Pub design

By the by, whoever has redesigned The Woodman has shown that they understand aesthetics. No, nothing to do with East London in 2012.

The exterior of The Woodman looks great. Care and attention to signage, use of colour and type.

On the other hand, The Ship formerly known as The Ship, has failed miserably. The gold 3D lettering does not work at all. Look at the typeface. Look how cramped it looks on the elevation. If you want to take the traditional route, then at least use a serif typeface.

Hi De Hi

Ho De Ho

Hope you all had a jolly Christmas. If you had a miserable one, just think of those immortal words:-

'It's all for the best in this best of all possible worlds.'

And so it is.

I don't really want Plumsteadshire to be focused on pubs in Plumstead, but as this has been the local news hot potato, here's my latest contribution.

I walked over to The Woodman today and took a look through the olde worlde pubbe windows. Looks good. It's got that contemporary look which doesn't say 'old man's pub'. It's got a certain Bromley-post-modern-soft-and-fast-seating-area feel about it. I don't know what The Woodman was like in the past but as long as it's a genteel non-offensive place with good beer and food, I'll be there.

Here's a picture of it taken on a typically tropical Plumstead day.

Squat's up doc?

Lovely listener.

What's up with that tatty looking house a third of the way down Griffin Road? If you know Griffin Road then you definitely know the house to which I refer. It looks like one of those houses featured on the hit BBC show, Life of Grime.

Is it occupied? Is it a squat? Is it infested with rats, coachroaches? Or art students?

Only you, lovely listener, can hold the proverbial key to the battened up door.

Help me Obi Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope.......

Busta's Open

Boy oh boy. It's been such a long time that I almost forgot how to write a blog.

Well, I just walked past The Ship formerly known as The Ship. There is some kind of shin-dig going on in there. I guess it must be the topping-off ceremony (as we in the trade call it). It looked a pretty sober affair and the only gold chains were worn around ladies necks. [I made that last bit up to keep the Busta Rhymes unsavouriness alive - ed.]

The interior fit-out looks like it amounted to seven hundred tins of magnolia emulsion. At the moment, it's a nice fresh look. Some would call it soul-less, but early days. At least it's pointing in the right direction. It looks friendly and likeable. We'll see how the interior design develops as Mr Patel eases into the character of his venture.

Prince Albert

Looked at their website this evening.






Speechless

Tesco Slade

There is no way on God's earth that Tesco would be interested in a tiny shop like Lawrence's. If the big T were interested, they'd want the whole parade of shops. Look at a small Tesco Metro and see how fruit & veg alone would swamp the Lawrence's DVD collection.

Sorry, but that must've been the local rumour mill going into overdrive.

Bust dat door down

Passing the Busta Ship this morning, I saw THE most hideous door they had installed.

It is such a carbuncle that I can only imagine that it is either a temporary measure or Mr Patel designs whilst holding a white stick. This is a Conservation Area for God's sake. Show some thought for aesthetics.

Language laydeez

Thanks to The Plumster for pointing out that colourful language is not called for in Plumsteadshire.

Feelings are clearly high on the subject of Bustagate which just shows how much we happy folk love Plumstead Common.

The response to Bustagate has been phenomenal and you have all put together an incredible depth of knowledge and investigation into the planning & licensing applications of Busta. Two lovely listeners of note are :-
Nick Day of the award winning Plumstead Common Environment Group has made many intelligent observations about the latest application. And Wing Commander WeLovePlumstead has been doing a brilliant job of organising the lines of communication.

Even though Mr Patel has watered down his application, has he watered down his intent? I don't think so. As has been noted by many already, a members only club with bouncers on the door named after an angry black rapper? I don't think so.

Wine bar + Busta = DOES NOT COMPUTE
Genteel leafy suburb of London + Busta = LIKE PUTTING A MAD CAT IN AN AVIARY

Let me remind you who Busta is. Here he is pictured here with Slim Shady.

Hmmmmmmmm.......... I can picture it now.

"Good evening Monsieur Rhymes. A dry Martini & a bottle of Château Lafite-Rothschild please."

"What da f***? Dis is sh**ing me dog. Get da f*** outta here. You ain't ******* ** my house!!!!!!"


It all seems too easy for Mr Patel to make such a radical change to his whole business plan from 'members club' to a pub that suits 200+objectors.

Deadline for objections is coming up. I don't think we should put our guard down just yet.

Alright pop pickers?

Busta newsflash!!!!!

Dear lovely listeners, weloveplumstead has broken some important news. As I am getting lazy in my old age, here it is copy & pasted :-

Dear Everyone,

There are several changes in the Busta situation that have taken place over the last few days which have been reported to weloveplumstead:

1. The developer/license applicant has reported to the Council his wish to change the name of the venue back to "The Ship".

2. The application is for a pub, not a nightclub.

3. The windows are now being restored; removal of the bricks commenced this afternoon.

In light of the above changes, along with the shortened almost-pub hours on the licensing application, the pressure to object and protest is significantly reduced. Residents of Wernbrook have even had a chance to chat with the developer/license applicant and he is clearly demonstrating a willingness to listen to and work with residents to live side-by-side peacefully.

If you are still concerned and would like to register your concern with the relevant authorities you can still:

1. Write a letter to Local Councillors and/or the Licensing Office as you see fit in light of the new developments.

2. Sign a the petition, which is available for concerned people to sign at the Chapter Two bookshop on Plumstead Common Road.

The pressure seems to be off and we should breathe a sigh of relief, but keep a watchful eye on the new Ship!

Please spread the word about these updates to concerned people.

Finally, a notice of the application hearing date should be released by the Council in a few weeks time. Please keep your eye out for that and be sure to come along if you can.

WELOVEPLUMSTEAD

Bustagate

Firstly, apologies for not making it to yesterday's Bustagate meeting. I've been flu-stricken and been drinking enough Lemsip to make their shares rocket.

Secondly, who did attend the meeting? Did Mr Rhymes turn up in a bad disguise? Was there a lonely person sitting in the corner of the pub wearing a trenchcoat & comedy moustache? Maybe holding up a newspaper with two big eye holes cut out?

If anyone can shine some light on the situation, I'd be interested to know.

email

For those of you who never bother to read the comments pages of Plumsteadshire, let me introduce you to the 'exclusive' email address set up by one lovely listener:-

weloveplumstead@ntlworld.com

I believe it's primarily or even exclusively set up for the Busta campaign - Bustagate

Use it, don't abuse it.

