Bank Holiday Weekend

Enjoyed a very pleasant BHW. On Saturday I visited my friends Charles and JT in Beckenham - Charles cooked some spicy Nigerian food which was HOT and we followed that with a few drinks in Patrick's bar. On Sunday Parkes and I bought a table and chairs for the back garden and planted some plants and weeded. We planted tomatoes, lupins, foxgloves etc. On Monday we went to Broadstairs to visit Jon, Kirsty and Joanna - we enjoyed a leisurely stroll together and mingled with the Dickens nutters.

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Like Puffin' ? Visit Wales!

My father and his wife Liz visited Solva in Pembrokeshire a couple of weeks ago for a weeks holiday. We had a family holiday there nearly twenty years ago and my father's photographs brought some memories back. It is a pretty seaside village with a cosy pub and some beautiful walks along the rugged coastline (if the weather is kind!). It also situated very near the smallest city in Britain, St Davids. I have pasted a couple of pictures below.

A proud Puffin looking for a scrap with another Puffin. Puffin wrestling is common in western parts of Wales. 

The beautiful Pembrokeshire coastline. A very nice place to be when it isn't cold and raining. 

Derren Brown

It was thoroughly entertaining. Anyone who enjoys the Channel 4 program would enjoy the stage show.

The Power Of The Paranormal

Dean, Bekie and myself are going to see Derren Brown's stage show at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury tonight. I am a big fan of his TV shows and have never been to see anything like this before so it should be very exciting. Hopefully we will leave the theatre feeling completely normal as oppose to leaving in a hypnotised state quacking like ducks...

Sanding Floors

Last weekend we hired a floor-sanding machine and a baby edge-sander to get the floor boards looking better in the dining room. Our mate Dean popped down to help out and offer guidance and council. It took about 4 hours on the Saturday to get the job done. Here are a few photos. This particular one shows Dean cracking away with the edge-sander. Note the knee pads - very useful for protecting the knee caps and looking smart on a Saturday night out.

No hat, no boots, no work. 

On Sunday night after the first coat of stain/varnish. 

Bilbao - Land Of Much Tapas

Parkes and I have just spent a lovely long weekend in Bilbao. The weather was overcast and cool on Friday and Saturday but sunny and hot on the Sunday. Generally we ate nothing but tapas (suffering for it now) and drank coffee and lager - certainly a recipe for good times! My friend Bal was in town on the Saturday evening and the Sunday. We were all hoping to see the Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona fixture but unfortunately the game was moved to the following weekend - nuts. Anyhow we were adults about the situation and went to several bars instead.

Plaza Nueva. We had just eaten tapas for breakfast on Friday morning accompanied by strong Spanish coffee. Line dancing anyone? 

Strange folk afoot outside our bedroom window. 

Victor Montes in Plaza Nueva. Fine tapas and good meals. 

Bollocks

Apologies to anyone offended by that sort of language but sometimes it is the only way to say how you truly feel.

I recently wondered to myself whether my love for Tottenham Hotspur FC may have waned of late. I still tune into the television or radio to catch the commentary whenever they play but it has been some years now since I relinquished my season ticket and I can no longer think of myself as a true "supporter".

However the past weekend has been a sickener for every Spurs fan. I've felt empty and miserable. What Spurs have achieved this season has been beyond expectations and the team and coaching staff deserve great credit, but to come so close to finishing above Ars*nal and being pipped at the post in such a limp manner is galling. The food poisoning saga is unbelievable but even if it had not happened we may still have lost to an energetic West Ham side keen on spoiling the party.

Meanwhile in the red and white side of north London it's all pats on backs, smouldering arrogance and more cheese than Dairylea. Maybe I have got a chip on my shoulder but frankly I don't give a hoot - it's been deep-fried in special Spurs fat and looks juicy and golden. Maybe in the coming seasons Spurs will end this long period of being the bridesmaid and will finally come to the wedding dressed as a foxy bride wearing lacy undies. What a lovely thought.

Well, thank you soothing Blog for helping me let off some bad air. This past weekend has reminded me that whatever may happen I'm a Lilywhite and love the mighty Spurs. So let's drink to the future; an England World Cup final win and some magic from the magnificent Ronaldinho in the Champions League final. And, of course, Spurs for the Champions League in 2008. ¡Vamos!

Silver Fox

Last night I was able answer a question I had long pondered over - does one get grey hairs in places other than their scalp?? It seems that one does!

Tonight Parkes, Keith, Scott and I are off to see The Charlatans at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone, Kent. I have never been to this venue before so it should be good. I don't believe The Charlatans have ever been there either so it's a first for all of us.

Weekend Bicycle Ride

Parkes and I went cycling on the Sunday of last weekend. We got as far as Cliftonville near Margate then turned back under sunny skies to meet with my friend Charles and his lady Anastasia.

We arrive in Broadstairs which is probably about 2 miles away from Ramsgate. Charles Dickens lived here and owned a bleak house and a freak mouse. 

Parkes enjoys a quick swig as we arrive in Cliftonville.