General - Lucy Porter all steamed up

The forewarning of a difficult journey to the show started as soon as we arrived at waterloo underground and no staff were available to help me through the station.  Never the less I found my way to the jubilee line and the east line to Stratford.

Stratford was a debacle with staff incompetence to blame for me missing the scheduled train to Colchester.  Things took a turn for the better and I witnessed a 1936 steam train powering through the station at full belt.  This really was amazing and it made a sound a bit like a helicopter initially but a huge sense of power was evident.  After the initial ear bashing assault it was really rather quiet once the engine had gone through with the carriages just whispering along the line.  The smell was all sot and dust.  I fancy I got a little in me eye, and the dog was bemused.  I have been on steam trains before and seen them pull out of stations but never had I had one hammer past me like that.

We arrived in Colchester with minutes to start before the show but I still managed to grab a drink and had called ahead to reserve our seating on the front so Jaid would have sufficient space.  Lucy was superb with much material very funny.  She even plundered the last few weeks newspapers for material in the form of royalty and celebrity.  Her Idea of Happiness?  A bottle of JD, 4 Philippine lads and a harness!

Clare and I then went for a quick drink in a pub near the taxi rank with Sarah Georgina Alan and Mike some people we got talking to during the show.  We did arrive in Ipswich rather late but had a lovely night.

We’re off to the pub for a spot of Lunch now.

Government - ECCENTRICA

I found this on a mailing list and thought it was funny.

ECCENTRICASaturday, 29 April 2006The News - Some Loose EndsIt has been widely accepted that Tony Blair has had his worst week in office since taking power.Under Charles Clarke the Home Office has wrongly released foreign prisoners into the community, under Patricia Hewitt the NHS is in a funding crisis and under John Prescott is a woman gasping for air with three broken ribs.Tracey Temple was said to have been irresistibly attracted to powerful men at the centre of government but as none of them was interested she decided to shag John Prescott instead.Labour sources say that the real fear for Tony Blair is that after keeping a 2 year affair secret from his wife John Prescott could now be seen as dangerously competent.At The Royal College Of Nurses Conference in Bournemouth the Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt was mobbed by 2,000 screaming women in nurses uniforms, her worst day on the job ever and Boris Johnson's favourite dream made reality.Calls grew for the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, to resign after it was revealed that over a thousand foreign prisoners were mistakenly released on to the streets of Britain.  Tony Blair has promised voters that he will personally speed up the dep\ortations of certain undesirables, starting with Charles Clarke, John Prescott and Patricia Hewitt.Some 35,000 chickens at a poultry farm in Norfolk have been slaughtered after dead birds tested positive for a strain of bird flu. Well they were supposed to be culled but because of a government cock-up they have now been released into the community instead.

General - Food, Jimmy, Lucy and Music

Andrew Steve and I have purchased a BBQ between us so we gave it a try out on Thursday evening as the sun was out.  The menu consisted of burgers with top quality crusty bread buns, the burgers were a little peppered but from a family butcher so of good class, home made lamb kebabs with peppers and onion, frankfurters  apparently made with ear oles, eye oles and bum oles, sausage which was nicer, some smoked fish and potatoes done on the fire.

We then went to the phoenix club for a pint of Landlord and I had an altercation with Jimmy White’s dad as he was pissed and trying to feed my dog.  I do mean Jimmy the snooker player By the way.    What else has been happening?  

I’ve found out that you can’t buy a chip butty in Epsom which is rather distressing for a northerner actually.

After me dithering about it Clare and I are going to the Lucy Porter show Happiness at the Colchester Arts Centre this evening, Lucy is a witty and bubbly comedian  watch and listen to this video of her in action.  

I also rediscovered the brilliance of Mike Skinner in the guise of the Streets sophomore album, a Grand Don’t Come for Free.   It is actually a concept album dealing with addiction in its many forms including gambling drugs and alcohol.  It brings home the fragility beauty and foolishness of the human spirit.  I nearly overlooked this because it is rap but gave it a try.  The cD is best enjoyed from start to end rather than one song played at a time to take in the story.  I guess  people in there 20s and 30s will get this smashing bit of work.
  

