Blog

Guilfest 2010 Day 1

Barry — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:00:00 -0700

From Friday 16th to Sunday 18th July 2010 the Guilfest music festival returned to Stoke Park in Guildford.

The flyer

I last went to Guilfest with my friend Ian back in July 2007, which you can read about here. The line up for Guilfest 2010 looked really good. I was looking forward to seeing Orbital and Tall Paul on Friday, The Human League, Mungo Jerry, and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown on Saturday, plus Status Quo, Level 42, and others on Sunday. Not forgetting the comedy tent, stalls, and other fun things to see.

Guilfest 2010 line up

GuilFest 2010: Day one

I managed to get discounted tickets for the whole of the three-day event. A lady at work was selling tickets cheaper than advertised elsewhere, as her son’s local band was playing in the Surrey Advertiser tent.

I got tickets for Ian, his sister, and me. I enjoy going out with Ian, as we can plan fun things together and go all kind of places when he is here in England.

On Friday’s festival event day, I met my friend Ian round his parents’ house in Guildford where he was staying. He was living very close to Stoke Park where Guilfest was being held.

Ian coming out of his parents house

We walked from his house to Stoke Park.

A high fence surrounded the park. We could see the campers’ tents behind the fence.

Ian looking over the fence

The weekend campers for the event

We arrived at the entrance and received our wristbands, which gained us entry. Our bags were searched before we went in.

The main entrance

We had a walk round the park checking out the stalls and what was there. They had some interesting things for sale, clothes, food, ornaments, everything. I tried on a fake Elvis wig and a funny hat. There were also stalls selling herbal highs and an oxygen bar. There was a few stalls selling rude t-shirts too.

Ian checking out Guilfest

Ice cream?

Indian stuff

Goth gear

Lots of different kinds of food on offer

I wish I bought some of these for my flat

Me as Elvis

I don't think this hat is me, it would look better on my mate Frog

Herbal highs

An O2 Bar

I don't think I'd have the guts to wear this

We checked out some of the tents, which had bands playing inside them.

Me and Ian in one of the tents and pondering on where to go next

A pretty girl singer in one of the tents

Inside one of the tents that had a live band in

There was another tent which had The Eden People inside it. I had my photo taken holding a sign which read 'Unique'. I was not quite sure what they were all about, but they seemed quite happy anyway.

Unique - that's me alright ;-)

Some of the campers were staying in teepee tents nearby.

The teepee tents

We found a red Double Decker bus, which had been turned in a bar selling Pimm’s cocktails. We had some drinks on the top deck of the bus, which was fun. There was a great view of the park from the top deck.

The Pimm's bus!

Ian enjoying a glass of Pimm's on top deck

Me in my 'Player' t-shirt enjoying Pimm's on top deck

Some fun new passengers have just got on the bus to join us on our trip

The view out of the window from top deck on the bus

There's even Pimm's deckchairs and picnic blankets to sit on, how very nice of them!

A guy coming to get his Pimm's

After we had some drinks, we walked round some more stalls. We tried on silly hats and glasses and took pictures of each other wearing them. Ian bought some flower shades, and I got a black hat with a white stripe on it, which looked like the type of hats Mods wore during the Mod revival of the late 70's when bands like The Jam and Ska music was popular. Ian also bought a black bowler hat. I felt like I was in an episode of Mr Benn with all the funny outfits to try on.

Mr Benn The Spaceman

Watch out, Ian is feeling horny

I might need this hat for protection later on, for when we make a mad dash to get to the front of the crowd when the best bands are on

Ian has found himself some flower power shades to wear at Guilfest

My lovely new shades

Barry Bear

Me wearing a glittery gold hat

Ian has found a new look

We watched a few bands, and then we looked round the stalls again. We bought two UV painted t-shirts to wear later on at the festival. I also bought a mini dress with the same design as my UV t-shirt for my girlfriend of the time Lushele. She sadly could not make it to the music festival due to her work.

One of the many stages

Some band on stage

I like his punky style

We then decided to have a break back at Ian’s house. We enjoyed some beers and wine in his back garden. I took photos of him near some lavender wearing his flower shades. A big bee landed near him.

Ian enjoying a glass of red

Enjoying a nice glass of red wine

Cheers to the lavender

Ian has spotted a bee with his special flower power vision specs

We walked back to Stoke Park with our UV T-shirts on. Ian had also changed into bright stripey trousers, put his flower shades on, and wore a smiley faced bandella on his head.

