And by "later", I didn't exactly mean a week.
A minus. Must try harder.
Later! As in today.... maybe.
Sunday, June 05, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Four Weeks Today... It Better Not Be Raining!
Well, the old blog has lapsed a little. All it takes is one or two people to say that they read it though, and that inspires me to pick up and crack along with it, so here we go.
More about last night later...
More about last night later...
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Monday, April 04, 2011
What, No Whinging?
Yes indeed. It’s about time to post a blog without moaning about something. I cannot guarantee that a mini-whinge won’t slip in, but I shall try my best.
As you’re probably aware, I do like my walks. The first proper one of the year was last Sunday when I did a 6 miler. The usual route from home, down to Denver Sluice and along the river bank to the bottom of town before returning home.
Yesterday saw another regular one, but with somewhat better scenery. It’s this walk starting at Brancaster Staithes...
CLICK ME for live link
I was sort of in two minds which one to do, but the weather looked very good so a coastal walk was in order. I grab all the gear together and head off. About an hour’s drive, avoiding all the crowds heading to the coast taking their mothers out for lunch.
The usual place to park was a pub very near to the start point. Sometimes, I do feel guilty about parking in pub carparks when I do these walks. Often, I'll get back and head off rather than take advantage of the hospitality. Here wasn't the case though. I've eaten there three times in the past and had drinks too, so plenty of my cash has passed over the bar.
Off we go then. Cross the road and get onto the coastal path. First opportunity for a photo...
This is a lovely row of cottages just next to the slipway at the... well, it's more of base for the smaller fishing vessels. SMall creeks and the like.
It's not long before we leave this place behind though and get onto the main path that runs parallel to the road albeit towards the sea.
It's a pretty well walked path, but the sea can come right in to partially flood the area. To overcome this obstacle, there are built up walkways for some of it...
Jack was really loving it though. Happy to be off the lead and running free. Diving up on the path then down again into the mud.
Met a few people along here. Mostly couples out for a gentle stroll. Had to check myself a couple of times as found myself marching along at a hell of a pace.
There are some lovely houses along this stretch. You can't really see them from the road, but they look quite something from the coast side - probably quite expensive too, no doubt!
After a mile, it's a cut through a field (ancient burial ground or something like that), then cut up a small lane. Any excuse to take a photo, but this did amuse me...
Why the speed restriction? Can you imagine anyone attempting to get to thirty along this lane? I'm about halfway up it, and then it's a sharp lefthander, so absolutely no distance to get the speed up even if the road were good enough.
So, along the A149 for a bit and then cut up a path and start climbing a little. Okay, so Norfolk is relatively flat. There are hills though, and whilst not exactly mountains, they are enough to stretch the calfs a little.
Once at the top, it's a cut through some small woods. This is what I like about this walk; everything is different as you go round. Start off on the coastal path with all the smells of the sea, then take on a few hills, then woods, then moorland. Anyway, this little thing took my eye. I suspect that it's something to do with orienteering or somesuch, but quite pretty though.
The woods don't last long, then it's through some moorland to a minor road. Pause for a photo... (or should that be paws for a photo?).
This is where we exit the moorland. Now it's roads for a couple of mile. Nice fields either side, and I have seen plenty of wildlife around. Deer, rabbits & hares etc.
After a couple of miles (point mark 5 on the map), we start dropping downhill again and then join a (slightly) busier road down towards Burnham Deepdale. Quite small village dominated a row of shops surrounding a petrol station. Here we cut through a footpath and then join the coastal path again (point 6). Here, again, are some lovely house, one of which I captured for your delectation...
On the final stretch now. More people along the coastal path too. A few comments about Jack, as usual. After the final half mile or so, we arrive back at the boatyard type area. Gratuitous "arty" shot of some lobster pots...
And finally a quick panorama to show off that you don't need a tripod and a super-wideangle lens, just a decent copy of Photoshop.
Roll on next Sunday.
As you’re probably aware, I do like my walks. The first proper one of the year was last Sunday when I did a 6 miler. The usual route from home, down to Denver Sluice and along the river bank to the bottom of town before returning home.
Yesterday saw another regular one, but with somewhat better scenery. It’s this walk starting at Brancaster Staithes...
CLICK ME for live link
I was sort of in two minds which one to do, but the weather looked very good so a coastal walk was in order. I grab all the gear together and head off. About an hour’s drive, avoiding all the crowds heading to the coast taking their mothers out for lunch.
The usual place to park was a pub very near to the start point. Sometimes, I do feel guilty about parking in pub carparks when I do these walks. Often, I'll get back and head off rather than take advantage of the hospitality. Here wasn't the case though. I've eaten there three times in the past and had drinks too, so plenty of my cash has passed over the bar.
Off we go then. Cross the road and get onto the coastal path. First opportunity for a photo...
This is a lovely row of cottages just next to the slipway at the... well, it's more of base for the smaller fishing vessels. SMall creeks and the like.
It's not long before we leave this place behind though and get onto the main path that runs parallel to the road albeit towards the sea.
It's a pretty well walked path, but the sea can come right in to partially flood the area. To overcome this obstacle, there are built up walkways for some of it...
Jack was really loving it though. Happy to be off the lead and running free. Diving up on the path then down again into the mud.
Met a few people along here. Mostly couples out for a gentle stroll. Had to check myself a couple of times as found myself marching along at a hell of a pace.
There are some lovely houses along this stretch. You can't really see them from the road, but they look quite something from the coast side - probably quite expensive too, no doubt!
After a mile, it's a cut through a field (ancient burial ground or something like that), then cut up a small lane. Any excuse to take a photo, but this did amuse me...
Why the speed restriction? Can you imagine anyone attempting to get to thirty along this lane? I'm about halfway up it, and then it's a sharp lefthander, so absolutely no distance to get the speed up even if the road were good enough.
So, along the A149 for a bit and then cut up a path and start climbing a little. Okay, so Norfolk is relatively flat. There are hills though, and whilst not exactly mountains, they are enough to stretch the calfs a little.
Once at the top, it's a cut through some small woods. This is what I like about this walk; everything is different as you go round. Start off on the coastal path with all the smells of the sea, then take on a few hills, then woods, then moorland. Anyway, this little thing took my eye. I suspect that it's something to do with orienteering or somesuch, but quite pretty though.
The woods don't last long, then it's through some moorland to a minor road. Pause for a photo... (or should that be paws for a photo?).
This is where we exit the moorland. Now it's roads for a couple of mile. Nice fields either side, and I have seen plenty of wildlife around. Deer, rabbits & hares etc.
After a couple of miles (point mark 5 on the map), we start dropping downhill again and then join a (slightly) busier road down towards Burnham Deepdale. Quite small village dominated a row of shops surrounding a petrol station. Here we cut through a footpath and then join the coastal path again (point 6). Here, again, are some lovely house, one of which I captured for your delectation...
On the final stretch now. More people along the coastal path too. A few comments about Jack, as usual. After the final half mile or so, we arrive back at the boatyard type area. Gratuitous "arty" shot of some lobster pots...
And finally a quick panorama to show off that you don't need a tripod and a super-wideangle lens, just a decent copy of Photoshop.
Roll on next Sunday.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Did You Know That It's March 16th?
A random title if ever there was one.
Couple of things.
Firstly, mini-review of the Mr Scruff gig.
This time it was at the Junction, Cambridge. Not a bad venue, been there a couple of times to see bands. Drove there (after picking Gem & J up at Ely) and parked in the multi-storey, directly behind the venue. Muchos convenientos.
