I got back from Japan on Wednesday morning. I miss it already. Two days at home and it already feels like an age away. The long flight emphasizes just how far away my little niece is and how much I am missing out on. It's a sad feeling that my time with her is going to be so sparse and sporadic. I miss her.
I'm not back at work until Tuesday and I've already wasted two days which have slipped through my fingers without me even noticing. Post holiday blues were made much worse when I discovered that on the day off my return my little gecko Gizmo had passed away that morning. She had been ill for some weeks so while it wasn't a huge shock, seeing her lifeless little body lay down in the warmth of her vivarium was heart-breaking. She had lay in the warmth knowing she was going to pass away I am sure of this from how she had lay down. She is buried in my parents garden.
In contrast, as one pet passes, my sister has now grown her little family unit to one Rottweiler/Border Collie cross puppy called Milo. He is incredibly cute even if he does just play and sleep at the moment.
Showing posts with label Holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holiday. Show all posts
Saturday, April 04, 2015
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Tanjobi Desu!
Today I celebrated my 32nd birthday in Japan and whilst things didn't quite go to plan, it was certainly a birthday with a difference!
After my brother was called in to work at short notice, we had to amend plans to somewhere more local so the afternoon was spent at a nearby complex called Tamaplaza; followed by a visit to a small local shrine in Miyazakidai.
Whilst at the shrine, an old man who resembled a slightly shabbier Mr Miyagi, was sat in the grounds n a makeshift chair, feeding some pigeons. He seemed to be watching us closely while I snapped away taking photographs and my fears were confirmed when I saw him gesticulating and calling to us. He appeared to be making a gesture ushering us out of the shrine, but my brother explained that in Japan this means "come here". My brother approached and called me over, both of us expecting some sort of telling off... however the little old man said a few words to my brother and disappeared into his house- which was a shed like structure surrounded by pot plants which had long turned into weeds. He proceeded to approach us again, this time armed with 6 cans of Japanese beer; handing us one each. He spoke in Japanese with m brother for a little while as we said "Kampai" and downed a glug of beer. All this in the grounds of a sacred shrine. Things got even odder, as the dishevelled Mr Miyagi then went back into his house, this time coming out with a crate for me to sit on and a big plastic bottle of what looked like petrol for him to sit on while he handed his chair (covered with bits of ducktape) to my brother to sit on. He then went back inside and came out with a plastic bag; some salt and some soy sauce. He offered us big plastic tubs of tofu, which he drowned in sauce and salt. Thankfully my brother explained we had just eaten and we would share one... so he handed us two teaspoons for us to share a tub of Tofu. Now, people who know me well know that I don't like food that wobbles.... and Tofu would fit into this category. Not only that, while it doesn't really taste of anything in particular the texture is just cold, slimey and horrible. More so, it would seem, when it is covered in huge crystals of salt and drowned in soy sauce (which I also detest). I managed to force down about two mouthfuls before looking at my brother desperately.
Mr Miyagi, went inside to feed a stray cat which had wandered into the grounds, and at this point my brother and I began searching for somewhere to stash the Tofu. Embarrassingly a man walking a dog now entered the grounds and was met by my brother and I sat on a crate and a dodgy chair, eating tofu out of a plastic bag with teaspoons. We must have looked a right sight. There was simply NO WAY of getting rid of the Tofu. I even contemplated feeding it to the dog but I was worried he wouldn't eat it and make a scene which would attract Mr Miyagi back. Desperation started to set in as we heard Mr Miyagi making his way back outside albeit he was distracted by feeding the cat for now. We were too far from the trees to throw it; my brother was unprepared to shove the remaining Tofu in his hat; and the nearest bin was right next to Mr Miyagi's door. Our only option to not offend this man was to eat it and I was simply unwilling to put that stuff anywhere near my moth ever again. We ended up having to stash it in the crate I was sitting on. I felt bad, but not as bad as I would have felt after eating that stuff and throwing it up in front of the shrine.
I decided to go and take some more photographs and give my brother a chance again to make some polite excuses to Mr Miyagi. They sat chatting for a little while, and eventually my brother called me over to say goodbye and to thank him for our food and beer. He gave my brother another can before leaving and told him to return again soon!
