Happy Christmas and New Year!

A belated Happy Christmas and an early Happy New Year!

Well...so much has happened in recent days that it is hard to recap. School ended on the 20th with Christmas carols in the next door church and mince pies and mulled wine [for parents only] in the school. Last one out of school before the caretaker saw Greg, the girls and Beni picking me up and us all going for a celebratory meal at our local pub. We had a grand time saying hello to neighbours and eating the best of Yorkshire fayre before walking home. It was lovely having our girls being with us. We hung on to every moment they were here. We experienced the glory of York which is a truly special place. We all loved Betty's tea house so much so we vowed to return with Grandma.

The 21st saw us picking up a very excited Grandma from her home in South Manchester. We returned via my good schoolfriend Sara and her husband Dave's home in Holmfirth, the village portrayed in the series "Last of the Summer Wine". They have taken a beautiful, grand old house and have restored it completely. We enjoyed Dave's homemade scones and preserves and cream cake before heading back to Selby. The next few days saw us going Christmas shopping to York and a return visit to Betty's and just generally relaxing asa family. We had one drive to Ampleforth Benedictine Abbey, a special place to which Grandma had visited many times in the past. It is located in the stunningly beautiful North Yorkshire Moors. Sadly though in recent years  it has been tarnished with sexual abuse cases and it felt like a cloud of sadness hung over the College. We all felt it.

On Christmas Eve we packed [actually Greg did] the Jag and all 6 of us crammed into the vehicle loaded with presents and parcels etc and embarked on a 2 hour drive to peterborough where we were stopping en route to Hampstead in London. My colleague and close friend Alison and her family were waiting with a true English afternoon tea and welcomed us with open arms. Although we have kept in contact it has been 10 years since we last met, how time flies. Lizzie had been her bridesmaid some 25 years ago and had not met since then!

We left for glorious Hampstead and arrived about 6:30pm where a lovely dinner party awaited us. My sister lives in this exquisite part of London. Amazing historic London houses surround where she lives and only local traffic can access the lane. It backs on to Hampstead Heath. I love this area and it's the only place I would want to live in if I had to live in London. Hampstead is like a big village but it's Central London. After dinner we all left to attend midnight mass at St Mary's Church in Hampstead where interestingly enough a lot of the songs were in Latin. It is a "hidden" church between gorgeous mews, it was the church that Charles de Gaul attended during the war.

Christmas Day saw us all going to Harpenden where my nephew Dominic and his family live. 20 of us gathered for dinner, the first time I have been in the UK with my family for 23 years. It was very, very special. The only thing was that my brother in Bordeaux was unable to join us. My English family is not used to having any "live" music so they joyously welcomed Greg, Beni and Lizzie leading the songs with guitar.

On Boxing day we had the mad idea of going to Stonehenge so we all piled into the car for what turned out to be a 3 hour journey due to traffic to the mystical stones. Well worth it when we arrived 45 minutes before closing. Only the crazy Canucks would do this everyone said!

The next day was wonderfully spent with our cousins Margaret and Dona and their husbands and family in Gravesend in Kent. Margaret's husband John recently retired as British Ambassador to the Vatican and numerous other haunts..the result is a huge collection of art items which grace their lovely home. They are very down to earth people for sure and not the quintessential diplomatic "type". Greeted with champagne and numerous appies followed by the eating of roast pheasant for the first time being told just to take care eating in order to avoid the lead bullets! "Tea" then followed some hours later. In England one is never sure of what constitutes "tea". In this case a glorious buffet with all the cheeses you could imagine, smoked salmon, several salads and desserts plus the required port. A most delightful visit!

Thank goodness for the DD Greg!

The next day saw a blissful walk across Hampstead Heath with visiting family to Parliament Hill to which we will be going to on New Year's Eve. It overlooks the whole of the London skyline ie St Paul's, Westminster, The Eye etc. Rosemary and I walked back via South End Green, a pretty "village" next to Hampstead, where we checked out the open mic where Beni played some weeks ago.

Now to last night...what fun and anticipation!!! I had discovered another new cousin. Before coming to the UK we had arranged that we would meet once in London. He lives and works in London weekdays then returns to his home in Devon during the week. He had arranged for us [8 of us as family including Grandma! So ranging from 18 to 91 in years!] to meet at his club, Home House, for 7:30pm. We all read the website for this "club" which as it turns out is one of the top exclusive, oldest clubs in London. Check out this site www.homehouse.co.uk  for very interesting details on this stunning venue, press reviews particularly. We did not know what to wear and indeed did not know if it would be "suitable" for Grandma! In the end Grandma would not be left alone and said at 91 she had the right to come so...Beni was placed in charge of escorting Grandma to whatever transpired in the night, our minds were boggling at what could take place [check the site out]! Carefully dressing in preparation [except for Greg who had "forgotten" his dress up clothes conveniently!] for whatever was to happen..we set off into the downtown London night which is always very exciting!

