An idiots guide to an idiot

Saturday 23 April 2022

An old git

Hit the big 60 in December......How did that happen!? I wasn't used to being 50 something let alone 60. Well, its better than the alternative of not getting to 60 so I shouldn't complain!

I have to say I was spoilt rotten. Tara organised a birthday extravaganza which was just brilliant! Here's some of the stuff we did.

First off, on our three nights in London was a trip on the Thames like no other. It was on a RIB which is a Rigid Inflatable Boat. Basically a big speed boat. It started off as a sedate trip having all the sites of London pointed out to us as we progressed, then turned back towards the sea & under Tower Bridge. There are strict speed limits on the Thames in the central areas but just past the seaward side of Tower Bridge all speed restrictions are lifted and boy did we know it!!

The captain opened the throttles and away we went being flung all over the place, big loops, slalom, straight for a bit then very sharp turns. Talk about adrenaline ride! It was strange overtaking a police boat as we started as on the roads everyone keeps back! It was absolutely brilliant! Brilliant but freezing cold. Afterwards we made our way to a pub on a boat moored on the Thames to warm up and have dinner. Back to our hotel then. A four star place in Sth Ken though I'm sure some of those stars were just for being in London as our room certainly wasn't four star standard! A couple of things went wrong with Tara's plans, nothing major but frustrating for her, & I'm not going to mention them again as so much was fantastic, the things that didn't work were just swamped by all the exciting things we did do!

A sumptuous brekkie in the morning and we were ready to take on the day. Popped into the Science Museum. Along time since we've been there and alot has changed. It was a treat to have a look round. Dinner today was at the one of the oldest pubs in London, The Nellie Dean in Soho, a pie specialist so for me just heaven on earth! Typically they'd just changed their menu so couldn't supply fish pie for T so she had the innards of a veg pie with me getting the extra pastry, a couple of pints later onto the theatre.

Mary Poppins at the the Prince Edward Theatre no less! It was an absolutely brilliant show that I would highly recommend to you all. It stayed very much as the Disney film with an extra character called Miss Andrew ( a nod to Julie Andrews star of the film I think), who is Mr Banks former cruel Nanny. It's one of those feel good films that I have known since I can't remember. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Back to the Copthorne Tara and repose until the morrow. D-Day, my 60th Birthday!

How did I find myself on 7th December 2021? I flung back the bedclothes and there I was! Tara gave me many presies including a replica World War One British soldiers shirt, the boys presie to me and Tara was a joint one of our Ernie who we picked up on the 12th Dec, and I had loads more presies besides.

Well, another good brekkie to start the day and we were off to Tottenham Court Road tube station to meet our guide for this morning a chap called Leon. This guided walk was a real treat as it was about musical London. We started in Denmark Street (six of us on the tour) and he showed us the many guitar shops frequented by the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, the Sex Pistols and many more besides including the much lamented Marquee Club that I never got to go to. He was incredibly knowledgeable on the history of not just more modern day musical stars but also of Music Hall and more besides. Finished in a pub called The Dog & Duck, a great connection with literature here as George Orwell used to drink in it!

Afternoon Tea at the Ambassadors Hotel on Bloomsbury was a delight. They catered well for T as well. Fed and watered, and completely knackered we returned to the hotel for a doze and before too long we were off to a Michelin star restaurant called 116 at the Athenaeum in Piccadilly for dinner.

Nothing short of fabulous! It was really interesting to see how just little blobs of sauce could have such an intense flavour. All our courses were matched with different wines. They just went so well! It was a real eye opener as to how food and drink can be served and taste so divine. An unforgettable dinner with my wonderful partner in crime.

That was a whistle stop account of my celebrations and here's a few photos. We also had a family dinner at the Farmers Boy which was great. I had such a great time thanks to Tara that it was worth getting to 60! Didn't think I'd say that!

Thursday 31 March 2022

Gigs again

We went to our second gig that was bounced due to covid. It was Magnum ( originally booked for 2020) at the Assembly Hall Islington, strangely enough it's been the same venue the past 3 times we have seen them.

Self ,T & Kevin were dropped off at the station by a very kind Number 3 son and we were off....... except I'd managed to book us a timed train rather than 'any train from,' so we'd missed it! No alternative to get another ticket. Railway staff very disinterested in our plight. Marvellous isn't it!