It was only about 10.30, so relatively quiet. We got ourselves “parked” in front of the central desk, so sound was okay. Things to remember...
• Mr Scruff coming to stand right by us and J not having a clue who he was (girls were at the toilet).
• A Wagner lookalike wandering, much to the crowd’s enjoyment (not sure if the similarity was intentional).
• The very nice tea and cake.
• The extremely amorous couple who were glued to each other’s lips for most of the time.
• The slightly older couple who were totally “going for it” (in a dance-type way) towards the end.
Secondly, I think I ought to have a rant. Haven’t had one for a while, and you can’t beat one. Typically it’s about driving.
Now this doesn’t really affect me at all and it probably amuses me more than annoys me. But, what is it with car parks and people wanting to get as close to the pedestrian entrance as possible? This is common at practically every carpark that I go in, be it work, public, supermarkets.
Off they tootle to the far lane. What no spaces? Well in that case, they will:
a) Proceed to drive round and round the circuit until someone leaves.
b) Pull in at the side of the roadway, often blocking cars in and/or making it very difficult for those people that are driving round and round the circuit looking for a space.
c) Decide (and these are the worst, in my opinion) to make use of an empty disabled bay, family parking bay, or pick up point.
Now, the extra 100 meters that I walk from my easy-to-find bay (more on my choice later) bothers me not a little bit. We do have legs, you see. I cannot help but snigger at those vehicles who are driving round and round, or who are pulled to the side with anxious looks on their faces. The same ones who entered the car park many minutes before me.
Ah yes, my choice of bay. I tend to go for one with space at the side so I can give the car(s) at either side of me plenty of room to open their doors. More than once have I found a minor blemish from where a door has been carelessly opened into mine. I can understand it though; eyes full of tears as they struggle with the fact they have to take a further 20 seconds to get from their car to the pedestrian entrance after not finding closer space.
Couple of things.
Firstly, mini-review of the Mr Scruff gig.
This time it was at the Junction, Cambridge. Not a bad venue, been there a couple of times to see bands. Drove there (after picking Gem & J up at Ely) and parked in the multi-storey, directly behind the venue. Muchos convenientos.
It was only about 10.30, so relatively quiet. We got ourselves “parked” in front of the central desk, so sound was okay. Things to remember...
• Mr Scruff coming to stand right by us and J not having a clue who he was (girls were at the toilet).
• A Wagner lookalike wandering, much to the crowd’s enjoyment (not sure if the similarity was intentional).
• The very nice tea and cake.
• The extremely amorous couple who were glued to each other’s lips for most of the time.
• The slightly older couple who were totally “going for it” (in a dance-type way) towards the end.
Secondly, I think I ought to have a rant. Haven’t had one for a while, and you can’t beat one. Typically it’s about driving.
Now this doesn’t really affect me at all and it probably amuses me more than annoys me. But, what is it with car parks and people wanting to get as close to the pedestrian entrance as possible? This is common at practically every carpark that I go in, be it work, public, supermarkets.
Off they tootle to the far lane. What no spaces? Well in that case, they will:
a) Proceed to drive round and round the circuit until someone leaves.
b) Pull in at the side of the roadway, often blocking cars in and/or making it very difficult for those people that are driving round and round the circuit looking for a space.
c) Decide (and these are the worst, in my opinion) to make use of an empty disabled bay, family parking bay, or pick up point.
Now, the extra 100 meters that I walk from my easy-to-find bay (more on my choice later) bothers me not a little bit. We do have legs, you see. I cannot help but snigger at those vehicles who are driving round and round, or who are pulled to the side with anxious looks on their faces. The same ones who entered the car park many minutes before me.
Ah yes, my choice of bay. I tend to go for one with space at the side so I can give the car(s) at either side of me plenty of room to open their doors. More than once have I found a minor blemish from where a door has been carelessly opened into mine. I can understand it though; eyes full of tears as they struggle with the fact they have to take a further 20 seconds to get from their car to the pedestrian entrance after not finding closer space.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Speed Blogging
Fastest post that I've ever done.
Work is easing up - at last.
I have a cold.
This cold will be beaten by Saturday, because...
It's another Mr Scruff gig.
More later. Maybe.
Work is easing up - at last.
I have a cold.
This cold will be beaten by Saturday, because...
It's another Mr Scruff gig.
More later. Maybe.
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Happy Sundays
Right, it's still within 24 hours of the last post, so technically (if not factually) I'm still okay with what I said in the last post. Depending on what I actually said, which I can't remember. Never mind.
I do have another track to upload, but can't do so as it is not on this machine.
So, you will have to make do with a post of the rambling nature. Nothing new there then, I hear you say.
Following on from my previous rant about Cinemas, we've been quite a bit of late. The last one was Gulliver's Travels. Very light hearted stuff. Effects done well and despite me not being a Jack Black fan, I did enjoy it.
Next up is Black Swan on Monday. H has discovered that the Majestic in Lynn does half price showings on a Monday. Can't be bad for £3. That's cheaper than a DVD rental and certainly cheaper than Sky Box Office.
Work wise? It is now 7.51 on a Sunday and I feel pretty damn knackered. This is day 14 without a day off. My body is starting to feel it somewhat. Up until this morning, I was doing okay, but I really did not want to get up when the alarm went off at 6am. Five more (busy) days to come and then it's the weekend. We shall see whether I'm working or not. Hard times in the business though. Google it, if you want to know why.
And now for a little observation about internet socialising.
First got into it in about 1993/4 when the internet first started to kick off in the UK. We had a modem installed at work and via dial up, there was like a little chat site on Compuserve, if my memeory serves me correctly. I used to pop on there for a bit.
Then came Level 42. First started as an email digest, but then too, that went online and that was my first proper forum. Had it's highs and lows. The fans are a very strange bunch. Some weren't really interested in the band and generally were just either chatting or spoiling for a fight. Others were totally obsessive and went off on one when anyone dare to mildy disrespect any band member.
Then there was the Spaced Out forum. Spaced being the cult TV programme that I still love to this day. Spaced Out was quite a big forum and had its ups and downs. I can't remember the exact reason why, but for some reason it stopped for a while. Someone called Sandra decided to start a smaller one called Out Of Spaced. It took a while to get going but it was really, really good. There were only about 30 main members, but we all shared similar views - although there were a few healthy debates at times (rows, if you will).
Time marched on and OOS changed, as these things do. I grew a little bored with it and posted less and less. I think that others did too and not that long after, it eventually shut down.
So then there was Facebook. You don't need me to tell you how it all works etc. I did have a dally into MySpace, but never really got it. FB itself has brought me lots of new friends and fun. But now, a few more years down the line, I'm growing increasingly bored with it. Same old, same old.
To me it now consists of...
- Multiple birthday wishes
- Whinging status updates
- Youtube clips of favourite bands (they're YOUR favourites, I'm not interested)
- Rubbish photographs of the previous night out
Don't even get me started on the poor grammar and spelling!
I'll probably leave my account active and pop on most days to see if there is anything of interest. There is the "events" section which can be a good reminder of if anything is coming up.
So onto Twitter. I joined up ages ago. A while after it first started. I didn't get it though. It just seemed to be people psoting their status a la FB. A new lease of life late last year, and I'm not very much back into it. I'm liking it lots. Because you can be very selective about who you follow, you can restrict it to the people that are of interest. This way you get, to me, a better level of intellect.
I wonder what will be the next thing?
