Up early cos it’s Thursday. Actually it’s Wimbledon Ladies semi final day and we have tickets.
John and I are headed out to the All England Tennis Club whilst Anne and Hannah are going up the Shard and then off for afternoon tea at some posh gaff.
I have been awake since around 5.30 am. I can never sleep properly when the alarm is set, even though it was a very late night last night having picked up John and his mates from the William Farr school prom at Hemswell Court shortly after 11.30pm. John sensibly came straight home with me despite the temptation of drinks around at Matty Wards.
Now I’m waiting until it’s time to make the tea and take it upstairs.
Anne too had a late night. She was out with the girls. They went to some Greek restaurant down the high street. Food was a bit greasy apparently. I’m sure they had a good time anyway.
Last night Wales were beaten 2 – 0 by Portugal in the semi-finals of the European Championships. Two goals by Ronaldo. Ah well. They did well. Tonight it’s France v Germany. I need Germany to win and then I have both finalists and will definitely be in the money. If Portugal win with Germany second I stand to win £130.
It would appear to be raining right now. I don’t think there is rain forecast for London today. Centre Court has a roof anyway so we will be fine.
Today was a phone only day so I’ve done loads of pics and vids to replace spiel – google album.
Lovely morning in the home office, doors open to the back garden. Responded to my summons for Jury service. I’m not around really until October
My free weeks in the coming months are week commencing
3rd october 10th october 17th october 14th november 21st november 28th november 12th december 19th december 9th january 2017 16th january 23rd january 30 january 6 february 13 february 27 feb 6, 13, 20 27 march 3rd april 15, 22 may 5, 12, 19 june
These dates will fill up but if I have enough notice from the Jury people I should be able to arrange work around it.
Taking the unused booze from Joefest 2016 back to tesco. There is a lot of it. We drank all the ale but people brought their own lager and cider. Will keep some for the kids to take to Latitude which is only next week now and for which excitement is building.
Bit of a slow start this morning after being out and about in London for two intensive days. Was nearly 10 am before I sat down at my desk.
The next job will be to check my tax return and sort out stuff relating to the kids’ student loans.
The tesco booze trip was a success. Got £330 back on an initial £600 purchase. Also bought some nice cheese and ham on offer only to get home to find that Anne had also bought the same!
Washed my deck shoes which were filthy after Joefest. Truth be told is that I didn’t really wash them. Just hosed them down a bit. It will have to do. I will need ane pair at some stage. I also need a pair of Timberland sandals. I only have a rubbishy M&S pair that Anne bought in a sale and which are uncomfortable.
Bought an OEX Coyote III tent and some Merrell Kahuna III sandals from GoOutdoors. Ready for Latitude – we havent got enough tents otherwise. Anne and I are in the campervan but the kids need canvas. Also packed for Wimbledon – early start tomorrow.
John has gone off to his school prom. Looks v smart. Doubt he’d let me post a pic though. Have to pic him up at 11.30pm. urgh.
Now our Andy is on telly playing Wilfrid Tsonga and Wales are playing Portugal at 8pm – semi finals of the European Championships. Cmon boys:)
Had a terrific dinner at Quo Vadis last night. Afterwards we hit The Phoenix Artist Club and then got lost on the way back to the hotel. Had to resort to sat nav. It was a 15 minute walk from where we were – was only a 15 minute walk in the first place so I reckon we took 30 mins to get home 🙂
New campervan enquiry – for 3 days in December! Sgonna be cold. It doesn’t have any heating.
A day of meetings in town. Lunch at Yo Sushi at St Pauls.Not been before. Enjoyable. I’m no longer a Yo Sushi virgin. Cup of tea at the Tate Modern caff and a very slow taxi ride to meet Dave Cargill at Gamma’s offices near the Gherkin. Got out and walked in the end.
Finally a couple of beers in the Parcel Yard in Kings Cross. I’m now on the train listening to ma sounds.
Last week was somewhat surreal. We were up north for three days last Hannah’s graduation and as soon as we got back became totally immersed in Joefest2016. Today seems a little like coming down to earth with a bang, although it is really only a very gentle bump.
