Och aye the Noo

Some people are easily pleased.

Me for instance. As a birthday treat I was quite content to sit listening to a chubby 60 year old bloke having a sing-song followed by tea in a motorway services.

Only a select few joined me for the tea, but altogether 9,999 other people joined in the community singing. The community was Glasgow, and the aging warbler was Elton John.


When I last saw Captain Fantastic, twenty years ago, he was just that. Back then he justified his standing as a world class rock star – with a live performance every bit as good as on his recordings.

He didn’t have to sing “I’m Still Standing” this weekend. But he did. And he is. In fact I’d go as far as to say that he sounded even better.

“Rocket Man” orbited the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre for a good ten minutes and was by far the best rendition of that 1972 rock classic I have ever heard. The extended instrumental segment they belted out at the end of the song was out of this world. Then, just as I’m thinking it’s going to be a long, long time before I hear anything to better it – along came Crocodile Rock.

Just a couple of the numbers were from his recent album and they blended seamlessly with his classics. I would have been disappointed if he’d not played either “Benny and the Jets” or “Saturday Night”. He gave us both.

His band (too small a name for the other five guys on Elton’s stage) produced solid, perfectly balanced wall of sound. Nigel Olson provided the solid drumming which is at the very heart of rock, and scot Davey Johnstone played rock guitar in a way that left you begging for more. The pair have been with Elton since the seventies, so I guess they’re getting the hang of it by now.

The youngsters of today’s music industry don’t even come close.

Fresh talent

However… On the subject of youngsters… Elton invited Glasgow lass Amy McDonald to open the show with five numbers from her soon to be released debut album. Reminiscent of Joan Armatrading and alone on stage with her guitar, she sang effortlessly and beautifully – as she has in the pubs and clubs of her home town for the past couple of years. I guarantee we are going to see and hear a lot more of this wee lassie.

Then at the end of her spot, diminutive on a stage built for one of the world’s greatest, richest and most loved performers, she thanked ten thousand people for listening to her songs and invited us to log on to her “My Space” page to hear more!


Anyone for tea?

We liked Glasgow and its friendly people, but could only linger ‘til mid afternoon on the day after the concert. Then it was the long drive home.

Did I mention Tea? Hunger struck halfway down the M6 so we pulled in to a Motorway Services. But what we discovered was in fact the Best Motorway Services – in the World!!

I absolutely mean it. If ever you are on the M6 you MUST call in at the Tebay Services. In fact, just go up (or down) the M6 especially to visit. Forget the over priced greasy mess usually found in these places. This was fast food at its best. - freshly cooked on the premises. Really, really good. And, under the same management, a fantastic farm shop/delicatessen and gift shop.

All in all it was a great weekend.

http://www.westmorland.com/static/Tebay_Services.htm

http://www.myspace.com/amymacdonald

Now click on the word "COMMENT" below...

---

Dan's Birthday Bash

So. Will there be a few throbbing heads this morning?

It was great to see you all at The Park last night. The Birthday Boy seemed to be enjoying it. I'll tell you - the way he was thrashing those feet around the dance floor I thought at one stage he'd end up with one of them matching his hand!

So what time did it all finish then? I wasn't the first to leave by any means and us pensioners actually managed to outlast some half our age (I won't metion any names, Emma) - and what about all that lovely food? Did it get eaten in the end? I know Neil was eyeing up the leftovers. The tiler's butty box will be overflowing this week.

All in all it was a really good night. Good company. Great music.

And then, of course, there was the band!

They were - and I say this with all sincerity - nothing short of, erm, entertaining.

I was also impressed to see one of the country's leading music critics in attendance...

-----------------

***
Happy 21st from us all, Dan

***

Click here for more lots more pictures

Skiing Trip to Austria

From Penrhyn Bay to Dover
From Dover to Calle
From Calle to Luxembourg
From Luxembourg to Saalbach!

After seven hours on the coach, all 41 of us arrived at Dover. We were boarding a ferry to Calle where we would spend another 16 hours on the coach to reach Saalbach, Austria. It was 5 p.m, and everyone was ready to stretch their legs. It was strange at first on the ferry, almost everyone spoke French (exept for the other schools that were going to Austria). Just to fit in, I decided to sing a French Placebo song, while my friends were shouting "Not Placebo again Marni?!" at me.

