I had the intention of using it as an incentive to do something different and interesting every day. … Continue reading →

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November Daily Blog 6: the role of the loo in creative writing.

Posted on November 6, 2012 by BarryH

Archimedes is reputed to have had his ‘Eureka!’ moment in the bath, though anecdote has it that he then ran out into the street naked shouting «εύρηκα!»  – “I’ve found it!”.  Presumably his slaves filled the bath with hot water, … Continue reading →

Posted in Autumn, Reflections | Tagged | 1 Comment