Well, two weeks at home and pursuing adventures, then I started my new job. Its been a pretty exciting and busy month.

The picture above is taken on the Rock of Gibraltar where I retraced the steps of James Bond in the 1988 film – The Living Daylights.

Years ago I had a Ninja suit and found the deluge of 80’s films fascinating. Last year I visited feudal castles in Japan where Ninja grappling hooks must surely have seen action. I saw this article, and for a brief moment considered applying for the job !.

My new boss is a keen fan and participant of Rugby. I read this article about someone who’d suffered a horrendous mauling during a Rugby game, but just got on with it.

As a plain speaking man (if you know what I mean) the BBC have had to substitute some of his phrases with the names of vegetables. Hilarious.

This year, I’ve decided to go away for the weekend to celebrate my birthday and I’ll be doing some more pub walks in the Lake District.

I’m still going to have a bit of a day out around Chester, and I’ve decided to hold it on Saturday the 30th of April.

If anyone is around then, it would be fab to see you.

Talking of things happening on a Saturday, this Saturday is the Chester Globetrotters talk.

This week, there are 2 different talks about Africa. It costs £3 for 2 talks and tea/coffee (in most of Chester its £3 just for coffee, so a real bargain).

Best of all, this time, Nikki will be the compere which should make for a smooth running and interesting afternoon.

On Sunday, I’m going back home to Manchester for the day.

I’ve always wanted to see the new theatre/cinema/cultural centre called home: which is on a road called Tony Wilson way.

I’m really interest to see a 3 part creation by some guys called Al & Al.

Off special interest is the middle section is called the Creator. It tells the story of intelligent machines from the future who travel back in time to meet Alan Turing near the end of his life.

Made me think. If you believe (as I do) that intelligent machines will evolve beyond humanity, one day, won’t they “naturally” want to know something about the person who created them ? (although whether they’ll have “cracked” time travel is another matter 🙂

You can read what they’ve said about it here.

I knew all those years ago, when I started working in IT, that the jet set life was just around the corner. Visits to the worlds most exciting places would be simply another day at work.

Well, not exactly. I remember spending a week in Hickory while working at Corning. You may not have heard of Hickory, but put simply, its where the phrase Hick Town comes from. Grim.

I’ve done several site visits since I started my new job (the company I work for really is massive, competing in 9 major markets on a global scale).

Last week, we spent 3 days in a place called Grangemouth, in Scotland.

Not exactly Florida, but a really interesting project and the accommodation, food, drink and local people were excellent.

Well, I’m off to Pembroke with the Chester and District Walking group over Easter.

I’m really looking forward to it as the area has some of the best coastal walking in the world.

Were based out of St David’s, a place I visited many years ago with Fairbridge Drake.

There are still places available if any of my friends want to come.

* this is a stock picture I found on the internet. If you join the walking group to meet this girl, you’re going to be disappointed (although there are lots of other nice people in the group).

In between leaving Moneypenny and starting at SGS, I had 10 days off.

The first weekend, Nikki and I visited in Hayfield in the Peak district and did some fab walking there.

The 4 days of the following weekend, we visited an area of Spain and spent time in Gibraltar.

I’m going to do a more thorough write-up about Gibraltar, but for now I just wanted to say a quick Thank You to Nikki’s sister Lyn (picture left, at a tunnel on the way up the Med steps).

I’ve visited Gibraltar previously and had a big list of interesting things I wanted to see.

As a native of the Island, Lyn had organised a really smart tour and in an exhausting day (well for me at any rate) I got to see all the things I’d planned.

On a school trip, we travelled on a coach through the Black Forest.

Since then, the only Black Forest I’ve come into contact with, was served after a meal !.

I was delighted when Nikki and I booked a 10 day walking trip there in May. I may even eat Gateau while I’m there.

I always enjoy meeting Nikki’s parents.

I know I’m supposed to say that, but honestly, its true. Nikki’s father was in the RAF and afterwards designed aeroplanes and can tell you anything you want to know about just about any kind of aircraft.

I’ve been invited to go on a family holiday to Orkney. A relaxing couple of days and a chance to connect with people ?

Well, years ago, I watched a program that inspired me. A guy and his daughter climbed this massive rock obelisk somewhere.

I now know that guy was the famous Joe Brown and the rock was the Old Man of Hoy, first climbed 15 years earlier by Sir Christ Bonington.

As well as all the family stuff, I’m really looking forward to visiting the Old Man (there’s a walk around there, I certainly wont be trying to climb it 🙂

I got a call from my friend Tony a couple of months ago (former landlord of my favourite pub and good mate).

I wasn’t sure what he wanted. He’s originally from down south, so he may have wanted to go out for a curry, come round to my house and practice swearing together or perhaps print emails, since he doesn’t have a printer.

But then I remember. A few weeks before, Tony asked me what my plans were for this years “big trip”.

I told him Thailand (to catch up with Frank) , Laos, and Burma (which has been closed to tourism for 20 years and represents a real adventure opportunity).

A couple of weeks later we meet up and he tells me he’s going on holiday. I’m fascinated by travel, so instantly ask him where he’s going.

The cheeky bastard has stolen my entire trip, and he and some “press ganged” mates are doing the whole thing several months before me.

When he finally arrived that evening, it turned out he needed to get a visa.

I found a suitable wall, took his picture and organised the visa.

He’s back home now and had a fab trip.

Tuesday night, I’m going to the Chester film society to watch X & Y with my ace friend Dave Emonds.

The picture above, isn’t actually the cinema, its us at the Snowdon Ranger Youth hostel several months ago.

On Wednesday night, its one of my favourite places, Urbano 32 (on Bridge Street, Chester) for wine tasting.

Its  20 quid for 4 courses and 4 nice glasses of wine (that would be good value if it was being served in my back yard).

Their website is here, its well worth a look.

Before signing off, I just wanted to take a moment and flag up some annoying people I’ve experienced while travelling.

I don’t know their names (and have no wish too) so I’ve made up my own.

Plane arse (pictured above) decided to stand up for the whole of my flight to Spain.

Despite being asked several times to move by the hostess’s who were trying to serve drinks, he didn’t seem to care.

Here, Train nob thinks its clever to lie down on a parcel shelf.

Look closely at the picture. His friends, the “kids having harmless fun” seem to think it’s hilarious.

Now look at the woman holding a toddler, who had to move due to concerns over safety.

I deeply regret taking this picture. I wish I’d just yanked him of the shelf and watched him land on the floor 🙂

Well that’s it for now, the search for adventure continues…

Well, main news this time, is that today is my last day at Moneypenny and I’m moving on for pastures new.