We reached Calle after an hour, and we were back on the bus.After watching a few DVD's and stopping off at a few Burger Kings, we all fell asleep. I asked my English teacher if she could wake me up as we were passing through Luxembourg, because, I'd allways wanted my picture taken there, but she forgot. Many people woke up early the next morning with pen all over their faces or shaven eyebrows, as people stared at them.

We stopped at a cafe to have breakfast. It was weird because you had to pay to go to the toilet!

When we finally reached Saalbach, everyone was tired, and needed a shower. I was surprised, because there was hardly no snow there. Saalbach is a strange combination, there are many shops there, but along with that, they have random ponys by the roadside ect. The hotel was quite small.

.

.

We were staying in Saalbach for 9 days, so we all were obviously going to have full, heavy bags, wich we had to heave up four flights of stairs up to our rooms. The rooms were quite small, with shared balconys. After a shower and a change of clothes, we were called down to tea. One word of advice : If you ever feel the need to try Austrian food, don't. Just don't. For a starter we had soup (so called). It was baisically hot water in a bowl, with a chiken flavoured oxo cube, herbs floating on the top, strange noodles at the bottom, and grease bubbles. Everyones reaction to the food was priceless!!

6:45 Sunday morning, we were awoken by the teachers knocking on the door, telling us to get ready for breakfast in half an hour. A girl seriously does need more time than that in the morning. Most of my mornings in hotel were spent on my bed saying "I really should get up now." Breakfast consisted of bread, salami, or if you felt really adventerous, some corn flakes that had been open for a year with cream. I didn't eat most mornings. We also had to make ourselves paked lunches in the mornings, for when we were on the slopes.

We reached the schiskule (yes, thats how they spell it) at 8:30 every morning, to have our ski boots and skii's fitted. After that we would go up the stairs to the skii lift. Walking in skii boots was difficult at first, I'm sure they put the stairs there, just so the more experienced skiiers could laugh at the beginners and feel better about themselves!

.

I remember seeing a slope for the first time when we reached top station, and told myself "Oh my god, I'm never gonna be able to skii down there."

We all got into our groupes, with our skii teacher (Matier, or Mateias) we just called him Mat. He took us down a really small slope, it was baisically an inch of a slant, and I still managed to slide down it, fall into a ditch and smash into a fence. It took ten minuets for someone to notice I was gone! We then practiced turning, and I kept on hitting the posts over while trying to go round them, and every one fell right at the end, because we wern't confident enough to go around the bump of snow, instead of through it! Eating food wasn't much easier. Everyone is expected to be tired after three hours of skiing, so why make it harder by putting two flights of stairs up to the restaurant? And why put slippery tile on the floor where everyone can fall over in there skii boots? Remembering this was a restaurant specially built for skiiers.

It wasn't long before everyone realised there was such things as chips in Austria. But seriously, after 4 days solid of eating water, you really appreciated a plate of chips. By the third day, we were skiing down massive slopes no problem. It was fantastic! Apart from the fact that Mat kept on calling me 'Mony', and his most used sentence was "Mony don't stress, don't worry, your not going to die". But teachers are strange, school teachers I mean. We had been skiing five hours a day, everyone compleatly shatterd by the time skiing was finished, but they still had some extra activity to do, such as go to Hinterglemm for two hours while we were still in opur skii gear, all sweaty in the boiling sun. It wasn't cold in the slightest there. Quite a lot of people got sun-stroke. We were followed continuously by a little year 7 girl all holiday, Sioned. But she was our life line, as she was the only person we knew who could speak German. She orderd all our food for us and helped us out the entire holiday. Every day came and went.Everyday after skiing, we had to go back to the hotel. The place were time stands still and the place where it's a sin to ask for still water.

Although I fell over many times on the easy slopes on the first and second days, I as fine on the harder slopes. I did happen to come last in the race, but only because I got my ski stuck on a pole near the start line OK?!?!

On this picture here, we skiied all the way down the slope and it took us 15 minuets to get to the bottom. So all in all it was a fantastic trip, but it was a releif to be back on the ferry. Me and my friend Emily, orderd all of our food in French, because we were so happy we understood the language!!