Anyway, got to Islington and made our way to The Vineyard, a pub opposite the venue. Beer was bit of a disappointment as their only handpump beer was a general pub bitter, whatever that is, which wasn't very good. Doombar was available a little later which Kevin had but I saw the had the glorious Punk IPA by Brewdog so slummed it on that brew Tara enjoying a bitter shandy.

I picked this place as not only was it extremely convenient for the gig but it had a few choices for Tara's dinner, sadly and I have to say typically, they had some out of stocks so T didn't have a great choice but there was a couple of items she could have. Self & Kev had a bacon & cheese burger and fish n chips respectively.

In we went to the Assembly Hall, a really nice Art Deco building opened as a dance hall in the 1930's and renovated to its former grandeur in the 1970's.

The first support Theia, were instantly forgettable, I looked them up before we went as I hadn't heard of them and they were billed as a three piece only to see them as a two piece with added PC accompaniment! 'Nuff said.

The second support Vega then came on. We had seen them before supporting Magnum in 2016 , I liked them then but T & K weren't keen though tonight we all agreed they were very good. Worth investigating their albums I think.

And so to Magnum. I first saw Magnum in 1980 and have followed them ever since. I've seen them five times but this will be the last. What can I say? Both T & I thought Bob Catley's voice has gone, he is 74 and you can't keep on for ever, though to view all the FaceBook posts about the gig we are very much in a minority. I didn't post my thoughts as it would inevitably bring down much flak and would have been viewed as heresy! His voice was shot to pieces and he fumbled some of the words. He also looked like an old person who had grabbed the mic at a family wedding. It was sad to be honest.

I know alot of performers want to 'die with their boots on,' but surely you have to think of the performance you are delivering. Its not a normal 9 to 5 job admittedly and creative types probably can push on into old age, but just for how long? I think the worst thing is that this is how we'll remember the live performance by Magnum and that isn't fair really, they are a great band and in fact it wasn't all bad, he did warm up and not all the singing was below par. It was also good to hear some tracks from earlier albums, it was a good evening overall but I didn't leave the gig with that buzz I usually get.

There you have it.

Friday 11 February 2022

Back to it

Well its been five months since I've blogged anything. I rather went off the boil to be honest, and a lot has happened in those five months. A significate birthday for me, lockdown restrictions easing, a proper xmas and more besides, so I'll now do a bit of a blog in no particular order.

Lockdown gets easier, most people have had two jabs and a booster and with that more freedom. We've even been to a gig, the first in two and a half years! We should have gone to see Saxon in 2019 but their singer Biff Byford had heart surgery, then covid hit and the date was bounced twice more but on 29th Feb 2022 we saw them!

A fractious journey though! We drove from home to South Harrow station as its on the Piccadilly tube line that went straight to Hammersmith, simples! However on arriving at South Harrow we found not only was the station closed but the entire Piccadilly line closed for engineering works! Bugger!

Drove back to Harrow on the Hill station to find the car park has been built on so eventually found street parking. Once on the tube we eventually got to Hammersmith, then google maps seemed to take us the pretty route to walk to the pub where we'd arranged to have dinner. Luckily I was able to phone ahead as we were an hour late however it was all good. Got to the pub, and relax! The Dove is a brilliant pub on the Thames. It overlooks the river and also has the smallest bar in the world. We looked in it and two people and a dog filled it! Luckily there's more to the place than the one bar! Its an old pub being the meeting place of Charles II and Nell Gwyn so dates back to at least mid 17th century.

Good dinner, couple of beers and time to go to what I've always known as the Hammersmith Odeon but is now the Hammersmith Apollo. The first support, Diamond Head had just started as we arrived. They we're bad to be fair, only a short set ending with 'Am I evil?'

Next up were Girlschool, old troupers and a bloody good band. Stablemates of Motorhead, they know their stuff. A great set, though another one not very long. That's the only trouble having three support acts for the main event, inevitably the sets are shorter.

Then came Uriah Heep. They were very good and played a number of songs that I didn't know were Uriah Heep! The founder member Mick Box still giving it some welly!

