First of all I have to say that I am sorry that once again I have lapsed into silence for such a long time again......things got quiet and I ran out of exciting things to talk about, and then I must admit I just lost touch.
Now of course there things have changed......
Firstly I have met someone amazing. I don't know if the how will be something to tell the kids or not but in brief we met at an inquest. Not quite love over a body, or a court room romance although I am told by some of the Court Ushers that the jury thought that there was something going on. We were representing different doctors and things just happened eventually. She is a barrister and so has all the brains in the partnership, and she very much keeps me on the straight and narrow.
I have also finally moved to Manchester. For those of you who have followed my blog in the past will know of the commute that I was doing, and my plans.....well apparently the love of a good woman will even get me moving and so I moved to Manchester about 10 months ago, and have been very happy in Chorlton. This is a fantastic place to be, with great nightlife, great independent places to eat, and a whole lot of friends.
The plan when I moved here was that I would have a flat below Rachel (only because I had been to see so many awful flats that the basement of her block was the best one). After about 4 months we decided to buy a place together and I will not bore you with the history of our purchasing troubles (well maybe if I ever run out of things to talk about :-) ). We looked all over Manchester, and beyond, fell in love with some (more than one) and after much increasing and decreasing of budget we have finally completed on our flat......all of three doors down from where we currently rent....so there we are a brief update on where I am at the moment.
Hope everyone out there in blogland is happy and safe.
Saturday, 8 September 2012
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Nozstock!
To Festival or not to Festival?
It's been years since I last went to a festival......I'm not counting a Proms in the Park or a concert.....but one of those real stuck in the mud, sleeping in a tent (if you get to sleep), stinking until Sunday Night, dancing till dawn, and meeting completely random, fantastic, all luved (and possibly chemically enhanced) people. This was until last weekend.
I loved it but must admit that I am still trying to recover from it......
There really is nothing like a festival, you do get to meet some fantastic people, and they are all so friendly. Add to that fantastic music......a hugely eclectic mix of tastes and styles, from dub step from the likes of Dub Mafia, hip hop, the wonderful stylings of Alabama 3, Ade Edmondson (of Young one's fame) and the Good Shepherds and even the Wurzels. On top of this some truly classic dance, and a mix of various forms of alcohol and fancy dress and it was no wonder that the dancing continued until 4:30 on both mornings.
If you can get to Nozstock I would hugely recommend it. It is only a small festival with some of the best new and up and coming groups around. With only about 7,500 festival goers it is really friendly and hugely impressive the amount of work that goes into. On top of the music there is theatre, comedy and a huge range of artistic performers, which are a fantastic way to relax the morning after.
I would love to say that I took some photographs but unfortunately too much dancing, wearing a variety of rubber masks (animal.....not anything weird) and generally overheating into the small hours did not pre-dispose itself to a camera, but I would really recommend having a look on the website
It's been years since I last went to a festival......I'm not counting a Proms in the Park or a concert.....but one of those real stuck in the mud, sleeping in a tent (if you get to sleep), stinking until Sunday Night, dancing till dawn, and meeting completely random, fantastic, all luved (and possibly chemically enhanced) people. This was until last weekend.
I loved it but must admit that I am still trying to recover from it......
There really is nothing like a festival, you do get to meet some fantastic people, and they are all so friendly. Add to that fantastic music......a hugely eclectic mix of tastes and styles, from dub step from the likes of Dub Mafia, hip hop, the wonderful stylings of Alabama 3, Ade Edmondson (of Young one's fame) and the Good Shepherds and even the Wurzels. On top of this some truly classic dance, and a mix of various forms of alcohol and fancy dress and it was no wonder that the dancing continued until 4:30 on both mornings.
If you can get to Nozstock I would hugely recommend it. It is only a small festival with some of the best new and up and coming groups around. With only about 7,500 festival goers it is really friendly and hugely impressive the amount of work that goes into. On top of the music there is theatre, comedy and a huge range of artistic performers, which are a fantastic way to relax the morning after.
I would love to say that I took some photographs but unfortunately too much dancing, wearing a variety of rubber masks (animal.....not anything weird) and generally overheating into the small hours did not pre-dispose itself to a camera, but I would really recommend having a look on the website
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
The Boy's back in Town
They say that every good comes to an end, and unfortunately Bristol is at an end.
I have to admit that it was with a bit of trepidation that I got in my car 10 weeks ago and drove down to Bristol. I had been there once as a student, for a drunken night out, and other than the University I didn't really know anywhere around. I was also heading to the "Head Office" where the big scary bosses all lived. It didn't help that until the Friday morning (heading down on the Sunday) that I was told where I was staying. At one moment it was going to be a serviced apartment, then it was going to be house sitting for the neighbour of the Big Grand Poobah of Clinical Risk (could have been a very nice house, but knowing my luck the accidental setting fire to the kitchen for the boss' neighbour whilst they were on holiday didn't strike me as being a great way to advance up the promotion ladder!) and finally a flat share......and not a flat share with a colleague or someone else from the office, but a random, from the paper (I had heard about the murder in Bristol at New Year, and more importantly so had my Mother.....a wonderful Mother Hen, who had already told me that she would be worrying about me......) In the end it was a serviced apartment which was incredible......thank you Saco.
As it was my concerns were completely unfounded, and I found in Bristol a city in which I felt more at home than anywhere other than Hull (and possibly York) and where I fell totally in love with the city, the office and the work. This may have had something to do with being able to have a life outside work and commuting, but I really don't think so.
I think that how much I enjoyed Bristol came home when, having been back travelling to Manchester each day for two days the wonderful train network decided that after 14 hours awake the train stopped at Leeds and decided it would go no further. Another 90 minutes to my day before I got home and as I stood watching the minutes tick by on the large clock when I noticed the train for Bristol Temple Mead station sitting at the platform opposite. It was with great difficulty that it stopped me climbing the stairs and crossing the tracks before jumping on to the train to escape back to Bristol.
So it's back to the slog, but the move to York has been assured, and if it can't be managed, you never know I may return to become a plastic Southerner......(not only for the cider!)
I have to admit that it was with a bit of trepidation that I got in my car 10 weeks ago and drove down to Bristol. I had been there once as a student, for a drunken night out, and other than the University I didn't really know anywhere around. I was also heading to the "Head Office" where the big scary bosses all lived. It didn't help that until the Friday morning (heading down on the Sunday) that I was told where I was staying. At one moment it was going to be a serviced apartment, then it was going to be house sitting for the neighbour of the Big Grand Poobah of Clinical Risk (could have been a very nice house, but knowing my luck the accidental setting fire to the kitchen for the boss' neighbour whilst they were on holiday didn't strike me as being a great way to advance up the promotion ladder!) and finally a flat share......and not a flat share with a colleague or someone else from the office, but a random, from the paper (I had heard about the murder in Bristol at New Year, and more importantly so had my Mother.....a wonderful Mother Hen, who had already told me that she would be worrying about me......) In the end it was a serviced apartment which was incredible......thank you Saco.