I do have another track to upload, but can't do so as it is not on this machine.
So, you will have to make do with a post of the rambling nature. Nothing new there then, I hear you say.
Following on from my previous rant about Cinemas, we've been quite a bit of late. The last one was Gulliver's Travels. Very light hearted stuff. Effects done well and despite me not being a Jack Black fan, I did enjoy it.
Next up is Black Swan on Monday. H has discovered that the Majestic in Lynn does half price showings on a Monday. Can't be bad for £3. That's cheaper than a DVD rental and certainly cheaper than Sky Box Office.
Work wise? It is now 7.51 on a Sunday and I feel pretty damn knackered. This is day 14 without a day off. My body is starting to feel it somewhat. Up until this morning, I was doing okay, but I really did not want to get up when the alarm went off at 6am. Five more (busy) days to come and then it's the weekend. We shall see whether I'm working or not. Hard times in the business though. Google it, if you want to know why.
And now for a little observation about internet socialising.
First got into it in about 1993/4 when the internet first started to kick off in the UK. We had a modem installed at work and via dial up, there was like a little chat site on Compuserve, if my memeory serves me correctly. I used to pop on there for a bit.
Then came Level 42. First started as an email digest, but then too, that went online and that was my first proper forum. Had it's highs and lows. The fans are a very strange bunch. Some weren't really interested in the band and generally were just either chatting or spoiling for a fight. Others were totally obsessive and went off on one when anyone dare to mildy disrespect any band member.
Then there was the Spaced Out forum. Spaced being the cult TV programme that I still love to this day. Spaced Out was quite a big forum and had its ups and downs. I can't remember the exact reason why, but for some reason it stopped for a while. Someone called Sandra decided to start a smaller one called Out Of Spaced. It took a while to get going but it was really, really good. There were only about 30 main members, but we all shared similar views - although there were a few healthy debates at times (rows, if you will).
Time marched on and OOS changed, as these things do. I grew a little bored with it and posted less and less. I think that others did too and not that long after, it eventually shut down.
So then there was Facebook. You don't need me to tell you how it all works etc. I did have a dally into MySpace, but never really got it. FB itself has brought me lots of new friends and fun. But now, a few more years down the line, I'm growing increasingly bored with it. Same old, same old.
To me it now consists of...
- Multiple birthday wishes
- Whinging status updates
- Youtube clips of favourite bands (they're YOUR favourites, I'm not interested)
- Rubbish photographs of the previous night out
Don't even get me started on the poor grammar and spelling!
I'll probably leave my account active and pop on most days to see if there is anything of interest. There is the "events" section which can be a good reminder of if anything is coming up.
So onto Twitter. I joined up ages ago. A while after it first started. I didn't get it though. It just seemed to be people psoting their status a la FB. A new lease of life late last year, and I'm not very much back into it. I'm liking it lots. Because you can be very selective about who you follow, you can restrict it to the people that are of interest. This way you get, to me, a better level of intellect.
I wonder what will be the next thing?
Saturday, February 05, 2011
February
This will be updated today. Yes. Bet your life on it.
Even if it's only with another "banging choon" (so hip dontcha know).
Even if it's only with another "banging choon" (so hip dontcha know).
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Tunes!
And for my latest project, it's time to get creative. Here's the first go...
23rd Jan 2011 by Jack-Attack
23rd Jan 2011 by Jack-Attack
Thursday, December 30, 2010
2011 Approaches
25th November? Now it’s 30th December. That’s not very good, is it?
Birthday – been and gone
Several Christmas dinners – been and gone
Even Christmas – been and gone
Well this could be the last blog of 2010 then.
Nothing really to talk about, so a feel a bit of rambling (not the walking type) may be in order.
So, the first Christmas lunch of the year was on 1st December. To have it any sooner would have been totally and utterly wrong. The 1st, is just about passable. Not the most exciting affair with it following a 2-3 hour meeting. Tasty enough though, and lots of it. Those who know me somewhat better will know that I’m not a huge desert fan. I will quite happily stuff myself with a starter and/or main and forego the pud. On this occasion, it didn’t seem right though. Christmas pudding with a liberal helping of brandy sauce. Talk about heavy! I was fit to do nothing after that.
What happened next? The folks came to stay. This was after snow... lots of it... everywhere in the country... apart from... West Norfolk. Goddamnit. The worst snow that this country had seen (certainly that early in the year), and we get next to none.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want anyone to suffer that much because of extreme weather, well maybe the odd person or two, but I do like extremes of weather. Not a big fan of the damp, cold, miserable stuff (like we have right now). But I do like it when it’s pretty damn cold but dry. Freshly fallen snow is great. Not only does it look good, it puts a damper on all noise which makes everything seem really peaceful.
Right. Where was I? Folks. Yes. They had quite a bit of snow ooop North, and so were a little concerned about driving down. No such worries though, and they made it down safely.
They came down on a Wednesday evening and I had got the Thursday and Friday booked off work to use up some holiday. Didn’t do a great deal though. Popped across to Fakenham to have a look at the market. It was cold. Very cold.
Much lovely food and drink was to be had though. All good.
Okay. Enough already. This entry is long enough (especially without pics). Part two to follow.
Birthday – been and gone
Several Christmas dinners – been and gone
Even Christmas – been and gone
Well this could be the last blog of 2010 then.
Nothing really to talk about, so a feel a bit of rambling (not the walking type) may be in order.
So, the first Christmas lunch of the year was on 1st December. To have it any sooner would have been totally and utterly wrong. The 1st, is just about passable. Not the most exciting affair with it following a 2-3 hour meeting. Tasty enough though, and lots of it. Those who know me somewhat better will know that I’m not a huge desert fan. I will quite happily stuff myself with a starter and/or main and forego the pud. On this occasion, it didn’t seem right though. Christmas pudding with a liberal helping of brandy sauce. Talk about heavy! I was fit to do nothing after that.
What happened next? The folks came to stay. This was after snow... lots of it... everywhere in the country... apart from... West Norfolk. Goddamnit. The worst snow that this country had seen (certainly that early in the year), and we get next to none.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want anyone to suffer that much because of extreme weather, well maybe the odd person or two, but I do like extremes of weather. Not a big fan of the damp, cold, miserable stuff (like we have right now). But I do like it when it’s pretty damn cold but dry. Freshly fallen snow is great. Not only does it look good, it puts a damper on all noise which makes everything seem really peaceful.
Right. Where was I? Folks. Yes. They had quite a bit of snow ooop North, and so were a little concerned about driving down. No such worries though, and they made it down safely.
They came down on a Wednesday evening and I had got the Thursday and Friday booked off work to use up some holiday. Didn’t do a great deal though. Popped across to Fakenham to have a look at the market. It was cold. Very cold.
Much lovely food and drink was to be had though. All good.
Okay. Enough already. This entry is long enough (especially without pics). Part two to follow.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
What No Barry Norman?
Okay, cinemas. Here we go.
My earliest memory of going to the cinema would have been to see Star Wars in 1977. It's quite possible that I went before this (Disney probably), but I don't remember it.
After that was Grease, Chariots of Fire, Moonraker, Ghandi - not necessarily in that order.
There was then a major lull. I think that cinemas very much went out of fashion for quite a while. Then the multiplexes arrived and all was good again.
I was never a huge fan of going to the cinema though. Uncomfortable seats, crowded up close and personal to the great unwashed. Why bother? Just wait a few months, rent it on DVD, then watch it in the comfort of your own home. Sprawl out on the sofa with the all important pause button at the ready for when you need to refill your glass.
