Interesting how to take that by-line. It is related to the fact we had our first paying guests in our new venture as an Airbnb registered bed and breakfast establishment. We had three guests over the Saturday night who had come from Leeds and London to enjoy the entertainment on offer in Liverpool.
Paul, who booked us, was an Irish lad who worked as a band manager in the music business so they all trotted off to the Liverpool Psychedelic festival in the Baltic triangle. He was spotting for new talent and they cruised in about 3am. We 'forced a full English. down him at apout 11:00 and they were gone by midday. Paul recommended I listen to two bands, Wooden Shjips and Moon Duo, so that's on my list to do.
They gave us a good rating so we are now up and running and looking forward to the next customers. None booked in just yet though.
As we trawled through the competition we found out that our close neighbours also do Airbnb at about the same price, but, with only one room to our three, we look to be the best for groups. We shall see.
Full English could also link to the dismal rugby later on the Saturday evening. I was physically drained even before the game, and dozed off so missed the first half ( never thought about ITV +1) but watching the second half I struggled to understand how England were in the lead. There was always only one winner in the second half and memories of Wembley and Scott Gibbs all came back to haunt me.
Anyway after Wales lose to Fiji and England destroy Australia the status quo will be restored. Hang on though, I think I am still asleep and dreaming!!!
Tuesday, 29 September 2015
Monday, 21 September 2015
A Slant on the Rugby World Cup
Well, it was off to Gloucester this weekend to embrace the Rugby World Cup at Kingsholm as Tonga took on Georgia.
I was picked up on Friday afternoon by Sham and we pottered down the scenic route to Chipping Camden and our billet at the Lygon Arms. This is the cheap version, not the hugely expensive version in Broadway, and extremely pleasant it was. The first person we met was an American lady who worked in the Chiswick Business Park next to Silver Crescent, so that was a bit weird. We then dined with the locals in front of the tele as England huffed and puffed to a bonus point victory. Good enough but not earth shattering.
Next day it was off for the live match which kicked off at 12, noon. There was time for a Doom Bar before going into the shed. That was an experience. Its terraced and as we got there ten minutes before kick-off we had to squeeze through a few locals to get a spec. The abuse we got was bizarre.
'You can't just turn up with ten minutes to go to kick-off and expect a view' eh, why not? 'What are you some group of toffs who never go to matches except in Corporate' eh, no, but we do like to see how the other half live........that went down well. We did move a few kids in front of us so they could see, but once the game started everybody settled down.
It was not much of a game in the first half but it picked up in the second half and Georgia ran out worthy winners in the end. They are a big unit so could give the big dogs in the group a test.
After the game we visited a few horse racing pubs in the Cheltenham area before settling for the Plough to watch South Africa v Japan. What a proper game of rugby that was and well played to the Jap's for a very well deserved victory.
On Sunday before we left we went on a tour of Simon the Farmer's homestead and this picture shows how much we looked the part.
I got home to news of multiple Welsh injuries and was mightily disappointed for them....here's to the weekend.
I was picked up on Friday afternoon by Sham and we pottered down the scenic route to Chipping Camden and our billet at the Lygon Arms. This is the cheap version, not the hugely expensive version in Broadway, and extremely pleasant it was. The first person we met was an American lady who worked in the Chiswick Business Park next to Silver Crescent, so that was a bit weird. We then dined with the locals in front of the tele as England huffed and puffed to a bonus point victory. Good enough but not earth shattering.
Next day it was off for the live match which kicked off at 12, noon. There was time for a Doom Bar before going into the shed. That was an experience. Its terraced and as we got there ten minutes before kick-off we had to squeeze through a few locals to get a spec. The abuse we got was bizarre.
'You can't just turn up with ten minutes to go to kick-off and expect a view' eh, why not? 'What are you some group of toffs who never go to matches except in Corporate' eh, no, but we do like to see how the other half live........that went down well. We did move a few kids in front of us so they could see, but once the game started everybody settled down.
It was not much of a game in the first half but it picked up in the second half and Georgia ran out worthy winners in the end. They are a big unit so could give the big dogs in the group a test.