I am off to London for a couple of days of meetings that include one of my periodic private dinners. Nothing too onerous. In fact all the meetings are with friends who I am introducing to Netaxis. Enough of this work stuff.
Today we are back to summer weather. I am not wearing shorts mind you which I realise will seem strange to those who know me. It’s just an attire geared at travelling light and optimised for the combination of environmental circumstances. Ie it isn’t so hot that long trousers will be uncomfortable, I don’t think I want to wear shorts for dinner tonight and am only travelling with my laptop bag.
The peach ish coloured jacket is however out for the first time this year. It’s the one I wore when going to Barca with Hannah remember? Perhaps not.
This week is really just as busy as last. After my two days in london I have Wednesday to get a load of stuff sorted back at home before setting off again for Wimbledon. All go innit.
The featured image btw is the view from the train just south of Stevenage. Clearly summer is in full swing. Fields are still green in Lincolnshire.
Joefest 2016 was a triumph that could not be dampened by the rain squalls that periodically blew in from the West.
Highlights:
Picked up 3 barrels of ale from Pheasantry brewery Wednesday and installed them in situ at Bridge Farm Thursday evening after erecting the marquee.
Friday saw the delivery of the generator, portaloos and chiller unit, all of which proved to be essential for the smooth working of the event. Lorry delivering the generator got stuck in the mud of the wet field and I had to fetch a nearby farmer (Jim) with this tractor to tow it out.
Generator proved not to have a full tank of fuel so the delivery man, Alan called through and ordered a couple of plastic containers of red diesel for me.
Spent Friday afternoon doing a bit of work and also printing out some menus/prices for the bar and bbq areas.
Friday afternoon saw Peachy Productions arrive to put up the staging and sound and light gear. We set up the bbq and bar and lots of bunting and lights were placed strategically around the site.
That evening Joe, James Powell, Dave and Jacqui Culy and I went to watch Wales beat Belgium 3 – 1 at the White Hart in Lissington. I had steak and ale pie with chips. Joe had chicken tikka massala. Great evening.
Slept on my own in campervan Betty that night.
Saturday was the big day. Started slowly but numbers built up gradually over the course of the day. We shifted around 170 wristbands in total. Not bad.
There was live music on for most of the afternoon and evening with a cutoff at 11pm. The Pylons were terrific. All the ale was consumed but not much lager and cider – the punters mostly brought their own.
I almost lost my voice in the emotion of the Pylons gig – it was the best I’d seen them play. Afterwards we had planned on having a firepit/campfire singsong but the wood hadn’t been chopped in advance and tbh my voice had gone and I was cream crackered.
Hannah moved us all inside the marquee to sing and Dave Cooper stepped into the breath in my absence. Unfortunately Coops only knows extremely pornographic rugby songs which wasn’t quite what Hannah had in mind 🙂
I wore sandals for most of the day but the ground got so muddy and my feet so filthy that I ended up washing them in a bucket of water and wearing wellies from the middle of the afternoon. My feet are still somewhat muddy now even after a shower.
Started drinking before noon – just to test the beer of course. Steve Wildman arrived and I spent some time with him on wristband distribution (sales) duty at the entrance. Lots of ale consumed.
Bed around midnight I think. In the night we were woken up by a beeping sound. Turns out it was one of the walkie talkies’ “low battery” sound. Eventually found it and turned it off.
Large quantities of bacon and sausage baps dished out for breakfast and we gradually packed up the site. A hard core remained to help the scouts take down the marquee and indeed the family went back to the Bailgate Methodist Church to help unload and store the borrowed gear. Fortunately the marquee was being used the following weekend at beaver camp so we didn’t have to unload that which is the hard bit – storing it in the cellar.
Now this afternoon we are all knackered. I’m taking the walkie talkies back to Geordie (Chris Thompson), have picked up the lager and cider for taking back to Tesco on sale or return and booked a taxi for 7am tomorrow. I am off to London for a couple of days with Netaxis.
