I don't like gigs in London as it usually costs a fortune to go  but I decided to go to this as it wasn't far from Wembley where I could book a £19 family room at the Travel Lodge which has a car park so I could drive there - it being only 3 miles along the Ring Road from the end of the M1.  Straight forward.

I picked Tracy and Jo up and we set off around 11.45.  The motorways were busy but we made good time and with a stop for lunch and just one little slip of a missed turn off the ring road we arrived at the travel lodge about 4.30 pm.  (It isn't a Griffin trip unless we go wrong somewhere along the way!  )

After deciding who was sleeping where - Jo being in the process of getting over a flu bug, I baggsied the sofa bed and let Tracy have the honour of sharing with Jo ...... well she's already had the bug and I haven't!

Suited and booted we decided to eat at the Travel Lodge - it had a reasonably priced menu so we made our way down to the cafe.  We had plenty of time as the doors of The Cobden didn't open until 8 and we were only 4 miles away.  Jo and I had chilli and rice, Tracy had chicken salad.  All very tasty and the day was going well. 

We decided to get a taxi to the gig.  One, because I hadn't a clue how to get there; two, I dont like driving around London; and three, I could have a drink.  The man at reception pointed us to a phone on the wall which was a direct line to the local taxi firm.  Jo and I volunteered Tracy to ring.  We realised from her conversation that the person on the other end was having trouble understanding her and she him!!!   Eventually all seemed well and she was assured that a taxi would be sent and the cost was £12. 

We stood by the entrance and waited ...... and waited ...... and waited.  Someone else ordered a taxi after us and disappeared into the cafe.  We continued to wait when a taxi pulled up outside.  Some people got out but the driver came in holding a mobile phone.  He showed it to Tracy - he was here for the girl who rang after us!  She was nowhere to be found and he did not understand us when we tried to explain where we were going or that we had phoned first.  He told Tracy to ring the office again.  She did and was told our taxi was on its way and he drove off.

We continued to wait. .... and wait ..... Tracy phoned again and was promised the taxi would be 1 minute.  We waited 10.  I went to the phone .... I was not happy and put on my "official Mrs Bucket voice".  The foreign gentleman on the other end of the phone told me to "wait a moment Madam" (I hate that!) - he went away (I thought I'd been cut off!) but eventually came back - he apologised and said the taxi was caught in traffic but would be 2 minutes!  About 5 minutes later a taxi arrived.

The drived showed us his mobile with the text message on it - Tracy's name and our destination.  We got in and he drove us to the road that the Cobden Club is in but did not know where it was.  He used a sat nav to reach the road, I enjoyed watching it as we drove along (simple things please simple minds!  ) but I thought Taxi drivers had to have "The Knowledge" and take a test!  Anyway we all had to look out of the windows to try to see where the Cobden Club building was.  Suddenly Jo recognised a building from a photo she had seen on the club's website and sure enough it was.  Phew we had arrived at last!  We paid the £12 - but at those prices a tip?  No chance!!!!

We gave our names in at the door - the woman said " Are you here for Alistair?"  How could she tell?  We paid our £5s and we climbed the flights of stairs to the Auditorium.  I have to say the room, although fairly dark did look lovely and Christmassy with it's huge tree beside the stage and from the back of the room (where the bar was) the stage looked like a stable .... awww!

We got a drink - London prices   Aggghhhhh!!!!!!   I liked the way the change was given to you on a tray so you could leave a tip - once again NO CHANCE!!!  The seating was unusual in that it was just small leather couches or pouffes dotted about the place.  They were all full and mostly with very familiar faces.   There were other artists on the bill but once again Alistair's fans had done him proud and turned out in force.    Alistair was at the bar with members of his band.  He gave us a smile and said "Hello".  We said Hi back then went to chat to our fellow Al fans.

Eventually the first artist appeared on the stage - introduced by an Irish chap who I'm afraid I could not understand a word of what he said.  I think my hearing is going funny in my old age! So I have no idea who this singer was, but he was alone and played the guitar.  He sang 3 songs and they were all miserable!!!!  For goodness sake it's Christmas!  I'm sorry but he was awful.  Thankfully he went off and the Irish man came back.  He apologised that the next artist had not arrived.  They did not know where he was but were assured that he was on his way!  So there was an interlude whilst we waited for him to turn up.

Again I have no idea who he was but yes he did turn up and oh how I wish he hadn't!  Yet another angst ridden singer songwriter who had been through troubled times and thought we would like to live through those miseries too with music to slit your throat by!  For goodness sake I'm already on 30 mg of citalopram I don't want to have to have my dose increased - pleasee!!!

He sang 3 songs and hooray he left the stage.  Up next was the main man - yes Alistair and his band - Foda, Carlos and Josh came onto the stage.   Hooray time for some decent music.  As with the other two guys Al did 3 songs - Plans, Blown Away and the new song Satellites.  He was superb.  The difference in the standard of musicianship, voice and songwriting was unbelievable.  Alistair stood head and shoulders above the other two.  And yes I am biased but hey - I have taste!

All too soon his first set was over and there was a short interval.  Amazingly Al and the boys took to the stage at the start of the second half.  I have to say I was a bit disappointed about that but hey ho that's London for you! Don't know the star of the show when they see one!  Al sang 4 songs this time - Born Again, Blinding Lights (the other new song on his MySpace) Kipper and then the boys left him whilst he did I Have Lived on his own.  And that was that! 

I loved every minute of his set.  Alistair seemed to be in a superb frame of mind and sang his heart out.  I do hope there was somebody there from the music business who could take him on and promote him in the way that he deserves to be - just not in London please Al!!!!!

I couldn't decide when the new songs went up on Alistair's MySpace as to whether I liked them or not and I didn't comment on them - I wanted to reserve judgement until I heard them live.  I now know that I do like them very much.  They are great to dance to and to sing along to.  That is my simple way of deciding whether a song is good or not - if it makes me smile, want to dance or moves me then I love it - if it makes me miserable or the singer has a rubbish voice then I hate it!!  Simple I am .... yes!

So his set was over.  He got a huge ovation and he left the stage.  He and the guys stayed around the bar - but he was deep in conversation with someone and the other 2 artists were on next so he was left alone.  Yes we had to suffer the other two guys again.  A longer set of 4 songs each - I've never drunk so much vodka so quickly! Tracy said it was boredom; I was just trying to drown my sorrows!!!!   Thankfully the vodka helped and soon they finished.  I was a bit miffed though cos the guy on last was allowed to do an encore.  God knows why - but he did have a good following so I suppose they were happy.

