With a bit of luck Archie's animation "Wheel" , or at least a small snippet of it, will be shown on BBC's "Blue Peter" today and CBBC later on. So we are keeping our fingers crossed. "Wheel" is one of the short Flash animations that Archie got accepted by the UnderExposed Film Festival at the Cornerhouse in Manchester in December.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Spike Theatre
Went to see the Spike Theatre production of "Backwater" at the Harlequin Theatre in Northwich last night. Another fantastic show and sadly not many people there to see it. We'd seen previous shows by them so knew we wouldn't be disappointed. Only four actors but they are masters of the quick change so seems like more and they all play instruments. We love that physical theatre style and the sets and costumes are simple but very flexible so the hut by the fiord (its all set in Norway) changes into the school, the boat office and the home of Nora, the main character who finds her dead father's camera and begins to photograph the strange characters of her village and begins a journey of discovery.
Today we took Archie and James for their third skiing lesson at the artificial slopes at Runcorn. I was expecting a dreary industrial scene but the bit of Runcorn we went to was very green and leafy. The ski slopes are set in a big park and there is even a small steam narrow gauge railway nearby that I assume chuffs round the park perimeter.
It was quite busy with 30 or so children in Archie's group but luckily they got split into two groups and had two ski instructors to each group. They progressed onto the medium size slope this week doing some easy straight runs and then going backwards for some reason best known to themselves. I suppose it all helps to give confidence and get used to situations where you find yourself going backwards down the Alps! Archie fell over a couple of times but mostly seemd to be doing really well. He's keen to go back anyway which is the main thing. It's amazing to see toddlers flying down the bigger slope around the poles and made it look so effortless. I'm sure Archie and James will be doing that before too long.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Charity Market
It was the annual charity market today when all the stalls in the market hall are taken over by Greenpeace, Help The Otter, Mrs. Quimby's Slug Sactuary etc. Sadly they didnt advertise it very well and hardly anybody there. I only noticed a tiny poster in the Information Centre window quite by chance whilst looking at a poster for Jet Harris, on at the Winford Community Theatre (or whatever it's called?) in September.
So plenty of room which was good for me at least and I found a few stocking fillers, a nice cajun comp. Cd on the Ace label but alas no scratchy records suitable for Boot Sale Sounds. Last year I got a few so I had high hopes. Still, my plaid plastic shopping bag was heavy enough and i would have splashed out on a bus home if I'd seen one coming.
I found a CD by Kirsty MacColl in the library that I'd not heard before too.
Later I went out again to get some much needed wood chippings and pellets for Flo from the pet food shop nearby. They only had a giant sized "bale" of wood shavings so my arms were even longer by the time I got them home!
Angelica's parcel to Hazel has been full of suprises and we gather round every evening to see Hazel open another wrapped box of goodies. Angelica is obviously finely tuned to Hazel's wavelength via her blog as the gadgets and metal objects she has found are absolutely the things Hazel would dive on at boot sales if she could ever find things as bewitching as the patented Keyhole Lock or the folding set of wire coat hangers. The last box was opened tonight after she got home from college and inside was a beautiful travelling sewing set with thimble ,miniature cotton reels, needles and a wooden cone (?) that all snugly fit togther in a metal tube. As if this wasn't enough there was also a small lilliputian tin of Cork Grease and a splendid vintage Key Ring Hook on it;s original card. How Angelica is able to part with such wonders is beyond us! I expect it won't be long until they are all displayed proudly on Hazel's BLOG for all to see and admire.
So plenty of room which was good for me at least and I found a few stocking fillers, a nice cajun comp. Cd on the Ace label but alas no scratchy records suitable for Boot Sale Sounds. Last year I got a few so I had high hopes. Still, my plaid plastic shopping bag was heavy enough and i would have splashed out on a bus home if I'd seen one coming.
I found a CD by Kirsty MacColl in the library that I'd not heard before too.
Later I went out again to get some much needed wood chippings and pellets for Flo from the pet food shop nearby. They only had a giant sized "bale" of wood shavings so my arms were even longer by the time I got them home!
Angelica's parcel to Hazel has been full of suprises and we gather round every evening to see Hazel open another wrapped box of goodies. Angelica is obviously finely tuned to Hazel's wavelength via her blog as the gadgets and metal objects she has found are absolutely the things Hazel would dive on at boot sales if she could ever find things as bewitching as the patented Keyhole Lock or the folding set of wire coat hangers. The last box was opened tonight after she got home from college and inside was a beautiful travelling sewing set with thimble ,miniature cotton reels, needles and a wooden cone (?) that all snugly fit togther in a metal tube. As if this wasn't enough there was also a small lilliputian tin of Cork Grease and a splendid vintage Key Ring Hook on it;s original card. How Angelica is able to part with such wonders is beyond us! I expect it won't be long until they are all displayed proudly on Hazel's BLOG for all to see and admire.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Goodbye Gloomy Tuesday.
More rain today so stayed in to collage and blog a bit before Hazel got up and wanted to do some college work. Archie has gone round to James' Grans to play until dinner. I think we might have Broccoli Cheesy bake tonight - comfort food when the weather is like this.
Yesterday I walked into town and did the ususual tour of shops and the library etc. I didn't find much just some wrapping paper to wrap some early crimble presents that are starting to accumulate. I hate last minute shopping so have to start sometime in September!
Have been listening to some recording of the Tom Robinson show on 6 Music whilst collaging and he's playing some great stuff including Maximo Park , Field Music and a band called Viva Voce, who have a great new single out. His guests are good too- last night it was Andy Partridge of XTC fame playing songs from his boxed set of "Apple" demos and oddities that didnt quite make it to the XTC albums.
Yesterday I walked into town and did the ususual tour of shops and the library etc. I didn't find much just some wrapping paper to wrap some early crimble presents that are starting to accumulate. I hate last minute shopping so have to start sometime in September!
Have been listening to some recording of the Tom Robinson show on 6 Music whilst collaging and he's playing some great stuff including Maximo Park , Field Music and a band called Viva Voce, who have a great new single out. His guests are good too- last night it was Andy Partridge of XTC fame playing songs from his boxed set of "Apple" demos and oddities that didnt quite make it to the XTC albums.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Happy Annie Adversity!
I can't believe that Hazel forgot! It's usually me that forgets things. 22 years since our first date at the Guy Fawkes bonfire and fireworks party in Alsager where Hazel was studying for her degree in Forgetfulness! She's suitably embarressed and blames the college work load - just too much to think about.
Anyway I went into town this morning and found a few bargains including an old 78 shellac disc of The laughing bassoon by Charles Penrose who was famous ofcourse for the Laughing Policeman that got played to death on Children's Favourites on the radio. I'd love to feature it on Boot Sale Sounds but dont have the technology to transfer 78's to MP3 yet. I'm hoping Hazel's sister, Audrey, can copy it and some other 78's to a cassette on her new record player. Watch this space.
Also got a few DVD's for the pile- those from magazines they give away free. "Water Like Chocolate", "Only Fools and Horses" and "The Last Emporer" amongst them.
There's a bonfire and firework display at Verdin Park tonight so looking forward to that if its not raining.
Anyway I went into town this morning and found a few bargains including an old 78 shellac disc of The laughing bassoon by Charles Penrose who was famous ofcourse for the Laughing Policeman that got played to death on Children's Favourites on the radio. I'd love to feature it on Boot Sale Sounds but dont have the technology to transfer 78's to MP3 yet. I'm hoping Hazel's sister, Audrey, can copy it and some other 78's to a cassette on her new record player. Watch this space.
Also got a few DVD's for the pile- those from magazines they give away free. "Water Like Chocolate", "Only Fools and Horses" and "The Last Emporer" amongst them.
There's a bonfire and firework display at Verdin Park tonight so looking forward to that if its not raining.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Something Wonderful
Glad I went into town yesterday as it's drizzly today and hasn't stopped all morning.
I've been catching up with the mail and making some quick collaged postcards for the Postcard Swap at Flickr.
I also burned a couple of tracks of Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtnedge for Boot Sale Sounds which I will add later today.
Yesterday I walked into town and back for exercise and went round the usual haunts, the Post Office, the library ( sale ended!) and the charity shops. I found a Rolf Harris LP for 50p in the red Cross shop which cheered me up. Sad eh? Its one I'd never seen before from 1973- the first variety concert at the newly opened Sydney Opera House. I added a couple of tracks to Boot Sale Sounds too.
Archie was 20 minutes late coming home from school so I naturally got worried and phoned the school to find out if he was still there. He turned up thankfully about 5 minutes later saying he's had to stay behind to draw a diagram for Miss Revel of where James had been kicked in the goolies by another boy. Poor James ,but it did make me smile. The phone rang a few minutes later and the teacher said they couldn't find him so I had to explain what had happened.
I borrowed a couple of CD's from the library- the hits of Basement Jaxx and a solo outing by Richard Thompson.
Also I bought some tap washers in town as the bathroom sink hot tap has been dripping annoyingly for the last month or so and was driving me mad. Amazingly after I had found the right tools in the shed it was quite easy to do. The old washer had disintegrated so surprised it hadn't been dripping more! Quite sense of achievement at completing such a simple task without a mild attack of Tourette's or throwing the monkey wrench out of the window!
I've been catching up with the mail and making some quick collaged postcards for the Postcard Swap at Flickr.
I also burned a couple of tracks of Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtnedge for Boot Sale Sounds which I will add later today.
Yesterday I walked into town and back for exercise and went round the usual haunts, the Post Office, the library ( sale ended!) and the charity shops. I found a Rolf Harris LP for 50p in the red Cross shop which cheered me up. Sad eh? Its one I'd never seen before from 1973- the first variety concert at the newly opened Sydney Opera House. I added a couple of tracks to Boot Sale Sounds too.
Archie was 20 minutes late coming home from school so I naturally got worried and phoned the school to find out if he was still there. He turned up thankfully about 5 minutes later saying he's had to stay behind to draw a diagram for Miss Revel of where James had been kicked in the goolies by another boy. Poor James ,but it did make me smile. The phone rang a few minutes later and the teacher said they couldn't find him so I had to explain what had happened.
