Friday 6 March 2020
An idiots guide to an Idiot: Break
An idiots guide to an Idiot: Break: Down visiting our dear friends in Kent for some much needed r&r. It's been full on for both of us since I got my job in January. We...
Break
Down visiting our dear friends in Kent for some much needed r&r. It's been full on for both of us since I got my job in January.
We went on a very pleasant walk round Rye Harbour Nature Reserve today and also had a look at the church. There's a very grand memorial to commemorate the loss of the RNLI Lifeboat The Mary Stanford in 1928. The whole crew of 17 perished when it capsized after going out in bad weather to the help two ships that had collided. However a message from the coastguard for the Mary Stanford to stand down arrived too late , there is much conjecture as to how the boat capsized an inquiry decided it was due to a strong flood tide and a high and dangerous breaking sea. 15 are buried in the graveyard, one was washed up in Eastbourne three months later and laid to rest with his comrades and one was never found. A very sad tale. The graveyard also contains a couple of military graves:
456/ST Trimmer Thomas Stevenson RNR from HM Trawler 'Carlton,' died 21st Feb1916 aged 36, also sailor killed in 1938 and an 18 year Fusilier killed in the Gulf War in 1991. Such a waste.
We walked back towards the car park and Martello Tower and into the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. A very pleasant walk to a bird hide where we watched Avocets and Redshanks feeding. Very peaceful. Finished the walk and met several dogs on the way back including one called Stan!
We went on a very pleasant walk round Rye Harbour Nature Reserve today and also had a look at the church. There's a very grand memorial to commemorate the loss of the RNLI Lifeboat The Mary Stanford in 1928. The whole crew of 17 perished when it capsized after going out in bad weather to the help two ships that had collided. However a message from the coastguard for the Mary Stanford to stand down arrived too late , there is much conjecture as to how the boat capsized an inquiry decided it was due to a strong flood tide and a high and dangerous breaking sea. 15 are buried in the graveyard, one was washed up in Eastbourne three months later and laid to rest with his comrades and one was never found. A very sad tale. The graveyard also contains a couple of military graves:
456/ST Trimmer Thomas Stevenson RNR from HM Trawler 'Carlton,' died 21st Feb1916 aged 36, also sailor killed in 1938 and an 18 year Fusilier killed in the Gulf War in 1991. Such a waste.
We walked back towards the car park and Martello Tower and into the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. A very pleasant walk to a bird hide where we watched Avocets and Redshanks feeding. Very peaceful. Finished the walk and met several dogs on the way back including one called Stan!
Sunday 16 February 2020
An idiots guide to an Idiot: Three albums in.
An idiots guide to an Idiot: Three albums in.: You know of my joy in getting hold of a new album, well we're only halfway through February and there's three little gems to talk a...
Three albums in.
You know of my joy in getting hold of a new album, well we're only halfway through February and there's three little gems to talk about. Namely, Magnum's 'The Serpent Rings,' Those Damn Crow's 'Point of No Return' and Snake Oil & Harmony's 'Hurricane Riders.'
Originally I'd pre ordered Magnum and Those Damn Crows to arrive as soon as they came out but once I'd been made redundant I cancelled them, Tara more recently ordered Snake Oil & Harmony on a pre pre order! getting it about a month before it goes on general sale (arrived on 14th Feb)
So, the albums.
Magnum's 21st studio album is pretty good. I have to say that as with their last album you can tell very easily its Magnum, their style and song structure changes very little. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so, consider a great band like Queen. Their 1982 album 'Hot Space' is a travesty to put it mildly, a change of direction going all disco and funk, not a rock track anywhere near it. Do I want this of Magnum? No!
Their formula works, they never made the A List but have been around for years and can still tour and pretty well fill venues. What more can you ask?
Though they have tried a few small differences this time, there are orchestral arrangements on both 'Where are you Eden?' and 'The Serpent Rings,' they work very well. 'Not Forgiven' was released as a single (though I'm abit confused where singles fit in with things in these days of downloads) which I've heard on Planet Rock afew times. The title track is very good and we're looking forward to seeing them again in April They will no doubt play a couple of tracks off this album so I'd better get listening.
