Dave's Blog

Hi it's DAve Firstly I really need to apologise for being "absent" during the past 4 months  but all the days during that time seem to have simply rolled into one!   So now, all of a sudden, we are on the doorstep of Easter or in Pagan terminology Eostre (the Goddess of Dawn, the Celtic Goddess of Spring) There appear to be two versions of the same story Eostre and the Hare: 1) she found a bird that had frozen wings and saved its' life by transforming it into a rabbit, whilst still retaining its ability to lay eggs 2) a bird that laid beautiful eggs was so proud that Eostre was somewhat annoyed and turned into a rabbit.  The rabbit was so distressed and despairing that she allowed it to lay beautiful eggs (but only once a year). So thank you for taking the time to read this, have a fantastic weekend and remember. Thank you for reading this blog post! Be safe, be careful and above all remember Don’t Predict The Future - CREATE It ! DAve x PS. if you wish email me at d...

"Trapped" ©2020 Wytchwynd Photography Recently I have been in a bit of a lull.  I have not felt much of anything to be perfectly honest, and one thing that is weighing me down is the situation regarding Alison's hip replacement. It is so hard to see someone that you love clearly in agony day on day on day!  The days turn into weeks and the weeks are turning into months. So anyway I decided that the time had come to do something about it, to work on making me feel more like my normal self and work to lift the weight off my shoulders.  (note: Please   don't for one minute think that I will be doing anything to jeopardise my marriage etc .) As a result of the brainstorming that I did I arrived at a list of things that I could do to lighten the tunnel that I felt I was in and I came up with the basis of a plan to help me deal with the situation. a)     return to nature / run free b)     break the chain c)     work towards a life less chaotic...

Wow!  How quickly has that last week gone?  The whole week seemed to be taken up with visiting the sick and infirm, helping Alison with her issues, work and attending to other personal matters.  I really did not have time to turn round and catch my breath. I had a call on Thursday from a friend (also a client) who was suffering with a back injury and during the call I did a silent Reiki treatment.  On Friday she called to say that she was feeling much better so I then offered to do a full healing treatment for her on Sunday when we visited her house which she welcomed. Unfortunately (my own fault) I did not advise her that before the treatment she should not consume any alcohol and when we arrived on Sunday she was walking round with a glass filled with a mix of wine and an energy drink.  I gave her an apology for not telling her and I advised that as a result of the alcohol I had to postpone the session to another date. She was fine about that and the rest of t...

  Standing The Norm On Its' Head There are a number of "common sense" rules for running a successful business and it is my contention that one of the most important has been immortalised by Sir Richard Branson!) In my early days working for the Boots Company Ltd. it was impressed upon me that the customer was always right (even if they were wrong)!  This statement is a maxim that still holds true today. The belief and standing instruction was   "always take care of the customer!" Every business course I have ever attended has always placed its' focus on the same point - that being - the customer is "king" and must always be "taken care of and put first!".  However, Mr Branson has added a further dimension to this!  He has taken the situation, and stood it on its head, and I have to say that I totally agree with him! He states "Clients Do Not Come First!  Employees Come First!  If you take care of your employees, they will take care o...

Hi and welcome to today's post on my blog Over the years I have taken many photographs that have been shown in publications ranging from local newspapers, to galleries, books to magazines. Some of my favourite assignments were to produce the cover photos for a New Age / Ecological magazine called "Connect North Devon" and the relaunch issue in 2017. If anyone is interested I am still available to take on projects such as this - to see examples of more of my work please visit my photography website that you can find at  https://moonshadowmedia.wixsite.com/photographyportfolio Thank you for reading Be safe, be careful and above all remember Don’t Predict The Future - CREATE It ! DAve x

  Hi and welcome to today’s blog We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new handle. Nobody will know how “disconcerting” it has been, let alone embarrassing to have lady visitors to the caravan unable to properly close the bathroom door if using the toilet. However, I have been categorically assured that the replacement is on its’ way via the Royal Mail. But the cynic in me warns “don’t hold your breath!” We shall see! Thank you for reading Be safe, be careful and above all remember Don’t Predict The Future - CREATE It ! DAve x

It is surprising what shows up in a Car Park! Photographed by Dave Baxter 01/10/21 oooOOOooo Thank you for reading this post and check back again soon   If you want to email me -  Click Here! Have a fantastic day, be safe, be careful and above all remember - Don't predict the future - CREATE IT!

Hi and welcome to my Personal Blog. Let us begin with an apology for the missing couple of day's posts, but these days were taken up with hospital visits and also our Wedding Anniversary (Sept.28th) 47 years ago I married Alison, the love of my life!   We were married by Rev'd John Flory in the Parish Church of St.Chad, Patchway, Bristol and then we had the reception at Stanshawes Court Hotel, Yate, Bristol. It was a brilliant day celebrating with family and good friends and then it was followed by a Honeymoon in Paignton. Life then rambled on quite happily although there were a few ups and downs, there were  some fantastic moments plus a few horrendous ones, some comedy and some tragedy.  We have been blessed with 2 brilliant daughters who make us so proud and a little boy who didn't actually make a successful transition from womb to world but he is still and always will be our son. Eventually after navigating the twists and turns of life's journey we ended up livin...

