Just looking back on the last few weeks I realize I’ve been up to plenty of mischief, so here’s the summary -
- Farmer Plil’s Festival
- Steve’s Budapest Stag do, and wedding in Manchester
- Trip to Conwy and Llandudno
- 30th Birthday weekend celebrations
- Catch up with Pete, Gin and Marianna in Belper
- Meeting more family in Derby
- Matlock Bath and Heights of Abraham cable car.
Farmer Phil’s festival
To be honest I didn’t know what to expect. A decade ago the festival started with a band, Hollywood Tease, invited to play at cousin Nick’s 21st birthday. This time, at the 10th year anniversary they returned (for the 10th time) to play alongside an impressive collection of local bands. The final act was a fantastic performance by the Blues Brothers tribute band, complete with a Cortina e
ntrance and all those classic songs. My good mate Kalman came up for the weekend and we had a blast. I helped out with odd jobs on the stage setup, then worked the bar for periods between drinks, jumping around in the crowd and exploring the stalls. Phil, Karen, family and the crew did a great job so may it continue for many years.
Recovery Day
Budapest Stag do
I jumped at the opportunity to visit the capital of Hungary, which is split by the Danube river into Buda and Pest. The occasion was the second stag do for my manager Steve, who was married the following weekend in Manchester. Eight guys were on the trip, and the object was basically to explore as many pubs and clubs as possible, shoot a few guns and have a look at the geography. Our first evening started brilliantly with our lovely guide Szusza. Frankly, we wouldn’t have dared go into some of the places she took us, but beyond the inconspicuous doorways and lazy bouncers lay some real gems. On bar was at the top of an old department store. A long graffiti covered stairway led to a sunny open roof space with lots of people and cheap drinks.
The second day we visited a shooting alley. In typical Budapest style the doorway said nothing and was hidden away behind old slummy buildings. It led to a cold underground bunker where you could let off a cannon and nobody outside would hear. Clearly remnants of Soviet rule, as was the brick-shaped ex-Russian army dude with the guns. Zees ez de Luger, de Glock 9mm semi auto, Magnum 9mm and ze pump action shotgun. Zair ez ze target. BOOM... Despite scary appearances everything was well controlled and we had a great time popping live rounds, learning a new appreciation of the power of such weapons.On our second evening we were able to navigate ourselves surprisingly, around all the bars we had previously visited and found a few more. This is a brilliant place for nightlife and is highly recommended.
spent looking around the city and waterfront, admiring all the beautiful people as much as the awesome architecture, which seemed to be everywhere. The weather was pleasantly warm the whole time we were there. It's a great place to visit.
Gellert Statues
Road Trip to Conwy and Llandudno
Llandudno was the place my grandparents went for their honeymoon, and also for family holidays. I headed out there one Sunday with flatmate Melinda and her friend Chris. We stopped first at Conwy castle. This is the first real castle I had ever seen, so I was just like a child, running up each of the turrets to explore. Onto Llandudn
o we drove around Gogarth Peninsula and up to the top for a look. Very chilly weather. They had a cable train which went for a seemly pointlessly short distance up the final part of the incline. Remember, we’re not talking mountains here in the UK!
30th Birthday weekend celebrations
The main event was a blast around the local go-kart track, but I was most looking forward to seeing old NZ mates Kalman, Tobias and Sarah. Thanks a lot guys for making it a great weekend! 
Saturday afternoon we all tripped up to Blackpool to see what all the fuss is about. The seaside town is built on family amusements
and Blackpool rock. Plenty of lights, rides, themed shops and skill-testers, the ultimate prizes being larger-than-life Crazy Frogs and Spongebobs. Lots of BB guns for sale too...
Had a great party in the evening – thanks Claire for coming up from Shrewsbury. We had a great night out on Stockton Heath and Warrington town.
Catch up with Pete, Gin and Marianna in Belper
Had not seen these guys for months. Even though Marianna lives in Belper now, she is pretty busy now with life and new business http://www.embersmerino.com/, and I hadn’t caught up with her. Pete and Gin had just returned from a Contiki tour of Europe and Ireland, so we managed to meet up for dinner at the local pub before they headed off to Norway. Great to see you all!
My second cousin Judy is a fantastic host and organizer of family dos, and just as good at making chocolate cake, scones and strawberry jam. On this occasion she arranged to bring together more family at John and Dorothy’s place. I met their other son and the twins Brenda and Sue. I even had a few presents to open. 
The day after the above family bash, I strolled around Matlock Bath in search of a chocolate shop Judy had mentioned. That was quickly forgotten for the awe of all the motorcycles parked up along the parade. A couple were pulling wheelies and stoppies to the crowd’s appeal. I forgot my day’s chores and took the cable car up the Heights of Abraham to get a bit of a view. After all, it was a beautiful Sunday and winter is fast approaching.
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