Simply Pie

Mr and Mrs Pieman were wandering around Whitchurch today killing some  time and came across the small but interesting Farmers Market. In a year when the Pieman has abstained from all things pastry, temptation got the better. A Beef & Ale and a Chicken & Leek were quickly purchased from the "Simply Pie" company.

Based in Whitchurch their Pies are now appearing in various shops and markets in the South Cheshire and North Shropshire areas. They also produce gluten free pies and pastry.

The Beef and Ale was excellent and uses Stout from the Woodlands Brewery in Nantwich. The pastry was particularly light and moist. So light that it broke in the oven. So make sure you warm it up/cook it, in its tin!! Mrs Pieman was equally taken with her selection of Chicken and Leek.

Over The Rainbow

 

The Pie tribe including the Munchkins headed to the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool to hear the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in concert. This year their theme was the "Wizard of Oz" and the Pieman went as the scarecrow! 

They basically show the film on the big screen with the full orchestra playing all the music songs and backing. The seats were comfortable and the scarecrow was soon giving it some ZZZZ's.

This was preceded by a visit to the Liverpool One big wheel which looked brilliant at night.

After the wheel we headed into town to find something to eat and ended up in Eddie Rocket's Diner in Bold Street. No pies consumed but a cracking jukebox and wonderful Chilli over fries which we would heartily recommend to you.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all pie munchers, friends and family. We hope your all well and good after the season's festivities. Many thanks to the swamp tribe for New Years Eve festivities.

New Years Day saw some of the Pie Tribe head for the beach at New Brighton for brisk walk along the beach before heading for coffee, doughnuts and fun inside!

Pink Princess in the Pool

Just before Christmas the Pie Tribe headed to Liverpool to celebrate the Pink Princess's birthday with a shopping trip. First point of call was the Everton FC shop and from this point on the shopping element went rapidly downhill for the Pieman.

Although  we stop to visit Greggs but not for Pie, a bacon bap instead. From here on it was girly shopping all the way for the Pink Princess. A brief break was taken for coffee (served in a bucket) and cake in the local costalot.

More shopping followed interupted by a quick visit to the continental food stall resulting in a purchase of Tartiflette a french alpine combination of potatoes, cream, onions, bacon, herbs and melted alpine cheese. It was excellent and definately something we'd try again.

Jolly Boys Christmas Gathering

The Jolly boys Christmas Gathering took place last night at a suitable refined hostelry in Hoole with all the required amenities and easy access to fine foods.The evening was its usual schedule of exchanging presents, fine wines, conversation and foods all served up in a convivial atmosphere!

Members travelled from far and wide and we thank them for their efforts. It was good to catch  up on news, views , experiences, pies and plans for the the future in such a relaxed manner. Much thanks to Mrs Pieman for providing an excellent taxi service at the end of the evening.

Alf and a Pasty

Mr and Mrs Pieman headed last night to see Alison Moyet at the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool, as part of her "25 years re-visited tour". With a four piece band and a backing singer the sound and arrangements were relatively sparse which was no bad thing as with Miss Moyet's voice on fine form little else is required.

She meandered through her back catalogue from most of her solo albums and Yazoo career. Singing songs such as Only You, Don't Go, Ole Devil Called Love, Is This Love, Situation, Nobody's Diary, Love Resurrection, Weak in The Presence of Beauty, Love Letters.........

The earlier songs in particular are arranged to suit her blues/soul style without the need for symthesizers and allows her voice to take centre stage. She is on top form and greatly appreciated by the audience who affectionatly heckle sending her off on long trains of thought!

Support was provided by Alex Cornish a singer/songwriter based in Scotland. He was well worth listen and will be looking out for his next new material. Of course with a name like Cornish he is one artist this Pieman won't forget.

Shout To The Top

The Pieman travelled to Venue Cymru in Llandudno last night in the company of Georgio Dragonslayer, Cliff Chough and the Ashman to see the indomitable Mr Paul Weller live.

He was absolutely brilliant starting with an energising version of Peacock Suit, he led us along a swirling roller coaster of a ride through a kaleidoscope of sounds to a rip roaring conclusion leaving you wanting more more more and planning your next Paul Weller gig.

The Modfather and band (Steve Craddock et al) produced a performance tinged with rock, pop, soul, Rhythmn & Blues, reggae, folk, funk, psychedelia, ska, jazz, beat, punk and swing!!

Not one to waste time on lots of chat he ripped through a varied selection from the Jam, Style Council and solo era’s. Obviously a there was a large number of Fred Perry and Ben Sherman shirts giving it full thrutch at the sound of a Strange Town or Start!

A number of the songs were played from the latest album 22 Dreams some of which were all the better for hearing them live and the Pieman particularly recommends Seaspray, All I Wanna Do (Is Be With You), and Push It Along.