A few years ago, I succumbed to temptation though - possibly to see Phantom Menace, quite ironic in its own way! That got me back into the swing of it. Large(r) seats. Better viewing i.e. not having to lean round people's coiffured barnets, much better quality and the sound to go with it. So, I've been going every so often.
Last night was one of these occasions. The eagerly awaited Deathly Hallows. Don't worry, I'm not into reviews of any kind (as you will be well aware from reading my gig posts), so that's not what I'm rambling on about here.
Let's get the moans out of the way first though...
What is it with cinemas and popcorn? Why are the two inextricably linked? I'm sure there is a rational explanation. I can't be bothered to Google it (other search engines are available). Historical probably. Strange though, don't you think? One particular snack is so tied in with viewing a film.
That nicely lead me on to the next gripe - people eating so bloody noisily! Popcorn is hardly the most subtle of foodstuffs to munch down on is it? And then there are the sweets with their multiple wrappers. I know, let's wait until a nice quiet, important section of the film, then we will stuff a sherbet lemon in our gob whilst at the same time pissing off anyone within a 50m radius.
Finally, is it so much to ask that you relieve yourself prior to sitting down? I appreciate that last night's film was over two hours, but that was a steady stream (no pun intended) of weak-bladdered folk traipsing up and down the aisles. Lucky for me (and them maybe) that none came from my row - expecting me to disturb the comfort that I took a while to achieve, standing up to let them by.
These are but small moans though (yeah, right). So onto the positives...
Online booking. Makes life very easy. Pop on the website, order your tickets, turn up at the cinema, stick your card in the machine, out pops the tickets. Job jobbed.
Reasonable priced bar with no queuing. £5.80 for a cider and a white wine.
Good seats. We guessed it would be busy, so got there a good 20 minutes prior to the showing. This got us in to the centre section, about two thirds back. Ideal! I have little for those that turned up with a few minutes to go though, and complained that they couldn't sit together.
Comfortable seats. As I mentioned, the film was quite long, but these were spot on. Mrs B had to keep shuffling, but more of that in a bit.
Great sound and great view.
Straight out without having to get crushed in the rush. Back in the car within 5 mins and away.
All together a good experience.
Personally, I think some of the other HP films are better. This was okay. I'm hoping for more from part 2. I've read this morning that it's being done in full 3D too.
Mrs B did not get on quite so well. She'd had a long day. Grab some quick scampi and chips, then follow that with a large glass of wine and she was really, really struggling to stay awake throughout the film!
My earliest memory of going to the cinema would have been to see Star Wars in 1977. It's quite possible that I went before this (Disney probably), but I don't remember it.
After that was Grease, Chariots of Fire, Moonraker, Ghandi - not necessarily in that order.
There was then a major lull. I think that cinemas very much went out of fashion for quite a while. Then the multiplexes arrived and all was good again.
I was never a huge fan of going to the cinema though. Uncomfortable seats, crowded up close and personal to the great unwashed. Why bother? Just wait a few months, rent it on DVD, then watch it in the comfort of your own home. Sprawl out on the sofa with the all important pause button at the ready for when you need to refill your glass.
A few years ago, I succumbed to temptation though - possibly to see Phantom Menace, quite ironic in its own way! That got me back into the swing of it. Large(r) seats. Better viewing i.e. not having to lean round people's coiffured barnets, much better quality and the sound to go with it. So, I've been going every so often.
Last night was one of these occasions. The eagerly awaited Deathly Hallows. Don't worry, I'm not into reviews of any kind (as you will be well aware from reading my gig posts), so that's not what I'm rambling on about here.
Let's get the moans out of the way first though...
What is it with cinemas and popcorn? Why are the two inextricably linked? I'm sure there is a rational explanation. I can't be bothered to Google it (other search engines are available). Historical probably. Strange though, don't you think? One particular snack is so tied in with viewing a film.
That nicely lead me on to the next gripe - people eating so bloody noisily! Popcorn is hardly the most subtle of foodstuffs to munch down on is it? And then there are the sweets with their multiple wrappers. I know, let's wait until a nice quiet, important section of the film, then we will stuff a sherbet lemon in our gob whilst at the same time pissing off anyone within a 50m radius.
Finally, is it so much to ask that you relieve yourself prior to sitting down? I appreciate that last night's film was over two hours, but that was a steady stream (no pun intended) of weak-bladdered folk traipsing up and down the aisles. Lucky for me (and them maybe) that none came from my row - expecting me to disturb the comfort that I took a while to achieve, standing up to let them by.
These are but small moans though (yeah, right). So onto the positives...
Online booking. Makes life very easy. Pop on the website, order your tickets, turn up at the cinema, stick your card in the machine, out pops the tickets. Job jobbed.
Reasonable priced bar with no queuing. £5.80 for a cider and a white wine.
Good seats. We guessed it would be busy, so got there a good 20 minutes prior to the showing. This got us in to the centre section, about two thirds back. Ideal! I have little for those that turned up with a few minutes to go though, and complained that they couldn't sit together.
Comfortable seats. As I mentioned, the film was quite long, but these were spot on. Mrs B had to keep shuffling, but more of that in a bit.
Great sound and great view.
Straight out without having to get crushed in the rush. Back in the car within 5 mins and away.
All together a good experience.
Personally, I think some of the other HP films are better. This was okay. I'm hoping for more from part 2. I've read this morning that it's being done in full 3D too.
Mrs B did not get on quite so well. She'd had a long day. Grab some quick scampi and chips, then follow that with a large glass of wine and she was really, really struggling to stay awake throughout the film!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Fowls
Thursday 10th November - Gig Number 3 - Foals @ UEA
Originally planned to be going with my usual gig buddy, Hannah. Unfortunately, she was not going to get back from Leicester in time, so it was just me plus the lovely Natasha & James.
I'm sure they won't mind me saying, but they're not the biggest followers of music, but wind back the clock a while and Natasha came to see Vampire Weekend with Hannah. She thoroughly enjoyed it and we all sort of agreed to do it again.
I'm normally the one who books the tickets, so the four of us were booked in.
My turn to drive, so I eventually found their place in a village on the way and we got sorted. Naturally, a bit of Foals on the iPod. Suffice it to say that this was the first listen that N&J had of the band.
"How do you spell this band's name" - Natasha. She'd been going round telling people that she was going to see The Fowls, and then wondered why no-one wanted to buy the spare ticket.
Soooooo, we get to the UEA and head for the bar. Always a good thing with a band like the Foals is that they are quite popular with the students at the Uni, a lot of which are not yet 18. This means that the bar is not as busy as usual.
After grabbing a drink, Natasha decides that she wants a cigarette, but doesn’t have any on here. I agree to join her and we pop outside on the lookout for anyone who may have a spare one going. We round a corner and spy three likely looking guys leaning against the wall near the tour buses. Natasha quickly marches up to them and asks for a fag. They politely say that they’ve just run out, even proffering the empty packet for proof. Natasha sighs and heads for one of the coach drivers who comes good.
It’s only then, as I pull Natasha to one side that I point out what she’s done.
“You do know who you just asked for a fag”, says I. Of course, she’s no idea. It just happens to be the lead singer of Foals, Yannis Phlippakis (plus two other band members).
Natasha doesn’t immediately believe me, but then we both crack up in fits, especially as she then says that, as they were hanging around outside she was going to ask them if they wanted to buy our spare ticket.
