Gareth and I travelled to Cardiff for the day. We met up with our friends Mandy and Pascal for lunch at one of my old haunts, Diner 77. Great company and great food!
Then we drove into the city to meet my mate Mark for a coffee before we all set of for the Millennium Stadium to see the Madonna show.



Paul Oakenfold was there as support which was a pleasant surprise!
Madonna was good, but having seen her a few times before, this was the least enjoyable show I have seen her play. I wasn't alone in thinking it was all a bit expensive for so few hits as the reviews and forums the next day seemed to all highlight the same issues. Had a great time with all my friends so worth the almost 3 hour drive home!

30.07.06

Finally got around to seeing the dvd of 'Million Dollar Baby' tonight, and a really enjoyable film it was too!


 

29.07.06

I began the day by walking into town to see if any shops were open. I felt that the crisps and drink that I bought at the supermarket yesterday to sustain my long journey home weren't the healthiest option, but the heat would not favour anything considered 'fresh' overnight. i came by chance upon a fruit and vegetable market both run and customised by people of North African descent. The range of produce on display was extensive with many things I could not name or even claim to have seen before! The bunch of bananas that I bought looked very plain in comparison.
As I walked back to the hotel I gazed in wonder at the flights of the swallows overhead, darting high and low with what seems like absolute glee!
A lunchtime check out and then I started the long trek home. Then TGV does have great First Class with wide comfortable seats and handy electric sockets to recharge the forever draining iPod battery. We left Nice on time and the train seemed to hug the coastline through Antibes and Cannes. As we head inland from Marseille the sunflower fields re-appear,



 all laid out in regimental straight lines like a sunshine powered army. Next came the fields of vines, ensuring this country never runs out of wine! As we travel northwards the crop changes to maize. I don't recall ever seeing agriculture on this scale before.
The 6½ hour train journey allowed me to finish another book, the thought provoking "Saturday" by Iain McEwan.
The temperature in Paris feels just as high as a few days ago which makes the  journey across the city very sticky. Soon I'm on the air conditioned Eurostar, indulging in a little too much red wine and then the train home from Waterloo. A big thank you to Gareth for picking me up at the station at 1am!

23.07.06

According to my guide book, a 'must see' when in Nice is the Musée Matisse located near to where he used to live. Believe me, it was a very long uphill walk, and to see what??!!



My knowledge of 'Art' could be written on the back of a postage stamp in a thick tipped pen, but I know what I like and enjoy. Matisse is not in those categories! At least the long walk back into town was downhill!
Once there it was straight to Au Long Cours for escargot and a Monaco. One of the local shops has a sign that displays the temperature. When I passed it was 38.5°! Clearly the kind of heat to avoid a walk up the winding steps and pathways of Vielle Ville! Clearly not.
This is my fourth visit to Nice and each time I have been compelled to make this climb to savour the amazing views, taking lots of almost identical photo's on each occasion, so if these look familiar, you know why!







After a relaxing reading break I made the descent back into Vieux Nice and wandered the narrow shopping streets,



 savouring the smells from the numerous spice shops and repeatedly sampling the ice creams of various vendors, of which I can vouch all were excellent!
Then back to my hotel to freshen up before spending the evening back in the old town. I returned to Au Long Cours for more escargot, moules and monaco's and watched the world walk by. I was in my favourite town, eating my favourite food at one of my favourite restaurants and missing my favourite person, my partner Gareth so much. Travelling alone doesn't bother me, just look at my treks to see Depeche Mode this year, but being in Nice with no reason other than it was too close to Nimes to miss the opportunity has presented me with being somewhere without a concert as a reason to focus on. It's not to say that I'm not enjoying myself, because I do love it here, but last year Gareth was here with me and it's just not the same without him.
Once I'd eaten I decided to try out a new method of taking night time pictures, a skill I've never mastered. The following pictures hopefully prove that I've finally got it right!




 

22.07.06

An early start at Nimes station where I got the train to Marseilles. As the countryside spread out alongside me it was fields of vines



that heralded the start of my journey to the coast. At Avignon TGV station I was unable to see "Le Pont D'Avignon' that I sang about when I was in the choir at Junior School in 1977, let alone see the world dancing on it as the song depicts!
 As the train entered Marseilles I caught my first glimpse of the Mediterranean, sparkling so blue in the sunlight. After a quick change at Marseilles the next train seemed to follow the coast and around Toulon I watched yachts skim across the sea. And as the train winds from St.Raphael towards Cannes, those boats become more numerous and much larger too, watched from beaches full of bronzed holidaymakers.
The long train ride allowed me to finish my second book of this trip. "The Almond Blossom Appreciation Society" by Chris Stewart. His third book about his life on his Andalucian farm and just as good as the first two.
After the air-conditioning on the train the heat hits me as I finally disembark in Nice and luckily I can see my hotel from the station so a quick check-in and I'm in my room, showered and ready to explore. Book and camera in hand I head for the Promenade Des Anglais



 where I find myself spending more time people watching than reading! Hunger called and I wandered to a restaurant in Vieux Nice that Gareth and I enjoyed last year and they are still the least expensive place to get my beloved escargot and a cool Monaco (beer, lemonade and grenadine).



