where art collides

and Joe heads to BSTK festival

Up at 6.15am. Making sausage sandwiches for Joe and a couple of the Pylons. They are off to open the main stage at BKST Festival (formerly known as Brownstock). The Pylons played there two years ago in the bar so this is a step up.

Wiping the sleep from my eyes. Think I had a good sleep. Don’t remember waking in the night though that doesn’t mean I didn’t.

Now a good time to type. The fridge is humming quietly in the kitchen and the occasional bird reminds me it is out there. Hiya Tref. Hi bird. Don’t fly off. I promise to refill the bird feeder, now empty.

It is important to get the right sausages. These are spicy Lincolnshire from Fosters on Monks Road. Left over from Joefest 2016. Most others are pale imitations. Joe is taking Barney and Phil in the Micra whilst Joey and Dalton go in the Dalton’s Galaxy, seats down carrying the instruments. The Micra order is for two brown sauces and one red sauce. The Galaxy can look after itself.

I’ve refilled the feeder(s). Need to buy more stocks now. The remaining seed has started to grow in the squirrel proof feeder so will have to remove that for cleaning next time. It will mean cutting the cable tie but hey…

Now I just need to decide when is a good time to take Anne up a cup of tea. It is still only 7.11am. Twirly.

Today is a big sporting day. British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone, Wimbledon Men’s Final with our Andy and Portugal v France in the European Cup Final (c’mon Portugal). I am also cooking a chicken on the bbq using the rotisserie. Should be good. Might do some roast veg in the drip tray.

There is no sun out there. It’s looking as if it will be a cloudy day. Warm enough though. Shame John’s cricket match isn’t today. Yesterday’s was called off because the opposition couldn’t raise a team but it would probably have been rained off anyway.

Went back to bed taking the tea up and then treated meself to a fryup – one sausage, two bacon, couple of fried new potatoes left over from yesterday, fried bread and an egg sunny side up.

falls mainly in Lincoln

It’s raining in the shire. A nice gentle summer rain. The conservatory doors are open to the garden.

Breakfast was an extremely tasty toast and marmalade with a glass (bottle) of milk. Toast is best made with bread that isn’t too fresh. This was a white loaf purchased from Tesco on Wednesday for the purposes of sandwiches to take to Wimbledon on Thursday. The marmalade was vintage Seville orange made by yours truly a few years ago in such a large batch that we still haven’t finished it.

I also put it in kilner jars that are too large. We don’t consume much marmalade anyway. Just thought it was a good idea at the time, which it was.

Today I was going to Magnum Motorhomes in Grimsby to buy the campervan fridge. However I am not quite ready for it. The fitting isn’t going to be straightforward and I am going to take my time over it. There is still a chance it can get done before we head to Latitude on Thursday but it isn’t a banker.

The garden is still looking very green and the borders quite colourful. We have had a lot of rain this year, or at least that’s how it feels. Bring back the hosepipe bans eh? Would at least mean that we had had a bout of fine weather.

Don’t get me wrong. We do get nice days. Just not enough of them. It isn’t enough to make me want to go and live abroad mind you. I like this country, despite some of the people that live here. They probably have the same types everywhere you go.

Today I do have a jobslist:
Put up blind in playroom (no longer a playroom – more  a gym)
Bathroom sealant – around bath
Check oil and water in Micra for Joe’s trip to Brownstock Festival tomorrow (The Pylons are playing the main stage)
Build trapdoor cover for attic
Look for solar light (no idea)
Fill out student finance forms
Tidy Conservatory
Some of it will get done and it will all definitely be done before the summer is out.
The rain has got heavier. V relaxing.

Today we also say goodbye to an old friend – a pair of shorts that have served me well but which now have a broken zip. Broke whilst at Wimbledon. Don’t think anyone noticed 😉 I have others but I am planning a short trip to TK Max with my style guru Hannah so may pick something up there. I wouldn’t specifically make a trip to TK Max but Hannah wants to go anyway and we need to pick Jose up from the station at around 1pm so it suits. Also have two parcels to pick up from the post office. They are all in the same vicinity ish. Anne would approve.

More in due course – the day is young…

…

The rain still cometh and Hansk and I are off out. I’ve tidied the conservatory, found the lights and sorted the micra which needed nothing doing to it. Spot of sushi from Morrissons for lunch eaten in the car whilst waiting for Jose to turn up from Storth.

