Queen & a Musical
My lovely Perth family have bought me tickets to see We Will Rock You musical in Perth 2018 and I can,t wait I have previously seen the show twice in Perth,twice in London and once Blackpool and for me the Perth shows were the best ( yes better than the London Production) methinks after the next visit I will be able to lip sync the show.This is just a short blog to boast about seeing it yet again !
Australian Travelers,the Wheatsheaf Pub in Preston and a Great Night Out
Saturday night just gone was spent in the Wheatsheaf Pub in Preston and managed by my nephew Brian and his lovely wife Liz and what a night it was ! Two of my nieces are off to Australia for a month come December and a nephew is going on a 12 month working Visa.Having lived in Oz for 35 yrs and motor homed it 3 times they are in for a great time This particular night was dedicated to the 3 rellies to wave them goodbye for a while.A great band were performing at the Pub and they were great (this pub is very popular and reminiscent of packed pubs in my youth) Brian and Liz supplied a “FREE” hotpot and with the red cabbage also provided it can only be described as “bloody lovely”.Lots of my family turned up for the night and the ambiance was fantastic.Christmas is just around the corner and more of my family will be joining me for what promises to be one of the best Festive times ever !.Needless to say I had plenty to drink (and eat!) and actually got out of my pit the next day at 1pm !!
Guy Fawkes,Bonfire Night and Mischievous Night every November 5th
Guy Fawkes, also known as Guido Fawkes, the name he adopted while fighting for the Spanish, was a member of a group of provincial English Catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605,failed was caught,tortured and rather than being hung,drawn & quartered he leapt of the hangman’s scaffolding breaking his neck thus missing out on the other gory stuff!! He was caught in the catacombs beneath the House Of Lords when the King would have been in attendance .November the 5th was always a great time for us kids in days gone by.We would spend weeks before the “burning” day collecting anything that would burn ! Old furniture,trees,tyres ( not recommended) and build bonfires that always had a “den” within.Night before bonfire night was known as mischief night,where we would knock on doors and run off and other “stuff”(all these events were before Halloween became popular) Bonfires were built down back alleys (heaven knows why because alley ways were very tight!) We would make Guy Fawkes effigy’s (life size) and sit outside pubs,clubs,cinemas etc asking “Spate a copper for the Guy) which at times proved to be quite lucrative ! Proceeds were supposed to buy fireworks that were available at most grocery,paper shops but mostly spent on toffees or fags (cigarettes)On the night (Nov 5) we would chuck our Guy on top of the finely constructed bonfire and set it alight. Darkened skies were full of exploding rockets,ground fireworks consisted of rip raps,bangers,catherine wheels,roman candles and more.Spuds were thrown into the embers and once taken out of the fire in their very blackened skins we ate the tender potato.Often parents would provide home made treacle toffee,Parkin and other treats.This years bonfire we had Lasagna and Hotpot and the obligatory alcohols ! Because Nov 5 falls on a Sunday this year bonfires were lit on 3 different days.Altho these evenings are great there are,sadly,people who get hurt or burnt and I believe a busy night for local Hospitals.Animals are usually terrified of this event and owners are continually advised to keep them indoors.Those days were some of the best in my life with not an electronic gizmo in sight,oh Happy Days
Memories of my Youth and Marty Wilde et al
Last night I went to a show at our local wonderfully old theatre “The Grand” to see my singing British hero of the late 50,s and 60,s who is still performing live at the grand old age of 78 and he didn,t disappoint ! His guests artistes included the wonderful Mike Berry,talented still Eden Kane and the very lively Mark Wynter all backed up by Marty,s very accomplished Band The Wildcats.The theatre was packed to the rafters with people mostly my age and from that particular era when FUN was in abundance,people were usually polite and life in general was of a happy nature.Marty opened the show with a couple of songs and immediately had the crowd mesmerized. All other singers sang hits that belonged to them.Highlight for me was all our singing different arrangements of hits from the 60,s using acoustic guitars only while the wonderful band had a well earned break.Marty Wilde has ALWAYS been on my list of Stars I wanted to see and I wasn,t disappointed.Blackpool is fortunate to attract great performers from Yesteryear to date and brilliant stage shows are common here at very reasonable prices an my next theatre attraction (unless some other artistes appear) will be the wonderful Christmas Pantomime “Cinderella” and I will joined by another 8 members of my large family (really looking forward to that) “He,s Behind You !”
