Luna Eclipse

An eclipse is defined as an an astronomical event occurring when one celestial body moves into the shadow of another or has another body pass between it and the viewer, usually involving the Sun, Earth, and Moon. A Luna eclipse is when Luna the cat moves into the shadow of the kitchen peninsula and creates a photo opportunity. Like she did last night. My friend Victoria also has a cat called Luna and this is what she got up to at the weekend.

Sky news

I met with my good friend Steve yesterday for a spot of breakfast. Where once we'd have hooked up for a lunchtime pint, these days you've more chance of finding us in the greasy spoon round the corner supping nothing stronger than builder's tea. We were planning our next excursion so dates, locations, bands were all high on the agenda (that and the breaking news that Football Focus has been put out to pasture). Really looking forward to spending a few days away with him again. Our last trip set the bar extraordinarily high so 2026 has got a lot to live up to.  

Returning back to base I took a bit of a detour and stumbled upon the place where they make the sky. Who knew it was made in Leicester? Also, it got me thinking, how many sky songs must there be out there? I have no clue. Rol Hirst mightn't either but pound to a penny I bet he's compiled a Top 10 of 'em. And if he hasn't he should. And if he has and it hasn't got this belter in there, then, I'm sorry, but the man's a damn fool.  

However, dig a little deeper in that barrel (who said scraping?) and you'll find this little curio. It's from 1975 - but you don't need me to tell you that as it's plastered all over the backdrop. And one look at the medallions, the dangerously wide white silk flares and the singing drummer will also alert you to the fact that you've entered another world: a world where chicken in a basket and journeymen cabaret acts collide. I give you... 

Jigsaw - Sky High (1975)

And talking of sky high...

Matt Berry - Toast of London

Dive in

I love dive bars. I've spent a significant proportion of my adult life in dive bars. And it never did me any harm. (Don't @ me.) Someone else who has a penchant for all things dive is No Badger Required. Our paths have never crossed, yet I feel is if I should be inviting them to BlogCon26; where, I'd like to think, we would meet in a Leeds dive bar of their choice (of which there are many). Hmm, let me mull that one over.

In the meantime, today's musical show & tell is nicked wholesale from NBR's Dive Bar Anthems playlist - now my Dive Bar Anthems playlist. Here's the studio version. However, this is a frantic, not to mention frenetic, no holds barred live version. Enjoy.

Parquet Courts - Live Football (2018)

Bang average songs with amazing intros

I think it was only when I saw Johnny Marr play his own version of How Soon is Now that I realised a song (a band, even) that I'd never much cared for has in fact got a stunning intro. I'm sure if I thought long enough and hard enough I could come up with a few more examples of this genre. But as I've just alienated all my Smiths loving readers I think I'll quit while I'm behind - for fear of inadvertently slaughtering another scared cow.

Johnny Marr - How Soon is Now

Overdue library books

April 2022

"The only thing that you abolutely have to know, is the location of the library." So said Albert Einstein. They knocked our local library down in 2022, so I could only tell you where it used to be. They set about rebuilding it shortly thereafter: it was to be part of a new development that would see a major supermarket occupy the ground floor (with the library upstairs) and some affordable housing at the rear. So far so good.

However, various construction delays, arguments over funding etc. etc. and it all got very messy. Sainsbury's opened for business in November 2023 and directly above stood a library with no books. For over two years. God knows what they were playing at. But Sherwood Library finally opened its doors to its book starved populus last week.

April 2026

I paid a visit yesterday morning and it was doing a brisk trade. And there were a lot of kids in there - which is always good to see. And a lot of books - old and new (see Julian Barnes' latest novel below). I can't tell you how brilliant it is having a new (well newish) library just up the road.

Gone too soon

Jan loved having her nails done - she'd let me take pics of her latest offerings

It was a desperately sad day yesterday. My friend Jan had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and knew that her eventual retirement wouldn't the retirement she would have hoped for; enjoying her beautiful garden and spending more time with her friends and family, not least he beloved grandchildren, would be limited. But even a drastically reduced retirement wasn't to be. Despite putting up up a formidable fight against her virulent cancer, Jan tragically slipped away in the early hours. There are no words.