Those Damn Crows release their second album which has shot up the charts to (as of today) come in at number 14. 'Who did it' is the single most played and is a great track, the whole album is very good with 13 tracks it fairly rattles along. Shane Greenhall has a great voice, this band is definitely up and coming, we saw them supporting The Quireboys two years ago and I'd like to see them again. In fact we've just missed them as they tour brought them to London last week, though it was mid week as well which doesn't help.
Snake Oil and Harmony are bit of a change of pace. I'd put them in the style of The Eagles type of rock music, in fact Danny Vaughn used to play for The Illegal Eagles a very good Eagles tribute band. He is very good and excels at whatever he does. His day job is with Tyketto and his partner on this album is Dan Reed of The Dan Reed Network.
The songs are quite varied, sung by both though I must say I prefer Dany Vaughn's voice to Dan Reed. The latter has written three tracks on his own including one called 'Aberfan.' This is about the terrible disaster of 1966 when a slag heap slipped and buried a school killing 116 pupils and staff. Not a very uplifting subject and a little obscure for an American to write about but there you are.
Well, hardly an in depth look at each album but I think you get the impression I like them. The reviewers of Planet Rock magazine gave all the albums a respectable three out of five.
Originally I'd pre ordered Magnum and Those Damn Crows to arrive as soon as they came out but once I'd been made redundant I cancelled them, Tara more recently ordered Snake Oil & Harmony on a pre pre order! getting it about a month before it goes on general sale (arrived on 14th Feb)
So, the albums.
Magnum's 21st studio album is pretty good. I have to say that as with their last album you can tell very easily its Magnum, their style and song structure changes very little. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so, consider a great band like Queen. Their 1982 album 'Hot Space' is a travesty to put it mildly, a change of direction going all disco and funk, not a rock track anywhere near it. Do I want this of Magnum? No!
Their formula works, they never made the A List but have been around for years and can still tour and pretty well fill venues. What more can you ask?
Though they have tried a few small differences this time, there are orchestral arrangements on both 'Where are you Eden?' and 'The Serpent Rings,' they work very well. 'Not Forgiven' was released as a single (though I'm abit confused where singles fit in with things in these days of downloads) which I've heard on Planet Rock afew times. The title track is very good and we're looking forward to seeing them again in April They will no doubt play a couple of tracks off this album so I'd better get listening.
Those Damn Crows release their second album which has shot up the charts to (as of today) come in at number 14. 'Who did it' is the single most played and is a great track, the whole album is very good with 13 tracks it fairly rattles along. Shane Greenhall has a great voice, this band is definitely up and coming, we saw them supporting The Quireboys two years ago and I'd like to see them again. In fact we've just missed them as they tour brought them to London last week, though it was mid week as well which doesn't help.
Snake Oil and Harmony are bit of a change of pace. I'd put them in the style of The Eagles type of rock music, in fact Danny Vaughn used to play for The Illegal Eagles a very good Eagles tribute band. He is very good and excels at whatever he does. His day job is with Tyketto and his partner on this album is Dan Reed of The Dan Reed Network.
The songs are quite varied, sung by both though I must say I prefer Dany Vaughn's voice to Dan Reed. The latter has written three tracks on his own including one called 'Aberfan.' This is about the terrible disaster of 1966 when a slag heap slipped and buried a school killing 116 pupils and staff. Not a very uplifting subject and a little obscure for an American to write about but there you are.
Well, hardly an in depth look at each album but I think you get the impression I like them. The reviewers of Planet Rock magazine gave all the albums a respectable three out of five.
Sunday 9 February 2020
An idiots guide to an Idiot: February
An idiots guide to an Idiot: February: Well into the New Year now and I haven't blogged yet so thought I'd better get my finger out. Pleased to say I have another job, be...
February
Well into the New Year now and I haven't blogged yet so thought I'd better get my finger out.
