We have been blessed with wonderful weather for the last few days, around 27 degrees today which for those like me is around 81 Degrees Fahrenheit which for early May in the UK is pretty good. Only a month ago we had the heaviest spring snowfall for nearly 20 years. The record for the UK's hottest day in May was recorded in North London on May 22nd 1922 when the temperature hit 32.8C
Garden centres up and down the country have been running out of bedding plants with the rush to get gardens planted for the summer. Gardens seem very out of sequence this year.
We hit the Cliff tops this afternoon for a walk that took us from Peacehaven, dropping down over the cliff top fortifications of Newhaven Harbour to the fishing docks below, before heading back slightly inland taking in the picturesque Sussex Landscape.
Cherie Blair published her autobiography this week, revealing what it was like to the Prime Ministers wife. Apart from facinating insights of the power struggle between Tony and Gordon Brown she gives personal details about visiting the Queen at Balmoral. She revealed that her son Leo was conceived while she and her husband were staying with the Queen because she had left her contraception at home. She says she became pregnant with her fourth child in September 1999, during the annual Prime Ministerial visit to Balmoral. The previous year, Mrs Blair writes that, she had been horrified to find all her belongings unpacked, including the contents of her toilet bag. In 1999, out of "sheer embarrassment", she left her contraception behind. And l thought she was a good catholic woman.
Holy Cow, take a peek at Chilli, who at 6ft 6ins tall, is the tallest in Britain His owners have contacted the Guinness Book of Records who are currently assessing his credentials and comparing them to other big bovines. The black and white Friesian bullock weighs well over a ton and at the same height as a small elephant, casts a shadow over his cattle companions who are about 5ft.
10th May 2008
Today is set to be the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures set to soar past 26c.
With most of Britain expected to be sunny and warm with light winds. What l really like about the warm weather is that encourages the boys to bet their kit off.
Sometimes you wonder what the world is coming to, a local Postmistress, who clipped yobs with rolled up parish council minutes faces police inquiry. Her local parish council had already voted to ban football on the village green to protect the floral displays. But when she saw a group of youths kicking a ball near her treasured blooms Alma Harding decided on more immediate action. The retired postmistress marched over and ordered them to go to playing fields nearby. Brandishing her rolled up Parish notes. If the boot had been on the other foot and the youths had damaged Alma's flowers guess no action would
Have been taken.
On the other hand aren't you just so glad that you live in a civilised country, when you hear of the way some men have been treated in Egypt. HIV-positive Egyptian men are tortured and chained to hospital beds while awaiting unfair homosexuality trials, a human rights group has claimed. Two of the men were arrested last year after a scuffle in central Cairo and when one said he was HIV-positive, the men tested HIV-positive and are now handcuffed to hospital beds for 23 hours a day. A further four men were sentenced to one year in jail in January having been convicted of "habitual debauchery", which Human Rights Watch says is a euphemism used to penalise consensual homosexual acts.
While not explicitly referred to in Egypt's legal code, homosexuality can be punished under several different laws covering obscenity, prostitution and debauchery.
Never have chewed gum, it seems a very American thing to do, but a British company developing a non-stick chewing gum that can be easily removed from pavements and shoes has raised 10 million pounds ($19.50m) to help bring its product to market.
Years ago on a British TV programme called "Tomorrow's World" an inventor came forward with an everlasting razor blade made from ceramics. It never did see the light of day, l guess Gillette or Wilkinson came forward and bought the rights from him to stop it ever being developed
A bicycle enthusiast in the Russian city of St Petersburg has staged a naked protest to demand rights from motorists and local authorities.
Roman Lutoshkin wants the city to build more cycle lanes and cycle parking. And he was prepared to do away with his clothes to draw attention to the cause
8th May 2008
It seems that when metals prices rise thieves get cheeky. Three times last month thieves clambered on to the roof of a church in Torquay and stole large quantities of lead. Parishioners at the church, where Agatha Christie was a lifelong worshipper, complained to Exeter police, but to no avail. It was left to four churchwardens, with an average age of 74, to use their little grey cells to catch the thieves. The global price of metals such as lead and copper has more than doubled and opportunistic thieves are raiding school roofs, statues and power lines for metal to sell on as scrap.
The new Mayor of London, Boris Johnson has appointed gay MP Richard Barnes as his deputy mayor. Barnes is considered on of the most influential lesbian, gay bisexual and trans politicians in Britain.
But obviously Boris is a Ladies' Man, as seen here at a party this week with Joan Collins
Sometimes l think l lead a sheltered life, anyway you learn something new everyday. " Drag Kings" yes well why not, after all Key West and the wider World is full of Drag Queens.
Last week Stevie Wonderful a.k.a. Fiona King was crowned King of the Castle 2008!
