Bodyworlds - Manchester

Had a day trip to Manchester with Peter and Kasia, to visit the dead bodies at the MOSI (Museum Of Science & Industry) and what a trip it was. Dr Gunter Von Hagen has perfected a way of preserving cadavers and arranging them for public observation. It boggles the imagination, for nothing can prepare you for the confrontation of our own mortality and bodily function, for all is laid bare, quite literally.

Unfortunately no pictures can be taken at the exhibition, but there is no need, for such images are seared into the brain for a long time to come, and yes I did feel a little peckish on the way around.

Some of the exhibits are purely scientific, as in hearts, lungs etc, sectioned and displayed, but it is the fact that they are actual body parts thats holds our fascination.

Other exhibits are positioned into elaborate poses (guitarist) or are recreations of classical scientific/religious artworks. The more you see the more you are in awe of the fantastical spectacle before you.

You must see it before it leaves Manchester, in the middle of August.



After here we became a little more traditional, a quick visit to the air and space museum, mainly to escape the rain, then it was onto the art gallery, to pull bemused faces at traditional 'art' and to stand open mouthed at contemporary pieces (Gwon Osang).

Barbeques - great British tradition

A great British tradition during the summer months is to attempt to cook food outside, that is between torrents of rain and the occasion bout of food poisoning.


So me being a sucker for tradition opted for a simple barbeque with kebabs, cooked sausage and thinly sliced curried chicken. This was attempted twice during May, and both to a successful conclusion, that is, no food poisoning.


My yard is now fully equipped to cater for this food fest, having benches (home made), BBQ and chimnea, and the obligatory huge umbrella, in case of emergencies.

For second BBQ a gazebo was erected, but not needed as weather stayed fine for both gatherings.

Further construction is planned for late summer, something akin to a wooden framed pagoda with facilities including removable tarpaulin, for shelter. Lights may adorn the frame, but a sound system will have to come first.



Who knows we may have more good weather later in the year, but I will not be holding my breath.







L to R, Me, Kasia, Adam, Kasia, Piotr

Roger Waters - Liverpool Echo 15/5/08

Kieran surprised me the other day with an offer of a free ticket to go see Roger Waters live in Liverpool. Not one to pass up such an opportunity like that, I obviously said yes.

So on a sunny Thursday evening, off we did go to Liverpool. The waterfront looks really quite impressive now, plenty money spent, buildings clean, and new buildings erected. All of this is almost complete, but not yet.

Venue is a usual inner city multifunction hall, filled to capacity, all anticipating the evenings musical extravaganza.

Huge video projection dominates the rear of the stage and is put to good use throughout both sets. First half consists of old Pink Floyd classics, with a few Roger Waters tunes thrown in, it is his gig after all. Second half is Dark Side Of The Moon in its entirity, followed by more Pink Floyd classics. Everyone sings along at the appropriate time and some fool has his back to the stage all through the evening, and conducted the rest of the audience, why?

Music ends, lights up, throats sore, must drive home. Cheers Kieran, splendid gig.

Barcelona - Michelle and the Grand Prix

Thursday

• taxi to airport
• check in
• security
• flight ok, land barcelona
• michelle working, make own way to sabadell
• free train to barcelona from airport
• cheap train barcelona to sabadell
• taxi, station to airport
• text michelle have arrived
• drink beer on veranda, read book in sun, turn pink
• michelle finished work, exchange greetings and hugs
• go shopping
• have food, eat, chat and drink

friday

• michelle working, day to self
• shower, sun cream, still pink from yesterday
• walk to masquefa, train to barcelona
• arrive city, metro to columbus statue
• walk along beach, eat food
• walk up ramblers, take pictures 0f living statues, make donations
• metro to sagrada familia, more photographs
• train back to sabadell
• out for meal with mathew and guy from lufthansa, all paid by top fly
  
• home, beer

saturday

• belly dancing class, read book while waiting outside
• local market, buy new white shirt
• home, eat, watch F1 qualifying
• michelle go to extra belly dancing workshop
• make food, eat, more beer

sunday

• very early start
• load car, drive to circuit
• unload, find good spot to sit
• meet up with vanessa (michelle workmate)
• 1st race - formula renault, practice high speed photography
• 2nd race - GP2 - more practice speedy photography
• 3rd race - porsche - even more practice, have it now
• drivers procession, parade lap, hamilton booed
• race starts, hamilton overcooks it, spanish cheer
• more photo's getting good at it now
• heiki crashes close to us, little scary, he is okay
• 3.15 alonso retires from race, small english cheer
• lots spanish go home
• race finish, hamilton not win, but points finish
• small picnic after race, go home
• rewatch race on video, beer, sleep

monday

• lazy day
• dog walking
• little shopping
• eat, drink, laze about

tuesday

• diy day
• michelle working
• do odd jobs around house
• secure single bed in small room
• fix gutter on patio
• fix washing hanger in house
• get barked at by dogs all day
• plenty cups tea
• enjoy sunshire
• michelle home, eat drink be merry

wednesday

• up early
• goto airport
• fly home
• taxi
• curry
• end
  

A Pendle walk for Kieran's Birthday

Kieran had decided he wanted to celebrate his 40th by walking up Pendle Hill and being one who enjoys a good walk, I would accompany him along with Sandra T, and Jos, little Robin and Holly the dog.