Friends, Romans, Countrymen lend me your ears

.... said Van Gogh.

Venue : The Star Public House on Plumstead Common

Star date : Sunday 19th November

Time : 1pm

Wasssuuuuppppp? : A meeting of minds, wit and the good folk of Plumsteadshire who give a damn about the place called home, and the pub formerly known as The Ship. Let's bash our heads together and move the Busta campaign forwards. Everyone welcome, however God help us if over 200 people turn up. Pangloss thanks the landlord of The Star in advance.

Izzy wizzy let's get busy

Sorry lovely listeners. Life's been very hectic over the past few weeks.

OK.

Showtime folks.

1 - What's the general consensus? All Busta-mail to be channelled through the 'weloveplumstead....' email address? This will mean the lovely listener who has set it up is to be 'communications director'.

2 - If the mystery listener would like me to publicise the 'weloveplumstead....' email address, then let me know. Disclaimer - Plumsteadshire cannot be held responsible for any unseemly, spam, junk or non-Busta emails hitting your mail box.

3 - A physical meeting must be set up within 7 days so we can meet and bang heads together. Time is of the essence.

Don't forget, write to the Planning Department, write to the Licensing Department, write to your MP, councillors etc etc.

What do the Planning Department do?

We've managed to press the pause button on Busta's plans for the moment. In the meantime, let's not forget the blocked up windows.

The planning department is meant to uphold planning decisions within the Borough. I don't think planning consent was granted to blocking up windows of the building formerly known as The Ship Pub.

Let's remind Greenwich Council that this must be corrected. Letters must be written to the planning department and we want answers and action. If they cannot uphold planning decisions, then why have a department?

Oh, Plumstead Common IS a conservation area.

5 minutes of your time. Write a quick letter and post it to:-

First Floor, Development Planning Reception
Peggy Middleton House
50 Woolwich New Road
Woolwich SE18 6HQ

Busta Verdict - Trick or Treat?

I missed this evening's Council meeting. In the words of Harry Hill, "What are the chances of that happening?"

Well, thanks to one lovely listener, I have been informed that the Bust Da Rhyme exclusive bar application has been turned down. I'll await further confirmation, but if this is the case then this shows the strength of community in Plumsteadshire.

Well done to all the good people of the shire. What a treat.

However, let's not rest on our laurels though. We still want The Ship to set sail once more. Maybe the applicant will take note of local opinion and go with supply and demand? Or maybe they will appeal? Or maybe they will try and push Busta through the back door? Let us not rest on our laurels.

Ready?

Things have been busy recently at Plumsteadshire HQ.

I have been sent a hefty tome from Greenwich Council. Around 170 letters worth of heftiness. Not bad going. I'll take my hat off to those who wrote to the Council re. Busty Crimes. I suppose these are letters from within the 200metre 'valid zone', if so then 170 is all the more commendable.

Tuesday is the day. Rally up the troops and head down to Woolwich Town Hall. It's almost like the scene in the brilliant Fritz Lang film, 'Fury' except without the sticks and lynch-mob mentality. After all, we're decent folk.

Who's Busta?

Just in case the good folk of Plumsteadshire are unaware of the origin of the Bust Da Rhyme name, I have a slight hunch that it comes from the Hip Hop artiste, Busta Rhymes.

Here he is out for a stroll on Plumstead Common.



And here he is wearing his new hat.

Council meeting

The date of the Rusty Lime Exclusive Bar And Lounge meeting has been changed.

This has been brought to my attention from a couple of lovely listeners, but almost as if by a stroke of creepy coincidence, as I start writing this blog entry, a brown envelope is delivered via the GPO (that's General Post Office to the younger members of my readership); it's my invitation to attend the meeting.

So, the meeting is 6.30pm Tuesday 31st October 2006. at the Town Hall, Wellington Street, Woolwich.

At least that means us working people have a chance of attending.

Councillors

I've never had dealings with councillors, apart from one time.

Let me just refer to this person as COUNCILLOR X.

Leading up to the last local elections, I asked Councillor X how they could help deal with the spate of illegal selling of cars on the Common. Councillor X replied, "Phone the police. What do you want me to do about it?"

With such an uncaring attitude to their local community, I think I could do much better. I won't tar all councillors with the same brush, but I think this individual is only in the game for self publicity and an ego massage.

Busta Meeting

One lovely listener has posted this very interesting comment on Plumsteadshire. In case you don't read other comments; see below in yellow text.

The so-called catchment area is a total farce. I'm sure we're all agreed that a late night drinking hole will have an affect on an area far wider than the radius of a strong projectile vomit. As such, we should be involved. This just tells me that
a) Greenwich Council want to pass this through with minimum fuss and
b) that Greenwich Council don't give a monkeys about the ramifications on the wider community.

Oh, don't forget D-Day is nigh. Get writing people.


Dear concerned Plumstead Common residents,

I have just been informed by the licensing office at Greenwich Council that the Licensing Committee hearing on this application will take place on

24 Oct 3pm at Woolwich Town Hall

This is where we need to go to argue the case against "Bust Da Rhyme" in person. Spread the word!

Also, I was informed that residents living outside a certain area who make written representations are not actually being considered. I got a rejection letter yesterday as we live just outside the said area! The catchement seems a bit random and the logic of it does not seem completely sound. It does not, for example, include some logical locations, like the far end of the Common towards Tormount, which has a pretty good (sometimes direct) view of The Ship a.k.a. "Bust Da..." and could be affected by people spilling on to the open green space at late hours, or indeed the houses on Heavitree Road and Close backing on to or facing the tennis courts and green space next to it, a good place to cut through if heading down the hill after a late night out. If you want to find out if your road is included in the catchement, ring 020 8921 8139.

Letters to the council

Don't forget to get those letters rolling in to Greenwich Council. Unless of course if you want an exclusive late night bar with NO windows. HOW DODGY DOES THAT SOUND? Unless Labour has brought back window tax, I don't see the logic in it. The Council planning department really must deal with this. It's a CONSERVATION AREA for God's sake.

Also, click here for your FREE opposition poster. It's from our very own award winning Plumstead Common Environment Group.

Write now.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to me, happy birthday to me etcetera..............

I've just noticed that I've been talking to myself for a whole year
now. In some circles, I'd be lobotomised.

Here's a picture of a seriously kitsch cake sent in by one imaginary lovely listener. Designs as foul as this must have ASBO's slapped on them.

