Further Adventures of a Leeds Festival Wristband

Merry Christmas ....

2006-12-24T16:36:00.001Z

...to all "Wristy" viewers.....

Let's see what 2007 brings ....

Here We Go Again - WristyChums !

2006-12-15T00:30:00.000Z

Yeah, it's been quiet recently - must admit that the "attack" from Preston Poly did hurt a bit - and with this site being more of an "aside" to my real stuff (viz http://sitamesides.blogspot.com) I've tended to put this one rather low in my "updating mode" (blimey you can't spend too much time at the puter when you spend all day at the puter).

However it's update time tonight - been to the "Railway" @ Greenfield tonight and seen "The Roger Higgins Band" - now if you like JJ Cale, Little Feat and mucho slide guitaro - I recommend (even had the obligatory check shirt)! The middle set included the sons of the bassist (Tony) (Tony and Gareth) on acoustic guitar & electric violin - and what a cracking little set that was (anyone remember "Jig a Jig" by East of Eden ??)

Afters -cus I took about 80 pix tonight (almost as many as I took at the DragonForce gig last Friday) (see http://sixtamesides.blogspot.com or http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r272/mossleysmiffy/DragonForce/ )

I went checking out names etc - only to be asked "you enjoy Leeds too ??" - and then we clicked - Gareth was "still wearing". Having taken so many pix (plus tonight out was totally unscheduled) my batteries were "close to death" - but.. here goes.. another meeting of like minds - or something...

So there you go - another meeting - and once again in Greenfield !!

Too late now - too p*ssed to do much more - but Roger Higgins Band - worth a listen - I'll check through the photos tomorrow - and maybe put a few goodies on http://sixtamesides.blogspot.com.

1,000 up !!!

2006-11-30T23:41:00.000Z

OK it's been quiet since I gave Bob a good stuffing - but we've finally cracked 1,000 visitors on this very blog - thanks to all for your support - I will wear it always - and here's a little something to celebrate..

Tacky but hey - it's just a laugh !! PS the "sad twat approaching 50" is only 10 minutes away now ....the blog will continue, but I will try to avoid the "humdrum" stuff - unless it's cute !

Pat yourselves on the back for a job well done (go on - name the film!)

Celebrity Death Match - Me vs Bob...

2006-11-16T19:53:00.000Z

In the Red Corner...."Blockbusters" favourite.... BOBBBBBBBBBB HOLNESS !!!!

And in the Blue Corner...."sad twat approaching 50"...SMMMIFFFFFFFFFFFFY !!!!

Over to you the audience .... (I decided against putting Bob into Photoshop and then applying the "melt" option - got to keep it fair to both sides).

Hope all is well at the University of Central Lancashire - maybe Joy Kumar in Computing Services would be interested in what "students" get up to in their spare time whilst using the University network - credit where credit is due though - you were on both the "wristy" and "sixtamesides" sites for nearly an hour before you came up with your "pearls of wisdom".

(PS Wristy say "Hi !")

One for Mr "Anonymous"

2006-11-16T02:04:00.000Z

You come back from the football - you sort out the football blog - and you're met with insults, insults and more insults - read the comments on the previous post - but hey - I'm a nice chap really - and very fair too - so I thought the least I could (after replying in words of more than two syllables) was to actually reply pictorially - so here you are Mr "anonymous"... who I believe to be an FC United of Manchester football fan .....

Love and kisses - Smiffy (aka "melted Bob Holness").

Sneaked a band in tonight....

2006-11-10T00:51:00.000Z

Mrs Smiffy was out tonight on a works do in Manchester - so we sneaked out on the train to Greenfield and watched "Decoy" at the "Railway" pub - a covers band but very good at what they do - Paul Weller, Ian Dury, Coldplay and Pink Floyd to name but a few - truly an eclectic mix !

Only One Month to Go !!

2006-11-08T23:58:00.000Z

Until we get to see a rather popular beat combo - well they are in this house anyway !!

Saw 'em at Download - looking forward to a slightly better sound mix indoors ... \n/.

