Sales Shopping

Today was my first trip to the sales! With Bill safely out of the way doing the food-shopping in Farnborough, I was free to go looking for clothes and other exciting stuff in Guildford! He he.
First stop was Blacks, as I fancied a trekking pole much like Bill's. I tried a few, and quite fancied the ergonomic Leki one, but at £40 it was too expensive. None of the poles were in the sale, and it was the same story at Millets. Not very successful so far.
Next stop was the huge Debenhams down by the river. The mission was to purchase 2 shirts for Bill, but I became distracted by the women's clothes sale. I tried on a fleece and some corduroy trousers from Maine, and decided to take the cords even though they're a horrendous colour - dark bluey-greeny. They'll come in handy for walking or train+cycling (can't wear lycras on the train as the men like them too much). The Warehouse and Bay sections had some nice stuff but no must-haves.
Down in menswear the sale's selection of shirts in XL wasn't great, but managed to find a grey lumberjack-style shirt and a white shirt with square grid design in grey, both suitable for casual wear. I hope Bill will like them.
I swung past one of my favourite shops, Apache Tears, but it has gone downhill recently with stupid staff. There was nothing that caught my eye. Opposite, the Nature Shop had a little sale on and I was tempted with a rattlesnake that squirted water for £3 - surely suitable for the Mexican-themed New Years Eve Party? I hummed and ha'ed, eventually settling for a salamander that poked its tongue out, only £1.
Had a look in Gap, again nothing caught my eye, the pastel colours this year not being great for me. By then I was famished, so it was into my favourite cafe in Guildford, Sunburst, for a pizza slice and a filter coffee.
Suitably refreshed, I headed into Marks and Spencer to get trousers for Bill, as requested. Once again I was distracted - by the 'Per Una' sale. Picked up a nice black corduroy skirt with fringes, very avant garde, but it may have to go back as it's too big (size 12 - thankyou Marks!). The Menswear sale was quite limited, but bought Bill a nice sweater and pair of dark chinos.
A quick look in East - used to be good but expensive, now just expensive, but the jewellery is still relatively cheap and a little bit different. I bought a wooden bangle for £2, which should also be suitable for the Mexican evening. A look in Free Spirit - I always like the waterfall in there - nothing that grabbed me. Jigsaw was still too expensive even with the sale on - I saw a beautiful grey dress with deep red roses - 'only' £400! Went into Accessorize looking for Mexican jewellery, and bought 2 Christmas decorations and some pyjamas in the sale.
The sun was starting to set so it was time to head for Party Poppers, the little party-shop up the alley next to Bradford and Bingley. Yes, they had another sombrero and Mexican moustache, so that was Steve sorted for New Year's Eve. Later, I noticed the shop had slipped in 2 sets of false eyelashes into my bag (they hadn't charged me for them) - I don't think I'll ever wear them though!
Time to head back to the station for the 4.13 train, by now heavily laden with bags, struggling through the gates. But with the great sense of satisfaction that only comes from a successful day's shopping :-)

Greensand Way, Part 1

Today it was my turn to choose what to do so I said 'Go for a walk - as long as it's not somewhere muddy'. After discussion we decided on the first bit of the Greensand Way, which Bill is hoping to complete in stages, as part of his training for the Pennine Way next year.
The first challenge was to find Witley station, which we did after some dodgy navigation from me, and park the car. Then over the well-hidden footbridge and onto the Greensand Way!
The walk was fairly uneventful until the hair-raising crossing of the A3 and the visit to the excellent Three Horseshoes pub in Thursley. The Fullers Jack Frost was the best I'd ever tasted, and Bill said the Hogs Back TEA was the best he'd had in years. We didn't have lunch though, the meals being a bit on the pricey side but ate cheese and tomato-and-parmesan bread on the village green.
On leaving the pub I noticed I was getting a blister, which was bad news as we weren't halfway round yet. I don't get on with my Karrimor boots at the moment. However Bill lent me his hiking pole and I was soon being distracted by the views from Hindhead Common and the Devil's Punchbowl. Spotted some cute ponies just as we were leaving Nutcombe, Bill then tried his 'only one mile to go downhill all the way' trick when we were about 2 miles from Haslemere and the end of the walk. I just about managed to limp all the way to the station cafe for a well-earned cuppa and a Snickers flapjack.
Am still playing with my blister - it hasn't popped yet and is about the size of half a Kiwi fruit. Lovely.

