We are standing on the edge

For my 200th post, here's one that checks my top 10 favourite bands / records / songs all in one. Glorious indeed.

Happy Birthday Mum

Today is my Mum's birthday.

She continues to be a huge source of inspiration and now as an adult I often wonder 'how did/does she do it?'. By the time she was my age, she had three school-age children to look after. Mum found the most incredible strength to care for my Dad before he lost his fight with cancer earlier this year. She is the most intuitive, kindest and least selfish person I've ever met.

Happy Birthday Mum, you're amazing and I love you.

Summer Sundae

A chilled out day on Clapham Common with laid-back tunes, pimm's, free ice-cream (loved the ice-cream sandwiches) and people in their smalls. Like you do.

Grace

The tunes + the voice + the ribald humour + the fashion + the moves = one of the most memorable performers of all time. Grace forever.

Lovebox @ Victoria Park

The National @ Camden Roundhouse

As seems to be the way on this tour, Matt came into the crowd during 'Abel' and 'Mr November' and I was person #7 to give him a shoulder hug.

Hampstead Heath

After a relaxing afternoon walk to Hampstead Heath, it was time for a wander via Belsize Park to Marine Ices for gelati.

Flavours of summer

In the warmer months I crave simple meditteranean-style foods: ripe tomatoes with roasted garlic and basil, grilled veges and fish and soft cheese, usually on a bed of peppery leaves.

And nothing beats a mojito on a hot, sticky summer's day.

Red, white and blue

Wireless @ Hyde Park, night

Wireless @ Hyde Park, day

This the kinda beat that go bha ta ta

Can't wait to see Missy Elliot at Wireless this afternoon. With Snoop, UNKLE, 2manydjs and LCD Soundsystem rounding off the lineup, it's going to be a scorcher.

* EDIT: Sadly, Missy was an extreme disappointment, playing for less than 20 minutes of her allocated 40 minutes. She didn't play a full song, rather a medley of all her well-known songs. She rapped over the top of the voice track, so the tunes continued to play as she walked around the stage. Fortunately, Snoop, 2manydjs and LCD Soundsystem rocked it.