Bournemouth

Monday 21st October 2013 (Trafalgar Day)

Vist to Bournemouth to visit the old Abbey Life workplace at 80 to 100 Holdenhurst Road - 1989 to 1999 - 10 years of my life.

Here is building B80 - now known as Ocean 80...! My office for many years was on the 6th floor then the 7th floor from 1995.

The building had 8 floors. These were fun times, mostly. (42)

From here I moved on to Flat 8, Acton Burnell, Merlewood Close in Bournemouth where I lived from 1999 (Spring) until I was moved up to London in November 1999.. (43)

Not the best picture of a lovely flat in the roof of an old house - but it was a lovely setting - I had first Gay Rick as my lodger and then friend Tim West who looked after it until it was sold in October 2000.

The flat was very close to Meyrick Park (sp?).

Benny Hill

Was brilliant.
I used to watch it with Dad. He would laugh and laugh and laugh...

28a Richborne Terrace, London

Monday 14th October 2013

I quick visit to the flat I lived in during 1984 to 1985. 28a Richborne Terrace which is very near to the Oval.(41).

After my Mum and Dad divorced in 1983 my Dad moved here with choice elements of home furniture - mostly stuff Mum wanted. He had the basement flat. Brother Giles moved in too.

I stayed from time to time when not at University. Then in 1984 I moved in and started work at Stuart Edwards & Partners in Croydon - August 1984 to June 1985, before moving to the London Borough of Redbridge Estates Department (June 1985 to June 1986). In the Summer of 1984 I delivered leaflets with Nicola (my wife to be) around the West End. We used a transit van.

The flat was a hovel. Dad drank at the Fentiman Arms in Fentiman Road - and I mean drank a lot. He worked at Palfrey Place with his printer mates. He wasn't happy. I moved to Gants Hill in late 1985 and was pleased to see the back of this place.

I remember the Otis Lift building on the main road (no longer Otis but still there).

The flat is gone - it is now one house. The area is still rough. Monty the Black Rat (who lived with us - my pet) wouldn't like it even now.

This was a sad time. I visited on what would have been his birthday (88) - he only made it to 79. Much missed.

Peter Pan

Monday 9th September 2013

This is the statue of Peter Pan (40) in Hyde Park, London, next to the Serpentine.

Important because way back when (early 1930's - a guess) this is where my Mother's parents met. Gran was working in service at a house fronting Hyde Park. Grandpa was down for the day in London. He got shut in the park after dusk and met Grandma by the statue whilst looking for a way out. She knew one - they dated and many years later here I am.

Grandma was known as Funny Gran - a strong lady who passed away a few years ago. Grandpa was a lovely quiet chap who I remember from the 1970s - he worked at the De Havilland place in Collingdale as an engineer. They lived in Willesden when my Mum was younger.

Samuel Pepys Diary

Thursday 29th August 2013

At long last I managed to get to the Pepys Library at Magdelene College in Cambridge to view the Samuel Pepys Diary (39).

This I last attempted in March but the car broke down.

No photography was allowed in the room.

One diary volume was open documented Sam's visit to the Royal Society.

The other 5 volumes are hidden amongst books in original bookcases made in a Navy workshop for Mr Pepys. The curator siad he was not allowed to say where they are for insurance reasons - but if you look you will have seen them as they are unlabelled.

The library was amazing  - books going back to the Middle Ages - all beautifully bound in leather.

Flat 54, 21 Park Crescent, London

I paid a visit to the bachelor flat I lived in during 2000/2001 - Flat 54, 21 (maybe 22) Park Crescent, London (38) (I think!).

The Nash designed building was there, adjacent to Regent's Park, of course. The flat seemed to have gone to be replaced by a Court building. It was hard to tell.

I had great times there. My lodger was Sarah Wright (now Martin). It was only 6 months, but it was a lively 6 months.

I found the flat through Philip Wolfe - a friend who worked at Druce & Co. I paid the Landlord 6 months rent in advance and said, 'leave me alone.'

It was immaculate, very nicely furnished.

Video Link

New link via Google Drive

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzHEmasjRJVrTWhBWFFTUUY1cFk/edit?usp=sharing

Have fun!

The Video Link

There are issues with Dropbox... apparently public access has been temporarily suspended due to 'excessive traffic' so if you want to view the video just e mail me and I wll try to give you a private access by invitation.

S Le B (not)

Sarah Rinetta Hawley LLB (Hons)

18th July 2013

I attended the graduation ceremony for my eldest daughter, Sarah.