The address is 20, Portman Square. ...no name on the front of the black double doors. What met our eyes was a sight to behold in terms of luxury but at the same time it felt welcoming and homey. Up a sumptuous winding staircase we all went, in and out of glorious lounges till we were introduced to Lawder who had reserved a meeting area for us. As soon as we met our cousin all fears were set aside. This  gorgeous, gentle, calm man welcomed us and what ensued where a few hours till midnight of chat, exchanging family histories and happy talk. The club is fabulous. If one was single, could afford the thousands it costs in membership per year, this would be the place to be. Our cousin comes here 2 or 3 nights a week, just 10 minutes walk from his Marylebone home. Too bad JoJo [who sadly left the day before] was not with us as she would have adored the ambience.

We said farewell to our cousin and will meet him again in London or Devon. A funny thing happened during chatting outside the club. Beni brought up the name of Noel Fielding, his current favourite comic [The Mighty Boosh] when Aunty Ro said "Oh I know him". Turns out she had met him at a party recently, had no clue who he was, had spent ages in conversation with him [her partner, the lovely Bob..his good friend's daughter is going out with Noel] ..Beni was suitably impressed.

Oh the pains of saying Goodbye...today the 29th..saw Greg and I taking Lizzie to Heathrow..where have the long for 2 weeks gone to? JoJo is now back in Victoria after a LONG flight via Paris and Seattle and all the visit seems very surreal. They both plan to return in June with respective boyfriends so we will look forward to this.

It is now prevening here in Hampstead. Beni wants to go the an indie gig in Islington, Greg to a new release at the cinema..and Grandma...one or the other!!! I sure hope I am like her at 91!! The woman knows no bounds and is game for anything at any time of day or night!!! She puts us all to shame.

Off to pour a little aperitif!!

Hope all of you have a chance to relax with friends and family. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have this time altogether over here for sure....thanks for all the Christmas notes, so much appreciated!!

Jo

eeh bye gum!

Hello people of the internet! It's been a while.

Last time I posted I was in London.. and now guess where I am! You guessed it! London! Well, really Hampstead to be exact, but still, London.

Since my last post on this blog I've been back "home" at Sale Hill Farm, riding my bike and drinking English bitter. What more could I want from life? Ha ha!

Haha, if you're thinking "is that it?" then you obviously haven't read further!

Later on in November I played a show at the Milo bar in Leeds! Since then I've also played at various open mics around Selby, recorded, wrote songs, ate chocolate shreddies (mmmhmm), chilled out with my dad, a lot, read about the art world, watched dry english comedies and popular blockbusters, listened to a lot of new music (awesome), and thought about the big questions in life and concluded with "man, Noel Fielding, what a guy! Brilliant"...

Currently I have just had an fantastical visit from my sisters! We spent a week touring Yorkshire and jaunting around in outlet malls, viking villages, and in York's magical downtown! Lizzie, Dad and I played at the Cafe Chic Christmas party hosted by quite a most talented musician by the name of Nic Slack. It was a mystical night. Dad and I concluded our small sets with singing a rather long sea shanty, and Lizzie played a delightful set! A spectacular night indeed! My family and I spent Christmas eve together at Sale Hill Farm and then proceeded to travel to London in a 5 person Jaguar with 6 people and a whole whack of luggage. We did indeed have many national lampoonish moments. It was an experience that I'd rather not have again, ha ha. From Sale Hill Farm we travelled to Flitwick to stay with my cousin and his wife.

A few Christmas dinners and sleeps later and here I am, a furry bohemian with a cold, expecting the unexpected in this crazy city.

(We also went to Stonehenge! It rocks!)

All in all, this gap year is turning out to be more than I expected... I'll be going to France in February, Switzerland in the spring, going on tour (news that'll be brought to main stream attention ASAP), probably working after it all to save up and then travel in the summer! Anyone want to bum around Europe and play some shows for a few months? haha.

Better Late Than Never

Hello Everyone!
My apologies for not blogging sooner than this....the basic reason is that I have been on overload from Day 1 over here. I can't recall in deatil any of the happenings since we arrived as there is so much to tell but no time! This is my attempt to catch up and start afresh. Thank goodness for Beni and his posts..

Yorkshire people are blunt and great! We have received nothing but kindnessess from everyone we have met and for this we are greatful. The house we are living in, rather, the converted barn, is spacious, very Ikearish and easy [for Greg my domestic] to clean. We overlook rambling pastures and it is safe to compare where we aer to the prairies...totally flat. We have horses across from us, the local pub with succulent lunches and dinners, all cheap, "The Black Dog" 5 doors down, the "Travelling People" a few pastures away, the charming village of Snaith a few miles down the road and Selby, an ancient market town, some 10 minutes away. York is about 20 minutes away.

My first day at school was very special..the children were all lined up outside the school waving Canadian and UK flags to welcome us..a great start.

Greg has settled into domesticity really surprisingly easily. He chauffeurs me to work in the gas guzzler of a Jag, returns home for a leisurely breakfast [Beni still asleep] reading his Times Colonist online from Victoria, then begins on his housework chores and so it goes...he fits in a 20 mile bike ride with beni every day to various hotspots around the countryside. He picks me up at 6pm and I return home to dinner on the table...what a life!Oh yes..and private counsellor too!