Then the main event. Saxon! A good solid Heavy Metal band that won't let you down. You just know you're in safe hands for a great gig. A two hour set at that! A number of times Biff thanked everyone for holding on to their tickets, I got the impression he was genuinely touched and thankful. A grand stage set featured a huge sliver eagle , don't think my photos do it justice really. Though we had a great seat we think we might have been in an area for seating for friends of the bands or something as there was a constant coming and going of different people which was bit of a pain but nonetheless a brilliant gig!

Saxon have just brought out a new album ( Carpe Diem) and although Biff talked about they didn't play even one song from it! I think this is much better than bands that play lots of new stuff you don't know but I thought maybe they'd sing one new song. Not that I'm complaining.

Post gig Tara suggested looking at an Uber cost as the tube trains still had a line out, which we did! Cost abit but we got back to the car much much quicker!

Anyway, it had been a great night!

Want the set lists as well?

Girlschool
Demolition Boys
Play Video
C'mon Let's Go
Play Video
Guilty as Sin
Play Video
Future Flash
Play Video
Nothing to Lose
Play Video
Race With the Devil
(The Gun cover)
Play Video
Bomber
(Motörhead cover)
Play Video
Emergency

Uriah Heep
Grazed by Heaven
Play Video
Too Scared to Run
Play Video
Gypsy
Play Video
Look at Yourself
Play Video
July Morning
Play Video
Sunrise
Play Video
Easy Livin'
Play Video
Song played from tape
Outro
(Elgar: Land Of Hope And Glory)

Sunday 26 September 2021

An idiots guide to an idiot: My favourite castle.

An idiots guide to an idiot: My favourite castle.: Do you have a favourite castle? I do. It's Old Wardour Castle in Wiltshire. It's not the grandest or biggest or best preserved but ...

My favourite castle.

Do you have a favourite castle? I do. It's Old Wardour Castle in Wiltshire.

It's not the grandest or biggest or best preserved but I like it. I think it was my Mum & Dad who told us about it, they'd found it on a trip to nearby Shaftesbury. It's been used in films, probably the most famous one being Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner in 1991. For ages they had the sword that Costner had used, I've got photos of the boys holding it. I understand this sword was given to curator when he retired so although they still have a sword that they say is Robin Hoods, its not! It's a castle that's been knocked about abit. It was laid siege to twice during the English Civil War and that rather sealed it's fate as a castle to live in as it took alot of damage. Later New Wardour Castle was built, though not a castle but a house ( now a school) with the old castle as more or less a folly in the grounds. It's now owned by English Heritage. As I said my Mum & Dad introduced us to the castle and there's a confession I have to make. My Dad carved his name on the wall of the tower! Strangely enough a while later a sheet of perspex was put over some old graffiti near his name and it covered his graffiti too!

Some claim to fame, you won't tell anyone will you! The land around the castle is really nice too. There's a walk encircling it that the nobs from the house would have ridden their carriages around and also a walk down to the villages of Donhead St Andrew & Donhead St Mary. The latter has links to my family history as my Great Grandfather, George Morgan was born there in 1859 along with most of his five brothers and sisters, and also his Mum Emily (nee Fanner) in 1829.She married my Great Great Grandfather James Morgan at the church of St Mary's on 23rd October 1858. They must have known the castle and its more than likely they walked the same paths as we have.

So there you have it, my favourite castle. What's yours?

I have lots of photos of us at the castle but can't find one at the moment!

Saturday 25 September 2021

An idiots guide to an idiot: Musical dearth

An idiots guide to an idiot: Musical dearth: We had, like everyone else, gigs bounced from last year to this because of Covid so this year we were expecting most to go ahead. Sadly no...

Musical dearth

We had, like everyone else, gigs bounced from last year to this because of Covid so this year we were expecting most to go ahead. Sadly not. Six gigs and a festival we were set to go to all got bounced to next year with one being cancelled. Actually the festive did go ahead but we couldn't go due to the crap firm I worked for at the time.

Our last hope for a gig this year was Snake Oil & Harmony ( with Danny Vaughn) in November but that's been cancelled altogether. There are music events going ahead this year of course and we'd have gone if the ones we'd booked went ahead ,though not entirely sold on the idea of going to venues yet to be fair but never thought I'd get two year of no live music!

Roll on 2022!

Saturday 28 August 2021

An idiots guide to an idiot: Walking the ground.

An idiots guide to an idiot: Walking the ground.: I drove past road signs to Naseby the other day and it got me thinking about battlefields I've walked round. Not very many to be honest...