General - Some Time in South West London

Friday was rather busy.  After doing some phone work with a customer to resolve some wifi issues I went in to London and did a demo at Mencap near Barbican tube.  Then it was back across to south west London and a government building in Westminster for some training a friend who works on the transport direct webpage.  We then took advantage of a group of some pubs in the vicinity hoping to find some mps snorting coke or maybe even having affairs or offering questions for cash.

The first port of call was the Lord Burliegh a run down small boozer on Vauxhall Bridge road, in fact I think all these pubs were on the same stretch of road, but we would eventually end up in Pimlico so went on a good old walk.  A pint each of lovely Adnams Broadside set us both up and that was probably the best of the night to be honest.

A sandy voiced old London drunk told us how the choristers from the local Westminster Cathedral would come in years ago and give impromptu concerts to the locals for nothing after practise and a little oil from behind the bar.  This place was tiny and an example of an old London house turned pub, very small.  I had an argument with a woman wanting to feed Jaid so rather than staying for another we left.

The next stop was The Jugged Hare, a fullers pub within a converted bank.  I was under whelmed by the crowding and the piss poor HSB so probably won't return,  yep, Fullers have spoiled this once fine ale from the defunked Gales brewery they shut down last year.  The pub is an old Ale and Pie house so has lots of small rooms and is splendid to look at.

The Lord High Admiral was equally as bad because of the impolite bar staff and evil pint of London Pride we drank as it was the only bitter on.  Some beer drinking pub crawlers helped us to the next hostelry.

The Pride of Pimlico was markedly better and the Broadside was ok.  That is once we had ordered it.  The two Italian girls behind the bar couldn't speak English but apparently made good viewing.  We were saved by the Irish man who was running the place and by this time we were nearing Pimlico tube, so just one more stop at…

The White Swan which had a good selection of beers on.  We both went for the Theakstons Old Peculier and were warmed by this rich and cakey old ale.  

After saying goodbye to Angus I got on the wrong tube thus I ended up back at Victoria station having to wait 40 minutes for a train.  I could have maybe gone back from Victoria to Vauxhall my first plan, but the time difference once I'd finished ponsing around on the Victoria line wouldn't have made much difference anyhow. Consequently the dog and I arrived in Epsom rather late.  On my way home I met Hanna and co from the riser so went to feed the dog then took a leisurely walk to the Marquis of Granby to enjoy a pint or two of rather good young’s.  The only thing that put the blinkers on my enjoyment was a lad breathing sick at me all evening.  This pub has had a complete gutting and cleanup and is worth an hour or two of anyone’s time with a good range of ales and continental beers.  When they shut up I went to the Boogie Lounge and had a swift pint of nasty fizzy something, probably fosters or similar, not good as I wasn’t as drunk as the rest of the custom so quickly headed back home to check e-mails and watch Dads Army.

Whisky - DT Auld Blended 38YO

This is a marriage of the finest single malt scotch whiskies including white port casked Bunnahabhain, Highland Park, Glenburgie, Miltonduff, Glenlivet and  Springbank with the Invergordon Single grain whisky.

The youngest constituent part is 38 and the oldest a mere 42 years old!  Bottled in 2006.  Will it live up to the brilliance of the lovely and now unavailable 35 year version?

Nose:  Soft oak, lemon and marshmallow, a luscious honeyed sweetness  mango peaches and custard.  Sensational.  Not tired or too old.  This just keeps changing in the glass over a half hour.  

Pallet: silky an buttery, lovely gingery fruits appear in the mouth.  The grain livens up the whisky and I guess subdues some of the older wood.  Not as tannic as I expected and the snap of citrus keeps it fresh.  That honey is also still hanging around.

Finnish:  like drinking milk this is a velvety dram.  Appetising and dangerously drinkable.  In fact its probably a little shorter than I expected but this only adds to the glugability.  A little drying but nothing excessive.

Comment:  Not as complex and more delicate than the stonking 35 year version I had last may, but none the less it’s a bargain at £55 from SMD and a well mannered and superb whisky that betters most malts.  I would take the 35 over this though most of the time as to me the pallet and finnish lack a little of what the nose offers.

Score: 90.5%

Bendy bus attacks Leeds cake shop | The Register

We all know it can be serious when vehicles crash in to buildings but the analysis by theReg made me giggle over me lunch time brew.

