Christmas Shopping

It's meant to be my annual Gentlemen's Christmas Shopping Night in a few hours but illness and age has withered the group down to me. As I don't fancy solo drinking in town this year's is postponed. Fear not though, here's a post I've rescued from my old blog site on this highly significant event.

The Festive Season is upon us already and the shops are open late, hoping to tempt us into spending more money. Is there really a credit crunch with added liquidity problems ?

The run up to Christmas sees the local shops open late on a Thursday evening to help those who can't go during the normal hours. Many years ago a friend and I took advantage of this and we still do to this very day. As we were young and fancy free back in the day we decided that after our respective shopping trips we'd meet up and review each other's purchases. As most of the shops are on Strand Street and cafe don't open late it was decided the meeting would take place in the Waterloo for ease.

I arrived early clutching one very small package only to find my shopping counterpart already at the bar and similarly unencumbered with festive ware but ready for a nights drinking. And "lo" as the angel said Gentlemen's Christmas Shopping Night was born. Just an excuse to have a couple of drinks with friends.

Over the years the night has expanded to take in a larger number of similarly minded folk. Anyone is welcome as long as they are carrying a small piece of Christmas related stuff, preferably purchased on the night. My favorite for some years was a string of tinsel but I now have more of this than I have tree to hang it from so my range of purchasing has extended to gift tags. New members of the shopping Night sometimes get carried away with the concept and actually bring proper shopping. Shame on you. You're a man in a pub.

Excess on the Shopping Night can cause the liquidity problems referred to earlier. Drink responsibly and just as importantly drink up, there's time for one more before last orders.

Originally posted Dec 2007

On the Buses 111

                                                            

You wait ages for a bus blog and then three come along in short order. You might want to read my previous blog on the Isle of Man's government owned bus company and it's desire to buy and run bendy buses.
 
From Bus Vannin's original announcements it appeared that any bendy buses would be used on selective general service routes through out the Island. Although why a vehicle with a capacity of 149 passengers was needed was never explained. The latest communication from bus HQ is that they plan to use these buses on school routes, replacing two double deckers with one bendy on popular school runs. As there are 49 seats that would mean that up to 100 children could be standing at any one time. I don't think safety has been looked at with this and also the cost of running these behemoths has not been revealed.
 
On the safety aspect in the UK it's generally agreed that it's one child; one seat hopefully with a seatbelt although this is where legislation gets complicated (doesn't it always) what age is the vehicle? Is it a bus or a coach? The Welsh Assembly has cut through this and made it compulsory for all school buses to be fitted with seat belts from October 2014.

It might be worth any parents asking the school, education authority and bus company:

If your child is standing on a school bus, you can complain , you can ask you local authority what their safety assessment is for this procedure, [ they must have a written safety assessment for this ] as in - How safe do they think this is, a child standing with school bags etc.- What would happen if the bus were to suddenly brake, how is your child protected-What happens to your child plus their bag which in fact become a a weapon to other passengers.
 
I took this wording from a UK school bus website.

It will all end in flames or a traffic island

Douglas Bay

                                                                   

I was out for a brief stroll this morning. Just to blow the cobwebs away and stretch a few muscles. My route took me along Douglas Promenade. The bay looked fantastic. The water was as flat as a mill pond. A few yachts were doing their thing beyond the Tower of Refuge. In the far distance the hill of Cumbria were visible. Moving rapidly across the water was the RNLI lifeboat, it's throaty engines breaking the tranquility. A great winter's day in the Isle of Man.

I've no doubt though that at some stage next week 20 plus mph winds will drive rain into my face whichever way I turn.

I will enjoy today for what it is.

                                                      Douglas Bay:that's more like it.

                            Tower of Refuge, Douglas Bay, on a clear winter's day           

On The Buses II

I wrote an earlier blog on an industrial dispute between Bus Vannin and their drivers. I am forced to write an another blog about this Isle of Man Government transport entity as they are threatening to get some bendy buses.