I borrowed a couple of CD's from the library- the hits of Basement Jaxx and a solo outing by Richard Thompson.
Also I bought some tap washers in town as the bathroom sink hot tap has been dripping annoyingly for the last month or so and was driving me mad. Amazingly after I had found the right tools in the shed it was quite easy to do. The old washer had disintegrated so surprised it hadn't been dripping more! Quite sense of achievement at completing such a simple task without a mild attack of Tourette's or throwing the monkey wrench out of the window!
Monday, October 31, 2005
All Hallows Eve
Here's that box lid I made a few years back in homage to mexican illustrator of Day Of The Dead - J.G. Posada. It seems appropriate for Halloween. Archie has been busy carving pumpkins again with my help. We did two small ones today to put in the window and light later. Now he's putting the finishing touches to a Guy Fawkes effigy he's made from dozens of toilet roll tubes and cartons. the head is a papier mache stuck to a balloon with streamer hair.
No school today - one extra day of half term. We have a stack of sweets for the kids who arrive. Archie is dressing up as DEATH again with a cowl and sythe and voice changer gizmo that makes him sound like Darth Vadar with a bad cold! He's going round with Thomas from over the road I think like they did last year.
No school today - one extra day of half term. We have a stack of sweets for the kids who arrive. Archie is dressing up as DEATH again with a cowl and sythe and voice changer gizmo that makes him sound like Darth Vadar with a bad cold! He's going round with Thomas from over the road I think like they did last year.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Pumpkins galore!
Looking for the boot sale today at the Cabbage Hall ( don't ask!) but didn't find it. It was raining so probably just as well. Went instead to the Farm Shop nearby which was massve and more like a delicatessen with hundreds of cheeses, wine, an olive selection, and tons of vegetables we suspect weren't grown anywhere near the farm! So we bought some garlic, assorted oily herby olives and a big stick of brussels for Audrey (it's the only veg. besides peas she will eat).
Home again for a second breakfast. Those Hobbits had the right idea!
Now it's the afternoon and hazel and Archie have gone for a ski lesson at the "pretend" ski slope over near Runcorn with James and his Mum. Archie is off to Austria next Feb. so needs some practise! He's never been before.
Luckily the sun has come out now so hopefully they had the same over there .
O yes, I forget to say that the farm shop also boasted the biggest selection of pumpkins I'd ever seen. Sadly, I left my camera at home , as did Hazel, so didnt take a photo of them.
Home again for a second breakfast. Those Hobbits had the right idea!
Now it's the afternoon and hazel and Archie have gone for a ski lesson at the "pretend" ski slope over near Runcorn with James and his Mum. Archie is off to Austria next Feb. so needs some practise! He's never been before.
Luckily the sun has come out now so hopefully they had the same over there .
O yes, I forget to say that the farm shop also boasted the biggest selection of pumpkins I'd ever seen. Sadly, I left my camera at home , as did Hazel, so didnt take a photo of them.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Pumpkin time!
Archie carved the traditional All Hallows Eve pumpkin yesterday afternoon. I made a curried pumpkin and mixed veg stew with the innerds but it wasnt one of my best! We'd run out of onions and garlic which might have helped the flavour a little. I'd forgotten just how mushy the pumpkin goes when boiled for some time. Oh well, it's only once a year!
This morning I walked into town and back for some exercise. The library had it's book sale again and all the books were being sold very cheaply - 5 for a quid! I found Archie some guitar music books - one of Eric Clapton tunes and another of classical pieces. Also the three volumes of George Melly' s amusing biography "Owning Up" in one paperback. I'd read most of them but not the first about his childhood in Liverpool so looking forward to that.
Another book was about the Glastonbury music festival from its early hippie days until now.
Needless to say , these all weighed me down quite a bit so I was careful not to buy any more stuff than I could help!
Our garden shed has sprung a leak and it seems the roofing felt has split after only 5 or 6 years. I was hoping it would last longer than that. Hazel bought two rolls of new from B & Q and I nailed it down over the old this afternoon as the weather was fine enough to do it. It only took a couple of hours and I only hit my thumbs twice , which must be some kind of record!
This morning I walked into town and back for some exercise. The library had it's book sale again and all the books were being sold very cheaply - 5 for a quid! I found Archie some guitar music books - one of Eric Clapton tunes and another of classical pieces. Also the three volumes of George Melly' s amusing biography "Owning Up" in one paperback. I'd read most of them but not the first about his childhood in Liverpool so looking forward to that.
Another book was about the Glastonbury music festival from its early hippie days until now.
Needless to say , these all weighed me down quite a bit so I was careful not to buy any more stuff than I could help!
Our garden shed has sprung a leak and it seems the roofing felt has split after only 5 or 6 years. I was hoping it would last longer than that. Hazel bought two rolls of new from B & Q and I nailed it down over the old this afternoon as the weather was fine enough to do it. It only took a couple of hours and I only hit my thumbs twice , which must be some kind of record!
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Day trip to Manchester.
Just back from a tiring morning in Manchester. Had to get up at 6.00a.m. to get the train with Hazel. Had breakfast in the college canteen. Then we left Hazel to her tutoring and went to the Cornerhouse to see the drawings and models from the film "Corpse Bride" and hand in some forms about the Exposures Film Fest. that Archie is in. Tried to get some tickets but none available yet. Then to the Science Museum to see the "Story Rooms" exhibit of inter-active installations and sculptures which was fun. Archie particularly enjoyed the rooms with a big bean bag cushion to slump on and in an indentical room with a bean bag cushion another child was slumped and by means of some trickery the image on the TV screens around the room depicted two children on the same cushion! So it was fun to play at fights and arm wrestling etc. without human contact. Clever stuff. There was also a shed which you could go in and your image was projected into a small lilliputian shed in another room- and the person looking into the window of the tiny shed had their huge face projected onto the bigger sheds window!
After wandering around the steam engines and the cotton mills and the spinning jennys and the aeroplanes we went and had some lunch ouside in the warm October sunshine. Very warm it was too! One of the hottest October days for 50 years apparently.Phew! No wonder we were getting tired by this point and so we set off for the station via the city centre. Popped in Waterstones bookshop to see Ricky "My Arse" Tomlinson singing his latest best seller.
Its nice to get home and make a nice cup of tea. Hazel just phoned to say "You didn't stay around long?!" No stamina some people!
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
You Done My Brain In
This is a collage made for the Bonzo Dog Band group "My Pink Half Of The Drain Pipe" thats on Flickr. I plan to do more collages of Bonzo songs as they are so strong visually.
Walked into town this morning despite the drizzle. Did my usual tour of the charity shops, the library, the bank and the post office. I bought some magic tricks which will probably put away for stocking fillers. Also got a pile of Cd's for 30p each from the Salvation Army shop which included Human League's "Dare" and Edwyn Collins "Georgous George".
Archie heard that his two animations have been accepted for the under 18's film festival in Manchester. No surprise to me really. We are looking forward to the "premiere" and seeing them on the big screen in December.
Hazel bought a new hutch for Flo today and we got her in from the garden as the fireworks have started to go off at night as Guy Fawkes draws near.
She seemed very happy with her new home and after a brief inspection was lying around inside like the Queen of Sheba!
Walked into town this morning despite the drizzle. Did my usual tour of the charity shops, the library, the bank and the post office. I bought some magic tricks which will probably put away for stocking fillers. Also got a pile of Cd's for 30p each from the Salvation Army shop which included Human League's "Dare" and Edwyn Collins "Georgous George".
Archie heard that his two animations have been accepted for the under 18's film festival in Manchester. No surprise to me really. We are looking forward to the "premiere" and seeing them on the big screen in December.
Hazel bought a new hutch for Flo today and we got her in from the garden as the fireworks have started to go off at night as Guy Fawkes draws near.
She seemed very happy with her new home and after a brief inspection was lying around inside like the Queen of Sheba!
Saturday, October 22, 2005
One Flu OverThe Penguins Nest
No chickens encountered on my walk into town this morning thankfully but just incase I wore my balaclava helmet back to front and a bag over my head.
Not much to be found but a scratchy Lp of Bob Wallis and his Dixieland Jazz Band from the Help The Aged shop. Also a video of M. Hulot's Holiday which I've always wanted to see again.
I declined Ring Of Bright Water DVD in the Daily Wail as I don't remember it being all that great. I read lots of Henry Williamson when I was younger too.
Archie is actually taking part in a Book Quiz at school and will be getting a bad name as a "swot" if he's not careful. Its all girls mostly who are doing it. He's had to read a book about the first world war - a bit gloomy and depressing for a 13 year old! Ring of Bright Water or Tarka The Otter would have been a better bet. It's good to see him taking part in things though and just hope he doesn't get put off if he doesn't do well. They have a useless awards system at his school now were "Merits" are collected over the year and you have to get 300 or something stupidly high to get a ten pound book token. He says the teachers are very "tight" with them and only give out one or two, even for exeptional work. So far he's only aquired a measly 80 so impossible for him to get the maximum ammount before the end of term. Just adding this postscript. Back from seeing the new Tim Burton film "Corpse Bride" which is great though perhaps not so enjoyable as "The Nightmare Before Christmas". It was spoiled rather by a wailing infant about six rows behind us who's stupid parents seeemd oblivious to his torment and the torment of those in the audience. Poor child will have nightmares for weeks I expect!
Watch a short Quicktime movie about the 6oth birthday of the Regal from a local TV programme HERE.
Not much to be found but a scratchy Lp of Bob Wallis and his Dixieland Jazz Band from the Help The Aged shop. Also a video of M. Hulot's Holiday which I've always wanted to see again.
I declined Ring Of Bright Water DVD in the Daily Wail as I don't remember it being all that great. I read lots of Henry Williamson when I was younger too.