The British Government announced yesterday that it will overrule its own advisers and reclassify cannabis as a Class B substance. This will "send out a message" that the drug can be dangerous
It must almost be time for the "Black Ducks" to fly home,
Safe journey.
5th May 2008
Even the Queen is allowed time to let off a little stream occasionally. The Queen donned a headscarf and glasses for an incognito ride on the foot plate of a steam engine. Visitors to Exbury Gardens in the New Forest had little idea that the pensioner in a raincoat taking the ride was the Queen, 82, exercising her passion for steam engines.
She made a 20-minute journey through the estate of her friend Leopold de Rothschild, who drove the small engine. She beamed with pleasure, at one point riding on the foot plate of the locomotive, which she named Mariloo, in a private ceremony. Mr de Rothschild added: "Her Majesty very kindly agreed to make a private visit to Exbury to help us celebrate the launch of our marvellous new engine Mariloo.
Our Prime Minister Gordon Brown suffered humiliation across the country as his party lost an astonishing 331 seats in the local government elections held this week.. It was Labour's worst election night for 40 years. And to crown it all Our Ken (Ken Livingstone) lost his eight-year reign as London Mayor. In come's Conservative Boris Johnson.
Boris Johnson
Brian Paddick
Brian Paddick, He was, until his retirement in May 2007, Deputy Assistant Commissioner in London's Metropolitan Police Service and the United Kingdom's most senior openly gay police officer, came well down the list in third place
for the Liberal Democrats and was really never in with a chance with 9.8% of first preference votes.. It was always a Ken and Boris Race.
Need a little uplift, then you are living in the wrong country. A working class suburb of Chile's capital began handing out free Viagra to senior citizens on Wednesday. Lo Prado Mayor Gonzalo Navarrete said he launched the program because 'an active sexuality improves the overall quality of life.'
About 1,500 residents of the working-class area are eligible to receive as many as four pills of the erectile dysfunction drug each month, the mayor said. They have to be at least 60 and be registered with the municipality's health service.
Bishop Gene Robinson is currently in London promoting his book In The Eye Of The Storm, in which he talk about the trials of being the only out gay Bishop in the Anglican church, the Episcopal Church leader spoke this week about how hard it is be in the centre of that storm adding he faces constant threats, even from people in the UK
Pistol thinks he has a clever pussy, but listen to this , A cat returned home five days later after making a 740km (460miles) round trip to London. Pet tabby Silver went missing in Hapton, Lancashire. Her owners, Jim and Angela Jones, were 'distraught' until they were told the cat had been found in London. But Silver evaded her rescuers and walked home on her own.
The first ever recorded winner of the Mr Gay UK competition Anthony Francis Morley , has been charged with the murder of Damian Oldfield, a 33 year man worked for the company that runs the Mr Gay UK competition. Mr Oldfield was allegedly stabbed to death by Anthony Morley.
In a gruesome twist, local press have reported that police found chunks of the victims leg had been cut off and were in a saucepan on the stove. The Yorkshire Evening Post reported on Saturday: "Horrified detectives then found a diced up section of flesh on a kitchen worktop which had been cooked.
At the Old Bailey this week two men who asked for £50,000 ($100,000) from an unnamed member of the Royal Family in exchanged for tapes that featured claims of gay sex have been found guilty of blackmail. The male member of the Royal Family's identity has been concealed during the trial. Some of the proceedings were effectively held in secret. After failing to sell the story to a number of national newspapers, the pair tried to sell the tapes to a friend of the Royal.
The Royal in question has been named on TV in the US and also on this website at the time of the incident.
A new poll published in the United States this week claims that there are considerably less gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans than previously estimated. Hunter College released the results of a groundbreaking poll found only 2.9% of Americans older than 18 identify as LGB. The gay population is normally estimated at around 5%.
Brighton and Hove will be one of the most popular tourist destinations over the weekend. With the launch of the Brighton Festival the city is expecting a huge influx of people over the bank holiday. It started this morning with the Children's Parade, roving photographer Lulu was out and about this morning with her "Box Brownie".
Photo's coming Soon
1st May 2008
It is always sad leaving Key West knowing that it will be quite a number of months before you are back in paradise once again. A number of years ago we took the decision that it was easier to hop in a car and drive The Keys rather than put up with the hassle of flying down from Miami. In one incident we waited over three hours for a flight only to be told that the flight would not be leaving that night and they loaded us onto one of the airport transportation buses and drove us down The Keys arriving after midnight. Never Again.
Driving back up the Keys on our way to Miami International we invariably stop off for lunch. Recently we have enjoyed the delights of "Island Grill" at MM 85.5. A collection of huts nestling on the waterside, great view, friendly service and nice food. What more can you ask.
