I have spent one night on a campsite with three fine gentlemen from the region of Aalst (ah). Non-Aalstenaars do not understand them weird sacred traditions: dressing up as women (however ‘voil’) on a cold and rainy winter day. On campsites you get to observe campsite people. Unwillingly you become one of them for a certain limited period. Many bonjours are exchanged. “lotj mij me rust!” There, we have shared handshakes, food, drinks and camping seats.

Fond memories of a time in March. Slight panick has arisen in the supermarkets. It was Friday 13th of March. In the morning my supplies were running low. It was 8:30am, the Aldi was opening up. There was already a line of people who had to buy stuff. Panick is infectious: once you see other people hoarding, you ask yourself « Should I prepare myself? ». In a rush of nervousness I have bought a bag of potatoes and a bag of onions.

Warning: long post ahead! Something that keeps me busy lately: the monopolies of the giant tech industries. This is also partly why I wanted to move my stuff to my own website. This time I put on my hat of computer scientist. For governments, dictatorships are despised (atleast around here), but when we talk about big corporations, they get a free pass. Think about it what kind of power we are giving these companies, to control what’s being put out on the interwebs.

Foto’s // pictures: copyright Els Moerenhout contact email: elsmoerenhout@hotmail.com Instagram: elsmoe Els Moerenhout: schilderijen en collages met een vintage look. Een bezoek aan de artieste. Bowie, de koning des huizes, groet mij luidkeels. “Bowie! Zeg!". Hij is een beetje boos op mij, maar na een minuut kalmeert Bowie. Ik krijg een rondleiding in de tuin. De kersen hangen nog te rijpen aan de boom. De kippen zitten te broeden. Er is een kuikentje geboren, maar die zit verstopt onder de moeder-kip.

It has been all over the news: the murder of George Floyd by a police officers. I must admit: this feels like something far from my whereabouts. I am a white guy and I don’t live in the USA. Still, I would like to use this opportunity to remind authorities should respect citizens, regardless of skin color. There is no need for violence. In addition I would like to give my respect to refugees which are stuck in camps.

Hello there, surfer. I have been practicing Sevillanas, a kind of Flamenco carnival music in 3/4. The composer is Moraito Chico. In case you want to learn this yourself, the maestro himself has a video lesson on La Sonanta . We have tried this together with my guitar teacher Jan. For the locals in Gent, here is the academy: Tirando gitaarschool. Due to them Corona virus, the lessons are done online.

The ol’ banjo was gathering some dust. Them pandemic is a good time to be creative. In the first week of March I have been to the Irish session in Muzikantenhuis, Gent. It has been a long time. Somehow my path diverged towards other music. Itzikiel Your browser does not support the video tag. Tune by the uilleann piper: Deirdre. Your browser does not support the video tag. “And somehow a banjo always pops up”.

A trip in October 2018 to Scotland. Breathtaking nature during a hike to the Cobbler, a peak in Arrochar. Arrochar is easily reachable by train and foot starting in Glasgow. Your browser does not support the video tag.

Part 2 of this Journey Also Tam Linn/Glasgow reel as played by the famous R.W.‘s Your browser does not support the video tag.

Under the bridge Your browser does not support the video tag.

Een mini-road trip doorheen Nederland: Flevoland - Texel - Lauwersoog - Schiermonnikoog. De roodharige man in deze video is mijn broer. De muziek is het nummer Zephyr van Dans Dans, door mezelf ingespeeld. Dit nummer staat al jaren op mijn TODO lijst. Wel uiteindelijk heb ik het geleerd. Dit is slechts een nederige buiging naar Bert Dockx toe, die één van mijn favoriete gitaristen is. Vaak staat dit nummer te draaien als er met de wagen naar een ver oord wordt gereden.

The shun is still sining. End of August 2017 Can you believe it, dear viewer? The summer is almost finished. Then comes the yearly cycle of life again… Something peaceful this time. I was quite content with the sound of the stratocaster and the Blues Junior amplifier, that warm day in Augustus. Basic… No further pedals used, except a looper pedal. Listen to the tempo slightly speeding up, and then slowing down again, every cycle.