Fabulous sunset viewed from my front doorstep.
Category: Local (To Me !!!)
Barry Manilow @ Ageas Bowl – Poor Value
Last Saturday, I was one of the many folks who braved the English weather to see Barry Manilow at the Ageas Bowl.
I will state here and now that it is not me that is the fan. Nope, that would be my wife.
The support act were great, Dave Koz and his band. Its a shame that they weren’t on for longer. An even greater shame was that the sound quality for Dave Koz was much better than that for the star performer. Mr Manilow’s vocals were somehow mixed in with the mushy sound coming from the band. If we didn’t already know the words, we would have struggled to understand what he was singing. We had good seats so it wasn’t down to poor position in the Ageas Bowl.
Warming up the audience while they waited for Barry Manilow
The following is a direct cut and paste from BarryNet
Manilow has produced more than 40 albums over the course of his 50-year career and has been awarded countless awards, including a Grammy, two Emmys, a Tony Award and an Oscar nomination. Five of his albums were on the best-selling chart simultaneously in America in 1978 – a feat equalled only by Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen and Johnny Mathis. Sinatra himself gave Manilow his stamp of approval in the 1970s when he was quoted as saying “he’s next” regarding the singer.
He has worked with the likes of Bette Midler and Dionne Warwick, and written for musicals, films, and adverts. From February 2005 to December 30, 2009, he was the headliner at the Las Vegas Hilton, performing hundreds of shows.
Given that he has such a huge repertoire, to be treated to a reprise of mainly his biggest hits is disappointing. Maybe it’s because I am not a fan that I am being so critical but I think he is doing his true fans a disservice.
You can see from the following phone picture that there wasn’t much clearing away of equipment to be done. Yet, we were kept waiting for an hour, for the rather dubious pleasure of Barry performing for just over 80 minutes.
I have also read the reviews of some of the other shows around the country and it seems that we were short-changed. The big screen at the back of the stage wasn’t functioning properly on Saturday. So we missed out on some duetting between Barry and his younger self on film as well as some film footage from the neighbourhood of his youth.
This was my wife’s third time of going to see Barry Manilow. I have resisted going along on previous occasions and he did not sell himself to me on this occasion. I will not be going along to any future Manilow gigs.
All in all, for such a “big star”, I would say that he is poor value for money.
Squirrel Proof !!!
View From The Conservatory
View From The Conservatory
Orchids
Mayor of Havant’s Charity Classic Vehicle Run
Last Sunday morning, under beautiful sunny skies, the Mayor of Havant’s Charity Classic Vehicle Run took place. With around 200 vehicles gathering in the car parks adjacent to the Public Service Plaza. That’s Havant Borough Councils office buildings to you and me.
Many of the drivers were making sure they were well fueled before setting off.
The queue for the burger van was never much shorter than this while I was there. However, it was moving along quite swiftly and I was sorely tempted by the delicious smells wafting my way. But I wasn’t there to eat, I was there to view some classic automobiles.
First up is a Ford Consul Capri circa 1962. My metalwork teacher at Claverham had one of these. At the time I thought they were the best looking car on the road and I still rate them very highly in the looks department. This one is in superb condition.
From Wikipedia:
A Capri was tested by the British The Motor magazine in 1962 and had a top speed of 79.0 mph (127.1 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 22.6 seconds. A fuel consumption of 36.7 miles per imperial gallon (7.7 L/100 km; 30.6 mpg-US) was recorded. The test car cost £915 including taxes of £288
Moving on, there were several very nice camper vans, the interiors were very chinzy but the exteriors were all to a very high standard.
The black and white van looks so slick and was my favourite of the campers but the others also looked beautiful and showing the love bestowed by the owners.
Also putting in an appearance was some “heavy iron” headed up by Terry Pipers 1954 Dennis Pax flatbed truck
Ably supported by this Bedford TJ
And this alien vehicle, a Chevrolet “Advance Design” Pickup truck, circa 1940’s.
I’ve no idea what it had under the bonnet, or should I say “hood”, but it certainly was loud and proud. Apparently the engines ran from 3.5L to 4.3L !!
Everytime I visit a classic car event the one thing that amazes me is how vulnerable we all were. Many of the “family” cars were much smaller than modern day vehicles and with none of the safety features which we tend to expect.
Take a look at this wonderful Isetta ….
I guess this was the Smart car of it’s era.
The first car that my wife and I purchased was a two tone Ford Consul Mk II, Primrose Yellow body with a white roof. Similar to the oen in the picture below. 1703 cc engine, 3 speed column change and front bench seat it handled like a round bottom boat in a heavy swell.
But we learnt a lot about car mechanics and motoring with that car and had one or two adventures. Not the least of which was driving from Winchester to Portsmouth with no foot brakes and surviving the descent from the top of Portsdown Hill using a hand brake that barely functioned. And another, complete with “duck bill” visor …
Another car with beautiful lines was the Bristol 403.
The BMW style radiator grill is hiding a BMW derived straight 6 and this car was capable of just over 100 mph.
Technology has made considerable advances over the years. Todays cars make a lot out of small packages. Small engines, 1500 cc, are to be found powering huge cars by comparison to the past. Here is an example of quite the opposite.
