Auri - Union Chapel London

The Union Chapel

A rare foray down to the capital for a midweek gig. I let the train take the train down to Euston. A very reasonable £9 for a single ticket. I will be catching up with a couple of friends at the venue and travelling back with them to Bedford all being well. It's a lovely sunny day, my plan was to walk to Islington and still arrive in good time to get a good spot in the queue. I've never been good with Google maps, and soon got lost on Grays Inn Road. I made the decision to abandon the idea of walking and made my way back to Euston to catch the Tube. Amazingly 'Highbury and Islington' tube station is only two stops on the Victoria line. The Union Chapel is just round the corner to the right. I did have to ask for directions though...  A small gathering had already arrived two hours before the doors would open. 

The Union Chapel is an architectural treasure , and really is a working church. Since 1992, Union Chapel has been hosting concerts and events. This has grown over the years and they now have hundreds of events a year. A not for profit organisation. Profits generated from hiring the venue and from sales in the Bar go to the conservation and development of the building. Built in the Victorian Gothic style of architecture , services are held every Sunday at 11AM. 

It's a very pleasant afternoon for standing in a queue. I'm 5th in line and the company is good. Some stewards emerge and set up a separate queue for the 'Meet and Greeters'. I understand they have paid £45 to meet the band and get stuff signed etc. Strikes me as a slightly ironic as this is more than the ticket actually cost. Still, a nice little earner for the band. I don't begrudge them that at all, making a tour pay is extremely difficult. Merch sales are usually what makes the difference between profit and loss. A third queue also emerges, this one is for those who have pre-booked a meal. Hope that's cleared everything up as far as queuing goes? My friends have arrived and we soon make our way inside the venue a little after 7PM.

 

Johanna Kurkela

It is a very dignified entrance, no mad dash to get the best seats. I opt for centre stage, some seven or eight rows back. There are no seat numbers of course because we are in church pews. I find myself next to my friend from the Queue David. He has brought his camera and has promised to share any photos I might need. Anyway, without any further ado lets get down to Auri!   

Auri are described as a Finnish progressive rock band. The band was formed by Tuomas Holpainen (Nightwish) keyboards and backing vocals, his wife Johanna Kurkela, vocals, violin, viola, keyboards, and Troy Donockley (Nightwish), guitars, bouzouki,  Uilleann pipes and vocals. Joining them on drums is Kai Hahto of Wintersun and Nightwish. Other guest musicians will also be joining them on this tour. This being their first ever European Tour celebrating the third album 'Candles and Beginnings'. The lights dim, a hush gathers as the show begins. We start with the title track from the second album 'Those we don't speak of'. Although I'm very unfamiliar with most of the songs to be perfectly honest. This is very much a journey into the unknown, something that is very different for me. As  a long term Nightwish follower it would be remiss not to check it out as they say. 

Kai Hahto

The songs are gentle, melodic and at times whimsical with poetic license to delve into the slightly eccentric perhaps? They do remind mind in many ways of 'Blackmore's Night and the neo-medieval music they make. Also hints of the wonderful Loreena Mckennitt too. It is a far cry from the pounding stage show of a Nightwish gig. Nonetheless it is captivating all the same , just in a more atmospheric almost mindful type way. The performance is made up of two halves. We take a 20 minute break, a chance to explore the building in a little more detail. The band return, Johanna has changed into another flowing dress of the orange variety. It compliments her hair, I then start thinking how long it must take to wash and dry? Her hair that is not the dress! Stop it , I say to myself and hastily get back into the vibe.

The Auri Tour started on August 13, 2025, in Kitee, Finland, and will wind its way through several European countries, including . cities like London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna and Stockholm. The tour ends on October 10th in Bergen, Norway. The second half follows very much in the same vein as the first.With the odd exception there is nothing that I would call upbeat or rousing. It feels like Troy is being underused with his array of  pipes. It is all very pleasant though in a fairy-tale kind of way. You just have to let yourself go with the sense of awe and storytelling. I think I have struggled largely by being so unfamiliar with their catalogue of work.

Newquay Fistral Beach Walk from Porth

Cornish Fisherman mural

It has been one of those awful days with nothing but driving rain.Thankfully the skies have cleared a little, enough to offer some encouragement at least. There is though the threat that the heavens could open up again at any minute. As a result it's a brisk walk from Porth to the centre of Newquay. Because of the awful weather none of the Pasty shops have ordered in many supplies. All that seems to be left are 'Cheese and onion', or even worse 'Fake Steak'. Whatever that might consist of. When I was here last time an Artist had just started work on a large wall mural. At that time it was impossible to see what it was going to be. Now it is finished it looks fantastic in all it's glory. 

Leaving Newquay Town Centre behind I cut across the Golf Course which overlooks the world famous surfing spot of Fistral Beach. The rain is never going to be far away today. Not something that will deter the surfers of course. There must be at least 50 in the water at the moment. The darkening and   foreboding skies create something of a Gothic look. I walk down to the sand and make my way along towards the headland in the direction of Pentire.

