I’ve been catching up with all the things that I need to catch up with today.
Please excuse my brevity.
(Yes, that’s it.)
(Bye)
More tranquility
Sounds like another hectic day in SA. I’ve been in the relative quiet of the lab, but working hard.
Here’s the Umngazi River in the Eastern Cape, back in July:
If I’m honest, I will always have mixed memories of this holiday, but I couldn’t fault the views that evening.
More stuff here.
Weird Day
Weird day.
Hot weather, back to work, student protests. All a bit chaotic.
So, as per every long-haul flight I take, it’s Ludovico Einaudi to the rescue. And he’s donned a superhero’s costume in the shape of his new album, which, now I’m back home, I have downloaded, post haste.
Here’s the official video from Walk, off his last album:
Nice and calming when set against the ridiculousness of the day. Or indeed at any time.
Ironically, my favourite track off the In A Timelapse album is Run. It’s kind of like Walk, but unsurprisingly, it’s faster, with contrapuntal Vivaldi and Pachelbel-esque overtones. It’s still beautifully relaxing though.
The new album is called Elements (as you’ll know if you’ve been here before) and, at first listen, seems to be a step into the more contemporary, with more electronica and deeper bass. I’m looking forward to giving it more attention before reporting back.
Science School
The usual post-flight sluggishness has set in and it feels like it’s been an age since I was last in the lab. In a way, I’m looking forward to things getting back to normal.
I’m not getting any younger, but I’m pretty sure that I can remember at least the basics.
So no need for any re-education for me. I took this photo while I was passing my Dad’s old school in the centre of Sheffield last week. Nowadays, that sort of signage would be pre-printed on plastic and glued to the wall. It would broken or vandalised within a few months, tops.
Back when this was made, there was respect for and pride in the education (and every other) system. It was worth showing off about by carving it in stone.
And it still shows to this day.
Going Home
It’s been an interesting couple of weeks, full of highs and lows. But now, I’m sitting in Manchester Airport departures, ready to head home. I’ve been bumped up into Business Class, as if someone knew I needed a helping hand, and I’m not about to take a picture of my boarding pass.
At some point over the next week or so, life must return to normal. And I’ve kind of lost track over the past fortnight, but I think we still managed a post a day together, didn’t we? Thanks for being there.
Tomorrow’s post may well be from mid-air, somewhere over Africa. But I’m not promising anything .