Archie is actually taking part in a Book Quiz at school and will be getting a bad name as a "swot" if he's not careful. Its all girls mostly who are doing it. He's had to read a book about the first world war - a bit gloomy and depressing for a 13 year old! Ring of Bright Water or Tarka The Otter would have been a better bet. It's good to see him taking part in things though and just hope he doesn't get put off if he doesn't do well. They have a useless awards system at his school now were "Merits" are collected over the year and you have to get 300 or something stupidly high to get a ten pound book token. He says the teachers are very "tight" with them and only give out one or two, even for exeptional work. So far he's only aquired a measly 80 so impossible for him to get the maximum ammount before the end of term. Just adding this postscript. Back from seeing the new Tim Burton film "Corpse Bride" which is great though perhaps not so enjoyable as "The Nightmare Before Christmas". It was spoiled rather by a wailing infant about six rows behind us who's stupid parents seeemd oblivious to his torment and the torment of those in the audience. Poor child will have nightmares for weeks I expect!
Watch a short Quicktime movie about the 6oth birthday of the Regal from a local TV programme HERE.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Wimoweh! Wimoweh!
The "Welly Boot Dance" was very good but the highlight of the Black Omfolosi gig tonight at Archie's school was their rousing version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". It was nice to see the hall packed out and the audience joining in. The last show their was only half full and very subdued.
Hazel was roped into serving tea and biscuits in the interval but she did get in free.
Just noticed that the Spike Theatre Company from Liverpool are playing at Northwich's Harlequin Theatre soon too so things are looking up on the culture front. We've seen them before on a few occasions and they are always entertaining.
I went to Chester today for a change and waited ages for a train that was delayed. I nearly came home again but it appeared around the corner just in time.
Among my bargains were a Max Bygraves EP that I have featured on Boot Sale Sounds today. Also an Lp by the Houghton Weavers. I bought a few cheap postcards from the Save the Children shop which will be useful for the postcard swap we are doing at Flickr.
I had neglected to take my camera and missed an opportunity of snapping the Roman Centurions who were marching around the town. "Sinister! Dexter! Sinister! Dexter!" etc.
Hazel was roped into serving tea and biscuits in the interval but she did get in free.
Just noticed that the Spike Theatre Company from Liverpool are playing at Northwich's Harlequin Theatre soon too so things are looking up on the culture front. We've seen them before on a few occasions and they are always entertaining.
I went to Chester today for a change and waited ages for a train that was delayed. I nearly came home again but it appeared around the corner just in time.
Among my bargains were a Max Bygraves EP that I have featured on Boot Sale Sounds today. Also an Lp by the Houghton Weavers. I bought a few cheap postcards from the Save the Children shop which will be useful for the postcard swap we are doing at Flickr.
I had neglected to take my camera and missed an opportunity of snapping the Roman Centurions who were marching around the town. "Sinister! Dexter! Sinister! Dexter!" etc.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Zap! Pow! Clonk! Twang!
Ah, the elastic has gone on Batman's underpants again!
Here's a collage from the archive I uploaded for the new theme of Super Powers at Collage Kids on Flickr. Not quite sure what super powers Batman had though? I don't really think he had any.
Super Blogging has really taken hold here but alas I seem to be falling behind with updates. Not enough hours in the day to add things to them all and do the collages and all the other things one gets distracted by. Before you know it, it's time to make the dinner and collapse in front of the telly.
I did wander into town again as the library sale is still on and DVD's CD's and videos have been reduced to a measly pound each. I know I'll never have time to watch any of them! Still a pile of freebies from newspapers piling up. Today DVD's from Wim Wenders and Bertilucci! What next - Citizen Kane and Battleship Potempkin?
Yes FREE! In todays Daily Sport - the complete works of Shakespeare and as a special bonus "Last Year In Marienbad"!
Here's a collage from the archive I uploaded for the new theme of Super Powers at Collage Kids on Flickr. Not quite sure what super powers Batman had though? I don't really think he had any.
Super Blogging has really taken hold here but alas I seem to be falling behind with updates. Not enough hours in the day to add things to them all and do the collages and all the other things one gets distracted by. Before you know it, it's time to make the dinner and collapse in front of the telly.
I did wander into town again as the library sale is still on and DVD's CD's and videos have been reduced to a measly pound each. I know I'll never have time to watch any of them! Still a pile of freebies from newspapers piling up. Today DVD's from Wim Wenders and Bertilucci! What next - Citizen Kane and Battleship Potempkin?
Yes FREE! In todays Daily Sport - the complete works of Shakespeare and as a special bonus "Last Year In Marienbad"!
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Happy Drunken Tea Cakes!
Archie had a pretty good birthday I think. Lots of presents and money and chocolate. Hes' putting all the money in the bank. Archie is very good at saving for long term projects. I don't remember having any savings when i was his age.
I walked into town yesterday and managed to avoid the rain showers- diving into the market hall and the charity shops etc. I got some nice crusty bread and a free DVD of the Two Ronnies from the Sun newspaper. Not one I usually buy but I can't resist a DVD for 30p. It was a bit of a palaver though as you had to tear out the voucher inside whilst a queue of people waited to be served! Later it turns out the DVD is only 35 minutes long but still worth the hassle and the rabbit is very pleased with her new bedding!
I've been having fun with this Face Morphing Tool at Flickr just lately. This Tunnocks Tea Cakes boy was transformed in a variety of ways my favourite being the "drunk" version above.
I walked into town yesterday and managed to avoid the rain showers- diving into the market hall and the charity shops etc. I got some nice crusty bread and a free DVD of the Two Ronnies from the Sun newspaper. Not one I usually buy but I can't resist a DVD for 30p. It was a bit of a palaver though as you had to tear out the voucher inside whilst a queue of people waited to be served! Later it turns out the DVD is only 35 minutes long but still worth the hassle and the rabbit is very pleased with her new bedding!
I've been having fun with this Face Morphing Tool at Flickr just lately. This Tunnocks Tea Cakes boy was transformed in a variety of ways my favourite being the "drunk" version above.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Birthday Boy
Its Archies 13th birthday today so he opened his cards and pressies before going off to school. Hazel was on the train to Manchester so just me here to take a few photos, one of which is above. Hazel will be home this evening for special birthday pizza and more presents.
On Saturday we went for a celebratory curry over at Marsden? -about 5 miles away just past the Witton Albion F.C. ground on the road to Lostock . It was quite busy and a huge barn like place behind a pub. Mostly families with kids so very noisy too! We had to wait almost an hour for our meal which was annoying though it was very tasty when at last it did arrive.
On Sunday we stayed in as there were sadly no boot sales on that we knew of. I was to make a special Sunday lunch for us all but Granma wasnt feeling up to it and so we just had a nut roast, yorkshire puds and roasted spuds,parsnips etc.
Hazel took Audrey out to the garden centre to get some rabbit bedding and pellets for Flo and look at the hutches as the one she has is slowly falling apart and she will be indoors soon when the fireworks start going off.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
He stoops to conker!
Archie is still filling the big basket full of conkers. He's getting round to putting strings through a few so he can rap my knuckles a few times.
The German animation fest. thing was a mistake but we haven't the heart to tell Archie yet. They apparently told every single person who entered that they had work accepted! How stupid. Nevermind, Archie has other irons in the fire and the Cornerhouse seems keen on his new animation for the Exposures festival next month and also asked if he could finish the animation for the band Wevie Stonder which he has started but hasn't quite finished yet. The band gave their approval and might even back project it at a gig if it's good enough.
Yesterday I caught up with some neglected mail art and finished off copying some cassettes to CD for Jim who sent me a stack of tapes. Some were so interesting I added them to my Boot Sale Sounds blog. Jim has promised some rare novelty songs in return so how could I refuse!
Hazel's knee is still a bit numb but she didn't go to the doctors. Probably a trapped nerve we think after some internet searching for similar ailments- all that walking on soft sand and kite flying last week.
It's Archies birthday next week. He's turning into a teenager! Help! He's growing up so quickly and takes the same shoe size as Hazel now ( 6 ). It doesnt seem all that long ago I was pushing him around in a buggy!
The German animation fest. thing was a mistake but we haven't the heart to tell Archie yet. They apparently told every single person who entered that they had work accepted! How stupid. Nevermind, Archie has other irons in the fire and the Cornerhouse seems keen on his new animation for the Exposures festival next month and also asked if he could finish the animation for the band Wevie Stonder which he has started but hasn't quite finished yet. The band gave their approval and might even back project it at a gig if it's good enough.
Yesterday I caught up with some neglected mail art and finished off copying some cassettes to CD for Jim who sent me a stack of tapes. Some were so interesting I added them to my Boot Sale Sounds blog. Jim has promised some rare novelty songs in return so how could I refuse!
Hazel's knee is still a bit numb but she didn't go to the doctors. Probably a trapped nerve we think after some internet searching for similar ailments- all that walking on soft sand and kite flying last week.
It's Archies birthday next week. He's turning into a teenager! Help! He's growing up so quickly and takes the same shoe size as Hazel now ( 6 ). It doesnt seem all that long ago I was pushing him around in a buggy!
Monday, October 03, 2005
A scanner in the works.
A quiet day at home today as I had a few things to catch up with. I added a couple of things to my blogs and dubbed a cassette to a CD for a friend. Added some collages to Flickr including this one which I made on the scanner. I changed it later with an additional robot and got rid of the gear cut-away. You can find it HERE.
Archie heard that he has three small animations accepted to a German film festival. Their website doesnt seem to be up and running yet so can't put a link. Will try later. Hazel took in the film he is entering for this years Exposures Film festival in Manchester.
Archies collection of conkers is growing steadily and it now fills a huge basket by the back door. He's only just getting round to drilling holes in some so we have a conker championship.
Archie heard that he has three small animations accepted to a German film festival. Their website doesnt seem to be up and running yet so can't put a link. Will try later. Hazel took in the film he is entering for this years Exposures Film festival in Manchester.
