Misfits Mid-Life Crisis……..

Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures in ………….. Surrey, Croydon and Central London,

Week 62 (or Week 25 of the new adventure), Saturday 22nd August until Friday 28th August 2015.

Last Saturday might have been the last really hot day this year in London, this summer in the UK has generally been considered a bad one.  They were saying that temps could reach 30c, I’m not sure what the temp was in the end but it was a very hot day.  Because we went out quite late in the afternoon I didn’t surprisingly use any sun cream.

 She was large, honest.

MOZ and I were on a mission to walk along Regent Canal from Angel and Hertford Union Canal to Stratford.   Regent Canal was so busy plenty of boats moving around or moored with people having BBQ’s and drinking generally having fun on the water, I even saw a couple of dinghy’s with people paddling and drinking as they bobbed on the water.  The small number of restaurants and café were doing a roaring trade.  There were people on balconies of expensive tower blocks, or just sitting at the end of a garden which stopped at the canal enjoying a Saturday afternoon by the water in the middle of “London Village”.

 I have to tape one headphone to my ear when out on the bike.

MOZ and I made our way along the towpath (I think it’s called that) which had plenty of foot traffic.  But there was a problem, a pest you might call it.  It wasn’t the midges or other flying beasties that had come out to enjoy the sunshine.  It was the cyclists.  I am a cyclist and I support and encourage the fact that people want to use peddle power.  But speeding along a thin strip of concrete while people some with buggies, children others walking dogs, people in wheelchairs is really not a good idea. Especially when you consider there is a steep drop into the canal next to you.  They were everywhere most of the time in groups of two or three, most of them just expecting that you move out of their way.  You couldn’t relax you were looking over your shoulder to see if another was coming.  Most of them would ring there pathetic tinny bells to warn you there coming, others would rudely make noises almost hissing sounds at you.  There were a couple of occasions when I really thought someone was going for a swim.  When we got to one of the numerous low bridges that’s where there could be a backlog of people and bikes.

 Menace.

They were really annoying, I should point out they are allowed to be there, they were not doing anything wrong but there is just not the space for all of us.  If I were major of London I’d deffo ban bikes from the canal towpaths.

Walking past the boats did make me wonder what it would be like to live on one.  Some you could see inside and there is not a lot of room and certainly no space for a hoarder.  There was one boat that had sunk, I later looked it up, the owner has lost pretty much everything he doesn’t know why it’s gone down, he thinks it was hit by another boat he is raising (no pun intended) money to re-float his home.  Walking past them I had this glamorous impression of living on a boat, moving your home when you needed or wanted. But I suspect living in one on a sunny summers day is totally different to a rainy or snowy winters day.

 Canal Art.

All along the way there was a lot of graffiti, some just squiggles, others were works of art.  I had to stop and admire taking lots of pictures.  I can draw and paint I’ve always been a creative person but painting with a spray can is something I have never done, I’ll leave that to the experts.

 Canal Cat.

There is plenty of life along the canal, apart from excited Dogs one of which was called “Ziggy” a Dalmatian, there were Swans and Signets, Geese, Ducks, Moorhens even a couple of Cats one of which was sitting relaxed on the top of “his” boat.

 “Ziggy”, a lovely puppy.

The Hertford Union canal section was so much quieter, very few people and not one boat travelling.  Definitely a nicer and more relaxing walk we turned a corner and there was the Olympic stadium our 3^rd visit in recent months.

 MOZ being papped.

A nice walk along one of London’s many waterways; I want to walk more of Regent canal from Little Venice to Angel next time.

 I covered up the camera while being remotely fiddled with.

In other news.  Have been home alone this week. Had problems with my computer contacted the anti-virus software customer services who sorted it out quickly, it was very strange watching them control the computer remotely (I did cover the camera up, you never know). Putting cold water instead of hot in my coffee, I still drank it. A few boxes of sample biscuits arrived at work, they were gone in seconds, see council officers are badly paid and haven’t eaten in a long time. Lots of cycling in rain, resulting very wet trainers. Went to my storage, its all still there. Went to pub with Jill and Colin and others from work. Getting a mention on LBC after texting Nick Abbot to wish him a happy b’day

 Wet cycling gear at work.

The Mid Life Crisis Conts……

This week I have been watching: “Witnesess”, (esp 4), “Partners In Crime”, (eps 5), “The Great British Bake Off”, (Season 6, eps 4), “The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice”, (Season 2, eps 4), “Ripper Street”, (Season 3, eps 5), “Mountain Goats”, (Season 1, eps 2), “Continuum”, (Season 3, eps 2 & 3), “The Scandalous Lady W”, “Top Coppers”, (eps 1), “Building the Ancients City: Athens and Rome”, “Star Trek: Enterprise”, (Season 4, eps 13), “Goodness Gracious Me: India Special 2015”, “Sean Connery: In His Own Woods”, “Comedy Feeds: Dead Air”, (eps 1, 2015), “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement”, (2004).

This week I have mainly been listening to: “Morrissey”, “Chvrches “, “Everything is Everything”, “Foo Fighters”, “Stones Roses”, Joy Division”, The Bees”, “Jake Bugg”.

Reading on Kindle……“A Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire” book 2 “ A Clash of Kings” by George R.R. Martin.

Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures in ………….. Surrey, Croydon, North and Central London,

Week 61 (or Week 24 of the new adventure), Saturday 15th August until Friday 21^st August 2015.

Last weekend MOZ and I went “up north” back to Hampstead we have not been there for a few weeks.  The first thing I saw coming out of the station was a lonely teddy sitting on a bollard; the poor bear looked lonely and lost.  I really wanted to take the bear home, I didn’t.

 Poor Bear.

After having a coffee and cake and buying some artisan bread in “Euphorium” bakery, we mooched around.  I got very excited when I saw “Keats” the cat, which is not really its name; I call him/her that as they live near John Keats the poets house.  Keats is such a friendly kitty and loves to be fussed; I suspect this is how it spends their day just being loved by poetry enthusiast visiting Keats House, what a tough life.  In other cat related news on Sunday MOZ and I saw a cat we call “Little Tarts” near MOZ’s house.  We haven’t seen Tarts for a while, who came  running up to us chatting away in a strong east London accent  just wanting more love, another cat who leads a busy life.  In fact Tarts made us miss the bus, due to following me.  Well I’m blaming missing the bus on Tarts MOZ was not impressed as she was already at the bus stop and saw the bus pass by.

