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| Goodwill to all ... even the not very nice ones |
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| Fine provender |
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| A plethora of libations |
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| Family feuds! |
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| Seasonal stocking fillers ... |
HO HO HO ... MERRY CHRISTMAS
Sunday 21 December 2014
Seasonal salutations and festive felicitations ..
Funbus wishes its readers,co-conspirators, fellow travellers and all round good eggs....a very merry Christmas.
Monday 15 December 2014
Inducted into the 54 hall of fame ....
Now its time for the Bish to step forward and celebrate the passing of yet another action packed year in suitable Bishop style ...a gathering of the great and the good of the wider funbus clan. All with the ambition to share adventures and escapades in fine bonhomie style.
The provender theme was home cooked gourmet curries and associated side dishes - all eaten with great gusto and washed down with a cornucopia of wines, ales and ciders.
This meant a slow start in the morning but a bracing trek through the wilds of the Hampshire outback made sure cobwebs were swept away and appetites refreshed.
Happy Birthday to the man.
The provender theme was home cooked gourmet curries and associated side dishes - all eaten with great gusto and washed down with a cornucopia of wines, ales and ciders.
This meant a slow start in the morning but a bracing trek through the wilds of the Hampshire outback made sure cobwebs were swept away and appetites refreshed.
Happy Birthday to the man.
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| A Birthday selfie ... |
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| The wider clan .... |
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Enjoying the rugged Hampshire outback in true Bish style |
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Interesting fauna and Hampshire beasts |
Sunday 30 November 2014
Prime miserableness at the prime meridian ....
terveisiä minun sfriend ...
My final treat to celebrate my 54 summers - and what a treat.
His royal miserableness himself; the great S P Morrissey esq. (Mozzer to his fans; Stephen to his mum and borderline bonkers to everyone else).
The first born must once again be applauded for sourcing such fabulous seats at the Telefonica arena at 0 degrees longtitude.
First up was a very very fine Anna Calvi - I strongly recommend her work - Nick Cave meets PJ Harvey springs to mind
My final treat to celebrate my 54 summers - and what a treat.
His royal miserableness himself; the great S P Morrissey esq. (Mozzer to his fans; Stephen to his mum and borderline bonkers to everyone else).
The first born must once again be applauded for sourcing such fabulous seats at the Telefonica arena at 0 degrees longtitude.
First up was a very very fine Anna Calvi - I strongly recommend her work - Nick Cave meets PJ Harvey springs to mind
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| She really is rather good ...
Well Morrissey's velvet baritone is still strong and melodious. His band are superb. His back catalogue is full of gems but alas he decided to be Morrissey and played precious few of them. It was still a fantastic experience with both of us enjoying the music and giggling at his theatrics and the caricature I hope he consciously plays up to.
Great fun
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| Weird fellow but you have to respect his passion for vegetables |
The Queen Is Dead
(The Smiths song)
Suedehead
Staircase at the University
World Peace Is None of Your Business
Kiss Me a Lot
I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris
Istanbul
Smiler With Knife
The Bullfighter Dies
Trouble Loves Me
Earth Is the Loneliest Planet
Neal Cassady Drops Dead
Meat Is Murder
(The Smiths song)
Scandinavia
Kick the Bride Down the Aisle
I'm Not a Man
Speedway
Encore:
Asleep
(The Smiths song)
Everyday Is Like Sunday
Sunday 23 November 2014
Bechgyn o crys newydd yn rhoi mawr ..
Cyfarchion fy ffrindiau annwy
Well the delightful month of November progresses at a pace and hot on the footsteps of a Bryan Adams gig in the land of the leek, its time for those damn fine troubadours from the big apple,.. The Gaslight Anthem to take centre stage.
The Legend himself joined yours truly and the first born to witness a really rather pleasant evening of solid rocking melodies that had the feet tapping along in delightful merriment. Those who follow the funbus ethos and enjoy all our adventures will be aware that The Gaslight are particular favourites of ours as they cross generational boundaries in a common joy and appreciation of good music.
Dear reader, they did not disappoint. In fact the legend and I agreed it was the best we have seen them play. The first born begged to differ as she particularly liked their first gig at the Bristol O2 (we were not invited!)
If Bruce Springsteen meets the Clash is your bag then check them out - in particular the album "The '59 Sound" although all of their subsequent ones are jolly enjoyable!