I wanted to get to the furthest point on the headland. Unfortunately time is against me and I don't quite get there. Fistral is considered the home of British surfing due to its consistent waves, ideal conditions, and rich history in the sport.The famous Boardmasters is also held here along with Watergate Bay. A five day competition held over the second weekend in August. The beach is approximately 750 meters in length. Backed by steep sand dunes and overlooked by the prestigious Headlands Hotel. I trace my path back down the hill, taking the SW coast path instead of walking on the beach. It leads to the golf course path that I had previously taken. I make my way down towards the harbour.

 

 

Newquay Harbour

Newquay Harbour is a fishing and pleasure Harbour,the largest fishing port on the North Cornwall coast. 

I move down to Towan Beach, in the heart of the town. A very traditional beach with a very unique feature. It has a house on an island complete with a private bridge. I think the house is now rented out as an Air B & B. A really striking feature which has always fascinated me. I will make my way back to Porth via a few other Newquay beaches which I have previously written about. 

A Seagull at Mount Wise

The link to the previous walk mentioned above is listed below.

http://peterja-storytellersnight.blogspot.com/2024/10/newquay-beaches-walk.html

 

 

Padstow and Rock St Enodocs Church Walk

 

Padstow Harbour

No trip to Cornwall would be complete without a trip to Padstow. A picture postcard fishing port on the West bank of the River Camel. It is still a working harbour, and part of the ancient pilgrim route known as the Saints’ Way. Even though the school holidays are over it is still very bust with visitors. We have taken the bus today,  always an interesting experience through the narrow Cornish lanes.

Pubs, tea-rooms and shops line the harbour

The plan today is to take the Ferry across to Rock, however there is a slight delay as we wait for the tide to come back in. Time well spent though in The Harbour Inn, where a lovely pint of 'Tribute' was enjoyed. The pub is also the stable of the 'Obby Oss'. A folk custom that takes place on the 1st May each year. The 'Obby Oss' or hobby horse is made up of an oval frame covered in black oilskin, which has a small horse's head in the front with a snapping jaw. A procession then takes place with lots of music and singing around the town. We finish our drinks and wander back to the ferry port for the 10 minute trip across to Rock.

Daymer Bay looking across to Padstow

The tide hasn't fully come in so we are dropped off a bit shorter than the usual point. We make our way across the golden sands of Daymer Bay on what is now a beautiful day. The beach is within the mouth of the Camel Estuary so is pretty sheltered and has a gently sloping beach making it safe for swimming. I can't remember walking it previously? At south the end of the beach is the grassy mound of Brea Hill which is where you would get some great views of the area. It is a lovely stretch of beach and bordered by dunes and sandhills.We walk towards the car park and turn off to the golf course, circling Brae Hill. We are looking for St Enodoc Church, Sinking Neddy as it is sometimes referred to due to it's close relationship with the sea and sand.

St Enodocs Church

The church literally stands amongst the fairways of St Enodocs Golf Club. It is a beautiful setting in the shadow of Brae Hill and the high dunes. From the sixteenth century to the middle of the nineteenth century, the church was virtually buried by the sand. By 1864 it was unearthed, the sand was removed and the church was cleaned and restored under the direction of the vicar of St Minver. The church is said to lie on the site of a cave where 'Enodoc' lived as a Hermit.

The former Poet Laureate, Sir John Betjeman was particularly fond of it and he lies buried in the churchyard. Betjeman spent many childhood holidays in Trebetherick. He immortalised the area in some of his poems describing the stretch of coast at Trebetherick between Daymer Bay and Polzeath. He clearly had great affection and familiarity with this part of the Cornish coast. 

Then roller into roller curled
And thundered down the rocky bay,
And we were in a water world
Of rain and blizzard, sea and spray,
And one against the other hurled
We struggled round to Greenaway.
Blesséd be St Enodoc, blesséd be the wave,
Blesséd be the springy turf, we pray, pray to thee…

St Enodocs Golf Course

We carefully make our way back through the Golf Course, keeping a watchful eye for errant flying objects.It's a lovely course, looking lush following the recent rain. We make a small unplanned detour across the dunes, with the help of a local lady we soon get back on track. It is then only a short walk along the sea front to get back to the Ferry point. We don't have long to wait either as passengers are already spilling onto the jetty. This time as you will see on the map the course is slightly different , more direct as the tide is at it's highest now   

We arrive back in Padstow in time for the Bus at either 5 or 6pm We opt for the latter. Well, we are on holiday after all and there is no rush. Tempting as it is I resist the option of the Tribute Ale.I wouldn't wish to disturb the 'Obby Oss'. We enjoy a traditional Pasty on the quayside instead. It has been a lovely excursion and great walk at around 5 miles in total.