Me and Ian in our jazzy UV t-shirts

We also met up with my friend Tristan at Guilfest. He was there to see one of his favourite DJ’s play in the Funky End tent, who was Tall Paul. Tristan also wanted to promote his new Pure Dance events company, and he had brought along some printed flyers for a local event he was doing. I had posted some of the flyers round Guildford earlier that week, and I helped him out at Guilfest handing them out too.

Tall Paul - Rock Da House

Tristan and his Pure Dance event flyer

The DJ’s were really good in the Funky End tent. There was some great music being played and it was full of people dancing.

Ian dancing

Me entering the tent

Ian has spotted something or someone

Peace, me borrowing Ian's flower power shades

Me pointing at Ian

Me with Tall Paul on the decks behind me

Tristan with one of his favourite DJ's behind him, Tall Paul

Me dancing

DJ's dj'ing

Tall Paul

A guy on bongos whilst the DJ spins some dance tunes

Tristan feeling the music

Some of the crowd

Ian has flower power

Tristan's back again

Tristan dancing

One of the DJ's

The Funky End tent was packed with dance music fans

Ian in the zone

After we had our dance around we then left the tent, and watched some bands on the different stages.

The Three Amigos

We saw some acting students doing some strange performance outside. There was a girl standing on a chair in a leopard skin coat, and other actors in unusual clothes sat, or stood around her.

An interesting performance

Not sure what this is all about

The sun was starting to go down, and there was a colourful sunset.

A pretty sunset

My halo

A big atomic explosion is going on behind me

The sky is on fire behind Ian

Tristan jumping in on Ian's sunset picture

We returned back to the Funky End tent again and it was all lit up inside.

Back inside the Funky End tent

As it got darker we returned to the stall that was selling UV t-shirts. Everything was glowing, including us, and I got some good pictures.

Ian glowing in the dark

Me glowing in the dark

My tribal face UV t-shirt

Ian's UV paint splat effect t-shirt

One of the other designs

UV light sticks

A selection of bright UV T-shirts

We went to the main stage and watched Orbital perform. They are a popular ambient dance music band, who did well in the 90’s. They were great fun to watch with their big screens and classic tunes. I took pictures and some video.

Orbital - Halcyon On and On

Orbital - The Box

Orbital in action

Me with Orbital on stage behind me

The impressive stage during Orbital's performance

The Orbital brothers wearing their famous trademark light-up glasses

Orbital live at Guilfest 2010

Tristan then had to head back home.

Ian and me returned to the dance tent until closing time.

Back in the dance tent late at night

It was a fun first day to the three-day Guilfest music festival.

A Double Explosion At The Gunpowder Mills

Barry — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:40:00 -0700

On Wednesday 14th July last year, I took a flex day off work, and met up with my very nice Russian friend Inna.

I drove us to Chilworth, which is a village that is 3 miles southeast from where I live in Guildford.

We went for a walk in the woodland together and visited the ruins of the Chilworth Gunpowder works.

The sunlight through the trees in Chilworth

Me walking through the woodland of Chilworth

Inna

Me and Inna

I remember hearing that there was an explosion there many years ago, and it was so big, that it lifted off the roof of the nearby St Martha’s Church on St Martha’s Hill. The last time I had been to the Gunpower works was with friends was back in the summer of 2007, which you can read about here.

Me heading inside the ruins

Inna inside the ruins

The ruins are overgrown with brambles and weeds, and it was a bit muddy, but it was interesting to see them again.

Inside is overgrown

Whilst we were there Inna told me that she was pregnant with twins. I congratulated her. I would love to be able to father twins. It would symbolic of my birth sign of being a Gemini. I also imagine its fascinating and fun to bring up twins, especially if they are identical carbon copies of each other, as they sometimes develop their own language and think alike. I guess its hard work though, for both the mother and father when they are small, but at least if both parents only want two children, then the mother only has to become pregnant once, and the twins have the benefit of growing up together at the same time from birth. There is something a bit creepy, but cool about twins too.

Gemini, my star sign, the twins

This is how my twins may look ;-) (like the twins out of The Shining)

Talking Twin Babies

As I'm getting on a bit now and in my mid-thirties, I sometimes feel a bit broody, and wonder what fatherhood would be like for me.