Walking the ground.

I drove past road signs to Naseby the other day and it got me thinking about battlefields I've walked round. Not very many to be honest and all in England at that!

So what is it about walking the ground? I'd say I'm quite unimaginative generally but give me a battlefield and it comes to life! You can read book after book but to stand at the hedge where Okey's Dragoons fired into the Royalist cavalry flanks at Naseby and understand the terrain is something else. The very streets of St Albans were the battlefield at the First Battle of St Albans during the Wars of the Roses in 1455 and the road layout and alot of the buildings still exist!

You can still find your way round the Battle of Barnet (1471) and understand why certain things happened the way they happened. It's my ambition to walk more battlefields in the UK & in Europe. With such a wealth of records available now I could find where my Grandad was on the first day of the Somme in 1916, I could walk the ground at Bullecourt where Tara's Grt Uncle disappeared on 3rd May 1917 and of course I'd love to see and explore the D-Day beaches plus the earlier battles like Waterloo, Agincourt, Crecy et al.

Walking the ground is vitally important to grasp and understand what happened, not to mention the fact that in no small measure you are walking the path of heroes. There's really nothing like it!

Saturday 21 August 2021

The perils of a pub dinner.

There was two pubs in the village of Saltfleet, both walkable from the cottage we were staying in. Happy days!

The New Inn backed onto a caravan/mobile home/holiday park site so they've pretty well got a captured market. It was OK. We were amused to be asked to sit in a different bar as we had Ida with us. The bar we could sit in was just as tatty & underwhelming as the non dog bar! Anyway, bit of a wait on food but we were told this from the off so no problem there. Tara had her two choices off the menu, even though I'd contacted them prior to see whether they did gluten free and veggie. Two choices isn't exactly much of a choice! Tara had mushroom stroganoff which was fine and I steak & stilton pie......there're still looking for the stilton, there certainly wasn't any in my pie! Choice of beer wasn't great either. A thoroughly underwhelming experience but worse was to come.

As I said there was another pub in the village so all was not lost, or so we thought. On going up to the bar in The Crown first of all the handpump beers were off, not a very inspiring start that just got worse. Pretty basic menu, only item flagged as gluten free & veggie was a pizza. Fine! pizza it is......'Sorry! Not doing pizzas tonight.' Anything else gluten free & veggie? 'Well there's chicken salad' said our waitress who looked like she had Groucho Marx moustache as an eyebrow. I kid you not. What a dismal experience. Mission abandoned we went back to the cottage and rustled up some grub that was both gluten free & veggie, with a very acceptable red wine.

We'd just about given up on eating out but found a pub in nearby North Somercotes called the Axe & Cleaver. I'd phoned to book, went through our usual rigmarole of asking about their food and making sure we could take Ida. All good, we booked for that evening. Though bizarrely when we got there, we were told someone had phoned an hour before and cancelled the booking! Even quoting the gluten free needs etc, well it wasn't us! However the staff couldn't have been more helpful and friendly and we were quickly found a table. Great food, a good selection for Tara to choose from, all the staff just a delight. Had we been staying longer we'd have gone there again, a sumptuous three sausage ( Lincolnshire sausages of course!) mash and onion gravy for me and quorn shepherds pie for Tara followed by sticky toffee pud and custard for me and Tara had probably the biggest Pavlova I've ever seen! Here's the link to their website if you are ever in that area.https://www.axeandcleaver.com/ Well worth it!

Ida and I had a pleasant walk along the sand dunes just before the weather broke on the last full day of our stay. We walked inland to a place called Hardy's Pullover, walking from the beach towards a red flag in the car park. Next to the red flag was a sign that stated not to go past this point if the red flag is flying it's an RAF gunnery range..... the direction from which we had just come!

We'd had a pleasant time in Lincolnshire though the roads even by Bedfordshire's low standards were pretty potholed and uneven all adding greatly to T's discomfort. There's not a great amount to see or do on the Lincolnshire coast, we made the mistake of driving through Mablethorpe that seemed to be full of obese families eating fish n chips, drinking Watney's Red Barrel & wearing Kiss me quick hats. Absolutely great if you like that kind of thing. Saltfleet was a pleasant little place but had a main road running through it which was a shame.