Steel Derby

They made hard work of it in the end, but Sheffield is red and white once more.

Property Tycoons

We now own two houses - scary!

Great Albums

Claude invested in a few of the new remastered Beatles albums yesterday. Some tracks sound great, while some, hmmm, still suffer from some analogue "hiss" (at least through the Audi's system anyway, yet to try it through the Linn).

But, it got me thinking about my favourite albums of all time and it is tricky to choose. Definitely on the list would be:

• Together Alone - Crowded House
• The Beatles (White Album) - The Beatles
• Twist - Dave Dobbyn
• Songs From the Deep Forest - Duke Special
• Imagine - John Lennon
• Cut - Hunters and Collectors
• The Bends - Radiohead
  

Was That It?

So, back from another epic trip to Czech and it feels over all too soon and as if the days flew by.

Some thoughts, meanderings and conundrums on the past ten days:

• Weather was pretty good - some days comfortably topping 30
• Climbed the highest mountain in Czech - took eight hours including the walk there and back.
  
• During above walk did not apply nearly enough sun lotion and have suffered ever since. Legs, arms and neck quite bad - with bad pain and a blistering, leaking chin
• Both drives were OK. Coming back early this morning we were stuck near Frankfurt for an hour due to a bad crash. Luckily, we made the train on time, but it was a near thing
• Visited a Czech cinema for the first time. Interesting that beer is sold as well as the usual popcorn, natchos etc. In fact beer is sold in petrol stations as well - something our PC nanny State would never allow - and McDonald's (Vincent Vega was right). Cannabis is also legal (can be bought in drink form in Tesco and the weed variety in bars)
• Czech drivers are nuts. The overtaking and risk taking on the roads made even M1-hardened Claude wince
• Had a tour of the University of Hradec Králové from a professor friend of ours. He also printed a super-sized photo for Claude of a picture I took of the Giant Mountains

Off on Hols

So, we are leaving for Czech tomorrow. Will be leaving a bit later than usual, but will be the same trip to the Tunnel and then through Europe.

I quite look forward to the trip now - feels like a big adventure driving through all the different countries.

Well, will report on what we got up to on my return next week.

Claude out

Happy Birthday, Claude

1st Anniversary of this blog.

Amazed it has lasted this long to be honest...

Great New Site

Well worth checking out if planning a trip to Prague:

www.praguebreak.co.uk

London

Took a trip to the Smoke on Sunday - was a long day, but spent some time at the excellent Natural History and Science museums.

Also jumped on a tube to see the Palace - no sight of the Queen or even the Duke.

It is a very exciting place to visit, but also very tiring. At least the drive down and back wa a dry-run for the epic Czech trip we make next week.

Bat Out of Hell

I am not a fan of bats. Never have been and things didn't approve last year when one flew into our bedroom when we were asleep.

So, I was a bit unnerved when taking a late stroll home last night from the local pub with my fiancee, that the air was full of the little buggers. I wasn't happy as they flew across our path and could be seen in the moonlight twirling and darting about.

As my tension grew, one flew right over my head from behind and shot down in front of me. I am not proud to admit that I emitted, what can only be described as, a girly shriek and flung my arms over my head.

All self-respect gone, I have endured some merciless ribbing ever since.

State of the Nation: 2

Good on her - the English abroad are a total embarrassment:

State of the Nation

Working with a colleague this week on an information leaflet we are preparing to give to patients. In one part we had the phrase "to provide the ideal environment".

This prompted the colleague to suggest "we should use something instead of 'environment' as lots of people won't understand what it is."

Makes you proud to be British...

Up and About

First time today I am wearing clothes and actually got out of the house to take the mutt a quik walkies.

Feeling much better and we are celebrating my fiancee getting a new agency to work for by going for lunch in a minute.

I weighed myself earlier and the sickness has taken its toll. I have lost a lot of weight and slipped to 13.7 stones - which is about the lightest I have been for a long time.

Bored

I thought as I was confined to this bedroom, I would be writing a lot in this Blog.

As it turns out, there is nothing to report. I am feeling a bit better, but other than that I have nothing to say. I spend the hours browsing the web, watching TV shows on the internet and reading.

I am tired of staring at the same four walls, but the good news is that stuck here means I am not spending any money and am also being spared the M1 for a week or so.

Swine of a Flu

It started in the early morning of Sunday and quickly developed into a very nasty sickness.

I was woken with a very uncomfortable feeling in my stomach at about 5.30 - and about three hours and five separate vomiting and diarrhoea episodes later (one time both happening together, which was almost unpleasant experience), managed to call the local surgery. At first they thought it could just be a stomach bug, so told me to see if any other symptoms emerged.