 Emmmm, Coffee and Cake.

Back to Hampstead, It was late in the afternoon so we thought we would go visit the Hampstead Heath swan family.  We were so lucky, I could almost shake wings with them, they were within touching distance the whole family, mum, dad and 5 not so small signets.  One of the parents stood right in front of me neck stretched tall and proud.  There was a lot of wing flapping from a couple of the large grey signets it’s amazing to see how they have grown over the last couple of months.  Other highlights were plenty of Pigeons who kept catching my eye (I love a Pigeon), and a number of Rats who were spotted running along the waterline grabbing sodden bread that hadn’t been eaten.

 Big Birds of Hampstead.

Yes I’m a geek, a sci-fi fan but also a bit of a transport fan; I love a train, both overground and underground.  I enjoy a bus as well and have very fond memories of travelling all day on a “Red Bus Rover” ticket with my best friend George when we were young trying to travel on as many buses in one day.  We always seemed to end up going through Catford at some point, a place that I like to think of as a Bus Bermuda Triangle.  We would literally hop on and off because the old Routemasters had an open back door.  There are very few of these buses around today because they have been replaced by a new generation of what are nicknamed “Boris buses” after the Major “BoJo The Clown” who brought them in to service.  I think you can hop on and off when the back door is open but in this age of ”health and safety” I doubt that will be often.  MOZ and I took a trip on a new one, like a kid I sat right at the front of the top deck and enjoyed the trip stuck in London traffic (Yes I’m sad).  Saw some nice graffiti, interesting shop names and signs along the way; we didn’t have a plan of where we were going.

 Posh North London “Keats” on the left, and rougher east London “Little Tarts” on the right.

Once in central London we really needed a drink so popped in to a fave watering hole, I can’t tell you its name because I don’t want you all going there and overcrowding the place.  But I can tell you they play indie music while you look out of the window and watch the rozzers taking crims into a police station.  Lovely having a drink with my best friend, while looking over her shoulder as the TV was showing “Indiana Jones and the last Crusade” see told you I’m a geek.  MOZ was watching it as well, I suspect she’s a geek..

 Seen from a “Boris Bus”.

I don’t have many weekends left until I leave for Mozziebeak and I look forward to spending them with my best friend of 26 years.  I will miss MOZ but I will continue to pester her by e-mail, text and Skype, there will be no escape from me.  I bet she was hoping for a rest once I had left.  This really was a perfect weekend for me, time with MOZ catching up with nature in the big city while being a geek.

 Cheap sarnie’s for the week, emmmmm tasty.

In other news.  Shocked the man in M&S because I was buying 5 cheap sandwiches on Saturday night, which would last me the whole of the week ahead.  Leaving a slightly damp bag cycling bag in a corner of the office hoping no one would think it was a bomb.  Horrified about the size of Curly Wurlys there so small these days, compared to when I was young.  Finished four more paintings only a couple left. Saw a couple of dead hedgehogs while cycling, very sad.

 Countries I have been to, designing a new Tattoo for next year.

The Mid Life Crisis Conts……

This week I have been watching: “Witnesess”, (esp 3), “Partners In Crime”, (eps 4), “The Great British Bake Off”, (Season 6, eps 3), “The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice”, (Season 2, eps 3), “Ripper Street”, (Season 3, eps 4), “Horizon: “Are Health Tests Really A Good Idea?” (2014-15, eps 14), “Horizon: How Big is the Universe?”, (2012-13, eps 4), “Horizon: First Britons”, (2014-15, eps15) “Mountain Goats”, (Season 1, eps 1), “Britain’s Nuclear Secrets: Inside Sellafield”, “Race for the World’s Frist Atomic Bomb: A Thousand Days of Fear”, “Atlantic: The Wildest Ocean on Earth”, (eps 2 & 3), “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”, (1989), “Continuum”, (Season 3, eps 2 & 3).  

This week I have mainly been listening to: “Morrissey”, The Doors”, Throwing Muese”, “Belly”, “M.I.A”, “Kenickie”.

Reading on Kindle……“A Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire” book 2 “ A Clash of Kings” by George R.R. Martin.

Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures in ………….. Surrey, Croydon, Roade (Northamptonshire), Central London,

Week 60 (or Week 23 of the new adventure), Saturday 8th August until Friday 14^th August 2015.

My return to Mozziebeak starts on 12 September; this will be my third visit to this beautiful part of the world.  I have had problems with the Joberg to Inhambane section; I seem to remember that previously booking flights was not easy but I’m working on that.  I have flown on the same flight out of London twice before, that plane for me is the Tofo express.

 Deffo a future artist..

I was lucky that when I returned to the UK in March I didn’t come back with much.  This means I don’t have a lot to take back; I am buying a few new things here and there but not a huge amount of stuff.

  Mum at the weekend and with my dad and her sister Aunty jean in the early 60’s, picture taken in Streatham. 

I am so excited about returning to Mozziebeak I never intended on staying in the UK for 6 months, but I had to.  My sister and her lovely family allowed me to stay at their beautiful home which I will never fully be able to thank them for.  I managed to get a full time temping job after a couple of weeks of watching “Top Gear” during the day on “Dave”.  I get a good wage, a lot better than if I was working in a shop, but  the amount of money I take each week is not as much as it originally seemed after the agency and the company that do that tax and stuff like that take their share.  I have been saving as much as possible, I have really only been spending when I have had to.

 Gloomy day on Croydon, again.

When this blog is published I will have 10 days left sitting in an office in Croydon.  The job stinks but it’s a means to an end, it’s this office that’s allowing me to arrange my trip back to Tofo.  I will miss a number of the people I see Monday to Friday and I hope that I will be able to keep in touch with them.  Life is full of experiences and Croydon has been an unexpected one these this last 6 months.

  Sun setting as I was doing more painting, 8 pictures completes.  Have started on 4 more.

