Vicar's Homepage

Changes in Photo Albums

To simplify work loads in maintaining this blog, I will in future add links to my galleries in Facebook. These will be found where available at the bottom of each article. They are easier to load and maintain there, and easier for viewers to reach. I hope you enjoy them.

 

New York Stories

And thus post Glastonwick where else for a nice relaxing break, Hello New York.I have been coming here regularly for six years and love the place and continue to find new things and new places on each visit. I stayed with a friend who has a lovely apartment in the Village. Here are a few tales……..  

Hip hop downgraded!

Hardly had I squeezed into my BA economy seat, come on lets call it what it is, 4th class. The most entertaining company arrived in the shape of Treasure Don, an up and coming Hip Hop artist, who had clearly been just downgraded. Not sure what goes on here but his manager was still up the front, so I had a basic introduction to the world of Hip Hop over the next 7 hours, with all of the stories that entails.

Henry, yes they do have real names was even more stressed to find label mate Sam Sparrow, enjoying a full page of publicity in my copy of Q magazine, suggesting he was going to be the next big thing. My impression is Henry works a set combining reggae, 80's, and Hip Hop. I have an invite to the show Saturday but might just be washing my hair. (Sorry Henry not my scene.)

ILA (I love your accent)

OK I am going to give it a name, an ILA, I am sitting at the bar of Hop Devil Grill and a couple of clearly lost sisters of the hood arrive and sit next to me opening with the now standard 'Oh I just love your accent’, What part of Australia are you from.' I then explain Brighton is nowhere near Australia, and considering dropping into Shakespearian English, to prove my point, but the sister I fear would have become a little overexcited.

The bar staff, having worked out I am a 'beer geek' begin to provide samples of a selection of barley wines and it is not long before I am feeling the effect. As Sister departs and I finish with a kiss to the hand, leading her friends to escort the now giggling lady away to her bed.

It is sad that such a friendly bar with a wide selection of Ales is really quiet, they have had several cases of underage drinking recently and have had two raids. Security is quite intense. I note the only cask ale is off, over to you Alex.

More from the Mellenheads.

Another different Mellencamp experience yesterday. I was involved with the fan club set up, placing 3000 leaflets in place for the evening show, thus gaining access to the sound check. Quite exhausted afterwards to be honest, it was really hot but nice to link with other mellenheads.
I was in Section A, right at the front Row K, without having to pay the 250 tariff for VIP seats. Somehow my friends Lori and Cindy managed to snag front rows and I managed to join them for the encore. The venue Jones Beach on Long Island was beautiful. Oddly enough public transport was efficient so I did not have to get a lift to the subway with the girls. However with such a remote location everyone drifted off in separate directions post show. So no party this time out, though I doubt if I will match the Farm Aid after show schanegans again. (Partying with the band themselves.) I will pick a city centre venue next time. There will hopefully be a next time, recession permitting, and with the band heading to Australia in the winter, perhaps some European dates in the future? Who knows?  I still didn’t get back to base until 02.30am and was quite hungry, so this being NYC I gave up on pretence and hauled myself into a 24 hour diner for a breakfast of Corned Beef hash and eggs, and unlimited coffee. No need to get up in the morning then.

 

 

Cocktail scene.

Found a cocktail bar with a difference. Make standard cocktail, subtract ice, add Belgian beer of choice instead of Cola, Lemonade etc. The JD and Hoegardden was delicious. Didn't need another.

Cosmic Diner (8th Avenue @ 52 Street,)

Found a lovely friendly diner, a patch above the rest with friendly service good food and bottled beer. Ridiculously reasonable prices for mains in this area of Midtown, with an enormous salad included. Bottled beers were available. Owner John circulates chatting to clients, and regulars, who also gather at the bar. A distinct local vibe. Ainsley Harriott drops in for breakfast occasionally and is a family friend. 

 

New York : London 

A change from the usual routine and I had myself not just a hotel room for the weekend but a whole suite. The newly refurbished London is in the heart of the rat run between Times Square and Central Park but its rooms are a spacious cool oasis away from the madding crowd. I could not afford dinner at the Gordon Ramsey restaurant and thought the cocktail bar lacked character.But for space in Central Midtown this could not be beaten.  The suite offered a super king sized bed with I Pod and flat screen telly and a separate living area with a delightful leather rocking chair, just the place to chill out.

Photoalbum available at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=48785&l=d00cf&id=520055814 

Glastonwick 2008

Our best ever, that seems to be the general vibe. The weather was warm and sunny, with the exception of Sunday, despite dire warnings. (The storm arrived Monday.) The food was much improved, though we could have used bigger portions guys! The beer top class and the entertainment a top end collection of Attila’s favourites.

This is the second year with camping, and it has really converted the event into a fully fledged festival. We entertained people from all over the country. I even ran into an old friend from the North I had lost contact with long ago who had no idea I was involved.

With Attila comparing and Alex in charge of beer and the bus, one happy man, I was designated staff manager. Having set up base near front of house with my trusty decade old laptop was soon the central reception point, as well as answering customer queries and being a friendly welcoming face.

