Dig for Cusop

Here's the new video advert for Cusop Dig in June!

Fun at Baskerville Hall

 It was the weekly singing session at Baskerville Hall on Wednesday night, and a group of people came over from the Yoga retreat in the barn near the petrol station - so it was an easy walk for them.

One of them was a really good singer, and she joined Rob in the circle - he played guitar while she sang.

The others formed a pretty good backing group, with actions - and got up to dance with Dale and Joe.  Ellie handed out castanets and shakers all round.

Another couple were staying in the hotel, and eventually the woman plucked up courage to sing a folk song as well. 

I was singing songs from the SF Convention, and threw in Star Trekking, which was a hit in the 1980s, and which they all knew! 

Printer's Fair

 This Saturday there will be a printers' fair at Hay Castle, spread over two floors and open from 10am to 4pm.  All sorts of different printing techniques will be on display, and these are true craftsmen keeping the old traditions alive for the modern day.  Techniques include etching, letterpress, wood engraving, lino cutting, paper marbling, illustration, book art and calligraphy.

There have been Wayzgooses (as a meeting of printers is traditionally called) in Hay before, at the shop which is now Rambling Rosa and across at Baskerville Hall, and I've always enjoyed them. 

Back to Earth

 I'm back home, after an absolutely brilliant time at EasterCon!

 This is me in my Starfleet uniform, Next Generation era.

It's not just dressing up - there were also fascinating panels on folklore and fantasy, 100 years of Anne McCaffrey, archaeology, how to find hope in a darkening world (with reference to grimdark fantasy), climate change, AI, and there was a lot of emphasis on finding community in a hostile world, and welcoming all sorts of diversity.  Also, I got to hang out with some really lovely people.

We were also sharing space with an anime con - lots of costumes, and generally a much younger fan base, and we all got along so well that we want to do it again, maybe with even more integration between the cons next time.

I'm already looking forward to next year in Glasgow! 

Happy Easter!

 

Here's the latest Post Box topper.

I'll be back after Easter. 

Wildlife Art

 Oil and Oak often put on exhibitions in their upstairs room, and at the moment the space is filled with very detailed and realistic paintings of British wildlife by Lyndsay Reid.  I especially like the hares.

New Comic Shop

 

Congratulations to Lauren and Julian of Hay-on-Wye Comics, who have upgraded from the market stall and shelf in Broad Street Books to a shop of their own.  They're closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so I haven't been able to look inside properly yet, but I know they have lots of interesting stock, and I'll be browsing as soon as I can.