Archies collection of conkers is growing steadily and it now fills a huge basket by the back door. He's only just getting round to drilling holes in some so we have a conker championship.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Is it stuffy in here or is it me?
Boot sale time again but I didn't find much. At the first at Witton Albion I found a Hank Snow EP that looked promising but was very scratched and the songs were nothing special. Hazel bought some very thin mapping pens in a box and Archie found some old videos of Red Dwarf.
At the next one, close by in the carpark of the pub in Lostok I got a Lonnie Donegan EP but I have a feeling I have all the tracks on a CD somewhere. Hazel bought some second hand potatoes.
At the next one, close by in the carpark of the pub in Lostok I got a Lonnie Donegan EP but I have a feeling I have all the tracks on a CD somewhere. Hazel bought some second hand potatoes.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Numerology
I'm thrilled to be part of this project by WM Recordings, an online independent music publishing group. Yours truly was asked to make the sleeve art which I was happy to do. I've only listened to part of the album but it sounds great and look forward listening to it at my leisure.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Slap Dab Cabbage
My Dad used to say this from time to time long before the advent of DAB radio. I walked into town today and one of the things I bought was aan optical lead for the DAB radio so that I could plug it into the MD recorder and record onto the dozens of minidiscs I bought at the boot sale. I had this brainwave and I wondered why I hadn't thought of it before. Also got a puncture repair kit from Argos for Archie who has a flat tyre. Bobby Zimmerframe has just started wailing on TV so will return to this later.
That was great. Those idiots booing him when he played his electric set in '66. Some very funny moments too standing outside a pet shop and making up some improvised poetry using the writing on the posters outside. Brilliant.
What else I got? I got money from bank (twice). Posted a packet at post office. I got Moby Dick. I got A House With Flying Daggers from the library. I got a flying library from the bank. I got a Moby post office. I got a house with a flying packet. I got you under my chin.
The gasman cometh in the morning to replace the old one with a grand spanking new one. A digital gas meter? Bright shiny gas meter. I don't really know why but I expect it will charge us more for the gas!
I got a very heavy bag so had to get the bus home. Plugged in all the wires and it worked perfectly. Great!
That was great. Those idiots booing him when he played his electric set in '66. Some very funny moments too standing outside a pet shop and making up some improvised poetry using the writing on the posters outside. Brilliant.
What else I got? I got money from bank (twice). Posted a packet at post office. I got Moby Dick. I got A House With Flying Daggers from the library. I got a flying library from the bank. I got a Moby post office. I got a house with a flying packet. I got you under my chin.
The gasman cometh in the morning to replace the old one with a grand spanking new one. A digital gas meter? Bright shiny gas meter. I don't really know why but I expect it will charge us more for the gas!
I got a very heavy bag so had to get the bus home. Plugged in all the wires and it worked perfectly. Great!
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Day trip to North Wales.
At last, something to write home about! A nice day out with our old chums Tony and Penny to Talacre beach, on the mouth of the River Dee, North Wales. Such a great place with a little lighthouse , dunes and soft clean sand that stretched for miles. We took the kite that Tony and Penny had given us and after much assembling and string unknotting managed to get it aloft where it look very splendid against the blue sky. We had a picnic by the dunes and watched the dogs and people walking by and the other kites in the distance. The windmills on the horizon kept changing colour as the light hit them - from white and then dark grey so they were almost invisible.
One the way back we stopped off at the remnants cloth place for tea and cake whilst Penny and Hazel went shopping for bits of cloth.
Today it was sunny so the boot sale at Weaverham was pretty packed. I got a big stack of minidiscs for a fiver. Foolishly I bought a minidisc player a couple of years ago on the strength of getting some discs of old 78's that someone had promised me. I got a couple but they fizzled out and it's been idle ever since. So nice to have a all these to play on it. A strange mixture of 80's disco and dance tracks upto more recent things by Oasis and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Archie sounded keen to hear the latter.Also found some old postcards including a pillar box with arms and legs. Hazel got some too and a pile of Deakin crockery for 20p. She's pulled a muscle in her back and so hobbling around like an old lady going "Ooh" and "Ouch" every so often.
One the way back we stopped off at the remnants cloth place for tea and cake whilst Penny and Hazel went shopping for bits of cloth.
Today it was sunny so the boot sale at Weaverham was pretty packed. I got a big stack of minidiscs for a fiver. Foolishly I bought a minidisc player a couple of years ago on the strength of getting some discs of old 78's that someone had promised me. I got a couple but they fizzled out and it's been idle ever since. So nice to have a all these to play on it. A strange mixture of 80's disco and dance tracks upto more recent things by Oasis and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. Archie sounded keen to hear the latter.Also found some old postcards including a pillar box with arms and legs. Hazel got some too and a pile of Deakin crockery for 20p. She's pulled a muscle in her back and so hobbling around like an old lady going "Ooh" and "Ouch" every so often.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Blogging train late again!
Sorry, i seem to have been neglecting my blogs just lately, especially this one. The truth is I havent really been doing anything out of the ordinairy. The usual collaging, internet,music,shopping, cooking, etc. The collage here is another made for the iRobot group at Flickr.
I walked into town Wednesday to get a few things we were running out of- apples, bananas, milk etc. My arm had stretched about three inches by the time I got the heavy bag of shopping home! I can now pick up any dropped coins I find in the gutter without much bending!
Archie has a new piece of Spanish guitar to learn. Seems the teacher is moving away from the pop and rock stuff to more serious tricky work now. Archie seems to be coping with it quite well. He's getting another animation ready for the Exposures Film festival in Manchester soon. He just recieved a DVD of last years "Show Reel" of the best stuff which his "Light The House" is on. It's been sent round to schools and colleges all round the country so he's dead chuffed.
I walked into town Wednesday to get a few things we were running out of- apples, bananas, milk etc. My arm had stretched about three inches by the time I got the heavy bag of shopping home! I can now pick up any dropped coins I find in the gutter without much bending!
Archie has a new piece of Spanish guitar to learn. Seems the teacher is moving away from the pop and rock stuff to more serious tricky work now. Archie seems to be coping with it quite well. He's getting another animation ready for the Exposures Film festival in Manchester soon. He just recieved a DVD of last years "Show Reel" of the best stuff which his "Light The House" is on. It's been sent round to schools and colleges all round the country so he's dead chuffed.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Wizzle, Pizzle and Drizzle.
On a robot kick just lately and making paper robots and this new collage for Flickr iRobot group that i started. There are robot groups but they are a bit messy with all kinds of odd stuff that's not related to robots as i see them. I like the old fashioned "nuts and bolts" robots that were made into tinplate toys in the 50's and 60's. Also those rubbishy ones from old Republic and Universal serials of the 40's and 50's that I remember as a kid at Saturday Morning flicks.
I should have a few links here but it's such a faff to do. I might come back later and fit them in if i have time. A little robot that would do it all for me would be a great idea. I'll make one out of this old cereal packet and some sticky backed plastic!
yesterday was a bit of a wash-out bootsale wise. There were few stalls but mostly full of old toys and not ONE robot amongst them!
Not even any records for Boot sale Sounds blog. There I did one.
Hazel and Archie cycled over to the organic farm shop to buy some eggs later on when the drizzle stopped. It's a lovely ride up a country lane and not far from us. She said the vegetables looked "a bit sad" so she didn't buy any. Big frowns on the potatoes? They bought a tea and ice cream and sat looking out over the valley and the little church beyond. I should go too but my bike still has a puncture from about two years ago and the inner tubes need replacing. I prefer to walk anyway.
Archie is off to the opera in Nantwich today. Its a special school trip. he can wear what he likes and is to take a packed lunch. I have strict orders not to put cream cheese and lettuce in the sandwiches!
Its Hazels first day back at college and the joys of moulding those new recruits into the creative folk of the future.
The sun is shining so I'm walking into town to get some shopping and see what the charity shops have added over the weekend.
I should have a few links here but it's such a faff to do. I might come back later and fit them in if i have time. A little robot that would do it all for me would be a great idea. I'll make one out of this old cereal packet and some sticky backed plastic!
yesterday was a bit of a wash-out bootsale wise. There were few stalls but mostly full of old toys and not ONE robot amongst them!
Not even any records for Boot sale Sounds blog. There I did one.
Hazel and Archie cycled over to the organic farm shop to buy some eggs later on when the drizzle stopped. It's a lovely ride up a country lane and not far from us. She said the vegetables looked "a bit sad" so she didn't buy any. Big frowns on the potatoes? They bought a tea and ice cream and sat looking out over the valley and the little church beyond. I should go too but my bike still has a puncture from about two years ago and the inner tubes need replacing. I prefer to walk anyway.
Archie is off to the opera in Nantwich today. Its a special school trip. he can wear what he likes and is to take a packed lunch. I have strict orders not to put cream cheese and lettuce in the sandwiches!
Its Hazels first day back at college and the joys of moulding those new recruits into the creative folk of the future.
The sun is shining so I'm walking into town to get some shopping and see what the charity shops have added over the weekend.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Mail artist at work.
Here I am in 1992 surrounded by our clutter in Lambeth Walk. We used to clear the table to have meals in those days! I have a room of my own now which looks very similar if slightly smaller. At least i don't have to clear the table every five minutes. probabaly why its in such a state!
A proper photographer, Roger Birch, took this photo and several others (see Flickr) for an obscure book published by the British American Arts Association called "The Artist In The Changing City". The photo they used was a much nicer one of Hazel and me holding Archie, who must have been a few months old at the time.
I walked in to town and back yesterday and popped in the usual shops, the post office, the bank etc. Asked in the library about Ben Zander? that Hazel wanted to know about. She's going to a talk by him in Liverpool tomorrow. He is one of them motivational speakers apparently but it's all about being creative. She thought it might help her teaching.
I got a couple of cheap DVD's including Master and Commander. The woman in the charity shop asked if we had surround sound and I said no. Oh, that's good she said because she watched it at her brothers house and all you could hear was "BOOM!' and "BANG!" etc.