As it was my concerns were completely unfounded, and I found in Bristol a city in which I felt more at home than anywhere other than Hull (and possibly York) and where I fell totally in love with the city, the office and the work. This may have had something to do with being able to have a life outside work and commuting, but I really don't think so.
I think that how much I enjoyed Bristol came home when, having been back travelling to Manchester each day for two days the wonderful train network decided that after 14 hours awake the train stopped at Leeds and decided it would go no further. Another 90 minutes to my day before I got home and as I stood watching the minutes tick by on the large clock when I noticed the train for Bristol Temple Mead station sitting at the platform opposite. It was with great difficulty that it stopped me climbing the stairs and crossing the tracks before jumping on to the train to escape back to Bristol.
So it's back to the slog, but the move to York has been assured, and if it can't be managed, you never know I may return to become a plastic Southerner......(not only for the cider!)
Monday, 23 May 2011
Turn left at the crazy half man half plant and straight on till you reach mermaids!
Being down South, and with a weekend free we decided that we should really see some sights that are around (and possibly increase my knowledge of both the spiritual and historical of the region)
Accordingly, a short car journey (well 90 minutes) saw me in Hereford. I have to admit that my knowledge of Hereford was really limited to that it was sometimes inside Wales and sometimes outside (that and expecting to see a lot of extremely healthy men, with slightly longer hair than normal for the army, and with a scary look in their eyes! - The SAS are based around there - very hush hush!)
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| Copyright - BBC.co.uk |
The views within the Cathedral are quite fantastic. There has been a place of worship on the site since the 8th Century, and although the original Saxon cathedral was destroyed by the Welsh in about 1055 the majority of the cathedral dates from about between 1107-1158. To see pieces of architecture that have survived for over 900 years is incredible. Currently there is a large amount of repairs going on, and although they were closed when we went, you can see an open work area outside where the stonemasons are producing replacement stone work.
One of the most interesting pieces that the Cathedral holds is the Hereford Mappa Mundi. This was the 13th Century's view of the world. To see it, it is amazing to see how our ancestors saw the world around them, and how they linked this to the spiritual world, and their extremely strange geographical and anatomical beliefs. The map is currently dated from 1300 and was made from a single calf skin.
Whilst the map attempts to identify the major pilgrim sites it is interspersed with amazing images of creatures that they thought lived around the world. This includes a mandrake, which is depicted as half a tree and half a man upside down, a unicorn, and men who have no heads but whose faces are in their chests (some kind medieval commentator had likened them to lawyers......I don't know what we ever did to them!)
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| Copyright - Hereford Cathedral 2009 |
The mappa mundi was quite spectacular, but did make me wonder if this was one of the earliest A-Zs whether directions would be by way of mythical creatures, and how difficult passing the cabby's knowledge would have been.
If you are at the Cathedral I would also recommend seeing the chained library, containing volumes of books that date from as early as 1473.
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Shizzle da Brizzle
Having now been down in Bristol for four weeks, and having had a whole 2 weekends to explore (couldn't include Easter.....or heaven forbid the "WEDDING WEEKEND") I should say that Bristol has some fantastic views and sights (apart from burnt out Tesco supermarkets or riot police.....although that only seems to happen when I leave the city......heav'n knows what will happen when I leave, but if there is a smouldering hole on the map where Bristol used to be.....it's really not my fault!)
If you ever get the chance to go I would really recommend it.
One sight has got to be the Avon Gorge Bridge, built by someone famous (Isambard Kingdom Brunel - I think) but the views are really incredible.
If you don't have a head for heights (and to be honest even if you normally do but the thought of being a very long long way over a busy road and river) there is Clifton itself, which over looks the Avon Gorge, and where there are some really nice shops (and where there is a fantastic cider bar the Coronation Tap - where Exhibition cider is sold in half pint glasses).
Bristol is also a home of some fantastic street art, having been a home of Banksy, and more young artists coming through. There is a tour that you can follow to wander round some of his more famous pieces, but there are still little pieces that can be found just turning a corner.
There is so much antiquity that you can walk down a street and feel that you should be living 200 years ago, and then turn a corner to be faced with modernity, most of which seems to have been integrated cleanly and without significant disturbance.
And whilst away from home, I have been put up in a serviced apartment, which (although a room and en-suite) it overlooks the harbour. This is not quite as grand as it sounds.....there are no fancy yachts and big expensive cars (well there are but not in this bit of the harbour) but a lot of narrow boats and seagulls. Whilst noisy many enjoyable hours have been spent watching the world go by from the harbour side, enjoying the sun.
And whilst away from home, I have been put up in a serviced apartment, which (although a room and en-suite) it overlooks the harbour. This is not quite as grand as it sounds.....there are no fancy yachts and big expensive cars (well there are but not in this bit of the harbour) but a lot of narrow boats and seagulls. Whilst noisy many enjoyable hours have been spent watching the world go by from the harbour side, enjoying the sun.
Other highlights:
The Hole in the Wall - a pub that is believed to be the basis for The Spyglass in Treasure Island.
St Mary's Redcliffe - a huge Elizabethan church
Cabots Circus - A place to find pretty much anything you could want
Glassboat Restaurant - a fantastic place to eat
St Mary's Redcliffe - a huge Elizabethan church
Cabots Circus - A place to find pretty much anything you could want
Glassboat Restaurant - a fantastic place to eat
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
There once was a young blogger from Hull........
Well okay not so young, well at least not physically (mentally is a whole different thing) who started blogging after a pretty horrid time, and he found that it was fantastic, it was a way to express emotions, without having to break with the stereotypical male impression of actually explaining to people how I felt.
Whilst blogging was great he found that he was blogging every day just to blog, and there was often nothing being said........it was becoming more and more as though he was back at Primary School and was writting "What I did last night......" just writing for the sake of saying that I was blogging.
All of a sudden he had nothing more to say......what could he write about......I am really lucky to read wonderful people's blogs who always seem extremely interesting, and all of a sudden he felt self conscious and didn't just want to be one of those bloggers who just open their "mouths" (well their fingers on keyboard) and the equivalent of verbal diarrhoea appears on a page online.
So he stopped, thinking that he would come back to blogging when he had something interesting to say.....and then work (and I know that this is an excuse) started to wear him down physically and mentally and it seemed too hard to sit and think what to write.......but things have changed, and I hope to return to you wonderful people in "Blogland".
