Oh a happy old world, give and take a bit - that's what you make of it (Barclay James Harvest)

Sunrise over Conwy Castle in Conwy, north Wales

Wie geht's?

It's the final day of 2018. Always a time for looking back and looking forward.

If you had a choice to be any day of the year you'd never choose December 31: no football, the party is elsewhere because new year's day is already happening in other time zones, and everyone's thoughts are about how drunk they're going to get that night. Or something.

It's not a good day to be a day.

2018 was a huge year of transition for us - selling up, finishing jobs, saying goodbye to loved ones, and heading off on another quixotic adventure to the other side of the world.

At our age. But as Ronan Keating says: life is a rollercoaster. Just got to ride it! 

That about sums up 2018.

And so to 2019... 

Happy new year everyone. May it be a happy old world in 2019, give and take a bit.  It's what we make of it, after all.

Love and peace - Wozza

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?", "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.", "I don't much care where", "Then it doesn't matter which way you go.” (Alice and the Cheshire cat)

Llandudno's promenade

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Llandudno is a lovely spot in north Wales. You can read about it here, and here.

We've just spent Christmas here, at Llandudno Bay Hotel - one of those Victorian places you see facing the promenade. 

Why? Bill Bryson - that's why.

He's been a reliable guide over the years.

Right now, I'm listening to the cars hiss by my window while the waves make land in their rhythmic relentless way.

Perfect. 

It's still dark outside - just finished talking to Jade in NZ, and getting ready to head back to England via Conwy, Betws-y-coed, and Ludlow.

This is what it looked like in the daytime two days ago:

Love and peace - WNP  

Feliz navidad, prospero año y felicidad (José Feliciano)

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Happy Christmas everyone!

In the run up to Christmas, we enter a time of the year chock full of celebrations: after Jade's birthday (28 November) we quickly have Adam's (11 December) and then Keegan's (19th).

Then, before you know it, it's Christmas. 

If you're looking for that late gift for a fan of sixties/seventies pop music, go for Roger Daltrey's autobiography - Thanks A Lot Mr Kibblewhite. It's stunning!!!

I'm really looking forward to the term break (starts later today) and the chance to immerse myself in it without feeling like I should be doing something else.

Love and peace - WNP

Look who's coming round the bend - it's Santa and his reindeer friends

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Who's that coming around the bend? Not Santa in his supersleigh! Why it's Wozza in his Christmas jumper!!

A very Merry Christmas to all of you Wozza's Place readers out there in the outer reaches of the blogosphere. 

Love and peace - Wozza

I can hear music, sweet sweet music (The Beach Boys)

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Not gonna make any apologies about the musical themes to recent posts.

Having the new turntable, and therefore quality sounds for my vinyl, has reinvigorated me.

Music for me is like the LOML's need for a horse fix. recently, she was finally able to get her riding back on track with a visit to a local riding stables. She was beaming!

It's important.

My life feels seriously diminished without music - whether it be blasting some Def Leppard in the car, being amazed to Bod Dylan's outtakes from Blood On The Tracks on my ipod, or grooving at home to The Four Tops and The Supremes (yes, current listening pleasure is being provided by their 1970 album together - The Magnificent Seven). 

Love and peace - Wozza

P.S. Deeply ashamed this week to be an Aucklander. Rest in peace Grace. 

Here come old flat top - he come groovin' up slowly (The Beatles)

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Very true.

Last night, I unpacked my new turntable - Edwards Audio Apprentice 77, new Denon amplifer, new Dali speakers, and new copy of The Beatles' Abbey Road.

Combined, it's a thing of beauty. I watched it do it's magic throughout side 1 before I figured the neighbours above and below might be getting a tad twitchy.  

Oh, and Come Together still sounds like pure joy.

Love and peace - Warren Ono Purdy

Don't ever let anyone steal your dreams (Dexter Yager)

Wie geht's?

Walking towards The Emirates on the weekend, I spied a HiFi shop on Holloway Road. Bartletts HiFi to be precise.

With LOML egging me on, I walked out with some great new kit - Denon amplifer, Edwards turntable and some classy speakers. 

So, now I needed to find a vinyl copy of Abbey Road. My quirky ritual for any new stereo set up (moving house for instance) is to play my vinyl copy to test the sound.

Can't beat that moment when needle hits vinyl and Come Together rolls out its magnificence.

Chaldon Books and Records had a second hand copy for 30 quid but I figured - new stereo equals new copy. Luckily, yesterday, Fives on the Broadway in Leigh-on-sea had a fresh, remastered edition for 22 pounds. 

Back of the net.

Love and peace - Wozza

P.S. The Arsenal walloped Spurs 4-2 in the afternoon to cap off a perfect day!