Beni has had an amazing month here. He has got himself [long story for him to tell] signed to a fledgling record label in Lincoln. The owner arranged a gig for him in Leeds 2 weeks ago and then followed it up with a contract! An EP will soon come about with an arranged tour..so exciting times ahead come what may for Beni. he had an excellent 2 weeks in London with my sister, friend's children and experienced occupy London to Nightclubbing in Brixton to being robbed by 2 women outside Westminster Cathedral...ah my baby is growing up!!
It is wonderful to be spending time with my Mum and family. My Mum's memory is deteriorating and I am so thankful to be here with her. Christmas is approaching and our girls, Lizzie and JoJo, arrive December 15th until December 29th. We are all going to London to stay with family and we are pretty excited to be doing so.

We went to one very special house concert last weekend just outside York in a pretty village. A magical cottage named "Thyme Cottage" saw 50 people crammed into a room with church pews to listen to the very special Amy Wadge and Pete Riley. I had forgotten that Amy had emailed me a couple of years ago re coming to Canada...well..guess what, you have likely guessed...we will be meeting them sometime soon and yes, hopefully the new Damer Agency [that's me!]will be trying to set up gigs when I return to Canada...some things never change hey??

We stayed with a childhood friend last weekend, Sar and her husband Dave. Both very inspiring people who have renovated and old house in the beautiful Yorkshire village of Holmfirth [Last of The Summer Wine]. Check out a blog of Dave's, very interesting, http://www.itriwetri.co/

This coming weekend will see us all getting very dressed up for the staff Christmas night out at the local [Biggest Power Plant in Europe] power plant at Drax...a splendid meal awaits as does a live blues band for dancing. Worries cast aside for the night!

Take care all of you out there and be greatful for all that you love and hold dear!
Josephine trying to Stay Calm and Brave

Quite a week!

Dearest friends,

This week has been quite a hazy excursion into the world. Going to most excellent museums, going on magical foggy afternoon walks through Hampstead Heath, chilling with new friends, travelling around London's majestic west end, going to see indie rock bands at the various hipsterish places around London's east end, going to random nightclubs that look like something out of an Al Pacino movie and just living at my Aunt's place in Hampstead. It's a very posh sort of life style, but money is limited and I'm kind of missing the quiet country life of North Yorkshire, so I'm heading back there this friday with my cousin, Little Richard. So far, for my current adventures in London have not yet come to an end, my time here has been most triumphant! Definitely only just scratched the surface of London though. I feel that I definitely want to come back. And I will, for Christmas, with all 5 of my family (yay!!), for a week. It should definitely be fun.

On thursday I went to the Tate Modern. A very cool, modern, hip, slightly pretentious, museum for contemporay art. It was very good, I must say that I was amazed. Once again, I only definitely scratched the surface, so I will most likely be going back!
Later that night I ventured down to Old Street to check out some bands at the Hoxton bar and grill. The main band, Airship, was incredible! They were like a post rock/indie rock outfit; totally loud. I managed to exchange a DG cd for 2 of their eps! Definitely a good night. And check them out! Classic Mancunian rock n roll.

Friday I went to the British museum!! It totally brought back memories. The last time I had been there I was 9. Totally seeing it with new eyes. And again, I only just scratched the surface. Definitely going back. Fabulous architecture, fantastic exhibits. The only thing was that the reading room was closed.
Later that night I met up with my new friends, Sam and Tass, both scientists, at a rock and roll joint called the old blue last. Great bands played that night, I don't remember any of them, but great bands indeed. From there we went to a pub, and from there we went to Sam's GF's house and from there to get a mighty tasty lamashan (or however you spell that) and then from there to Sam's place where I stayed the night.

Saturday I got up and had coffee and breakfast with Tas, and we took the tube to west London, and walked to the Serpentine river, close to Hide Park, to meet up with some people, and walking along we noticed the front of the Hogwarts train... it was crazy random.
After a most excellent fireworks display at the Lord Mayor's Show, Tas and I went to get some korean food and then went to our respective habitations... later we met at Brixton tube station for a most triumphant night of disco/house music at the Brixton Clubhouse. The main act was Dimitri from Paris, this suave frenchman with a keen knack for house, funk, and parisian sounds. The other acts, I can't really remember, we're totally awesome as well, especially my good facebook friend Justin Winks, head honcho of Mullet Records (Tesla Boy, Casio Social Club). It was funny, because I had never met him before, just through facebook, but there he was partying away, and i went up and was like "Justin? Its Benedict!" and it turned out that he was this totally nice and cool guy and was glad I had made it out, and I was totally glad too, it was definitely not in the least dissapointing. Check out his music on youtube, just search Casio Social Club. So that was totally cool. We got home from the clubhouse at like 5 am, after taking some really sketchy busses... sunday was a recovery day, I said goodbye to Tass, and went home to Hampstead. And now it is monday.. and all is quiet on the eastern, er western? front.

Keep on rocking the Discotheque!
And thanks for reading!

-Benedict

London calling..

Greetings yall!