I enjoyed my walk with Inna round the Gunpowder factory ruins, and I will enjoy meeting her twins after her double explosion!

The Local Vicar's Summer Fete

Barry — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 22:02:21 -0600

On Saturday 10th July last year, it was a warm sunny summer’s day, and I met up with my friends Ian and Russell.

We walked down the river outside of my flat and we saw plenty of canoeists along the way.

Me and Ian

Russell and Ian

Ian with the Electric Theatre behind him

Russell on the steps of where I used to work along the river, which was at a long gone insurance firm

Canoeists

Not far from the river, we ended up at a summer fete in the garden of a vicar’s house.

The summer fete at the Vicar's house

The fete was quite quaint and very English, it was like stepping back in time back to the 1950’s. There were stalls full of nick-nacks, homemade jars of jam and baked cakes, which were lovingly made by sweet little old ladies. Plenty of games were present too, such as raffles, and coconut shies, all in aid of charity.

Lots of stalls

A bouncy castle for the kids

The vicar was present at the event dressed in a cream linen suit and wearing a straw boaters hat on his head.

I enjoyed experiencing the fete, as it was very British, and reminded me of my youth, of days gone past when I used to go to such things as a young boy with my parents and grand parents. I used to like browsing the stalls back then as a boy, and buy old second hand books and magazines like the National Geographic.

Me at the vicar's fete

BBC's Little Britain - Maggie & Judy at a summer fete (can't find the original English version)

We then left and walked back down river to the Row Barge pub for some beers. It was a good day to be outside.

Ian enjoying a drink at the Row Barge

Me enjoying a drink at Row Barge

Boys Night Out In Guildford

Barry — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 22:00:00 -0600

On Friday 9th July last year, my friend Tristan invited me out. He wanted to see the new Backline club in Guildford, as he was interested in hosting his future Pure Dance DJing events there. I invited some other male friends to join me out, which was Ian, Russell and Mark.

Me, Ian, Russell and Mark met up for some drinks before Tristan had arrived in Guildford.

The four of us went inside the Casino Nightclub for some drinks. The club was empty, as it was early, so we sat on the roof terrace. The roof terrace is decorated with some palm trees and has some seats and tables. The lights look good from where we were sat, we could see a laser light show projected on the wall of another building.

The Casino Nightclub

Inside the Casino Nightclub

Russell inside the club

Ian enjoying a drink on the roof terrace

Me and Ian enjoying our beer

Russell and Mark

The laser light effects

We only had a couple of drinks in the Casino Nightclub, as it is pricey in there. Mark left before us, as he could not stay out for long.

We then walked towards the new Backline club and across a railway bridge. Guildford Cathedral was in the distance, and all lit up at night.

Guildford Cathedral is over yonder

Its quite difficult to find the Backline club, you have to walk over a railway bridge away from the centre of town, then go into a multi-storey car park, down some flights of stairs, then walk out of the multi-storey car park, under the railway bridge, and the club is next the railway line inside the arches of the bridge.

The new Backline club

I called Tristan and we met him inside the club, it was pretty much empty inside.

Tristan inside Backline

There was a downstairs bar, and an upstairs bar. The ceiling was high, a collection of green plastic bottles were in a circle hanging from it and all lit up.

Fifty green bottles, Hanging on the ceiling, Fifty green bottles, Hanging on the ceiling, And if one green bottle, Should accidentally fall, There'll be forty nine green bottles, Hanging on the ceiling

Me, Ian and Russell were not sure about the Backline club, although it had only just recently opened.

Tristan felt that the Backline club had potential, and that he would host some of his future Pure Dance DJ’ing events there.

Me, Ian and Russell went to stand outside of the club for a bit near the railway line. We were quite merry, as the drinks had been flowing. I found a traffic cone, and wore it on my head like a top hat.

Ian and Russell joking around outside of Backline

Me and my new top hat

Me, Ian and Russell left the Backline club to find somewhere else to go. Tristan stayed there to make futher enquires.

The three of us walked into town and went into the Tudor Lounge. The floor projector this time was showing spinning smiley faces. We had some more drinks there, and then we headed home.

Smiley spinning faces projected on the floor

Smiley faces on me

Ian in conversation with Russell

It was interesting to see inside the new Backline club, I look forward to see what future events will be hosted in there.