Pleased to say I have another job, believe me when I tell you that it is a great relief to be back in employment again. Although it only took slightly longer to find a job this time than last, it was far more scary, as having Christmas in the middle meant everything just closed up. Who recruits or looks for a job right on Christmas? I was officially unemployed from the 1st January so had the dubious pleasure of having to go the Job Centre. This was without doubt one of the most depressing things we have ever had to do, & I say 'we' as its based on a household income not just me even though it was me looking for a job. The 'Job Coaches' are reasonable people but completely governed by their computer screens. The computer says no! The pittance we may have got wouldn't even have covered our outgoings even though we have never claimed for anything in our lives. Universal Credit is a terrible thing and the architect of it is up for a knighthood! Hardly fair is it. I'd shoot the bastard.
Anyway, I live to fight another day and have been back working since the 19th. Thank Buddha for that! The only person upset is Ida as she was getting a very long walk every day and now by necessity they are abit shorter!
To celebrate T booked us tickets to see Danny Vaughn and Dan Reed in MK at the beginning of March, should be great! Along with Saxon at the end of March, Magnum a week later, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in May and the New Forest Folk Festive in July our music diary is looking good!
T's Mum is 80 this year & trying to get the whole family on one place at the same time to celebrate is like trying to nail jelly to the wall! Though her Birthday is in April looks like we may all have a 'window' in October, oh well!
Pleased to say I have another job, believe me when I tell you that it is a great relief to be back in employment again. Although it only took slightly longer to find a job this time than last, it was far more scary, as having Christmas in the middle meant everything just closed up. Who recruits or looks for a job right on Christmas? I was officially unemployed from the 1st January so had the dubious pleasure of having to go the Job Centre. This was without doubt one of the most depressing things we have ever had to do, & I say 'we' as its based on a household income not just me even though it was me looking for a job. The 'Job Coaches' are reasonable people but completely governed by their computer screens. The computer says no! The pittance we may have got wouldn't even have covered our outgoings even though we have never claimed for anything in our lives. Universal Credit is a terrible thing and the architect of it is up for a knighthood! Hardly fair is it. I'd shoot the bastard.
Anyway, I live to fight another day and have been back working since the 19th. Thank Buddha for that! The only person upset is Ida as she was getting a very long walk every day and now by necessity they are abit shorter!
To celebrate T booked us tickets to see Danny Vaughn and Dan Reed in MK at the beginning of March, should be great! Along with Saxon at the end of March, Magnum a week later, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in May and the New Forest Folk Festive in July our music diary is looking good!
T's Mum is 80 this year & trying to get the whole family on one place at the same time to celebrate is like trying to nail jelly to the wall! Though her Birthday is in April looks like we may all have a 'window' in October, oh well!
Tuesday 31 December 2019
An idiots guide to an Idiot: The chaos and nonsense that is Christmas
An idiots guide to an Idiot: The chaos and nonsense that is Christmas: Our customary visit to The Globe on Christmas Eve was not going to be a late one this year, apart from not wishing to waste money due to my ...
The chaos and nonsense that is Christmas
Our customary visit to The Globe on Christmas Eve was not going to be a late one this year, apart from not wishing to waste money due to my redundancy, we didn't want to be feeling rough or tired for the big day.
It's just great bumping into old friends, Gary's friends, Olly's friends et al. The vibe was just tremendous and the beer good. Though I stuck to their xmas beer, Turkey Trauma. If I was picky I'd say they needed more bar staff on as it took Gary about 20 minutes to get our first drink, it thinned out eventually but could have been better. I could wax lyrical about chatting to Oliver's best buddy Ben & his girlfriend Beth, to Ross and Rhianna to Rory, Ian, Amy, Kathy & Jean but I won't, safe to say it was a great evening. Our early night?...…..we were there until chucking out time and nearly got chucked out we were there so long. So much for a plan, well, it is Christmas!
Well the big day arrived, got the turkey on about 10, Gary did a sumptuous brekky of scrambled egg, avocado and toast (should have been smoked salmon as well but it didn't defrost in time), and Tim & I took Ida & Chilli for a walk. It was all going so well but somehow times went down the karzi and dinner was about an hour and a half later than advertised! Not that it was a big deal to be honest. A few well placed homemade sausage rolls and dips and veg and crisps kept everyone happy, but then this isn't a restaurant, you'll get dinner when its bloody ready!