Jan was one of my first visitors after I came home from hospital

One for the road (#1)

Today I want to share with you the first in an irregular series of rock and roll streets - inspired by a recent blog post over at Alan Parkinson's excellent 365 blog project for 2026 'World of Music' - that in some small way have shaped the musical gazetteer. 

Ammonia Avenue can be found on the 1984 album of the same name by the Alan Parsons Project. It's also the name of one of the link roads that form part of ICI's massive ammonium nitrate manufacturing plant at Billingham on Teeside. The writer Aldous Huxley visited the plant nearly a hundred years ago and came away with the genesis of his 1931 novel Brave New World. Similarly in the early 80s, Eric Woolfson of the APP visited the chemical complex  after being invited by the then-chairman, John Harvey-Jones. On his arrival Woolfson was struck by a street lined with pipes where nobody was working, featuring a sign that read Ammonia Avenue.

For those of you who seek meaning in their long players, the premise of Parsons' album hangs loosely round the themes of industrialisation and the disconnect between scientific development and public understanding. Yep, that's concept albums for you. 

Alan Parsons Project - Ammonia Avenue (1984)

 

Oh, Mickey, you're so fine

Who else is glued to The Lincoln Lawyer? I'm just about to watch the last episode of Season 1 and, I don't mind telling you, am absolutely hooked. Based on the Michael Connelly novels they follow LA based defence lawyer Mickey Haller and the various cases, large and small, that fall into his lap. Stylishly filmed its teaming with establishing shots of Los Angeles - the Hollywood Hills, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Mulholland Drive and a host of other groovy locations besides. The dialogue is snappy, the story lines leave no twist unturned and it's got a classy soundtrack to boot. If you have been making a date with LL let me know what you think - but, please, no plot spoilers! 

The Lincoln Lawyer  - Season 1 trailer (2022)

 

What if? (Don't mention the War)

Regrets, I've had a few. But then again too few to mention (thank you, Frank). And for what it's worth it's a mantra I subscribe to. Things you've done and shouldn't have, things you should have said but didn't. It doesn't matter. Move on. Life doesn't have a rewind button. Never begin a sentence with 'If only' - what follows will be shrouded in melancholia and ultimately a waste of breath.

However, kickstart a sentence with 'What if...?' and it's game on. Loaded with speculation and suggestion - the exploration of possibilities and consequences - it's when ideas come alive. The reason I bring it up is because I'm currently reading Len Deighton's SS-GB. The premise of his 1978 novel is that Germany won the war, Churchill has been executed and the King is imprisoned in the Tower of London. I'm gripped! It's compelling Bank Holiday reading.

A New Order

A couple of Easter parish notices for you. James asked me last week to join him on a little musical side project - compile a playlist no longer than 40 minutes whereby the first track is track one on its respective album, the second track is track two on its album and so on. He said that some otherwise disparate tracks just sit really well together when they are conjoined in this way. I have to concur. This my effort:

John Medd - Everything Appears to be in Order 

 

And this is James'. If you find yourself kicking your heels this Bank Holiday weekend why not have a go yourself? Other streaming providers are of course available. Indeed you may want to dig out an old blank C90 and do it that way; whatever floats your boat. 

James Medd - Everything in its Right Place

 

...

A new blog was launched this year by renowned geographer Alan Parkinson. It goes by the moniker World of Music and it really is most bodacious. Alan's always on the lookout for guest bloggers who would can intertwine music and geography in some way. If you feel you can give him a dig out I'm sure he'd love to hear from you. My piece on Lost Venues was published yesterday. Feel free to have a gleg. You'll find Alan's contact details there too. Happy Easter!

Nosebag

Hello and welcome to April's edition of Photo Challenge. I'm running a couple of days late but, in my defence, the dog ate my homework. This month I was looking for takeaways and off licences (or liquor stores, if you will). Thank you as ever to everyone who took the time, I really do appreciate your support. Without further ado, let's crack on; Rol needs his caffeine fix, so he gets to go first...

