Anyone for a haircut?

I have had a lovely day out with Auntie Elaine. Once again, this weekend was about retracing some family footsteps.

After a light breakfast, Auntie Elaine and I hopped into the car and drove a short distance to the street where my parents were born and my Dad spent his childhood and youth.

We called in on Michael, the barber who used to cut my Grandad's hair. I am not sure about cutting Dad's though. He was very pleased to see us and greeted me with a big hug. The man whose hair Michael was cutting waited patiently for a bit of banter to go on, and was happy to be included in a photograph.

 

We went across the road to see if we could get a photo of the Pit from the tunnel next to number 24, but when we knocked on the door to ask permission, the current owner (Clare) was very kind to let us into her house and take pictures of the backyard and the mine. She was interested in reading some of Dad's stories, especially the ones where the walls were talking! The house has a new kitchen and the backyard is more urban, except for the inclusion of some ducks and chickens.

View of The Pit from 24 Lloyds Terrace, Dunscroft

 

 

Our next port of call was the Hatfield Pit. We did ask security if we could take photographs, but understandably could not take any on the premises. They were happy for me to tale photos from the roadway nearby.

The Pit up closer

 

As we made our way to York from Dunscroft, we went through the town of Thorne, where my Dad went to school. The school is no longer in use, but the main building is still there and being used as apartments or the like. There is a new school there called the Acadamy, but the security guard was not at all happy about me taking photos and I thought it best to delete those that I had taken.

As Our tour progressed, I was drawn to the strong shapes of the powers stations. They are impressive structures, and I found the steam pouring out the towers to be asking for their photo to be taken.

Power station

 

Auntie Elaine decided to go to what they call 'Park and Ride' to get a bus to take us into the Town called York. The car park was at a designer shopping centre, (we did not go into) and the line to get on the bus was quite long. There were two maind reasons for this. 1. There was a foos and wine festival on in the centre of town and 2. The river upon which York is on had breached it's banks and there was some substantial flooding, which caused the bridge to be closed. A detour was hence required, causeing significant delays. Apparently the River Ouse is prone to flooding, so i wonder why businesses continue to operate on the river front.

River Ouse flooding

 

We had a lovely day out, especially enjoyed our jaunt down the street called 'The Shambles' and our visit to the York Minster Cathedral. We chose to also go on the Tower Tour, which required us to ascend 275 steps up a spiral staircase. There was only one stopping point, which we took advantage of, by taking a few photographs. By the time we got up, we decided that the effort was with it. You could see for miles and get a good grasp of the area. What puzzles me is how people make the effort to get all the way up there, only to rush around and head back down. Auntie Elaine and I were the last ones to go down. This was the most difficult part for me. It was just as well that we were the last, as I took it one step at a time, getting a little worried when the handrail stopped when the was a window. I don't like steps at the best of times, but going up was easy, not the journey down.

Auntie Elaine at the top of York Mister

 

After grabbing a bite to eat at he Yorkshire Pudding stand at the food market, we made our way back to the bus stop and back home in the car. I thought that it was a very interesting town, which needs more than a day or two to take it all in. The only thing to put me off returning sometime is the crowds. It was like Bourke Street Mall at Christmas.

 

Back at home, we were met by Bradley, my cousin Maxine's son. It wasn't much longer before Maxine arrived with her 18 month old Savannah, her friends Anna and Dena. We enjoyed sharing some stories over pizza and wine with Uncle Dave too.

Maxine, Uncle Dave, Savannah, Me, Auntie Elaine, Bradley

 

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Chapel violins: Day 5

This is a backdated account as my dear Auntie Elaine came to pick me up from the Chapel and take me to the Doncaster area to spend what was to be a fabulous weekend. I did not get write about my day when the evening came.

 

It was only me and John at the Chapel on Friday until about lunchtime. It was great to have one on one teaching, and I am grateful to John for the time he was able to give me.

 

As predicted on Thursday, I was able to get my sound post fitted by lunchtime. There were many tries throughout the morning and as my chiseling slowly whittled away at my maple dowel. I had a sense of growing excitement as my final attempt got closer to becoming upright. I seemed to know that "this was it" - and it turned out to be true!! Phew.

