Faces Of Bayon

The Bayon Temple of the Angkor Thom complex, the next city along from Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, was one of my favourite temples, with it's enchanting faces.  The temple in this, the largest ancient city, has 216 semi-smiling faces, and no matter where you stand around the temple, you are always watched by at least one of them!

The 51 towers of smiling faces in every direction are surrounded by terraces with intrinsic detail, all in stone, and have been restored to continue to stand and be explored today.

This post is part of a series marking 10 years since I travelled to Cambodia to work as a volunteer.

Hawks Final Training Session

Today was the final training session for Hawthorn, before the big day on Saturday, being the AFL Grand Final.  An all important hit-out for the team, and to assist with selection decisions, but ultimately it is a rite of passage for fans in the build up at the latter half of this massive week.

Mum and I meet up with Jessie and Adam, and we made the trek out to Waverley to join the sea of brown and yellow.  Taking in the very site of our 1991 Premiership, but now our training facility, the energy was high among the faithful and the families keen to get a look at the team close-up.

It was so exciting to see all the kids with their numbered jumpers on, still many, many 23s for Buddy like in 2008, but the number 33 for Cyril is definitely a favourite this time too!

As the crowd was warmed up with interviews with past players, the current players soon made their way out onto the field and completed their 40 minute session.  Most eyes were on Hodge, given that the Captain had missed last week, be he looked to be matching it with the rest of the squad, and thus, the crowd was confident that he would be leading the team on Saturday.

The players seemed to be soaking in the atmosphere of the huge crowd both before and after the training session, and the forlorn figures of our injured players brought home just how lucky this squad is to be here and fit on the last weekend of September again.

An exciting day, which has just started to make it very real for me!  Let the nerves and anticipation build!  Go Hawks!

The Other Film Festival

The Other Film Festival was a celebration of film by, with and about people with a disability. Held at the Arts House in North Melbourne, this venue was perfect, with it's cafe/bar downstairs (with a lift for accessibility, of course), and the gathering had such a great and inspiring vibe.

On Friday I went into town for the morning session, which was Making The Connection, and had a central theme of love and relationships.  The first two shorts were Australian, and were so lovely and really well done.  The first, 3.15 To Brunswick was introduced by the two actors in the film, and was a clever time-lapse style tale of two people sharing a moment whilst waiting for a train.  The second was the amazing Beautiful, which was!  A story of two people with an Intellectual Disability, in love and dealing with all the pressures, and teaching people around them, about being in love.  As I said, these 2 were really good.

The feature of this morning session was Strong Love, telling the story of the marriage of Jon and Holly, two Americans with Down Syndrome who met when they were at school.  A very American feel to the story, with the over-the-top management of disability, but their story was lovely and heart-warming.

There were lots of groups from programs at this session, and I spotted a young man who I worked with as an ABA Therapist when he was a boy, in the audience.  How amazing!

I was back at the Arts House on Sunday, and caught the Fresh Shorts collection - 6 short films, four of which I loved!  Veronika was told from the perspective of a young woman with Autism and multiple physical disabilities, and through using communication tools and the vivid work of a sand sculpturer, explained how her inner world works and how she meets her writing goals.  So insightful!

46/47 was a spin on how someone with genetic difference is viewed in the world, and was really thought-provoking and well done.  Frank, in Just Be Frank, tells his story as he gets used to a new guide dog and navigates his way around New York City.  A jazz singer, this short is a full look into his life, family and the everyday interactions he has at work and with friends.

The powerful Sunny Boy was probably my favourite film of this second session of films I attended, and showed the pain experienced by Danny and his want to join the world outside, if only to kick a soccer ball around!  Trapped inside by a skin condition and a severe aversion to the sun, this short is emotive and uplifting and devastating all at once.  Brilliantly done.

This film festival has been held bi-annually since 2004, and deserves a growing following from movie lovers and disability advocates alike, for it's impressive films, and the energy in the sessions and mingling before and after.  It was such a great vibe and event to be part of.

View From Top Of The Rock

The view from the top of the Rockefeller Building in New York City is spectacular, and the best vantage point to get a true sense of the island of Manhattan.  From one side of the observation level you can see all the way down Lower Manhattan, and out to the Lady.

This view, of course, features the iconic Empire State Building.  My favourite building in the NYC skyline.  Now, as you can see, the Peace Tower, or 1 WTC, is growing in it's prominence, and the other WTC buildings that are planned for that site will certainly make for a whole new view in this direction.

