Sunday 22 June 2008 19:49

Bugger. Bugger. Bugger. Bugger. Cyndi Lauper has a UK tour and seems to have forgotten about the northeast. Now comes the difficult decision; Manchester (Bridgewater Hall, seated) or Glasgow (Agademy, standing). Both are a two-and-a-half hour train journey, but maybe Glasgow has the edge. 



Sunday 22 June 2008 12:25

I'm having one of those isn't it weird how time passes so quickly moments. Amy's three today, although we did the birthday thing yesterday, and it's incredible just how quickly those three years have passed. I wish I'd had my camera yesterday to catch a picture of her in her new Dalek (apparently pronounced garlic by three-year-olds) suit. She's quite clearly a Dr Who fan, telling everyone that in her capacity as a garlic that she was going to scarminate (exterminate) them.

Last night, we went to see the Mosaics at the Academy. They're always very good, but it was great to see them with a larger audience; I'm rubbish as estimating numbers, but there must have been around two or three hundred people, possibly more. They're playing at the Bridge Hotel and the Tuns in July and it's a shame that venues like these don't attract more.

I'm feeling pretty lethargic today, in sharp contrast to my usual energetic weekend self. I was debating a trip to Tesco, but I've just made a sandwich and now I'm feeling tired. Perhaps after another coffee.


Monday 16 June 2008 21:45

This weekend was pretty hectic, passing in a blur. On Saturday, after a heavy Friday night out, there was a three hour trip to Delamere Forest to see Elbow.  Somehow I survived the drive. The forest was a great venue for a concert and the atmosphere was something between a normal gig and a festival.



A last minute drop-out meant that a ticket was spare and Rhiannon was pretty much dragged out of the shower since I was already running late. To my amazement, even though they're hardly a boy band, she liked Elbow. Although already a seasoned festival goer, Sophie was also there. Somehow we managed to keep up the pretence that we were going to the forest for a picnic until the stage was in view.

Yesterday was Fathers' Day. I don't remotely believe in it at all; it's a Capitalist commercial invention. But, to make the best of it, we had a barbeque and a stupid amount to drink couple of drinks before going to the Tuns until closing time for a half hour. I really don't know how I managed to stay awake at work today.

Oh, a couple of recent text messages I'd received:

Debbie: What is the point of salad? It doesn't really taste of anything. I may as well just pick leaves from the tree outside, it'd be cheaper.

Paula: I'm home. Me and Shimmm are looking at old photos on the computer.


Sunday 8 June 2008 20:30

Well, the good weather has lasted right through the weekend so I probably shouldn't grumble about having to go back to work tomorrow. It's been really nice to be away from the place for a week. The weekend's actually been pretty uneventful though, although we went to see some bands at the Academy last night. It seems that whenever I go there with Peter, the music's dreadful. Last night was no exception, with two of the three bands producing nothing apart from an awful noise. Oh, and lots of sweat.

On our return, as we occasionally do, we stopped off at the Three Tuns for a nightcap. Paula was more than a little upset that she'd missed a visit from her hero, Bill Bryson. He'd been there for a couple of hours. However, he'll apparently be making a return visit in a couple of months when Paula plans to sit on his lap. Poor man.

While I remember, a couple of pictures I took in the garden the other day. I'd been sitting watching the rabbit when I noticed that she had company.



Word that a free meal was available seemed to spread pretty quickly.



There were actually three while I was watching, and Paula counted four yesterday. I should probably stop feeding the rabbit outside. 



Thursday 5 June 2008 21:36

The Summer seems to have returned. Yesterday was lovely and I even managed to get out on my bike for a couple of hours. I didn't go very far, just around the Gateshead side of the Tyne then across the newly reopened (Monday) High Level Bridge. It'd been closed for three years for restoration so it was great to be able to cross it again.

And the restoration? I think it was worth the wait. The bridge looks amazing.







Of course, we needed to check the view of the bridge from the Bridge Hotel. It was important to stay there a while to make sure that the bridge looked good in different lighting conditions.



The Castle looked quite nice from there too.



And, lastly, I've added a picture of the Swing and Tyne bridges, taken from the High Level bridge. I'd forgotten just how great the view is from up there.





Tuesday 3 June 2008 11:50

What on earth happened to the Summer? I've a week off work and had planned to fit in some cycling, but the weather's awful. Yesterday was really nice, but the hangover from hell prevented any form of exercise. So I'm now trying to motivate myself to embark on some DIY. But, of course, that still involves going out in the rain to buy stuff. Even harder, though, I'd need to stop drinking coffee and get up off the sofa. Life's a big struggle you know.

After much deliberation yesterday, bought tickets to see Elbow on the 14th; it's in the middle of a forest so it should be pretty cool. Assuming it doesn't rain!

And then I'll see them again at the end of the month at Glastonbury. I'm quite looking forward to it since there're a lot of bands I'd like to see there; the Kings of Leon headlining on the first day in particular. And the Fratellis. Oh, and of course Gilbert O'Sullivan. How could I forget him?!