Hey Squirts, Nic here!
Remember: CLICK PHOTO ALBUMS TO EMBIGGEN!
And as per usual – SCROLL DOWN AND LOAD ALL THE CLIPS SO YOU CAN WATCH ALONG. I have decided to put the TRAILER PARK spread throughout so you don't have to watch them in one big go.
So – What have I been up to? Well I just returned from a holiday to New York but more about that later.
Things have been changing a bit at Nike. They are moving the head office from Newcastle to London – and as the office has been there for 20 years , people have lives up there and have been made redundant cause they couldn’t move. My counterpart for the northern factory stores has left and I have taken over from her and now run HR for all UK & Ireland factory stores – not just the south anymore.
I thought it wouldn’t be too bad a workload but it is. I have to deal with 16 factory stores and their issues – and there are a lot – plus open my factory store in Somerset and I have taken over 2 other stores that need to be opened – in Scotland and Manchester. These 2 I have been dropped in the middle of so I am picking up the pieces when and where I can – not the most productive situation to be in. Then there is the 2 area managers who want their stores run as smoothly as possible and the new factory store GM who doesn’t have a clue to my workload and just wants everything to be done to his time frame.
So I went up to Scotland last week to do group interviews. The good thing was my plane left in the evening so I got to spend the day in Edinburgh.
We also took a trip out to see the dogs.
http://picasaweb.google.com/crilly6453/TheDoggiesSuch
As per Helen’s work, we went to a press night for a company that organises luxury trips to their hotels around the world. This was 2 days before leaving for NY and we were trying to cut down on costs so instead of going to the supermarket we decided to turn up at this event and drink the free champers and eat their food so we had more spending money. Well we did just that and in the middle of stealing small foods off trays they announced that they would be having a prize draw for some prizes.
After a few drinks I convinced Helen to do some schmoozing and get an entry ticket (which was free but for invited guests only). She did and we decided that as the food and drink was not going to stop, we should stay until the end and check out the draw. With only about 100 people who may have tickets and 3 prize holidays on offer – it was going to be a draw that we had a chance with. They announced the draw at the end of the night and the first 2 went to business people. The final draw came out and it was our number! So for trying to get a cheap feed we ended up going hope full, tipsy and with an international holiday to Thailand under our belts! This means Hoppy may get a surprise visit from Helen and me.
Here is the company website with the prize we have won:
http://www.scottdunn.com/accommodation/six-senses-hideaway-yao-noi-thailand.html
Now onto New York.
This was originally a place I wasn’t interested in visiting because I thought I would eventually pass through it on my way somewhere and that’s when I would explore it. But things change and we decided to check it out as flights were cheap and once we got out there it was 2 bucks to the pound – half price. And with the mid year sales having 50% off and then offering another 25% off on top of that, we ended up living like kings.
So we landed and got a cab from the airport to the district of Chelsea where we had our hotel – which was nice and quaint and in a great location. We headed out – coming from London’s 13’C to NY’s 30’C it was a change and we headed straight for a diner to sink a burger and shake. On the way we was a photo shoot for what must have been Calvin Klein or just a dirty old man taking some nudie shots of a guy in his underwear on a roof. Much of a muchness really.
We found a diner and ate up until we burst and then made the walk up to Times Square. WOW. You can tell who the tourists are in NY as we are the ones who walk staring up at the high-rises and walking into people/ the road. While down in Times Square we found the Ed Sullivan Theatre where David Letterman and the final episodes of Survivor are filmed each season. Right on the street they were filing a segment for Letterman where they had a guy jumping over 8 people to slam dunk a ball. My first celeb sighting was the gut that does the voiceovers for Letterman and his stage manager – who he always talks to on the show – and also the café next door to the studio which he crosses to during each show.
Times Square is exactly like they show on the movies and really blows you away when you are amongst it. I found the CBS store and hit TV heaven. I got a David Letterman Tee, almost picked up some Amazing Race merch which I haven’t seen anywhere else in the world but I did buy a Survivor Buff which is what they give their contestants on their show depending on what tribe they are with. Awesome!
We then started walking around town and hitting a few places. I found Niketown NY, Helen found Tiffany – from the movie breakfast in Tiffany’s. Right next door was Trump Tower so I had to give a ‘You’re Fired’ trump style. I went in to find him but he was busy so I did it out the front of the building. In the evening we went to Central Station which blows any train station I have been to out of the water. Definitely something that I didn’t expect to see. We went to an oyster and champagne bar for a drink before heading for dinner.
The next day we had a lunch organised through Helen’s work at the Essex Hotel – very fancy – which is right outside Central park. Before hand we went into the park and I went to watch a few teams playing baseball until lunchtime. When the time came we headed in and had a great meal. The desserts were the BEST as you will see from the photos. Once we finished this we went for a walk through central park. It is huge. I thought Hyde Park was big but it aint got nothing on this. It was boiling hot and we decided to see if we could get a bike rider to peddle us around in his carriage. We found a guy that was a part time actor and he gave us the grand tour of the park – pointing out the sites that have been used in movies and TV series. I got shots of where Macaulay Culkin – don’t know how to spell that name – met the pigeon lady in Home Alone and where people from Sex and the City fell into the lake after they had dinner.
We wanted him to take us to the Museum of Modern Art as there was free entry on Fridays. When we got there they had an exhibition on Superheroes and how they have influenced fashion. I was able to take some sneaky shots of the costumes – which were the exact ones that they used in the film. They even had the Batman Costume which was used in the Dark Knight that has just come out. On the top floor they had a bar that opened up onto Central Park so we had a few beers with the view. We then headed down to the lake in the middle of the park and went for a row just before the park shut.
That evening we ventured into what is known as the meat packing district which is like the east end in London. We had a nice dinner in a Thai place called Market and then went up into the Gansevoort Hotel which is the place to be seen in the district. Very fancy with a lot of people as it was the weekend that Pride was on in NY. We went for a wander down Bleaker St which is very well known and went to a bar called Vinopolis. In the booth to the right of where H and I were sitting was Jake Shears – the lead singer of the Scissor Sisters – obviously there to support Pride.
I also got the chance to go on the Soprano’s tour which was something I have always wanted to do. It was well worth the effort. When you arrive you get told to go behind the bus and inside the car is an actor from the show. The actor was one of Tony’s guys who gets caught out at a gay club – for those that watch the show. It was a bit sad as we took a photo and then he took me to his boot and he opened it up and wanted to sell some of his merch – cups, Tees, posters etc. I felt sorry for him so I picked up a poster from him. The tour was thorough with the tour guide who knows every fact about the show and the actors. He didn’t stop talking about it for the full 4 hours. The tour took us out of NY and into New Jersey where the show is based. First up they showed us the landmarks that are seen in the opening credits, where the pilot episode was filmed and where Tony took his first tablet on the golf course. You should be able to pick these from the photos in the album. We saw the first baseball field in the US and then made our first stop – the bar where Christopher gets shot at. After some photos we went to where Tony’s butcher/deli used to be – pulled down since the show finished – very sad as this is what most people were looking forward to. I haven’t seen the last episode yet but the last scene takes place in an old diner where Tony says they have the best Onion Rings. He may or may not get ‘whacked’ in here but it is up to the audience to decide. We were taken to the diner where we each got a bag of onion rings and had photos taken in the booth which Tony was last seen in. The highlight of course was when we went to visit the Bada Bing – Tony’s Strip Club. It is a fully functioning strip club and we had 45 mins to enjoy it. Funny enough – the tip I gave the dancer was twice as much as I gave the tour guide ($1). But they were worth it.
Luckily we got the chance to see a sporting match in NY. Best case scenario was to see the NY Knicks in Madison Square Garden but it was the off-season and while I was there they had the 2008 Draft Picks so instead we got tickets to go and see the New York Yankees vs Texas in Yankee Stadium. The stadium is being pulled down at the end of this year so it was the last chance to see the original stadium in use. The stadium is in the Bronx but was easy to get too. There are bars lined up all along the stadium and they all have an electric atmosphere before the match. The seats we had were great – perfect view down to the field. All around us were fathers and their kids – just like the movies where they can get away from their house, meet up with other dads and their kids and enjoy themselves. Also the Yankees ended up winning!
That last evening after the baseball we headed down to Times Square for a few night photos and a drink in one of the hotel rooftop bars before heading back.
http://picasaweb.google.com/crilly6453/NewYork
About 2 months after I started this I finally make my way back to update you on all that I have been up to – and it is a lot!
So in that time I have been to see Pete Doherty play Royal Albert Hall. It was his biggest gig yet but the space was too big for him – much prefers him in the bar across the road from home.
I also went to the Barbican with Helen and her mum to see music from the movie ONCE being performed live by the actual actors from the movie. It was really good and you must see that movie or track it down on Amazon. During the performance Helen and her mum were talking and making jokes which made the usher come and shine bright lights in our eyes to quiet them down. They will never be invited to something like this again!!
I have also got he chance to see Tim Rogers perform live in London – a very intimate show where he was able to show his wit to a mostly inebriated audience.
London also had the world premier of the new X Files movie and HMV had an exclusive Interview with the director and producer. If you were one of the first 6 to ask a Q then you got tix to the premier – I just missed out!
http://picasaweb.google.com/crilly6453/XFiles
Since then I have opened 2 new factory stores – 1 in Manchester and 1 in Somerset where they have great Cider. Great tipple.
