London Bridge to Covent Garden

With ears still ringing from the gig the night before, I set off to meet Lou Lou and go buy our rucksacks.

Despite having literally an armful of jabs (another today - rabies part 1), given up our jobs and left our flats, getting our rucksacks has really brought it home that we really are doing this; really going traveling - something I could never have seen myself doing until this year.

Anyway, I did another 'photo-journey' from Lou Lou's flat to the rucksack shop. I know I've already done this, but like everything I wanted to see if I could improve on the first one.

There are actually two versions of this, the 1st version is a straight forward 'photo-journey' the other I've annotated with reference to points of interest along the way - try both and enjoy.

Non-annotated London Bridge to Covent Garden

Annotated Version

Gonna be some love here soon for my mate Spleenal - but before that please check out his blog which is packed full of his fantastic comics and observations on life.

You lot should like him, he's from t'up north like most of you.

My Bloody Valentine - Roundhouse Sunday 22nd

The Guardian and others are all over this series of gigs at the Roundhouse in Camden - read about it here -

Yep, I was there, and as The Guardian reports, it was motherfucking loud - like standing in front of a jet engine. I have never been to a gig, or anything, louder.

The final tune that everyone goes on about, 'You made me realise', that includes that ear bleeding infinite chord bit was phenomenal, and I was chuffed I experienced it without earplugs (which were given out at the door!), but the fact is I wouldn't do it again.

The infinite chord, which you can only hear if you're there because sound recording just shrieks out lasted about 33 minutes. I finally relented and put my plugs in (yeah, i was lying before) during the last 10 minutes. Why'd I put myself through any of it? Because I wanted to experience it myself and I was chuffed to be seeing MBV after all these years.

Thing is though, the rest of the gig was much better than this and I feel it's the delay/ feedback/ ultimate chord whatever that takes all the attention. My Bloody Valentine, even after all these years sound utterly beautiful, with the delicate tunes and beautiful etherial vocals resting just below the surface of layers of sliding guitars.

Loveless is, and always has been one of my favourite albums, it's peerless and just gets better with every listen.

Anyway, like they say in the article above and all the articles I've read about them, my ears are still ringing and I'm hoping I haven't done any permanent damage. But if I have, my, what a way to do it.

'Soon' from Loveless

And then 'You made me realise', live (not my vid by the way, couldn't be bothered to record it, to busy suffering it).

33 minutes of this!

On the beach

Another dull post, this time a bit of me on the beach and a snap of the pier and some Brighton art.

You'll need to click the pics to get the full dull effect - PIGGY!, How do I make my blog wider?

Soon this pebbled beach will be full, but not today (or rather Thursday afternoon when i took these snaps).

I have bad art ... My art is bad

And here is me almost getting my feet wet - exciting no?

No.

A loo with a view

For no other reason at all, here is a snap of the view from my toilet seat - if I leave the door open of course.

I know, fascinating.

UPDATED:

Garfer (cheeky Scottish rogue) said:

"Who do you think you are? Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat?"

To which April (lovely Canadian, eh) added:

"I closed my eyes.... drew back the curtain... didn't know for certain any poo would do"

The nerve...

Kemptown to Hove

Had my final appointment at the travel clinic yesterday for the 3rd part of Japanese Encephalitis (you can't get this on the NHS). The clinic is down in Hove and is a bit of trek, however, it was a beautiful day and I'd set my heart on a leisurely walk, leaving here at 9.30ish getting there for just before 11am.

Of course I faffed and ended up leaving well late. I also took fucking tons of photos the whole way, as you'll see.

Some of these are a bit blurry and none are framed - this is 'cause I'm crap at taking snaps and I was trying not to look like a freak - taking photos every 30 seconds without stopping to do so, I was literally just pointing and clicking - still ended up looking like a crazed tourist.

Anyway, enjoy.

In the afternoon I had to go the NHS clinic to get Hep A/ Typhoid and the 2nd Hep B. Today my arms both hurt a bit, as do my feet.

Total bill yesterday for 3 jabs of Jap Encep and 200 doxycycline pills = 240GBP. Got rabies and yellow fever still to pay for... everything so expensive.

Rock on

All the rock is ready (except the one I'm getting for April tomorrow).

The first shipment is on it's way - the rest will go tomorrow when I get down to the postie.

Brighton Rock

Oh yes, feast your eyes at all that tooth decay just waiting to be wrapped and posted. (Check out all those boxes of Doxycycline - cost me a bloody fortune!)

As promised I'm sending out rock to Piggy, Sniffy, Garfer and the winner of the comp, Jo - oh and I still need Piggy's address and Jo's.

For those with partners, it's up to you whether you share; I ain't made of money.

Hopefully, there will be a new competition next weekend with an even more spectacularly crap prize - you know it's worth coming back for.

Oh, and where are you PISS OFF??? (you never visit...) I want to send you some rock and stuff as well, can you email me your address please?