A Stroll & Five Fold Kiss

It all started on Friday when my friend, Len, popped in for a few drinks after work. Music was playing, beer was flowing and to top it all off… BBC Four were doing the history of British Metal, from 9 O’clock, followed by Iron maiden filmed in Concert from 2008.

What a start to the weekend.

 

Then it was Saturday.

Not a lot doing around the house. Alysha wasn’t at dance because of her trip and Emma and I were doing as little as possible. Swany rang about 11ish and said that he would be ready just after noon. I ate some lunch and got myself ready. Swany turned up with Pete about 1 O’clock and we began our stroll. We walked down to the Ebury Way and turned left towards Watford. We then took a right and headed for the power station, which would lead us into the fields containing the pillbox. As we clambered over an old tree stump toward the bridge that led to the pillbox, the sight of a newly installed locked gate across the bridge, with barbwire across the top, faced us. I was not impressed, at all! We clambered over it anyway and carried on toward the pillbox. As we approached the pillbox, I noticed that both the entrances were now sealed. Unbelievable!! Swany and I took some photos of it and the mini waterfall, before continuing our journey. We followed the river until we came to the old green, plate Girder Bridge that is all that is left of the salt line. The three of us crossed this and arrived in a field full of Canada Geese. More photos were taken as we made our way towards Hamper Mill. A few more photos were taken before we headed back towards the Ebury Way. We arrived back at my house just after half two and enjoyed a cold beer. Swany and Pete left soon after and I headed indoors to get showered.

 

At about 6ish I left home to go and meet Colin for a few birthday drinks, while Emma wandered off to meet her friend, Jess. They would meet up with me in the pub later.

When I got to the pub Colin was a little worse for wear, having been in there since four thirty! We had a few drinks together before he wobbled off home, just before Emma and Jess walked in. We had a drink all together at Que Pasa, before I headed home leaving Emma and Jess to party.

 

Then it was Sunday.

Alysha had been up for a while before I woke up. A quick last minute rush to make sure that everything was packed, then it was off to School. We made it to School for exactly 7 and were met by my Mum, who had come to see Alysha off. A few quick hugs before Alysha, and the other exchangers were on the minibus and on their way to the Airport. As soon as the minibus was out of sight, it was back home. Emma went back to bed and I messed around on the PC. My friend Dave called round just after 10, for a coffee, then left. Not much else happened until after lunch, when it was time to head for the pub. Not our normal pub but the Horns. Our friends, Five Fold Kiss, were due on stage at three thirty for their first performance at the Horns. When we arrived we spoke briefly to a few band members. Chantal, Gary and Graham. Chantal admitted to being a bit ‘anxious’, while everyone else seemed to be taking it in their stride and seeing it as just another gig. Just before the band was ready, our friends Len, Barry and Jo arrived. A few quick words were spoken and then the band started. Well! What a gig! After a few dodgy bits in the first few songs, the band suddenly woke up and the audience noticed and woke up too! The rest of the gig was bloody brilliant! The audience were really good and some people were up dancing. Lots of people had come along just to see the band, while others had come for a meal and a drink and ended up staying until the end. Lots of people were taking photos, including me, and I shall upload some soon. After the gig, and after we had said our goodbyes, Emma, Jess, Len and I all headed back to mine for pizzas and beer.

Saracen's, 6 Nations & Five Fold Kiss

Saturday 13th February was a long day.

We were all up early for the day ahead. Alysha got up and headed to the shops to get the newspapers for Nan and Grandad and came straight back. I was up listening to music and was rearing to go. Emma had a little lie in before getting up and getting ready. Once breakfast and coffee were downed, we all wrapped up warm and left for a short walk to Watford Metropolitan Station. On the way Alysha dropped her overnight bag in to my mum's, to save time later, and we continued on our way. We also passed the old Fire Station on Rickmansworth Road, or rather the rubble that was the Fire Station. It has been completely flattened so I took a pic.

The journey from Watford to Wembley took nearly thirty minutes, which gave us a chance to warm up, before the three hours or so sitting in Wembley Stadium.

On arrival at Wembley we were walking down the road, discussing where we were going to eat lunch, when we were spotted by Mum, Sue and Charlie. They had left a lot earlier than us and were just finishing their lunch when they spotted us through the window. So, we decided to eat there. Lamd Doner Burger, chips and coffe for me. Quarter Pounder, Chips and Cappuccino for Alysha and a Cheese and Mushroom Omelette and coffee for Emma. Mum and her crew left the diner to take some more pics and have a wander, while we finished lunch.