Arrival back at Terminal 5 went without a hitch. It really is a splendid building, and according to our friend John at British Airways, has not been mentioned in the press for the last three weeks. Hopefully their teething problems are behind them.
Having left Miami in the mid eighties it was quite a shock to the system to adjust to the low 50's back in England. However it is now improving and getting back to more normal weather. This weekend is a holiday weekend so l expect we will have rain.
The cost of holding the Olympics in London in 2012 is spiralling out of control. This week we hear that the cost of the Aquatic Centre has risen from an estimated £75 million in 2005 to £303 million. Holy Moses that must be some swimming pool.
That is not the only thing on the rise, during our absence from the UK the cost of Petrol (gas) has topped £5 ($9.80) per gallon for the first time. And you think you have it bad in the US.
The Royals have been at it also when our backs were turned. Prince William visited British Troops in the Afghanistan war Zone, his Dad meanwhile visited Poland and opened the Cracow Jewish Community centre.
Sometimes you just don't know when someone is making an ass of you. A German pensioner is suing a hospital after she checked in for a leg operation and woke up to find that they had given her a new anal sphincter. A surgical team admitted that they had mixed up the old girl with a patient suffering from chronic incontinence. Bet the shit hit the fan.
It does seem that the German's are getting a little confused at the moment. A German farmer has asked his marriage to be annulled. The confused farmer said: "I don't meet many women as I am often out in the fields working all day, and so a friend suggested I try internet dating.
"I was delighted when I contacted Randy Victoria, 38, and was delighted when I met her and realised she was as lovely as her photographs. "She even knew loads about farming - I didn't realise that was because she used to be a farmer herself.
"We only had a kiss and cuddle before we married. But on my wedding night she told me she had a penis - and that her real name was Ralf. I was devastated.
Bed Races down Duval is always such fun, but once in a while we get our timing wrong and arrived after the last time trial had finished, however as you well know this is not the end of the event and the next hour and a half was spent in the parking lot of "Hogs Breath Saloon" with much parading, drinking and socialising going on. Have got to say that with the exception of the Bourbon Street Team who raised the most money from the popular vote $1500 and the 801 Team coming a close second with $1164 it was not a very gay group.
Gassy and Lee Canning Tuna
Well hey it is the "Butch Straight" end of town so what can you expect l suppose. It was good to see King Neptune (Lee) and Gassy Winds promoting the gay bars to straight folks.
There were so many awards and prizes that the presentation seemed to go on and on. Getting some of the contestants up onto the stage was worth watching. Most had already had a skin full and had to climb this step ladder perched at a precarious angle, was surprised that no one went "A over T" in the process.
The Winning Team Saluting the Crowd
The overall winners were the girls and boys from "Shanna Key" Irish Pub and Grill, cannot for the life of me remember what time they took to run the street, but they were separated from second place by only a second.
Part of our daily routine on "This Side of the Pond" is a daily ride around the island on bicycles, it does not matter how many time we circumnavigate "The Rock", there always seems something new to see or comment upon.
After years of being shaken to death on the North Roosevelt sidewalk it would seem that action has been taken to smooth the path of pedestrians and cyclists alike. The north side of the island has now had a coat of tarmac. It does seem a little unfinished around the edges and a bit flaky in places, but local sources tell us that this is a temporary measure until it is rebuild like the south side of the island.
One day this week the ocean was so still and clear and the fish were in abundance, the following day although the underwater vision was almost as good there was not a fish in sight.
This very morning what appeared to be an MG Car rally was making the rounds. Back in my twenties l was the proud owner of a wire wheeled leather interior MGB GT, l thought l was the bees knees driving around in my little British Racing Green bullet. However at the time my Dad likened it to going down the road with roller skates strapped to your arse. How l wish l had kept that car.
.New signs have appeared this week urging cyclists to go with the flow and resist from riding the wrong way down one way streets. As If.
Had a call last night from Saqueen, she is fit and well after surgery. Not so her computer which is not feeling too well, her motherboard having given up the ghost.
Out and about last night it seems like the town is picking up a little for the weekend. Even saw Enema out after dark, Now that is something, Hear that Pistol however took a tumble and was feeling his normal self. Hope you are feeling better today.
24th April 2008
As you took your seat at the Red Barn all you got was a curtained stage, "Oh no" you say to yourself not another effort with no scenery. However you could not be more wrong. As the musical unfolds so literally does the set designed by Rick Worth, once again proving that this wonderful small theatre could pull off another triumph.
From the moment that the first cord is struck a smile will appear on your face and your foot will continue to tap over the next couple of hours.
Mavis and the Three Bears as the blurb says is a musical fable for grown ups. Mavis to put it bluntly is Trailer Trash, living with here waster of a boyfriend Floyd, Mavis buses at the local cafeteria and wants to better herself and one day dreams of slicing meat loaf and serving green beans. Floyd does not see the need for such ambition so long has she brings home the beer to fill his days. He is unsuitable himself for employment.