I have to say, eating salted Tofu out of a plastic tub on a crate, in a shrine in Japan with Mr Miyagi is probably one of the weirder birthday activities I have done... but one I am unlikely to forget in a hurry!
On our way home, we picked up my niece from daycare and took her to the park for a bit before some Soba takeaway and a delicious Japanese cake for afters. It ahs to be said that Japanese birthday cakes beat the shit out of our butter-cream; sickly-sweet-icing birthday cakes in England. Delicious. I also got to Skype my Grandad and Grandma who were delighted to see little Nat-chan too. :)
After my brother was called in to work at short notice, we had to amend plans to somewhere more local so the afternoon was spent at a nearby complex called Tamaplaza; followed by a visit to a small local shrine in Miyazakidai.
Whilst at the shrine, an old man who resembled a slightly shabbier Mr Miyagi, was sat in the grounds n a makeshift chair, feeding some pigeons. He seemed to be watching us closely while I snapped away taking photographs and my fears were confirmed when I saw him gesticulating and calling to us. He appeared to be making a gesture ushering us out of the shrine, but my brother explained that in Japan this means "come here". My brother approached and called me over, both of us expecting some sort of telling off... however the little old man said a few words to my brother and disappeared into his house- which was a shed like structure surrounded by pot plants which had long turned into weeds. He proceeded to approach us again, this time armed with 6 cans of Japanese beer; handing us one each. He spoke in Japanese with m brother for a little while as we said "Kampai" and downed a glug of beer. All this in the grounds of a sacred shrine. Things got even odder, as the dishevelled Mr Miyagi then went back into his house, this time coming out with a crate for me to sit on and a big plastic bottle of what looked like petrol for him to sit on while he handed his chair (covered with bits of ducktape) to my brother to sit on. He then went back inside and came out with a plastic bag; some salt and some soy sauce. He offered us big plastic tubs of tofu, which he drowned in sauce and salt. Thankfully my brother explained we had just eaten and we would share one... so he handed us two teaspoons for us to share a tub of Tofu. Now, people who know me well know that I don't like food that wobbles.... and Tofu would fit into this category. Not only that, while it doesn't really taste of anything in particular the texture is just cold, slimey and horrible. More so, it would seem, when it is covered in huge crystals of salt and drowned in soy sauce (which I also detest). I managed to force down about two mouthfuls before looking at my brother desperately.
Mr Miyagi, went inside to feed a stray cat which had wandered into the grounds, and at this point my brother and I began searching for somewhere to stash the Tofu. Embarrassingly a man walking a dog now entered the grounds and was met by my brother and I sat on a crate and a dodgy chair, eating tofu out of a plastic bag with teaspoons. We must have looked a right sight. There was simply NO WAY of getting rid of the Tofu. I even contemplated feeding it to the dog but I was worried he wouldn't eat it and make a scene which would attract Mr Miyagi back. Desperation started to set in as we heard Mr Miyagi making his way back outside albeit he was distracted by feeding the cat for now. We were too far from the trees to throw it; my brother was unprepared to shove the remaining Tofu in his hat; and the nearest bin was right next to Mr Miyagi's door. Our only option to not offend this man was to eat it and I was simply unwilling to put that stuff anywhere near my moth ever again. We ended up having to stash it in the crate I was sitting on. I felt bad, but not as bad as I would have felt after eating that stuff and throwing it up in front of the shrine.
I decided to go and take some more photographs and give my brother a chance again to make some polite excuses to Mr Miyagi. They sat chatting for a little while, and eventually my brother called me over to say goodbye and to thank him for our food and beer. He gave my brother another can before leaving and told him to return again soon!
I have to say, eating salted Tofu out of a plastic tub on a crate, in a shrine in Japan with Mr Miyagi is probably one of the weirder birthday activities I have done... but one I am unlikely to forget in a hurry!
On our way home, we picked up my niece from daycare and took her to the park for a bit before some Soba takeaway and a delicious Japanese cake for afters. It ahs to be said that Japanese birthday cakes beat the shit out of our butter-cream; sickly-sweet-icing birthday cakes in England. Delicious. I also got to Skype my Grandad and Grandma who were delighted to see little Nat-chan too. :)
Oooh an additional present was the fact that I can finally wear makeup again after two solid weeks without it! Both my eyes seem much better now and free of redness and gunk which is a huge relief.