I am currently living with my aunt in Hampstead. It's great! Taking the tubes, being on my own most of the time, hooking up with family and random family friends, going to nightclubs, Occupying London at Saint Paul's, aimlessly wandering the streets of London in search of somewhere interesting, eating at random eateries, hanging out with my Aunt at night and going on Facebook at the end of the day to see what my friends are up to back in Canada. Life is really good! It's definitely been an experience so far! And luckily I've only gotten lost once.. haha. (luckily there is such as a thing as cellular technology)

The first day was a bit of a mission day. I made it my mission to seek out where this one open mic was, and to get an Oyster Card at the Hampstead tube station. The Oyster Card has been my saving grace. So easy to use. If you've never been to London and are planning to take the tube I definitely recommend getting one of those.
The open mic that my Aunt told me about was pretty cool. It was a cozy folk club downstairs from a chic cafe/bar, like something that Pentangle or Nick Drake would've played at back in the day! Some neat musicians played at the open mic, and so did I. My Aunt and her boyfriend Bob, and my cousin who I had only met once when I was 9 showed up to hear me! It was great. Definitely good to reunite with my cousin again to.

The second day I took the tube down to the Embankment and tried to find the Tate Modern. I ended up wandering to Trafalgar Square where I took a look around the National Gallery. I wanted to go to Canada house, but it was closed for renovations. Later that night I met up with my mum's bestfriend's son at the Macbeth to watch his friend's band play, they were a sweet band! I then met his brother and his friends, which was cool, its nice to have some company. From the Macbeth we went to a retro hip/hop R n B nightclub! That was pretty cool too (since I've never actually been to a nightclub)! We then made our way back to his flat where I stayed the night.

The next day (today) I got up, and said goodbye to my new friends, and made my way by tube to the London Bridge. Wandered around Hayes Gallery, and then made why over the bridge up to Saint Paul's. As I was heading over there were soooo many police in riot gear, expecting a march with potential crazies.. that's the thing right? The easiest way to get to an Occupy is to follow the police! And that's exactly what I did. At St Paul's cathedral, which is absolutely monumental, there is a mass amount of tents set up for the Occupiers which is pretty cool! So I went to sit on the steps of Cathedral with everyone else, and from the speaker from below someone was saying that Peggy Seeger was going to be playing, as well as Billy Bragg, Chumbawumba, Leon Rosselson and a few others. They were all great! I got up pretty close too. We were all singing along to old traditional protest songs.. the evening ended with a pretty sweet set by Billy Bragg!
From St. Paul's I took the tube back to Hampstead... the tubes at that time of day are soooo packed! But I'm glad I made back in one piece!

Cheers everyone!

First Blog Entry!

Hi everyone!

Well, time for my first post on this blogspot -

For those of you who don't know yet, I am living in the UK with my parents! The place where I live is quite rural and definitely not what I'm used to, haha. Back home the general hospital was only a few blocks away, now its a couple villages away :O! I'm living in Northern Yorkshire close to the town of Selby, nearer to village of Camblesforth (don't worry, that's why google maps exist!)
The place I'm living in is a converted barn, it is all refurnished and strangely modern, but very nice. I am sure the family we switched places with is getting along nicely in our own home back in PG!

When we arrived into Manchester airport we were all a little bewildered and pretty tired, but we eventually made our way to the Jaguar that our swap family left for us. From the airport we drove to my Grandma's home at Ryland house, a quaint, 50 and over, apartment building. My Grandmother is an amazing lady, she is turning 91 next weekend, and she still has the charisma to argue with me over who's doing the dishes (oh Grandma!). It was great to be with her again. The next morning we went to Monday mass ( I never thought there was Monday mass!), there was surprisingly quite the turnout. After mass we wandered back to Ryland house and joined everyone in the lounge (every morning at Ryland house they have tea and toast (at the fine cost of 30p) for everyone in the building, its a great thing for the old folks who can't really go out much into the village!).

From Ryland house (thanks to the British navigating system in the Jag) we drove off into the country and found our way out to Hardenshaw lane where we will be living for the next 10 months.
We arrived at our new home only to discover that the place has a security code and that the alarm had started to go off, so there we were, 3 Canadians fresh off the plane, down a country lane, in jolly old England, with the alarm going off, thinking " oh no, the local police will be here any second :S". Mum and I rushed to the nearest house and knocked on the door, and sure enough a friendly Yorkshire woman opened the door and after a brief explanation of what was happening she said "Ah! You're the new neighbours!?? Well come in, come in, would you all like a cup o' tea?" (knowing that the alarm was going off). Typical. But awesome!

All is well though now! We're just getting over jet-lag and getting used to the lifestyle. My parents and I are slowly but surely getting our bearings straight.

Its great to be legal too! And its great to have the Black Dog (local pub) just a few doors down :D!

Cheers everyone!

-Benedict

Our Leroy Bell on X Factor???

I was surfing the TV and started watching the X Factor tonight, October 6th....
For our first Coldsnap Festival, a look back here
 http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=leroy+bell+coldsnap+festival+youtube&docid=1060744988183&mid=17F43724BBACDD2E60F517F43724BBACDD2E60F5&FORM=VIRE1# , and a subsequent, I booked the highly talented and wonderful Leroy Bell, a singer songwriter from Seattle. He was very well received here in Prince George and Doug Cox the AD of Vancouver Island Musicfest also had him perform.
We all loved the man, he was great to deal with and a gem onstage.