Like a dog with two wotsits!

Easter Camp

'Dad I need a poo.'
That's not an unusual comment to hear when you're the father of a 7 year old. Then the present situation cleared in my err... fuzzy head...
It was stupid o'clock, the tent was secured for the night, the grass outside was knee deep in dew and the toilets were 50 metres away over a stream and no lights to guide us there.
'DAD!'
The urgency in his voice required immediate action, it was cold, very cold. The quilt I had brought as a bed mat had long been turned into, well, a quilt to add insulation to our sleeping bags. I fought with the zipped linen, then fought with the zips on the tent (all three!).
The pleas of urgency had now turned into panic. There was no time to lose, I struggled with my trainers; why did I never untie my laces, and why were they so tight?
'Quick Dad' Came a tearful plea.
Feeling not too good myself, the realisation hit me that I should've binned the Instant Barbeque this afternoon when it didn't light properly; but we were hungry and the sausages and bacon hogged the corner that was lit. Well, they seemed cooked...
Instant Barbeque my arse! Instant Salmonella more like!
No time to lose, the boy was now shaking and crying as I picked him up and carried him across the field, it was pitch black, plenty of stars, but no moon and the rechargeable torch that promised 3 hours of continuous use had faded and died after 35 minutes.
The stream roared ahead of us; it trickled really but you get the affect! It was only a large step over to the otherside but where was the narrowest point? I couldn't see a thing!
Splash! That was my foot being immersed in the water, damn!
I legged across and got him to the toilet.
Relieved but shaking I realised he was freezing cold, and picked him up for the equally perilous return journey.
Splash! That was the other foot.
Thankfully, the rest of the night was uneventful.

'I think my bottom exploded last night'
Quipped Declan this morning...

Fuzz

"You must definitely stop using it. It will only get worse"

I asked if she could recommend another product but the answer was: "Sorry no. They all contain the same ingredient".

Thinking I might just put up with the itching, I Googled paraphenylenediamine. Oh boy! No way! (swell pictures!)

What we're actually talking about here, if you'd not already guessed, is the colour (or lack thereof) of my beard. I've been dyeing it for years!

I can't honestly say I'm ready for the "Father Christmas " look - but then, "Elephant Man" isn't that appealing a prospect either! So I bit the bullet, grabbed a razor and for the first time in forty-odd years my chin saw the light of day.

I was sixteen when I first started cultivating the facial fuzz, although it would be true to say several years went by before anyone else knew anything about it!

Anyway, never mind Santa and the Elephant Man, the fact is: I might just as well have been the Invisible Man all this time. The beard came off and nobody bloody well noticed! It took Isaac and Jordan all of a day to realise and my mother didn't bat an eyelid and still hasn't noticed several days later!

It reminded me of years ago when sported a big bushy beard. One hot summer I was really tempted to shave it off but instead took it down to little more than "designer stubble". I bumped into a neighbour who I'd seen almost daily and had known for years, only to be greeted with "Oh Chris, You're growing a beard!"

Anyway, this time the only person who immediately realized I'd had a facial Brazilian was Jayne. Snag is she didn't like it. Said my neck looked all wrinkly.

So the choice now was three-way: Father Christmas, the Elephant Man, or a bloody Tortoise!

We're back to designer stubble just now - albeit white designer stubble. It doesn't hide the jowls of course. At the moment we are at the stage which I suppose could be best described as a would-be Santa auditioning for a part in the opening titles of "One Foot in the Grave".

Having said all that, no-one else has so much as even commented - so I'm still invisible.

Maybe the "Elephant Man" look has something going for it after all!

Sunny Daze

Ah... The nights are drawing out - it kind of brings me a sense of hope, a sense that the long winter is over (it's been an oppressive winter). I don't know why I look towards Spring with fortitude; what does it really hold? The onset of hay fever and the kids complaining about going to bed when it's still light outside!
A new vigour, the hatches have been unbattened and I can tile in the sun... Well... not quite.
I've picked up a contract in Penmynydd, Anglesey - tiling 14 bathrooms - done 2½ so far. Being silly as well I'm also doing a bathroom in Rhyl in the evenings, so I left the house 6.30am yesterday and got in at 9.40pm...! Cash is, I guess... King!
Marni would like access privileges to this Blog; she is on the phone at the moment, gassing to Emily. Declan has just finished his homework and is having a quick 15mins on the PS2 before bed.