186 pics and videos taken – got a message from EE saying I was nearing my data limit for the month! I have 20GB! Had to change the backup options to just wifi to save data until the 12th when the month resets.
Up earlyish and down to Fosters Butchers to pick up 300 burgers, 300 spicy Lincolnshire sausages and 200 slices of drycure bacon for JoeFest. 700 large white bread rolls tomorrow from Morrisons.
Swung by Waitrose for a couple of croissants for breakfast and then out to the farm. I was about to put the meat in the chiller when the HSS van hire guy turned up with the generator. Unfortunately for him his lorry got stuck in the wet field and we had to get a friendly farmer, Joe, to pull him out – see vid below.
Whilst this drama was developing the portaloo man turned up with 4 toilets and then some unannounced guests turned up looking for a chicken farm.
Finally the tesco delivery arrived. We took up a whole van except for four trays! Better shift it all that’s all I can say although the beer will be on sale or return.
Back home the event is starting to come together. Weather could be a little kinder but hey… We have the marquee.
Was awake at around 5.30 am today doing JoeFest stuff. Spreadsheet. Out to the farm after breakfast to deliver the beer and associated peripherals. Found a very wet field. I imagine it is something like Glastonbury before the hordes turned up.
Max Wren turned up with the scouts marquee at 10.30 but waited until midday for the chiller to be delivered, 2 hours late. Off home to have a quic lunch with Joe the birthday boy, Hannah and John. Then down to pick up some plastic pint glasses from Booker (1,000 at around 4 pence each) and some industrial strength and quantities of bin bags.
Picked John up from school 6th from taster – he is going off the idea of Physics – and then off to Morrisons for bbq gas and to order 700 bread rolls for picking up on Saturday am. In between all that ordered 400 pints of cider and lager (ie 800 in total) from Tesco and 10 lires of Pimms for delivery tomorrow morning between 10am and 11.
Back to the farm to help erect the marquee and then set the beer up. 3 9 gallon kegs from Pheasantry.
Finally to the Morning Star with Anne, Joe and Charlotte to finish off Joe’s 19th birthday.
What a stunner of a day. Hannah’s graduation day in Durham. We caught the 10.42 train to Plymouth and got off at Durham 11 minutes later. It was only a short walk down to the market square and Hannah arrived at around 11.15 ish. Quick M&S sandwich to fortify ourselves and we were off to the Cathedral. Hansk picked up her gown, had pics taken, preordered champagne and joined the queue to get in at 1pm. Hannah went in separately.
It has to be said that Durham University knows how to organise a ceremony, The surroundings were hugely impressive and the tenor of the occasion was spot on. Academic staff were dressed in outfits that must have dated back to the renaissance. V colourful. I welled up with pride. It took me back to the day of Tom’s graduation where instead of just shaking hands with the Chancellor he turned him and pointed towards us in the audience for an unique photo opportunity.
No photography was allowed in Durham cathedral during the ceremony but we have ordered the DVD.
Afterwards we popped the champagne and bought Han a Durham scarf. A modern languages dept drinks reception was thrown at St Chads just down from the Cathedral and then down to the Whisky River bar (or simlar) down by the river. It was chucking it down all afternoon but that didn’t detract from our enjoyment of the day and I had brought umbrellas along as a precaution.
It was in the whisky bar that we realised that it might have been a good idea to have booked a taxi. There were none available. In the end we caught a bus to Oro at the Pumphouse where we had a great Italian meal with a couple of bots of sauvignon blanc and two very nice bottles of Barolo.
A mini bus took us back to the station dropping Hannah off at Grey College where she headed out for the night to Fabios with her pals. All in all a wonderful day out.
This morning Tom caught the 6.30 am train back to London (urgh) and we are chillin whilst Anne pops to the shops. Setting off back at 10.30. Me to Durham to pick up Hannah and her ger and Anne and the lads home.
We brought two cars. Anne set off early to pick up Hannah and some of her stuff from Durham. I hung back to give Joe a change to get himself sorted – he returned from Glasto at 4.30 am, tired and dirty.
