JJ Goes to the Wrestling.
Now this is stretching back almost thirty years so there could be a few gaps and/or licentious liberties but I'll try to keep it straight.
On alternate Tuesday evenings they held Wrestling at our local Civic Hall and my old man was a huge fan so he would take us all along regularly. Mum never went though, somehow this macho shit didn't appeal to her. I didn't understand that at the age of 9 but I think I do now (no, really I mean that, I'm in touch with my squidgy side these days). Thirty years on I managed to drag Girlfriend to see The Revenge of the Sith at Toison d'or even knowing that that was her equivalent my mum going to the Wrestling. So I got one up one the old twat.
Those were the days of Giant Haystacks, Big Daddy, Kung Fu, Dynamite Kid, Rollerball Rocco and so on. Catweazel will always be an old time wrestler to me.
It was just a regular thing for us until uncle J came to visit from India. Then it turned into a whole Roman Gladiator kind of deal. We were buying posters, badges, magazines, hanging in the bar to meet the wrestlers, it got completely out of hand.
One guy, who I'll never forget, was called Kendo Nagasaki, he used to come on stage in a black cloak with a leather/chrome mask accross his face carrying a Samurai sword. When the match started he would have a black fabric mask with white stripes. He didn't lose a match in fifteen years. The idea was that if another wrestler beat him up so badly he could rip his mask off he'd have to reveal his identity. This went on and on and we all wondered about this mysterious oriental man and his strange secrets, "Why can't he be beaten?" He was almost beaten a few times but managed to get himslef disqualified instead or cheated his way out.
Eventually, he retired undefeated, there was an unmasking ceremony at our Civic Hall but somehow we missed it and had to watch it on tv on Saturday afternoon World of Sport. His manager took the mask off and placed it in a ceremonial fire. The wierd thing was he just looked like an ordinary white dude. At that age I was just learning that people who look real on tv aren't always real, Kendo taught me a lesson.
He did some fights without the mask but it was never the same for me and I gradually lost interest. Later he came back with the mask on but the whole wrestling thing was dying out, we'd stopped going, Kent Walton died, Pat Roach went off to do Auf Wiedersein Pet, they took wrestling off the air and eventually World of Sport gave way to Grandstand. Des Lynam did a good impression of Dickie Davies but it turned to mush after he left.
There was an Indian wrestler called Tiger Singh, he runs a pub in Leeds now, I've been there. To Leeds and to the Pub. Not that I made a trip of it, I lived in Leeds and just wandered into his pub one day. He wasn't there but the people talked about him like he was a legend, I thought "obviously none of you ever saw him fight" and then I left (I was on the way to a band practice)
Obviously I live my life like a masked Kendo Nagasaki; undefeatable, unfathomable, inpenetrable. The reality is that I'm just an ordinary brown dude.
JJ
Friday, 20 July 2007
Saturday, 14 July 2007
Wine tasting with Motörhead
I'm sure you've been to a themed wine tasting evening, it's standard tasting but you have to associate the wines with something to give a sense of context. In this case, Motörhead songs. We'll start with the decent stuff so we have a chance to enjoy it before we're completely hammered. Oh yes, none of that gargling and spitting nonsense. You'll swallow, even if I have to hold your nose and punch you in the stomach. Ok that's the niceties out of the way, let's get on with it:
1. Grand Bersan, Lussac Saint-Emillion, Bordeaux (France). An excellent red, deep ruby colour, earthy forest fruit tastes and smells, one to be savoured and enjoyed over and over. To accompany this is a track which with its opening bars immediately sets the tone for night. It's 1981, No Sleep 'til Hammersmith hit the charts at number one and the opening track Ace of Spades still makes my spine tingle every single time I play it.
2. Châteauneuf du Pape, Côtes du Rhône, (France). This red is at the top of my list for the Côtes du Rhône region, granted it's a very short list. Cheaper than a good Bordeaux, full bodied and rich it can be an excellent accompaniment to dinner. The musical comeraderie is provided by Terminal Show from the Inferno album (2004), a hard hitting number reminiscent of Mike Tyson in his heyday, only taller.
3. Gato Negro, Merlot (Chile). An unexpected choice for a Motörhead night, this light bodied red is not too dry and a popular party wine, very drinkable and cheaper than the rich pinot noirs from the same region. The nearest Motörhead come to a party song is Please Don't Touch from the St Valentines Day Massacre EP, a joint effort with female rockers Girlschool. Much like the Gato Negro, Please Don't Touch can also be considered an unexpected choice but there again, it's all in the eyes, ears, nose and pallette of the beholder. Messy bugger.