"Hi John - three photos of the only takeaway I can afford these days & the only ones that count. Not the best photos, but candid and surreptitously snapped over the last couple of days in desperation. (The last one shows the lid of my own reusable mug, showing my green credentials - and also it's my way of still getting a free coffee stamp even though I also use meerkats to get a 25% discount. This is probably far too much information, but there's a story behind every photo.)" Every picture and all that. Thank you, Rol. And as I've told you before, I hope you'll allow mw to by you a cup of java sooner rather than later.

Pete Zab: "Here you go, John. All taken in Sherwood on Monday night, I've used all these for takeaways except the kebab place." I know 'em all, Pete! Thank you.

I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I am to see the lovely Jo from Cornwall back again. She says: "Living by the sea it's got to be fish and chips!"

 "Pigs in blankets because every beach cafe should sell them!"

The Cornish pasty - I eat too many of these! Ann' pastes are my favourites!"

And lastly the cream tea: Cornwall is the only county that will kick you out if you don't puttee jam first!" Jo - I'm hopping on the first train down to you! My mouth's watering.

Alfa Dave's got a pair: "Arnold chippy, 2009." Cheers, Dave. For the tape I'd just like to add that Sasha hasn't changed a bit. The boys, however, are both six foot six giants.

And if you can tell me where this one was taken I'm sure Dave'll give you the money himself.

Ernie never disappoints: "Three photos for you: a snail stall, Jemaa el-Fnaa, Marrakech Fun and games at the Wurst Meister, Leipzig, New Year's Eve 2012  and a holy akara joint in Woolwich - I was experimenting with a feature called 'colour pop' but Woolwich is so drab I'm not sure it was really needed." Cheers, Ern.

Kate: "You almost stumped me with this one, but there's a workaround! My favourite take away is Wawin, but the local kitchen is in an industrial unit - delivery only. Happily, Sheffield has a shop front, so carryout applies! On the offies, I'm not sure a picture of Tesco's or M&S will inspire much, so I'm sending a picture of what, to me, was hilarious when I saw it - a drive through off-licence, called locally a 'Bottle-O' in Australia. They're all over the country. You drive in, tell them what you want and someone puts your order in the boot/back of the pick-up ) whilst you pay. As a backpacker when I was there, I can confirm they'll still serve you if you walk in." Nice one, Kate. See below for further Bottle-O action!

Johnny legs has seen the ghost of a rock and roll legend: "Marshalls Fish & Chips in Tynemouth. Not sure if this is true but I'm sure he would have enjoyed them if he did." I bet he did, Johnny.

Claire's been to Mapperley: "The place that says 'thank you for not giving up carbohydrates.' Lots of delicious baked goods to take away." Nice buns, Claire.

Miss Turner and the welcome return of Alfie. Here he is posing for a photo before siding into The Abdication next door for a lick of the slop tray.

Tim from Hucknall: "Hi John, hope you are well. I do like a takeaway but only tend to properly indulge when down in St. Reatham seeing my daughter & then it’s invariably delivered. So here’s a brace for you. First it’s the sadly missed Hopology in West Bridgford. Owned by my friend Nick this was a staple Saturday morning haunt for beer collection. There was always a small mixed bag of regulars loitering and chatting creating an Early Doors vibe (To the regiment! - JM). Nick also kept me stocked up during those strange days of lockdown - secretly opening  when required. Secondly it’s yet more beer - this was the wonderfully named AlkoSpot in Gdansk. I was like a kiid in a sweet shop - ridiculously strong Polish craft beer game on display here! I also find the fine raft of can & bottle art aesthetically pleasing." Nice one, Tim. It's always sad when a beermonger bites the dust. 

Matthew & Samantha from Dumfries and Galloway: "The Star Fish Restaurant in Stranraer has rather wishful signage; basic New Zealand chip shop interior in Taupo Fis; a chip kiosk in Cape Town'; an extremely convenient drive-thru Bottle-O in Tasmania and finally a pizza joint in Venice Beach, California. M&S x." Thank you both. Around the world in a bag of chips.

Walter in the Motherland next: "I don't use takeaway food often but this is the best chicken takeaway in town." Danke, Walt.