Hip Hip Boo Hoo

Thanks to the lovely listeners who had pointed me to the sad news that Hip Hip Hooray, Plumsteadshire's premiere cake and home bake emporium, is to close it's doors once and for all.

I absolutely love local shops and feel slightly bad that I haven't supported HHH. It's difficult though as I think the last time I tried home baking was in home economics at school. Baking just ain't my game. Of course, I could support HHH by buying a bag of self raising every month, but what if the local bobby on the beat happens to pop in for a friendly cup of tea and digestive? What if said police-person sees my larder full to the brim of white powdery stuff? I've seen Midnight Express and don't want to go there.

One of my lovely listener's had mentioned the old Post Office. I've had my eye on this place for a few years. Admittedly, I've made no formal enquiries, but had heard a rumour that Hip Hip Hooray tried to buy it once but failed. That building is just about the best spot. In fact, I think it is more desirable than The Ship. It is screaming for attention and repair, but it would be worth it. I don't know who owns it, but step forward now.

Wake Up And Smell The Coffee

Hmmmmmmm coffeeeeee!!!!

The Plumsteadshire rejuvenation masterplan has started. I see a billiant little deli with chairs and tables outside and handpainted signage (none of that new fangled backlit perspex rubbish). A fish-monger selling fresh swimming things bought early in the morning from Billingsgate. Said fish-monger would wear a straw boater, rosy cheeks and huge sideburns (this would apply if our fish monger is a lady too). A wet fish shop was trialed in our parish only a few years ago, but had nothing to sell me. We won't make this mistake again.

I see a community in full swing. We'll pass each other in the street and doff our hats and lay down our capes for genteel ladies.

One step at a time, I know, so a deli would be an excellent start. I'm there already.

"Four hundred grammes of thickly sliced chorizo please squire."

Meeting on Sunday

Dear friends,

Nick Day of the award winning Plumstead Common Environment Group fame, has asked me to mention that PCEG are having a meeting tomorrow (Sunday 24th September), at 3pm. Location - The church hall on Old Mill Road.

I'm sure all things environmental, wholesome and local will be spoken about, but the future of The Ship Pub is also on the agenda. A hot topic, as we all know. It'll be a great opportunity for all to get together and share views and maybe work out a game plan.

Please make the effort to go along as we have to act pretty sharpish.

Let me quote from Aesop - 'United we stand, divided we fall'.

Infamy, infamy we've all got it in for Busta

Here's another news item going to press. It's from the South London Press and covers Saturday's protest. The Parisian students ain't got a patch on the residents of Plumsteadshire.

MP Does Good

Clive Efford has shown some love to Plumstead Common. Thanks to my lovely listener who pointed me to his website. Take a look for yourselves.

Busta Is A Dumb Shyster

A Dumb Shyster, well that's the best rename yet.

Anagrams are great aren't they?
Or how about 'Drab Messy Hut'?

That's a bit close to the bone I think.
Or what about 'Absurd Thymes'?

Brilliant.

Do I have a life? Or do I just sit in a corner and think of anagrams? Thank God for the inter web. Does it in seconds.

By the way, did anyone go to that meeting last Saturday? I'd like to know what the result was. Have we got a councillor on the case? Is the Mercury going to cover this story? I know it's not a stabbing or a shooting, or a fete being opened by Chico.

Enough frivolity. Get those letters of objection in. Pen, paper, stamp. It's like the olden days again. Snail mail and community spirit.

yummy food and real ale

Some people have mentioned about contacting gastro publicans and attracting the right kind of establishment worthy of Plumstead Village (you wait, David Evans and that mob will be on to that one soon). We at Plumsteadshire HQ had written a couple of letters to such establishments early this year.

No harm in trying.

Ship Pub rename

You know something. Not only do I not like the sound of the Bust Da Rhyme bar and shake yo booty emporium, I don't like the name either.

This has been noted by several lovely listeners and I've been thinking of a renaming. All anagrams

So far, I've come up with
SAD THYME RUB - Sounds kind of homeopathic
DUSTY BRA HEM
SHADY RUM BET - Most accurate

License app

Thanks very much to the anonymous 'lovely listener' who had commented on Plumsteadshire.

I have copy and pasted their comment below. An intelligent and informative piece of writing. Thank you very much.
Doctor Pangloss



Having been a licensee of many venues in my time, although not a local resident, I thought I might comment.

I can see from the other comments that there is strong feeling against the granting of the license. Is there also strong feeling against the previous license before the premises were closed ?

If there are many objections, the licensee will almost certainly push to have a new license granted that is similar, if not identical, to the previous license. Within a few years (next Brewsters is 2008 I believe) there will be an application to vary this license and get where they wanted to go anyway, or maybe small steps per year. So letting any license be granted could just be letting the true horror in by the backdoor.

The few but most effective ways I know to stop a license are...

1. Raise objections with the local police liaison for liquor licensing. If they go to meet the licensee (as they're required to do) after hearing many objections, they are less likely to give a favourable report back to the magistrate.

2. Raise objections with the public entertainments licensing officer at the council. From experience, it takes a lot to convince them that you have a reasonable case for a PEL, and more still to get the hours you applied for. Therefore, it's much easier to get a rejection than a grant.

If the license is granted, all is not lost.

1. Most late license grants are based on some very shakey foundations. Failure to provide "sufficient food" (not properly defined in law, but more than bags of crisps, usually something that requires cutlery) can invalidate the license beyond 11pm. If the late part of the license is granted in conjuction with a PEL (Public Entertainment License) then is can be invalidated by silly things like merely not having customers dancing to music.

2. Any interested party can request a review under section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003, where all of the objections you currently have can be re-raised but with case evidence of how the license has been misused.

Busta's license app

Hello again. Look what I found on the Greenwich Council website. It's the September 11th application - not that there's a bad omen or anything like that.

Message to The Plumster

Have you had confirmation from the Shooter's Hill councillor re. Saturday morning photoshoot / reportage?
Lorks a lordy!!!!! That's TODAY!!!!!!!!!

In the meantime, I'll ask my contact at Wernbrook Street if they know about this.

CODE RED - NEWS ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a posting from The Plumster on Plumsteadshire. Please read it and act upon it. Busta must be stopped. This is a very big step for the opposition campaign and it's going to happen this Saturday.

I've copied and pasted The Plumster's message below. Read on.

Thanks alot TP.

Please find below the content of an email I have received from a Shooters Hill councillor. Please get behind this on Saturday.