Mavis on a day dreaming trip to K-Mart meets Mr Clairol, played by the smiling terpsichorean
Bruce Moore, who promises Mavis a new beginning with a bottle of blond hair dye. Think he got a job lot.
One day along come three bears to the cafeteria adding a little sweetness and honey to Mavis's life by offering her a job as au-pair, Mavis of course has no idea what an au-pair is or does but agrees to take the job of looking after baby bear who has not spoken since his bear brother came to a sticky end some years previous.
The musical, book and lyrics written by Blake Hunter and music by Franko Richmond continues to unfold as does Rick Worth's set to a twisted surprising conclusion, but not before you have witnessed the touching and funny scene of Mummy and Daddy bear returning after a night out on the tiles.
As they say " If you go down to the woods today your sure of a big Surprise"
This is a must see in Key West. It only runs until Saturday 3rd May so get off your tush and collect your honey bear.
23rd April 2008
Having skipped England for a couple of weeks, the Queen decided to appoint Prince William a garter knight. This is his first major royal honour. Founded by Edward III in 1348, the Order of the Garter is the most senior and the oldest British Order of Chivalry and is one of the few honours in the Queen's gift to give without Prime Ministerial advice.
William with Dad Charles wearing Garter Robes
Although the honour is merely a ceremonial one, it is, nonetheless, a significant step for the future king who will leave the military next January to become a full time working royal. William will become the 1000th Knight in the Register and joins his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh and father, Prince Charles.
However is not a bowl of roses in the House of Windsor. The Ministry of Defence has apologised for allowing Prince William to fly a £10 million helicopter to visit family and friends during his RAF training. As well as flying to his cousin's stag do and to his girlfriend's house, the Prince also flew over three Royal homes and to a wedding party in Northumberland.
Kate Middleton and her parents are understood to have watched in delight as the Prince practised take-offs and landings in the paddock of their sprawling Berkshire home earlier this month.
Imagine this Chinook landing in your back garden
No doubt our Royal Watcher friend "Black Duck Bob" is already up to date on these royal shenanigans.
22nd April 2008
Food Glorious Food
Monday in Key West was a Foodie's Paradise. The start to the Foodie Day came from a surprising source, proving that you don't always know peoples hidden talents. Tony, one of the TEAM at Island House asked if we liked Banana Nut Loaf, well that is like asking Lulu if Fish Swim, she is a cake and pudding dustbin. We were dispatched with slices of home-made Banana loaf made by Tony's fair hand.
Afternoon tea is a very British tradition and we always indulge in a nice "Cup of Char" when we return home after an afternoon at "The Spa". So yesterday we enjoyed Tony's delicious cake with our afternoon Cuppa. How about the recipe for us all to share.
With little time to spare it was a quick wash and brush up before we set off to "Taste of Key West". How surprising that although "The Citizen" was a sponsor of the event it did not advertise the fact in the morning edition of What's on in Key West Today. Yes if you are a local you know all about what is going on in town, but if a visitor had arrived in town yesterday morning they would have no clue that one of the best events of the year was taking place that evening. - Shame. This is the case over and over again, come on guys and girls this is a tourist town and relies on the Tourist $.
Experience from previous years warned us to be there early as the lines for the tickets can be long, the lines for the food even longer and great rapidity in which the food supplies run out. Not so this year, Food tickets could be pre -ordered, and ticket sales at the gate were quick and easy, lots of volunteers going around and very visible selling extra tickets - Great Job.
And to top it all the food did not run out as in previous years, the longest lines were for "Croissant de France" and "A&B Lobster House", however some our favourite samplings were from "Hot Tin Roof" who had a superb pork lollipop with a slightly spicy tropical slaw.
"Island House" always do a wonderful crab cake, I think it was "Hog Fish" that had a warm pulled pork barbecue sandwich and "Iguana Cafe" good frogs legs. Lulu the one with the sweet tooth headed over to "The Restaurant Store" to sample the tropical bread pudding which filled her up and put an end to the endless grazing.
All in all l think that this year was one of the most enjoyable "Taste" events since it moved from Hicks Beach where we always enjoyed the shade offered by the trees conspicuous by there absence at the current location.
There is no truth in the rumour that Gordon was in town for "Taste"
More food news reached us from England this week. "Fig Rolls" are in short supply, not entirely sure if these are just an English delicacy or are also available over here in the US. It would appear that Fig roll production has slumped because there's a severe shortage of the fruit. The problem has been blamed on a drought in Turkey, the UK's main supplier.
Following last nights indulgence at "Taste of Key West", we had a breakfast engagement at "Azur" with the "Black Ducks". It seems like Azur could become the local breakfast hang out as Dean and Ferman were just leaving as we arrived.
