RIP Paul

2024

Rick Wakeman - Birmingham Symphony Hall 23rd February * (8.5/10)
Riverside - Norwich Epic Studios 12th May (9.5/10)
Riverside - Birmingham O2 Institute 13th May (10/10)
Riverside - Koko, London 19th May (10+/10)
Riverside - SWX Bristol 20th May (9.5/10)
Riverside - Manchester O2 Ritz 21st May * (11/10)
Yes - York Barbican 28th May * (8/10) Mrs S says (9.5/10)
Saucerful of Secrets - Gateshead The Glasshouse International Centre for Music 22nd June (9/10)*
David Gilmour - Royal Albert Hall 12th October *
Steve Hackett - Royal Albert Hall 23rd October *
Von Hertzen Brothers - Highbury Garage 2nd December

2025

Opeth - Birmingham Symphony Hall 28th February (Front Row) *
Hawkwind - Sheffield City Hall, 23rd May *

* Will also be attended by the fragrant Mrs S

Went out still dressed for Summer today. Even though it was warmer than yesterday it felt colder as it was four o'clock before I went out - hey, Cyclocross season is back - and the sun was losing its power.

I was aiming for 32 miles in two hours and came in at nearly 34 in just over, so that'll do. Can't believe today was my first ascent of Tom Lane this year, could have sworn it was a regular ride earlier on this year.

https://www.strava.com/activities/12694609991

Storm Corrosion - Storm Corrosion (Dolby Atmos mix)
Blood Incantation - Absolute Elsewhere
Wytch Hazel - III: Pentecost

Almost like Summer again today, if you come from Northern Norway that is. I still rode out dressed as if it were Summer though, as once I get going I tend to run a bit warm and so long as it doesn't rain I'm fine baring my arms and legs. Back in the day at school I'd do Cross Country runs in a T-shirt and shorts in much colder weather. Man up as they say.

Seeing as today was (almost) sunny and dry, I rode out and did what I'd intended to ride on Tuesday. There was a bit more wind than I was expecting especially up on the tops, I was struggling to get to 25mph downhill at times took a minute and a half longer for a 1.5 mile segment than it took me last week. Swings and Roundabouts I suppose.

Got me another 35 miles in and now need under 150 miles to get to 500 for October.

https://www.strava.com/activities/12684384129

Trying to get back into things again, I really do get knocked back if I don't ride for four days and today was just the sort of day to go out. Nice enough to get back into full Summer kit. A bit chilly in the shade at first, but completely nice enough to bare the old arms and legs. Probably not enough UV to top up the tanlines thoough.

Had a ride out through Tibshelf and managed to maintain a better average speed than last time I rode that way, but put less effort into it. I'll never understand these things, maybe a better tailwind on the way back helped. Managed to get 42 miles in, with enough elevation gain to hit the October Strava climbing challenge. They really did ought to lift it back to 7,500m of climbing though.

https://www.strava.com/activities/12676933773

Rory had to be seen, well heard, live. Absolutely stunning.

Never heard of him.

Quote from: Thenop on October 16, 2024, 04:35:07 AM

Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on October 15, 2024, 09:46:50 PMBlood Incantation - Absolute Elsewhere

What a fantastic album that is.

Won't find out until Saturday

As ever, four days off the bike and I've lost half my fitness, a few years back I'd have been burning up the roads after a break like that. Ho-hum.

Wasn't really the day for road burning though, dull and a bit drizzly and damp the higher you went. The mid level mists meant I put off riding too high and just did a couple of circuits round Apperknowle, we're having new windows fitted too so I didn't want to go too far from home.

Managed 35 miles, as ever, it'll do.

https://www.strava.com/activities/12660341292

Blood Incantation - Absolute Elsewhere

When I bought tickets for David Gilmour, I told Mrs S we'd make a weekend of it, so searched out somewhere for a decent meal on Friday night.

After looking around I decided on a place called Kitchen W8, described as a "neighbourhood" restaurant - albeit a Michelin starred one - but which seemed reasonably priced.

I booked in for the tasting menu, but found when we arrived that we had come during their Game season and the menu was all game based. That was fine by me.

I was starting to get a bit bored with tasting menus, but this one really hit the mark. One of the canapés was Crispy Pheasant which was like the best Chicken nugget you've ever had. The Tortellini of Yorkshire Grouse came with the best Cep Mushroom sauce evah. The Ballotine of Partridge was well set off with spiced Pumpkin and Pickled walnuts. Finally the Roast Breast and Leg of Wood Pigeon was rich, deep flavoured and earthy, It was a bit much for Mrs S and I got a few more mouthfuls

Dessert was a Brown Butter and Hazelnut tart with Port Glazed Fig and Muscovado Ice Cream, which was not too sweet. Perfect.

Have to find a reason to return next October.

Had a Saketini last Friday - Sake and East London Vodka, nice and dry, a good aperitif.

Back from the most expensively ticketed gig of my life - David Gilmour at the Royal Albert Hall.

Was it worth it? Probably, he may never tour again and it's worth it for that guitar work. Had a decent seat in row 8 in the Arena which got better after the interval as the bloke in front of me didn't come back! Like most of the people there I think he was from foreign parts and probably didn't understand the concept of an interval

I'd read many grumbles about the show before going - too front loaded, too back loaded, not enough Floyd, too much Floyd, too much of his daughter, too much of his wife, too many drunks, too many beach balls - well I can say as a professional moaner (ask Mrs S) I couldn't find fault. Yes, I'd prefer some songs to others, but it's not my show. As I say, it's worth it for the guitar.

The only grumble I had was all the people who ran down from the back of the Arena to try and get the the front for Comfortably Numb, which rendered the band invisible behind a curtain of raised mobiles 

Quote from: Thenop on October 13, 2024, 05:56:40 AM

Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on October 12, 2024, 11:39:51 PMMissed it cos I was in London for David Gilmour.

Yes but can ol' Dave cycle? Can he climb, do a TT?

He played Comfortably Numb on a Unicycle...