A rendition of Town called Malice or That’s Entertainment would have been the jelly in the pork pie but there was more than enough to satisfy this Pie muncher.

The standout rendition for me was Wild Wood performed during a sit-down, front of stage, acoustic portion of the set. Mr Weller accompanied by bassist Andy Lewis on the cello, Steve Craddock on Guitar and drummer, Steve Pilgrim on acoustic guitar.

The feature of this was the sharing of vocals with Mr Pilgrim and Mr Craddock’s sublime evocative and ethereal guitar in the background. I’ve always liked the original album version but this was even better, surely the sign of a great gig. That and the sweaty Fred Perry/Ben Sherman tops!

MIke Peters & 21

Sunday night saw the Pieman and Georgio Dragonslayer head across the border for a Mike Peters acoustic gig at a new venue in Wrexham called the Catrin Finch Centre on the Glyndwr University site.

The evening was organised to coincide with a new album release of material Called "21" with 21 songs to be played chosen mainly by the audience from each of the phases and albums of Mike Peters career interspersed with questions and chat regarding said songs and times.

It was recorded live for Calon FM a local community radio station. The evening was excellent and the venue intimate. Lasting nearly three hours I think, I lost track after a while. The song choices, performances and chat were excellent.

Set List

The Toilets - Alarm Alarm
Seventeen – 68 Guns
Eponymous – The Stand
Declaration – Tell Me
Strength – Walk Forever by My Side
Eye of the Hurricane – Rain in the summertime
Electric Folklore – Rescue Me
Change – There are no Frontiers
Raw – Rockin’ in the Free World
Standards – Spirit of ‘76
Breathe – Breathe
Feel Free – Feel Free
Rise – Rise
Flesh and Blood – If I Ruled the World
Coloursound - I’m Alive
In The Poppy Fields – 45 RPM
Under Attack - Without a Fight
Counter Attack – Love Hope and Strength
Guerilla Tactics – The Sound of The Alarm Calling
21 – The Rock ‘n’ Roll Still Burns in Me
The Alarm 2010 – Economic Pressure

Another 21 songs could have been chosen and I think it could still have been just as good. It was an excellent evening without playing On Step Closer To Home, Marching On, Rivers To Cross, The Rock, Where Were You Hiding, Close, You are To Me, Statue of Liberty......etc etc.

Lot's of best wishes to Mike's wife Jules who is currently in an Isolation unit in a Liverpool Hospital. Get well soon.

Across The Border - Part 2

Disappointingly the nearest we came to Pie during our visit was the above pictured Walls van. Our third day saw us head by bus down to Leith harbour and the Ocean Terminal to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia. As with our visit to the Gardens we spend longer than anticipated.

It's an interesting tour around with everybody having their own audio guide to use. Half way round we stop for tea and cake on the main deck ....mmmmmmmmm. We carry on round the rest of the fascinating tour and then by bus to Princes Street.

From here we head to the National Gallery on the mound just below the Castle. When we come out the sun has set and it's time to head for the Hard Rock Cafe for nourishment... Oh Yeah Baby !! From here its its a short walk home and bed.

Our last day and the weather is kind to us again. The girls head off shopping along Princes and George Street. Whilst the Pieman heads for the other side of town Holyrood Palace, Arthur's Seat and Scotland's ugliest building the Scottish Parliament ( See picture below. From every angle it's horrible. Eventually we all meet up in the middle of the royal mile to purchase some last souvenirs and head for the train home. Apart from the incident with the Japanese gentleman and a train detour through Manchester City Centre (?) the journey home was uneventful.

Across The Border - Part 1

Last week the Pie Tribe and Nanny Pie headed north of the Border for a short break. We travelled up by train and arrived in Edinburgh just after lunch with the sun shining. Once we'd dropped our bags off a it was off up to the Castle. Even though it was a bit busy it was a great introduction to Edinburgh for the younger and older members of the Pie Tribe.

From the castle we headed down the Royal Mile in search of pie and sunset. No Pie found and we had to settle for Italian. We walked back from the old town across to the new town where our accommodation is. The city is almost as beautiful by night as it is by day.

After a hearty breakfast but no pie we head by bus to the Royal Botanical Gardens. It's quite warm buts rain later on and we take cover in the exhibition centre before scurrying to the Glasshouses which are excellent. We spend a lot longer that anticipated but were not too bothered as we not keeping to a schedule.


From the gardens we bus back into the Old town and wander along the royal mile before organising a caricature drawing of the youngest pie. Whilst this is taking place the Pieman and Supergirl Pie drift around the streets and alleys of the Old Town before finding The Elephant House Cafe which is greeted with some delight by the Harry Potter fan.

We meet up and head for food in a Chinese on Waverley bridge below the glorious Balmoral Hotel. This is followed by a trip to the cinema to see the excellent UP before walking back to the B&B and falling in a heap!