Joe duly picked up and now off at a Pylons rehearsal. Also ticked another job off the jobslist – hatch cover for attic. Suspect that’ll be it for the day. Bbq moved back into place ready for the sausages and burgers later.

Calling Inspector Sands

So we had a great night in Camden after returning from an equally good day out in Wimbledon. Caught an Uber out to Wimbledon via the hotel in camden. £30 for an hour’s journey, not bad. Took us an hour and a half or so to get back on foot and tube and then sat on the balcony of room 506 – Penthouse – overlooking the lock with a cold beer.

I called Cafe Chula and was surprised to get a table for four for 8pm. Cafe Chula is a mexican street food joint just over the canal in the market. I have been there previously just for drinks and was suitably impressed.

We were not disappointed. In fact after we arrived the place filled up and they had a guitarist there for our delight and delectation who was very good. The only downside was that Anne felt a little queasy and retired to our room to watch France v Germany in the Semi-finals of the football.

Didn’t make it a late night. Caught the end of the footy. Unfortunately France won. My money was on Germany. I now need Portugal to win the final.

This morning we tubed it back to Kings Cross. Whilst Anne and John were in Waitrose buying supplies (he is off to Skeggy with the school windband to play in a  concert) there was an alert calling for Inspector Sands. This is code for there is something going on.

Ended up in the revamped First Class Lounge. Only had advanced first tix so didn’t think we would be able to get in. However Virgin Trains East Coast appear to have changed their policy which is good.

Now back at home recovering. We are all tired and irritable!

Featured image is of tiles from the Cafe Chula bar.

strawberries & cream

Up early cos it’s Thursday. Actually it’s Wimbledon Ladies semi final day and we have tickets.

John and I are headed out to the All England Tennis Club whilst Anne and Hannah are going up the Shard and then off for afternoon tea at some posh gaff.

I have been awake since around 5.30 am. I can never sleep properly when the alarm is set, even though it was a very late night last night having picked up John and his mates from the William Farr school prom at Hemswell Court shortly after 11.30pm. John sensibly came straight home with me despite the temptation of drinks around at Matty Wards.

Now I’m waiting until it’s time to make the tea and take it upstairs.

Anne too had a late night. She was out with the girls. They went to some Greek restaurant down the high street. Food was a bit greasy apparently. I’m sure they had a good time anyway.
Last night Wales were beaten 2 – 0 by Portugal in the semi-finals of the European Championships. Two goals by Ronaldo. Ah well. They did well. Tonight it’s France v Germany. I need Germany to win and then I have both finalists and will definitely be in the money. If Portugal win with Germany second I stand to win £130.

It would appear to be raining right now. I don’t think there is rain forecast for London today. Centre Court has a roof anyway so we will be fine.

Today was a phone only day so I’ve done loads of pics and vids to replace spiel – google album.

looks good to me

Lovely morning in the home office, doors open to the back garden. Responded to my summons for Jury service. I’m not around really until October

My free weeks in the coming months are week commencing

3rd october
10th october
17th october
14th november
21st november
28th november
12th december
19th december
9th january 2017
16th january
23rd january
30 january
6 february
13 february
27 feb
6, 13, 20 27 march
3rd april
15, 22 may
5, 12, 19 june

These dates will fill up but  if I have enough notice from the Jury people I should be able to arrange work around it.

Taking the unused booze from Joefest 2016 back to tesco. There is a lot of it. We drank all the ale but people brought their own lager and cider. Will keep some for the kids to take to Latitude which is only next week now and for which excitement is building.

Bit of a slow start this morning after being out and about in London for two intensive days. Was nearly 10 am before I sat  down at my desk.

The next job will be to check my tax return and sort out stuff relating to the kids’ student loans.

The tesco booze trip was a success. Got £330 back on an initial £600 purchase. Also bought some nice cheese and ham on offer only to get home to find that Anne had also bought the same!

Washed my deck shoes which were filthy after Joefest. Truth be told is that I didn’t really wash them. Just hosed them down a bit. It will have to do. I will need  ane pair at some stage. I also need a pair of Timberland sandals. I only have a rubbishy M&S pair that Anne bought in a sale and which are uncomfortable.

Bought an OEX Coyote III tent and some Merrell Kahuna III sandals from GoOutdoors. Ready for Latitude – we havent got enough tents otherwise. Anne and I are in the campervan but the kids need canvas. Also packed for Wimbledon – early start tomorrow.