AT LAST ! AT LAST ! AT LAST !

2006-11-06T22:01:00.000Z

The moment we've been waiting for - since August Bank Holiday Monday - since daughter took her "wristy" off in fact - happened tonight. As part of the "ju-jitsu taxi service" for young boy, I have to nip to the Off-Licence in Greenfield to pick up a Lucozade Orange. As I parked up outside, there was a chap stood outside wearing a Leeds Festival 06 hoodie - I acknowledged this fact on my way in to the shop and as an aside said, "Still got your wristband on ?"

He said "Yes".

...... pause...... Whooooaaaaaa !!

I whipped it out (yes the camera goes everywhere - well you never know) - and asked for a pose - and here it is - and I'm going for large tonight - because it's worth it !

Here we are then - me at the front and Graham from Greenfield at the back - what made it even more freaky was when he said he knew of others as well ! My mate Andy from Stalybridge Buffet Bar has mentioned a guy who works in a paper shop in Ancoats - but when there's peeps on your doorstep, a trip to Every Street, Ancoats becomes less than necessary.

I gabbled this web site address to Graham - hope he took it in - if not, if anyone knows a Graham in Greenfield with a Leeds wristband on - tell him about it - and if anyone else in the Greenfield area wishes to have their photo taken - I'm usually in the offy every Monday and Wednesday about 1930.

To get two on one pic is a start - a "full on wristy orgy" involving several would be wonderful !!

The hibernation period...

2006-11-06T21:51:00.000Z

Yes, it's been quiet since Ireland - the only two pictures of note involve travel to football matches - naturally !

Carling on the wrist - Carling on the can !

Above picture taken on the train to Dewsbury on the way to the Osset Town v Mossley game on the 28th October - don't let the real ale freaks see this - and yes I did drink it !

On the balcony at Manchester Piccadilly station. Taken last Saturday whilst waiting for a train to Liverpool on the way to the Cammell Laird v Mossley game.

The next post should blow your mind though - well it blew mine !!!

Souvenir of Ireland - Another Bloody Bus Ticket !

2006-10-27T22:23:00.000+01:00

Well why not ? we've had Hyde - we've had Ilkeston - why not Dublin ?

And just for the hell of it - one from the top bar in the Guinness brewery (with some interesting camera settings !!)

We've been to Ireland !!

2006-10-27T01:54:00.000+01:00

..and got back tonight. Here's one for starters...

"Master's" food for the week ! Will check out the rest of the pix when we have more time...

Mossley v Lincoln

2006-10-22T13:38:00.000+01:00

We got a small souvenir after yesterday's football match......

A suitably annotated fixture poster !

Tomorrow morning - a change from the norm - we're off to Ireland to do some walking in Wicklow - and some Guinness no doubt. "Master's" quest for real ale might be tricky (does the Dwan Brewery still exist over there ??)

We meet a "very good friend"

2006-10-18T23:03:00.000+01:00

Known as "Timmy" apparently...

The "Railway" @ Greenfield earlier tonight

A "Tale of Two Tickets" - AFI vs Ashton United

2006-10-17T01:41:00.000+01:00

Whoo-hoo - we're going to a gig !!

No we're not young wristy - that AFI ticket belongs to small boy - we're going to the football - again !! Not to worry -we'll buy some tickets when we get to Ashton United - for the half-time draw.

And the winner is "ticket numbers 101 to 105" - whoo-hoo we've won a prize.

A litre bottle of whisky no less - something for the festive season I feel. Now the football has finshed we have to drive to Manchester to pick up the kiddies from the gig.

Boo-hoo !

This Weekend's Wild Event - Shopping !

2006-10-15T17:59:00.000+01:00

By God - it gets worse ......

Wristy as "Trolley Dolly"

Followed by Football of course - and then home for a "quiet night in"..

The "Rock'n'Roll" life of August Bank Holiday seems so far far way ....might have to start making escape plans soon.

