Vicar's Homepage

The Nanny State

Are we drowning in enough red tape yet? A few stories to share, and most of course involve drinking, surprise, surprise!!

 

In Barnham, Daphne, the landlady of the Murrell Arms, has been told she has failed her pub licensing test despite having been landlady for 43 years. She is thus demoted to barmaid in her own pub. The Murrell is one of Sussex’s prize and most treasured pubs. The landlord died recently at age 90, and this is the thanks she gets.

The lovely Murrell

 

 

In Lewes the much beloved Lewes Arms, another true classic has been taken over by Greene King, who are refusing to serve the local ale on its premises. Thus there is a boycott by the town’s fair citizans, and a few unfair ones to boot, and this fine establishment is now deserted.

 

At home and wearing my Landlord hat, I am now advised that taking deposits from tenants is now illegal, doubtless leaving landlords high and dry with unpaid rent will soon become a government sponsored scheme. The upshot is now tenancies must effectively be vetted and insured against loss, ruling out 95% of applicants, who will be left on the street. AAArgh!   

 

Itchy Bitchy Scratchy

Officially halfway through the therapy. I am itchy, bruised and bloated but otherwise still on my feet. Just over three weeks left. The house is in chaos as we have builders and decorators in and no bedroom. Consequently we are sleeping on the floor, but hopefully the bedroom will be finished end of next week and I can kick back and enjoy it..

 

My quest for new music took a very different turn last night, on a whim I went to see Faithless, who although were excellent and clearly on top of their game, are not my kind of thing. I was still glad I went and it was a good evening all round.

 

The photography is drawing some attention, on doing a random photo shoot around the Red Roaster Café, (see previous) I had a number of people challenge me. Surprisingly they were all encouraging and I am sending off copies of ‘my work’ as requested.

Always a smile at the Roaster

 

My Hero!

A legend of his time. we salute you!!!

 

The cricket is throwing up some stories, Freddie Flintoff, what a star, a man of his time, we love you. Being hauled paralytic from a pedalo at 4am during the World Cup won't do his advertising career any harm. Preston must be so proud. Then Ireland beat Pakistan, what a shame it wasn't Bangladesh, that would have made St Paddies night something in the local curry house.  

I am now in week three of treatment and starting to feel some effects slightly, but with the considerable reduction in alcohol, better diet, and no work concerns I am in in good spirits. I am having to limit my boozing as I have found my natural limit on the consumption front after Hove Beer Festival, when I was a little unwell the next day.

Specialist to me: I told you to drink moderately, how many did you have?

Self: Five pints.

Specialist: That's not moderate.

Self: It is where I come from.

The most disturbing feature of treatment was being left on the table for treatment with James Blunt playing in the background. Issue now resolved as they say. 

Current life has an unusual timetable. I am first on the list each day for treatment ( 9.00am) which means I am up at 6am, but have the rest of the day to myself. Thus I get to wander the streets of Kemptown, or the North Laine. A late breakfast in a coffee shop and I am set up for the day. Spending a fortune. I did manage to link with a friend for a game of Subbuteo, remember that? What a game. Lost 2-0 but would like some more practice, may even buy my own set up!

There is a quote from the 1930s' "Brighton's streets are full of actors and fantasists, drunkards and writers, chancers and manaics. Nothing has changed in Kemptown then."

 

Poland Photos

May now be viewed, click on photos on blue bar above and on Poland.

Radiotherapy: Week One

Well treatment has started and other than a slight blip on Friday no ill effects so far. The weather here has been fine and sunny all week, so it has been a pleasure to wander home post treatment through Kemptown and the Laines, stop for a coffee (or a herbal tea, honest doc!) or spend some quality time in Resident records. I qualify for a weekly massage courtesy of the NHS, bliss!! I am eating far more healthy and clearly I am now limited on my alcohol consumption, though I did still manage an appearance at Hove Beer Festival on Thursday night. 

With a major refurb of the bedroom due to begin next week, I had a quiet weekend and began preparations for the work. Hopefully by the time any side effects do kick in the project will be complete and I will have a nice space to recoup in.  

Everything is Illuminated

Back home drinking Cracovian Vodka (with Cranberry and Lime) with Adam watching Elijah Wood chasing rings again in a film called 'Everything is Illuminated'. It seems a good way to finish the adventure. A wonderful film blending tragedy and comedy around a Ukranian road trip.

The trip to Oswiecim (Auschwitz) was done on an organsied tour, which was a pity as it turned into a huge rush around the site without time to either contemplate where you really were, or pay any respects. I wish I had made my own way there. (Feasible by rail and local bus.)

 

Actually I got far more feeling in Kamimierz, especially on the the last morning, whilst visiting the old synagogue which had a visual display focusing on the evacuation of that area to the local ghetto. Here was a real feeling of the past. I also had a long chat with the very informative sales girl in the bookshop who had a strong knowledge of the area. Thus I left behind the memorable friendly Hotel Eden and the charming area of Kameritz.     

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