 Then a meander back to the hotel as sleep calls!

21.07.06

After a lazy start I set off to explore Nimes. First stop is the Roman Jardins de la Fontaine



 centred around the remains of an old villa and temple.



 A relaxing walk uphill(!) brings me to Tour Magne from where the views of the town are amazing.



 Then it was off to explore the Temple de Diane before a quick walk back into the centre.
By this time the mid afternoon sun was taking its toll so I stopped at a street cafe to read, watch the world go by and drink Earl Grey tea. Bliss! It became quickly apparent that most of the 'world' were Depeche Mode fans, and considering the heat, the 'Black Swarm' as the band refer to them felt it was obligatory their black t-shirts from various Depeche Mode tours. They must have been roasting in the heat!
I then went to the old city gate, passing a shop with a window that proves that the French think of everything!



As I passed by the arena I could hear the instruments being soundchecked to 'Policy Of Truth' and 'John The Revelator'.
After a shower and a nap back at the hotel I went for some more moules and then set off for the Amphitheatre as the time had finally arrived to attend my last Depeche Mode gig of this tour.
 A tour that has already taken me to see them in Antwerp, Lyon, Paris, Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Manchester, Birmingham, London and Dublin.
 Last nights gig had alerted me to how easy it was to get to the front stage area so I was soon against the barrier, stage left, in time to watch Goldfrapp. When they had finished the crowd really got into the Mexican wave until the Depeche intro tape started and the arena went crazy! It was the best gig I've seen on this tour as being so close to the stage



 allowed me to see all the interaction between the band. Peter Gordeno played a keyboard part too late during 'Personal Jesus' and Dave Gahan thought it was hilarious as he and Martin Gore dived for microphones when the vocal then appeared 'early'! The obligatory arm waving in 'Never Let Me Down Again' was even more special in a venue of this design.



 And as Martin sang the final refrain, "see the stars, they're shining bright, everything's alright tonight" I looked up into the night sky and the stars confirmed all was well!
So that's it, my Depeche Mode tour 2006 comes to an end in style!  
 

20.07.06

For my final 'Depeche Mode' gig of this tour I set off for France today, 1st Class on Eurostar. A bit of air conditioned luxury in the early morning heat. I had allowed 1 hour 45 minutes to get from Gare Du Nord to Gare De Lyon for my connecting train but it took just 15 minutes so I wandered around the station area for as long as I could stand the heat! Even the inside of my watch face steamed up!
I then got the high speed TGV, 1st Class again, and I can confirm that French 1st Class even surpasses Eurostar, and at speeds of over 170mph too!
The French countryside is so beautiful at this time of the year, particularly the fields of sunflowers.



I arrived in Nimes on time and knew it was hot when I was greeted by the sound of cicadas. As I walked across town I could hear 'Placebo' doing their sound check at the venue, in readiness for the concert tonight.



 I arrived at my hotel which turned out to be a 17th century house with its own internal courtyard. Beautiful.



I freshened up and set off to explore the town and on turning the corner towards the amphitheatre it was definitely one of those Oh...My...God... moments. An absolutely incredible building.



I found somewhere to eat some moules and then set off for tonight's gig. The venue was just as amazing inside! It was such a shame that the support band, 'dEUS', were absolutely shite. 'Placebo' more than made up for it though and especially when they played their cover of the 'Kate Bush' track "Running Up That Hill", which made my night!
Even when the gig ended at 11:30pm the cicadas were still chirruping away in an attempt to cool down. Thankfully my hotel room has air conditioning, though the cat on the window sill opposite had the right idea!


 

19.07.06

My partner Gareth passed his final exams in Nursing today! Just one more essay to go.
 Congratulations!
I'm so very proud of him!

17.07.06

Gareth and I went to see 'Pirates Of The Carribean: Dead Man's Chest' tonight.

A really enjoyable film, if a little too long.

07.07.06

A very early flight saw me on my way to Dublin to see Depeche Mode again! The pilot alerted us that there may be delays due to the weather, which is never a good sign!
It is my first visit to Ireland and when I spoke to a lady at the Tourist Information Desk I couldn't tell you anything she said because I was enthralled by her accent!! She sounded just like Mrs Doyle from 'Father Ted', go on, go on!
I had to try some Irish food so headed to Temple Bar where I found a place called Gallagher's.



