To Hilbre and Back

Taking advantage of the wonderful weather the Pie Tribe headed to West Kirby for a walk across the sands to Hilbre Islands. What a beautiful day, fantastic views and grey atlantic seals to watch as well. Lots of rock pools to investigate and no shops!

If your looking to go then check out the Friends of Hilbre site for details of tides and special events. Oh and if your in need of Pie there's a Morrisons just up from the beach with a Morrisons Steak Pie for 57p and highly recommended by the Pink Princess.

A Day Of Glee

Saturday saw the Pie Tribe head to North Wales to celebrate Supergirl Pie's birthday.  First point of call was Bodnant gardens for a few hours wandering around their magnificant gardens. We had never been at this time of year and it was fantastic with an amazing array of Azaleas, Magnolia, Rhododendrons ..... in flower. The weather stayed good and we left later than expected.

From here we headed over to Sychant Pass and the old Conwy Road. We had booked into the Austrian Restaurant in Dwygyfylchi. We had been planning to go for quite a while and were not disappointed. All the menu is Austrian, the staff wear traditional outfits, the music is heavily accordion based with the odd yodel, and the beers are interesting Austrian/German varieties.The food and service was excellent. We look forward to going again.

The only problem with the meal, particularly after the delicious puds, was that we were stuffed. We all agreed we needed to walk it off a bit. With the weather holding and still sunny, if a bit cool, we headed back up Sychant Pass to walk up Conwy mountain. We arrived at the top just as the sun went down which was a great end to a great day. 

Love or Loathe?

Spotted on the way home from work today. Couldn't tell from the side but it's a Ford Ka! Note the twin chrome heart shaped exhausts. Note also the weird wing attachments. I'm not sure what to make of it. Admire the effort and detail but loathe it.

"If I Had Shot You When I Wanted To, I'd Be Out By Now" and other great song titles !

At the concert on Saturday Robin Williamson mentioned some of his favourite song titles including "Drop kick me Jesus through the goal posts of Life" and "I Never Went To Bed With An Ugly Woman But I Sure Woke Up With A Few". 


Have a look at these taken from LaughItOut.com

Actual Country Song Titles

List of some of the most funny country songs title.


1. Her Teeth Was Stained, But Her Heart Was Pure
2. How Can I Miss You, If You Won't Go Away?
3. Get Your Biscuits In The Oven, And Your Buns In Bed
4. I Keep Forgetten I Forgot About You
5. I Don't Know Whether To Kill Myself, Or Go Bowling
6. She Got The Ring and I Got The Finger
7. You're The Reason Our Kids Are So Ugly
8. I Just Bought a Car From a Guy That Stole My Girl, but The Car Don't Run; so I figure we Got An Even Deal
9. Get Your Tongue Outta My Mouth, Cause I m Kissing You Good-bye
10. I Liked You Better, Before I Knew You So Well
11. I Still Miss You Baby, But My Aim's Gettin Better
12. I Wouldn't Take Her To a Dog Fight, Cause I m Afraid She'd Win
13. I ll Marry You Tomorrow, But Let's Honeymoon Tonight
14. I m So Miserable Without You, It s Like Having You Here
15. Please Bypass this Heart?
16. If I Had Shot You When I Wanted To, I'd Be Out By Now
17. Mama Get a Hammer ,There's a Fly On Papa's Head
18. My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink, And I Don't Love Jesus
19. My Wife Ran Off With My Best Friend, and I Sure Do Miss Him


Two memorable favourites for the Pieman include "Constipation Shake" by Legendary Lonnie and "The Intergalactic Laxative" by Donovan. If you know of some genuinely standout song titles do let us know.

Release The Pressure

Last night the Pieman & Georgio Dragonslayer went to the Academy2 in Liverpool to see The Alarm on the last night of their "Release the Pressure" Tour.

Slightly different from the previous night's concert this was cramped, sweaty , physically demanding and loud Rock and Roll. Despite it being one of the shortest gigs we've ever known from Mr Peters this was a non stop roller coaster ride through current album (Direct Action) tracks and classic Alarm songs. Surprisingly little chat and without a pause at times, a brilliant time was had.

Direct Action, Absolute Reality, Alarm Calling, Marching On, Loaded, Rain In The Summertime, Change 111, Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke, Drunk & Disorderly, Blaze of Glory, Release The Pressure, Strength, Rescue Me, 45 RPM, 68 Guns.

And for encores: Deeside Town, Declare Yourself An Unsafe Building, Walk Forever By My Side, Spirit of 76, One Guitar (With Willie Nelson), Love Hope & Strength – Blaze of Glory (reprise) – Love Hope & Strength.

All this followed by a rousing rendition of "Knockin On Heaven’s Door" performed by a crowded stage including the Alarm, Support Killing for Company and Willie Nile, and Crew members. 

Unfortunately during the preparation for this encore half the audience went home thinking the concert had finished!! Like football matches never leave until the end except if it's Aimee Mann (truly awful).