Back in the warmth of the hall, we catch the last track by the first support and the whole set of the second. Both quite good.
Foals don’t disappoint. A really, really good set. Lots of new stuff, but some old favourites too. The audience are bang up for it, making loads of noise plus lots of obligatory crowd surfing.
The band are on proper form. Even when the lead guitar stops playing ball and takes a while to get sorted. Yannis does his usual stuff of crawling all over the speaker stacks. At one point, he puts his guitar down and lines up as if to jump off the stage. A couple of run-ups and then he launches himself into the awaiting crowd. After a few minutes of being passed all over the place, he jumps back on stage.... missing his shoes of course!
The end of the set comes round soon enough, one of the roadies comes on and says something to Yannis. He then announces that if they don’t stop soon they will get fined. However, he says that they’re having such a good time, they’re going to carry on anyway.
All great stuff, and Natasha & James thoroughly enjoyed it and want to go to more gigs. Unfortunately, I had a bit of a scour at the weekend and couldn’t find anything of particular interest, either at Norwich or Cambridge. Something WILL turn up.
Originally planned to be going with my usual gig buddy, Hannah. Unfortunately, she was not going to get back from Leicester in time, so it was just me plus the lovely Natasha & James.
I'm sure they won't mind me saying, but they're not the biggest followers of music, but wind back the clock a while and Natasha came to see Vampire Weekend with Hannah. She thoroughly enjoyed it and we all sort of agreed to do it again.
I'm normally the one who books the tickets, so the four of us were booked in.
My turn to drive, so I eventually found their place in a village on the way and we got sorted. Naturally, a bit of Foals on the iPod. Suffice it to say that this was the first listen that N&J had of the band.
"How do you spell this band's name" - Natasha. She'd been going round telling people that she was going to see The Fowls, and then wondered why no-one wanted to buy the spare ticket.
Soooooo, we get to the UEA and head for the bar. Always a good thing with a band like the Foals is that they are quite popular with the students at the Uni, a lot of which are not yet 18. This means that the bar is not as busy as usual.
After grabbing a drink, Natasha decides that she wants a cigarette, but doesn’t have any on here. I agree to join her and we pop outside on the lookout for anyone who may have a spare one going. We round a corner and spy three likely looking guys leaning against the wall near the tour buses. Natasha quickly marches up to them and asks for a fag. They politely say that they’ve just run out, even proffering the empty packet for proof. Natasha sighs and heads for one of the coach drivers who comes good.
It’s only then, as I pull Natasha to one side that I point out what she’s done.
“You do know who you just asked for a fag”, says I. Of course, she’s no idea. It just happens to be the lead singer of Foals, Yannis Phlippakis (plus two other band members).
Natasha doesn’t immediately believe me, but then we both crack up in fits, especially as she then says that, as they were hanging around outside she was going to ask them if they wanted to buy our spare ticket.
Back in the warmth of the hall, we catch the last track by the first support and the whole set of the second. Both quite good.
Foals don’t disappoint. A really, really good set. Lots of new stuff, but some old favourites too. The audience are bang up for it, making loads of noise plus lots of obligatory crowd surfing.
The band are on proper form. Even when the lead guitar stops playing ball and takes a while to get sorted. Yannis does his usual stuff of crawling all over the speaker stacks. At one point, he puts his guitar down and lines up as if to jump off the stage. A couple of run-ups and then he launches himself into the awaiting crowd. After a few minutes of being passed all over the place, he jumps back on stage.... missing his shoes of course!
The end of the set comes round soon enough, one of the roadies comes on and says something to Yannis. He then announces that if they don’t stop soon they will get fined. However, he says that they’re having such a good time, they’re going to carry on anyway.
All great stuff, and Natasha & James thoroughly enjoyed it and want to go to more gigs. Unfortunately, I had a bit of a scour at the weekend and couldn’t find anything of particular interest, either at Norwich or Cambridge. Something WILL turn up.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Ch-Ch-Chk it
Well, the amazing thing to share is going to have to wait, sort of....
Just wanted to tell you about gig number 2 - !!!
For those that aren’t familiar, !!! is the “name” of the band. To pronounce it, you say it as something like Chk Chk Chk.
Last time I saw these was over two years ago and it was when they were last in the UK (they’re American). At that time, I introduced Tim G to his first gig – muchos funnos.
Soooooo, wind forward to last Thursday. I’d been at Newark all day and so was on a bit of a charge. I got back home about 4.45. Quickly nip Jack up the road, get changed and away.
Down to Newmarket, dive on the A14, then A11, then M11. All flowing well. Hit the North Circular (A406), and the sat nav is telling me about 25 mins to go 8 or so miles. The first few miles went really well, then I hit the queues. I hate that road, with a passion! Took me over half an hour to go the last 3 miles.
Never mind, this was all in the plan. I pulled up outside Tim’s. We waited a few minutes for Bobbie to get home and then shot off to Finchley, then got the tube through to Camden.
Now going to skip forward a bit, as it involves the bit that I’m going to post soon enough...
8.30-sh and we shot off to the venue, KoKo. Second time of being there, and I think it’s a really nice venue. If you haven’t been, it’s like an old fashioned theatre, but with all the seats removed. Really well lit, quite intimate and the sound is good.
We caught the last 10mins of the second support who were pretty good. As we were a bit late getting in, I thought that we’d be towards the back, but it was still quiet-ish, so I took advantage of people getting more drinks and go us just off the rail, dead centre.
WHAT a gig! The lead singer (Nic Offer) has amazing enthusiasm and obviously loves gigging. Practically every track, he came down to the crowd, climbed over the barrier and joined in with the crowd – much to everyone’s enjoyment.
A really tight band. Great musicians and some damn fine tunes.
Much moshing ensued, and the time flew by. An indication of how much the band enjoyed it was that they played an extra track at the end of the encore, not on the setlist.
Whole-heartedly recommend them.
Tonight – Foals, back at the UEA with Natasha & James. No Hannah unfortunately.
By the way, the journey back was much easier. Not much traffic on the M11 after midnight. We got out the gig about 11 tube and drive back to Tim’s, and I was still back home by 1.15!
Just wanted to tell you about gig number 2 - !!!
For those that aren’t familiar, !!! is the “name” of the band. To pronounce it, you say it as something like Chk Chk Chk.
Last time I saw these was over two years ago and it was when they were last in the UK (they’re American). At that time, I introduced Tim G to his first gig – muchos funnos.
Soooooo, wind forward to last Thursday. I’d been at Newark all day and so was on a bit of a charge. I got back home about 4.45. Quickly nip Jack up the road, get changed and away.
Down to Newmarket, dive on the A14, then A11, then M11. All flowing well. Hit the North Circular (A406), and the sat nav is telling me about 25 mins to go 8 or so miles. The first few miles went really well, then I hit the queues. I hate that road, with a passion! Took me over half an hour to go the last 3 miles.
Never mind, this was all in the plan. I pulled up outside Tim’s. We waited a few minutes for Bobbie to get home and then shot off to Finchley, then got the tube through to Camden.
Now going to skip forward a bit, as it involves the bit that I’m going to post soon enough...
8.30-sh and we shot off to the venue, KoKo. Second time of being there, and I think it’s a really nice venue. If you haven’t been, it’s like an old fashioned theatre, but with all the seats removed. Really well lit, quite intimate and the sound is good.
We caught the last 10mins of the second support who were pretty good. As we were a bit late getting in, I thought that we’d be towards the back, but it was still quiet-ish, so I took advantage of people getting more drinks and go us just off the rail, dead centre.
