Christmas In Barcelona 2011

Here I am again, Christmas in Barcelona, lots of dog walking, getting out and about, eating good food, drinking too much, and generally having a good time. Built Michelle a bird feeder hanger type thingy, it wasn't until Christmas Day that my insistence became apparent.

Too be honest that's about it really apart from going into the village on Christmas  Eve, meeting up with some of Michelle's friends, drinking many rum n cokes, staggering back to Michelle's, drinking more rum n coke, watching space documentaries until something like 6.30 in the morning, but not waking up until 3 in the afternoon feeling sooo rough.

Michelle had got up around noon, due to the dogs having a bit of a bark, but she left me sleeping, she Skyped her father, and started on dinner. Meanwhile I am oblivious to all this until I eventually got up, feeling slightly embarrassed at the time. Some food later and a quick walk around the village and I began to feel slightly more human. One Michelle pressies I got for her was an iron bird feeder that she could hang on the wooden hanger I built the other day.

Sitting down to a late Christmas dinner we laughed about the day, had a couple glasses of wine and called it a day. Don't want to do that again.

The rest of my stay went without incident, spent Boxing day at Michelle's 'in-laws', met up with Michelle's friends in the village again where they were hanging human cutouts around the place, we retired to a Tapas bar and stuffed ourselves.

The last few days were spent dog walking, and playing on the playstation, with a few more strange science documentaries thrown in.

Probably same again next year, but without the excessive alcohol, I hope.

Abdominal Scan

Finally went to hospital for my scan, couldn't find anything wrong with me.

Hmmm

Damned - Manchester Academy November 2011

Went to see the Damned at the Academy in Manchester, as they were celebrating their 35th anniversary. Marking the occasion by playing the first album Damned, Damned, Damned, in its entirety, and following that with The Black Album. How could I not go see that.

Obviously I drove over, having a car and all that, met up with Julie Windle, and Darren 'Mumpy' Hill, and headed forth. Julie knows the manager so was able to get in on the guest list, so that left me and Mumpy to fend for our selves. As you cannot smoke inside Mumpy went outside to have a quick one. Whilst waiting I could hear someone shouting my name, not sure who or where it was coming from I looked around, only to be face to face with Carole, my friend Sandra's younger sister. Bizarre or what, but she being a bit of a Damned fan, not really.

We had a quick chat as you do and got myself a good spot to enjoy the gig, and did I did.

A proper sing along commenced, with them buggering off after the first album was complete then to return for the second. What an event, the Black Album is probably one of my fave albums of all time, and to see it being performed was a dream come true. Even the wierd little intermission bits are performed, ending with the most amazing version of Curtain Call, light show and all.

Buggering off again they return to play 4 more songs from their impressive back catalogue and the night is over, but not yet........We had arranged to meet up outside the venue as I had agreed to give Julie and Mumpy a lift home, so outside we are, Mumpy is having a fag and I get a phone call, it's Julie.

She had okayed it for us to go into the VIP lounge and have a drink, so you cannot pass up and opportunity like that everyday so we do. After negotiating security we wander upstairs. There are a few people scattered around chatting, amongst them is Captain Sensible, obviously he is there he plays guitar in The Damned. So what else is there but to go up to him and say hello, and so I did. After saying hello I asked him what are his recollections from the 10th Anniversary gig in London, and his face dropped, he kinda recognises me and asks me how the hell we got to that house, so I recounted the events of the night to him, and during my retelling of what happened, you can see he remembers bits of it, then fills in some gaps that he remembers from his perspective. Very funny.....

All that is left is to get a quick piccy with him and he has to go, and so do we.

Driving home was quite the adventure, thick fog had descended and the junction I need to get off at had been closed, so a slight detour was needed, and no Julie if you are reading this, we didn't go to Wales.

Oh yes, the gig was recorded, so I got myself a copy, couldn't miss reliving this one.

Lakes Visit October 2011

 Now that I have a car arranging venture like this become a little easier. It had been planned quite some time ago that we would venture to the lakes for a few days, and as Michelle was over for her brothers wedding it was the perfect time to do such a thing.

We had arranged to meet in the village later that day, so picking up Michelle we headed off, must have been a little strange for Michelle, even though I had been driving for over a year, she had not really experienced my driving, anyway off we went. The journey up there went without incident until we got to the village and found it to be rather busy, so we decided to head straight to our hotel and wait there.

It wasn't long before everyone had arrived, great thing technology, a few simple text and we all know where we are. Gathered together would be myself, Michelle, Sandra, Marc, Christine, Brad, Pla and Kirsty. Our establishmnet is quite pleasant enough, me and Michelle seemed to have got the best room out of our little group,much to Kirsty's grumblings.

Anyway, boots on wrapped up and off out we went. Straight up the nearest hill, not sticking to many established paths and meanderings, we eventually reached a summit, took in the view, braced the elements and headed back for a damned good feeding, we had earned it.

