The Pianist of Yarmouk by Aeham Ahmad

The Pianist of Yarmouk by Aeham Ahmad

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The inspirational story of Syrian-Palestinian pianist Aeham Ahmad, who lived through and escaped the hardship and desperation of the Syrian war and siege in Yarmouk, near Damascus. Ahmad became known worldwide after videos of him playing piano on the bombed out streets of Yarmouk were posted on YouTube.
This is Ahmads narrative of the displacement of Syrian refugees, his journey to Europe and the power of music to give him hope in a desperate situation.

‘I’m a pianist…. My revolution is music… Music was going to be my form of protest…’ p.170

https://www.unrwa.org/crisis-in-yarmouk

https://www.bing.com/search?q=pianist…

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Funky Blue Sail Away Party

Funky Blue are the resident band on the Braemar cruise ship. They’re a covers band playing Rock, Pop and Motown from the fifties right through to the present day. As well as sail away and deck parties they also play three or four sets a night in the Coral Club Lounge. I’m slightly biased- my partner is the band leader- but they are a fabulous feel good party band that immediately gets the audience on their feet dancing the night away.

When not on the ship they are available for weddings, parties and anything else requiring fabulous live music.

Photographs by Sean Saye.

Aviles, Asturias, Northern Spain

Braemar’s next stop into the heart of Northern Spain was Aviles. With it’s colourful architecture and bustling medieval streets, vibrant bars, restaurants and tapas bars it was a delight to spend a day wandering around.

Apricots on the Nile: Memoir with Recipes by Collette Rossant

Apricots on the Nile: A Memoir with Recipes by Colette Rossant

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Evocative and fascinating insight into 1940’s Egyptian life and food. Tempted to try some of the recipies, but probably won’t get round to it.

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The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I do not read a huge amount of crime/ thriller novels but was at a Publishers Day and heard the author read the first few pages of The turn off the key. Read it in a couple of days. It was gripping, fast paced, a cracking ghost and crime story with a clever twist at the end.

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Sailing into Santander

Leaving the Bordeaux sunset behind, Braemar sailed into Santander, to a stunning sunrise, passing Spanish fisherman bobbing about and pleasure crafts chugging out for a day on the sea. It’s beautiful coastline and sandy beaches were unexpected and a real treat.