I am staggered...started watching the X Faxtor and who is part of the last 64 but Leroy!
....most of me is absolutely horrified that the super talented Leroy tried out for this..why?????????
Part of me absolutely applauds him for having the guts, the gall to do it when
he IS already so highly regarded. The man sells out the Triple Door in Seattle, has had Elton John record one of his songs...I cannot get my head around it at all!
Welll..he got thru tonight to the final 32 and is in the Over 30's category....

He should not have to go this route.....I am at a loss for words here...I am
sure he knows what he is doing but I am shaking my head.
We leave for the UK October 22nd for the year so we will now have to
try and watch online from there!!!!
I guess I hope he wins it....there goes a man who is so confident enough in himself that he would attempt this market....sure has nerve...

Cannot believe this...check him out www.leroybell.com

here are some reviews on the man..

A Change is Coming

author: Sherry Bouris

Last summer I watched your band open for B.B. King, you weren't even through the first song and I was so diggin it.  I bought this CD and you autographed it for me.  A Change is Coming takes me to "back in the day", you know, the 70's, even though it is right here and now today. I have turned all of my friends onto your work, they all love you. Keep it comin' LeRoy.  Thanks, Sherry
Read more...
                        

A Change is Coming

author: Dick Mynen

We first saw LeRoy Bell perform in Prince George, British Columbia at the Cold Snap music festival  and we were literally blown away. The 2 Sides to Every Story quickly became our most played CD of 2008 and so we were eagerly awaiting the latest CD. I must say that A Change is Coming is fantastic!! I was unsure how LeRoy could 'change' it up without losing the magic but this is what makes new music so wonderful as this latest CD has made us even bigger fans. Thanks LeRoy.
Read more...
                        

He leaves me wanting more!

author: Kristin M Kuhn

The first time I heard Leroy Bell, I waspurchasing a pair of shoes @ Nordstrom and he was playing, for a promotion.  I ended up staying and watching him for almost an hour. His sound and lyrics pulled me in.  His message is so personal, but yet something so many can relate to.  When I play his CD, my mood instantly picks up and everything seem 100% better. This is his 3rd CD I've purchased, and can't wait to see and hear him soon.

Catching Up With August 2011

Martin Luther King Jr.remembered in Atlanta today

by Jo Damer Merrin Beattie on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 10:38pm

Today we had an extraordinary day in Atlanta. I am reading a book by Taylor Branch, Pullitzer prize winner of 'Parting The Waters: America in the King Years 1954-63 ", a narrative history about the United States during the civil rights era which especially tells the story of Martin Luther King Jr. in the time preceding his emergence as a national figure. It explains the social landscape leading up to the civil rights movement of the 60's. We visited the Ebenezer Baptist Church on Auburn Avenue where Rev. King Sr. and Jr. were pastors.

 The younger King was buried there, as is his wife, Coretta, and there is a marvellous water area surrounding their grave next to the church. It was quite something to sit quietly in the church opposite the pulpit imagining the the trials and tribulations of those times.

Martyn Luther King' Jr.'s First Pulpit at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta

Beni is returning a week Sunday to attend the Young Adults service. We leave tomorrow for Mobile, Alabama, to meet more new relatives. It has been a delight to meet Reade our cousin in Marietta just outside Atlanta. Best ever chicken sandwiches Reade!


Beni with the lovely sisters and our NEW COUSINS Mervin and Reade White-Spunner



Superb Saturday and Sunday at Church and Black Clubs!

 by Jo Damer Merrin Beattie on Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at 11:58am

After a leisurely Saturday morning we went with Mervin, our cuz, to visit Spring Hill College nearby her home. It is the oldest Jesuit College in the South and cousin Jamie Friendlander starts there in a week. Mervin organises the Book Nook  there on a Saturday for used books so of course we popped in. I found and bought a 1901 novel on Robin Hood!

What followed was an emotional lunch 'An The Hill" with my new cousins in what was the family home of my Great Uncle Charles. Charles had left Paris for America as a student when a young man in 1880 and his final destination was Mobile, Alabama! I knew nothing about this connection until last summer but that..is a story by itself at a later time. The house is in Spring Hill, a glorious historical area in Mobile. I was able to visit the nearby, absolutely beautiful cemetary with huge southern oaks where my relatives are buried. One relative was names Richard Merrin which is my father and brother's name..apparently there was some connection to my Great Grandma Sophia's husband named thus. Sophia was Charles' sister. We had a most excellent lunch with relatives and close friends. Iced tea and wine was de rigeur of the day!Folloowed by some snazzy banjo and guitar jamming with Nathan, Greg and Beni.Of course we sang Sweet Home Alabama!

Great Uncle Charles White-Spunner



Beni and his new male and female cousins having lunch in the Library



The Catholics in the family then went to mass at St Ignatius Church in Spring Hill where Mervin is a cantor. Beni had a great gig at Serda's in Mobile Saturday night! It was one of those very special events..all the new family came out with a few White-Spunner friends and Beni managed his 3 long sets solo.

