Becci Pamely-Bast

I’ve been poorly all week. 🤒 But at least I’ve had excellent company. 🥰

Got into the studio this morning to find our lovely studio mates have put up some artwork while we were away. 💗

Bit grim, there’s a young deer that met its end in the frozen canal overnight. It’s right next to our boat. I do hope it floats off somewhere else when the ice melts.
(Don’t worry, I didn’t take a photo.)

YouTube video by Becci Pamely-Bast British Swing - Norbert Pignol | Becci Pamely-Bast diatonic accordion / melodeon

One of my fave schottisches 🎶

Glorious light in here this morning! Having a coffee while reviewing some new colours dyed yesterday.

Classic. There are indeed 10 kinds of people in the world: those who know ternary, those who don’t, and those who mistake ternary for binary. 😉

The groan that emanated from my husband when I explained this to him, by counting on my fingers..!

Went to my eldest’s parents evening with his dad (my ex) and his step-dad (my husband). We all get along and were equally engaged in the conversations with the teachers. You could see this unanswered question hanging in the air, the teachers clearly trying to work out what kind of family we are. 😂

I am now squeezing them in as many places as they will fit.

I learned of the existence of half-diminished chords thanks to discovering that Willcocks arrangement of Adeste Fideles just too late to learn it for Christmas… which led me down a jazzy rabbit hole these past weeks. And I’ve just found another one in the wild! My nerdy musical heart is overjoyed.

A very snuggly cat curled up on my lap

A very snuggly cat curled up on my lap gazing upwards

Just got back from Waltham Abbey Wool Show. I have been missed. 🥰
#catsofbluesky

A tale, sorry, a yarn as old as time!

The Grand Union canal passes through my village, not following the contours of the land, but up on a man-made bank and across a couple of aqueducts. Which means sometimes I’ll be walking along and suddenly spy a narrowboat gliding through the sky. It always amuses me.

Tickets are on sale now for our 2025 Summer Tour. A veritable treat for dancers and listeners alike, don't miss this chance to catch the outstanding Anglo-French acoustic quintet, Topette!!
www.topette.co.uk/gigs.html
Merci beaucoup, tout le monde!

View through an arched church doorway onto a frozen but sunny churchyard.

Admittedly it was pretty silly to go play the organ in an unheated church when it’s literally freezing, but then I wouldn’t have been treated to this view would I? ❄️😍

Spare a thought for boaters during this weather as they are dealing with an unprecedented volume of questions about whether or not it is cold on the boat.

My very strange kitty has opted to go climb trees outside instead. No, I don’t understand either.

Just need to let you know that I casually caught a lighter thrown across our studio, from the mezzanine, with my left hand. My studio mates didn’t have the good sense to film this amazing feat, so I’m having to tell you myself.

YouTube video by Becci Pamely-Bast The Halsway Carol by Nigel Eaton | arranged for pipe organ by Becci Pamely-Bast

It’s the shortest day of the year, so it’s time for the one and only Winter Solstice anthem, The Halsway Carol by Nigel Eaton.

I arranged and learned the piece. Then my husband decided to join me on the only instrument he has that can stand up to the might of the great organ! Happy Solstice.

Christmas trees in church. It’s dark outside and the lights are twinkling.

3 trees in a corner decorated with stars

A tree with rainbow paper decorations

A tree with crocheted stars and yarn balls on

My view from the organ bench is normally pretty good, but right now it’s stunning. There are roughly 30 trees on display in the church. 🎄

We all look forward to the longer days, but does anyone else enjoy the shortest days too? For me it’s a time to stop rushing around, to get cosy and rest more. Others could word it more eloquently, but I guess I’m describing a sort of semi-hibernation. I feel much more balanced when I embrace it.

Anne and Andy in concert

A herd of accordions in waiting for the concert

Back in the real world after a whirlwind week at Halsway Manor with Anne Niepold and Andy Cutting and many, many more talented box players. 🎶

Just 2! Some crocheted stars for a Christmas tree and a jumper.

I’m going away to play accordion all week so of course I’m frantically winding yarn for all the knitting I won’t have time for. 🧶 🎶

It comes with having even tension, which you will gain with practise. It’s already looking very good, keep going!

Working on some Christmas repertoire with my husband (me on organ, him on sax). He just referred to “Hark! the herald angels” as “Harold the angel… wait, what’s it called?” and well, he will never live this down. 🤣🤣

Poster reads: Weedon Balfolk Fêtes des Rois Duo Martin Godefroi Sunday 5th January, 2 - 5 pm Bring and share food Book online at www.weedonbalfolk.co.uk Weedon Village Hall, West Street, Weedon Bec, NN7 4QU

We’ve got Cédric Martin (accordion) and Samuel Godefroi (fiddle) coming all the way from France to Weedon Balfolk on the 5th January. 🥳 We will also have our regular musician’s session and a shared meal. Dancing is surely the best way to welcome the New Year!
www.weedonbalfolk.co.uk

Granny’s Attic! Such brilliance.

Becci sits playing melodeon in the bar at Halsway Manor

My melodeon (diatonic accordion) is arriving back from the tuner today, just in time to take it to Halsway Manor next week. Can’t wait, I keep going to play it before remembering I don’t have it!

A sad day for those partial to the tasty treat.