"Where every concept pleases, and only man is vile."
We took the opportunity of a public holiday on Wednesday for a day out. We took the boys, along with Emma and Elli, to Sydney Wildlife World to look at the animals and stroke some koalas. The weather was suitably Australian and luckily we remembered to pack rain wear for everyone.
Of course the smaller members of the team love this kind of weather because it presents plenty of opportunities for jumping in puddles.
We just got back from a rather nice holiday in Jervis Bay. We took Aunties Ju-Ju and Nor-Nor as well as cousins Phoebe and Maddie. The weather was gorgeous and we made it to the beach every day. I even took the shark biscuit for a spin. I did spend most of my time in the kitchen though, when I wasn’t snoozing.
Sadly I’m banned from publishing any photos of the last two on “that there internet” so you’ll have to make do with a snap of the littlest ankle biter in a rare quiet moment. He was either waiting for us to put Shrek on the DVD player or about to demand another game of Snakes and Ladders.
Its non stop action on our holidays.
One of the things I missed on our return from the mother country to the penal colony is the quality of the radio. A particular favourite of SWMBO and I is the master of the microphone and genius broadcaster Mr Danny Baker. The Candyman’s breakfast show on BBC Radio London was the listening highlight of my day when we were living in Balham.
Well, this morning I got a chance to hear his dulcet tones again on my way to work on the North Shore train line and trudging up the Pacific Highway to the office. Because Mr Baker is podcasting. Get you and your podcatcher of choice lined up and pointed at that link (its also available on iTunes) for the most entertaining hour or so you will spend with your personal MP3 player this week. There is only one show up at the moment but it is comedy gold. Here’s hoping that there will be more episodes popping up soon.
This is not me. Honest.
I gave up smoking seven years ago.
For those that care, I just took delivery of the latest Marillion album. Six days early. Its called Somewhere Else and impressions so far are favourable.
It has already made it to my iPod and will be accompanying me to work on public transport for the next couple of weeks. I’m not driving because the car has been commandeered by SWMBO to chauffeur our overseas visitors around. Ju-ju, Bee-bee and Mad-mad would like to say hello to all of my readers and have promised that they will stop vomiting any day now.
I’ve just discovered that Chris Difford is recording a new album. As his last solo outing is in my (current) top 5 albums of all time list I’m rather looking forward to his new collection of songs.
To make the anticipation all the more delightful it appears that Boo Hewerdine has been co-writing with Mr Difford for this album. For those of you in blissful ignorance Mr Hewerdine is one of the finest songwriters knocking around. If you get a chance take a listen to one or more of his solo albums, or his previous work with The Bible.
I started my new job this week. Details are on my other blog here. That will have to do for now. I’m too tired after a week of information overload.
I have been remiss. A bad parent even. JFGP started pre-school nearly a month ago and I haven’t mentioned it here.
To make up here is a photo I took of number one son on the morning of his first day at Ivanhoe Park Pre-School. Complete with TtTE backpack chock full of healthy snacks and a cheesy grin.
Please feel free to leave a suitable gushing comment below …
As previously mentioned Lloyd Cole is coming to Sydney. He is playing at the basement on Tuesday the 17th of April. I’m going, is anyone with me? Drop me an email or call me up and I’ll get you a ticket as well.
Oh, and I should thank Andrew Collins for almost incidentally reminding me that the man himself is still making gorgeous records.
And furthermore, I start my new job on the 12th of March. Wish me luck.
I’m going to need it.
The 70’s throwback went to the recent Marillion get together in Holland. He’s so hip he took his big sister. Together they managed to corner the singer and take this photo. Notice the slightly false smile on the bloke in the middle. Thats because the car salesman to his right has a knife poised around his knee cap. Its the only way they could get the photo.