It’s a shame, as I’ve really enjoyed working here, and met some fantastic people.

The next generation of my career is beckoning, with an offer I honestly can’t refuse.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Rachel, Ed & Glenn, everyone in my team, everyone in the dev team and all the people in sales and support.

Most of all, I’d like to thank the 400+ PA’s who I’ve tried so hard to help over the last 18 months, who’ve treated me so well and made this duty a pleasure to perform.

Of Moneypenny as a company, all I can say is that I’ve seen what they do first hand. They are excellent, set the standard within the industry and I couldn’t recommend them more highly.

Well, Valentines came around again and as usual I bought Nikki some nice flowers, and a practical present.

We aren’t much for the chutzpah of dining out on Valentines, so as usual, we stayed in and cooked (good food and wine are part of the very fabric of our relationship, so it seemed appropriate).

Sunday evening seemed a daft time to celebrate, so we chose Saturday instead.

I promised Nikki that we’d do anything she wanted on the Sunday of Valentines day (a decision I’d later perhaps regret).

Nikki chose for us to join the walking group on a 3* walk to Moel Pearce and Cadair Brownwen (extremely challenging for me, as I’m not that fit).

Good company and the snow on the tops made it a fantastic day.

Unfortunately, I got mild hypothermia on the way down ! (I’m OK now, and was back at work by Monday morning :).

On the subject of the outdoors, I’ve got a week or 2 before I start my new job.

A couple of weekends ago, Nikki and I stayed in Edale and did some walking around some places I’d always promised myself I’d revisit.

Whilst walking through Hayfield, we liked it that much, that once we returned home, we’ve booked a long weekend there for next week.

I’ve got great plans for 3 days of fab walking and evenings with open fires and restaurants with nice food and wine.

One thing I’m really looking forward to is having lunch in the Lantern Pike pub pictures above.

Apparently, one year the whole town was snowed in, everyone congregated in the pub and occupied themselves as best they could.

One chap called Tony Warren started writing a screenplay. Not something I enjoy but its international fame is beyond debate.

He wrote the first 6 episodes of Coronation Street !

A few jobs around the house and then the weekend later, I’m flying to Malaga with Nikki and some friends.

I’m not an around the pool kind of guy, so I’m intending to get the bus around a see a few different places (Tracey at work as been helping, as her brother lives there).

One special project, is Gibraltar. I’ve only been there once, had the chance to climb the rock, didn’t and have regretted it ever since.

It’s not all adventure.

My house is almost complete and just 1 more thing to do before I put up the hand carved “Weltevreden” sign outside that Glenn bought me as a Christmas gift.

Only thing is, that 1 job is the kitchen, which is about 100 jobs all mixed in together.

Its said that the art of buying a car is: Get the right car -> Get the right price

I’ve worked out my own system for kitchens: Get the right kitchen units -> Get the right appliances -> Get the right person to put it all together

I’m still a long way from success, but I’ve been looking at appliances this week. I found this amazing Samsung oven, that can literally clean itself.

I also saw a microwave in John Lewis that seemed specifically designed for men. Among its many control’s and buttons, it had 1 that said “reheat curry” and another that said “reheat chinese”.

More kitchen adventures in the next blog entry (if it ever ends…)

I’ve got 8 people joining me on my Easter jaunt to Pembroke and St David’s.

It promises to be a fantastic trip, with some of the best coastal walks (and pubs) in the country.

If you’ve not got involved yet, pipe up, it would be fab to see you there.

I’ve not been to the theatre much recently, but I’ve got a packed itinerary over the next 6 weeks.

One thing I’m really keen to see, is The Creator at Manchester’s Home: arts centre.

I’m excited about seeing the building on Tony Wilson way, which I’ve not seen before, but most of all, its the performance I’m looking forward to.

It’s about intelligent androids from the future who travel back in time to speak to Alan Turing on this death bed.

I’m also going to see Comedian Adam Hill in Crewe (the first time I’ve been outside the railway station in that city).

A return to Wrexham and Ed Byrne will complete my comedy duo.

Although I’ve attended dozens of courses taught by his students, I’ve never seen Ray Mears in person.

Nikki and I are going to see a talk by him at the Liverpool Philharmonic.

I’m expecting sycophants everywhere, but I’m still really looking forward to it.

I’ve been spending a lot of time converting the country pages over to this site (with the rush to upgrade, it didn’t happen when I wanted it too).

If you scroll down, on the right you’ll see something that says countries (I’ve added another 20 recently).

If you open it out, you’ll see some of the countries I’ve visited (and ultimately, it will show ALL the country’s I’ve visited, once I’ve finished.

While converting the pages about Moscow, I remembered the Church of Christ our Saviour I visited in Moscow.

It originally took 40 years to build. In 1931 it was ordered immediately demolished on the personal orders of  Joseph Stalin.

With only 3 hours, unknown people capture as much information as they can about the church and its construction for posterity.

As the building was levelled with dynamite, they must have looked at all that was left of it in a shoebox with its hand drawings, measured out pieces of string and samples of door handles…

In 1995 after the fall of the communist party, using the contents of the box and modern computer design tools, they were able to completely re-construct the church and it reopened in 2000.

People who had stood in the original, say it looks just the same.

Its not possible to live a life and never make mistakes (God knows, I’ve made enough and many of the people reading this could fill a book with my failures).

But I believe, and this story shows, that if you really try, you can put things back together.

Once again, thanks for reading, and near and far, The search for adventure continues…

Well, although the adventure season normally begins at Easter, I’ve decided to start early and this weekend were going away to stay at Edale youth hostel for 2 days of walking, good company and excelent food and drink.

Speaking of youth hostels, I saw this amazing adventure in Trail magazine:

In recent months, I’ve been re-connecting with my youth.

It’s not like I’m having a mid life crisis and I’m going to buy a motorbike and start wearing moisturiser !.

No, In my life I’ve done a lot of interesting things. While visiting some places I’ve promised myself that someday I’d go back there.

We all know that the path to someday is the road to no-where, so I’ve drawn up a plan.

My walk on Saturday, takes in a place called Hayfield in the peak district.

When I was 14, I heard that the local Sunday school were organising a camping trip. I joined and attended every Sunday for 5 weeks, so that I could go camping.

It was a fantastic 4 day trip where we stayed at Hayfield camp-site and went walking each day.

When we returned from the camp, I didn’t go to Sunday school again.

I’m not very religious.

On the 2nd day, we’ll be visiting a place called New Mills.

I was in youth group called 42nd Street and they had an away day there.