When I left Sutton Council end of May 2014 I thought I would ever need any Council Tax knowledge again, so I made an effort forget everything.   I imagined it being vented it out of an airlock, a little like Ripley sucking the alien out of the Nostromo shuttle at the end of “Alien”.  Luckily a small amount of knowledge must have clung on and was allowed to fester into a full blown Council Tax monster.  But I’m glad that some CT legislation stayed in the dusty recesses my mind as I haven’t had to relearn much.  I just unpacked the Council Tax crap from the cobwebby corner of my mind.  This time I will carefully pack it up in bubble wrap just in case I need it again in the future, I have to admit I hope I never need it again but it’s good to know that the knowledge is there somewhere.  I hope that the dive knowledge that I also have stored in my mind will have been just as well looked after, all I need to do is open the memory boxes and jump in the water. 

When I finish the office job on 31 Aug I will have a number of days to sort out my life before I leave.  One thing I really need to do is to sort out a few things from the sic-fi shit in storage and see if I can sell them.  I am going through the list and pulling out odds and ends to see if people might want them.

 Cycling home I had to stop when I saw this.

I really hope that I can stay in Tofo longer this time; there are a number of people that I have met there that have lived there years.  I will have to talk to them and get advice on how I can become a real Tofoite.

 View from the bar.  And very wet cycling stuff hanging up at work.

As well as sorting out my life when I finish work, I hope to meet up with a few people just to say “so long for now”.  My little niece is already excited about Skyping with me like we did before, I can show her round my new home and introduce her to a few of Tofo’s 4 legged friends roaming around.

 MOZ is asking for a fee for photo’s now, she’s getting an agent.

Celeb spotting of the week, Richard Osman and Julie Hesmondhalgh (both at St Pancreas, not at the same time)

In other news this week.  Went to Northamptonshire to visit family and friends, had a lovely 72hours away from the big smoke of city, got my hair cut.  A nice piece of graffiti in Croydon has been wiped; it was of a naked female body and was there for only a month.  Had a messy Porridge explosion in my bag one morning.  Met MOZ for a Starbucks and a chinwag.  A man in front of me was masticating very nosily on a train; it really was not a pleasant site. Cycling in rain and more painting.

  One morning it was there, by the afternoon it was gone.  A pity I liked it.

The Mid Life Crisis Conts……

This week I have been watching: “Robin Hood”, (1973), “Witnesess”, (esp 2), “People Doing Nothing”, (Season 2, eps 5), “Partners In Crime”, (eps 3), “The Great British Bake Off”, (Season 6, eps 2), “The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice”, (Season 2, eps 1 & 2), “Wanted”, (2008), “Doctor Who: The Curse of Fenric”, (Season 26, story 3), “Ripper Street”, (Season 3, eps 2 & 3), “Horizon: the trouble with Space Junk” (2014-15, eps 13), “The Sky at Night”, (eps 751), “Gordon” (BBC website).

This week I have mainly been listening to: “Morrissey”, “Smiths”, Johnny Marr”, Beck, Spice Girls”, Radiohead”, “Jake Bugg”.

Reading on Kindle……“A Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire” book 2 “ A Clash of Kings” by George R.R. Martin.

Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures in ………….. Surrey, Croydon, Central London,

Week 59 (or Week 22 of the new adventure), Saturday 1^st August until Friday 7^th August 2015.

I HAVE BOOKED FLIGHT TICKETS FOR 12th SEPT….

Last Saturday I had a taste of what must surely be the most difficult job in the world, being a parent.  For 24 hours I was a surrogate mum.

 “Higher, faster”.

My nephew is 1 ½ years old and my niece is 3 ½ years old.  This means I had to watch Jesse all the time as he gets everywhere, while Anaia is a lot more independent of course I still had to keep tabs on her.

 Fun in the garden.

We spent the morning in the park, trying to keep eyes on Anaia who was climbing on everything while occupying Jesse and watching the buggy was not easy.  Parents have super human vision that allows them to keep track of multiple children and objects at the same time.  I tried my best, in the end I wheeled the buggy while holding Jesses hand and followed Anaia around.

 Jesse reading Stephen Hawkin again.

We then went to the small sci-fi comic, book, toy shop in town.  When I visit a shop like this I spend every penny of the imaginary lotto winnings I receive each week.  There is so much sci-fi tatt that I could buy and until a couple of years ago I would be buying it all.  But now because of the mid-life crisis I am far more responsible in what I spend my non imaginary money on.  Anaia has been there with her dad and with me a few times so she is a regular and the staff recognise her.  We both left happy with our small plastic action figures (Yes I bought a small £2.00 Doctor Who figure) Jesse was fast asleep one day he’ll know the joy of sci-fi plastic tatt.

 Plastic DW tatt, I love it.

The rest of the day was spent in the garden playing “hide N seek the frisbee”.  Anaia hasn’t quite got the hang of this as she would hide the frisbee then point out where it was hidden.  While playing this I was keeping an eye on Jesse as well.  How do parents play two different games at the same time?  Parents are able to split their brain in to too I suspect.

 A treat on the way home this week.

I have always told Anaia that “Mummies and Grandmas make the best food”, I should point out that Daddies are included now as well.  I don’t think this aunty will ever be included on that list.  However the food my sister left was cooked to perfection in the microwave; the most important thing is that both were satisfied.

 In Surrey with Moira, just a few Geese flying past us.

We watched “The Wizard of OZ” and “Despicable Me” a few times.  But because I was keeping eyes on Jesse I didn’t really watching them.  My niece is very much like me, she doesn’t appear to get bored of a good film.  I still have hopes that one day she will discover “Star Wars” and enjoy watching it again and again…

 Moira were so lucky to see this beautiful sunset.

Parents are good at putting their children to bed; this is where I failed big time.  Jesse was up all day I tried to put him down for a nap but he just screamed.  After bath time I managed to get him to bed at the normal time and he slept right through till morning.  Anaia also didn’t have a nap during the day and didn’t appear sleepy at all, so we sat on the sofa into the evening watching “The Wizard of Oz” and “Despicable Me” again.  She also helped me eat my pizza, my niece always helps me eat my food.  At 10pm I was tired even if she wasn’t.

The night was quiet, I slept with one ear open just in case there were tears during the night, this is something that parents do very naturally I think they hear every noise that comes out of their child’s room.  Both of them are great sleepers I didn’t need to worry.

 These were found in Regents Park.

In the morning we all had cornflakes together.  After this Jesse ran around humming what sounds like “Bah Bah Black Sheep” while Anaia was getting a little sick of aunty Dee Dee  and asked when her parents were back.  I found that by putting on “The Wizard of OZ” and “Despicable Me” helped her to forget I was there.

