where art collides

never rings

I can tell you that today, Monday 12th December the milkman came at 05.33 because that is the time and he has just been. I can hear the scraping as the drops four pints off in the crate in the porch. He drives his milk float over from Newark. They shut the Lincoln dairy down a few years ago which is a shame. We continue the support them and get four pints every Monday and Friday. Normally top up with some milk from Tesco in the week but not always. Depends who is home.

I am sat in the living room because there is in my mind some residual heat from last night’s fire. Didn’t sleep particularly well. Wasn’t tired when I went to bed and kept waking up during the night. Going to go swimming later as I need to get back into the exercise routine.

Did a bit of a Waitrose shop yesterday afternoon. It was partly something to do but also doesn’t do any harm to get some of the Christmas stuff in. Got mostly non perishables such as cheese biscuits, crisps and chocolate etc. Have to say I gave in and bought a tin of Quality Street despite having told myself I wouldn’t since the bastards stopped including toffee delights in the mix. Left a message on their Facebook page telling them I wouldn’t be buying a tin this year for that very reason. A lot of people did the same. Won’t tell them I gave in. Problem is that it is traditional in the Davies house to have Quality Street at Christmas- since I was a very small child (yes that small).

We have a nice living room and we as a family don’t sit in it often enough. This is because the TV is in another room, the TV room. The room formerly known as my study. Yesterday John came in and sat with me because of the fire. That was nice. Then at some stage Anne came in to practice her saxophone wich drove me into the other room. It is very loud when you are in the same room. Still I’m proud of her that she is learning the instrument.

Today Jackie Gordon is swinging by with the wine. She ran out of time last week so is making a special trip this week which is good of her. Stayed with her brother in Leeds last night so she tells me. It breaks the back of the journey from Middlesborough.

My pork in cider casserole was a real hit yesterday. It is easy really. Slow cook with the right ingredients and you are there, the slow cook being the most important bit. Had it with roasted root vegetables. There is still one portion left plus three pork steaks I cut from the joint. They will have gone in the freezer. Afterwards I watched the second ever episode of Time Team on 4OD, the Father Ted Christmas Special and Planet Earth II with David Attenborough. Not a bad evening’s TV although two out of thee were repeats. Father TEd was competing with the X Factor so no competition. Who watches that crap?

The week ahead is easy enough. No real work although I will do some Netaxis stuff and may take a look at the LONAP budget for next year. There is the Wright Vigar Christmas Drinks party at the Cathedral Chapter House to look forward to on Tuesday night pus Steve Wildman’s leaving do on the Thursday at the Peacock. Steve ain’t leaving his job but he did establish this party as a tradition ten years or more ago. I’ve never been so am looking forward to it as it is apparently a good night.

The rest of the week is going to be spent getting ready for Christmas. We need to buy a tree. I got a lot of the decs down last night. I don’t get involved in the decorating. It used to be the domain of the kids but now it will be mostly Anne. My duties lie in getting the tree up. We will head out to Fillingham after school one day this week. Bought some Lindt tree chocolate decs yesterday at the Waitrose shop. There wasn’t much of a choice. I hope that tradition isn’t dying out. Not that I seem to get many of the chocs that get put on the tree. Such is the way of things.

Just noticed my VPN connection has stopped working and it won’t let me disconnect. Started up again now but it’s a bit odd that it won’t just let you cut it off. I have the VPN working all the time now. It probably won’t stop GCHQ from spying on me but it is at least a token attempt to retain some privacy. If they want to know what I’m up to they just have to read this diary and spy on my Facebook activity. It will be a waste of their time. I doubt they are spying on me but my issue is that one day someone will hack into a server somewhere and publish all these records that are being collected.

Anyway I don’t really like to talk about that sort of thing on this site. This is a happy place:) One where life is wonderful all the time.

I’ll be making the tea again this morning even though it isn’t my turn. Might as well seeing as I am already downstairs. I like making anne a cup of tea.

all present and correct?