It was a cool day out and I realised for the first time, that I actually quite like baked potatoes.

I had a girlfriend called Adela at the time. The relationship lasted about 18 months and was in a constant flux of up and down (mainly due to my immaturity).

She was there with me that Sunday, and I’ve always remembered it as our happiest time together.

This time I’ll be going with Nikki, and I’m especially looking forward to the Millennium trail (above).

Later in the year, I’m off down to Ramsgate. There’s a forest in Chilham woods, where I built a shelter and lived in it for 4 days. I’m a lot better at Bushcraft now, but I’ll probably still stay in a hotel !.

A couple of years ago, I went to see Blondie live at Delamere forest (there’s an area there, that forms a natural amphitheatre).

Just heard from Nikki that the Kaiser Chiefs are playing in July, and we’ve got tickets.

I’m going to buy a T Shirt this time to get into the spirit of things.

My old friend Mike Delafield came down to Chester last weekend.

We spent some time catching up with the Chester Globetrotters and finished with dinner and drinks at Urbano 32.

While having dinner, it got me to thinking. In 3 years, I’m going to Antarctica, and its my intention to visit my 100th country. But that number only works, if I know how many countries I’ve already been to !.

Have a look at this website and do your own count.

New Year in the lake district was fantastic with me, Nikki and our 4 friends.

I didn’t arrive at Coniston youth hostel until quite late, with Dave E, but everyone had prepared dinner and there were cold beers waiting when we arrived.

The weather on New Years day was actually better then the picture above shows.

We did a 2nd night, and another days walking with everyone, before heading to Ambleside for a quiet night in a B&B in the town.

While there, I got chance to pursue a new project that’s been kicking around for a while.

About 10 years ago, I had a book called 25 pub walks in the Lakes.

My companion and I did a couple of the walks from the book.

Afterwards we usually had a drink in the relevant pub then got a member of staff to initial the page.

Sadly, the book fell by the wayside some years ago, forgotten.

About 6 weeks ago, I bought a new copy. I’ve decided to start afresh, and with the day we had free, was able to “bag” 2 more pubs so just 23 more initials to collect 🙂

The National Television Awards isn’t something that has me rushing to my settee with a glass of wine in hand, and the phone off the hook.

However, 2 breakfast time presenters, went out on the evening, won an award and stayed out late.

So late, that they had to go straight to work the next morning, very much the worse for wear.

I might feel differently if they worked for me, but honestly… RESPECT for having the balls to appear on TV like that 🙂

Near and far, the search for adventure continues… And these 2 certainly had 1 !.

Well, 2015’s Mindmap is complete, and I’ve begun work on 2016.

I found this written on a whiteboard at work and I thought it captured my thoughts about the New Year, which I always find really exciting.

This year has been another amazing one. I’ve been out hill walking on more than 40 occasions, visited 6 countries, did some amazing work on my house and hundreds of other things.

Busy planning New Year in the lake district.

Were staying in Coniston with some friends for the first 2 nights (usual stuff, walking in the daytime, nice food and beer/wine in the evening).

After this, were off the Ambleside where well have a nice evening in our favourite hotel and dinner at Zeffrellis.

If you’re out tonight, stay safe.

Another fantastic year of adventure.

The mindmap contains nearly 300 completed targets for the year, but to highlight a few of the ones I’m especially please/proud about.

* Had some fantastic/special times with Nikki (celebrating our 3rd year together)

* Lost a stone

* Finally got rid of wisdom tooth

* Got to meet the Azimo robot

* Completed all 7 routes up Snowdon

Above, just a quick something to make you laugh.

The message here is:

By all means push to better yourself and achieve more, but don’t take yourself or life to seriously.

Reggie and I have some fantastic plans for johnsunter.com next year.

Thanks for coming and visiting us this year.

The search for adventure continues…

What a fantastic few days we’ve had in Malta.

Its true what they say, its a fantastic place to go walking.

I’ve emailed/texted/called/put-bricks-through windows with messages wrapped around them, as many people as I could.

What a fantastic Christmas its been.

Last night I had the biggest T Bone steak I’ve ever eaten, and today we did an amazing coastal walk, which visited a derelict Nato base.

Best foot forward for next year, near and far, the search for adventure continues…

For the first time since its inception in 2001 (long before Facebook and Twitter) johnsunter.com hasn’t been updated for a whole 6 weeks. I know if I don’t keep it up to date, the staff at Phonak, and Wrexham Mayelor hospital will get bored and do something else on Friday morning at breaktime, so I’m bouncing back.

My Trip to Japan.

I’m going to write about the trip in more detail in the travel pages, but the main thing I did was an amazing trip to Japan.

Amongst many amazing things, I visited the Honda Plaza, saw the Asimo robot on stage and later had this amazing picture (well Asimo looks amazing, me perhaps not) taken. The culmination of an 11 year dream.

We travelled to numerous city’s and saw Himeji Ninja castle, had a tea ceremony, visited an Aquarium big enough for 3 whales…

Best of all we travelled around on the Shinkansen bullet train. In a 2 week trip, not 1 train was a single minute late.

A week in bed.

Back in the office for 2 days, and then I’m struck down by some kind of Flu (3 out of 4 of us on the Japan trip got this).

After so much excitement, and with so many jobs that needed doing, I ended up spending an entire week in bed.

My talk at Chester museum.

A week later, and Nikki and I are invited to speak at the Chester Globetrotters at Chester Museum.

We had about 60 slides and talked for 90 minutes about last years adventure in Cuba (here and here).

Lots of our friends were in the audience and the talk seemed to go really well.

Nikki and I are available for weddings, barmitzfas and birthday parties.

Visit to Manchester – gods own country.

Following day, were booked to see a comedian in Manchester so decide to head over early and explore my home town.

The German markets are an annual event in Manchester. Growing bigger each year, they sprawl across the city.

Stopping to have dinner at Panama Hatty’s, something feels strangely familiar.

Then I realise. I’m in the same building that used to be Brahm’s and Liszt. We used to go there frequently on a Friday, and the room I’m sat in, is the one where Julie and Rick met for the first time.

We finish off with a drink at hanging ditch. Its a fascinating piece of history.

Both pubs are very old, and after the IRA bomb, were moved brick by brick, 400 metres.

Because they couldn’t fit side by side, they are now at right angles. If your an original customer of the Oyster bar, it looks identical inside, but the sun shines in through a different set of windows 🙂

Oasis – Masterplan.

While wondering around, I find myself singing some old Manchester songs.

For those that don’t know, Manchester music really came in 3 generations.