 MOZ trying to keep a wasp out of her Larger Shandy.

When mummy and daddy came through the door it was lovely to the little faces light up.  I hope that they had fun with their aunty but there’s no replacing their parents.  Being a parent is not an easy job, I have the up most respect for what they do and how they do it.  I have an easy job I get the best of all worlds I get to play and hand them back at the end of the day.

Madame Tussauds had horrible loo’s, but I did get distracted in the gift shop.

In other news.  Walking around Regents Park and Primrose Hill with MOZ, didn’t see one squirrel.  We did have a problem with a wasp trying to get in to our Larger Shandy’s. MOZ and I needed a wee so popped in to Madame Tussauds, the terrible loos are through the tacky gift shop, I did get a little distracted by Star Wars tatt on offer in the shop.  Saw a bus spotter (don’t see them that much anymore).  Have done more painting and met up with Moira for a walk.

 Paintings this week.

Am also travelling with SAZ and the kids to Northamptonshire to visit Grandma and Aunty Helen on Friday.

The Mid Life Crisis Conts……

This week I have been watching: Humans”, (eps 8), “Witnesess”, (esp 2), “People Doing Nothing”, (Season 2, eps 1 to 4), “Partners In Crime”, (eps 2), “Wizard of Oz”, (1939), Despicable Me, (2010), “Snow White”, (US TV Movie 2001)”, “Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang”, (2010), “Dr Seuss’ The Lorax”, (2012), “Continuum”, (Season 3, eps 1), “The Great British Bake Off”, (Season 6, eps 1), “The Road”, (2009).

This week I have mainly been listening to: “Morrissey”, “P J Harvey”, “Kate Bush”, “Kate Nash”, “The XX”, “Jamie T”, “The Flaming Lip”.

Reading on Kindle……“A Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire” book 2 “ A Clash of Kings” by George R.R. Martin.

Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures in ………….. Surrey, Croydon, Central London,

Week 58 (or Week 21 of the new adventure), Saturday 25^th July until Friday 31^st July 2015.

 Mum, Jesse, SAZ and Leo.

It is said that “you can choose your friends and not your family”.  Last Saturday was what I am calling “Family Day”, the weather was warm in fact there were moments when it was actually hot.  This was the first time in over a year that I have seen everyone.  I’m very lucky to be staying with my sister and her lovely family in Surrey.  I have seen mum a couple of times but my other sister I have only seen once since my return, I looked forward to annoying her by blowing raspberry’s on her face.  My brother and his family has expanded since I last saw them, Leo is the newest member of the family and is such a handsome little man, I look forward to many more cuddles.

 They played all day.

The highlight of the day was watching my niece Anaia and my nephew Nicholas playing together.  There were a few tears because the concept of sharing doesn’t come easy to children.  But watching them running around the garden was great, as I said” you can choose your friend and not your family” but when you have a relationship like that who needs friends.  I really hope that they grow up the best of friends along with Jesse and Leo, I can see them in the future going round as a group to gigs, festivals and the odd party.  Mum said that the boys will be protective of Anaia, but I suspect she be the one looking after them.  The excitement in a child’s eyes when there playing is pure magic; it’s a pity that as we grow up we lose that.  Maybe that’s why I’m a fan of sci-fi I still want a little magic and adventure in my boring mid-life crisis adult life.  I enjoyed the day so much and really hope that there is another before I leave in September.

 This Walkie Talkie is a little big for my back pocket.

Sunday was back to normal, a rainy summer’s day as I travelled into London it lashed it down.  I spent the day roaming about London “town” with a plan to take pictures of the building known as the “Walkie Talkie” and the Monument.  I basically just wondered around London in their direction, stopping to take pictures of graffiti and sculptures that caught my eye.  In the end after walking in the rain for a number of hours there was the “Walkie Talkie” a huge imposing odd shaped building which I found out is actually called 20 Fenchurch Street.  Standing at the bottom looking up it is as imposing as it is from viewing it a number of miles away.  Stranding at the base looking up made me think of how a wave breaks above a surfer.  It’s a strangely beautiful looking building, London skyline has changed so much recently with many new odd shaped skyscrapers the “Walkie Talkie” is one of the prettier one I think.  I also found The Monument built after the great fire of London in 1666, very interesting to read about it around the base of the structure.  The Monument and St Pauls (I passed this as well) were built by a distant relative Sir Christopher Wren (see still talking about family) I could imagine him standing at these locations watching his designs being built.

 I think these are pretty.

There was child like magic in MY eyes when I pulled in to Redhill station in the morning on Sunday as a steam train was leaving.  That evening back at Redhill waiting for my late connection the steam train pulled in due to a red signal.  I ran the length of the platform and managed to get pictures while looking back along the platform just in case my train arrived. Everyone loves a steam train they feel alive, a living breathing creature chugging and puffing away, I do love that smell of the soot.  As it pulled out of the station people were waving the driver tooted the horn loudly.  I really wished I had someone to share that moment with.

 The Monument.

I haven’t seen MOZ all weekend which is rare, we were both busy.  MOZ is family as far as I’m concerned and she was missed at the Family day Mum and others said they would have loved to have had her there, maybe the next one.  My relationship with my family has had its up’s and downs of course.  I do love them more then they will ever know and I realise how lucky I am to have them in my life.  We might not see each other or speak for a while but pick up straight away when we do; I think that’s a good sign.

  A fave cinema and a building built by a relative.

I’m glad I didn’t choose my family, as for friends like MOZ I can’t remember if she choose me or me her, either way she’s family.

 A lovely old smoker.

In other news.  Celeb spotting Nigel Plainer at Victoria station & Richard Osman at St Pancreas station.  Passport form sent off.  A woman reading a London guide dated winter 2010.  Met MOZ for a free Starbucks, and stuck my shoe to a Starbucks stool with superglue.  Walked home while a beautiful almost full moon lit my way. New passport arrived within 4 days, wow.

 Free Starbucks tastes great.