There's several things about this turn of events that I'm surprised about. Firstly they really should sort out the labour dispute with the drivers before they start on anything else. From the minister at the Dept of Culture, Communities and Leisure downwards this department have continually shown themselves unable to master one issue never mind several.

The main thing is though, does the Isle of Man need or want bendy buses? They were trailed in 2009 and although the minister at the time and the senior civil servants championing these buses claimed it was a success the public felt the opposite. Our roads, even the main ones, are narrow I fail to see how it will be practical to operate these vehicles on 10 or 12 island routes as the minister claims. As can be seen from this BBC graphic

 the capacity is 149 passengers. I've travelled on quite a few IOM buses over the years where I've been the only passenger so I'm not sure why these extra seats are needed. Someone in that department has an agenda that they need these buses. I think it's down to boys toys as was seen with the desire to buy a new locomotive for the heritage steam railway they run.

Then there's the cost. Minister Cregeen reckons he can pick these beauts up at £40k a pop while selling a few spare double deckers at up to £25k each. If second hand buses are so cheap why did Bus Vannin spend upwards of £100k each on new singledeck (non bendy) buses only a few years ago.

Like the wages this is a shambles but one we the tax payer will end up paying for.

I'm not against articulated transport and travelled on it frequently in Las Vegas.

A bendy bus in happier times.

More details on these buses can be found at this BBC site although I note it's all town and no countryside.

Hunted - Hebburn

Thursday night TV has been on a bit of an up recently and it's nothing to do with Sky Atlantic for once. BBC1 has seen Hunted for the last 4 or 5 weeks. It's a bit like a private sector Spooks. To be honest the plot has lost me but the action is fast paced and there's plenty of hand to hand combat. The star of the show is Melissa George, formally of Home and Away. She fights her way out of any tricky situation whilst surprisingly never being punched in her pretty face. Often these very physical assaults are carried out while wearing a woolly hat. When not battering baddies into a pulp George can be found pouting, something she does well.

Her nemesis or is it only allie likes to dispatch opponents with a syringe to the eyeball. This is always difficult viewing. A more detailed blog on Hunted can be found on The Guardian's website .

Hebburn is on straight after Hunted at 10.00pm but does require a change of channel to BBC2. Starring comics Jim Moir (Vic Reeves)  and Chris Ramsay along with proper actress Gina McKee it follows the highs and lows of a newly married couple forced to move in with the groom's parents and live at home sister. Add into the mix the bride is Jewish in a gentile area and its humour all round. Some of the acting isn't that good but the jokes and situations the cast find themselves in make up for this. Well worth watching.

                                                         Sexy Shrek

Prenton Park

In a little less than three weeks I should be watching Tranmere Rovers play MK Dons at what I like to call the home of football; Prenton Park. It's been awhile since I saw the Superwhites play as the club always seem to put barriers in my way. A waterlogged pitch and re arranged playing times have caused much swearing and trips to the pub instead of the ground. Even this proposed visit hasn't been without it's changes. Saturday 17th Nov at 3.00pm seemed like a good time to kick off. Flights were booked, hotel reservation made, kick off moved to Friday 16th Nov 7.45pm. Whatelse should I really have expected?

I will not be defeated. Early morning flights for Friday had already been booked so I will be at the match.

In preperation for this Tranmere are on the TV next Sunday, the The FA Cup at Braintree Town. It's about time we had a cup run. SWA

On The Buses

I thought I dip my toe into the worlds of politics and industrial relations as the situation at Isle of Man Bus and Rail is starting to grate even someone as mild mannered as me.

A lot has been said and written regarding bus drivers employed in the IOM, some of it quite sensible such as that by political commentator Paul Speller .

From my point of view the bus drivers are paid too much but is this their fault? Of course not. Who, in their right mind would ever turn down a pay increase? The bus service in the IOM has been badly run for years. Successive directors of transport along with their civil service and political bosses have been weak and without vision. They don't really know why they have a bus service. Although at times it would appear that they like the idea of buying new large buses and running them around the island empty. Until they work out what service they should provide the whole thing will remain a farce.