We think the last time we were at the venue it was called The Lomax and was nowhere near as cramped. However it was easy to find and had a pretty good atmosphere going.

Beard Convention

Saturday night saw Mr & Mrs Pieman headed for the Clwyd room at the Theatr Clwyd to see John Renbourn and Robin Williamson in concert. A little out of the ordinary for us but we have been listening to guitarist Renbourn's recordings quite a lot.

The room was laid out with chairs set around tables like a cabaret night giving the whole evening quite an informal feel to it. 

The music was brilliant combining a heavy dose of folk with blues, country, jigs and a variety of instruments from Robin Williamson (Harp, Mandolin, Bass drum, Penny Whistle..... Songs of love, history , passion, and injustice provided an absorbing evenings entertaintainment. It was informative as well with Mr Williamson in particular being both fascinating and witty. 

We didn't know most of the tunes apart from a cover of Bob Dylans "Absolutely Sweet Marie" which didn't really matter. One song I do remember though is "Stoned on your love all the time (Tennessee Whiskey)" most excellent. 

Oh and there was an awful lot of facial hair in the room apart from the Pieman's greying goatee. I would certainly go to hear them again if the opportunity arose.

Loose Kites - It's All Greek To Me

Whilst out taking pictures the Pieman was hailed by Simon Poolevic (Singer) and Ollie (Guitarist) from the Loose Kites. They were on their way for a bit of practice in advance of some upcoming gigs. Great to chat to them and catch up on their news.

It sounds like busy time ahead for them with the imminent second album release (Just Finishing) and a "live at the BBC album" to come out soon. Delighted to hear they have had a Christmas No1 , in Greece!

So if you like a "toe tapping, hip shaking, soul searchin, mind blowin, harmonising heaven of an experience and a rollicking good time to boot " get yourself along to one of their forthcoming gigs. Check out their myspace site using the link above.

Plank Heaven

 

Plank Heaven for little planks

for without them what would little plots do?

Many thanks to to as number of people who have helped the Pie tribe recently with Plot 109a and specifically helping create our raised beds. Big thanks to Cliff Chough (Transport), Piester In Law (Labor), Linda Horse (Manure), Mrs Pieman (Labor, Catering and heavy dose's of patience) and of course Nanny Pie (Operational Management & Direction).

Today has seen half of the finished beds planted with various onions, shallots, garlic and rocket. We also received some excess strawberry plants from a near  neighbour and they are planted now.

Jenson winning the Grand Prix, a bottle of Badger Ale and a load of planting, perfick!

 

This Means Nothing To Me ...... OHHH Vienna !!!

The Pie Tribe headed to the Philharmonic in Liverpool to hear Ultravox in concert. Unfortunately friends Harry Barnet and Dave Rave were unable to go due to illness and we wish them both well soon. We arrived part way through the support act which was South African singer songwriter Arno Carstens. He was alright, worth a listen.

Ultravox came on and played for nearly two hours with four encores. They set contained an array of songs from their career and plenty of hits. They were excellent and were well received. Particular favourites of the night were the tracks from the Vienna album including Astradyne, Passing Strangers, New Europeans, All Stood Still, Vienna, the brilliant Sleepwalk and Mr X! 

The Vienna Album was one of the first albums the Pieman ever bought in Broadmead Shopping Centre, Bristol 1980/81.

 

Here's a fairly complete set list: New Europeans, Passing Strangers, We Stand Alone, Mr X, Visions in Blue, Thin Wall, Death in the Afternoon, Astradyne, Rage in Eden, Hymn, Lament, One Small Day, All stood still, White china, Vienna, Reap the wild wind (Piester In Law Theme), Dancing with tears in my eyes, Love's Great Adventure, Sleepwalk, The Voice

A great gig with some impressive dad dancing from Billy Currie, mean tub thumping from Warren Cann, powerful vocals from Mr Ure and pulsating bass notes from Mr Cross.

Seagulls of Rhyl Beware

Wanted,  Not Wanted

For Easter Monday we headed along the A55 out to Rhyl. We started out by going for a ride on the oldest miniature railway in Britain. It wasn't very busy as we were the only passengers! From here we parked up and headed to the front/beach to stretch our legs before searching for Pie.

We headed through the town via the charity shops and the men with birds of prey? After stopping for a bite to eat we headed back along the prom via a couple of arcades. 

We had hoped to visit Cousin Gilly (and husband Chris) and or Auntie Margaret (and husband Joe). Instead we saw all of them with Phillip and Grandaughter Liv as well, all together in Joe & Margaret's new apartment not more than 50 yards from where we had parked! We didn't know their new address and after driving around Rhyl our directions brought us back to where we had parked!!

It was great to see everyone and get to the bottom of the men with birds of Prey? Recently a new initiative has been sponsored by the Town Council to frighten some of the seriously dangerous gulls who have become more than your average scavengers. 

Several scarry incidents with small dogs, children and adults being attacked has led to drastic action. The patrols have led to the seagulls fighting back by depositing themselves on the hawkers vehicles as they now recognise them!! 

See article http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6975976.ece