The Mid Life Crisis Conts……

This week I have been watching: “Interceptor”, (ep 8), Humans”, (eps 7), “Cordon” (eps 9 & 10), “Orphan Black”, (Season 3, eps 4 & 9), “Witnesess”, (esp 1), “London’s Lost Graveyard: Crossrail Discovery”, “Shrek”, “Drones in the Forbidden Zone”, (Cooling Towers), “The Last Leg”, (Season 6, eps 5), “People Doing Nothing”, (Season 1, eps 1 to 4), “Partners In Crime”, (eps 1).

This week I have mainly been listening to: “Bob Marley”, “Smiths”, “Morrissey”, The XX, “The Maccabees”, “Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds”, “Blur”.

Reading on Kindle……“A Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire” book 2 “ A Clash of Kings” by George R.R. Martin.

Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures in ………….. Surrey, Croydon, Central London,

Week 57 (or Week 20 of the new adventure), Saturday 18^th July until Friday 24^th July 2015.

 Croydon actually looks pretty.

They is a saying “what goes around comes around”, the incident in this first paragraph has made MOZ and I laugh all week.  Going to Stratford for a Starbucks and a walk around the Olympic park on a sunny Saturday afternoon we arrived at the tube station and I was ready with my oyster card to pass through the ticket barrier.  I want to point out I got there first, a family appeared on the other side a moment after.  I put my card on the reader and the gates opened.  At the same time a girl from the family about 8 years old stepped forward directly in front of the gate. You can guess what happened next, the barrier opened and hit her on the nose; this is only when the mother stepped forward and moved her out of the way.  The mum indicated that I should pass and walk through; as I reached the stairs to the platform I could hear the little girl crying.  Yes it’s wrong and I know I’m going to hell for this but this really has made us chuckle this week.  I missed a great £250 “You’ve Been Framed” moment there.  Of course I felt for the little girl, but it was also not my fault, the mother really shouldn’t have let her stand in front of the gates like that.

 London E20.

This is a big problem on the tube, I appear to become invisible.  It could be people just people just standing in the way chatting or taking up all the precious available space.  It’s not just me this is happening to; I know others who become invisible when there underground.  And this problem is spreading above ground while trying to navigate the busy pavements of London town, people just stop, or stand there blocking the way.  Invisibility in London is definitely a growing problem.

 Fun with food time…..

There has been a lot of alcohol this week.  Travelling on the tube there was a woman sitting opposite me minding her own business.  Until a man sat next to her with a large grin, humming and singing to himself.  The next thing I noticed he leaned over and asked the woman if she “wanted a cake” while showing her the contents of his bag, her face was a picture. The man soon forgot this disappointment as the alcohol continued to flow through his bloodstream.  He got off the train still humming, the woman was relieved I think.

 Loving Regents Park.

On Sunday afternoon MOZ and I were on our way to Regents Park to feel squirrels and pigeons, when we came across a man lying on the pavement.  I breathed a sigh of relieve when I saw an arm move.  That’s when I noticed an unopened beer can next to him.  I asked him if he was ok, he looked at me mumbled incoherently then rested his head back on the pavement as if it was a fluffy pillow.  It was a very hot day he was in direct sunlight if he had only stumbled a few more metres he would have been on grass in the local park.  As we walked away I felt I had to do something, so I rang 111 which is the non-emergency medical number. They couldn’t help and directed me to 101 which turned out to be the police non-emergency number.  By now I was on the tube I gave them a description and where he was, I hope that someone was sent out as I had this horrible image of him looking like a badly BBQ sausage lying out in the sun like that.

 Top Gear’s Richard Claire Hammond and Steak night.

More alcohol flowed later in the week when I met with an old friend of my sisters and someone I have known since she was tiny.  I haven’t actually seen Claire in a very long time, we have got in contact a few years ago through Facebook (there is a reason for the internet then).  Had a lovely evening drinking and eating lovely food, it was Steak Club night, “first rule of Steak Club, just eat everything” .  We put the world to rights and talked about our busy life’s, I look forward to another session, who needs the UN when you have Claire.

 Show us your nuts….

As I said at the start of this ramble, I think I am a nice person and I care about my fellow humans and pigeons (and other animals of course).  I do believe in karma I try to be a responsible person and treat people the way I want to be treated.

 MOZ being mugged in Regents Park.

In other news this week.  Filled in 3 passport forms, I now have someone to sign my pictures. Been collecting Starbucks stamps for a free frappe. MOZ got mugged by a squirrel in Regents Park.  He just strolled up to her got up on hind legs and demanded feeding.  For the next few minutes MOZ was his best friend, was he would grab a monkey nut then climb onto a fence post to eat, only to return after he had finished his treat wanting more.  Word had got round quickly as others turned up for free food, MOZ was surrounded.  I was busy taking pictures of Pigeons and feeding them to help her.  See I said I was a nice person.

 Cheers…

The Mid Life Crisis Conts……

This week I have been watching: “Interceptor”, (ep 7), “Clangers”, (eps 26), “Humans”, (eps 6), “Cordon” (eps 7 & 8), “The Last Leg”, (Season 6, eps 3 & 4), “Drones in the Forbidden Zone”, (Crossrail, Wind Tunnels & HMP Kingston), “Orphan Black”, (Season 2, eps 10) & (Season 3, eps 1 to 3), “The Sky at Night”, (Eps 750), “The West Wing”, (Season 1, eps 5 & 6), “Horrible Histories: Bolshy Boudica” (Season 6, eps 9).

This week I have mainly been listening to, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds”, “The Verve”, “Jamie T”, “Kasabian”, “The Bloodhound Gang”, Bran van 3000”, “Deee-Lite”, “Haim”, “Birdy”.

Reading on Kindle……“A Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire” book 2 “ A Clash of Kings” by George R.R. Martin.

Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures in ………….. Surrey, Croydon, Central London,

Week 56 (or Week 19 of the new adventure), Saturday 11^th July until Friday 17^th July 2015.

 Watching classic Hammer Horror in bed.

I’m in the process of getting ready again for my return to Mozziebeak the passport form is going in with new pictures.  Once I have received the new passport then I can book flights and get my visa. Money is a worry, I’m not earning as much here as I hoped I am saving as much as I can but there are things I have to pay for and that has an overall effect on the final amount of money available to me for the trip.  I can however live out there very cheaply like I did last time.  I have sent a CV in to a Sci-Fi shop I used to work for who is looking for casual staff in Croydon; I suspect however I’m too old to be staff these days.

