A promo video including a few of the acts I represent at Fool's Paradise:

A bit delayed but...

Boudicca and Joe’s Honeymoon Adventures

Cruise to Norway, 9th – 16th May 2009

At Sea, 10th May

We awoke early to bright glassy cold looking sea and we waited for our breakfast in bed with much excitement. Later in the day, champagne with strawberries dipped in chocolate were delivered to our cabin which we ate with much relish while dressing for the first formal evening – our captain’s dinner!

Stavanger, 11th May

Sun streaming through the curtains. A glimpse of land... NORWAY!!!

Lysefjord & Pulpit Rock

A boat trip along Lysefjord, a fjord that cuts almost 25 miles deep into the country. We were surrounded by steep mountainside, waterfalls and the occasional small farm. The fjord is 1,384 feet deep and the rocks at the side reached almost as high which made for some dramatic views. The boat travelled directly under the ‘Pulpit Rock’ on the northern side of the fjord, which is a well known protruding rock formation 1,968 feet above sea level. We then stopped for coffee and freshly-made waffles with cream and jam.

Stavanger on Foot

We explored around Stavanger’s Valberg Tower which overlooks the central part of the city and harbour. It was used as a watchtower in case fire broke out in the wood buildings. In Old Stavanger we made our way through the well preserved 18th and 19th Century wooden houses.

Flaam, 12th May

We ascended to the top of the boat at 6.30am to see the ship sail into the Flaam. The snow capped mountains were really wonderful and certainly worth getting up early for.

Norway in a Nutshell

We went on the Flam railway line between Flam and Myrdal. Its 12 miles long but the journey took 50 minutes. We climbed from 16 feet to 2,845 feet, going through 20 tunnels and we stopped at the Kjosfoss waterfall which was huge! We changed trains at Myrdal onto Voss for an amazing buffet lunch with loads of lovely, smoked fish. The coach journey back went down a very steep 21 hairpin bends. We also stopped at the 305 foot Kjosfossen Waterfall where we drank the water to ensure eternal youth (worth a try!).

Olden, 13th May

A late rise reveals the town of Olden by green slopes capped by snow clad mountains. A grey start becomes a beautiful sun drenched clear day.

Briksdal Glacier

We coached through the Olden Valley admiring the mountains, glacier tongues and waterfalls. We arrived at the Briksdal Inn and then we had a steep walk up through craggy rocks and crashing waterfalls to the glacier. The ancient ice formation moves approx. 1.5 metres a day and as it moved we heard its creaks and groans echoing thunderously around the valley. A really inspiring day.

Bergen, 14th May

Bergen on Foot

A walk through busy Bergen where we are shown the gardens, hanseatic merchant quarters and the fish market. We also went 1050 feet up the Mount Floien funicular to experience fantastic views. In the evening after sailing away from Norway with some sadness, it was to the ship’s casino we headed; not to gamble but for the James Bond quiz. The winner is... Joe! Yay, a bottle of wine!

At Sea, 15th May

A very yummy dinner in the onboard Marco Pierre White restaurant – a wonderful last evening treat.

Southampton, 16th May

Arrive home, tired but very happy!

Boudicca's photos here

Joe's photos here

Concentrating on the Positive

Going to Ibiza in 4 days
Getting married in 17 days
Going to Norway in 25 days

The Joy of Rediscovering Entertaining

Everyone was late for fireworks but we caught the end of the local schools display. We then returned to a warm home and stripped off the layers of wet clothes. We served warmed spiced cider. Nibbles, bought by KJ and John, were salt and pepper crisps with dips and crusty bread with pâté. We then had baked potatoes with smoked paprika baked beans, cheese and salad. A few hours of conversation, music and wine followed. Later, we served homemade rustic french bread with camembert, blue brie, mature cheddar, wholegrain mustard, caramelised red onion chutney and fruit chutney. The evening was finished with brandy hot chocolates before we waved our guests away into the cold night.

I've rather missed wining and dining with friends.