Everybody started leaving. I was in the mood to party - but sadly there was no party to party to so we had to down our drinks quickly and leave.  We were inevitably the last to leave.  Tracy rang the taxi firm - she had had the good sense to put their number in her mobile phone before we left the hotel.   They said it would be 20 minutes!!!!  And it would cost £15! - Errr no sorry it only cost £12 coming why £3 more for the same distance going back.  The price was revised to £12!  Good old Tracy!

We stood outside that building looking like 3 ******* (I'll let you put your own word in there!)  It was cold but the alcohol and the fact that a certain chap and his band were busy loading their car in front of us kept us happy!  We had good banter with Mr G and his insults to 2 of us were taken with the typical scouse humour.  Just wait for Thursday Mr G - a Liverpool kiss is something to be avoided!

Anyway they drove off to wherever they were going and we stood waiting for the taxi.  There were cars stopped on the road in front of us with some dodgy characters sitting in them - then Tracy got a phone call; it was the taxi man - he was in one of the cars we had been stood looking at!

The journey back to the hotel was uneventful and we went up to bed.  I asked at reception for 3 extra pillows - I can't sleep on just one but they had none left!  Oh Oh I feel a headache coming on!  Oh well, I should have asked earlier.  Up in the room we were a bit tiddly - or at least Tracy and I were - Jo was just ..... Jo!  She doesn't need alcohol but she wasn't as hyper as usual cos of her "flu".   I ate chocolate - I was starving and chocolate was possibly the wrong thing to eat but once I started on the kinder egg, I had to progress to the Celebrations!  Yummmmmmmyyyyy!  Yes I suffered during the night and in the morning!

At one point Tracy fell off her bed - no idea how, but I did get some good photos  well the camera was just there  - should I put them up?  Hmmmm what's it worth?  I'll think about it!

I went to sleep quite quickly but had a very strange dream about Carl coming up to me at a gig and asking if I could provide the venue for a gig for them.  It was a special gig as there would be only 3 songs.  But the last one was 62 minutes long!  I then woke in my dream and dreamt I was at a gig where I was telling Foda about this dream!  He ran off - obviously thought I was a loony - I wonder why?   I did wake up properly then and had a thumping headache.  I didn't feel too good at all and started to worry about the drive home.  I didn't want to go looking for my panadol as didn't want to wake the other two.  So I sat up and leant my pillow against the back of the sofa and tried to sleep lying up against it.  I dozed but my head was sore.  Eventually it started to get lighter and I heard the others stirring so I did get the pain killers, drank some water and began to feel a bit better.

By the time we had all been in the bath room and gone down to breakfast at 9.40 I was feeling fine and ready for something to eat.  Breakfast was due to finish at 10 so we only just made it!  However the bacon tray was empty so Tracy asked them to bring some more out - they didn't cos by the time she asked them a second time it was after 10 and they were closed!  What I did have, I enjoyed - I had managed to find a tiny bit of bacon under the sausages so I had that with a sausage, scrambled egg and some heated tinned tomatoes. I started with Rice Crispies though - I haven't had them in years!  

After breakfast we packed our bags and checked out just after 11.  It was 3 miles to the M1 - it took us til after 12 to reach it!  That ring road is a joke!  By the time I got to the motorway my foot operating the clutch pedal was in agony with bruising and cramp!  By contrast the M1 was a doddle and then on to the M6.  We stopped for a little break - I'd been driving for over 2 hours and was slightly tired to say the least! We set off again and met heavy traffic but was able to maintain a decent speed - 80 for the most of it!  We hit bad traffic again as we approached Liverpool - it was rush hour by this time.  I dropped Jo off sometime around 4.30 then fought my way through the queues of traffic; through the tunnel and dropped Tracy off around 5.00.  I got home at 5.15pm  Absolutely knackered!!!!!

Roll on Thursday!!!!!!

PS: I did ask where Waggo and Dave were but I didn't get a sensible answer! 

I haven't written anything for ages and yet so much has been going on lately.  I can't believe we are nearly in December  where has this year gone?  2008 has definitely been the year of the gig for J and me.  I don't think I have been to so many in one year and no they weren't even all Alistair!

On Thursday last – 27 Nov we went to the Liverpool Echo Arena to see Echo and The Bunnymen.  For the first time we didn't have seats – I bought tickets for standing.  I won't be doing that again – there are too many tall people about!  I'm sure the human race is getting taller – even girls were much taller than me and they weren't all in high heels.  We had a decent place near the front and I was able to see ok, peering around the bean poles! 

But allowing alcohol into the Arena is a mistake – people are bouncing up and down with plastic cups of beer and bottles of cider etc so everyone around gets soaked and the floor had pools of liquid all over it – I hope it was drink and not anything else  – it wasn't so difficult to get out!  The floor was very sticky!  For the second half of the set we moved a bit further back – not able to see as well but at least I was dry.  Although the young lads beside us were puffing away on some very funny smelling wacky backy!!!!  I'm afraid I'm too much of a coward in this day and age to ask them to put it out.  They disappeared after a while – hopefully in a puff of smoke!!!

Despite being uncomfortable with my surroundings I did enjoy the gig very much.  The first set was made up of well known hits and songs, the second set the band was joined on stage by some members of the Philharmonic Orchestra and they played one of their 80's albums, Ocean Rain in its entirety.  I'm afraid I am not such a Bunnymen fan to know the album but I think I might just be downloading it from Itunes as J and I really loved it.

For the first time ever at a gig there was no encore.  I've never known that before but the band members just came out to take a bow.  They wanted to finish with the album so decided not to add on anything else.  Fair enough and at least they did come out to say thank you for the fantastic reception/reaction that they had received throughout their performance.  It was a full arena which hasn't always been the case when I have been there this year.

That was the last gig for us at the Echo Arena for this year.  It was opened at the beginning of our year of Capital of Culture and it has proved a tremendous success.  At last our brilliant City has an events arena to be proud of.  If you get the chance to visit Liverpool and attend a gig at the Arena you will have a ball.  It is easy to get to, has a number of decently priced hotels around it, is on the river front, has parking, the catering is fine (it's the same price as any other arena - expensive but it's all part of the occasion!) some of the best artists are starting to appear there and it is very close to the new shopping experience that is the Liverpool One project with all the big name stores and designer shops.  So come on – visit Liverpool and have a great time.

Now for December – 3 more gigs (1 in Birkenhead, 1 in London and 1 in York) a Christmas night out with my work colleagues (thankfully it doesn't cost us a penny – the Doctors pay – woo hoo!) and a New Year/Birthday holiday to go on – Christmas is cancelled in my house – just no time or money!

I couldn't resist it - a trip to The Bedford in Balham, London.  It's about 3 years since I was last there, in fact it was November 2005 I have just checked!  I used to love the atmosphere created in there and I wasn't disappointed last night; as soon as I walked in - it was like putting on a comfy pair of slippers  it hadn't changed.