All throughout the splendid show I sang,clapped, jived (in my mind) and refrained from throwing my underpants on stage.Another great night with hopefully more to come
Lancaster and a cock up
Decided to go to Cartmel today around 60 miles BUT got dis orientated in Lancaster after using 2 SatNavs!! I was lost and tried to be smart and follow my instinct and ended up back at my home base Blackpool WotaPlonker! I drove once more thru St Michaels and over the bridged River Wyre and it was in full ferocious flow (must have been a HUGE amount of rain during the night) at one point he road was flooded and carefully crawled thru the waters,after all? I didn,t want to get me new car soaked ! Still I enjoyed the drive and would have explored more BUT tonight is movie night with the nephews and we doing the early show (Geostorm) As a young pre teenager I cycled to Lancaster some 40 miles away (ended up getting a cauliflower arse) needless to say I have NEVER repeated that particular event !! I therefore offer a little information on Lancaster Lancaster is a city in the county of Lancashire. It is situated on the River Lune and has a population of 45,952. Long existing as a commercial, cultural and educational centre, Lancaster is the settlement that gives Lancashire its name. Lancaster has several unique ties to the Monarchy and the House of Lancaster was a branch of the Royal Family With its history based on its port and canal, Lancaster is an ancient settlement, dominated by Lancaster Cathedral and the Ashton Memorial.Established around 1295.England has a massive amount of History
My Pre Teen Fun Place KNOTT END
Knott End-on-Sea is a village in Lancs, England, on the southern side of Morecambe Bay, across the Wyre Estuary. Knott End has a pub, the Bourne Arms, county library and golf club. Buses run regularly from Knott End and there is also a seasonal three-minute ferry crossing to Fleetwood. Knott End also has two clubs, The Squash and Knott End Working Men’s Club. Hackensall Hall is reputed to be named after an invading Viking named Haken. So it is very villagy. As a 9 yr old we caught the Sunday Flyer from Blackpool North Train station for sixpence and got off at the great home for Trawlers,Fleetwood and then caught the Ferry across the Wyre to Knott End .When the tide is out a cobbled “groin” is exposed that teems with periwinkles (from Wiki…The common periwinkle or winkle (Littorina littorea) is a species of small edible whelk or sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc that has gills and an operculum, and is classified within the family Littorinidae, the periwinkles) My mother loved these little delicacies but not for me.Mother loved us because we brought these little sea creatures home for her.Tides at Knott End can be very dangerous as incoming tends to surround beach walkers very quickly.Cockles can also be harvested here (walking a short while towards Heysham) and indeed a few years ago a few Chinese Cockle collectors drowned here.As kids we had great times (none of this Electric IT stuff around then) Times showed how independant we were as nippers I was 9 and younger brother 7 with NO parental guidance as those times were extremely safe.I was telling friends in the Pub about my latest trip and asked if they could come next time because they remember those days and love Periwinkles !!
Apparently LOWREY used to come to Knot End to do his Matchstick Paintings and a statue has been erected in his honour
Fylde Coast at its Best !!
Winter has arrived with a massive BANG ! we have been feeling the arse end of Storm Ophelia that has devastated Ireland.This weather phenomena has brought lots of my younger years memories flooding back. Tide was in and the stormy waves look magnificent with the white surf conflicting the brown of the temperamental Irish Sea and I love it! As the waves crash over the Sea wall I remember the days when I was around 7 or 8 yrs old dodging the massive waves that came over the “wall” not realizing how dangerous it was because as kids we dont get killed do we? Sadly a very good friend of mine from yesteryear lost a grandson doing exactly what we did in our extreme youth. The wind was very powerful and at times I struggled to stay on my feet ! ah wonderful! Altho we have had the very windy weather over 2 days and the skies were very dark,there was NO rain.As kids the winter was our respite due to lack off holiday makers and the days are also very short light wise dark before 5 pm and stays dark until around 8 am (Summer light from around 5 am till 10 pm) Originally my new car trip was to be to Wrea Green and due to my terrible navigational skills I got lost and ended up in Freckleton. My 2 day old car is now covered with a fine film of sea salt ! and looks as if I have been down a salt mine.I traveled past the famous Lytham Windmill that is still in pristine condition and the gloriously green grass embankment on the fore shore.By the ancient St Annes Pier is a lovely garden complete with ducks! interestingly the bridge has used Pebbles for the floor walkover and looks terrific.Once I had got back to my area I took great pics of the old Boating Pool that once had canoes,rowing boats,motor boats as the main pleasure activities and using mussels as bait we caught small crabs ( always thrown back in) and it was such fun,as I got older and the seas were rough as naughty boys we clamber around the top edge perimeter of the solid Pool Walls and open the flood gates and letting the ocean pour in ( this was a winter activity for us bad lads as there was never anyone in authority around!) Sadly the Pool has been filled in and is now a go cart track altho I have never actually seen this activity utilized. I did my first night drive (windows were still caked with salt!) and Darren n Jack (nephews) took me to the Odeon to see Blade Runner (not recommended by me,however it is my choice of movie next week and I just know it will be brilliant!!) More days like this are heading my way,roll on and a massive different way of life than Hervey Bay (much as I loved you HB)
The Casino is at the end of my street must have a look inside sometime,the little blue car outside the church is my new mode of transport and its lovely ( not used to tiny cars)
Bloody Mobile Phones
Walking around this lovely town B;ackpool it is very noticeable of people using mobile phones ! Pram pushers with a phone in hand and sometimes oblivious to others around them,people walking aimlessly staring at the little tiny screens texting other people who are probably in the same situation Its a BLOODY disease !