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Well the delightful month of November progresses at a pace and hot on the footsteps of a Bryan Adams gig in the land of the leek, its time for those damn fine troubadours from the big apple,.. The Gaslight Anthem to take centre stage.
The Legend himself joined yours truly and the first born to witness a really rather pleasant evening of solid rocking melodies that had the feet tapping along in delightful merriment. Those who follow the funbus ethos and enjoy all our adventures will be aware that The Gaslight are particular favourites of ours as they cross generational boundaries in a common joy and appreciation of good music.
Dear reader, they did not disappoint. In fact the legend and I agreed it was the best we have seen them play. The first born begged to differ as she particularly liked their first gig at the Bristol O2 (we were not invited!)
If Bruce Springsteen meets the Clash is your bag then check them out - in particular the album "The '59 Sound" although all of their subsequent ones are jolly enjoyable!
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We did enjoy ............
Have Mercy
The '59 Sound
Handwritten
1,000 Years
Stray Paper
45
Helter Skeleton
Underneath the Ground
Film Noir
Meet Me by the River's Edge
Mulholland Drive
Selected Poems
Great Expectations
Señor and the Queen
Get Hurt
Keepsake
Sweet Morphine
1930
The Patient Ferris Wheel
Halloween
Wooderson
The Diamond Church Street Choir
She Loves You
American Slang
Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts
We Came to Dance
The Backseat
Saturday 22 November 2014
Germanic vision and East End genius ...
Hallo Meine Lieben
The first born, yours truly and the illustrious S Ball esq. were the grateful beneficiaries of the beautiful one's generous largesse to attend the mighty Albert Hall to witness the hip hop, hepcat and all round foot tapping genius that is Damon Albarn. All his work is really rather clever. His various bands of which Blur is one, have always pushed a few boundaries and I think I now 'get' Gorillaz ... in fact I am a convert and the male heir will be pleased to note that I was rather taken with the 'rapping' (..lets call it an ongoing work in progress). Joining him on stage at various times were Messrs Coxon, Eno, De La Soul and Kano (?)
This my funbus chums, was an experience! - its not often I am lost for words but...I was and still am.
The grand old hall has been given the first born's ultimate seal of approval as being the best venue..ever. This dear reader is high praise indeed. So for her and our edification here is some salient info ...
The Hall is a Grade I Listed building; and has been in continuous use since it was opened in March 1871. Commissioned by Prince Albert (of Victoria fame) it was always conceived as a multipurpose building to host not only concerts of music but exhibitions, public meetings, scientific conversations and award ceremonies. It is a registered charity held in trust for the nation.
Everyone wants to play there and these are just a few who have ...Wagner, Verdi and Elgar conducted the first UK performance of their own works on its concert platform, Rachmaninov played his own compositions and nearly every major classical solo artist and leading orchestra has performed at the Hall. The Boss himself - Bruce, Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Oscar Peterson, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Harry Connick Jnr, Jools Holland, Sting and Elton John and for you youngsters; Adele, Jay Z, Kaiser Chiefs and the Killers. In addition Mohammed Ali, tennis player John McEnroe and Sumo grand champions, have entertained the Hall's audiences. World figures who have spoken at the Hall are Her Majesty The Queen, Sir Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, His Holiness The Dalai Lama and former President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton.
The first born, yours truly and the illustrious S Ball esq. were the grateful beneficiaries of the beautiful one's generous largesse to attend the mighty Albert Hall to witness the hip hop, hepcat and all round foot tapping genius that is Damon Albarn. All his work is really rather clever. His various bands of which Blur is one, have always pushed a few boundaries and I think I now 'get' Gorillaz ... in fact I am a convert and the male heir will be pleased to note that I was rather taken with the 'rapping' (..lets call it an ongoing work in progress). Joining him on stage at various times were Messrs Coxon, Eno, De La Soul and Kano (?)
This my funbus chums, was an experience! - its not often I am lost for words but...I was and still am.
The grand old hall has been given the first born's ultimate seal of approval as being the best venue..ever. This dear reader is high praise indeed. So for her and our edification here is some salient info ...
The Hall is a Grade I Listed building; and has been in continuous use since it was opened in March 1871. Commissioned by Prince Albert (of Victoria fame) it was always conceived as a multipurpose building to host not only concerts of music but exhibitions, public meetings, scientific conversations and award ceremonies. It is a registered charity held in trust for the nation.
