Helen Mort came to visit us in Jimera a couple of months ago, and we dropped in on Rainer in Ronda.
That little book he's holding isn't Helen's new pamphlet, "A Pint for the Ghost", published by Tall Lighthouse. Probably something not as good.
Rilke stayed in Ronda at the Reina Victoria in 1912, and they liked him so much in the town that there is now a street, a driving school, and an estate agent named after him.
So he must have been a good laugh, though you wouldn't know from the statue.
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Two Poets
Dawn Wood
Congratulations to Dawn for being shortlisted for the Aldeburgh First Collection Prize. Her collection, "Quarry" is published by Templar Poetry. She also has a new pamphlet out - "Connoisseur" - also from Templar, and still she finds time to paint, and study for her doctorate....
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Poetry London Autumn
On Wednesday 14th October, Foyle's, 3rd floor Gallery, Don will be reading with Helen Farish, John Stammers, and Judy Brown.
Judy recently won the Poetry London Competition, so that was good news, as is the fact that John has a new collection, Interior Nights, coming out next year.
Hope to see some of you there.
Forward Prize 2009
We were pleased to hear Don's new collection, Rain (Faber and Faber, 2009), has won the Forward Prize for Poetry. It was a strong shortlist, with, in addition to Don, Glyn Maxwell, Sharon Olds, Peter Porter, Christopher Reid and Hugo Williams.
The wins mean that Don, along with Sean O'Brien and Robin Robertson, has now won all three Forward prizes: for best first collection in 1993, with Nil Nil; last year, for best single poem, with Love Poem For Natalie "Tusja" Beridze (which is included in Rain); and, this year, for best collection, with Rain.
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
some people have been busy
Helen Mort's new show, pamphlet and blog
http://apintfortheghost.blogspot.com/
has shown me up for a lazy so-and-so.
My excuse is that I've been busy keeping the wolves from the door, and that's why there have been no blog posts of late. However, back to Spain in a fortnight, so maybe scope for a few entries then.
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Spring
In a hidden valley above Jimera, where the almond trees are covered in blossom and the ground covered with irises. The wild flowers in the early months of the year are breathtaking. Swathes of yellow, red, blue and white.
Jimera in the evening
The westerly aspect of the village means that in summer the sun shines on the village until late in the evening.
On the road to Jimera
Jimera is tucked into the mountains. You can just see the top of the church above the first ridge.
The garden of the Guadiaro
The part of the Guadiaro valley where Jimera is situated has its own micro climate which allows oranges and other fruits to flourish in addition to the almonds and olives typical of the area.
Jimera looking south west
The village does not get the same valley mists and winter rain that affect villages nearer the coast. Often, the sky is clear when Cortes de la Frontera, the next village to the south west, is hidden by cloud.
Near the village
Surrounding the Village there are numerous tracks and paths, some dating back to roman times and beyond, which you can follow and find a quiet spot to sit and read or write. Or just sit.
The swimming pool at La Jara
Don't forget your swimming costumes, although a few prefer the more social aspect of the village pool.
El Puerto de las Encinas Borrachas in winter
It doesn't snow very often, but, when it does, it is a big event. Here at the Puerto de las Encinas Borrachas (Pass of the Drunken Holm Oaks), there was enough snow two years ago to close the road for a day. The next day though, it was sunny, if a bit cold.
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