A Quiet Week - so far

2006-10-12T23:24:00.000+01:00

Wristy has absolutely "nothing to report" this week - OK football on Tuesday (another Mossley defeat - see t'other blog) - but there's nothing really exciting/unusual/different from the norm that makes it worthy of a piccy or anything like that.

Sad really - but life's like that I guess at times ...let's see what the weekend brings...maybe we'll go shopping on Saturday morning - or something "wacky" like that ........roll on Dublin on 23rd October.

Crisis for Wristy ....

2006-10-09T23:18:00.000+01:00

Life is just work work work - and when it's not work work work work it's bloody football look at this weekend just gone - more of the same ....

Another bus ticket -shades of the September 10th posting !

And following that game - another Mossley defeat - we had this .....no we haven't - the usb connection on the new camera is f*cked already

EEEEEEK !!!!!!!!

Football - but Recycling First !

2006-10-04T00:37:00.000+01:00

Yes, tonight was football - but like "Master" always does before a Mossley home game - we walked past the ground for about 500 metres to the Mossley Market Place to do a bit of recycling - tonight it was just a bag of empty cans (beer and food mind !).

Emptying the cans in the bin - they're not only beer cans - some are chopped tomatoes and sweetcorn !

It's amazing - since we went "big" for the recycling, our Wheelie Bin tends to be only half full on collection days. We're lucky in Mossley because we also have a plastic bottle bin up on the Market Place - and when you've kids in the house supping for fun from 2 litre PET bottles, it's good to be able to recycle them as well as the usual cans/bottles/newspapers.

And when we got back for the football Mossley won 2-0 !!

Alternative Forms of Energy - The Only Way ....

2006-10-02T23:42:00.000+01:00

We went for a walk on Sunday up between Bacup and Burnley (Cliviger Gorge).

Here we go here we go here we go...the trusty GPS !

Up on side - along the tops - down into a place called Portsmouth (no Harbour - no railway station - they're building "executive houses" on the site of the old station - probably Beeching's fault - and no real ale in the "Roebuck" pub). Hey ho.

Up the other side - along the top to see these...

We like windmills (we like Holland as well so ...). They're not the complete answer - but they're a step in the right direction. They want to build some on Saddleworth Moor near where "Master" lives - but the posh people (you know - the "4x4orons" as we call them) don't like them - and they're getting help from none other than David Bellamy !!. Here's a funny one - there's a farm in the area with a "No Wind Farm Here" poster on the gate - and they've got a mobile phone mast just behind their buildings....count the faces !!

We need a trip to the seaside to find out more about offshore wind farms, tidal power and wave power. What with this and the "Time to Go" demo last week, I think I'm starting to catch something political off my owner - and it's good !.

The walk was nice as well - the windmills were not noisy - and we saw lots of animals happily grazing beneath them - so that's some of the arguments out of the window.

We need to think of our children -and the "wristies" to come ...

A Day out in Liverpool, Stalybridge, Manchester ...

2006-10-01T00:57:00.000+01:00

Today we went to Liverpool - well Fazakerley to be exact - as "Master's" youngest had a ju-jitsu grading.

Outside the dojo.

He passed of course and then we all rushed back home. We snatched 30 minutes of football, watching Stalybridge draw against Frickley Athletic.

Today's been such a blur - as you can see - Stalybridge Celtic v Frickley.

We followed this with a trip to Manchester to see fiery stuff - and I didn't get my picture taken - I was very annoyed !

I'm absent - but here's a pic anyway...

Got Chatted Up Tonight !

2006-09-28T21:50:00.000+01:00

You know the score - you're sitting down, relaxing after a hard day's graft - and all of a sudden you are the victim of unwelcome advances. There we were tonight having a quiet drink at Stalybridge Buffet Bar - and this happens:

Along comes this rough tough cable tie - and I mean "cable tie", not Jim Carrey - didn't even offer a drink, just jumped straight in there - didn't last long though - got chased straight back into his toolbox.

You don't need this sort of thing on a Thursday night....

Metrolink Football !