Interesting dawn light over Lincoln prison this morning:) Not the sort of place you associate with art or beauty. In fact art doesn’t have to be beautiful. The notion that those high walls are there to contain an evil concoction of badness is art in itself. We walk past in safety oblivious to the chain straining growling hounds within, volcanic red lava spewing from Satanic eyes, their gaze never leaving you.

Good morning all. A quiet day at home in prospect yay. I’m making a pork casserole for tonight’s tea. May even have a go at another loaf. Rather hoping there is still some baguette left from last night to service a bacon and mushroom roll for breakfast.

There was.

Now listening to Aled Jones on Classic FM. Stress free. Cup of tea steaming on the table next to me. Anne pottering around the kitchen. Some post arrives. The Post Office is working overtime in the run up to Christmas. Fair play. A shiver of relaxation runs between my shoulders and down my spine.

It is exactly two weeks until Christmas. The preparations are moving up a scale. Actually they aren’t. I’ve not really given it much thought other than gaining consensus that once more we will not be condoning the killing of a turkey but going for a bull instead. Probably sadder but that, my friends, is life. We are a carnivorous species. Omnivorous actually remembering that we like a bit of veg on the side of the plate.

I will be cooking Christmas dinner. This comes with a huge burden of responsibility, especially considering how much these large joints of beef cost. The beef has to be perfectly cooked. That means very much pink in the middle with even a hint of blood in there. The vegetables are of secondary importance but this shouldn’t be considered permission to not get them  right. The roast potatoes should be fluffy to the right degree and I think there will also be glazed parsnips and carrots involved. Maybe even parmesan coated parsnips a la Delia.

The gravy is another important factor in the success of the meal. Really with gravy it is just a question of getting the ingredients right. Poor quality ingredients results in a substandard sauce. On the other hand you can over do it and have too strong a taste. I’m sure you can understand the pressure here. Feel it even. I’m a fairly good gravy cook so I’m sure it will be ok.

The situation is complicated by the fact that champagne will have been involved. Too much champagne before lunch and the enjoyment of the food is diminished. Your staying power is affected. The ability to sustain consumption of wine and brandy until well after the meal has been finished and everyone slumps on a sofa in front of the fire.

Looking around me I reckon we have sofa capacity for everyone. That’s us six plus my sister Sue, Anne’s sister Sarah and dad. We are lucky to have a house large enough to lose a few people in it and therefore there is the space for folk to not get on top of each other. Quite often when calling John to the table I have to physically go upstairs to his room or the attic to fetch the lad. Especially if he has his headphones on and is involved in a campaign of global domination or some such activity. There will be mass murder involved. Or an innocent game of football. I may be doing him an injustice 🙂

This year I will have to step up the pace on my campaign to improve my bread making skills. It would be nice if we were able to rely on just using home made bread. This is something I can make a call on at the last minute. Very handy that I can just rustle up a loaf in the event that we run out of shop bought stuff anyway.

In other news there has been a bomb attack on a football stadium in Istanbul. Why does the world have to be so full of dangerous nutters?

Gotta go now. A pork casserole to make. Featured image is “dawn over Lincoln prison”.

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Bugger. Overdid the par boiling of the spuds. The pork casserole however has turned out perfect. Mwaa mwaaaa.

Titanic flotsam

It is 13.04 on Saturday 10th December in the year 2016 of the common Era. The train was supposed to depart at 13.03 and in fact is leaving the station right now. As I speak, metaphorically speaking. My Bose phones are on and I’m starting off with Hotel California. Feels right.

I’m going to take my time with this post. Probably jump about a little. The last three days and two nights have been one of those wonderfully memorable times.

Worth starting on Friday morning when we went to the V & A museum to see a wonderful temporary exhibition called “You Say You Want a Revolution? Records and Rebels 1966 – 1970”. Recommended by one of Joe’s lecturers. What a recommendation. Hugely inspiring. Made me want to step up the pace of “doing stuff”. In one sense I’m sorry I left it until my late forties to start going public with my creative writing. You are at your most creative when you are younger.  On the other hand there’s no point in worrying about it. Get on with it.