We were out and about the other night and spotted Paul Burrell in town. You may remember that Paul Burrell was butler to Princess Diana and "Her Rock". He has recently been in trouble with the Diana Inquest, He is being urged by his wife to return to the UK. Burrell has refused to come home following revelations he was filmed bragging that he'd told lies during his appearance at Princess Diana's inquest. Maria his wife doesn't think its good Paul should spend his life hidden away in America, and thinks it would be better if he came home sooner rather than later and faced the flak.
Perhaps, just perhaps he has more to hide in America than the British Press think.
We don't normally venture out onto Duval Street in the middle of the afternoon, but of course today had to be an exception. The Drag Races were in full swing on the 700 block of Duval. Sushi at the wheel, looked cool and comfortable in a checker flag chiffon number with wide brimmed chapeau,unlike most of the "would be" drag queens who looked anything but dignified.
Mr Pistol and Mr Enema along with Andy from the Complex were the esteemed judges for the lip sink section of the competition.
Did not get all the drag names but Whitney seemed to have the most active lips, while Bobby from Bobby's Monkey Bar although looking absolutely divine got the booby prize in the oral section
.
They say all is fair in love and war, but it did seem that anything went with these races. Talk about kicking a drag queen when she's down, but these two beauties were at it hammer and tongs in the last yards of their race.
From Leather to Lace was theme of the day for Buddy from "Leathermaster" she certainly did not make the prettiest girl on the block but everything has it's consolation when his friend won the title of fastest Queen on the Street.
18th April 2008
I am not always too sure about when "Green" is "Green". We hear that a number of Gas stations in the Florida Keys will be switching over to a blend of regular gasoline and ethanol. Ethanol is approved for all non diesel engines, and no engine modifications are necessary. The switch is part of a federal mandate to increase the supply of renewable fuels to 9 billion gallons this year and 36 billion gallons by 2022. All oil companies must comply.
The problem l have with this one is that farmers are now switching to crops to produce Ethanol at the expense of food crops, Food prices are rising and third world countries are facing food shortages.
A further example was during a visit to Island House this week. The Island House is aiming to become the first Green Men Only Resort in Florida, if not the World. Good luck to them. However we saw hundreds of light bulbs being replace by low energy - long life alternatives. What is happening to all the perfectly good working light bulbs that were removed and what will happen to the mercury contained in the new low energy bulbs once they die. Our experience at home is that they last no where near as long as you are let to believe they will,
Back home in the UK the government said it would provide £100m for the Energy Saving Trust to deliver a broader programme for green homes, which will see the roll-out of a network of one-stop advice centres around the country over the next 12 months. It will involve the distribution of around 100m free or subsidised low-energy light bulbs, improved insulation for 5m households and 2-3m will receive help with measures to save energy.
In the UK alone we waste an incredible £140m a year by leaving lights on unnecessarily. energy-saving bulbs use 80% less electricity than a traditional bulb, but switching them on and off repeatedly can shorten their lives.
British Travellers to destinations on the Continent are being hit in the pocket as the pound falls in value against the euro. Far-flung destinations such as South Africa and Thailand are offering even better value for holidaymakers than many traditional European hotspots The Post Office research looked at the price of ten holiday basics in 16 countries. Their total cost was £28.50 in Thailand. This is less than a third of what they cost in Australia.
The list of items consisted of a cup of coffee in a restaurant, a bottle of Heineken, a bottle of Coca-Cola, a bottle of mineral water, factor 15 sun cream, a postcard and stamp, insect repellent, Marlboro lights, a tabloid newspaper and three-course meal with a bottle of house wine.
Together they cost just over £73 in Britain. The continuing strength of the pound against the U.S. dollar means America is seventh-cheapest country to visit this year. A bottle of Coca-Cola in Florida is £1.60 compared with £2.94 in France.
We are surprised not to see more British Tourists here in Florida. On the other hand the Brits are facing the same fears over mortgage payments back home in the UK as the Americans are here - perhaps you have your answer.
17th April 2007
No sooner had we arrived in Key West than we once again here queer stories about sheep rustling. Not that you see many sheep in Key West, they have all been frightened off. Plenty of Hens and Cocks (roosters) but guess that Not-Bob does not stoops that low.
Mandy - Oh Mandy
In the last couple of months, I opened up and shared a little bit about myself. I told how I accidentally became fond of small farm animals, sheep to be more specific. Then I shared some fondling….I mean fond memories of past Spring Breaks and how to make future Spring Breaks more eventful.