Everyone wants to play there and these are just a few who have ...Wagner, Verdi and Elgar conducted the first UK performance of their own works on its concert platform, Rachmaninov played his own compositions and nearly every major classical solo artist and leading orchestra has performed at the Hall. The Boss himself - Bruce, Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Oscar Peterson, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Harry Connick Jnr, Jools Holland, Sting and Elton John and for you youngsters; Adele, Jay Z, Kaiser Chiefs and the Killers. In addition Mohammed Ali, tennis player John McEnroe and Sumo grand champions, have entertained the Hall's audiences. World figures who have spoken at the Hall are Her Majesty The Queen, Sir Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, His Holiness The Dalai Lama and former President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton.
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| The Hepcat himself ......
This is what we were priviliged to groove to ...
Spitting Out the Demons
(Gorillaz song)
Lonely Press Play
Everyday Robots
Tomorrow Comes Today
(Gorillaz song)
Slow Country
(Gorillaz song)
Kids With Guns
(Gorillaz song)
Three Changes
(The Good, the Bad & the Queen song)
Bamako City
(Mali Music cover)
Sunset Coming On
(Mali Music cover)
Hostiles
Photographs (You Are Taking Now)
Kingdom of Doom
(The Good, the Bad & the Queen song)
You and Me
Hollow Ponds
El Mañana
(Gorillaz song)
Don't Get Lost In Heaven
(Gorillaz song)
Out of Time
(Blur song)
All Your Life
(Blur song)
Encore:
End of a Century
(Blur song) (with Graham Coxon)
The Man Who Left Himself
(Blur song) (with Graham Coxon)
Tender
(Blur song) (with Graham Coxon)
Encore 2:
Mr. Tembo
Clint Eastwood
(Gorillaz song) (with Kano)
Feel Good Inc.
(Gorillaz song) (with De La Soul)
Heavy Seas of Love
(with Brian Eno)
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Friday 14 November 2014
and the number today is 54
Ah, my dear old things...
54 - its a fascinating number. Its the number of coloured faces on a Rubik cube, In golf parlance its the hallowed perfect round. Its the international telephone code for Argentina. Its the atomic number of xenon (...I kid you not!). The Romans referred to it as LIV. It is the number of countries in Africa.
Most importantly - its the number of summers I have enjoyed!
So a rather spiffing excuse to enjoy some more adventures.
Twickers in the sun to watch the mighty Barbarians lock horns with the golden Wallabies ....
As a stalwart 'egg ball' man, the Barabarians epitomise all that the mighty game should stand for and embrace, so its worth reminding ourselves of why...
The Barbarians are unique in that they have no ground, no clubhouse, no entry fee, no subscription, and the clubs they visit pay their expenses in the main. It is in every respect a touring club, for there are no "home" matches. The nearest to a clubhouse was the spiritual home at Easter from 1901-1971, the Esplanade Hotel at Penarth where, as at the Glamorganshire Golf Club, players were cared for with great tolerance.
From the beginning the club has been called The Barbarian Football Club. The reason for the name is shrouded in mystery, ranging from some classical authority who deemed it appropriate to give the club a name "dignified by the famous victory of Arminius over Varius and his legions in Germany some two thousand years ago" to that put forward by Emile de Lissa who thought it more likely the "Barbarian was chosen in defiance of those who would style all rugby players as just that".
The jersey has always been black and white with a monogram on the left breast, worn with dark shorts and the player's club stockings. The monogram in the first season consisted of the skull and cross bones with the letters B.F.C. under the monogram. This was, however, soon changed to one composed of the letters B.F.C. intertwined, which still exists today.
In 1948 the Barbarians were asked by the Home Unions to raise a side to play the Australian Wallabies as a fund raising exercise to enable the Wallabies to return home via Canada. The match proved such an outstanding success, both with the excellence of the rugby on the field, and in achieving its aim that the Barbarians have since been privileged with the honour of playing subsequent International Touring sides at the end of their respective tours of Great Britain.
Of these 26 occasions most have been memorable games, but to mention a few: the 1961 defeat of the Springboks by 6-0, the only side to defeat them, with Haydn Mainwaring's magnificent tackling in mind; the 1973 match versus New Zealand, won by 23-11, which surely rates as the greatest performance ever by a Barbarian team and the greatest try of all time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbwSx-xw_NU
Whisked off to North Devon by the beautiful one to partake in coastal path walking..
