I'm very excited today - I've bought a wedding dress! I can tell you I found it at Clifton Brides in Bath, and that it is a very unusual colour, but other than that my lips are sealed!!
I thought I'd discuss the flowers with our local florist today, but she wanted to know the exact colour of the dress, but I haven't got a swatch (that's a bit of the same material, not a kind of watch, for all you males out there). I did request a swatch so that the bridesmaids and pageboys will match (or at least tone well) but I've no idea when it will arrive.
We have already booked the venue (The West Barn, Bradford-on-Avon) and registrars, given our Notice at the Bath Registry Office, booked the Wedding Breakfast at the Swan Hotel in Bradford-on-Avon and the evening boat trip aboard the Barbara McLellen, which is owned by the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust. So the next things to organise will be flowers, photographer and car.
At the moment I'm having a small glass of Malmsey and some Easter egg to celebrate!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Oysterband at Pontardawe
Strange to be back in South Wales again, especially for a folk gig! The staff at Pontardawe Arts Centre were really friendly and welcoming, and we met Jane, a friend from pre-divorce days, who hadn't met Patrick yet. She is from Swindon where the Oysterband were playing the following night, so she was going to two gigs in a row - sign of a true fan!
A pleasant surprise was that Dan Donnelly was playing support - he has stood in for Simon Friend of the Levellers before, and also writes some very good songs. His takeoff of David Gray went down well with the crowd, unlike at the gig in Narberth where David Gray comes from! Apparently David's brother was in the crowd and was ddim hapis, as they say in Wales.
The set was mainly from their latest album, Meet You There, with a few of the fan's favourites such as Native Son and Northern Lights thrown in. Mindyou the songs from the new album are, in my opinion, some of the finest they've written - I especially like The Flood and Bury Me Standing - and agree with the sentiments. The whole band descended into the mosh pit and sang and played acoustic IN the crowd for the encore, Put Out The Lights (on London City). We had a great view as we'd arrived quite early and bagged front spots! Another amazing experience courtesy of the Oysterband.
A pleasant surprise was that Dan Donnelly was playing support - he has stood in for Simon Friend of the Levellers before, and also writes some very good songs. His takeoff of David Gray went down well with the crowd, unlike at the gig in Narberth where David Gray comes from! Apparently David's brother was in the crowd and was ddim hapis, as they say in Wales.
The set was mainly from their latest album, Meet You There, with a few of the fan's favourites such as Native Son and Northern Lights thrown in. Mindyou the songs from the new album are, in my opinion, some of the finest they've written - I especially like The Flood and Bury Me Standing - and agree with the sentiments. The whole band descended into the mosh pit and sang and played acoustic IN the crowd for the encore, Put Out The Lights (on London City). We had a great view as we'd arrived quite early and bagged front spots! Another amazing experience courtesy of the Oysterband.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Egg Shopping
After doing the boring-but-necessary stuff like registering with a doctor and a dentist and searching the net for jobs, I wandered into Bath for easter egg shopping. Now sorted! Looking forward to Easter.
This picture made me laugh - I love Lolcats
This picture made me laugh - I love Lolcats
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Lancashire Hotpots at Telford's Wharf
We've recently been to see the Lancashire Hotpots down at Telford's Wharf in Chester. They sing comedy songs, mostly about technology and modern life in Lancashire, in broad Lancashire accents - Patrick is a big fan as both of his parents are from Lancashire.
We were somewhat frustrated at first, because Patrick thought the Telford's Wharf website had advertised the live music as starting at nine, whereas in fact the band didn't come on till 10.30pm. Still, the real ale at Telford's Wharf is delicious (I reccommend the Cheshire Cat) and the piped music was acceptable. The Lancashire Hotpots were on great form, they were having a really good time and so were we. Because Patrick and I had got there early we had a front row spot, and were happily dancing away and singing along. They played Patrick's favourites including 'Oh No, He's Gone Emo' and 'Chippy Tea', which he can't stop singing now, plus a few new ones such as 'The Chav Song' and 'Tha's Got For Get SatNav'.