4. Mount Difficulty, Pinot Noir 2000 (New Zealand). I discovered this red in a wine bar in King St, Sydney. Strong fruity bouquet, very deep rich colour and taste. I found it quite overbearing with a harsh after taste suggesting it's not quite ready for consumption. It might take a while to get this one down so we'll go with the medley Bite the Bullet/The Chase is Better than the Catch. This combo appears on the extended re-release of the legendary No Sleep 'till Hammersmith album, it didn't make it to the original release suggesting it also wasn't quite ready for consumption.
5. Sancerre Pinot Noir (France). A popular white from the Sancerre region, light, fruity and quite refreshing. For this one go all the way back to the Bomber album and the classic track Dead Men Tell No Tales, there's something resembling melody and it's more easy going than the typical Motörhead which is more suited to a good claret or a vat of Carlsberg Special Brew.
6. Pouilly Fume (France). Another white, this is very close to Sancerre in geography and character. Well worth trying if you like Sancerre. I find this one slightly richer and smoother, a fuller flavour but still quite dry. In the same vien, if you like Dead Men... try Over the Top, a lesser known B-Side (from the days when they had B-Sides). A cracking good tune, galloping along with all the character and charm of a white Ford Capri being driven into a brick wall at speed.
7. Thunderbird (USA). This is a fortified pear wine, comes in two varieties. The mellow blue isn't as strong as the red, either way you'll have to drink the whole bottle to get the full effect. It's a full bodied white wine goes very well with Die You Bastard, a lively number from the Another Perfect Day album recorded shortly after Fast Eddie left the band in 1982.
8. Buckfast (England). This "wine" is popular in the more colourful suburbs of Glasgow, though I saw some people drinking it outside Amsterdam Central Station recently. A very rich deep red with mildly medicinal flavours from the added vitamins and caffiene. Slightly addictive it tends to induce violent behaviour and mild hallucinations. The perfect accompaniment for this number would be Mean Machine from the Orgasmatron album, a relentless pounding drive also liable to leave you with a thick head.
9. Rosé d'Anjou (France). This of course is the token Rosé, unlike proper wines the Rosés tend to have the word Rosé in the name as a warning to people looking for a bottle of cherryade or whatever. Nevertheless, it is a good wine full of taste and character if a little on the dry side. The accompaniment also avoids ambiguity, it's the track Rock'n'Roll from the album also called Rock'n'Roll. Expect nothing less.
10. Jacob's Creek Shiraz (Australia). Don't be put off by the screw top cap, be put off by the taste! Just kidding. Well, it's not in the premier league of wines but then I'm hardly in the premier league of consumers (except perhaps by volume). It's drinkable. If you don't want to risk your hard earned readies on wine you don't know, you'll be alright with this one. Then turn to the Hammered album and select Brave New World. Both of these selections are like a good tart; instantly likeable and should stand many a repeat perfomance.
On that note, it's surely time to call it a night, even if it is Sunday afternoon.
JJ
1. Grand Bersan, Lussac Saint-Emillion, Bordeaux (France). An excellent red, deep ruby colour, earthy forest fruit tastes and smells, one to be savoured and enjoyed over and over. To accompany this is a track which with its opening bars immediately sets the tone for night. It's 1981, No Sleep 'til Hammersmith hit the charts at number one and the opening track Ace of Spades still makes my spine tingle every single time I play it.
2. Châteauneuf du Pape, Côtes du Rhône, (France). This red is at the top of my list for the Côtes du Rhône region, granted it's a very short list. Cheaper than a good Bordeaux, full bodied and rich it can be an excellent accompaniment to dinner. The musical comeraderie is provided by Terminal Show from the Inferno album (2004), a hard hitting number reminiscent of Mike Tyson in his heyday, only taller.
3. Gato Negro, Merlot (Chile). An unexpected choice for a Motörhead night, this light bodied red is not too dry and a popular party wine, very drinkable and cheaper than the rich pinot noirs from the same region. The nearest Motörhead come to a party song is Please Don't Touch from the St Valentines Day Massacre EP, a joint effort with female rockers Girlschool. Much like the Gato Negro, Please Don't Touch can also be considered an unexpected choice but there again, it's all in the eyes, ears, nose and pallette of the beholder. Messy bugger.
