Art in Chile

Saw some superb works of art in Chile.The first of these is part of Jorge Gonzalez Camarena's famous 'Presence of Latin America' displayed in Concepcion - full of stories and this little picture doesn't really do it credit. It is a huge mural and quite magnificent. The others are less famous but also great in different ways. The second is a sculpture seen in a modern shopping mall, also in Concepcion. The third another sculpture, located at Casanueva vineyard in the Itata valley where the owner keeps art and wine side-by-side. The fourth is on a house on the sea front in the Patagonian town of Punta Arenas and the last is to be found on the side of a building in a busy market street at the port of Talcahuano.

In Patagonia

Just back from Chile and I feel very fortunate to have visited Patagonia. Incredibly scenic. I loved the wide open spaces, the big skies, the wildlife, the light, the mountains, glaciers and waterfalls. I was intrigued to see so many lupins....they certainly look better like this than they do in my garden.

Capturing autumn light

I was pleased with these pictures, taken in the Netherlands last weekend while walking with friends. The low afternoon light in the trees was beautiful.

Research methods - Denmark

Last week I visited Denmark again for the first time in just over three years to make a contribution to this course on Research Methodologies in Organic Food and Farming Research. My role was to give a bit of an overview and background to systems methodologies as well as getting students to try out a few techniques in the context of their own PhD research. We visited a highly diverse organic farm as part of the course so were able to draw on that experience also. The event was held in a hostel in the forest - simple rooms, log fires, lots of space - wonderful place for such a course and it was great to hear about all the projects going on and to be able to contribute a few ideas.

Doing things differently

Jonathon Porritt reflecting on the 'death throes of capitalism' and 'scary times' says:

"From a sustainability perspective, it’s difficult to exaggerate the significance of this moment. Depth-driven consumerism, underpinned by a corrupt, self-serving and unaccountable financial system, has been at the heart of 20 years of environmental devastation. It’s over. If we chose, we could now do things very differently once we’ve negotiated our way through the recession."

I'm sure he's right where there are cost savings to be made but history has shown that environmental measures that require investment don't do well when times are hard. There must be many different paths to take in the actual process of 'negotiating our way through the recession'. I find it hard to anticipate the systemic effects but like Porritt, think there'll be opportunities as well as problems.

Greece again

Yes - sometimes it does rain in Greece but I've seen enough rain in UK this summer so here are some brighter moments. The church is in Skopelos and the others are of the wonderful Pelion region we've been lucky enough to visit quite a bit these past few years, through our links with the University of Thessaly in Volos.

Gurkhas to stay in Britain

Looking around for some good news among all the doom and gloom I note that retired Gurkhas have won the right to stay in UK. Sounds as though it doesn't affect many and I can't pretend to know all the issues. But it seems to me an important point of principle that given history and the Gurkhas service to the UK, they be allowed to choose.