Thank you to all of you who have emailed myself and the other
councillors with your concerns about the licensing application for the
Ship Pub. I have today managed to get a look at the application and am happy to confirm that there is no mention of lapdancing within the
application.

However, they do intend to essentially turn the Ship into what could easily be called a mini nightclub, with the sale of alcohol up until
Midnight Monday - Thursday and upto 2am on Fridays, Saturdays and
Sunday's. They have applied for later hours for bank holidays etc.

I would like to make it plainly clear that I totally object to this
application and believe that such a facility within a highly
residential area is completely inappropriate. I would like to assure you that I will be doing everything I can to stop this. To that end, I have contacted the press and the Mercury have agreed to cover this story and
would like to take photogrpahs potentially on Saturday morning. The more people who we can get the better. I have invited Clive Efford MP for Eltham to attend as I know that he too is opposed to this application.

Under the Licensing Act 2003, Councillors must be asked by a resident to make representations on their behalf, so please could those of you who wish me to obbject on your behalf please make this clear in a letter and
send it to:

Merle Meadfors Searle
Committee Services
Town Hall
Wellington Street
SE18

I would advise you all to look at the licensing section on the council's website which details the four licensing areas that you can object and provides other useful information on the issue of Licensing.

Please let me know you have recieved this email and whether or not you are happy to attend on Saturday (I will confirm this as soon as the
Mercury let me know). I'm confident that with a big community campaign,
we can make sure that the Ship Pub is brought back into proper use.

Thursday, September 14, 2006 8:37:27 PM

Busy busy busy

I'm going to apologise in advance for the coming week. I'm up to my neck in work and might not be able to write much, which is a bit of a pain as these are crucial times to kick Buster's butt.

I've had really good response from you, lovely listener, and know you're all doing your bit to keep Plumsteadshire fragrant.

Now here's a suggestion to those who are running the petition. How about leaving a form at our beloved Co-Op? That way, the thousands of local residents can sign it. Let's be honest. It's not as if the queues move very quickly now do they?

Let's not get complacent. Time is against us.

Thank you all once again. Community action at work.

Bust Yer Ear Drums

Hello lovely listener,

I've discovered two things today.

Firstly, there is definitely a petition going around to oppose the all (night) singing all (night) dancing exclusive bar, but as far as I know, one of the petitions resides in a resident's house. As this is the case, I'm not going to write their address on Plumsteadshire. If the group of resident's are going to leave a petition at a public place, ie a local post office or newsagent, then I could let my lovely listeners know and you could form an orderly queue to sign it.

I'll let you you as soon as I know.

Secondly, the date on the license application has changed. This is the notice posted on the Ship Pub's door. It's a scrappy piece of blue paper as before (aesthetics aren't high on Busta's priorities). The sell-by date on the notice has changed. I think this date, the last date of appeal, has changed to 9th October. Don't quote me on this though.

Don't be complacent though, October is just around the corner. To appeal, write to

Public Services
11th Floor, Riverside House
Woolwich High Street
London
SE18 6DN

The Ship Burger Bar

It sounds like there is definitely a petition against the Bust Yer Rimes or whatever crap name it is. So, lovely listener, as soon as I find out who's organising the petition, I'll let you know.

It's times like this that I think a popular fast food joint would be more preferable to the current proposal.

What do you think to my artist's impression?

Are you lovin' it?

Madame Jo Jo's A.K.A. The Ship

Base camp Plumsteadshire has been putting out enquiries to Greenwich Council re. The Ship Pub development.

Lork's a lordy!!!!!! Upon mentioning of the license application, the trading standards department are UNAWARE of it, nor have they received any such application. Does this mean that Prakash Patel, the applicant, has posted up his own notice?

Would such under-hand devilry be possible in the World of property development?

Or has Greenwich Council managed to turn a blind eye to another great development in the local area? Can I say LIDL and Coronet Cinema in the same sentence?

The excellent Greenwich Watch blog has covered what sounds like a similar application at The Plaza building near Maze Hill. I don't know if the Maze Hillians managed to fight off that one, if so, could this be the same proposal but different area?

The Last Boy Scout has mentioned that there is a petition going around. I'm sure if we ask residents around The Ship Pub, particulary Wernbrook Street, they'll know who holds the petition so we can sign it. The clock is ticking, please write to the Trading Standards Dept at Greenwich Council or click here to go to the objections page of their website.

The Ship Pub and Sleeze Bar A Go Go

Many thanks to The Plumster for sterling detective work on The Ship Pub, soon to be renamed 'The Shit Pub'.

I've always seen Plumstead Common as a quiet family conurbation, a green and pleasant land where families go walking, friends play football and butterflies fly in delightful formation. Apart from what looks like drug dealing in the centre of the Common, it's an inoffensive place.

So why would we want an 'exclusive' late night bar with bricked-in windows and 'dancing' for? All sounds dubious and your guess is as good as mine.

The Plumster alerted me to a fresh premises licensing application posted up on the Ship Pub site. This is dated 1st September and any objections to be submitted before 21st September. There are four grounds of objection applicable.

1) Protection of children from harm
2) Public nuisance
3) Prevention of crime and disorder
4) Public safety

Given that this bar closes at midnight on a weekday and is located in a highly residential area, I think public nuisance could be a goer for starters.

See here for previous postings on Plumsteadshire.

If this pub is going to turn into a late night exclusive dancing bar, then I think the good people of Plumstead should know about it. Please stand up and be counted.

Contact or visit TRADING STANDARDS DEPT, 11TH FLOOR, RIVERSIDE HOUSE, WOOLWICH HIGH STREET, LONDON. SE18 6DN.
020 8921 8418.

Without wanting to sound like Bob Geldof, GET OFF O' YER ARSES AND DO IT NOW!!!! The deadline is very soon.

The Ship Pub

Exterior works to The Ship Pub site seem to moving at a pace. A snail's pace.

Ah well, maybe it will be worth the wait. I'll look forward to my organic Masham sausages with miniature rosti, Kentish carrots and courgettes. Or in the case of a Plumsteadshire sushi bar, I'd like to put in a request for tuna tataki.

I don't like that they've bricked up the windows facing onto Plumstead Common Road. How did that one pass planning application? I thought the building is protected? I can only imagine this to be the kitchen to the Michelin 2 star restaurant, but then again, kitchens have windows too. I might pop down to Greenwich Council and visit their planning department.

Let's see if The Ship will open first or Wembley Stadium.

Nice to be back

hello again

Don't you love a nice long holiday? Especially a trip round the world.

