Hen Night…

Sue went over to a friend’s place for Erica’s hen night and so the hostess’s partner Paul came over and he and I went out to a rather civilised NSPCC charitable wine and cheese evening in the garden that Paul helps the owners keep under control. It was a lovely grand house with large grounds where many tables we laid out and ladies and gentlemen gathered. Later we went back to Dorking and we had a few more drinks at a couple of pubs that were hosting music on a very sultry evening. The next morning I followed Paul back home and we got the edited highlights of the girl’s evening as we sat on the patio eating strawberries.

Summer Daze…

After a long cold winter summer has arrived at last. Sue has a working theory that our season follows that in NZ, and it seemed they had a bad winter followed by a good summer, so we have our fingers crossed, and so far it seems to be holding true.

Ever since our return from holiday the weather has been good, even reaching the early 30’s Celsius in a rare heat wave. We have been eating out on the deck at our new furniture and have spent a lot of time in the garden weeding and watering our plants, both ornamental and vegetable.

Sue’s 50th Birthday Party…

The day after we returned from our holiday we had arranged for a party for Sue’s 50^th birthday to be held at the new wine bar come deli Bertram Bees that is in our village. It is a lovely renovated pub with a fresh and bright feel to it and with added coffee and cakes.

With our guests we basically took over the bar and the garden and the sun shone as we drank and ate and caught up with friends and family.

The staff looked after us very well with fresh platters of nibbles coming around on lovely olive wood boards.

Live music was provided by Andy & Mags, a duo we had seen perform at the bar before. They judge the mood of the room brilliantly starting with easy listening background music as we chatted and ate and built up to a good foot stomping gig at the end.

Inspired by a cake we had seen made for a friend of ours in NZ Carole and family made a thoroughly amazing Steampunk affair of multiple layers cumulating in a feathered hat and lace bodice with bass cogs and gears. It was quite the centre piece of the party.

Sue was quite overwhelmed with the loads of wonderful presents and absolutely masses of cards that she received and some close friends gave money to help us buy a dream patio-furniture set that featured an interchangeable ice bucket come fire pit come BBQ grill in the middle.

More of wot I have seen…

Long distance plane travel is good to catch up on movies as we do not usually go out to the cinema very often.

Django Unchained – this is another mad Tarantino movie where he demonstrates his massive knowledge of films of all genres.

Warm Bodies – this is another RomZomCom but based on a single idea. It does not encumber itself with an overly complicated plot line, but I enjoyed some of the throw away lines and comic set pieces.

Jack Reacher – having read several of the books I can’t see Tom Cruise as the main character. Nevertheless it was a good action flick.

Cloud Atlas – This was a good movie but I did like the book better – in fact the book is one of my recent favourites. The gimmick of using the same actors in different roles was fun, but ultimately distracting.

Road Trip ‘Mix Tapes’…

Before going on our road trip a made three new ‘mix tape’ compilations to play on our journey. They were themed a little as follows…

Leaving Las Vegas

• Viva Las Vegas – Elvis Presley
• Ride On Time – Black Box
• On The Road Again – Canned Heat
• Life In The Fast Lane – The Eagles
• Drive My Car / The Word / What You’re Doing – The Beatles
• The Passenger – Iggy Pop
• The Back Seat Of My Car – Paul McCartney & Wings
• In The Car – Barenaked Ladies
• Tiger In My Tank – Eels
• The Art Of Driving – Black Box Recorder
• Road To Somewhere – Goldfrapp
• Key To The Highway – Big Bill Broonzy
• Automobile – Sam Lightnin’ Hopkins
• Lost Highway – Hank Williams
• The Low Highway – Steve Earle & The Dukes
• Wide Open Road – The Little Willies
• 900 Miles – Clodhopper
• The Wheel Is My Favourite Invention – The Audreys
• On The Road – Angus & Julie Stone
• On The Road Again – Katie Melua
• Lonesome Road – Madeleine Peyroux

Summer Holiday

• Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) – Baz Lurhmann
• Here Comes The Sun / The Inner Light – The Beatles
• Summer Love Sensation – Bay City Rollers
• Summer (The First Time) – Bobby Goldsboro
• Summer Crane – The Avalanches
• Summer Sun – The Magic Theatre
• Summer Sun – Koop
• The Sunshine Song – The Candle Theives
• We’ll Know When We Get There – Churny/Danny Popplewell/Flett/Ireland
• Follow The Sun - Churny/Danny Popplewell/Flett/Ireland
• Racing And Chasing The Sun – Joel Rafael
• Going Somewhere – Colin Hay
• Catch The Sun – Doves
• Sunshine – Keane
• Sunburn – Muse
• Too Close To The Sun – The Mutton Birds
• The Sun Rising – The Beloved
• Summertime – Another Level
• Here Comes The Sun – Nina Simone

Heading For San Francisco

• Let’s Go To San Francisco – The Flower Pot Men
• California – Al Jolson
• In The Summertime – Mungo Jerry
• California Dream’in – The Mamas & The Papas
• San Francisco Bay Blues – Eric Clapton
• California Girls – Brian Wilson
• Hotel California – The Eagles
• Sleepy California – Her Space Holiday
• Californication – Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Drinking in LA – Bran Van 3000
• Surfin’ USA – The Beach Boys
• California – Semisonic
• Santa Monica Dream – Angus & Julia Stone
• Summer Nights In June – Ooberman
• Summertime – DJ Jazzy Jeff
• Sun Is Shining – Bob Marley vs Funkstar De Luxe
• Sunshine – Gabrielle
• Here Comes The Summer – The Undertones
• Surfing On A Rocker – Air
• California Dreamin’ – Jose Feliciano