Cooked the lad bacon sausage beans and fried bread and made John and myself pork rolls for lunch – the pork left over from Sunday was delish.
It’s a bit of a boring drive up to Nuke. We were keeping in touch with Hannah using Messenger and unfortunately Anne got lost and we were in Newcastle before she made it to Han’s.
Bit of a stroll into the shops from the Sandman Hotel and then out for dinner at Las Iguanas. Lovely family dinner together with Han’s pal Saskia. Tom arrived from London at around 9.30 and we ended the evening at the Pitcher and Piano.
The big news of the evening was that England were knocked out of the Euro 2016 football by Iceland. I collapsed into laughter. Facebook went silent on the subject. The hugely funny thing is that England always travel very hopefully but never seem to cut it in international football.
Tuesday is Hannah graduation day. We are all excited and looking forward to a lovely family day out. More later.
Had great night in Betty the campervan if somewhat sleepless. The bed was very comfortable but the dawn chorus at 4am was very loud.
We had an electric kettle so boiled up a brew in no time in the morning and I connected the gas for the first time and cooked a fry up.
Now Betty has been unloaded and we are just relaxing around the house. Pork has been covered in the smoked sea salt and garlic rub in prep for the spit roast bbq later this pm. The last time we use the spit was with the same rub and a shoulder of lamb with terrific results.
In the big bad world outside the fall out from the referendum vote continues. The PM David Cameron has resigned. Whilst he has presided over the recovery of the economy through very difficult times he will go down in history as a failure. His weak leadership will have been responsible for chaos in the country.
Ireland v France today. Cmon Ireland.
Swung by Waitrose and bought exactly what was on the shopping list. Bananas, milk, strawberries, custard and tinfoil. Anne hadn’t expected the custard but it was definitely on the list. I added it to the bottom:)
Our political parties seem to be in total disarray btw. 7 have resigned from the shadow cabinet. The PM has resigned. i wonder if I can switch off completely for the next six months and tune in for the Christmas break.
in other news The Pylons have made it to 6 Music’s Highlights of Glastonbury 2016 – http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03z1hmw
specific link to their song here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03zh788
Our first night in Betty tonight. Betty, if you don’t already know is our 1971 VW T2 bay window campervan. Got the fridge plugged in, toilet loaded with fluids, water tank filled for the sink (10l plastic container). Not connected the gas yet. Will have to do that sooner rather than later.
The camp is set up, although I forgot to bring the stakes for the flagpole. Fortunately we have come home to watch the first half of Wales v N Ireland and the Pylons Glastonbury gig which is only on tinterweb which is non existent in the campsite.
Winding the clock back to this morning it’s the first time I’ve woken with a hangover in a long time. Went out last night with Ajax, Stobie and Jezzer. They were celebrating the “leave” vote. I on the other hand was drowning my sorrows. They had been at it since 3pm and Jezzer and Ian didn’t last the night. Axax however has hollow legs and we moseyed on to the Taphouse and Kitchen where we bumped into Nige Delahey.
A dry martini and a couple of bottles of champagne later and I woke up with a hangover. Jenny Robinson turned up. Fantastic to see her. She is back from China for good. Terrible pollution out there apparently. Created havoc with her chest.
Just finished watching the Pylons gig. Watch some of the Wales match then back to the campsite. 1 0 Wales – own goal.
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Lincoln Lanes campsite should be renamed Lincoln Lakes. We returned from our Pylons watching sojourn at home in Lincoln in torrential rain. The campsite is under water. Either wellies or flip flops are required, or as I’m my case boat shoes.
We have had our dinner. Lukewarm sausages and burgers saved for us from the bbq together with a few salady bits. Now we are chilling in the van listening to ma fave toons and reading WV Camper and Commercial magazine
Somewhat exhausted this morning. Late to bed with the referendum on telly and was woken up in the middle of the night by something outside. We found a metal ring in the drive this morning. No idea where it came from. Might take a look at the cctv later.
Somewhat disastrous referendum result this morning with the leave campaign winning by over a million votes. Kids are quite stressed about it too. I don’t really want to talk about it any more. I think we are doing the wrong thing and it will have long term consequences.