It's Chico time

Our neighbours in Thamesmeadshire are having a festival this Saturday.

I'm sure there will be lots of music, dancing and gay abandon, but as for the festival, making a LIVE appearance will be a woman from a TV programme called Hex-Factor. I don't know if it has anything to do with devil worship.

A legend in his own lifetime, and deserves his own paragraph, is the one and only CHICO. One for the ladies and the Thamesmead & Erith gay fraternity.

What time is it?

Pikey cars

Thanks very much to the local constabulary and Greenwich Council for putting the wheels in motion in dealing with the illegal selling of cars on Plumstead Common.

Ever since the A4 signs were posted on the trees, the dastardly cars and the dodgy gangs have gone. I'm sure the recent newspaper reportage of the police's last sting (no relation to the hit 80's pop group), played an important part in the cleansing of our environment.

Like most Londoners, I like a rant now and again, but much more importantly, it's great to show appreciation.

Big up to The Shooters Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team and Greenwich Council.

see ya later Portugal

Have you ever heard that saying,
"Revenge is a dish best served with asperge fraîche sauce buerre blanc"?

Well Ronaldo, have some of that.

Vive la France.

The Ship Pub

Blimey, I noticed last week that the Ship pub is now under offer. I guess The Ivy had forgotten to post their application to the vendors; their loss, not ours.

It'd be interesting to see who is going to supply Plumsteadshire with food. Gastro-pub worthy of Clerkenwell-types? Fusion food (whatever that is)? Pizza? Sushi? Chicken-in-a-basket? I flippin' well hope not.

Well I suppose any would be better than none, which is all I've known in all my years in the parish of Plumsteadshire.

Portugal v Holland

WHAT A FARCE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nigerian scams

If I remember rightly, I had previously queried the sudden influx of Nigerian scam emails. I don't know how these things are generated, but I now know I'm not alone.

Listening to a phone-in programme on a London radio station, I've discovered that these things are rife.

Annoying, but they're quite hilarious to read, one of which is from Mervyn King himself.

Well, I never.

Nor did he.

Greenwich Watch

I've been spreading the word about a great blog, but have yet to mention it here.

Better late than never.

Greenwich Watch. Nice to know how efficient and worthwhile a local council can be [pull the other one - ed.]

On the subject of disenchantment, Thames Water should think about providing a half decent service whilst fleecing its' customers. Still, it's all good for their shareholders. 31% rise in pre-tax profits? BTW, the water pressure has been turned down so much that it's affecting my combination boiler. I think I might just have huge relaxing baths every day because Thames Water don't give a damn about the customer anyway.

Sign this petition and do your thing (interpret this however you want), to protest at these leeches.

Free money

It's a crazy world when a person who gives away thousands of pounds gets arrested for it. But.... maybe he stole it?

Oh whatever.

Michael Owen everyfing and everyfing. Come on Engerland. Pray like there's no tomorrow.

Football look-a-likes

You know I like a look-a-like. Here are some corkers just in time for the World Soccer Cup.

Click on image to see them in all their glory.

World Cup Final ticket

A man has tickets for the 2006 World Cup final. After he has been sitting in his seat for a few minutes, the man in the seat behind him taps him on the shoulder and asks if anyone is sitting in the seat next to him.

"No," he says. "The seat is empty."

"Absolutely incredible!" said the man. "Who in their right mind would have a seat like this for the World Cup Final, one of the great sporting events, and not use it?"

"Well actually," he says, "the seat belonged to my wife. She was supposed to come with me but she passed away. This is the first World Cup final we haven't been to together since we got married."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," replies the man. "That's terrible. But couldn't you find someone else to take the seat? A friend or relative, or even a neighbour?"

The man shakes his head and says, "No, they're all at the funeral."

Mistaken identity part deux

Remember Guy Goma? You know, that fella who went to the BBC for an interview and found himself live on BBC News 24. Well, here's a website dedicated to the man who found sudden fame.

Who said the internet is a waste of time?

Metatarsal Madness

It makes me chuckle how the English Press are reporting on every move of the England soccer team.

England team ready to board plane.

England team have boarded plane.

Rooney to travel to Germany!!

Breaking news........ Rooney eats pork pie!!!!

Rooney boards plane to return to Engerland Engerland.

England team and everyfing and everyfing.....

Demolition part deux

Here's that lovely building in Battersea.

modern dilemma's no 2

I like a bit of chopped pork and ham once in a while, but over the past few months, I've been inundated with spam from Nigeria.

Of course, the email variety. Why specifically Nigeria? Is viagra not popular anymore?

Demolish that building

At last, they've started demolition work on that flippin' 'orrible building at the roundabout just south of Westminster Bridge. About time too.

I'd like to nominate another gem from RIVIA (the Royal Institute of Visually Inept Architects). It's a block of flats on the Battersea Park Road / Prince of Wales Drive junction. However, this building is brand new. It's a horrible looking lump by anyone's standards. In fact, I'd go as far as to describe it as a CARBUNCLE.

I'll send my man from Magnum to document. More later.

satellite tv part deux

Dear Overoften,

What puzzles me is the affordability of satellite tv. It's quite expensive, over £40 a month plus the cost of the hardware (up to £300). Given that coucil flats and houses are supposed to be there to house the poorer members of our society, satellite tv is a very unnecessary luxury. Even so, sides of council blocks are covered with satellite dishes.

Maybe I'm mis-reading it. Maybe the dishes are all actually linked like a gigantic radio telescope scanning the outer galaxies for intelligent life-forms. A sort of Jodrell Bank for Peckham. (I won't crack a cheap gag re. intelligent life-forms & Peckham).

Modern dilemmas no.1

Dear Doctor,

I've never understood how people in council flats (who therefore must be quite poor), are able to afford to satellite television.

mobile phone addiction

Bird flu is so last month.

I just don't understand the modern disease of addictive compulsive mobile phoning.

Are people so interesting now that they have to share their musings whenever they're not eating, shopping or sleeping? Come to think of it, eating and talking isn't so rare.

I don't mind people chatting on their cells on the train. It can be quite amusing to listen in to their conversations. On one morning commute in to London, a woman was having a blazing row and using very colourful language; I actually felt embarassed for her.

Driving and using a cell is clearly not a good mix, especially for bus drivers. Seen that lots of times.

This morning, a woman was out to prove that females can multi-task. Driving a car, talking on a phone, and eating AT THE SAME TIME. Maybe add 'kill a cyclist' to that list to make yourself the ultimate multi-tasker, dear.