 

John took me into town to visit the Model shop to get some brass sheeting to enable me to make the guide that needed to have to fit sound posts when I get home. John was very good to wait for me as I phoned my brother to organize some flat packed buildings for him to put on his model railway. I also had the opportunity to go and pick up some photo CDs that I had ordered the previous Sunday, as well as take out cash to pay John for his teaching. I have learned to appreciate the $50 notes you get back home, because you get a selection of £10 and £20 notes when you take cash out form the teller here. It doesn't take much to cram your wallet when you take out sizable amounts here.

 

On our return to the Chapel, we were joined by Marcus, a student of violin making who is helping John on a very exciting project. We had many laughs throughout the afternoon. One instance in particular was when I had been taking photos of John and Marcus collaborating. Marcus promptly declared that he looked like Harry Potter in one shot that I showed them.

Marcus and John, discussing fingerboard planing

 

We also got to see what must be the world's largest wood plane.

John's biggest wood plane

I did get some work done amongst the lighthearted afternoon. I made a start on cutting and fitting the all important bridge. you start with what it called a blank, which is a rough cut shape. The feet need to be moulded and cut exactly to the shape of each individual instrument. This takes time and patience, as I was to find out!

Placing the bridge blank, ready to be fitted

 

It was lovely to greet Auntie Elaine who took me off to her place at Stainforth. She had prepared a delicious meal of cottage pie, steamed vegetables and superb rice pudding. It was lovely to spend the night chatting with her and Uncle Dave. Getting to know them was such a treat.

 

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Chapel Violins: Day 4

 

I almost got it!

I have been constantly reminded throughout the past two days that fitting a sound post correctly is like playing a wobble board with steamed up swimming goggles and wearing boxing gloves. Everyone that comes into the workshop and has learnt to fit sound posts raises their eyebrows and has a little chuckle. This becomes more evident with every exclamation of frustration I have made. I have noticed that they get loader and a little more strong in language as the day went on. Somebody noted that my laugh also got more wicked!



I have kept reminding myself of the words of wisdom I give my students: "it doesn't matter where your starting point is, as long as you keep improving, that's where success lies." By the end of yesterday, I have only been able to cut one sound post that was nowhere near fitting. Today, I cut four, with each one taking less time. I have not needed to think so hard about how to hold my chisel, and am taking more risks and thinking of ways to fit this silly thing. John reckons I should be able to get it right by lunchtime tomorrow.

The day's work

 

After class, Stephan and I went for a walk in a different direction. We went across the bridge that goes across the A1, which is the main motorway that joins the North to the South. The clouds were amazing once again, reminding me of snow and frost. Unfortunately we were too early for the blaze of colour as the sun took it's final plunge across the horizon.

The A1

Next to the motorway

Last colour

 

Tonight, I stopped at Tesco Express to get a basic dinner. Cheese, pork pie, crackers etc.

Tonight's tea

 

After tea I had to call Auntie Elaine to tee-up our rendezvous tomorrow and then I had to pack my things away, as Linda has other people staying over the weekend.

 

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Chapel Violins: Day 3

Well, today has been a day of ups and downs at Chapel Violins. To cut a long story short, John was impressed of how quickly I learnt to use a chisel to even out the top of a piece od dowel, which was to become my sound post. There are a lot of skills to master before to can fit a sound post and whilst he was working hard, Eugene had the occasional titter to reply to my frustrated moans, as my sound post kept falling down. John kept saying to him things like "memories,eh Eugene? John told me that the offer was on the table of £1000 to anyone who can fit a post in a morning. I though I might have a change until this afternoon...

Tomorrow, I will get it.

 After school, Stephan and I caught the bus into Newark and walked to Devon and Sconce Park. This was the site of an ingenious battlement. Which you can read about below.

A lovely Thai banquet and a taxi ride back to Balderton.

We were greeted at the door by our hosts, who invited us in for a beer. I went upstairs to deposit my bag and pick up the half full bottle of Jim Barry cab. Sav. Linda and Tony enjoyed this wine very much.

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Chapel violins: day 2

mmmm. What a delicious breakfast my fellow student and I had. Well cooked porridge, followed by scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, fried potatoes and raw tomato.

We arrived to the workshop on time this morning and were the first two there. Eugene wasn't too far behind us. It was only us three today.

