New album also from Norwegian veterans Ulver (“Wolves”):

Amazing that my childhood heroes Nazareth are still going strong! Big Dogz will be arriving at Chez Walker any day now.

For most people Vangelis should not need much of an introduction. But surprises can be found. After leaving Aphrodite’s Child, in 1973 Vangelis made what can be considered his first real solo album, “Earth”. It is for the most part very different from his later stuff. Still rooted in prog-rock, but it has examples of the synth style he later became so well known for. Recommended.

In music, just about everyone has heard (or at least heard about) the contemporary Greek artists Vangelis and Demis Roussos. Fewer probably know that both of them originate in the fairly awesome Greek prog-rock band Aphrodite’s Child. E.g have a listen to their powerful swan song in 666 from 1971:

I cannot claim any greater knowledge of Greek music in general, but I know what I like. My absolute favorite is the composer/pianist Eleni Karaindrou. She has e.g written music to many of the masterful movies by Greek director Theo Angelopolous.

Skopelos Island in Greece, direct from Skopelos Net.

This island for me was the birthplace of islandwalking, I sort of feel that above all other islands this is “my” island.

Read my walking experiences etc. in English or Norwegian:

Crispi A. WAY MID GTX®

I am on my second pair of these now, I have actually never been so addicted to any boot or shoe before that I just had to buy the same again when the first pair was worn out. Great for everyday use and light walks and comes in a low and mid (as shown) model. See more at http://www.crispi.it/.

As Black Metal is probably Norway biggest cultural export ever, many out there are probably waiting for this. “Fallen”, the new Burzum album, is released today. I have had a sneak listen and it sound as awesome as one should expect.

Peter Northug of Norway competes during the men's cross country 50 km mass start free event at the Nordic World Ski Championships in Oslo March 6, 2011. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Say no more. Full story at http://www.dagbladet.no/2011/03/06/sport/vm_i_holmenkollen/ski-vm_2011/ski/15701668/ (in Norwegian only).

Yes, I have had my reservations in the past, but my predictions luckily has turned out all wrong for this island. Today it stands out as just about the perfect Greek island for me. Please do visit. At least a virtual visit cannot hurt: http://www.greecevirtual.gr/en/dodecanese/nisyros