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Chilling in Kazimierz

I have definantly called this right. Whilist Saturday night, as in anywhere, the bars are far too full for comfort. Last night was nicely chilled, though busy enough, there was space to sit down and enjoy them. Around the Central Square (Plac Nowy) here in Kazimierz there are a series of bars set into old housing, each one more mysterious than the last. You enter the living room and different rooms and spaces spring off in all directions. Most have decent sound systems and are candle lit. Atmosphere, Just a bit.

Favourites

Singer: As above with each room dispaying a working sewing machine.

 

Alchemia: Led Zep in a bluesy mellow phase booming out of the system, again with each room candlelit the atmosphere was positively haunting.

Brewerie: Two large candlelit bars hold a secret. At the back of the second is a massive tropical fishtank. Add the chill out music and guess where I ended up. I was soon joined by other aqurium freaks and a good time was had by all.

Further out of town,as a result of the thaw setting in, I had a huge result as Wisla Krackow managed to get their game on as scheduled. (V Lubin 1-0 to Wisla) The ground was half full, with some loud fanatical fans, being led by a cheerleader who had his own podium above the rest of the mob. We should try it!! Flushed with success I also was able to find a micro brew pub on the return into town. (German style beers in a beer kellar! Quite passable!) Otherwise the beer here is unimaginative lager.

Only one way to finish then and to check out a Polish Indian! Chicken cooked faithfully in tomatoes with onion and oddly paprika. It was very nice and very economic.

Tomorrow the sobering trip to Aushwitz!

 

Tomorrow Auchswitz!

 

 

Polska Diary!! -12C Outside! But its warm in here.

Welcome to Poland 

I am beginning to think its called Poland due to being near the North Pole. A low of some -12C before wind chill factor, made last night somewhat limited in its adventure. You can only be outdoors for around five minutes before having to take cover. Its killed the cold germs outright. Having said that I found an absolute gem with Klezmer music, fabulous Jewish food, and Kosher Vodka. Somewhat similar to being in someones front room, and being served a meal of Beetroot soup, and Roast Goose.

 

The area where I am is the local bar area, leading to the Jewish quarter, with the tourist zone a mile up the road. I am not complaining. Oddly the Germans are talking to the locals in English. One word of Polska so far! It seems odd to think this was a 36 hour train ride away, deep in the iron curtain. I arrived after a spacious BA flight  in business class, behind a Jet 2 flight from Manchester and Brianair from a runway somewhere yet to be discovered let alone mapped.

Did the old town tour Part One today, and am heading.out to Auschwitz Monday, hopefully the cold snap will have lifted a bit by then. Heading slightly out of town tomorrow over the river to where Schindler had his factory. I have declined the Commie tour complete with Trabbie. It does not feel that long ago, and was not enjoyed at the time either.

A Special Night! (WITH VIDEO LINK!)

Up and coming musician Peter Wilson aka Duke Special played a one off late night show at Brighton`s wonderful Duke of York cinema Saturday night. Arriving early and feeling the effects of my medication, and several pints, I managed to blag a seat on the cozy sofa by the door entrance, and was thus first off the mark when the doors opened. Result a front row (armchair) seat. He played through until 01.00am, with the precussionist at one point holding a number together with just a whisk and a cheese grater. Meanwhile I was trying to avoid being dragged to my feet to join a couple of girlies who were dancing along to the livelier numbers. A class evening. GO TO VIDEOS SECTION, AT THE BOTTOM IS MY MUSIC FILE. THERE YOU CAN SEE A STUNNING VERSION OF `NO COVER UP` RECORDED LIVE AT THE SHOW.  All that and the Albion came from behind to beat Forest.

 

I said goodbye to my work colleagues on Sunday night at Las Iguanas (did I really drink the whole bottle!), and have now finished work prior to treatment. The second mapping session was yesterday, and I have to say despite the jolly set up of the clinic, there are a lot of really ill people there, and I felt a little unsettled afterwards.  

 

Top Gear

Clarkson at his finest? Last weeks top gear sent the team to discover the Southern States of the US, this was of course not the best of ideas. This is a link to You Tube where the show is divided into six clips of 10 minutes each! Very funny. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDFn2PoYLCU 

The Rules of Modern Policing

The wonderful Life on Mars returns to TV this week. Watch it if you can. Yes this is exactly as I remember the 70's. Check out the publicity brochure. Go to Photos, Humour, Slideshow.

 

Another appointment at The Royal Sussex today and I have been volunteered for another trial, this time only giving extra blood samples for analysis each week to research genetic relations to any side effects I may have. With some more notable side effects kicking in this weekend, I think I fair to say I am not in best form. 

Trouble in Toytown!