The Story Continues… We are now coming more up-to-date – as I said at the end of the last part I had set up CauldronFM   The station was created to provide a resource for those who followed a Pagan path both nationally and internationally, and also to be the platform for music created by Pagan artists. The shows also contained articles and discussions that were of interest to a Pagan audience. The establishing of this service proved popular, and soon it had att racted enquiries from fellow Pagans with regard to them joining the station as presenters. One of the potential candidates was a lady from America who goes by the name of Raven Moonshadow. At the time she was co-presenting a podcast called Pagan Moonbeams which was a service designed to introduce young people to the Pagan tradition The podcast had been running for some time and Raven was seeking a new challenge.  I auditioned her (merely a formality) and she joined the team. Raven and I worked together and she is a hig...

So having completed our fact-finding mission Dave and I submitted our findings to the Council, but (to cut a long story short) the project was curtailed because Dave had accepted a promotion and that meant he had to move to another local authority. This effectively brought an end to the plans as far as we were concerned and I returned to working with music and musicians, and dreaming of someday having a radio presence. Eventually I moved to Devon  (where I still live) - a move that proved to be very worthwhile. I retrained and reskilled and became qualified as a life coach but I also set up an artist management business and predominantly began working with bands.  For one particular band I put together a major 6 week tour (something that they had never done before) and took them to have 3 tracks recorded in a professional studio (owned at the time by 10cc's touring keyboard player Steve)  During this tour I became acquainted with a number of local radio presenters that re...

Hi and thank you for joining me on today's blog post coming from a very dull and overcast top of the hill here in Ilfracombe.   The sky all around is grey and there is a modest breeze blowing.  I cannot see the Bristol Channel today - something that is normally visible from my office window. Last night I had a wonderful "catch up" with Marc over a couple of drinks at The Thatched Inn - it seemed very odd going to a pub to have a drink for the first time in many, many months.  It also seemed weird having to sit outside and order the drinks through a serving hatch. But, I detract from the main topic of today's post - the controversial subject of a lady called "Verity" "Verity" is a sculpture created by the artist Damien Hirst and this piece has been on loan to the town but that loan period is sadly* coming to an end. During this time she has been a major talking point and whether or not you like her, she has brought a large number of visitors to Ilfr...

Hi today is a crisp late summer day here in North Devon and I have been out and about – it feels like autumn is just around the corner. My car has now been serviced and MOT need and the bill will arrive with me soon. So today I feel that I want to give you just a little insight regarding some of the work I do…… One of my earliest productions (Musical Director) I am a therapist, life coach and musician on my own account  But professionally.... . For many years I have been involved in the entertainment industry – playing in bands, broadcasting, and for the past 20 years or so I have been a senior member of a team in a company that provides theatrical drapes and backdrops plus lighting effects to the World’s entertainment industry Working with this company has enabled me to experience places that I could only dream off as a child and meeting people that I have only been able to admire from afar. However I still remember the words that my Dad said to me when I was a teenager and I had ...

Hi and welcome to the third part of this series of insights into my life that was leading to:- how I became and still am a broadcaster (and more) It has been an interesting journey for me and filled with WoW moments all along the way. So when we left the story last time I promised a bit of a wow moment so here goes….. Dave Wycherley and I were tasked by Halton Borough Council to investigate how they could help the up-and-coming musicians of Widnes and Runcorn.  After some research we identified that around the county several local authorities had provided Rehearsal space (the old church/the citadel) but others had gone a stage further and had provided recording facilities. So we just had to go and investigate! The first place we went to was a “studio“ near Ormskirk – sadly this was a great example of how not to build a recording studio – it was basically a rehearsal space – and even that was definitely lacking. It was located in the heart of an industrial estate without any form of...

Welcome to today’s post I have 1st to apologise for missing yesterday’s (thanks to a rather upset tummy) Because of this we were unable to go to the caravan and sadly had to disappoint the friends we were supposed to be meeting there. That said today I feel a lot more like my normal self and have just come back from a walk around the pier and harbour in the sunshine. It is surprising that there is a high number of people around – the car parks are full, boats appear to be fully laden as they make their way out into the open ocean (or channel) The water is really calm and a beautiful shade of blue. The shops and restaurants along the harbour side appear to be doing a brisk trade as are the gift shops and all along the harbour you lungs are filled with the heady mix of sea air and the aroma of Fish and Chips.      oooOOOooo Thanks for being there and thank you for reading this post! Please check back again on Monday for the next update Have a great day, be safe be careful a...