Okay - so I was hasty!

I know, I know! Don't say it!!

After going to all that trouble setting up a "family forum" at Network 54, someone now tells me I can modify this Blog Spot so that you all can post new messages - as well as leave "comments" on existing ones. (you'll all get an email giving you "author" privileges" ).

Also, this place is nicer, it's easier to post images (with "author" access), and apparently the other place keeps crashing and some of the uninvited adverts can be - how shall I put it? - unsavoury!

So there we are.

It's no longer just me blogging and you commenting, so if you've got something to say, don't twiddle your thumbs - blog.

---

Existing Members:

• Chris & Jayne
• Neil
• Jane & Steve
• Emma & Mike
• Vron & Marshall
• Isaac
• Jordan

We'll also invite Dan - but not until after the 14th in case someone mentions the "do".
The little 'uns can log in using your accounts, unless they want their own, of course.

If there's anyone else you think should be included, just say so.

Resurrected original posts

Mornin' all.

Haven't a clue which way this is going, but I thought it was time we had a place we could all meet now and again - in cyberspace that is.I don't mean, to replace visits and phone calls and family gatherings, of course.

More to keep in touch with what's going on. Post news, pictures, forthcoming family events, birthday reminders etc. (Isaac is 19 on Monday! 12th March)

We'll keep it strictly family (ish). I don't know whether we can restrict access here, but at least we can keep the URL to ourselves. Might even be better to use one of the "forum" thingies. All ideas are welcome.So let me know what you think - and what you're all up to. We're off to deliver Jordan to catch a mini bus to watch the World Badminton finals in Birmingham.Catch you all again soon.

Chris

---

March 25 2007, 4:43 PM

Neil Crud said... Good ides, but I'm second guessing the females of the species will be making far less contributions (if any)...! I hope they prove me wrong.

It's Saturday morning and the ritual here is for Declan to wake me up at some ungodly hour before 8am. He'll harrass me until I'm out of bed and then he's straight onto the PS2 to continue feeding his latest obsession - Football, or more so - Liverpool Football Club.With Marni watching over him from the confines of her bedroom(!)

I quickly nip across the road and move my van out of the Rhyl parking zones to relative Traffic Warden safety, and buy a Saturday copy of the Daily Post (why, I dunno, cos it's crap!).

Then its tea and toast for breakfast, cereal for Dec and the conversation covers whether Man U are bigger scum than Chelsea, should Thierry Henry play for Liverpool, do Newcastle foul everybody, are Watford going down etc...

Happy birthday to Isaac on Monday - I've just dug out my 1988 Diary - the entry for that day reads...I had a letter from Fireball magazine of Italy saying that they wish to organise us an Italian tour!!! Phil has advised us that we wouldn't get the dates if we sent them our current live recordings so we're booking Dave's studio in Bangor this week to get a tight, fast sound out ASAP.Had a tape from Japan in exchange for a 4Q one and the gig at Llandulas tonight has been cancelled over door money wrangles.My Dad and Jayne had an 8lb baby boy today - his name is Isaac James Birchall and he is my half brother. He's 21 years and 4 months my junior!

That's it! Hope this runs and runs - like I said, it's a good idea.

Off to see Portrait of A Lifetime tonight in the luxurious surroundings of The Dudley Arms in Rhyl... Here's a video I did for them using only a man who makes samarai swords in Llandudno and a cave...!

---

March 25 2007, 4:45 PM

With a little help was able to reply!!!!!My day has been dominated by Star Wars, Start Wars a bit of Polly Pocket and then more Star Wars.

Erin had a freind to play. So sweet to see them wandering around sharing hair bobbles and all things pink, with no mention what so ever of Star Wars.

Mike gone fishing, he must be freezing. 5 hours on Kinmel Bay beach.

Hope he's caught a fish or two for tea!We would all like to wish Isaac a happy birthday for Monday.