This means I can enjoy the rest of my holiday without having to scare the locals too much and maybe take a few selfies along the way!
Tomorrow we are hoping to visit the Imperial Gardens. While it's been sunny, we're still receiving a really icy cold wind here which has been freezing! But hopefully the sunshine will remain and perhaps stay long enough for the Cherry Blossom's to arrive before I leave next Wednesday.
Fingers Crossed!
Monday, March 23, 2015
Tokyo.
Konnichiwa!
Well, after a veeerrry long flight in which I got very little sleep, followed by an hour's bus journey; I arrived in Miyazaki last Thursday afternoon.
My trip appears to have coincided with my Niece being quite poorly which has impacted on daily plans a little so I haven't taken all that many photographs yet but I'm hoping this will change as the week goes on. I had an amazing sleep on Thursday night; much needed after the long flight. Friday was meant to be a shopping trip day with Yumi (my sister-in-law) but it was unfortunately a right off as my niece was too poorly to go to Daycare, however in the evening my brother took me to Centa Minama to meet his American mate for cocktails, beer and food.
Saturday was spent in Tamaplaza to a Korean restaurant for lunch, then Yumi and I headed out to Omotesando and Harajuku to look round the shops; in particular Takeshita Street which is the most famous street in harajuku. We looked in one tiny store called "6%DokiDoki" which was like walking into a computer game. Imagine Mario brothers on speed with a classic 80's Nintendo soundtrack mixed in with some Drum n Bass; a sprinkling of Rainbow Bright and the world's supply of plastic jewellery and you come close to the experience. We also stopped by the Calbee store where we ordered FRESHLY made; warm Calbee chips. Yummo.
There were so many crazy shops but it was great to see so many small independent designers doing their own thing and selling their wares alongside the regular bland stalls in every other department store. You wouldn't get Selfridges selling hardcore gothic/punk clothing and blasting out thrash metal on one floot; then a stall selling necklaces made out of real pop-corn and biscuits or tights that look like baguettes; and then the floor above housing Dior; Chanel and Calvin Klein. Amazing. Yumi bought me my birthday present too- some lippy from Dior in Omotesando.
Unfortunately this same day; my right eye finally caught the infection that's been plaguing my left eye for the last ten days. This has mostly cleared up; but whilst walking around the shops on Saturday I could feel it itching and getting really gunky; and lo and behold- my eye went red over the next few hours. Sunday morning it was swollen and sore so again; our plans to head to a bbq were put on hold in favour of going to Grandberry Mall to take my Niece to her favourite shop and on some rides. Unfortunately on the way home; my niece was sick all over the floor of the supermarket so again, my brother and I have had to put our plans to go to Shinjuku on hold in order to look after Nat. She's no better bless her and has been sleeping most of the day. I've been given a tour guide tomorrow should she be poorly again. And tonight one of my brother's friends is taking me into Yokohama for some food and drinks.
Despite plans being somewhat stunted; it's still been precious spending time with my niece at long last. She actually knows my name now and knows who I am so if nothing else it's been worth it just for that.
I have a shopping list I need to complete by the end of the week. I'm hoping I get chance to go to Shubuya, Shinjuku, The Alice in Wonderland Café, Odaiba and maybe the Tokyo Skytree before my time here comes to an end. I need to take more photographs too as I've not had many opportunities yet.
Fingers crossed that little Nat-chan gets better soon so that I can explore a bit more.
Well, after a veeerrry long flight in which I got very little sleep, followed by an hour's bus journey; I arrived in Miyazaki last Thursday afternoon.
My trip appears to have coincided with my Niece being quite poorly which has impacted on daily plans a little so I haven't taken all that many photographs yet but I'm hoping this will change as the week goes on. I had an amazing sleep on Thursday night; much needed after the long flight. Friday was meant to be a shopping trip day with Yumi (my sister-in-law) but it was unfortunately a right off as my niece was too poorly to go to Daycare, however in the evening my brother took me to Centa Minama to meet his American mate for cocktails, beer and food.