Now 22 and marrying Luke in July 2014...

She received a special award from Coffin Mew LLP for the highest marks in her year at the University of Portsmouth...

And then we moved on to the Guildhall to see her receive her First Class Honours in Law.

I would like to say that she has my good genes, but it is all down to her hard work and her mother, Nicola Hawley - who has done a splendid job of bringing her up as an incredibly hard working young lady... who looks pretty good too.

Here she is in her robes...

And here she is afterwards with her mates...

Onwards to the Masters.

I am a very Proud Dad.

The Link To The Video!!!!!

Friday 2nd August 2013

This is the link to the copy of the Duran Duran Video Rio... (37)

Put 5 men on a yacht at Lymington and set sail for the Channel Islands over 3 days with a project set by me…

'Record a convincing copy of the Duran Duran video ‘Rio’ as homage to the great band and the ground breaking video.'

The sun shone – the filming progressed. Alderney is a beautiful place and in the sunshine you may as well be in the Caribbean.

This is not Me...

 

With thanks to Mark Schofield, Peter Holden, Steve Wright, Lord John Timms, Brad the Water Taxi Man, Silver the Pony and the people of Alderney.

The video was produced by Mark Schofield, not me, although I helped a bit. He spent many hours doing this and clearly missed his true vocation, although he is very good at selling conservatories. He sold me one, and some windows, well, quite a few windows, and some gutters.

No animals were harmed in the making of this video.

Beer was consumed.

Bikinis can be worn by men on boats.

Reputations were ruined.

To get the most from this video you should watch the original on YouTube first...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3W6yf6c-FA

Then to see something even better follow this link...

https://www.dropbox.com/l/ImwV3wHImxQs7uaf0vlPul

You will probably need a reasonably fast broadband to view it and/or download it.

If you have any problems just get in touch!!

ENJOY 

Watch this space

As the link to the Duran Duran video is coming soon. It is too good for YouTube...

Approximately 30 hours of editing have produced a splendid result.

I am just back from Turkey... fabulous. Blonde eyebrows again.

Sailing To France, I mean the Channel Islands...

Sunday July 7th July to Wednesday 10th July 2013 (36)

I am back after a fabulous 3 to 4 days sailing on the good yacht Shabeen out of Lymington. She was a 46 ft Bavaria with Mark Schofield as skipper and crewed by myself, Peter Holden, Lord John Timms and Steve Wright.

Skipper below - moody in Alderney.

Peter Holden and John Timms below (dressed in Duran Duran gear)

Steve Wright is pictured in a shower booth with Silver the horse (indeed!)...

We managed to sail to Yarmouth (dinner at On the Rocks) and then left for Alderney at 11pm on the Sunday evening for a night sail. We arrived there about 11am the next day. Alderney is a beautiful place ... we may have scarred it.

On the Tuesday afternoon we sailed for St Peter Port in Guernsey and moored up there for the Tuesday night. We had a fabulous dinner at Da Nellos.

Returned to Lymington having left St Peter Port at 6am Wednesday at about 21.30 on the Wednesday evening - a long sail against a due North headwind - it could not have been in a worse position! We motored.

Blazing sunshine for 3 days and winds of 20 to 25 knots - how good can it get.

During the trip we spent a huge amount of time filming a perfect copy of the Duran Duran video Rio - more of that to come when we have the first edit. I am Simon Le Bon. The skipper was Yasmin...

Alderney will never be the same again.... what a beach!

Sailing to France

Sunday 7th July to 10th July

More to come as... I am currently sailing to France (36).

We will take it for the Queen.... dressed as Duran Duran.

Maserati Grancabrio (2)

Thursday 4th and Friday 5th July 2013

Maserati Grancabrio 4.7 litre V8 of muscle (35). It was very fast. Driven from Nottingham to Berks to pick up Amanda and then Berks to Bath to stay at the Bath Priory Hotel which was lovely. All done in blazing sunshine!!!

Just like the models before!

The Bath Priory was without doubt the best hotel we had ever stayed at. We were upgraded to a suite as it was our anniversary. This caused some embarrassment as Helen Holden called posing as my wife trying to track me down. Red faces at check out!

The gardens were recently voted the best in the World for hotels. They were amazing.

Back to the Maserati ... that car is a pussy magnet.

This is how the drive looked on Friday lunchtime.

Breakfast In Nottingham

Thursday 4th July 2013

Breakfast in Nottingham at Delilahs (34) was had with Mike Horseman who very kindly paid and bought me a jar of marmeylade. Yes I know it is spelt wrong.