About a month ago Helen was asked to do a feature on Castles which have hotels in them and her editor said she could organise to go and stay in any that she wanted. She chose two – one in the Isles of Scilly (IOS) and another in Ireland. We visited the one in Scilly first – which is right down off the coast of the UK. We took a small plane to Cornwall – the plane stopped at Torquay and let some passengers off and picked up a few more and then took off (for only 10 mins) and landed in Cornwall. The weather wasn’t much to talk about but I was finally able to see some UK surf as we went to check out the beach in between our flight to the islands. Jamie Oliver’s first 15 restaurants are on the beach and we tried to get in but they were fully booked so we dived into some cider at the surf pub. The flight to IOS was in a tiny plane with only 12 seats in it. The cockpit was about a meter away and the pilot was also the trolley dolly.
We got to the island and then were picked up and taken to the castle/hotel where we dropped our bags and headed straight for dinner. The food was great and as we weren’t paying I ordered the Lobster and scoffed it down. The next morning we were up and booked ourselves on a boat trip to visit each of the islands in the Isles. We spent about 2-3 hours on each island to do what we wanted. H and I pretty much got lost and each time made it back to the boat late which we received dirty looks for.
The town was nice and cozy and on the last night we wanted to go to the local pub for the pub quiz so scoffed our free dinner and took off to the pub to catch the end of the quiz. After listening to the answers at the end reckon we would have been able to win it had we been there.
http://picasaweb.google.com/crilly6453/IslesOfScilly#
The next trip happened just last weekend where we were invited to go to review a castle in Ireland’s County Mayo. The PR agency paid for Helen and my flights from London, 2 days car hire, 2 nights accommodation, 2 dinners, a forest walk with Ireland’s school of falconry and a facial for Helen. I have decided we shouldn’t have to pay for another holiday ever.
Ashford Castle http://www.ashford.ie/index.php
is a 5 STAR Luxury Hotel on about 300 acres of perfect land which includes multiple gardens, falconry school, horse riding yard, clay shooting and archery field. We arrived and drove through the front gates which led to the castle’s bridge and were greeted by a flock of staff all willing to help. We were given a tour of the inside of the castle on the way to our room – which was huge and had a view right over the biggest loch on Ireland. Through the entire stay, when room doors were ajar I checked to see the size of the other rooms and none we as big as ours.
We went for dinner in the restaurant. The chef has won Ireland Chef of the year 2 years running and he impressed. The service was spot on with our waiter being the most helpful person ever to grace a restaurant. For a main I ordered the roast beef. I was asked at what temperature I wanted the beef when it was served!?!? And when it finally came out it was wheeled out on a carving table where other diners asked if there was a dead body under the lid. We then went to the dungeon bar for an Irish sing song.
The next day we had breakfast – I had fresh trout with olive oil and lemon. I must get that cooked for me for breakfast more when I am at home… We then headed out for a drive through the Irish countryside and through terrain that took our breath away. We came across some sheep on the road which I proceeded to chase and then headed back to the castle as we had lined up a forest walk with Ireland’s school of falconry. We were taken to the aviary where we were introduced to all the hawks and falcons before we each donned a leather glove and handed our own Hawks. They were used to people so I didn’t have to worry that they would start pecking my face. As you can see in the video they return for food.
FALCON VIDS
The guide was a really nice guy who knew what he was doing. It was an amazing experience when we walked through the forest as we sent the birds off and as we walked they would follow us and swoop right over your head and maneuver through the tight spaces while in flight. All we needed to do was put our hand out and then would swoop in from wherever they were and land on our arm. There are not many chances to do something like this in your lifetime. After our walk we went back to cage the birds and we were offered to take the owl out for a flight. He was a big bugger weighing 4 pounds with really huge feet. He was a really good looking bird and his approach from the ground to your arm was something of beauty. It would have cost us each €180 = about $400 i.e. we would never have had the cash to do that in the first place.
Talking about Ireland - Who wants to watch some Gypsies fighting? i know I do!!
Helen had to rush off for a facial so I went for a walk in the grounds but got lost and was late getting to the spa where I drank fruit smoothies in the bubbling spa. We had dinner in the cottage which the head chef owned that was on the castle’s grounds. More pub food than the meal we had the night before but good none the less. The next day we checked out and headed to a recommended town where a good lunch was to be found. On the way we went past the local waterfalls and found a pub that was playing Gaelic football on the big screen. A bloody good trip!
Then on Tuesday – 2 nights ago Pete put on another secret gig right across the road from our flat and Helen found out about it, kept it secret and I rocked up not knowing anything about it. As I hadn’t heard about it not many others had either so the place was only ¾ full. Pete being Pete did not decide to show up until 1am so everyone waited a very long time but he showed up and put on a good show.
Last night was Nike’s end of year party which was held in Niketown. We were ushered in and handed champagne on arrival. After eating the risotto, hamburgers and other dishes they went into the awards ceremony which I did not win anything. But straight after that they invited the special guest out – Didier Drogba out for a Q&A.
For those of you not into football – Drogba is Chelsea’s top man and number 1 goal scorer in the premier league – a huge deal. Here is a quick clip of him in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TghFDziC05c the place was also decked out with Nike Wii’s with experts to help us drunks know how to play the games. They also had a DJ with dancers. I have a clip to show you what they were like… I would not have thought it would have been allowed at an official event…
http://picasaweb.google.com/crilly6453/Drogba#
That’s pretty much up to date now. I will try to not have such a gap in between the next update.
Tropic thunder vid
Billy Mitchell
Until next time…. Back up the tree I go.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Hey Squirts, Nic here!
Helen has been chewing my ear off saying that it has been a while in between posts so here we are again.
Remember: CLICK PHOTO ALBUMS (the small ones with the border) TO EMBIGGEN AND SEE THE WHOLE ALBUM!
And as per ususal – SCROLL DOWN AND LOAD ALL THE CLIPS SO YOU CAN WATCH ALONG.
It has been a busy few weeks and it looks like there are a few more on the horizon before they let up. London weather is as rubbish as usual. We are in June – almost the height of summer – and it is raining and you can’t leave without a jumper just in case it changes.
Helen’s magazine – Food & Travel – runs competitions and a couple of weeks ago she sent me through the email address and correct answer and told me to enter it as she was too closely associated with the magazine to enter. I did and what do you know – I won the prize. On the back of all this I decided it may be my lucky day and entered 2 more competitions and – won them too. I won tickets, T-shirt, badge and collectors CD from up and coming band – Late of the Pier and won tickets to another band at the Barfly. I should have bought myself a lottery ticket! Anyway, back to the story. I won a 4 course lunch for 2 at the Sloane Square Hotel in Chelsea – just at the end of Kings Rd, the most expensive suburb in London. It was put on by Nautilus Wines and we got there for lunch and were greeted by the PR team – who were all Aussies and Kiwis. Handed a glass of champers we noticed it was a lunch with just 4 other couples and about 4 PR people. We met everyone and sat down for lunch. They had their personal sommelier flown from NZ there to talk us through the wines which were matched with each course. It was very nice and there ws no bottom to the wines so we drank like camels. When it was all over we were given our choice of any wine in their range to take home so we got 2 bottles too. But getting home, I have never had a headache which I would usually get in the morning but coming upon us at 8pm in the evening.
Last weekend Twickenham Stadium hosted the Rugby World 7’s which Helen and I attended. It didn’t take too much convincing to get her to give up a cherished weekend day to come along and it was worth it. The games were fast and the teams skills were pretty good. Australia made it to the Grand Final and took out the trophy in the end. As you can see in the picture we had been able to track Andrew Walker who was last heard of when he went Walkabout from the Wallabies.
Also last week I got tickets to go and see the film Gone Baby Gone. It was supposed to come out last year but due to the Madeline Mccann kidnapping and how similar the movie was – even though it was made 12 months before. We got to the cinema late so we were ushered to the Royal Box to watch the movie. At the end there was a special Q&A with Casey Affleck – Ben Affleck’s (who directed) brother who is the lead in the film. Would have liked to get a photo with him but we were stuck in the box.
At quite last minute Helen was asked to review a hotel on the Isle of Wight which is just off the coast of Portsmouth. We headed down after work on the train and once in Portsmouth we caught the ferry across the channel and into ‘the quiet life’. The Isle of Wight (IW from now on) was a compete change from London Life. Getting offthe ferry we walked down the 800m jetty and caught a taxi to the hotel – the Seaview Hotel. When we arrived we must have looked like the out of towners. They knew Helen was arriving so we were greeted at the front door by the manager where he checked us in and were taken up to our room.
The hotel, from the outside, looked like any other beachside hotel which you would find in Brighton but with histore going back to the 1800’s. There were pictures and posters of the Titanic which passed through the IW, and many other ship memorabilia. Our room though was something very different. I was skeptical that we would be staying in a musty old room but I was very very wrong. The room had just been furnished, had electric doors, touch lamps on mirrors, flatscreen TV and the pist de resistance – a tv in the bath with speakers around the room. I had just found a must that will need to be included in my next house. They went the extra mile with a note wecoming us to the hotel and to enjoy our stay.
