where art collides

& crispy duck from rotisserie

Pesky toothache is back. Infact half my lower lip is numb. Will have to go and see John Hill tomorrow. Whilst 2016 has been a fun year it has also been characterised by toothache. It’s an age thing!

6am and it’s looking like another great day ahead weather wise. Had a very successful crispy duck spit roasted on the bbq yesterday. 2 ½ hours. Anne sourced pancakes from downtown and Joe cooked a stir fry. We ate out on the patio.

Also collected a load of duck fat having cleaned the drip tray on the Weber. It’ll be slightly Chinese spices flavoured but I’m sure we will be able to use it for roasties. Talking about Chinese I haven’t yet mentioned my trip to Shanghai at the end of August. Just over a week. Taking in Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Should be fun. Need to get visa sorted.

It’s very still out there, No rain overnight. Great time of day. I must refill the bird feeder. We had a fairly productive day yesterday despite my spending over an hour on hold trying to get through to the mobile phone insurance people in response to an email. Bit annoying because on my first attempt it took 45 minutes only to find that the girl at the other end couldn’t hear me. Had to go through the same process all over again.

In the end they told me they hadn’t received my proof of purchase. The work of seconds to rectify and a bit odd as I had already uploaded it when I first purchased and registered the phone.

The biggest annoyance of not having a phone is not being able to take pics and vids. I’m having to resort to screenshots and others’ photos for these diary entries. Have to keep them going as this is going to turn into a book at the end of the year. I’ve done ok so far.

Yesterday was a great cricketing day. We ramped up 589 against Pakistan and they are 57 for 4 in reply. A drubbing in prospect. This is the right kind of test match. At least it isn’t one of those where you are constantly having to turn off the radio because it is going frustratingly badly. On the other hand we do need these games to be a little closer. I suppose Pakistan did with the first test thugh god know how based on yesterday’s performance.

Popped down to the West End Tap for a few glasses of lime and soda last night. Joe was sitting in with Jazz Orbit. Came away before the end. Past my bedtime:) It’s unusual to see me out late on any night. I’m an early doors kind of guy. As are most of my peer group.

We are very much now in the holiday season. Schools broke up  on Friday and the news is full of huge delays at the Port of Dover because the French Authorities have an ongoing state of emergency and are doing lengthy security checks on all travellers. You can understand why they are doing this. They do need to throw more resources at it though.

As well as toothache the year might also be characterised by the growth in violence generally in our global society. Massacres, bombings, shootings all over the place.  I think we have got away with it here in the UK although we have had problems in the past. The world is changing for the worse.

The only thing to do is focus on nice things. Keep the bird feeder topped up:)

I have just worked out how I can use photos taken with the kindle fire. They are automatically uploaded to Amazon Drive so I just have to go there with my macbook and download them. Bit of a faff but any port in a storm innit. Hadn’t really registered that I was getting free storage with Amazon. 5GB. I may have mentioned this before but it is a real nuisance having to rely on the Amazon ecosystem with the fire. Especially the Silk browser. However at only £35 it is difficult to complain. I just rarely use the device.

…

Finished the bath sealant. Finicky, hot sweaty job. Watched a how to vid first which proved worthwhile. Main tip is to use masking tape. Meant that my amateur efforts ended up with a good straight line. Now chillin’ on the deck chair on the deck – the only place where there is shade at this time of day. Listning to the warm up for the cricket.

Next job is empty out the workshop. It isn’t really a workshop these days. It’s a brick garden store. Very handy as we can keep a lot of stuff in there but it does end up very untidy as things tend to just get chucked in. Needs a bit of ivy removing from the outside as well. This may get done. V shall C.

So work is done for the day. We have treated ourselves to a Magnum-like ice cream from the freezer that Anne has been keeping quiet about. I’ve had a shower and donned a clean pair of shorts and a white linen tshirt. I shall have to think what to take to China clothes wise. Shanghai and Hong Kong are going to be quite a bit warmer and more humid than here. Might invest in another pair of shorts. Might also be able to buy some gear out there though I doubt they have my size. Didn’t the last time I went which must have been a good 15 years ago. Bought a large silk dressing gown that still turned out too small. Tom appeared in it at Latitude.