This car was introduced with an 1800cc engine in 1946.
From Wikipedia:
On test by Autocar magazine in 1947 top speed was found to be 75 mph (121 km/h) and 0–60 mph (0–96 km/h) took 34.4 seconds.
In 1948 the Roadster was updated and fitted with a 2000 cc engine. Again, from Wikipedia:
On test the changes resulted in the top speed increasing marginally to 77 mph (124 km/h) but the 0-60 mph time was much better at 27.9 seconds
Still, the lack of speed ensured one had plenty of time to admire the fabulous lines of this car.
Another classic from my youth was the Ford Consul Corsair although I never understood why so many British car names had “Consul” included…. Here is a very smart example.
Reminds me of the joke that was going around at the time.
Question: How many cars can you get under a police womans skirt ?
Answer: About 50,000 Corsairs
I’m sorry !!
Another car sporting a rather snazzy visor is this very clean Volvo PV544 with the B18 engine from circa 1962.
The Renault Megane was not the first car to be showing a classy rear. There were quite a few fancy behinds on display, so here are a few prime examples.
Watch this space….. I have more to share …….
Spooky
It’s very foggy today.
Taking Gerry to work this morning we drove along the top of Portsdown Hill. No sign of Portsmouth or the Isle of Wight.
The view from my window contains many tree silhouettes and looks very similar to a picture we used to have on the wall. The only thing missing is the dark figures on horseback, looming out of the murk, their helmets glistening and spears at the ready. It’s amazing what ones imagination can conjure up.
Or, perhaps, it’s just the anticipation building on the run up to Season 4 of Game of Thrones……. ??
Winter is Coming !!!
Help Catch This Thug
‘Vile’ cyclist punches couple in road attack – Portsmouth News.
I have posted the entire article from the News.
This thug needs to be locked up.
A COUPLE attacked by a cyclist have called for the ‘vile’ man to be caught.
Lee Dyer and his fiancé were both punched in the face after getting involved in an argument with a cyclist while driving to pick up relatives from Portsmouth ferry port.
Lee, 46, is now in danger of losing sight in his left eye due to his injuries.
Police have released a description of a man they wish to speak to, who is 5ft 6in, in his 40s with mousey brown hair and stubble. The man was riding a red and white-framed bike with white-rimmed tyres.
Lee and his fiancé Lisa Elphick-Smith, 49, both of Outram Road, Southsea said they had stopped at temporary traffic lights near the Co-op at The Hard when they saw two men on bikes acting dangerously.
Lisa said: ‘They were terrorising people on the pavement, so I said “you’re going to injure yourself or someone else” and then he started yelling abuse at me.’
The couple then drove off, riled but thinking that was the end of of the matter.
But the abusive cyclist hadn’t finished.
The couple had to stop at the next traffic lights under the railway bridge in Ordnance Row.
Lee said: ‘There was a massive bang on my side of the window and before I knew it, my door was flung open and I was punched in the face two times.
‘Then Lisa jumped out and ran around the back of the car telling him to stop, and then he punched her the face as well.’
Lisa said she jumped back and avoided the full brunt of the blow, but still ended up on the ground with a sore hip.
Lee said a woman in another car accidently ran over the abusive man’s companion’s bicycle.
Lee said: ‘I’m not a small person – 15-and-ahalf stone – so then I put up my hands and said, “right, that’s enough now”, they ran off and I was left stood there covered in blood.’
Lisa, a nurse, tended to Lee’s injuries. She said he had a haematoma in his left eye and might yet lose the use of that eye.
She said: ‘He still can’t see out of that eye.’
‘I want this guy caught.
‘I want him put away because I think he’s absolutely vile, a menace to society.’
The incident happened just before 6.30pm on Saturday, February 22. Police have only just released details.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has any information should call PC Greg Meacham at Southsea police station on 101. Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111
View From The Conservatory
I don’t know what it is that I put in our meals but the one thing you can be sure of is this. If I throw any out for the birds, our neighbour’s cats will come round and fill up.
On the menu today was a mix of rice, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and onions. No meat !!! As you can see from the photo, the latest scavenger is not some skinny, starving waif.
Village’s struggle enters European stage – Portsmouth News
THE plight of villagers in Hambledon will be taken to Brussels following the visit of an influential Member of the European Parliament
What’s has this got to do with Brussels and the EU ?
While it is nice to know that one of our MEPs, Richard Ashworth, is taking an interest I fail to see how the EU can be involved.
This is part of a wider UK issue, much of which has been caused by lack of action by our local and national authorities.
Central government has systematically cut or removed funding for many of the organisations responsible for managing our environment. The net of this is a reduction in manpower leading to works, that have been carried out for hundreds of years, remaining undone.
Add to this the idiotic planning approvals that have seen homes built on flood plains and the huge developments in general that are replacing open ground, which can absorb water, with houses and roads which do not absorb water but cause accelerated run off.
These are local issues which should be dealt with at a local, to the UK, level. This is not a European issue.
Right now, we should be curtailing the sending of UK funds to foreign countries. That money should be spent to resolve local UK issues.
WrAnTz 