A few days ago, I had the opportunity to take some shots of the members of the group INSIEME who describe themselves as "a group of soloists".  My own ignorance of classical music scares me, it probably would have scared them if I'd mentioned it, I know nothing about it, I didn't bring it up, I photographed them like they were rock stars. I hope it worked. Here's a couple of shots from the shoot.

Earlier today, I visited a house with 3 cats,  and their "owner" the lady who I was there to photograph had the shredded furniture to prove it.
Giggling in disbelief, she asked me, "Why bother getting things reupholstered, like I did with this one, when all they do is claw it?" she cast her eyes along the shredded seams and shrugged. We even tried to purr-suade one of these lovely resident creatures to be in the photo, but he wasn't in the mood, after all there was a rug  waiting to be clawed on the other side of the room. It's not often I get the opportunity to talk with someone from the House of Lords, maybe I should have asked her more about politics but instead we just talked about cats, and Islington, and and how we both grew up with paraffin heaters in the living room. It was a delight.

The Right Honourable The Baroness Hussein Ece OBE and Mango

Still the best way by far to start the New Year, the annual swim, sing, and party like it's 1899, Kenwood Ladies Pond NYD swim.
Like last year there was an original new song to enjoy, "The 2017 Song" performed by 3 of the regular swimmers, who call themselves "The Alternatives", that's their band name.
First couple of verses mentioned Weinstein, Spacey, Bruce Forsyth Prince Harry and the weather, then it all got very sweary and couldn't possibly be repeated here. Sent the (family friendly version) video and pics to the H&H.
www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/transgender-women-are-welcome-in-the-ladies-pond-say-hampstead-heath-swimmers-1-5339359
Here's Val exiting the 5 degree water, still smiling, still wearing festive hat.