Watch Out For The Extras!

I thought I'd have a qiz at flight availability EMA to Amsterdam in early August. Why? I received an email touting cheap flights with BMI and August is a birthday month. I started to get very excited and reached for my clogs, clay pipe and silly bargeman's hat. But, yes, you guessed it, then there's the extras. The initial return ticket price for 2 pax was less than 8 GBP. Add: taxes, seat allocation, 1 check-in bag, and insurance and the price came out at 165 GBP! We thought we'd forgo the priority boarding and use of the airport lounge facilities which would be another handful of shekels.This price was at least 80 GBP cheaper than over-the-counter prices.

So much for cheap flights. The Devil, as always, is in the detail; read small print ...

Soooo Boring Sydney

Oh dear I've committed sedition! That's if finding Sydney boring is the criterion - the trouble is we're not really Ozzers; we don't booze, do drugs or like sport. I've given up on the Oz theatre including film; it's supposed to be professional but I just can't see it ... something always seems to be lacking or maybe - and more likely - I'm not all that keen on year 12 humour and I've seen so much "Gay" stuff over too many years masquerading as entertainment to be even mildly shocked. As I say, Sydney seems so boring and it's getting scruffier each year.

We went to the Gal NSW to see Archibald et al and, honestly, the shows were poor. I suppose you have to take into account the desire to present something controversial but, really, there is so much of  not-leaving-your-mates-behind  that things get very stale. A few of the chosen portraits were excellent but the rest ... er ... crap. The Wynne had a couple of notable pieces and the Sulman was, as ever, a complete mystery - what were the selectors on? This was the Sulman winner. Explain it if you can. Still, it's all good for the arty-farty crowd I'm sure. The show at the Ervin gallery has some good work; much better than some of the stuff selected for the "real" shows.

Didn't see so many ugly, fat lessos in Newtown this time. Has there been a cull?

Tickets. Get Your Tickets Here!

That's done and dusted and we're a lot lighter in the purse. So it's off to Tokyo in July for all stations ... we still don't know!

Sydney ... not as exciting as ...

Up to Sydney for the w/e. Another painting delivered and expected to be reject by the dunks at the GNSW; got to be in it etc etc. Weather was disgusting - hot and steamy. I don't think I've seen so many grossly over weight, tattooed and unimaginably ugly people (sadly women) on the streets before. Must have be an ugly's convention in Newtown. Yes, I know it's not PC, Christian or "nice" to make such a comment but you had to be there to believe it was actually the case.

Best part was going to a small, noisy cafe which had excellent Italian food and a splendid Thai restaurant. Plus, a demonstration of Japanese wood block printing. The printer lives in Tokyo and has been printing wood blocks for over 50 year; he was expert!

Shifting Sands ...

All has changed ... the best laid etc ... so watch this space.

Planning, Planning ...

Plans so far:
The itinery for Italy looks like:

Venice (maybe not this year .. debate rages ...)
Vicenza
Ferrara
Bologna
Moderna
Reggio Emillia
Palma
Genoa

Which seems to me to be a delightful two/three week prospect.

Finding a furnished appartment in Sleaford seems to be almost impossible - we'll have to rent and buy a few sticks to fill the place ... or ...  it'll be Sheffield again - and the buses are free to old folk like me! That means we'll have weekend trips to Prague, Vienna and Amsterdam plus Delf - well it's only filthy lucre ...

Plus, the reason for being in England's green and pleasant, loads of outing to the Peaks and sundry cathedrals, churches, galleries, archaeological sites and such. All this and more. Don't forget there's the visits to Japan each way from Sydney to London.

I still need a project though ...

Oooo Er - Maybe It Is Time to Fly ...

I'm getting that itchy feeling again - in my feet! Keep those mucky thoughts to yourself! Where will it be this time? We'll travel at the beginning of July so I don't fancy sticky, hot weather in Japan, Korea or China which were on the list for the out-bound trip. Dubai equally too hot. America - you have to be joking! It looks like a couple of days in Narita village, just to break the flight to London or some other European city. Then, at least three months in the UK followed by one or two months wandering about Europe and Asia on the way back to Horsetraileeyor. Details about our flat in England are lacking 'cos it seems impossible to find one! So ... it mabe dear Sheffield yet again - ain't life hard for us old folk!

New Year ... 2010 .. Wow I'm that old!

I wish you all a safe and prosperous New Year!


Not that some poor souls will get the chance because of other folk's greed and stupid political, ethnic, nationalistic or religious ideas. It puzzles me why anyone prefers death, starvation, sickness and turmoil over quiet sufficiency. Still thats Folks Freddy Boy ...

Wow! What a lovely present!

I'm double gob-smacked with delight! What a splendid Chrissy gift from my partner-in-crime. Fanttastically great!

Happy Birthday JC! Well sort of ...

Happy holiday to you all! Here, in the back of colonial beyond, we will be having a peaceful and quiet time free of all the usual trappings we associate with Chrisymas. No children, party balloons, turkey, fruit pudding with brandy sauce, silly paper hats or excess booze. "Oh, how Humbug" I here you cry. No my dears, it's chrisymas every day as far as we're concerned. Just think, not a day goes by that we haven't got plates full of good food, water in abundance, so much so that we can have flushing loos, plus a roof, bed and neighbours that don't tote guns. The roads aren't lined with beggars and we can go into town without fear of being robbed or hijacked. Who, for Christ's sake, needs Christmas when we have so much?