2006-09-27T00:38:00.000+01:00

OK so it's football again - but I've been on one of those Manchester trams tonight for the first time ever !

Here's the tram at Manchester Victoria.

We went to Radcliffe to see Mossley play - but after all I said about trains last night - I know what's best - and it ain't MetroLink that's for sure !! Expensive - and not a nice ride at all.

Radcliffe Station - goodbye tram - off you go to Bury.

The pain (pocket and botty) was worth it though - because Mossley won 3-1 !!!

We nearly won the raffle tonight !!

2006-09-25T23:44:00.000+01:00

Oh yes it's football fever again - Ashton United vs Burscough - we keep most of the footy stuff elsewhere (i.e. http://sixtamesides.blogspot.com) - but thought you'd like to know that "Master" was really really close with the raffle tonight ....

The winner was 006490 - until next time...

Guess what - more football tomorrow - at Radcliffe Borough, so I get to ride on a real live Metrolink tram for the first time ever ever !!!!!.

It'll make a change from them bloody trains to and from work every bloody day - excuse my language but someone spilt beer on me tonight and I'm a little "wristy tipsy"...

Wristy says "Blair Out !"

2006-09-24T01:37:00.000+01:00

Well we got into Manchester eventually - thanks to the Rail Replacement Bus - and hot-footed it down to Albert Square to meet lots of like-minded people.

The Stage in Albert Square where lots of people made lots of speeches.

We wanted to march - but people kept coming on the stage and saying stuff - and there was a football match to get to as well !!

In the end time ran out and we had to attempt to get back to Mossley for the football - by 4-45pm we wished we'd never bothered...yes another loss !

At least "Master" got a new T-Shirt out of the day....

We've been to the theatre !!!

2006-09-23T01:48:00.000+01:00

We've been for some culture tonight. Some of "Master's" friends said "Fancy the Royal Exchange tonight ?" We went for it.

Blimey - this ain't Leeds !

We went to see "Mary Barton" - by Elizabeth (aka Mrs) Gaskell - a story about rich b*stards, poor starving hungry peeps and love and stuff set in Manchester in the 1840s (apparently Mrs Gaskell was a seamstress in a "sweatshop" in the St Annes Square area - so it's a bit biographical).

Our friends arrived with 13 minutes to spare - they had the tickets - we went straight from work and met "Mistress" off the train and had a drinkie first.

Ticket ... no wristband ??

And in we went....

Sneaky pic from inside !!

Overall very good - first half was very powerful (seemed pretty apt what with Blair and his cronies arriving tomorrow - much emphasis on Chartism, Unions and the total lack of power of all of them compared with the rich mill owners of the time).. Second half - not so strong though - but I believe it's the first time that this book has been put on stage so ....

Most embarrassing moment was when "Master's" phone went off - he'd forget to put it onto "silent running" - ouch !

Nice prequel to the demo later today - although in true "Blairite" fashion there are no trains from Mossley to Manchester tomorrow (engineering works betwixt Ashton and Manchester Victoria). Looks like a bus to Stalybridge and an express to Piccadilly. Just hope we get back to Mossley in time for the football ...

A Day in the Life

2006-09-20T22:11:00.000+01:00

Just for information really.

This is where "Master" works - in fact this is his "workstation"

Look there's emu keeping an eye in all things computer ... and a nice cup of tea as well

They're all lunatics at Simon Carves (Computer Department) - they collect all sorts of silly things - the hat collection will have to wait for another day, but here's a small snippet of the "comedy confectionery" shelf - which includes things other than confectionery as well !!

What silly people they are !!

Then when we came home we found out that we can go to the football on Saturday because "young boy's" ju-jitsu grading is on 30th September not the 23rd. Then we found out that 30th is now a day trip to the seaside (i.e. Whitby) for the Mossley "faithful" and we can't go - wristy hasn't been to the seaside yet - it'll have to wait.

Never mind - it means that we can go to the "Blair Out", "Troops Out" demo in Manchester this Saturday before the Guiseley match - so we'll get some good pix with banners and policeman !!