The pub was packed - unlike previous trips when I was so early the place was empty and we had to queue to get into the Globe performance area, this time we walked straight in through the downstairs double doors.  The reason I was late was simple - I had been to work in the morning.  It was hard getting up early as I had worked until 8.30 p.m. on Monday night, then I had to get up Tuesday at 7.20 a.m. to get into work.

The morning was mad busy we have the flu clinics going on - all the pensioners queuing up to have their flu jabs, as well as all the doctors' normal surgeries, the place was packed with people and with just 3 of us receptionists in it was hectic managing the front desk, the telephones, the post prescription issue and the Doctor's queries.  At least the time went quickly and it didn't seem too long until I was packing up and rushing out the door at 12.30 pm.

I dashed home, threw some things into my backpack, had some lunch, played with AlG and got washed and changed.  Everything put in the boot of my car I whizzed over to Lime Street station in Liverpool (staying within the speed limits of course  ) parked in the car park bumping the front on the barrier - well done Anne!!!  It was only a little bump and no damage done!  I looked at my phone and a text had come in from Jo - she had got an earlier train - or it should have been earlier - the trains were delayed and she hadn't long left the station!  Oh great I had over 45 minutes to wait with the possibility of the train being cancelled - whoopy doo!

After buying some water and getting a free Telegraph (well they actually charge you for the paper and you get free water!  ) and a double sized Twix (a girl needs her chocolate on a long train journey) I joined the queue at platform 7. It snaked around the tape barrier, I was only in the second line.  35 minutes later the Virgin train pulled into the platform.  It wasn't their fault - there were signal or point failures around Stafford earlier in the morning and had held up all following services.

As soon as the passengers disembarked from the train we were allowed on - and of course in true British fashion - the queue did not stay in place and people came from all angles to push their way through the barrier!  It didn't matter cos I had a reserved seat and there were loads of empty seats anyway - it's a long train!   I settled down, relaxed and enjoyed the journey.  Give the driver his due he made up time on the journey.  He started off 35 minutes late and arrived in Euston just 20 minutes late.  However it was 5.10 by this time and I still had to get the tube to Victoria and a train to Streatham Hill (plus buy the train tickets) The tube train was packed - it was of course rush hour!  I stood for the 4 stops to Victoria then wandered around the station looking for the ticket office - then stood in a long queue.  I had plenty of time though, the next train to Streatham Hill was at 5.51 p.m.  Haivng bought my ticket I stood with the masses of people waiting for the platform to be announced.  Once it was, there was a mad rush for the turnstiles.  I was carried along in the crush and found myself beside a very long Southern Railways train.  The back 3 carriages were lit but the doors would not open.  Everyone was ushered to the front carriages.  I squashed on to the last of the open ones.  I was pushed into a corner beside 2 pushchairs laden with babies and baggage and rather large mothers!   The train was 10 minutes late seting off.  I was only on for 5 stops but everytime it stopped a few people got off and twice as many got on.  At Clapham Junction I was amazed to see all those people on the platform allowed onto the empty carriages behind us.  Why on earth were we not told to move along through the carriages to spread out.  I was not a happy bunny - I was very hot and exhausted by this time.  Stupidly I thought it might be cold and I had put my heavy long black coat on!!!

Anyway I managed to disembark at Streatham Hill along with just about everyone else on the train and so joined another queue to climb the hundred (well it seemed like that to me) steps to the bridge crossing the line and another set of stairs to leave the station.  My poor thighs were a bit weak by this time - not used to stairs!  The directions for the hotel said cross the road and walk down the road opposite for about 2 minutes.  5 minutes later I was getting a bit worried but then I saw the hotel and stumbled up another flight of stairs to the front door and reception.

I can't say it's the best hotel I've ever stayed in but it was adequate for the one night.  I was given the key to room 235 and had another 2 flights of stairs to climb.  My poor legs by this time were like jelly.  The room was supposed to be a single but it had twin beds so I chose the right - just because ...... no special reason.  I opened a cupboard door and inside was a tiny sink, toilet and shower - very, very compact and bijou!!!   As I said before it was fine for 1 night.  At least it was clean and very warm - I had to open the window to find scaffolding and long ladders outside - didn't feel quite so safe after that.  The main problem with the room though was the smell - cigarettes!!!! YUKKKKK!  But with the window open I could stand it .... just about.

It was 6.30 p.m. and I was desperate for a rest, a cup of tea, a shower and wash my hair.  But then I didn't know what time Jo and the others were wanting to set off for The Bedford. I sent Jo a text and she texted back to say half an hour -   AAAGGGHHHH not a chance  but they allowed me 45 minutes.   I made a cup of tea and drank it whilst getting ready so I didn't get a sit down.  I ended up having an hour in the end and we all met downstairs at 7.30 to walk back to the station for the train to take us the one stop to Balham.  Ooo flip - more walking and stairs!!!

We made it safely and arrived at The Bedford around 8.00 p.m.  Jo had reserved a table for us - it was a tiny little thing for 4 of us right at the front.  It was a great position but not suitable for the 4 of us to eat on - so we went and sat at another long table with Mo & Pa and Ju & Ma, ordered some food and spent the first half of the evening there.  I had a toasted beef sandwich - it was ok but I hadn't realised it had mustard on it - it was so dark in there I couldn't see the menu properly.  I'm not a fan of mustard!  And unfortunately the beef had lots of gristle in it!  but overall it was ok and filled a hole!  J and M had bowls of chips but they had stuffed themselves earlier in the day so left most of them - don't worry the chips didn't go to waste some hungry gentlemen (Pa & Ma) at the other end of the table finished them off!  Men do have their uses sometimes - especially as waste disposal units!

Whilst we were eating, the first performer took to the stage.  A young man by the name of  Aaron Short.  He had a good voice and played some good music.  I enjoyed listening to him.   You can check him out - the link to his MySpace is his name.   He was on for about 30 minutes.

Next up was a young man from Germany (Munich) Jacob Brass.  He had a band with him and I thought he was very good.  He was visiting London for about 5 days and was enjoying himself.  His set lasted about 30/35 minutes and he sang a mixture of pop/rock and slow ballads.  He also had very good English when speaking between songs and he sang in English. (Again you can check his MySpace - link is his name)

After Jacob; Jo, J and I decided to move to our reserved table at the front.  When we got to it Jacob was selling his cds from it.  As I sat at the table I felt obliged to buy one for a fiver  and I spoke to him - just asking him if he was enjoying his stay in England, if he'd been anywhere else and if he'd played Liverpool.  His answers were "Yes very much", "No going home the next day" and "Unfortunately not yet but hopefully one day".

He cleared his things away and I settled into the seat closest to the stage.  Alistair was getting himself sorted and gave me a smile and a thumbs up when he saw me.  I was a happy bunny!  Jo and J joined me at the table and we settled down to listen to another very accomplished performance by Mr Griffin.