A boy’s night out in Guildford was fun.

The Return To Wellwood Arboretum

Barry — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 05:30:00 -0600

On Sunday 4th July last year, I took Lushele for a walk to Wellwood Arboretum in Cranleigh.

Wellwood Arboretum video

I have been there before, which you can read about here.

When we started the walk along the Downs Link path that leads to the arboretum, we saw that there was a race on. There were lots of people running down the path towards us.

The start of the race along the path of which we walked

We eventually got past the race and the crowds of people and enjoyed being amongst the quietness and stillness of nature along the path. It was nice to escape the human race and to be at one with nature.

Lushele taking a rest from our walk

Me and Lushele

It’s a fairly long way to walk, especially for Lushele, as she has little legs.

Me walking down the Downs Link

Lushele making her way down the Downs Link

We past a field of cows, and then I spotted the entrance of Wellwood Arboretum.

A field of Friesian cows

We entered the gate of Wellwood Arboretum passing the lake and saw that the café was open.

The entrance

Teas and snacks are open to weary walkers and cyclists who come across this hidden gem

The lake

Lushele by the entrance to Wellwood Arboretum

A metal skeleton was on his bike by the lake, I remembered him from my last visit there, he had not cycled far since the last time I saw him, I don't blame him.

The skeleton cyclist by the lake

We took our picture by a large tree, which had a sign on it for Robert Fortune’s Tea Hut.

Robert Fortune's Tea Hut

I believe that Wellwood Arboretum was created by Robert Fortune who was botanist and traveller. My great-grandfather George Ellis who lived in Ireland led a similar life. My great-grandfather used to own a seed company and plant nursary in Ireland, and he used to travel around the world to collect plants and seeds for his business.

We ordered some food from the tea hunt. The café staff were polite and very helpful, they gave us some history of the place. We ordered some salad and humus sandwiches with cold drinks.

The cafe

Me and Lushele then sat together by the lake to await our food and cold drinks. It’s a nice place to stop and rest on a long walk, its like finding a small oasis in the middle of the desert.

The view of the lake from where we sat

Sitting by the lake

Sat together

Whilst we awaited our food, we people watched, and saw people playing badminton and others sitting at tables by the cafe.

Badminton players

Other cafe visitors

We moved closer to the lake to sit together on a swinging sofa.

Sitting together on the swinging sofa

Our food then arrived. It was very tasty and the cold drinks were refreshing.

We watched some children fishing with their fishing nets. They had caught some fish and placed them in a large plastic box on the wooden decking by the lake.

After we finished our food and drinks we had a walk round the arboretum.

There was some great sculptures around the gardens. We liked the giant blue flower that we found. There were many different stone and wooden sculptures, one was of a couple embracing. Another was of a bat on a tree.

A Triffid?

Flower hugging is the new tree hugging

A pretty blue flower by another pretty blue flower

Flower power

Oh bum!

A bat in the tree is by me

One of the trees had unusual long and twisted roots.

Me being swallowed by the roots of the tree

We liked the clay man standing by a doorway, when we went past the doorway we came across a pond with a Buddha, and a tree with carved holes inside and mirrors on it.

A magic doorway guarded by a stone giant

What's behind the door?

A pathway is behind the door which leads to....

A pond

Buddha

Me and the Buddha

An unusual tree

The buildings and workshops within the garden looked very nice and interesting too. It looks like an enjoyable place to do artistic courses for carving and sculpting, as well as being a quiet and relaxing place to stay for a break in the countryside.

A little man is sat on top of the chimney

One of the places to stay in

The workshop

The main house

We had a go on the swing and sat by the lake some more before we left the arboretum.

Just swinging

A barrow of laughs

We then walked back down the Downs Link path back the way we had come.

On the way we found someone had put their name 'Jez' on the path, which was made out of sticks.

Heading back home

Who is Jez?

We stopped off in a field to sit down and have a break. The field was quiet and remote, with just the sound of the birds in the trees and sky. It was quite romantic being in the field together, so we stayed there a while enjoying each others company out in the open air.

Sat in the field

After that, we headed back to my car and headed home.

It was a great day out to be amongst the Cranleigh countryside and to be at one with nature and creativity.