I must have struck a vein of emotions with everyone. I didn't realise that so many others from different continents around the world have gone through the same experiences. I have received a plethora of Emails, cards, letters, telegrams and phone calls originating from all over the globe. I have heard from Tibetan monks, George Michaels, New Zealand shepherds, Ex-US President Jimmy Carter, Graham Norton, 3 ½ African Pygmies (from the Bambuta tribe), Osama Bin Laden, NAMSA (North American Man/Sheep Association), Angie Baby, King Faisal (son of Hussein), The Dali Lama, half of the England Rugby Union team, Hildegard Funkmyster, a Scandinavian lumberjack, 17 Catholic Priests and Piers Morgan. Thanks to all of you and to the others that I have not listed, for the warm regards.
I also I have been added as "a friend" to hundreds of MySpace profiles, FaceBook profiles and featured in many YouTube clips. Who would have thought that relating the story about my first encounter with a sheep would cause such a stir.
It was with great trepidation that we headed for Terminal Five Heathrow on Monday morning, after all the tales of woe from the first two weeks of operation we were not looking forward to he experience.
The journey from the off-site car parking to Terminal Five takes a little longer, but it does avoid the snarl up at the main entrance to the airport. The terminal is an engineering beauty, It is the biggest free standing building in the UK – the building is 40 metres high, 396 metres long and 176 metres wide. comprised of five levels, each the size of 10 football pitches, 30,000 square metres of reinforced glass and 5,500 glass panels have been use at a cost of 4.3 billion pounds.
As you enter the building you are met by banks of self check-in machines, fast bag drops and regular check-in desks. If you have checked in on-line before arrival and only carry hand baggage within 50 yards you pass through passport control into security. Security is state of the art and baggage movement all automated with baggage trays arriving by conveyor for your use. The whole process from entering the building to being through security in the main terminal building took less than ten minutes.
Once inside never having been here before you are a little out of your comfort zone knowing where to go, where to eat and where to pee. It seems a little under looed for the size. Shop and catering personnel working on the level we entered at were all having to use passenger loos, they were somewhat crowded and even queuing in the Gent's. No soap in the dispensers and l tried three.
We chose badly for breakfast, but on further exploration we have a better idea of the lay out for our next trip. Designer stores abound to grab the travelling dollar, even Gordon Ramsey has a restaurant in the terminal.
Some of the planes leave from the main terminal building others leave from satellite buildings B & C or so the signs said. I was convince that the departure board gave gate C45 for our flight but it transpired that satellite C has not opened yet. Call me daft but l still swear the board said "C".
Embarkation was quick and easy and we arrived in Miami spot on time.
Can't say fairer than that - Can You.
A little Chilly here in Key West Today
Stu and Phil pack a woolly.
12th April 2008
Do you ever wonder how we would live without technology. Out walking this afternoon, the thought suddenly struck me that l was weighed down with tech gadgets. I had my mobile in my trouser pockets. Of course you Americans call them cell phones. I hardly ever use it, but enjoy the security of having it with me in case l need it. It is Pay as you Go, it was loaded up with twenty quid ($38) over twelve months ago and l still have credit. I have only ever sent one text message in my life and that was to my Mum on holiday who suddenly discovered the technique.
Moving on l had my digital camera in my jacket pocket, just in case l came across anything interesting. Yes l do use my camera much more than my mobile. I think the current generation of cameras are fantastic, l always have it with me. Thinking back to the day when l had a SLR Pentax with a twelve inch long zoom lens, it never got carried because of the weight and inconvenience.
Thirdly l was wired up to my ipod, listening to a podcast that l have recorded whilst slaving over a hot stove and unable to listen without interruption. Persuaded to buy an ipod a couple of years ago, thinking that l would never use the thing l was proved completely wrong, l thing they are great, but must admit that l like to slot it in to speakers rather than sticking buttons in my ears that l find hard to keep in place. Perhaps if l had more hair they would hold in place, a ski hat normally does the trick, but you do look rather silly in the middle of summer. The only thing l am missing is a mobile generator in my back pocket like Neil. LOL
We hear that mobile phones, iPods and other consumer devices may soon be able to hold a hundred times more information than they do at present thanks to a breakthrough in storage technology. Scientists at IBM say they have developed a new type of digital storage which would enable a device such as an MP3 player to store about half a million songs - or 3,500 films - and cost far less to produce.
I will need to go for longer walks.
It is not only Fort Lauderdale Airport where public announcements are Anti-Gay. This week closer to home, Staff at St Pancras Station in London made an announcement directed at a gay couple, requesting "passengers please keep their hands to themselves and refrain from kissing." A heterosexual passenger, Jean Lechmand, was so shocked at what he had heard that he complained to the train operating company. "The behaviour of the gay couple was not lewd or lascivious," he said. "In fact they were doing no more than any regular heterosexual couple does on a regular basis at train stations, on buses, in the streets and anywhere else loving couples happen to pass through. "The announcement was not only out of line but hurtful and hateful. It was blatant discrimination against members of the public based on sexual orientation.