Take the route to the airport. From Douglas at peak times it's every 20 minutes and takes about 20 minutes all for a tenth the price of a taxi. Ideal if you're price aware. The only thing is, there is virtually no luggage space on the fleet of new buses purchased only a few years ago. Poor planning. The bus management claimed they needed these new vehicles as some of the then fleet leaked in the rain. This is true as I have suffered from cancelled buses due to this fault. It was, however, hard to stomach these faulty buses being sold to UK operators who repaired them and are probably still using them in all weathers.

The new stock is brought out of capital expenditure budgets compared to wages which are from revenue although in the case of the drivers tax revenue rather than ticket sales and we always told these are different matters but to the man in the street money is money especially when it's his money.

The driver's union, Unite, isn't blameless either. They seem unable or unwilling to direct their members towards a settlement. They are after all paid by tax payers, many of who are struggling in the current ecomonic climate.  Strike action will result in lost wages which will soon bite. From memory  the drivers are still paid weekly which is always an advantage when faced with strike reduced wages. A monthly paid worker is much less likely to strike.

So the management need to improve themselves and the drivers need to be realistic in their salary expectations. I don't see this happening anytime soon.

Seattle Sounders - March to the Match

Continued from previous post.

On the ECS forums advise had been given that drinks should be finished by 6.30pm so that the "march to the match" could be joined. I wasn't quite sure where this was taking place so I just headed outside with the fans and made my way over to Pioneer Square, normally home to Seattle's homeless. These bums had cleared out and the Sq was starting to fill up in green clad Sounder's supporters. I've been to a few football matches over the years including a visit to Wembley but I had never witnessed anything like this. A marching band was playing in the centre of the square while the fans formed up into rows. 

Those with banners were to the front. Then the chanting. I can't remember them all but "fight or die" and "studs up Sounders" spring to mind. Finally we were off. The march had begun. Well I say march but really more of a stroll. At one point I saw a younger fan pull his scarf up over his face. I feared a kick off of some style or other but moments later a smoke canister was set off filling the street with a green haze.

Not really hardcore covering the face to avoid smoke. The route of the march wasn't long but we did go past FX McCory's, a Seattle bar with what I can only describe as a wall of whiskey. A fun time could be had in there. As we approached the CentryLink Field carpark the march just sort of broke up. It was certainly the strangest way I had arrived at a ground but good fun. I found the "will call" window to collect the match tickets. The woman behind the screen took great delight in making me confirm my address. The words Isle of  Man seem to be comic gold in The Emerald City.

The march hadn't taken as long as anticipated so a good look around shops inside and outside the ground was possible a beanie was purchased as was beer which can be drunk while watching the match. 

I can't recall to much about the game itself as the football wasn't to a very high standard but the atmosphere inside the ground made by the nearly 40,000 fans was great. Being in the Brougham End the ECS chanting was none stop. Again "fight or die" and "studs up Sounders" were there along with others. This constant chanting was led by guys at the front of the stand on raised platforms with their back to the game. They were helped out by a fellow not too far away from my seat whose energetic chanting and leaping around caused his tan coloured shirt to become darker with sweat.

The Sounders lost 1-2 to the Earthquakes but was an experience the whole match day was an eye opener. The American sure do know how to put on a show. 

  

Seattle Sounders

I was in Seattle, Wa recently for a few days R & R after 7 days in Las Vegas. I think it's called "decompression" these days. On the day I arrived Seattle's Mayor League Soccer team were taking on the table topping San Jose Earthquakes. Tickets were purchased for what would turn out to be a top 2 clash. Seats in the Brougham End with views over downtown Seattle's skyline. As well as this view the Brougham End is home to the Seattle Sounders selfstyled "ultras" the Emerald City Supporters or ECS. Rumours of Seattle's rainfall might be slightly exaggerated but there is plenty of the wet stuff which results in quite a lush green city which is where I suppose they get the name of Emerald City from.