4. Mount Difficulty, Pinot Noir 2000 (New Zealand). I discovered this red in a wine bar in King St, Sydney. Strong fruity bouquet, very deep rich colour and taste. I found it quite overbearing with a harsh after taste suggesting it's not quite ready for consumption. It might take a while to get this one down so we'll go with the medley Bite the Bullet/The Chase is Better than the Catch. This combo appears on the extended re-release of the legendary No Sleep 'till Hammersmith album, it didn't make it to the original release suggesting it also wasn't quite ready for consumption.
5. Sancerre Pinot Noir (France). A popular white from the Sancerre region, light, fruity and quite refreshing. For this one go all the way back to the Bomber album and the classic track Dead Men Tell No Tales, there's something resembling melody and it's more easy going than the typical Motörhead which is more suited to a good claret or a vat of Carlsberg Special Brew.
6. Pouilly Fume (France). Another white, this is very close to Sancerre in geography and character. Well worth trying if you like Sancerre. I find this one slightly richer and smoother, a fuller flavour but still quite dry. In the same vien, if you like Dead Men... try Over the Top, a lesser known B-Side (from the days when they had B-Sides). A cracking good tune, galloping along with all the character and charm of a white Ford Capri being driven into a brick wall at speed.
7. Thunderbird (USA). This is a fortified pear wine, comes in two varieties. The mellow blue isn't as strong as the red, either way you'll have to drink the whole bottle to get the full effect. It's a full bodied white wine goes very well with Die You Bastard, a lively number from the Another Perfect Day album recorded shortly after Fast Eddie left the band in 1982.
8. Buckfast (England). This "wine" is popular in the more colourful suburbs of Glasgow, though I saw some people drinking it outside Amsterdam Central Station recently. A very rich deep red with mildly medicinal flavours from the added vitamins and caffiene. Slightly addictive it tends to induce violent behaviour and mild hallucinations. The perfect accompaniment for this number would be Mean Machine from the Orgasmatron album, a relentless pounding drive also liable to leave you with a thick head.
9. Rosé d'Anjou (France). This of course is the token Rosé, unlike proper wines the Rosés tend to have the word Rosé in the name as a warning to people looking for a bottle of cherryade or whatever. Nevertheless, it is a good wine full of taste and character if a little on the dry side. The accompaniment also avoids ambiguity, it's the track Rock'n'Roll from the album also called Rock'n'Roll. Expect nothing less.
10. Jacob's Creek Shiraz (Australia). Don't be put off by the screw top cap, be put off by the taste! Just kidding. Well, it's not in the premier league of wines but then I'm hardly in the premier league of consumers (except perhaps by volume). It's drinkable. If you don't want to risk your hard earned readies on wine you don't know, you'll be alright with this one. Then turn to the Hammered album and select Brave New World. Both of these selections are like a good tart; instantly likeable and should stand many a repeat perfomance.
On that note, it's surely time to call it a night, even if it is Sunday afternoon.
JJ
Friday, 6 July 2007
Eight Things. You!!
I've been tagged by Scouse Doris, a new experience, pleasant but strangely unfulfilling (yet) like a donner-meat-and-chips with no chilli sauce. Where's my sauce Doris?
Read the rules and then read on:
1. Each player must post these rules first.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
Eight random facts/habits about me:
1. I was suspended from chemistry lessons for 2 weeks
2. I was third favourite for the 100 metres sprint on sports day at school but I finished last because I was drunk
3. My first job was selling carpet cleaning door to door
4. My ex wife made me dye my hair and pluck my eyebrows
5. I can wiggle my right ear
6. I once wrote an article abut the financial implications of BSE for the United Kingdom Agricultural Supply Trade Association
7. I was running a bar for a friend while he was on holiday when it was raided by 12 guys in balaclavas with baseball bats. It turned out to be a drug related turf war.
8. I took the blame for a fraud at work because the guy who did it had a young family and I didn't think his family deserved it. I expected to get prosecuted and maybe sent to jail but I wasn't.
So that's me and here's my tagged people:
a free man in preston
Chaucer's Bitch
Elaib
Petite Anglaise
the Red Mist
UberCake
Vicus Scurra
Adventures of a Drama Queen
Enjoy,
JJ
Read the rules and then read on:
1. Each player must post these rules first.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
Eight random facts/habits about me:
1. I was suspended from chemistry lessons for 2 weeks
2. I was third favourite for the 100 metres sprint on sports day at school but I finished last because I was drunk
3. My first job was selling carpet cleaning door to door
4. My ex wife made me dye my hair and pluck my eyebrows
5. I can wiggle my right ear
6. I once wrote an article abut the financial implications of BSE for the United Kingdom Agricultural Supply Trade Association
7. I was running a bar for a friend while he was on holiday when it was raided by 12 guys in balaclavas with baseball bats. It turned out to be a drug related turf war.
