Vicar's Homepage

London in the Rain

Back to the Withdean, though in good spirits as Falmer Parish Council have announced they are no longer taking legal advice and have accepted the decision to allow Albion to proceed with Falmer, though bitterly. We hope to start work on the site next autumn. We beat Northampton 2-1, playing a poor first half but counteracting with a spirited second half performance, we saw some guts from the team and secured our first Withdean win since February.

Off to Cornwall next week for the family holiday with just my youngest in tow. The other boys are staying at home and doing there own thing. It will feel very different this time around.

Who ate all the grapes!

Football is back, and for our early season treat it was Crewe away yesterday, a team who have become a bit of a bogey team for us. Usual stuff then, totally dominated the game and lost 2-1 to three gloriously odd refereeing decisions, which furthers enhances my belief that a lot of games are, shall we say, influenced externally for the betting syndicates.

Add an ever worsening rail service, the closure of the Victoria Line on a peak summer Saturday; it really was business as usual. To cap it all cheap ticket quotas meant I couldn’t leave Crewe until 7PM ah bliss.

As I am watching the weight at the moment, not doing much about it I will admit. But I did substitute the half time balti pie, with a bunch of grapes, so I am making some effort. I had not seen most of the lads over the summer, and again our numbers have dropped by one with the loss of Really Old Dave with a heart attack, whilst playing cricket a couple of weeks ago. So there is some raw emotion out there at the moment, and they all wanted progress reports on my cancer situation. Thus leading to on three occasions a big bear hug and `I love you man` aah sweet!

 

An Unexpected Party

My return to work has proved surprising and eventful. Although I am still working 8 hours of my 12 hour shift, I have been feeling confident though tired. Eight hours is enough at the moment. One or two treats have however fallen my way in that two weeks ago we went to visit a country house for an overnight team building exercise.

Very nice it was too, and in the afternoon we ended up fly fishing, which was a first. The morning, well memory remains a little scattered after the previous night’s team building event, a whisky testing session I ask you. Me! Well really.

The pace picked up last week when I was asked to go to New York for a suppliers meeting, (A fam trip in travel speak.) We were flown out with Virgin Atlantic in Upper Class which was simply superb. From the moment you check in you are invited to their lounge which contains a complimentary gourmet restaurant, hair dressers, masseurs, a hot tub, a full cocktail bar, and plenty of space. It gets even better on the flight with a 6ft2 seat which converts into a bed, interactive entertainment, food served at your request and best of all a stand up bar. The staff treated us like VIP`s (On a similar trip with BA we were ignored and treated like a bunch of freeloaders.)

Our Hotel was situated at the bottom of Central park on 59th, the (Jumeirah owned since 2006) Essex House. It was a very comfortable stay in a very high tech room. (Lights come on automatically when you get out of bed in the night.) The hotel built in 1931 is one of 200 in the portfolio of the National Trust Historic Hotels of America and is in an ongoing redevelopment to restore it to its former glory. It is also known for its original artworks of the park and surrounding area.

The weather on our first day was unbearably hot and humid, so in my spare time I retreated to meet up with a friend in her nicely air conditioned flat. we were joined there by Alex and Felice two of my dearest freinds who live over in Brooklyn.

Our group on this trip bonded well, Saturday night was taken up with a dinner at the China Grill and a visit to Tao nightclub. I was responsible for our late arrival by taking a solo decision to stay on for dessert, whilst the girls couldn`t wait to get to the club. So to placate all I ordered the chocolate dessert selection, and sat and watched in amusement when the girls, ploughed in all at once. I hatched an early escape from Tao, not being a nightclub person, with an idea of hitting a few favourite ale bars in the City, but with the lovely Claire (from Virgin) and Michael from our office in tow we elected for a candlelite cocktail bar instead, a very chilled venue to make up for the overcrowded club.

On the afternoon of our departure the weather broke and I conducted a tour of my favourite part of the City, The East Village with Michael and Sammy as the rain poured down and we sheltered in a cafe before heading to explore Little Italy.    

It was a most unexpected and fantastic weekend away, and I felt very privileged to have been selected, after having just come back from 4 months sick. It made me feel a very valued member of staff. 