With the tickets sorted some pre match action was needed. A visit to the ECS forums quickly ascertained that drinks before the game were positively encouraged. Music to my ears. Several venues were suggested including McCoys Firehouse and Fuel . As Fuel was encountered first, Fuel it was. More than an hour before the match and place was jumping with soccer fans, most sporting the X-Box logo of the Sounder's latest shirt sponsor. As always in a busy American bar a group of hard working waitresses where keeping the punters fed and watered. Having spent many an hour in pubs both in the Isle of Man and various UK towns and cities and experienced bar staff more interested in texting their mates I am always impressed by their hard working US counterparts. Must be the tips.

In order to cope with the influx of pre match drinkers a temporary extra bar had been set up. Without a cash till the waitress made full use of her assets to store the hundreds of dollars she had taken. It put a smile on my face as I drank my PBR.

Will continue this later.

American Airlines

Are American Airlines the world's worst? Probably not but they are rubbish. Over a 10 day period I took 4 flights with AA and all of them were delayed. Possibly it's my own fault for not checking the web and finding out about their labour dispute with the pilots. Mind you had I known this I might not have wanted to fly. We were 4 hours late out of Dublin. The reason given was the late arrival of the inbound flight. This a typical catch all response given by all airlines but it doesn't get to the heart of the matter as to why the plane was late leaving. Once we left Dublin I was disappointed to find out that the inflight entertainment was shown from a few ceiling mounted screens rather than the seatback stuff I and the rest of the travelling public are used to. Thank god for ipads and pods. Our Dublin flight was into Chicago and from there I was transferring to Las Vegas. I'd already been changed to a later plane due to the initial delay only to find that this was also not leaving on time as the previous flight at the gate was delayed. Change gate? No chance. At least 5 hours of Vegas time lost.

I flew from LV to Seattle with Alaska which was great. Took off and landed on time. All I really want from a flight.

My return from Seattle to Dublin was via Chicago and AA. Delayed leaving my about 15 minutes. It was a tight connection in Chicago to my mind for an international flight but good old American helped out with a three and a half hour delay. Plenty of time to make the gate. Again no seatback entertainment. To add insult to injury once we arrived in Dublin the tower made us wait 20 minutes for a gate. Naughty late plane.

Some more stuff on American.

Home Soil

I went, I saw and I conquered, well apart from one sandwich. Over the past two weeks I visited three of the worlds great cities; Dublin, Las Vegas and finally Seattle. I was only in the Irish capital to make a connection but this did afford me a day in the city centre. Visited a few of my favourite places including The Sackville Lounge off O'Connell Street and Bruxelles Bar off Grafton Street.

The handy thing about leaving for America via Dublin is that you clear US immigration and customs before you leave. It takes a lot of the hassle out of the process and means that once you arrive you're treated as a domestic passenger and can make your connection without having to go through security again. I was flying with American Airlines so was subject to delays. The two international flights were four and 3.5 hours late while the two internal were an hour and 30 minutes respectively. I am happy to report that the Air Alaska flight between Las Vegas and Seattle was on time and that if your luggage isn't in the carousal in 20 minutes you will be compensated. Good work. This flight was great, the sight of the highest Cascade Mountains poking through the cloud will be with me for ever; especially Mount St Helens and it's cratored top. The result of the 1980 volcanic eruption.

I will return to my trip in later posts.

Blogs Gold II

Rescued this from my old blog site. 1st posted June 2007

 

Crumpled Photograph

A few years ago when the latest exciting photographic equipment was a disposable camera, the crumpled photograph was an important and often moving sight.

Usually a former partner or close friend who had decided to distance themselves from you, a photo of them would be held in your hand, screwed into a ball and flung at the floor. For many unknown reasons this balled and crumpled item would find its way into a draw or under a sofa only to emerge many months or even years later. The rediscovery of the photo would no doubt provoke much soul searching of the what if or if only variety, along with hopefully a few happy memories.