After the game we visited a few horse racing pubs in the Cheltenham area before settling for the Plough to watch South Africa v Japan. What a proper game of rugby that was and well played to the Jap's for a very well deserved victory.
On Sunday before we left we went on a tour of Simon the Farmer's homestead and this picture shows how much we looked the part.
Wednesday, 2 September 2015
Egyptian mummies
The Clampitts trip has gone a bit pear. The Cairo cramps swept through the party taking its toll on the adult members of the party. Most of them recovered well enough to travel home but poor old Emma was confined to barracks and could not travel back. So SWMBO had to stay behind to look after Ava and Nell. They are now expected back tomorrow all being well.
That has given me a few extra days to potter but the rain has put pay to any outdoor activities and I get the joy of taking sister-in-law Michelle to the Simon and Garfunkel Show tomorrow.
It feels like Wednesday morning 3am but at least they are Homeward Bound.
That has given me a few extra days to potter but the rain has put pay to any outdoor activities and I get the joy of taking sister-in-law Michelle to the Simon and Garfunkel Show tomorrow.
It feels like Wednesday morning 3am but at least they are Homeward Bound.
Tuesday, 25 August 2015
Home alone
SWMBO and her family are entering the second week of their Clampitts holiday in Egypt. Apart from some tourist tummy trouble, all seems to be going well. The kids in particular are enjoying the water park and chocolate parties.
I, in the meantime, am left fending for myself which has been a welcome reintroduction to peace and quiet. The main benefit has been the ability to get on with jobs round the house without having to worry whether an ankle biter will get hold of a chisel or fall over a power lead.
One challenge I have though is that a couple of tiles have slipped during the storms so I am waiting for the insurance go ahead to get the work done. The loss assessor said he thought the door would cost £50 labour and £1500 for scaffolding. Gone are the days when a bloke and his ladders turned up and did it. It's all 'ealth and safety now.
I am all set up with my new tablet computer now as well. I got the latest ZenPad with some vouchers the bank gave me, and it's good to be mobile again. I now have films on tap via Kodi, an X-Box simulator, and sport available via a Ace Player feed. There are a few wires across the floor at the moment but I will work out how to loose those in the next day or so. Luckily the rugby world cup is on ITV so that will be routine.
SWMBO looks like she is off to Tanzania again in November with her dental health charity and she also has a day trip to Dublin for some stand management at a dental conference. Maybe a job opportunity will come up as a result otherwise she will be secret shopping with me.
I am still trying to earn a few bob via e-bay, a couple of pictures and some riding crops from a recent auction seem to be interesting people but the box of Hudl covers I got have no takers. You win some, you lose some.
It will be disappointing to miss the Bampton raft race this year but I suspect it has run its course as far as I am concerned. Next year I will become an onlooker with 'off the record' Dick. I look forward to meeting up with the S Club in Gloucester for the Tonga v Georgia match as our own RWC mini tour gets under way.
Looks like time for an all day breakfast......excellent!
I, in the meantime, am left fending for myself which has been a welcome reintroduction to peace and quiet. The main benefit has been the ability to get on with jobs round the house without having to worry whether an ankle biter will get hold of a chisel or fall over a power lead.
One challenge I have though is that a couple of tiles have slipped during the storms so I am waiting for the insurance go ahead to get the work done. The loss assessor said he thought the door would cost £50 labour and £1500 for scaffolding. Gone are the days when a bloke and his ladders turned up and did it. It's all 'ealth and safety now.
I am all set up with my new tablet computer now as well. I got the latest ZenPad with some vouchers the bank gave me, and it's good to be mobile again. I now have films on tap via Kodi, an X-Box simulator, and sport available via a Ace Player feed. There are a few wires across the floor at the moment but I will work out how to loose those in the next day or so. Luckily the rugby world cup is on ITV so that will be routine.
SWMBO looks like she is off to Tanzania again in November with her dental health charity and she also has a day trip to Dublin for some stand management at a dental conference. Maybe a job opportunity will come up as a result otherwise she will be secret shopping with me.