 

Falmer within touching distance!

I am pleased to hear The Albion, once again, have been granted permission to develop their ambitious plans for the new stadium at Falmer. Today Lewes District Council, who have done everything imaginable to thwart the plan, have conceeded deafeat and confirmed that they will not object to the resubmitted plans. Other interested parties have until early September to dream up another logicless delay. The delays have held up redevelopment for eight years. It is now hoped that we will be at our new ground by 2010-11 season.

Anyone else noticed the similarity in attitude between the defenders of Hot Fuzzs` imaginary village of Sandford and that of Falmer Parish Council. The pub name gives it away. SWAN!! 

As well as Falmer District Council, The Society of Sussex Downsmen are also considering their legal position and continue to refer to the area as virgin downland. Clearly never driven past it then.

An Aggressive World

After a long night shift, back up to eight hours now I wandered back through the streets at 04.30 Sunday am. There were plenty of people about, slumped in doorways, others throwing cans of beer at complete strangers, groups of lads circling screaming at passers by. No one seems to talk any more, even people with friends seemed to be shouting at each other. Even in the day time respectable people walk down the street shouting into their blue tooths at full volume. Its an aggressive world these days.

The press are trying to blame all day/night drinking, perhaps they should pick up on some of  bars where these problems are originating  rather than just taring everyone with the same brush. Most of the problems come out of the  nightclubs anyway, and they were open late anyway?

I am starting to fall out of love with Brighton. Ros and I are considering looking at Shoreham or Chichester when we finally do get to leave Worthing, but it won't be for a good few years yet.

Latest Medical

Its back to the boring medical stuff I'am afraid!   

I am pleased to report my latest meeting with the oncologist, the first post treatment has gone smoothly. PSA is now 1.13 which although increased from the first reading taken immeadiatly after treatment, also has to allow for the fact that the drugs are wearing off and thus tesosterone has returned into play. I am regarded as being on track with expectations. If you are new to all of this see the article published here under 'You Did Ask' which explains in detail post IMRT radiotherepy monitoring.

Glastonwick 07

This weekend over 400 music and ale fans gathered each day for the 12th incarnation of the Glastonwick festival. Run by my friends Attila (Music) Alex (Beer) and Matt (Brewery) we invaded a new venue, Coombes Farm, just North of Shoreham, for three days of real ale and music. It was a wonderful new venue, and we enjoyed ourselves very much. 

The festival was originally held at The Barn Community Centre in Southwick, but sadly due to small minded politics from the venue we were obliged to move on and leave the twin set and pearl brigade behind. (A cheap copy has since been reinstated.) We then moved to Shoreham Airport where we have been in limbo ever since. Now we are back at our best venue yet and this has enabled us to offer camping for the first time.

  Drinking Cider can seriously damage your health!

With the help and support of the venue we think we now have a huge potential to take the festival forward in forthcoming years. A lot of time and effort has been put in by support staff planning transport to the venue and recruiting staff to work, employing security, booking the bands and of course arranging 66 beers from breweries throughout the country. Headliners were Neck on Friday (Irish style Punk Folk). The King Blues on Saturday, (Ska meets Reggae meets Latino) who bought the house down. I understand they have just signed with a major label and you will hear of them again soon I am sure. John Otway was the star of the show Sunday and bought his usual loyal eccentric following.

The weather was showery, but did not put anyone off. certainly from where I was all had a superb time and are looking forward to next year, dates to be announced soon. 

Finally does anyone know how the sheep found by Hove dog track on Monday morning got there! Come on someone!!!! 

  Backstage taking a rest!

 

Wrap Up!

We are now back in the UK after yet again another horrendous flight courtesy of Royal Air Maroc. This time it would appear the in cabin ventilation was faulty, and the three hour flight was undertaken at a heat which would have done a sauna proud. No water was provided by by hopeless, uncaring, ineffective staff. So much for paying a little extra and going on a scheduled service. Easyjet are altogether a much better airline.

