General - Conclusion to the story of Preston and an update.

Monday was a first-rate day. My meeting went well, and the sun was cracking the flags.

I spent near on £1200 on a new leather sofa and chare in black, should make the flat far more comfortable to live in, Philip helped me choose it. We then had two pints of very good Banks’s outside the Ribble Pilot which was nice.

Went to the malt night with Dave and Philip, and the whiskeys were actually very interesting. Of note was the Glenmorangie Burgundy finish, while not as good as the standard 10 year old IMHO it was pleasant with spicy notes and a bit of a kick in the aftertaste. I’m getting a bit sick of all these finishes though, and I wish they’d just bring out some older unchillfiltered and cask strength versions of there normal bourbon matured malt.

I indulged in a good few drams, but on returning to Daves didn’t stay awake long enough to have a takeaway. It’s a good job really as I had to be in Bracknell by 11 the next day. This I managed by waking early and getting myself to the train station once again.

It’s been a funny old day today. Set off in good spirits but had a bit of a barmy with a member of train staff at ST Pancras who wouldn’t accept my rail card as it’s slightly out of date. The excuse that I was waiting for a new one to be posted didn’t wash and the presents of Jaid didn’t cut it. I know these people have a job to do, but for Christ sake, give a little sometimes. Guess I’ll be calling to get it renewed then today. I’m in a better mood now after the two cups of free tea on the train.

I’m in the office just doing some more training for the afternoon, so hopefully it should be quiet. Jaid and I are staying in the weatsheafhttp://www.wheatsheaf.clara.net/ tonight. It’s a quirky but lovely pub of the old style that has accommodation across the road. I like to stay when I’m in Wellingborough for more than a day as it’s just so relaxed and the food is top notch. The people who run it are very friendly and Jaid loves it. Oh, and the beer isn’t bad as it goes. It’s in Titchmarsh and I’d recommend it to anyone staying in the area. What is more it has a price advantage over the sterile travel lodges and inns in town. Okay, the publicity over. I’ll surely deserve a free pint for that?

Got my parents and Clare coming down for the bank Holiday weekend I don’t have anything planned for them, but we’ll find something to do. I’d actually like to do a bit of a spring clean this weekend, so working eyes will be handy for that. I won’t be at home much after that for a couple weeks, so I’m hoping it will be a good one.

General - a cracker of a weekend

What a weekend and what a rush. From the amazing fry-up on the train to the steak and the company on the first day, to the melay of pubs in and around Preston and then to the half remembered steak. Did I mention the steak in the Stanley? Yes Dave and I may have over indulged a little. Woke up later on the Friday night on daves sofa, then woke Dave and we watched the Google Whack Dave Gorman DVD, fantastic stuff.

Saturday started a little ate and slow, but after a Wetherspoon mixed grill with extra ribs, a pint of Theakstons Mild we were back on track and heading to the black horse for a pint or 3 more. We then invigorated by the beer and the cool Saturday evening air sloped the short distance to the Market Tavern and stayed there for the duration. Donna came along and we all over indulged in drunkenness and banter until the taxi picked us up and took us to the curry house. I think the food was of a particularly high standard in the King which was pleasing as the last time we went it appeared to have dropped in quality a tad.

Sunday was lazy, after an estimated 25 pints in two days, not to mention whisky and other liquid refreshments we were ready for a quiet one. The Sunday roast at the bay tree went down particularly well though IMHO the landlord bitter was a little ropy. The Dixie Fried chicken fillet burgers with cheese and chilli with hot wings garnish welcomed also. Today I have a little business to attend to at UCLAN, but I’m thinking of staying one more night. I want to go to DFS with Dave to look at sofas, and the allure of the whisky night is a little strong. Haven’t done that for months, and it’s normally a good night Dave introduced me to the delights of bloglines so I think I’ll get an RSS system set up on this blog sometime in the next year or so.

Time to sign off for now

Russian teens find love of country

ABC News: Russian teens find love of country

this is scary stuf. no, it's not what you may think.

Politics - When George met Salam

BBC NEWS | Election 2005 | Election 2005 | When George met Salam

This made interesting reading. I'm not sure how well Respect will do though in the election.

Whisky – Dearly Departed

I can relate to this writing on single cask and bottlings that are no longer available. In fact it’s moved me so much that I’ll take a walk in to London with the GPS today to pick up one or two bits. It will be good practice anyway as I’ve a days GPS training in Wellingborough tomorrow.

General - Back on posting track

I haven’t had chance to post here for a while, so an update is more than in order.

I had a fab weekend in Ipswich the weekend before this with Clare and her dad. I’m loving having a laptop and the PK as I can do all my work or the majority of it while in Ipswich. Now if I can only get Clare to go wireless it would be amazing.

The highlight of last week was the trip over to the Isle of White with work. An exhibition on the Wednesday, but a great time was had the night before with some of the other exhibiters. I think I made some new friends, and even in to the exerbition the spirit between us all was better than I ever would have thought.

