Emily and I visited a wedding venue today – Launde Abbey. I think it’s going to be a contender!
Monthly Archives: July 2011
30 Years Old…
Today is my 30th Birthday. 30… That sounds old. 5 years since my Mum passed away. 9 years since I left University. 12 years since I finished my A-Levels and left school. 2.5 years years since I met my now fiancee Emily. A lot has happened.
I was intending just going out for lunch Emily and then coming over and inviting a few people over for a few drinks. But Emily and my brother Jonny had other plans… Emily and I left our house yesterday lunch time and started driving. She was taking me to some secret location. After we went passed a the turn offs and places where I thought we were going, I started getting a little worried. Did she know where we were going?
Eventually we arrived at ‘The Marquess of Exeter’ in Lyddington. We parked in the car park and made our way in to reception, where we got directed through to the bar. As I walk into the bar I looked to the left to be greeted by about 12 of my friends all shouting ‘Happy Birthday’! I was completely shocked. I absolutely had no idea. Not one. Apparently Jonny and Emily had had secret conversations and arranged a 3 course meal at this small Rutland village pub/restaurant. Cheeky buggers!
After a lovely meal, an unprepared speech and a strawberry and sponge birthday cake we all headed by to my house for drinks and then a buffet of sandwiches I had prepared the night before, not knowing what I’d be doing for lunch that day.
The usual consumption of alcoholic beverages continued through to about 9pm when we all then decided to get taxis and go out in Stamford.
Thanks everyone involved for the surprise party. Especially Emily and Jonny.
Foo Fighters, Milton Keynes
As I was turning 30, my brother Jonny had tickets to see the Foo Fighters at Milton Keynes and decided to take me along with him. Foo Fighters are one of my favourite bands, ever. I was seeing Take That at Wembley the day before so was unsure of being too worn out to enjoy it. But after a second offer by Jonny I decided why not! And I’m glad I did.
It would be unfair to compare the Foo Fighters with Take That. They are completely different. But if you asked me which one I enjoyed more, it would absolutely be Foo Fighters. They were absolutely awesome.
The gig took place at Milton Keynes Bowl which is basically a huge grass bowl with a stage at the bottom. The place had about 40,000 people at it was packed. Some of the warm up acts I didn’t really like the much. Biffy Clyro was bad. I’d only heard a few of their song and thought they were quite a mellow band. I was wrong!
After Jonny and I had a few beers, seen the support acts it was time for the Foos. They started with their new album, Wasting Light, and mixed it up a bit with a few of their ‘oldies’. Every few songs Dave Grohl would have a little ‘chat’ with us making him seem just a ‘normal guy’ and seemed genuinely gracious of the support of us fans.
About halfway through Dave announced a ‘special guest’ – none other than Roger Taylor, the drummer from Queen. He played a few songs with them, which again, we awesome.
Dave and the rest of the band played a few more songs and then announced ANOTHER special guest – Alice Cooper! No one could believe it. They went on to play School’s Out for Summer and Feed My Frankenstein. Amazing!
Thanks Foo Fighters for not disappointing me, and confirming, in my mind at least, you are THE best band in the World. Oh, and thanks Jonny for getting the tickets
Take That Progress at Wembley
This was my first time to the new Wembley stadium. My brother Jonny and I had been to the old one many years ago. We even go to go out on the pitch and stand on the centre spot! The new Wembley stadium is very impressive. The huge arch over the top can be seen for miles around.
I bought the tickets for Emily at Christmas time. Our friends Steve and Lauren also came with us too. We got there around mid-day and parked in the car park right outside. Much better that catching trains and tubes to get there. And it wasn’t too pricey either. After a walk round the stadium and a few teas and a hot dog we decided to queue up. Some people had be camped out for many hours before us. Some even had portable picnic tables! The hard concrete floors were a little uncomfortable, but with regular walking breaks it wasn’t too bad.
After 2 or so hours of queuing we looked behind us along Olympic Way to see about a mile of queues. It was unbelievable! Glad we got there a few hours early!
After going through the automatic ticket booths we got into Wembley Stadium and went straight in to the main standing area. There weren’t that many people in by then so got to the front. We then um-ed and ah-ed, and decided standing for hours on end would be too much, so went to find some seats close to the left hand side of the stage.
There was a few more hours wait after getting seats. After Steve and I have several beers, at extortionate prices, the supporting group came on – The Pet Shop Boys! Neil Tennant put on a good show, although all his dancers we wearing strange outfits with cube parts on them.
There was another break after The Pet Shop Boys, so time for a few more beers.
Then, some crazy Professor type guy came our, pressed a few buttons on a giant computer keyboard which was controlling a computer screen on the main stage video wall. He started a 1 minute count down for Take That…
5, 4, 3, 2, 1… What you have to realise is, about 80% of the crowd were women. So when Gary, Jason, Howard and Mark came out on the stage there were deafening screams. 80,000 people all screaming. That’s quite a noise.
The four boys the sang the songs they release after Take That got back together (the one’s without Robbie). There was an interesting one with a giant caterpillar… which was a bit trippy.
Then the 4 of them left the stage… Next was Robbie, who gave quite an impressive entrance. If you thought the welcoming Gary, Jason, Howard and Mark got was loud, this was nothing compared to what Robbie got.
Now despite what you think of Robbie Williams, he is a born entertainer. And the 30 or so minutes he was on was probably the best.
After Robbie’s solo performance he was joined by the other 4 when they did all their recent songs with the 5 of them, followed by the favourite old school Take That songs.
Throughout the performance a large mechanical man came out of the stage at certain points. By the end of the show it had come right out into the crowd and was stood up. Not quite sure what it was signifying, but was impressive.
After the show had finished, leaving the actual stadium wasn’t as bad as I thought. The real problem came when it took us over an hour to get out the car park. The car park wardens didn’t have a clue about traffic control meaning everyone just headed straight to the two lane exit. It was a complete joke.
Several hours later we were back home after a long, tiring, but great day. Thanks guys.