I am still trying to earn a few bob via e-bay, a couple of pictures and some riding crops from a recent auction seem to be interesting people but the box of Hudl covers I got have no takers. You win some, you lose some.
It will be disappointing to miss the Bampton raft race this year but I suspect it has run its course as far as I am concerned. Next year I will become an onlooker with 'off the record' Dick. I look forward to meeting up with the S Club in Gloucester for the Tonga v Georgia match as our own RWC mini tour gets under way.
Looks like time for an all day breakfast......excellent!
Friday, 31 July 2015
Birkenhead Brewery
Another month slips by, and a very strange one it was, certainly from the weather perspective. It was scorching hot early on which made people wonder why they went abroad all the time. Then it went wet, wild and cold, and we all realised why we go abroad.
Unfortunately the overseas market has been literally blown out of the water in the aftermath of the Tunisia beach massacre, and add to that the critical situation surrounding ferry and train travel from France and it is no fun being a holidaymaker at the moment. SWMBO and her family are off on their Clampitts holiday to Egypt in a couple of weeks and Tim has just had two weeks in Bulgaria mso some of the family will see some sand, sea and sangria.
The football and rugby season's are soon upon us, and the death of Peter O'Sullevan this week has netted the Twickenham RFC steward a pretty penny in the death list lottery. Free pint from Dennis then!
Golf continues at a pace as I am still in two knockout competitions which have entered their quarter final stages, and there are five seniors matches still to play. Wallasey hosted the Carris Trophy a couple of weeks ago which is the U16 English strokeplay competition. Some of the players were very accomplished, and with Jose Maria Olazabal and Justin Rose as previous winners there may well be a future tour pro or two in the field.
The Ashes test series has been a bit up and down. We went to the Saturday at Lord's by train. That made it a ling day, and the cricket was probably some of the dullest in the series so far. At £100 per ticket we are going to think seriously about continuing the tradition. it would be a hard one to make as SWMBO and I have been going for nigh on 25 years, and I first went with my Dad in 1962 and have not missed many Saturday's ever since.
I am taking my mate Peter to Old Trafford in August for a day night 50 over game, Lancs v Glamorgan and that's £19 a ticket. It will be his first live match so looking forward to it.
We ended the month in style last night when we went to the Peerless Brewery pop up pub. All their ales and stouts were £2 a pint and one of Kierans friends, Ross, just back from Hong Kong, was on a mission to have a pint of all eight draught beers available. Good on him
So fairly routine in July, I wonder what August will have to offer.
Unfortunately the overseas market has been literally blown out of the water in the aftermath of the Tunisia beach massacre, and add to that the critical situation surrounding ferry and train travel from France and it is no fun being a holidaymaker at the moment. SWMBO and her family are off on their Clampitts holiday to Egypt in a couple of weeks and Tim has just had two weeks in Bulgaria mso some of the family will see some sand, sea and sangria.
The football and rugby season's are soon upon us, and the death of Peter O'Sullevan this week has netted the Twickenham RFC steward a pretty penny in the death list lottery. Free pint from Dennis then!
Golf continues at a pace as I am still in two knockout competitions which have entered their quarter final stages, and there are five seniors matches still to play. Wallasey hosted the Carris Trophy a couple of weeks ago which is the U16 English strokeplay competition. Some of the players were very accomplished, and with Jose Maria Olazabal and Justin Rose as previous winners there may well be a future tour pro or two in the field.
The Ashes test series has been a bit up and down. We went to the Saturday at Lord's by train. That made it a ling day, and the cricket was probably some of the dullest in the series so far. At £100 per ticket we are going to think seriously about continuing the tradition. it would be a hard one to make as SWMBO and I have been going for nigh on 25 years, and I first went with my Dad in 1962 and have not missed many Saturday's ever since.
I am taking my mate Peter to Old Trafford in August for a day night 50 over game, Lancs v Glamorgan and that's £19 a ticket. It will be his first live match so looking forward to it.