Where am I know? Well I still work for the same firm, still in Manchester, and still living in Hull, but at the moment I am down in sunny Bristol, where I am going to be staying for two months (all without the four hour daily commute) I get to explore somewhere new, and I hope to put some photographs up soon. ON a trip back up to Hull this Easter Weekend (which I hope to be able to tell you about soon) I got to meet the wonderful Gemma Noon and can officially tell you that the 'Lil Dude' really is very very cool.
So to all my friends in "Blogland" I apologise for my silence, you have never been far from my thoughts, and I have tried to keep up with all your busy lives, and hope to read more now that I am back.
Whilst blogging was great he found that he was blogging every day just to blog, and there was often nothing being said........it was becoming more and more as though he was back at Primary School and was writting "What I did last night......" just writing for the sake of saying that I was blogging.
All of a sudden he had nothing more to say......what could he write about......I am really lucky to read wonderful people's blogs who always seem extremely interesting, and all of a sudden he felt self conscious and didn't just want to be one of those bloggers who just open their "mouths" (well their fingers on keyboard) and the equivalent of verbal diarrhoea appears on a page online.
So he stopped, thinking that he would come back to blogging when he had something interesting to say.....and then work (and I know that this is an excuse) started to wear him down physically and mentally and it seemed too hard to sit and think what to write.......but things have changed, and I hope to return to you wonderful people in "Blogland".
Where am I know? Well I still work for the same firm, still in Manchester, and still living in Hull, but at the moment I am down in sunny Bristol, where I am going to be staying for two months (all without the four hour daily commute) I get to explore somewhere new, and I hope to put some photographs up soon. ON a trip back up to Hull this Easter Weekend (which I hope to be able to tell you about soon) I got to meet the wonderful Gemma Noon and can officially tell you that the 'Lil Dude' really is very very cool.
So to all my friends in "Blogland" I apologise for my silence, you have never been far from my thoughts, and I have tried to keep up with all your busy lives, and hope to read more now that I am back.
Monday, 28 February 2011
If anyone ever earned their money!
This weekend saw the birthday of my lil Niece who turned 5......well to be truthful she has taken after her Mother (and the Queen) and whilst her Birthday was last Monday, has managed to spread one birthday over two weekends the first was with the in-laws who visited, and last weekend was the official party.
After gladly accepted the invitation.....well the whole family had......it was a trip down to Brize Norton to visit the Sister and co, with more pressies than seemed to be delivered at Chrimbo, and airbeds all round to crash in the living room. This seemed like a great idea before a very late, and only slightly drunken night out on Thursday night. At the moment weekends are a chance to lie in beyond 5.20am, although I hadn't really thought ahead, and which wasn't going to be exceeded too far when sleeping on a miniature bouncy castle in a house with a five year old, who was always going to be very excited given that presents were available.
My Sister and her hubby had booked out the families club and arranged for some entertainers. After spending most of Friday cutting cheese and ham sarnies into interesting shapes and frantic purchasing of party rings, hula-hoops and flapjacks these were distributed around the club, balloons inflated and banners put up. It was then that the entertainers arrived. I'm not sure if it was just me, but party entertainers when I was kid seemed to be either a magician who would do the rounds, or a clown who I remembered smelt very odd. The three young people, who looked like the cast of a children's TV programme turned up and swiftly installed two small inflatable bouncy 'things'......I thought that they were just castles.....or used to be in my day! a table for face painting, party games distributed and a magician's stand erected.
The finishing touches were just completed when the herd of tiny elephants turned up (well only about 25) and I take my hat off to the entertainment team. There were no tears, no tantrums, and no pressure. The kids were all kept entertained.......(when not eating ALL the pink wafers......not that I am at all disappointed!) I have to admit that I had been dreading the thought of being stuck in a hall with 25 five year olds running amok, but the whole day went fantastically.
So hats off and a huge round of applause to kid's party entertainers......oh and to all parents, who manage it on a day to day basis.
After gladly accepted the invitation.....well the whole family had......it was a trip down to Brize Norton to visit the Sister and co, with more pressies than seemed to be delivered at Chrimbo, and airbeds all round to crash in the living room. This seemed like a great idea before a very late, and only slightly drunken night out on Thursday night. At the moment weekends are a chance to lie in beyond 5.20am, although I hadn't really thought ahead, and which wasn't going to be exceeded too far when sleeping on a miniature bouncy castle in a house with a five year old, who was always going to be very excited given that presents were available.
My Sister and her hubby had booked out the families club and arranged for some entertainers. After spending most of Friday cutting cheese and ham sarnies into interesting shapes and frantic purchasing of party rings, hula-hoops and flapjacks these were distributed around the club, balloons inflated and banners put up. It was then that the entertainers arrived. I'm not sure if it was just me, but party entertainers when I was kid seemed to be either a magician who would do the rounds, or a clown who I remembered smelt very odd. The three young people, who looked like the cast of a children's TV programme turned up and swiftly installed two small inflatable bouncy 'things'......I thought that they were just castles.....or used to be in my day! a table for face painting, party games distributed and a magician's stand erected.
The finishing touches were just completed when the herd of tiny elephants turned up (well only about 25) and I take my hat off to the entertainment team. There were no tears, no tantrums, and no pressure. The kids were all kept entertained.......(when not eating ALL the pink wafers......not that I am at all disappointed!) I have to admit that I had been dreading the thought of being stuck in a hall with 25 five year olds running amok, but the whole day went fantastically.
So hats off and a huge round of applause to kid's party entertainers......oh and to all parents, who manage it on a day to day basis.
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Happy Valentine's Day
Wow, firstly I have to apologise for the paucity of recent posts. Somehow January and February has simply flown by and I have neglected you lovely people.
Secondly, and the subject of my post, Valentine's Day.
I really enjoy Valentine's Day, it is a time to spoil the person you are with, to share your time with them. I'm the first person to agree that it should not be for just one day a year, and some of the things that you can get are amazingly tacky (and overpriced.......how come a dozen roses will cost you about £10 on February 16 yet are £20 just two days earlier? Yeah yeah I know.................supply and demand oh and profiteering :) )
Whilst this year has been differentbut with my recent history, which I will not bore you with did make me realise how much pressure is put on you if you are single. I don't think for a minute that you need to be with someone just to be complete, although we are typically group animals, but everything is about being in a partnership or relationship. Every supermarket that you walked past was a wall of red, and fluffiness, and flowers immediately opposite the door, every card shop window was awash with more teddy bears than you could shake a stick at.......(can you shake a stick at a teddy bear? I suppose if they are Pooh sticks it would be appropriate......) oh and every mobile phone shop was advertising their pink phones especially for Valentine's Day.........(nothing says I love you like a brand new piece of plastic with multiple ring tones!)
I pity anyone who forget about Valentine's Day......although I have to ask how they managed it.
