Kingdom of Madness - Wolverhampton

Mo Birch

Great to be back at Newhampton Arts Centre Wolverhampton again. We were previously here a few months ago for 'An Evening with Mark Stanway'.

A busy night traffic wise with it being the Friday before Christmas along with Wolves being at home to Liverpool. The Molineux Stadium is literally in the next street and the Billy Wright stand was clearly visible in the floodlights.

Chris Ousey

 Given the journey and getting parked up I was surprised to see only a few others already in the queue. Thankfully it was a dry evening and reasonably mild. Those already there had traveled from Bristol, Bognor Regis and Stoke for what would be only the second performance by Kingdom of Madness.

We were lucky to get right to the front , centre stage right in front of Mo Birch.

For those who don't know KOM is largely made up of musicians associated at some time with Magnum.
Mark Stanway (keyboards), Richard Bailey (keyboards,flute), Micky Barker (drums), Laurence Archer (guitar), Neil Murray (bass), Chris Ousey (vocals), Mo Birch (backing vocals/percussion).

Some have stated that KOM is a tribute' or 'covers' band.Which to my mind is disrespectful given the talent of the band. Five of the seven musicians have a strong legacy with Magnum. Mark himself was with the band for some thirty six years and nineteen albums ! Richard Bailey was there from 1978 and the very first Magnum album.

Laurence Archer

For me it is great news for Magnum fans that there is another avenue to enjoy the fantastic songs of Tony Clarkin. Talking of the songs, many haven't been heard live in years and deserve an airing. So in short, it is possible to like both bands, there is no competition . KOM are putting their own stamp on the songs that the fans have really been asking for a long time to hear.

The two band members without Magnum connections are Bassist Neil Murray who recorded 10 albums with Whitesnake between 1978- 1986. He has also played played with Black Sabbath , Gary Moore and MSG among many others and really is 'Rock royalty'. He is also in the band 'Snakecharmer' with vocalist 'Chris Ousey'. Chris began his career with Manchester based band 'Monroe', going on to form Heartland in 1990. He is very well regarded a s a singer and songwriter. What particularly impressed me was the way he interpreted the songs. We all know that 'Bob Catley' is without doubt a wonderful singer. It  would have been all to easy to adopt a few 'Bob' mannerisms but there was none of that. It wouldn't have worked and given further ammunition to the just a covers band' brigade.

Neil Murray

The set kicked off in fine style with 'Changes' from the second album released in 1979. Quickly followed by the song I voted for in a fans poll , never knowing that this moment would arrive. From the 'Chase the Dragon' album we had 'Back to Earth'.

Another personal favourite quickly followed. I remember all too well  buying the 12" version of 'Just like an Arrow' in John Lever records of Gold street Northampton. The record shop disappeared years ago , thankfully the song sounded as good as ever.

The underrated 'Rock Art' album was represented with 'Love's a Stranger ' and a song that Mark was particularly fond of 'The Tall Ships'. The 1994 album would be the cut off point from the huge back catalogue from which they would delve.

My wife was kept happy too as the band launched into Rockin' Chair. all the way up the M6 Mrs A kept saying 'I hope they do Rockin Chair' ! She certainly wasn't disappointed.

Mickey Barker

All the band seemed to be having a great time on stage. The pure enthusiasm seemed to be bouncing back and forth between the band and the crowd. No-one was having more fun than drummer 'Mickey Barker' who many regard as the best drummer Magnum ever had. Mickey was with the band for ten years, their heydays between 1985- 1995.

From our position on the front barrier it was difficult to see what was going on behind. But I got the feeling that all was well and everyone was having a cracking time.

Magnum's most successful album 'Wings of Heaven' (7th studio album) was well represented with 'Start Talking Love', 'Wild Swan' and 'Days of no Trust'.
The album charted 5 in the United Kingdom. A heady time indeed playing the NEC Birmingham as well as three nights at the then 'Hammersmith Odeon' just before Christmas 1988.Very happy memories indeed for me!

A triumphant Richard Bailey

Lovely to see Richard Bailey in the band . He was there back in the very early days of Magnum. He actually played the original flute intro to 'Kingdom of Madness'. Which is exactly  what we had as the band brought the set to a close with this awesome song.

I love the original and I loved the KOM version . Guitarist Laurence Archer is very different to 'Clarkin'  but does the song proud in his own way.

The band leave the stage to rapturous applause and appreciation.

For the encore we are treated to 'The Last Dance'  from 'On a Storytellers Night' . Chris and Mo duet perfectly and she adds so much to the sound. In short she is much more than a backing singer giving great contrast to the vocals.

Chris with Mark and Laurence in background

The last song of the night is really the one that most of us have all been waiting for.
The haunting keyboard intro from Mark can mean only one thing' Sacred Hour'.

Thankfully we have plenty more gigs to look forward to in 2019 from KOM. Next  stop for me will be The Stables at Wavendon near Milton Keynes.

Thanks to Nikki Ann Thompson for kindly letting me use her photo of Laurence.

Walking the Ridgeway - Lewknor to Watlington

Christmas Common , very appropriate

Today's route

We knew before the start that the weather forecast today was at best 'grim'. . High winds , rain , snow and sleet were all in the mixture. Taking onboard the old Billy Connolly saying of 'No such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing' we set off in dry conditions . As always a circular starting very close to the small , picturesque village of Lewknor.  From our starting point you can hear the M40 long before you get to see it. The very last part of the walk would take us under the elevated part of the motorway. So about 10 miles or so of the Chiltern Hills to conquer.