Envelope Stuffing

...not very nice with turkey ;-)
Today Bill and I cycled over to Farnham to join in preparing over 2000 envelopes with Farnham Beer Festival tickets and information inside. We and our fellow CAMRA volunteers occupied 3 tables, and with a chain of people devoted to the various folding and sticking tasks, the work was not too onerous. We were on a labelling and stamping table with Ann and William Hill, who were also keeping us entertained with stories from olden CAMRA days, trials and tribulations with doctors, etc. There was a short break while we ate meals - Bill and I had a huge lamb shank and mash each, Ann and William goujons of plaice and chips, also large portions. The Highgate Black Pig available was delicious, also the 1799 was in good form.
Then followed a well-earned pub crawl. First stop was the Shepherd and Flock, brighter and cleaner-looking since its refurb, but some of the beers were better than others. Next we visited the Fullers pub, the Hop Blossom. The Chiswick was excellent but I'd reached my limit, I hate cycling when drunk. So we left the pub crawl and got home by 6pm, having caught the train from Farnham to Ash Vale and cycled the rest of the way.
The house is bloody cold - some of the radiators don't seem to be warming up enough. Time for a man to bleed them, perhaps?

Whitish Christmas

Did I have a good Christmas...well sort of. Bill and I arrived down at my parents at about 10pm on Christmas Eve, so that Bill could be there next morning to start cooking the turkey. My younger sister Shirley was already there, and she and Mum were having a jolly time getting the Xmas stockings ready (actually Mum's long socks, hopefully clean). The bungalow was stiflingly hot and stinking of fag smoke, but relatively clean. There was only a little Xmas tree, but it had a lot of very familiar decorations on it, and lots of cards around. So it looked like Xmas Day might be OK-ish.
Next morning Shirl, Bill and I got up and decided not to wait for the Aged P's before opening some presents. True to form, I breakfasted on beer, mixed nuts and liqueur chocolates. But as soon as Mum arrived she started weeping and saying she didn't feel well. I urged her to go back to bed but my father wouldn't hear of that, he just told her to sit down and take it easy.
In a little while it started raining - then snowing! Magical! Being a southerner, I couldn't remember the last time it had snowed on Christmas Day. It didn't settle - but it had tried!
I got some nice presents including white Maltesers and stress-squeezy car from Bill, book about cats and book tokens from Shirl, Mum and Dad, and beer from Val and Matt.
My sister had provided turkey breast, Bill and I the vegetables. Shirl and I prepared spuds, runner beans and Brussel sprouts whilst Bill cooked - and the result was delicious! But Mum was looking anxious all the way through. We tried plonking some presents on her lap but she started weeping and saying she'd spoilt everything, even though she hadn't moved from her chair except to go to the loo. I was tempted to tell her not be so stupid, Shirl decided to hug her and be sympathetic, Dad told Shirl not to encourage Mum to moan. I wondered if she was just doing it to get attention...hard to say which approach was the best. Mum seemed all right when distracted by the telly, so we ended up watching 4 films - Harry Potter, Nicholas Nickleby, Shrek, and another one!
We stayed overnight again, then went out the next morning walking, to test Bill's new hiking pole (a prezzie from me). It had snowed and settled a little overnight, but the tracks were very muddy under the ice. I decided we'd go back via the road, but that was very icy - so the pole came in handy a few times! Shirl left, although she was due to stay another 2 days, saying a friend had a birthday party. Bill and I were also quite glad to get away.
Next we drove to the Kingcombe Centre where our friends Pam and Chris were staying. Pam and Chris had guessed we would have a stressful Christmas so they'd made a special effort to make sure we would have a relaxing time at Kingcombe, which was very kind of them.
They cooked us a veggie bolognaise with garlic bread starter, very nice too. We provided Malbec wine from Argentina. Then afterwards, chatting in front of the real fire and supping Laphroaig whisky (one of Bill's prezzies) - sooo relaxing! The room at Kingcombe was really nice as well, lovely comfy beds and a hot shower, primroses in a little vase thoughtfully provided by Pam.
This morning Chris and Pam provided wholemeal toast and homemade jam for breakfast, and we watched the robins, nuthatches and bluetits feeding outside the conservatory window. Whilst Bill went to fetch his Dad George and girlfriend Eileen (both are in their 80s), the rest of us went for a walk around the meadows. They were very beautiful but probably even more so in the Spring when all the wild flowers are out. I could see why Pam and Chris always rave about the place! So much nicer than London, where they live.
George and Eileen got the tour of the Kingcombe Centre and were introduced to the pigs, Henrietta, Baldrick and Peggy (correct me if I've got the names wrong!). The pigs were snuggled into their straw, and only 2 were awake to give sleepy grunts. It is certainly a very impressive place. See http://www.kingcombe-centre.demon.co.uk/
For lunch the 6 of us went to the 'Fox and Hounds' in Cattistock - traditional pub grub in huge portions. Bill and I found the (Palmers) beer fine but the rest weren't impressed with their Vin de Pays Chardonnay. Back to Maiden Newton, Nigel and Graham were also there so we wished them a Happy New Year before heading back home. Peace and quiet at last? No chance! Bill is downstairs practising his recorder!!