Found a nice website that has dozens of paper robots to print out and make up. I made one in the afternoon. It looks great. I started a robot group on Flickr on the strength of it. I might make another later though our printer seems a bit low on the yellow ink.
mizio-s.hp.infoseek.co.jp/top_e_robo-t.html
A proper photographer, Roger Birch, took this photo and several others (see Flickr) for an obscure book published by the British American Arts Association called "The Artist In The Changing City". The photo they used was a much nicer one of Hazel and me holding Archie, who must have been a few months old at the time.
I walked in to town and back yesterday and popped in the usual shops, the post office, the bank etc. Asked in the library about Ben Zander? that Hazel wanted to know about. She's going to a talk by him in Liverpool tomorrow. He is one of them motivational speakers apparently but it's all about being creative. She thought it might help her teaching.
I got a couple of cheap DVD's including Master and Commander. The woman in the charity shop asked if we had surround sound and I said no. Oh, that's good she said because she watched it at her brothers house and all you could hear was "BOOM!' and "BANG!" etc.
Found a nice website that has dozens of paper robots to print out and make up. I made one in the afternoon. It looks great. I started a robot group on Flickr on the strength of it. I might make another later though our printer seems a bit low on the yellow ink.
mizio-s.hp.infoseek.co.jp/top_e_robo-t.html
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Sunday fun and games.
Only one boot sale today, over at the High School in Hartford , about three miles away as the starling flies (they are hundreds gathering for a mass exodus!)
I found two tin toys that I'd seen before but they were expensive for reproductions. They were cheaper this time round so bought them. They are ducks who ride round in circles with propellers on their heads ( one has his missing). Made in China like most things these days.Also got "Shaun Of The Dead" on DVD and a book to cut up for collage. Hazel got some ARP tunic buttons and a bowl of tin badges. Most were pretty new but a couple of older ones of interest which will appear on her BLOG no doubt.
Archie didn't get anything and went round with a face like a someone on the X Factor who's just been told they haven't got any talent.
Hazel has gone off there again to take her Mom and sister to get some gaudy nick-nacks and ceramic what-nots.
Hardly any records to sift through sadly so Boot Sale Sounds will have to rely on old stock.
I found two tin toys that I'd seen before but they were expensive for reproductions. They were cheaper this time round so bought them. They are ducks who ride round in circles with propellers on their heads ( one has his missing). Made in China like most things these days.Also got "Shaun Of The Dead" on DVD and a book to cut up for collage. Hazel got some ARP tunic buttons and a bowl of tin badges. Most were pretty new but a couple of older ones of interest which will appear on her BLOG no doubt.
Archie didn't get anything and went round with a face like a someone on the X Factor who's just been told they haven't got any talent.
Hazel has gone off there again to take her Mom and sister to get some gaudy nick-nacks and ceramic what-nots.
Hardly any records to sift through sadly so Boot Sale Sounds will have to rely on old stock.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Back to school
Archie's second day back at school today. He took his guitar just incase there was a guitar lesson - he seemed unsure. Hopefully he'll settle back into the old routine again.
We went to the flea market in Crewe this morning. I was hoping for some vinyl treaures but all I got was a PC game ( Mall Tycoon) for Archie who enjoys anything with Tycoon in the title. Also "Animals" the Ricky Gervais DVD for a quid. Hazel also dodnt find much- just a small reel of Coronation Ribbon.
It was quite a nice sunny morning so surprised there weren't more stalls there.
The council men are digging up the pavement over the road again after filling in the previous holes a couple of weeks ago! How do they do it? They must go for special lessons in time wasting! One of them is pushing a wire down the hole and joining it up to the new lamp posts. I excpect someone else will come along in a couple of weeks to dig it up again so they can switch it on!
We went to the flea market in Crewe this morning. I was hoping for some vinyl treaures but all I got was a PC game ( Mall Tycoon) for Archie who enjoys anything with Tycoon in the title. Also "Animals" the Ricky Gervais DVD for a quid. Hazel also dodnt find much- just a small reel of Coronation Ribbon.
It was quite a nice sunny morning so surprised there weren't more stalls there.
The council men are digging up the pavement over the road again after filling in the previous holes a couple of weeks ago! How do they do it? They must go for special lessons in time wasting! One of them is pushing a wire down the hole and joining it up to the new lamp posts. I excpect someone else will come along in a couple of weeks to dig it up again so they can switch it on!
Monday, September 05, 2005
September Collaging
Have been busy the last couple of days making these collages for Dietmar and Anne's assembling mail art calendar project. They need 24 pages 10.5 x 14.5 inches. They will compile them into a calendar and each participant gets one by the end of the year so you can use it for 2006. I think it's a great idea but a lot of work! Dietmar and Anne have always made some stunning work for projects of mine in the past so thought it about time I sent them something I'd spent a lot of time on.
Yesterday we went to the boot sale at Witton Albion football club which was quite busy and more stalls that usual. I found a few cheap CD's, mostly from covers of old MOJO magazines- punk and garage bands of the 60's. Also two vinyl LP's- one of cockney songs by David Kossoff and another by a a duo called "Strange Folk" from the 80's that I'd never heard of. Listening to it now I can see why!
Hazel got some plants and a T-shirt and Archie found a fly splatting gun which fires a "net" by a spring mechanism.
In the afternoon we had a walk over at Marbury and a picnic by the lake as the weather was so hot. There was a Side Saddle horse display in the arena bit ( by the information centre) and women in fancy dress told us about the history of side saddle riding and four of them trotted round to some odd rap music which didn't really go with the clothes!? The microphone made her sound like a wheezing asthmatic which didn't help!
Archie was delighted to find out later that he didnt have to go to school on Monday and he had another day of holiday left!
Yesterday we went to the boot sale at Witton Albion football club which was quite busy and more stalls that usual. I found a few cheap CD's, mostly from covers of old MOJO magazines- punk and garage bands of the 60's. Also two vinyl LP's- one of cockney songs by David Kossoff and another by a a duo called "Strange Folk" from the 80's that I'd never heard of. Listening to it now I can see why!
Hazel got some plants and a T-shirt and Archie found a fly splatting gun which fires a "net" by a spring mechanism.
In the afternoon we had a walk over at Marbury and a picnic by the lake as the weather was so hot. There was a Side Saddle horse display in the arena bit ( by the information centre) and women in fancy dress told us about the history of side saddle riding and four of them trotted round to some odd rap music which didn't really go with the clothes!? The microphone made her sound like a wheezing asthmatic which didn't help!
Archie was delighted to find out later that he didnt have to go to school on Monday and he had another day of holiday left!
Friday, September 02, 2005
Walk to Neumann's Flashes
A pleasant stroll down the old Marbury road thats been closed off for some years now and turned into a footpath with access to the new walks around the "Flashes" or man made lakes which were once something to do with the salt mining industry. Lots of bird hides and fences with viewing slits to watch the wildfowl and other birds that use the reeds and water etc. Very few poeple around despite the beautiful weather and still the school holidays. Amazing to have such an idyllic nature trail so close to the town centre- you'd think it would be packed with people. We saw one family, one man walking his dog and one woman on a bike in the whole hour we were there.
I cleared my table a bit today you'll be glad to know so making collages is a bit easier- I even made a new one and overcame my fear of the Pritt-stick!
That sky was very Norwegian looking today with little white fluffy clouds dotted around, but I'm sure it wasn't quite the blue seen in this photo!
I cleared my table a bit today you'll be glad to know so making collages is a bit easier- I even made a new one and overcame my fear of the Pritt-stick!
That sky was very Norwegian looking today with little white fluffy clouds dotted around, but I'm sure it wasn't quite the blue seen in this photo!
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Unlucky for some!
Here we are at hole number 13- better known as Soggy Prestatyn.
Going there was a doddle compared with coming back. We only missed one turn off and ended up in Mold. Took us about an hour and twenty minutes to get to the North Wales coastal resort (hah!) which is mostly a big sandy beach with assorted car parks dotted along behind a big sea wall- some seedy cafes amd a swimming pool/leisure complex. Still, it was the seaside and Archie enjoyed the digging and the paddling until the rain came down and we sat in the car for a bit looking at the sea and the rain. Eventually it stopped and we went to play crazy golf. Then the rain came again and so we played about half the holes and decided to quit whilst we were still ahead. We got a free ticket to try again sometime. Fat chance!
Getting home was a nightmare in the rain and only the barest map directions. We stopped off at Abberkan for tea and look round the cloth remnants and seconds. Hazel bought some cushion material. Then off again to find the way home only to find the huge bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal near Birkenhead instead! Retraced our steps and eventually with much bad luck found the centre of Chester ( dog nose how we managed this?) and total gridlock that lasted what seemed like hours. Anyway, we made it home and now it doesn't seem so bad. We will laugh about it tomorrow! hah Ha!
Going there was a doddle compared with coming back. We only missed one turn off and ended up in Mold. Took us about an hour and twenty minutes to get to the North Wales coastal resort (hah!) which is mostly a big sandy beach with assorted car parks dotted along behind a big sea wall- some seedy cafes amd a swimming pool/leisure complex. Still, it was the seaside and Archie enjoyed the digging and the paddling until the rain came down and we sat in the car for a bit looking at the sea and the rain. Eventually it stopped and we went to play crazy golf. Then the rain came again and so we played about half the holes and decided to quit whilst we were still ahead. We got a free ticket to try again sometime. Fat chance!
Getting home was a nightmare in the rain and only the barest map directions. We stopped off at Abberkan for tea and look round the cloth remnants and seconds. Hazel bought some cushion material. Then off again to find the way home only to find the huge bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal near Birkenhead instead! Retraced our steps and eventually with much bad luck found the centre of Chester ( dog nose how we managed this?) and total gridlock that lasted what seemed like hours. Anyway, we made it home and now it doesn't seem so bad. We will laugh about it tomorrow! hah Ha!
Pannini and Chips
We took a load of Archie's old toys and junk he had decided he didn't want anymore to the charity shop. The manager is a tranvestite, at least we think he/she is? She has a very deep voice and needs a shave.
