a day in the life of tom baker, plus a dodgy old radio times cover about dr who

I'm pretty sure l've posted this before, but what the hell, it's always worth putting up.

Tom Baker's 'A Day In The Life Of' from a 1978 edition of 'The Sunday Times' newspaper, when he was still 'Dr Who' to all and sundry.  Mr Baker and his crowd certainly liked the odd tipple or two, and it's amazing any work was done at all, although he does state that this is a day when he is not filming, and reminds the reader that he did walk away from being a Monk for the women and drink.  By Jeffrey Bernard, on one of the occasions he was not 'Unwell'.

And on a related Dr Who theme, here's the cover of Radio Times from over 50 years ago (January 1971). It's promoting the Dr Who series with what looks to my corrupted eyes like a dodgy sexualised cover, as a hypnotised Jo Grant states she will 'Obey The Master'.

Saucy!

Toodle pip

cryptic message on my hand

When l was off work last week for a few days, l stayed up all night, drinking and listening to music. At one stage in the early hours, l turned all the lights off in my living room, to chill out and immerse myself in the tunes l was playing at the time (Early T.Rex if you must know). However, l then had a rather splendid idea l wanted to remember, and as l didn't want to get up and put the lights on, l wrote it on the palm of my hand in the blackness.
Great idea - Didn't have a clue what it was the next morning.

Then again - it was a long night!

toodle pip

it's bank holiday monday!

It's Bank Holiday Monday, which means a drunken day out in Richmond with the lads, and Robbo staying over at my place afterwards. Haven't missed it for years and we always have a laugh, but l'm sure it will be messy. The rule is - do it to them before they do it to you.

Here's me at the start of the day

And this will be me and Robbo at the end of the day

toodle pip

two poems - drunk and dusting

Two poems l can relate to, although l can't remember where l got the top one from.

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out and about - the killers

Another excellent night out, this time the day after the Left Lane Cruiser show (see Below), and an all day session and overnight stay for The Killers at Newcastle Arena with Robbo and the ladies.
We sorted our rooms at the Jury's Inn hotel, went for a drink and chat, then split up so the girls could go shopping (as they do). Myself and Robbo hit a couple of dodgy pubs (and a pretty empty Trillions).
When we met up again later, it was off to Jamie Oliver's restaurant for an evening meal (as usual - l had the lasagne), then back to the hotel to get changed, and out again for cocktails and the concert.
We had two lots of tickets, so myself and Robo took our seats, only to find they were quite a way back (and for over £60!!!). However, being the kind of lads we are, we just walked along the top corridor until we were close to the stage, and then cut in, and remained standing throughout the show, with a much improved view. I was even given free beer by a girl, which saved us having to go and get some, especially at the exorbitant price they were charging in the arena.
Met the ladies again, then more drinks and chat after the show, and finally back to the hotel.
A completely different show than the night before, and it is fascinating to see large crowds responding on mass, rather like a rally, but l much prefer seeing bands in smaller venues.
We all had a marvellous time throughout the day and night, but Kerry was certainly suffering the next morning and during the ride home (her driver duties had to be taken over).
What a lightweight!

 

 

                              

Our view - more or less

toodle pip

oliver reed's drinking advice

Because l've been reading a lot recently, plus listening to music and watching films and box sets, I've actually not been drinking that much, (not a drop for the last 13 days at the moment), but when l do, l can certainly relate to this advice from Oliver Reed.

toodle pip

england fans drinks bill at the euros

This is kind of old news, as it is a bill for England fans drinks at The Euros. Obviously very expensive, but l am more impressed with the one hardy individual who insisted on having a Carlsberg.

Stick to what you like mate, and sod everyone else.

toodle pip

kevin ayers - shouting in a bucket blues

Kevin Ayers - Shouting in a Bucket Blues.
A man who's later lifestyle l may try and emulate - living abroad and drinking lots of wine. Sounds good to me.