I'm not sure if Wellwood Arboretum had survied the recession, as their website is no longer online. I hope so, as it will be nice to visit the place again this summer too. I would like to stay there for a weekend sometime.

Guildford Lions Raft Race 2010

Barry — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 10:00:22 -0600

On Saturday 3rd July last year, I organised a picnic with some friends to watch the start of the Guildford Lions Raft Race along the River Wey in Guildford at Millmead.

The Guildford Lions was formed in 1967 and has about 40 – 50 members. All are committed to providing a service to the community by fund raising and giving a helping hand. Guildford Lions is part of Lions Clubs International (LCI) the largest service club organisation in the world with almost 1.5 million members belonging to nearly 42,500 Lions Clubs in over 178 countries and geographical locations.

The Guildford Lions Club at the event

Lushele joined me dressed in her traditional Hindu clothes, as well as Sal, and her fiancée Mustfa, who had recently arrived in England from Egypt.

I made lots of nice food, and I bought some snacks and drink. Lushele, Sal and Mustfa also brought along some food.

We walked from my flat along the river to Millmead.

We crossed a bridge over the river and we saw the raft racers getting ready, as well as a raft made to look like a steam train being set up.

The raft racers getting ready for the race

A very impressive raft made to look like a steam train

There is a small island on the river over the bridge in front of Millmead Lock. We walked across the island and past a few more rafts; there was a Santa’s Sleigh and Santas Grotto.

Santa's sleigh awaiting Santa

Santa's Grotto being guarded

The theme of the raft race that year was of Christmas.

A big crowd had started to form, we had arrived there just in time to find a good spot to sit and watch the race and have our picnic.

A crowd forming at the start of the race awaiting the rafts to set off down the river

We laid down our picnic blankets on the grass, and sat on the end of the island to enjoy our picnic and drinks.

Me and Lushele at our picnic

Enjoying some drinks

Lushele enjoying her food and drink

Sal with Mustfa

A barge boat with pirates on-board sailed past our island.

A barge with pirates on-board

The island is normally home to lots of ducks, swans, geese and pigeons, but the crowds had made them all disappear.

We all had a great view of the river and the start of the race.

The race started and the rafts made their voyage down the river towards the finish-line, which was at the Rowbarge pub. We didn't walk along the river to follow the rafts along their race, there was many rafts to see setting off from the start line.

The first of the rafters to set off from the start line

Some of them had water guns, water bombs, eggs, and flour to use on the other rafters and on the crowd.

The boy on the raft on the far right is holding a water bomb

A boy throwing something

It was fun seeing all of the different Christmas themed rafts, which included Santa’s, reindeer, elves, baby Jesus with Mary, and Angels.

Santa's Workshop being rowed down the river

Santa with a water gun

Elves

Looks like they got caught up in that tree

Bathing and rafting at the same time

The Three Wise Men, and Angel and a lamb

An Xmas tree with presents and a log-fire

Angel's from heaven

The steam train was the most impressive raft to see on the river that day. The train had real steam coming out of its funnel and the wheels went round.

The very impressive steam train raft

The crowds soon disappeared once the last of the rafts left the start of the race.

The last ones at the end of the race

I've got a sinking feeling about this one

The ducks, swans, geese and pigeons soon then re-appeared to return back to their small island.

A duck returning to its island on the river

The pigeons return for their courting

We finished off our food and drinks, and it was an enjoyable picnic watching the raft race together.

I finished off the day by having a few drinks outside the White House pub by the river with Lushele.

Me enjoying a drink at the White House

Lushele at the White House

Sunny Sunday In Guildford

Barry — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 17:17:47 -0600

Last year was a great summer for me. There were plenty of warm sunny days, with many nice and enjoyable days out.

On a warm sunny Sunday at the end of June last year, I took Lushele for a walk down the River Wey in Guildford. She had never walked along it before.

The River Wey has a lot of memories for me, it was a place I used to go fishing with my grandfather, I played along the riverbank as a young boy, I've been on boat trips along it, I've driven a boat down it, I've walked along the riverbank with many different friends and relatives throughout my years, and now I live in a place overlooking the river, where I can watch the boats, people and wildlife pass by my living room window.

I took my camera with me to capture some more memories of being by the river.

Lushele was wearing a yellow sunny coloured dress, which matched the bright sunny day we were having.