8. I took the blame for a fraud at work because the guy who did it had a young family and I didn't think his family deserved it. I expected to get prosecuted and maybe sent to jail but I wasn't.
So that's me and here's my tagged people:
a free man in preston
Chaucer's Bitch
Elaib
Petite Anglaise
the Red Mist
UberCake
Vicus Scurra
Adventures of a Drama Queen
Enjoy,
JJ
Saturday, 30 June 2007
Sprouts Life
JJ Goes for a business breakfast
Waitress : Good Morning sir, table for one is it?
JJ : Yes, table for one, just me this morning. Again.
Waitress : Will you be having the Continental Breakfast or the Full Breakfast?
JJ : I suppose it depends which continent you mean
Waitress : Excuse me?
JJ : I mean Australia is continent on it’s own isn’t it? So what’s the difference between full breakfast and continental?
Waitress : Full breakfast includes the warm stuff, sausages, bacon and all that
JJ : Errm, I think I’ll just have a bowl of Coco Pops, what’s that?
Waitress : Continental
JJ : What if have some toast, is it still continental?
Waitress : Err, that’s a bit of grey area, I’ll have to get the manager
JJ : Really? I’m surprised it’s never come up before
JJ finishes his Coco Pops and gets a slice of toast, the waitress and manager approach
Manager : Sorry sir, the toast only comes with the full breakfast so you’ll have to put it back
JJ : You’re kidding, you want me to pay the same price as that guy over there? He’s got sausages, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms
Manager : Now that you mention it I’ll have to ask him where he got those mushrooms from, but you’ll still have to put the toast back
JJ : Just mark me down for a full breakfast
Waitress : I’ve already filled in the sheet, can’t change it now
JJ : Well, can I have this one against tomorrow’s breakfast?
Manager : sorry sir, we don’t do toast credit, we’ve had too many problems with that in the past
JJ : Can I get toast on room service?
Manager : Of course sir, the all day breakfast is available 24 hours on room service
JJ : I’ll it put back but I’ll be checking if you send the same one to my room
Manager : We’ll send that on to someone else sir, will there be anything else?
JJ : Can I get a glass of diet coke?
Manager : We don’t do diet coke at breakfast.
JJ : Why not? It must be cheaper than guava juice?
Manager : Probably is sir, but there’s no demand for it at breakfast
JJ : I suppose I could have it on room service
Manager : Indeed sir, you seem to be getting the hang of things nicely
JJ : So I just came down fifteen floors for a bowl of Coco Pops?
Manager : The irony is that room service Coco Pops are complimentary, it’s all in the Hotel Services Guide in your room
JJ : Who the hell reads that? Am I going to be charged for this breakfast?
Manager : Absolutely
JJ : I suppose I’m done here then, thanks.
Manager : Have a nice day
JJ : I doubt it
JJ skulks back to his room and calls room service
Phone Voice : Good morning, room service
JJ : Hi, can I a piece of fresh toast, a glass of diet coke and a bowl of complimentary Coco Pops
Phone Voice : Complimentary Coco Pops? I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean sir
JJ : Coco Pops are complimentary with in-room breakfast, it’s in the Hotel Services Guide
Phone Voice : Really? Wow, no one usually reads those things, but if it’s in there then ok, will that be all?
JJ : Oh, err just a minute it’s quite a long list in this guide thing. I’ll also have the complimentary breakfast massage, a case of those little shower gel bottles, the Lonely Planet for Greece and a hundred dollars. Cash. Make that two hundred
Phone Voice : Ok, that’ll be up in about fifteen minutes
JJ : Thank you very much
About fifteen minutes later the Manager turns up at the door.
JJ : Oh, it’s you again
Manager : I could say the same, but without the surprised tone
JJ : Ok, just leave it on the table
Manager : Would you like the massage before or after the Coco Pops? I’ve warmed my hands especially
JJ : Forget the massage, where do I sign?
Manager : Just here, where it says ‘sucker’s on expense accounts sign here’
JJ : All right, but you haven’t heard the last of me
Manager : Delighted to hear it, enjoy your stay
JJ : I doubt it
The manager leaves and JJ puts the Coco Pops in the bin, the milk runs out of the bottom on to the carpet.
JJ : Hmmmm, they really do turn the milk chocolatey, I might have those again tomorrow.