Recently, I went to Brussels. Something I noticed was that people have the ability to walk along a street (or drive), without the need to use a mobile phone.

We wuz robbed again

Considering Woolwich Arsenal played wiv ten men, they did good.

Stories like this are just too good to ignore

Two lovely stories which just made me chuckle and think that it's all for the best blah blah blah......

The story of mistaken identity at the BBC. Not as scary as Roger Thornhill being mistaken for George Kaplan in North By Northwest, but a darned sight funnier. You've got to watch the video clip and see sheer terror on the poor bloke's face. Classic

And how about some toilet humour.

We wuz robbed

It's Monday and I've only just got my breath back from watching the amazing FA Cup Final on Saturday.

Brilliant.

If Gerrard scores like that in the World Cup, we'll be celebrating in fine style.

Good luck to West Ham

This one's for me ol' mate Arun.

Come on you 'ammaz!!!!

Crossrail for Woolwich

Fancy getting to the West End quicker than a motorbike courier? Not possible? Well, show some support to the Woolwich Crossrail campaign and one day, you might just be able to.

And for those who don't give a damn about public transport, think about your property value if Woolwich gets Crossrail.

Thought that might interest you.

Cleaning up the streets of Plumsteadshire

Hurrah for the local constabulary.

They've come and cleared the pikey illegally sold cars from Plumstead Common today. It is a breathe of fresh air and for once, I feel that my council tax has been put to good use.

Now let's see how many hours it takes for that greasy gang to bring their junk back to the Common (look at this picture. Is that a flying pig in the sky? No, there really are NO dodgy cars).

I've spoken with neighbours about these greasy tax dodgers who sell their cars and we're all totally fed up with it.

1) Fed up with their presence across the Common. They leer at the good people of the parish as if they owned the place. Pay some f***ing tax and you might say that you own a few blades of grass.

2) Fed up with the dodgy cars and vans that slow down and even STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD to look at the latest deals (see picture below. The wheels on that jeep aren't turning. It's evening rush hour and yes, he's double parked so he can get out and look at some dodgy motors).

3) Fed up with the traffic tail-backs caused by the above.

4) Fed up with revving engines at all hours of the day, even Sunday morning. These greasy pigs clearly aren't of Christian faith.

5) Fed up with the clapped out dodgy goods taking up ALL the parking space so residents have to park elsewhere.

6) Fed up of dodgy greasy scumbags making a buck on the black market without contributing to this community.

7) Fed up with the council and the authorities doing little about the scourge of black market illegal trading. I know all that about lack of resources blah blah blah. I pay well over a thousand pounds in council tax a year and aside from getting my bins emptied, I'd like a little more for my hard earned cash.

These cars are probably low priority for Greenwich Council, trading standards and the Met Police, but does that mean we should be forgotten about because these things don't win votes?

Trapped in a box

Isn't it an amazing feat how you can be imprisoned in a box, with no food or communication for days and days whilst the World watches and waits. Then eventually you are released and we are happy for that.

Then the miners are still able to crack a joke.

On the other hand, David Blaine......

The Sultan's Elephant

London was completely mesmerised for four days this week; most fortuitous for Labour & Blair - a good day to bury bad news?

The Sultan's Elephant, an incredible theatrical experience has won the hearts of Londoners and presented theatre art to the masses. Royal de Luxe, the French company who have devised this show have brought pure enchanted magic to this great city.

I've heard lots about the event over the past couple of days and today, managed to get up to Central London. To describe my first sighting of the elephant as 'jaw-dropping' is an understatement. Looking over thousands upon thousands of heads, the elephant was way down in the distance along Piccadilly. Even at this distance, it looked huge. The crowds were awe-struck and whenever the elephant squirted water at them, there was a great cheer. Boy oh boy, the atmosphere was sheer happiness and everyone felt 5 years old again.

Further along the parade, the giant girl was walking up and down The Mall. Seeing the operators working these giant marionettes took none of the magic away. It was part Victorian puppetry, part oversized bunraku and 100% magic.

In this age of cynicism, some people probably questioned,
"what's the point of all this?"
"what a waste of money"
Everywhere I looked, I saw joy on people's faces. At the simplest level, this event made us all very happy and we all rediscovered the magic of childhood and importance of imagination. I think that's a pretty darned big point of all this.

A warning to Mr Blair

Well, election time over and Labour have seen a barrage of shots across their bows. Here's hoping that they might wake up to the thought that us tax payers aren't happy bunnies at the moment.

Here's a novel idea - as we're paying an incredible level of tax, how about giving a service in return? No, I know it doesn't work like that. Actually, it doesn't work. Period. In which case, if I get nothing in return for my thousands of pounds, can't I opt out of paying into this extortion racket, I mean, taxation?

No. Didn't think so.

Maybe I'll start a bonfire and burn next year's wad of thousands of pounds. A pointless exercise maybe, but I'll have the satisfaction that I'm not lining the pockets of our public servants.

Something that is REALLY worth sitting up and taking note of is the French theatrical event in Central London. How can any Londoner not have heard of the rocket that had crashed into the street? Or that there's an 11 metre high elephant roaming around town.

Well, especially for my readers in faraway lands such as Japan, Poland and Dagenham, here are a couple of photos I've 'borrowed' from the interweb.

Vote now!

No excuses. Get down to the polling stations today.

Curbishley

I've said it before and I'll say it again; I don't follow football league and I don't give two hoots who wins.

Why is it then that I actually feel a tiny bit sad that Mr Curbishley is leaving Charlton Ath? I don't know if it's a good thing. Maybe the fans hate the fellow.

All I know is that Charlton were promoted up to the Premiership not so long ago and just by hearing bits on the crystal set that Mr Curbishley has taken the club upwards.

From a non-football fan's point of view, Mr C looks like a nice man and as footballers go, he can string sentences together without resorting to saying, "errr, yeh, like, at the end o' the day, dat game woz good."

That's good enough for me Mr C.

World Cup Fever

Fever..... I'll say.

Yes, Sven and every England fan must be breaking out into a cold sweat now that Sir Gawain Rooney has broken his toe nail.

Don't nancy around man. Stiff upper lip and get on the pitch.

Spring is here

Arriving home yesterday evening, I was overcome by a queer feeling - I had the urge to mow the lawn.

Should I lie down and take an Aspirin, phone the Samaritans or walk in to the light?

The first cut of the season. Ahhh, this is one thing to remind me 'this is England'

Just to quote that English writer bloke,
Here's some lines for Plumsteadshire.
The grass is cut, the deed is done,
That urge is quelled that made me feel queer.

