Wednesday 27 August 2008 21:58
It's now a week since we arrived home from Lowlands
festival, so I thought it's about time I posted a few pictures. A
couple of observations about the way the Dutch do things, that'd be the
envy of any UK festival goer. Clean toilets. Yes, clean toilets that
flush. And showers. With cubicles. Asphalt paths and wooden decking at
the undercover stages. Unbelievable when you consider the squalor of an average UK festival.Anyway, the now traditional tent picture.
The pink one was Rhiannon's. We had a flag too; pretty cool we thought.
There was quite a bit to see apart from the music, along the lines of Glastonbury albeit on a much smaller scale.
The next picture is of a huge robotic
hand that picked up cars and crushed them (worryingly dropping them
near the crowd in the process).
The scale isn't quite captured in the photo though. The next one's self explanatory, but we quite liked it.
Some pictures of bands too; the
Presidents of the United States of America, Franz Ferdinand, the
Fratellis, the Ting Tings, the Wombats and of course Elbow.
I think this is a particularly good photo of Guy Garvey, although it's significantly reduced in size to post here. We also saw the Sex Pistols (worth a look), a little of the Flaming Lips, the Plain White Ts, British Sea Power, Ranking Roger, the Dresden Dolls and the Kooks. There were some others but as everyone knows my memory's awful.
I had to improvise a couple of times during the weekend, both times as a result of severe weather conditions. Forgetting to take a hat led to a mildly sunburnt head and the need to purchase the most sensible headwear available (my new festival hat can be seen below). Also, the rain on the last night was pretty heavy. Fortunately, I acquired a somewhat bent umbrella (also pictured below).
I think this is a particularly good photo of Guy Garvey, although it's significantly reduced in size to post here. We also saw the Sex Pistols (worth a look), a little of the Flaming Lips, the Plain White Ts, British Sea Power, Ranking Roger, the Dresden Dolls and the Kooks. There were some others but as everyone knows my memory's awful.
I had to improvise a couple of times during the weekend, both times as a result of severe weather conditions. Forgetting to take a hat led to a mildly sunburnt head and the need to purchase the most sensible headwear available (my new festival hat can be seen below). Also, the rain on the last night was pretty heavy. Fortunately, I acquired a somewhat bent umbrella (also pictured below).
I'd certainly recommend Lowlands,
particularly if you don't fancy the muck and hassle associated with
most UK festivals. The atmosphere was great, very friendly and relaxed.
It's just a shame it's so bloody far away!
Of course, one shouldn't dismiss UK festivals; I'm off to one this weekend.
Of course, one shouldn't dismiss UK festivals; I'm off to one this weekend.
Saturday 24 August 2008 01:03
I realise I should have written about the recent Lowlands
festival in Holland but I've not had a chance to look at pictures etc.
I will do though; honest. Meanwhile, I should point out that I hurt a
lot. My mother's evil wardrobe assembly today has taken its toll. And,
worse still, I'm having computer hassles. The kitchen computer died a
couple of weeks ago and it's taken a couple of days to get some life
back again. So the kitchen computer is now working again, upstairs, and
the former living room computer is in the kitchen (a new computer will
soon take up residence in the living room). It's too bloody complicated.Oh, bugger. I just noticed the blue screen on the 'new' kitchen computer.
Time to give in I think. For now.
Before I forget though, here's something from the Cameron's site ...
Camerons Launches New Pub Brand
Camerons Brewery has announced its new conception in its retail managed pub estate. Brian Morton, Managed Estates Director is heading up the group with five new outlets based across the North East. The new managed pub estate will be called Aspire and will offer a premium bar and restaurant experience across all of the new sites. The first outlet opened in Sunderland on Wednesday 13 August with entertainment being provided for the invitation only opening night. The former Baroque site in Low Row, Sunderland recently under went an extensive refurbishment to transform the outlet into the premium bar and restaurant in the up and coming city centre. The venue will have a high quality food offering as well as live music, entertainment and sport. In addition to the venue in Sunderland the brewery has purchased four outlets in Thirsk, Redcar, Tynemouth and Scarborough that were part of Ask Leisure’s Blue Lounge Group. These four outlets will also be updated and branded as Aspire venues offering the same top quality experience to its consumers.
Speaking about the new development Brian Morton said “We are extremely excited about the creation of this new managed pub group. The Aspire group will offer customers a first-class bar and restaurant experience. Consumers will experience the same exceptional high levels of quality and service at any of the Aspire outlets they visit. The strength of a recognised pub brand will help create a successful business model. In addition to the first five outlets we will be looking to roll the Aspire brand across the North of England.”
What was wrong with gothic? I mean, who needs trendy, professional types?
Friday 8 August 2008 21:36
I feel it my personal responsibility to mention a couple of recent events.Firstly, you'll recall my recent note about the sad closure of my favourite Sunderland pub, Baroque (ok, so it was the only pub in Sunderland that I liked). Shortly after its closure, there was a competition to find a new name. Sadly, that meant that the much loved name and associated gothic interior was to be no more.
A few days ago, Debbie received a call to say that she'd won the competition, although she'd not actually suggested the winning name. She'd somehow managed to win a year's supply of beer without actually doing anything other than be an ex-regular in Baroque.
Along with every other member of my family, I now have a copy of the newspaper containing the article and a picture of Debbie. There's a quote from Debbie too, but it's so clearly made-up that I'll not further embarrass her here.
Oh, go on then ... I saw the Minster was next door and thought of the church spire, and obviously aspire has another meaning. It was a big shock when I found out I'd won.
So, they're going to rename the pub Aspire. Apparently, they want to attract a better class of clientelle. What was wrong with the old class of custom? Does that mean I won't be able to take my shopping in with me? Or my bike?
Secondly, something that may help Debbie in her embarrassment. On returning home from work today, Rhiannon asked whether Paula had told me what had happened to her this morning. Since she hadn't, Rhiannon knew it was her responsibility to tell me about the slug that had fallen onto Paula's head this morning. It's raining slugs?