I walked around town and went in all the other charity shops but didnt find many bargains. I was hoping to make up for Mondays boot sale disaster (it rained and I looked like a drowned rat!) but only found a DVD of a film called "Happiness" which I'd never heard of but had some critical acclaim according to the sleeve notes. Also found a double tape of old wartime humour, most of which I had already.
For lunch we went to the pub in Plumley as a belated birthday treat. Hazel's Mom wasn't feeling very well in July so we didn't have the traditional pub lunch. After waddling out after a huge platefulof pannini and chips ( Audrey and Doreen had the cod) we went to a the Hidden Nursery to look at plants and flowerpots. Audrey and Doreen bought some big gaudy orange flowering droopy plants I forget the names of. They had to be laid down in the boot and risked having their flowers cut off when the boot was closed!
Then home to collapse on the settee. That pint of bitter I had at lunchtime wasnt a good idea, it just makes me very sleepy.
Added more to new Boot Sale Sounds blog, which is looking pretty good though I say so myself.
I walked around town and went in all the other charity shops but didnt find many bargains. I was hoping to make up for Mondays boot sale disaster (it rained and I looked like a drowned rat!) but only found a DVD of a film called "Happiness" which I'd never heard of but had some critical acclaim according to the sleeve notes. Also found a double tape of old wartime humour, most of which I had already.
For lunch we went to the pub in Plumley as a belated birthday treat. Hazel's Mom wasn't feeling very well in July so we didn't have the traditional pub lunch. After waddling out after a huge platefulof pannini and chips ( Audrey and Doreen had the cod) we went to a the Hidden Nursery to look at plants and flowerpots. Audrey and Doreen bought some big gaudy orange flowering droopy plants I forget the names of. They had to be laid down in the boot and risked having their flowers cut off when the boot was closed!
Then home to collapse on the settee. That pint of bitter I had at lunchtime wasnt a good idea, it just makes me very sleepy.
Added more to new Boot Sale Sounds blog, which is looking pretty good though I say so myself.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Mmmmmm! Fish and chips!
It's cooking now as I type this. Archie is just showing me some easter chicks trapped in a cardboard egg. What came first the fish or the egg?
How long is a piece of string? How high is up? etc.
What has been today's highlights?
Went into town and discovered more reductions at the Booksale shop who sadly are closing down soon. Bought a Josephine Baker CD for 75p! It has some nice french songs on it that will probably end up on my new BLOG at some point. Just podded some fresh peas. They should be done by now so better go.
How long is a piece of string? How high is up? etc.
What has been today's highlights?
Went into town and discovered more reductions at the Booksale shop who sadly are closing down soon. Bought a Josephine Baker CD for 75p! It has some nice french songs on it that will probably end up on my new BLOG at some point. Just podded some fresh peas. They should be done by now so better go.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Oh Mr. Porter!
Crash! I was woken at 2.30a.m. by what sounded like a tipper truck full of ming vases being driven into the bay window. Nobody else had woke up so I assumed it was just a dream but went down stairs in Hazel's pink dressing gown just incase it was burglars and the sight of me would frighten them away! I found piles of broken crockery and glass all over the quarry tiled kitchen floor- one of the shelves in the kitchen cupboard had collapsed and the contents had slid out making a lovely mess to clear up. I waited until morning though as I was still half asleep and didn't want to cut myself.
No bootsales today - none we knew the whereabouts of anyway. So After breakfast Hazel took Jackie to Matalan and Archie & I stayed at home.
Later we drove to Crewe and dropped Jackie off at the railway station after a few detours around Crewe's notorious one way, roundabout obsessed streets.
Peter Sellers/Temperence 7 - Ukulele Lady
Sol Hoopii - There's Nothing Else To Do
These You Send It files are available for seven days or until exhausted.
No bootsales today - none we knew the whereabouts of anyway. So After breakfast Hazel took Jackie to Matalan and Archie & I stayed at home.
Later we drove to Crewe and dropped Jackie off at the railway station after a few detours around Crewe's notorious one way, roundabout obsessed streets.
Peter Sellers/Temperence 7 - Ukulele Lady
Sol Hoopii - There's Nothing Else To Do
These You Send It files are available for seven days or until exhausted.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Old bottles, packets and cheese toasties.
Juts back from a nice trip over to Nantwich and a rummage in all the charity shops and lunch in the deli that has the old packaging and shop museum bit at the back by the resturant.
Found a double Cd by Mungo Jerry for 99p which cheered me up- Hazel wasn't impressed! I suspect it's a remake of Ray Dorset and some other people going under that name. I havent listened to it yet.
Archie bought a very annoying Voice Distorting machine which makes him sound like either a dalek or a demented pixie depending on which setting you put it on. He wandered around Nantwich with it in a bag and the microphone sticking up over his t-shirt so that he could annoy all and sundry with variations of both.I think I shall be hiding the batteries very soon!
Hazel bought a bag for the beach- indeed, it seemed to have most of a beach still attached to it!
Hazel's old chum Jackie came too and she spent ages trying on clothes and not buying anything.
Afterwards we drove over the Dagfields on the way to Stoke and browsed the antigue barns. Found a nice old side table with two drawers that the computer will fit on nicely. A bit pricey but we haven't seen one we like so bought it. The chap delivered it for free and it arrived about 30 minutes after we got home! It's great to have a proper table at last and get rid of the folding card table and the school desk that had the printer on. Now we can see the bookshelf again and can get our knees under this table which has castors on so it can be easily moved if needs arise
Salt Pastiller packet found in Hamar in Norway..
Found a double Cd by Mungo Jerry for 99p which cheered me up- Hazel wasn't impressed! I suspect it's a remake of Ray Dorset and some other people going under that name. I havent listened to it yet.
Archie bought a very annoying Voice Distorting machine which makes him sound like either a dalek or a demented pixie depending on which setting you put it on. He wandered around Nantwich with it in a bag and the microphone sticking up over his t-shirt so that he could annoy all and sundry with variations of both.I think I shall be hiding the batteries very soon!
Hazel bought a bag for the beach- indeed, it seemed to have most of a beach still attached to it!
Hazel's old chum Jackie came too and she spent ages trying on clothes and not buying anything.
Afterwards we drove over the Dagfields on the way to Stoke and browsed the antigue barns. Found a nice old side table with two drawers that the computer will fit on nicely. A bit pricey but we haven't seen one we like so bought it. The chap delivered it for free and it arrived about 30 minutes after we got home! It's great to have a proper table at last and get rid of the folding card table and the school desk that had the printer on. Now we can see the bookshelf again and can get our knees under this table which has castors on so it can be easily moved if needs arise
Salt Pastiller packet found in Hamar in Norway..
Sunday, August 14, 2005
I can't really a fiord it.
Sorry for the terrible pun. I have been waiting to use that one for the last fortnight!
Went t a car boot sale at Verdin park this morning as the sun was out temporarily despite some cheeky grey clouds creeping along close behind.
Got a few old photos in a book shaped box that splits in two and some smaller ones in an album. £2 for each which i thought a bargain. I can't help but think what they may have cost in Norway. An arm and a leg I suspect. I did buy an old postcard at an ANTIKK shop in the countryside, just outside Hamar. It cost me 30k which is about three quid. I wish I'd bought some more but it seemd a bit extravagant at the time - watching the pennies.
Also got a 1973 Topper annual for Archie but he already has it.
Archie got a big stack of Simpsons and Futurama comics so he was happy as Larry (whoever he might be?) and Hazel got a small tapestry/sampler thing in a frame she's going to sew into a cushion cover.
Archie has gone off to his friend Jame's house for the afternoon. Hazel is reading the sunday papers and I'm catching up with the blogs and e-mails. A pretty typical sunday with the clouds getting greyer and the rain coming again.
Went t a car boot sale at Verdin park this morning as the sun was out temporarily despite some cheeky grey clouds creeping along close behind.
Got a few old photos in a book shaped box that splits in two and some smaller ones in an album. £2 for each which i thought a bargain. I can't help but think what they may have cost in Norway. An arm and a leg I suspect. I did buy an old postcard at an ANTIKK shop in the countryside, just outside Hamar. It cost me 30k which is about three quid. I wish I'd bought some more but it seemd a bit extravagant at the time - watching the pennies.
Also got a 1973 Topper annual for Archie but he already has it.
Archie got a big stack of Simpsons and Futurama comics so he was happy as Larry (whoever he might be?) and Hazel got a small tapestry/sampler thing in a frame she's going to sew into a cushion cover.
Archie has gone off to his friend Jame's house for the afternoon. Hazel is reading the sunday papers and I'm catching up with the blogs and e-mails. A pretty typical sunday with the clouds getting greyer and the rain coming again.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Holiday memories.
Luckliy we missed the BA strike fiasco that afflicted the Heathrow bound flights and managed to get home without too much upset. Poor Archie though was picked out whilst going through the metal detector gate thing. Turns out he had some metal strips in his trainers which he had to take off and put through another conveyor belt gadget much to his embarressment. If this wasn't bad enough they found his spud gun in his ruckrack which we'd forgotten all about and they had to confisgate it which really upset him. On the ingoing trip we had four spud guns in our big luggage and the metal strips in his shoes didnt even show up! Typical. Still its reassuring they are on the ball in Oslo at least.
My ears didnt hurt on the way back either which was good. Going, they were very painful despite the special earplugs I was using.
In Oslo we stayed at the Savoy Hotel which sounds very grand but is quite ordinairy by Norwegian standards. It is slap bang in the centre of Oslo just a short walk from the Nasjonnalgalleriat which is the equivelent of the Tate in London. You can walk to most places of interest or take the short boat ride to the peninsula where most of the big museums are- like the Folk Museum, The Viking Ships Museum, the Kon Tiki Museum and the Polar Ship ~Museum. We did that last time we went to Oslo four years ago so this time we did the castle, the Film Museum, the Vigeland Museum and Sculpture park and the Historik Museum. Our feet ached quite a bit after all of these I can tell you! We had a short boat "mini-cruise" around the fiord too which was fun which lasted about 50 minutes with a guide telling you about the places of interest and the islands in the fiord.
