#11 It's Magic!

ART
Last week I poised the question “Do you know any Celebrity who paints/draws”? Thanks for the responses, had quite a few suggestions. Some of which I'll tempt you with later in the year. The one that stood out to me was actually pointed out to me a while ago. I was really amazed – not that he could paint, but more his talents were so diverse, mesmerising and magic (yes, I said that in a Paul Daniels voice). The person in question is Derren Brown. I was really gobsmacked when I saw his life drawings. I didn't really know who the person was he was painting, but, knew he'd captured the person right. Derren started off doing caricatures, now he does 'straight' portraits. Please correct me if I am wrong, I think the guy Derren is painting is Rufus Wainwright. Just amazing, go and find out about Derren here.

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BEER
Tryanuary is nearly at it's end, but wait it's also been Dryanuary. So how's that work then? I think February should be Beeruary month. There you go I've made a new word up, all those that's been on Dryanuary can do Beeruary. It's a bit of a mouth full really isn't it? So since November I've been trying new beers, I have had an idea what I might like so I've not really stepped too far out of the comfort zone, but for someone who didn't even like the smell of beer 3 years ago I've come a blumming long way don't you think. So this week I'm having a rest from new beers I'm going to have a tipple of something else – which I'll tell you about next week. This week out of the 9 I have tried I'm going to tell you which was my favourite. I have discounted Eden Brewery's Antifreeze as that is my place of work and it wouldn't be fair now would it!? But If you want to read the review it was drank in week #3. Don't worry if you aren't the winner doesn't mean I wont buy and drink yours again.

8 = Wychwood 'Bah Hum Bug' # wk2
7= Innis & Gunns Limited Edition Malt Whisky Trail # wk5
6 = The Wild Beer co, Fresh. # wk7
5 = Wiper & True IPA Dr Strangelove 6.8% # wk9

The next four I was struggling which to put where as there tastes are so different and it does depend on how I'm feeling.
4 = Cuvee Des Trolls – Belgian Beer 7% 250ml # wk8
3 = Samichlaus Classic Bier 14% -The Worlds Most Extraordinary Beer # wk6
2 = Van Steen Berge – Gulden Draak 10% # wk10
1 = Amarcords, Ama Mora Doppio Malto. # wk4
Check out my number 1 beer - so far. Sorry it's Italian for all those wanting a British one Amarcord
Have you tried any of these beers? Please tell me what you thought to them it's always good to get another point of view. Even if it's to say – are you daft that's not Pine I'm tasting it's Peach you Nutter!

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COVERED IN WEEDS
The Daff's and Crocus are poking out through the soil now, reminding me where I had planted them – which reminds me I must go move that pot! Spring can't be that far around the corner can it? Some of you may be planning for the Summer/Autumn, others maybe doing a 'Halfpint'. Bit late, no room really for anything, assuming 40% of your plants are dead and you're going for broke and ordering any pretty flowers that speak to you. Yes the plants do talk back when you talk to them, you just have to listen carefully. I'm off to order my seeds from Higgledy Garden. I know I've mentioned them before, but good service, information and a Handwritten note deserves more than a 're-tweet'.

Whilst you are flicking through the seed catalogue and website, pop over to Gwen Bainbridge. Yes she's a potter – but, look she does Garden Bling! Has your garden looked a bit dismal these past couple of months? Why not get some of these to liven it up. They fit perfectly on garden canes – also stop you poking your eye out! We have a Robin – she's been rumoured to do a few birds and 1950's ladies.
*spoiler alert*
Getting quite into the Allotment Challenge – next week is the Final! I have no Idea who I want to win. I liked Lena and Alan shame they had to go. But I like JoJo and Rob oooo who's going to win?

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MUSINGS
I love it when it snows, and as an adult I still love it, even if it means getting up a half hour early just to scrape the snow off the car to get to work. Except the snow is not the same as it used to be when I was little. For starters it was far deeper. Yes I was smaller but to be fair not much bigger than I am now. It was well over my Welly tops. These days it barely comes over my ankle bone. And yet England almost grinds to a halt. I'm sure when I was little The Milk Float still came round. We did live on top of a hill on a crescent so he'd leave the float at the bottom if it was too icy. The buses still ran and I still walked to school. Out of all my years at Primary School I am sure we only had one day off school because of the snow. It was too cold for the coal boiler to start up.
We'd fill plastic bags with snow, add a couple more and we'd have an awesome sledge. The back of our garden lead to a Jennel (Ginnel/Snicket/Alley/Lonin) (wide enough for a fire engine) and down on to a playing field which housed in the flatter parts four Football fields. You could have put three on the hilly part if you want too. So we'd start at the top of the Jennel (Lonin/Alley/Snicket/Ginnel)gathering speed as we went on the icy concrete paths and eventually we'd have a giant ice skating strip right to the bottom of the field into some ones fence. That was until my mum decided to put grit down on the Jennel so people could walk up and down it. Bah Humbug!!

In true child like behaviour at work on Thursday I was the only one there with untouched snow and before my boss arrived back (after I'd done my jobs) I created snow Angels everywhere! So if you still have snow and there's an untouched patch, go liberate yourself (even if it's just you) and make a snow Angel. You maybe wet and cold after it but the feeling is great.
Today my tune of choice is from a band who followed me on Twitter right after last weeks Art blog on David Bowie. Only had one listen and my foot was tapping. Thought it was pretty good. The band is called Five Grand Stereo and the tune was 'David Bowie'. Click onto their website and go to music. Bet you start to nod your head and shoulders start to move.

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