My host above.
Marmeylade below.

Followed by Delilahs.... fabulous!!! Mike is 50 next year and is the inspiration for this blog. His idea.

Mike then dropped me off at the Maserati dealership....

Maserati Grancabrio

The dealer has called ... apparently there is an issue with having the Maserati Granturismo on Thursday - would the Grancabrio be ok instead? I could then have the Granturismo next week as well.

decisions decisions....

So, Amanda now needs to look like this:

Forecast - sunny.

Rio by Duran Duran

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3W6yf6c-FA

watch this....

More on it later.

Maserati Granturismo (Again)

The deed is sealed. I collect a Maserati from Nottingham next Thursday morning - the 3rd - and take Amanda to the Bath Priory for the night.

She understands that she needs to look like this.... or I will take somebody else.

I confess that I am worried that I may end up buying the car.

Thames Ironworks FC

Wednesday 12th June 2013

As everybody knows West Ham used to be called Thames Ironworks FC - formed in 1895.
A works team based on the dockyards of East London, just to the South.

It was thus essential that I visited the Memorial Grounds (31) to see where the team used to play.

See below:

This panoramic shot shows the grounds as they are today right next to West Ham Underground station. There is an artificial pitch slap bang in the midlle of where the stadium used to be.

If you look closely you can still see some raised banks around the perimeter which must be where the stands once stood.

Better still, if you google earth the site you can see the clear outline of the oval stadium on the ground.

Come On You Irons!

On the same day I moved on to see 38 St Georges Road at Gants Hill (32) which is where I lived in 1985/86 with Nicola Herbert, Jonathan Woodward, Melanie Lynch, and Ann Pomeroy. At the time I worked at the London Borough of Redbridge as a Surveyor.

For a very few months before that I lived as a lodger of Chris Thurston at 27 Uplands Road in Woodford Bridge (33). This is the only house I have lived in where I am not 100% sure of the number! (1985).

Chris was a Surveyor and a local DJ - he had many a single lady back to the house - I fondly remember one in pink stockings that he entertained on the rug in front of the fireplace.

European Champions League Final

25th May 2013

Bayern Munich 2 Borussia Dortmund 1

Wembley Stadium.

Thanks to the generosity of friend Ian Hall I visited my first Euro Champions League Final (30) with son James.

A fantastic day out - we sat in Club Wembley, near the scoreboard surrounded by Borussia Dortmund fans who sang and sang, until the 89th minute anyway.

It was a great experience.

West Ham v Reading

Sunday 19th May 2013

West Ham 4 Reading 2

On here for no better reason than to emphasise West Ham beating Reading, a bogey team.

Last game of the season.

Panoramic view of the bar at the Earl of Wakefield before the game... pint of Carling please...

Quality.

Now for the Academy itself with the game going on...

This is the view from seat E63, East Stand Upper, Boleyn Ground, Upton Park E13.

Lord Horatio Nelson

Friday 10th May 2013

As generously facilitated by my friend Adam Beardon - a visit to the Lloyds Building in the City of London to see the Nelson Collection (29).

Also saw the Lutine bell which was significantly smaller than I thought it would be.

Lloyds has a long association with the great man. They often rewarded his victories with bespoke silverware and the like.

See this link...

http://www.lloyds.com/lloyds/about-us/history/lloyds-and-nelson

For the detail of what can be seen - you need an Adam to get you in.

We had a very good curry afterwards.

Ricardo Villa

Thursday 9th May 2013

An unexpected treat! Good friend Ian Hall invited me to a Club Wembley dinner at the Stadium.
Hosted by Jim Rosenthal - the guests were Ossie Ardiles, Ricardo Villa, Paul Jewell and Peter Reid.

All was free!

I took home a miniature FA Cup and a memory of meeting Ricardo Villa...

Now I am not a fan of Tottingham but I do remember his goal from the 1981 FA Cup Final...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R44tPArJIy4

He is the one on the left.

Incidentally I was at Wembley for the replay in 1982 when Tottingham beat QP Ha Ha 1-0. Or was it 1983.

VHF Licence

Thursday 4th May 2013.


Blogreader Blogreader this is Laird Simon of Dunans are you there over

Laird Simon of Dunans this is Blogreader I am here over

Blogreader I have at last obtained my VHF licence (28) over

Well done Laird Simon over

Thank you blogreader, in fact I got 100% in the exam. I am officially perfect over

It doesn't surprise me Laird Simon over

Thank you blogreader over

My pleasure Laird, blogreader out

Laird Simon of Dunans out




How cool is that - accompanied by Mark Schofield in Southampton. He passed too.