Wristy Re-Visits

2006-09-17T19:45:00.000+01:00

Went back to my roots today - yes it was football related. We were going to Guiseley to see Mossley win the FA Cup - or something like that. We had to go backwards to Stalybridge first because all the local trains were messed up - but then we caught a nice shiny one - to Leeds - yes Leeds where I first surfaced 24 days ago.

The train pulled in, we got off the train and went over to the ticket barriers - the wrist was damp with emotion - yes we were home...

We then went to watch the football game - Mossley didn't win the FA Cup so "Master" commiserated in the same way that all his friends were doing....

No real ale in cans was the official excuse !

We then went back to Leeds and say "goodbye" to the City and "goodbye" to all the other Mossley supporters - we went a different way - down to Derby and then a rail replacement bus to Belper.

A busy day that meant a lot to me ...

Wristy's Going Home !!

2006-09-16T09:15:00.000+01:00

Naturally, it's football related, but today Mossley are away at Guiseley in the FA Cup - only 237 rounds from Wembley you know...

...and to get to Guiseley - you've got to go to Leeds !

Could be quite an emotional moment.

Wristy's 21st - Total Washout !

2006-09-14T22:07:00.000+01:00

It all began so badly when we found out that some brain-dead f*ckwits had vandalised a signal box between Mossley and Manchester overnight. Of course it was lashing it down with rain...

Waiting in vain (rain ?) - early doors on Mossley station -everyone else is huddled under cover ...

We got to Stalybridge eventually but had to let one express go - too full (and I knew there was another in 10 minutes) - so it was 0915 before arriving at "Master's" work.

Paul - at work - his daughter went to Leeds - but he'd told me that Natalie had removed her wristband (heresy !!) - and those miserable b*st*rds at the Manchester Evening News had failed to respond to my "publicity-seeking e-mail" (probably because I failed to mention FC United !) - so on arriving back at Mossley - trains still hellish with rumours that it may take up to 10 days to sort out - it turned into a very lonely 21st....

Yes not even a cake - it's a "white floured bap" - with a candle -even the beer's "creamflow"...

Hope my 50th is better - if I "live" that long............

Wristy's seen some "money" tonight..

2006-09-13T01:55:00.000+01:00

He's also seen another blooming football game - as in Mossley v Matlock Town (Matlock Town won 3-0 - could have /s hould have been more !)

But on the way home before the game we stopped at Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar and "Gaz the Quiff" said "What do you reckon to this ??"

Quite a lot reckoned "Master" - believes it dates back to the 1940s - there will be much "checking" over the next few days - no clues at tonight's game unfortunately.

All this football - and I still haven't had a decent walk - but - it's back to work tomorrow (I'm 20 now) - and we'll se if anything special is going to happen on my 21st - or will it be a "quiet night in" with beer, cake, candles and card(s).

Wristy is 21 on Thursday...

2006-09-12T00:37:00.000+01:00

The life of a Festival Wristband is normally "nasty, brutish and short" - as some clever geezer once wrote. However on Thursday I will be 21 days old....

...and we might have a party - in Manchester - with any other 21 day old wristbands "in the vicinity" - actually you might be 22 if your owner got an "Early Bird" ticket for the Wednesday - or you might be just 20 if your owner didn't turn up until the Friday (and ended up with a poo camping spec !).

Eyes and ears as they say - and we've touted for a bit of publicity too - so you never know.

Maybe if I'd gone national there could have been parties ALL OVER THIS LAND ...and we could all exchange experiences and photos and stuff.

My number still hasn't faded away - and I do bathe and shower regularly !!! However my camera is not that good at flashy (or no-flashy) close-ups but - suffice to say - I am still number 34321.

Who is Number 1 ???

Would I "dye" for you ??

2006-09-11T22:34:00.000+01:00

Busy bathrooms at home tonight - certainly a night to "dye" for...fortunately the camera was in our hands.