Then we headed for the stadium. Our seats were perfect, (closer than mum and her crew who were about 20 rows behind us up another tier) so we sat down and waited for the entertainment to start.

At about 14:15 'Chipmunk' started the music off with a 10 minute set. Maybe I am getting old, but I didn't think he was all that. Once he had finished his set, he was followed by 'The Saturdays', who also did a 10 minute set. While they were singing, 'Chipmunk' was escorted from the building by the Sarcens Sensations. Then just before kick-off, Sarrie, the Saracens mascot, made his entrance on the back of a Harley-Davidson, followed by 'The Hogfather' and his biker gang. What an entrance!

The rugby was good with the Saracens eventually beating the Worcester Warriors, 25-20!

During the match friends had been keeping me updated in the RBS 6 Nations Tournament. Emma was pleased when I informed her that Wales had come from behind to score a try in the dying seconds to win the match against Scotland, 31-24!

On the way back to the train station my friends kept informing me of the second of the 6 Nations matches that day. Unfortunately Ireland appeared to have fallen asleep and were soundly by beaten by the French. Not impressed, boys! 33-10 to France! Unbelievable!

We all travelled back together on the train, except for Charlie who was going to see Eric Clapton at the O2 arena.

Once back in Watford, Mum and Alysha headed home while Emma and I got some shopping. Once at home, food was quickly cooked and eaten, before we got changed and headed in to Watford.

We got to O'Neill's for nine O'clock, only to find the band, Five Fold Kiss, wouldn't be on til 22:30!!!

Oh, well. We killed time drinking and talking until the band were ready and our friend Len turned up. Then the entire place erupted! I have never seen O'Neill's that busy on a band night before. Five Fold Kiss were at their very best and had the audience jumping, dancing, clapping and cheering! It truly was a great night and I have uploaded some of the Photo's.

I can't wait until the 7th March when Five Fold Kiss, Rock The Horns!!!!

May it be well with you,

A Busy few days

It has been a while since my last blog and a lot has happened.

It all started about two weeks ago, when I started to feel tired and exhausted with a headache I couldn't shift. This resulted with me going to the Doc's and an appointment made to have blood taken. I couldn't have blood taken on the day I saw the Doctor, as I had to fast for 12 hours. (That nearly killed me!) Anyway, bloods were taken on the Monday and another appointment made to see the Doctor again on the 29th. (Should be interesting.)

Last Sunday, (17th), I went for a stroll and to get some fresh air. Near my house is a cycle track called 'Ebury Way'. This track goes from Rickmansworth to Watford and goes past Lakes, Croxley Common Moor, Lairage Land and Local Nature Reserves. From the 'Ebury Way' you can see a pillbox in a field that has stood there since the 1940's. As a kid it was always a great place to hang out and explore. In all the years that I had visited it since, I had never taken any photo's of it, so this time I did. On returning home, I decided to find out more about the pillbox.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered a site that dealt specifically with pillboxes, and was part of the 'Archaeological Data Service'. How accurate would that be?! Not very, actually.

The pillbox near my house, (Pillbox Type FW3/27: S0000558) had supposedly been removed, in 1995. Oops. Slight error in the data, I believe. So, I sent an email explaining their mistake and could they rectify it asap, please?! (Still, no reply!)

I have since decided it might be worth me visiting as many of the pillbox sites in my area, to get as many pictures as I can, and also to check them against the'Archaeological Data Service' database, to see if any other, still standing, pillboxes have been removed.

Monday night, (18th), started with a trip to the 'Horns' pub, to see a couple of bands.

'Seize the Chair' & 'Smugglers Run'. 'Seize the Chair' are a new band, and had only been together for a couple of months, but were tight and had a good stage presence. 'Smugglers Run' have been around for a while, and did not disappoint. Fantastic Music and the fans were kept happy. Will definitely be seeing them again and would urge anyone, who likes up-and-coming bands, to see them. 

For the rest of the week I was working at St. Albans City Hospital, covering for a colleague while they were on holiday. I hadn't worked at St. Albans City Hospital in nearly a year, and it was good to see so many old faces. (And some new ones.) Unbelievably, some people had even missed me! Anyway, it took a few days to sort out a few problems with stock shortages, replacement items and alternatives, but I managed it. I hope I will be going back there again soon, as it is a nice place to work, and it is one of the few places, that I know, where everyone is genuine and pleased to see you. From cleaners to nurses and porters to management and everyone in-between, everyone says, 'Hello.' 

I will blog again soon, and hopefully won't leave it as long.

Until then,

May it be well with you.