These days with digital cameras and the growth in popularity of the camera phone the possibility of uncovering such images can be quickly be avoided with use of the delete button.

 

Some might call it progress.
 

I've added a new blog about  a modern photographic phenomenon. Click here to see it.

Vegas Baby

                                                                Old School Las Vegas

                                                                            
It's less than 2 weeks until my annual vacation. This year America, Las Vegas and Seattle to be precise. I'm never too sure what it is that drags me back every year but as this will be my 12th trip across the Atlantic so there must be some reason.

The almost shared language is a good start, even I can get by without a phrase book. The food can be something to behold from a chimichanga to a rare New York strip and everything in between. To be honest, it can all become a bit of a strain on the waist by the end with the ubiquitous fry turning up with everything. The burgers are always good though. This year I'm hoping to visit Stripburger on Las Vegas Boulevard. I just hope that the choices for the cheese burger are less than 10. More than that and I can't remember. Not sure were else I will be filling my boots apart from Toby Keith's as it's handy for the hotel on the 1st night.

Once Seattle is reached, the one place I will definitely be visiting is The 5 Point Cafe , always fun and feisty in there. Just watch world go by with a Miller High Life. Dive bar to the max.

Blogs Gold

Rescued this from my old blog site. Originally written October 2008.

 

Credit Crunch

According to what seems like an endless parade of spokesmen it's "business as usual" for all the many banks and finance houses effected by the on going credit crunch on the Island. Several have had their UK owners forced into mergers as specualtion about their ability to survive has driven down the share price to such a point that the company appears worthless. This must have an effect. If I saw on the TV news or read in a paper that the place I kept my nest egg was about to go down the swanny, I'd be there sharpish to get my money out and find somewhere better or safer at least. But perhaps some of these places are used to long lines of customers closing their accounts and questioning the basic financial soundness of the company that it just is "business as usual". Its not. There will eventually be a shakedown; places will close, jobs will be lost and those greedy so and sos who started it all will walk away with large payoffs while the staff who work to keep a roof over their heads and feed the family will be ones who suffer.

More Mile

One of the results of taking up a bit more exercise is the need to invest in some kit. A self wicking shirt was purchased along with some running socks. A lot closer to the event I popped in to a local discount store to pick up a hooded top and a waterproof as I didn't want to look like a bum on the start line. Some of what I have worn on hikes previously has to be 20 years old.

This new kit was spotted on my last hiking trip and comments were made. It's true, I'd like to complete these adventures in a tweed suit and hobnail boots. The best I've managed so far is a deerstalker.

Red Necks

Not a reference to Cotton Eye Joe the classic 1994 track from Rednex but merely the state of my neck. Enjoyed my first proper outing since The Parish Walk yesterday. Port St Mary to Port Erin via the coastal footpath and then back along Truggan Road. When this route was first suggested I was all for it thinking it would be a gentle stroll. It turned out to be more testing than I imagined. I should have know better as I've done this walk before. Beautiful scenes of the Calf of Man and the eastside coast. Then the sun came out. It had been dull when I left the house so no proctor was applied. Even once the we started I assumed it would be muggy but this quickly gave way to blazing sun. A rare treat this summer.

In fact so warm was it that I was forced to call into an ice cream parlour in Port Erin to seek iced products. As these were consumed several offers to drive us back to Port St Mary were made. I hope we didn't look like a couple of additional miles would finish us off.

Once back in Port St Mary we took on essential liquids in The Albert Hotel's beer garden/carpark.

Olympian Effort

With the London 2012 Olympic games getting into full swing and Team GB finally amongst the gold it's sometimes interesting to look back at how previous generations faired. My summer sport is cricket. Having followed the ups and mainly downs of England under the TCCB and laterly ECB it's been good the see a consistantly sucessful team over the past few years especially rebuilding after 2005 Ashes winning team quickly fell apart. Players complain about too many games these days. Could any of these crossing the rope tomorrow at Headingly emulate the Victorian cricketing gaint WG Grace?