Really impressed with our room we were a bit peckish so we headed down for dinner. We were there for 2 days with all expenses paid so we could eat anything tonight and know that we had another meal the next evening where we could order our second choices.
What was different was that all the waiters were told our names so for the entire meal and stay we were addressed as Miss Alexander and Mr Hargrave. The restaurant manager was brilliant – originally a sommelier from France he gave us free reign of the wine list. I spotted a £60 Cloudy Bay bottle of white from their limited stock and promptly ordered the bottle for us. For entrée I has IW scallops with Black Pudding and mash and Smoked Salmon on risotto. For main we both had fresh fish from the island. Desert was chocolate fondant and I had the trio of Passionfruit – milkshake, icecream and mouse.
The next morning we were greeted by surname – will never get used to that – for breakfast and then headed out to explore the island. The day before we only caught a glimpse so we headed off and walked down the ‘beach’. We walked for about an hour, while trying to find sand in between the stones and pebbles. The tide started to go out and it was a savior. The water receeded and I was introduced to what the English do – they go paddling. Not paddling like we would – but just removing our shoes and making sure we did not get wet anywhere above the ankle. The water and sand was refreshing as I had not felt it for about 12 months. We stoppedfor a bite to eat at acafe which served IW crab sandwiches – very tasty.
We decided to go and play a bit of ‘crazy’ golf so we paid and picked up our gear we walked to the ‘course’ which was the most decrepit looking putt putt course I have ever seen. You will be able to tell from the pictures how bad it was. The course was concrete with huge cracks and the holes were filled with dredged up water. Anyway – after dishing out an arse-whalloping to Helen we gave back our clubs and I walked to the left of the clubhouse/ice cream van and lo and behold there was another course which was in pristine condition with Astroturf and the works. We had played on the plebs local course which you didn’t need to even pay to play. Helen is here acting out disappointment.
After that disappointment we moved onto another (just joking – no, really). Helen had wanted to visit the Flamingo Park on the IW. We got there and bought a bit of birdfood to feed the locals with. Apparently it keeps them at bay. I was pleasantly surprised and we went and saw the meercats, touched an albino wallaby – from Tasmania – must have been inbred. The local birdlife all ate out of our hands and I even managed to severly piss off a bird which would have eaten my face if it got the chance. Finally we went to feedthe penguins – as you will see, much closer to them than any zoo.
Check out this mental bird:
We then headed back to the beach to do some scavenging. The tide was really out – about 800m from the shoreline. There were ample rockpools to go scrounging around in and we caught 2 fish, 4 crabs and no bloody fingers. It was a really nice day out with really no other people out and about. It was a really nice warm day and if we were in Brighton it would have been absolutely mad with people all fighting for a spot. As you can see from the photos, there was never to be that problem. It was a great day out and I headed back early to get myself aquainted with the tv in the bath before dinner. While in there I had a few candles lit for tv watching mood lighting. I closed my eyes and thought I heard the beginning of Mission Impossible – where the fuse is burning down before the explosion. Unfortunately it was really my hair and I realised I was having a Michael Jackson moment and had to put the fire out on my head. No harm done though.
We headed to the bar and had a cheeky drink before dinner. We chose another bottle of wine andsurfed the menu. We had asparagas with ptoatoe and garlic foam and tagalatelli with wild mushroom for entrée. For mains I had the fillet of beef and cottage pie and Helen had what I had the night before. Dessert was rubarb trifle and rubarb sorbet. The difference wa that on the top of the trifle was the candy you had as a kid which fizzed popped in your mouth. I had something weird too. I had pineapple mouse with cracked black pepper ice cream and sweet pepper and chilli sauce. Interesting.
The next day we checked out and left out bags so we could track down another hotel which had been told Helen would be on the islnd and had wanted to meet for a drink so we headed around the coast of the island and came across the Manor. It was a spralling manor which we easily got lost in. unfortunately we turned up Sunday when we ringinally said we would be Saturday so the manager was not there but we did relax with a drink and had a quick bite for lunch. The hotel was of a much grander scale then the Seaview Hotel but the food was not up to standard so we bade them farewell and headed back to the hotel for Helen to view some of the other rooms then got the ferry back to Portsmouth.
Before heading back to London I took Helen to visit my factory store in Portsmouth with had just opened after a refit. We checked out the outlet centre then got the train. On the way back some idiot kids forgot what stop we were at and once the train just started to leave (one stop before we were home) they decided to pull the emergency break and hope they could get off. Unfortunately they were hunted down and hopefully given ASBOS. Unfortunately for us the train was at a standstill for 1 hour – 5 mins from our last stop. Idiot chavs!!
I just got the updates of the next factory store openings that I will be doing – which will keep me very busy.
Livingstone – Scotland – August 4
Street – Somerset – August 12
York – Midlands – October 10
All dates could very possibly change.
In other news there is a good chance Ed will be coming back to London for a visit. He is going to do a Scandinavian sojurn before and I am sure he will love it – even if it cleans out his bank account thouroughly. So looking forward to more detail on that front.
And now for the pain in the arse newsflash. In 3 weeks Helen and I are heading to New York. We booked our flights with Zoom Airlines – the same as what we did before we traveled to Australia late last year. And at that time they called a few weeks before we were to leave that the departure flight had been cancelled and they did not have another flight for us. Well the same happened today. Same call and same excuse. We went into over drive and luckily I was able to find the same dates for flights. Unfortunately it is with American Airlines which I have used previously and did not like at all. If we had to change dates we ould have lost all our hotel bookings, sopranos tour and restaurant reviews that we had organised, but luckily I was able to get a full refund and book with AA. So the trip is still on, hiccups and all.
Now for Nic’s Education Corner
Here is a TV show which I watch religiously - don’t let that put you off. The guy who hosts (Simon Amstell) is a great comedian which I have a clip here of too. Check it out:
Never mind the buzzcocks
And a few weeks ago I talked up a clip from a new movie coming out (a few blogs below). I now have a second clip but of a different sort. I have included it as our new favourite superhero is Iron Man and this is a different side to him. See if you can work out what movie they will be from.
Trailer Park Tuesday
I went to see this film last week. A very good English film.
Here is a blast from the past. Wonder where the news reader is now?
My next dark horse for what will be unseen movie of the year:
And a Documentary worth tracking down:
American Teen
And for those of us trapped overseas I have the perfect way to pass the time. Watch this first part and just follow the links to the rest of the episode. You will have to drop into the middle of the season though…
Fans Vs Favourites
And I showed you a clip last time – and here is the real thing….
Wall-E Spotted in LA! from Blink on Vimeo.
Until next time…. Back up the tree I go.
Helen has been chewing my ear off saying that it has been a while in between posts so here we are again.
Remember: CLICK PHOTO ALBUMS (the small ones with the border) TO EMBIGGEN AND SEE THE WHOLE ALBUM!
And as per ususal – SCROLL DOWN AND LOAD ALL THE CLIPS SO YOU CAN WATCH ALONG.
It has been a busy few weeks and it looks like there are a few more on the horizon before they let up. London weather is as rubbish as usual. We are in June – almost the height of summer – and it is raining and you can’t leave without a jumper just in case it changes.
Helen’s magazine – Food & Travel – runs competitions and a couple of weeks ago she sent me through the email address and correct answer and told me to enter it as she was too closely associated with the magazine to enter. I did and what do you know – I won the prize. On the back of all this I decided it may be my lucky day and entered 2 more competitions and – won them too. I won tickets, T-shirt, badge and collectors CD from up and coming band – Late of the Pier and won tickets to another band at the Barfly. I should have bought myself a lottery ticket! Anyway, back to the story. I won a 4 course lunch for 2 at the Sloane Square Hotel in Chelsea – just at the end of Kings Rd, the most expensive suburb in London. It was put on by Nautilus Wines and we got there for lunch and were greeted by the PR team – who were all Aussies and Kiwis. Handed a glass of champers we noticed it was a lunch with just 4 other couples and about 4 PR people. We met everyone and sat down for lunch. They had their personal sommelier flown from NZ there to talk us through the wines which were matched with each course. It was very nice and there ws no bottom to the wines so we drank like camels. When it was all over we were given our choice of any wine in their range to take home so we got 2 bottles too. But getting home, I have never had a headache which I would usually get in the morning but coming upon us at 8pm in the evening.
 |
| Nautilus Lunch |
Last weekend Twickenham Stadium hosted the Rugby World 7’s which Helen and I attended. It didn’t take too much convincing to get her to give up a cherished weekend day to come along and it was worth it. The games were fast and the teams skills were pretty good. Australia made it to the Grand Final and took out the trophy in the end. As you can see in the picture we had been able to track Andrew Walker who was last heard of when he went Walkabout from the Wallabies. |
| Rugby 7's |
Also last week I got tickets to go and see the film Gone Baby Gone. It was supposed to come out last year but due to the Madeline Mccann kidnapping and how similar the movie was – even though it was made 12 months before. We got to the cinema late so we were ushered to the Royal Box to watch the movie. At the end there was a special Q&A with Casey Affleck – Ben Affleck’s (who directed) brother who is the lead in the film. Would have liked to get a photo with him but we were stuck in the box.