Hannah described this exhibition as the best she has ever seen. I have to agree with her. I’m quite impressed with Hannah. Whenever we have been somewhere and gone to a museum she has always taken a great interest in what’s on display. That’s when you realise that the child you have reared is no longer a child but an adult with a brain and her own ideas on things. I realised this when she and I visited the Louvre during our flat hunting expedition to Paris two years ago.

If you can get to this exhibition you have to go. Especially if you were around in the sixties. My first time in the V&A and will not be the last. We had a nice family get together there with most of the Lincoln Davieses, John not coming down until the afternoon, Ann and Sue and Terry. After the exhibition I bought two badges to sew onto my denim jacket. I never wear the denim jacket but I’m going to have to now. It’s the only one “I” can sew the badges on to. One of them was a Beatles Rubber Soul badge.

Afterwards we had a drink and a bit in the cafe at the museum and sat outside in the courtyard. The weather was unusually warm. I was overdressed in my Black Yak fleece hoodie. The Piccadilly line was suffering “severe delays” dues to some maintenance work. This also resulted in overcrowding normally only seen in rush hour during the week. Not great considering I was dressed for Artic weather. We got off one stop early at Green park and walked along Piccadilly to Fortnum and Masons for an ice cream at the Parlour.

Fortunately I had booked. It was heaving. I had not been to F&M before either. A day of firsts. We had some great ice cream sundaes. I had a banana split. My face. Didn’t see the point of having anything else when your fave is so good.

Before I forget there is an American girl sharing the table with us on the train. When she sat down she announced that she had just ”been dumped” 10 minutes before getting on the train. Another chink in the curtains of life.

After the Parlour we all went our own ways and Hannah and I wandered around the shop for a bit before heading back to the Waldorf for a rest. Tom Joe and Anne got there at the same time and we crammed into our room. Not sure I’ve mentioned but it was my 55th birthday and there were presents and cards to open. The kids got me a copy of the Guardian newspaper from the day of my birth. 9th December 1961. Scanned it for an announcement of that fact but I guess it came too late to make the earlier editions.

The train is passing dull, winter coloured fields with hundreds of birds on the telegraph wires. Waiting to head South one assumes although surely this is a little late to be migrating. Maybe it’s just a crowd of birds hanging out in a field on a Saturday afternoon.

Let’s head back to Thursday night. Worra fantastic party. This was the 7th ‘trefbash’ in a row and another huge hit. The theme this year was What I was wearing when the Titanic went down. See the Google Album for pics and vids. Those that turned up in business suits were given kids inflatable rubber rings to wear. We went through 50 bottles of Laurent Perrier champagne and the bar bill was the usual “longer than the height of a human” impressive print out.

Apparently I was quite well oiled although I suspect most in attendance were in that condition. Joe brought his trumpet along and joined in with the band for a couple of sets. He was great and very much held his own. Got a lot of positive comments. He went off to Ronnie Scott’s with the band afterwards. Home after kicking out time which I suspect is 2am. We Ubered it back to the hotel at around 1am. Could have walked but didn’t feel inclined to mess about at that time of night, especially with my buoyancy aid in tow. Google album here including videos.

Breakfast with Manuel the next day. Discussed a bit of business for next year. Was a slightly sluggish start to the day but I was ok. Taxied between hotels – we moved from the Doubletree to the Waldorf. Left the gear with the concierge and headed to South Ken to meet the gang.

We finished the trip with a few drinks at the Waldorf before heading off to Cafe Pacifico. Ajax and Sue and Simon Forshaw and Nicky were off to China Town. We tentatively arranged to finish the night off at the American Bar at the Savoy but Anne and I didn’t make it. We didn’t hear from the others so I suspect they didn’t make it either. The story from Cafe Pacifico was 4 jugs of Margaritas. We had only intended to have three but when I asked the waitress for another glass for Joe she brought another jug! We also ended up with one bucket of Corona (6 bots) too many as I ordered another without realising that we already had one on the floor that was untouched. Was a bit of a struggle to finish them all but hey…

This morning we had breakfast at the Waldorf. Was a little cramped for space but the food was a notch up from the Double tree. A walk around Covent Garden, a lounge around in armchairs back at the hotel and now here we are on the train headed Nowf.