One hour after, my temperature raged from 37 to 38.1 and I developed aching limbs and a pounding headache. "Well", the nice nurse on the other end of the 'phone said, "we won't see you to be absolutely sure, but in all likelihood you have swine flu. Take plenty of fluids and paracetamol."

Great. The best bit being I have to completely isolated for 5-7 days - which basically means not leaving my bedroom. It is now Tuesday morning and so starts the third day of the illness. It was very nasty in the beginning and on Sunday night I dragged myself to the bathroom and nearly passed out I felt so weak. Everything went dark and I started to lose my hearing - but I managed to get back to the bed before I collapsed.

Since then I have made steady improvement. Yesterday I just felt very sore and everything hurt. Today seems better and I managed the strength to power up the laptop and write this.

Hopefully I will recover soon - and the good news is that (so far) the rest of the family is OK. I have no idea where I caught it, but after believing the whole thing to be just media hype, I am now converted to the fact that this swine flu is a nasty bug(ger) indeed.

Czech Madness

Well, the weekend has come and gone and Claude and Co. are absolutely shattered, frustrated and annoyed.

The family descended on us about 7pm on Saturday and left at 6am Monday morning. We have been eaten out of house and home and I am amazed we didn't snap at various points.

The visitors, in fairness, are a friendly enough bunch and it would be hard to really dislike any of them. However, the way they treated us left a lot to be desired and it felt like we just there to feed, accommodate and take them wherever they wanted to go.

There are many, many examples of behaviour that really rankled with us, but I shall leave you with with Claude's top five, in reverse order:

5. A comment from a cousin, when we were preparing yet another meal for them (of sandwiches after returning from a long trip), that English bread "does not fill you up like Czech bread, so you will have to prepare something else for us".

4. The same cousin telling Claude she needed to use his mobile to call her boss to save her from using her own phone and having to pay for the call.

3. The complete and utter refusal to spend any money whatsoever. No food or drinks were ever bought on any trips (they even refused to pay 40p for postcards we showed them).

2. Quite happily having us get up at 5am on Monday morning to prepare them breakfast before they left. Then sitting there waiting to be served, with no offer of help or attempt to serve themselves (Claude's fiancee even had to pour tea for them as one thought the tea-pot was leaking and didn't want to do it).

1. And the best one of all... The uncle how on hearing that Claude and Fiancee had to leave them on Saturday in order to pop home to prepare a lunch of pizza and salad said "Oh, can you make me a soup as well? Put there mushrooms and pieces of meat and make sure not to put too much flour". His wife is vegetarian so obviously didn't want to share...his request was also made without ever using the words "please" or "thank you" (or even the Czech equivalent).

All-in-all, it felt like I was caught in an episode of Curb your Enthusiasm, but without the caustic comments Larry David would have been unable to keep from making.

Needless to say they left without much expression of sincere gratitude, certainly no offer or recompense for the huge expense we went to and certainly with a bitter taste in our mouths.

A Mad House

We have an entire family of Czechs descending on us this weekend. When I saw "entire family", boy do I mean it.

10 - yes 10 - cousins, aunties and uncles are visiting, which means we have to provide accommodation (well for five of them), breakfasts, snacks, dinners and entertainment.

We have been shopping at Tesco today - we needed two trolleys for all the supplies. The fridge is so packed it is impossible to take anything out without the whole lot cascading onto the floor like a food waterfall.

Roll on Monday...

Feelin' Hot

Been a pretty scorching week - although the rain came today and Claude needed an umbrella during lunch break.

Most of the time I have been feeling sticky and pretty uncomfortable, so a cooler respite is welcome.

Claude is singing and playing guitar at the folks' 40th ruby wedding anniversary on Sunday. Quite daunting, even though the audience is friends and family. In fact, I think it is always easier playing to strangers...

Tyred

What a farce getting a new tyre for the blown one turned out to be.

As it is a company car, Claude had to take it to Kwit Fit - a company whose name alone surely contravenes the Trade Descriptions Act.

After two trips there - and a jaunt to Sheffield's Audi dealer for a nut lock in between - I managed to get the tyre changed in just over four hours.

Luckily I managed to arrange working from home, when it became apparent it would be fruitless to get to work.

Blow Out

The M1 strikes again.

Driving home tonight after a quick shopping and dinner trip to Meadowhall and just getting past junction 32 the car suddenly violently jerked. It then started shaking, as if it was on a really bad road surface. Then it really started jumping and it was tricky to keep the car straight. It was obviously a tyre blow out. All this was happening while travelling at 80 mph in the 3rd lane.

I quickly managed to get us across to the hard shoulder, where we scrambled out and got as high on the verge as possible. One phone call and 20 minutes later the nice AA man had sorted putting on the spare (something I couldn't do as it was on the driver's side right next to the speeding cars and needed a nut lock to get the wheel off) and we were back on our way.

