Haben Sie Torte?

Mrs Pie headed to Germany at the end of the academic year to explore the Mosel region.

Instructions were given to locate Pies to delight and expand the waistband. I was assured that language would not be a problem. Pictured on the left is Mrs Pie and colleague Mrs Lindt.

However upon their return no pie was forthcoming. Upon seeing the photos from the Pie Trip it may be safe to assume that any Pie Purchased may not have made it back anyway!!!

I'm assured the music man was tucking into apple strudel but would you trust this man with your Pie?

Wie ben ik?

Dear Blog,

Sorry we haven't left a note for a while. We've been rather busy in the search of Pies. Since we last wrote the Pie Tribe has been to foreign shores searching for edible delicacies to feast and report on.

This has taken tribe members to France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Wales and soon to Italy.

The photo above was given to all Dutch purveyors of Pies to allow them to hide all stocks of Pies to prevent the Pieman from finding any ....and I certainly looked!!

K9 & the Tall Ships 2008

The Pie Tribe minus Mrs But Including the Piester In Law headed for Liverpool Docks to see the Tall Ships Race.

Going by train and taxi we headed for the Seacombe ferry terminal in Wallasey and the Spaceport/Dr Who exhibition. An excellent exhibition both the space bit and particularly the Dr Who part.

From here it was into the cafe for the most anemic pathetic pastry offering experienced by the Pie Tribe in a long while. So much so it was nameless in origin!

Then it was onto the ferry a quick call at Woodside and across the Mersey to Pier Head. Although the predicted bad weather didn't arrive during our visit a racing tide and strong breeze resulted in a bumpy crossing.

Once ashore at Pier Head the place was heaving with the dock road closed and Canning/Albert Dock area absolutely jammed with people. It was'nt easy to see the boats but there were a few things going, music and street entertainers.

From here the Pie girls were keen to head into town and sample some shopping for clothes but not Pies unfortunately. They also started finding the Superlambananas and kept wanting to find more.

Potatoes Are Go! - Plot 109a Update

We have potatoes, lettuce and huge turnips. The first potatoes have been dug and have produced excellent edible offerings. The first lettuces were great but some have now bolted. Onions should be available soon followed by more lettuce, spring onions and Beetroot.

Chard is continuing to produce when not attacked by the noble pigeon.

Busy Abode

On Wednesday the Pieman and the Dragonslayer headed to the Echo Arena in Liverpool to see the mighty Crowded House. We left fairly late but arrived, parked and made our into this new venue ( for us anyway) fairly easily. The venue itself is internally almost the same as the MEN in Manchester except slightly smaller, newer and with excellent views along the Mersey estuary as it is literally on the waterfront.

Support was provided by former Mutton Birds frontman Don Mcglashan who was eventually joined on piano by Mr Finn before giving way to Liverpool Band Voo. They were quite good but not very communicative.

Mr Mcglashan was pretty good and would subsequently appear throughout the Crowdies set backing them with vocals and various instruments. Also filling out the stage, on principally Acoustic guitar, was Elroy Finn.

Crowded House came onstage and were their excellent selves. They played a different set to their show in Manchester last November including Everything is good for you/World Where you live/Love you til the day I die/Isolation/Fall at your feet/Only Natural/Locked Out/Heaven That I'm making/Whispers and Moans/Not The Girl you think you are/Pineapple Head/Other side of the world/Don't dream it's over/When you come/Distant Sun/Encore 1 (with Johnny Marr)There is a light/Don't stop now/Throw your arms around me/Weather with you/Encore 2Fingers of love/Into Temptation

Mr Finn after the third or fourth started a running battle with the health and safety stasi who were not happy with people standing, boogieing and enjoying themselves. The venue was good the crowdies were good and rounded it off by bringing Johnny Marr onstage for four songs.

Most excellent way to finish and not the first time we have seen Mr Marr onstage with Mr Finn. We have previously seen the Finn Brothers at the empire in Liverpool with the Dragonslayers and Viking tribe on the day that John Peel died. Mr Marr walked on at the end and together with Neil played a rousing version of Teenage Kicks in tribute to the great Mr Peel.

Getting away after the gig was not too bad cetainly a lot better than the MEN. The only bad things about the event was the Piemans Man Flu and Neil Finn outing himself as a Red fan of long standing. At least it led to him playing a Split Enz tune ( Great Joy) " I See Red" not good, cue much booing by blue half of audience Ha Ha !!!!

1 Jam 1 Cheese 1 Peanut Butter

A few months back an idea was hatched to contact as many members of YPF for a possible reunion in the future. With the resounding positive response more plans were made and came to fruition on independence day at the home of Mark & Viv TV.

What a fantastic evening!!! With surprised honoured guests Jan & Alan the evening was brilliant. With caramel squares, embarassing photos, music, videos, a quiz, chat, excellent company, Jam, Cheese, Peanut Butter, Schloer, strange haircuts and much much laughter how could it fail.

Many thanks to all who were able to come and helped providing photo's, quiz questions, food, drink and happy memories. Pie was provided by Mark in the way of Banoffe Pie! Can an evening be better spent?

I'm H.A.P.P.Y.
I know I am,
I'm sure I am,
JAN says I am !

If anyone would like a copy of the images shown on the night please contact the pieman and we'll send you a copy of all that we have.

D Day

Father's Day saw the extended Pie Tribe head en masse to Anglesey to visit Holyhead, South Stack, The Rocky Coast Path Nature Reserve and Porth Dafarch Beach.

We all met up at the Nature reserve for a picnic lunch in glorious sunshine which was great as it was pouring down when we left home. After lunch we headed down to Grandad D's bench to lay some flowers, enjoy the view and clamber about on the rocks.

From here we headed, still in unpredicted sunshine, to Porth Dafarch beach for some general messin about and sun worshipping. The Pieman headed off along the Cliff's for a walk with Chough Tribe Dog Tina.


From the beach we moved on to South Stack Lighthouse Cafe, Coffee and Cake! The views on such a good day were fantastic. We even spotted a Chough! The cliffs had plenty of Razorbills, Guiellemotts and Herring Gulls but no Puffins to see.

Harvest Time

Plot 109a is progressing with the planting of sweetcorn, beetroot, swede, more lettuce and Carrots. Life has sprung from everything planted so far except for the beans. The potatoes are our current pride and joy being well established and growing strong.

The fruits or vegetables of our labours are now being eaten. With a deluge of radishes and Swiss Chard. Battling with never ending weeds continues but slugs and Wood Pigeons are now Public enemy number 1. A start has been made on the other overgrown part of our plot.

Tribal Gathering

The Viking, Tipton and Pie Tribes headed for a gathering at Tatton Park on Sunday last. This was prompted by the Viking tribes visit to Chester for a long weekend break and Family Celebration. Wendy Vikings parents celebrated 50 years married!

Even though the weather was spectacularly damp for most of the afternoon we all still had a good time. There was lots to do and see with a Classic Car event taking place which had plenty of Automotive delights to drool over.

The various ankle biters from the tribes were quick to spot a large retail unit called the Pie Emporium. Unfortunately at £4.00 a hit for a limp looking offering even the Pieman could not be tempted.

The rain eventually began to cease and we headed back to Chester for Pizza and more chat.

Hogroast

Congratulations to Sean & Jane on their 25th wedding anniversary. Mr & Mrs Pieman along with the Bag Tribe went to the party held in Rossett via the vomit comet driven by Frankie Piester in Law.

The weather was excellent, the venue was brilliant, the company divine, the drink flowing and the Hog superb. A great time was had by the Pie contingent who didn't stop laughing all night, what could be better. Good luck to Jane who is starting a new job soon.