Did a post Latitude VW Campervan post on Anne’s Vans. Starting to build up the promo. Still one or two bits need sorting out. Needs a fridge that will last a few days on the leisure battery. The fridge we have now is good for when running the engine or when using an electrical hookup but the folk who had it before us only ever went to posh caravan club campsites. That’s not our style. We wouldn’t mix easily with caravaners although we do have one or two friends with a caravan that we have been away with for the weekend.

Ordinarily now would be a perfect time to crack open a cold beer. Plenty of time until dinner and sitting in the back garden relaxing. Don’t really feel like one though so will give it a miss.

leave your worries on the doorstep

Aargh it’s another gorgeous day in Glockamorra. What is this thing called sun? Grab your coat and grab your hat. No rewind. Just grab your hat and leave your worries on the doorstep. No need for a coat in this weather. Just sun cream.

Dropped Hannah off to catch the 09.30 train from Lincoln Central direct to the the heart of the metropolis, Kings Cross Station. Except the train was cancelled and they were putting on a replacement bus service to Newark. Hannah was fine with it although she won’t have her seat reservation. She’ll be right.

Here is my current jobs list:

Reinforce trapdoor in attic
Affix new deckchair canvas
Tidy workshop
Put away camping stuff
Clean trailer
Fix Anne’s drawer

Also taking Betty round to CamperUK to see if they can advise on fridge fitting.

This evening I am spit roasting a duck. The rotisserie has proved to be a huge success. V succulent meat when cooked with it.

…

Made the mistake of calling the mobile phone insurance people this morning. They sent me an email asking me to do so. Now been on hold for at least 30 mins. I have to stay on the phone now having made the time investment. After 45 minutes I got through but the person at the other end couldn’t hear me! Called again and eventually discovered that they hadn’t received my proof of purchase. I did upload this when I first registered the phone and have now resent it by email.

Fixed the drawer whilst I was waiting on the phone. Now also scraped the old sealant from around the bath in preparation for putting some clean new stuff down. Note not on the jobs list but had a pressing need to be done.

Cricket going well. 2nd test England v Pakistan at Old Trafford. 427 for 5. Root 185 n/o, night watchman Woakes out for 58. Not bad. It’s a comfortable listen when it’s going well.

morning playmates.

Somewhat frazzled after a night full day out with Richard last night. We started with lunch and finished at the Bombay at around 9ish. Not totally sure of the time. After lunch we visited the Prince of Wales and Morning Star before nipping home to get Joe’s trumpet so that he could play at the open mike night in the West End Tap. Rich had driven to Lincoln but was (easily) persuaded to stay the night so that he could indulge in a glass of wine or two.

I am trying to get on with some work today but seem to be hampered by the fact that lots of folk are off on holiday. Ah well.

The fine weather continues. Cloudy but warm. We need to enjoy it whilst we can. Might give the hammock an airing. It’s perfect for an afternoon snooze in the shade. Tonight I’m bbqing again. Spit roast chicken and a few other bits and bobs.

Took Betty down for her MOT followed by Richard who gave me a lift home, fairplay.

wow wow wow just seen the lancaster, 2 spitfires and two typhoons fly over. Never tire of it. Never react quickly enough to get a good photo either and of course I am without a camera at the moment in any case.

Charlotte, who has been with us for over a week and came to Latitude, has gone home. We are always happy to have her:)

I’m going to spend the afternoon mostly listening to the second test against Pakistan at Old Trafford. 

Borderline toothache again. Nothing that can be done I suspect other thank yanking it out. I’m not going to rush to do that.

on the conservatory

A somewhat bleary eyed 5.20 am but I am awake, it is summer, and I am up. The wood pigeons are being their usual noisy selves in the trees around the back garden to which the conservatory doors are open. Today is going to be another warm un – 23 degrees if a little cloudy.

It’s quite still outside although it doesn’t sound still. Cars race by on the road at the front of the house. Poor dabs having to start work at this time of day. I guess you do get used to it and at this time of year it is very much the best time of day.

Got Richard Irving coming up for our usual monthly meeting today so will have to think about where to go for lunch. Outside somewhere. Also been invited to a wine and canapes session at the bank! I have both texted them and called and left a message to say we can’t make it but they keep ringing up whilst we are out so they obviously haven’t registered that it was me calling. As it happens the meeting I was having that prevented me from going is now cancelled so I might yet turn up.

