Author Archives: Reynard

About Reynard

I'm the Pub Manager for the Green Man Pub which is located at the KInrowan Estate. I'm married to Ingrid, our Steward who's also the Estate Buyer. If I'm off duty and in a mood for a drink, it'll be a single malt, either Irish or Scottish, no water or ice, or possibly an Estate ale or cider. I'm a concertina player, and unlike my wife who has a fine singing voice, I do not have anything of a singing voice anyone want to hear!

What’s New for the 30th of April: Some new sf, old sf and con mysteries; lots of Celtic music and Willie Nelson’s birthday bash; a Hans Christian Andersen biopic; and lots of booze

Posted on 30th April 2023 by Reynard

For heroes do not make history—that is the historian’s job—but, passive, let themselves be borne along, swept up to the crest of the tide of change, of chance, of war.― Ursula K. Le Guin’s Orsinian Tales It’s a cold, damp afternoon … Continue reading →

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What’s New for the 19th of March: Rough Guides, Brian Vaughan’s The Escapist, Douglas Adams considered, Pamela Dean’s favourite ballad, Woodie Guthrie, Turkish Coffee, A big review of books about music, Red Molly Live

Posted on 19th March 2023 by Reynard

A girl could feel special on any such like Said James to Red Molly, my hat’s off to you It’s a Vincent Black Lightning 1952 And I’ve seen you at the corners and cafés It seems, red hair and black leather, … Continue reading →

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A Travel Abroad story: Moonshine

Posted on 12th March 2023 by Reynard

Yes moonshine, or white lightning as it’s often called by those who make and drink it. I’ve been reading a book on moonshine,  Chasing the White Dog: An Amateur Outlaw’s Adventures in Moonshine by Max Whitman. I’ve been interested in it as it shows … Continue reading →

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What’s New for the 5th of March: Books about Celtic music, some sff and mysteries too; some Celtic music reviews; Mouse Guard, Two Fat Ladies, ice cream, and more

Posted on 5th March 2023 by Reynard

I am an archivist. I am a librarian. I collect words because words are the truest and longest-lasting craft in the world.  – Seanan McGuire’s Indexing Have I mentioned that we get some of our nastiest weather this time of year? … Continue reading →

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What’s New for the 19th of February: Pipes, pipes and more pipes; hot cocoa;r Baker’s favorite folk take; guides to Celtic music and sf; graphic adaptations of classic YA novels; a live-action Alice in Wonderland; new music from Spain and a box set from the ’90s

Posted on 19th February 2023 by Reynard

Pretty soon we had four pipers, maybe not good but loud. … A tyro practicing can set your teeth on edge — it sounds and looks as if he had a cat under his arm, its tail in his mouth, … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: Fireplaces in Kinrowan Hall

Posted on 12th February 2023 by Reynard

Let’s discuss fireplaces. Or more precisely why there’re only scattered open fireplaces left in all of Kinrowan Hall these days: one in the Library, one in the Pub and in the senior staff residences (RHIP).  Why this is so is what … Continue reading →

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What’s New for the 5th of February: Time travel stories, Fairport and related music, a desert island disc, graphic classics, an Alice in Wonderland adaptation, and lots of chocolate

Posted on 5th February 2023 by Reynard

Ravens bring things to people. We’re like that. It’s our nature. We don’t like it.― Peter S. Beagle’s A Fine and Private Place Breakfast was waiting for me as I came down the stairs. Canadian bacon sizzlimg in its pan, cheddar … Continue reading →

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What’s New for the 8th of January: Books about music – Sandy Denny, Fairport, Tommy James, Jethro Tull, Beatles and more; Festival Express; music about booze; Nordic music reviews old and new; and more

Posted on 8th January 2023 by Reynard

She hadn’t meant to fall asleep, but she was a bit like a cat herself, forever wandering in the woods, chasing after squirrels and rabbits as fast as her skinny legs could take her when the fancy struck, climbing trees … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: A Gathering of Stitchers

Posted on 1st January 2023 by Reynard

I was watching the new reading group that had sprung up last Fall as they met in the Pub near the fireplace. They call themselves ‘A Gathering of Stitchers’. It was, not surprisingly, a reading group devoted to books on knitting … Continue reading →

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What’s New for 25th of December: DeLint, Irish folklore, firecrackers and sf; the Grinch, eggnog, and The Polar Express; holiday themed music, and Jennifer Stevenson’s ‘Solstice’

Posted on 25th December 2022 by Reynard

We keep our cats as happy as we can. — Anna Nimmhaus I woke well before dawn as I wanted to watch the Northern Lights, which have been particularly outstanding lately. Though none of the humans save Tamsin, our Hedgewitch, … Continue reading →

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