Warning Sign For Texters.
People have been killed and have killed while using mobiles whilst driving ( and yes it is illegal) What do they talk about that is so important?I have been to parties where people sat next to each other are texting to each other ! Whatever happened to good old communication? face to face talk/chat? I was brought up when telephones in house were rare and mainly used in business,s .
‘OMG! Ther wos a tym wen ppl talked 2 1 another?’
My pet hate is going to the cinema and some Pratt has to look at their well illuminated phones and I have occasionally shouted “Oi,I,m here to watch a movie ! turn your phone OFF ! and yes there are ample warnings before the main movie to Shut Down,but no,idiots cant go into the foyer or toilet,it is VERY important to use the mobile whilst the main film is showing !! I do admit they have their uses for emergencies or to know the whereabouts of children etc.
‘If only texting was an Olympic sport.’
My ex missus fell over once and really hurt herself I had never used a mobile before even tho she had one ! Rather embarrassingly I had to ask a passer by to ring for an ambulance ! I have since learnt (quite expertly really) how to use one . I am currently learning to use Blue Tooth ( I originally called it Blue Teeth) and find it very useful playing my music from my mobile to my new cars radio system.Also I have learnt how to use my mobile as a Nav/Sat very successfully.I can do banking,get bus and train timetables even book a cinema ticket.So YES they do have a great use BUT can we still keep actually talking to each other,turn your mobile off in cinemas or any other business where instructed to turn them off.Must go I have to text the Pub !!
Those were the days
St Michael’s on Wyre is a village on the Fylde Coast, in Lancashire England; it lies on the Wyre River. The village is centred on the church of St Michael’s which was founded before AD 640. As a young fella my family of brothers and their wives used to go upstream and happy times picnicing and swimming in the cool water,naturally it would be a summer activity.The River flows into the Irish Sea via Knott End and Fleetwood a good few miles away.Farm smells in this spot are (to me) very pleasant.Holly trees (very popular at Christmas time) are abundant as are the stinging nettles that I have often fallen into !!.I consider myself very lucky to be able to return to these places and memories I had long forgotten came flowing back !! Altho I am atheist St Michaels Church is a magnificent piece of architecture from way back and eventually I will get to look at some of the historic Gravestones.The area itself is very picturesque and countrified.I walked for a while thru the overhanging trees as they are shedding their Summer Greenery going into bare branched Winter.After 35 years of Sunshine and glorious beaches,the Outback and deserts of Australia,I am very fortunate to be back in the place of my birth in my twilight years enjoying the magnificence of country ( and eventually towns) England.Seeing the well organized formation of migrating birds (think they are Swans?) was a bonus and a joy to behold.I also noticed the Red Rose of Lancashire on the iron Bridge and that alone would let people know they are in the County of Lancashire
Trauma,New and Old Cars and Lets GO !!
Arrived back in UK late last Wednesday and managed to make the Pub Thurs evening for the Quiz,my brain wasn,t working so hatted quite a lot with non players whilst drinking Cider .After a few alcoholic beverages I was co-hersed to playing in the Ladies darts team beginning 27 October!! Should be a hoot but I advised them I will only play IF they are short teamed and also require a lift to away matches (and they agreed!) Lasted until 11.30 pm and had to leave the pub early due to jet Lag.Spent Friday around the flat and my nephew came to see if my sick old car would make the Knackers Yard (it didn,t !) I traveled 20 kms from home before it finally gave up completely ONE bloody Km from destination.Two likely lads came and pushed the car to safe spot because it gave up at the bloody Traffic Lights! ( I honestly believe it knew it was going to DIE!!) Mechanic came and the bonnet actually froze so it could not be opened and he gave me a death certificate and ordered a tow truck ( fortunately I had a free pick up policy) the tow truck driver has migrated from London and we had some good laughs and the dead motor was hauled off in disgrace to its grave yard,I gave it a damned good kicking and said a few choice words before leaving the scrap yard (My £200 pound knack-car is now worth £2000 in part exchange for a new one!) On to much nicer things and my sparkling new car with all previous events fading into sort of likable memory as all ended up great ( this all should have happened yesterday Friday 13th!!) My new Kia Picanto is fantastic and a pleasure to drive and off course I drove to other families house to show off ( as one does) and now the UK is my Oyster but I will stay fairly local during the winter and travel further afield next Summer.All in all a very memorable day and now I will settle at home and drink lots of wine !! The kitchen stove has also packed in and landlord will put a new one in on Wednesday BUT I don,t care as I now have reliable transport ( i.e chippies,take away food,bottle shops,in other words I am in Heaven!) Life is Good
Watch me play Didgeridoo
Geoffs Life After Work ! 