Step One:

"Master's" daughter (Michelle) goes for the henna - not your L'Oreal crap but proper 39p stuff from ASM in Ashton.

We might "hold" the towel but we ain't washing it !!

Step Two:

"Master's" youngest (Peter) goes for "black, black and more" black - with a hint of blue (£2-89 from Superdrug)

We wanted to run into the street and shout "There are people 'dyeing' in here" - but then we found out the Man City score and thought not...

Another Football Ground ...

2006-09-10T09:16:00.000+01:00

How many are there ?

We went to Hyde United today - after meeting some nice Derbyshire chaps at Stalybridge.

"We've gotta Ticket to Hyde" (Lennon/McCartney)

We must have been the lucky mascots today - because they won their first league match of the season !

Where the noisy people stand - apart from James that is ! Think Gav is just visible there as well ..

Went to a nice pub after the game called the "Sportsman" before going home.

Wristy's Day out at Hyde has to wait...

2006-09-09T20:21:00.000+01:00

..because of this:

HINCKLEY United Football Club regretfully announce the tragic death of Matthew Gadsby. The 27 year-old collapsed midway through the first half of the Conference North game with Harrogate Town at Wetherby Road on Saturday. Paramedics treated the central defender on the pitch and worked on him for over an hour after he suddenly collapsed on the field of play. No other player was involved. He was taken to Harrogate Royal Infirmary but failed to respond to treatment. Chairman Kevin Downes said: “This is an absolute tragedy and our thoughts are with Matthew’s family and friends. “Incidents like this put everything into perspective and no-one can quite come to terms with what has happened. “The medics were out on the pitch within seconds and their treatment was first class and they did everything they could along with the staff at the hospital which was next door to the ground. “Matthew had made a big impact on the football club during his time at the Marston’s Stadium and he will be sadly missed by everyone.” Sutton Coldfield born Gadsby began his career as a trainee at Walsall before breaking his way into the first team and making 23 first team appearances. He then moved to Mansfield Town and Kidderminster Harriers extending his Football League experience before he dropped into Non League football with Forest Green Rovers. Swadlincote based Gadsby – a builder by profession - signed a one-year deal with Hinckley United in the summer and had been in outstanding form. Mr Gadsby leaves behind a young daughter, and a wife, Sarah. Hinckley United’s game away at Moor Green on Tuesday night has been postponed after today’s tragic events. No further information is currently available.

Aren't We Clever ?

2006-09-08T21:04:00.000+01:00

Look at this - tonight - on the train home - we've managed to complete the "Manchester Evening News" cryptic crossword:

Oh and the other message tonight is "If anyone wants a free legal download of 'I'm a Rat' by Towers of London (it's jolly jolly punk metal) please go to the sister/mother/brother website - http://sixtamesides.blogspot.com - they were at Leeds Festival and we liked them a lot !

Obviously football again tomorrow - but problems in the Smiffy household will decide whether we get to North Ferriby - or Hyde - at the moment it's not looking promising for the "longer journey".

Weather forecast is good regardless...........

Northern Rail are cr*p

2006-09-07T20:05:00.000+01:00

Northern Rail are indeed cr*p - delays at Mossley this morning meant a 25 minute "hang-about" at Piccadilly Station.

Waiting at Piccadilly for the 0827 to Cheadle Hulme - me, sodalite, Mr Gregg's coffee (two sugars) and a Securicor "ticket checker". What you can't see is the Eagles of Death Metal going through "Master's" ears - or the free "Metro" paper.

So, late in for the second time in a week - and home late too - cr*p day all round really...

Hate to say it but ...

2006-09-07T00:13:00.000+01:00

...Wednesday brought nowt ! The real moan is on http://sixtamesides.blogspot.com

Tuesday -

2006-09-06T00:07:00.000+01:00

Not a very interesting day today - I guess work is work is work most days - however there was a slightly wacky moment on the way home (in Stalybridge Station Buffet bar - where else ?) - was it "static cling" or was it "something else" - when I got tangled up with "Master's" tie and lifted it almost to the angle of Dilbert's !!