Talking of travel , our thoughts turn to Terminal Five at Heathrow, scene of so much disruption and chaos over the last two weeks. One travel reporter came out with the phrase "New Tent, Same Circus" which l thought summed up the situation marvellously.
Yes Monday morning early we will venture to the terminal with trepidation for our flight to Miami. I will let you know how it goes once we arrive in Paradise early next week.
See You.
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It may even make a difference to future trips to "The Rock"
10th April 2008
Gordon Brown our Prime Minister appeared on American Idol last night to announce that Britain would buy 20m bed-nets to protect people in Africa from malaria. On an American Idol charity special, the prime minister urged other countries to match Britain's commitment.
It would appear that our friend Gordon who is a fan of talent programmes, told American viewers: "All year on Idol, it's the talent of the American people we admire. But tonight, it's your generosity." How interesting that he will appear on American Idol but will not attend the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing.
We here that the Olympic flame reached San Francisco yesterday but the reception was somewhat mixed. The olympic torch was re-routed away from thousands of demonstrators and spectators who crowded the city's waterfront to witness the flame's symbolic journey.
Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, of Ben & Jerry's ice cream fame were among the demonstrators, they stood near a van sporting a six-foot-tall stainless steel torch - complete with gas-fired flame - resembling the Olympic torch. Jerry said on BBC radio early yesterday,
"We're asking China to extinguish the flames of genocide in Darfur, China is the one country that has enough influence with Sudan to end the genocide. They really have no choice but to use that influence." It seems impossible to separator Sport and Politics and the games have not even started yet. What a shame.
We were sorry to hear that someone had lost their life during the construction work at Key West Airport. We whinge and moan about all the "Health and Safety" regulations here in the UK. But just take a look at how the shuttering is constructed for this concrete pouring job, seems to be build of bits of wood and luck that it will hold together. Perhaps l will take more notice the next time we have the inspector around banging on about "Risk Assessment".
From April 1st British Pensioners were given free off-peak bus travel the length and breadth o f the country. A retired head teacher has become the first pensioner to use his free bus pass to travel from Land's End to John O'Groats. His journey took one week, six hours and ten minutes, cost nothing, involved getting on and off nearly 40 different buses. Mr Elloway was fund-raising for the charity Breaks4Kids, the charity of the Youth Hostel Association, which helps to provide holidays for disabled and disadvantaged children.
The national free bus-pass scheme has cost taxpayers £1 billion and many wonder if it is sustainable.
Gay men in Denmark will now be able to buried in a gay-only cemetry. The space in Copenhagen was created by the Regnbuen (Rainbow) association at the Assistens cemetery. The cemetery already hosts Danish fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen.
The Terrence Higgins Trust has launched a website aimed at gay men interested in rough sex, S&M and other hard core sexual practices. The Hardcell site combines facts about sexual health and recreational drug use with information about sex acts and rough sex.
It is true the British are obsessed with the weather, but really it is not surprising, Take this weekend for instance, on Saturday l was walking along the cliff tops admiring the wild wall flowers that were springing to life in the lovely spring sunshine.
But Sunday was a completely different kettle of fish, or should l say bucket of snow. By mid morning on Sunday almost six inches of snow had settled in Sussex, better know for sunshine than snow. It is a number of years since we have been affected by the white stuff. And yes folks this is April.
Perhaps the foul weather was a blessing in disguise for the organisers of the Olympic Torch that arrived in England yesterday morning to be carried over 31 miles across London. Pro-Tibet protesters tried to snatch and extinguish the Beijing Olympic torch and clashed with police leading to the arrest of 37 people as the torch made its way through London. Protests over China's dismal human rights record began soon after champion rower Sir Steve Redgrave began the relay taking the torch out of the newly renovated Wembley stadium. Scuffles broke out along the route as hundreds of campaigners chanting "Free Tibet" and called for actions in Tibet ahead of Beijing Olympics.
As the torch reached Downing Street there were more chaotic scenes. A ring of 10 Chinese flame attendants and fluorescent-jacketed police officers surrounded the torchbearers at all times, with additional uniformed officers joining at potential flashpoints along the route.
In Paris this afternoon the trouble continued, when the flame had to extinguished twice and carried onboard a bus through two trouble spots in the centre of Paris.
Ernest Hemingway's other famous watering hole, Harry's Bar, in Venice where he held court over hearty food and stiff martinis, is offering a discount to "poor" Americans suffering from a weak dollar and subprime blues. The restaurant notoriously expensive even when the U.S. currency is strong, underscores the growing concern about the weak dollar among tourism operators in Italy and elsewhere in Europe.