Katie had debated about going to the observation deck of the Empire State Building, but we convinced her that this was the view she wanted - complete with the Empire State Building.  Although, upon reflection, I have not been up to that famous level with the movie-famed caging, so maybe next time!

The Top of the Rock was pretty reasonably priced, and after walking from Times Square in late afternoon, we did not have a wait to board the elevator to the 67th floor.  A lighting show on the roof of the elevator adds to the experience of being whisked up into the middle of one of the tall midtown buildings.

There are three levels here to check out the views from, with outdoor and indoor vantage points, catering to all weather variations, and generous seating for a rest for those city-walking weary feet!

I love this vantage point, taking in the sights below, and picking out things like the Chrysler Building, the neon of Times Square, the location of Grand Central Station.

Looking closely, you can see the bustle of the traffic below, and also the rooftop life that is set up above the city.  So many great patio and garden escapes!

Being aloft NYC, you also get to see the sprawl of the great New York area and her boroughs, like Brooklyn, Queens, and then Jersey City and Hoboken on the other side of the river.  Of course, you can spot all the bridges too, all the way along the East River.

Facing in the opposite direction, you get a sense of the massive size of Central Park, and see all the activity going on down there on the greens. You can also see the Upper East and West sides of the Park, and get a feel for the dense population living along these flanks of New York.

Have you been?  How does it compare to the view from the Empire State Building?

How To Get Tickets to the AFL Grand Final

The biggest day in the sporting calender here in Melbourne is coming up, on the last Saturday in September (most years, and definitely this one), and the whole city is abuzz!  Sure, some will argue that the Melbourne Cup is the biggest, but it is only on Grand Final Day where you will find a deserted city for a solid three hours.

Myself and the girls and Noodles have been lucky enough to score tickets for the big day in the Hawthorn Members ballot. Just as we were in 2008 for that most amazing day. A very nervous and stressful wait for us all day yesterday, until Jessie called me and let me know the great news. WE'RE GOING TO THE GRAND FINAL!!!

So many people have missed out, as is always the story each year.

(Photo credit - Instagram by krist1ne_, used with permission)

Hawthorn Football Club have said in this article that they were allocated 15,000 tickets for Members, with 41,000 eligible Members out of our 60,000+ Membership base.  Of course, of those that were eligible, each person needed to register in the ballot two weeks ago - so silly not to have done that!  I have read that Sydney Swans Football Club have had Members tickets still on sale today, after providing registered Members a ticket each.  Lucky them!

I am violently opposed to people who don't care about footy getting tickets.  Or people who don't support either team getting to go to the big day, ahead of fans of the competing clubs.  But more saddened by the idea that passionate fans of either competing club would miss out on a ticket to the biggest match of the year, provided they did all they could to get them.  There is just not enough allocated by the AFL to the competing clubs, in proportion to the Membership bases of clubs.

The best way to get a ticket to the AFL Grand Final is to sign up and be a Member of your club, right from the start of the season.  There are many posts on different sites stating that people would "pay good money" for tickets for Saturday - well, you totally should have supported your club all year!

After the near merger of our great club with Melbourne back in 1996, and being proud supporters of the movement to keep our club on it's own two feet, we are staunch supporters of being signed up Members.  Never would we want to see our club be any different.  I have been a Member since I had a Junior Squadron back in Primary School - only missing being paid up during the two years I was living in London, and then that was only because I often barely had enough to get by week to week!  I wouldn't do that gap again, given the option now to pay by the month.

Hawthorn has three levels of priority within the Membership base and ballot registration, and we had upgraded our Memberships to Silver after feeling very, very lucky at the base level in 2008.  From reading posts by other Hawk supporters on different sites today, it seems we were still very lucky to have our names pulled out on the randomised ballot in this second group - Gold and above Memberships getting guaranteed seats.

For those that missed out, it would be so devastating, but if it was us we would have done whatever it took to go.  Including buying the exorbitant AFL endorsed packages - those are just criminal scalping!  Supporters do sell them all week, if things have come up since going in the ballot.

I tell most people who ask about getting tickets the tale of the seven lads who stood behind us in 2008, who all just showed up on the morning of the Grand Final, and managed to each buy a ticket from someone trying to sell one at the last minute. That's possible.