Saturday was spent in Tamaplaza to a Korean restaurant for lunch, then Yumi and I headed out to Omotesando and Harajuku to look round the shops; in particular Takeshita Street which is the most famous street in harajuku. We looked in one tiny store called "6%DokiDoki" which was like walking into a computer game. Imagine Mario brothers on speed with a classic 80's Nintendo soundtrack mixed in with some Drum n Bass; a sprinkling of Rainbow Bright and the world's supply of plastic jewellery and you come close to the experience. We also stopped by the Calbee store where we ordered FRESHLY made; warm Calbee chips. Yummo.
There were so many crazy shops but it was great to see so many small independent designers doing their own thing and selling their wares alongside the regular bland stalls in every other department store. You wouldn't get Selfridges selling hardcore gothic/punk clothing and blasting out thrash metal on one floot; then a stall selling necklaces made out of real pop-corn and biscuits or tights that look like baguettes; and then the floor above housing Dior; Chanel and Calvin Klein. Amazing. Yumi bought me my birthday present too- some lippy from Dior in Omotesando.
Unfortunately this same day; my right eye finally caught the infection that's been plaguing my left eye for the last ten days. This has mostly cleared up; but whilst walking around the shops on Saturday I could feel it itching and getting really gunky; and lo and behold- my eye went red over the next few hours. Sunday morning it was swollen and sore so again; our plans to head to a bbq were put on hold in favour of going to Grandberry Mall to take my Niece to her favourite shop and on some rides. Unfortunately on the way home; my niece was sick all over the floor of the supermarket so again, my brother and I have had to put our plans to go to Shinjuku on hold in order to look after Nat. She's no better bless her and has been sleeping most of the day. I've been given a tour guide tomorrow should she be poorly again. And tonight one of my brother's friends is taking me into Yokohama for some food and drinks.
Despite plans being somewhat stunted; it's still been precious spending time with my niece at long last. She actually knows my name now and knows who I am so if nothing else it's been worth it just for that.
I have a shopping list I need to complete by the end of the week. I'm hoping I get chance to go to Shubuya, Shinjuku, The Alice in Wonderland Café, Odaiba and maybe the Tokyo Skytree before my time here comes to an end. I need to take more photographs too as I've not had many opportunities yet.
Fingers crossed that little Nat-chan gets better soon so that I can explore a bit more.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
GOO.
After the countdown to my Tokyo trip started in earnest yesterday, by 3.30am I hit upon my first hitch. I seem to have contracted conjunctivitis. Shit. A colleague at work has had it and against better advice attended work on Monday. Two days later, I have it. Trouble is, my colleague has a particularly nasty case and has had it for two weeks now. I have 6 days til a longhaul flight. Already I'm panicking. An internet search informed me, that some airlines reserve the right to refuse passengers with contagious diseases such as flu and conjunctivitis. SHIT.
So first thing this morning I phoned the doctors to get an appointment and beg for antibiotic drops in the hope that they will help it to heal up in just 6 days time.
I've cleaned my whole desk, phones and office-pens in the office with antibacterial wipes and have two hand sanitisers on my desk also. However, by lunchtime I could barely see and I got sent home looking like Quasimodo.
My friend tried to cheer me up by saying I had Rainbow Tears which was a rather beautifully romantic and naively inaccurate way of saying that my tears are no longer watery, clear but thick green glue. Imagine someone mixing sand in with superglue and rubbing it in your eye and that comes close to how this feels... oh and then send you wandering around outside looking like THIS....
... and being unable to wear any makeup which I haven't done since I was about 13. Leaving the house without makeup is one of my fears. :(
I just really REALLY need this to go asap. Even if I get let on the plane, I don't particularly want to endure a 17 hour flight with air conditioning exaggerating an already extremely uncomfortable condition. I don't especially want to be attempting to put drops in on board. And I don't particularly want to spend the first week of my trip not being able to see anything and kept away from my neice. :( I honestly just cannot believe this has happened... I've never even HAD this flippin' thing before and I had no idea just how horrible it was.
If ever any advertising types out there want a perfect way to advertise conjunctivitis products, I would say reach for the obvious choice; which just about summarises and epitomises just how this infection feels....
