VSCC 'Spring Start' Silverstone, Saturday 24th April, 2010.

1) Damn these sunny days. It's about 11:45 and we've been queueing for almost an hour and we're still not at the main gate. We have a chat with the bloke on the gate when we finally get there (there's time - we're not going anywhere soon) and he says they only sold 1200 tickets last year. He's sold double that today and the queue is still a mile long. It was cold and overcast last year, that's why, we reply. Bit of sunshine and the hordes are out looking for summat to do. And what could be better than gawping at loads of olde chaps and chappesses (and some quite young drivers as it happens) piloting even older cars around a historic circuit (albeit one that is in a constant state of flux)?
2) Howard immediately makes himself at home and gets chatting away about the olde times to Bentley Bear who's competed in many an olde Le Mans 24 Hours he doesn't mind telling him, oh no. Howard's so excited he appears to be bending it like Beckham (or, perhaps, doing the Can-Can) but we have no idea what that's all about.

3) We were taken with this outrageous car last year and got a 'paddock shot' or two but nothing 'on track', so here's one of it 'going for it' at Copse. We think the designer of this 1929 Napier Bentley was missing a trick. If he extended the bonnet a bit more he could have got two 24 Litre Bomber engines under it. I mean, why settle for just the one? It's being driven by Christopher Williams and it goes like stink down the straights. Bit slower 'round the corners, mind. Can't have it all tho', eh?
4) Bl**dy motorists in their fangled and new automobiles. Never looking where they are going. Always distracted. Looking around for their prawn sandwiches/bottle of Pimms, that sort of thing. Should be banned.

5) Yay! Another exciting shot of one of Silverstone's new GP circuit corners. Dunno what it will be called but this is the corner that joins the new bit with the existing 'club circuit' straight (so they'll be coming towards you, if that helps).
6) Back in the paddock and David refuses to be down-hearted just because a certain someone has informed him that he needs a haircut and he's looking more and more like his Roman alter-ego, Sanctimonius Pedanticus, every day. I'll get it cut next week (possibly). Really I will. Promise.

7) This is Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason (you'll have to take our word for it). I took several photos of this 1959 Maserati T61 in the paddock. Mr Mason (who I nearly saw live at Earls Court in 1973 but finished up seeing the Kinks at the Rainbow instead - it's a long story) might have been stood right next to us when we were taking them, for all I know, but we wouldn't have noticed 'cos it's a 1959 Maserati T61. Probably asked him to shift out of the way.

8) It's 5:15-ish and it's time to go. Looks like we won't be able to drive straight out (but we were able to). It's been a great day and the large crowd added to the atmosphere and only got it the way on the odd occasion (we are sooooo tolerant). Now were are off to meet Billy and Sue down the road for a meal and a chat. They've promised to have a full run down of all the football scores (gulp). Will The Mighty Wolves be safe?

1) The resident pair of swans in our local park are still tending their nest. By the looks of things they have at least six eggs.



2) They have certainly chosen a lovely setting although the eggs face an uncertain future. Our guess is that it's a toss-up between the local foxes or hoodies as to who will get to them first. In the meantime, our fingers remain firmly crossed.

Evesham Cats Protection, Sunday 18th April, 2010.

1) Some cats clearly come as a pair. This is Candice and Bernice. Not sure they are happy about these names but you can't argue with the Cats Protection, can you? Not sure which one is which either but given they are two of the sweetest natured cats here today we are sure someone will give them a home very soon.


2) Prisoner of Cell Block Five update. He's doing well back in captivity and would like to dispel the wicked rumour that he is eating his cell-mates rations and every mouse stupid enough to wander through his sphere of influence.

3) Sometimes you spot a cat and instantly know he will be chosen sooner rather than later. This is Brad (Vicky's name, not the CP's). Sure enough, as we were busy mucking out, a couple came in and chose him. That's what it's all about, eh?

4) Not all pairs are as happy as Candice and Bernice (see above). Vicky called these two Paul and Heather. Looks to me as though 'Paul' has just found out from his legal team that the cost of the divorce is so prohibitive that he'll have to see out his days with that money-grabber after all.

5) Aha! You thought volunteering at the CP is all about fussing cats and drinking tea. Well, if only it was!

Sunday 11th April, 2010.

1) It's not often we venture over to the west bank of the river but today we are feeling adventurous so what the hell. It's a chance to catch the rowing boat ferry back and for 30p per person per trip (and with all proceeds going to charity) it's a bargain. The rumour that there are more swans in Worcester than people isn't true but it's a close run thing.


2) On the way back home we walk through the local park and discover that the resident pair of swans have decided to build a nest in an even more exposed place than in previous years. Given we have never seen them raise any signets successfully we don't hold out much hope. We shall continue to monitor the situation.

Airbourne, Wolverhampton Civic, Saturday 10th April, 2010.

1) This is Taking Dawn. Beg yer pardon, my mistake. Make that Takin' Mutherfuggin' Dee-awn Fugg Yeah. They're from Las Vegas in the Yew Ess Ov Eh, apparently, and they're here to rawk Wolverhampton. A bit like a thrash metal version of Motley Crue, they are very tight, slick, and entertaining. Got a good crowd reaction for a support band but then, at the end, had to help their roadies clear the stage of their props and gear. Such is life. Vicky's verdict: 2.5/5. David's verdict: 2/5.



2) Next up, it's the Black Spiders. David has the advantage over Vicky in that he's heard a couple of their tracks. They are the least metal of the bands tonight. Heavy bottom-end (more tea Vicar), not many solos, good groove. May well have a future. But, then again, what do we know? We thought the Southern Death Cult were shite when they supported Big Country back in the day but that Ian Astbury-fella was right when he told the audience 'you'll be back paying top whack to see us within a year'. No we fuggin' won't, we replied. Then they changed their name (and style of music) and became a bonafide world-wide rawk phenomenon called the Cult. Anyway, Vicky's verdict 1.5/5. David's: 4.5/5.