Stephan continued to work on his carving, whilst John helped me with the finishing of fitting my pegs. By the end of yesterday, I had completely fitted the pegs, but today needed to trim them to length, drill holes and polish them up.
I was chuffed when John declared that they could stay on that instrument and were a professional fit!

The rest of the day found me working on making the nut a better shape and watching John patch a chip in the fingerboard using ebony dust which he made from an old peg and bond edit with super glue. There were many other discussions throughout the day which ranged from different ways to tell a good instrument from a poorly made one to feeling the underside of a cello fingerboard to tell if it were a French instrument. It felt a bit like baby cord fabric, as the blades on the planes the craftsmen used had little grooves in them.

Eugene continued to work on his cello restoration and enjoyed hearing his violin being played by me a Stephan. It certainly is a lovely instrument and compares well to another instrument which John has for sale. Tomorrow, I might even get to compare it with an instrument worth £16,000.

I have been making a list of the tools which I will need to complete these repairs back at home. I will need to order some of these things from a German company when I get home.

After leaving the workshop for the day, Stephan and I called in at "home", then went on a walk down the country lane. I was hoping to find a sunset as glorious as yesterday's, but it was not to be. We found it interesting looking at the black slugs and exchanging our knowledge on our photographic knowledge. Stephan also has a Nikon, but his is the D7000 model. We stopped to play with the dandelion seeds. This was new to Stephan, who had seen them on movies, but not in real life.

 

At the end of the path we come across the train line, which is extremely busy. Four trains in less than as

many minutes, I reckon. We then turned around a retraced our footsteps. After our being on one feet for an hour and a half, we entered one of the local pubs and I enjoyed a pint of Stella Artois with my cottage pie and veggies.

A brief chat with Mum and into this post. I think it won't be long before I hit the sack, so that I am ready for another big day of learning tomorrow.

 

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Chapel Violins day 1

I have had a very interesting and fulfilling day at the violin school.

Another big English breakfast was served. Today, I opted for bacon, egg, potatoes, baked beans, mushrooms and tomatoes. This was per-emptied with the grapefruit and strawberries. A glass of orange juice and real coffee helped to wash it all down. It was lovely to meet my fellow student, Stephan from Singapore. We had good conversation, which was continued on our way to the Violin School.

A phone call to Lawrie for his birthday was a must after breakfast and away Stephan and I went.

After a short 5 minute walk to Chapel violins, I finally met John Gosling who is going to be my tutor for the next two weeks, as well classmates for the day, Jackie and Eugene. When Stephan and I arrived, there was a conversation going on between John and Jackie about taking the top off a violin which Jackie had brought in to work on. Eugene was working away on his cello restoration in the corner.

Jackie comes in once a week to work on her restorations. She has come to learn violin restoration as a change in career. At present, Jackie is working on three instruments to build her skills. She began spring of last year. Her partner is also a violin maker. Today she was working on taking the top off a violin, with John's help, as well as touching up the stain on a violin, fixing up cracks on a removed violin top and John also helped her with bushing the peg holes and repairing a crack in the same peg box.

Eugene was waiting for the job on his cello to dry, so he set to putting strings, chin rest, on his very own made instrument. He was very excited to hear that I playing violin and it was an honor to be the very first person to play his instrument. It has a lovely clear sound which spoke clearly through the full range of strings. What an exciting experience! I will play it for him over the next few days as it settles and develops it's voice.

Throughout the whole day, Stephan worked very hard on carving the back of his instrument. He hardly spoke a word and worked with focus.

I gained a wealth of knowledge throughout the day, watching some of the jobs which were carried out by the others, as well as learning how to fit a set of pegs. My rite of passage is marked by the developing blisters on my right thumb and pointer finger.

All in all, I learnt:

• how to ream peg holes
• Cut pegs to fit
• How to remove glue by using mentholated spirits
• Violin glue is made from rabbit fur
• Not all violin makers play a stringed instrument
• There are only one or two jobs in violin making where you can use araldite
• Some repairers are guilty of using araldite where they should not
• There is much to learn
• How to clean out the dirty violin with cooked rice

Our day finished at 6 pm. By this time the rains which had been consitently falling throughout the dayhad ceased. Stephan and I went for a walk, as the sky was magnificent and I wanted to find a good scene to set it off. Unfortunately I did not find anywhere that was any good. We did find a lovely Cantonese take away, which proved to be very delicious.