Look - no hands !! (apart from those holding the pint in the background !). The pint in question was of course Millstone Brewery "Tiger Rut" - and "Master" had one on the bar as well !

We all sat by the computer after nine o'clock listening to a football match on internet radio (BBC Radio Slop doing AFC Telford United v Mossley - 0-0 final score) and when that finished we booked a trip to Dublin during half-term in October - we could have took a piccy of the confirmation - but thought it wise NOT to put the RyanAir confirmation number onto the net !!

What will Wednesday bring I wonder ..

Monday - Train Chaos at Stalybridge !

2006-09-04T23:53:00.000+01:00

Sunday was a bummer - it rained too much so we didn't get a walk in - we went to Argos to buy a dehumidifier (you don't want to see that - but we did get a picture of the box !)

Monday morning was fun though - theer was "overunning engineering works" between Ashton and Manchester Victoria so everyone had to get off the train at Stalybridge - now we always do that anyway but it meant there were loads of others on the platform too !!

"Busy Busy" at Stalybridge - and there's Mick and John from Greenfield getting in on the act !

We got to work for 0845 though - did work - and came home.

In the evening we did football again at a big posh stadium with no fans (!) - not to worry, we saw 7 (seven) goals for Curzon Ashton and one missed penalty for Atherton Collieries -well worth a fiver !

View from the top of the stand at Curzon - impresive (if blurry !)

Tomorrow Mossley go to AFC Telford United - without me ...

Saturday Afternoon was Wet !

2006-09-02T21:51:00.000+01:00

Went to the football this afternoon:
Reading the programme

Mossley weren't very good for 70 minutes - they were losing 2-0 - but then they started trying ...
One of the many chances after 1620.

Unfortunately they lost 2-1 and "Master's" camera went "pop" so he missed the goal. We went to the Co-op for more batteries and then went back to the Mossley club to watch the England v Andorra game..

England v Andorra on the "big screen" at Mossley - with Mike and Nigel muscling in on the pic !

At least England won 5-0 ....

Think we're going for a walk in the hills tomorrow - weather permitting.

No Football Until the Jobs are Done

2006-09-02T13:37:00.000+01:00

Today is wet !! Apparently the game is on though - but first, jobs. We had to put a roller blind up in the boys room.

That drill is very noisy

Not long later - success !!
Followed by "oops" ....

Someone (!!!) hadn't unpacked the tent from last weekend - and it was a little bit damp and musty. Not to worry - it'll soon dry close to the radiator (pictured). We're going to watch Mossley play Lincoln United in about an hour.

The Weekend's Coming ..

2006-09-02T10:22:00.000+01:00

We got up early this morning, and washed some pots before going to work...

and here's a picture of Edgeley No 2 signal box just outside Stockport - yes we were back on the train to Cheadle Hulme today.

9 hours later - coming home... Just time for a quick beer at Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar (Salamander Savage)....

...before going out to the Diggle Hotel for a "Last Night of the School Holidays for Teachers" meal out with (teacher) friends. Pictured is my "Diggle Hotel Mixed Grill" - well 50% of it (the beer at Diggle was Timothy Taylors Golden Best)

Going to Work - A Different Way !

2006-08-31T21:14:00.000+01:00

"Master" normally goes to work on the train, but today was different - we went in the car and a very jolly journey it was with DragonForce blasting out of the CD player.

Lunch was the usual Gregg's "Ham, Cheese and Pickle - and a nice cuppa tea !

When we got home in the evening we updated the blog - look there's lunch again !! Oh yes, we tweaked the settings so anyone can post comments, rather than "registered users only".

Wonder what tomorrow will bring - maybe a nice picture of a train - or Manchester Piccadilly Station ...

An Intimate Meal...

2006-08-31T01:36:00.000+01:00

Sausage and mash was on offer - and who spotted the can of John Smith's Bitter ? This could be the start of something big ...

Love at First Site...