Although we don't want the festival to grow any bigger, with the huge area we have there is room for fresh ideas and innovation. For example next year after several requests there will be a Sunday mass at the local church. (The Critical Mass) I may meet with the elders and see if we can interfaith, another new and entertaining diversion.

As ever we had our moments of comedy, our unique front of house Andy, finally submitting to a shower only to cover himself in bromide rather than shower gel, didn't smell great but clean as a whisker.

Four chavs tried to break into the site, full of bikers and punks, thus creating a new blood sport of chav hunting. Last seen driving away at top speed. 

One of my helpers from the Czech Republic, who had never so much as been anywhere near a beer fest before was most amused 'John they are falling at my feet' as the first casualty smashed past her onto the floor. Well she was working the cider bar at the time.

Security had meantime created their own problem. By overindulging aftershow, one of them had created mass chunder in his tent. His companion moved into the main hall, and we tried to sell the remains of the tent for the church fund, but no takers. 

I was advised tickets had appeared on ebay for the sold out Saturday night at £75 a pair. We were able to get them withdrawn.

Sadly the event proved too much for one of our staff. As the festivities came to an end he poured himself a pint of 9.2% and promptly collapsed. We delivered him back home, only to find he had no keys. So he was left at his doorstep and a report filed with the police requesting assistance as he was not able to access and was unable to pay for a locksmith. Meanwhile his bag was found complete with keys and the police were updated. Then in a scene resembling Groundhog Day, Old Bill then dropped our hero at the Star to collect said keys, whereupon he tried to order another pint. He was barred and escorted from the premises, and was put onto the next bus home.

It was my first festival camping experience for five years, and armed with the new tent will be back out again soon. 

Best set for me was Rory Ellis, some beautiful guitar playing, very much where I am musically at the moment. 

We will be back again next year, first weekend in June, our original date. See you then.

 

Ingrid, bar manager.  

Photoalbum at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=46506&l=9588c&id=520055814 

Cats, Dogs and Ferrets!

 

So there I am booking a client on the Eurotunnel, and that's exactly what the application asks me. Is the client travelling with any dogs,
cats or ferrets? What goes on out there? On the point of animals my cat is not well. For all that he has had a remarkable innings. Outliving my previous cat by 8 years, prior to that none lasted more than 5. Bornie is 16 years old, and was chasing birds at my previous address when I was working for Barclays. He has so far clocked up vets bills in excess of 300 quid, but is still eating poorly and lost half his body weight. We may have to do further tests this week but not expecting good news. Poor Owen will be upset, cat was his third word uttered, and that cat was indeed our Bornie. Both I and Ros have spent a night on a floor this week in the living room snuggled up to him.

Tales from the Backyard Revived

On the point of past trips I have heard from a couple of people I met in Africa. My friend is still dreaming up business schemes and Puppy Dog Eyes is still pole dancing. I miss it so much! One of the Aussie girls has exchanged Facebook details, I am keeping in touch. The girls are clearly continuing their party going and are hitting the road again soon.

20/20 Cricket

A new phenomena sweeping the country here at the moment is 20/20 cricket. From modest beginnings it is the new big thing in sport. With
sell out matches all over the country this summer. It is a cricket shoot out with all the tacky razzmatazz of American sport. Take out all the skill, hit the ball as hard as you can, and run like mad whilst some DJ plays an irritating 80's soundtrack. The crowd jump up and down and perform silly dances and everyone has a good time. Yeah Ok! 

Ultimately the winners will play other winners from Asia, Caribbean and Australia in Dubai. Now hang on a minute, I might just start to take an interest.

Second trip as guest of Emirates in the corporate area, and it turned into an unexpected afternoon. We went back for a second glass of Pimms
only to be told its one glass each, but you can have red or white wine or real ale. Oh the hardship, a whole poly pin of cellar chilled Harveys and just myself and one of the sponsors to drink it. Poor Ros had to drive over and collect what little of me there was left as I couldn't make the station. Still made it into work the following day.

A Night Away

Ros and I had a delightful night away courtesy of the Ashdown Park Hotel the other week. The venue was kind enough to throw in dinner, which was very formal with jacket and tie. We dined in a candlelit Gothic setting and with three courses and alcohol the final bill was around £215.00 thank goodness I was only paying for the booze. It’s a lovely Sussex setting just an hour from Worthing. There are footpaths out of the venue into the forest and wild deer literally come up to the door. Very special.

 

 

 

...Back on the road soon ....possibly

A few days off so being as it’s a while since I posted here’s news. I hope to get back on the road soon and thus get the travel blog going again. This years selected stops are New York (again) and Thailand (with the family). However Owen (my youngest) has severely damaged his knee after turning it over whilst paintballing last week. Consequently we are awaiting a scan on the damage, but we have been told this could be a surgery job. The lad is in good spirits and has taken the injury well. This may however curtail travel plans, certainly with Thailand as he is in no way fit to travel.