These next few days worth of posts are going to be quite challenging where photos are concerned as I am likely to be without a phone for a few days seeing as I lost mine in London.

I’ve just been processing the claim form. I need to register the los with the cops. I’ll also try calling the lost property office again. Couldn’t get through yesterday.

Before I take ann up a cup of tea I should note that the garden is looking very colourful. This really is the height of the summer. The weather has been perfect/borderline too hot and we need to enjoy it as much as we can.

…

Busy morning already. Sorted insurance claim for phone (inc calling police etc), booked Betty in for MOT and been for a swim. Need to pop down town to pick up a parcel from the post office, get new (spare) key for Anne’s car and get the ball rolling on finding an installer for a new fridge for the camper van.

Picked up parcel from Firth Road post office – was Hannah’s graduation photo. Beautiful 🙂

Featured image is a random pic of a steward at the Elton John gig last month – no camera/phone innit.

oh I do like to be beside the seaside

Our day trips to Skeggy never vary. Get to the South Shore car park in time for a picnic lunch. Nip to the public loos and walk along to the pier where we blow a quid’s worth of two pences each on the amusements. Find toilet to wash hands – those two pees are v grubby.

Into the fair to play a side show or two and then the Wild River log flume for a soaking vid here. Kids went on  pedalo on the boating lake (pronounced pedah-loe). Ice creams, paddle in the extremely brown sea, crazy golf (John won, I was the scorer) and finally fish and chips at the Clock Tower chippy.

On this occasion John and I abstained from the food in favour of a bbq when we got home.

We went in Betty and the Citroen. Betty is a fun party bus with a great stereo.

Before we set off I struggled for 50 minutes on the phone with Student Finance England. They are such an inefficient organisation. Worse than trying to sort out car insurance!!!

PS lost my phone in London yesterday. Fell out of my pocket running for a train. Insurance job!

plus latitude retrospective

Sat on the train en route to London for  day’s consulting activity (work – oo the shame of it!! 🙂 ). Now fully ish refreshed and recovered from Latitude.

Worth taking a look back at Latitude. I’d never been to a major festival before and wasn’t disappointed. I can’t say that many of the bands really caught my attention. I’d never heard of most of them. There were not really any top acts there (in my opinion) although I did catch the end of the Foy Vance song which had Ed Sheeran as a guest singer so that was a bit of a result (fwiw). Notwithstanding this the bands added up to a good all round experience and we did have a great time.

We were with a good crowd of people. All our own kids turned up together with Joe’s girlfriend Charlotte and Ajax’s friends Banner & Rosie, Mike and Bev and Mark and Cathy were great company. Ashley and Sue also turned up with daughter on Friday evening to join the party.

There was a fair old variety of food on offer. I wouldn’t rave about the quality on the whole but if you are catering for thirty thousand people I guess this isn’t going to happen. Ajax went down with food poisoning on one of the days.

The campervan area was poorly served with facilities. We were at one end of the field and all the toilets were at the other end. Not much value for the additional ticket money there. We did get to coral our vans and awnings so that we had a central communal area which was good. We took our bbq firepit along and were able to cook everybody’s breakfasts and reuse it as a campfire in the evenings.

There was only one, communal, shower block, around a mile from us near the entrance to the arena. Ajax and I used it on the Sunday en route to see the bands. Fortunately I had a microfibre towel which I was able to clip to my belt afterwards and didn’t take up too much space. When I say communal showers they really were communal – open to everyone. For us old rugby players this didn’t represent a problem but today’s youth are used to separate showers. Spoilt rotten the lot of them. The dribble of a shower did feel totally luxurious. But would probably been contemptible under other circumstances.

The last comment is in respect of the drinks available. Totally rubbish for the high cost. The only lager was Tuborg at £4.80 a “pint”. It rarely filled up to the pint mark. The Somersby cider was too sweet and they could have done a lot better with the bitter considering that the Adnams brewery was only five miles away.

Bags were searched by tattooed Gestapo types on the way in to make sure you didn’t carry contraband alcohol. Most people smuggled some in although I didn’t bother. Some smuggled gin did come in handy on Sunday evening when it came to anaesthetising a toothache.

So that was Latitude. We would go again and we did get some useful learnings about the campervan that we will take forwards to the next trip.

