General - Torquay Chatter
Frosty and I worked in London yesterday before heading down the M4 in the car accompanied by the sounds of BBC Radio2 to the beautiful county of Devon. Yes I’m in the west country at the moment and looking forward to a cooked breakfast and work in Truro later on today. We spent last night in Torquay and had a smashing curry in the Bombay Express. The manager was a little reluctant to let me in at first because of Jaid but a bit of diplomacy worked and I really enjoyed my food. The dinner was concluded with much apologising from the manager, a free pint would have been nicer but we can’t have everything. Some people would rather just go if someone doesn’t want to let them in with a guide dog, but I believe in politely standing my ground and hopefully creating a good impression that will stay with the restaurant owners so they may welcome Guide Dogs back in the future and this was one such occasion. I always get a feeling of satisfaction when Jaid and I are successful in this regard and last night was one such occasion. Its fine for Guide Dogs for the Blind to advocate for us, but often the voice of the organisation isn’t understood by some of our Ethnic restaurant managers because of the language barrier so as a community its up to us to educate when possible. Sure we will always get some bloody minded people who refuse to listen and are breaking the law such as my Chinese friend in Ipswich but I’m dealing with him through the Disability Rights Commission at the moment and Hope to be successful.
It was wonderful having a Guinness sat on the terrace of the hotel with the smell of salty air and good company. Autumn is well on her way and this made it even more special as I won’t have many more drinks sat outside now until the spring though I could be proven wrong I guess.
The Heritage Hotel in the coastal town of Torquay is rather nice with a good bar and Chris and I were upgraded to palatial rooms I’m sure because of Jaid. They appeared to have an interesting mix of clientele down in the bar with a couple of unhappy young Thai ladies not really breaking the sad and unfortunate stereotype with what appeared to be a pimp. I guess Torquay is the Blackpool of the South West coast as it’s a favourite destination for stag weekends.
Dave is back from the US so spending a night or two in Epsom and this will probably be his last as I’m moving at the end of Nov start of Dec.
I’ve not seen Clare now for a few weeks for a number of reasons including a hectic schedule and she can’t yet use the underground with Malone. GDBA are dragging feet over this and I hope they are quicker when I get my next dog as I won’t have 8 weeks in which I am unable to use the damned tube because of work.
In other news I’m to become an uncle for the third time. I think Seann and Isabel are fortunate and wish them the best with number 3.
I’d also like to recommend the Sue Townsend book Number Ten. It’s a tongue in cheek look at British Politics encompassing New Labour and the somewhat topical power games within the party between the chancellor and the PM. It kept me up all Monday night and had me laughing out loud often. I think Uncle Bernard would call them Belly Laughs. My other reading matter of choice lately has been the Disc world trilogy by terry Pratchet. Fantasy books are not my bag usually but I find the heady mix of comedy and pointed observation on society enthralling.
My next CD purchase will most probably be the latest Winger album IV. Ok, so people take the piss out of Winger but when you look past the first two Hair Metal albums the last masterpiece Pull was a stormer but ignored at the time in favour of grunge and from the sound samples on melodicrock.com this is similar in style with a more up-to-date production and some good musicianship and songs. Evanescence have a new album out in October and I wonder how that will turn out after one of the founders of the band left leaving the beautiful and talented Amy Lee to front the metal Goth combo.
The latest Dream Theatre live opus is sensational and the vocals occasionally the week point in the bands live output are the best ever. Even if you have the other live cds pick this one up and you won’t be disappointed.
I don’t have any dvds on pre-order at the moment as my series 4 of the 1970s comedy I didn’t Know You Cared dropped through the door yesterday. This funny show written by Peter Tinniswood still makes me laugh to this day and was a breakthrough in TV comedy at the time.
Nothing much on the whisky front but Ardbeg have a new 16 year old release on the way and enitial reports from people who have tasted it have been complementary. I’ll be sure to pick up a few bottles. I did open a wonderfully fruity Benriach 1975 sherry cask expression on Monday in preparation for Daves visit so I’ll get his notes and put them up with mine if possible over the next day or so.
I am still waiting to order a Sub-Woofer and am looking at a new box from BK. Acording to a post on av-forum.