Good luck to those passionate Hawks who have missed out, and are seeking to go.

Go Hawks!

Preliminary

Yesterday the Hawks completed the task of reaching the AFL Grand Final, in a tight-finishing match against Adelaide.

Being a twilight match, we started the day early with lunch on the Yarra River at Pony Fish Island, before walking along to the MCG.  We were actually moved along from here after being there for hours, because we had our footy colours on!  Our pre-match drinks were finished at the ever-reliable Riverland.

The sun bathed half the ground as the teams lined up and the whole crowd stood for the National Anthem.  And before we knew it, the match began.

It was the kind of match that had us on our feet so many times, for goals and close play down our end - intense and stressful, with so much on the line.  The pain of this match last year in the back of our minds, particularly as it got of so close in the final quarter.

Five points at the final siren, and the yellow and brown flooded the MCG, and the song was sung loud and proud!

Post-match debrief and celebrations were carried on at Beer Deluxe and Transport, as a replay on the screen helped us piece together some of the play that had seemed to happen all to fast live.

Three very happy Hawkers, all the more excited that we get to be all together at the match this time, given that Jessie was overseas in 2008.

Go Hawks!  Going to be a huge week!

Angkor Wat At Dawn

The best time to explore the iconic Angkor Wat is at dawn.  Before the masses of people arrive, meaning that you have the ancient temple practically to yourselves.  I think from memory on that very first trip, there were about 9 people in total perched on the turrets watching light break.

The hardest part of seeing it at dawn is getting up when it's still dark, especially if you have enjoyed the crazy nightlife in Siem Reap the night before!  One of our group volunteering in Cambodia was living and working in this town, which made getting to know the area a little more special.

Getting a moto out to the entrance, and walking across the bridge and through the stone arcs, there is something magical about being here when it is deserted and being licked by the hint of the day's light.

We sat at the top, after climbing those countless stairs, and watched as the sun made itself seen, and the light started to cover the ranging hills and jungle all around.  The feelings of peace and tranquility added to the magic.

Once the sun was well and truly up, we enjoyed the time exploring the different aspects and detail of the massive central temple of the Angkor complex, and got to take some silly photos like this one!
 

Imagine coming out of the surrounding jungle and discovering the site of these ancient cities!

In different parts of the temple you can see monks and older Khmers completing prayer rituals.  This complex is still used as a working temple today, rites thankfully not lost to war and time.

As we left Angkor Wat to see some of the other temples around, the masses of tourists were on their way in, making the feeling of solitude at dawn feel all that much more special.

A visit to Cambodia is not complete without a trip to this area in the centre of the country, and I am trying to resist returning there again for the reunion trip.  Not sure that I will manage that though!

This post is part of a series marking 10 years since I travelled to Cambodia to work as a volunteer.

Elvis' Cars And Other Toys

One of the things that strikes you as you wander around Graceland in Memphis, is Elvis' love of his family and his toys! From cars to planes, to pianos and audio-visual equipment, the King and his family did not want for anything, that is clear.

The first car into Elvis Presley Automobile Museum is a beautiful, slick white Mercedes 280SL that he brought for Priscilla. So pretty! What a lucky girl!

The Museum is at the end of the building at start of your Graceland visit, and can be seen as you wait for your turn to board the bus and be taken across the road to the house for the self-guided tour. This Purple 1956 Cadillac Eldorado is in the centre of the room and forms the back of the mini-cinema for a short film.

The other area where Elvis' toys are on show is the yard also on this side of the road, where you can board and view his two custom planes. The 1958 Convair 880, named the Lisa Marie, is the most impressive, with the rooms decked out in suede chairs and leather-covered tables, the guest and main bedrooms with all the fittings, two bathrooms with gold-flecked sinks, a conference and lounge room - he had everything one could need on this little flying home. The walk through also affords you some commentary pointing out the features, and mentions the King's whimsical use of this plane, with one occasion being when he discovered that his daughter had never seen snow so he loaded up the family for a day trip to Colorado!

Also on display in the Automobile Museum are the John Deere tractor Elvis used across the road and on the ranch, and his 1970 Stutz Blackhawk. A black Ferrari, a white Lincoln and a Rolls Royce, plus a jeep and his motorcycles. Plus his favourite car, his 1955 Pink Cadillac. Yes, it's quite the collection!

