G20 Punchup

We city bankers are braced for fisticuffs tomorrow and Thursday as the crusty mob (white young men with dreadlocks and disheveled dogs) hit town. The last major protests I can recall were the May Day protests in 1999. That was a lot of fun. There was much civil disobedience, people scaling buildings and generally making a nuisance of themselves. We have been told that security levels will be ramped-up for the RBS buildings and to dress-down (brillo!). I will try to capture it on my poxy phone camera and bring it to you as it happens.

Jade Goody

What was that all about?! I know that in her final days she has raised the profile of cervical cancer in the UK (which is always good news!) and provided a good future for her sons. On the flip-side her demise didn't herald the column inches it has received - it was impossible to escape from. She certainly redefined the word "celebrity" into something few respectable people would want to be labelled with.

Deano's new look.

Steve, Dean and Strings line up against the Berlin wall. Nice bunny
ears.

This wall was a canvas for the local artists in Berlin.

Dean, Steve and Paddy get cosy with a strange bear.

Ich bin ein Deano.

There is a big towery, spirey thing in Berlin. I believe it is a TV
antenna.

Strings and Kaiser Keith in the toilets @ Triptico. A drum and bass
club in Berlin. Berliners are very earthy, friendy, decent people.

Dean Hogbin's Stag Do

This weekend is Deano's stag do in Berlin. It promises to be a hoot and, of course, stag rules apply but I will endeavour to take some photos where permitted.

I spent a lovely weekend with Parkes and Beth. The weather was cloudy
on Saturday and beautiful on Sunday. We spent Satters in Asda and on
the beach. On Sunday Beth and I went to PC World to buy daddy a Skype
headset and then played on the beach at Dumpton Gap. Beth is currently
going through the eating sand stage.

Whiff Of Spring

I was walking to the station just before dawn this morning and noticed that the Herring Gulls are being far more vociferous. This must be due to the fact that it is springtime and it is time to mate. I love this time of year. We are only two weekends away from the clocks going back and then they'll be light perpetual! The long winter is over! Let's make love!!

Beth had great time with Parkes and Grandma on Wednesday. For some
reason she laid down on the path and happily refused to budge.

Beth, it really is time to go now...

Please can whoever stole Beth's dentures return them.

Valladolid: Strings and Beth strolling around the large watery feature/fountain thing.

Valladolid: There is a great big park in the centre of the city with lots of stuff to do for little ones. This little one is having lots of fun and Beth is enjoying herself too.

Valladolid: Strings taking things easy in Plaza Mayor and lapping up the sunshine.

Salamanca: Beth refusing to budge from Plaza Mayor.

Thanet Beer Festival 2009 - Something Missing...

It is with deepest regret that I have to inform you that Kaiser Keith will not be attending this year's Thanet Beer Festival. Keith, who has been the anchorman of the unofficial festival film for the previous two years, will be taking a well-earned break with his family. As a result it is unlikely there will be a film this year unless somebody wants to step into Keith's effervescent boots and grab the bull by the horns. Any takers?

Salamanca: Beth and String talking about Ars*nal missing out on Champions League qualification for next season.

Salamanca: Parkes and Beth having a titter in Plaza Mayor.

Salamanca: Beth striding down the street with her fat, receding, tramp-like father. I really must buy some new clothes.

Salamanca: Beth's favourite game whilst we were away was sitting on steps. Here is Beth on a step.

Ávila: Parkes and Beth at dinner time.

Ávila: Beth and Parkes having a good time in the playground next to city wall.

Ávila: The moody but lovely view from our hotel room. There were snow-capped mountains in the background but my silly camera couldn't quite pick them out.

Travels

Parkes, Beth and I have spent the last few days in Spain touring the cities of Ávila, Salamanca and Valladolid. We flew from Stansted to Valladolid with Ryanair (never again). Our first night was spent in Ávila which I found very attractive but a little soulless like Toledo. Our second and third nights were spent in Salamanca - a city totally inhabited by students. That aside the Plaza Mayor and University were amazing. Our last two nights were spent in Valladolid which is much more understated than the previous two cities but has an honest working vibe and great tapas.

Two highlights of our trip were the hotel in Salamanca (Hotel Rector) and also a restaurant in Valladolid (Bar Zamora). The hotel was fantastic by way of service, facilities and location. The restaurant was awesome and served us a fantastic Cocido Castellano, an example of which can be found in the photo. They also had great tapas worthy of Bilbao.