Farewell Blighty ..... Greetings Europe

All aboard the skylark .....

Queuing to board the Jolly Roger I am reminded to advise our reader that over indulging at the all you can eat burger buffet bonanza at the local beef eater does tend to give one indigestion. Still hopefully we will not be tempted by the enormous selection of Sainsbury's sandwiches we have purloined to stave of hunger and starvation as we cross the mighty ocean.

Happy Pilgrims

Friends - what can I say; it is almost June and I have been silent since March.
So what has been going on? .......Well draw close and listen well me hearties and I will spin you a yarn to make your heart flutter and pulse quicken!

The mighty bus has arisen from its Winter hibernation and is in decidedly rude health. The mighty Bish's continuing mechanical ministrations have ensured that the engine is purring like a proverbial fat cat and all is so far well. A jolly jaunt to a rather bizarre but friendly camp site near Sand Bay blew away any remaining cobwebs.

So now its time for the annual pilgrimage to the bus' spiritual home on the West coast of the land of Gaul. Tonight we set sail for Europe with high hopes of adventures.

Let the fun begin .....

The gathering of the Clans ...

Easter time and as the world's most famous son wakes up after a certain amount of terminal trauma; the annual gathering of the four families commences.

For extra poignancy this year Easter Sunday falls on The Beautiful One's birthday.

Not as lovely as the Beautiful One

Now far be it from me to reveal a lady's age but suffice to say she is the same age as Elle MacPherson but obviously far more lovely.







After 14 years of enjoying Bristol hospitality it was the turn of the ever generous Bishops to host the annual jamboree in the realm of Hampshire. Even more delightful was the prospect of literally a full house as all offspring were present making a total of18 healthy appetites!

Fabulous lamb, beef, roasties and pork followed by a choice of lemon meringue, key lime pie and a very delightful pear au tatin lovingly created surprisingly by the master baker that is the great Mr Jefford who has been hiding his cooking talents for many a year!

Fizz, ale, vin rouge and blanc, spirits, cider and beer and a huge chocolate birthday cake - good times....very good times! All rounded off by the obligatory raucous Charlie B's quiz that seems to get harder every year.

Late to bed in the early monday morning meant a slow start but aided by copious amounts of coffee and a badly needed full English, spirits were revived.

Here is to the next gathering and hopefully it won't be long ....

The gang's all here...

Ketchup and Lamb - a winning combination!

Happy birthday...

The perfect hostess .......

...and the slightly weird host

...and another delightful memory

As we are in the mood for reminiscing - here is another memorable gig.
Michael Jackson at Wembley 1988

Once again the Beautiful One and, I kissed and made up (this time for good) to enjoy a memorable performance.

This is what we heard ....

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
This Place Hotel
(The Jacksons cover)
Another Part of Me
I Just Can't Stop Loving You
She's Out of My Life
I Want You Back / The Love You Save / I'll Be There
(The Jackson 5 song)
Rock With You
Human Nature
Smooth Criminal
Dirty Diana
Thriller
Bad Groove
Workin' Day and Night
Beat It
Billie Jean
Bad

The Way You Make Me Feel
Man in the Mirror

I remember when .....,

Reminiscing about the Stones reminded me that the Beautiful One and I, kissed and made up at the Bowie Glass Spider gig at Wembley in 1987...... The rest is, as they say, history.

So here are the tunes we enjoyed.

Happy memories...we loved it


Up the Hill Backwards
Glass Spider
Up the Hill Backwards (Reprise)
Day-In Day-Out
Bang Bang
(Iggy Pop cover)
Absolute Beginners
Loving the Alien
China Girl
(Iggy Pop cover)
Fashion
Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)
All the Madmen
Never Let Me Down
Big Brother
'87 and Cry
"Heroes"
Time Will Crawl
Beat of Your Drum
Sons of the Silent Age
Dancing With the Big Boys
Zeroes
Let's Dance
Fame
Encore:
Time
Blue Jean
Modern Love

Down at Worthy Farm things are stirring ...

Finally the endless speculations have finished as the line up for Glasto is announced.

On the whole, Bish and I think its a good line up that will suit our combined eclectic tastes. Lots of smaller names and recent breakthrough groups suit us down to the ground as we will meander our way around the various stages, observing life and enjoying the general convivial bonhomie.

For the headliners - then those Rolling septuagenarians will be interesting to see... (one has to wonder whether it will be a farewell show) 

I saw them at Ashton Gate in Bristol in 1982  A great gig..check out the set list below. 

I am hoping to hear Gimme Shelter and Midnight Rambler at Glasto and I can then tick another box.

• 1. Under My Thumb 
  2. When the Whip Comes Down 
  3. Let's Spend the Night Together 
  4. Shattered 
  5. Neighbours 
  6. Black Limousine 
  7. Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) 
     (The Temptations cover)
  8. Twenty Flight Rock 
     (Eddie Cochran cover)
  9. Going to a Go-Go 
     (The Miracles cover)
  10. Chantilly Lace 
      (The Big Bopper cover)
  11. Let Me Go 
  12. Time Is on My Side 
      (Kai Winding & His Orchestra cover)
  13. Beast of Burden 
  14. Let It Bleed 
  15. You Can't Always Get What You Want 
  16. Little T&A 
  17. Tumbling Dice 
  18. She's So Cold 
  19. Hang Fire 
  20. Miss You 
  21. Honky Tonk Women 
  22. Brown Sugar 
  23. Start Me Up 
  24. Jumpin' Jack Flash 
  25. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction 

. Both the first born and male heir are rather keen to see the Stones as they do rate them as probably the biggest band they will have seen live. We are all a little disappointed that  Mr Bowie will not be gracing us with an appearance and neither will Prince ... but Mumford and the Arctic Monkeys are damn good bands and I haven't seen either yet - so bring it on I say.

Primal Scream, Nick Cave, Elvis Costello, Portishead, Sinead O'Connor, Kenny Rogers, Jake Bugg, Dizzee Rascal, Django Django jump out immediately but there is a lot of others to savour as well.

So tickets are now paid for and the Mighty funbus has secured its official site pass so we are looking forward to June. Come rain or shine it will be boogie time.