Good afternoon at the ITSPA council meeting yesterday followed by a couple of sherberts. Tube was rammed. In fact I couldn’t get near the tube so I caught an Uber (on x2.2 surge = £16 for two tube stops). Good job there were plenty of cars available.
Stopped by waitrose at Kings X to buy a couple of bottles of beer and a sandwich for the train. I realise they do food on the train but experience suggests it is better t osort yourself out. Waitrose shelves were totally devoid of anything that could remotely be described as a sandwich so I settled for bag of crisps.
Turns out I was given the run of the on board menu when I got on the train so had a chicken and bacon wrap, cheese sandwiches and the sausage roll again. And the bloke doled out liberal helpings of g&t to a win there really. Feels as if the on board fare is improving.
Bought John a suit this afternoon. He has his Y11 prom on wednesday night. Also Hannah’s graduation on Tuesday. We had lunch in the Sign Of The Fish near the bus station in Lincoln. It’s good but have to say not as good as The Burton Road Chippy. Fish was a little crumbly.
Off out tonight. Meeting Shannon to discuss Joefest Caribbean menu and then the lads are “celebrating” the Leave vote in the Strugs. I will be drowning my sorrows.
Featured image is the new railway bridge on Lincoln High Street. Looks as if it is ready to open. Could have done with it today as you will note from the flashing red lights and the barrier down.
It’s a blurry eyed Thursday morning. I am awake early and have come downstairs to do some writing and to make the tea. The news from Glasto is that the main public areas are all slurry but the central artist’s campsite is fine and Joe is encamped next to a mobile mast so has connectivity. He was online at 00.42 – probs quite early as festivals go. I imagine 🙂
It’s a dull morning out but not cold. In fact in London, whither I am bound today, it is looking like 23 degrees with thunderstorms this afternoon.
Today is the big referendum day. Boy am I glad. The campaign has been irritating to say the least. I’ve tried to switch off whenever possible but it has been difficult to avoid. At least there will be no campaigning today and by tomorrow morning we will know the result.
There is going to be a lot of brown stuff flying around tomorrow. This is much bigger than any general election.
My new glasses btw, Oakleys and similar frames to the pair I lost in Cumbria, have fantastic lenses in them. Much better than the previous set. I’d expect so at the price.
Booked a table at Las Iguanas at the quayside in Newcasssle. 7.30 pm Monday. Initially for five of us but Hannah’s pal Saskia is now coming so will have to ring up and amend. Tom’s train doesn’t get in from London until 11ish so he will miss that bit of the festivities.
More anon. I’m off to make the tea…
…
Now on the train south from Newark. It’s a Lincoln to London ticket but didn’t have a very good connection – Lincoln to Newark Castle and walk the mile or so to Northgate. Anne took me straight to Newark Northgate in the first place. Now here’s the thing. A first class ticket on this train, because I left it late, was something line £96. The ticket actually cost me £36 because I booked it from Lincoln. The connections are so bad that nobody uses up the cheap advanced tickets. Yay.
I’ll tell you another trick. I looked at putting Joe on the insurance for one of the cars. They wouldn’t let him on the Citroen C4 because he is too young but were happy with having him on the Micra. The cost until the end of October is an additional £295.
Ok so now I also add Hannah as an option. Although she is away for most of August I figured it might not be much more expensive and worth doing. The quote actually dropped to £145!!! Obviously the calming influence of a slightly older sister:)
Someone behind me knocking back the free white wine on the train btw – obvs on a bit of a day out. Sounds like a maturish bloke.
Here’s another story for you. The food choice on this train includes cheese and chutney sandwiches and a sausage roll with some sort of designer brown sauce. I wasn’t allowed both so settled for the sausage roll which was excellent fair play. When the girl came around with the trolley I accepted a bit of cake and a banana. After she had gone a chap in the next set of seats brought me round his cheese sandwiches saying he had already eaten. Result again!