At quite last minute Helen was asked to review a hotel on the Isle of Wight which is just off the coast of Portsmouth. We headed down after work on the train and once in Portsmouth we caught the ferry across the channel and into ‘the quiet life’. The Isle of Wight (IW from now on) was a compete change from London Life. Getting offthe ferry we walked down the 800m jetty and caught a taxi to the hotel – the Seaview Hotel. When we arrived we must have looked like the out of towners. They knew Helen was arriving so we were greeted at the front door by the manager where he checked us in and were taken up to our room.
The hotel, from the outside, looked like any other beachside hotel which you would find in Brighton but with histore going back to the 1800’s. There were pictures and posters of the Titanic which passed through the IW, and many other ship memorabilia. Our room though was something very different. I was skeptical that we would be staying in a musty old room but I was very very wrong. The room had just been furnished, had electric doors, touch lamps on mirrors, flatscreen TV and the pist de resistance – a tv in the bath with speakers around the room. I had just found a must that will need to be included in my next house. They went the extra mile with a note wecoming us to the hotel and to enjoy our stay.Really impressed with our room we were a bit peckish so we headed down for dinner. We were there for 2 days with all expenses paid so we could eat anything tonight and know that we had another meal the next evening where we could order our second choices.
What was different was that all the waiters were told our names so for the entire meal and stay we were addressed as Miss Alexander and Mr Hargrave. The restaurant manager was brilliant – originally a sommelier from France he gave us free reign of the wine list. I spotted a £60 Cloudy Bay bottle of white from their limited stock and promptly ordered the bottle for us. For entrée I has IW scallops with Black Pudding and mash and Smoked Salmon on risotto. For main we both had fresh fish from the island. Desert was chocolate fondant and I had the trio of Passionfruit – milkshake, icecream and mouse.
The next morning we were greeted by surname – will never get used to that – for breakfast and then headed out to explore the island. The day before we only caught a glimpse so we headed off and walked down the ‘beach’. We walked for about an hour, while trying to find sand in between the stones and pebbles. The tide started to go out and it was a savior. The water receeded and I was introduced to what the English do – they go paddling. Not paddling like we would – but just removing our shoes and making sure we did not get wet anywhere above the ankle. The water and sand was refreshing as I had not felt it for about 12 months. We stoppedfor a bite to eat at acafe which served IW crab sandwiches – very tasty.
 |
| Isle of Wight |
We decided to go and play a bit of ‘crazy’ golf so we paid and picked up our gear we walked to the ‘course’ which was the most decrepit looking putt putt course I have ever seen. You will be able to tell from the pictures how bad it was. The course was concrete with huge cracks and the holes were filled with dredged up water. Anyway – after dishing out an arse-whalloping to Helen we gave back our clubs and I walked to the left of the clubhouse/ice cream van and lo and behold there was another course which was in pristine condition with Astroturf and the works. We had played on the plebs local course which you didn’t need to even pay to play. Helen is here acting out disappointment.
After that disappointment we moved onto another (just joking – no, really). Helen had wanted to visit the Flamingo Park on the IW. We got there and bought a bit of birdfood to feed the locals with. Apparently it keeps them at bay. I was pleasantly surprised and we went and saw the meercats, touched an albino wallaby – from Tasmania – must have been inbred. The local birdlife all ate out of our hands and I even managed to severly piss off a bird which would have eaten my face if it got the chance. Finally we went to feedthe penguins – as you will see, much closer to them than any zoo.
Check out this mental bird:
We then headed back to the beach to do some scavenging. The tide was really out – about 800m from the shoreline. There were ample rockpools to go scrounging around in and we caught 2 fish, 4 crabs and no bloody fingers. It was a really nice day out with really no other people out and about. It was a really nice warm day and if we were in Brighton it would have been absolutely mad with people all fighting for a spot. As you can see from the photos, there was never to be that problem. It was a great day out and I headed back early to get myself aquainted with the tv in the bath before dinner. While in there I had a few candles lit for tv watching mood lighting. I closed my eyes and thought I heard the beginning of Mission Impossible – where the fuse is burning down before the explosion. Unfortunately it was really my hair and I realised I was having a Michael Jackson moment and had to put the fire out on my head. No harm done though.
We headed to the bar and had a cheeky drink before dinner. We chose another bottle of wine andsurfed the menu. We had asparagas with ptoatoe and garlic foam and tagalatelli with wild mushroom for entrée. For mains I had the fillet of beef and cottage pie and Helen had what I had the night before. Dessert was rubarb trifle and rubarb sorbet. The difference wa that on the top of the trifle was the candy you had as a kid which fizzed popped in your mouth. I had something weird too. I had pineapple mouse with cracked black pepper ice cream and sweet pepper and chilli sauce. Interesting.
The next day we checked out and left out bags so we could track down another hotel which had been told Helen would be on the islnd and had wanted to meet for a drink so we headed around the coast of the island and came across the Manor. It was a spralling manor which we easily got lost in. unfortunately we turned up Sunday when we ringinally said we would be Saturday so the manager was not there but we did relax with a drink and had a quick bite for lunch. The hotel was of a much grander scale then the Seaview Hotel but the food was not up to standard so we bade them farewell and headed back to the hotel for Helen to view some of the other rooms then got the ferry back to Portsmouth.
Before heading back to London I took Helen to visit my factory store in Portsmouth with had just opened after a refit. We checked out the outlet centre then got the train. On the way back some idiot kids forgot what stop we were at and once the train just started to leave (one stop before we were home) they decided to pull the emergency break and hope they could get off. Unfortunately they were hunted down and hopefully given ASBOS. Unfortunately for us the train was at a standstill for 1 hour – 5 mins from our last stop. Idiot chavs!!
I just got the updates of the next factory store openings that I will be doing – which will keep me very busy.
Livingstone – Scotland – August 4
Street – Somerset – August 12
York – Midlands – October 10
All dates could very possibly change.
In other news there is a good chance Ed will be coming back to London for a visit. He is going to do a Scandinavian sojurn before and I am sure he will love it – even if it cleans out his bank account thouroughly. So looking forward to more detail on that front.
And now for the pain in the arse newsflash. In 3 weeks Helen and I are heading to New York. We booked our flights with Zoom Airlines – the same as what we did before we traveled to Australia late last year. And at that time they called a few weeks before we were to leave that the departure flight had been cancelled and they did not have another flight for us. Well the same happened today. Same call and same excuse. We went into over drive and luckily I was able to find the same dates for flights. Unfortunately it is with American Airlines which I have used previously and did not like at all. If we had to change dates we ould have lost all our hotel bookings, sopranos tour and restaurant reviews that we had organised, but luckily I was able to get a full refund and book with AA. So the trip is still on, hiccups and all.
Now for Nic’s Education Corner
Here is a TV show which I watch religiously - don’t let that put you off. The guy who hosts (Simon Amstell) is a great comedian which I have a clip here of too. Check it out:
Never mind the buzzcocks
And a few weeks ago I talked up a clip from a new movie coming out (a few blogs below). I now have a second clip but of a different sort. I have included it as our new favourite superhero is Iron Man and this is a different side to him. See if you can work out what movie they will be from.
Trailer Park Tuesday
I went to see this film last week. A very good English film.
Here is a blast from the past. Wonder where the news reader is now?
My next dark horse for what will be unseen movie of the year:
And a Documentary worth tracking down:
American Teen
And for those of us trapped overseas I have the perfect way to pass the time. Watch this first part and just follow the links to the rest of the episode. You will have to drop into the middle of the season though…
Fans Vs Favourites
And I showed you a clip last time – and here is the real thing….
Wall-E Spotted in LA! from Blink on Vimeo.
Until next time…. Back up the tree I go.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Smoke 'em if you got 'em
Hey Squirts, Nic here!
Since we last spoke there has been some big goings on in the town I currently call home.
Since we last spoke there has been some big goings on in the town I currently call home.
Now to go and see the photo gallery you will have to click on the pitures. so click away and you will be taken to the photo gallery.
6 months ago I was given a date by Helen to make sure I had off from work. Well I had no idea what it was and last Thursday I was told I had to be up at 6am and ready to leave at 7am. Well up I was and on the tube with no idea of where we were going. I had thought maybe we were off for a day in an English town somewhere. Well I was very surprised that we ended up in Kings Cross – which links up with St Pancras Station. I was then given an envelope which had a picture of soup and said that we were off to a Soup Festival. St Pancras gave me an idea of where we may be headed as the Eurostar had just recently moved to depart from this station.
We were booked on the 8.50 train to Lille, France. Before we got on we celebrated with a bottle of champagne and then traveled for 1 ½ hours through to France. We got out at Lille and went and explored the city. Unfortunately it was May 1, which is a stop-work day for most of Europe. That meant that the tube service wasn’t working and that we had to take a taxi. When we got to the village there was a market going on which sold things we weren’t interested in – no soup – yet…
So, as any good travelers do, we headed to the pub for a few drinks to ponder where the festival was. With our limited French we were able to ascertain that the festival didn’t begin until 3pm on the dot so we made ourselves comfy and settled in for an afternoon session. After a few pints we went and explored the town which was gearing itself up for festivities. We found a tent and found out we had to buy a small bowl for around £2 and when the fest started we could fill our bowls up everywhere for free.