JJ
Sydney 01 July 2007, 3:58am
Waitress : Good Morning sir, table for one is it?
JJ : Yes, table for one, just me this morning. Again.
Waitress : Will you be having the Continental Breakfast or the Full Breakfast?
JJ : I suppose it depends which continent you mean
Waitress : Excuse me?
JJ : I mean Australia is continent on it’s own isn’t it? So what’s the difference between full breakfast and continental?
Waitress : Full breakfast includes the warm stuff, sausages, bacon and all that
JJ : Errm, I think I’ll just have a bowl of Coco Pops, what’s that?
Waitress : Continental
JJ : What if have some toast, is it still continental?
Waitress : Err, that’s a bit of grey area, I’ll have to get the manager
JJ : Really? I’m surprised it’s never come up before
JJ finishes his Coco Pops and gets a slice of toast, the waitress and manager approach
Manager : Sorry sir, the toast only comes with the full breakfast so you’ll have to put it back
JJ : You’re kidding, you want me to pay the same price as that guy over there? He’s got sausages, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms
Manager : Now that you mention it I’ll have to ask him where he got those mushrooms from, but you’ll still have to put the toast back
JJ : Just mark me down for a full breakfast
Waitress : I’ve already filled in the sheet, can’t change it now
JJ : Well, can I have this one against tomorrow’s breakfast?
Manager : sorry sir, we don’t do toast credit, we’ve had too many problems with that in the past
JJ : Can I get toast on room service?
Manager : Of course sir, the all day breakfast is available 24 hours on room service
JJ : I’ll it put back but I’ll be checking if you send the same one to my room
Manager : We’ll send that on to someone else sir, will there be anything else?
JJ : Can I get a glass of diet coke?
Manager : We don’t do diet coke at breakfast.
JJ : Why not? It must be cheaper than guava juice?
Manager : Probably is sir, but there’s no demand for it at breakfast
JJ : I suppose I could have it on room service
Manager : Indeed sir, you seem to be getting the hang of things nicely
JJ : So I just came down fifteen floors for a bowl of Coco Pops?
Manager : The irony is that room service Coco Pops are complimentary, it’s all in the Hotel Services Guide in your room
JJ : Who the hell reads that? Am I going to be charged for this breakfast?
Manager : Absolutely
JJ : I suppose I’m done here then, thanks.
Manager : Have a nice day
JJ : I doubt it
JJ skulks back to his room and calls room service
Phone Voice : Good morning, room service
JJ : Hi, can I a piece of fresh toast, a glass of diet coke and a bowl of complimentary Coco Pops
Phone Voice : Complimentary Coco Pops? I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean sir
JJ : Coco Pops are complimentary with in-room breakfast, it’s in the Hotel Services Guide
Phone Voice : Really? Wow, no one usually reads those things, but if it’s in there then ok, will that be all?
JJ : Oh, err just a minute it’s quite a long list in this guide thing. I’ll also have the complimentary breakfast massage, a case of those little shower gel bottles, the Lonely Planet for Greece and a hundred dollars. Cash. Make that two hundred
Phone Voice : Ok, that’ll be up in about fifteen minutes
JJ : Thank you very much
About fifteen minutes later the Manager turns up at the door.
JJ : Oh, it’s you again
Manager : I could say the same, but without the surprised tone
JJ : Ok, just leave it on the table
Manager : Would you like the massage before or after the Coco Pops? I’ve warmed my hands especially
JJ : Forget the massage, where do I sign?
Manager : Just here, where it says ‘sucker’s on expense accounts sign here’
JJ : All right, but you haven’t heard the last of me
Manager : Delighted to hear it, enjoy your stay
JJ : I doubt it
The manager leaves and JJ puts the Coco Pops in the bin, the milk runs out of the bottom on to the carpet.
JJ : Hmmmm, they really do turn the milk chocolatey, I might have those again tomorrow.
JJ
Sydney 01 July 2007, 3:58am
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
Travel VIII, Welcome to Island No. 7
Brussels to London.
1.15hr late departure, pilot couldn't remember where he parked the plane. We were stood on the tarmac while he wandered around pressing the Unlock button on the key.
Eventually we took off and the nice lady offered me a Chicken salad with a choice of wines; "which one do you recommend?", "This one's 13%", "You're English isn't it?", "Yes", "Me too, I'll have the 13% thank you very much"
Couple of honeymooners across the aisle were already pounding the champagne and taking pictures with the flash. I asked for a bucket of ice water but we were too close to landing for drinks. It's a short flight.