My ears didnt hurt on the way back either which was good. Going, they were very painful despite the special earplugs I was using.
In Oslo we stayed at the Savoy Hotel which sounds very grand but is quite ordinairy by Norwegian standards. It is slap bang in the centre of Oslo just a short walk from the Nasjonnalgalleriat which is the equivelent of the Tate in London. You can walk to most places of interest or take the short boat ride to the peninsula where most of the big museums are- like the Folk Museum, The Viking Ships Museum, the Kon Tiki Museum and the Polar Ship ~Museum. We did that last time we went to Oslo four years ago so this time we did the castle, the Film Museum, the Vigeland Museum and Sculpture park and the Historik Museum. Our feet ached quite a bit after all of these I can tell you! We had a short boat "mini-cruise" around the fiord too which was fun which lasted about 50 minutes with a guide telling you about the places of interest and the islands in the fiord.
Friday, August 12, 2005
Lake Osen, Norway.
Just back from a lovely holiday in beautiful Norway. Stayed with our friend Esther and her three children at Hamar and for a few days at the holiday home Esther's mother has on the shores of Lake Osen. It's a most idyllic place and we were very priviledged to be able to stay there amongst the lonesome pines.
The photo does not do the view justice really. We had two of three days of drizzly rain but mostly the weather was perfect for walking and exploring the region, climbing hills and picking berries etc. Archie and the kids had a great time in the tree houses they had built and swimming at the sandy beach about 15 minutes drive away. The lake itself is long and thin like a scottish loch and about 18 miles long by a mile wide. No monster has been sighted but rumours are rife!
We also spent a couple of days in Oslo going to museums and art galleries and doing lots of window shopping ( the only sort we could afford! Norway is very expensive!)
What a beautiful place though and the people are so helpful and friendly.
The photo does not do the view justice really. We had two of three days of drizzly rain but mostly the weather was perfect for walking and exploring the region, climbing hills and picking berries etc. Archie and the kids had a great time in the tree houses they had built and swimming at the sandy beach about 15 minutes drive away. The lake itself is long and thin like a scottish loch and about 18 miles long by a mile wide. No monster has been sighted but rumours are rife!
We also spent a couple of days in Oslo going to museums and art galleries and doing lots of window shopping ( the only sort we could afford! Norway is very expensive!)
What a beautiful place though and the people are so helpful and friendly.
Friday, July 29, 2005
Willy-wonka-hula-wicky-wacky-woo
We went to see the new Charlie and the Chocolate Factory film this evening which was better than we thought. The sets and special effects were certainly more impressive but what was lacking I think was some good novelty songs with some hawaiian guitar and ukulele's! That loud disco/heavy rock stuff just sounded so crass and noisy.A lighter touch was needed. Two hours seemed abit long too and to get the next lot of punters in they stopped the film as the credits were rolling which I thought was a bit mean.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Flickr Broadcasting Company
This is a collage for the Collage Kids group theme of "music" that I started the other day.
Went for my scan yesterday and all is as it should be so much relief all round. It was amazingly quick and only took a total of 15 minutes. In London I would have to wait at least two hours before being seen! I'd taken a magazine and a book to read but they weren't needed. Hazel and Archie came with me and waited in the park, playing on the swings and watching the house martins zooming around the field at knee height catching airbourne insects.
Today was Hazel's birthday so we went to Crewe flea market to celebrate and bought a few odd and sods. Hazel found some interesting metal gadgets including a voltmeter which will no doubt end up on her BLOG very soon!
I got a video of the Straight Story by David Lynch about an old geezer who takes a 300 mile trip across America on a motor mower.
Hazel took her sister out to the town this afternoon and borrowed the" Speak Norwegian" tape from the library that she's ordered. It's very complicated and throws you in at the deep end. We would preferred some easy words and phrases first!
Full of vegetable curry now from the Bengal Doodah over in the next village. We tried their take-away service recently and they were very good and so as it was Hazel's birthday we went again and now feel very full!
Harry Korris,B. Vincent & C. Frederick - Out In Indiah
Tommy Handley - It's That Man Again
These You Send it files are available for seven days or until exhausted.
Went for my scan yesterday and all is as it should be so much relief all round. It was amazingly quick and only took a total of 15 minutes. In London I would have to wait at least two hours before being seen! I'd taken a magazine and a book to read but they weren't needed. Hazel and Archie came with me and waited in the park, playing on the swings and watching the house martins zooming around the field at knee height catching airbourne insects.
Today was Hazel's birthday so we went to Crewe flea market to celebrate and bought a few odd and sods. Hazel found some interesting metal gadgets including a voltmeter which will no doubt end up on her BLOG very soon!
I got a video of the Straight Story by David Lynch about an old geezer who takes a 300 mile trip across America on a motor mower.
Hazel took her sister out to the town this afternoon and borrowed the" Speak Norwegian" tape from the library that she's ordered. It's very complicated and throws you in at the deep end. We would preferred some easy words and phrases first!
Full of vegetable curry now from the Bengal Doodah over in the next village. We tried their take-away service recently and they were very good and so as it was Hazel's birthday we went again and now feel very full!
Harry Korris,B. Vincent & C. Frederick - Out In Indiah
Tommy Handley - It's That Man Again
These You Send it files are available for seven days or until exhausted.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Shakerley Mere
Watch the short Quicktime movie HERE.
A pleasant walk today at Shakerley Mere to feed the ducks, geese and moorhens etc with out stale bread. Spotted a tiny baby moorhen bobbing water following it's mum. I didnt get my camera out quick enough I was so amused by it's motion through the water and pathetic squeaks. It reached the tangle of reeds by an old half submerged log which was the nest and buried itself under the mother's feathery tum.
Earlier in the day we went into town to get some shopping and take some old toys and games etc. to the charity shop that Archie had decided he didn't want anymore. I found an extras DVD disc in a Woolworth's sale for a pound. It was from the film "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and was mostly short uninteresting "making of" documentarys with Dick Van Dyke but Hazel and I were delighted to find a short film about the artist/inventor Rowland Emett included. He designed and made all the strange contraptions that are used in the film.
See the work and read more about Rowland Emett HERE.
Billy Williams - Don't Send My Boy To Prison
Nellie Wallace - Three Times A Day
These You Send It files are available for seven days or until exhausted.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Butterflies in the Stomach.
The days and weeks are wizzing by and it's hard to keep up with all these blogs. Juts tried to use old Pentax "spotmatic" SLR to take some slides of new collages but the battery must flat as the light meter wasn't working. The selection from the pound shop doesn't seem to fit - hardly surprising really. I will have to go into town tomorrow to buy one for hugely inflated price no doubt!
Yesterday was a bumper mail day for a change with packets from all over. Some had Cd's in which is even more fun, so spent the day listening to some David Lindley, Stereophonics and Dead Ringers whilst making some collages and answering some mail.
That was mostly in the afternoon actually as in the morning we drove over to Crewe to look round the flea market and the charity shops. The market was quite busy but mostly real junk. Hazel found some collar studs and cuff LINKS.
In one of the charity shops found a few old scratchy records including the Harry Roy double album with some nice novelties which will upload below. Also some circus music by the Barnham & Bailey band. A lot of oompah but not much else!
Harry Roy Orchestra - Wah-De-Dah
Harry Roy Orchestra - Nasty Man
These You Send It files are available for seven days or until exhausted.
Monday, July 18, 2005
Woodworm hunt.
Hazel found some woodworm in a wicker basket in the front room and so has been on a woodworm hunt ever since. She's scared they may have got into other wickerwork so a pile of baskets now all bagged up in the garden, ready to go to the tip.
The video was standing on one wicker hamper so now we have utilised an old record player cabinet for the time being. Most TV tables are pretty hideous so looking out for something we can live with and that is not edible!
Having several blogs on the go now makes it harder to update this one so I must try and remember what has happened over the last few days.
James came over yesterday to play with Archie which was all going well until they stated to play with spud guns in the garden. James went upstairs to shoot ou the open window and he accidentally knocked over some of Archie's lego models of Hogwarts on the window sill. I though the roof was coming down! A great avalanche of lego bricks came crashing to the back yard. I rushed outside expecting to see James hanging from the guttering but he was looking rather embarressed- poking his round red face out of the window.
The boot sales on Sunday were a bit of a disapointment with only a video of Austin Powers to show for it. It was very hot again so were quite glad to get back to our nice cool house.
Hazel and Archie went to queue at Smiths for the new Harry Potter book at midnight last Friday (did I say?). Only a few people there at first being taunted by some drunks coming back from the chip shop. Hazel decided to move the car as the car park was a bit isolated and only three cars in it. When they came back the queue had grown considerably and by the time the doors opened it stretched for 200 yards or more and the drunks were in a minority and keeping their distance incase they were attacked by little girls in pointy hats and broomsticks!
Friday, July 15, 2005
Two plums in a crevasse.
A nice cool photo for this hot weather. Postcard courtesy of Tim Scannell. I added the plums.
Hazel is listening to Radio 4 on the wind-up radio in her workshop. She's slowly getting round to doing some metalwork in there - scraping the door and hoovering up the flaked paint etc.
My room is a bit cooler today so been able to catch up with some correspondence and some collaging.
Hazel says there are too many distractions in the garden - the birds especially who gather round the seed feeders and fat balls.Also the thrush that uses the crazy paving to whack snails on to crack open the shells for the tasty morsel within. She sits at her workbench and is entranced by their antics and forgets about her work. Great to see Andy Sykes doing well and had lots of his very funny animations on BBC 2 late last night which I taped, as part of the Homegrown Hollywood series on every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night from 2 a.m. until 6. You can find his films HERE
Time for some music.
Ernest Butcher - Peaceful Street
Jack Hodges - Everything's Fresh Today
These You Send It files are available for seven days or until exhausted.