We ended the month in style last night when we went to the Peerless Brewery pop up pub. All their ales and stouts were £2 a pint and one of Kierans friends, Ross, just back from Hong Kong, was on a mission to have a pint of all eight draught beers available. Good on him
So fairly routine in July, I wonder what August will have to offer.
Friday, 3 July 2015
Walk Tall
I played golf yesterday with my good friend Cookie. He called up to suggest we played and I was able to fit in. I then started thinking how long ago we had last seen each other, and it must have been nearly a year.
The thing about long standing friends is that you can just slip into their company almost seamlessly, regardless of the time between meetings. we certainly did not lack for things to talk about during our four hours on the course.
He did remind me, however, that I was once more delinquent on my blog, and one post during May and none in June is certainly poor form considering what we have been up to.
That said, I played golf sixteen times in May, including a great week in the North of Ireland for the Causeway golf challenge. I met up with Chris Campbell and Chris Finden-Browne, friends from my IBM days, and much like yesterday with Cookie, the chemistry was still there and we had a great week. We played Ballyliffin in Donegal as well as Portrush, Castlerock and Ballycastle. I had a chat with Darren Clarke, the Ryder Cup captain elect, at Portrush as he parked next to me in his white BMW i8. Very impressive.
Chris C-F and I managed to finish in the top 50 out of a field of over 600 so we felt very pleased with ourselves about that.
Liverpool also hosted the rendezvous of the 'Three Queens' on the late May Bank Holiday as Cunard celebrated their 175th anniversary. SWMBO and I saw them line up to enter the Mersey from the 4th tee at Wallasey golf club before hot footing it to Birkenhead to see them salute the Liverpool coastline. The Red Arrows then saluted them with a quick flypast on their way to Blackpool air show. Initial reports indicate the weekend generated some £22m for the local economy.
During June I participated in a sculpture workshop near Nantwich which took place over two days at a secret garden called Mount Pleasant. I carved a hand out of a lump of limestone and it now cradles a pot of plants in the garden. It was very gratifying to be able to produce something in such a short time, but certainly showed how much patience a sculptor needs to have to execute their art.
A couple of weeks ago it was the turn of the Oxton Society to take centre stage as they held their secret gardens event. I had hoped to have the 'S Club' in residence for that, but a combination of work commitments and event clashes meant that only 'off the record' Dick turned up on his way back from Scotland. We had a good craic and drank a variety of beers and red wine before he went off to Liverpool on the Monday to do some work.
Finally we took number one grand-daughter to London for number two grand-daughters birthday, a flying visit just for the day. Ava and Sofia certainly enjoyed each others company and it is a relationship we must continue to nurture.
And now we are into July where we have SWMBO's birthday to celebrate, our wedding anniversary and a leaving do for number two son, Kieran as he is off to a new school in September. He is moving from a 600 pupil all girls school with no Sixth form to a 1400 pupil mixed school where he can start to teach A-level. It means he will need to travel further so he is taking driving lessons, at last. I just stay off the road on those occasions!
The golf club are hosting the Carris trophy during the month. It's an event for U16 male golfers and is played over three days. It numbers Justin Rose as a previous winner.
So not much spare time to do any secret shopping or e-bay stuff, but certainly time to catch up with some more ex-work colleagues in a week or so in Liverpool for a serious lunch.Problem is I am on the 07:45 train to London the next day for the Lords Ashes test match.
In the words of Val Doonican, the singer, , who sadly died yesterday, I'm Gonna Get There Somehow !
The thing about long standing friends is that you can just slip into their company almost seamlessly, regardless of the time between meetings. we certainly did not lack for things to talk about during our four hours on the course.
He did remind me, however, that I was once more delinquent on my blog, and one post during May and none in June is certainly poor form considering what we have been up to.
That said, I played golf sixteen times in May, including a great week in the North of Ireland for the Causeway golf challenge. I met up with Chris Campbell and Chris Finden-Browne, friends from my IBM days, and much like yesterday with Cookie, the chemistry was still there and we had a great week. We played Ballyliffin in Donegal as well as Portrush, Castlerock and Ballycastle. I had a chat with Darren Clarke, the Ryder Cup captain elect, at Portrush as he parked next to me in his white BMW i8. Very impressive.
