Neil

Neil

Happy Birthday Dad

It’s been a big couple of days for Dad. On Tuesday Arsenal, whom Dad always had a soft spot for as his (non-South Coast) ā€œsecond teamā€, clinched the Premiership. They did so because Bournemouth drew with Man City and in…

Duran Duran: Planet Earth

Duran Duran are suddenly everywhere again. A new single with Nile Rodgers (Free to Love) and cover stars in the Sunday Times. I’m not that keen on Free to Love which sounds a bit strained and very much Nile Rodgers…

Honicombe Holiday Centre

In 1973 Dad was transferred to the Ordnance Survey in Plymouth and for just shy of two years we lived at Magpie Cottage, 21 Edgecombe Way, St. Anns Chapel, Gunnislake in Cornwall. I was aged 6 and Emma 4 when…

Yungblud: Lovesick Lullaby

As soon as I heard it I was on board: a brash snotty early Arctic Monkeys style pop thrash, with a similar youthful Yorkshire delivery, and with more than a hint of The Streets’ conversational Britishness. Feel shit when I…

The History Man

There is a security question I have occasionally alighted on, not the usual first pet or car, but what was your favourite teacher’s name. That is easy for me as whilst there are several contenders there is one teacher who…

The George Inn, Abbots Leigh

Peter and I are off for a pint of Butcombe and a toastie at The George Inn on a beautiful April lunchtime, the hottest day of the year. The George at Abbots Leigh is the closest Malmsey has to a…