Reeling In The Years - Steely Dan

After all the moaning, groaning, whingeing and whining about the last few day, today was back to reality sorting out the washing, groceries and bills, oh to be back in France. On that subject, I have to point out that the disappointments of recent days were nothing to do with France or the French (both fine institutions) but a series of circumstances no one could have accounted for, and there is a plan for us to return. This visit, included my 64th birthday, was in sharp contrast with a similar visit four years ago, pert of my 60th gig, some of which is highlighted below.

I did put in a quick wander to Ferry Bridge this morning, but apart from the fantastic sigh of a number of juvenile Little Terns on the wing and a small flock of Dunlin there was nothing to report. However, the day was dealt a great blow when I bumped into a long standing mate in Weymouth.

If you ever used the word Blues and Weymouth in the same sentence then by definition you would be talking about Timmy Broad. A 'Master of the Stratocaster' from what seems like childhood Tim and I have covered some ground, and he's still at it. These days he still plays under the heading of Custer's Last Blues Band, in addition to which there has been Brahms & Liszt, Red Rooster and the latest manifestation Broadband (Ged'it?) who will be playing the Royal Manor pub, Portland this Friday. Nice to see you again Tim and love to Maggie!

A Backward Look at My 60th

Leon Cathedral complete with a heavenly host of Common Swifts.

Getting the beers in before the gig.

Entrance to the Theaters Antiques, Leon, France. This Roman amphitheater is idea for any 'rock concert',

but when it's unarguably the greatest vocalist that ever lived then that enters quite another dimension.

Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin) just a year older than me put on a most memorable performance, and

enjoyed 3 encores with his band Strange Sensation.

The sky was Bible black in Leon when I found the Magdalene
She was paralysed in a streetlight she refused to give her name
She wore a ring of violet bruises that were pinned upon her arm
Two hundred francs for sanctuary and she led me by the hand
To a room of dancing shadows where all the heartache disappears
And from the glowing tongues of candles I heard her whisper in my ear
"J'entend ton coeur" (I can hear your heart)

Next day Jim the Medic and I enjoyed some fine cuisine,

and more than a drop of Vino!

and here's one to remember Andy (Lindsay) with a fine Bass and Codling.

I can show you, I can show you some of the people in my life
Turn It On! - Genesis

As so many featured here are readers of this Blog I thought the look back may be of interest.

Italian dinner on Birthday Eve

Party Night

The Stockley Clan muster.

Music provided by 'Beaver'.

The best vocalist the band ever had, until I forgot the lyrics of the Metallica classic 'Nothing Else Matters'.

Ken & Lilian shaking a wicked hoof.

Plank & Freeman

Adrian & Tracy Baker

Linda & Dave Winchester

Pete Smith, landlord and band leader.

Alex Robinson

You know who with my girls and Sally Pearce.

Jon Storey (best guitarist hereabouts) Steve Perry (ditto drummer) and wife Jude.

Vinny the Chip wife Lou, Moi and British & Commonwealth Middleweight boxing champion Tony Sibson.

Paul & Annie Harris with Liz & Don Moxom.

and last, but by no means least, my 2 lovely girls Julie and Lisa.

Least Said, Soonest Mended

Andy Lindsay and I continued our 8 day France visit today after spending one night in the Railway Station waiting room at Avignon and a second in a hotel that was altogether less comfortable at Nimes. The other misfortunes of this trip are not worth going over, suffice to say Andy was called home at short notice, which in my view was a blessing in disguise. We moved down to Montpelier giving us just a glimpse of the South of France and a little respite from the past 2 days.

A fine hotel, decent pate, succulent streak tartar and good wine ended our holiday, albeit abruptly, so we were lucky to get a flight back to Luton, each making our different ways home. Below are a few photographs of the city, and hope to be back to normal tomorrow.

It's Been a Hard Days Night - The Beatles

We are now in Montpelier but not for much longer. This gig has gone from bad to much worse and we feel we could be on our way home very soon. Please bear with us during this period of indecision. Tomorrow, hopefully, will be another day!

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Viva la France

The up-side to our night in the Train Station Waiting Room was the warm, balmy weather and I can tell you the 06-03 service to Nimes didn't arrive a moment too soon. A great way to start your birthday, we celebrated with a couple of cups of coffee and a croissant. Even here the hotels aren't exactly short on clientele, but the good news is we do have a couple of rooms!

Most of the morning was spent trying to master the French Internet and get ourselves a hire car for 5 days starting tomorrow, but it hasn't been easy. Eventually, we had to give up and walk to the Eoropcar office, only just across the road, but the 'on site' booking proved to be nearly twice that on-line. Provisionally booking it, we returned to the hotel and lap-top and with a little more patience finally got the booking.

This was followed by a walk around the town, but by now the sun was high and sweltering hot - nothing seems to be falling into place.

However, the first of the 2 town's churches looked impressive enough peeking over the high trees,

while the monument to the French Revolution was also eye-catching.

The most impressive feature of the town was undoubtedly

the Roman Amphitheater, latterly used as a bull-ring

distinguished by this fine bronze Matador, but we are pleased to announce that this barbaric practice no longer functions!

To the side of this were a number of Government Buildings

but th back of the almost complete rotunda was equally worth a photograph.

We didn't get the name of either church, but this one looked the biggest and finest so considered it the 'parish church',

while a few paces around the corner we found what must have been, in days of old, the town's water supply?

We both agreed it could have done with a few Carp to cheer up the otherwise lifeless water, but there was a Broad-bodied Chaser Dragonfly on hand, plus a further c2 that remained unidentified.

There were however a couple of birds to add to the extremely short list which now stands at:-

House Sparrow, Carrion Crow, Feral Pigeon, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Common Swift plus this Mallard and Ruddy Shelduck.

There were a number of other tributes to a by-gone age, with this statue of Hadrian,

and what was left of that period was sympathetically complimented by Romanesque features,

including this balustrade and terracing,

climbing gently to a large wooded area beyond.

In the streets the men played 'boules',

keeping the ancient and national game alive.

Andy on the other hand, found this original 1972, water cooled Suzuki of far more interest and when the owner arrived, jokingly offering the key that was the 2 of them in conversation for a good few minutes.

Good luck continued to evade us as at about 16-00 we both felt we could do justice to a decent steak and bottle of Claret. As it happens 15-00 to 19-00 is Chef's siesta time in all of the restaurants and taverns, so we had to make do with salad (rabbit food), bread and a couple of pints of French (and very good we have to say) beer, and retired at 19-30.