Dinner In The Dark

Kylie was adamant that we go to Dinner In The Dark during the week Katie was in Toronto. The idea of being taken into a restaurant in complete darkness, and trying to eat a meal, sounded a little wacky to me, but sure enough, we went along!

Upon arrival, we were seated in the foyer area which is decked out very much like something out of Cluedo. Here, we were shown the menu, and after time to decide, our orders were taken out here, including when we would like our beverages of choice brought to the table.

I'll admit I was a little anxious about how I would cope in total darkness, in a room I couldn't see, with presumably people moving all about and food and drinks being transported all around us. But it was actually totally fine.

Once our table was ready, our blind waitress came to collect us, lining us up behind each other, hands on shoulders. We were led to our table, and with very clear instructions, the layout was explained to us. Drinks to the right of our bread plate, which was in front of us.

As we sat, and felt around the table for our bread and a knife and the butter...ekk!..we could hear tables of other people around. The room is complete blackness, and so we had to rely on our hearing and imagination to construct the room layout for us.

Soon our meals arrived at the table, with no visual warning of course, and we started our three courses. Kylie was the braver of us, ordering the "surprise" entree and dessert, relying on her tastebuds to figure out what she was eating - she thought the first was a mushroom dish, and that sweets was a chocolate mousse (which our waitress later confirmed was also half raspberry!).

The concept of the restaurant is that without your sense of sight, all of your other senses such as smell and taste are enhanced, and thus, the food could be simple and yet amazing. I think the fact that we ate at the CN Tower then night before probably took away from this meal in the darkness, to be honest. But it was a good meal, and a very different experience.

I did learn that I very much enjoy food for the aesthetics, being that if it looks pretty, I am most likely going to be more excited about it. I also eat in a very segregated way, so not being able to see and direct different tastes to my fork one at a time took that away from me.

The eating experience was something so different, having to chase around beans or a portion of risotto around on a plate you could not see. I challenge anyone to do this without the aide of your hands!

Unfinished Business: Women Of Letters

The amazing Women of Letters project going on in Melbourne sells out in lightening speed every month - further evidenced by next month's afternoon being all sold out by 10.45am this morning - and so upon seeing a handful of balcony seats up for grabs last week, I grabbed two quick smart!

Jessie and I drove across to Thornbury Theatre of the 'afternoon of literature and correspondence' with much anticipation. A concept to bring women and writing together, and the old fashioned idea of penning letters. I have heard such great things about these afternoons, and we were not disappointed!

5 amazing women on the panel read out their letters to their 'unfinished business'. Kate Mulvany was first, actress and playwrite, and a young lady who has had so many challenges thrown her way - her letter was so very personal and revealing and I doubt that there was anyone left in the room with a dry eye once she had finished.

Sally Heath, Associate Publisher with Melbourne University Press, was next and spoke to all the writers who had submitted works to her for review and comment. Then Ailsa Piper, actor, writer and director, took the podium and shared the story of her upbringing and exposure to Indigenous languages and culture. So beautiful, thought-provoking and amazing.

Feminist writer Helen Garner was next, and she too shared a deeply personal account of the decisions made at a point in her life when she wished she had have followed her own path, rather then listen to others. A powerful tale that made us all ponder the decisions we make, and why.

Finally Sarah Blasko, Aussie singer-songwriter, shared her letter to her childhood immersion in religion and how she views it now. Rather than stumble through some of the parts spoken, Sarah ended up singing the end, which seemed so much more natural for her. And her voice soared within this theatre space - and made the anticipation of the new album all the more great!

A break to allow us all to absorb the stories we had just heard, perhaps pen a letter ourselves, for the audience to submit questions to the panel, and to return to the bar for another wine. The ladies then returned to stage for a panel discussion, sharing more very personal stories, and answering the questions from the floor.

What an amazing, and inspiring afternoon, full of personal stories, lessons learnt, wisdom and some tears.

Mali In The City

It's so great to be back in Melbourne at this time, when Spring is just gearing up, and the city is abuzz with footy finals madness! But the other thing happening in town right now is that there are 50 baby elephants crawling around part of the city!

Mali In The City is to mark the 150th birthday of the Melbourne Zoo, and sees 50 versions of the first Asian elephant to be born at the Zoo as part of their breeding program.