WHAT a gig! The lead singer (Nic Offer) has amazing enthusiasm and obviously loves gigging. Practically every track, he came down to the crowd, climbed over the barrier and joined in with the crowd – much to everyone’s enjoyment.
A really tight band. Great musicians and some damn fine tunes.
Much moshing ensued, and the time flew by. An indication of how much the band enjoyed it was that they played an extra track at the end of the encore, not on the setlist.
Whole-heartedly recommend them.
Tonight – Foals, back at the UEA with Natasha & James. No Hannah unfortunately.
By the way, the journey back was much easier. Not much traffic on the M11 after midnight. We got out the gig about 11 tube and drive back to Tim’s, and I was still back home by 1.15!
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Bread Products Galore
I've got something pretty amazing to share, but first will dive in with a post about food - just for a change, eh?
Right. One new product that is pretty good compared to the old and two brand new, innovative products.
All three, I've fallen in love with at the moment. First up is the new toaster...
Apologies for the library image, but it's much quicker for me today - a man without much time on his hands!
Good, innit? Simple, as toasters go, but it is a four slot job and makes purrrrrrrrfect toast.
So, related to the toaster are THESE mo-fos..
Heard of them?
Everyone loves a toasted sandwich, right? The main problem with sandwich toasters is the bloomin' mess that gets left behind. Well, that and the fact that the toaster takes up a lot of room in the cupboard, only to be brought out about once a month.
Toast Bags solve that problem. Make your sandwich (croque monsieur is my fave at the moment), slip the old sandwich in the bag. Bang it in the (four slot) toaster. Job done. Perfect toasted sandwiches. Any filling that escapes stays in the bag and can be cleaned easily (am I sounding like a tele-sales presenter?). Bonus point is that they're dishwasherableableable. Take up the room of a paper bag. Job jobbed.
Enfin, we have a POACH POD.
Just tried this morning. Got to love a poached egg, but again, tricky to get right. Take one of these pods, give it a light oiling (aherm), chuck in an egg, stick it in simmering water for five minutes. Perfect.
Lovely on a good muffin.
Good news post coming very soon. Watch this space....
Right. One new product that is pretty good compared to the old and two brand new, innovative products.
All three, I've fallen in love with at the moment. First up is the new toaster...
Apologies for the library image, but it's much quicker for me today - a man without much time on his hands!
Good, innit? Simple, as toasters go, but it is a four slot job and makes purrrrrrrrfect toast.
So, related to the toaster are THESE mo-fos..
Heard of them?
Everyone loves a toasted sandwich, right? The main problem with sandwich toasters is the bloomin' mess that gets left behind. Well, that and the fact that the toaster takes up a lot of room in the cupboard, only to be brought out about once a month.
Toast Bags solve that problem. Make your sandwich (croque monsieur is my fave at the moment), slip the old sandwich in the bag. Bang it in the (four slot) toaster. Job done. Perfect toasted sandwiches. Any filling that escapes stays in the bag and can be cleaned easily (am I sounding like a tele-sales presenter?). Bonus point is that they're dishwasherableableable. Take up the room of a paper bag. Job jobbed.
Enfin, we have a POACH POD.
Just tried this morning. Got to love a poached egg, but again, tricky to get right. Take one of these pods, give it a light oiling (aherm), chuck in an egg, stick it in simmering water for five minutes. Perfect.
Lovely on a good muffin.
Good news post coming very soon. Watch this space....
Monday, November 01, 2010
An Englishman Abroad
Last Thursday brought a fair old jaunt.
Wednesday, left work and drove down to Bury St Edmunds. Met up with a colleague and then carried on driving down to Folkestone.
Here we shall have the first tale of (potential) woe. Trundling along the M25 and we hit the queue for the Dartford crossing with about two miles to go. The topic of conversation was cars and said colleague was commenting on his current one (the one we were sat in), a 318 Touring. He mentioned that in the past three weeks he’d had four punctures, and that it didn’t carry a spare, but instead had the spray stuff that inflates and seals the tyre. Now, and this is no exaggeration (well maybe a little), within seconds of him sharing this fact, there was a “bong” from the dashboard and a light lit up indicating a potential puncture. Note that I said “potential” woe, as this turned out to be a false alarm. (way too many potentials there)
Onwards we go, eventually arriving at a delightful Premier Inn near the Eurotunnel. I say delightful with a certain degree of misplaced sarcasm actually because as a place to sleep, it wasn’t that bad. The adjoining gastro-pub was a bit dire though. The speed at which they deliver your order is a fair measure at how much care and attention they have put into your food.
Up at 5am and head for the tunnel. I like this way of crossing to Europe very much. It’s quick, easy, cheap and involves very little queuing.
Colin (I’ll stop calling him colleague, as that sounds a bit rude) suggested grabbing something to eat early on, but I convinced him to wait until we were on the péage. Wise words indeed from Mr Brown, but not without a small amount of previous experience.
I give you the XL...
Colin had the XXL. Much like mine but with added sausage, beans and other things now forgotten.
On we go, eventually arriving at Bethune.
We got within about 2 Km (we are in France after all) of our destination and then all of a sudden the traffic ground to a halt. There's us thinking that the political protests had finished yesterday. No such luck. Why are they protesting? All to do with raising the pensionable age from 60 to 62. Wha? I mean WHA??? I can't fault them for there efforts but come on.... 62 isn't all that bad.
This bit in the middle of the day really isn't very interesting. Well... it is, but I'm not going to go into it on here. Suffice it to say that it involved driving round the French countryside looking at stuff.
Have a picture of some protesters instead...
Roll forward to about 2pm. Our host takes us for some lunch.
The French, as I'm sure you know, are fantastic eaters. As in quality, not quantity. They are also quite particular. Trying to find somewhere that served food after 2pm is quite difficult. But there was one place that our host (I know that I keep referring to him a such, but I'm not sure of the spelling of his name. I think it's something like Benoir) knew. I give you FLUNCH.
Right, let's make a comparison. I'm comparing an English "Gastro-Pub" from the night before, to an everyday "French Diner". In fact no, we can't make a comparison. It would be disrespectful to even compare the two. But yet.... at both places myself and Colin had sirloin steak. As discussed, the evening's came rather quickly and was flavourless and chewy. When we ordered in France, they took fresh steak from the fridge and cooked it on a griddle right in front of us. It. Was. Delicious.
Going on a bit too much now for one blog post, so going to wrap it up. After our 3pm lunch(!) we headed for home. Leave Bethune at about 3.30. Back in The Ham by about 9pm. Not too shabby.
Wednesday, left work and drove down to Bury St Edmunds. Met up with a colleague and then carried on driving down to Folkestone.
Here we shall have the first tale of (potential) woe. Trundling along the M25 and we hit the queue for the Dartford crossing with about two miles to go. The topic of conversation was cars and said colleague was commenting on his current one (the one we were sat in), a 318 Touring. He mentioned that in the past three weeks he’d had four punctures, and that it didn’t carry a spare, but instead had the spray stuff that inflates and seals the tyre. Now, and this is no exaggeration (well maybe a little), within seconds of him sharing this fact, there was a “bong” from the dashboard and a light lit up indicating a potential puncture. Note that I said “potential” woe, as this turned out to be a false alarm. (way too many potentials there)
Onwards we go, eventually arriving at a delightful Premier Inn near the Eurotunnel. I say delightful with a certain degree of misplaced sarcasm actually because as a place to sleep, it wasn’t that bad. The adjoining gastro-pub was a bit dire though. The speed at which they deliver your order is a fair measure at how much care and attention they have put into your food.