 Sunday was another extraordinary day..it started with Mervin [after I had requested such a visit in search of an authentic southern gospel choir] taking us to the Hebron Church in Pritchard. It was an amazing two and a half hour service full of goodness and certainly unique for us Catholics sharing the Lord in this particualr way. We witnessed full immersion baptisms, a sensational gospel chor clad in white with full back up band, totally sincere preaching by Pastor Joe Johnson and his wife Pastor Linda Johnson and several other helpers. Whatever you imagined in a southern gosepl church was seen. We were asked to stand up [a congregation of about 1000] to introduce ourselves and were received with lots of love 'n affection! A marvellous solost called Richard Ross who drives more than an hour to get to church from Pensacola in Florida. Lots of hand clapping and movin'. The afternoon saw lunch at the Friedlanders, a wonderful family of 6...river boating on Dog River leading out into Mobile Bay. The Friedlanders lost their home in Katrina but built afresh and WAYS up high away from the water.

 Beni went tubing but not me, too afraid of gators and manatees and sharks!

After a most delightful afternoon we left to go into Mobile to Wintzel's where we tasted our first alligator, cheese grits and shrimp gumbo! The night rounded up with an exciting visit to a private black club which was hosting part of a jazz festival jam session. Brave Beni had taken his guitar but sadly we arrived [frisked at the entrance] for the last 2 tunes..amazing sax, trumpets, drums, singing..the live music gave way to a DJ when smartly dressed men in savvy suits, cool hats and spats shoes and women in glamourous dresses and high heels took to the floor. Greg in beach shorts decided he was decidely too informal and refused to dance with me to authentic funk!! What an experience it was and especially for Beni, totally the only young white male there. Again, can't say enough about these friendly Alabamans, everyone has treated us with the typical gracious southern hosptality!

Elegant Fairhope and Chef Nathan

by Jo Damer Merrin Beattie on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 10:47am

On Monday we visited the equivalent of Jasper Park Lodge called The Grand Hotel in an impeccably groomed tourist town called Fairhope outside Mobile on the coast. The flower budget in this town surely equals our snow budget in PG. The hotel had a shooting of the cannon event in the afternoon as a tribute to American soldiers. A young man explained briefly the naval history of the area during the Civil War. We found out that the expression "Damn the torpedoes full speed ahead" came from elicited by the Yankees as they took on all around Mobile Bay.

We had been invited for drinks to our cousins Lucky and Jane White-Spunner. Their home aptly named Bantry House [ family history] was reminiscent of an Irish country house straight out of a top home magazine.  [Actually it was in Southern Living!]


Lucky White-Spunner, Greg and Beni



The Friedlander family with Jo along with Doug and Mary -  Faith, all cousins

 Jane is superbly talented as a homemaker, what can I say..Greg will be busy under my orders with changes to our own house in September!I tasted the very best ever peach daiquiri. Lucky is a good friend of Winston Groom who wrote Forrest Gump. After all the southern experiences we will look forward to watching it again with new ears and eyes when we get home.

Culinary delights were to come as we headed back to the Friedlanders on Rabbit Creek where the esteemed Chef Nathan Friedlander, creator of the best lobster, freshly caught by Nathan from the sea the day before, best ever Eggs Benedict hollandaise sauce for Sunday lunch btw, who I think is a dark haired older version of Matthew McConachy cum Harrison Ford whilst on his boat and as a spearhunter,
taught me how to make the best etouffe in his delightful kitchen. Nathan should be on a cooking show. We had an entertaining meal with 10 of us then headed back to Spring Hill. Mervin's 2 dogs, Bear and Chloe awaited us anxiously. Mervin and I sat up discussing fam history till late...

The Heat of the Night in New Orlins!

by Jo Damer Merrin Beattie on Friday, August 12, 2011 at 8:12am

Arriving in New Orleans we settled into the hotel then began our adventures outside. fascinating shops down Chartres and Royal streets ending with a beignet and cafe au lait at the famous Cafe du Monde before heading up to see the sternwheeler across the Mississipi. Well last night was a fascinating allnighter [till 1am] along Frenchman Street here in the French Quarter. We began by having a cool Corona in a bar where a 5 piece bluegrass band, true mountain style, were playing and where we made up the crowd of 10. Along then to the Praline Connection to taste fried chicken, collards, fried chicken livers, potato salad, corn bread which our tummies could not finish due to the super large helpings! After a long delicious meal there we sauntered in in search of buddy musician John Boutte who we hoped to find at the DBA, a venue he regularly plays at. Well he's playing Saturday night so we went across the road to The Spotted Cat for some real cool jazz. beni could enter with us as his parents SO Cousin Mervin bought him his first legal drink! She also then got him his first mojito. I spent a length of time talking to the female jazz singer and asked her lots of questionsre how it as to perform in the Big Easy. She related as I thought...there is the tip jar, 99% of places do not pay their musicians a guarantee, no cover so basically the Tip Jar is IT. Bars mostly never adher to ASCAP either. I discovered along the bars on my little mission to investigate this that all the musicians I spoke with felt the same. This beautiful city relies on tourism and the venues should find a way to pay their musicians. We went to the Blue Nile where a tight Soul Project was playing. Then back out into the heat of the night, the smells, the ambience..we love this city!! Little did we know what was going to happen to Beni...at a small jazz/blues club we dont even know the name of they had a jam going on with very seasoned session players including guitar player for Sarah Mclaughlin and Bonnie Raitt. The lead singer asked us where we were from and Cousin Mervin said Greg and Beni were players..so...they asked Beni if he would like to play bass with them. So of course up he got to make his New Orleans debut :) After a very satisfying [now we were tired!] night we got back into our hotel by 1:30am after encountering a few interesting characters along the way including 2 police with their horses tied up on a fence.