A quick shower and change of clothes and we met downstairs to eat drink and be merry, and that we did. The strange thing was, the serving staff were all Polish, pity I couldn't remember much what my friends had taught me in the past, but anyway, good beer, few games of pool and it was time to retire for the night.

The next day brought a pleasant morning and breakfast. Maps are spread out on the table and Brad had picked out a route that we would eventually ignore and wander off again. I drove to the next village to pick up Sandra and Marc as they had stopped at a different hotel than the rest of us, so Sandra was now able to experience my driving for the first time.

After dropping my car off at the hotel I met up with everyone and we headed off and up. Again not following the instructions as instructed, taking lefts instead of rights, we finally made it to a real path and followed that for a while before heading off again to seek out a tarn. Eventually we found it, despite Mr Pla taking a slight tumble on the way. 

All that was left was to head back to the hotel, gather our belongings, as me and Michelle were only stopping the one night. Michelle had to fly back the next day, and I could only get a couple days off. 

That we did and despite a slight wrong turn, we eventually made it home in one piece, dropping Michelle off at her mums on the way.

Phew.

MORE PICTURES

Wedding of Stuart and Angela

Its not very often that I am a plus one, and so in my new suit, tie and shoes, it's off to the Calfs Head, near Clitheroe, to pay witness to Michelle's brothers wedding. Having known Michelle and her family for many many years,it's nice to be invited to such an occasion and great to catch up with them. Rob and Ryn have brought little Rebecca with them from the sun that is San Francisco, and Stuart is as nervous as nervous can be, so time to sit down and have a beer and try to relax.

After much glad handing and introductions we are asked to venture forth into the conservatory for the ceremony is about to begin. We all file into arranged chairs and Stuart makes his wasy to the front accompanied by his oldest friend and best man.

As soon as everyone is settled the music strikes up and Angela makes her way down the aisle to her husband to be, this is where the tears begin to flow, and continue for quite some time. Stuart is overcome with emotion, eyes redden and the tears begin to flood, his best man gives him a more than gentle dig in the ribs, but there is no controlling Stuart.

Stuart and Angela stand side by side holding hands, and begin the commitment to each other, Stuart still blubs and laughs at himself at his emotional state, it's so contagious that almost everyone has a sniffle or two.

Stuart's father, who is also Rob and Michelles father, reads a passage to the gathered attendent folk, and his wife Caroline also reads something. This gives time for Stuart to compose himself before he starts blubbing again, but manages to say I do and kiss his new wife.

The register is signed and it's now official, they are now Mr & Mrs Kay.

We retire to the main room, photographs are taken officially, before moving onto the feeding room for a good carvery feed. It is at this point we all stop and allow the speeches to be spoken, more laughs, tears and hilarity.

Moving back into the bar more beer is consumed, conversations resumed and we await the night do. Many of us are a little subdued due to the alcohol and food we have consumed during the day, a little kip would have been nice.

The wedding disco kicks off, the usual floor fillers are played, someone said the DJ used to play at the Hacienda, must have been the cloakroom.

Anyway a great night is had by all, and slowly people make there way home.

WTF......

A mystery rash, dizzyness and stomach pain prompted a visit to the doctors for a check up, subsequent blood tests and to be booked in for an ultrasound scan.

Rash is still a mystery.

Pain was hernia playing up.

Dizzyness has gone.

Slightly anemic, need more iron

Now to wait for ultrasound.

WTF........

Construction Time

Finally got around to building my outside structure. It's kind of a wooden patio / decked / conservatory. Having two weeks off work, gave me ample time to get on with it. The English weather being what it is actually meant I would have a few hours of clear skies and little rain, in truth the first few days brought good weather and so I was able to get out and do it.

Taking delivery of piles of wood and trying to decypher my scribbled plans occupied the first morning, then it was all woodworking go. Drilling, cementing, bolting, screwing, sawing and hammering till the early evening on three successive days got most of the work done, fortunately on the day I had fitted the roof, it began to rain, so I was then able to utilise the properties of a clear plastic corrugated roof and remain dry and end the day with a beer, admiring my work.

All that remains are a few final touches, like fitting some windows and doors so I can enjoy the outside inside. At this moment in time it resembles a crime scene, for the open sides are covered with a large clear tarp, just so the rain doesn't get in.

Oh yeah, celebrated my 43rd birthday with a curry and beers.

June & July

June saw the one year anniversary of passing my driving test, and so what better way to celebrate it than with a round trip to Wolverhampton to pick up my mum from my brothers. The sun was shinning, traffic was light and Audley and the squirrels entertained us in my brothers back garden.

Obviously a return journey lay ahead and so it was two hours in the car chatting to my mum, and a nice curry waiting for me in the fridge when I got home.

The rest of June & July brought a few surprises and smiles to my face on many occasions, but things end, just like July, bring on August.