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let pry through the portage of the head
Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it
As fearfully as doth a galled rock
O'erhang and jutty his confounded base,
Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean.
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit
To his full height. On, on, you noblest English.
Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof!
Fathers that, like so many Alexanders,
Have in these parts from morn till even fought
And sheathed their swords for lack of argument:
Dishonour not your mothers; now attest
That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you.
Be copy now to men of grosser blood,
And teach them how to war. And you, good yeoman,
Whose limbs were made in England, show us here
The mettle of your pasture; let us swear
That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not;
For there is none of you so mean and base,
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'

Petrol prices

I noticed that petrol station forecourt totems (you know, the thing with the gasoline price displayed and also hides mobile phone transmitters even though customers have to switch phones off whilst on the premises - practice what you preach), display 2 digits, 1 decimal point and another digit ie

94.9

see this example from many many years ago......


In which case, if/when the price exceeds 99.9p, how do they display 3 digits, 1 decimal point and another digit? ie

110.9

Does this mean that there is a ceiling price of 99.9p to gasoline?

Probably not.

So does it mean the price rise can be endless and that the gas station managers have numbers at differing widths and type-sizes? Do they also have numbers in different fonts? That'll jolly things up.


Flicking around on the interweb, I found the image at the bottom which seems to say it all.....

Voting time again

I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO bored of this pathetic useless government.

My SWOT analysis of these plonkers is weighted so much in the wrong direction. I won't go into any of it, but for starters, all I can say is NHS.

I tried to vote these muppets out in the last election and will do the same again.

Make up your own minds and use your vote. If you love New Labour then make your mark, if you hate them, then make your mark. I was really disgusted how many of my peers didn't bother before.

Apparently, West Ham beat some Northerners

Sometimes, you just have to remind yourself....

Il est tout pour le meilleur dans ce meilleur de tous les mondes possibles.

Ronaldinho & Recycling

I missed the Barcelona match this week, but saw clips of Ronaldinho grinning away as usual.

Yes, he probably gets paid stacks of cash and endorses toothpaste and wet look gel, but it's so refreshing to see a grown man smile on the pitch, looking like he's enjoying his job. I can't stand all these blokes getting all too serious and Neanderthal whilst playing footie.

Imagine that? Being PAID to PLAY. Job's a good 'un.

Well, the reason I missed the game was that I'm enjoying a series on BBC2 all about a family going green in Cornwall. In the same vein as my Ronaldinho observation above, this family have broken from the social stereotype too. This is a HAPPY FAMILY.

Not sure the last time I saw one of those on tv.

They're obviously going the whole hog on the green thing, but I tell you what. I think it's really disgusting how many people don't even recycle.

We've had a few people stay at our house and even though we point out the difference between a recycling bin and a crappy smelly bin, they ignore this and everything goes into the smelly bin. It's not as if these are pikeys at all, they just don't seem to be bothered.

So I asked people at work about their recycling. Most don't bother. These are well educated people.

Dis-affected youth maybe? Crap. I hate that phrase anyway. Lazy buggers that's what I say. You want something sonny? Then work to get it. Kids say they're bored and need yoof clubs? Crap. All you need is a ball, a couple of jumpers for goal-posts and an imagination. People born after 1990 seem to be devoid of imagination.

I digress.

I'm a little bit lost why I seem to be in a minority when it comes to recycling.

What's the difficulty?

Come on Boro!!!

I don't support any football team, nor do I watch football on any regular basis. I just like a good game.

Luckily for me, whilst channel flicking I came across some Northern team playing a foreign team called Basil. Cracking game. Goals galore and great to see players running around the whole time in order to justify their handsome wages.

What I couldn't understand was why Basil's wicket-keeper was allowed to wear an orange jersey, which matched the Northerner's red shirts. In the last few minutes of the game, he was in the Northerner's penalty area and I couldn't tell why two red shirts were fouling each other. I mean, I might as well be watching it on a black and white tv.

Dixons

Last Friday, I happened to put Dixons in a bad light. I must have psychic abilities that I've been unaware of.

Well, no loss to the British High Street, except where are those specky boys who 'work' at Dixons going to work now?

Apple XP

One small step for Apple, one giant leap for Microsoft.

It's sometimes tough for minorities and as a stalwart Mac fan, the tough just got tougher.

We've known for years that Microsoft can squash us under their little finger and have chosen not to. Well, that would bring the monopolies commission into play wouldn't it?

Bringing XP onto a Mac is Apple playing the 'if you can't beat 'em then join 'em card.

I know, why don't we bundle in a crap web browser and a word processor that is too complicated for its' own good as well?

Fat Terry Henry

I had to endure the rail system today. The one good thing about this is that I can play spot the look-a-like or spot the amazingly ugly person who's trying to mask their misfortune with a whacky hair do.

Both wholesome family games for everyone from 7 to 70. Available from all good chavvy conurbations.

Today's spot was a fat Thierry Henry at London Bridge Station, platform 6. If this fellow wasn't big boned, he may have a healthy career opening fetes and French car dealerships. Maybe he could come to Plumstead Common and shift a few ILLEGALLY SOLD CARS!!!!! There are enough here to warrant being called a dealership. Why is it so difficult to prosecute these greasy soap (and tax) dodgers?

Apple Birthday

Well, I did a spot of shopping at the Apple Store in Regent Street last night. Not a great fan of that store - too many tourists checking their hotmail and stopping genuine shoppers from test driving products.

I much prefer the Bluewater store, but then again, I much prefer shopping out there than the West End any day.

Whilst quizzing one of the shop assistant/Mac gurus, I just had to ask,
"Any new products coming out on Saturday?"
Mr Guru started laughing and tried to shake off the question like I'm a tabloid hack (maybe he knows me as Doctor Pangloss AKA Weegee de Plumsteadshire).
"There must be something happening on Saturday?"
This was met by more chuckles and he refused to look up from his till, just saying "I'm not sure what you mean."

Now, if this was Di*ons or PC W***d, I'd believe that they wouldn't have a clue (about anything).

"So no new products on Saturday?"
"No", more laughter
"OK. I'll take that as a yes."

So I just left it at that and wished him happy 30th birthday.

Apple 30th Birthday

This Saturday is Apple Computer's 30th birthday.

Yes, it'll be April Fool's Day and yes, PC users can come up with side-splittingly hilarious jibes to go with their penis envy, but we can handle it. We have done for all these years.