54 - its a fascinating number. Its the number of coloured faces on a Rubik cube, In golf parlance its the hallowed perfect round. Its the international telephone code for Argentina. Its the atomic number of xenon (...I kid you not!). The Romans referred to it as LIV. It is the number of countries in Africa.
Most importantly - its the number of summers I have enjoyed!
So a rather spiffing excuse to enjoy some more adventures.
Twickers in the sun to watch the mighty Barbarians lock horns with the golden Wallabies ....
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| Pre match aperitifs |
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| The Legend himself .... |
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| The hallowed cabbage patch ...... it really was until the RFU purchased the land for just over £5,500 in 1907. The first game was played in 1909 - a battle between local sides Harlequins and Richmond |
The Barbarians are unique in that they have no ground, no clubhouse, no entry fee, no subscription, and the clubs they visit pay their expenses in the main. It is in every respect a touring club, for there are no "home" matches. The nearest to a clubhouse was the spiritual home at Easter from 1901-1971, the Esplanade Hotel at Penarth where, as at the Glamorganshire Golf Club, players were cared for with great tolerance.
From the beginning the club has been called The Barbarian Football Club. The reason for the name is shrouded in mystery, ranging from some classical authority who deemed it appropriate to give the club a name "dignified by the famous victory of Arminius over Varius and his legions in Germany some two thousand years ago" to that put forward by Emile de Lissa who thought it more likely the "Barbarian was chosen in defiance of those who would style all rugby players as just that".
The jersey has always been black and white with a monogram on the left breast, worn with dark shorts and the player's club stockings. The monogram in the first season consisted of the skull and cross bones with the letters B.F.C. under the monogram. This was, however, soon changed to one composed of the letters B.F.C. intertwined, which still exists today.
In 1948 the Barbarians were asked by the Home Unions to raise a side to play the Australian Wallabies as a fund raising exercise to enable the Wallabies to return home via Canada. The match proved such an outstanding success, both with the excellence of the rugby on the field, and in achieving its aim that the Barbarians have since been privileged with the honour of playing subsequent International Touring sides at the end of their respective tours of Great Britain.
Of these 26 occasions most have been memorable games, but to mention a few: the 1961 defeat of the Springboks by 6-0, the only side to defeat them, with Haydn Mainwaring's magnificent tackling in mind; the 1973 match versus New Zealand, won by 23-11, which surely rates as the greatest performance ever by a Barbarian team and the greatest try of all time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbwSx-xw_NU
Whisked off to North Devon by the beautiful one to partake in coastal path walking..
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| Damien Hirst's Verity, standing tall over Ilfracombe harbour |
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| Appledore - ideal for hobbits, dwarves and Smiths |
Still with these to come ......
Crooning with Ella and Frank...and
A vintage year
Monday 27 October 2014
One of my favourite places ....
Ah my fine upstanding compadres....the subject today is Dendrology (the study of wooded plants, my dear old thing!).
If I had a chance to start again, then maybe I would have wanted to be a dendrologist...... but there again maybe not.
What I do know is that I like woods and trees - as did (thankfully) Bobby Holford when he planted his first tree at Westonbirt and founded the mighty arboretum...One of my favourite places.
Autumn - a great time to visit
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If I had a chance to start again, then maybe I would have wanted to be a dendrologist...... but there again maybe not.
What I do know is that I like woods and trees - as did (thankfully) Bobby Holford when he planted his first tree at Westonbirt and founded the mighty arboretum...One of my favourite places.
Autumn - a great time to visit
...and interesting stuff
Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, is renowned worldwide for its tree and shrub collection. It contains nearly 16,000 specimens, including almost half of those woody plants known to grow in the world's temperate climate zone, and covers 600 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Its importance is recognised by English Heritage's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historical Interest as a Grade 1 registered Landscape.
Westonbirt Arboretum was established in 1829 by wealthy landowner Robert Holford, and later developed by his son, George Holford. Much of Westonbirt's renowned autumn colour is often credited to Sir George's plantings of Japanese maples between 1875 and 1900, many of which are still alive today. Unlike many arboreta, Westonbirt is laid out according to aesthetic appeal rather than scientific or geographical criteria, and the Holfords' legacy is open for all to enjoy - a beautiful, relaxing and unique day out amongst some of the tallest, oldest and rarest trees and shrubs in Britain.
