“Bassekou Kouyate was born in a village called Garana, almost 40 miles from Segu, in the remote countryside on the banks of the Niger River. He was raised in a traditional musical environment, his mother a praise singer and his father and brothers exceptional ngoni players. Bassekou moved to Bamako when he was 19 years old where he met the young Toumani Diabate. By the late 1980s Bassekou was part of Toumani’s trio and they recorded their first albums together, ‘Songhai’ and ‘Djelika’. Bassekou married the singer Ami Sacko (the so-called “Tina Turner of Mali”) and they have been in high demand for the traditional Sunday wedding parties that happen in the streets of Bamako. Bassekou has now he has put together his own band, Ngoni ba (meaning “the big ngoni”), Mali’s first ngoni quartet”.

All I know is that the music was fun, lively and fantastic to watch.  The crowd went crazy.  More photos here.

Bassekou Kouyate - "It's not a guitar"

This was  my first experience of a paralympic sporting event and it was quite emotional.  It’s too easy to say “I can’t” and these athletes prove that you can, if you put your mind to the task.

This is Colette Bourgonje, the first Canadian Paralympic medalist of the 2010 Games.

Colette Bourgonje, Canadian Silver Medalist

I like the abstract nature of……..well………nature.  This is a burr bush with trees and snow.

Burr bush with trees and snow

We’re back on the daily music program, courtesy of Whistler Live! during the Paralympics.  Today’s main show was “She Stole my Beer” – great guitar and drum band with a keyboard player / Hammond Organ player thrown in for good measure.  Awesome!  And a pretty big crowd too, bearing in mind the temperature is at a more seasonal cold.

She Stole my Beer guitarist Tom Taylor (I think)

Winter’s back!  After a very sunny, warm February when all the snow melted on my patio and I was able to sit out there last week with a cup of tea, winter has come back with a vengence.  Good:  there’s still more powder skiing to do!

Winter's back - 25cm overnight

After a day of skiing (without my camera), I was out of time, out of energy and out of inspiration today.  So this is Rob’s home made blueberry vodka – a tipple after skiing!

Blueberry vodka to end the day

This ‘igloo’ / dome tent has information about the paralympic games which start on March 12th.  I want one!

Massive dome / igloo - I want one!

The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games start on March 12th, and the torch relay came through Whistler on March 8th.  Not quite so crazy as when the first flame came through for the regular Olympics, but fun nonetheless.

Paralympic Torch Relay in Whistler