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the ron mueck exhibition in edinburgh 2006

Also found while cleaning the spare room. Coincidentally, it was 10 years ago to the day that the FPO and myself went to Edinburgh to drink whisky, and catch the hyperrealistic sculptures at the Ron Mueck exhibition. We succeeded in a right royal fashion.

The top three are art cards that were purchased on exhibition day, plus the ticket and programme. Also, there is a framed poster of  'Mask', the stern looking face at the bottom, in my living room. It keeps the parrot in order (or tries to). As you can probably surmise, we pulled over for some food and drink at The Cat Inn on the way there.

Mmmmm....food.......and drink.....

Ten bleeding years!! Where is the time flying away to?

toodle pip

richmond live

The one photograph l took at this years Richmond Live. From the toilets (if l remember correctly) looking towards Richmond Castle. The photograph does not give the view justice.
Drink had been taken.

toodle pip

a tasty new whisky, and summer's about here

This has made a change from the usual whisky l've been drinking round at Joe's. A cheeky Chivas Regal. Very smooth, moorish, and currently my favourite.
If l wasn't so strong willed. l'd be addicted.
Plus, the walks home are becoming more enjoyable, as the weather has started to improve.
About bleeding time as well, as l start wearing my shorts on April 1st each year. This is because l consider that (in my whisky sodden tiny brain) to be the start of summer.

toodle pip

burnfest - coming soon

Coming very soon to sunny Colburn in the heart of Catterick - the now annual Burnfest!
Wine bar first, then Colburn, then flaking out at about 10pm. Fun for all the family!

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the perfect wine glass

About time this was invented

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the weekend starts here!! - plus rival sons - keep on swinging

The weekend does indeed, start here!!
I'm heading out later around Catterick and Richmond with Robbo and the lads today, then seeing Rocker's band in Richmond tonight (no doubt followed by takeaways and a recording of 'Match of the Day').
Manchester United v Liverpool tomorrow at 1.30pm, (hopefully 6 wins on the trot), then off to see Rival Sons in Newcastle on Monday, followed by a day of doing bugger all on Tuesday, before heading back to Newcastle on Wednesday, and resuming work thereafter.
Admittedly a rather long stretch of the definition 'weekend', but it certainly suits me.



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the youngsters and christmas drinks at my sisters house

 

Adam and Hayley

Kelly and Connor

I was around at my sisters house a couple of evenings ago, dropping of the usual money and books for Christmas, and ended up staying there for about six hours, drinking plenty of spirits, eating cheese, and chatting with Linda, Shane and the youngsters above.  I even came away with some book recommendations from them ('I am Pilgrim' and 'Soldaten'), although it's hard to believe that Hayley will be 21 and finishing University next year, and Kelly will be 18 and starting.
They both still look about 12 to me, and the time has flown on by (in the blink of an eye!) since they were both young sprogs.

toodle pip

out and about recently

 Newcastle trip out to see the dentist, partake in the odd ale, and do some shopping at the Chinese supermarket

 Colburn Gym.  Not for me (I couldn't be more perfect), but work related

 Darlington hospital tapestry.  Once again, a work related trip.

 More from Darlington hospital (exciting stuff!)

 J.T's bar at Catterick

 The Parkmore hotel just outside Yarm.  The venue for some Moving and Handling training.

The Percy Arms pub in Newcastle, where l discovered their is a regimental get together each month for ex soldiers, who l got into conversation with.

Out and about recently.  It's all go around these parts.

Saying that, l'm of to see a Slade tribute band in Darlington on Saturday, and the Gravity film in 3D next week, so the excitement levels will be set to stun mode. 

I was meant to be going to see the film last night, but the weather was atrocious, so we ended up putting it off until next week, and hit The Wine Bar instead, then back home to annoy Mr Parrot.