I was that knackered last Friday night after a half 5 train out of Epsom and a day in Derby and Nottingham that I just slept on Friday night, but more than made up for it on Saturday with a splurge out in the riser with Steve, then a trip to the balty house, and a few good drams of Balviny.

Today’s been just a lazy day. I was sorry to here of two friends of mine splitting up, but life goes on, and I wish them both the best. It’s off to Stoke tomorrow, so another early start.

I think I’ll watch ‘Sink the Bismarck’ then hit the sack.
L8R

Malt tasting - Bruichladdich 14yo Links

I love Bruichladdich it's refreshing and light but with lots of depth and complexity. it's uncolored and none chilfiltered giving it a great mouth feal. check out the bruichladdich webpage for the details, and you can get Bruichladdichs from oddbins if anyone wants to get me one.

Nose: Fruity after a little time in the glass, the refill sherry makes it a little peachy

Pallett: a little ruff, but very sweet, this is tasty.

Finnish: grainy medium long on toast burned sugar and fading fast.

Comments: zingy and refreshing. I'll have another. It's sweet and lush, but not too complex.

Score: 83£

General - Thanks Virgin

Well, another early start. Out the door at 20 to 6 and to Vauxhall and then the Victoria Line to Euston. Yes, another of Richard Branson’s fine Virgin Pendolinos and thanks to Jaid I got in first class. It’s a bugger that mobiles don’t work too well in those coaches, but I did avail myself of the power point in order to give my laptop a little boost.

Full English breakfasts were on offer, but I shocked myself by ordering the fruit platter instead. Now, though this is strange behaviour for me, I really enjoyed it. Fresh chunks of cantaloupe, watermelon, orange, pineapple grapefruit and grapes made it really refreshing. I was feeling pleased with myself and my healthy repast, but I’m afraid the hot croissants got the better of me. It’s a shame as I want to get rid of a bit of gut, but I guess it’s an improvement on having the full grill and then the pastries. It’s actually a good job I got my breakfast when I did, because not long after I’d eaten there was a big water burst in the kitchen and first class nosh was suspended.

The journey back was quiet, in fact I slept through the free sandwiches and beer!!! I managed a pint of Guinness and a BBQ chicken sandwich with one of my colleagues though before I left Birmingham.

My flat is now 99% recovered after Grahams crash over the weekend, and we did have a cracking time if I do say so. Much malt was consumed, and one or two fine Belgium beers. Not to mention a top quality curry at the Sava with friends in Epsom.

Music - Fearless

From the beauty of the piano ballad ‘look at me’ on Keri Noble’s new album, Fearless, you’d think it was a Sarah Mclaclen rip off, but as soon as you here her beautifully recorded voice with most songs done in one take you know this is something a little bit special. Yes, no nasty auto tuning on this disc people. The slight imperfection in her voice somehow makes this set appear more organic than the majority of stuff out at the moment.

Some songs are primed for chart release in the US, but the highlights for me are those that show off her voice and piano. Imagine if you will a cross between Sarah Mclachlan and Sheryl crow sensibilities to the lyrics with a great but stark production. Missing Piece of my heart’ with it’s steel guitar could almost be country, but it’s saved by her voice. ‘A dream about you’ is one of the most lyrically touching relationship songs I’ve herd in years with out been sappy, one we can all relate to in some way I guess. Things are livened up with the track ‘about me’ Unfortunately this got re-mixed for radio, but the version on this smokes that one. ‘Let it rain’ shows a bit of blues with it’s keyboards and guitars. Bar Tender is a cracker and very original maybe like something Billy Joel would have put out on the Piano man album with it’s Spanish guitar and accordion. All kudos to a major label putting this out. maybe the album fades a little near the end, but this stuff is far better than the majority of tripe coming out these days. It’s not pretending t be metal or trendy, just a good solid unpretentious album by a singer song righter with what I hope will be a long future.

General - Travel and more travel

Well, it’s been a hectic few days. Wellingborough the last two, back in Epsom tonight then Brum tomorrow. I was going to stay in Burmingham tonight, but unfortunately the travel lodge on Broad street was booked up as were many of the other places in and around. So a quiet night of slopping around the flat me thinks. Shame about the Lodge though as I had a cracking night in Birmingham last year just before I left Preston

L8R

General - Tube Mice

Jaid’s found a new pastime on our beloved London Underground system. This was at Liverpool Street underground station actually. She loves the lovely little Tube Mice

She went crazy, this little mouse just came out the ground and scampered towards us. The very helpful member of underground staff said the mice normally came out at night and he’d never seen one so brave.

I was on my way back from Ipswich when this occurs and on my way to Ealing. Incidentally, I had a cracking night in Ipswich, very quiet, but that can be nice and was after the travelling I’d been doing over the last few days.

I guess it’s time to get up now.

L8R