I do enjoy his acoustic gigs; as much as I love the rock ones, I'm so busy dancing and bouncing I don't really listen and appreciate the versatility of his voice.  Alistair had some of the band members with him - Simon Waggott keyboards and backing vocals; Karlos Moon on lead guitar; and Paul Fothergill on bass guitar. I can't say it was a faultless performance by them all because it wasn't but it wasn't far off and I was soooo pleased to hear Born Again sung live for the first time.  I've heard it so many times (it's on his Myspace - link above) that I was amazed to realise he hasn't sung it live before.  But of course he hasn't cos it's fabulous and I would certainly have remembered it.  The audience so enjoyed it that a man shouted out during the silence between songs how mesmorising and brilliant it had been - think Alistair was a wee bit embarrassed but hopefully pleased.  Waggo stood up offering a £10 note to the man to pay him off for saying it!

There was a reason for me being pleased we had the seat we did - I had my camcorder with me hence no pictures as yet.  I will have to get them off the video when I have some time.  I risked taking it and was so glad I did - I wasn't the only one; some had tripods.  I used my hand to keep it steady so it's not as shaky as some I've done in the past and I've got the glitter ball in!

The set list - in no particular order..... Blown Away, Naked, Plans, Born Again, I Have Lived, Kipper (I wish he'd get a proper title - I suppose that's it now!  ) and Silent Suicide.  There was no encore - they seemed to be rushed off the stage by the "hostess" as she called herself.  That was a shame cos the time went by so quickly.  Alistair did about 36 minutes with very little banter.

Although each song is greeted with enthusiastic applause, whoops and shouts it doesn't go on for ever and silences occur (the audience are instructed at the Bedford to keep quiet and go outside if you want to chat).  I think this unnerves Alistair so he makes up stuff - that's one of the reasons I keep quiet - to see what amazing bit of nonsense he'll come up with next.  This time he told us of his dream about being attacked by a Badger!  I'm sure there were a few females in the audience wishing they had been the badger  (me?   Nerrr  )  He said he felt something furry at the back of his head then claws on his face. (Or something like that!  )

So that was the end of another very enjoyable Bedford trip.  Alistair's mum came over to say Hello which was lovely of her, everyone then removed themselves to the Bar.  I was very tired by this time.  I'm afraid I was most unsociable as I was nearly falling asleep.  I just sat there then decided enough was enough and I would get the train back to the hotel.  It was only 11.30 p.m. so there were still trains running.  Once I'd told Jo what I was doing I made my way to the station - thankfully in the company of A and her husband who were also going to get their train.  We parted at the station - they to the underground me to the overground train.  I bought my ticket - I had a bit of a senior moment at the ticket machine; I couldn't for the life of me remember what the name of the station was I wanted!  My memory does that to me all the time it can be extremely embarrassing - I am very forgetful.  I knew it began with an S - so I had to use the alpha list of stations - do you know how many stations serviced by London trains there are beginning with S?  ..... Hundreds and of course I finally recognised mine near the end - Streatham Hill!!!!!  So I paid the £1.90 and waited about 10 minutes for the train.

It was just one stop - up all those steps again  and I walked back to the hotel,  Some girls were just in front of me - they must have seen me coming up the steps behind them to the door but they shut it in my face! At night you have to ring a buzzer and the person on reception lets you in.   I nearly had another senior moment remembering my room number but it came to me - phew! 235

I clambered up the stairs nearly on all fours by this time - and no I hadn't been drinking - 2 lemonades that's all I had!  I was just so tired and my thighs and knees were just about giving out on me - oh I hate being old.  The first thing I did? Put the kettle on!   Then got my jarmies on, settled into bed and watched my video.  So I watched the gig through for a second time - it was lovely.

About 1.00 a.m I put the light out but I couldn't sleep.  Songs were going round in my head; I was wondering what Jo and the others were up to and I was worried about the scaffolding outside!  I did fall asleep eventually but kept waking up and eventually at 6.40 I got up made a cup of tea and watched Breakfast on the tv.  I packed my case, had a shower and was just about ready when Jo texted me to say they would be ready for breakfast at 8.00 a.m.  It wasn't far off that so I was ready in good time and went down to meet the others.

We went into the breakfast room - it reminded me of a school canteen crossed with a greasy spoon cafe!  A row of long tables against the wall.  On the other wall there was cereal and plates of meat and cheese.  At the end of the room was juice and urns for tea and coffee.  A lady was making fresh toast on a large grill type toaster.  The others gave their room number in then I said mine.  She checked her list and asked me if I would like a full English.  J and M said what they would like, I said no - I just wanted toast. I got my toast and juice and sat at the table.  Time went on and there was no signs of the cooked breakfast and then it dawned on us - I booked through the internet and got the rate for room and full english breakfast.  M booked elsewhere and realised the cheap rate she got was just for room and continental breakfast - so no bacon and eggs for them!!!!  

Time was speeding on and Jo and I had to get to Euston to catch the 10.15 train to Liverpool.  We checked out and made our way to the station - J and M caught up with us.  M catching the two trains with us whilst J left us at Victoria to catch her coach - although she had a bit of a wait, it wasn't until the afternoon!  The trains weren't quite as packed as last night and I got a seat  on both.  We arrived at Euston in plenty of time for me to get some provisions - Jo has a permanant supply in her bag - I think bottles of juice and chocolate bars breed in there, she just pulls them out whenever she feels peckish; it's amazing!!

The train was in and at that time on time!  I found my reserved seat but there wasn't another available next to it so Jo found 2 together in the next coach along.  The train set off 8 minutes late due to a faulty door on the train!  It did make up that time though and arrived in Liverpool on time.  Sadly Jo had to go to work, I just made my way to the car park pay machine and winced when the amount £14 came up for 24 hours (it was actually 23 hours 45 mins.  )  I drove back with no problems and got home to a very playful doggy at 1.40 p.m a very tired but very happy "ancient rocker!"

I watched my video on the tv this afternoon and it was very enjoyable.  But I tried to record onto a DVD and discovered the recorder won't work.  It's such a long time since I used it, I think it's seized up with lack of use.  

Last night J and I went to see Queen with Paul Rogers at The Liverpool Echo Arena.  All I'm going to say about the gig is WOW WOW WOW!

It's the best gig I have ever been to.  They rocked the packed arena with two and a half hours non stop of old and new songs.  The tour is called "The Cosmos Rocks" and it certainly does as far as they are concerned.

Brian May's guitar playing is out of this world and as for Roger Taylor's drumming - well I always thought Phil Collins was the best drummer but he isn't in the same league!!!!  I was amazed at the drum solo Roger did - he started with just a bass drum and a cymbal.  As he played his stage hands placed another drum or cymbal or bit of percussion around him and he incorporated each piece in turn until he had a full set of drums round him.  It was phenominal.