3 o’clock came around and it was everyman for themselves. This was for a competition for the Golden Ladle and we started with the 1st prize winner from last year which was a group from Brazil. And they had the goods – but we were bale to find as good as we toured the streets. Everyone who participated were amateurs and had rustled together the best soup they could make or had been made during their childhood. And the best thing was there were no other tourists around – this was a very local event which we were lucky enough to be involved in.
There were probably about 50 different soups that were able to be tested – all to varying degrees of success mind you… on the 9.30 train back to London we were ready for another weekend of busy-ness.
Friday at 3pm we got a ring on the doorbell and who is there but Ed and his girlfriend Katrina here for the long weekend. They came bearing gifts and we had a great catch up as it has been almost 3 years since seeing Ed. After a few drinks we headed down to the local pub – The 10 Bells which has been open since the 1600’s and is where Jack The Ripper used as his drinking hole and has been used in the movie ‘To Hell’ with Johnny Depp. Ed is not a drinker but I wouldn’t let him pass through London without trying the famous ‘room temperature’ beers that they are famous for. He only had a small one but it was more than enough for him.
We then headed down to Shoreditch where I had booked a table at a Vietnamese restaurant which Helen and I had been to before. It was busy and we ordered but when our meals came Ed had ordered a dish we had last time and it looked very different but apparently it was the right dish. I ordered flame grilled pork belly which sounded good. When it arrived it was in a soup and the ‘crackling’ was non existent. The fat was just that and there were 3 boiled eggs in there with it. Not choosing that again. We also found out that Katrina would hammer a nail into her hand for £20 000. That’s a bit expensive.
 |
| Mr Ed in London |
The next day Katrina was going to meet up with her friends so I took Ed on Nic’s Grand Tour of London™. We first went to see a photographic exhibition which gave Ed some inspiration for photos he was going to take. From Piccadilly we went through Green Park to Buckingham Palace to The Horse Guards to 10 Downing Street to Big Ben and Westminster to Westminster Abbey to The Eye to Trafalgar Square (where Ed needed a sit down as he wasn’t used to tramping around London. He even shouted me a Starbucks as a bribe to sit down so we sat on Nelson’s Column – get your minds out of the gutter – in Trafalgar square. Then we went to the National Gallery to The South Bank to Oxo Tower to St Paul’s Cathedral – where we got in free because of evensong – to Tower of London to Tower Bridge and then back home. We were pretty buggered but Helen was putting on her Lasagna which was just what everyone needed. After dinner we relaxed and then headed to Brick lane for a drink. It was god weather so it was pretty packed but we got a table and brought Jenga out for a game. We got a pretty high tower but I was the one who lost that game. Luckily the bar closed and I didn’t have to buy the round.
On Sunday we headed to Regent’s park for a walk then through Primrose Hill into Camden. After the girls left to visit their friends we caught the bus to Oxford Circus and visited Niketown and the Apple Shop. Ed was very impressed and we even didn’t believe it when we went to the table to play around with the new Apple Phone and found that you were allowed to call anyone on it to test it. You can’t even do that in a phone shop. We then headed back to brick lane where I bought a bootleg copy of Iron Man only to find that once at home it was not that movie at all. For dinner we had Turkey and then watched another dud copy of There Will Be Blood which was good but the DVD was not. Monday morning they headed off and we wished them well on their way.
Then a week of work.
Then the weekend again. They need to come around more often than they do. On Saturday Helen and I headed up to see her parents for the day. Helen’s mum met us at the station and we headed back to theirs where we all loaded up a picnic and headed to Cliveden http://www.clivedenhouse.co.uk/default.asp?Page=gardens Lesley booked both Helen and I tickets on the boat cruise that goes down the Thames. Unfortunately there was a mix up with the boat drivers so we had the picnic first. The spread was superb with 3 – yes Three – types of pate along with everything else that was laid out. We had our fill then headed onto the boat ride for a meander down the river. When we got back we had strawberries for dessert and then played a bit of Frisbee which I had brought from home. Phil has a good arm on him and Helen is ever improving. We then headed back to the car and headed to their home where Phil and I did an inspection of the house that is being built next door. Seems like it’s too small for a 4 bedroom house. |
| Clifton Picnic + Longwave |
We settled into the garden and read the newspapers and I decided it had all been a bit much so I closed my eyes and fell asleep. According to a photo so did Phil. When we came to we decided on going for a bite of dinner to the best Italian in town then head back to the station where we headed to Camden to see a band.
Those of you who are fans of Something for Kate will remember this band we saw. I remember Sharpy, Patto, Chiari and maybe Hoppy were there. We were at the Great Northern in Byron Bay – doing our usual following of either S4K for Jebediah as they played the East Coast. There was a support band this one time from New York called Longwave. We liked them but other than that support slot we never got to hear of them. This was in about 2001. I found out hey were playing 1 gig in London and went to see them. They have gotten heavier/louder but are as good as they were back then.
Pete has been let out of jail and has rescheduled the solo show he was supposed to play. Here is a good clip of what he is really like:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/video/2008/may/06/pete.doherty.jail
Also DSHAR2 aka Dane Sharp – Harbourtown Nike Store Manager has released another single off his new album. Check it out:
And as it is my job to introduce you to new things, here is something that wasn’t on my radar until just recently and I think that you will enjoy it. It’s a show called Peep Show and this is the very 1st episode. You can track the rest down on You Tube…
And my new section:
Trailer Park Tuesday:
Hang in with this one…
And my prediction of the sleeper hit of the year….
Until next time…. Back up the tree I go.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Ahoy peoples
Once again scroll down and start the loading of the accompanying videos. I also wanted to ask what people thought of The Thick of It which I posted last time. Did many of you get to watch it?
Well it has been another busy few weeks but at least I have something to show for it.
Last week was what is termed a ‘low key’ week. It has been a very busy week at work with Helen’s magazine going to print and me having to help out with recruitment for the Ground Floor at Niketown. Luckily the GM made the decision to close the store for 2 week. Unfortunately he had a brain fade when he still decided that HR, VM and logistics still had to come to work. Damn Shame.
So to just last weekend we had to make a jaunt to an area that is known as the Cotswolds. It is a series of small little towns just under Birmingham (which is a hole) but tucked away in the English countryside. It has a serpent’s like river running through it with small bridges that cross it at regular intervals. You may remember the town which hit the headlines last year when Britain had huge flooding and when you see the pictures and how shallow the water is – there is no wonder why they had it worse than others.
We caught the train up after work on Friday. The hotel (http://www.dialhousehotel.com/flash/index.html) looks like it is quite remote but when you arrive we found it to be right in the centre of the small town. If you have a look at the way the website is designed and then my photos – they have got it spot on. The manager of the hotel had organised a cab for the journey from the train station. When we arrived we were escorted straight up to our room and told what time to be down for dinner. The room was a nice size with a view of the town from the window. At our allotted time we headed into the bar where we were given a bottle of Champagne to have while we perused the menu. While doing both we had appetizers come compliments of the chef. I cannot for the life of me remember they were – just that they were delicious. We also ordered a bottle of Sicilian to have with dinner which was delicious too. We were escorted to the dining room and started with honey glazed bread. For starters I had the Shellfish Soup, braised fennel, rouille croute – which was exactly like the dish I ordered while in Wales for the previous review – but this was far superior. This was the to set the theme for the night. For the main I had the Pan-Fried Fillet of Scottish Beef, seared foie gras, carrot puree, Madeira jus
which was marginally better than what Hoppy used to cook up at O’Brien’s back in the day. Dessert was great too. Not many times you can say that a place pulled it off flawlessly.
The next day we spent around the town which is very quaint. We even found a place that did deep fried Mars Bars for £0.70. didn’t have the guts to have one though.
During that week we had London Restaurant week where all the top places – including Michelin Starred - in London had 3 course lunches for £15 and 3 course dinners for £25. as you can imagine places book up fast but I was able to get a table at the top chef Richard Corrigan’s restaurant – Bentleys Oyster Bar in Mayfair. http://www.bentleys.org/restaurant/overview/. It was a good meal with a weird main of crumbed sole with bones intact. Made it a bit difficult to eat. Lovely place there but would be usually full of high end businessmen – not plebs like us.
On Monday Helen orgnaised tickets for us to atenda screening of a movie from the East London Film Fest. We saw a movie called Mouth to Mouth which starred the main girl from Juno. It was about her trip through Europe. A really good movie worth seeing if it gets limited release.
On Wednesday we went to see Cut Copy play at Scala. They were very good but when we compared them with The Presets who we saw 2 wweks earlier, Cut Copy just didn’t have the crowd in the palm of their hand like The Presets did. The day before CC did a free DJ set 5 mins from home on Brick Lane at Rough Trade East.
Cut Copy DJ Set
Category: Music
Date: 22/04/08
Location: Rough Trade East Store, 91 Brick Lane, London
Postcode: E1 6QL
Join Cut Copy for a DJ Set at the Rough Trade East store
Cut Copy are set to return in 2008 with the shimmering timelessness of In Ghost Colours and will be marking their return with a free DJ set at the Rough Trade East store. Haunted with machines of the past and sounds of the future, In Ghost Colours inhabits the kind of space in time where trends are irrelevant and music is about feeling rather than following and 1969 is just as relevant as 2020. At once both jacking and jangly, electronic and organic, Cut Copy have crafted a record filled with glorious sounds and moods and that unashamedly pops with hooks and melodies for eons...You can watch Cut Copy on the wheels of steel on Tuesday April 22nd from 7pm to 9pm. No wristbands or guest list needed for this event, just pop down
Hopefully these videos work….
