Monthly Archives: December 2012

2012 – my blog in review. By WordPress

Posted on December 30, 2012 by John S

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog. Well it’s nice of Word Press to do this, so I thought I should share it with all of you who read my blog. With massive thanks … Continue reading →

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My Top Ten – 2012 Albums and more besides…

Posted on December 22, 2012 by John S

Let’s cut to the chase. This is my Top Ten for 2012,  then I’ll explain. 1. Wrecking Ball – Bruce Springsteen 2. Dead & Born & Grown – The Staves 3. Channel Orange – Frank Ocean 4. Twins – Ty … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (56) – Quins A team win the final!

Posted on December 18, 2012 by John S

We were down at the Stoop on Saturday, enjoying Quins’ 53-5 romp against the Italians, Zebre, in the Heineken Cup and enthused by that result thought we should go along and support the A Team – the reserves – in … Continue reading →

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Sportsthoughts (55) – And the BBC Sports Personality of the Year is… Bradley Wiggins!

Posted on December 17, 2012 by John S

Yes! That’s where my vote went.  Cyclist supreme.  First ever British winner of the Tour de France – the ultimate endurance test – and olympic Gold medallist in the men’s cycling time trial. And a personality and a very cool … Continue reading →

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Hidden London – the Grand Union Canal by Ladbroke Grove

Posted on December 8, 2012 by John S

It was a lovely, but cold, day in London today. The sun was shining and there was very little wind.  Perfect for a good long cycle. I started with an old favourite, the Thames towpath down to Hammersmith Bridge. Then, … Continue reading →

Posted in London, Photos | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Have You Heard? – (30) What the Stranglers and Smith and Mighty did to “Walk On By”

Posted on December 8, 2012 by John S

“Walk On By” is a classic sixties soul song with a jazzy shuffle and lazy trumpet absolutely typical of the era. Penned by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, who else? A poignant break up tune: if you see me walking … Continue reading →

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Have You Heard? – (29) “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”

Posted on December 6, 2012 by John S

With apologies to any all-out rockers reading this blog, who might have strayed this way having read my Top Ten on Air Guitar, this is all about a wonderful love song. No riffs, just beauty… “The First Time Ever I … Continue reading →

Posted in Music - Have You Heard? | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Sportsthoughts (54) – West Ham and England do the incredible!

Posted on December 2, 2012 by John S

What an incredible afternoon of sport! As in unbelievable. As in results so unlikely that if you’d gone the bookies and put a tenner on the double you’d be walking away with a few thousand pounds. Football: West Ham 3 … Continue reading →

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