I will need a new tyre - the old one was completely split apart - but at least I won't have to pay. I love company cars...

Weekly Musings

Just some thoughts on a crazy, busy, manic week:

• The M1 truly is a horrible place to be
• The kebab I had on Tuesday tasted good - but reaked a terrible revenge
• Is recognition better than reward?
• Our living room is hot as an oven
• Trying to sing like John Lennon hurts your throat
  

To Bracknell And Back

Claude was sent all the way to Bracknell today. It is where my company's HQ is situated and our entire team had to trek all the way there for the annual awards ceremony.

Needless to say, Claude won sweet FA, but did clock up 360 miles and had the pleasure of a fun day involving leaving home at 6am and returning at 8.30pm.

Gotta New Motor?

Family chose and reserved a new car on Sunday.

Not really for Claude - the Audi remains as the company car - but we got a really nice Skoda Octavia Elegance:


Funny, I, like most people, had the same prejudice for Skoda cars, based on the rather poor models we saw in the late 80s. However, they genuinely are good now and, also being Czech, means it has to be our first choice.

The only thing that slightly disconcerts me is that "skoda" is Czech for pity...

Fave Things at The Moment

Best Album - The Temperance Society Chronicles, Chip Bailey
Best Gadget - Apple AirPort
Best Drink - Kozel beer

Curse This Pasty Skin

It has been sunny today. Not, really hot, or even baking, but nevertheless Claude was left reaching for the after-sun after an hour spent walking the mutt.

I only have to look at the sun and my arms, face and neck turn a lovely shade of red and start to feel like someone is rubbing them with sand paper.

My dearest is the exact opposite and starts to go a lovely brown colour, while complaining that it could be "a little warmer".

This is just the start - the rest of the summer awaits and I will be covered up from now on.

They Always Let You Down

I have heard this sentiment expressed many times before about the Blades.

Sadly it was true once more on Monday, when we succumbed very weakly to an average Burnley team.

The day itself was OK - apart from having to share Wembley Way with a bunch of inbred, BNP supporting, neanderthal Lancastrians.

Yes, Claude is bitter.

Tickets Bought

Arrived at the ground at 7.45am and queued for three and three quarter hours, but managed to get the tickets.

The rain did commence, but only briefly and I managed to stay dry.

Here's hoping for a red and white triumph on the 25th.

Duck Weather

Flippin' 'eck, what a downpour we have had today.

It caused me major delays on the M1 - two hours to get home. Then I got soaked getting to the Chinese for dinner (very nice chicken chow mein) and then I had to take the mutt out and got drenched again.

I am now sat drying out, hoping the rain stops before I have to go and queue for tickets tomorrow to see the Blades at Wembley.

Mad Mutt

Making my daily trip up the M1 this evening, I was once again faced with non-moving traffic for a good 15 minutes.

"What the hell is it this time" I raged to myself, flicking the travel news on to find out.

Was it an accident - heaps of twisted metal and burning bodies littering the highway? Was it a tanker that had spilled a load of oil all over the road?

Nope. According to BBC Radio Leicester it was "a dog running loose on the carriageway". The crazy canine was holding up both sides of the motorway, which is quite a feat when you probably only measure a metre long.

How Old???

I was at the checkout of Tesco yesterday, patiently waiting for my items to be scanned through. The till lady, probably well into her fifties, suddenly stopped when scanning in a nice bottle of wine I had put in my basket.

She looked at me, then the wine and then back at me, before asking: "Have you got any ID?" I thought I misheard, so asked her to repeat. "I need to see some ID before I can let you buy this."

I was unsure if she was joking or not, so obediently handed over my driving licence. As she looked it over thoroughly, I commented "I turned 33 last week." She seemed satisfied that the licence wasn't fake and let me purchase the wine.

I am still unsure whether to feel insulted or flattered.

London Calling?

Maybe the London gig is on. But, maybe not...

The final interview seemed to go OK and I have been told to expect a decision on Tuesday.

Feels like my life is at a crossroads right now. Which way it goes depends on a 'phone call I will be (hopefully) receiving.

Watch this space...

Birthday Boy

'Tis that time of year again - birthday, one year older and not a penny richer...

My 30s seems to be blurring into one, 31, 32, 33 just don't feel any different to one another.

The only thing that makes me feel "old" is the thought that if I was a footballer I would be getting ready for retirement. As it is, I don't feel any different to when I was mid-20s. If anything, I feel fitter and trimmer than I did then.

Home From Czech

We are safely back in the land of wind and rain after our 10 day break to Czech.

It was an enjoyable time, as always, and we enjoyed some very nice weather. We took a day trip to Prague which was fun - albeit packed out with Italians and English.

Most of the people in the capital seemed at ease in the warm temperatures, laughing, drinking and looking healthy. All except one bedraggled English couple we met, who were struggling to find Prague castle.