A report from the delayed news desk...

I'm getting married on 1st May 2009. That's only 275 days away.

'Citing, innit?


*I must not behave like a bridezilla*
*I must not behave like a bridezilla*
*I must not behave like a bridezilla*
*I must not behave like a bridezilla*

and breathe...

More Advenutures

After a restful afternoon I ventured down to Bella Italia for wine, pizza and salad which was very yummy. On returning to the hotel I went into the main hall with a person that I'm working with in Liverpool and tried to sort out our internet problems. We were approached by a gentleman tramp who told us we were beautiful (although I was too big!). He told us was a writer, a poet, a great lover, a undoubtable blagger and he was all in all rather amusing. He left us with a poem and wandered off into the night with his white cider.

Dancing Queen

This week I'm in Liverpool coordinating "Harnessing performance: exploring dancing in the air". It's amazing but this photo seemed to sum up the basic essence of today's work:

This makes me so happy:

General Points:

I've eaten out every evening since last Wednesday. Tonight, I will cook a healthy dinner with something green as I'm now feeling like a weird food experiment...today's lunch is a slim-a-soup, ryvita and an apple.

I went to a preview of Sweeney Todd last night. There are flaws a plenty but it was an enjoyable film nevertheless. I mean, where else can a girl fulfill her fetish of Johnny Depp being splattered with blood while singing Sondheim?

Post-Reading

Highlights

• Catching up with my lovely mates.
• Making some lovely new friends.
• Gossip - boy, does Beth Ditto rock. That voice is just breathtaking.
• Watching Interpol with Jess in fold out seats, a couple of cans each and rubbing our thighs intermittently.
• Discussing in great detail the merits of various bass players.
• Shiny Toy Guns rocking out mid-afternoon.
• Carla going AWOL after dragging a punter away from the stall into the dark of the campsite and then returning some time later having named all their planned children.
• "Angry Mob" dancing outside our stall and going insane when we played something they didn't like.
• NIN, a fucking brilliant set. A semi mystical/semi erotic experience.
• Smashing Pumpkins were amazing too. Billy's growling voice gives me goose bumps.
• Turtle being accused of being in the Kaiser Chiefs followed quickly with Az being asked if he was from YMCA.
  
• Late night hot chocolate.
  

Lowlights

• Being so hungover on Friday morning that I had to be put into Jess and Turtle's tent for kip before starting work. Thanks guys and thank you to Kat for the life saving egg bap!
• Salvation Army complaining about the level of noise from our stereo. Next time I see them playing in a town centre I will have to complain about them...
• Sunburn.

All in all a great weekend. However, I think that it is undoubtedly time to pass the baton onto the young 'uns. There is no way that I can work as a trader at a festival again - it's too tiring and I just can't drink/drug like I used to...

Saturday...

Fun day with Julie - haircuts at dawn, coffee and cake in Michelle's wonderful Maison Bertaux, 2 course lunch in Bistro 1, onto National Portrait Gallery for a potter around the BP Portrait Award 2007. My favourite was Katy Does It While Baking A Cake by Morgan Penn


Lovely painting - I adore that come hither look!

Then down to South Bank to meet up with Manda for Avanti Display's 'Stormbringer' as part of the National Theatre's Watch This Space season, a walk along the Thames "beach" and a stroll along the south bank towards Westminster. A very lovely day all in all!

edit: a weekend which I then spoiled by going home and getting steaming drunk thus missing archery on Sunday morning!!!

"Glastonbury: a cross between a medieval refugee camp and a recently detonated circus"
Charlie Brooker, The Guardian, Monday June 25, 2007

I survived but my tent didn't!