 A lovely little lady I met on the way home one night.

Doing the passport is helping make sitting in an office in Croydon easier, I’m only doing it so I can return to Mozzibeak.  The building is new and has a lighting system that could have been created by “Sirius Cybernetics Corporation” (see The Hitchhiker Gide to the Galaxy) which has sensors that brightens the lights if it gets darker outside even if a cloud passes by.  The most important thing is my trip is finally happening, at the moment I think I will be returning in early September which gives me more time to save.

 Get off the train tracks.

Last Sunday MOZ and I were in London on a perfect July summers day, it poured with rain.  We were near the Tower of London, there were tourist all around in ponchos some even had plastic bags on their heads.  I was dressed for warm weather, summer skirt and vest top with flip flops. As the rain got harder I regretted my choice of clothing and it would appear I was not the only one that afternoon.

 More childish painting this week.

When I was growing up everywhere you looked in London there was a red telephone box.  Now everywhere you look there is a green sign, a Starbucks logo.  The coffee shop rules supreme in the capital and I am a regular customer I do love a SB.  When the coffee corner shop boom started at the end of the 90s I worked in Bayswater and the chain that you saw most was Café Republic a name you don’t see very often these days on the high street. The green mermaid (I think she is a mermaid) on the SB logo is everywhere, there’s nothing quite like an additive filled calorific creamy SB coffee or a frappe.  On this occasion trying to keep out of the summer rain i felt robbed; they had run out of cream which wasn’t mentioned when I paid.  In my mind I did think of asking for a reduction but of course I smiled and took my plastic cup of gulp and walked away. In my personal SB guide inside my head they lost points on that occasion.

 MOZ and I hiding from the Summer rain in London. No cream on my drink, not happy.

We seeked cover in a small arcade, selling tacky “Made In China” London gifts, nodding and waving Queen figures standing next to bobbies on the beat and spoons with double decker buses on them.  There was one stall that was taking advantage of the bad weather as they hurriedly re-priced all there umbrellas.  This arcade had nothing for us; we stood there watching people enjoying London even in the rain, but for us we really needed to find better cover.  We nipped across the road to the Tower of London gift shop, a treasure trove of tatt.  The product that made me laugh the most was a pencil with a small topper with a gallows and a man hanging from a noose, quality product from London.

 Some people really didn’t get the message.

As the rain got worse I found that I lost traction.  There is a joke in this country about the trains coming to a standstill due to the wrong kind or leaves and snow.  It was the wrong kind of rain for me.  I found I was slipping and sliding around as if I was on ice. I had to walk with pigeon steps, my whole body tensed up as I took each step.  I was worried that i would go over in front of lots of people and no one would come and help me.  MOZ raced off in front trying to keep dry under her brolly that kept blowing inside out.  Once on the tube I had to be careful due to slippery floors.  All part of a perfect London Summers July day.

 Anaia with her popcorn and drink before the film.

Took Anaia to the cinema she wanted to see batman or Spiderman I wanted to see Minions.  But the kid’s club film was Cinderella; she’s a little too young and got bored with all the waiting before the film.  The film wasn’t great; and Anaia didn’t last the whole film.  I have hope she’ll enjoy Star Wars more next time. Saw a naughty squirrel walking on a train track, didn’t its parents teach it how to be safe.  Walked around Reigate Hill with Moira watching the sunset. Have had two new tattoos and I’m loving Pluto hearts so much.

 Reigate Hill, with Moira.

The Mid Life Crisis Conts……

This week I have been watching: “Interceptor”, (ep 6), “Clangers”, (eps 21 to 25), “Humans”, (eps 5), “Cordon” (eps 5 & 6), “Dirk Gently”, (Season 1, eps 3), “Dracula”, (Hammer Films 1958), “The Curse of Frankenstein”, (Hammer Films 1957), “The Mummy”, (Hammer Films 1959), “Cinderella”, (2015), “Spy”, (2015), “new Sherlock Trailer” (BBC), “Doctor Who preview trailer” (BBC, Season 9), “Orphan Black”, (Season 2 eps 9).

This week I have mainly been listening to, “Morrissey”, “The Cure”, “Catfish and the Bottlemen”, “The Verve”, “PJ Harvey”

Reading on Kindle……“A Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire” book 2 “ A Clash of Kings” by George R.R. Martin.

Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures in …………..Surrey, Croydon, Essex and Central London.

Week 55 (or Week 18 of the new adventure), Saturday 4^th July until Friday 10^th July 2015.

This weeks So-Called Blog is a hotchpotch of ideas; so much to say.

 There ugly, but someone liked them.

I have had some nasty experiences on trains; verbal abuse and threats of physical abuse because of who I am.  I’m not sure what to make of what happened last Saturday when travelling into London.

  “Drink”…

I was watching my small illuminated device when a man sat opposite started to talk; this is when things turned strange.  He asked what make my flip flops were, he reached down and touch my feet.  He then asked if he could massage them, I refused politely saying “I didn’t feel comfortable about this on the train”.  A little later as the journey was coming to an end he said “how about a massage on a bench in the station”.  Once the doors opened I bolted as quickly as I could.

  Lets play Pirates on the Thames.

Toward the end of last week I noticed a number of people walking around in Salvation Army uniforms, not a site you see every day (I should mention I used to work for them in a couple of their London homeless hostels).  After escaping foot fetish man I noticed a few more people walking around in crisp white shirts with red epilates.  I met up with MOZ, we didn’t have anything to do on such a hot day and we were by the river so we jumped on river boat (a bus on the river).  It was interesting seeing places I knew from a different perspective.

  The Dome and Happy 150 B’day SA.

We decided to head to Greenwich and the 02 (formally the Millennium Dome).  It was only when we were leaving the boat I noticed that there were a lot of Sally Army people around.  All I could see were Salvationist in uniforms and bright coloured clothes from all over the world; they were there to celebrate to the 150 anniversary of the organisation (according to the huge banner I read).  I did wonder if there was anyone I used to work in attendance (I later found out there were a couple there).  MOZ and I got separated in the crowd; I made my way to the loo and queued up.  I texted MOZ asking where she was, her reply said she was in a queue also for the loo, I looked up and there she was a few people down from me we just looked and laughed at each other.   There is something special about seeing a large group of people all together for common reason, it could be a sporting event, a gig, a convention like comic-con or something like this a massive b’day celebration.  Maybe there was a part of me that looked around the O2 at all the happy people and wanted to join the party and have cake (I don’t know if there was an actual b’day cake).