I really enjoy being with someone, and sharing with them, and the spirit of Valentine's Day (although as you can probably guess I can live without the pink and fluffy!) and I wish you all a very Happy, and slightly belated, Valentine's Day.
(sorry I forgot to get you a rose!)
Secondly, and the subject of my post, Valentine's Day.
I really enjoy Valentine's Day, it is a time to spoil the person you are with, to share your time with them. I'm the first person to agree that it should not be for just one day a year, and some of the things that you can get are amazingly tacky (and overpriced.......how come a dozen roses will cost you about £10 on February 16 yet are £20 just two days earlier? Yeah yeah I know.................supply and demand oh and profiteering :) )
Whilst this year has been differentbut with my recent history, which I will not bore you with did make me realise how much pressure is put on you if you are single. I don't think for a minute that you need to be with someone just to be complete, although we are typically group animals, but everything is about being in a partnership or relationship. Every supermarket that you walked past was a wall of red, and fluffiness, and flowers immediately opposite the door, every card shop window was awash with more teddy bears than you could shake a stick at.......(can you shake a stick at a teddy bear? I suppose if they are Pooh sticks it would be appropriate......) oh and every mobile phone shop was advertising their pink phones especially for Valentine's Day.........(nothing says I love you like a brand new piece of plastic with multiple ring tones!)
I pity anyone who forget about Valentine's Day......although I have to ask how they managed it.
I really enjoy being with someone, and sharing with them, and the spirit of Valentine's Day (although as you can probably guess I can live without the pink and fluffy!) and I wish you all a very Happy, and slightly belated, Valentine's Day.
(sorry I forgot to get you a rose!)
Sunday, 23 January 2011
I am (a) Kloot (convert)
When I was asked by a friend what I was doing this weekend, I really didn't have much to say ( I had hoped that I could get home on Friday night, have something to eat, maybe the first beer since New Year and then sleep through the weekend so that I would be ready for Monday morning.....well maybe go for another run if my legs will allow [see last blog] - what a lifestyle)
Instead they offered me a spare ticket to see a band that I had never heard of on Saturday night. Well after attempting to prevaricate I ended up saying that it would be great, and desperately searching the Internet for any links to their music. I know that I had heard of I am Kloot and that they had a fantastic reputation, but I really didn't want to admit my ignorance to my friend, my sister and her boyfriend, who were constantly talking about them.
I admit that I found one or two tracks online that I recognised, but was still not sure what to expect. I had been to The Duchess in York which is a great location, and to be honest, despite what I have said, I love watching live music, and don't mind what it is.
Arriving in York (always a great event for me anyway) we made our way through to the Duchess, where we had managed to miss the opening act, but the atmosphere was fantastic, and the surround music was great, and then at about 9:00pm I am Kloot arrived on stage...............and they were amazing! The Duchess is a small, intimate venue, and I'm sorry cos it sounds like I am gushing, but I don't know how to say how great the gig was. Being so intimate everyone was feet from the band, you could see everything.
And when the set was over, and queueing up to get the mandatory T-shirt I felt a hand on my back, and turning round found myself next to John Bramwell, the lead singer who was coming through to sign tour posters, CDs and tickets. It was very strange as he really isn't what you would expect of a lead singer in a band, but it just rounded off the evening perfectly.
And I think what I am trying to say is that the despite not being keen on going I would have really missed out if I had not gone! To be with great friends in a location with a great atmosphere and great music is the way to spend your free time!
Instead they offered me a spare ticket to see a band that I had never heard of on Saturday night. Well after attempting to prevaricate I ended up saying that it would be great, and desperately searching the Internet for any links to their music. I know that I had heard of I am Kloot and that they had a fantastic reputation, but I really didn't want to admit my ignorance to my friend, my sister and her boyfriend, who were constantly talking about them.
I admit that I found one or two tracks online that I recognised, but was still not sure what to expect. I had been to The Duchess in York which is a great location, and to be honest, despite what I have said, I love watching live music, and don't mind what it is.
Arriving in York (always a great event for me anyway) we made our way through to the Duchess, where we had managed to miss the opening act, but the atmosphere was fantastic, and the surround music was great, and then at about 9:00pm I am Kloot arrived on stage...............and they were amazing! The Duchess is a small, intimate venue, and I'm sorry cos it sounds like I am gushing, but I don't know how to say how great the gig was. Being so intimate everyone was feet from the band, you could see everything.
And when the set was over, and queueing up to get the mandatory T-shirt I felt a hand on my back, and turning round found myself next to John Bramwell, the lead singer who was coming through to sign tour posters, CDs and tickets. It was very strange as he really isn't what you would expect of a lead singer in a band, but it just rounded off the evening perfectly.
And I think what I am trying to say is that the despite not being keen on going I would have really missed out if I had not gone! To be with great friends in a location with a great atmosphere and great music is the way to spend your free time!
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Where did it go?
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| John Cleese (c) Independent.co.uk |
I know that at the moment I am not the fittest person in the world, but I had no idea I was quite so unfit!
When I was at university it was normal for me to run 8 miles a day, and played rugby three times a week, so I was reasonably fit.
Walking round Manchester every day means that I still walk approximately 8 miles a day so I thought that I was at least reasonably fit. This year, rather than set myself resolutions (which I invariably break within a week or two), I decided that I would set myself some reasonably easy targets that I hope to maintain or achieve by the end of the year. This year I want to get fitter, loose a little bit of weight and to cut down smoking......(I know it's a filthy habit, but I genuinely am addicted to the nicotine, and whilst I want to quite completely I know that it will be difficult......I only smoke about 8 a day at the most anyway, but I would like to get it down!)
SOOOOO and the reason for this post......Saturday morning came round, and I had some books to drop off with a friend so I thought I would have a quick jog, to start my fitness regime. Having been out to my friends in the car, a couple of miles I thought, and I would be back before you knew it.......
......instead at 2 miles out, and just about half way there, my calves starting to seize up. But I was over half way there....can't be much further.....I thought. Unfortunately I had forgotten that once I got there and dropped off the books, I would have to jog back. Well after just under 8 miles, and an hour after I set out from home, I returned..............my calves locked solid. Not only did I warm up I had also warmed down.....or I thought I had.
So since Saturday I have been hobbling around, and stinking of muscle rub. Slowly I am getting movement back, but it really wasn't a professional look. I am told it looked something of a mix of John Cleese's funny walks and someone walking with a filled nappy (I am still not sure how they know what that would look like!)
Whilst I can live with the pain and discomfort, and am more than happy to be ridiculed (not a hugely uncommon thing!) I think the thing that upset me most was the fact that my friend was out so I still have the bloody books!
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Goodbye 2010!
Well having had some time to reflect I thought I would have a look back over 2010. Well what can I say?.................................Poo!