Round the table this year was Ella & Julian, Gary & Ellie, Olly & Laura, Tim, Beren and us,this year on a five legged table by way of a change as Tara managed to break one off earlier on in the month. This table isn't destined to become an heirloom, it won't last!! Joking aside it all worked really well and it was good fun. Plenty of food, including a delicious couple of gammons cooked in coke of all things from G&E and some very good lemon cheesecakes courtesy of O&L. The making of which must be seen as there is a sort of alchemy to it! ( ask them!) all seemed to meet with approval as alot of it went but everyone was too full for Christmas pud, so we never got as far as lighting it (my Dad's speciality, as the scorch marks on their ceiling will testify!!) or the home made mince pies.
Crackers , Christmas that is, not cheese, were opened and jokes groaned at, we adjourned to the comfy seats and games proceeded and went on for the rest of the evening, the TV didn't get a look in! Ella and Julian and Tim went mid evening,as unfortunately Julian has been under the weather somewhat but it had been a fab day in all respects.
I went for a long walk with Ida, Gary & Ellie on Boxing Day & Beren set off for home, its a good two hour journey. Also and met Olly and Laura the next two days to walk Ida and Laura's family dog, Lexi.
It's been a funny Christmas. In some ways I've been wishing myself past it only so I can get going with interviews to get a new job in the New Year and on a sadder note I find that a cousins husband who though I have never met, we have spoken probably for hours over the past few years about genealogy, is losing his battle with prostate cancer and now on palliative care. It's a strange world and its funny when life gives you a kick up the arse you understand there are others in much worse situations. Its a leveller.
It's New Years Eve and we are on the cusp of a new decade, though strangely Alec & Laura in Australia are already in the New year,and Paul & Kate went off and got married in the Lake District! About time!
What crap can get thrown at us this year!? None I hope. Its been a bloody good Christmas and if you know me at all you'll know I just love having my family around me, being daft, eating and drinking and laughing. Long may this continue, it makes me happy.
It's just great bumping into old friends, Gary's friends, Olly's friends et al. The vibe was just tremendous and the beer good. Though I stuck to their xmas beer, Turkey Trauma. If I was picky I'd say they needed more bar staff on as it took Gary about 20 minutes to get our first drink, it thinned out eventually but could have been better. I could wax lyrical about chatting to Oliver's best buddy Ben & his girlfriend Beth, to Ross and Rhianna to Rory, Ian, Amy, Kathy & Jean but I won't, safe to say it was a great evening. Our early night?...…..we were there until chucking out time and nearly got chucked out we were there so long. So much for a plan, well, it is Christmas!
Round the table this year was Ella & Julian, Gary & Ellie, Olly & Laura, Tim, Beren and us,this year on a five legged table by way of a change as Tara managed to break one off earlier on in the month. This table isn't destined to become an heirloom, it won't last!! Joking aside it all worked really well and it was good fun. Plenty of food, including a delicious couple of gammons cooked in coke of all things from G&E and some very good lemon cheesecakes courtesy of O&L. The making of which must be seen as there is a sort of alchemy to it! ( ask them!) all seemed to meet with approval as alot of it went but everyone was too full for Christmas pud, so we never got as far as lighting it (my Dad's speciality, as the scorch marks on their ceiling will testify!!) or the home made mince pies.
I went for a long walk with Ida, Gary & Ellie on Boxing Day & Beren set off for home, its a good two hour journey. Also and met Olly and Laura the next two days to walk Ida and Laura's family dog, Lexi.
It's been a funny Christmas. In some ways I've been wishing myself past it only so I can get going with interviews to get a new job in the New Year and on a sadder note I find that a cousins husband who though I have never met, we have spoken probably for hours over the past few years about genealogy, is losing his battle with prostate cancer and now on palliative care. It's a strange world and its funny when life gives you a kick up the arse you understand there are others in much worse situations. Its a leveller.
What crap can get thrown at us this year!? None I hope. Its been a bloody good Christmas and if you know me at all you'll know I just love having my family around me, being daft, eating and drinking and laughing. Long may this continue, it makes me happy.
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| Olly and his friends going to the darts at the Ally Pally |
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| Alec in Oz |
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| Reggie, Ida & Chilli |
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| Paul and Kate |
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