The video announced we were landing in terminal one, nooooo!, but the fella next to me cleared it up. Interestingly the hostess announced the correction in English only. BA's vision of Europe doesn't quite match with the other airlines.
London - Bangkok
Because of the previous delay there was no time to hang around in lounge, we jumped straight on-board. "Is there anyone famous here?" , "there's a couple of jazz musicians on board, but they're flying economy. I can make them play for you, it's in the ticket conditions", "That's very nice of you to offer but I'm not really into jazz. More rock music, you know", "Of course sir, did you catch the Graspop this year?", "I wouldn't be here if I'd caught Graspop", "More champagne sir?", "Just leave the bottle"
Old fella across the aisle is explaining the route to his wife, She seems to be riveted with flying over Bangalore. I watched Ghost Rider, slept, watched shooters had breakfast and that's ten hours done.
Bangkok Airport
There's a new airport in Bangkok, they seem to have taken the Brussels approach to design. Let's make the buggers walk a mile before there's anything to do. The fight crew told us there was only one hour to boarding again so we all left the lounge and sat at the gate for an hour before take off.
Bangkok - Sydney
Same as the last bit, but I didn't watch any films.
Sydney
Arrived on time, unfortunately the luggage didn't. It's on the next flight, the late departure from Brussels cost me my luggage and two hours hanging around the airport. Got to the hotel at 9.45 and fortunately they've upgraded me a suite, rooms are all taken. No kidding, this suite is bigger than my apartment. However, a months rent would only get me five nights here and it's bloody freezing. Air conditioning is extremely effective but I wish I could turn it off. It rained all day and the sun set around 5pm.
Wandered around the harbour (Darling Harbour), did some shopping so I've got new trousers, shirt and shoes for tomorrow. Fish and Chips for dinner, not to bad a day in the end. Oh and I've booked a Whale Watching trip for Sunday Morning.
It's 00:56 Wednesday morning here, 16:56 Tuesday in Brussels
Goodnight.
JJ
1.15hr late departure, pilot couldn't remember where he parked the plane. We were stood on the tarmac while he wandered around pressing the Unlock button on the key.
Eventually we took off and the nice lady offered me a Chicken salad with a choice of wines; "which one do you recommend?", "This one's 13%", "You're English isn't it?", "Yes", "Me too, I'll have the 13% thank you very much"
Couple of honeymooners across the aisle were already pounding the champagne and taking pictures with the flash. I asked for a bucket of ice water but we were too close to landing for drinks. It's a short flight.
The video announced we were landing in terminal one, nooooo!, but the fella next to me cleared it up. Interestingly the hostess announced the correction in English only. BA's vision of Europe doesn't quite match with the other airlines.
London - Bangkok
Because of the previous delay there was no time to hang around in lounge, we jumped straight on-board. "Is there anyone famous here?" , "there's a couple of jazz musicians on board, but they're flying economy. I can make them play for you, it's in the ticket conditions", "That's very nice of you to offer but I'm not really into jazz. More rock music, you know", "Of course sir, did you catch the Graspop this year?", "I wouldn't be here if I'd caught Graspop", "More champagne sir?", "Just leave the bottle"
Old fella across the aisle is explaining the route to his wife, She seems to be riveted with flying over Bangalore. I watched Ghost Rider, slept, watched shooters had breakfast and that's ten hours done.
Bangkok Airport
There's a new airport in Bangkok, they seem to have taken the Brussels approach to design. Let's make the buggers walk a mile before there's anything to do. The fight crew told us there was only one hour to boarding again so we all left the lounge and sat at the gate for an hour before take off.
Bangkok - Sydney
Same as the last bit, but I didn't watch any films.
Sydney
Arrived on time, unfortunately the luggage didn't. It's on the next flight, the late departure from Brussels cost me my luggage and two hours hanging around the airport. Got to the hotel at 9.45 and fortunately they've upgraded me a suite, rooms are all taken. No kidding, this suite is bigger than my apartment. However, a months rent would only get me five nights here and it's bloody freezing. Air conditioning is extremely effective but I wish I could turn it off. It rained all day and the sun set around 5pm.
Wandered around the harbour (Darling Harbour), did some shopping so I've got new trousers, shirt and shoes for tomorrow. Fish and Chips for dinner, not to bad a day in the end. Oh and I've booked a Whale Watching trip for Sunday Morning.
It's 00:56 Wednesday morning here, 16:56 Tuesday in Brussels
Goodnight.
JJ
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