There was a wonderfully emotional part too when Freddie Mercury appeared singing as the others played.  It was brilliantly done.

If you get the chance for goodness sake go!!!!!  You'll have a ball.

A few weeks ago I was chatting to Tracy and she told me she had seen that Boy George was appearing in Liverpool and how much she would love to have gone to see him.  But her hubby wasn't keen.  It just so happened that a few months ago I too had noticed Boy George was appearing when I received the Liverpool Philharmonic brochure of forthcoming gigs.  I asked J if he fancied it and he had said no - so I left it.

I decided to see if there were any tickets still available and sure enough there were 2 seats in the Grand Circle.  So I bought them - an early (erm very early) birthday present!!

Last Sunday 12 Oct, Tracy and I went to the gig.  J gave us a lift over - that savd me from having to find a parking place up in that area which isn't easy so we arrived in good time to have a little drinky before going in.

On first was a singer songwriter who has apparnatly known Boy George for a long time and in fact appeared in the musical that he had put on. (Name escapes me) but I'm sorry to say he was dreadful!  He couldn't sing and he couldn't play the guitar he was holding and as for his songwriting - well I have no idea what it's like because I couldn't understand a word he was singing/groaning/moaning!

He was on for half an hour and it was one of the longest gig half an hours I've sat through! Thankfully he did finish and we were able to get out and find ourselves something to cheer us up - an icecream!  I had a version of a white magnum and Tracy had a rock solid ice cream in a tub!

The announcement was made to return to our seats for the main event.  The band came on first and then Boy George appeared in a black sparkly suit and a huge red sparkly hat!

Although a bit on the podgy side now he was certainly in fine voice and was in very good spirits.  I think he has finally put all those daemons behind him and he is enjoying performing again.  This is his first proper tour in 10 years and he put every effort into his performance.  He sang all of his old Culture Club hits plus some new songs and some covers.  He had an excellent backing singer who joined him for a couple of duets that were absolutely spell binding.  There was a lot of good humoured banter in between songs and he interacted well with the enthusiastic and supportive audience.

Tracy couldn't sit still and as we were at the end of a row next to the wall she got me up to dance without us getting in anyones way.  I felt a bit selfconcious at first as we were the only ones in the circle dancing but hey ho - those feelings soon went and I bounced!!!   We both thoroughly enjoyed the hour and three quarters he did and all too soon it was over.  He did two encores and seemed to enjoy performing at The Phil - if he comes back I'll definitely go see him again.

My photos aren't very good as I was a bit far away and bouncing also he was in a red light with a big red hat - so he's a bit of a red blob!!!!

Whilst waiting for J to come and pick us up we went over to the Philharmonic Pub - this is a very famous pub in Liverpool for it gentleman's loo - it is so interesting it is on the tourist route!!!  You'll have to come and see for yourself why! (I have to say I have never been in to see but have seen pictures. )

The day after coming home from London J and I set off once again for the train station.  This time we were going on a 2 night break to Edinburgh.  The purpose? To see my most favourite group ever - the Moody Blues.   The only tickets of any decency I could get were for Edinburgh but as it is a City I love then it was a good opportunity for J to have another little trip away on his holidays.  Once again I booked train tickets so he didn't have to drive.

For the london trip we drove over to Liverpool and parked in the car park at Lime St Station.  This was a necessity as we had to get from the train to the football match, we did not have time to go home first and it cost an absolute fortune!  This time however there was no hurry and so we walked to our local station - about a mile dragging a suitcase (well J did  )but as it was a lovely day it was fine.  We caught the train to Lime St then got a train to Oxford Rd Manchester where we were to catch the train to Edinburgh.  What a fiasco at Manchester.  Because of track works - it was a Sunday all trains were starting and terminating here and because of various problems a platform change was announced at the last minute.  By the time we were made aware of it and clamboured up the stairs over the bridge and down to te platform the train at the platform - our train was absolutely packed!  We had reserved seats but the train was so full of people standing in the aisles with their cases we had great difficulty moving through the carriages.  We hadn't had time to get in the correct carriage as the train set off as soon as we got to it.  I managed to fight my way through and found the seats.  A family was sat in them.  I shifted them!  Well not quite so rudely as that!  I took my seat but as J couldn't get through the family stayed where they were - our seats were window seats opposite sides of a table.

Once the train reached Preston quite a few people got off thankfully and J was able to make his way to his seat, so the little girl sat on her mum's knee and J was able to sit down at last.  They got off at Lancaster so the rest of ther journey was much more comfortable thankfully.

Arriving in Edinburgh it was a bit dull bt fairly warm.  Our hotel - The Thistle was just a few hundred yards from the station.  I had booked it as it appeared close to both the station and the theatre where the Moody Blues were playing.  We settled into our room - a double room with a view of the main road.

After a bit of a rest we went for a walk.  We passed the terminus for the open top buses. 

The few times I've been to Edinburgh I haven't really seen much other than the castle, Princes St and the Ocean Terminal (when Alistair did a signing there of his album many moons ago. So we decided the next day we would get a sort of rover 24 hour ticket that allowed us to go on a few of them so we would see various places in and around the city.

We returned to the hotel, got changed and went out for a meal.  Earlier we had passed an Italian Restaurant that Jo and I were going to try when we visited in may for"The Tour" but didn't cos it was full.  This time J and I managed to get a very nice table in the upper room.  We were served by a friendly and efficient waitress from New Zealand- J asked her if she was from Australia! Oops!!  

We had a delicious pasta and garlic bread accompanied by a rather good bottle of wine.  All the details escape me now - too long ago for my feeble memory but I do know we both enjoyed it a lot.   We staggered back to the hotel

and retired for the night, very full and very weary.

The next day we had breakfast in the hotel.  It was help yourself buffet - it was ok but not worth the £8.50 each which was a discounted amount as we were staying for 2 nights and prebooked it! otherwise it would have been £12.50 each.  We had to wait quite a while before anyone noticed us and showed us to a table, then we were not offered any toast (I didn't know they had any until the next day!) 

We then set off out on our trip on open topped buses.  It was a lovely sunny day and J decided not to put a coat on! On top of a bus in the sunshine - it was lovely but in the shade - Brrrr - well it is Scotland!   I wasn't much better but at least I had a scarf to wrap round me!

We started off on a general trip around the City - along Princes Street,

up near the castle,

passed the little statue of Bobby the dog,

out to the Parliament building 

and various other very interesting sites.