Must go, under pressure from Rhys to go on the computer to watch Star Wars clips. Aaaaahhh save me!!!

Love Em

---

March 25 2007, 4:46 PM

There ya go Em. Easier than frying fish, this blogging.

Did Mike catch anything? Seaweed? an odd wellie? a cold??

Neil: I'm impressed. Never had you down as being so well organised. I doubt I could find anything from last year, let alone a diary from nineteen years ago. I file everything under "M" for miscelaneous!

Jane: Anyone seen Jane?

---

March 25 2007, 4:47 PM

They're out to take away a little bit more of our freedom folks...The UK Govt are about to propose restrictions on photography in public places which could make street photography and documentary photography against the law.Not only that, you could be banned from taking a humble family snapshot in a public placeDon't let them do it!! There's a petition on the Downing St website against the Government's proposals to restrict the use of photography in public areas. Sign up to the petition now......http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Photography

PS: Anyone seen Jane?Posted by Chris Birchall at 18:35

---

March 25 2007, 4:48 PM

Neil Crud said...

I guess that comes under The War Against Terrorism (or T.W.A.T for short). If it became law it'd never work as they don't have the resources to police it - although I'm sure Brunstrumadumdum would have a good go if there was a cash incentive.

I've had a quiet 5 or 6 days for the first time since going self-employed - and it's been really good!

Done one little job this week, day off today, and Chester with the boys tomorrow, so I'm taking the Morris 1000 to Jane's Steve's Dad's for repairs (brakes and fuel pump seized) this afternoon. Then Dec and myself are going to Nain Denbigh's for tea.

As for Jane - internet..? You're kidding aren't ya! They still use candles on that side of Rhyl...!

---

15 March 2007 09:24

Chris Birchall said...

Day off eh! I've heard people talk of such things...Didn't realise you still had the Moggie. Have you painted it psycadelic purple yet? Isn't that what everybody does? You towing it or pushing it?Enjoy tea (freeloader!).

Tell Nain Denbigh we're all asking after her.

---

March 25 2007, 4:50 PM

Spring is sprung,
De grass is riz,
I wonder where dem birdies is?

De little birds is on de wing,
Ain’t dat absurd?
De little wing is on de bird!

Ah well, another Vernal Equinox over with. How was it for you? We've all got a nice solstice to look forward to now. Isn't that great?! I can almost feel your excitement from here!

Funny week. Hail like golf balls here in Ruthin. Probably just a light drizzle in Sunny Rhyl, was it?

At least we didn't have the whole town cordoned off due to an explosion. What WAS that all about?

So. Big Birthday at the weekend eh! Lot's of bopping and out on the town getting ratted I'll bet.

I don't know... that Elton sure knows how to celebrate!!


Erm... wasn't it someone elses this week too? [shrug]

Oh yes - HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANE! I'm shouting because Neil reckons she never goes near that interweb thingy.

Go on Jane. Prove him wrong. Hit "comments" then the keyboard (in that order!).

Neil, Em, Jane: Let the little 'uns have this URL. It would be great to see some of their words of wisdom here too.

See y'all soon.

---

March 25 2007, 4:50 PM


Neil Crud said...

Declan quipped this morning as we froze getting into the van for school,'It's the first day of spring.'

I dropped Marni off round the corner from the bus stop so her mates don't see her climbing out of a 'Noddy Van' and dropped Dec off at Clwb for 8.10am, before heading to Cilcain to finish Mrs Leech's bathroom.

On Monday I battled through snow to get there. Yesterday it was icy wind. Today I was blessed with glorious sunshine, which made my 'flu not seem so bad. The cure is simple - go to bed wearing as many clothes as comfortably possible (2 tees, hoody sweatshirt, trackie bottoms and a dressing gown) and sweat it out for two nights. Inbetween ensure you work your socks off! Bingo - no more 'flu - just a sore throat and swollen glands.

I was asked to host the Bite Size Bonus Radio Show which was broadcast today - it's the most listened to Podshow on the internet. Had a great laugh doing it - I don't think they knew what was coming..! Had lots of special guests, including Sting..!

Click Here And see the icon to play the show with your preferred software..!

I'll dig Jane in the ribs...