Back to today the forecast for London is bright sunshine and 33 degrees. I am prepared, wearing shorts, a Tommy Bahama silk shirt and a pair of sandals. No hat though…

with more to come

Yesterday turned out to be a cracker. we started partying at around 10am. White wine and prosecco with sausages and bacon sandwiches. Fair play. I switched on some jazz on Spotify using the van’s stereo and my phone and we eased into the day.

It was probably 1.30 before we headed for the festival and chilled all day listening to various bands on the Obelisk stage. At 4.30ish I headed to the BB Introducing stage to see the Shannon Reilly Trio. It was a very nice surprise to see Tom Whitworth as guest trumpeter. Tom was Joe’s trumpet teacher until he left school.

We ended the day around the campfire (our firepit) until 2am and hit the hay.

This morning there was no rush. We had all day to get home and figured we would give the traffic a chance to die down.  Before setting the compass north we went into Southwold and had a picnic lunch on a bench at the beach.

The drive home was hot and sticky but at 55mph we didn’t get a rush of wind with the window open so it was comfortable enough. Before going home we stopped at Tesco and bought some chicken an salad for the bbq. With it being the hottest day of the year so far we considered it appropriate to eat in the back garden.

Latitude 2016 album

Tomorrow I am in London and the forecast is for 32degrees Centigrade. Shorts weather.

hot hot hot

8.05 and the campervan is already warming up. Our last full day at the latitude festival is going to be a warm one.

We are going to be very much easing into the day though as we didn’t hit the hay until around 2.30 pm last night having ended up at the Alcove bar again. Some great live music.

The highlight of yesterday was seeing Squeeze. They were much better than National who headlined the main stage. After the squeeze set we came back to the van to chill for a bit. Ended up sitting in our little private enclosed area drinking and listening to music played over the van stereo.

Tom arrived early evening bearing sausages that he’d been given by some radio celeb left over from being used in a programme. Today’s breakfast. Hopefully Ajax will be back up and running today. He was laid low with food poisoning yesterday.

Latitude 2016  album.

Featured image is Joe’s former trumpet teacher Tom Whitworth guesting with Shannon Reilly Trio

weather great

Having a bit of a lie in in the campervan this morning. Terrific day yesterday if somewhat tiring by the end. May spend some time resting in the van today –  late afternoon maybe. Trouble is it’s a long way back from where the action is.

Saw numerous bands including Flamingods, Honne,   Bear’s  Den, British Sea Power,  Christine and the Queens, Father John Misty, Beirut and Maccabees who were headlining the obelisk stage. Also saw comedian  Al Murray who was absolutely hilarious if filthy.

Finished the night off at Keith Allen ‘s Establishment Club at the Alcove, a terrific small venue. We saw and danced to the extremely lively band Dingus (fucking)  Khan who were banned last year as one of their number had peed in the portacabin the previous year. For me they were the highlight of the day with Beirut a close second.

We are already starting to feel grubby. Unlikely to see a shower for the whole weekend thought will review that one. Had a couple of problems with the otherwise great Van. Disconnected the new water pump because it started to make a funny noise. Will have to take a look when I get home..also the porta potty leaked when I used it in the night. Fortunately it has a waterproof housing so no damage. I suspect a jammed lid but will have to sort this morning before we go anywhere.

Weather forecast is great and Tom arrives today. He is working on the Fearn Cotton show on Radio 2 before heading up.

More as it happens ish.

PS turns out porta potty issue was user error which is now sorted.

got yer wristband? check!

https://goo.gl/photos/eb4RMZsr451Z6R2m9

to Latitude

There is nothing quite like the stress of the Davies family trying to get the car packed to go away on holiday. This is further exacerbated when there is camping involved, and on this occasion packing stuff for 7 people in a campervan that is really comfortable with two.

It isn’t that seven people are coming in the campervan. We have auxiliary vehicle Nissan Micra carrying the main body of campers. The tents are going in the boot of the Micra because they will be camping in a different field to the campervans. It makes sense for them to take the light stuff and pitch the tents whilst we carry the rest of the gear to base camp in the van.

We won’t have driven the van so heavily laden before. It’ll be fine. The van is a very comfortable drive in a straight line and hopefully the field won’t be wet and we won’t sink in. The weather forecast is looking very good for the weekend so I’m sure it will be fine.