Mellow Yellow

We started the walk along the river in front of my flat to Woodbridge Meadows. I have been there before with other friends, which you can read about here.

The yellow flowers of the meadow matched the colour of Lushele's sunny dress.

Lushele and her yellow dress matching the sunny weather and yellow flowers of the wild flowers of the meadow

I took some great pictures within the Woodbridge Meadows, there was the model train, the giant buried in the ground, the trees with faces, the wooden ship with its sails, and other wooden carvings made from old trees along the route.

Lushele and the model steam train in Woodbridge Meadows

Lushele sitting on the giant's face

Lushele by the giant's feet

The giant's hand reaching out of the ground for Lushele

A tree with a face looking like it came out of the Lord of the Rings fantasy

A tree with a lady's face

Every tree has its roots

Me and Lushele by one of the magic trees

King of the trees

Me with an otter who is proud of the fish he has caught

Lushele with the otter and his fish

Lushele and the ship with its sails

Me by the ship's mast

Me and Lushele sat on the ship's deck

Lushele by the entrance of Woodbridge Meadows

Me by the entrance of Woodbridge Meadows

After I had shown Lushele Woodbridge Meadows, we walked back along the river the way we had come.

Lushele under a bridge walking along the river back the way we came

We went further up the river to where the bronze Alice in Wonderland statue was located on some grass by the White House pub.

It’s a well sculpted statue of Alice sitting on the grass reading the Alice In Wonderland book, in front of her feet is a rabbit about to disappear down a rabbit hole. We took some photos by the statue and next to a willow tree there as well.

Lushele with Alice in Wonderland

Lushele watching the White Rabbit running towards its rabbit hole

Lushele under the willow tree

We then entered a walled garden close to the river and we took some more pictures by the sundial there.

Lushele in her sunny dress by the sundial

Its sunny time

Debenhams department store is on the other side of the river to us

We returned to the river and came to a weir.

Lushele standing on the weir

Me on the weir

Not far from the weir there was an unusual bench with a gap in the middle. We took some funny photos of us on the bench, it looked as though the bench was swallowing us.

Lushele on the bench

Careful Lushele, don't get eaten by the bench!

Lushele is being swallowed by the bench, its like something out of Doctor Who!

Too late, she has had it!

The deadly bench now has Barry in its grasp

There were some barge boats further up the river. They looked nice in their painted colours.

Barge boats on the river behind Lushele

We found a hidden doorway, which was covered by ivy. I took a picture of Lushele entering the doorway.

The secret garden

As we walked together along the riverbank we came across a swarm of flying ants, Lushele shook her dress to remove them from her yellow dress. They must have thought she was a flower.

Lushele being attacked by flying ants

We were now close to Frog’s cottage along the river, so I gave him a call on my mobile, and he was at home in his cottage garden, with some of his workmates. Frog is lucky to work with some nice friendly caring people, who work together looking after autistic kids.

I joined Frog and his workmates in his garden for a few beers, and we ate some of their fruit and sweets. I introduced them to Lushele.

Frog in the centre with his workmates

Me and Lushele in Frog's garden

Me and Lushele then left Frog and his friends and we walked up St Catherine's Hill to St Catherine’s Chapel.

I showed Lushele the Chapel and we took some photos standing next to it.

Lushele by St Catherine's Chapel

Barry Chappell next to another Chapel

I showed Lushele the sandy cliff near the Chapel, which overlooks the river.

I climbed down to the cliff edge, Lushele took off her shoes and followed me. We sat on the edge of the sandy cliff together admiring the view of the hills beyond, and watching the River Wey flow beneath us.

Lushele taking off her shoes so she can join me on the sand

Come down and join me, its not that high

It was romantic watching the sunset together, whilst we were sat close together on the sand, we kissed and enjoyed each others company.

The edge of the sandy cliff over looking the river below

A view of houses on chalk cliffs across the river

As it started to get dark we could see the Guildford Castle light up in the distance.

Guildford Castle at lighting up at night

We then walked back home to my flat before it got too dark for us to see along the river.

One of the bridges we went under was lit up in pretty ultraviolet colours.

The ultraviolet lights on the bridge to match Lushele's sun dress

Me under the bridge

Me and Lushele both enjoyed our day by the river on that end of June Sunny Sunday.

