The Counter Attack Starts

Another concert, same city different band. This time the Pieman and the Dragonslayer headed to Manchester Academy2 to see the ever rocking Alarm featuring Mr Mike Peters.

This was the final gig of the year before the band release a new album early next year. Some of the latest material was featured including Superchannel, Plastic Carrier Bags, Drunk & Disorderly, 45 rpm, Love Hope & Strength, Cease & Desist and My Town.

Plenty of favourites were thrown in including Knife edge, 68 Guns, Spirit of 76, Rain In the Summertime, Sold Me Down The River, The Stand (Pie Favourite), Where Were You Hiding, Absolute Reality, Rescue Me, Marching On (Pie Favourite), Blaze Of Glory. All this with a fantastic medley at the end of Anarchy In The UK, If the Kids are United, I'm So Bored With The USA and Blitzkrieg Bop and a rendition of Slade's Merry Christmas Everybody as well. Excellent!!!!

As usual Mr Peters/Alarm didn't disappoint with a very loud and committed set. The venue, which we've been to quite a few times before, was sweaty and cramped. The Academy has a number of different rooms and No2 was just right this time.

The ground floor entrance, bar areas and toilets have had a lot of work done on them since our last visit. Although on street parking is more difficult than ever. However we did discover the parking at the Manchester Eye Hospital just around the corner. Well lit, patrolled and £2.00 for three hours...not bad.

Apart from some medicated idiots the concert was great and the Pieman looks forward to the Gathering in January. Does anyone know of a drummmer who hits his kit as hard as Steve Grantley???

Time On Earth

On Thursday last Pieman and Dragonslayer went with respective spouses to see the fantastic Crowded House in concert at the MEN Arena in Manchester. Despite the rapidly changing plans due to a blown tyre we all made it on time.

Although it meant with time short we ignored all the offers of parking leading up to the venue and dived into the official car park next door ( £8.00 a pop!). Strolled in bought a drink, shown to our seats by a yellow (hideous) jacketed steward, lights went down, band came on......perfect timing.

A number of tracks were played from the new album "Time on Earth" including Your The One To Make Me Cry, Don't Stop Now, She Called Up, English Trees and the latest single Pour le Monde. But with an excellent back catalogue to trawl I don't think anyone was dissappointed. I can remember Locked out, Don't Dream It's Over, Not The Girl You Think You Are, Four Seasons In One Day, Something So Strong, Better Be Home Soon, There Goes God, Hole In The River, Private Universe, Weather With You, Fall At Your Feet, Distant Sun, Mean To Me and doffing a hat to sadly departed drummer Paul Hester, Italian Plastic.....

This was the Pieman's first visit to the MEN Arena and I didn't have chance to spot any pies but on the whole you have to be impressed by the arena itself if not the parking. We have since heard some horror stories re parking around and about the arena for events. As we were late we ended up on the 9th (Top Floor) of the official carpark.

After the concert we sat without moving for about 40 mins. However we had chocolate, fireworks, a view (Manchester at Night) and chat to occupy us. Once the queue did move it was very quick and efficient. So even with this I would not be put off going again to a concert.

Cherry Groovers Top League !

Following on from last week's first outing the Groovers took part in an inter school indoor competition at the Northgate Arena. Nine teams took place being split into two round robin leagues.

The Groovers won two and drew one topping their league and qualifling for the A league round robin which was very tough. They lost a couple of games by 1 goal but did enougth to secure third spot overall.

A number of games are now being lined up for the New Year with local teams.

The Big Match

Congratulations to the Cherry Grove Groovers in their 1st ever competitive football match against the Mill Dew Marauders.

The match was a close fought contest with the the Groovers going down 2-1 in an exciting match.

In goal for the Groovers was Pie Daughter No2. After a very early goal against them by the GIANTS of Mill Dew, the Groovers began to impose themselves on the game with tenacious tackling, a charging commitment and no small amount of skill.