John has gone off to his school prom. Looks v smart. Doubt he’d let me post a pic though. Have to pic him up at 11.30pm. urgh.

Now our Andy is on telly playing Wilfrid Tsonga and Wales are playing Portugal at 8pm – semi finals of the European Championships. Cmon boys:)

a glass of wine or two last night

Had a terrific dinner at Quo Vadis last night. Afterwards we hit The Phoenix Artist Club and then got lost on the way back to the hotel. Had to resort to sat nav. It was a 15 minute walk from where we were – was only a 15 minute walk in the first place so I reckon we took 30 mins to get home 🙂

New campervan enquiry – for 3 days in December! Sgonna be cold. It doesn’t have any heating.

A day of meetings in town. Lunch at Yo Sushi at St Pauls.Not been before. Enjoyable. I’m no longer a Yo Sushi virgin. Cup of tea at the Tate Modern caff and a very slow taxi ride to meet Dave Cargill at Gamma’s offices near the Gherkin. Got out and walked in the end.

Finally a couple of beers in the Parcel Yard in Kings Cross. I’m now on the train listening to ma sounds.

but this is summer

Last week was somewhat surreal. We were up north for three days last Hannah’s graduation and as soon as we got back became totally immersed in Joefest2016. Today seems a little like coming down to earth with a bang, although it is really only a very gentle bump.

I am off to London for a couple of days of meetings that include one of my periodic private dinners. Nothing too onerous. In fact all the meetings are with friends who I am introducing to Netaxis. Enough of this work stuff.

Today we are back to summer weather. I am not wearing shorts mind you which I realise will seem strange to those who know me. It’s just an attire geared at travelling light and optimised for the combination of environmental circumstances. Ie it isn’t so hot that long trousers will be uncomfortable, I don’t think I want to wear shorts for dinner tonight and am only travelling with my laptop bag.

The peach ish coloured jacket is however out for the first time this year. It’s the one I wore when going to Barca with Hannah remember? Perhaps not.

This week is really just as busy as last. After my two days in london I have Wednesday to get a load of stuff sorted back at home before setting off again for Wimbledon. All go innit.

The featured image btw is the view from the train just south of Stevenage. Clearly summer is in full swing. Fields are still green in Lincolnshire.

fantastic weekend had by all

Joefest 2016 was a triumph that could not be dampened by the rain squalls that periodically blew in from the West.

Highlights:

Picked up 3 barrels of ale from Pheasantry brewery Wednesday and installed them in situ at Bridge Farm Thursday evening after erecting the marquee.

Friday saw the delivery of the generator, portaloos and chiller unit, all of which proved to be essential for the smooth working of the event. Lorry delivering the generator got stuck in the mud of the wet field and I had to fetch a nearby farmer (Jim) with this tractor to tow it out.

Generator proved not to have a full tank of fuel so the delivery man, Alan called through and ordered a couple of plastic containers of red diesel for me.

Spent Friday afternoon doing a bit of work and also printing out some menus/prices for the bar and bbq areas.

Friday afternoon saw Peachy Productions arrive to put up the staging and sound and light gear. We set up the bbq and bar and lots of bunting and lights were placed strategically around the site.

That evening Joe, James Powell, Dave and Jacqui Culy and I went to watch Wales beat Belgium 3 – 1 at the White Hart in Lissington. I had steak and ale pie with chips. Joe had chicken tikka massala. Great evening.

Slept on my own in campervan Betty that night.

Saturday was the big day. Started slowly but numbers built up gradually over the course of the day. We shifted around 170 wristbands in total. Not  bad.

There was live music on for most of the afternoon and evening with a cutoff at 11pm. The Pylons were terrific. All the ale was consumed but not much lager and cider – the punters mostly brought their own.

I almost lost my voice in the emotion of the Pylons gig – it was the best I’d seen them play. Afterwards we had planned on having a firepit/campfire singsong but the wood hadn’t been chopped in advance and tbh my voice had gone and I was cream crackered.

Hannah moved us all inside the marquee to sing and Dave Cooper stepped into the breath in my absence. Unfortunately Coops only knows extremely pornographic rugby songs which wasn’t quite what Hannah had in mind 🙂

I wore sandals for most of the day but the ground got so muddy and my feet so filthy that I ended up washing them in a bucket of water and wearing wellies from the middle of the afternoon. My feet are still somewhat muddy now even after a shower.

Started drinking before noon – just to test the beer of course. Steve Wildman arrived and I spent some time with him on wristband distribution (sales) duty at the entrance. Lots of ale consumed.