Alighting from that bus we returned to our hotel to get a coat and returned to the buses where we got one that took us straight to the castle.  Because of road works it was able to drop us off right on the castle forecourt, so we didn't have any huge flightsd of steps to climb unlike the last time I visited the castle with Jo in May!  And this time we had prebooked so we didn't have to stand in a queue for tickets to go in.  Although when we passed the queue it was tiny compared to what Jo and I stood in!

I will load pics of the castle eventually but I haven't loaded them into photbucket yet and as you can see from the previous ones I have a bit of work to downsize them a bit!   We spent quite a long time in there - we had our lunch in the cafe which was really nice because we got a table that looked right over the City to the sea.  The views were fabulous.

We walked back down to the City, passed a couple of lads playing bongo drums to accompany a bagpiper - it was really unusual but they made a superb sound.  We had an icecream while sitting in the castle gardens, then decided to get anothet open top bus out to the Ocean Terminal to have a look at the old Royal yacht that is moored at the terminal.  We saw it but didn't have time to get off to see it properly.  It did bring back memories of that time way back when Al released his album and did the signing tour.

We returned to the hotel in good time to get changed and make our way to the Theatre.  It was literally just round the corner from the hotel and we were able to get something to eat in an indoor food court they have next to it.  We just went to the Pizza hut and had a huge spicy pizza between us.

I have just realised I haven't sorted my Moody Blues pictures out either so will have to finish this blog another time!!!! They were brilliant as I thought they would be.  We were in the stalls and had reasonable seats.  I still can't get used to them having a female flute player though it just isn't the same since whatsisname retired (oo my memory - I'll fill that in later) but Justin Heywood and John Lodge's voices are still superb.  The 2 hours they were on just whizzed by.

We left Edinburgh the following day having had a superb trip,  the journey back was much smoother than the one going.  We changed at Wigan and the train we got there to Liverpool was a bit of a "bus" train - it stopped at every station, but we still got home in good time for the football match that night.  Although we had tickets I didn't go - I was just too tired, so J went on his own.  It wasn't a very good game so I wasn't bothered about it.  It was the Carling Cup match which we just scraped through!!!

Can't wait to have an excuse to visit Edinburgh again -  just love that City.

Been to a few gigs recently that I haven't written about - oops!

NB - there is one photo in this blog that might upset some - so if you are of a nervous disposition don't look at all of the zoo photos or don't go any further!

A few weeks ago J and I spent 2 nights in London.  I organised it as J was on his summer holidays (he gets more leave than me so we can't always be off at the same time) but this time coincided with Alistair Griffin playing at The Carling Bar Academy in Islington, so I managed to wangle a few days off myself and we made a couple of days of it.

We went by train - it made a change from poor J having to drive, he could relax.  I booked us into The Jury's Inn in Islington - so it was close to the gig venue.  Expensive but convenient.  Stupidly we decided to walk from Euston Station to the hotel - well it was only a straight walk along the road ....... about 2 miles along it!  Dragging heavy cases in rather warm weather was a bit tiring to say the least!  Ah well it was good excercise.

We settled into our room, had a bit of a rest then went down to the bar for some lunch - we were starving!   After a rather huge but delicious blt sandwich, I wanted to go to Leicester Square where there are booths selling cheap theatre tickets for that night.  I wanted to see Joseph.  I had wanted to see it ever since I supported Lee Mead in the tv prog to find "Joseph" last year.  I was not to be disappointed.  We found our way to Leicester Square

via the underground and managed to get tickets in the stalls of The Adelphi, £10 cheaper than if I'd bought them on the internet, so I was quite a happy bunny.

We returned to the hotel, got changed and returned via the underground again, to Theatre Land and found The Adelphi in good time for the start of the show.  I was certain an announcement would be made that the understudy would be playing Joseph - but no, my luck held out and I was thrilled to see Lee playing the part.  He was a superb Joseph - I had seen it years ago, also in London with Jason Donovan and he was good but Lee was far better and I have to say the whole production was excellent, apart from one person - the girl who played the narrator.  I'm very sorry but she was dreadful - she didn't sing she shouted and I couldn't understand half of what she was trying to sing - which for a narrator is pretty inconvenient.  But it didn't detract too much from the show - the rest of the cast were excellent and both J and I had enjoyed it immensely and had a brill time.

On the way out I couldn't resist buying a little souvenir - a dancing camel!!!  I would have liked to have hung around for a bit but sadly J is not practiced enough in the art of celebrity autograph hunting and he wanted to return to the hotel - so we did. Just in time to watch some European football on the tv in the bar!!! Woopy doo!

Next day dawned bright and sunny, so we decided to pay a visit to London Zoo.  I haven't been in years but I always thought it was huge.  It isn't - not by Chester Zoo standards anyway.  But we had a really lovely time wandering around in relative peace and quiet - not many tourists and no school parties (again not like Chester Zoo) thankfully.  

We particularly liked the butterfly house - where many different butterflies of all different shapes, sizes and colours flitted about around us as we walked through.

We were also fascinated to see the snakes being fed! 

Not very pleasant but at least the mice weren't alive.   We spent most of the day there

but we had to get back to the hotel as the gig at The Academy was due to start at about 6.30 - a bit early for a gig!!! 

Getting back to the hotel was rather tiring - we had gone to the zoo by bus but J decided he didn't want to get it back - well it did go round the houses a bit, but there is not an underground station near to the Zoo so we walked and walked and walked - through Regents Park

and about a mile along the road until we got to a station.  I must say we had some great excercise on this trip!

By the time we got to our room we did not have long to get ready - so a quick shower and change later we walked round to the venue.  Passing the local Macdonalds I noticed some madly waving arms coming from within - Jo and Julie had been filling themselves with burgers and chips (not very nice by all accounts  ) and we all made our way to The Carling Bar Academy.  It was situated in a shopping precinct - up an escalator.  It wouldn't have been too bad but the shops were still open - going to a gig when the shops are open is a very weird experience!!!!

We were the first to arrive.  But walking inside from the bright sunlight we couldn't see a thing it was very very dark in there.  We made out some shapes and they were various members of the bands setting up and wandering about and drinking at the bar.  We got a drink and sat at a table at the back of the room.  Gradually a few familiar faces started arriving, but the place was empty and we knew Alistair and the band were on first.  Oh well it looked like it would be an early night for all of us!!!

Slowly but surely Al fans arrived making a small but enthusiatic crowd  Well we thought they would be enthusiastic but .... well I won't say anything ..... it's just I don't understand how people can stand still when rock music is playing ..... but that's me and it would be a boring world if we were all the same.  All fans show their support in different ways I know that.  Anyhow, Al and the band set up and began their set around 7 p.m  It was the usual tour set, but it was over and done with very quickly.  There was hardly any banter and I have to say I didn't enjoy the gig as much as I have others before or since.  Alistair's voice was as good as it always is but the set just seemed very rushed as though they couldn't wait to get it over with.  Maybe I'm just imagining that; he looked good though  ....... 