Each of the unique designs of the fiberglass versions have been submitted by artists, and will actually be auctioned off in October, with the proceeds going towards the conservation project of Melbourne Zoo towards the prevention of extinction of this amazing animal.



Mali can be found all along Swanston Street, outside of the University of Melbourne, at the Zoo, in Federation Square and along Southbank. But they are also hidden away is a number of places in the CBD.

Wooly Mali, covered in a woolen coat, Rusty Mali, who has been decorated with all manner of metal bits and pieces, and the iconic Melbourne looking mosaic (above and to the right) and tram featured Malis are among my favourites.

Mali is found around the city until Friday this week, so be quick if you want to see her. You can see some more photos of the ones I have here - which is your favourite?

Khmer Baby Naming Ceremony

One of the very first outings with the children of the centre I worked for in Phnon Penh was to one of the big temple complexes of the city for the naming ceremony of the baby in residence. This was my first glimpse into the Buddhist traditions, as I observed each of the children carry out their roles and watch as one of the teacher's of the Center lead them through the process.


We all piled into the Center's tuk tuk, cramming in as many bodies as was possible, to make the journey through the crazy traffic from the neighbourhood of the shelter into the more central area of PP. Along with us in this open-air mode of transport were our lunch supplies for the day's outing, with rice and curry in tin stackable carriers.

It was such a privilege to visit a temple like this, and see the monks in action. Particularly the elder who blessed our shelter's baby. Seeing these men in their varying shades of orange and magenta in their homes, with their study and sleeping quarters just meters from the key prayer areas of the temple - such a window into their world.

Considering the threat to such traditions being completing wiped out by the Khmer Rouge, it was lovely to see a new generation being stepped through the rituals and importance of such occasions.

These pictures remind me of so many special times with these girls, and the couple of boys, we had at the shelter whilst I was there. Such characters and hope within these little people, who had each faces such unimaginable things in their lives.

The baby in the center, for whom this outing was all about, was the child of one of the older and longest standing girls in the shelter. She was the same age as I was at the time of my volunteer period over there, and we spent quite a lot of time together.

Some of my role morphed into one of a maternal and child support person for this young mother, and I too spent many hours trying to get this little one off to sleep as his mother completed her chores within the house.


This post is part of a series marking 10 years since I travelled to Cambodia to work as a volunteer.

In The Village

In the village
We believe
That differences
Should enrich
Instead of divide

In a park space just off Saint Catherine Street East in Montreal, these letters suspended in the sky only made sense when you stood on a platform set up just at the right height.

And then, only if you could read French! Luckily there was an English translation nearby, which let those visitors to the city this Summer also get the message of this art installation at Aire Banque Nationale for Aire Libre.

You could walk though this message of The Village, and weave yourself through the red tubes swaying in the breeze.

A powerful delivery through a change of perspective.

The installation was called Manifeste and was inspired by the last sentence of the Aires Libres manifesto written by Guy Corriveau: A time will come where you can express yourself freely. It was created by Paprika Studios.

Qualifying

September in Melbourne is all about the AFL Footy Finals, and I was so excited and nervous all at once to be going to the match last Friday night. Having finished at the top of the ladder at the end of the Home and Away season, my Hawks faced Collingwood in the First Qualifying Final.

We all gathered at Beer Deluxe for a pre-match drink to calm the nerves of a big match, before walking along Birrarung Marr to the MCG. I love this walk, and then the view of the city on the walk back!

A cold and rainy night, we found our seats in the lower level of the Great Southern Stand. A run to the bar for ciders, which we have discovered are the only decent full strength drink available, before we donned ponchos and then stood for the national anthem. Is there anything quite like a packed 'G cheering at the end of Advance Australia Fair!??!

The match was tough and spiteful for the first three quarters, and a real wrestle both on the scoreboard and within the goal square in front of us.

But much to our joy, the Hawks kicked on in the final quarter to assert our place in the Finals and secure a week off this coming weekend. The display by Buddy impressed me the most, with his four goals, so many goal assists, and his ability to keep focused and maintain his poise under relentless pressure.

It was so nice to be there with two of my sisters, and Mum and Heath of course. But extra special for the siblings to be together again at the footy. Oh, how I've missed it!

9/11 Memorial, NYC

One of the things that was new to me during our trip to New York City was a visit to the 9/11 Memorial.