Hazel is listening to Radio 4 on the wind-up radio in her workshop. She's slowly getting round to doing some metalwork in there - scraping the door and hoovering up the flaked paint etc.
My room is a bit cooler today so been able to catch up with some correspondence and some collaging.
Hazel says there are too many distractions in the garden - the birds especially who gather round the seed feeders and fat balls.Also the thrush that uses the crazy paving to whack snails on to crack open the shells for the tasty morsel within. She sits at her workbench and is entranced by their antics and forgets about her work. Great to see Andy Sykes doing well and had lots of his very funny animations on BBC 2 late last night which I taped, as part of the Homegrown Hollywood series on every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night from 2 a.m. until 6. You can find his films HERE
Time for some music.
Ernest Butcher - Peaceful Street
Jack Hodges - Everything's Fresh Today
These You Send It files are available for seven days or until exhausted.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Keep Cool!
Wear a melon slice on your head. Don't forget your five portions of fruit and veg. Very important to drink lots of water in this hot weather. I must have drunk a gallon of it yesterday!
Phew! Summer really is here with a vengeance. Why do people go to Greece and Spain and these really hot countries for their holidays? They must be mad!
This collage is for the latest theme of FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD at Collage Kids at Flickr.
I was listening to Mark Lamaar's great rock 'n' roll show on Radio 2 the other night and heard this great song-
Lord Sundance - Pretty Lord Sundance
This You Send It file is available for seven days or until exhausted.
Phew! Summer really is here with a vengeance. Why do people go to Greece and Spain and these really hot countries for their holidays? They must be mad!
This collage is for the latest theme of FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD at Collage Kids at Flickr.
I was listening to Mark Lamaar's great rock 'n' roll show on Radio 2 the other night and heard this great song-
Lord Sundance - Pretty Lord Sundance
This You Send It file is available for seven days or until exhausted.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Cheshire Steam Fair
We went to Tabley Hall today to the annual Cheshire Steam fair which we missed last year for some reason but we went the year before and it was great. It was just as good this year but very hot so didn't stay as long as we'd like.
Lots of traction engines like the one's here- getting up a head of steam and belching black acrid smoke everywhere. It was like going back in time. Some great rides including a steam driven "galloper" or a roundabout with horses on poles that move up and down. it also had a mechanical pipe organ at the centre which played "The Galloping Major" and other equestrian hits. The most exciting thing though was the "Wall of Death" which we'd seen before and so keen to see again as it was so thrilling to see the bikes whizz round the inside of this big wooden barrel shaped tented structure which swayed and vibrated with all the noise and adrenalin! It was amazing to see.
We had a nice picnic under a shadey tree but the grass was covered in sheeps doings so we didnt stop long!
There was an auto-jumble too with stalls selling all manner of car parts and tools etc. Hazel bought some copper sheeting to add to her supply of materials for making her gadgets and metalworks etc. Archie found some old Beanos, so he was happy.
The car was like an oven by the time we got back to it around 2.30 and we had to open the doors and windows and let it cool down for 5 minutes before we dared get inside- even then it was like climbing into a newly fired kiln!
Hazel and Archie waiting for the fun to begin at the Wall of Death.
Lots of traction engines like the one's here- getting up a head of steam and belching black acrid smoke everywhere. It was like going back in time. Some great rides including a steam driven "galloper" or a roundabout with horses on poles that move up and down. it also had a mechanical pipe organ at the centre which played "The Galloping Major" and other equestrian hits. The most exciting thing though was the "Wall of Death" which we'd seen before and so keen to see again as it was so thrilling to see the bikes whizz round the inside of this big wooden barrel shaped tented structure which swayed and vibrated with all the noise and adrenalin! It was amazing to see.
We had a nice picnic under a shadey tree but the grass was covered in sheeps doings so we didnt stop long!
There was an auto-jumble too with stalls selling all manner of car parts and tools etc. Hazel bought some copper sheeting to add to her supply of materials for making her gadgets and metalworks etc. Archie found some old Beanos, so he was happy.
The car was like an oven by the time we got back to it around 2.30 and we had to open the doors and windows and let it cool down for 5 minutes before we dared get inside- even then it was like climbing into a newly fired kiln!
Hazel and Archie waiting for the fun to begin at the Wall of Death.
Friday, July 08, 2005
That sinking feeling.
Hazel spent a lot of time inthe garden today as the sun came out! Hooray! After yesterday's depressing news of the bombings we needed a bit of sun to cheer us up. Hazel chopped lots of wood that had been piling up and then we lifted the old butlers sink back into the workshop for trimming - Hazel thumped great chunks of the concrete that still adhered to the bottom and the ceramic bricks that hold it up. It was pretty heavy so struggled a bit, but eventually we got it into place. Hoping that gravity will hold it there instead of cement!
Archie went to Chester Zoo again but this time with his school on a coach. He seemed to enjoy it which was good as he tends to dislike trips for some reason. He came back with presents for us both- badges and a bar of zoo chocolate which we ate with our afternoon tea and walnut cake.
I have been neglecting this blog for a few days as just started another with Swapatarium and Art Nahpro so kept busy making collages for it. Also clearing out the shed where we found these old card games amongst other things. A car boot load went to the tip and another to the charity shop. You can actually get into the shed now and sort through the tools and open cupboards, which you couldnt do before, eveything was jam packed in there.
Anyway, heres another couple of songs from the old days of music hall and variety as i haven't found much in the boot sales lately.
Gracie Fields - You Can't Catch Flies By Scratching Them
Tommy Handley - Have You Seen My Chickens?
These You Send It files are availble for seven days or until exhausted.
Archie went to Chester Zoo again but this time with his school on a coach. He seemed to enjoy it which was good as he tends to dislike trips for some reason. He came back with presents for us both- badges and a bar of zoo chocolate which we ate with our afternoon tea and walnut cake.
I have been neglecting this blog for a few days as just started another with Swapatarium and Art Nahpro so kept busy making collages for it. Also clearing out the shed where we found these old card games amongst other things. A car boot load went to the tip and another to the charity shop. You can actually get into the shed now and sort through the tools and open cupboards, which you couldnt do before, eveything was jam packed in there.
Anyway, heres another couple of songs from the old days of music hall and variety as i haven't found much in the boot sales lately.
Gracie Fields - You Can't Catch Flies By Scratching Them
Tommy Handley - Have You Seen My Chickens?
These You Send It files are availble for seven days or until exhausted.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Boot sale fun in the sun.
Two boot sales today. the first was at Verdin Park where the Fun fair is (Hazel and Archie went yesterday after the carnival parade). Lots of stalls and some bargains to be had like the pile of DVD extra discs for 50p each. Also some full length films including the Cohen Bros. "The Man Who Wasn't There" which I'd seen before but it baffled me so much I'd like to see it again to try and make more sense of it! I love Cohen Bros. films generally but this is an odd one. Also got "5 Hour Photo" and "Johnny English" which is supposed to be awful but quite like to make my own mind up.
Hazel got a coin that turns into a multi-bladed knife thingy( I expect it will turn up on her BLOG soon! Archie got some Simpsons comics. Then quickly to another in Hartford which was quieter and not much bargainwise. Hazel rushed home for a drink then off to take her Mom and sister before they started to pack up for the day.
Hazel is outside in the back garden, rummaging through the second shed contents to take to the tip tomorrow. She wants to see if the furniture in there (buried under all the junk) is worthy of her new workshop space.
Archie has gone upstairs to read. He is on the penultimate book of some trilogy or other which I forget the name of involving trolls, elves, goblins etc. It's good to see him reading so much. Hopefully it will help his terrible spelling.
Time for some music? What shall we have today? No records from the boot sale so will dip into the archive again.
Ray Noble & His Orch. - Haunted House
Billy Cotton Band - I've Got A Lovely Bunch of Cocoanuts
The You Send It files will be available for seven days or until exhausted.
Hazel got a coin that turns into a multi-bladed knife thingy( I expect it will turn up on her BLOG soon! Archie got some Simpsons comics. Then quickly to another in Hartford which was quieter and not much bargainwise. Hazel rushed home for a drink then off to take her Mom and sister before they started to pack up for the day.
Hazel is outside in the back garden, rummaging through the second shed contents to take to the tip tomorrow. She wants to see if the furniture in there (buried under all the junk) is worthy of her new workshop space.
Archie has gone upstairs to read. He is on the penultimate book of some trilogy or other which I forget the name of involving trolls, elves, goblins etc. It's good to see him reading so much. Hopefully it will help his terrible spelling.
Time for some music? What shall we have today? No records from the boot sale so will dip into the archive again.
Ray Noble & His Orch. - Haunted House
Billy Cotton Band - I've Got A Lovely Bunch of Cocoanuts
The You Send It files will be available for seven days or until exhausted.
Friday, July 01, 2005
A boy and his bike.
Here's Archie on his bike, ready for the off. This was taken last year as you can see the old shed still crumbling in the background.
Hazel is back from her London jaunt with some posh new jeans and some earrings by a famous maker from the Crafts Council shop but I've forgotten who. She'd also bough that excellent big catalogue from the Prinzhorn collection of psychotic art that was shown at the Hayward Gallery some years ago and she's always wanted a copy. They had them for half price at the Hayward shop. Some wonderful illustrations in it. She had gifts for us too including a lovely Edward Gorey children's book for Archie about a maggot and a roll of skeleton sticky tape for me.
She popped round to see Jane & Graham who both looked well she said and had just come back from Greece. Cooper's was shutting but managed to grab a few words with Cheryl before she went home.
Hopefully we can get down to London before the end of the Summer to see our friends and family and the Rebecca Horn exhibition at the Hayward that is very good Hazel said.
Here's a couple of jolly songs from the heyday of British music hall and variety between the wars.
Leslie Holmes - I've Gone and Lost My Little Yo Yo
Charlie Higgins - Charlie's Saxaphone
The You Send It files will last seven days or until exhausted.
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