‘Apparently BK are working on using the Monolith driver in a sealed cube of about
15" in a down firing orientation. There is also new amp in development rated at 500W
(I think) which will have a XLS200 mk2 style x-over bypass. Pricing wasn't mentioned but will be "somewhere between the Monolith and the XLS200, but nearer the Monolith as the amp components are expensive". I wouldn't be surprised if pricing goes up/down, depending on the popularity of the SVS model. Still, sounds like it'll be less than the SVS offering and substantially less than a REL 505. Release date was, again, vague but October was mentioned. Apparently the sub is in the "lasst phases of development" ‘
Two coffees and a tea later plus much rambling on this post and I’d better go and shower. My caffeine levels are simply singing as I type so TTFN
It was wonderful having a Guinness sat on the terrace of the hotel with the smell of salty air and good company. Autumn is well on her way and this made it even more special as I won’t have many more drinks sat outside now until the spring though I could be proven wrong I guess.
The Heritage Hotel in the coastal town of Torquay is rather nice with a good bar and Chris and I were upgraded to palatial rooms I’m sure because of Jaid. They appeared to have an interesting mix of clientele down in the bar with a couple of unhappy young Thai ladies not really breaking the sad and unfortunate stereotype with what appeared to be a pimp. I guess Torquay is the Blackpool of the South West coast as it’s a favourite destination for stag weekends.
Dave is back from the US so spending a night or two in Epsom and this will probably be his last as I’m moving at the end of Nov start of Dec.
I’ve not seen Clare now for a few weeks for a number of reasons including a hectic schedule and she can’t yet use the underground with Malone. GDBA are dragging feet over this and I hope they are quicker when I get my next dog as I won’t have 8 weeks in which I am unable to use the damned tube because of work.
In other news I’m to become an uncle for the third time. I think Seann and Isabel are fortunate and wish them the best with number 3.
I’d also like to recommend the Sue Townsend book Number Ten. It’s a tongue in cheek look at British Politics encompassing New Labour and the somewhat topical power games within the party between the chancellor and the PM. It kept me up all Monday night and had me laughing out loud often. I think Uncle Bernard would call them Belly Laughs. My other reading matter of choice lately has been the Disc world trilogy by terry Pratchet. Fantasy books are not my bag usually but I find the heady mix of comedy and pointed observation on society enthralling.
My next CD purchase will most probably be the latest Winger album IV. Ok, so people take the piss out of Winger but when you look past the first two Hair Metal albums the last masterpiece Pull was a stormer but ignored at the time in favour of grunge and from the sound samples on melodicrock.com this is similar in style with a more up-to-date production and some good musicianship and songs. Evanescence have a new album out in October and I wonder how that will turn out after one of the founders of the band left leaving the beautiful and talented Amy Lee to front the metal Goth combo.
The latest Dream Theatre live opus is sensational and the vocals occasionally the week point in the bands live output are the best ever. Even if you have the other live cds pick this one up and you won’t be disappointed.
I don’t have any dvds on pre-order at the moment as my series 4 of the 1970s comedy I didn’t Know You Cared dropped through the door yesterday. This funny show written by Peter Tinniswood still makes me laugh to this day and was a breakthrough in TV comedy at the time.
Nothing much on the whisky front but Ardbeg have a new 16 year old release on the way and enitial reports from people who have tasted it have been complementary. I’ll be sure to pick up a few bottles. I did open a wonderfully fruity Benriach 1975 sherry cask expression on Monday in preparation for Daves visit so I’ll get his notes and put them up with mine if possible over the next day or so.
I am still waiting to order a Sub-Woofer and am looking at a new box from BK. Acording to a post on av-forum.
‘Apparently BK are working on using the Monolith driver in a sealed cube of about
15" in a down firing orientation. There is also new amp in development rated at 500W
(I think) which will have a XLS200 mk2 style x-over bypass. Pricing wasn't mentioned but will be "somewhere between the Monolith and the XLS200, but nearer the Monolith as the amp components are expensive". I wouldn't be surprised if pricing goes up/down, depending on the popularity of the SVS model. Still, sounds like it'll be less than the SVS offering and substantially less than a REL 505. Release date was, again, vague but October was mentioned. Apparently the sub is in the "lasst phases of development" ‘
Two coffees and a tea later plus much rambling on this post and I’d better go and shower. My caffeine levels are simply singing as I type so TTFN
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