Pogues Gallery

Jeez, is that a Sun headline or what? I should be a tabloid journalist. Nah, too interested in the truth.

Anyway, as promised here is the evidence that New Mills can be ugly - very ugly. There's also a fish-inspired video. If you see any of these people on the street, don't offer them a drink.

Gangs of New Mills - the Fish Fingers:

Shazza, aka 'Fish Eyes" - can be extremely dangerous if provoked. Approach with caution, unless carrying Bacardi.

Russell, aka "Fish Head". Has been known to rat on the others, publish embarrassing personal stories etc. Open to bribery to prevent further disclosures.

Stewart, aka "Something Fishy". Gang minstrel, also part-time cobbler.

Odette, aka "Fish Breath". Occasional member of an alternative gang with their own language. Can be understood if persuaded to speak slowly.

Martin, aka "Fishtail". Gang mechanic. If you want it, he can fix it for you. Recently experiencing a poor run of form but expected to bounce back soon.

Lyn, aka "Fish Net". Token ginger floosy. A danger mostly to herself. Not a bad cook.

Lucy, aka "Fish Lips". Demon cyclist and partner-in--crime of Martin "Fishtail".

Fish Fingers in repose. Avoid contact if possible.

In other news, on the same night as the above gurning, there was a strange bloke wandering around the pub doing this:

In other news, I had an hour to spare in Crosby while the afore-mentioned tyre was fitted. I took the opportunity to have a look at the statues on the beach. Very interesting. Here's me with Anthony Gormley:

Met Pete and Tracy

I met up with perennial asia-hoppers Peter and Tracy last night. Had a great time talking, eating, and drinking with them. Their annual trek around SE Asia has been quite eventful it seems. Made me want to take a month off myself. Here they are at Nana BTS station:


Speaking of adventures, I saw a little item on Guardian online about "Festival in the Desert", which is a music festival that happens in deepest Saharan Mali. Apparently it isn't easy to get to but from the little clips of video it looks like a great experience. Might try to get wifey interested, although it's hard to sell living in a tent with no electricity, plumbing etc, just to listen to some music in the company of 300 Touaregs on camels. However, she's a game bird and you never know. A link to the Guardian article here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/video/2008/jan/17/desert2008

Speaking of wifey, she arrives in 7 days and I haven't even moved into the new apartment yet. Things are getting a bit compressed. Better get packing. Now's the time when I wish I'd kept all the boxes from the stuff I've bought since getting here. In fact I did keep a lot, but yesterday upon getting them out of the storeroom they disintegrated into brown grit. Some kind of mould, or a bug, seems to have enjoyed munching the cardboard. Oh well, looks like it's plastic bags and damaged goods.

I've booked a trip to Koh Chang at the end of this month and I can't wait. Four nights in a posh "Oriental Suite" with nothing to do but eat and drink. And read. And swim, hike, ride bikes, surf, use the gym.. blimey, I'll be glad when it's over.

maureen - plastered, as usual

So, Maureen, what the fuck is it? Is it, like, art?

How long did you did you say I'd be here with my hand stuck in this? Good practice if I ever want to be a vet.

OK, I've had enough of this now, get me out and let's all go for a drink....

Une anniversaire

Sandy's birthday on Thursday, shall we get him a cake or give him the bumps?

I'm voting cake.

Now there's a phrase you don't hear very often.