At half time the score remained 1-0 to the home team. An early goal at the start of the second half by the marauders led to renewed efforts by the groovers to get back level. Mounting pressure by the Groovers led to a goal and an exciting finish with time beating them eventually. A very worthy first effort and we look forward to their next appearance.

It's a Big Old Goofy World

The Pieman and the Dragonslayer headed for Liverpool and the Liverpool Philharmonic to see the brilliant Mr John Prine in concert.

Backed by two excellent guitarists, Dave Jacques and Jason Wilber, he waded through two hours of material from his back catalogue. Including Hello in There, Sam Stone, Souvenirs, Angel of Montgomery, Paradise, Spanish Pipedream, Lake Marie, You Got Gold, Up On Bear Creek, That's the Way That the World Goes 'Round (Happy Enchilada Song), Fish & Whistle, Grandpa was a Carpenter, All The Best, Dear Abby......

Excellent evening and many thanks to the Dragonslayer for coming along. For a great introduction to the marvellous Mr Prine check out "Great Days" a 2 CD retrospective.

Fish & Chips

Saturday night is Chip night in the Pie household. Usually our choice of chippy is the the incomparable Sea Breeze on Chrisleton Road. If it's good enough for Neville Southall it's good enough for anyone.

However to celebrate the end of half term we headed for Blackpool. The journey was straightforward although parking was a nightmare as we've never seen Blackpool so busy.

The promenade was heaving with far too many hawkers selling junk. Eventually we could walk no more and entered a suitable Fish & Chip emporium. Obviously it could not compare to a Sea Breeze offering but was acceptable nonetheless.

It was then onto Central Pier for a go on the fair before indulging in some extremely hot doughnuts. Heading back to the car the rain came down and the sights came out!!!!! Both wonderful and awful in equal measures Blackpool is always great place to go to and leave.

Inspector Morse

As an early birthday present for Mrs Pieman we headed for a lecture by Inspector Morse writer Colin Dexter at the University of Chester.

A well attended and interesting talk. Very funny, although not intentionally I think, and delightfully charming fascinating man. The evening ended with a question and answer session. But with the expansive of his answers only four were were managed including one from Mrs Pieman regarding Morse's name "Endeavour".

Before we left she spoke to the man and got the obligatory signed book. All in all a great evening and much better than anticipated.

The Big Yin

It's a while since the last note. During September accompanied by the dragonslayer and respective spouses we headed for Liverpool Philarmonic Hall to see the wonderful Mr Billy Connolly.

The Last time the Pieman had been to this venue was to see Cliff Richard!! It took a bit of finding including driving the wrong way up a way one way street. However we arrived safely and found a parking spot literally yeards from the front door. This was convenient as Jake dragonslayer was suffering badly recovering from a foot operation.

The man himself was on fine form and even came back on stage to give us the England and SCotland results. A great evening and a pretty good venue.

Happy 40th Birthday

Happy Birthday to Lynne Pie on her fortieth birthday. Word reaches The Pie Tribe that Lynne has been attending Pies Anonnymous and is a changed person!!!!

We hope that her birthday goes well and involves Pie at some point during the day.

French Pie Search

The Pie Tribe have been away searching for new pies this time in France. A country renowned for its pastries, chocolates, snails, horses, donkeys, mussels and general all round cooking skills, it is still sad to report that it is a veritable desert when it comes to pies.

Our searches took us to stay near Rouen. From where, by train we made our way to Paris. The female contingent of the tribe were determined to sample the fashion shopping delights whilst the Pieman was thorough in his quest for meat filled pastry.

Occasional stops for buildings and places of interest sidetracked us (Please see photograph) but we were unsuccessful.

A brief trip into Belgium was even fitted in but to no avail. That is it until we reached Boulogne where a concoction consisting of Ham, Pistachio, Jelly and Pastry was located. Interesting and edible but not one to set the world on fire, the quest continues.