Three dogs in tow

Typical Ridgeway path

It would be reasonable to say , and I probably have said it before that walking the Ridgeway in a straight line can be a touch bland. Turning it into a circular walk certainly adds interest and some trepidation when you basically get lost !
We came off the Ridgeway at the turn for 'Christmas Common' .Replacing the flat with the steep climbs of Watlington Hill, Pyrton Hill and Shirburn Hill.

Shirburn Hill

Pyrton Hill

By now the wind had got up and the rain  was steady
and it was hard going on the knees.There was the odd
fleeting glimpse of a Roe Deer to keep us on our toes.
At times we were totally exposed to the elements only
occasionally finding shelter out of the wind in the woods.
At one stage we did find ourselves in the wrong valley. Remedying  the problem either involved crawling under barbed wire or going over the top. I opted for the latter with the aid of a tree and overhanging branches. It turned out that we had inadvertently ended up in a Deer Farm...

Wormsley Estate

An unfortunate Pheasant

 Our walk then took us into the Wormsley Estate, some 2500 acres and an 18th century country house. Lying somewhere between Stokenchurch and Watlington it is the former home of the Philanthropist John Paul Getty.
There was quite a number of guns taking part in a pheasant shoot that we got very close to. A number of 'picker uppers' were stationed in nearby woods with their trusty Retriever dogs to round up the wounder or had flown in on the wing. On poor soul was stuttering around very close to us so my companion put it out of his misery . Not one to miss an opportunity he slipped it inside his pocket to take home for the pot .

Under the M40

Drenched through

By now everything was just about soaked through. Even my boots had given up the ghost and were squelching with standing water. Undeterred we carried on with a stiff upper lip going under the M40 as we finished back on the Ridgeway. Have to say it is quite an anti-climax , I at least expected a few murals or words of encouragement , but nothing . After weather like today it was just good to get back to the car and get and get the wet gear off. Taking some dry clothes to change into wwould have been an even better idea though !

Lydney and Symonds Yat

Parkend Station

After a very large and tasty breakfast we set off for Lydney Docks. It had seemed like a good idea as we enjoyed a full English to have a waterside walk along the canal and harbour. Unfortunately the weather had other ideas as the wind brought in driving rain and low visibility.

 
Undaunted we set off on the short journey stopping only briefly at the Dean Forest Railway Parkend Station.
There is an 8.5 mile track running through the medieval forest where you can enjoy the delights of steam travel. Unfortunately it was out of season so the trains were not operational.






It was a pretty grim scene arriving at the docks I have to say.

It reminded me of the old 'Hancock' sketch when he went on holiday to Brighton in December.
His companion asks' Wheres the sea' ? Hancock replies 'it's out there somewhere , you'll see it once this fog lifts'.

Severn estuary

Apparently there's nice views over the River Severn towards Sharpness on the opposite side and the two Severn Bridges further down. Have to take their word for that today. Lydney Docks has a long and chequered history. The canal was opened in 1813 to ship iron and coal from the Forest of Dean in its mighty heyday. In the 1960’s timber was continually brought in from Avonmouth docks and it continued in regular commercial use until the 1980’s.

Brightening Skies ?

 We did our best given the conditions taking a short circular walk around the harbour. Ironically as we got back to the car the rain eased off and the skies started to lighten.

We made our way over to Symonds Yat , a place that is rapidly becoming a favourite place of ours. It might have something to do with the excellent Wye Valley Ale on offer at the Saracens Head ?

We parked down at River Wye level and strolled alongside the fast flowing water.

Boats moored at Lydney

River Wye

The River Wye is the fifth-longest river in the UK, stretching some 215 kilometres from its source on Plynlimon in mid Wales to the Severn estuary.

For much of its length the river forms part of the border between England and Wales.

As we went further along the trail a rope bridge spans the river , it is know as 'Biblins'. This suspension footbridge will take you from England (north) to Wales (south). Once crossed it is a flat four mile walk to Monmouth. I think that this will be our next mission when we come back.

'Biblins' Bridge'

There is a steep half mile footpath back at our starting point that takes you up to the high peak of Symonds Yat. I couldn't resist running up to the top , if nothing else to work up a thirst. The real reason is that the views are just so spectacular . I would visit every day if were possible.

What a view

 I came back down the path twice as quick as I went up I can tell you. The thought of The Wye Valley IPAin front of a roaring log fire was a great incentive !

Driving back it finally happened ! I spotted a majestic Wild Boar by the roadside . A fleeting view unfortunately, but one that will live long in the memory.

Forest of Dean - Speech House revisit

Lovely to be back in the Forest of Dean again , this time for Marinas Birthday. We even managed to get a room upgrade from an outside Courtyard to the luxury 4 Poster Suite. The room afforded great views over the Forest and it was clear to see that the Boars had been busy again.

The last visit in April had been elusive of seeing any Boars despite our best efforts. Hopefully this time our luck might be a little better?

We quickly got changed into our walking gear, eager to make use of the daylight hours to get into the Forest before it got too dark.

There had been some rain but  had cleared and given way to some sunshine and blue skies. The light was beautiful and I hoped to get some half decent photographs.

Speech House Lake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We hadn't been walking for very long when Marina motioned me to be quiet. She had spotted three Fallow Deer at very close quarters , and managed the following photos.

Fallow Deer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No sign of the Boars once again but it didn't matter . The Forest seemed alive as a Muntjac Deer  wandered casually in front of us.

Marina gazes longingly