A short break in Guernsey, enjoyed it as much if not more than the first time, despite the slightly inclement weather. And then a long weekend in York, accompanied by dawn to dusk sunshine…
redandwhiterag
Colchester Comedy
Two very different comedy events in Colchester last week. A theatre production and a stand-up, poles apart in subject matter and approach and both extremely funny…..
O Lucky Man!
Has it come to this? Last night’s gig was a 70 year old Geordie who walked out on the Animals at the height of the band’s fame and once had a reputation for being ever so slightly chippy. However, that would hardly phase any Van Morrison fan, even if true…
Trying To Stay Optimistic
As United snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, it’s hard for any United fan to remain optimistic, especially as there was almost a sad inevitability about the results yesterday. It’s a hard old life supporting this club……leaving the Premier league under harsh circumstances on the last day of the season and now this.
Northumberland Break
Excellent few days in Northumberland and North Yorkshire. Good to revisit Corbridge, Hexham etc. after many, many years away. Also got to the very picturesque village of Blanchland, which I never managed to visit when living in Sunderland all those years ago. Lovely Abbey, and the famous Lord Crewe Arms, visited by W. H. Auden Philip Larkin, Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears amongst others. It …
Less Than Kind
Less than Kind at Colchester’s Mercury Theatre on Friday night – James Wilby and Sara Crowe took the leads in the Terence Rattigan play. Full of period detail, a lively comedy that had quite a lot to say in an understated and typically British way. Well worth a trip if the production comes anywhere near you (unless you’ve an aversion to some of the slightly …
Three Days In London
Excellent break in London, good hotel at great rate (always a plus for a Yorkshireman), theatre, exhibitions and “attractions”! Very successful combination….
Noises Off at the Old Vic
Noise Off at the Old Vic yesterday. Can’t recommend the production highly enough; great cast, belly laughs galore – I could usually watch farce all day long and hardly raise a smile but Frayn’s 1982 “farce about a farce” is still achingly funny. As an aside, the cast busts a gut for 2 hours every night plus matinees twice a week but footballers “get tired” …
Theatre Binge….
Just totted up that we have booked around ten visits to the theatre over the next three months or so. After due consideration, that’s quite a lot of theatre. Mainly at Colchester’s Mercury with an occasional foray into London. Looking forward them all……..
Galapagos Islands
Amazing wildlife, beautiful scenery, interesting natural/geologic history, unique. That’s what we were promised…and we weren’t disappointed. You read up about a trip like this (it was a long time in the planning) and you hope at least 50% of what you learn proves to be true.
Air Travel
I must endeavour to find out more about the psychology of travel, particularly flying. I genuinely want to understand this almost pathological desire to be up out of the seats as soon as we’ve touched down, crowding the gangways so no-one else can move unless you’re one of the ‘early adopters’.
Rhythm Festival 2011
First time at this event, drawn by the eclectic line up and mixture of the new and some stalwarts from the 60s and 70s. Held near Biggleswade (well, other side of the A1 at the Mansion House, Old Warden). Held over three days of the Bank Holiday weekend, how did it fare….