Honestly it really hasn't been a great year. January last year started with a lot of anxiety......my Grandmother had just been diagnosed with recurrent gastric cancer, and the firm I worked for was spiralling down the toilet financially, and no-one seemed to know what would happen, or where we would be going. As it was mid January gave us the answer.....we were moving pretty much as a whole team to Manchester......just a lil bit of a shock!
Working through our notice period was a hugely strange experience. I'm pretty sure that most people have been through a notice period...............but when there are 10 of us, all in the same office, all leaving at the same time, and all leaving a boss who was something of a nut job. There were moments of hilarity, great stress, and unbelieveably surreal experiences, which if recounted would not be believed.
March saw the death of my Grandmother, and whilst it was a really sad occasion we were all around to say goodbye to her.
Honestly it really hasn't been a great year. January last year started with a lot of anxiety......my Grandmother had just been diagnosed with recurrent gastric cancer, and the firm I worked for was spiralling down the toilet financially, and no-one seemed to know what would happen, or where we would be going. As it was mid January gave us the answer.....we were moving pretty much as a whole team to Manchester......just a lil bit of a shock!
Working through our notice period was a hugely strange experience. I'm pretty sure that most people have been through a notice period...............but when there are 10 of us, all in the same office, all leaving at the same time, and all leaving a boss who was something of a nut job. There were moments of hilarity, great stress, and unbelieveably surreal experiences, which if recounted would not be believed.
March saw the death of my Grandmother, and whilst it was a really sad occasion we were all around to say goodbye to her.
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| Goodbye flat |
May was the start of the new job.........an upturn although a strange new place. Less than a fortnight into the job and the ex-GF developed a pulmonary embolism brought on by a DVT, in turn the result of a drunken accident on a night out. Okay so not a great impression to the new bosses, having to leave early to get to hospital for visiting hours, but ultimately she got better and work continued, as did our plans to move to Manchester.
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| Goodby Fred and Lilly |
June was even less fun.........the ex-GF decided that things weren't working out and decided to quit our flat. June, July and August really passed in something of a depression (well probably not only something of a depression.....I don't think that I had been so hurt since my second fiance left me.....it's a really long story!!) But there were two islands of brightness in this period. One was a week in France, in complete tranquility, and the other was meeting you wonderful people and the start of this blog, which has been a real life saver, and allowed me to pour out some emotions without having to break the "Man's rules of manliness!"
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| Tranquility in the Summer |
I must admit that the year has got better as it has progressed. I hope that the doom and gloom has cleared (and I again apologise for all my moaning!). The New Year was welcomed in with such love and friendliness around me that I hope that 2011 will be so much better.Whilst I will be the first to accept I am still not truely back to my fun loving best I know that I am on the road to recovery. I have my friends and family around me, and you wonderful people who listen to my complaints, concerns and random rantings. Work is crazy busy, and whilst the current commute is impossible to maintain the future is looking bright with the possibilty of a transfer to Leeds and I hope the opportunity to live in York (I accept that the aspirations are slightly less grand than that of Gem, with her wonderful dreams of Canada, but I must admit that I have developed slightly lower aspirations and dreams......there is less chance of those dreams being destroyed.)
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| Friends and family at a wonderful New Year! Thanks to you all |
Sunday, 2 January 2011
Hello 2011!
Firstly an apology for not being in touch with you wonderful people for a while but having bored you all before about my family's traditional Christmas programme, this year, the first since my Grandmother died, the family decided to get together at the folks house in France (again I apologise as I know I have bored you about this place......but it is amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing!)
The plan was that on Christmas eve eve....okay the 23rd my Sister and I would travel down to Bordeaux from Hull, picking up her BF on the way, meeting up with my lil Sister, her husband and lil Niece on route somewhere in France to arrive at Barie early on Christmas eve.
So after the usual work routine.....up at 5 and on the train to Manchester and back it was time to drive about 986 miles South, not helped by what was supposed to be the worst winter weather "EVER" (it really wasn't that bad at all!) and airport closures causing a 3 hour delay on the Euro Tunnel (man that is the weirdest experience ever.....to sit in a stationary car, whilst feeling definite forward motion, and seeing your passenger get out and walk away from the car at what seems a huge speed!) But after 22 hours of continuous travelling, split between my Sister and I (well mainly me.....have to do the whole manly thing of taking control!) the family was pretty much all together, with friends from the neighbourhood.
Christmas and New Year were fantastic, although strange without my Grandmother although we still tried to maintain our Christmas traditions. Getting up for stockings, followed by breakfast and then presents and it was fantastic to see the excitement in the Lil niece's eyes when she saw the soot boot prints by the chimney, the half eaten carrot and the piles of presents.
To commemorate my Grandmother and all that she meant to all of us, we set off Chinese lanterns on the stroke of midnight on New Year's eve, taking our wishes to her and to remind her that we were all thinking of her still.
The plan was that on Christmas eve eve....okay the 23rd my Sister and I would travel down to Bordeaux from Hull, picking up her BF on the way, meeting up with my lil Sister, her husband and lil Niece on route somewhere in France to arrive at Barie early on Christmas eve.
So after the usual work routine.....up at 5 and on the train to Manchester and back it was time to drive about 986 miles South, not helped by what was supposed to be the worst winter weather "EVER" (it really wasn't that bad at all!) and airport closures causing a 3 hour delay on the Euro Tunnel (man that is the weirdest experience ever.....to sit in a stationary car, whilst feeling definite forward motion, and seeing your passenger get out and walk away from the car at what seems a huge speed!) But after 22 hours of continuous travelling, split between my Sister and I (well mainly me.....have to do the whole manly thing of taking control!) the family was pretty much all together, with friends from the neighbourhood.
Christmas and New Year were fantastic, although strange without my Grandmother although we still tried to maintain our Christmas traditions. Getting up for stockings, followed by breakfast and then presents and it was fantastic to see the excitement in the Lil niece's eyes when she saw the soot boot prints by the chimney, the half eaten carrot and the piles of presents.
To commemorate my Grandmother and all that she meant to all of us, we set off Chinese lanterns on the stroke of midnight on New Year's eve, taking our wishes to her and to remind her that we were all thinking of her still.
Sunday, 12 December 2010
If you get the chance you should try to get too.......oh and an unexpected visitor!
This is probably a bit of a long shot, but if you are up in either Newcastle or Gateshead there are currently two fantastic exhibitions at the Baltic Mill art gallery on the banks of the Tyne.
A friend and I headed up to visit on Friday for the weekend, and no visit to Newcastle is complete without a visit to the Baltic Mill, so Saturday morning ish was the time decided upon.
Just getting there is an adventure! From the city centre there is a long wander down to the quayside, well it is a long way down, and from there across the Millennium Bridge, a spectacular piece of architecture that spans the Tyne and ends just outside the Baltic.