2006-08-31T01:00:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone - my name is wristy - I met a friend last weekend - he's called "sodalite" - he took me home from Leeds and promised me the world. "Mossley" thought I - let's give it a chance ...

Late Edit - thought I'd move a copy of this over from the "Six Tame Sides" site - for posterity/history etc

Just a brief (!) review of wot I (and daughter mostly) saw.....ratings go from 1 to 5 (with 5 being excellent)
FRIDAY

MASTODON - Muddy sound which improved after 10 minutes - very fast - very heavy. RATING - 3.
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE - A bit "new-fangled heavy" for me (growly vocals etc). RATING - 2.5
HUMANZI - Dublin band with a hint of U2 in the guitar. RATING - 3
Caught end of ADAM HILLS on Comedy Stage - good routine on misuse of English language. RATING - 3
LESS THAN JAKE - Always a good festival band who get the crowd going with their infectious ska-punk. RATING - 4
JIM JEFFRIES (Comedy Stage) - Thank God neither my wife (or daughter) was there ! 30 minutes of swearing, knob jokes and porn RATING - XXX
SLAYER - Excelent set - and bloomin' loud !! RATING - 4
THE KOOKS - Not really my cuppa tea but a jolly set anyway. RATING - 3
PEARL JAM - Absolutely awesome - 2 hours of tight, professional rock played with genuine feeling - Eddie Vedder has finally got that monkey off his back - in style. Finished with a cracking version of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" - marvellous. RATING - 6

SATURDAY

TOWERS OF LONDON - Very very good punk metal - cross between The Ramones and Sham 69 - Finished with Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" - with the end solo almost note-perfect ! RATING - 4.5
ZOX - American three piece, one of which was an electric violin. Very good indeed - one to watch out for. RATING - 4.5
CENSORED - on the unsigned stage.I was told (via Ilson Town people) that they were from Ilson, but they announced themselves as "From Nottingham". Good all-round performance with excellent vocals and lyrics. RATING 4
PANIC! AT THE DICSO - Well you've got to look ! They did have a real cello and weren't bad either. RATING - 3(followed by small siesta)
HUNDRED REASONS - First saw them supporting Muse a few years ago - and the set hasn't changed much ! Still good though. RATING - 3.5
THE VINES - Pleasantly surprised here - a very good set indeed. RATING - 4
EAGLES OF DEATH METAL - Love it Love it ! Good sleazy ol' rock'n'roll. As featured on my mp3 player. RATING - 5
TWLIGHT SINGERS with MARK LANEGAN - never heard of them - pleasantly impressed. RATING - 3.5
FRANZ FERDINAND - There was more to them than I expected. Another pleasant surprise. RATING 3.5

SUNDAY

WOLFMOTHER - Never heard of them - but will be hearing more. Shades of Rush in there music (even a three piece). RATING - 4.5
THE CRIBS - Has to be my one "bad pick" of the festival. Did nothing to me at all. RATING - 1
THE FALL - Mark E Smith looks as rough as f*** - but still does the business ! RATING - 4
FEEDER - Another great set from them, sadly too short - new album stuff sounds good as well (going back to "Echo Park" sound). RATING - 4.5
JET - Tremendous set of rock from the Aussie band - just the way I like it. RATING - 5
COHEED & CAMBRIA - Seen them at last ! Not disappointed as they continued where Jet left off - the last track when he used the violin bow on the guitar - brilliant. RATING - 5
MUSE - My reason for going this year. A thoroughly enjoyable set marred only by the rain which finally arrived. Played lots from "Origin of Symmetry" as well as the new album. RATING 5.5

BAND OF THE FESTIVAL - Close call between MUSE and PEARL JAM, but I have to give it to PEARL JAM - the word "awesome" keeps coming back to haunt me.....No riots - no burning - reckon the West Yorshire Police and Fire Brigade had the rain bussed in at just the right time for them (wrong time for Muse fans though !) Home this morning by 10 a.m. Back to football now with Mossley this afternoon - my guess is that I'll be too knackered for Curzon tonight - after all it's back to work on Tuesday !