St Pauli St Pauli St Pauli

St Pauli 2 Hertha Berlin 3

Sunday 28th April 2013 (27).

All part of a trip to Hamburg to watch the 'kult' club St Pauli. 30,000 crowd, mostly standing and chanting throughout. Drinking beer on the terraces, as many girls as boys, and the heady smell of dope permeating everywhere on a lovely sunny day.

Simply an awesome experience. I was even impressed by the Hertha fans - especially the wave effect swaying.

I have been watching live top quality Football in the UK since 1975 - that is 38 years now -  I watch a lot and the Mighty Irons are more atmospheric than most - we could learn something from these people. It was easy to get a drink. Everybody was happy (except when Hertha scored 2 goals in the last minutes - but you can forgive that). They all sang song after song - often in English! Girls mingled with boys and they were all young - not middle aged. The tickets were affordable. The game was good quality - full of drama. And... they lay on a huge drinking and sex district on the doorstep of the ground. Amazing.

My companion throughout was Mark Stuart-Bourne.

We shared a beer or two.

I declined the best blowjob in the world for 30 Euros. I will never know if it was.

Wunderbar.



 

Hamburg

I am still here - I have just been working.

This weekend I visit Hamburg with good friend, Mark Stuart-Bourne.

We are off to watch 'kult' club St Pauli in a Bundesliga 2 match v Hertha Berlin (promoted last weekend).

No Longer Fishing

I am no longer fishing.

I have just returned from a corporate week of fishing on the Helmsdale river in Scotland - somewhere between Inverness and John O'Groats. Google it - it is a long way north. It is colder there.

It was a networking trip - only one letter removed from not working.

Gone Fishing

The Laird has Gone Fishing!

Maserati Granturismo

This is a Maserati Granturismo

More later.

Anfield

Sunday 7th April 2013.

Andrew Gibbons of MOFS kindly supplied me with two tickets to visit Anfield to watch Liverpool play the Mighty Irons (26).

0-0 - a fantastic result!

James came with me. He refused to be photographed with the red Liver Bird mascot - 10 years ago he would have loved it!

We were in the European Suite in the Centenary Stand. Hosted by Sue Embley and hubby Brian...

Sue is on the right.

We also visited the Shankly gates and saw the Hillsborough memorial (a minutes silence was held before the game).

The last time West Ham won at Anfield the Beatles were at no 1. Nowadays it is the West Ham fans that sing Twist and Shout.

Thus, the MI have not won there during my lifetime. So, even a draw is a very rare thing. West Ham played very well indeed - it was very hard keeping quiet and I think most around us relaised we were West Ham fans by about 10 mins in to the game!

David Fairclough (super sub) was the compere in the lounge...

It was good having a view of the Happy Hammers fans at the end.

Best song of the match? The West Ham fans singing 'Harry Potter, he's coming for you' to Shelvey aka Voldermort.

Hope & Anchor

Thursday 4th April 2013

 

 

A lunchtime pint at the Hope & Anchor (25) in Wokingham with David Norman. David treated me. This is the pub that I first went to as a 16 then 17 year old. It started with cider but soon moved on to pints of Brakespeare! The pub felt the same but looked quite different inside. A lot of darts and bar billiards was played there 1979 to 1981.

My first ever pint was in the Rose Hotel in Wokingham with my Dad - to celebrate GSEs!

Robert Palmer

At long last we have a link to the video for the Robert Palmer tribute to the 'Addicted to Love' video.

This is Robert Palmer...

And if you look at this link ... this isn't...

http://youtu.be/s8tBYil2leA

It all happened on the 2nd March. Not Robert Palmer is accompanied by little Isabelle (aged 9), Claire Beale, Lady Amanda of Dunans and Helen Schofield - who were all FAB!

There is no rational reason for this having taken place - it was just a bit of fun (24).

Laird Simon of Dunans

A few people have said to me 'what is this tosh about you being a Laird, as far as I can see you are at best a pikey and maybe that is a bit upper class for you.'

A reasonable question. Here is the proof...

This is a title that has been acquired (23)... I can even buy a tartan should I so choose. I own a bit (a very small bit) of Dunans Castle. There are other Lairds and Ladies - including my daughter Sarah. I am not unique.

There are some that choose to question the validity of this (mostly Lairds I think - as they probably feel their own title is devalued by this stuff).

I don't mind - it is a bit of fun - just make sure you address me correctly.

Please.