Author: ashleyelsdon

Storyteller - Poet - Explorer

Getting Plastic Planet by the Modified Toy Orchestra

Posted by on in Listening, Music

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As a long time fan of The Modified Toy Orchestra I was delighted when their latest album came out and I ordered it a few weeks ago. It seemed to take a while to arrive, then, a couple of days ago, a package turned up.

Not only did it contain the album, a CD in something like a children’s book package, which is an amazing design by the way, but also it contained the following

An extra CD
This note of apology

I was amazed to say the least. I’d have been happy with a note of apology on it’s own, but this was completely unexpected, and, lovely too.

If that wasn’t enough, Plastic Planet is a joy to listen to as well. I’d recommend it.

The Vinyl dilemma …

Posted by on in Listening, Music

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I was lucky enough to get hold of one of the few copies of the last John Foxx 12″ single containing two remixes of Underpass. I have to say that these remixes are absolutely brilliant. I love them. However, it leaves me with a dilema. I love the 12″. I love the music, but, I can only play it on my turntable. I have no digital copy at all. I’d like to listen to these tracks on my iPhone and elsewhere, but I don’t want to take a digital copy really.

It’s a dilemma.

And then there was a new cassette

Posted by on in Stuff

I actually really like cassettes. They’re such lovely objects. This is the first new cassette I’ve bought in years as they’re not easy to find any more. Chemical Tapes is a wonderful label that specialises in cassettes so I thought I’d give them a try out. I’ve not been disappointed so far at all.

What’s he doing?

Posted by on in TV

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Of course it is the amazing Alexei Sayle in Doctor Who of all places! It was a Colin Baker story and he wasn’t one of my favourites, and I don’t think he was many people’s cup of tea as the Doctor, hence I’d never watched this story with Alexei in it.

Rail Ale trip on the Bluebell railway

Posted by on in Beer, Events

I’ve only been on Rail Ale once before, and that was before the Bluebell line extended to East Grinstead. Now that it comes all the way up to the mainline service it’s really easy to get to, and of course it’s a much longer line and therefore a lot more fun to be on.

The ale was very good (see menu above) and as it was a fine evening, as opposed to pouring rain the last time I went, it was a great night out. I’d thoroughly recommend it to anyone who enjoys steam trains and real ale.

New friends and art at the weekend

Posted by on in Exhibitions, Friends, Places
A truly awesome exhibition
Great art with great company
Man Ray at the NPG

Last Saturday was an awesome day for a wide variety of reasons. The company of Mr Miki Strange. It was great to meet him after all these years online and equally great to share two exhibitions I really wanted to see with him.

Miki has posted his views of the day here and here, and I don’t think I can put down my thoughts in a more concise manner than that to be honest.