I was hoping with J there with his "posh" camera that I would get some decent photos but sadly he did not take his telephoto lens and he decided to go all arty farty on me and experimented with taking pictures while moving the camera - so there are wonderful colourful lines all over them!  

I am not pleased!!!!

After Al and the band were Paper Heroes - they were good. 

I enjoyed them this time -I hadn't really listened to them at Leeds as I had been too worried about Jo feeling ill.  But they were ok and I bought their cd from a lovely girl who was going round promoting them - a member of their street team - she also had stickers to hand out.  Now shouldn't we who have signed up to Alistair's street team be doing the same for him.  Come on Al get your finger out and get some stuff sorted out - we could do that for you.

After Paper Heros were Ivyrise.  I really like those guys.  Ben had come up to me before hand, gave me a big hug and kiss to say hello.  He said he hadn't seen me at Leeds - daft bat he said hello to me there!!!!  I enjoyed their set very much, they obviously enjoy playing on their home patch and by this time the place was packed out. 

They got a great reception.

There was a fourth band on but I didn't get to see them.  Sadly my hubby is not a night person.  His feet were killing him from all the walking about we had done and he was very tired - poor old thing  - so we had to leave.  I didn't get a chance to speak to the Ivyrise guys afterwards.  Oh well I'm sure they didn't miss me LOL!  I didn't speak to Alistair either - but did manage a few quick words with the others to say "Hi and Bye".   J and I left Jo and Julie at the gig and they continued to have a great time and ended up at a pub with some others who got a bit tiddly!!!!  I'm naming no names!!!!

The following day J and I left the hotel early as we had to get back to Liverpool for a footie match.  We caught the 9.15 train from Euston and because of track works the train took 4 hours to get back to Liverpool (it's normally a 2 and a half hour journey!!!)  I had booked first class because I knew about this and thought we could do with some comfort - it was a cheap deal too!  I was glad I did.

We got back in time for the match - but as we only managed a draw with Stoke I'm not sure it was worth all the rush back!!! We could have had a few more hours of sightseeing!

Yes I know I have lots of recent events I haven't written about yet - such as gigs in Scarborough, London and Edinburgh, but I just had to write about last night right away.  Now I can hear you thinking - where does the title fit in to last night - well let me tell you briefly cos I have to go to work in 25 minutes......

The Good  was absolutely very very very good, brilliant and superb!!!!  I am of course talking about the gig at The Ainsty Public House in York last night.  Alistair and the Band were absolutely on top form.  They have become a very well knit covers and occasional original material band.  They played two sets of rock, pop and dance music from all eras and it seems whatever song Alistair turns his voice to he hits it spot on.  From the high notes of "A Thing Called Love" to the lower "Brown Eyed Girl" from "Johnny Be Good" to "Twist and Shout" to "I Predict A Riot".  The band is made up of excellent musicians ....Simon Waggott (Waggo of course) key boards, Paul Fothergill (Foda) on Bass guitar, Karlos and Rob on lead guitars, Josh on Saxophone and Synthesiser and Dave Hardy on the Drums - not forgetting Alistair on acoustic guitar and vocals.  Fan...dabi....dozy!!!!!

The Bad   From note 1 to note very last 1 T, J and I were bouncing, dancing, singing, waving, clapping and generally responding to the band's magnificent playing - and I know greatly appreciated by them,  but sadly it wasn't so for many others who just stood around.   How could you not move to such a fantastic beat.  Gradually our friends moved over to us and joined in and thankfully by the second half a few more people had thrown off their inhibitions and danced and arm waved with the rest of us.  And by the end the majority of the place was swaying to the music. I could understand it if the band were new to the audience, they would have to build up the respect and appreciation before people committed to action - but most of us were made up of longstanding fans.  And I can understand some people have disabilities that prevent them from doing much - I've got an arthritic knee - I don't let it stop me.  So hey peeps - those guys on the stage are slogging their guts out to give you a good time - please show the band one back!

The Darned Right UGLY .....     All I'll say is Roadworks, 10 mile diversions and SPEED CAMERAs  AHHHHHHHH!

I got home at 3.30 am!!!!!!  I expect something to come through the post that I won't like!

Returning to the Travel Lodge in Leeds we spent some time chatting in the cafe/bar with J and N who were also staying there. But Jo was curled up on the seat and desperate to go to bed, so we said our good nights arranging to meet N for breakfast at 9 the following morning.

I slept well but woke quite early.  I didn't want to disturb Jo as she seemed to be asleep so I lay there and must have nodded off again, cos when I next looked at the time on my mobile it was 8.55 and we were due to meet N at 9.00!   Oops!  I quickly threw some clothes on and rushed down to the foyer and there he was waiting patiently - Sorry N we slept in!   We arranged to meet for brekkie a bit later.

I let Jo lie in - she was still feeling ill.  I got washed and dressed and eventually Jo managed to do the same.  She insisted she was ok to have some breakfast and to carry on to York.  We met up with N and went down for something to eat.  Jo tried her best to eat some food and I stuffed myself!!!   J joined us - she had been out to buy a new bag as her current one had broken.  She returned to her room to repack her things and we returned to ours to do the same.  Thankfully you don't have to check out of a Travel Lodge til 12.00 so we had plenty of time.

As we were all travelling to York I offered J and N a lift and foolishly they agreed!   We set off but what I didn't have were directions from the car park so we ended up going round and round in circles trying to find the A64 out of Leeds!   I got beeped at by a bus for cutting him up  and I ended up going along a bus only road to make sure I was heading in the right direction!  But we made it in the end!  The rest of the journey was relatively hitch free and I managed to drop J off at her hotel and N left us near to our hotel, both in one piece.

Jo and I checked into the Lady Anne Middleton around 1.30 - a bit early but they didn't mind.  On going to get our bags from the car another car pulled up in front of us and the lady said "I know you, you're AnnieG and you're Jo" - goodness we're famous!   It was C and her daughter - a long standing Alistair fan and member of the a-g forum.  I have received lovely letters from her in the past and it was really nice to meet up with her at last.  Sadly we didn't really have a lot of time to chat - so maybe next time C?

The gig this time was at the Grand Opera House.  Alistair was supporting a band called The Hungry Ghosts and unusually the gig was at 3.30 in the afternoon!  A very strange time for a gig but hey ho it is Alistair we are following here!   Jo and I made it to the theatre just in time and took our seats in the front row.  We were right on the end of the row with the rest of Row A Al supporters way at the other end - a big gap in between which was eventually filled by a bunch of Hungry Ghost fans.

First up was young Ben - Lights - who we had previously seen at the House Concert gig a few months ago. 