After being picked up we proceeded to Kieran's for a quick cooing over baby Taliah, a quick hello to Sharon and a handing over of presemts to Kieran. Not his birthday for a few days, so was under instruction not to open until the correct day. His present from me being a miniature Jimmy Page double neck Gibson guitar.

So off we did trot, walk and be carried.

For most of the day the weather stayed fine, that was until Jos and Sandra headed back, whist me and Kieran with Holly continued upwards and onwards. The sky turned black and we got a soaking. Despite that the summit was spectacular, with views all over Lancashire. Descending back into the village via the rocky steps was somewhat akin to Frodo and Sam taking the ring to Mount Doom, only we were heading back, and are real people and not characters from a book.



We returned to the car park only to see little Robin chasing ducks, trying to feed them. Eventually he gave up and ate the bread himself. Kieran headed home with Holly, and I got a lift back with Jos and Sandra, stopping breifly at my house to have a quick look at my much improved yard / garden.

April - Birthday Month No. 1

And so it is April, and what have we here, a month of birthdays, 4 to be precise. What is it with me and my friends, of all the months of the year, we congregate our birthdays around 2 months. Firstly April and secondly September. Obviously there are a few exceptions, but on the whole most of our birthdays occur during those 2 months. Horrorscopes, too vague and abstract, its a sim0le fact, our parents really enjoy 2 points during the year, summer and christmas. Check your calendar.

Anyway those having birthdays this month are as follows, Michelle, Kieran, Sharon and Sandra T.

Also this year there will be many 40ths, the first being Kieran.

Marching into March

Had kinda arranged to go for a curry on Saturday 1st March to celebrate Lee's birthday, but somebody (Lee), started the day before and was feeling a little fragile, and so was unable to continue on Saturday.

So that left my day free.

Ice skating, what a bad idea. A good one at the time, but whilst and after, BAD BAD BAD.

A good friend of mine who I had arranged to meet on the afternoon of the soon to be cancelled curry, asked me if I wanted to accompany them in a spot of ice skating, now that I was free all day, I thought what the hell, why not. First few laps were ok, but after, oooh, there was so much pain in my ankles. So sitting this out was the best option. My friend continued making circles around the rink. But for me, my ice skating career was over.

After, we adjourned to the pub, as I said previous, plans had changed due to someones over indulgence the night before. The rest of the day was spent in the pub nursing my sore ankles, drinking beer, and why not.

What of the rest of the month, well nothing spectacular, few more nights in the pub, a couple walks in the park and some creative musical evenings. Apart from that, a quiet month.

That One Final Surprise

A heavily pregnant Sharon and Kieran are not so any more. Baby Taliah entered our world this very morning.

A leap year baby, many congratulations.

Taliah born today, February 29th 2008

Curry Beer and Wigs

So what events punctuate this month.

Firstly I had invited Peter and his girlfriend Kate (Kasia) round to my house for a homemade curry and an evening of drinking. The evening started quite civilized with ginger and lemonade, then followed with a huge pan of curry and rice, lager, more lager then whiskey and ginger topped up with lemonade.

It was at this point the silly wigs made an appearance along with my camera. Hilarity ensued and lashings of whiskey ginger and lemonade filled any gaps. At some point Kate decided she HAD to go home and so it all HAD to end right there.

Michelle makes a trip to England

Got a surprise phone call from Michelle, not that a phone call from Michelle is a surprise, as we chat all the time, but the surprise was the fact that she would be visiting England to celebrate her mothers 60th birthday. So arrangements had to be made so that we could all meet up at the same point. It's surprising what can be achieved with very little notice, but a triumphant success followed, accompanied by a set of strange coincidences.

As it happens (insert Saville reference here) I was talking to Pla and he mentioned that Kirsty and the kids would be in Blackburn the same weekend as Michelle. So the Saturday night ended up with a grand meeting of old friends. Those attending were as follows. Woody, Michelle, Sandra, Gillian (Sandra's sister), Kirsty, Lee, Stuart (Michelle's brother) and his girlfriend Angela. A veritable fullhouse of loveable funsters making merry in Blackburn. It's strange how quickly and readily we can get together, yet most of the us hardly see each other, and we only live a few miles from each other.

Yet again beer is the lubricant that oils the evening, conversations ebb and flow as quickly as the drink can be purchased. Many establishments are visited this evening, ending up at The Napier, for obligatory 'Welsh Disco' (ask Lee he knows why). More arrangements are made for the following day's walk, and as night follows day, day follows night and it's Sunday already.

Today's the day the teddy bears have a picnic, but we are devoid of teddy bears and we have no sandwiches to picnic with. That being said, or written, we are together once more, but this time in Ribchester. A slightly different line up for today, missing is Stuart and his girlfriend Angela, and also Gillian is not with us.

Joining us today is a heavily pregnant Sharon and Kieran, along with Holly. Lee's youngest daughter Eleanor has brought a friend with her, and Kirsty's monkeys are also in attendance, along with Robin (Sandra's son). Most of us have a little fuzzyness about us (last nights drinking) so walking is prohibited and replaced with plenty of standing around and the taking of pictures. For all we can manage is to hang around while the kids enjoy the playground. Jos turns up unexpected to surprise us, it's good to see him, it's been a while.

After much standing and swaying the children are requesting ice creams, so purchases are made, more hanging around made, but at the shop this time. We return to the playground so the kids can burn off the sugar previously ingested. As the afternoon draws to a close, we all go our separate ways, a great weekend, but the final surprise awaits us at the very end of the month.