t.rex at the georgian theatre (again)

I went along to The Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond tonight to see T.Rex.
Obviously it was the current version without Marc Bolan (or Mickey Finn nowadays), but still containing Paul Fenton on drums.
This was the second time l have been to see them at the Georgian, and it was pretty much like the first time. It's enjoyable, with rockier versions of the songs (including drum, organ and guitar solos - AAAHHHHH!!!!!), but l preferred it last time, as l liked Rob Benson (the previous singer) better.
That's not to say l didn't think much of Jay Spargo, the new frontman, as he did a pretty impressive facsimile of Marc'c vocals, but Benson was more of a hippie, and that appealed to my childhood leanings, especially when Benson performed the acoustic songs.
On a side note, l was surprised to be stopped on the way out by a girl who was celebrating her 40th and had recognised me from this blog, which she had stumbled across while googling for T.Rex (as you do).
I thought she was going to tell me some unpleasant news at first, as the conversation started with "I hate to tell you this, but....", which usually doesn't end well, but the news turned out to be complimentary.
Phew! Another close call.
Next stop - Jisum at J.T's tomorrow. No sleep till bedtime.

toodle pip

recent rain photos

 The road by Tesco's heading towards Richmond from Catterick.  Only just passable on Tuesday

Heading from Catterick Bridge towards Colburn on Wednesday.  This road was closed on Tuesday

 From the TV on Monday.  I think it's Catterick Village green (they just said Catterick green).

 The River Swale at Richmond on Wednesday after it had died down a bit (but was still up)

                                        By the River Swale falls at Richmond on Wednesday

The River Swale falls, again on Wednesday

The River Swale looking towards the main bridge crossing to Catterick on Wednesday  

 The stream at Catterick village on Wednesday. You can see by the bench and table how high it had been.

The Swale inbetween Brompton and Richmond on Wednesday

It sure has been raining a lot in the last few days.  here's some picturs that l took while out and about, which show some of the effects.  Most of the really bad rain and after effects of it had died down by the time of the photos, as it was probably worse on Monday.  Ah well, we will soon have the snow to look forward to, as winter seems a lot closer than summer already.  Bloody weather.

toodle pip

richmond in 1927 and today

I live on the outskirts of Richmond, North Yorkshire, and came across these two photographs of the castle and town centre from 1927.  The place is still pretty much the same, apart from some old buildings that were knocked down (that were in front of the obelisk in the town centre).  You get used to the quaintness of it when you live nearby, so take the old buildings, cobbled streets, River Swale, abbey and castle (and castle walks) for granted, but it's always full of tourists in the summer time, and it must be amazing for them if they are seeing it for the first time.  Sadly my first viewing was rather sullied by the fact l crashed my bike heading into the place, so l arrived cursing and sore.  I also lived there for a while, and myself and the FPO nearly bought  a home there, but decided on our current location instead (Sunny Catterick). Good job as well, or l would have been out and about all day playing pool.

toodle pip

richmond racecourse and grandstand

Top of the world ma!

Well, not really, but after finishing work this afternoon, l was harassed straight out of the house by the FPO to go and visit her family at the caravan park outside Richmond.  After putting in my shift there, we drove to the top of Richmond, and had a walk up to see the old Richmond racecourse and grandstand, as, although l have lived in the area since 1975, l had never been up there.  I was told last week that the views were spectacular, which is the reason l wanted to go, but l was also curious about what shape the old grandstand was in (very poor).  I did have a quick go at climbing on top of it, but l only had shorts on and there were stinging nettles everywhere, so after the first few stings, l gave up to fight another day. It must have been pretty impressive when it was up and running (so to speak), and it's funny to think that it was still going about the time Everton football club was formed (amongst others).  The only trouble with the place is that on the way back to the car, my eyes started itching like mad, and l started sneezing, as it really bought on my hay fever, which l haven't really had for ages.  Maybe it's  because l was also tired after work (I had hardly any sleep the night before), was still getting over my flu, and more importantly, l am a big girls blouse.  I even had to put a cold flannel over my (really red and itching) eyes when we got back, and have a lie down for half an hour.  You know who l blame?  A mixture of God (for creating the hay fever) and my parents (for giving me the genetic malfunction that makes me suffer from it).  Good job l'm pretty much indestructible, as this would have killed off a lesser man.  Long trousers and dark glasses will be essential for my next visit, maybe topped off with a peg on my nose (if l bring the FPO again).


toodle pip

walking round easby abbey

I knew it was too good to last. I was alternating between lying in my hammock and sitting in the sun reading, when I was dragged kicking and screaming out on a walk around Easby Abbey (next to Richmond, North Yorkshire) with the FPO, Louise and Lauren. Fortunately the sun continued to shine, and l got an ice cream at the end for being a good boy, so it wasn't that bad in the end. At least it's ticked off a 'date day' for the month!

toodle pip