So since I have got back to the UK I've been quietly working away trying to save cash for the trip back to NZ, but managed to get out and about a little, Jackie took me to "Dans le Noir?" for a belated birthday dinner, a restaurant where you dine in total darkness and your waiter/waitress is visually impaired/blind. Total sensory overload, the food was pretty amazing, we ate Springbok, crocodile and guinea fowl amongst other things, and as it was the "surprise" menu, you spent the night trying to feel/smell/taste what you were eating.

Also darkness makes having a private conversation impossible so you meet the other people at your table too. Coming out into the light was like seeing a radio presenter for the first time, they look nothing like their voice.

Finally made it to Borough market on Saturday with Caroline who was stopping of for a day on her way to a wedding in Spain, good to catch up and shoot the shit about and plan where to be when the revolution comes.

The following weekend I went up to Nottingham to go boating and see Jackie, the river as you can see below had a Cyanide leak a few days before I got there, thou I tried not to drink the water, I was paddling a Liquid Logic "Biscuit 55", playboat with a rounded rail, rolled it once and had 2 swims. Was a good day thou, took a few pics, had a good time in the boat, then tried to hit up a beer festival on the Saturday night but they closed there doors at 7pm because, wait for it. . . they ran out of beer.

Did a couple of media shots for the New Theatre in Nottingham on the Sunday followed by a trip out to Sherwood forest to do a little sight seeing and have a mini photo shoot in the woods. Saw the "Major Oak" an oak tree thought to be between 800 and 1000 years old, it has had supports holding up it's limbs since Victorian times.

On Tuesday Roisin came and I gave the best tour yet, all of the typical stuff, plus 1/2 a day in Camden, Roisin found a piano and a Guitar to play at random stores, I got new shoes, and vegan food. That night we went go and see Caspa and DJ Rusko at a Repeater, first Dubstep in the UK and I guess I had too high expectations, I felt it was a bit lame.

Yes there were extenuating circumstances, Had to go through a metal detector and have a pat down body search and they went through all my things in a plastic bowl, felt like the airport. But we got in and Caspa had just started, he had some pretty mad beats but the flow was shit, I'm not talking glitch flow, but he would only play fro about 4-6 mins before MC Rod Azlan needed a new track, it was like listening to a series of singles, wasn't loving the "fakie bass drop" that lead to "Make some noise/ CASPA!/Yeah Yeah Yeah!" for a minute before the sounds went back on.
Sound system was a little underpowered too which didn't help.

DJ Rusko on the other hand was wicked, has some pretty jelly tracks with some dirty bass, got a bit Drum'n Bassy too, I had sore abs in the morning.

Peace!

Labels: Caspa, DJ Rusko, Kayaking, London, Sherwood

So I have just discovered that I have to take a holiday before the end of June for 9 days or else I will lose them, so I have been thinking about getting to Cornwall and check out the surf. I've had a quick look for boaters/boats on the net, but have had little success. If I could rent a nice boat that would be sweet, but finding one to borrow that would be even better if you know anyone. . . big if.

Also considering a return to Amsterdam now that's its a bit warmer, find a small place to rent for a week and chill out, explore for real this time, get out of the city etc.

Home/work life has been much better, started propagating tomatoes, chillies and herbs for the garden, got a desk, found a bike which I'm doing up, too bad the ocean is a long ride away :(

I have a lot of plans and ideas happening at the moment, and all are very dependent on timing, but really I think it will all turn out ok. I have had issues with my inability to start something concrete before I get too old, but I realize that it doesn't mean shit if I think I have wasted my time/youth doing something that doesn't pan out. I think that's why this job has been tough because I resent the fact that I am here just to save money rather than to learn and experience new things.

Things will always be changing, I will have a new kayak, I will be closer to the ocean, I will be somewhere else next year, and I will succeed. Of Course :P Canada by the end of the year? Maybe. . . Let see how the west coast pans out, maybe an exploration of Scotland is in order soon too.

Anyone heard of hitchhiking in the UK? I'll give it a go if its not impossible. . . .

Labels: Kayaking, plans, travel