As we get further south it is looking a little misty out there. They’re expecting temperatures of 23 degrees and thunderstorms in London so I’ve brought my waterproof jacket. Some of the fields are also beginning to turn yellow. It won’t be long before the harvest is upon us. We have already passed the longest day so the Summer days are starting to ebb away.
Just heard the guard talking to the steward, saying that the driver is going too fast. He is in a hurry to get home and the train is shaking too much. I was just thinking that funnily enough. Typing was getting harder. The guard said he was going to have a word…
Sitting here listening to some saxophone practice. The steady timekeeping tap of the right foot. The conservatory doors are open into the garden. It is a beautiful day out there. The birds are happy.
We are waiting for Joe to be picked up to head down to Glastonbury. He is all packed up. Rehearsals finished last night and the band was exhausted but happy enough with progress I think. They are onstage at 5.45 on Saturday.
There have been warnings from the festival organisers not to arrive too early due to the wet state of some of the site. It was ever thus for Glasto. There is a backup plan. The Cooksons live nearby and they are already stopping with them on Friday, the day before they play.
It’s a big adventure and we are all excited.
There is also other top news – Hannah got a 2.1 degree at Durham. I’m hugely proud of her and am glowing as I write this.
The drive was finally finished today with a delivery of gravel for the old gravelly bit. We can now drive the cars back in and are somewhat poorer as a result. Looks good though and has been worth it.
Anne and Julie went to the Lincolnshire Show and John has popped round to Matt Ward’s for a celebratory end of exams BBQ.
I’ve been working but it has been pleasant doing so in the conservatory. Anne is now out at her book club. Thassit for today.
Thanks to Alex Dalton for the featured image that I nicked from his timeline without permission but I’m sure it will be ok.
Gotta say Dublin was great. Even in the airport as I leave and where I’m tapping in these words the experience has been good. The wifi was easy to get on – none of this registration and login rubbish. Ping time is 4ms. Only 2 megs down but that is fine. 65 megs up btw!!!
Dropped Hannah off at Terminal 1 and breezed into T2. The queue for check in was massive but you know what? It wasn’t my check in area. It was for folk traveling to the good old US of A. By the looks of it. At my check in there was no queue. Yay.
It feels a bit odd leaving what is unquestionably the world class city that is Dublin to go to, of all places, Doncaster. Only the airport but still Doncaster:). Looking forward to going home now. It’s the last day of John’s GCSE exams and we are off out to Tito’s for a celebratory meal.
Stunning evening last night. Started off after the conference in a private bar at the Vintage Cocktail Club. The door was very anonymous. You had to know it was there. V cool. Had numerous cocktails before heading over the road to some crappy tourist joint to watch the Wales v Russia game. Didn’t stay long. The Guinness was the worst I’ve had and I wasn’t made to feel welcome by the waitress who wanted me to order food. Wales were winning 2 – 0 at half time so Hannah and I set off to find 777, a supercool Mexican restaurant.
We sat at the bar drinking Margaritas and eating tortilla chips and salsa. I had chilli ribs for a main. Tom Bird joined us for a beer and we then found another pub with a singer and reasonable Guinness and where we were joined by Mark Fordyce. Home midnight ish and up before 6.30. Hotel stung me for 90 Euros to change the room to a twin from a double but hey… I won’t be booking through amoma.com again.
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20 thousand feet up
the noise of the aircraft is the same as silence. It pervades and masks.
there is plenty of room up here. not only are there no other aircraft around but I have a pod of four seats to myself. exit row.
enjoy the sunshine because it is cloudy down there. the car will whisk me home
I am excited to be going home. John’s last day of exams. no more GCSEs. he has worked hard. I am impressed and proud of the effort he has put in. now his rewards begin
it’s also Joe’s last day before he goes to Glastonbury. This is exciting in the extreme. The big stage. He has been rehearsing with the Pylons at Bridge Farm for the last few days. “The Bridge Farm sessions” 🙂
Looks as if the clouds are edging closer. A gradual descent. Down into Doncaster – a novel of high adventure set in a post industrial setting. Where Jason meets Chelsea.