Hornby will never be the same again. A German model train company are producing adult train sets, complete with railside brothels, escaping priests, military riot squads, and shall we say misbehaving passengers, check out the link in my favourites column. No one is saying if it was based on the delights of late night at Gare du Midi in Brussels, or is that just me.

Meanwhile in reality my second appointment at the Sussex County is tomorrow (Monday) when they finish mapping the tumor, Ros has been kind enough to take half a day off to come over and support me so the Red Roaster will be doing extra trade. The zoladex has been hitting hard this week, and I am feeling now a little apprehensive about the weeks to come which may explain why my drinking has gone off the scale.

However I caught a warning after trying to match a friend pint for pint Friday night. We had arranged a small excursion to Lewes, but despite staying on the Harveys all evening I woke early next morning with a shattering hangover, and much sickness. I managed a quick recovery in time to make Brentford (football) in the afternoon, though I had a quiet Saturday night. It was probably not worth the effort as we lost 1-0, though we did manage some worthwhile efforts on goal, so some hope for the future. Still the pies were nice.

On the point of food our Ryan somehow managed to negotiate his way into the local cash and carry. (Industrial caterers only, public strictly forbidden.) On being asked to let me know next time so he could raid the beer area, he informed me there was a case out the back in the kitchen, alongside an industrial sized box of tea cakes. My son.

Fish tank has its first live occupants, and Owen is monitoring their progress reguarly.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postcards from the Edge!

 

The Albion have launched a new campaign as we await the final decision on the Falmer stadium project, a series of postcards have been produced which we hope as many people as possible will take and send to Ruth Kelly, the Secretary of State. If you would like to join in, email me and I will forward some on. See the Albion album (go to the blue bar and click photos, then select albion.) for the full range of designs, download them and make up a letter to darling Ruth if you are feeling particularly inventive.

Meanwhile at home I have been busy installing an aquarium, its gone well so far and should be ready for planting in the next couple of days. Once planted then it will be ready for the fish. I am not sure which types I may introduce, Cardinal Tetras could be in the frame, their red and blue colourings are rather like the Crystal Palace strip, thus if they snuff it in the first week no one will be to upset. If they survive I could breed them for cat food. Can we get little blue and white striped ones? Could I breed them? Bespoke fish in your teams colours, the possibilities are endless.

I did my bit for the RSPB Birdwatch last week. I sat by the window for an hour and recorded the different types and numbers of birds in the garden, and submited the results on line. It was a peaceful hour, and I learnt a lot about what goes on in the garden. Armed with my pre war binoculars** I even spotted three Goldfinches hiding high in the tree at the bottom of the garden. A beautiful sight. Definante twitching tendancies developing here, another sign of the onset of middle age.

**My Dad exchanged a Lugar pistol for these at the end of the war, which he in turn liberated from a German officer who attempted to challenge him in a shoot out. Sixty years on these are still superb quality.

Stormy Sussex

Its been rain, wind and snow this week. Ros and I have been around with our cameras.

 

 A new album has been added. Click Photos on the blue bar and Winter!

 

Glastonwick 2007

This years beer and music spectacular will be held at Coombes Farm, North of Lancing College, on 15-17 June. Its a new venue and a new weekend for us. Note diaries now.

With winter really kicking in I was back at the Falconry today, and it was freezing. All the birds are fine after last weeks storm, and little damage was done, although if the wind had been any stronger we would have had real problems. It was hard work as one of our number is off with a broken wrist and the other had to go home on a domestic, leaving just me and 40 thorny birds all wanting their tea, I am tired but the birds are fed. One Caracara seemed very confused when fed with 2 chicks, (well like er I've got one in my mouth and one on the floor, what should I do here before my bloody brother nicks it.) So chick in mouth, and look of confusion reining, he then spits out the first, grabs the second and then secures the first with his tallon. Problem resolved. Clever bird.

 

Mad Potential Tenants. Rigsby rides again!!!!!!!!!

For those who do not know I am a landlord of a six tenant property in Central Worthing. (Amongst my other activities.) I had a s*it year with the business last year. Three appaulling tenants, with no respect to other peoples rights and feelings other than their own. Three of the most selfish and feckless people I have ever come across. We wont do the horror stories here, but I will cover some of the comings and goings on from the business here.

I am currently advertising for a new tenant at the moment, and was considering an application from a gentleman who had a good reference. The client was visiting relatives abroad and was asked to submit the standard application form. (Used for credit checks etc) This was duly emailed with no response, so imagine my surprise when he phones up from the airport asking what time he could collect his key to move in.  I explained that he still hadn't even applied for the room, let alone paid a deposit, and was still under consideration . Client went off on one, and began to tell me how it was all arranged and he was on his way. I assured him otherwise. Low and behold a colleague promptly arrived at the premises a couple of hours later and started trying to move stuff in. Fortunately he was seen on his way by the caretaker. Amazing!!