Easter Treats…

We had a good and busy Easter break this year.

On Good Friday we went out on the annual walk with the Westcott Local History Group that ended at the old St John theEvangelist church at Wotton where we had a talk and could view the Evelyn family chapel (John Evelyn the diarist). After that we had a lovely lunch with Sue’s mum and sister at Viva in Dorking. 

On Saturday we took the train to Brighton, which consisted of a couple of changes and ended up standing all the way from Gatwick to Brighton after a signal failure caused a train to be cancelled. Anyway we got there and deposited our bags at the nearby Ibis hotel (hugely inflated Bank Holiday rates) and ventured out into the busy North Lanes. We ate at the friendly Bill’s Restaurant.

We had tickets to see the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club with the remaining members of this band performing what that called their Adios tour. It was an amazing night with many standing ovations for the elderly but enthusiastic and talented group supported by new younger members and an opening act called the Family Atlantica. after this we had a nightcap at the Colonnade Bar and chatted with a few couples who had been at the concert and had visited Cuba (a place on my bucket list).

  

The morning was bright and inviting so we walked down to the sea and bumped into a couple of friends who had recently moved to Brighton so we caught up over a coffee. We then went back to the hotel for to freshen up and checked out heading out for brunch in the South Lanes. Unfortunately the place we chose seemed to be having a problem in the kitchen and the meals took ages to come and we ended up eating at different times. After some more wandering around the lanes we ended up at the Three Jolly Butchers where they had a talented jazz duo playing guitars.

  

The return train journey was faster and more comfortable and we ended up in Dorking in time to eat at the Red Bar & Lounge (a delicious pizza from the Pizza Galore mobile wood fired pizzeria parked outside) before the punk inspired folk act The Salts performed their lively versions of traditional and new songs.

Monday we recovered with some physical labour out in the kitchen garden preparing for the spring crops to go in. The sun was shining and we felt better for the vitamin D, though our muscles ached after the exertions and we flopped in front of the TV in the evening. 

Spring Signs…

As spring was making a welcome appearance we went on a walk in the countryside with friends, kids and dogs included. It was pretty cold so after we returned we fortified ourselves with wine and played a few games as some of the chaps watched the rugby. Games were Dino Hunt, a simple and quick dice game, Forbidden Island which was an entertaining cooperative board game, and the Logo board game that was less fun.

The next day Sue and I visited the RHS gardens at Wisley where we saw the crocus and daffodil bulbs coming out, and the magnolia trees, camellia and daphnia in bloom. We bought a hydrangea from the plant nursery and planted it in the front garden

More of wot I have read…

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

This is a 1980’s geek fan-boy story of a virtual reality world that has almost replaced the real world for most of the earth’s population (school, work, and entertainment). When the creator of this world dies he publically declares a competition to find an ‘Easter Egg’ in the game that would entitle the winner to take ownership of the hugely profitable company.  This creator (probably like the author) was influenced by the 1980’s and especially the music, movies, video games, Dungeon & Dragons and comics. There is a lot of very detailed references to these in the story that at times overwhelm the otherwise slim narrative, however the pace is good and it is an easy read. For me being of that period I enjoyed the book, but I can see it would have limited appeal.

‘Imagine the world at stake.

An epic struggle between good and evil.

The greatest quest in history.

The fate of humanity resting in your hands.

Are you ready?’

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson

In the words of the author this book is a prime example of Gonzo-journalism that now with the hindsight of time seems like a history piece that reflects a disenfranchised section of the American culture that many of us have little or no knowledge of, and frankly would rather it stayed that way. It is an odd and disjointed read that careers around like a drunkard, but is strangely captivating and engaging at the same time.  The Ralph Steadman imagery scattered throughout the book is perfect for capturing this sense of anarchy. The film adaptation by Terry Gilliam staring Johnny Depp is an authentic representation and worth a watch.

‘Hunter S. Thompson is driving to Las Vegas with his attorney, the Samoan, to find the dark side of the American dream. Roaring down the desert highway from Los Angeles, they realise there’s only one way to go about such a perilous task; getting very, very twisted. Armed with a drug arsenal of stupendous proportions, the duo engage in a manic, surreal tour of the sleaze capital of the world. Their perilous, chemically-enhanced confrontations with casino operators, police officers and assorted Middle Americans have a hallucinatory humour and nightmare terror. Riotously funny, daringly original and dead serious at its core, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a classic statement on the collapsed dream of the American sixties. ‘

More of wot I have heard…

Not long ago we went out to the Boileroom, a small venue in Guildford that looks like it has evolved out of a pub. First we ate a tasty meal at Jamie’s Italian Kitchen and then moved on to the venue where we saw

Jewelia

Hannah Dorman

Jazz Morley

Lotte Mullan

There were not many people watching the talented female singer-songwriters and many of those who were there seemed to be well acquainted with them (either family or friends). They were all great performers and we bought CDs from each of them.

We sampled the varied drinks on offer at the venue including the Little Boileroom Beer and we were interested to see that Chinese food was on offer in those iconic cardboard boxes you tend to see in American shows.

It was a fabulous evening out.