Big news is that Eduardo Murillo is coming to London. It may have taken him 5 years to get his arse into gear but he has done it. He will be here for the long weekend and will be able to sleep once he gets back to Barcalona. Hopefully I will be able to get tickets for us to see Morgan Spurlock do an interview. He is the guy who did Super Size Me – 1 month eating nothing but McDonalds – and Where in the World is Ossama Bin Laden coming out very soon.
I just saw that they are advertising for a Mighty Boosh Festival. All those in the know will be wondering what it entails.
On the weekend Helen and I headed to the Real Food Festival held at Earls Court. it was only supposed to be a visit as it was going to cost AU$50 to get in but because Helen's magazine had a stand we had free entry. so what was originally going to be an hour turned into 5 with the attempt to sample all 50o stalls in the venue. and when we finally got around to them all and start a new round we found the best part of it.
There were about 30 wine stalls with 6-8 different bottles to try in each stand. What the deal was, is that you had to go and buy a wine glass for £1 and then you take your glass to each tsand and try their selection ofwines. So about 200 wines we had to get through for a lazy squid which was the best deal going in London. It was really nice going around the show and seeing the passion that these people had for their product - most of them just husband and wife teams tyring to get their food off the ground. And it was even better that the wine stands were manned by temps who just wanted a chat and fill your glass - rather than the producer who would have seen us coming and know we weren't interested in buying - just drinking.
On Thursday of last week they had the World Premier of Iron Man. I got some pics below.
Heidi just got back from her 27 day jaunt around Europe. Loved: Austria, Switzerland & Amsterdam. Loathed: Athens & Italy. She is now off around the UK. Good luck at looking at all her photos.
Last night I won tickets to a pre screening of Joy Division that I went to with Helen. It gives a good back ground to a group that would have become something big.
Hot tip:
Also here is a must see!!
Until next time…. Back up the tree I go.
Once again scroll down and start the loading of the accompanying videos. I also wanted to ask what people thought of The Thick of It which I posted last time. Did many of you get to watch it?
Well it has been another busy few weeks but at least I have something to show for it.
Last week was what is termed a ‘low key’ week. It has been a very busy week at work with Helen’s magazine going to print and me having to help out with recruitment for the Ground Floor at Niketown. Luckily the GM made the decision to close the store for 2 week. Unfortunately he had a brain fade when he still decided that HR, VM and logistics still had to come to work. Damn Shame.
So to just last weekend we had to make a jaunt to an area that is known as the Cotswolds. It is a series of small little towns just under Birmingham (which is a hole) but tucked away in the English countryside. It has a serpent’s like river running through it with small bridges that cross it at regular intervals. You may remember the town which hit the headlines last year when Britain had huge flooding and when you see the pictures and how shallow the water is – there is no wonder why they had it worse than others.
We caught the train up after work on Friday. The hotel (http://www.dialhousehotel.com/flash/index.html) looks like it is quite remote but when you arrive we found it to be right in the centre of the small town. If you have a look at the way the website is designed and then my photos – they have got it spot on. The manager of the hotel had organised a cab for the journey from the train station. When we arrived we were escorted straight up to our room and told what time to be down for dinner. The room was a nice size with a view of the town from the window. At our allotted time we headed into the bar where we were given a bottle of Champagne to have while we perused the menu. While doing both we had appetizers come compliments of the chef. I cannot for the life of me remember they were – just that they were delicious. We also ordered a bottle of Sicilian to have with dinner which was delicious too. We were escorted to the dining room and started with honey glazed bread. For starters I had the Shellfish Soup, braised fennel, rouille croute – which was exactly like the dish I ordered while in Wales for the previous review – but this was far superior. This was the to set the theme for the night. For the main I had the Pan-Fried Fillet of Scottish Beef, seared foie gras, carrot puree, Madeira jus
which was marginally better than what Hoppy used to cook up at O’Brien’s back in the day. Dessert was great too. Not many times you can say that a place pulled it off flawlessly.
The next day we spent around the town which is very quaint. We even found a place that did deep fried Mars Bars for £0.70. didn’t have the guts to have one though.
During that week we had London Restaurant week where all the top places – including Michelin Starred - in London had 3 course lunches for £15 and 3 course dinners for £25. as you can imagine places book up fast but I was able to get a table at the top chef Richard Corrigan’s restaurant – Bentleys Oyster Bar in Mayfair. http://www.bentleys.org/restaurant/overview/. It was a good meal with a weird main of crumbed sole with bones intact. Made it a bit difficult to eat. Lovely place there but would be usually full of high end businessmen – not plebs like us.
On Monday Helen orgnaised tickets for us to atenda screening of a movie from the East London Film Fest. We saw a movie called Mouth to Mouth which starred the main girl from Juno. It was about her trip through Europe. A really good movie worth seeing if it gets limited release.
On Wednesday we went to see Cut Copy play at Scala. They were very good but when we compared them with The Presets who we saw 2 wweks earlier, Cut Copy just didn’t have the crowd in the palm of their hand like The Presets did. The day before CC did a free DJ set 5 mins from home on Brick Lane at Rough Trade East.
Cut Copy DJ Set
Category: Music
Date: 22/04/08
Location: Rough Trade East Store, 91 Brick Lane, London
Postcode: E1 6QL
Join Cut Copy for a DJ Set at the Rough Trade East store
Cut Copy are set to return in 2008 with the shimmering timelessness of In Ghost Colours and will be marking their return with a free DJ set at the Rough Trade East store. Haunted with machines of the past and sounds of the future, In Ghost Colours inhabits the kind of space in time where trends are irrelevant and music is about feeling rather than following and 1969 is just as relevant as 2020. At once both jacking and jangly, electronic and organic, Cut Copy have crafted a record filled with glorious sounds and moods and that unashamedly pops with hooks and melodies for eons...You can watch Cut Copy on the wheels of steel on Tuesday April 22nd from 7pm to 9pm. No wristbands or guest list needed for this event, just pop down
Hopefully these videos work….
Big news is that Eduardo Murillo is coming to London. It may have taken him 5 years to get his arse into gear but he has done it. He will be here for the long weekend and will be able to sleep once he gets back to Barcalona. Hopefully I will be able to get tickets for us to see Morgan Spurlock do an interview. He is the guy who did Super Size Me – 1 month eating nothing but McDonalds – and Where in the World is Ossama Bin Laden coming out very soon.
I just saw that they are advertising for a Mighty Boosh Festival. All those in the know will be wondering what it entails.
On the weekend Helen and I headed to the Real Food Festival held at Earls Court. it was only supposed to be a visit as it was going to cost AU$50 to get in but because Helen's magazine had a stand we had free entry. so what was originally going to be an hour turned into 5 with the attempt to sample all 50o stalls in the venue. and when we finally got around to them all and start a new round we found the best part of it.
There were about 30 wine stalls with 6-8 different bottles to try in each stand. What the deal was, is that you had to go and buy a wine glass for £1 and then you take your glass to each tsand and try their selection ofwines. So about 200 wines we had to get through for a lazy squid which was the best deal going in London. It was really nice going around the show and seeing the passion that these people had for their product - most of them just husband and wife teams tyring to get their food off the ground. And it was even better that the wine stands were manned by temps who just wanted a chat and fill your glass - rather than the producer who would have seen us coming and know we weren't interested in buying - just drinking.
On Thursday of last week they had the World Premier of Iron Man. I got some pics below.
Heidi just got back from her 27 day jaunt around Europe. Loved: Austria, Switzerland & Amsterdam. Loathed: Athens & Italy. She is now off around the UK. Good luck at looking at all her photos.
Last night I won tickets to a pre screening of Joy Division that I went to with Helen. It gives a good back ground to a group that would have become something big.
Hot tip:
Also here is a must see!!
Until next time…. Back up the tree I go.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
I'm over Easter...
Over Easter I headed down to West Sussex – just above Brighton in the country side to spend Easter with Helen and her parents. We spent the first day walking the hills and the second we decided to visit a town call Ferring which was on the ‘English Seaside’. So we ended up on the beach and I was dressed in cargo pants, T, jumper and rain jacket – and just to top it all off once we were down on the water’s edge it started snowing.
I had the last week off. I just took some time off to do a major assignment for the Employment Law course that I am doing. I spent ½ the week doing that – being strapped to a laptop and tapping the keys. In between I got the chance to see The Panics who played The Barfly in Camden. They were good but they will need to get much better to be able to break into the scene over here. But it was all worth it as on the weekend Helen and I headed to Wales to do what we do best – take advantage of any freebies that may come our way. Helen’s work had scheduled a 2 night visit to Wales. We stayed in a lovely hotel called Peterstone Court which was right on the bank of a river. We arrived, had a beautiful lunch and then went for a walk along the river. While we were on the walk I saw tadpoles where the mud met the water so I went down to scoop one up when…. I slipped straight into the river. Now that’s not the best look to have when you are supposed to be reviewing a 4 Star Hotel and you come into the foyer – where there is a wedding taking place – sopping wet from the waist down.
