Rory Gallagher Challenge


Last night I watched Rory Gallagher in  “Irish Tour 1974” , a film by Tony Palmer which Sky had broadcast a few days ago. This is a fairly poor quality film, at least in the audio department anyway.  However, as I watched the film and the usual wave of nostalgia washed over me, I got to thinking about when I had seen Rory live. He had performed at a weekend festival which took place on Southsea Castle Field.

And what really occupied my mind was the date. I can’t for the life of me think when it was. I have trawled the web and failed to find any reference to the festival.

I do know that it must have been about 20 years ago. This I know because Hayley, my eldest granddaughter, had been born. What I’m not sure about is if her sister Claire, the next, had been born too.

I also know that this was the first concert that their dad had been to. He being an ELO fan and there I was  introducing him to the blues.

The festival that weekend was spread over three nights. We were attending on the Friday and Rory Gallagher was top of the bill. I know that there were two other acts on that night. Opening the show was The Hamsters, doing their Hendrix show. I cannot remember the name of the second act of the evening other than the fact that they came from New York and the singer played a pretty mean harmonica. I believe they were a trio but am not sure.

Other things I know about that weekend are that the main tent blew down on the Saturday night putting the Sunday night finale in jeopardy. The final acts were moved into the Pyramids Centre at the other side of the field. Not that I was bothered since I had travelled up to Merseyside early on the Saturday morning.

So if there is anyone out there who can put these clues together and come up with a year I would be most grateful.

Go Watson Go Watson Rah Rah Rah !!!


Sorry but I just had to shout for the “home” team.

The latest IBM supercomputer Watson is taking on two previous winners of the TV quiz show, Jeopardy. The show is airing over the next three nights.

This is just the latest of a series of Man V Machine challenges that IBM have launched as part of their research into artificial intelligence. Most notable of these was the Chess challenge between IBM’s “Deep Blue” and Gary Kasparov back in 1997. On that occasion Deep Blue won.

So come on Watson I’m expecting great things from you.

BBC News – IBM supercomputer challenges humans on TV quiz.

Congratulations & Good Luck


Schoolboy, 18, becomes UK’s youngest town councillor after by-election victory

Tom Bletsoe, just 18, is the new Independent councillor for St Ives South ward in Cambridgeshire.

I would like to wish him both Good Luck and Congratulations.

It is really good to see a youngster taking an active interest in politics and local community affairs. Too often all we hear about youngsters is how they spend all their time getting drunk and causing a nuisance.

I can already hear the naysayers and their negative comments asking “What does he know ?” “He’s only 18, What experience has he got ?”

Well I say he can hardly do any worse than some of our current batch of councillors & MPs.

So lets give him a chance to prove himself.

Schoolboy, 18, becomes UK’s youngest town councillor after by-election victory | Mail Online.

The Roebuck Restaurant


Me, my wife and two friends had a fabulous meal at The Roebuck last night. The food here is always very good and choices from last nights menu were well up tothe usual standard.

Only three of us opted to have an appetizer. My wife and one of our friends had the Avocado and Prawns while I had Homemade Country Pate with Brandy and Herbs. For the mains my wife and I both chose from the specials board and had Lamb Steak and Haunch of Venison respectively. Our friends had the Duck Breast with Mango Sauce and the Roebuck Game Pie. By the time we were ready for dessert it came down to choices for just three of us again. So it was Black Cherries with Kirsch for two and I had the Sticky Toffee Gateaux from the specials board. We were all well and truly stuffed

As usual our meal was served to the traditional backdrop of Mark Squires, our host, playing many familiar tunes on the piano. The atmosphere was very warm and cheerful.

Our meal came to £104 which included our drinks. Not the cheapest of meals but given the welcoming atmosphere and the cozy surroundings I would always recommend this establishment for a special celebration.

Egypt crisis: President Hosni Mubarak resigns as leader


Congratulations to the Egyptian people.

My thoughts are with you now that you have ousted Mubarak. My hope is that you achieve a peaceful transition and that the army support you in your efforts

BBC News – Egypt crisis: President Hosni Mubarak resigns as leader.

Keeping the Fratton faithful safe


Anyone ever wondered what goes on before or after a football match ?

Follow the link below to read about some of what happens in the hours leading up to a game.

Keeping the Fratton faithful safe – A Weekend With – The News.

Dishonorable Members


It would seem that justice has been done. These dishonorable “fat cat” members had their snouts in the trough for too long and got fat at our expense . No sympathy for either of them from me. As far as I can see they got their “just desserts”.

I strongly agree with “Derek of Dorchester” who commented on the Mail-Online article and made the following observation…..

“There is now sufficient (and ever-mounting) prima facie evidence of massive financial wrong-doing in the Palace of Westminster for HMRC to launch in-depth tax investigations of all who have served as “Hon. Members” in recent years. HMRC have more power than the Courts to investigate, and can declare people guilty upon a lower standard of proof, before demanding payment of tax, with interest, and imposing penalties of several times the amounts wrongfully withheld. What are they waiting for?”

MPs’ expenses: Eric Illsley jailed for a year and Jim Devine found guilty | Mail Online.

Shame on Tescos and Shame On The Police


Woman took thrown out Tesco food handcuffed and arrested.

Shame on Tescos if they reported this lady for taking food that they had thrown away.

Shame on the Police and the Crown Prosecution Service if they pursue this through the courts.

Woman took thrown out Tesco food handcuffed and arrested | Mail Online.

Carole King – Happy Birthday


Tapestry
Tapestry

Being in my fifties, one of the most heavily played albums in my vinyl collection is  “Tapestry” by the inimitable Carole King. The vinyl has been relegated to storage as I don’t have a deck to play it on so it has now been replaced by CD and of course MP3.

This album still gives me great pleasure and I apologise as I probably cause all dogs and cats in our neighbourhood to “sing” along with my own vocal renditions

So I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge

 

Thank you Carole & Happy Birthday