My first visit to Wembley since the revitalisation saw myself and a few of my friends from the pub join the Doncaster Rovers supporters in their play off final against Leeds United. Donny won 1-0 being by far the better team on the day. Many thanks to Doncaster Bob for getting the tickets sorted out. A great atmosphere prior to game especially when we found all the pubs around Baker Street were LUFC only, we sneeked in but the beer left a little to desired and left just as the Leeds had started to notice who we were. 

(Enjoying the atmosphere!) 

We are now a two car family as Ryan has now acquired his wheels and is thus out doing his fair share to pollute the planet.

My wife Ros is doing a sterling job on her diet and is now two stone lighter, I wish I could find the key to laying off the beer as I could certainly use some weight loss. The main part of the dining room is taken up with her Dolls House which is focused on a Dutch theme, complete with bar.

 

(The bar at cafe Ros!) 

I will be back with a Glastonwick report next month and hope to soon be restarting the travel adventures

Glastonwick 2008

I am back recruiting staff for this years Glastonwick festival. (04th-06th July)

I need bar staff and security assistants, 

Details below. 

http://www.cask-ale.co.uk/beerfestival.html

Leave a comment with email address should you wish to join the party,

and I will send on an electronic applicaton.

Staff are paid £5.00 per hour in drinking vouchers exchangeable in Dark star Pubs.  

 

Some of our happy staff last year!!!! 

Amsterdam Style Coffee Shop for Falmer

Albion are planning some unusual diversions for fans at the forthcoming Commuinity Stadium. There is lots more of quirky Brighton in my new Brighton Gallery. Follow the link to Photos.

 

Medical Update

Latest PSA score is 0.86 down 37% on the previous reading. This means in effect the treatment has taken effect. I even managed to dodge the 'digital examination' (Just as well!) It is to early to talk in terms of a cure, but things are going well, and if that level of progress continues I will be very happy. It is now a matter of starting to think ahead again, which after two years of having your life on hold is quite something I can tell you.

Tomato Sauce for the Arse

I have been up in Scotland, back in North Berwick! It was just as I left it a few years ago, a couple of nice bars, more coffee shops per square mile than Brighton, and endless clear skies. It has a large sandy beach and some interesting geology, ie a large volcanic crag overlooking the town and a huge rock out at sea, which is a gathering point for all the local seabird life. (A picture of which is currently adorning the London Underground in a poster campaign for Scotland.)

I found a nice hotel, with a lively bar. Friday night and a very fine dinner in house, onto the bar for a nightcap but found a surprisingly lively bunch of rugby fans, trying to convert me on one side, and a stunning redhead surrounded by four blokes on the other. It turned 'Puddleduck', as was her nickname, was our night security porter, and the head bar girl at the rival proper pub. I saw a lot of 'Puddleduck' over the weekend. Went to Edinburgh, to football (Alloa v the mighty Blue Brazil-Cowdenbeath to the unitinated) and had a spectacular walk along the coast from Dunbar. Very nice, I am heading back for my 50th in November where Ros and I have a room at the Witchery (Edinburgh) for the weekend.

 

Other than that very quiet, feel fine just super tired. Had a nice night out last week went to see Nouvelle Vague, a French act which cover old punk songs in a bossa nova fashion, funny, arty, clever. Enjoyed. Their version of Too Drunk to Fuck will stay with me for a long time!

http://www.nouvellesvagues.com/english/about02.html

Ah! its so much fun this age isn't it. Went to see a specialist about my piles, instead of the nice comfortable chat about surgical options at a later date I was expecting I ended up on the couch with Doc bearing down on me with a hammer in one hand and a pair of pilers in the other, telling me to RELAX!!!!, with an ‘I am going to fix this right now attitude.’ Now I thought in my own comfortable world, this was the surgical procedure, only to have it administered in outpatients without any anesthetic. As a consequence of the battle that followed I ended up in bed for the rest of the day wishing for stronger forms of pain killer.

Finally succumbed to a TV addiction, I have gone back to Series One of the Sopranos, and watching my through the lot with the aid of these new fangled DVD clubs, where you can rent complete series as well as movies, anything in fact. its rather good. Love the show, so well written I am not sure I ever want to walk into an Italian restaurant again.

Tony to girlfriend 'Watta reading'
Girl 'Chicken Soup for the Soul'
Tony. 'You should read Tomato sauce for the arse, The Italian Version.'

Radiotherapy One Year On!

There hasn't been anything posted for a while on the subject, so here goes, I am having some minor side effects form last years treatment, and still feel perhaps a little more tired than necessary. I am working full time quite successfully, but doing the full 9 to 5.30 wonder where my life went. I am still on the radar and my next tests are due in March.

In the meantime I have linked with MacMillan Cancer Support and have joined a focus group. We feedback to the 'system' on our treatment and thoughts and concerns. The main part of the project is we are liaising with Sussex Cancer Network who are developing a brand new support centre at the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton. Our feedback will give the planners a deeper insight of what patients may be looking for, and how we can ease them through their treatments. Lots of interesting and imaginative ideas. For me it is the first time I have met fellow sufferers on a one to one level, and look forward to the next meeting. My main interest is supporting the newly diagnosed through their first few weeks of realisation and assisting them with their treatment choices.