The Smiths (which I consider to be the best band to come out of the city)

After this, came Madchester music with the Happy Mondays and stuff like that.

The most recent incarnation was Oasis.

I have all of these kinds of music on my ipod, The other day, for the first time, I saw the video to Masterplan (the song I consider to be Oasis’s finest). I’ve embedded it above, I hope you enjoy it.

Look out for Liam’s famous walk.

Pam Ann.

Finally, we went to see Pam Ann in a live 2 hour show.

She’s a sort of parody of air hostesses from different airlines.

I thought she was funny, but most of her humour was extremely crude.

A sort of female chubby brown, I enjoyed it but wouldn’t go again.

Drinks around town.

Weekend later, and Dan comes around.

I always like going out with Dan. There are a few “less celubrious” pubs in Chester.

They feature some rough looking people, the usual sprinkling of the “disabled” (have a crutch but seem able to stand comfortably at the bar for hours) and some foul language.

But they also have amazing character. No everyone wants to go to places like that, but Dan and I love them and once inside we can have a real conversation.

Farewell to Astrid.

Tragicaly, the next day, our amazing friend Astrid is leaving Chester.

She is moving house, and needs assistance.

Nikki and I go over to help and with the assistance of Astrids Dad we were all done in 2 hours.

So busy in fact that there was no time to take any pictures.

Instead, the photo above is of us all on Trefan, one of the special times we spent with Astrid.

Halo 5 – adventures ahead 🙁

I’m not big on “gaming” like some of my friends in the dev team, who treat it like a religion.

I do however really like the Halo and Call of duty series.

Halo 5 is not surprisingly, the 5th outing of the amazing master chief.

Unfortunately, it requires an entirely new games console to play it, the Xbox1.

So, isn’t it a bit daft, that I’ve treated myself to the game as a Christmas present to myself, when I cant  actually play it.

January and February will be pretty quiet months before adventure season starts, so I’ll probably buy 1 then, when its cheaper.

Walking group Christmas weekend.

Each year, the Chester and District walking group, where I’m a frequent walk leader and member of the committee have their Christmas weekend away.

This year was my 5th and was held at Eyam, famous for its selfless black plague antics.

As usual, I took the Friday off and did a project of my own during the day, before meeting everyone in the evening.

We stopped at the Snake pass in on the drive up and then walked up Win hill.

We did some fun walks on Saturday an Sunday, although the wind was really strong and it took a lot more effort to complete.

As usual, we stayed in a youth hostel in the town, where they cooked a really good Christmas dinner (although the food was fab, the staff were lacking a little in customer service and charisma).

In between, we spent time in the Miners Arms who’s service, company and food I couldn’t rate more highly.

Another fab weekend, thanks to Dave H for organising it.

Like being tortured !.

I had some problems with a wisdom tooth a few months ago. After frequent trips to the dentist I was referred for surgery to the NHS.

As the tooth couldn’t easily be extracted, they used some sort of cutting drill to take “bites” out of it, and then broke the piece off with some pliers.

They had to do this 23 times over 2 hours, as I lay on the operating table with a local anaesthetic.

What was easily the worst physical experience of my life was made much better, by the professionalism and skill of the staff there.

And at least now, the tooth’s gone !.

Watson talks to Bob Dylan.

 Well, this blog started with the amazing Asimo robot.

So to finish, I’ve included a recent tongue-in-cheek advert for the IBM Watson, another amazing piece of technology (it beat 3 human beings at double jeopardy using the spoken word. This stuff really is clever).

In this, Watson talks to Bob Dylan !. Watch it and find out what happens :).

Christmas and New Year adventures.

Well that’s it until after Christmas. On Saturday I fly to Malta for 10 days of walking & fine food and wine.

Back in work for 3 days, then 3 days in the Lake district to celebrate New Year.

If you’ve been reading this website in 2015, thanks so much for your continued support.

Near and far, Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

As 2016 looms, adventure calls.

John

The search for adventure continues… 

Run of my feet at the moment, preparing for talks at Globetrotters:  Nikki and I are giving a talk on our trip to Cuba, on Saturday the 21st of November at Chester, Grosvenor museum.

Packing and preparing for Japan next week, and Planning two weekends away and a week in Malta between now and Christmas.

With loads going on at work, and trying to keep up with friends while working on the house (and keeping it tidy) I just don’t have a lot of free time.

But its worked in everyone’s favour.

My thoughts on Facebook are well know, but a few of my friends can only be reached on there (they don’t have text or email).

While I’ve been keeping up to date on my friends, I’ve collected a few interesting graphics. Some are funny, some thought provoking.

I’ve put them up bellow, have a look and see what you think.

Bible bashing is a popular pastime on Facebook.

So is social justice.

Click on the one above to enlarge it. I thought it was hilarious and friends with children said it was highly accurate.

The first of a few “kick back” type graphics.

Philosophical.

Bashing astrology.

I find this one quite funny.

I don’t think I know anyone like this.

Someone said, this reminded them of me.

More observation humour.

I thought this was really good.

Politics bashing. Click on this to enlarge it.

2nd of the “kick back” graphics.

Reflection on whether to be trendy or not.

Classic motivational quote.

Technically accurate and highly informative.

Probably a fake, but funny anyway.

Crude impirical’ism.

Good sales advert. Click to enlarge.

Spoof motivational poster with a mini-gun.

Information about “yoof” triends.

More religion bashing.

Yet more religion bashing.

Lego Stephen Hawking.

Someone posted this, who’d recently had a bad time. I really like it.

Near and far, the search for adventure continues…

Nikki and I are giving a talk on our trip to Cuba, on Saturday the 21st of November at Chester, Grosvenor museum. More details here.

I always say, in adventure there’s no 2nd chances.

I was faced with a dilemma recently. A chance to visit Japan, and spend Christmas in Malta (along with a weekend away before Christmas, and a weekend away in the lakes).

Problem, this will leave me with just a few days holiday between now and the end of July.

Logically, I should hold back more holiday. I don’t know what opportunity’s are around the corner.

Practically, I’m just going to go. These trips are real now so I’ve opted for adventure and thrown caution to the wind.

I’ve often advised people on how to get out and find adventure if they’re on a budget, but what about if they haven’t got enough holiday from work.

Adept now, at making the most of the 141 *, I present a plan for what I’ll do for the first half of next year to illustrate what is possible.

Firstly, my adventure season doesn’t really start until the end of March, so I won’t need any time off before then.