A wise move.

toodle pip

the bar bill at mortons private club

Spencer Matthews from 'Made in Chelsea' (whoever and whatever he/that is) has tweeted a bar bill from Mortons private club in Mayfair, which shows the amount paid as £488706.08.  Now this might not be his bill, it could be printed out as a laugh, and some on t'net think the bill was actually £48,706.08.
The thing is, even if it was printed out as a laugh, it is not too difficult to imagine some posh bastards on a night out spending that kind of money.  A Methuselah of vintage Crystal goes for about £40,000, so the bill can soon start totting up, especially if you are flashing the cash, sharing the booze, and trying to impress people. I thought l was living the high life in New York a few years ago ordering $300 bottles of champagne (I blame the drugs), but this is ridiculous.
England has always had an elite hierarchy, and a gap between the  poor and the very rich, but the current government is making the gap between them expand  at an alarming rate, while simultaneously trying to victimise the poor, sick and vulnerable members of the society they are meant to represent.
Meanwhile, the rich have the time of their lives, and inhabit a different planet and mindset.
Bastards!
Time for a revolution brothers and sisters.

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the pill that gets you drunk (and it's antidote) - prof david nutt

Unless this is some elaborate joke, it sounds pretty amazing.  Professor David Nutt (above) has been working on pills that will re-create the effects that alcohol has,  but the most incedible part of the story, is that once you have the antidote, you sober up and can drive, or carry out whatever task you want.
There's going to be a lot of money made out of this (unless the brewers get to him first).
I'd be watching my back if l was him.
More on the story at The Telegraph.

toodle pip

felix dennis in leeds

Off to Leeds with Rocker yesterday to see Felix Dennis reading his poetry, accompanied with all the free wine you can drink.  I thought there might be a catch (apart from the train tickets costing £22.70), but the waiters kept coming to our table and dropping off new bottles whenever there was the slightest hint that we (or the others on the table) were running out.  The reading of the poetry was a lot better than l expected, and Felix also told some brief tales about people he has had dealings with, such as John Lennon and Germaine Greer. We hit The Stone Roses bar afterwards, then a taxi to my brothers to crash out there.  He couldn't come and meet us as he was working till 11pm, but we managed to entertain ourselves, especially talking to people from Batley in The Ship pub on Briggate beforehand (cheap, noisy, rough and cheerful - and that was just us). Rocker had earlier driven to Northallerton, as we thought we would get a return train ticket each so we could hit the centre of Leeds straight away when we got there. A wise (but expensive) move. I have since had a soak in the bath to rid myself of the Leeds grime, and am especially pleased l decided to take today off work, so l could lounge around and chill out.  Stone me - what a life.




toodle pip

going to the dentist in newcastle

Darlington train station 

 Coming into Newcastle

 My  Nemisis

£12.30 for a day return!!

A toilet wall in Bar Loco

A rather dodgy looking record cover on that wall

What a day l've had today.  I had a 3.15pm appointment at the Dental hospital in Newcastle and decided to go up early by train from Darlington, rather than driving and trying to find a decent parking place nearby.  It was a splendidly sunshiny day and l perused the charity and record shops before my appointment, which passed the time rather nicely (Record shop grandad?? It's  all CD's and downloads these days). My glorious day in the sunshine came to an abrupt end when l hit the dentist chair, as l was massaged (not in a good way), manhandled, examined, scrapped, electrocuted, and then X-Rayed afterwards. This was because it was my first appointment at the Dental Hospital, and they managed to get me an X-Ray slot straight away. No wonder l don't like dentists, even if Zara (my current one) is loveliness itself.  I then went for a couple of ales in The Trent House and Bar Loco to recover my composure, indulged in a bit of shopping, and headed home, already dreading the next appointment in a couple of weeks.  Bloody dentists.  Maybe l saw 'Marathon Man' at too early an age (Is it safe?), or was scarred by the crappy butchers/dentist that used to be in Catterick, but either way, it's not something l look forward to.  Then again, l suppose not many people do.  If l could just overcome my fear of the dentists chair and spiders, l would be sorted, as l am now indestructible, and l can handle anything else.

toodle pip