Ian Slater
@iansslater
Scot and new citizen of Germany, living in Cologne. Trying to escape from political economy, passionate about music, interested in literature, photography, travel, and culture generally.
Most of the swifts have left, on their 8,000 mile journey to Africa. A couple of nights ago there was a mustering, with hundreds in the air. Now only a few left. Astonishingly some chicks are still in their nests. They will learn to feed themselves and then find their own way to Africa. Amazing.
Now reading, Stephen Fry’s Odyssey. He retells the story in a beautiful and easily absorbed way. When his naked ears were tortured By the sirens sweetly singing …Pete Brown. Perhaps it would make a good movie?
This evening’s beer is a salty Baltic Gose from the Insel Braũerei on beautiful Rügen by the Ostsee.
The Rhine is getting very low. Early morning is the only time for comfortable walking.
I was shocked by how warm my apartment was when I arrived back in Cologne late last night. These shoes had apparently melted onto their wooden shelf in my bedroom!
The month of May has become warmer and wetter, not so reliably pleasant as it was, but it’s still the one I would choose to live in permanently. The days are still long, and nature is at its reborn best.
It’s the time of the season. #biergartensaison #löwenbräu Lunchtime beer.
Now playing, such a wonderful recording. Just realised that I’ve met all four musicians: Joe in our hotel at the Molde Jazz Festival, and Marcin’s trio in a recording studio here in Köln. All delightful chaps.