At the moment the artists being displayed are Anselm Kiefer, Dan Holdsworth and Dirk Bell. Whilst I am not a hugely artistic person and I am a proper Yorkshireman......I know what I like (and I like what I bloody say!). Dirk Bell is a German, who I have to say I had no idea what his art was trying to identify or symbolise, although Anselm Kiefer, a fellow German's pieces were really spectacular. I will not try and tell anyone what to enjoy or what the pictures were representing to me, but for me I really loved his pieces "Urd Werdande Skuld (The Norns) 1983", "Man under a Pyramid 1996" and "Lilith 1987-9".
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| Not the Baltic but rather the Sage, but just loved the photograph. |
The other artist whose work was fantastic is Dan Holdsworth's "Blackout" Collection, in which he displays slow processed photographs of glaciers, providing fantastic images of almost extra-terrestrial intensity. The Baltic is such that you can spend a couple of hours wandering around without melting your brain, but which can be real food for the soul.
I would also like to tell you about my surprise visitor........we were staying at a friend's house in Jesmond. After a night out on the quayside......a real experience! and several drinks in a bar that I was advised was owned by "Ant n Dec" we headed back to the house, to find a cat on the doorstep.Well at 3 a.m. with no-one around to let him in next door, he let himself into the communal hallway. Thinking nothing more of it, we got into the flat, headed to our rooms. This was until about 4 a.m. when this arrived on my chest....well the photograph was taken in the morning, but he was a very bonnie laddie, who ended up needling my chest all night ( I really couldn't be ar*ed to get up and let him out!)
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Cabin Fever!
I apologise again as the posts recently have not been as prolific as previously, and there is no justifiable reason, but I realised that there is only so much that you could say about the snow.
To anyone who doesn't live in the UK, I apologise, but snow here is usually a pretty huge thing (well to be honest talking about the weather is a national past-time, along with queuing......and despite the fact that we usually have weeks of notice the whole country seems to come to stop. It's amazing to see supermarket shelves empty as though the end of the world was approaching, how trains and buses freeze up, and apparently no effort is made to clear any of the snow around from the roads or pavements.
This was particularly true this last week with a dump of several inches of snow on Tuesday.....and some more on Wednesday....oh and some more throughout the rest of the week. Having bravely made it across to Manchester on Tuesday I was advised by my boss that it may be better to work from home on Wednesday (I have to say it not the type of advice that I usually need twice.....any excuse not to get up at 5:00am to commute to work is always welcomed!) But as the snow continued to fall it became impossible to travel across to work on Thursday or Friday (including the office Christmas party which was to be the crowning point of the year so far!). This has meant that i have had to look for any excuse to get out of the house, even if it was only for an hour no matter whether snow was avalanching from the roof tops, just to avoid the inevitable cabin fever.......it got to the point that by about 3:30 on most afternoons that even the dog was bored of listening to my conversation.
Trips out became a life saver......a walk down to a fantastic coffee shop for a latte (oh and to check out the crimbo lights on Newland Avenue), a trip to pick up a pint of milk, and can I also introduce you to Si the Skiing Snowman (yeah my Sister and I decided to regress......just a little bit, and to make a snowman)
Sadly (well maybe) the snow seems to be, if not thawing, then certainly not falling anymore, so it's back to work tomorrow. Am I upset? Not as much as I thought I would be!
Thursday, 25 November 2010
School re-union!
This weekend sees the annual old school re-union, well a dinner in the main hall with drinks and a talk from the Headmaster, typically a pat on the back to tell us old pupils that our legacy is being maintained (I have to say that my mates legacy seems to have been climbing the trees in the grounds, tormenting the Prefects and dinner ladies, running riot through the common room, smoking in the cemetery on Spring Bank, or sneaking across the road to the Old Zoological for a few pints at lunchtime! - I hope that this legacy is truly being upheld!) [although I accept that it is unlikely to be the subject of the Headmaster's speech]
I must admit that I haven't been for about 6 years.....it seemed to be a good way of catching up with friends whilst at University and after we had gone our own ways, but it was usually held on a Friday night and when you are away it can be difficult to get back in time.
Living up to the legacy we would typically meet up in the Old Zoological, our local, and have a few pints to reminisce before crossing the road to the bar that was typically set up in the Memorial Hall (where many hours were fruitless spent playing the demonstration tunes on electric keyboards) a few more drinks, before being lead through to the main hall, with lots of long tables, and a wine supplier. There was always a pot going round on the duration of the speeches, with the winnings typically being spent on more wine.
After the speeches it was typical for us to wander into Hull City Centre to attend a nightclub or two. I should point out at this stage that the event is Black-tie, and on occasions it has been known for me to attend wearing a kilt......(this always seemed such a good idea at the start of the night, although by the time you are walking into a club in a kilt on a Friday night in the centre of Hull, you are guaranteed an lively night!) For those who do not know Hull, or who have only arrived recently will never have known the joy of Lexington Avenues, or "LAs" as it was known.
This was a fantastically dodgy nightclub, where you would see things that you did not even believe to be possible, but which was cheap and cheesy (and didn't mind a group of about 40 people in evening dress turning up at about 12:30 on a Saturday morning to dance the remainder of the night away!)
Unfortunately this has since been demolished, taking a great slice of my history with it.......and this has left me somewhat more anxious about Saturday night.....this and the somewhat distressing fact that when I bought my ticket they asked me when I left. Telling them I left for University in 1995 made me realise that in a few years, the freshers that tend to race past me in fancy dress to various pubs, will not even have been born when I left to go (where is my life going so quickly, and why do I still think I am 12?)
I must admit that I haven't been for about 6 years.....it seemed to be a good way of catching up with friends whilst at University and after we had gone our own ways, but it was usually held on a Friday night and when you are away it can be difficult to get back in time.
Living up to the legacy we would typically meet up in the Old Zoological, our local, and have a few pints to reminisce before crossing the road to the bar that was typically set up in the Memorial Hall (where many hours were fruitless spent playing the demonstration tunes on electric keyboards) a few more drinks, before being lead through to the main hall, with lots of long tables, and a wine supplier. There was always a pot going round on the duration of the speeches, with the winnings typically being spent on more wine.
After the speeches it was typical for us to wander into Hull City Centre to attend a nightclub or two. I should point out at this stage that the event is Black-tie, and on occasions it has been known for me to attend wearing a kilt......(this always seemed such a good idea at the start of the night, although by the time you are walking into a club in a kilt on a Friday night in the centre of Hull, you are guaranteed an lively night!) For those who do not know Hull, or who have only arrived recently will never have known the joy of Lexington Avenues, or "LAs" as it was known.