3) Airbourne are on stage and they are loud. Make that LOUD! We got a clue that they would be when the drum tech tapped the bass drum pedal ever so lightly and the sound vibrated right along the balcony, through our seats, up our spines (shaking loose a couple of vertebrae), rocketed into our skulls, smashed a few brain cells, before exiting through our overloaded luggholes. Look at that back line. The support bands didn't get to use that. I have been going to gigs since 1970 and I can't ever recall anything as loud as this. The bloke to my left is a big chap. I try to keep his bulk between me and the speakers but it's no use.

4) Security Alert! Security Alert!! There's some half-naked Aussie-fella with a guitar gate-crashing the balcony seats and we're pretty sure he hasn't got a valid ticket. Olde people are having to stand up to make way and now he's got us in his sights. It's an outrage.

5) The audience lap it up. Mainly young uns down the front. They'll be stone deaf before they're 30, you'll see. Serve 'em right.

6) The spirit of Slade's Don Powell is alive and well, still living in Wolverhampton, and rawking in the body of Airbourne's singer/lead guitarist. Imagine AC/DC's Bon Scott and Angus Young inhabiting the same body and you're about half-way there to imagining how much energy this bloke (and the others in the band) put into a show. The other two guitarists are simply Angus Young. Vicky's verdict: 4.5/5. David's: 4/5. I am forced to penalise them a point 'cos it is too loud. Classic Rock mag's tag line is 'If it's too loud, yer too old'. OK, I admit it: It's too loud and I'm too old. Come on Vic, let's get home for a nice relax and a mug of cocoa before a good night's kip. Now that's what I call Rawk 'n' Rowl.

NB. I've managed to blog this less than 24 hours after the event. That's pretty impressive for me. Nothing compared to the two young chaps sat in front of us who were both uploading, in a blur of opposable thumbs, images and words from their mobiles to their Facebook sites whilst still headbanging without missing a beat. Now that's impressive.

Wednesday 7th April, 2010.

1) It's Vicky's Birthday today and, as anyone who knows us will testify, it is illegal to work on yer birthday: it's simply not natural. As Vicky gets to do just what she wants all day we have driven into town for a slap-up breakfast. We use the term 'breakfast' advisedly because it is nearly midday by the time we get there. Vicky has a West Country Vegetarian and David has a Full English. What a treat! Food Police lurking outside, happily, just out of shot.


2) Having 'stuffed our 'odge' we return home to get changed and then drive over to Evesham Dogs Trust to do a spot of dog-walking to walk off our hugemongous breakfasts. This is Busby, a 7-8 months old Irish stray. What a friendly fella he is. We really take to him. He'll find a home soon, no problem.

3) More daffs out in Worcestershire shock! Having a rest and a 'quiet sit' is all part and parcel of giving the dogs some normality. So what could be better than to sit and have a fuss with the middle-aged Corgi, Levi. Wasn't sure about him at first. Bit of an odd looking cove (but, then again, aren't we all). He spent most of the time sniffing every single tuft of grass and piddling in every bush but by this point he had run out of piddle and was content to rest for a while (whilst hoping his piddle reserves would swiftly replenish, no doubt).

4) It's almost quarter-to-four and as the DT closes at four we make this our last dog walk. This is Scarlett, one of many Staffie-crosses that seem to proliferate here. She's a lively sort and has a strange strangulated bark that seems to barely leave the back of her throat when she sees another dog in the distance. It's quite disconcerting at first but we convince ourselves it's nothing to worry about. She seemed to enjoy our company and that's the main thing. All the dogs we walked must have sensed it was Vicky's birthday 'cos not one of them gave us a present to clean up. Nice one! If only it was always like that.

5) It's now almost 6:45pm and, having had an hour long soak in the bath, Vicky is ready for her dinner. David has cooked her Tuna Pasta, just one of his many 'signature dishes.'
Vicky's verdict? 20-out-of-ten. Yes, you read that right. It's that good! Her only complaint is that there's 'rather a lot'. She particularly likes the '1950's salad' which, translated, means, a load of green stuff lobbed into a bowl. David's presentation skills needs work, she concludes. It only remains to sit down in font of the TV and watch the highlights of the Brands Superbike race on ITV4. Well, Vicky shouldn't expect to go a whole day without some motorsport just 'cos it's her birthday, should she?

Easter Monday, 5th April, 2010.

1) We're too cream-crackered to go to the Red Marley hillclimb today so we have a lie-in and a leisurely morning and then decide to walk into town, a mere 3.5 mile round trip, just in case we haven't done enough walking this weekend. We walk along the river into town, buy a few things, as you do, and then trudge back home along the main road. We take a seat in Gheluvelt Park and rest our weary feet. The plague and pestilence that the weather-scrotes forecast hasn't materialised and the sun has come out. The daffodils look splendid and it's great to see some colour in the landscape once again after our looooooong drab grey winter.

2) Gazing across the peaceful scene in a kind of stupor we eventually come back 'round and find the strength to carry on with the rest of the walk home. If anything, our pace has slowed even more than before. There's no rush tho', eh?

3) We're obviously more weary than we thought because our brains can't fathom what this latest Parks Project is all about. All we know is that the Council has been awarded a Lottery Grant and this resultant new area will replace the old outdoor swimming pool. We're sure it will look better with a water feature or two and some planted borders but, at the mo', it looks like a Health and Safety incident waiting to happen. More anon?