He is only 19 but a very accomplished song writer and musician - in fact we learnt from Alistair later on that Ben had written Plans! His set was good but all of his songs were quite mournful, I heard a man behind me say they were a bit depressing and I have to admit I would have liked Ben to sing something lighter and more cheerful.  But I'm sure he has a bright future ahead of him.

Next up was Alistair and the band.  It was great to see them on a big stage at last, with proper spacing between them, good lighting and great sound. 

The set was as usual ....Blown Away, Is It Me, Planes, Naked, Kipper (now called Philip!) and Silent Suicide, but I never get fed up hearing the same songs as Alistair has a habit of changing the words anyway!   I was having a great time singing and bopping along to them all and I kept getting funny looks from the girl next to me - don't think she'd seen an "Ancient Rocker" in action before!  She was impatient for the next act unfortunately.  Once again Alistair's set was over in a flash - 30 minutes just isn't long enough - Guys you have to learn more songs and insist on being given a longer slot!

Last up were the headline act - The Hungry Ghosts.  I tried to like them, I really did, but they were just tooo loud and sounded so similar to a million bands out there - there was just nothing special about them and the lead singer was just a poser with an ordinary voice - sorry Hungry Ghost fans.  I had to move from my seat - front row was just too close.  I went out to buy myself a drink from the bar.  Jo followed me out but we went back in and we sat nearer the back with J and E who had also moved.

They were very popular with the audience.  They had a lot of family and friends there and the drummer - seen playing the bongo drum in the pic above - was playing the lead in the musical being staged at the Opera House at the time - Tommy - so a lot of the performers from the show appeared to be there too.

The gig finished around 5/5.30 and leaving the theatre there was Alistair and the band chatting to people outside.  I had a quick word with him - not having spoken to him the previous night.  He asked if I was going to Scarborough the next day and I said yes as long as Jo was fit.  He was concerned to hear she wasn't well and said he had noticed her sat down at Leeds, was going to mention it but decided against it.  I told him that that was a good decision!  I also managed to get a quick word with Dave - a fellow Liverpool supporter. We were both rather happy little bunnies having learnt that Liverpool had beaten Man United that afternoon 2 goals to 1. Woo Hoo!

Jo was still quite poorly but we did manage to get out for a meal - we went to the Italian restaurant opposite the Opera House.  After which we returned to the hotel where we watched some tv -  dreadful dancing programme on ITV - the top dance crazes from recent past, such as the Twist, the Locomotion, and lots more.  I was only biding time until Match of the Day was on - well I had to see that brilliant win!

And so the second leg of our mini tour was done - tomorrow - Scarborough......

J and I have just come home from a couple of days in London followed by a couple of days in Edinburgh.  The travelling was tiring - but the weather couldn't have been better and we managed to fit in lots of lovely, enjoyable things to do.

Of course I still haven't written my report of my travels with Jo the previous weekend - Leeds, York and Scarborough.  That was an eventful trip to say the least ....very enjoyable for me but sadly not for Jo who was very poorly and probably shouldn't have gone at all.  She did well to manage the Leeds and York trips but was sensible to miss the Scarborough one and go home.

So where to start - at the beginning I suppose - it's always a good place to start!

Friday 12 September 08 - I swapped my shift and worked the morning, so I could drive Jo and me to Leeds.  This was to be the first leg of the Alistair Griffin Scouse supporters mini tour.  I had booked us into a Travel Lodge which seemed to be close to the venue - I hadn't realised quite how close until we arrived.  As I was looking for the carpark - Jo was navigating she suddenly pointed right and shouted "Look".  I thought I had to suddenly turn right - good job there was no other traffic about as I really had to turn left, so swerved right then left when I realised she was pointing at The Cockpit - the venue for the gig! Just next door to our hotel.  This proved to be very handy later on.

Poor Jo - she really was suffering.  I realised she was ill when she started to nod off in the car and she didn't have anything when we stopped at our usual service station.  

We had a bit of a rest then got ready.  The Travel Lodge had a cafe so we got a burger and chips - or at least we both got one, I ate mine and Jo picked at hers.  We made our way to The Cockpit where T and P would meet us.  They were staying at a different Travel Lodge.  It was great to meet up with other friendly faces too.  We handed in our tickets and got a gold wrist band so we could go in and out.  Jo decided to go out - she went back to the hotel room for a lie down.  All she wanted to do was curl up and go to sleep, poor thing.  Thank goodness it was so close.

The Cockpit was a quite small venue but it had two music rooms - one on the same floor as the bar and the other a tiny nissan hut type room on the next floor.  This was the one Alistair Griffin, Ivyrise and Paper Heroes were in.  So once PH had started we went up the stairs and watched them.  They were ok - a song called Jenny Jones being a favourite of a few people.  But to be honest I was more bothered about Jo. So when they finished I returned to our room to see how she was.

She was up and about and said she would come back over.  This meant we missed a bit of Ivyrise - but to be honest as much as I love their music they did not seem to be on form in Leeds and I was a bit disappointed with them - but I thought this was because I wasn't really listening to them - being too concerned about Jo.  However others have said the same thing so maybe they were feeling a bit out of sorts too!  I do like their new single - "Disguise" though and recommend you buy it (see their MySpace for details here).  And I love "Underneath the Ice".

Next on and top of the bill  was Alistair and the Band!  E and J managed to commandeer a chair for Jo to sit on, but she refused to sit where they placed it right in front of Alistair!  So we moved it to the side and she spent most of her time bopping along on the seat desperate to get up and dance but her virus not letting her!  I bopped for her! Alistair looked rather good in leather jacket, white tee shirt and narrow jeans with scarf tied round his neck and black leather boots. 

T told him he looked very Goth!  He thought that quite funny!  Well she is into The Damned and Dave Vanian the singer (I can't see what she sees in him at all! Sorry T. )

The poor band were very squashed into a small area - the roof was curved so Waggo and Josh were crammed under the slopping ceiling to play their keyboards and Foda looked a bit hunched.

Alistair sang 7 songs ......

Blown Away
Plans
Is It Me
Somethings Going On
Naked
Gary - renamed by Alistair - formally known as Kipper
Silent Suicide.

We noticed the set list had lots of crossings out on it - I as usual had taken a photo of it and I realised when I looked at the pics later that a bit of recycling had taken place - it had been the set list from The Beached gig with a few alterations!

All too soon the set was over and the bouncers were hurrying the band off the stage and urging us to move downstairs back into the bar area.  There was no chance of an encore even if Alistair had wanted to do one!   We moved down to the bar for a drink - thanks N for the Smirnoff Ice.  But it soon became very crowded when the other music room let out so it wasn't long before Jo and I made our way back to the hotel.

Poor Jo - I hoped she would get some sleep and hopefully feel better the next day for the second leg of our tour with a trip to York.............