This was a fantastically dodgy nightclub, where you would see things that you did not even believe to be possible, but which was cheap and cheesy (and didn't mind a group of about 40 people in evening dress turning up at about 12:30 on a Saturday morning to dance the remainder of the night away!)
Unfortunately this has since been demolished, taking a great slice of my history with it.......and this has left me somewhat more anxious about Saturday night.....this and the somewhat distressing fact that when I bought my ticket they asked me when I left. Telling them I left for University in 1995 made me realise that in a few years, the freshers that tend to race past me in fancy dress to various pubs, will not even have been born when I left to go (where is my life going so quickly, and why do I still think I am 12?)
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
I can almost hear the sleigh bells.....
Not only are the lights up around town (both Hull and Manchester) and the Christmas Market is in full swing in Manchester.......but now it is also snowing!
I realise that reading back through some of the past blogs it does seem that I am a little bit like a kiddie on Christmas Eve (Boy wanty pressie! Where Santy Clause? Want pressies now!) but it's not so much Christmas itself (although I do love Christmas) but rather the whole season of winter.
Walking to the station in the morning there is nothing quite like seeing your breath in the air and that almost painful first few breaths, almost burning the lungs.....and I love snow. I think it is a further regression to childhood.
When we were a lot younger.....I think I was about 6.....my parents bought us a set of cross country skis. They did not want us throwing ourselves down a hill on skis at a young age...that was the plan! Instead we would go to Beverley Westwood when there was snow to slog round with planks of wood on our feet, to drag ourselves up any slight incline to experience the thrill of a little gravity driven acceleration. This was the birth of a lifelong love of skiing......so I am even more excited about the snow.
So with the cold, lights, decorations and snow......bring on Christmas.
I realise that reading back through some of the past blogs it does seem that I am a little bit like a kiddie on Christmas Eve (Boy wanty pressie! Where Santy Clause? Want pressies now!) but it's not so much Christmas itself (although I do love Christmas) but rather the whole season of winter.
Walking to the station in the morning there is nothing quite like seeing your breath in the air and that almost painful first few breaths, almost burning the lungs.....and I love snow. I think it is a further regression to childhood.
When we were a lot younger.....I think I was about 6.....my parents bought us a set of cross country skis. They did not want us throwing ourselves down a hill on skis at a young age...that was the plan! Instead we would go to Beverley Westwood when there was snow to slog round with planks of wood on our feet, to drag ourselves up any slight incline to experience the thrill of a little gravity driven acceleration. This was the birth of a lifelong love of skiing......so I am even more excited about the snow.
So with the cold, lights, decorations and snow......bring on Christmas.
Sunday, 21 November 2010
Waking, baking and Sunday dinner making......
This has been the first weekend for about 4 weeks that I have not been racing around, sleeping in trenches or jet setting off to Dublin that I had a weekend to myself, so this weekend I decided that I had to make the most of it, especially Sunday.
Getting up at stupid o'clock to commute to Manchester every day there is somethine really magically in sleeping in.....and quite sad when you get excited about lying in till 8.00am, as it was I managed to sleep in till at least 8:45 :) but then what do you do with the unexpected day to yourself?
Well my Mother has a charidee cake sale tomorrow, so I offered to back something for her to sell. Whilst I love to cook I know that my food would never get onto Masterchief. So a simple bake for a Sunday afternoon.......scones!!!!! Pretty straight forward recipe, that will sit in a processor for a few minutes and then into the oven!
8oz - self-raising flour
1tsp - baking powder
1 1/2 oz - soft butter
1oz - caster sugar
1 - egg
1/4 pint - milk
Mix flour, baking powder and butter, then add sugar and then egg, before mixing in the milk, roll out, cut out, wash with milk....bake.....simples tsk!
Having offered to bake for the charidee it was only fitting that being in the kitchen I stayed there to prepare Sunday lunch.
After a day in the kitchen I remember how much I love cooking, and how much (bank manager willing) I would love to open my own restaurant. Maybe I should get out of law now while I have the chance!
Getting up at stupid o'clock to commute to Manchester every day there is somethine really magically in sleeping in.....and quite sad when you get excited about lying in till 8.00am, as it was I managed to sleep in till at least 8:45 :) but then what do you do with the unexpected day to yourself?
Well my Mother has a charidee cake sale tomorrow, so I offered to back something for her to sell. Whilst I love to cook I know that my food would never get onto Masterchief. So a simple bake for a Sunday afternoon.......scones!!!!! Pretty straight forward recipe, that will sit in a processor for a few minutes and then into the oven!
8oz - self-raising flour
1tsp - baking powder
1 1/2 oz - soft butter
1oz - caster sugar
1 - egg
1/4 pint - milk
Mix flour, baking powder and butter, then add sugar and then egg, before mixing in the milk, roll out, cut out, wash with milk....bake.....simples tsk!
Having offered to bake for the charidee it was only fitting that being in the kitchen I stayed there to prepare Sunday lunch.
After a day in the kitchen I remember how much I love cooking, and how much (bank manager willing) I would love to open my own restaurant. Maybe I should get out of law now while I have the chance!
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Christmas is definitely just around the corner.
I'm not one of those people who can give you an exact count of the number of days to Christmas from any given day in the year, nor am I one of those people who organise presents throughout the year for that one day.....(I must admit I kind of cheat and when I am with someone, I tend to make notes of the things that they point out that they like so I can avoid the difficulty of making decisions on what jewellery, or pyjamas, or books etc to buy - being single can kinda suck at Christmas time)
I love the house fully decorated, the chance to spend the time with the family is fantastic, and the joy of watching my niece's face when she opens her presents makes all the time an effort worth while.
My family has a tradition at Christmas. Christmas eve is usually spent doing the last wrapping, and preparing the veggies for Christmas dinner, followed by a few drinks with friends and Midnight Mass. Christmas morning usually starts early, with my younger Sister who tends to be up at about 6.30am, even after Jess was born, and be dying to open the stockings. Stockings are opened upstairs, then breakfast of cold ham and boiled eggs and then onto the important job of opening the rest of the presents. After presents for the last ten years I will go and prepare Christmas dinner, typically with my Father's help (I tend to ensure that Dad has got at least one DVD which he can watch whilst having a drink whilst I cook! I find it so much easier that way round!)
After dinner the traditional Christmas activity takes over of sleeping through the Queen's speech, and pretty much everything else that is on TV.
I really enjoy this time of year, and Christmas seems to be just round the corner. This feeling was heightened today with the opening of Manchester's Christmas Market, a huge continental market spread throughout the centre, with all manner of stalls all festive and full of cheer (oh and mulled wine!)
P.S. - I apologise my posts are somewhat like buses.....you wait all week for one and then two come along at once!
I love the house fully decorated, the chance to spend the time with the family is fantastic, and the joy of watching my niece's face when she opens her presents makes all the time an effort worth while.