Pure Dance In The Boileroom

Barry — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:30:00 -0600

On the evening of Friday 25th June last year, I went along to an event which my friend Tristan was hosting at the Boileroom in Guildford.

Tristan was doing his second DJ’ing event under his new Pure Dance Events company, and it was the first event of his that was to be held inside the Boileroom. The last Pure Dance event of his I went to was in a pub in Elstead, which you can read about here.

I took Lushele along with me to Tristan’s event. Lushele and I had recently started dating earlier that week, we were getting on very well together. Lushele was wearing a nice outfit, which I had asked her to wear, as I liked seeing her dressed in it at the office where we both worked at the time.

Lushele in her office gear

My friend Tom came along to the event too. It was good to see him again, he was also at my house warming party the weekend before. Both Tristan and Tom used to work with me at the same healthcare insurance firm, it felt like old times again to have a fun night out with each other.

We met Tristan, his girlfriend Kate, and his other friends in the pub garden of the Boileroom for a few drinks and a chat together. Tristan gave us some glow sticks for the event.

Tristan on the left with one of his DJ's for his event

Tristan's girlfriend on the right with one of her friends on the left

Me and my new girlfriend Lushele

Lushele

The DJ’ing then started inside the Boileroom. It was a mix of trance and other dance music. Tristan had some of his other DJ friends play some tunes and mixes as well.

Everyone on the dance floor in the Boileroom

It was good music to dance along to. Tom, Lushele and myself had a really great night out at Tristan’s first Pure Dance event inside the Boileroom.

Tom enjoying the music and dancing

Dancing with Lushele

Me with my glow stick and Lushele

My Birthday & Housewarming Party

Barry — Mon, 30 May 2011 14:10:00 -0600

For my 34th birthday party back in June of last year, my friend Valerie came up with the idea that I should combine it with my housewarming party. I went along with Valerie's good idea, and I also decided that after we had a party at my flat, that we could all head to the Tickled Ivory bar to continue the celebrations there.

I always try and do something different each year on my birthday, read about my previous birthday celebrations here;- My Birthday With The BBC, My Birthday And Brittany and My 30th Birthday Party.

By June of last year, I had finished most of the basic work on my flat, so it was ready for a housewarming party.

My flat

The view from my hall window, my car is in the car park, plus the Dapdune Belle boat (which I recently went on) is sailing down the River Wey

The view from my living room window

Part of the hall, leading to my bedroom on the far left, and which has now become the second bedroom directly in-front

My toilet in my bathroom, which has a seaside and underwater theme

My living room re-arranged for the party

The view of the front door and hall from my kitchen

My kitchen

My hall

The intercom on my wall to find out who is at the door downstairs

The view of my neighbours flat through the spyhole in my front door

I arranged my Birthday & Housewarming Party for Saturday 19th June, as my birthday last year was on a Tuesday.

I sent out lots of party invites via the Facebook website and by email.

I bought lots of food, and drink, and I spent most of that Saturday morning preparing and cooking the food, as well as rearranging the living room to make space for my guests.

Some of the nice food and drink I had on offer at my party

Lots of food to use for the dips

Plenty of booze

A favourite from the 1970's, cheese with pineapple, silver-skin pickled onions, and gherkins, on cocktail sticks stuck in half a grapefruit

Crackers with cream cheese and pineapple

Kebabs

Prawns

Everyones favourite a pizza

Sweet things

Lushele was the first to arrive at my party.

Lushele

Lushele enjoying a drink in my flat

Me and Lushele

Then it was Tom, Mark, Sal, Ian, Russell, Damian and Kay. Nine was a good number to have in my flat.

Tom, a workmate from the good old days when I worked for an insurance company

Mark on the left and me

Sal enjoying a drink

Ian

Russell

Damian with Sal

Kay on the right

Mark just had laser eye surgery that day, so it was good of him to come along to my party that day. His eyes were swollen and bloodshot. He couldn't stay long due to his operation, but I was pleased that he had made it.

One of Mark's swollen eyes

Mark could hardly see anything that night

Ian bought me a bottle of raspberry flavoured Absolut Vodka and a miniature tea set with tiny cups, saucers, and teapot. Ian said that he couldn't find me shot glasses as a present, so he bought me the mini tea party set instead. It was fun drinking shots together using the mini teapot and cups and saucers.

Ian with his Absolut

Ian's gift was a bottle of Absolut and mini tea set

Bottoms up!