25th – 28th of March	Walk Hadrians wall over the Easter bank holiday
30th April – 2nd May	Bank holiday weekend, I’ll go youth hostelling in the Peak District for my birthday
28th – 30th of May	Bank holiday weekend, camping in the Lake district
4th – 20th of June	9 day walking trip in Morocco. Will use my 4 days remaining holiday, and I’ll have to buy an additional 1
1st – 3rd July	Weekend in Iceland. Late flight on Friday, normal weekend
29th – 31st July	Camping in Tenby
12th – 14th August	Youth hostelling in the Yorkshire Dales

I’ll probably do even more than this, and I’ll be out with the walking group every Sunday that I’m free.

I hope you can see that people who say I can’t get out in search of adventure, I never have the time, just need to re-think their priorities.

* 141 is calculated to be the number of free days an average working person has in a year.

Ironic that I started this post talking about no 2nd chances.

I did my first trip around the world in 2004. My first stop was Tokyo for 4 days.

I remember being exhausted from the work I’d had to do in order to take the time away.

With little travel experience up to that point, I hadn’t really researched the place.

As a result, I spent one day on an organised tour, and the rest of the time, just wandering around.

I missed an opportunity, which I deeply regret (above is a picture of the Shinegawa Prince hotel where I stayed with its’ amazing bar on the 41st floor).

Well, now that I’m going back to Japan, I have to chance to put things right.

With 3 days in Tokyo, I’ve planned an extensive itinerary, which I’m really excited about (and that doesn’t even include the stuff I’m doing in the rest of Japan !)

And, I’m going to revisit the bar on the 41st floor with its spectacular views.

Sometimes there are 2nd chances 🙂

Near and far, the search for adventure continues…

While Nikki’s cousin Mark was visiting, we popped into Chester’s Grosvenor Museum.

Nothing unusual there, we go there all the time, to take part in the Chester Globetrotters meeting.

But that’s in the lecture theatre, and this time we decided to actually peruse the museum itself.

An amazing exhibition called End of the season, talked about North Wales holidays in the late 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s.

All about how they became an institution, but inevitably fell by the wayside.

Most of my childhood holidays were off this kind, so I found it fascinating.

Made me think though. The adventure season is coming to an end.

Pretty much from the beginning of April, until sometime in September each year, I celebrate what I call the UK adventure season.

I still go on overseas trips, but I try to do as many adventure weekends away in the UK as I can to make the most of the UK weather.

And I realise that this years is coming to an end…

So, the final 3 adventures I did, are captured in brief bellow. Have a a look and see what you think.

Remember, April isn’t far away, and its just a question of getting out and doing it.

Return to Hartington Hall YHA and the Peak district.

Earlier in the year, I visited Hartington Hall youth hostel (a solo trip, I walked from Buxton).

At the time I went, while Nikki was Skiing.

I enjoyed it so much, that we decided to visit it together and have a weekend in the lakes.

Most of our weekends, begin with a walk.

The reason for this is simple. Instead of a 2 day weekend break, we normally take the Friday off, get up really early and do the first of 3 walks then.

We found a cracking circular walk on walking world that took in Mam Tor and Castleton among other places.

Reaching the top and catching site of paragliders was pretty amazing.

We leave the walk, and make for Hartington, and our home for the weekend.

The little village is really nice, and on Friday evening has a van which sells chips.

With a bag of chips, I sit by the lake/pond in the centre of town.

After checking into the youth hostel and getting cleaned up, we have dinner and a few drinks in the hostel bar.

Our second day, and we choose a walk called the Hartington Lollipop.

I wasn’t too enthusiastic, and considered it a bit of a “filler in” type of walk.

I couldn’t have been more wrong, we wandered along rivers and meadows, and the weather was fantastic the whole time.

We stopped along the way at this little pub called the Watts Russel Arms (strange name, but brilliant pub).

Inside, the landlord had an extensive book collection for guests to look at, which he talked me through.

It was so nice, that we stayed for a 2nd drink.

Farther along, we reached a spot which seemed vaguely familiar.

Then I remembered. Last year I went to the YHA association AGM and gave a talk on social media for walking groups.

After lunch, we’d gone out on a walk and Graham and I had extended it. I remember realising I’d lost my wallet at a rest stop.

When I came back (to an area packed with walkers) it was still there.

I gave the children who found it £2 (which apart from cards, was all the money that was in it 🙂

Wandering back through open fields, its a perfect day and I’m looking forward to another evening relaxing with Nikki.

Our room was quite cosy, but with central heating and an on-suite bathroom for £32 per night represented amazing value.

It’s one of those things where although the room is really nice, I spend practically no time in it apart from sleeping and getting ready, as I’m always out either walking, dining out or drinking in friendly pubs.

After a quick shower and changing into Rohan Goa’s (well I did anyway) we head into town, have dinner in the Devonshire Arms and a couple of drinks later at the Charles Cotton hotel.

But nothings perfect, and now the disappointing part.

After a fantastic breakfast at the Youth Hostel, we head out for the day.

This time were doing a walk from Monyash. I hadn’t been here, since Frank and I walked the Limeston way all those years ago.

Back then, we’d walked all day and arrived at the campsite. We couldn’t find anywhere to book in, until we found a sign that said “go to pub”.

We found the farmer in the pub, paid him and went back to set up our tent.

Back at the pub, we had dinner. It was so busy that I remember we had to eat it on plates standing up.

In the morning, there was a cafe that served breakfast. With far too many customers to fit inside, I’ll always remember a lovely Sunday morning with perfect sunshine and about 30 people sitting out on the flags drinking tea and eating bacon butty’s 🙂

But in actual fact, the place was rather empty. The circular walk we had planned just involved walking through fields in appalling weather.

So bad in fact that after a drink in the pub at the halfway point, we just walked back along the road to our starting point.

On the way, I saw this, which lifted my spirits.

I dont know if you can see, but its a recycle bin that’s meant to say clothes and shoes.

Instead, someone has rubbed our some letters and the sign now says “clothes and hoes” !

But this kind of mixed fortune is what makes a weekend away that bit more fun.

And as you’ll see from the following section, considering the good look we’ve had throughout the adventure season, we’ve more then compensated for the bad luck we were due.

Lake district Bank holiday.

Our next trip is back to the lake district and the beautifull town of Keswick that Lee Sawbridge introduced me too 25 years ago.

We’ve had some good and bad luck with camping over bank holidays in the lakes previously, but were confident this time it would be ok.

The campsite on the lake at Keswick is without doubt the best one I’ve stayed at in this country.

Up early on Friday, breakfast and coffee in the car, we head for Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.

We’d had a good crack at it earlier in the year, but the weather had turned us back.