Riggsby in California: "Hi John, first up, a pretty non-descript liquor store (as most are) at 2901 W Sunset Blvd. in the Silverlake district of Los Angeles - from which the band Silversun Pickups derived their name. The band's friends would frequently make late-night 'Silversun pickups' to the store for supplies and the nickname stuck.The inside of the store was quite ordinary and no beer hut or cave (see later). The Silverlake Lounge, opposite, is often mentioned in the same breath about the band's early days. I liked the band's early releases and saw them a number of times in Southern California but have only been to Silverlake to take pics. 

I associate Trader Mort's (Shelter Island Drive, San Diego) and its two tiki torches with going to concerts at the Humphrey's by the Bay venue on Shelter Island. It has a pretty good selection of drinks and a refrigerated Beer Hut packed to the ceiling, and the drive-thru option is quite common.

"A couple more: some pics of liquor stores along Pacific Coast Highway 101 in San Diego, North County. Harbor Liquors is like the Tardis, huge inside and an incredible selection - a place to go for specialist items. I drive by the Leucadia liquor store fairly frequently and can't recall a time when all the lights on the sign were working. It looks a bit sad. Big Pig in Carlsbad is the most colorful and clean of the stores, and Coast Hwy Liquor illustrates the vibe along the PCH." Cheers, Richard. Loving the collages - gives 'em that postcard vibe. 

 

Adam: "I'm not sure it's the best takeaway in the world, or even the street, and it won't win any awards but when you're coming home late after a gig or night out and you need a kebab, Pinocchios has what you need." I know what you mean, Adam. At the end of the night it's ballast you need!

Charity Chic spotted this: "Buon Appetito - a chippie at Sheddons roundabout, Clarkston (I think I've caught the last train to there - JM). Does great gluten free pizza." Cheers, CC.

Portuguese George: "Hi John, we used to get lovely veggie samosas from this cafe a few km from our house. We've not been since there was, allegedly, a drive-by shooting! I think it has now shut down. Best wishes, George - in the Alentejo Litoral." Thanks, George. Now I know why you didn't get out of the car!

As is trad I get to round things up. This month is what I'd call a scattergun collection. Some I've been in some I just like the look of. I think a few non-runners this month assumed I wanted pictures of establishments they'd crossed the threshold of. Not a bit of it - these neon palaces of tack are so much part of our landscape now I felt they had to be recorded in some way. No lengthy descriptors needed (tho' my first draft that disappeared into the ether actually did), this versh I'll just namecheck the locations, if that's OK with you. 

West Bridgford.

Nottingham.

Derby.

York.

Nottingham. Pre and post makeover.

Newcastle.

Nottingham

Chicago. For the avoidance of doubt I was not staying at the Men Only Hotel.

And the last few are all in Nottingham. Keeping it local this month.

...

Sunrise/Sunset reprise

As you know we're revisiting one of the most popular Photo Challenges of the last four years - this month I received a fabulous photo from Samantha. It doesn't get much better than this. Thank you, Sam.

March saw some amazing sunsets around these parts. I tried to catch the red ball as it was going down a couple of weeks ago and managed to get this through the trees.

 ...

People Pics

Another little PC spin-off I mentioned last time was asking regular Photo Challenge contributors to take a picture of someone they know really well. Or, someone they've never met before. Sasha took this lovely photo of a 'random' bereted couple at an 80s indie disco we were both at recently(!). She just went up to them and said "Would you mind if I took your photograph?" As you can see, they acquiesced.

On the flip side, this is my Auntie Margaret - my dad's younger sister. She's been stopping with us for a few days (she lost her husband - my Uncle Brian - just before Christmas). I took this photo of her with the current Mrs. Medd on Tuesday evening.

I'll post May's theme in the comments section in the next few days. In the meantime, stay safe and please do send any sunrises/sunsets and people pics you have my way.

Postscript 4.4.26

My BlogCon buddy Celia's email didn't come thru, so she sent it again. Success second time around! "Hi John, I'm sitting here tonight with a full belly after a lovely takeaway vegetable bhuna, lemon rice, popadoms and accompanying side dishes from one of the two - TWO! - Indian restaurants in my village (both excellent). Here it is, our very own 'Onion Bhaji'. All the best, C x." Thank you, C! Sounds ike a fab village.

PPS 12.4.26

This just in from The Swede: "This takeaway in Manchester has a certain rustic charm about it." Couldn't agree more, TS.