Other Val's Party

Last night was Other Val's Party - to celebrate a new arrival in her family - a melodeon! Her son William also had a party, we had the kitchen and the teenagers had the rest of the house. Val had stocked up on the beer, wisely, so I tried bottles of Badger Champion and Thwaites. She'd also laid on some nibbles which I could only pick at, Bill having cooked me a nice pizza beforehand. Two other friends of Val's were there, Other Bill and Fiona, with their young son Euan. The famous blog-writing Eric the Cat (see links) also honoured us with his prescence, he's a bit of a party animal!
Bill Badger and I had brought our recorder and tin whistle so we all had a go at trying to accompany the melodeon, creating a lovely cacophony with the electric guitar of the teenagers in the next room!! Other Bill also had a go at playing Tall Ships from Steve Knightley's Songbook on the recorder. Euan was offered some elastic band guns and then had a go at pinging Other Val on the bottom, cheeky boy!
We could have stayed and chatted all night, but I had to get up early to go to work today.
I was surprised to hear the loud, nasal tones of Clive on the train this morning, usually he doesn't venture into my carriage. He was talking to his mate Loud Eric, who is a useful double-agent as he will sometimes repeat back the crap that Clive has told him about me to other people at the top of his voice, thinking I can't hear him. Anyhow, they weren't talking about me so I got on with reading 'Lavondyss'.
After a while I felt sleepy and put the book down. Then Clive and Eric stopped their conversation, Clive saying I could be listening!! Sure enough, as soon as I picked up the book again they started talking again. Me being me, I tried opening and closing the book a few times but they didn't seem to notice that, then I laughed. This I'm afraid is typical of the silly games we end up playing. What the solution is, I don't know.
Anyhow I'm not wroking very hard, am I? I'd better get on with getting all the furniture up off the floor so that the cleaners can give it it's annual polish.
Merry Christmas to all my readers, if I don't post before!

Maypole To Mistletoe, Electric Theatre Guildford

Had an enjoyable evening on Tuesday Night with Graham, cosisting of visits to Prince of Wales and Swan, followed by meal at my favourite curry house in Farnborough, the Gurkha Kitchen. The meal was excellent as always, and Graham was in convivial mood.
Last night Bill took me to 'Maypole to Mistletoe' which is a bit like panto for folkies. The host read out evocative passages for different times of the year (maypoles to mistletoe) and singers (mostly Martyn Wyndham-Read) and Morris dancers (Broadwood Morrismen and Magog Morris-women) would dance or perform Mummer's plays. I was not impressed with singer Denise until I was told she was a last minute substitute and had learnt the song 'Terror Time' in one evening! Martyn brought his cute little granddaughter on for carols at the end, and the mistletoe was ceremonially lowered (I was calling, 'gin, gin' but no-one else got the joke). Then the mistletoe was sold for charity, Bill kindly bought me some.
The songs were OK, all a bit slow and Sussex-like, all very traditional. The Morris dancing was a bit more lively, but the reader was certainly the best performer. Don't think I'd go again next year, but a lot of people do, they're probably more purist folkies than myself.