This in itself is quite a feat, as the castle is huge and situated in top of a hill - you really can't miss it. The poor guys were not only lost, but red, sweaty and looking terribly uncomfortable in the sun. I took pity on the poor souls and resisted the urge to send them somewhere in the wrong direction. I hope they found it and then had an enjoyable evening applying after-sun lotion to each other...

London? Work in London???

Hmmmm. Claude has an interview on Friday for a job in London. Has he gone completely mad? Maybe...but it is a good opportunity and means we could live in an area we are really taken with.

It would mean another long commute, but at least on a train and not driving. Some of it would be on the Tube, which I find quite romantic to be honest. I might change my mind doing it twice a day, every day, but I just love the names of the stations. It seems so magical to hear the names and all the history associated with them: Swiss Cottage, Elephant and Castle, Baker Street, Waterloo, Oxford Circus and even the lines: Bakerloo, District, Jubilee, Piccadilly - there is wonder and adventure in these names.

Off to Czech

We are driving to Czech once again on Saturday. It still feels weird when I saw we are "driving" as it seems quite ludicrous.

But driving we are and, in all honesty, it has worked out well in the past.

I am looking forward to the trip - it will be a break and we are going to take a day trip to Prague, which is a wonderful city.

Band Tales #2

So, the band had its first rehearsal yesterday.

It went very well considering it was the time we have played together. We worked through four songs, which were sounding pretty good.

Got a two week break now as we are off to Czech on Saturday. Then we will work on a few more songs and we will start to get some gigs booked.

Still need a name...

Band Tales #1

The band is rehearsing for the first time next Saturday.

I am going to be busy running through songs to make sure I am up to scratch.

No other ideas for names yet...but that will come later

Band Born?

Been admiring and playing the amazing new Gibson Les Paul lately. She is a beauty!

It has inspired me to start getting a band in place. I was in a band at uni and we got reasonably good - but never really good. I have also been in a couple of covers bands with mixed results.

I reckon this is the chance to put something together that could be really good. I am taking lead vocals (which I haven't done before) and guitar, bass player sorted and I am meeting a potential drummer on Monday. Keep it simple, three members, some covers, some original songs and we will see.

Then comes the really hard part. Choosing a name. Always a very, very difficult task. I have already considered some, but front runner at the moment is Velvet Revolution. This could change.

End of a Crazy Week

Glad to see the back of this week. Work has been busy and the M1 even busier.

Also, had to say goodbye to my parent's dog, who had reached the grand old age of 16, but had come to the end. Rest in peace, old fella.

Hopefully, the weekend will be a relaxing one. Can't remember the last time that happened!

And Here She Is...

The Story of the Guitar

Sad Claude has mixed feelings about tomorrow.

I have decided to splash out on the guitar I have always dreamed of. I found a very nice one (online) at a shop on the south coast, so am making the long trip there tomorrow.

The guitar is a 1959 Custom Shop Reissue Gibson Les Paul. These are not cheap. To part fund it I am trading in my old Gibson Les Paul Standard - a wine red version from 1996. I bought this from a shop in Luton in January, 1997 and it has been used on recordings and many gigs I have played.

So, while I am very excited about getting the guitar I have always aspired to, I am sad to say goodbye to my old axe.

Snow? In England?

Yes, 'tis true dear readers. Heavy snowfall hit England today and Claude was not spared travel disruption.

We do seem to struggle in this country, with major traffic jams and panic when even just a few flakes land. However, today was genuinely quite bad and my journey to work was slow and tricky at times.

Before lunch time it was getting worse, so with encouragement from colleagues I decided to set off for home and work from there. The journey back was OK and it was nice to be able to spend some time building a snowman and throwing snow balls at the mutt.

Tomorrow looks to be even worse - so I may well be stranded at home once more. Please, no need for sympathy.

That's Special, Duke

Claude and good lady took in an evening's entertainment at Sheffield's Leadmill club last Saturday night.

The gig was the amazingly-haired Duke Special, who delivered an excellent show. He creates an amazing sound, especially taking into account that his "band" was just himself on vocals and piano accompanied by a rather insane drummer.

What made the experience even more "special" was that on several occasions he took to playing a piano positioned right in the middle of the audience. Also, after he had finished performing he gladly spent time in the bar with his fans chatting, signing autographs and having his photo taken.

He is an exceptional artist and a top guy.

Back To Work

First day back at work for Claude today. After the initial shock of remembering just how hideous the M1 is in the morning, I spent most of the day wading through 114 emails. All-in-all it was OK and just good to get that first day over and done with.

So, Xmas is over for another year. This one was pretty uneventful, but it was very good to catch up with friends. A very good friend of mine going back to when I was at school was visiting from Japan and it was nice to meet him and his wife.