Up at 5am and head for the tunnel. I like this way of crossing to Europe very much. It’s quick, easy, cheap and involves very little queuing.
Colin (I’ll stop calling him colleague, as that sounds a bit rude) suggested grabbing something to eat early on, but I convinced him to wait until we were on the péage. Wise words indeed from Mr Brown, but not without a small amount of previous experience.
I give you the XL...
Colin had the XXL. Much like mine but with added sausage, beans and other things now forgotten.
On we go, eventually arriving at Bethune.
We got within about 2 Km (we are in France after all) of our destination and then all of a sudden the traffic ground to a halt. There's us thinking that the political protests had finished yesterday. No such luck. Why are they protesting? All to do with raising the pensionable age from 60 to 62. Wha? I mean WHA??? I can't fault them for there efforts but come on.... 62 isn't all that bad.
This bit in the middle of the day really isn't very interesting. Well... it is, but I'm not going to go into it on here. Suffice it to say that it involved driving round the French countryside looking at stuff.
Have a picture of some protesters instead...
Roll forward to about 2pm. Our host takes us for some lunch.
The French, as I'm sure you know, are fantastic eaters. As in quality, not quantity. They are also quite particular. Trying to find somewhere that served food after 2pm is quite difficult. But there was one place that our host (I know that I keep referring to him a such, but I'm not sure of the spelling of his name. I think it's something like Benoir) knew. I give you FLUNCH.
Right, let's make a comparison. I'm comparing an English "Gastro-Pub" from the night before, to an everyday "French Diner". In fact no, we can't make a comparison. It would be disrespectful to even compare the two. But yet.... at both places myself and Colin had sirloin steak. As discussed, the evening's came rather quickly and was flavourless and chewy. When we ordered in France, they took fresh steak from the fridge and cooked it on a griddle right in front of us. It. Was. Delicious.
Going on a bit too much now for one blog post, so going to wrap it up. After our 3pm lunch(!) we headed for home. Leave Bethune at about 3.30. Back in The Ham by about 9pm. Not too shabby.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Why Do We Bother?
Okay, time for a rant. Haven't had one for a while, so here we go.
Car Insurance. It really is the work of the devil, isn't it?
I though it used to be straight forward. You started out with your first car. You got insurance - generally TPF&T, as that was all you could afford, and your first car was never worth that much anyway. Barring any claims, your insurance was pretty high and stayed static allegedly until you were 21 when it was rumoured to go down (don't remember that happening) and then down again at 30 (don't remember that happening either).
Statistics dictate that the older you get, the less accidents you have, so naturally it should be cheaper to insure.
Anyway... my renewal has come up. I have been with the same broker for many years and they've normally given me a good deal. So I phoned them up and asked what the renewal was. "Ah, Mr Brown, that will be about £50 more than you paid last year". Erm, hello? How can this be? I haven't claimed, my circumstances haven't changed. I am one year older, therefore less likely to have an accident. "Well, that's just the renewal rate" I'm told when I query the increase!
Now the thing with a really annoying advert is that, despite the annoyance, you do tend to remember the product. I'll not totally give it away, but make a well known comparison website out of these words..... "Compare Go". So I did. Within seconds I was delivered a page full of quotes ranging from half my renewal rate right up to £3.5K (I kid you not).
So today I phoned the broker again and told them my good fortune. "Well Mr Brown, let's see what I can do with your renewal rate to try and keep your custom". What? So the price that you originally quoted me wasn't the best one? You just thought that you'd try it on and see if I coughed up? "Oh no Mr Brown. You misunderstand. The renewal rate is the same, I will just apply an increased discount for you. Now, can you just tell me how much you've been quoted?". Yeah, right. How's about you give me the best price you can. And she did. And it was still nearly £150 more than one I'd found myself. So that's who I'm going with. She even took a "tone" with me when I said I wouldn't be renewing with them. Tee hee.
Rant over. For now.
Car Insurance. It really is the work of the devil, isn't it?
I though it used to be straight forward. You started out with your first car. You got insurance - generally TPF&T, as that was all you could afford, and your first car was never worth that much anyway. Barring any claims, your insurance was pretty high and stayed static allegedly until you were 21 when it was rumoured to go down (don't remember that happening) and then down again at 30 (don't remember that happening either).
Statistics dictate that the older you get, the less accidents you have, so naturally it should be cheaper to insure.
Anyway... my renewal has come up. I have been with the same broker for many years and they've normally given me a good deal. So I phoned them up and asked what the renewal was. "Ah, Mr Brown, that will be about £50 more than you paid last year". Erm, hello? How can this be? I haven't claimed, my circumstances haven't changed. I am one year older, therefore less likely to have an accident. "Well, that's just the renewal rate" I'm told when I query the increase!
Now the thing with a really annoying advert is that, despite the annoyance, you do tend to remember the product. I'll not totally give it away, but make a well known comparison website out of these words..... "Compare Go". So I did. Within seconds I was delivered a page full of quotes ranging from half my renewal rate right up to £3.5K (I kid you not).
So today I phoned the broker again and told them my good fortune. "Well Mr Brown, let's see what I can do with your renewal rate to try and keep your custom". What? So the price that you originally quoted me wasn't the best one? You just thought that you'd try it on and see if I coughed up? "Oh no Mr Brown. You misunderstand. The renewal rate is the same, I will just apply an increased discount for you. Now, can you just tell me how much you've been quoted?". Yeah, right. How's about you give me the best price you can. And she did. And it was still nearly £150 more than one I'd found myself. So that's who I'm going with. She even took a "tone" with me when I said I wouldn't be renewing with them. Tee hee.
Rant over. For now.
Generate Some Music That Makes You Feel Better
Friday was the first gig of three planned before the end of the year. This one being Mr Scruff. Third time of seeing him, so to say that I was looking forward to it would be an understatement.
An added bonus this time was that I was taking a Scruffy virgin along. We shall call her Liz, because she answers to that. I think the most amusing thing leading up to the gig was our indecision about what we were going to afterwards. Hotel? Drive? B&B? Even considered camping - yes really. In the end Liz volunteered to drive. Absolutely top volunteering if you ask me. I did suffer some pangs of guilt as, in the hours leading up to the start, she realised that it was a full on DJ set running from 9pm through to 2am. She had made a hasty assumption that it would be a standard gig i.e. doors from about 7pm and all over by 11pm. Still, there we were.
I can't even try to describe the set. To say it was good would not in any way do it justice. If you like music, you should go. That is all.
Memories - warning!, fish, ghost town, cherry perry, skittles (especially the green ones), Prof Em Jay
Two gigs to go...
!!! 4th Nov
Foals 10th Nov
An added bonus this time was that I was taking a Scruffy virgin along. We shall call her Liz, because she answers to that. I think the most amusing thing leading up to the gig was our indecision about what we were going to afterwards. Hotel? Drive? B&B? Even considered camping - yes really. In the end Liz volunteered to drive. Absolutely top volunteering if you ask me. I did suffer some pangs of guilt as, in the hours leading up to the start, she realised that it was a full on DJ set running from 9pm through to 2am. She had made a hasty assumption that it would be a standard gig i.e. doors from about 7pm and all over by 11pm. Still, there we were.
I can't even try to describe the set. To say it was good would not in any way do it justice. If you like music, you should go. That is all.