Good Morning and Merrie Meet Welcome to today's blog! "Flat Calm - next stop America"  It is a beautiful, blue sky day and as you can see in the photo the sea is a wonderful Flat Calm. It is at times like this when living in North Devon has significant plus points that come into play. The crowds have diminished, the roads are much quieter and safer and we are able to enjoy the late Summer Sunshine in comfort. This weekend is #3 with friends and the caravans, it is also "hopefully" the last one we will spend with a leaking shower unit. If I am lucky, I might get some time to write a few forward posts for the blogs, get some lyrics on paper for the latest album I want to record PLUS get some more photographs up on the Moor. BUT THEN AGAIN -  I may do none of those things and just CHILL! We will have to see. Anyway - whatever you choose to do with your weekend make it a great one and enjoy oooOOOooo Thanks for being there and thank you for reading this post! Please...

Hi and welcome to the second part of this insight into my life as a radio presenter.  Runcorn Town Hall (unknown photographer) When we left the story at the end of Part 1 we had reached the point where I had been approached by Dave Wycherly (Halton Borough Council's Arts Development Officer) with a view to me joining his team based at Runcorn Town Hall (pictured above).  Although this was a voluntary post it brought the strength of the team to the grand total of 2! Between us we were charged with the development of, and the raising awareness of, The Arts in the Borough of Halton.  This was by no means an easy task but it was one that we felt we could bring to justice! One of the first things that was accomplished was the addition of a live music tent at the up and coming Spike Island Festival.  This event was actually sited on Spike Island which was very close to a major chemical plant.  The event included all of the usual fair type attractions plus a superb ski...

Hi and welcome to my Personal Blog At 7.30am this morning I was on a mission!   Image - ©2021 wytchwynd photography We had run out of black rubbish bags and the alarming way we generate rubbish chez nous means that this was a far from satisfactory situation. So whilst I was wandering the streets making my way to the local Premier store that proudly proclaims that it is open at 7.30am every morning, there we the normal people exercising both themselves and their pampered pooches BUT there were NO BLACK BAGS anywhere because the early morning shop was CLOSED! But, what I did come across was the stunning sight of the Landmark Theatre bathed in the most beautiful morning sunlight and standing against a stunning backdrop of grey clouds interspersed with patches of blue sky.   I was so in awe of the sight I just had to take the photograph for this blog. ......and what of the black bags? A friendly neighbour just happened to have a spare one and saved the day! oooOOOooo Tha...

Hi and welcome to my Personal Blog  Now I am the first to admit that I am not a full on eco-warrior but I do feel that trees being under an unnecessary threat (in my personal opinion) is not only bad for the trees in question, it will ultimately have an effect upon the environment (which may not be so good for us either!)* ©2021 wytchwynd photography To elaborate:- This tree has stood happily (to the bes t of my knowledge) and has been doing no harm to anyone for the past 20+ years. But now all of a sudden and "in the name of progress" it is in danger! I know that during the past 18 months, whilst being a necessary part of the eco system, it has also provided a home for a family of Magpies, something that had not been seen in any quantity on this section of the industrial estate prior to the Covid situation. So although it may be too late to stop the tree being removed and the verge being ripped up to make way for a footpath that will possibly never be used, I urge you to thi...

Hi and welcome to the first part in a series of posts about my life as the presenter of radio shows and the twists and turns along the way...... I thought that this way I could provide a small insight into another aspect of my life  - that of "The Merlin" - presenter on  Cauldron FM (The Sound Of Magick)   and  Capstone Radio - the sound of the North Devon Coast I began my radio "career" over 20 years ago when I was invited to be a guest on a radio station that was broadcasting under a Restricted Service Licence (meaning it was allowed to broadcast on FM for 4 weeks.  It was designed to provide a community based broadcast. The one I joined was HaltonFM and it was broadcasting to Runcorn / Widnes and part way towards Warrington. The presenter of the show I was on was a man called Dave Pichilingi (a name that was destined to become quite well known).  He went on to be a significant player within the local community - becoming a senior member of the staff at P...

Hi and welcome to this personal blog page of a self confessed hippie child of the 60's.  I was no stranger to the sounds of the "Underground" (and not the ones referred to in that famous pop song by Girls Aloud - a song that I did actually like) music scene. However, this photograph is the nearest thing I got to the cult movie  "Easy Rider" as I personally cannot be doing with motor bikes.  Unfortunately, I cannot credit the photographer because I have no idea who it was - but if it was you and you can tell me exactly when and where it was taken I will happily add a credit to your image. So moving on, the reason for this post being called "Waterlogged" and the attending image is the fact that some days I feel like that and the weekend just gone contained one of them. We had a lovely day on Saturday - went shopping (maybe spent a little more than we should have done), then we went for a lovely meal in Exeter (thank you Tina) and then took a steady and e...