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15,53 Sat in front of the fire with a cup of tea aaaahhhhh.

Birthday day out pics here.

Partay time

All go this morning. Complicated logistics. John off to school but can’t find his oyster card. Needs three different bags. School bag, an overnighter for staying at Finn’s tonight together with outfit for school Christmas Concert and a bag for bringing to London. Taxi is picking him up from school at 13.50 tomorrow afternoon to take him to station via our house (drop off and pick up bags).

We set off for Newark a little later than ideal so I get worried about whether I’ve left enough contingency time. Roadworks in Newark and full carparks at the station. Only just squeeze into a spot about as far from the station as you can get. Do get to the platform with time to spare and train is 4 mins late.

London is gridlocked. Roadworks building cycle lanes causing chaos. Credit card doesn’t work either in taxi or at hotel – I find out later it’s been accidentally cancelled. I pay cash for the taxi and use my amex in the hotel.

Central Line is rammed and I am dressed for the Artic winter. At some point i am unable to reach a handrail so flowing with the crowd. I can’t see the tube map from where I am stood so also not sure which station to get off at. I end up getting off at Bank and walking the rest of the way.

The Gamma offices are comfortable and I treat myself to an espresso because there is a conveniently placed machine. The workshop begins.

At this point I should tell you what lies ahead for the rest of the day. It’s the LONAP Christmas party, formerly known as trefbash. The theme this year is What I was wearing when the Titanic went down. I have tails and a life jacket. I’m sure there will be plenty of good photos to share tomorrow. There is zero chance of an update after the workshop. I have ordered 50 bottles of champagne. This party is always a humdinger. We have a dance band and a 5 course meal (see yesterday’s post).

In other news watched the Ipcress File last night. My name is Harry Palmer. It’s a classic. Had sausage chips and peas for dinner accompanied by a couple of glasses of wine. Just warming up.

Weather in London is dreadful. Anne is meeting Joe at the hotel and doing stuff around Covent Garden. Tom is joining them later. Hannah can’t make the bash as she has her own “office move” party at Colt. Hopefully she can come along after that. Ajax and Sue are having lunch at the Ivy – they are coming tonight and it’s Sue’s birthday (mine tomorrow). Adie and Zara were aiming to hook up with the Forshaws and Hoolie will be in a pub somewhere.

The workshop is scheduled to finish at 4 but will probably finish earlier than that.

btw picked the featured image up off the web somewhere. No idea where so can’t attribute but I imagine it’s out of copyright by now.

wescot and tails

Picking up my fancy dress this morning. Tails. Then lunch with Jackie and Paul Gordon who are swinging by with some bottles from their vineyard in California. I worked with Jackie in my first job at MEDL. Then lunch at the Wig and Mitre. Also have to pack for London tomorrow. Two days of partying. Actually quite a lot to do – bit of work too.

Last night’s loaf turned out a little dense. This doesn’t matter so much. I recall that at university in Bangor I used to buy a dense wholemeal loaf. Couple of slices were a meal. This morning I thinly sliced the bread for my bacon sandwich. A lot easier with a denser loaf as is the spreading of butter, especially at this time of year.

We have 155 folk signed up for tomorrow’s Christmas bash. This isn’t quite as much as at the peak where I think there may have been over 200 but it is still a good crowd. People flying in from France, Holland, USA and Sweden. Not bad. Bit of a bop. I’ve ordered 50 bottles of champagne. Menu is based on that in the First Class Salon on the Titanic on the night it sank:

The First Course
Mock turtle Soup, served in a Shot glass

The Second Course
Cold Poached Dressed Salmon, Garnished with Cucumbers & Salmon Caviar

The Third Course
Seared Scotch Sirloin Steak, Pink Peppercorn Sauce, Garnished with Foie Gras

The Fourth Course
Woodland Mushroom & Ale Vol au Vont

The Fifth Course
Truffle Oil Roasted Chicken Lyonnaise, White Wine and Parsley Cream Sauce

Legumes
Pomme Parmentier & Rosemary
Vichy Carrots
Petit Pois a la Francais

The Titanic menu was ten courses. Wouldn’t have made for easy swimming would it? I suspect these are only small courses but it is a bit of fun and there is something for everyone.

