Prolific song writer Hal David has died, aged 91.
Oscar and Grammy winner David,along with Burt Bacharach wrote such hits as “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” and “Walk on By” along with many other songs that have become standards such as “What’s It All About?”, “What’s New, Pussycat?”, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” and “What Do You Get When You Fall in Love?”. In all Hal David was credited with writing the lyrics of some 700 songs.
The world has lost a great talent.
Yes, I wanna tell you a story, about a great entertainer who has sadly passed away.
Max Bygraves has sadly passed at the age of 89.
One of Britain’s best all round variety entertainer. He wrote a string of comic songs and released a number of albums with his Singalongamax series probably being the most well-known. Max appeared in a number of films, notably Charley Moon in 1956, as well as several TV shows. He also performed on stage with contemporaries Spike Milligan, Benny Hill, Harry Secombe and Frankie Howerd and in later years he often appeared at the London Palladium.
For me, probably the fondest memory will be Max singing “Out of Town”. I hope that, wherever Max is, he is enjoying the sentiment of that song.
Say what you will,
The countryside is still
The only place where I could settle down
Troubles there are so much rarer
Out of town
Max Bygraves is most definitely “Out Of Town”
I’ve said it many times. I am constantly amazed by the sheer grit and determination of the athletes participating in both the Olympics and the Paralympics.
None more so than that shown by Houssein Omar Hassan during the 1,500 metres, earlier today in the 2012 Paralympic Games. He finished last in his heat, recording a time of 11:23.50, which was nearly three times that of the time of the winner. Although the rest of the competitors had finished he continued to the end with enormous support from the spectators.
Hassan who was competing in the T46 category, is the first representative from Djibouti to compete at the Paralympic and it should be noted that he is the only athlete from Djibouti in 2012.
This man showed the true olympic / paralympic spirit.
Michael Galager was not prepared to yield the World Record without a fight. Only minutes ago John Allen Butterworth smashed the world record previously held by Galagher.
Gallagher responded by not only retaking the world record crown but doing it comprehensively.
This puts Butterworth and Gallagher head to head for the gold medal. What a race that is going to be. Will we see the record fall again, well we will just have to wait and see.
Jon-Allan Butterworth sets a new world record. Just a few minutes ago he totally smashed the C5 pursuit world record by more than two seconds.
Whoohoo !!!
Thanks to Kendall for reminding me about this superb song. Here’s my reminder to you all. Listen up.
Life’s Playlist…. Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers
British cyclist are once again leading the way to Gold Medals at the London 2012 Paralympics.
Sarah Storey has provided Britain’s first gold, and the eighth of her career, on the very first day of the competition.
Jonathan Fox broke the world record in the 100m backstroke heat this morning, then went on to take gold in the final.
Nyree Kindred took silver in the S6 100m backstroke while Hannah Russell took silver in the S12 400m freestyle. And did it in a British record time just to hammer the point home.
And so it goes on. At the time of writing Team GB are 3rd in the medal stakes with seven medals in total. That’s two gold, three silver and two bronze. Not a bad haul for the first day.
Actually it’s brilliant. The national feel good factor has increased exponentially since the conclusion of yesterdays opening ceremony. May it continue to do so.
I’ve been sitting here this evening watching the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Paralympics. Although viewing remotely you cannot help but get caught up in the atmosphere. The enthusiasm being shown by the both the spectators and the athletes is infectious. The show is, as expected, less intricate and in general a lower key affair than the olympics which so dominated our lives earlier this year. Having said that it is no less colourful, no less special.
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am not normally a sporty person. That is I don’t normally watch sports unless they involve two or four wheels travelling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. However, I did get hooked by the various disciplines and dipped into most at least once. And some, like handball and volleyball (no, not the beach variety) I watched on numerous occasions. Suffice it to say I am now looking forward to watching the Paralympics, to being introduced to some new and unique sports.
But most of all I am looking forward to, vicariously perhaps, sharing the excitement and the pleasure of the athletes as they compete and as they win their various medals. Of course I want to see Team GB succeed and dominate the medal tables but, just as with the Olympics, it doesn’t really matter. The spectators at the olympics didn’t discriminate. They cheered on all the teams, all the competitors regardless of which country they represented. Of course they cheered louder for the home team, that’s to be expected. So I am looking forward to sharing again in the warmth that was demonstrated during the olympics.
At last, the wait is over, Series 7 of Dr Who gets underway this Saturday.
For those of us that remember the very first Doctor -William Hartnell, the shaky sets and watching in black and white from the very beginning of this British saga, the latest incarnation is far removed from its roots. The special effects are up there with the very best and the series can still make the cold crinklies run up and down ones spine.
Watch the trailer for the new series…..
Asylum of the Daleks: Saturday, 7.20pm on BBC One!
I haven’t posted from the conservatory for a while. But here are three items to make up for it.
The first is a shot of a Red Admiral, a typical summer visitor who was making the most of our Buddleia or Butterfly Bush. At least in this case it was living up to its name. Most years we have hundreds of flowers but the butterflies don’t come until the flowers have turned brown.
The next is of a Green Woodpecker. Not such a regular visitor to our garden but a welcome one all the same. We do see them in the area and this is the second time in recent months. This was taken through the double glazing so I consider this a lucky shot considering that I had the 300mm lens on as well which makes it a bit more difficult to keep the camera stable.
And finally a bit of humour. I was just mowing the lawn and popped indoors for a cuppa tea. When I cam back out my mower had all but disappeared. I blame it on this mixed up summer weather that we have had this year.
WrAnTz 