Having seen the World Trade Center buildings back in 1999, and then being in NYC in October 2001 and again over NYE that year, seeing the rebuilding and the memorial now at the site of that horrendous and unforgettable terrorist attack felt like the continuation of the recovery from that fateful day.

We were advised to book a time slot to visit online before we go to Lower Manhattan, which was great information, and probably saved us a 90 minute wait in the line at the Preview Site.

The Preview Site is a couple of blocks away from the World Trade Center, and where you get or pick up your timed passes to the Memorial site. Here too is a lot of information about that day in 2001, the timings of the two planes, the crumbling of the 2 tallest buildings of the New York skyline, the the rescue efforts by the first responders, and the recovery mission in the aftermath.

This was actually pretty tough, emotionally, as the interviews being shown told stories of that morning, of lost ones, of trying to find their loved ones, and recounts by firefighters. It brought it all back, for me, and I was on the other side of the world that day. I think this Site should come with a PTSD-trigger warning, for anyone affected directly by the day.

Once through security at the actual Memorial Site, you walk around the construction zone of the rebuilding, and see the presence of the NYPD everywhere. And then you round the corner from being surrounded by buildings and bustle, and arrive within the space where those iconic buildings once were.

There is peace and stillness here. A respectful memorial.

The footprints of the Twin Towers are now pools of cascading water, with bronze parapets all the way around both the South and North towers outlining the names of those who died in these buildings, on the planes here and in Virginia and Pennsylvania, and also those that were lost in the WTC bombings in 1993.

The names are grouped by their role on the day, being office workers in the buildings or personnel responding to the event, to plane passengers, to people in the Pentagon, and are also reportedly ordered by where they were and with whom they were with on that morning.

One of the most powerful elements of the Memorial Site, and a symbol of hope and moving forward, is the Survival Tree. The only tree to be recovered and rejuvenated from the rubble of Ground Zero, this damaged stump has been nursed back to health and transplanted to the site. A symbol of survival and resilience, indeed.

All features of the site are not yet complete, with the buildings all around in different stages of completion, and the Memorial Museum some way off being opened yet.

Through the mirrored windows of the Museum between the two pools you can see one of the steel tridents from the original North Tower - you can just make out the top of the fork in front of the scaffolding. There will be many original pieces recovered from the rubble at Ground Zero.

With the massive and towering 1 WTC already making an impact on the New York City skyline, the images of how this complex will look when complete is pretty amazing. Once finished, this area will have a whole new life to it, with the proposed performing arts centre and pretty 2 WTC. But these 2 cascading pools will ensure we never forget that day that changed the USA forever.

By The Horns

Andrea contacted me whilst I was still away, just as Julia Stones solo album launch was released, and she snaffled tickets for us. She picked me up in Ballarat on Thursday night, and we made the drive out to Castlemaine, to make a night of it.

We had dinner and drinks at The Public Inn, and as we marveled at the impressive meal we eventually selected from the menu, we spotted Julia and her band also having dinner at the same place. Castlemaine has some great restaurants, and this visit impressed me again, as it did Julia, who mentioned it during her show!

We arrived and found a spot at the Theatre Royal ready for Tom from The Trouble With Templeton's support set. His blend of folky songs helped mellow the mood in the room, given that most people had battled the cold and rain outside to get there.

Opening with the first track of her new album, Julia Stone then gave us her cover of The National's Bloodbuzz Ohio. I was a little nervous about this cover, having only heard a grab of it, but I was quickly loving it. Such a different feel to the track, with her voice to it.

As she told the room stories of love and love lost, and unrequited love, she spoke of being nervous about being centre stage, but exhibited none of it as she played the flute, the guitar and trumpet at different times during the set.

Alongside her new tracks she gave us a few of her songs from her collaboration with her brother, like For You and a stripped down And The Boys. This Love from her first solo release was a stand out, and is about working so closely with her sibling - so sweet. Julia's spin on Grease's You're The One That I Want was beautiful as always, and the new By The Horns ended the set.

The encore included an amazing version of Dreams by Fleetwood Mac. So impressive!

The most disappointing part of the night, however, was that the back section of the standing area seemed to talk all the way through the music. This is the second time I have been to this lovely venue, and both shows have been tainted by talkers - I mean, go to the pub to catch up people! Such a shame, and a blight on an amazing place to see music.

Julia's show has certainly convinced me to grab her new solo album. Such a talented singer-songwriter, and musician of many tools!