‘Sounds straightforward enough, but monitors of the Rise of the Machines™ will recall that in March 2004, three fire-breathing Citaro bendy buses
spontaneously combusted in London - a vehicular mini-uprising followed a year later by another Satanic bendy bus' incendiary attack. At the time, we attributed the menace to the dark hand of London Mayor and articulated
transport guru "Red" Ken Livingstone. His role in the latest outrage is uncertain.’

General - Slipping Bak

It’s a bad do.  I went out last night for a beer and curry with Andrew.  On the plus side I am still using the exercise bike most days and my beer fridge is full of fresh fruit juice and water!

I cooked up a goodly amount of curry last night for the freezer and am going to make a beef one tonight which will join the previous effort in the icy confines next to the frozen peas.

I have been at home in the technical support set for Humanware for the last two days and its made a nice change from travelling though I hit the road next week once more and will be doing a spot of training in London on Friday afternoon.

The sun was out first thing when I awoke and that really puts another slant on the day positively cheering me up. Time to crack on!

Whisky - Whyte and Mackay 40% Standard

A tasting note from last night. The Whyte and Mackay standard is a rather inexpensive blend who’s owners choose to sponsor Leeds United football team in the UK.  They also own Dalmore and Jura malt distilleries.

Nose:  soft grain and a little vanilla.  Sherry from the double maturation but rather nasty sherry.  

Pallet:  smooth, sweet and silky, uninteresting but drinkable none the less.

Finnish:  lingering and rather nice for a blend below £10.00

Score: 48% the nose elevates this but the taste is slightly disappointing.

Music - New Cds to look out for

Summer is rolling around.  No the climate isn’t improving noticeably, though the buzzy insects are back, but people are releasing albums in order to strip me of hard earned cash.

Firstly Dream Theatre have the next batch of official bootlegs ready to go including the Awake Demos and a live show from 1996.  Also included in this batch is a cd and DVD of the Dark Side of the Moon from the 2005 London performance which sounds amazing.

Jewel has a new cd coming out.  I enjoy her stuff and though the last cd left me a little cold this one should be a return to form.

The inimitable Roddy Frames new album  Western Skies is out next week and if it is half as good as the last acoustic based effort Surf I’m in for a treat.

The Dixie chicks have never disappointed with any of there ‘cds and the new album  “Taking the Long Way,” looks to be rather controversial but from the first single sounds like it should be a rocky disc.  The single deals with the fallout from the anti Bush comments of a few years ago and has once again turned the good ol Christian rednecks against this group of  talented quintessential American beauties.

Already this year we’ve had good discs from Cara Dillan, Bic Runga and on the rock front the new Toto is very good.

Live and Train also have new cds out but I wont invest at the moment. Web surfing also led me to an interesting independent singer called Vienna teng in the Tori Amos meld with some cracking tunes.  Check out her webpage for some attention-grabbing downloads.

General - a Healthyer Martin

Todays entry finds me travelling back from Coventry after a Braille presentation.  Clare should still be at mine when we get home.  The last two weeks really have helped refresh me with her around.

I have decided to lay off the ale for 6 weeks in hopes that I will lose a few pounds.  Not just content with stopping the beer, I have started to cook more rather than eating junk and found one of those infernal exercise bikes which I intend to use once a day with Iriver by my side of course!

I have actually cooked lots over the last two weeks and frozen a few days worth of healthy food to take out when I arrive home from travelling.  This weekends culinary masterpiece will be a chicken curry of some kind.  I have also got around to using the new wok gifted to me over Christmas which is encouraging me to cook.

I will still have a few drinks, mainly whisky and soda or water when out and the odd malt at night, so I haven’t gone cold turkey all together but as beer is probably the most fattening drink coupled with the other measures I remain hopeful for a sleeker Martin in a few weeks.

We spent Easter initially quietly but then went for a meal with friends.  This degenerated in to a bit of a session and the last thing I remember is singing at around 2 on Monday.  It is rather sad in some respects as one of my friends at the party will be leaving Epsom in September to pursue other life chances.  Naturally I remain delighted for him but will be sad to see a friend move away.

I guess it’s a quiet night this evening and I don’t have any plans for the weekend.  I am in Forest Hill on Friday, so a nice quiet week.

Technology - a credible free Screen reader?

