gavinf1980

Taken at You're All Weird last year, from the Astronauts' set; I remember this one being well attended, with some good bands.

I skipped out on the Skimmington Ride gig last night; I wasn't feeling 100%, and didn't want to be stressed out thinking of getting a table at a probably quite busy sit-down event.

I feel like I let a friend down by saying I'd do one thing, and then doing another, but I'm trying to let go of what others expect of me today, and focus on what matters to me.

At the moment, that's making it to "You're All Weird" and paying tribute to Mark, then hopefully getting to see the England v South Africa game without spoilers.

So, I didn't complete the September Run Climbing Challenge on Strava (only managed 1,410m out of 2,000m of climbing); hopefully October's will go better.

Optimistic October is back.



So, I've thought of three things to look forward to this month:
1) Part 11 of the Icknield Way hike: Kennett to Lackford;
2) The return of "You're All Weird", featuring Bellzzz and (I think) the Metatrons; and
3) Doing a presentation to the department about the work my team does; hopefully it will prove enlightening.

I also thought of something else; Dame Sharon White resigned from John Lewis, which we were all happy about; she seems to have been responsible for the Peterborough branch (which I used to visit while living there as a kid) closing down.

So, I've just spent the last week or so at Center Parcs, and here's part 1 of what we did.

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The late Mark Astronaut at a gig four years ago.

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I have to start with this video, which I have now listened to twice; its an Astronauts song that I've not heard until now.

This morning, the first news I read was of James Caan, who remember specifically from the Godfather (tollbooth scene), but then news came of a death that I hadn't expected.

I've bumped into Mark Astronaut of the Astronauts, a band that I certainly know as I've watched many times, a couple of times this year. I last saw him in April at a gig, and also some of us bumped into him on the train in February.

Apparently his health really declined this week, and I found out this morning he passed away; he'd not quite made his 67th birthday, which definitely feels too young. I'd like to think he at least was able to die happy when Boris finally did the decent thing and resigned (as nick_101 pointed out in comments last night).

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R.I.P James and Mark.

Survivors 45 Years of The Astronauts by Marcus Blakeston

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I picked this one up last month at a gig and have been reading it most nights since then. I've been to several of their gigs over the past decade or so.

It's quite a big chunky book, but is quite a comprehensive history of a band that has been going since the 1970s, and has some good anecdotes from the band members, and also from people who know them. Not surprisingly, a lot of their material was about their hatred of Margaret Thatcher and the Tory Party.

The visuals were good too; lots of pictures of band members over the years, and some of their promotional material. The book came out at a time when the writers and contributors were able to comment on the effects of coronavirus and the lockdowns, and what the future holds for them.



View all my reviews

I've now managed 5/25 for the ljbookbingo 2022 challenge - a book beginning with "S".


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Bedtime reading for me every night; it also ticks off another item for the December Scavenger Hunt.

I'm going to go out and get a coffee at Costa this morning, and see if they honour my free drink that I'm entitled to. Today's Pukka Tea is turmeric gold flavour, which is one I enjoy. I think I have one left in my cupboard too.

I'll have a walk with Mum later; she tells me that one of the kindest things I can do is listen to her. Then, I've got the first of this week's two meals out this evening.

Board games last night was enjoyable, though it seems that some people arrange what they are going to play in advance, and who they will play them with. I'm hoping that doesn't leave me left high and dry with no one letting me join in; always difficult with pre-formed groups who you don't know well.

I'm taking the afternoon off work, and having a walk with Mum - hopefully I'll be able to help her with anything she is having trouble with. Later, I'm going to an Astronauts gig, so am looking forward to that.

I ticked off another task for ljbookbingo, by listening to Christmas music on Spotify while reading a book at lunchtime.



Today's Pukka Tea is lemon, ginger and manuka honey. I have a whole box of this flavour at home, and I think I forgot that I did. It's a nice, comforting flavour though, and I think I'll have it for elevenses.

I've managed 21km and almost 4 hours of activity towards my Strava Challenge, so have almost finished the Brooks UK "24Ks in 24 Days".