 Maldon in Essex.

I have dabbled in religion over the years.  As a child I was thrown out of Sunday school due to “being a bad influence” a badge I still wear with pride.  I came to the conclusion a long time ago that I don’t believe in God.  My personal view is that there might have been a very ordinary man called Jesus, who did nice things and over time these stories have got more and more fantastical.  In some ways he could be looked at as the first famous superhero.  MOZ and I ended up in a bar within the O2 drinking Larger Shandy, after all it was a very hot day as a result i soon forgot about religion.

 Happy B’day Rac.

Spent a lovely day off during the week with MOZ and Rachel in windy rainy Essex, it was Rac’s b’day (she’s not as old as the Sally Army).  Nice time strolling about taking pics of the countryside, the harbour (we were in a place called Maldon) and birds such as Swans and Signets, Moorhen’s and fluffy chicks and a Rat.  We took Rac to a Harvester; I won’t be eating for a week after.

 Look carefully for the Rat, highlight of the day.

Due to a tube strike in London it was a rush to get back into town.  I had planned a route, but as there were still tubes running after the official start time of the industrial action i managed to make it to London Bridge to only find that due to a signal failure nothing was running.  I raced back to the tube and luckily travelled 2 more stations west to Waterloo, by now the time between tube trains was getting longer due to strike.  At Waterloo I jumped on a train which sailed passed Clapham Junction at speed (I thought all trains stopped at Clapham). It stopped at Wimbledon where I joined the crowed leaving the Tennis.  Got a train back to Clapham and carried on with my journey home.  I really must check before I get on a train in future.….  I still had a lovely day especially seeing the Rat.

 John Keats in the grounds of Guys Hospital London.

Found Keats sculpture in the beautiful grounds of Guys Hospital.  Had a number of Starbucks frappe drinks during hot days. Filled out a new passport form.  Seen Season 9 Doctor Who trailer, bring it on….

The Mid Life Crisis Conts……

 It doesn’t look that far away.

This week I have been watching: “Vicious” (Season 2, eps 6), “Interceptor”, (ep 5), “Clangers”, (eps 16 to 20), “Humans”, (eps 4), “My Mad Fat Diary”, (Season 3, eps 3), “The Last Leg”, (Season 6, eps 3), “Cordon” (eps 3 & 4), “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”, “Britain Beneath Your Feet”, (eps 2), “The West Wing”, (Season 1, eps 3 & 4), “A Song for Jenny” .

This week I have mainly been listening to, “Morrissey”, “Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds”, “Stereophonics”, “Nirvana”, “Kate Bush”, “Pulp”.

Reading on Kindle……“A Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire” book 2 “ A Clash of Kings” by George R.R. Martin.

Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures in …………..Surrey, Croydon, Essex, North and Central London.

Week 54 (or Week 17 of the new adventure), Saturday 27^th June until Friday 3^rd July 2015.

 Highgate Cemetery.

When I was a kid there was a huge cemetery that I run around, this was not for fun it was torture that the school though I would enjoy.  I have to admit there were a number of occasions when I took a detour through the cemetery. I find them interesting places, I like walking around reading names and dates wondering who the people were what kind of life they lead.  I recently found a little graveyard in North London where the painter John Constable is buried.

Last weekend I went to Highgate Cemetery in North London, and went on a tour with MOZ and Rac of the West cemetery we were lucky enough to be shown round by the chairman of the charity that runs the place.  Highgate is actually 2 cemetery’s the East and West, both are full of history and memories.  A lot of the over grown vegetation is self-seeded, we were told that originally there were trees planted with neat pathways but over time the plant life has overgrown the graves.  It brought a smile to MOZ and I when we saw that there were a number of squirrels living in the trees.

 I thought this was pretty in a strange way.

It was explained that that when the cemetery opened there was so much more of an industry around death compared to today.  A married woman would be expected to wear mourning cloths head to toe in black (I love a Goth girl) for 2 yrs, then after that she would be in half morning for a number of years after that.

 Our guide Ian the chairman.

Over the year graves have started to crumble and physically be moved by the roots of trees and other vegetation.  It was explained that they don’t repair they try to conserve the environment in its natural state.

 Scientist Michael Faraday and Sci-Fi legend Douglas Adams.

The East cemetery is the one that you walk around on your own under your own steam.  I looked at the free map which pinpointed famous and other well-known people who have been laid to rest.  I found sic-fi hero Douglas Adams, comedian Max Wall, punk impresarios and style icon Malcom Mclaren, scientist Michael Faraday and TV presenter and collector of odd facts Jeremy Beadle.  However possibly the most famous person was revolutionary socialist Karl Marx who has a huge monument and tucked away amongst the bushes is his original grave stone that can hardly be read due to it being warn away.  Walking round with my map looking for the next famous grave made me think of this as an unusual tourist attraction.  Highgate doesn’t get money from the Government, it makes its money from the ticket price, it costs £1000 a day to run the place.

 Karl Marx large memorial and original grave stone.

In Mozziebeak I saw small grave yards near the houses that they had lived in, normally outside the house the family still occupied.  The dead were not forgotten over there.  In our culture graves are tended for a while but then life carries on, which I understand.  In Highgate there was one grave that looked out of place it was of a young person who passed away in 2000 but the grave was still being looked after 15 years.

 A beautiful couple seen in Regents Park.

I do think of death quite a lot, it’s a fact of life. I know what I want for my service i’m not religious so don’t want any of that guff.  I do want the following songs “Theres is a light that never goes out “ by The Smiths, “Creep” by Radiohead, “Weirdo” by the Charlatoans and “Mariella” by Kate Nash.  I don’t want speeches, DJ just play the songs, which say everything about me.  I remember my dad’s service and listening to the speeches and thinking there not talking about him.  I said for a long time I wanted my ashes scattered at BBC Television Centre (my fave building) on the grass under the statute of Helios.  But in recent years that grass was replaced by windows for the offices in the basement.  The centre has now been closed due to being refurbished in to hotels and shops, when it reopens there will be a small BBC TV presence but it won’t be the TVC I remember and love.  So I’ll have to choose a new site to thrown on to.