So looking at the weather above, it wasn’t sunny but it was quite nice for the UK.

And it lasted for about the first 20 minutes of the walk, then the heavens opened for the rest of the day.

I like to think I look “windswept” in this photo on the top.

But I’m told by Nikki I just look bedraggled and soaking wet.

I’m not one for standing on top of peaks and chatting so barely a minute later, were off back down the hill.

Back to our camp-site.

We didn’t have the spot we wanted and the ground was soaking.

Like I said, fortune is overdue to give us some bad luck !.

But when the cloud clears, you can see the view from our front porch on the tent.

It’s a lovely site, as you can see, there are quad bikes and boats parked so its all about adventure.

A new restaurant in Keswick sells Mexican and Tapas, (Bar Es) so there was no real question where we were going for dinner.

Couple of pints in the Royal Oak (which for 20 years I’ve known as the Keswick Lodge) for old times sake.

The following day, we head out early and get breakfast at a cafe in the town.

We wander around the shops, and I see a shop selling axes and other bushcraft stuff.

There’s an exhibition on at Keswick museum about Alfred Wainwright, one of my heroes so we spend a couple of hours in there.

In the photo above, you can see Wainwright’s “haversack” and tweed jacket which he wore on his 13 year exploration of the lakes.

If you were seen out in gear like that today, you’d be called a lunatic and told to go home !.

At lunchtime we decide to wander around the lake.

Not exactly Anapurna, but a nice walk all the same, and a stop at the halfway point of the Mary Mount for a drink (a pint obviously).

We head back into town for a treat at the Keswickian chippy (probably the best in-shore chippy in the UK).

Nikki wants to get ready and relax before dinner with a glass of wine in the tent.

I realise there’s an old cinema there, so have other plans.

With the Man from Uncle showing 20 mins later, I take my leave off Nikki and head off to watch the film (its a small place, and after paying my money, I’m given something that looks like a bus ticket 🙂

Film was quite good, and all the better for being shown in a traditional cinema atmosphere.

I head back, get cleaned up, and this time, its Italian for dinner and a few drinks around the town.

Up early, we have breakfast on the hill, as we head for the peak of Skiddaw. A cracking mountain that overlooks Keswick.

I’m really looking forward to it, as last time I was hear, I met Sir Chris Bonnington (one of my personal heroes and one of the proudest moments of my life).

A lot steeper than I remember (but last time we broke the trip up with an overnight at Skiddaw house).

Another foul day, but ultimately, we reach the top.

Dinner and drinks again in the town, up early the next morning (thanks to the numb skull we were camped next too), we pack our gear and head for home.

Long weekend in Anglesy and Snowdonia.

I honestly think that if my brother lived in France, I’d see more of him.

It’s one of those classic situations, where my home town of Manchester is so “near” that something comes up and I can always go “next week”.

In fairness though, I also think the pace of life, is much faster now (or feels that way) than its ever been. I finish work for the weekend on Friday evening sometimes, and in a blink its Sunday morning !.

Brilliant news, was that David and his lovely wife Leigh had got a cottage in Anglesey for a week, and invited us to join them for the weekend.

Not wanting to wast a single minute of the weekend, we once again took Friday off work, had toast and coffee in the car, and headed straight to North Wales for an exciting day walk.

On the way, we stop at Fitzpatricks cafe in Bethesda which along with its amazing food and atmosphere, was really popular with bikers, as it had a motorbike in the window.

From here, we continue to the Ogwen valley but the cloud cover is really bad, so we decide on a low level walk, around some lakes.

Our first circuit was around Cwm Idwal, where we spotted a woman in a bathing costume swimming in the lake (I thought for a moment that we might have to rescue here, and wasn’t really sure how we would do it 🙂

We move to our 2nd lake, Llyn Ogwen with superb views of the Ogwen valley and Treffan where there are superb hills, which I’m determined to return and climb (so much so, that I bought a special map from Fitzpatricks).

We briefly make a stop off in Bangor and have a revelation.

Most of the places I go back to and visit, are much more run down than they were when I was last there x years ago.

In this case, the whole town has been done up, and the grim pub I remember visiting is now an up market shop !.

With the days adventures complete, we drive across to Anglesey to meet up with Dave and Leigh. The cottage can only be described as superb, with en-suit rooms, massive tv, opulent kitchen, and an amazing view across the straits back to Bangor.

We get showered and changed in our beautiful room, then spend an hour catching up with David & Leigh.

There’s a nice pub nearby on the waterfront, so we head to the Gazzelle for dinner.

After an amazing chilli and brilliant company we head back to the cottage. Everyone is going to bed, but I realise that the original Fast and the furious film is on ITV, so I decide to stay up and watch it.

It’s been that long since I watched normal tv, that I’d forgotten, its stops every 25 mins, for the adverts.

I just couldn’t deal with that, so I went to bed !.

I get up bright and early, and start work on various projects on my laptop (the wifi coverage was superb).

A bit of a lazy morning, we decide were going to visit South Stack lighthouse (a favourite venue of my mother when she was alive).

The first leg, was arriving at the RSPB sanctuary on the top, overlooking the lighthouse (we had some really nice coffee).

The place has special meaning for Nikki and I. We came here 3 years ago with the walking group.

I think its the first time’s we realised we were fond of each other.

When we walked down to the lighthouse, and crossed the bridge onto the Island, I saw this spectacular view back across the cliffs.

I get a bit sick of constantly being charged to visit National Trust sites (I know they cost money and all the rest of it, but sometimes I’ve paid £5 to visit a farmyard and get a cup of coffee).

When I was told there was an entrance fee for the lighthouse I wasn’t impressed.

But I thought it was just to be allowed on the Island. I didn’t realise you got a tour of the whole facility (including a walk to the top of the lighthouse), and they had a really good museum as well.

On the way back, we nip to the supermarket to get supplies for the evening.

Dave and Leigh are here for a whole week, but we’ve only got one day, so we leave them to go back, so we can continue exploring.

We find a nice pub and have a couple of drinks, then since were on holiday, visit the town of Menai bridge and get some chips.

We follow a path through some woods to the coastline of Anglesey.

Years ago, I camped out between the 2 bridges for nearly a week with a budget of £15. All the memories come flooding back.

As we continue along, we pass under the Menai bridge, and I get the photo I’m delighted with.

Back to the cottage, we cook dinner and have a relaxing evening.

In the morning, its breakfast on the terrace, and up early for me and Nikki.

Dave and Leigh are going to get the train up to the top of Snowdon.