It's The Tapes I Tell You ...

It is all very well wander about pointing a video camera hither and yon but the end result is crossed-eyes and a suppressed urge to scream! Eight out of seventeen HDV tapes have been edited, tweaked and rendered and I am now virtually senseless and totally disenchanted with the whole experience. That's what you get Freddy boy if you don't stay at home locked in a cultural cupboard!

Back to the editor ...

Scorching Sun to Wet N Cold ...

Yesterday was so hot it'd sear a side of beef but today it's cold and damp. That's weather for you. All this talk of Global Warming and, oo er, climate change makes me think that we've lost sight of reality. I can assure any of you that climate IS unstable and after 65 year of experience, north and south hemisphere, I'll bet my last brass farthing that it's going to change and change again. Oh dear what a naught man I am! A non-believer of The Gospel according to St Scientist. So, today I'll put on a jumper and tomorrow I may be under a Banyan in me nothins trying to put up with a furnace atmosphere.

Woof Woof - Its the Boys again ...

A few pics of my favorite football team.

And their coach, Mr Flint

These are the star players of Cottage United, that formidable team of  gatherers that not stray ball is safe!

I just love 'em!

I'm Turning Japanese. I Really Think So ...

Here were are at the Oak, Asakusa (Tokyo). Two old farts gadding about ...

Ooo, Er Ain't The Sunshine Great ...

After a mad, dashing-about on Monday, my car is tested, taxed and waxed. I must have walk miles to and from offices and garage but it was all done in glorious sunshine.

Most of the "house" has been unpacked; what a load of rubbish we hold dear to our bosoms; do we really want the nick-knack from long gone Uncle Fed? Not that I ever had an Uncle Fred. Questions upon questions and all about "things" we didn't even know we had let-alone that we looked at regularly. What silly sentimental duffers we all are ...

Now it's down to video editing. I can't remember the name of some of the places; the places I remember but the names? I suppose it's a case of adopting  a "roses and names" philosophy ...

So the music plays and we dance on. Why? It's a mystery to me!

Horsetrailyer - Kulture Free Zone At Last

Well possums, here we are in Horsetrailyer again. Sun a-shining and all the convicts are safe in their cells. What a difference. One minute we were in London, the next it was Tokyo and then Sydney. I dropped by Travelscene to check on return fares just to keep a bit of perspective.

So, now my car is unregistered and, because of the rules I have to return the number plates and go though all the hoops again - same car but thats colonials Freddy Boy.

We have been blown away by the reception our convict friends have given us - that really makes us feel very privilege. Lots to unpack and re-do which is good for old farts like us; you can get too bogged down with "things" being just-so and unable to cope with change. "Oh, er, its' seven minutes past eleven! I have to have my tea; one and a half sugars and a splash of milk; Earl Grey mind; with two digestives - the ones in the white jar Uncle Bert gave me for my 21st ..." Time for walkies ....

Now its time for a little rest while I process all the video footage and book another trip.

Chrysanthemum Me!

A little ride on the Yamanote people moving iron horse brought us to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. This is, more or less, in the centre of Tokyo and is one of the largest gardens. It was the first day of the chrysanthemum show. I never saw such huge displays of huge flowers. Some sort of sculptured intomulti-bloom thingies; one plant and hundreds of flowers in a sort of wire corset. One display was of hundreds of perfect huge individual blooms. Stunning as you would expect just because its Japan.

The weather seems far from what we expect of autumn - sunny and 24 deg C.

About 5 hours of walking and God knows how many steps leaves us completely knackered!

Tokyo means a 7pm Bedtime!

Twelve hours of flying makes my arms somewhat tired which means I fell asleep at 7 pm!

JAL once again proved that its the worlds best airline and systems were all functioning well from London hotel to Tokyo hotel so hurrah for the little people who keep the whole going - still puzzles me that the self appointed "execs" think its them what make things go. Don't get me onto my soap box about the workers versus the suits else you'll think I'm a socialist ...

A quick wander around Asakusa, a vist to Mr Doughnut and the super market and that's us totally stuffed for the day - hence the 7pm beddy-byes.

Nighty-night campers ....

Halloween ... Shefield Style

We walked to town yesterday and were surprised to see a full-blown fair in the centre. Rides and stalls of all descriptions, food and masses of people. Families, groups of friends and loads of uni students most of which were dressed up for Halloween. It was good to see the people take over the city centre and having a good time. It's call "Fright Night" and touted as Sheffield's Halloween Party. We reckon Sheffield council are doing the right thing to let this sort of event happen; it lifts peoples spirits and give us all a break from the doom-and-gloom that seems to dominate life these days. Best of all, it seems to be a real family affair.

Strike, Strike , Strike ....

What isn't working today? Buses, Post, and fire services (the folks who put fire out, duh ..) Well it is coming up to Christmas. It's all cleaning and packing ready for Transportation. Not that I'm too happy about that but it's inevitable at this point in time. Ho hum ...

Sheffield has been a good place to hang my hat; convenient for transport and all other aspects of day-to-day doings. I wouldn't want to settle here for good; too big, hectic and noisy. Yes, we old fogies like a bit of peace and quiet plus absence of over iPoded kiddies. Poor souls don't seem to exist outside the virtual techno-world. What? Actually speak to other denizens of the forest? You have to be joking! That would require social skills which are just not cool ...

What's next ...