Bank Holiday Weekend incl IPO Liverpool & The Warm Southampton

Helen was already in Liverpool, so I decided to catch the train and stop with her in the hostel for a couple of days.  Lovely Peak District view through the window.



I arrived just in time to catch Richard Snow & The Inlaws as they took the stage in the Cavern Pub.



And caught them again later on for their 2nd set at the Cavern Club front stage across the road.




To be continued....

Lazy blogger

Well I was just sitting here going through old blog entries, smiling to myself at some of the good times we had when I realised that my last proper blog was for South Africa 2 years ago, which really is terrible especially since I didn't really finish that either.  What is even more terrible is the fact that I am supposed to be packing for this year's South Africa trip.  I can't believe its been two years already, seems like yesterday.

To make matters worse I am off to London on Friday for the weekend.  Well how can a girl not go.  First of all my fav unsigned band of all time Story One are doing a one off gig and I have not seen them for a few years www.myspace.com/storyone

Then there is also Coppers for Karma a great funky London band that I discovered a couple of years ago.  Really looking forward to seeing them again. www.myspace.com/coppersforkarma

By coincidence some of my friends will also be in London this weekend.  Helen will be there celebrating with her mother.  Robin and family are going and a couple of mates from work are on shopping trips.

I also hope to catch up with some of my London friends whilst there.

I have missed out on recording so many good times, especially since the old memory is not what it used to be.  

Note to self:  Write important memories here!

30 Artists I've seen Live

OK, here are the rules. Test your memory and your love of live music by listing the artists or bands (as many as you can remember) you’ve seen in concert. List the first 30 acts that come into your head. An act you saw at a festival and opening acts count, but only if you can’t think of 30 other artists.

Should you choose this challenge, here’s what you do:
Copy my note. Click on “notes” under tabs on your profile page. Select "write a new note" in the top corner. Paste the copy in the body of the note. Make your list. Change the number at the top, and add your title. Once you've saved, don't forget to tag friends (including me) on the right.

1. Lifehouse
2. Robin Auld
3. Night Parade
4. Matchbox Twenty
5. Stephen Fretwell
6. The Crimea
7. 3 Doors Down
8. Snow Patrol
9. Alabama 3
10. The Boy Least Likely To
11. Brinkman
12. Dlugokecki
13. Story One
14. Recreation
15. Mark Morriss
16. Nik Kershaw
17. Betchadupa
18. Counting Crows
19. Goo Goo Dolls
20. Aerosmith
21. Alice Cooper
22. Whitesnake
23. Bon Jovi
24. Brian Adams
25. Paddy Casey
26. The Warm
27. Richard Snow & The Inlaws
28. The Herron Brothers
29. Brakes
30. Brian Houston

My Life According to Robin Auld

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to at least 12 people you like and include me. You can't use the band I used (Unless you really want to) Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think! Repost as "My Life According to (BAND NAME)"

Pick your artist: Robin Auld

Are you a male or female?
All of Woman

Describe yourself?
Supermodel

How do you feel?
Long Lost

Describe where you currently live:
Over the Mountain

If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
Sesheke Town

Your favourite form of transportation?
Zen surfing in the third world

Your best friend is?
By your side

Your favourite colour is?
Solid Gold

What's the weather like?
Perfect Day

Favourite time of day?
Waiting for You

If your life was a TV show, what would it be called?
Comfort of Strangers

What is life to you?
Something That I Know

Your relationship?
I Got Lucky

Your Fear?
Queen of Pain

What is the best advice you have to give?
Love Kills

If you could change your name, you would change it to:
Charlene

Thought for the day?
Charly go crazy

How you would like to die?
Slip Away

Your soul's present condition?
Jungle of One

Your motto?
Today’s the Day 

The problem with holiday blogging is...

...is when you go on another trip without completing the blog for the previous one!

So I am only going to say a few things about Munich.

I got to see the Castle I have been dying to see for some years and 300 steps later it did (literally) take my breath away.  Schloss Neuschwanstein is all it appears to be and spending time in the Alps was awesome.

This is not my picture, but I had to show you what I meant.  Will upload mine when I get a minute.