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Jackie called to say they were running late and would have to swing by next week. Also fancy dress lady rang – the waistcoat dropped off the hanger and she still has it! Will have to pick it up en route tomorrow. At least I will be skipping the boozy lunch which rescues the afternoon. May pop out for early doors.

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The featured image is one I took whilst waiting for John to meet me after his sax lesson. Down the side of Lincoln Cathedral. Innit.

and a Lincoln City win

The big, community uniting, sporting exciting news is that Lincoln City beat Oldham Athletic 3 – 2 in the 2nd round of the FA Cup. They were leading 3 – 0 but Oldham improved in the second half and it was a tense final 30 minutes. John went with some pals. I thought about it but it was a freezing cold evening. 7,012 people did go including a handful of Oldham fans who rattled around in the Stacey West stand. When the side does well it really lifts everyone. Things are going well for Lincoln this season. It’s been a few years wince they were demoted from the football league (see a night of deep reflection) and time the club returned to the fourth division:)

A freezing fog descended on the pitch towards the end and at times it was hard to see what was going on. Now, at 5am, that freezing fog is lying heavily over Lincoln. Normally we can see the lights of Lincoln prison from our back window but not tonight/this morning. I feel for the homeless out there in the alleyways and am thankful that we have a nice warm home to return to.

It wasn’t a particularly early night for me last night but I am awake well before dawn again. Not that dawn is early at this time of year. 8.01am google tells me. Lying in bed I figure I might as well get up and do stuff. Looking up I notice that one light in the fitting in the TV room is brighter than the other two. Fwiw.

Had my annual checkup at the GP surgery yesterday. Very pleasant and chatty practice nurse. Half worried that the extremely boozy weekend would have an effect on the checkup but nothing to report other than I still need to lose weight. Probably wouldn’t tell you anyway:) I did lose 10kg in the run up to the coast to coast but such is my lifestyle (conferences, dinners etc) that it all went back on again. One day…

It’s interesting to sit here typing in a room with the curtains drawn. All I see is the inside of the room. Ok there is stuff to see in the room but it is all very constrained and anything you read here largely (light bulbs excepting) dependent on the imagination. Ideally I suppose the room should have bare with walls and one reasonably comfortable chair. Walls don’t have to be white but definitely neutral coloured. Maybe I’ll try it. It’s another idea for a ph1losopherontap event together with the “picture says a thousand words” and the session night. Not sure where I’ll find a room with bare walls and just one chair to sit on (in?).

This room is full of books. Around 450 of them. All the fiction. Other rooms have poetry and plays, history and Anne’s dad Keith’s collection that includes his railway books. The room also contains three cupboards. One with dvds that we never watch, one with mostly photos and the other where the miscellany of stationery items and files are stored. There is also a laser printer on the table underneath the wall mounted TV, a small filing cabinet with small lamp, a small “bedside” table on which stands a ECT phone and a lamp, a standard lamp, a built in desk (wide shelf really) a comfortable L shaped settee with pouffe and a two seater settee, small cream coloured clock, smoke alarm, waste paper bin, paper rack and a stand alone set of dolphins that my sister Ann brought back from New Zealand many years ago. The wall is adorned with 18 or so family photos a print of some reddy pink flowers and a vertical arrangement of wooden letters spelling RELAX. I’ve not considered whether RELAX is an anagram of anything useful. You can try it yourself if you like.

Getting peckish now but we have no bread for toast. Got carried away with the football last night and didn’t get around to making a loaf. Won’t do me any harm I suppose. We have cereal. Weetabix and fruit and fibre. I’ll light the fire again and the hearth will be a good place for the dough to rise this morning. I’ve just got a few bits and bobs to do this morning. I quite like fruit and fibre. It has chewy bits.

It’s now 6.10. That’s roughly 730 words in 70 minutes. 10 wordsish a minute. Dunno if that is good or not. I guess sometimes they rattle out of the brain, as fast as I can type them and other times not.

Time to make the tea.

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The kitchen was pitch black except for the light of the clock on the microwave.