Possibly a well meaning throw  of the dice for many should it actually happen I really hope it doesn't damage the development budgets of other software products like window-eyes.  Also this could be a support nightmare if it doesn't support DCM and screws up other AT screen readers and screen reading products.  My guess is that this will be a cut down version of Lookout maybe updated a little with more application support.  Taken from the excellent and free Access IT newsletter.

+10: Price Slash: Roger Wilson-Hinds, director of UK-based Choice
Technology
(
www.screenreader.co.uk
)
writes in response to Fay Rohrlach who, in the last issue, wrote on the
high cost of assistive technology: "I am blind and have worked for
several years on low-cost technology. It's not easy because selling at
low cost fails to bring in money for marketing our products.
"However, we have taken the bull by the horns. In July, we shall
launch a free screen reader which will give excellent access to
Microsoft Word, email, the internet and others within the Windows
Operating system. It will be free to home users and we anticipate
organisations will pay for the use of the screen reader. Our enterprise
must be financially sustainable. We view what we are doing as an
opportunity to ensure computer literacy is [acquired by] blind people
regardless of financial circumstances."

Whisky - Old Pulteney 12YO 40%

I have a guest taster with me at the moment.Historical bumf.

Established in 1826 in Wick, Pulteney Distillery is the most                  northerly
distillery on the Scottish mainland and at that time                  was only accessible
by sea. The barley was brought in by sea,                  the whisky shipped out
by boat and many of the distillery workers                  were also employed as
fishermen. Sadly the herring fishing industry                  is no longer part
of daily life in Wick but Pulteney Distillery                  continues to operate,
distilling one of the finest Highland malts                  available.

Nose: A quick wif of sherry is soon overtaken  bye tangy oily saltiness.  Marzipan with milk chocolate.

Pallet:  bold and interesting.     More marzipan dark chocolate all sprinkled with salty sweet malt and    something dry and tangy.

Finnish:  not too long but drying with a fresh drink ability.  The salt stays.  Probably the saltiest whisky I’ve ever tasted. Reminds of the Springbank 10.

Comments:  smashing value at £22.50 a bottle, and even better when it’s on offer.  Nothing wrong with this coastal highland malt and it really is interesting.  I didn’t like this on first try, but maybe I didn’t expect the singular taste of a special spirit that really brings it’s coastal flavours to the front.   Water opens this robust whisky up too.

Score:  84

Clare’s note

Nose:  sherry with a Lingering coffee chocolate after the swallow.  

Not bad for a little un aye?  She actually likes it with water and could drink it!!!

Whisky - Some Of the Best Pages on the Web

After a request I wish to highlight some of the more interesting none comertial whisky pages on the web in no particular order.  I’ll do podcasts later.

The Malt Madness page by  Johannes van den Heuvel was the catalyst for my big interest in malts.  Reading his whisky log going back to 1997 full of tastings musings and anecdotes is most fasenating to someone with an interest in the subject.

www.maltmadness.com


An offshoot of his page is the  grouping known as the Malt Maniacs.  This ramshackle mix of whisky fans from around the world are starting to influence the industry with candid comments and some eminent righter’s on the panel.  The awards programme they run once a year is taken seriously by the whisky fraternity with most companies wanting a slice of the action.   They also publish an e-zine a few times a year full of whisky articles and stories.

http://www.maltmadness.com/maniacs.html

The Scotch Blog is a well produced publication that does what it says on the tin.  Kevin Erskine has some good industry contacts and his interviews can be interesting.
www.thescotchblog.com

Whiskyfun.com is a page of tasting by a French Malt Maniac called Serge.  His love of music and adverts is also shown on the web log.  How he gets some of the whiskeys he tries is beyond me, but money helps along with connections I would guess.

www.whiskyfun.com

Spirit Of Islay is a page devoted to Islay whisky written by a top bloke called Gordon Homer.  He sent me some amazing Ardbeg samples once.  His interview with the Ardbeg manager makes interesting reading.

www.spiritofislay.net

peatfreak is the one stop info centre for whisky news.  Jeroen Kloppenburg also has an inavative tasting notes data base and program for your PC so you can uploadyour opinions on malts, plus games and lots of virtual distillery tours.