The Livin' 'Aint easy in the Big Easy at least for Musicians

by Jo Damer Merrin Beattie on Monday, August 15, 2011 at 7:37am

We headed for The Howlin' Wolf club in lower South Peter Street in New orelans for the musician's clinic benefit...not knowing the layout we arrived early at 6:50pm for the doors opening. Well there was a problem..we had prepaid tickets but found out we needed official picture ID and especially for beni so beni and greg headed back 10 blocks to the hotel while Mervin and I waited..and waited..and waited. The guys got back quickly and in the meantime I acquired all the lowdown on the benefit, who was who etc etc. all in keeping with me in promoter mode.

DJ Shatt was playing very cool, appropriate house music but we had to wait [no chairs either] until 9:50 for the live music!!! We sur ehoped it would be worthwhile and that Cyril Neville was not going to wait till 2am to come on. Sadly for the organiser, Gaylene neville, with whom I chatted a while, the 1000 hoped for did not come. The New Orleans Saints were playing that night too whcih might have made a difference. In the end at the height of the attendance about 100 came but most of the night saw between 30-70 paying guests. This was sad on a number of levels. However...once the music started IT WAS TOTALLY GREAT AND ALL WAS FORGIVEN! The Stooges Brass Band were remarkable and I would have signed them on the spot for Coldsnap. However what followed were the dubiously named Brassaholics and they were sensational, each band had a minimum of 9 members. We had snagged 3 of the 12 chairs in the venue but it was hard to stay seated. A few other bands played including a Voodoo couple that were just plain scary but they only played a few songs. Then...it was time for the Neville Family to take the stage. Cyril, always the bound to impress performer was joined by Gaylene and several other players including the highly acclaimed Charlie Moore on bass. Cyril's guitar player, Eric Johannson [spelling?] was impressive beyong belief, a young guitarist and he was my most favourite..will definitely look into getting him to PG at some point. Then after astounding music to a smakk but appreciative crowd [remember that for these musicians it would normally be in the multi hundreds] the younger neville, I belive the son of Aaron, in all his Rasta glory took to the stage with the relatives..High energy abounding with charisma, an artist to look into for a bright future..will check on his name. We left at 1am to walk back past line ups for clubs wondering why more did not attend. The benefit was to raise money for a clinic aiding Louisiana musicians...we sure heard some horror stories re lack of health care. We are very glad to live in Canada and despite the driving distances most Canadian musicians have to do...they are at least covered.

Moon Over Memphis

by Jo Damer Merrin Beattie on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 10:37pm

Saturday, August 13th..We left our wonderful Cousin Mervin after a last bit of galivanting down Chartres Street and we all took Beni down Bourbon Street, a happening place at 10:30am! It happened to be Red Dress Day where 9000 people register, raise monies for charities and then..men and women get to wear whatever red dress they want...certainly added to the flavour of the Saturday morning outing. After packing up, having a last sweet tea with Mervin we said our fond goodbyes and left for Memphis. Mervin it has been such a memorable time with you!!

Today is a momentous birthday..seems like we are always away at this time...and there we were travelling up the Interstate 55 via Jackson [The Help was filmed mostly here] then into Memphis with all of us singing our beloved for many years song by Marc Cohn "Walking in Memphis" alternating with Paul Simon's "Graceland".

We settled into the hotel then more or less went straight to sleep. Big day Sunday ahead. After breakfast we headed for Graceland...we decided that due to it being Elvis Week in Memphis the line ups would be great and yes they were. So we drove around by Graceland, parked in the Heartbreak Hotel. Beni and I headed into the lobby and the atmosphere was infectious with the many women wearing Elvis shirts of all descriptions, the excitement was palpable! We came across this old man who told us he had brought his wife to Graceland twice a year for 25 years. We asked him where the mansion was and he took us across the big main road to the gates of Graceland!We had also decided that we did not have the time to do the full tour even if the line ups were short so we reverently walked along the wall outside. The wall is covered in names. An Elvis impersonator happened to be writing his name so I asked if I could borrow it and proceeded to write our names as best as I could including my PG buddy and long time Elvis fan, Linda Naess' name!Do you like my profile picture next to the wall?? We have to come back one day!

Rest of Memphis tomorrow..check out the pics Beni posted as a tag on his Facebook page.

The Witness,Sun Studio and Beale Street

by Jo Damer Merrin Beattie on Thursday, August 18, 2011 at 10:12am

After Graceland we headed for the Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel..the motel was bought by the black community in Memphis after mega fundraising. It was quite something to stand at the foot of the balcony where MLK was shot. Well, inside we had an extraordinary experience, a chance meeting...the Museum is historic and a fine job is done of telling about the background of Civil Rights as pertaining to MLK and so many others. It happened that on thebalcony where he was shot stood 2 other preachers, one being Rev. Samuel "Billy" Kyles...the 3 men were spending the hour before 6pm in the motel room hanging out doing "preacher talk" waiting to go to Samuel's house for supper. people were gathered outside and when they were ready to go they stepped outside and MLK was shot. Rev. Samuel has just made a documentary called The Witness and was at the museum speaking to people. So...we were there...Beni had an initial short conversation then after the documentary Beni and I found ourselves caught up with a big crowd of Baptist Conference people from all around the world. greg left to go in the foyer at some point and found himself next to Samuel so a conversation started. We came out, it was closing time then, I had to visit "the restroom" and left Beni..well he too encountered Samuel and had a funny chat with him about Elvis as it was Elvis Week.