They serve a great Irish Stew and their Lamb Boxty is superb. All washed down with some Murphy's Irish Stout!
Yesterdays rain had travelled to Dublin too, and decided to stay for the duration of my trip, only easing off when I walked from the hotel to the venue, The Point.
 


By sheer luck the concert started the exact second I walked in and I was able to find myself a great viewpoint for the whole gig. Depeche gave an amazing performance and the crowd made the most of their first concert here in 13 years!

26.06.06

The day has finally come when I see Depeche Mode play at an outdoor gig in Hyde Park, London.



So true to form with my experience of outdoor gigs, it starts to rain here in Wiltshire at 11am. Continuous rain. It's still raining 6 hours later as I set off for London, but once inside the M25 it's almost tropical sunshine! Phew!
 I met up with my Cardiff chum Mark in time to see Goldfrapp play a crowd pleasing set, much more enjoyable than when I saw them last, but this time they did have some dancers with amazing costumes.



Then as we wandered the site before Depeche Mode came on we happened to walk past the 'myspace' tent just as a new band called 'Lorraine' were playing. It was definitely one of those 'right place right time' moments! Mark and I were blown away by how good they were, so we'll be looking out to see them again as soon as we can.



Depeche Mode were absolutely superb as usual!! They played a more crowd pleasing set than earlier in the tour, which is exactly what was needed to please the 25,000+ fans!

25.06.06

Gareth and I went to see 'Over The Hedge' tonight. A really great film!



Who would have thought that a slow motion humming squirrel could make me laugh until I cried!!

24.06.06

A lazy day in Cardiff before we headed for home. Whilst shopping I bumped into another work colleague from my days at the Council, Deanne, looking so good she made me look old!!
A quick visit with the family where I got to see just how much my great nephew Louie had grown!


 

18.06.06

Gareth and I were in Cardiff today to attend the Civil Partnership of our good friends Mark & Mark.
We stayed in a town centre hotel and the day started with breakfast at Burger King where I bumped into two people I used to work with at Cardiff City Council many years ago, Sue and Jackie. None of us had aged!!
Then it was into our suits and off to the Registry office in boiling temperatures.



A really touching ceremony after which we all headed off to De Courcey's Restaurant for a fabulous meal (and photo opportunity!).



Then it was back into town for a quick drink, then back to the hotel before we all met up again to paint the town red...well those of us with a little stamina!! Finished the night with the traditional 'chicken curry off the bone and chips' in legendary Caroline Street.
A brilliant day in fantastic company! Thanks everyone!

17.06.06

I went to see Embrace play at the Westonbirt Arboretum tonight. A great gig despite the fact that Danny's voice is not improving this year! A brilliant venue for a summer evening, clear skies in the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside surrounded by trees. The crowd reflected the location and had come with picnic blankets and lots of kids. Danny seemed to forget this as he exclaimed that it was all "fucking amazing" repeatedly!

16.06.06

Sorry to keep going on about this, but BBC Radio recorded the Keane gig last Friday, and today as I was driving I heard "Somewhere Only We Know" from that gig on Radio 1. Halfway through, Tom gets the audience to sing the chorus. I well remember singing my heart out at the time, but hearing it back was amazing, a real hair standing up on the back of my neck moment!

13.06.06

In June 2003 I first saw Keane play in London. The gig was at the Water Rats venue in Kings Cross and was packed to the rafters. That night they played 'Everybody's Changing', 'This Is The Last Time', 'Bend And Break', and 'Bedshaped' amongst others in their set. Could they get better than this?
Tonight I saw Keane play in London. The gig was at the Astoria and was also packed to the rafters. They also played 'Everybody's Changing', 'This Is The Last Time', 'Bend And Break' and 'Bedshaped' amongst others in their set. This time however everyone in the crowd was word perfect. This time people knew it could get better than this.


pic courtesy of www.bbc.co.uk/radio1

As well as 'Somewhere Only We Know', 'We Might As Well Be Strangers' and 'Can't Stop Now' the proof was in the new songs that included 'Atlantic', 'Is It Any Wonder?', 'Put It Behind You', 'Nothing In My Way', 'Leaving So Soon', 'A Bad Dream', 'Hamburg Song', ' The Iron Sea' and 'Crystal Ball'.
A brilliant gig to an adoring crowd.

09.06.06

I 'acquired' a copy on the new Keane album, "Under The Iron Sea' today. It feels a lot darker than their debut but more listens may change this viewpoint. Look out for new songs "A Bad Dream" and "Put It Behind You" as well as live favourite "Nothing In My Way". All destined to be classics!

07.06.06

The current glorious weather helps highlight the beauty of the garden at this time of the year!








 

05.06.06

Gareth and I went to see 'United 93' today. A really moving film, more so by the reaction of the audience than even the film itself.



 As the end credits began, there was complete silence as people began to leave their seats to exit the cinema. See it.

03.06.06