before i sleep..

My heart sank when Ian Bell end was announced as KP's replacement. Bring back Michael Vaughan, bring back Geoff Boycott, play me but not him. When he scored 199 i knew that would be it for the next 10 innings a la Ramprakash; it wasn't a turning point or 'the making of him'. He is going to get so much stick from the Aussies; even his home fans will be muted about his return. If Eng lose this Test it'll be his fault; see, even commentators can sledge.

Still can't believe Harry Patch lived to 111; what a boy, first one over the trenches. I can't believe that argument; what relavence does someone who was born in the 19th century have to young people? what ,the chavs in nearby Hackney Central? Don't make me start!

tittle tattle

I was introduced to Sir Anthony Hopkins and i spoke to him like he was royalty; well he is. It came to the scene; i was calm and i delivered..literally, food to his doorstep. When it comes to Sir Ant i'll live up to any stereotype.

Was in Moorgate last night and i saw this gull get hit by a taxi who callously drove off. It was traumatised and standing close to the wall; i was a bit upset.
There's various performances and campaigns for causes at the fourth plinth Trafalgar Square. I saw something called Do not feed the ladies where they were like pigeons; 'we are so hungry. They used to feed us'. A hydraulic crane takes the performer to the top. There was the infernal racket of bongoes and bagpipes in the background but ppl get to have a tan while watching piazza theatre. London's mad and innovative enough to have performances on a plinth. The campaign i'm aware is an anti homophobic one about Justin Fashanau of whose merciless treatment drove him to suicide.

I don't know when gigs are on. Aha did a freebie in Westfield the best looking shopping centre outside of Dubai; what a combination. Last night was Buffy St Marie; is anyone else a fan? 'The big ones got away' from 1989 is brilliant. Ambient maestros Bent played last week.

my gossip column

On Sat saw Phil Hartnoll from Orbital at Matter, o2. He started straight off with Halcyon :) Also did Chime; 1989?! and Doctor Who. Glad the Big Chill coerced them out of retirement. Matter is one of the better clubs; the pastoral care's great like a lift back to the station or a pre club coffee with brandy heavy on the brandy. For the final hour 4.30-5.30 we had some drum n bass. It was my girl's first clubbing night in London. Japanese Popstars earlier rocked with their liveliness. Burn the Negative weren't bad; Ladytron were. There's a club in Farringdon which goes on till 10am. I liked walking at 7am after clubbing. There's a service in the West End; once a bar closes at 11ish people take you to an after hours place like Scirocco.

Sunday went to see reggae; Johnny Clark; loved it. He has dreds down to his ankles; doesn't he trip over them when he goes up the stairs on buses? There were delays getting to Brockwell Park; we have the best rail replacement service in the world. Ciders at the park were Chucklehead and Tip Top. Serependitiously Dulwich Village is just nearby so we went for posh libation.

Tuesday i saw Mr Harry Potter Daniel Ratcliffe and Wed met one of the knights of the realm Sir Anthony Hopkins. To be continued..

Guilfest

Went to Guilfest on Sat with some initial trepidation; didn't want mud like when i was in Glasto and dying for solid ground. The site is just near the station; none of this trapsing for miles. Great to be in the outdoors with food, sitting around. We saw Eddi Reader perform, the vaunted return of the Charlatans and Lightning Seeds. Tim Burgess is establishment; and the most indie looking person ever. Brian Wilson did a sit down set which left some youngsters with frowns. He is a troubled genius; his treatment from his dad is a story. 'Good Vibrations' was brilliant. Pendulum did a dance tent dj set as people sought sanctuary from the now teeming rain. Brothers festival cider is loopy juice. As you sleep you hear the rain against the tent. Sunrise in a field is beautiful and the tent later warmed up to toasty level. It was noisy till about 4.30am but then quiet for the next 4 hours.

Sun morning having reinforced provisions from the town centre and caught up with the Sunday papers we saw the Hamsters who have been knocking round for a while. They did one of my favourite songs Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top. Next up was..the Beat. Now with the new generation in the band and the material still relavent eg about bankers 'Bigshot, you want the whole lot'. Also Two Swords; those of anti-racism and violence. It was a top atmosphere in Guily and wanted to see the Wailers but had to go to a wedding reception in the plush Grosvenor, Park Lane. The outdoor Southern Exposure and suitably luxuriant wedding food made for good sleep.