.... The Eye of Sauron.
Please. PLEASE conjunctivitis.... PLEASE leave soon. YOU SHALL NOT PASS!
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
SEVEN.
Seven days to go...
until... cherry blossoms, photographs, time with my niece, good food and hopefully a little bit of sunshine.
Tokyo... here I come!
until... cherry blossoms, photographs, time with my niece, good food and hopefully a little bit of sunshine.
Tokyo... here I come!
Friday, January 03, 2014
Christmas 2013
I think the below video best sums up my Christmas and New Year.
It's been fantastic: Some much MUCH needed time off work spent with friend and family, including my little neice, bro and sister in law on Skype. I've caught up with family I don't see much and got to spend time with the people I care about most. It's been just brilliant.
New Years eve was spent at the new flat with a small selection of friends. Most importantly for me- Markuus and his partner Jo came over; and N also spent the evening with us so it was lovely to spend it with some of my favourite people. :-)
The only sad thing is that's it's all flown by so fast... I've barely had time to think up any resolutions and now this week I have suddenly found myself back at work in an almost zombie-like stupor trying to remember what my job is.
Resolutions coming up...
It's been fantastic: Some much MUCH needed time off work spent with friend and family, including my little neice, bro and sister in law on Skype. I've caught up with family I don't see much and got to spend time with the people I care about most. It's been just brilliant.
New Years eve was spent at the new flat with a small selection of friends. Most importantly for me- Markuus and his partner Jo came over; and N also spent the evening with us so it was lovely to spend it with some of my favourite people. :-)
The only sad thing is that's it's all flown by so fast... I've barely had time to think up any resolutions and now this week I have suddenly found myself back at work in an almost zombie-like stupor trying to remember what my job is.
Resolutions coming up...
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Christmas 2012 with my little neice.
I was apprehensive about christmas this year until my brother told us he was bringing his new little family back from Japan to join us for two weeks over Christmas and New Year. They arrived on the 22nd December and I met my little neice Natalie for the first time.
The last two weeks have gone really quick but have provided us all with a lovely end to a tumultuous year. Spending time with my little neice has been a joy and it makes me feel pretty sad that when they leave on Friday morning I'll be saying goodbye to her for an indefinite amount of time.
I'm not sure what age she will be when we'll see her again, and it's highly likely that she will forget us until she's much older and her longer term memory is more functional. I feel sad about this... but immensely happy to have met her at such a precious little age. It's made for a really warming, family christmas which is just what I've needed at the end of such a difficult year. My heart feels full again.
Gonna miss this little munchkin.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Busy Bee!
It's a busy time of year. I am, however, smugly able to say that I have completed all my christmas shopping and about two thirds of it is wrapped and ready to roll!
It'll be a wierd christmas for me this year; no tree or home of my own to decorate for christmas. I am once again in charge of decorating the Christmas table at my families home which I have started to gather bits for. The christmas period itself will be nice, with my brother, sister-in-law and my little neice coming back to the UK for the first time in years. It'll be the first time I've met my neice and the first time the whole family will be under one roof.
I will be keeping myself pre-occupied and busy in the run up to christmas to avoid feeling glum about not being in my own home anymore and being out of a relationship. I have a couple of christmas do's and birthday parties to attend, so my weekends are fully booked. It should help to keep my mind off things, though my bank balance is bound to take a bit of a hammering!
It'll be a wierd christmas for me this year; no tree or home of my own to decorate for christmas. I am once again in charge of decorating the Christmas table at my families home which I have started to gather bits for. The christmas period itself will be nice, with my brother, sister-in-law and my little neice coming back to the UK for the first time in years. It'll be the first time I've met my neice and the first time the whole family will be under one roof.
I will be keeping myself pre-occupied and busy in the run up to christmas to avoid feeling glum about not being in my own home anymore and being out of a relationship. I have a couple of christmas do's and birthday parties to attend, so my weekends are fully booked. It should help to keep my mind off things, though my bank balance is bound to take a bit of a hammering!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Jersey and other things.