www.peatfreak.com

Whiskynews is another malty blog by Peter.  Some interesting notes and an e-mail friend.

http://www.malthead.blogspot.com/

Whisky Distilleries Info is a page of historical information about distilleries.  It also has some rather good tasting notes both in English and French.

http://www.whisky-distilleries.info/index_EN.shtml

maltwhiskey.com is a little out of date now, but is was my main info page as I learned about malts.

www.maltwhiskey.com

Technology - I've been suckered by music compression

I totally get this. Mp3s are ok but they don’t cut the mustard on a good hifi system. My cds all sound much better even though I’m using a relatively reasonable DAC on my system and putting it through thousands of £s of Arcam and Monitor Audio gear. I don’t rip at 128, generally 240 or so, but lowering of sound quality is still noticeable

'It seems that the music industry has got this piracy thing all wrong. The RIAA has
defended its product against an inferior but cheaper rival. It has not tried to make
its product better or cheaper to compete, nor has it attempted to market CDs in terms
of their own sonic superiority.
Instead of wasting money trying to protect its music with DRM or other things it
should be creating packages that your average pirate can't or will not provide.
Boxes that do not spontaneously self destruct the second you leave the shop would
be a start, but what about marketing the product on the basis of its sound quality?
Why not do more to develop technology that makes the sound even better but which
you will lose much of it all by compressing it?
Maybe, they should learn from the software industry where you allow update patches
you’re your CD which will provide you with more material, but only if you have a
licensed copy. Your average pirate is only going to duplicate the initial run of
an album, they are not going to bother with updates'.

General - Easter Holidays

Yay, no more work for nearly a week.  I am taking some extra brake after Easter so won’t return to work stuff now until next Wednesday afternoon.  Don’t get me wrong I love the job but I am a little whacked out after the last few months.

We had a sales meeting at the office today to plan our strategy for world domination and it was relaxed in the new larger offices.  We also welcomed some new staff and said goodbye to others.

Clare and I have a few quiet days ahead, I don’t doubt that a bit of food will be eaten, a few small drinks taken and that generally we’ll have a good time in Epsom.  I have some catching up to do with the people at home so am looking forward to that immensely.

It has been poring down today but the sun is now out.

Happy Easter everyone.

Whisky - M&S 12 Year Highland Malt

The Origen of this carefully crafted libation is unclear, but the packaging offers clews which lead me to make an educated guess.  The first of these is the distilling company, Burn Stewart who produce whiskeys for some supermarkets as well as owning 3 distilleries, deanston in Perthshire, Tobermory on Mull and bunnahabhain on Islay.  They also control the Black Bottle blend and another less known example called Scottish Leader.  The packaging for this 12 year old single malt produced for Marx and Spenser’s in the UK states that this is a 12 year old single malt from Perthshire, so I would guess Deanston as it would be less expensive for them to supply an in-house malt than a competitors offering.

Nose:  Youthful, green malt musty, heathery vegetation.

Pallet:  gingery but lacks body, oily, not much else I’m afraid.  Grainy with little taste development.

Finnish:  short oily and cookie like.

Comments:  Yep this is a deanston but better than the first I tasted in Preston years ago. Not so oily and the taste doesn’t last so long thank goodness!

Score:  49

Sad News

I post the below information pertaining to the sad passing of a work colleague and friend.  This is really a shock.STATEMENT FROM RICHARD MANDER, HUMANWARE'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERIt is with profound regret that I have to advise Dean Jackson, HumanWare'sBrailleNote Product Specialist, passed away suddenly yesterday at his home.For the past three years, Dean made his cheerful presence felt aroundHumanWare. He has been a popular and valued colleague to all of us, andbecame a friend to many on the HumanWare team.Dean was deeply committed to his work and to BrailleNote customers, and itwasn't uncommon for him to be sending e-mails in the middle of the night,or making calls to the other side of the world at 4 AM. His workadministering our BrailleNote user list made him a popular figure among theBrailleNote user community. His attention to detail and team spirit had ameasurable positive impact on the success of the BrailleNote through hiswork in our Research and Development team.Dean was also a talented singer, enjoyed work with the Internet and audioproduction, and played a key role in his church activity. His life wastragically short, but he lived every minute to the full, and the world is abetter place because Dean Jackson lived in it.All of the staff at HumanWare worldwide wishes to express its condolencesto Dean's family at this sad time.Dean's funeral will take place at the Lincoln Road Bible Chapel, 66 - 68Lincoln Road Henderson Auckland on Saturday morning at 11:30.  DarrylSherwood and Jonathan Mosen will be representing us at the service.HumanWare will also be working with Dean's family and local church toorganise a memorial service in Christchurch for Dean's friends and workcolleagues.We give thanks to Dean for enriching our lives.Sincerely,Dr Richard ManderCEO, HumanWare