A load of washing and a bit of hand washing completed, as well as this post and check of the email finishes my very busy day.

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Balderton and Newark

I think that now I have been able to make sense of the Blogsy and am able to fill you all in on what is/has been happening. I will try to backdate my blogs so they are all in chronological order. It feels a bit like Star Wars!

This morning was sad, in that I had to farewell Auntie Kathy and thank her for a wonderful week. I have really enjoyed my time with her and Mum, and I wish that we could spend time together more often. She is a wonderful lady and I have got to know her so much over this past week. It was also sad to say goodbye to Mum, but it wasn't quite the same, as I know we will have so much more time together. We will, however see each other again in London for the day, as well as at Heathrow.

Once the ladies had departed after another wonderful breakfast, I got busy and moved my things into the bigger room which was occupied by Mum and Aunty Kathy. It is a terrific room with street views and you can see the spire of St. Giles, the Church in which Host Tony is the Vicar.

I very much enjoyed speaking with the boys who were finally back in civilization and could be reached via the airways. Lawrie was finally able to set up a Skype account for Dave and we had a long conversation with the boys all sharing the front seat of the car. It was declared that I have magical powers, as I was able to tell Mitch exactly where the Paw-Paw ointment was from halfway around the world!

I took a taxi into Newark, as the busses only run every 2 hours on a Sunday and I got tired of waiting at the bus stop. My first point of call was the Information Centre, which is right next to the castle. I was given a brochure on a walking tour of the town, which I began as soon as I had finished ordering copies of my photos onto CDs at Boots Chemist. I also had the photos from Uncle Stan and Auntie Valerie's 50th Wedding Anniversary party put on a Cd, which I need to post off to them.

The first port of call was one of the highlights of the day, as I discovered that it was designed by an architect who shares the same name of my brother, John.

The market square was deserted, until a few dignatories started to roll up in their posh cars. I am intrigued and must find out what what the celebration were for.

There are many beautiful buildings here in Newark. This is the cathedral.

I will complete this blog tomorrow, as I need to call Lawrie for his 15th birthday and then get some sleep before me big day tomorrow at the studio of John Gosling.

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Southwell and Newark

Well, what a lovely day out with Mum, Auntie Kathy and Auntie Elaine!

We began our day with a lovely English breakfast - sausage, bacon, egg, tomato, egg, mushroom , fruit salad, yoghurt, freshly baked bread, real coffee and orange juice. There was also the option to have cereal, but I passed on that course.

Auntie Elaine arrived at 10am, and we greeted her with excitement. A cup of tea was shared and we made our way the Southwell, which is where our host's daughters have a shared glass/photographic studio

Saracen Head Hotel

There is a lot of history around this area, in particular the Civil War. The Saracen Head Hotel is where King Charles spent his last night, before being whisked away by Cromwell, who had the King beheaded.









We wandered up and down the main street, in and out of shops. It is from here that I picked up a little present for Lawrie's birthday.

As we strolled back up the street, we noticed excitement around the Minster, which was next on our itinerary. A gorgeous horse and cart had just dropped off a bride and the horses were waiting ever so patiently for her return. They were gorgeous black horses, with the purest of white plumes adorning their headdress.

We decided to leave the bride and groom to their Minster, and went to find somewhere to have our lunch.

On our return to the minster, we had a look around the beautiful architecture, which was varied in style. I bought a permit to enable me to take photographs legally within the building.

We spent a good deal of time in the Minster, and then headed back to Newark. We found the castle on the river bank and had a good look around the ancient ruins.

All that was needed before we headed back to our lodgings was a brief stop at the supermarket to pick up some mixed sandwiches for tea.

After we ate and shared some photographs, we bid Auntie Elaine farewell at 9pm. She gave me a brief call at 10pm to let me know that she had arrived safely back home.

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Tuesday 20th September

Monday 18th September

Sunday 17th September

Saturday 15th September

Friday 14th September

Away I go!

Well, here I go again. Another adeventure is about to start.
Today, I fly away to the UK to see what I can get up to.
I know I will be visiting relatives, but what else will I be doing?
Watch this space.......