From pictures seem of him in later life he was a big chap, Mike Gatting plus springs to mind. Like so many of us in younger life he carried a lot less. In 1866, when aged 18,  a day after scoring 224 no for All England v Surrey at The Oval WG attended the National and Olympian Association meeting at Crystal Palace and won the 440 yards hurdles. He was excused fielding that day. There's quite a few modern day players who take to the dressing room when there's a long day in the field.

Gulf Stream

The weather experts and by that I mean all of us are talking about the gulf stream being lower than normal. Lets been honest none of us really know what this means but it's comforting to have a reason for the successive months of wet and windy weather. The fact we live in a small island on the western side of the British isle is over looked. That's the cause of our wet weather. Makes the grass grow though.

I seem to have found myself in The Woody a few times over recent weeks and a good thing that is. Fine ales quaffed. Last Friday was a redundancy do. Not mine but I'm happy to help out. It's The British tomorrow for a leaving do. Hope my advise for the leaving gift was taken onboard. Booze, you can't go wrong with it.

Flaming July

Decided to take the 1st week of July as holidays as there's a double bank holiday. Seemed like a good idea at the time. The weather has somewhat defeated me, bibical downpours and when it's not raining grey skies. I have managed a few trips out, a spot of lunch and a few pubs visited including The British. Nothing to compare with "I don't want that foreign muck" comment from an old soak when told there was no Carling lager served following the refurbishment.

Also visited has been the continental market held on a rather wind swept Douglas Promenade. I'm not sure that this was the best place for it. I picked myself up a selection of cured sausages and some pungent French cheese. Might be time to stink the house out later.

The Parish Walk

Well, my task was completed. Competed in The Parish Walk round to Peel. I got off to a slow start as there was flooding at Braddan Bridge. Stuck there for about 15 minutes. After that increased my pace slowly. I hadn't walked the stretch from Marown to Santon before so was a little surprised by the rise in height. Still as a veteran of the north face of North Barrule it held no demons for me. I started passing people on this stretch, something that didn't stop. The best section for me was Santon to Malew. Covered those 4 miles in less than an hour and I now know where Santon Church is. The Arbory section and on through Colby can be a drag. Narrow pavements and the road still open means it can hard to pass other walkers, constantly stepping into the road.

I'd started to blister by then so a change of socks and some zinc oxide tape were applied in Colby, just off Colby Glen Road. Changed my hat as well. Fuelled by Jager from then on. One thing that I hadn't taken into account was the distance to some of the churches from the main road. A lack of planning on my part. I'm familiar with the climb out of Ballakillowey and onto The Sloc. It's here I started to fall out of love with The Parish. It wasn't the rain, the climb or my feet. It's "support" cars. I love the smell of burning clutch in the afternoon. A procession of cars stopping anywhere, others trying to pass them nudging into the area used by walkers. This when on all the way to the Roundtable, where I was offered a beer. I declined. From there a decent into hell or the west of the island. There are mile markers advising how far it left to Peel.

Again this can be a drag, although it's a nice view of Niarbyl. Finished at the town hall in Peel. Nice cuppa and some biscuits. Then a look at the bus timetable. I had time for a pint. I had planned to visit The Whitehouse but as soon as I stopped walking I started to seize up so The Royal it was. I started with a lager shandy which didn't hit the sides, then a pint of bitter. Hobbled to the bus stop and home.

The Final Countdown

Less than 12 hours until I cross the line to start The Parish Walk. My race number is secured to my  hi-viz vest with safety pins. Scotch eggs are ready. A team of highly trained nutritionists will be in place around the course. I even have a roving scotch egg courier standing by on a high performace motorbike should he be needed. All I need now is for the rain to stop. I might treat myself to a pint in the Whitehouse if I reach Peel.

Oh Dear

The weather forecasts for next week are not looking too good. Although the two I've looked at; The Weather Channel and BBC Weather are slightly different. Well I guess that's why they call them forecasts and not the truth. It's just that I could do with it being dry for the 23rd June, what with that being The Parish Walk. Not a lot I can do about it. I will just need to waterproof my scotch eggs in advance.