Arizona Smoke Review at Nettlebed

Bill was driving this time, and picked up Other Val from her home in Camberley, and her other half Matt from the station in Twyford. We thought we'd arrived a bit on the late side but Nettlebed Folk Club still made us queue outside in the freezing cold. Sometimes the folkies will sing to keep warm but Val and Matt weren't really up for that! Luckily we weren't outside for long.
There were no floor spots, a departure for Nettlebed as they usually have 2 or 3 before the start and 2 after the interval. But we did have Morris dancers halfway through instead, for which we had to move all the chairs to the side of the hall - what a palaver!
The lineup of Arizona Smoke Review was down to 4, Paul Downes, Pete Zorn, Bill Zorn and Gaylan Taylor. I must admit I didn't like the set, I'm not really into all that yee-haw stuff. Bill Badger said the only songs he liked were Paul Downes' ones and I had to agree. Also there seemed to be some sound problems - Paul's and Pete's vocals should have gone UP, the mandolin and possibly also the banjo DOWN. Also to my untrained ear the banjo and mandolin seemed to be working against each other - someone half a beat behind, or someone not quite in tune? I'm sure Phil Beer would have sorted everything out. Saying that the room was packed and everyone else seemed to enjoy themselves.
Phil the Santa was there though - I waggled him at Paul and said 'Phil Beer!' and Paul laughed.
Had some disasters during the second half of the evening - I kicked over hubby's beer and smashed the glass - Other Val helped me mop it up, luckily the glass had broken cleanly. Then as we were chatting by the bar as people were leaving, a man in a blue coat rudely shoved me out of the way, so that I nearly knocked another lady over who was standing the other side of me! I of course apologized but the man didn't even stop. I'm afraid that is typical of the atmosphere at Nettlebed Folk Club sometimes which is why I don't really like the place. Then as I was walking back to the car I tripped on the road surface and fell on my hands and knees into a puddle! I was filthy but otherwise OK.
Have got the day off today - am supposed to be cleaning the house for Graham's visit so I'd better get on with it! Bye for now!

The Thing under the Fridge

For a few days we've been aware of an unwelcome visitor living in our kitchen, but weren't sure what it was. We noticed an awful smell and piles of Go-Cat seemingly hoarded in little piles behind the kitchen units, but no telltale mousesh*t on the food shelves. My colleague Joan, a bit of a wildlife expert, had 2 suggestions - either a baby hedgehog that the cat had brought in, or a rat. Needless to say, when enlisting Bill's help in moving the fridge, freezer and washing machine, I didn't mention ratticus norwegicus at all!!
First of all we moved the fridge - lots of smelly mousesh*t but no critter. We cleaned meticulously with diluted bleach, then moved on to the cupboard-under-the-sink, again lots of mousesh*t and this time a half-eaten Vileda Supermop head! Everything had to be rinsed and replaced into the clean cupboard.
Next, and most laborious, was the freezer which was at the back of our walk-in larder. Bill had to take all the food off the lower shelves, take the shelves out, then drag the freezer all the way out into the kitchen. This time success!! A huge mouse was cowering in the corner, pretending to be dead (it fooled Bill but not me!).
I reached for the critter (carefully armed with leather gardening gloves and a plastic bag) but it immediately darted under the fridge.
Bill thought to block it's next escape (into the washing machine) with the food shelves but it squeezed itself underneath said appliance. Time to move the washing machine again! But next time it wasn't so canny and tried to jump up the wall (climbing obviously not a strong point with that fella). I reached out and grabbed it, quickly enclosing it in the bag much as you'd pick up a dog poo.
I won't tell you what I did with the mouse then. Let's just say it won't be back to stink out my kitchen again...