Nikki and I area going to walk up, using a route we’ve not used before (well, we’ve walked down it, but never up).

From here, we’ll all meet up at the cafe on the top. Quite an exciting co-ordinated plan, and I’m really looking forward to it.

We were worried about congestion, as the tour of Britain would be passing through here on the same day, but needn’t have worried.

We park up in Llanberis and hit the trail.

I’ve given us two and a half hours to get to to the top, and I realise three and a half would have been better.

Like the Para’s marching to Goose Green, we blast off up the hill (well, kind off. I was puffing and panting for most off it).

Cloud cover is very low that day, and within an hour, it looks like this.

It’s all very nice when mountaineers answer the question “why do you climb” with “because its there” but the reality is its nice to have something to look at as well, and this wasn’t doing much for me.

Anyway, we have a date with destiny (well, David and Leigh actually) so no time for contemplation.

Then Nikki mentions that the trains have been going up every half hour at first, but we haven’t heard one in over an hour.

And then, 150 metres from the top, I get a text from Dave.

The f***ing train has broken down (my words, not his) and his train (behind it) has been cancelled.

Back down the hill we go at a much faster pace.

We get back to Llanberris, and I get to see the the ramblers bar at the Padern lake hotel, the mountain photograph ship and Pete’s Eats.

All the things I remember from my youth.

The end of a brilliant weekend, and the end of another fantastic UK adventure season.

Near and far, the search for adventure continues…

Ok, so I haven’t updated the blog in a while.

As most of you know, it’s what I call adventure season at the moment (and about to come to an end).

Basically, adventure season, is the time between the beginning of April and the end of August.

I still do adventures outside this time, but for the last 5 years (and mainly the last 3) I try and get away on as many weekends for trips away in the UK, to make the most of the weather.

I’ve been on about 13 weekends away this year, and it’s been fantastic.

Just for a change though, I’ve decided to talk about the adventures I do at home. This is a list of some of the things I’ve done in the last 6 weeks.

Like everything else on this site, I don’t say this to brag, it’s put up here sincerely, in the hope it may provide inspiration.

Music Train.

Glenn organised an evening on the Chester music train.

Not exactly as fun as it looks on this picture on their website, but certainly not a dull evening.

The basic idea, is that you get on a train, and some folk musicians “entertain” you.

Its a normal running train (so basically a bit uncomfortable, and doesn’t have a buffet trolley) that goes from Chester to Plumley.

When it arrives in Plumley, we get off and have a couple of hours in the Golden Pheasant pub, where the musicians perform.

We have a few drinks and a nice meal, then its back on the train and more hi-jinx as we thunder back towards Chester.

Overall, a pretty interesting evening with good company (including Glenn).

If you go yourself, take some drinks for the train.

Trip to the Theatre.

Known locally as a man of the arts, I’m sometimes frustrated that my home – Chester (that quaint British city/village) has no theatre (and that the new one has cost £40,000,000 so far !).

So I usually end up going to the theatre either in Wrexham or Liverpool.

I saw an advert for a play called “The curious incident of the dog in the night time“.

Nikki and I went to the Liverpool Empire to watch it (earlier in the year, we’d been to see 3 other plays in Liverpool so I’d grown to like it there).

I won’t spoil it, but the story was really engaging, and they had amazing visual effects using among other things, 6 light projectors.

Specialist catered Barbecue.

There used to be an advert for cigars some years ago. The slogan went “Castella for the man that thinks that little bit bigger”.

Nikki and I were invited to her friends Barbecue. When we got there, I expected Derrick to be flipping burgers and Marie to be tossing salad with wooden spoons.

Instead, they were socializing with everyone, and had hired Big 5 catering, to do their barbecue.

Big 5 were courteous and professional the whole time, the food was delicious and they cleared everything up afterwards.

Brilliant weather and a fantastic afternoon.

* Big 5 is just their name. They don’t actually make Lion burgers or anything like that.

Noel performing at Alexander’s open mike night.

It’s important to have friends (I’m incredibly popular, so I have hundreds).

A friend from work called Noel (a front end developer) owns a Guitar and likes to play at venues.

Since he was playing at Alexander’s, on the open mike night, I decided to go over and hear him perform.

He turned out to be really good, and while there I realised 2 other friends from work had turned up with the same idea.

Wine tasting at Urbano32.

Most Sunday evenings (as the weekends drawing to a close and work/the need to wash clothes/putting train sets away, hovers on the imminent horizon) we go out for a drink and something nice to eat.

Our 2 favourite venue’s for this are Artichoke or Urbano32.

While out in Urbano32, the manager there (Claire who I’ve known for years and previously worked at BT with Dan and his henchmen) mentioned they were doing a wine tasting evening.

Cork’s out is our normal wine tasting venue of choice, with the excellent Tom. But why not try something different we thought, so immediately signed up.

On the evening, there was a 2 course meal and 2 white’s 2 red’s and a sparkling wine. All for £20 each, which I thought was superb value.

Their director of wine talked us through the different wines, and when the tasting glasses were empty, we bought a bottle of one of them, they were that good.

They’re doing another one on the 10th of September and were looking forward to that already.

Boat trip and my first Hen do.

My friend Lisa from Phonak was getting married.

Lyndsay Lomax, my friend who now lives in Switzerland was coming over for the Hen do, so I arranged to meet her for an hour before the Hen (which would be a cruise on the Princess Diana boat along the river Dee in Chester).

Nikki joined us later, then the fun really started.

Turned out, 2 of Lisa’s guests had been forced to cancel. There were 2 tickets going to this great event, and she asked if Nikki and I would like to go.

I was a bit nervous as I’d be the only man (and I was dressed for an afternoon around Chester, not a special occasion).

But these people are friends I’ve know for years I reasoned, and although I’ve been on the boat before, I’ve never been to a party on 1.

As it was, a fantastic night out, with really good food, brilliant company and the Phonak girls even brought a selfie stick with them.

Lisa and Phil got married yesterday. Due to family commitments, I wasn’t able to attend but I sincerely wish them every happiness in the future.

Lunch in West Kirby and live Comedy evening.

Nikki’s cousin Mark comes up to Chester to see her every now and then, and we’ve become firm friends.

Couple of weeks ago, we took him to the Wro in West Kirby for lunch, then walked over to Hilbre Island.

Afterwards we had coffee at a small place there, and I realised it was right next to Sarah’s Mum’s old house (I place I spent many happy times, in a previous life).

From here, we came home and got ready then back to Alexander’s.

£10 seems a lot, but the 3 comedians are on for 3 hours and its hilarious.