Bed around midnight I think. In the night we were woken up by a beeping sound. Turns out it was one of the walkie talkies’ “low battery” sound. Eventually found it and turned it off.

Large quantities of bacon and sausage baps dished out for breakfast and we gradually packed up the site. A hard core remained to help the scouts take down the marquee and indeed the family went back to the Bailgate Methodist Church to help unload and store the borrowed gear. Fortunately the marquee was being used the following weekend at beaver camp so we didn’t have to unload that which is the hard bit – storing it in the cellar.

Now this afternoon we are all knackered. I’m taking the walkie talkies back to Geordie (Chris Thompson), have picked up the lager and cider for taking back to Tesco on sale or return and booked a taxi for 7am tomorrow. I am off to London for a couple of days with Netaxis.

186 pics and videos taken – got a message from EE saying I was nearing my data limit for the month! I have 20GB! Had to change the backup options to just wifi to save data until the 12th when the month resets.

Chicken stew for dinner.

old stick in the mud

Up earlyish and down to Fosters Butchers to pick up 300 burgers, 300 spicy Lincolnshire sausages and 200 slices of drycure bacon for JoeFest. 700 large white bread rolls tomorrow from Morrisons.

Swung by Waitrose for a couple of croissants for breakfast and then out to the farm. I was about to put the meat in the chiller when the HSS van hire guy turned up with the generator. Unfortunately for him his lorry got stuck in the wet field and we had to get a friendly farmer, Joe, to pull him out – see vid below.

Whilst this drama was developing the portaloo man turned up with 4 toilets and then some unannounced guests turned up looking for a chicken farm.

Finally the tesco delivery arrived. We took up a whole van except for four trays! Better shift it all that’s all I can say although the beer will be on sale or return.

Back home the event is starting to come together. Weather could be a little kinder but hey… We have the marquee.

up goes the marquee

Was awake at around 5.30 am today doing JoeFest stuff. Spreadsheet. Out to the farm after breakfast to deliver the beer and associated peripherals. Found a very wet field. I imagine it is something like Glastonbury before the hordes turned up.

Max Wren turned up with the scouts marquee at 10.30 but waited until midday for the chiller to be delivered, 2 hours late. Off home to have a quic lunch with Joe the birthday boy, Hannah and John. Then down to pick up some plastic pint glasses from Booker (1,000 at around 4 pence each) and some industrial strength and quantities of bin bags.

Picked John up from school 6th from taster – he is going off the idea of Physics – and then off to Morrisons for bbq gas and to order 700 bread rolls for picking up on Saturday am. In between all that ordered 400 pints of cider and lager (ie 800 in total) from Tesco and 10 lires of Pimms for delivery tomorrow morning between 10am and 11.

Back to the farm to help erect the marquee and then set the beer up. 3 9 gallon kegs from Pheasantry.

Finally to the Morning Star with Anne, Joe and Charlotte to finish off Joe’s 19th birthday.

Pics and vids later.

very proud parents

What a stunner of a day. Hannah’s graduation day in Durham. We caught the 10.42 train to Plymouth and got off at Durham 11 minutes later. It was only a short walk down to the market square and Hannah arrived at around 11.15 ish. Quick  M&S sandwich to fortify ourselves and we were off to the Cathedral. Hansk picked up her gown, had pics taken, preordered champagne and joined the queue to get in at 1pm. Hannah went in separately.

It has to be said that Durham University knows how to organise a ceremony, The surroundings were hugely impressive and the tenor of the occasion was spot on. Academic staff were dressed in outfits that must have dated back to the renaissance. V colourful. I welled up with pride. It took me back to the day of Tom’s graduation where instead of just shaking hands with the Chancellor he turned him and pointed towards us in the audience for an unique photo opportunity.

No photography was allowed in Durham cathedral during the ceremony but we have ordered the DVD.

Afterwards we popped the champagne and bought Han a Durham scarf. A modern languages dept drinks reception was thrown at St Chads just down from the Cathedral and then down to the Whisky River bar (or simlar) down by the river. It was chucking it down all afternoon but that didn’t detract from our enjoyment of the day and I had brought umbrellas along as a precaution.

It was in the whisky bar that we realised that it might have been a good idea to have booked a taxi. There were none available. In the end we caught a bus to Oro at the Pumphouse where we had a great Italian meal with a couple of bots of sauvignon blanc and two very nice bottles of Barolo.