We are off to the Latitude Festival in Southwold. I’m very excited really. Just quite stressed at the moment. It’s a good job I got a lot of the packing done yesterday.

Pics and vids in due course. I’m not taking the laptop. Probably.

Featured image is of most of the Davies contingent plus Mark (Ajax) and Sue Agius in front of our vans.

Latitude 2016 album.

packing for Latitude

Arrived back at Newark Northgate at 21.19 to find that the pre-ordered taxi wasn’t there. Turns out it was in the Retail Park a few hundred yards down the road. This taxi company has done this before – I must check that they get the pick up point right next time. It’s not difficult.

Back at home a party had been in full swing with Joe and his mates sat around the kitchen table playing drinking games. I slipped into the TV room and promptly fell asleep (long day etc).

This morning I already have the doors open to the garden and and clearing up a few work bits before getting the Latitude packing into full swing. Will need to go down to Coops’ to pick up campervan Betty. Won’t be read before ten thirty. Before I pick it up we need to get the last of the sand down on the drive. Nathan left us a bag and a half for brushing into the cracks and has reminded Anne that he noticed we hadn’t done it – fair play 🙂

Today is the first day day of my new data allowance with EE. Used it up last month due to Hansk’s graduation pics and vids backing up. Will now be able to back up my millions of Latitude pics in real time assuming there will be connectivity, which will probably not be the case!

Featured image – produce from our garden:)

London again

Last night I could hear Anne practising her Saxophone. Also Joe was shouting for someone to be quiet from his room. Not sure if they were connected:) Anne’s playing is coming along nicely.

Plans for Latitude are coming along. We have a rendezvous with friends of Ajax in a pub a couple of miles from the Festival and then all going in convoy so that we can camp next to each other in the campervan field. Hopefully.

We did attempt to book the onsite restaurant but are too late for pre booking and will have to go there in person when we arrive. I’m not too bothered. First night is going to be a bbq. Have decided we will need to stock up with plenty of booze, We are talking five pounds a pint in the arena. Mind you we can’t be going back and forth to the van all the time. I don’t think it’s a short trip. We have loads of Carling and Strongbow left over from Joefest for the “kids”.

Today it’s Laandan again for a meeting, lunch and then the ITSPA Summer Forum. Train home at 8.05pm with taxi home from Newark. I’ve booked the ticket from Newark because it was a lot cheaper than doing it from Lincoln. I’ll pay for the Lincoln to Newark leg on the train.

After today it’s very much playtime. At least until next Tuesday when I’m back in London. Again.

Hope you like the featured image – took it just for you. I thought it was very arty. Lots of patterns and shapes at Lincoln Central Station. Nobody else on the platform.

and Joe is back

A great day of sporting results yesterday. First Lewis Hamilton won the British F1 Grand Prix. The our Andy won Wimbledon and finally Portugal won the European cup. Remember that I’m not a football fan but had placed a bet to make it interesting so I have a profit of £56 yay.

The spit roast chicken dinner was one of mixed results. The chicken itself was fine but the combination of the smoked sea salt and garlic rub and Carling lager in the drip tray wasn’t particularly exciting. Will not use Carling again and stick to other meats for the rub. Only used the lager because we have a load left over from Joefest.

Back to the grind today, ish. Got some Netaxis stuff to sort. Also have to nip to the post office and then take the beer barrels back to Pheasantry Brewery. Should also wrap up the student finance stuff today.

Was back in the pool this morning. First time in a while or so it feels. Won’t get much swimming in this week as am in London tomorrow and then we set off for Latitude on Thursday – back Monday.

I’m very excited about Latitude. Never been to a big festival like this before. The girls have been getting stuff ready. Hannah is an expert and has compiled a list of foodstuffs that she would take. It’s more based on a young person’s low budget needs but that is fine. I’m treating this very much as a family holiday so not too worried about what we spend, within reason.

Anne went off to Netto where they are having a closing down sale and bought some stuff to take (bottles of water etc) at 50% off. Shame they are closing down but there again I never shopped there!

Latitude will be our first major expedition in Betty and we have all of Wednesday to get ready – make sure everything we need is packed and stowed away etc. The weather forecast is improving as we move towards the weekend which is good innit.

Joe came back from BSTK Festival and immediately shot off to Joey’s to do some recording. 

Photo is of the flowers around the BBQ area.