Rush to the Bruins

I'm sat here scotch in hand, late night tv flickering before my eyes, rock playing and ears ringing. Tonight I witnessed a Rush covers band play. I have the classic live album from these guys "Exit Stage Left" Never a better drum solo. Only I thought they are a 3 piece. Imagine my surprise when 5 entered the stage. Maple cured bacon must be big in Canada. A girl on keyboard. Not the Rush I know. Tracks were good though.

 The guys started with the Spirit of Radio. Even the most diehard anti Rush fan knows this one. They might not look the thing but the music and voice are strong. Other classics included Tom Sawyer and of course La Villa Strangiato. I got a bit confused when a shout seemed to my ears to be "three hills" . I thought he was talking about the singers figure. Turns out the track was Freewill. All where delivered well. Closer to the Heart finished the set. My favourite Red Barchetta was missing. I'll get over that.

A Couple of Miles

The pace is picking up. I'm hitting the roads a couple of times a week in preparation for my Parish Walk debut. I'm classed as a veteran male,at my age! My main concern is how many scotch eggs will I need to fuel me round to Peel. Only time will tell.

All this means that I haven't really sampled the TT atmosphere so far. Not even sniffed a beer tent. All of this will change tomorrow. Planning a lunchtime trip to the Grandstand beer tent with a college. This is just a pre show warm up for the main event, the works TT BBQ on the roof of a prominent building situated across the road from Bushys Beer Tent . I'll probably be helped home later. Then for Sunday a newly introduced beer tent crawl. Grandstand, Outback (opp Villa Marina) and Bushys. Worked well last year so it's worth giving it a go again.

Out of Town

Head out of town yesterday, well from one town to another, to Castletown. Used the steam train to make the journey. Haven't been on that for years. Great views of various industrial areas leaving Douglas. Just what the heritage industry needs. Decamped from the train and headed straight to The Sidings. Good range of real ales in here and a very reasonable price. I was also astounded by the price of the food. £5.50 for a main. Fantastic value. Also hit The Ship and The Gluepot. Always liked it in there. They were serving Bass yesterday, the king of ales. Doesn't get any better than that. After that it was over to The Union which appears to have beened painted with the leftovers from the The Bridge in Douglas. A feast of crisps was served up to us in here. Very nice. A quick mosey over to Fusion followed.

Along with the usual shots. Happy days all round.

Sounders

My annual trip to The States is still months away however the internet is allowing somethings to be sorted in advance. Tickets have been purchased for the San Jose Earthquakes at the Seattle Sounders. I've been to matches in a few places and at all levels, including Luton and a strange stadium in Ramsey but I've never seen prematch like this. A pie and beer normally do me. Luckily I know a couple of pubs near the ground.

Lhergy Cripperty

                                Lhergy Cripperty looking towards Kings Plantation   


I found myself up the Lhergy Cripperty on the other day. Only ever descended that road in a car before. Great views of Glen Vine and the King's Plantation at Greeba and if you turn your head Snaefell can be seen as well.

A couple of days later I was yomping towards Ballasalla. The weather wasn't the best as I'd had to walk into the eye of the storm on the way up to Douglas Head and along Marine Drive after that the north easterly was making me wind assisted. That's not unusual though. From this you may well surmise that The Parish Walk is on. Hopefully it is.

Since I last blogged I've been the the Camra Beer Festival held locally to me in the Masonic Hall. I sampled a few until I had Baltic Trader Imperial Stout from the Green Jack Brewery in Lowestoft. It kicks in at 10% so after half a pint of that I was feeling a bit woozy. At great time was had though. I'm glad I went on Friday evening as by Saturday they had run out of beer. Not unlike the Orlando Beer Festival which I attended a few years back. They also ran out of booze so gave us our money back plus $5 which was spent in local bars that very same day.