I just got back from a much needed break in Jersey for the weekend. It was beautiful. A bit cold and windy, but generally beautifully bright and crisp. It's a gorgeous place, lots of fusions of cultures and influences.
I took less photographs than I intended to, mainly because it was so windy and cold, but I'm pleased with the few I took. I miss photographs. I miss the thick heavy gloss paper and the smell of them straight from the developers. I know there's still no reason why I can't still pay to get them developed and put in albums... and I still do sometimes, but generally it's a shared online album- a poor subsititute despite it's far reaching range, appearing on friends computer screens the world over in a matter of minutes.
Still. I have them. And I want to start getting them published into proper photo books rather than sitting on a disk unseen. Another project for next year when I have a bit of money to spare. IF. I guess it's always IF.
I feel a bit out of sorts today. I'm in between coats of paint on the lounge chimney and so, decided to upload my Jersey photographs from my camera. I tagged an extra days holiday onto my weekdn since I was feeling so ground down at work before I left on Thursday. I feel better for going away. I always intend to chill out on my days off- but I have to do something or I get bored or worse, get bugged by this sense that I'm wasting time when there's so much else I should be doing be it round the house or garden or whatever chores need doing. I think it's the one thing about having a house I dislike the most- that vague, perfectionists-nightmare sense that there will ALWAYS be things to complete around the house... a never ending list of work to do. I also took delivery of three prints for the house yesterday so I'm chuffed to bits with those and can't wait to start hanging them... except I keep changing my mind about where they're going to go.
Lots coming up in the next month or so... couple of gigs, few friend visitis etc. I'm well aware that Christmas is sneaking up too. I look forward to the business of this time of year... I hate the dark mornings and evenings, but it's worth it for the crisp, cold, sunny days under layers of warm clothes, gloves and scarves.
I took less photographs than I intended to, mainly because it was so windy and cold, but I'm pleased with the few I took. I miss photographs. I miss the thick heavy gloss paper and the smell of them straight from the developers. I know there's still no reason why I can't still pay to get them developed and put in albums... and I still do sometimes, but generally it's a shared online album- a poor subsititute despite it's far reaching range, appearing on friends computer screens the world over in a matter of minutes.
Still. I have them. And I want to start getting them published into proper photo books rather than sitting on a disk unseen. Another project for next year when I have a bit of money to spare. IF. I guess it's always IF.
I feel a bit out of sorts today. I'm in between coats of paint on the lounge chimney and so, decided to upload my Jersey photographs from my camera. I tagged an extra days holiday onto my weekdn since I was feeling so ground down at work before I left on Thursday. I feel better for going away. I always intend to chill out on my days off- but I have to do something or I get bored or worse, get bugged by this sense that I'm wasting time when there's so much else I should be doing be it round the house or garden or whatever chores need doing. I think it's the one thing about having a house I dislike the most- that vague, perfectionists-nightmare sense that there will ALWAYS be things to complete around the house... a never ending list of work to do. I also took delivery of three prints for the house yesterday so I'm chuffed to bits with those and can't wait to start hanging them... except I keep changing my mind about where they're going to go.
Lots coming up in the next month or so... couple of gigs, few friend visitis etc. I'm well aware that Christmas is sneaking up too. I look forward to the business of this time of year... I hate the dark mornings and evenings, but it's worth it for the crisp, cold, sunny days under layers of warm clothes, gloves and scarves.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Download-ed.
I survived... just about. Only mud was on the last day... thankfully. My trusty Wedge Wellies were a god send. In fact, on Sunday, the ONLY parts of me that weren't soaked to the bone and freezing cold were my feet!
Thursday we spent all day trudging round to find a good pitch. We ended up in the Brown campsite which suited us just fine though it was probably the furthest away from pretty much everything! I think we just ate, drank and had a poke about in The Village.
Friday was gloriously sunny to start with and we watched CKY kick off precedings who would have been alot more entertaining if the lead guitarist wasn't such an ignorant little shit. We were pretty close to the front for the first few acts who were Puddle of Mudd who put in an average performance, Duff McDuffs Duff band who I most certainly did NOT enjoy- far too much American tripe, and then we got to the good stuff with a blinding set from Black Stone Cherry. I think at this point, I was removed from the Main Stage thanks to being outvoted by my Download companions, and had to watch Children of Bo(r)dom on the second stage who were absolutely crap, but we were back at the main stage to see Alterbridge who were far far better than I thought they'd be.