There was some fun in getting to this place as its not really Munich as we discovered.  We had a hire car booked from the Airport   Didn't bank on the difficulty surrounding driving a left hand drive car or the fact that we had no map or information of where our hotel was.  All we knew it was at the foot of the castle! So via Starnberger See and a few Rococo churches it was 3 and a half hours later that we arrived in Southern Bavaria. 

After we saw the Castles the following day, we made our way to Munich city centre to our home for the next 4 days.  Phil decided to navigate and I carried on driving, managed to hit a few kerbs but luckily did not kill anyone or wreck the car.

We had tickets for Vampire Weekend for the Friday night and both of us had been very much looking forward to seeing these guys as their UK tour was sold out almost instantly.  So we decided to get on U-Bahn and leave car behind. 

I thought it was a very late gig as it said on the ticket Entry is at 20.59 and start 22.00 so obviously I thought that would be first band on at 10pm.  But much to our delight as we got there, we had a drink and 10pm on the dot Vampire Weekend were on stage and we were done by 11pm.  I think  promotors in this country can learn a lot about putting this information on tickets.  People have paid to see the main attraction, why should it not state on the ticket exactly what time they are on stage?

Vampire Weekend were absolutely fabulous, and everyone of their songs came to live so much.  Despite being a bit tired and not in the mood for a gig, I am ever so glad that we went.

So since my last blog a few things have happened:

1.  I moved house and I am now living in sin with my fella (poor man).  Thanks to Helen for putting up with me for 9 months!

2.  So about health you have been asking?  I am going to QMC tomorrow for a little operation.  So part of me hopes that QMC does not have a bed free in the morning and the other part of me just wants it over and done with.  (I suppose I should really tell my boss!!)

3.  Its party time weekend after next and if you have been invited, you better make sure you come.

Cape Town Part 2 - City, Table Mountain and V&A Waterfront

Some more pictures of Cape Town.

Union Buildings

We then came across this Seagull with a manky foot.  Sick as I am I had to take a picture of it!

We were a bit scared to get cameras out and snap too much as obviously everybody warns you how dangerous it is.  Even though photo opportunities did not come my way much as I spent most my time following Phil into surf shops, so that man with 150 t-shirts can buy some more.

Went up to the Malay quarter in Bo-kaap to go and see the painted houses.  Cape Malay people are South Africa's unique Muslim community, originally drawn from exiles, slaves and prisoners from the Dutch east Indies.

Lovely and colourful...

We then made our way to Victoria & Alfred Waterfront which is said to be the buzzing place in the Cape to go.  Personally I preferred a stroll down Long Street.

Cape Town's high rise buildings from V&A

View of Table Mountain from V&A

We then went on a lovely 3 hour cruise around Table Bay on a Sailboat, a good way to sunburn your legs as we found out.

Back at V&A.  Anybody recognise these SA political figures, past and present?

Ended the day with drive to Bloubergstrand, the place I want my ashes scattered when I die.  I don't think I can ever tire of this breathtaking view.



I mentioned in previous blog about amazing house we had in Table View.  Here are some pics...

Cape Town Part 1 - Simons Town to Chapman\s Peak

Well everyone has been asking for pics, so here goes.

Arrived in Cape Town well Table View to be more specific to an awesome house, ultimate luxury.  So that set us up for a memorable stay in the mother city.

First day decided to go to Simons Town via False Bay and then head back to Cape Town over Chapman’s Peak. 

Simons Town is an old Navy Town but lately much more famous for being home to hundreds of African Penguins at Boulders Beach.

These waters looked so lovely that I fancied diving in there with the penguins. 

We then drove from Simons Town to Noordhoek.  I can remember the wonderful Noordhoek beach from last time.  I also remember that the water was that cold that I could not feel my feet after a short while in it.   So decided to admire it from above.

Noordhoek is also the start of the famous Chapman’s Peak drive which is known as one of the most dangerous mountain roads.  The next few pics show why.

The route is 9km long with 114 curves and finishes in the lovely town of Hout Bay.  Home to the best seafood restaurant ever.

Now for arty pic, I don’t know who this lonesome stranger is but I love how distant this picture looks.