However the baggage did well, as did Ros packing it all up, several large lighting fittings, a table and a large number of collectibles from the fixed price market in the Kasbah. Ros bought the largest shopping bag we could get hold of and carefully wrapped up our booty in our used laundry. (Eases our way through customs) We were however fortunate enough to find a wrapping machine at the airport and repackage the said bag, which got home safely with all our stuff in tact. I wish I had now bought the lantern I had my eyes on.

Other than shopping our last day was made by a wonderful carriage ride around the city. We assumed our $40 hire fee for the full tour would be for a one hour quick tour. The driver spent the whole morning taking us around, reaching places we did not think we would have the time for such us the tanneries, and the Gardens. Ros practiced her French and got to know the driver well. We tipped him $15 at the end and he was visibly delighted. Wonderful value. Ros and I also undertook the Hamman in the Riad, thats the Moroccan bathing experience to you and me, a very physical scrubbing down, with lots of super heated water thrown all over you. Think I will stick to the massage next time.

We went local for our last meal, still in the square but not in a tourist establishment. The food was just as good at a small fraction of the price of the western restaurants, though of course there was no alcohol. 

We loved our Riad, which provided a lovely and comfortable respite from the heat of the City, and were sorry to leave. We wished we had had the time to go onto Essaouira, but despite its aggravating begging we enjoyed Morocco, but thought Marrakech was overrated as a destination, and could not understand the desire to move there. (A large number of foreigner targeted residences are being built outside the City) Much better as a destination for a two or even three center holiday.

The Riad can be visited at www.lescigognes.com and is highly recommended. 

  Inside the Riad (Left). Storks on roof opposite (Below)  

 

In search of Beer and Idiots

Nightlife here has been a disappointment. Ok the Jemaa teems with activity at night but it is mostly cheap snack bars, with the occsional side show, get a camera out and you are descended upon from all sides from people claiming to be associated to the subject of your photo, and demanding 100 drm  ($12) for the privilege. It becomes very annoying. 

The souks take on another aspect at night, and are fun and very colourful. In the cool of the evening I barter better, and without Ros in tow pull some good bargains. (She hasn't quite got the art yet!) One trader offering 'Asda prices' from his stall.

 

Beer drinking is regarded as being disreputable, and the very few beer dens around can be difficult to find. I have settled for a little club around the corner from the Riad. Pleasant enough with a good singer and guitar player working the same set each night in French. Expensive again but any port hey!

Ros who did real Africa in fine style last year is very much looking the part, and has already dismissed local attentions several times by the time we met up last night. Apparently the Berbers have a thing for a fuller figure, one trader amusingly wanted a deal. Not much demand for camels back here though.

We had dinner in the Riad tonight. We paid for a cooking lesson in the kitchen helping chef prepare a nice Cous Cous, Ros recording the details on paper whilst I got stuck in with both hands. So there is a recipe for home.  

 

To Market to Market!

Up bright and early the next morning for a trip to the Ourika valley and Setti Fatima. A full day trip with a private driver who knew his stuff, non more so than by taking us to the local Berber market, a weekly event which brings traders from all around the local valleys on donkeys and whatever else is available to carry the goods. There is no nod to tourism here, this is the real deal, and as such we were the only foreigners around and were not bothered by the market dealers who went about their business as usual. Local specialty of the meat market were sheeps heads, I note the cooking instructions make it very clear to shake the head hard to make sure that any maggots that might be tucked away inside the ears and mouth fall out. Hmm Veggie Cous Cous tonight then.

  The car park

A pre prepared picnic lunch in a Fortnum and Masons Hamper (Must get one of these for the cricket!) put together by the hotel, together with rugs and cushions whisked out of the car by our driver gave us a lunchbreak to remember. The afternoon saw Ros fall in love with a rather lovely water feature which we are considering for our back garden. It would of course need to be shipped. We are on a cooling off think about it for now.

  The Dining Area

Dinner tonight in L'Abyssin, located half an hour outside the city. It is a collection of tents and sofas, set outside under the stars around another water feature, and bathed in candlelight. Food is in the French mode with music from such luminaries as the Gotan Project floating on the air. All very different from the normal places we eat in. Tres romantic!!