 MOZ in Regents Park.

People are still being buried at Highgate, but it costs that’s why I won’t be spending eternity with the likes of Adams, Marx, Wall, Gish, Mclaren et al…..

 Call me two cups.

We had a heat wave this week, my mozziebeak hat has come out of retirement. Problems on train getting home at the weekend and still couldn’t get a cab for the 2^nd weekend.  I have been buying little pots of porridge then having at work.  Had toothache which meant I had to see the sexy dentist again early.  Making coffee at work and adding cold water, done that more than once this week. Eating chips with my niece on a Friday evening. Sad to hear about John Noakes a childhood TV hero of mine, he has dementia.

 So tasty……..

The Mid Life Crisis Conts……

This week I have been watching: “Graham Norton” (Season 17, eps 13 compilation show),”Inside Out”, “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (eps 7), “Game of Thrones” (Season 5, eps 10), “Vicious” (Season 2, eps 5), “Interceptor”, (ep 4), “Clangers”, (eps 11 to 15), “Humans”, (eps 3), “My Mad Fat Diary”, (Season 3, eps 2), “The Last Leg”, (Season 6, eps 2), “Top Gear”, (Season 22, eps 8 The final one), “Cordon” (eps 1 & 2), The Wizard of OZ (1939).

This week I have mainly been listening to, “Morrissey”, “Lana Del Ray”, “Vaccines”, “The Beatles”, “Bjork”, “Florence + The Machine”, “Ash”, “Sleeper”.

Reading on Kindle……“A Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire” book 2 “ A Clash of Kings” by George R.R. Martin.

Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures in …………..Surrey, Croydon, Essex, North and Central London.

Week 53 (or Week 16 of the new adventure), Saturday 20^th June until Friday 26^th June 2015.

 In Regents Park.

As I said last week the main reason for writing these blogs is that my nephews and niece will one day be able to read about my adventures and read them to me when I’m dribbling out of both ends while sitting in front of daytime TV, unaware I’m actually watching the TV in an old peoples home.

 Big fish at Kenwood House.

Tuesday I played hooky with MOZ, don’t worry I actually had the day off.  It’s such a lovely feeling on a work day to not have to get up at the normal time.  We spent the day back in north London arriving first in Belsize Park to have a look around the very small local nature reserve surrounded by flats we found recently.  But it was padlocked due to a school visit; this was very disappointing but can’t be helped.  Breakfast was in another branch of Euphorium (the lovely little chain of café/bakery).  I don’t normally have breakfast so this was a treat, coffee and cake.

 Breakfast location.  The sign says it all.

The rest of the day was spent walking around North London.  However the best part of the day off was mooching around Hampstead heath, through tall grass.  Because it was a week day the park was quieter than at the weekend.  There were of course still plenty of runners and dogs being walked but there was serenity about the place that you don’t experience during a Saturday or a Sunday.  I got us a little lost, taking us all the way round the heath while we were on our way to the pond/lake with the swans and signets.  Once we finally got there we managed to get up close and personal with this special family, the babies have grown so much in the last few weeks.  There still grey and fluffy but are much bigger am pleased to report that mum, dad and the 5 babies are doing well.  I then got distracted by rats.  Running along the water line were a number of different sized rats, some tiny and other a lot larger all feeding on bread left for the birds.  They scurry about so fast, almost too fast to be seen.  It was fascinating to watch them; I don’t see them very often even though they say that in London your never more than a few metres from a rat. I managed to get some nice pictures. The swan family sodded off to the other side of the pond this might be because they had been upstaged by the rodents. MOZ and I just stood there watching the rats rushing around, yes I wouldn’t want them where I live but seeing them in this natural environment was actually nice, it was a springwatch moment.  At one point I had a tiny baby under bushes right by my foot.

 Sweet.

I spent Thursday night with Moira and ended up on Reigate Hill watching the world below going to sleep.  We came across a memorial to a US air force plane that crash from 1945, I had wondered before about the gap in the trees know I no.  The memorial is wooden and looks like plane wings one had a couple of wreaths of which one had the names of the men who died.  I hope the families know of this tribute to their loved ones.  The grass that the memorial sits in was full of life, there were a number of bunnies running around the small field plus we were buzzed by a large bat.  Through the gap that the plane made I could see Reigate below all lit up, in a strange way the orange glow of the street lights and other town illumination looked almost pretty.  Walking back to Moira’s car we were bathed in moon light our shadows were clearly on view.  I love to be around nature, after spending 8 hours a day 5 days a week tied to a desk it’s nice to be reminded that there are bigger and more important things out there. As Louis Armstrong sang “It’s a Wonderful World”…..

 B-17(G) aircraft memorial on Reigate Hill, the American Air Force plane crashed on 19 March 1945 killing all nine crew.

Spending time in Regents Park feeding Squirrel and Pigeons, as well as looking at beautiful coloured Roses.  Cancelled trains after rushing through London to get home. Trying to get a cab late Sunday night and failing, resulting in having to wait for the next train.  Eating a lot of Oranges and Bananas.  I have noticed a lot of men having a wee in public recently.

 In Regents Park.

The Mid Life Crisis Conts……

 Cute Rat’s.

This week I have been watching: “Graham Norton” (Season 17, eps 12), “Thunderbirds are Go” (Season 1, eps 12), “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (eps 6), “Game of Thrones” (Season 5, eps 8 & 9), “Gadget Man” (Season 4, eps 4), “Vicious” (Season 2, eps 4), “Interceptor”, (ep 3), “Clangers”, (eps 6 to 10), “Humans”, (eps 2), “The West Wing”, (Season 1, eps 1 & 2), “Glastonbury: The Udder side”, “Dirk Gently” (Pilot and Season 1 ep 1), “Would I Lie to You”, (Season 8, eps 1), “In Conversation: Judi Dench with Richard Eyre”, “My Mad Fat Diary”, (Season 3, eps 1), “Lost Cites of the Ancients”, “The Last Leg”, (Season 6, eps 1).

This week I have mainly been listening to, “Maria Mckee”, Morrissey”, “Lana Del Ray”, “Pulp”, Paul Weller”, “Fleetwood Mac”, Frank and Nancy Sinatra”.

Reading on Kindle……“A Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire” book 2 “ A Clash of Kings” by George R.R. Martin.