My family has a tradition at Christmas. Christmas eve is usually spent doing the last wrapping, and preparing the veggies for Christmas dinner, followed by a few drinks with friends and Midnight Mass. Christmas morning usually starts early, with my younger Sister who tends to be up at about 6.30am, even after Jess was born, and be dying to open the stockings. Stockings are opened upstairs, then breakfast of cold ham and boiled eggs and then onto the important job of opening the rest of the presents. After presents for the last ten years I will go and prepare Christmas dinner, typically with my Father's help (I tend to ensure that Dad has got at least one DVD which he can watch whilst having a drink whilst I cook! I find it so much easier that way round!)
After dinner the traditional Christmas activity takes over of sleeping through the Queen's speech, and pretty much everything else that is on TV.
I really enjoy this time of year, and Christmas seems to be just round the corner. This feeling was heightened today with the opening of Manchester's Christmas Market, a huge continental market spread throughout the centre, with all manner of stalls all festive and full of cheer (oh and mulled wine!)
P.S. - I apologise my posts are somewhat like buses.....you wait all week for one and then two come along at once!
Things to do in Dublin.......
I'm sorry to all of you for the paucity of posts so far this month.....a combination of a crazy few weeks and then a touch of bloggers block.
There have been up and down the Country at least twice a week, but then this weekend saw the entire department's annual (well semi annual.....in that it occurs when they remember and have something/somewhere to discuss with us!) grand team bonding session. This time it was a trip to Dublin, to see our new office and to meet all those people we know about but who we have never met (some of them with good reason I have to say!)
This extravegansa saw about 140 people converging from 6 airports into Dublin International Airport, which is a really nice airport and delivered by a very friendly coach driver to our hotel......(not one that I will be heading back to anytime soon, but a stereotypical conference hotel) I think that it would have been taken slightly better had our flight not left Manchester at 7.55am for a first organised event at 12:30pm. After the conference and a evening of moderate entertainment (well I say moderate...it certainly started out that way with a walk round the office, a few drinks and a dinner, but ended up somewhat messily!)
A couple of us decided that as we had travelled over to Dublin, it would be good to stay over on Saturday night and enjoy Saturday in Dublin, so wondered what you can do. Having checked online we realised that we would be pushed to fit everything in.
Things that we thought that we would do:
A walk into the centre.....past Trinity College, and along Grafton Street, we found a pub.....well after a somewhat late night on Friday a coffee for me.....whilst the guys hit the Guiness straight away at 10:30am. Some 17 hours later we made it back to the hotel! There was fantastic live folk music, some hugely friendly people (except for one very well informed young lady who decided that she had to inform us four poor guys from the mainland the effects of 16 Guinesses in a short space of time - thankfully not experienced her dire warnings!) great beers and I can hugely recommend the Porterhouse - Temple Bar.
Whilst the flight home on Sunday was not too fun Dublin was everything that it was billed as, and can't wait to go back......
P.S. - Having looked at the list of things to do we:
There have been up and down the Country at least twice a week, but then this weekend saw the entire department's annual (well semi annual.....in that it occurs when they remember and have something/somewhere to discuss with us!) grand team bonding session. This time it was a trip to Dublin, to see our new office and to meet all those people we know about but who we have never met (some of them with good reason I have to say!)
This extravegansa saw about 140 people converging from 6 airports into Dublin International Airport, which is a really nice airport and delivered by a very friendly coach driver to our hotel......(not one that I will be heading back to anytime soon, but a stereotypical conference hotel) I think that it would have been taken slightly better had our flight not left Manchester at 7.55am for a first organised event at 12:30pm. After the conference and a evening of moderate entertainment (well I say moderate...it certainly started out that way with a walk round the office, a few drinks and a dinner, but ended up somewhat messily!)
A couple of us decided that as we had travelled over to Dublin, it would be good to stay over on Saturday night and enjoy Saturday in Dublin, so wondered what you can do. Having checked online we realised that we would be pushed to fit everything in.
Things that we thought that we would do:
- Visit the Guiness museum,
- Have our photo taken with Molly Malone,
- Walk round Trinity College,
- Visit Grafton Street,
- See Landesdowne Road Stadium (and if possible see a game there!)
A walk into the centre.....past Trinity College, and along Grafton Street, we found a pub.....well after a somewhat late night on Friday a coffee for me.....whilst the guys hit the Guiness straight away at 10:30am. Some 17 hours later we made it back to the hotel! There was fantastic live folk music, some hugely friendly people (except for one very well informed young lady who decided that she had to inform us four poor guys from the mainland the effects of 16 Guinesses in a short space of time - thankfully not experienced her dire warnings!) great beers and I can hugely recommend the Porterhouse - Temple Bar.
Whilst the flight home on Sunday was not too fun Dublin was everything that it was billed as, and can't wait to go back......
P.S. - Having looked at the list of things to do we:
- Drank pretty much the whole Guiness museum's worth,
- Definitely saw Molly Malone.....if not been able to focus a camera on her
- Walked along Grafton Street and around Trinity College.....trying to find the pub where we were to meet up, and
- Saw Landsdowne Road Stadium - from afar......and even caught a rugby match, even if it was whilst sitting in a pub with a beer in my hand!
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Two guys in a trench!
Well after turning 34 (and trying to grow up......well not really ;) ) the best way I could think of celebrating was to sit in a foxhole overnight, in the cold, just for re-enacting (I don't even get paid to sit in a foxhole and have people shoot at me, this is just for giggles......well there is a far more important purpose.....to remind people what those incredibly brave, heroic men and women lived through in defending our liberties and life!)
Whilst we battled through Saturday and there were all manner of stories and amusing moments, although they are probably those kind of stories that will only be amusing to fellow re-enactors, but after 8 hours in the woods we decided to retreat back to the foxhole. For those who have never seen a re-enactment it is a bit like boyscout camps, interspersed with periods of historical activity, and usually a rehearsed pitched battle. In the winter season there are private battles, where training and tactics are practiced (it's a lot like cops 'n' robbers but in period kit, and with period tactics).
The battling was fun, but what really struck me was that whilst we do this hobby and try to ensure that we do things as correctly as possible, waking up on a foxhole was incredible. That poor young men from all over the world woke up in the bottom of trenches, or in bunkers, or foxholes, and are still doing so. We woke with mist and smoke slipping along the trench bottom and through the door, swirling in the slanting sunlight.
We are incredibly lucky that we do not live through those times anymore, that whilst conflict still rages around us, we are still in a very long period of World peace. That countless young men woke up, and still do, to these conditions......to never see another. That those young men lived, and died that we may be free, and at this time of year, with Remembrance Day around the corner it is a time that I always take a few hours to remember and thank those that have come before, and those that are still to come.
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