Chris C-F and I managed to finish in the top 50 out of a field of over 600 so we felt very pleased with ourselves about that.
Liverpool also hosted the rendezvous of the 'Three Queens' on the late May Bank Holiday as Cunard celebrated their 175th anniversary. SWMBO and I saw them line up to enter the Mersey from the 4th tee at Wallasey golf club before hot footing it to Birkenhead to see them salute the Liverpool coastline. The Red Arrows then saluted them with a quick flypast on their way to Blackpool air show. Initial reports indicate the weekend generated some £22m for the local economy.
During June I participated in a sculpture workshop near Nantwich which took place over two days at a secret garden called Mount Pleasant. I carved a hand out of a lump of limestone and it now cradles a pot of plants in the garden. It was very gratifying to be able to produce something in such a short time, but certainly showed how much patience a sculptor needs to have to execute their art.
A couple of weeks ago it was the turn of the Oxton Society to take centre stage as they held their secret gardens event. I had hoped to have the 'S Club' in residence for that, but a combination of work commitments and event clashes meant that only 'off the record' Dick turned up on his way back from Scotland. We had a good craic and drank a variety of beers and red wine before he went off to Liverpool on the Monday to do some work.
Finally we took number one grand-daughter to London for number two grand-daughters birthday, a flying visit just for the day. Ava and Sofia certainly enjoyed each others company and it is a relationship we must continue to nurture.
And now we are into July where we have SWMBO's birthday to celebrate, our wedding anniversary and a leaving do for number two son, Kieran as he is off to a new school in September. He is moving from a 600 pupil all girls school with no Sixth form to a 1400 pupil mixed school where he can start to teach A-level. It means he will need to travel further so he is taking driving lessons, at last. I just stay off the road on those occasions!
The golf club are hosting the Carris trophy during the month. It's an event for U16 male golfers and is played over three days. It numbers Justin Rose as a previous winner.
So not much spare time to do any secret shopping or e-bay stuff, but certainly time to catch up with some more ex-work colleagues in a week or so in Liverpool for a serious lunch.Problem is I am on the 07:45 train to London the next day for the Lords Ashes test match.
In the words of Val Doonican, the singer, , who sadly died yesterday, I'm Gonna Get There Somehow !
Friday, 8 May 2015
True Blue
It now seems that David Cameron has achieved an overall majority and has the remit to form a government without consulting with any of the minority parties. The red lines on offer are no longer relevant, and three horror scenarios seem to have been avoided. There will be no coalition, no labour powerhouse, and the SNP elected officers will be impotent. This latter point will be a huge disappointment to the Scottish voters who were hoping to hold the balance of power and use it to push through another Scottish referendum.
Will the national picture dominates, if you look deeply enough into some of the high profile losses there are local issues which may have cost them seats. Esther McVey in Wirral made some I'll judged comments about foodbanks and their users. She was given the push.
In Twickenham, Vince Cable positively supported an industrial development on the Thames in the Teddington part of his constituency. Teddington is very yummy mummy so he got the push too.
UKIP had support in those areas most affected by immigration, particularly in Essex and Lent. We shall see if their momentum can be maintained over the next five years. Cameran can now look to further strengthen the UK terms in Europe and, if successful, have no need for a referendum.
Interesting times ahead, but more predictable than could have been the case. I just hope saving rates go up!!
Will the national picture dominates, if you look deeply enough into some of the high profile losses there are local issues which may have cost them seats. Esther McVey in Wirral made some I'll judged comments about foodbanks and their users. She was given the push.
In Twickenham, Vince Cable positively supported an industrial development on the Thames in the Teddington part of his constituency. Teddington is very yummy mummy so he got the push too.
UKIP had support in those areas most affected by immigration, particularly in Essex and Lent. We shall see if their momentum can be maintained over the next five years. Cameran can now look to further strengthen the UK terms in Europe and, if successful, have no need for a referendum.
Interesting times ahead, but more predictable than could have been the case. I just hope saving rates go up!!
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