Westonbirt is home to the National Japanese Maple (acer) Collection, with over 200 different types in the collection. The Forestry Commission opened Westonbirt Arboretum to the public in 1961, and in 1966 a new Acer Glade was established alongside the original one planted by Robert and George Holford in 1870.
On the level ...
Bish has been at it again! - off to see great funky bands without putting any info on the blog.
This time its the mighty Level 42 at Guildford.
Suffice to say the Bish was most impressed - perhaps one day he will regale us with his witty commentary.
In the absence of any commentary from the mighty Bish, I think this is what he and the beautiful Bish boogied along to ...
This time its the mighty Level 42 at Guildford.
Suffice to say the Bish was most impressed - perhaps one day he will regale us with his witty commentary.
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| Aged funksters still pounding out groovy melodies |
1. Love Games
2. Where's Yo' Head At
3. Are You Hearing (What I Hear)?
4. 88
5. Mind On You
6. Kansas City Milkman
7. It's Not the Same for Us
8. My Independence Day
9. Leaving Me Now
10. Tracie
11. The Sun Goes Down
12. Sirens
13. Starchild
14. Something About You
15. Lessons in Love
16. Build Myself A Rocket
Encore:
17. Heaven in My Hands
18. The Chinese Way
19. Hot Water
Thursday 23 October 2014
Pleased to learn ...
Here is an artist who I hold in high regard as a guitarist and as a person. A true, one-off, fabulously genuine English eccentric
As an' angry youth' - I can remember seeing the great 'Wilko' with his Solid Senders at Bristol Poly in 1978. I also saw the Feelgoods that year and they were decidedly average without him. Then in 1979 he stole the show (my view) at the Reading festival.
So pleased he is now going to live on ...
As an' angry youth' - I can remember seeing the great 'Wilko' with his Solid Senders at Bristol Poly in 1978. I also saw the Feelgoods that year and they were decidedly average without him. Then in 1979 he stole the show (my view) at the Reading festival.
So pleased he is now going to live on ...
Q awards: Wilko Johnson receives icon award following battle with cancer
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| Then ... |
 |
| ...and Now |
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| Thin Lizzy and the Ramones didn't turn up - The Scorpions and Nils Lofgren stepped in. O and it rained!! ... |
Saturday 11 October 2014
MOT Approval
Once again the mechanical ministrations by the Bish have ensured that the Bus has sailed through its annual medical and is certified A1 - fit for anything.
I would like to say that I had a hand in this but in the eloquent words of Oddball of Kelly's Heroes fame .... I don't know how they work, I just ride them. So I guess this makes the Bish that mechanical genius Moriarty
I would like to say that I had a hand in this but in the eloquent words of Oddball of Kelly's Heroes fame .... I don't know how they work, I just ride them. So I guess this makes the Bish that mechanical genius Moriarty
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| The oddest ball of all |
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| Mechanical genius |
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| ....Always with the negative waves Moriarty! Why cant you say something righteous and hopeful. |
Forgot to mention .....
2014 has been the year when the beautiful one reached a landmark and the male offspring another.
As a gentlemen I cannot divulge the landmark age the beautiful one has reached but the male heir has come of an age that, in bygone times, meant he now has the 'key of the door' and their combined ages are seventy one.....
It was also 25 years ago that I managed to persuade the beautiful one that I was worth sticking with.
So 3 celebrations that have spread throughout the year ..
The male heir and I had a rather whiskey fuelled adventure in Dublin! ...I will politely draw a veil over a fuller description on the basis that...'what goes on tour, stays on tour'.
Here are pics of the friends we made in the Green Isle alongside the Liffey ..
The year has been a veritable smorgasbord of parties and adventures, involving voluminous quantities of food, fun, friends and frivolity .....
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trying to escape Amsterdam
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| Surprise birthday soiree |
Easter courtesy of the Jeffords - the gangs all here
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Culture at the Theatre
Party on Dudes!
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| Drunken Revelry |
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| Tree hugging at Westonbirt |
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| Its a banana tree at Kew |
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| intellectual repartee |
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| Bobbing in the roof top spa overlooking Bath |
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| Giving it large at Taunton |
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High Tea for two .... |
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| Such fun! |
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| Everything he does..... he does it for the beautiful one .. |
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