Cheers!

Drinking shots with my pinky out, due to drinking from a tiny teacup

Enjoying shots together, strong stuff!

Lushele had bought me a nice Hugo aftershave set, which included Hugo shampoo as well. It was a very nice gift, as I wear Hugo a lot.

Other friends bought me bottles of drink, cooking utensils, and other nice things.

I put on some dance music, and everyone was enjoying themselves with the food and drink on offer.

Sal enjoying the food

Lushele enjoying the food

Damian opening some wine

Kay drinking some wine

Me, Russell, and Damian enjoying some beer

Tom, Ian and me enjoying drinking

Russell enjoying a drink

Tom enjoying a beer

Lushele and Kay chatting

Some of the girls disappeared into the kitchen and then brought me out a big chocolate birthday cake complete with candles, which I blew out and they sang happy birthday to me. It was very sweet of them.

My birthday cake is brought out

Puuuffffff

I'm getting so old that all of the candles are almost making a bonfire

Later on that evening, we headed to the Tickled Ivory bar. Damian knocked on my neighbour's door, then run off on the way out, which was funny.

A girl I knew called Dominika who was working at the Tickled Ivory bar, was also celebrating her birthday there, it was her 25th. She is a fun, pretty, bubbly, blond girl. We met up with her, plus her brother and sister. Dominika was dressed in a nice black dress. She is a nice friendly girl.

The lovely Dominika

Dominika with her brother and sister

My friend Valerie was also in the Tickled Ivory bar. She greeted me, and I introduced her to some of my new friends.

Me and the glamorous Valerie

We had a dance on the dance floor, and some more drinks and then decided to continue the party back at my flat. Valerie sadly couldn't make it along to the party in my flat.

The party and drinking in my flat continued until the next day, it was me, Lushele, Ian and Russell who were the hardcore ones left.

We all got quite drunk and had fun taking photos of each other.

Me being a zombie

Lushele being a moose

Russell being a gargoyle

Russell drunk

Ian drunk

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil

The sun coming up

Ian was the last to leave at around 7am in the morning.

Ian the party animal

It was a great way to enjoy my birthday last year. I’ll have to think of something special to top that, to celebrate my 35th next month.

Tristan's England V's USA House Party

Barry — Thu, 19 May 2011 22:15:00 -0600

On a hot sunny day in June last year, my friend Tristan hosted an England V's USA house party at his flat in Elstead during the World Cup football game.

We dressed up in England clothes, I wore my English flag t-shirt. Ian wore an American Uncle Sam hat, and a funny t-shirt, which read ‘If it wasn’t for the birds and booze, I’d have played for England’.

Me in my England t-shirt

We had a BBQ on Tristan's balcony with British beef burgers vs. American style hotdogs, English chips vs. American French fries, plus English beer vs. American beer, as well as England and USA flags as decoration. Tristan did a vote on which was best, English or American BBQ, and the vote went to American.

Tristan the host and BBQ king on the left, me in the middle, and Ian on the right

After we ate some BBQ, we watched the football match on Tristan’s giant TV. The TV though cut out due to a misplaced advert when England scored its only goal of the match, everyone groaned and cursed at the ITV HD TV channel for briefly spoiling the enjoyment of the game. USA also scored a goal, due to the England goal keeper making a bad mistake. The match finished with a draw of 1 – 1. All in all USA played better during the game, as they had the most possession of the ball.

David Beckham's funny reaction to goal keeper Robert Green's mistake

Tristan's giant TV

Ian enjoying a beer infront of Tristan's TV

Gooooaaaallllll!!!!!!!

Ian was pleased with the score being equal, as although he is originally from Guildford, he lives most of the year in Greensboro, North Carolina in the USA. He posed for some photos with both fingers pointed in the air to show 1 – 1.

Its a draw 1 - 1. Ian is pleased, and Tristan is shocked

1 all

We then ate and drank some more English and American food and drink. English crisps won for the food, and American Coke Cola for the soft drink.

Tristan put on some DVD’s of English comedy Only Fools and Horses, and American Friends. Friends won, but I preferred Only Fools and Horses.

English and American music was also played on Tristan’s hi-fi.

It was a fun party at Tristan’s place to dress up and to have an England vs. USA theme with everything.

All of us at Tristan's party