Friday
We turned up on site on Friday evening (the boy couldn't get out of work on Friday). We found the ratties at the Herbal High stall well scrumped already - threw our stuff into the tent behind the stall...donned wellies, started supping lager and waited for the rest of the gang to return from Arcade Fire. Once they returned, Will took Lornie behind the stall and proposes (they met at Glastonbury 3 years ago, it's very romantic) We are all reduced to tears and there are big hugs for them before the boy and I hot foot it over to Lost Vagueness with Jess for her all night shift in the Space Lounge. She is forgiven for being late as everyone is very excited for Lornie and Will. Say hello to people I haven't seen for ages. Meet my brother's mate Adrian who is dressed in bin liners and pilled up. My brother's other mate is too fucked to even say hello to. We stay up with the help of much vodka and lager. Bump into a few other people outside the tent, exchange hugs and good wishes for the weekend. Make the move back across the site at 6am with Jess, we are drunk, we consume some Irish coffees, steal maltesers and go to bed.

Saturday
Hungover to fuck, stayed in the tent until 4pm. Got up watched Babyshambles (shit, out of tune crappy wardling, Kate Moss = shit). Go to Pat's stall for a catch up, drink rose wine and get temporary tattooed. Back to the Other Stage for Maximo Park (amazing) and Editors (heartbreakingly beautiful). Go back to stall to pick up a gang for Iggy and the Stooges who are very funny - stage invaded by people and Iggy can't get them back off for ages. Bass player practically fucking his bass and gurning like a total monkey. People saying "this herbal high isn't doing anything for me" and then starting to freaky dance.

Play on the stall and dance like a fool! Go to bed at a sensible 2am, get woken up by Will shouting "my grammer's broken" and the almost endless shagging sounds in the tent near to us (you know who you are!).

Sunday
Catch up on last night shenanigans. Eat loads. See The Holloways (boring but ok), Coldwar Kids (rubbish), The Go! Team (rubbish but interesting to see), The View (boring but ok), went with the ladies to see Dame Shirley Bassey (brilliant!) wait around to meet other people for the Manics. No one turns up, I see the Manics by myself. Which was fantastic. Spend some time backstage, mainly just to have a sit down! Wellies have left a blister on the back of my leg - which is going yellow.

Star spotting - James Dean Bradfield, Donny Torette, Lip from Shameless, John Simm, Jo Whiley, Andrew Marr...

Monday
Woke up at 4am, tent had leaked in the endless rain, argued with boy as unable to pack sleeping bags back into the bags. Sorted ourselves out and got off the site with Jess and Turtle and a lift from Rocket. Dropped off at Westbury station, catch the commuter train back to London. Brandy in coffee and a croissant keeps me going. Get to Paddington and take the tube back home. Some people stare and other smile. At home pull off mud soaked clothes, shower, climb into a clean bed. Get up for food, kids telly and texts from the rats still stuck on site. Reduced to tears by children climbing volcanos, go back to bed. Sleep till the morning.

Tuesday
House smells like cow poo. Boy left at home to fill the washing machine. Go to work with the smile of a person who had fucking great weekend!

I have the best army poncho in the world and some wellies waiting for me onsite...

Please note:

I bleeding well adore archery!

This one sent shivers down my spine last night:

"I am a jelly doughnut"

Due to family having to reschedule flights I am now having a long weekend in Berlin in October - huzzah!

Memories from Last Night....

• Catching up with old lecturers
• Strawberry beer
  
• Dancing like a fool to golden oldie hits
• Singing on the tube home
  

"we love the chosen one
loving him is so much fun
we love the chosen one
not as much as me!

i love him with my heart
i love him with my body part
we love the chosen one
not as much as me!

i love him in the night
i love him with my body tight
we love the chosen one
not as much as me!"

Improved Mood Boo...

Honestly, there's nothing like:

• eating crap Chinese
  
• seeing sexy ballet
• drinking whiskey straight from the bottle on a tube train with your mates
• being refused entry for the nightclub we were going to
  
• jumping the q at a different nightclub and still having to wait 30 mins to get in
• catching up with the ratties and West Country boys
  
• dancing to early 90's/00's indie
• squeezing into a packed night bus
• falling into bed at 5.30am

to make you feel happier!

p.s. I was woken up the following day by being sniffed and told "ha ha, you is sweating whiskey!"