We bought their album 'Never Mind the Hotpots' - Patrick can't stop playing it in the car! The only song I'm dubious about is 'Lancashire Town' - a modern take on clone towns in the North West, which ends with the singer moving to Coventry. Surely this will isolate the Hotpots' fan base of loyal Lancastrians? Move back, immediately!!!
All in all, a grand night out, and a good laugh too!
We were somewhat frustrated at first, because Patrick thought the Telford's Wharf website had advertised the live music as starting at nine, whereas in fact the band didn't come on till 10.30pm. Still, the real ale at Telford's Wharf is delicious (I reccommend the Cheshire Cat) and the piped music was acceptable. The Lancashire Hotpots were on great form, they were having a really good time and so were we. Because Patrick and I had got there early we had a front row spot, and were happily dancing away and singing along. They played Patrick's favourites including 'Oh No, He's Gone Emo' and 'Chippy Tea', which he can't stop singing now, plus a few new ones such as 'The Chav Song' and 'Tha's Got For Get SatNav'.
We bought their album 'Never Mind the Hotpots' - Patrick can't stop playing it in the car! The only song I'm dubious about is 'Lancashire Town' - a modern take on clone towns in the North West, which ends with the singer moving to Coventry. Surely this will isolate the Hotpots' fan base of loyal Lancastrians? Move back, immediately!!!
All in all, a grand night out, and a good laugh too!
Bath Life
Hi all
Finally I'm back on the internet again! As there's no phone line or wireless system in our rented flat here in Bath, I needed a mobile connection which the knackered old PC from Farnborough couldn't cope with. As it's essential to be online these days for job searching, Patrick bought me a Compaq Presario C500 laptop, which is fab, and only £275 ex-demo from a computer fair in Tottenham Court Road. He also bought a Vodaphone Mobile Connection which has good reception here - it only works at dial-up speed but it will get me by till we buy a house together and can get broadband again.
Before that, Patrick and I had visited the Terracotta Warriors at the British Museum - a fascinating exhibition. The scale of the First Emperor's tomb, the wealth and the insight into the ancient Chinese way of life was awesome. I had thought that the figures were of warriors only - but there were also musicians, birds, acrobats and even civil servants buried with the Emperor. The tomb was based on the Chinese idea of the Universe (as the Emperor considered himself ruler of the whole Universe!) included a river of mercury - scary! I bought a little kneeling archer as a souvenir.
The main reason for going into London was to meet up with Emma and Ting - Emma is my oldest friend that I'm still in contact with. We had a quick snack in a cafe nearby, then headed off to Queensway to try to get into a bowling alley, unsuccessfully! Then it was off to Chinatown for a real Chinese meal. It was great to see Emma and Ting again, swap stories about holidays and reminisce about school days again.
Finally I'm back on the internet again! As there's no phone line or wireless system in our rented flat here in Bath, I needed a mobile connection which the knackered old PC from Farnborough couldn't cope with. As it's essential to be online these days for job searching, Patrick bought me a Compaq Presario C500 laptop, which is fab, and only £275 ex-demo from a computer fair in Tottenham Court Road. He also bought a Vodaphone Mobile Connection which has good reception here - it only works at dial-up speed but it will get me by till we buy a house together and can get broadband again.
Before that, Patrick and I had visited the Terracotta Warriors at the British Museum - a fascinating exhibition. The scale of the First Emperor's tomb, the wealth and the insight into the ancient Chinese way of life was awesome. I had thought that the figures were of warriors only - but there were also musicians, birds, acrobats and even civil servants buried with the Emperor. The tomb was based on the Chinese idea of the Universe (as the Emperor considered himself ruler of the whole Universe!) included a river of mercury - scary! I bought a little kneeling archer as a souvenir.
The main reason for going into London was to meet up with Emma and Ting - Emma is my oldest friend that I'm still in contact with. We had a quick snack in a cafe nearby, then headed off to Queensway to try to get into a bowling alley, unsuccessfully! Then it was off to Chinatown for a real Chinese meal. It was great to see Emma and Ting again, swap stories about holidays and reminisce about school days again.
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