Denied!

Dateline, Saturday September 24th

Leaving London on a Saturday morning bound for bonny Glaysga, I head to Victoria station to catch the Gatwick Express. The name itself 'Gatwick Express' an expression of the glamourous jet set lifestyle I lead.

In the distance I spot a distinct sign. Be still my beating heart. Not only could I be enjoying light, yet deadly, deep fried confectionary....I can take some home to share the 'crack of doughnuts' with the missus.

But for some reason, at 9am on a Saturday, the Krispy Kreme was not open. Not only that, but no signs of life or information about when they would open. The bagel I did buy was NOT an adequate substitute.

Ah well, I consoled my self by buying Series 5 box-sets of both West Wing and Sopranos in the tax-free HMV in Gatwick.

Blues Explosion Man

So, those nice people from All Tomorrow's Parties thought it would be a nice idea if they invited some bands to play an album. That is to say, one of their own albums from start to finish. So a posse comprising of myself, the B Brothers, Wooly and MattK, went along to Koko in Camden on Wednesday.

The fabulous, most groovy Jon Spencer Blues Explosion were playing their album 'Orange'. A gig of 2 halves, firstly the album (BELLBOTTOMS BELLBOTTOMS), secondly a selection from the other stuff - 2 Kindsa Love, Spoiled & loads of other good stuff. Throw in a couple of beers an no soakage - and that's the sweat of the Blues Explosion.

Utrecht-ive Utrecht

I'm beginning to collect international Irish pubs like a Jack Nagle, I am. I've now seen more football matches in Mick O'Connells pub in Utrecht than any oub in Glasgow.....a bizarre state of affairs.

When in the Netherlands, BEWARE THE BUTTERMILK. Freakishly these people love this crap....and it comes in cartons disguised as ordinary milk. Holy Alien Nation Batman. Even the flavoured milks come in 'smooth' and 'lumpy' formats. Akkka thhu!

Utrecht is pretty cool. Typical university town. Fab Cathedral and old town area. Coffee shops with strange smells and decent restaurants. I recommend the 'Brootje Mario' for a lunchtime snack.