“When my girlfriend moved in with me, there were so many shoes lined up, it looked like the outside of a mosque”

“Why do people criticise David Beckham because he’s thick !. Nobody criticises Stephen Hawking because he can’t play football”

Chez Jules film & dinner.

In addition to not having a theatre, Chester doesn’t have a cinema either.

But as the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention.

Those cool guys at the very authentic French restaurant Chez Jules have started to do a dinner and film evening in the upstairs of their establishment.

Nikki and I had never seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s so decided to go.

2 course dinner then they turned the lights down and the film began (which was good, as I had been concerned about the clinking of cutlery).

During the performance, they discreetly refilled drinks so nobody got thirsty.

I’m still not sure if I liked the film or I didn’t (although Audrey Hepburn was incredible).

I really enjoyed the subtle combination of food, drink and film all put together though.

Take the stairs by Rory Vaden.

I always try and read on the train to work and coming home each day.

I remember reading somewhere, that what we call a PHD is basically knowing the general details of what’s accumulated in about 50 books.

An average book can be read in 5 – 7 hours. So, at 1 hour a day, that’s a book a week.

So, imagine your a van driver and want to get a job in a music shop selling violins and pianos. Your fascinated by it, but just dont know much about it.

We’ll, in 1 year, you could accumulate a man-in-the-street PHD on musical instruments.

The most recent book I’ve read is called Take the stairs by Rory Vaden.

His basic premise. Success is never owned, its only rented. Self discipline and doing some things you dont really want to do, is the only key to real success.

I thought it was fantastic, I’ve learned loads from it and now I’ve read it, I gave it away to someone at work, with instructions its to be given away again, each time its read.

Theatre in the park.

Ok, ok, so enough moaning about not having a theatre or cinema.

Well, each year they do theatre in the park and this year, we decided to go.

I took this photo early on before it got dark, but later, it was completely packed.

We had good seats that were under cover, but it didn’t rain much anyway. We also took a picnic and a bottle of wine.

The production was the Merry wives of Windsor. It had been made with a 70’s theme which was really stylish (at the end in the “countryside scene” they even had Pifco torches).

Although 500 years old, you could really connect with the story (the guy who worries if his wife still loves him, the old night, who’s the oldest swinger in town).

Expensive but highly recommended.

Ex Machina, Automata, The Machine.

 Speaking of things that are highly recommended, my old lodger Nathan came around and we had a couple of pints.

He advised me to watch a film called Ex Machina. It was science fiction, featured Robots and drew heavily on Alan Turing’s – artificial intelligence test.

There’s 3 good reasons to start with. I watched it and thought it was excellent.

One thing I’ve started to do now, is put the films I like into the Internet Move Database. It will recommend other films you might like.

Completely different, but on the same theme, it advised Automata and The Machine.

I watched them both and I enjoyed them as well. 3 cracking films, 3 great evenings.

Moonlight Flicks, outdoor cinema.

Sometimes you try things and they’re a bit crap.

Drive is a film I’ve wanted to see for a while, and it was showing as an outdoor event at Chester Roman baths.

When we got there, it had just started raining, so loads of people put up umbrella’s.

We were given headset so we could hear the film and the screen was ok.

The actual film itself was quite good. A modern slant on the getaway driver with a conscience and Brian Cranston from breaking bad was in it.

The problem was, the other people. There were people taking pictures with flash, talking loudly, just getting up and wandering off, then coming back 10 minutes later and having a stand up conversation and blocking the film.

When I watch a film, its not for an evening out, its to immerse myself in the film.

The other people were dis respecting the film in my view, if they just went because all their friends were going, stay at home next time.

I know I will be.

Eating out.

Well, in the last 8 weeks, I’ve had 3 Italians, 2 Curry’s, 2 Mexican meals, 7 traditional meals in pubs and 3 steaks.

Oh and I’ve been to the chippy twice.

Nikki’s sister Lyn came over to visit with her husband Vick (were all going to Japan together in about 2 months).

We took them to Koconut Grove, El Gato Negro and Artichoke for Nikki’s mums birthday.

Oh, and after we all did the Baker way, we took them for coffee to Joseph Benjamine.

Koconut Grove is my favourite curry house in Chester, since the sad demise of India Flava and Asia Fusion. However, somebody needs to talk to the owners. As good as the place is, it has a daft name.

El Gato Negro is based in the Bluebell, the first restaurant I ever visited in Chester. I like it there as they do traditional, Italian, Tapas and Mexican so there’s something for everyone.

Artichoke. What’s to say, its excellent in every way I can think off.

Good Cinema.

I don’t go to the cinema as often as I used to ( I watch a lot of stuff, but usually at home).

Sometimes though, there’s a film I really want to see. At that point, there’s really only 1 way to watch it.

On the cinema, as god intended.

Went with Dave E and Glenn to see Mission Impossible 5. It must be hard to make 5 films and each one is even better than the other 1 but that’s what they’ve managed to do.

The opening scene hanging of the plane was incredible and the motorbike chase in the top 10 action sequences I’ve seen since my first trip to the cinema.

While on a trip to Keswick, I realised they had a cinema there.

While Nikki went back to our tent to read, before we went out for the evening, I nipped into the cinema to watch Man from Uncle.

Really stylish and filmed in an authentic 60’s style (a bit like watching Life on Mars where you really feel like you’re in dreary Manchester of the 70’s.

Bad Cinema.

Terminator Genisys delivers 2 amazing feats of cinema.

Make Emilia Clarke (brilliant in Game of thrones) look bored through a whole film.

Make Jason Clarke (no relation and fantastic in the Chicago code, the best Police series I’ve ever seen) give a poor on screen performance.

Both of these 2 are naturally gifted performers. To get them to under achieve must take some really hard work from the director.

Arnie could never act, but now someone decided he should try really hard.

Oh, and if you build up a tense moment, then crack a joke, its funny.

If you fail at this and the tension doesn’t happen, the audience just feel sorry for the poor bugger that’s got to crack the joke.

The picture above captures superbly how I was feeling while watching the film. Best forgotten about.

Work on the house.

 On top of all this, I’ve been continuing with the renovation of my house.

Phase 2 is almost complete (there are 3 phases altogether), and the loft/spare room on the 3rd floor should be complete in a few days.

One small addition I’ve made, is a “retro” corner. It has a black book case and black chair in a corner by the window where I sit and read.

Most of the furniture in my first house when I was 25 was black, and this is a tip of the cap to that.

I’ve also got a new futon, a comfortable “creative desk” to work on and I should be able to put up my train set permanently.

Both at home and away, the search for adventure continues…