Martin Tayler's blog: Blog off the back burner

The last month has been very busy and something had to give - and so it was the blog. So let's try and catch up.

Entertainment wise two events stand out: the first was a concert at St George's - Brandon Hill with Courtney Pine and his Jazz Warriors - Afropeans - the band (and the sound) was much bigger than I had expected with 14 musicians on stage producing a very wide range of jazz music which was quite challenging but very enjoyable; the second was the film "Il Divo" - the story of Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti, who has been elected to Parliament seven times since it was established in 1946. It examined the corruption, excess and self-indulgence of the post-war republic, focussing on the particularly turbulent 70s and 80s. Toni Servillo's stylish performance of Andreotti was hypnotic but didn't improve the worldwide image of politicians, many of whom seem to be tainted with a whiff of corruption.

Lots of opportunities for photographs: the most challenging of these was the workshop of the Japanese dance form of Butoh by Marie-Gabrielle Rotie and then her solo performance of her own work ‘Black Mirror’ in the Harry Crook Theatre in the evening.

Hundreds (if not thousands) of pictures of rugby 7s from the following tournaments:West of England (Taunton), Surrey (Richmond) and the Nationals (Rosslyn Park). Great weather throughout and exciting matches and good performances from Colston's (finalists at two - boys at West of England and girls at the Nationals and boys semi-finalists at Surrey and the Nationals).

So many other photos: leavers (lots of editing needed to keep vanities intact), prefects, netball teams, rugby teams, shoe cleaning, readathon, cross-country, house music, castles!

Abandoned the "Northern Clemency" for the moment after 600 pages - still 100 to go. More into factual books. Currently reading a fascinating book "The Discovery of France" - the splurge on the back of the book says "Certain books strain the patience of those close to you. How many times can you demand: "Look at this! Can you imagine? Did you know that?" without actually handing over the volume? This is such a book". It certainly is!

Have dug out all the travel books on France (and invested in yet another one) to prepare for holiday in Corsica in the summer. Have booked hire car and hotel for 6 nights in Tizzano in the south of Corsica (Hotel du Golfe) before spending the second week with Jeanine and Thierry in Bastia and the north of Corsica.

Played some golf. Wendy seems to have broken through a plateau and had her best score ever (111) last week. The course is magnificent in it's centenary season due to some lovely Spring weather and to the talents of head greenkeeper Marcus.

Spent some time improving the garden with even more pots and "potted up" 88 geranium plugs and put in cold frame.