When the euro was introduced as the common currency in 2002, a dollar bought about 1.10 euros. Today it gets about 64 euro cents, making prices seem astronomically high for most Americans.
Harry's Bar is offering a 20% Discount to Americans.
5th April 2008
This afternoon the greatest steeplechase in the world takes place at Aintree. The Grand National is a unique test of horsemanship for the rider and also a test of a great significance for a horse. The course is nearly two and a quarter miles in length and has 16 unique fences including the famous Bechers Brook. The fences have an added problem for horses, the famous drop fences where the landing side of the fence is lower than the take off side, this means the horse approaching the fence is unaware of the drop until in the air. At The Chair Fence the reverse of this occurs. It is the biggest fence on the course and the landing side is higher than the take off.
Normally around 30 horse take part in the race, but this has been has high as 66 in 1929 and as low as 10. Many of the horses do not make it around the course, usually stumbling or falling and unseating the jockey. Red Rum is the most successful horse, having won the Grand National three times: 1973, 1974 and 1977. It is a bookies delight, everyone and their Mother has a little flutter on the race and the winning horse is totally unpredictable. They are predicting record betting on the four-and-a-half-mile race, with a figure somewhere near the £300 million mark.
This week Americans marked 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King's assassination. Not to miss a chance Presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and John McCain took time off the campaign trail on Friday to pay tribute to Martin Luther King. The politicians joined the crowds in Memphis marking the 40th anniversary of the civil rights campaigner's assassination.
The desk on which Charles Dickens wrote Great Expectations will be sold at auction to raise money for a London children's hospital. Experts expect the mid-19th Century mahogany desk and walnut chair to fetch up to £80,000 ($170,000) for Great Ormond Street Hospital when they go under the hammer at Christie's in June. Charles Dickens was a champion of the poor and needy and an enthusiastic patron of Great Ormond Street Hospital in its early days Dickens spoke at the first fundraising dinner for Great Ormond Street Hospital over 150 years ago and was one of its first patrons.
How do you fancy " Tea With Tony", Tony Blair that is. Last night's Stonewall Equality Dinner raised £320,000 for the gay equality organisation. One of the Auction items was the opportunity to have tea with Tony Blair secured a bid of £20,000. All funds raised will go towards Stonewall campaigns such as Education for All, tackling homophobic bullying from Britain's schools.
The keynote speech at the dinner was given by veteran gay rights advocate and award-winning actor Sir Ian McKellen has revealed that he has only met the Prime Minister once. During the dinner at the Dorchester hotel in London, Sir Ian said the occasion was the celebration of the civil partnership ceremony of gay MEP Michael Cashman and his partner Paul Cottingham. He told the 540 guests that he had worked with Mr Brown, Tony Blair and John Major on gay rights.
3rd April 2008
Tower of London
The first of April always brings with it the pranksters that love to make fun of others. It is not known when the first April Fool's day prank took place, but early records in London point to 1698 . The April 2, 1698 edition of Dawks's News-Letter reported that "Yesterday being the first of April, several persons were sent to the Tower Ditch to see the Lions washed". This prank in London involved inviting unsuspecting victims to come view the annual ceremony of washing the lions at the Tower of London.
Variations of this prank continued over the centuries, one elaborate version of this prank occurred in the mid 1860's. The bearer of the ticket was told to enter via the "White Gate" of course there was no "White Gate".
Animals, including lions, actually were kept at the Tower of London for many centuries. The tradition of keeping animals there began in the 13th century, when Emperor Frederic II sent three leopards to King Henry III. In subsequent years, elephants, lions, and even a polar bear were added to the collection. The polar bear was trained to catch fish in the Thames. By the eighteenth century, the Tower's menagerie had become one of the most popular destinations for visitors to London. However, during the early nineteenth century the menagerie declined, until finally, in 1834, the few remaining animals were transferred to the Garden of the Zoological Society.
British Theatreland up in arms over Arts Council sexuality quiz. The Arts Council has encountered ridicule and anger over attempts to force theatre and museum trustees to disclose their sexuality to obtain funding. New grant forms require arts organisations to state how many board members are bisexual, gay, heterosexual, lesbian or "not known".
Audrey Roy, the director of grants, said that the council needed to understand who its audience was and to whom its funding was going. "We see diversity as broader than race, ethnicity, faith and disability," she said. The question caused anger and bemusement among leading figures of the arts world. The Oscar-nominated actor Sir Ian McKellen, who is openly gay, said: "It sounds extraordinary. It shouldn't be on a form. It's quite inappropriate."
THE sky over London turned a patriotic red, white and blue this week as the Red Arrows proudly celebrated the 90th anniversary of the RAF. (Royal Air Force). Crowds lined the Thames to see the nine Hawk jets fly up the river in formation with four Typhoons, the RAF's latest fighters.
"S&M" fuck