A mini bus took us back to the station dropping Hannah off at Grey College where she headed out for the night to Fabios with her pals. All in all a wonderful day out.

This morning Tom caught the 6.30 am train back to London (urgh) and we are chillin whilst Anne pops to the shops. Setting off back at 10.30. Me to Durham to pick up Hannah and her ger and Anne and the lads home.

vids in chronological order:

Las Iguanas

We brought two cars. Anne set off early to pick up Hannah and some of her stuff from Durham. I hung back to give Joe a change to get himself sorted – he returned from Glasto at 4.30 am, tired and dirty.

Cooked the lad bacon sausage beans and fried bread and made John and myself pork rolls for lunch – the pork left over from Sunday was delish.

It’s a bit of a boring drive up to Nuke. We were keeping in touch with Hannah using Messenger and unfortunately Anne got lost and we were in Newcastle before she made it to Han’s.

Bit of a stroll into the shops from the Sandman Hotel and then out for dinner at Las Iguanas. Lovely family dinner together with Han’s pal Saskia.  Tom arrived from London at around 9.30 and we ended the evening at the Pitcher and Piano.

The big news of the evening was that England were knocked out of the Euro 2016 football by Iceland. I collapsed into laughter. Facebook went silent on the subject. The hugely funny thing is that England always travel very hopefully but never seem to cut it in international football.

Tuesday is Hannah graduation day. We are all excited and looking forward to a lovely family day out. More later.

…

partay time

Latitude tix arrived yesterday yay.

Had great night in Betty the campervan if somewhat sleepless. The bed was very comfortable but the dawn chorus at 4am was very loud.

We had an electric kettle so boiled up a brew in no time in the morning and I connected the gas for the first time and cooked a fry up.

Now Betty has been unloaded and we are just relaxing around the house. Pork has been covered in the smoked sea salt and garlic rub in prep for the spit roast bbq later this pm. The last time we use the spit was with the same rub and a shoulder of lamb with terrific results.

In the big bad world outside the fall out from the referendum vote continues. The PM David Cameron has resigned. Whilst he has presided over the recovery of the economy through very difficult times he will go down in history as a failure. His weak leadership will have been responsible for chaos in the country.

Ireland v France today. Cmon Ireland.

Swung by Waitrose and bought exactly what was on the shopping list. Bananas, milk, strawberries, custard and tinfoil. Anne hadn’t expected the custard but it was definitely on the list. I added it to the bottom:)

Our political parties seem to be in total disarray btw. 7 have resigned from the shadow cabinet. The PM has resigned. i wonder if I can switch off completely for the next six months and tune in for the Christmas break.

in other news The Pylons have made it to 6 Music’s Highlights of Glastonbury 2016 – http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03z1hmw

specific link to their song here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03zh788

& Wales v N Ireland

Our first night in Betty tonight. Betty, if you don’t already know is our 1971 VW T2 bay window campervan. Got the fridge plugged in, toilet loaded with fluids, water tank filled for the sink (10l plastic container). Not connected the gas yet. Will have to do that sooner rather than later.

The camp is set up, although I forgot to bring the stakes for the flagpole. Fortunately we have come home to watch the first half of Wales v N Ireland and the Pylons Glastonbury gig which is only on tinterweb which is non existent in the campsite.

Winding the clock back to this morning it’s the first time I’ve woken with a hangover in a long time. Went out last night with Ajax, Stobie and Jezzer. They were celebrating the “leave” vote. I on the other hand was drowning my sorrows. They had been at it since 3pm and Jezzer and Ian didn’t last the night. Axax however has hollow legs and we moseyed on to the Taphouse and Kitchen where we bumped into Nige Delahey.

A dry martini and a couple of bottles of champagne later and I woke up with a hangover. Jenny Robinson turned up. Fantastic to see her. She is back from China for good. Terrible pollution out there apparently. Created havoc with her chest.

Just finished watching the Pylons gig. Watch some of the Wales match then back to the campsite. 1 0 Wales – own goal.

…

Lincoln Lanes campsite should be renamed Lincoln Lakes. We returned from our Pylons watching sojourn at home in Lincoln in torrential rain. The campsite is under water. Either wellies or flip flops are required, or as I’m my case boat shoes.

We have had our dinner. Lukewarm sausages and burgers saved for us from the bbq together with a few salady bits. Now we are chilling in the van listening to ma fave toons and reading WV Camper and Commercial magazine