Carol Service in St Neots

Phew! Have managed, after a fight, to get onto the Net again!!
Kev and I drove up to Great Paxton on Saturday, where our friends Juliette and Wayne have recently moved. They have a large house on a modern estate, and plenty of plans for redecoration (it's a bit 1980s at the moment, fair to say!). Juliette is a member of the local choir and we planned to watch her, then go out for an Indian.
We also met up with Pam, Chris was to join us later as the poor bloke had to work that day.
After toast and coffee Wayne gave us all a lift to the church, St Mary's in Eaton Socon.
Now what is an Atheist doing at a carol service? Well I was there to support my friend and enjoy the music. The only tricky bit for me was whether I should join in with the singing. I decided to sing the more joyful carols and leave out the terribly holy or control-oriented ones. Thus 'Once in Royal David's City' was out, but I sang along like a good ex-Methodist to 'O Come All Ye Faithful', 'While Shepherds Washed Their Socks', 'It Came Upon The Midnight Clear' and 'The First Nowell'.
After the service there was a mobile-phoning frenzy as Chris, Pam's other half, had got lost on the way to the church. We spotted him eventually near the town centre car park, not in the best of moods as his day at work had been 'a total waste of time'. There was a little wait for a table but the service was quick and the food good. Then back to Wayne and Juliette's for coffee and chatting, swapping cards and Prezzies, intoduction of Jules's teddy to our father xmas, Phil (because he bears a strong resemblence to Phil Beer the renowned folk musician). That's all for now, I'm off, Bill wants to phone his Dad and wish him happy birthday...

Val and Kev at Cityfest 

East and Mid Surrey CAMRA's Xmas Party

On the way to the party on the train, I vaguely noticed someone sitting down next to me, then noticed after a while that he was looking at a Surrey Pub Guide that he'd pulled from a CAMRA bag. Looked up and it was Colin! 'Hi, didn't recognise you straight away' I said and Colin jumped a mile, he hadn't taken any notice of me either!!
Met up again with Colin in the Spotted Dog where I had 2 pints of Youngs Bitter, in good condition and only £2.15 a pint. Then off to the Kings Head to join the others, the guest ales were Wychwood '3 Witches', Archers 'Chocaholic' and Cottage 'Xmas Cottage' - all excellent, I had a pint of each during the course of the evening.
I seated myself in the middle which I later thought was a mistake, as I was a prime target for pellets of cracker foil and paper aeroplanes. Most of these I think came from John Norman, Martin Bundy, Rob Wells and Roy Golding, but they were sat behind me so difficult to keep an eye on!
Martin and Jenny Longhurst were opposite me, both wearing silly hats. Martin's was especially daft, being a top hat decorated like a chimney, which if you pulled a string a Santa appeared from the top like a jack-in-a-box. So I was gigglish even before Martin's ill-fated cracker joke 'What are 3 things which can make men go up in the world?' and I instantly guessed 'Viagra'...you don't want to know the other two!! I won a Magic Number Game in my cracker which kept Ralph amused - there is a similar one here http://www.bahraichfun.com/funnenjoy/genie.htm
The meal was very good as always, the options I'd chosen were chicken and cranberry roulade to start, then roast beef (gave most of the veg away), then blackcurrant cheesecake. I left feeling pleasantly full, happy and rather drunk. Another storming effort from Keith for organising it this year, thanks also to Sally and Keith for putting me up for the night, picking up bags, running me back etc etc!

Steve Tilson, Farnham Maltings

After more transport nightmares I made it back in time for dinner, followed by lift to Farnham Maltings (thanks Other Val!) to see Steve Tilson and support. Val's hubby Matt and mutual friend Julie were also there. We started off by purchasing a round of Triple fff Brewery's Trottneys Red Barrel, which was a bit flat but tasted delicious.
I can't remember the name of the support band, but they were a male/female duo from Totnes in Devon and were pretty good. Steve Tilson was on fine form, I think it's only the second time I've seen him but I recognised a couple of songs which I particuarly liked - 'Love is a Rare Thing' and a slow version of 'The Leaving of Liverpool'.
None of us won on the raffle - not winning the Santa hat was a particular blow! But apart from that, a fine time was had by all.