I had the last week off. I just took some time off to do a major assignment for the Employment Law course that I am doing. I spent ½ the week doing that – being strapped to a laptop and tapping the keys. In between I got the chance to see The Panics who played The Barfly in Camden. They were good but they will need to get much better to be able to break into the scene over here. But it was all worth it as on the weekend Helen and I headed to Wales to do what we do best – take advantage of any freebies that may come our way. Helen’s work had scheduled a 2 night visit to Wales. We stayed in a lovely hotel called Peterstone Court which was right on the bank of a river. We arrived, had a beautiful lunch and then went for a walk along the river. While we were on the walk I saw tadpoles where the mud met the water so I went down to scoop one up when…. I slipped straight into the river. Now that’s not the best look to have when you are supposed to be reviewing a 4 Star Hotel and you come into the foyer – where there is a wedding taking place – sopping wet from the waist down.
On both days full breakfast and 3 course dinner with bottle of wine was provided. The kitchen has a Michelin Starred chef who cooked our dinner. It was divine – see photos attached. Peterstone was once a huge manor and it seemed like each room had its own fireplace or view out onto the property.
On the second day we hit the road to descover the hills of the Brecon Becons. We climbed until it started raining. On the way up 2 fighter jets roared through the valley and on the way down I encountered the Welsh Cow. They were the most lovely docile creatures to get up close with. We then headed to the Caves but once there couldn’t part with £22 to go in and have a look around. For lunch we headed to Breckon but lets just say it was a hole with a lot of pregnant teenagers walking around it. That evening we headed back and had another great dinner in the main dining room – which had been used the previous night by the wedding party.
Up early the next morning we checked out and headed to a town called Hay-on-Wye which is what they call a book town. It is a tiny little town which has 30 secondhand bookshops – found in anything from a tiny shop to an entire old cinema and castle. Really needed a few days to be able to chew through that town. They had a specialty shop which made ice-cream from sheep’s milk – which made it a lot more smooth that cow milk.
On the way back home Helen had organised another 3 course lunch with drinks to be reviewed by her magazine. It was a lovely place with a real homely feel. – Pics also attached.
Since then it has been back to the grinding board at work. We have had lovely weather last week. It got up to 18 degrees on Friday and today (Sunday) it decided to snow. Sitting at my desk overlooking Oxford/Regent Street we had the Olympic Torch come down the road.
I also went and saw the movie The Assassination of Jesse James by the coward Robert somethingorother. It was a bit of a long one - 3 hours I think. Interesting watch since you are waiting the whole movie for the name of he movie to happen. It's definitely worth a watch but might not translate tothe small screen.
Now for some hot tips...
If you are inthe market for a good book I suggest tracking this book down. Its a great grim read...Also you can check out what Ed's been up to:
Thursday, March 27, 2008
It's Been a Hard Day's Night
Hey all
Before we start I suggest you start loading the videos below so that when you get to them they will play immediately for you. Off you go now – scroll down and press play a couple of times.
Well here I am a week after opening the new Hatfield Factory store. We completed a full 3 day induction which I did with the help of the store manager of Swindon and a few guys from Niketown as well. We held it at a very swanky leisure centre on the site of the old London Airport. Inside the hangers where the jumbo’s used to park are now filled with indoor tennis courts and swimming pools. That all went smoothly and it’s funny how quickly you can pinpoint the troublemakers. Unfortunately my new store manager decided to resign the Friday before induction started so I was left high and dry with only an assistant store manager who was promoted from Niketown. Luckily I also had a footwear manager and his partner who I got from the Mitzgen factory store in Germany who applied for positions in store.
After a week of load-in and several 12 hour days (luckily this was the area manager’s job and I was able to go back to work and catch up on work and sleep) the day before opening we organized the grand opening party to be held at a restaurant. The food and drink flowed until we all realised we had to be at the store in a few hours so headed back to the ‘poor’ Quality Hotel which we were put up in. The day of the grand opening I put together a PowerPoint presentation that lead from day 1 to opening and then a few words from the management team which began the champagne flowing – at 8am in the morning. 150 people were waiting at the front doors and once the doors opened it was all out of my hands and sat back and watched. Luckily that day I interviewed a possible store manager with the GM of the factory stores and he was perfect so this week I have him being trained up in our Essex store and then straight into Hatfield.
I will have the email that was sent around the UK announcing the opening when I get back to work.
I hope everyone had a good Easter. Mine was spent in West Sussex which is in the English countryside pretty much right above Brighton. Helen and I went down the Friday morning and immediately headed out for a walk through the rolling hills. It was supposed to me a miserable day but we managed to find the dry patches of the day when we were outside. After the walk we headed back to our Hotel and then to Helen’s parent’s holiday flat (just across the road) for some bubbly and then off to Arundel – the UK version which has its own castle. We had dinner at a place that never disappoints – unlike some of the places we have had to review for Helen’s magazine.
The next morning we headed to the seaside town of Ferring – I think that’s how it’s spelt – to have a walk on the beach. Now I have been to the beach plenty of times but this was the first time I was in cargo pants, T, thermal jumper and waterproof jacket. So while I was down on the waters edge where people swim in summer, it started SNOWING! We then headed to the Fish Factory for exactly that where I had a taste of mushy peas with the fish and chips – not good but not bad. And doing what we do best, 4 hours later we were back in West Sussex for dinner at a pub before heading home to London.
On Sunday we met up with Heidi who was off for a 27 day trip around Europe – going all the way down to Greece and back up again. That will open here eyes to things she didn’t expect to do while over here. She is backing London for 3-4days before she is off on another trip for 2 weeks around the UK.
In the Time Off magazine over here there is a competition which Helen and I are doing to win a few prizes. I will have to get some of you to fill in the answers for us so we get as many entries into the draw as possible. It is a treasure hunt around London where you collect clues and then submit them online. If you can then great – if not then just don’t then…
On Thursday there was the official opening for the movie The Orphanage which had both the director and producer – Guirillimo Del Toro (who also did Pan’s Labyrinth – a definite must see). The screening was sold out a week in advance but that wasn’t going to stop me. I waited and waited and as the movie started 4 spare tickets went on sale and I got one and ducked into the packed cinema. Hard enough to find a seat in the dark of a cinema let alone one with only 4 spare seats… When it opens in Aus it will be a must see. Best not to read anything about it before seeing it. It might be at the Art centre or something as it is Spanish with subtitles but worth searching for. Unfortunately Del Toro was sick and the Q&A afterwards was only with the director but was great anyway.
I have a hot tip for you over there. If you are now a fan of The Office – not counting you mum – then I have found a gem that will probably not get a release in Aus so I have put a link here so you can watch the first episode then watch the rest on youtube. Do yourself a favour and stick with it. Like the office there are so many great lines but it will take a few watching’s to pin them all down.
THE THICK OF IT
Last night we went to see a small band playing in the UK for the first time – The Panics – from Perth. They went down really well and are apparently trying to break into the market so will be back a few times this year.
Heading to our first Hotel review on Sunday but have to pick up a car and drive it into London on Saturday as they are closed on Sunday. Will probably have a brain explosion trying to find my way back in.
I think anyone watching TV in he 80/90’s will be looking forward to this. Check it out….
Another hot tip for a movie a little way off that is going to be coming out about August. It is a comedy called TROPIC THUNDER. Any movie that has Robert Downey Jr playing a white man playing a black man – who is such a method actor that he stays in his black persona until he finishes doing the commentary for the DVD is champagne comedy in my books.
I got to see The Presets playing a small gig in London Uni last week too. Coming up in the next couple of weeks is another Hotel stay in the Cotswolds and then seeing Longwave – a band that supported Something For Kate a few years ago in Byron Bay – who are playing at the Camden Barfly, Cut Copy who are doing a medium sized gig, Pete Doherty solo paying the biggest gig of his life at Royal Albert Hall in front of 6000 people, Dirty Pretty Things playing their gig launch, Love Music Hate Racism free concert in East London where Babyshambles are playing, Black Kids (get on board if you are not already – next big things) and then the International Rugby 7’s being played at Twickenham.
And now try to guess what they are doing test shots for here….
No sleep for the wicked.
Until next time, back up the tree I go.
Before we start I suggest you start loading the videos below so that when you get to them they will play immediately for you. Off you go now – scroll down and press play a couple of times.
Well here I am a week after opening the new Hatfield Factory store. We completed a full 3 day induction which I did with the help of the store manager of Swindon and a few guys from Niketown as well. We held it at a very swanky leisure centre on the site of the old London Airport. Inside the hangers where the jumbo’s used to park are now filled with indoor tennis courts and swimming pools. That all went smoothly and it’s funny how quickly you can pinpoint the troublemakers. Unfortunately my new store manager decided to resign the Friday before induction started so I was left high and dry with only an assistant store manager who was promoted from Niketown. Luckily I also had a footwear manager and his partner who I got from the Mitzgen factory store in Germany who applied for positions in store.
