Country bizarre

Came across this 70s journal, 'Country Bizarre', a paen to all things rural and very much following the 'small is beautiful' ethos, on thoughtful blog Caught by the River.

It was created by art students Bernard Schofield and Andy Pittaway, who, instead of creating an alternative rock mag like so many of their peers they decided to produce an 'alternative eco-magazine'. With talk of a 'gentle revolution', recording disappearing rural skills as well as practical 'how to set up your own pottery' articles, the combination of beautiful engravings and 70s typefaces make this hand-produced mag a real inspiration.

Thanks to the blog's dedication, all 12 issues have been meticulously scanned and are available for download here.

Look back

I quite enjoy the lull between Christmas and the new year. Doesn't feel too naughty to spend a day following my nose round the internet and stumbling over a few things of interest, catching up with other blogs and guardian articles I'd missed – and properly listening to some of my downloads over the last year. It's struck me how great a year it's been for women artists – in particular I've really enjoyed listening to Joanna Newsom's Have one on me (one lady and her harp), Robyn's powerful, thoughtful europop of Body Talk and Janelle Monáe's ArchAndroid, a spectacular, ambitious album that demands at least ten listens before you start to scratch the surface.

The Shingle House

Just read with interest about a new beach hut at the wonderfully desolate Dungeoness - created by NORD architects in collaboration with Alain de Botton's Living architecture project. Their goal is to enable all of us to experience cutting edge architecture through creating holiday homes by leading architects.

Dungeoness is more of a collection of shacks than a village proper,  a beautiful, unforgettable landscape whose inhospitable terrain means no proper foundations can be dug and no real vegetation aside from a few poppies and sea kale can grow. And it's right in the shadow of one of Britain's largest nuclear power stations. This amazing combination of nature, energy and isolation means it's been a destination for artists and dropouts seeking a new outlook on life. And it's at the end of the wonderful Romney Hythe and Dymchurch narrow-guage railway, that winds its way from quintessential beach resorts to this end of the line wilderness.