Train Nightmares

It was perishing cold this morning, and I had to drag myself out of bed 5 minutes earlier as the train time had changed to 07.26. I also had to take Lindy, my faithful mountain-bike hybrid, with me as I had to get back home early, and they seem to have axed all the useful stopping services. So I was not in best mood to start with.
Waiting and waiting...no train. No announcements. VDU screen on Farnborough North Platform 1 hasn't been working for months.
Eventually I texted Bill Badger, who'd only just got up bless him, so he could look it up on the net - cancelled due to lack of driver. Flipping great. Next train 08.00 meaning I'd be late for work.
The 08.00 arrives at 08.05, not too bad you might think but it was only 2 carriages long! For 2 trainloads of people!! Lindy and I just about squeezed in.
Next stop North Camp where a few people disembarked but a lot more got on - somehow. But who should come running up but my enemy Clive (name changed to protect the not very innocent) with his Claud Butler. 'Room for a small one?' he said. No, f**k off. Of course I didn't say that, I said 'I doubt it' but Clive went ahead and leant his bike next to Lindy so that the handlebar was right against my crotch. Ugh.
I was so distressed that I nearly hyperventilated. This is because Clive has been mounting a hate campaign against me which has lasted over 2 years.
Much to my surprise, Clive seemed cooperative and even quite helpful. Since our bikes were right next to the door we had to work together a bit to let people off, and let people on without them stealing our space. Then we sat in First Class and ignored each other.
It must have been obvious I was terrified. When we finally reached Redhill he said 'Are you all right?' at least I assumed he was talking to me, he was already facing away. So I said yes, assuming he was talking about the bike. But when I sneaked a glance at him returning from the bike shelter, he still looked worried.
Now there's a mystery. Why is he suddenly so concerned? Perhaps something or someone else has brought home to him the consequences of bullying someone. Perhaps he's finally grown up, about time too. Or perhaps he's afraid of being reported to the BTP and he's just decided to manipulate me. I'm keeping an open mind...

Some thoughts about Punk

Did you see that programme about punk last night, 1-2 F U? At first I thought, why the hell have they got Jonathan Ross presenting it and why aren't those punks kicking his head in? But as the programme went on I thought he was actually quite a good host. Although his style can't really be said to be punk, he does wear some pretty unconventional clothes and he is a DJ/Presenter with a speech impediment which is again kind of going against the convention...
I was far too young to appreciate punk the first time around, I was only 7 and enjoyed my jubilee street party with the best of them. But by the time of the New Wave punk bands in the early 90s I was straight down to that mosh pit, pogoing like mad.
I graduated in 1992 straight into the recession. After having been told all my life 'be a good girl and get a qualification, you'll be guaranteed a top job' it was a blow to be considered 'useless' and temping on factory lines, cleaning, shop work etc getting treated like dirt, just to keep a roof over my head. Not that other people didn't have it worse than me. I was in South Wales, again too late to protest against mining closures, that way of life had gone forever. But I was there to jeer at Thatch when she visited, hoping to convince people that nice, clean electronics firms would fill the gaping wounds she'd left. And I discovered how the police treat peaceful protesters.
At this point I listened to the Levellers and was hit by a revelation, 'Wow! This is my Voice, my music!' I'd always loved celtic music and identified with their rage against capitalism and the love of Freedom that came across in the lyrics. From then on I thought of them as 'my' band, right up until they 'sold out' with their song about leaving the 'One Way Of Life' they'd formerly believed in, ie 'Celebrate'. This was when I sought out the old school punks, bands like the Clash and the Sex Pistols that were verboten to me aged seven. I also started going to folk-punk festivals and came across bands like Show of Hands, Oysterband, Lee Griffiths, Martyn Joseph, NMA, FOS Brothers...there's a whole treasure trove out there, all I had to do was look!
I prefer the philosophy of the Clash to that of the Sex Pistols. The Sex Pistols were just about wearing cool clothes and being as shocking as possible, but the Clash were about social justice for a generation. The Clash always believed that the audience came first, as illustrated by them slamming the producer's head in the door for trying to talk to them just before they were due to go on stage - excellent! But the Sex Pistols detested any weakness in anybody, including the need to applaud, so the only way to show them your appreciation was to gob at them or throw a bottle at them. Not a philosophy that really works. I found myself admiring the way Joe Strummer held the band together and kept them focused in spite of exhaustion, personal differences, the drummer's drug addiction etc etc. A true professional, and he wasn't afraid to care. RIP Joe.

Wecome to my blogspot!

I have very modestly entitled it 'Val Addiction' as it was the only thing I could think of on the spur of the moment. It is also the name of a beer produced by the Hart Brewery. I am majorly into real ale as you will see if you keep reading, somewhat unusually for a slim 35-year-old woman. I even have a job doing chemical analysis on beer, and get asked to taste beer as well, it's a tough job but someone has to do it! I will be mentioning my beloved hubby Bill Badger and my bossy tortie-and-white cat, Holly, a lot I expect.
I also like most kinds of music especially modern folk, shopping, people watching, a little bit of politics...so if you like any of these things read on!