After a week of load-in and several 12 hour days (luckily this was the area manager’s job and I was able to go back to work and catch up on work and sleep) the day before opening we organized the grand opening party to be held at a restaurant. The food and drink flowed until we all realised we had to be at the store in a few hours so headed back to the ‘poor’ Quality Hotel which we were put up in. The day of the grand opening I put together a PowerPoint presentation that lead from day 1 to opening and then a few words from the management team which began the champagne flowing – at 8am in the morning. 150 people were waiting at the front doors and once the doors opened it was all out of my hands and sat back and watched. Luckily that day I interviewed a possible store manager with the GM of the factory stores and he was perfect so this week I have him being trained up in our Essex store and then straight into Hatfield.
I will have the email that was sent around the UK announcing the opening when I get back to work.
I hope everyone had a good Easter. Mine was spent in West Sussex which is in the English countryside pretty much right above Brighton. Helen and I went down the Friday morning and immediately headed out for a walk through the rolling hills. It was supposed to me a miserable day but we managed to find the dry patches of the day when we were outside. After the walk we headed back to our Hotel and then to Helen’s parent’s holiday flat (just across the road) for some bubbly and then off to Arundel – the UK version which has its own castle. We had dinner at a place that never disappoints – unlike some of the places we have had to review for Helen’s magazine.
The next morning we headed to the seaside town of Ferring – I think that’s how it’s spelt – to have a walk on the beach. Now I have been to the beach plenty of times but this was the first time I was in cargo pants, T, thermal jumper and waterproof jacket. So while I was down on the waters edge where people swim in summer, it started SNOWING! We then headed to the Fish Factory for exactly that where I had a taste of mushy peas with the fish and chips – not good but not bad. And doing what we do best, 4 hours later we were back in West Sussex for dinner at a pub before heading home to London.
On Sunday we met up with Heidi who was off for a 27 day trip around Europe – going all the way down to Greece and back up again. That will open here eyes to things she didn’t expect to do while over here. She is backing London for 3-4days before she is off on another trip for 2 weeks around the UK.
In the Time Off magazine over here there is a competition which Helen and I are doing to win a few prizes. I will have to get some of you to fill in the answers for us so we get as many entries into the draw as possible. It is a treasure hunt around London where you collect clues and then submit them online. If you can then great – if not then just don’t then…
On Thursday there was the official opening for the movie The Orphanage which had both the director and producer – Guirillimo Del Toro (who also did Pan’s Labyrinth – a definite must see). The screening was sold out a week in advance but that wasn’t going to stop me. I waited and waited and as the movie started 4 spare tickets went on sale and I got one and ducked into the packed cinema. Hard enough to find a seat in the dark of a cinema let alone one with only 4 spare seats… When it opens in Aus it will be a must see. Best not to read anything about it before seeing it. It might be at the Art centre or something as it is Spanish with subtitles but worth searching for. Unfortunately Del Toro was sick and the Q&A afterwards was only with the director but was great anyway.
I have a hot tip for you over there. If you are now a fan of The Office – not counting you mum – then I have found a gem that will probably not get a release in Aus so I have put a link here so you can watch the first episode then watch the rest on youtube. Do yourself a favour and stick with it. Like the office there are so many great lines but it will take a few watching’s to pin them all down.
THE THICK OF IT
Last night we went to see a small band playing in the UK for the first time – The Panics – from Perth. They went down really well and are apparently trying to break into the market so will be back a few times this year.
Heading to our first Hotel review on Sunday but have to pick up a car and drive it into London on Saturday as they are closed on Sunday. Will probably have a brain explosion trying to find my way back in.
I think anyone watching TV in he 80/90’s will be looking forward to this. Check it out….
Another hot tip for a movie a little way off that is going to be coming out about August. It is a comedy called TROPIC THUNDER. Any movie that has Robert Downey Jr playing a white man playing a black man – who is such a method actor that he stays in his black persona until he finishes doing the commentary for the DVD is champagne comedy in my books.
I got to see The Presets playing a small gig in London Uni last week too. Coming up in the next couple of weeks is another Hotel stay in the Cotswolds and then seeing Longwave – a band that supported Something For Kate a few years ago in Byron Bay – who are playing at the Camden Barfly, Cut Copy who are doing a medium sized gig, Pete Doherty solo paying the biggest gig of his life at Royal Albert Hall in front of 6000 people, Dirty Pretty Things playing their gig launch, Love Music Hate Racism free concert in East London where Babyshambles are playing, Black Kids (get on board if you are not already – next big things) and then the International Rugby 7’s being played at Twickenham.
And now try to guess what they are doing test shots for here….
No sleep for the wicked.
Until next time, back up the tree I go.
Monday, March 17, 2008
First Factory Store Opening
Well - Hatfield - My first Nike Factory store opening is about to happen. Employee induction happened last week for 3 long days and now we are expecting to have a soft opening today for a few hours and then the grand opening will happen tomorrow morning at 10am.
Everyone involved is heading up to Hatfield tonight for the store opening party which will happen at a restaurant and then who know were it will lead...
Everyone involved is heading up to Hatfield tonight for the store opening party which will happen at a restaurant and then who know were it will lead...As you probably can see - this is not a blog that I could do up myself. As Eduardo is over here at the moment I got him to set this up for me. So what I will do now is send this out whenever I get the chance to update it.
So a big shout out to the Man - Ed. Hopefully once he has a break in his jaunts around Eyrope he will free up some scheule to do some travelling with me. It seems like he is doing more travelling than working at the moment.
In the near future because Helen is an editor at Food&Travel Magazine, we are being sent to 2 hotels over the next couple of weeks to review them. Life is hard at the top.
I will have updates on how these went once I get back. One is in Wales and the other is in the Cotswolds.
March 30th - April 1stTwo nights here http://www.peterstone-court.com/ with dinners, breakfasts and hopefully a spa treatment - yippee!
April 18thOne night here with dinner and breakfasthttp://www.dialhousehotel.com/
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Amsterdam
Hello,
Well first day back at work. Lots to do… off to Braintree for interviews tomorrow then CC will be here on Fri, on Sat is mothers day so going to Helens parents for the night then on Sunday there is a small festival we are going to.
Amsterdam was AMAZING. I think we really did all we could in the 3 days. We got up Saturday morn at 4am and went to the train station to find there were no trains running so had to dash to another station.. The trip is quicker than flying GC to Sydney. We arrived and they had a good train system to get to Amsterdam. We stayed at a place called the True Love Guesthouse. It was right on a canal and was split level. Very nice and central – you will see once I load the photos.
Of course we needed to eat so we went to a long walk around the city to a market where there was a huge Turkish restaurant in an old mosque. I ordered a chicken kebab pita and when it arrived it was the biggest thing I had seen. I thought I would only eat half but finished it so quickly Helen was only ˝ way through her lunch. I picked up some cherries at the market too. After the lunch we walked a bit more and came across a very camp cake shop where we had dessert. It was really nice but very pink. On the walk we went passed the Heineken brewery and Anne Frank’s House but it was too long a line so didn’t go in. Maybe next time…
Later that after day we went to visit one of Helen’s friends who lived a bit out of town in Utrecht. Caught the train out and went for a drink in the small town centre then went to an underground cavern for dinner. Great little town and – I can say this about everyone I met in Holland – so friendly. Finished up there at about 11 and came back to the city.
The next morning we were up early and off to find the best pancake place in Amsterdam. It was really good. Crepes just how mum likes them – with lemon and sugar. It was so good we went back the next day for another one.
After a bite we decided to do as the locals and go and hire bikes to travel on. What a great idea – so easy to get around and cover long distances which would have killed the legs. We had to go to a restaurant which was all paid for so we could review it for Helen’s magazine – which will be out in Aus in March (Food & Travel Magazine http://www.foodandtravel.com/) we got lost but a lovely man and lady did their best to point out the right direction. When we found it was a new restaurant balancing on an old railway bridge that swivels over the river – you will get it when you see the pictures.
Once again I was hungry so we tracked down the best croquets in the city. It was in an old bar which gave memories of Spain’s small bars where the make everything in front of you while in butcher jackets. This was a much better option than the fast food which is famous here. There are vending machines which you get hotdogs/hamburgers etc from when you pump in a few Euros. The authentic place had the most simple buns and toppings but I didn’t go as far as having the tartar bun with onion – raw mince with onion sprinkled on top. I kept ordering one by one and would have kept going had we not had a free dinner coming up which was organised by the tourism department I tried to get a photo but they were not having it. Reminded me a bit of Royston Vesey in the Gentlemen series.
After lunch we checked out a few more sights and visited a ‘coffeehouse’ which is something I had not encountered before. Amazing how liberal they were. We hit a few bars and then and got ready for dinner. Can’t say that I have ever travelled to a fancy restaurant on a bike before let alone Helen all in a dinner dress and on bicycle.
Unfortunately the place was very new and the staff didn’t have much of a clue so there were more problems than praise. And then at the end we walked out and they asked us to pay some of the bill as they got a different email from the tourist office – but we got out of paying as we had out email on us. How rude… after dinner we headed into the red light district – that was something different. I can tell you there were some wrong-uns there. And not able to take any photos either.
On the last day we visited the tulip museum and went to a few other markets around the town before heading for pancakes and visiting another place that cooks all their sandwiches and meat on site – very rare in these parts. After biking and drinking the town we took the bikes back and had a big meal before heading back to the airport.
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