April Already

A month since my last post, well almost. Somethings have changed. Tranmere Rovers have won a few games and should be safe in Div1 for another season. Dispensing with Les Parry and rehiring Ronnie Moore has made a great difference. So has signing Jake Cassidy on loan from Wolves. They should have hung onto their former Airbus UK player as the Black and Gold boys are a little shy in front of goal.

The first bank holiday weekend is done and dusted. Eat some meat, lamb chop Friday, hot pork bap Saturday, sirloin of beef Sunday and cold Monday. Happy days. The rest of the time seemed to be spent watching cricket, an England win and WI v AUS, and reading Trip Advisor trip reports on Las Vegas.

I've got Sausage Saturday to look forward to this weekend.

Take it with more water

I might have over done it with the spirits last weekend. Vodka martinis followed by cucumber infused gin seemed like a good idea but I was regretting it the next day. The gin was better than expected. It smelt and tasted a bit harsh neat but with a generous measure of tonic was very pleasant. I used these drinks to wash down some mini scotch eggs. A winning combination.

Did I mention travel plans have been made for later in the year. Sin City, of course, and Seattle. Pike Place Market here I come for fish throwing .

Multi Media

In this day and age we are told to embrace multi media social networking. Over the last two days I've been trying to organise Buffooning using twitter, email and text. I'm exhausted. It used to be so much easier back in the day. Meet in the pub the week before hand, arrange a time and there you have it. If you were at the start point great, if not there was always next time. Waifs and strays would be advised if bumped into. Simple. Now its logging on, forwarding messages on, waiting for a response.

Anyway I think it's sorted. Time for a beer. National Lampoons Animal House is showing on ITV4, it's only right.

February already

Time marches on. It's February already and I'm not sure where January went. A brief hike, a few nights out and bang! The month has gone. This month may well be the same. It's Sausage Saturday coming up, an international football match the week after and hopefully some hiking the week after.


I've enlarged my social networking profile by joining twitter, catch me @HughJenus. I can't say it's changed my life but these things never do. I can now keep myself updated with David Lloyd's view of the cricket. I'll give Joey Barton a miss. Once a thug always a thug. Pretending to be Morrissey isn't clever, unless it's Tranmere legend John Morrissey Jr. Nearly 500 appearances over thirteen years. How we could do with him now. It's not going well.

Tweet

Buffoons

Well the 1st hike of the year has been completed. A quick jaunt from Laxey to Onchan, avoiding the coastal footpath. A steep start up through a crack on New Road Laxey then it flattens out. Stunning view out to sea and back towards the hill as well. After that it was through Baldrine via Pack Horse Lane and on to the Liverpool Arms. The journey back to Onchan took us to Groudle Glen and then Molly Quirk's as well. Not a bad start. More to come I hope.

A few post hike pints were taken. I then had to run for a bus. Hard times indeed. Haven't had to do that in years.

NYE

Last year's New Year's Eve was mainly spent in Liverpool. A succession of disappointing Island based ones left me open to the suggestion of an overseas adventure. I chose Liverpool as the venue, happy in the knowledge Tranmere Rovers were at home on the 31st Dec. Flights and hotels were booked and then match was then moved to Friday evening when I would be travelling. Never mind Anfield was hosting a home match on NYE so a simple change of venue would see me at least watching some footy. The great football god disagreed as Liverpool's match was also move to Friday for TV reasons. This meant a quick scan of all available fixtures in the northwest of England. Preston is was.

Parish

I might finally get to do some of this year's Parish Walk. I've fancied giving it a go for a few years but have never been able to summon up anyone to accompany me. Things have changed; a couple of colleges have put their name forward. One of them on the basis that it's only walking and he does that most days, which is true. Mainly to the car and back. I see Peel as a realistic finishing place. 30 odd miles plus it has a few places where I can replenish vital liquids. The burning question is: how many scotch eggs? I think support cars have been pencilled in as well but as we are over 6 months from kick off I might be getting a bit ahead of myself. I reckon I have 30 miles in my legs but a bit of training won't do any harm.