A 30th Anniversary will be a good time to release some swanky kit.

How about a video iPod which has an edge to edge touch-screen the full width of the unit? Wouldn't say no.

On the subject of iPods, Apple have released a download for iPod users so they can limit the volume on their players. This no doubt has come about as some users try to sue Apple for deafening them. So much for personal responsibility.

I don't understand this litigious culture. Remember those idiots who tried to sue McDonalds for forcing them to eat food? Remember those idiots who tried to sue tobacco companies for forcing them to smoke their guts out? Remember those idiot parents who blame teachers because their kids run riot?

Well, earth calling ASBO parents. Hello? Anyone home? You're reaping the rewards to your own doing.

If there's a campaign for common sense, then I'll sign up.

Adidas +10

Hey, I've just a really surreal evening.

I was brushing shoulders with Beckham, Gerrard, Cisse, Lampard, DeFoe, Dyer, Ashley Cole, Arjen Robben, Damien Duff, Wright-Phillips, Gary Neville and some others, oh and also Jonah Lomu, James Cracknell, Ben Cohen, Jonny Wilkinson, Vernon Kay, Trevor Nelson and some pop people who I don't know.

Impressive eh?

"How?" I hear you ask.

I've been working on a football event for Adidas called +10 Challenge and tonight was the event night. It's been filmed for E4 or T4 and will be going out on television!!!!

My back-stage pass was ACCESS ALL AREAS.

Good eh?

I wanted to give Becks a few pre-World Cup words of encouragement, like "play 4-3-3 scissors and switch to sweeper in the final ten minutes" or "don't mess up punk", but thought that people get paid big bucks for managing a team, so not to give away trade secrets too cheaply.

Being a person easily star-struck, I really wanted to get autographs and photos but thought that it might be a tad unprofessional as I was sort of there working. I'll probably kick myself tomorrow but at the time, I kept saying to myself, "it's only Beckham, he's only one of the best free-kick takers in the World. He's only the England captain. He's only mega rich and mega famous."

To be honest, I was more in awe of Jonah Lomu. I'm sure he looks alot bigger on tv when he played for the all blacks.

Get tough on crime

I'm sorry Plumsteadshire. I'm sickened and angry and have to get this off my chest.

How much longer will this spineless government allow the shit of society carry on doing what they do?

How many more will have to suffer and die before those in power realise that social inclusion and other OTT liberal bullshit experiments let the Leneghan murderers and their kind roam free?

Until our so-called laws are enforced and toughened, this is no free country for those of us who fear this scum.

The Plumstead Regeneration Society

A big belated thanks to Plum for this link. It's the Plumstead Regeneration Society and they are all about getting recognition, funding and forward planning for Plumstead. Well, I think that's the deal.
I will check them out properly soon, but please see for yourselves too.

Plumstead body

Here's an update to the previous dastardly carryings-on in Plumsteadshire. Being the county's very own Weegee, I am way ahead of the Newsshopper and The Mercury. Yes, if it's happening in Plumsteadshire and it's worth reporting, the Doktor is there, 24hrs a day scanning the news wires across the globe, listening to news reports on the crystal set and keeping in close contact with my overseas news agencies.

The aforementioned ghoulish news of course is the tragic BODY ON THE COMMON incident.

Not only do we see a tattoo, we now have a name.

Beer on tap

nice.

Apple Widgets

In answer to the anonymous poster, a Mac widget is a tiny little programme which runs within the Mac's Dashboard programme.

There are hundreds of widgets to download that cover anything from aviation weather to amino acid tables (I feel my life is complete with this). You'll wonder how you ever managed before without the Prezzi Benzina, to check the average price of Benzine in Italy. It's a marvel.

One of my most useful ones is Tubetrack, despite its' name, it doesn't just give you up to the minute times of London's wonderful underground system, it also covers UK national rail, DLR and Dublin DART and as well. I have mine set up for Plumstead train times, so I can see which train I'll miss because I'm messing about on the computer.

It's not all useful/useless information though, here's one if you're a sudoku addict, and a webcam of Halifax, no not the bank opposite Yates Wine Lodge in Lewisham, this is Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Dashboard rocks

NICE.

Mac Widget

Just downloaded a Blogger Dashboard widget for my Mac, so just giving it a go to see if it works alright.

Museums around Greenwich

At the weekend, in between reporting on the Mystery Man of Plumstead for Reuters, road testing a Segway and watching Capote in time to cast my vote for the Academy, I managed to have some R&R (whatever that means).

After ten years of living around these parts, I finally visited the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park. It is a really good little museum. In fact, the museum layout is rather like a Tardis. There's alot more to see than you'd imagine.

I found the museum very well layed out, very educational and entertaining at the same time - edutainment. A bit like the amazing view across London from the top of the hill, the museum is a place that makes you feel very proud to live in Greenwich. The displays are catered towards children and it's a veritable audio visual feast. And it's free entry. You can't say fairer than that. So get out next weekend and pay a visit.

Also on my hit-list are:-
The National Maritime Museum
The Firepower Museum. Been before a year ago. Really like it, so must go again as I feel it needs support.
The William Morris Red House. Been over a year ago. Very exciting to see over the next few years what original decoration might be uncovered under the layers of white emulsion.
Eltham Palace. I like a bit of Art Deco and can't believe I haven't been yet.
The Crossness Engines. This serious piece of Victorian engineering is in Thamesmead!!!! And that's no crap.

Oh my days. All this on our own doorstep and skids of today moan about nuffink to do. USE YOUR IMAGINATION DUDES.

Two wheels good.

Sunday.

Went to lunch at our posh friend's house. Good food and good company make for a great mix. Add in good gadgets and we are now in the premier league.

Two wheels make getting from A to Z enjoyable and exhilarating. Yamaha YZF R1. Enough said.


Now how about this?

Part sholley, part 1950s vision of future travel, the Segway is a bizarre experience. Lean forwards to go forwards, lean back to reverse or stop. I found it very quick to pick up and difficult to put down. Being a biker, I naturally check over my shoulders before changing direction, but as this thing turns on its' own centrepoint, I barely needed to do my lifesavers.

Here's a good picture of that American prat, George Bush falling off a Segway.
Shamone Segway!!!!

If I rode one to work, I'd install the 'Ben Hur wheel conversion pack' and make my way through the rush hour crowds with ease.

NICE.

And especially for Steve, before you start ripping Marc's machine to bits, here's a bit of tech info to help you along.