Blog posts by year and monthFebruary 2013
Posts (54)
Even Britten had travel woes
I hate flying on my own with my viola - I find it stressful. If you're fortunate enough to get as far as security with your instrument still firmly in your possession, many things can still go wrong.
BBC Introducing acts of the month: February 2013
St Davids Day, March and spring are just around the corner, and yet the new music soundtracking the dark month has been anything but gloomy.
The leek, national emblem of Wales
The Welsh have two national emblems, not counting the blood-red dragon - the leek and the daffodil. The daffodil is a relatively new addendum but the leek has been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
Life at the literary coalface: chapter two
Just over two months to go to the Deadline from Hell. I've been given till the end of April to finish a novel, set in Hay-on-Wye, to get it into this year's autumn schedules, and it's hard going. It always is.
Famous textile artist to exhibit in Wales for first time
The vibrant beauty of Kaffe Fassett's colourful quilts is something that until this year I had no experience of. But ever since my daughter arrived last March, my mother has been furiously making quilts and cushion covers for her bedroom from his fabrics.
Track of the Day #9: Elly Sinnett - Luna Eyes
When Elly goes falsetto for that tiny shard of a chorus, it makes me believe that love isn't some hokey construct dreamt up by Hollywood to sell us formulaic rom coms.
John Nash, Welsh architect
John Nash was perhaps the most famous architect of the 18th and early 19th centuries. He is remembered now for his work on Buckingham Palace, Regent's Park and Regent Street in London.
Bright summery treats ahead
This week I preview some of the Welsh musical treats available at 2000 Trees, Green Man and Focus Wales.
Former miner and campaigner stars in new Ken Loach film
It's not often you can say that an 83-year-old has given you a new lease of life. But after chatting to lifelong social activist and anti-war campaigner Ray Davies about his passion for politics, I feel strangely inspired.
The Glyndŵr rebellion
The one name from history that most Welsh people readily acknowledge is that of Owain Glyndŵr.