After this we headed to Beale Street..well what fun!! Blues and R and B from every angle! There seemed to be a lot of poverty in Memphis but loads of who seemed to be locals just hanging out at the WC Handy Park shooting the breeze, dancing to the band in the sun. In an impromptu moment i decided to have a tattoo!! Well...an airbrush tattoo BUT a tattoo none the less so a rose ensued! It will last for the week, just enough to shock a few people in Victoria! The atmosphere was of the people, no pretence in memphis...

We then headed up to what was a marvellous visit to Sun Studios, the studio where Elvis first recorded, where Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and so many others began. Check out Benis's tagged photos! An excellent few poignant moments fsure!

Southern Fried Chicken

by Jo Damer Merrin Beattie on Friday, August 26, 2011 at 11:30am

Southern Fried Chicken Experiment

In withdrawal from our time down south we invited a number of Greg's family over for Southern Fried Chicken cooked by me for the first time. 2 nights ago I had taken Greg's Mom and niece to see [for me the second time] The Help so my meal was a true one based on Minnie the Maid's instructions plus hints from my cousins in Mobile and Atlanta. I have never used Crisco to cook with before apart from pies and not being a deep fried kind of cook it was a little scary getting this chicken ready. It could have gone either way.Now my cousins may or may not laugh here but I got 2 heavy frying pans and put half a box of Crisco in each..seemed like a lot to me but ah well...I coated the chicken pieces in flour, waited till the fat was real hot frightened that somehow I might start a kitchen fire...meanwhile Beni was reading instructions from various exotic cooks online re how to make fried chicken but I decided on the simple way. When the fat was real hot I placed the pieces in and waited..and waited..and waited not wanting to make Minnie upset with me for burning the chicken. The wait and the several turnovers of the chicken later was worth it!! I am the proud cook of extremely successful, finger, lickin' good fried chicken! It was devoured by one and all from ages 6 to 82! Greg and I have decided that we will have a Southern cooking night once a month as a tribute to my Southern cousins and their wonderful hospitality the past weeks! We [I] will add one or two new items to the table...who wants to come??

However, pride goes before a fall so I better get more and very clear instructions on food items from the cousins so that I remain successful!! greetings from Victoria y'all!!

Well, here we are, the first day of the Year of Relativity for Beni and myself. Jo is off to Vanway for the first day of school (slight anxiety) and Beni and I are at home trying to figure out what to do with ourselves! Ha! Ha! I am sure we will find something. I have a great deal to get the house ready for the Marsdens who will be arriving in late October. Beni is recovering from dental surgery (wisdom teeth removed). The sun is shining and the air is warm. Let's see what the day reveals!

The Year of Relativity was a title Greg, my husband and best friend of 31 years, Benedict [Beni], my son of 18 years, and myself, of feeling younger than I am years, decided upon as a way of giving meaning to a very special year we have just embarked upon.

We began this year of adventure on August 1st, 2011, when we set out for the Deep South in America visiting newly discovered relatives.Our journeys there took us through Georgia, Alabama, Lousiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Florida.

On October 22nd , 2011, we are moving to the UK for the year where I will be teaching on an exchange programme between Canada and England. I will be teaching a mixed grade class of students in a rural Church of England called Pollington - Balne School near Selby in North Yorkshire. I have not taught in the UK since 1988. My UK colleague, Lesley Marson, will be coming to live in our home along with her 2 children and husband John. We will be living in their converted barn in Camblesforth, a small Yorkshire village. We exchange homes and cars so it is a wondeful situation to be in.

Greg is on sabbatical from his job as the Head of Counselling at the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George, our home sweet home...after many years as a family therapist he is so looking forward to his year "off' and who knows what will happen..he would like to play music, ride his bike and maybe start his book about The Soft Touch [to be explained later!]...or not... :)

Beni has just graduated from High School and is a singer/songwriter who is so longing to live in Europe playing as much music as he can. He is passionate about his music and has been since inutero by music surrounded by musicians all his life. We founded the Prince George Coldsnap and its predecessor, the PG Folkfest. I have been a promoter and agent as my passion on the side since 1986 when in the UK. Greg for his "therapy" has always been in bands. I am sure, I know for a fact we will have lots of music experiences whilst abroad!

The Year of Relativity is about....being with my relatives in the UK, France and America, having friends visit, encountering whole new experiences. Greg and I are at a stage in life where life is all too short, each moment counts and is precious...for me my teaching experiences will be challenging and powerful I know, being with my soon to be 91 year old Mum will be a blessing, being with my sister Rosemary in London, her family along with my darling big brother Richard in Bordeaux after so many years in Canada will be so great...for Greg I am so grateful and for Beni, we are all so excited for him!

So...welcome to our year!!