I returned to the mountains today. Coming back after being away for three days has a similar effect to arriving for the first time. However there is not the new excited feeling and the warmer weather of the first arrival. But I do also have the newly found familiarity of running into locals I have met at the supermarket. I have become immersed!

I’m not sure whether it’s the cold, the dark or the distance which weighs on me. Perhaps it’s the running out of time. Perhaps it has nothing today with the place at all.

I had especially wanted to be back to record the children’s choir at 1 o’clock at the music school. I arrived early and waited upstairs. When no one had arrived at 1.05, I recorded the analogue ticking of the wall clock. It was loud. Last week’s practice had been cancelled due to road closure, so with time running out I was especially keen (desperate) to record some singing today. And fortunately children did indeed arrive, and songs were song.

I’m not quite sure about the content of these songs but Ave (the teacher) told me that they were traditional and sung at this time of year to celebrate a feast where all the crappy bits of meat were eaten because that is all that’s left after winter. These include such choice cuts as brains, stomach and testicles. Apparently they’re not that popular and people joke about it, thereby all adding to the frivolity of the event.

This is one of the songs I recorded with a joyful chorus. I will integrate it into the audio work.