General - Update

Last weekend was one full of food drink and friends.  After watching the Grand National on Saturday afternoon with Clare and Steve we made our way in to London’s theatre district and arrived at the comedy theatre in plenty of time to watch a play that nicely ties up the Steptoe and Sun stories.  Called Murder at oil drum lane the story is set at the end of the 1990s and really is worth its rave reviews.  The new Royaltech  GPS receiver is worth its wait in gold, it was really invaluable to us when finding the theatre.

I cooked a roast on Sunday and today it’s back to work.  I only have a 4 day week and am looking forward to long Easter break. In fact next week is only a 2.5 day working week because of my Holiday plans!!

General - a quick clean update

Last weekend in Ipswich was good but also a little disappointing.  The constant work and travel had knocked me out, so this meant excessive sleeping through most of Sunday afternoon to half 5 on Monday when I woke to get on the bus to work.  

We called in at the Woolpack pub on Sunday for a smashing lunch. The pub is just near the park and has a good range of ales at reasonable prices.  The landlady is friendly too.  Apparently they do exceptional seafood dishes, I’ll go for some next time we’re in.

This week has been convincingly busy so not much else to report.  Oh, I did get around to replacing my knackered vacuum cleaner  with a trusty reliable friend of cleaning ladies and store owners  from all over the land.  Yep, the Numatic Henry, he of the ridiculous grin and affordable price!  After searching I picked it up from Amazon for under 80 quid.  Half the price of my previous upright!

Clare is coming down this afternoon for a week or so.  As usual I’m on the train but on my way to West Sussex for a day of training.  Looking forward to the weekend!  Back to my black coffee and apple.  Is that a healthy breakfast?

Whisky - Balvenie 10YO 40%

I purchased this Balvenie Founders Reserve just before Christmas on the belief that William Grant were stopping production.  This is not however strictly true. They are continuing for the UK market, so no reason to keep ahold of it.

Nose:  spicy oak and brandy butter.

Pallet: Bitter orange skins wonderful bourbon sweetness but somehow disturbingly sharp.  A little thin, honey.

Finnish: long on oranges with a waft of smoke.

Comments:  not bad, but somehow disappointing, just a good example of a mainly bourbon matured malt.  Nothing wrong with this though.

Score: 79%

General - Not Foolin

April fool’s day it maybe, but it’s no fun sitting in the waiting room on platform 6 of Sheffield station with Spandau ballet’s ‘True’ playing on the music system. This would be bad enough under any circumstances, but the damned disc is stuck on the lyric ‘and now I’ve come back again’. This has been going on for the last 10 minutes. Still the bacon and tomato bread cake makes the layover worth wile as I’m off to Nottingham for some Trekker training. Just hope Jaid and I can avoid the gun touting gangs!!

Yesterday was rather quiet with only a few support calls and e-mails, but as the display drivers on my PC became corrupted on installation of a well known fishy screenreader it was jump through hoops time in order to get them re-installed. Normally grabbing the ATI Mobility drivers and installing wouldn’t be a problem since I could use my parents computer, but my system would have to be different. Without going in to the gory details, I can’t just install any ATI package, no sir! In the end without having my laptop installation discs at hand I found that the hacked Omega ATI drivers installed and with a little tweaking worked with the access technology.

Two good feeds in Yorkshire and a long rest has done both myself and furry companion good. It was also a first-rate if busy day on Thursday doing the Trekker tour of Lancashire and rather successful to boot.

I will travel over to Ipswich tonight to spend some time with Clare, maybe we can even get out and explore some Ipswich pubs with Trekker? She doesn’t know yet but I’ve fixed it to stay on Sunday night also. Hope Clare’s ok with this as well, I haven’t had chance to put her in the loop yet.