Memories - warning!, fish, ghost town, cherry perry, skittles (especially the green ones), Prof Em Jay
Two gigs to go...
!!! 4th Nov
Foals 10th Nov
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sunday 12th September. Thorpe Park, stood in a queue of idiots.
Eventually we actually get to the front of the leviathan of a queue and take our place in the little cars that make up the rollercoaster. The usual hush descends as we await the commencement.......... and we’re off.
Again, I have cause to question people's actions. Rollercoasters – why do people raise their hands up high in the air? The only logical(?) explanation is that it’s people showing how brave they are at not holding on. But excuse me. What is this bloody great u-shaped bar that is pressing down on my shoulders and chest? Take all of that away, then see how many people raise their hands in the air. Actually, thinking about who was on the ride, I suspect that at least 50% still would.
The rides these days seem to have a to have a “claim”, a “best of” so to speak. Colossus being no exception. Apparently it’s the rollercoaster with the most inversions - ten. There you go.
I’m quite a fan of rollercoasters, but this one really didn’t do it for me. There was no great drop, there was no extreme speed. There were inversions though, although I’m not sure if there was ten, I wasn’t counting. No-one threw up on our turn.
It was somewhat of an anti-climax and not the best way to start the day.
What next? Rapids. Woop woop, only a fifteen minute queue. The ride itself? I will give it 7 out of 10. It’s didn’t disappoint, but only in the way that expectations to be thrilled weren’t especially high.
Right. Really need to lift our spirits. Let’s go for an old favourite – Nemesis. Good news too, only a 45 min wait! That will do for me....
Except it wasn’t.
It was over two hours.
At one point, we were debating jumping over the fence and just leaving, but we stuck with it.
As a ride, it was quite good. It was typically Nemesis-like. But we were so hacked off with the whole place that we couldn’t really enjoy it.
Should we have stayed and got our money’s worth? Well no. Firstly we hadn’t strictly paid, and secondly why put ourselves through yet more queuing and disappointment?
So that was it. Between four and five hours spent at Thorpe Park, and 95% of that was in queues, full of retards. Chavvy retards.
I’m soooooo looking forward to Alton Towers next year.
Again, I have cause to question people's actions. Rollercoasters – why do people raise their hands up high in the air? The only logical(?) explanation is that it’s people showing how brave they are at not holding on. But excuse me. What is this bloody great u-shaped bar that is pressing down on my shoulders and chest? Take all of that away, then see how many people raise their hands in the air. Actually, thinking about who was on the ride, I suspect that at least 50% still would.
The rides these days seem to have a to have a “claim”, a “best of” so to speak. Colossus being no exception. Apparently it’s the rollercoaster with the most inversions - ten. There you go.
I’m quite a fan of rollercoasters, but this one really didn’t do it for me. There was no great drop, there was no extreme speed. There were inversions though, although I’m not sure if there was ten, I wasn’t counting. No-one threw up on our turn.
It was somewhat of an anti-climax and not the best way to start the day.
What next? Rapids. Woop woop, only a fifteen minute queue. The ride itself? I will give it 7 out of 10. It’s didn’t disappoint, but only in the way that expectations to be thrilled weren’t especially high.
Right. Really need to lift our spirits. Let’s go for an old favourite – Nemesis. Good news too, only a 45 min wait! That will do for me....
Except it wasn’t.
It was over two hours.
At one point, we were debating jumping over the fence and just leaving, but we stuck with it.
As a ride, it was quite good. It was typically Nemesis-like. But we were so hacked off with the whole place that we couldn’t really enjoy it.
Should we have stayed and got our money’s worth? Well no. Firstly we hadn’t strictly paid, and secondly why put ourselves through yet more queuing and disappointment?
So that was it. Between four and five hours spent at Thorpe Park, and 95% of that was in queues, full of retards. Chavvy retards.
I’m soooooo looking forward to Alton Towers next year.
TP Part 1
As mentioned, Sunday 12th was to be Thorpe Park day. Been?
Satnav said 2.5 hours and who am I to argue?
So off we go.
Breakfast to be had ‘on the hoof’. Promised ourselves a McDonalds breakfast. I don’t mind Maccy Ds. I wouldn’t say that I crave them, but by the same token, I’m certainly not in the anti-fastfood brigade.
So the Tomtom came into its own (again). Plenty of Burger Kings en route, but no signs for McDonalds. The last time that I had a Burger King breakfast burger it was, let’s be honest, awful. A quick search and a preferred purveyor of lard-in-a-bun was found within yards of the M25. Time was approaching 9.30 and I was amazed at quite how busy it was. Anyway, enough rambling for now. Double sausage & egg McMuffin complete with hash brown and fresh orange. Onwards.
I’ll spare you the rest of the journey as it was not of any interest whatsoever.
And so we begin my worst visit to a theme park... ever.
Entry is fairly straight forward. A little bit of a queue, nothing major. Hand over our vouchers courtesy of Tesco Clubcards (other loyalty deals are available) and in we go.
On entry we choose to dive into the first available ride – Colossus. As we walk in, the sign says 80mins. That was an under-estimate. Fortunately it’s a nice day, so we act ever-so-British and queue politely.
After a good hour and a half, we get close to the front and across the tannoy comes an announcement that they are stopping the ride as someone has been sick. What? Are they not prepared for this sort of eventuality? No-one else seem particularly bothered by this, so I immediately start to wonder why. Is it...
a) Me that is being grossly impatient.
b) Others that are very mild mannered with regards to queuing
c) The average person in the queue has a very low IQ and therefore the concept of queuing amongst similar ‘beings’ for over an hour and a half, and then being told to wait for another indefinite amount of time just passes them by without worry.
I’m not sure. What do you think?
Satnav said 2.5 hours and who am I to argue?
So off we go.
Breakfast to be had ‘on the hoof’. Promised ourselves a McDonalds breakfast. I don’t mind Maccy Ds. I wouldn’t say that I crave them, but by the same token, I’m certainly not in the anti-fastfood brigade.
So the Tomtom came into its own (again). Plenty of Burger Kings en route, but no signs for McDonalds. The last time that I had a Burger King breakfast burger it was, let’s be honest, awful. A quick search and a preferred purveyor of lard-in-a-bun was found within yards of the M25. Time was approaching 9.30 and I was amazed at quite how busy it was. Anyway, enough rambling for now. Double sausage & egg McMuffin complete with hash brown and fresh orange. Onwards.
I’ll spare you the rest of the journey as it was not of any interest whatsoever.
And so we begin my worst visit to a theme park... ever.
Entry is fairly straight forward. A little bit of a queue, nothing major. Hand over our vouchers courtesy of Tesco Clubcards (other loyalty deals are available) and in we go.
On entry we choose to dive into the first available ride – Colossus. As we walk in, the sign says 80mins. That was an under-estimate. Fortunately it’s a nice day, so we act ever-so-British and queue politely.
After a good hour and a half, we get close to the front and across the tannoy comes an announcement that they are stopping the ride as someone has been sick. What? Are they not prepared for this sort of eventuality? No-one else seem particularly bothered by this, so I immediately start to wonder why. Is it...
a) Me that is being grossly impatient.
b) Others that are very mild mannered with regards to queuing
c) The average person in the queue has a very low IQ and therefore the concept of queuing amongst similar ‘beings’ for over an hour and a half, and then being told to wait for another indefinite amount of time just passes them by without worry.
I’m not sure. What do you think?
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