Rain threatened to interrupt us enjoying Korn on the second stage- but they were awesome. It's a wonder I was able to actually see anything due to the copious amounts of tobacco and other substances being smoked in the audience. It would seem Korn fans like their dangerous chemicals. I was hoping for a rendition of Word Up! but even though it didn't happen I wasn't disappointed- they were absolutely brilliant and we even got a blast of Bagpipes from Jonathon Davis! Genius! To finish off the day, now in heavier rain, we went to see the cheese-meisters Deff Leppard. I think the less said about this the better... we left half way through and headed back on the 30 minute walk back to camp.
Saturday saw the Sun back again in the morning. Myself and my fellow Downbloaders were already sporting various degrees of sunburn at this stage and wierdly I woke up with a swollen forehead. It didn't look too red, but it was swollen up so I couldn't frown or raise my eyebrows- not particularly a problem while at Download! I can only assume this happened while we were trying to find a pitch on Thursday as I'd slathered myself in factor 50 no less the previous day! Still, we ate as much food as we could and headed to the Arena for our second day of rock/metal. I was determined to grab and maintain hold on a decent place near(ish) the front of the main stage on Saturday because System of a Down were headlining in the evening. So, we pretty much remained rooted to the spot for The Devil Wears Prada (not good), All That Remains (this band remains a mystery since I cannot remember ANY of the set... I can only vaguely recognise the band... I have no idea to this day where my head was at while this band were playing!), Escape the Fate (more un-memorable stuff), Skindred who were one of the highlights of my weekend- despite being nearly crushed they absolutely SMASHED it. They were awesome. These were followed by The Hollywood Undead who I'm glad I missed by going to get a much needed burger. We were back in position, thanks to a bit of tag-team-work with my fellow Downloaders, and here we watched Down who were average- possibly spoilt by another utter cock of a frontman. I was pretty stoked and excited about seeing Skunk Anansie, and Skin definitely wins for outfit of the weekend (!) ... but it was spoilt by much of the crowd gathering for Avenged Sevenfold- most of whom were complete intolerant bastards and didn't give Skin and her crew the audience they deserved. She kept going, like a trooper... and did a spot of crowd walking (i.e walking ON the crowd which was brave/stupud I'm not sure which!). They were really on form, but the setlist wasn't what it could have been and a minority of the audience really spoilt it for me by treating them like shit. To those few fans who felt the need to be so disgusting and pathetic while waiting a mere hour for another average band- grow the fuck up you complete moronic bastards.
... ahem... anyway where were we... yeah following Skunk Anansie, was Avenged Sevenfold who were, again, better than I had expected as I'm not a huge fan of their stuff. They had a massive following... but I dunno- I just can't shake the feeling that their whole ethos is so old and unoriginal, a little bit 80's. Is it really so hard to be inventive these days?! ... still, I endured for the sake of System of a Down. There was a bit of a wait, dodging bottles of piss/beer and being entertained by a couple of ballsy lighting riggers. It was so worth the wait. So worth the bottle dodging, the crushing (though I was mostly protecting and sheltered from this by N!), the sunburn, the rain. People were being lifted out of the crowd for being crushed or the circle pits expanding too much... but my god... it was worth waiting for... System were just blinding. I sang/shouted until my voice went croaky and I just didn't want it to end. Incredible.
Following from Saturdays high... Sunday came around- our last day. We ate a bit of breakfast trying to use up the last bits of our food and booze before home the following day. Yes- we did have booze for breakfast. It started raining pretty soon after... we weren't in any rush until a bit later on in the day so we played a game of band A-Z, shouting to each other from our tents as we all sheltered from the pouring rain. We sheltered until about mid day where we braved it to go and see Karma to Burn on the second stage- who oddly, weren't there and were replaced with Hyro Da Hero. By this point, we'd discovered the driving rain was also accompanied by a strong and bloody freezing wind... neither of which showed any signs of letting up. This is where things took a turn for the worse. My trusty Mack in a Pack who has accompanied me on many many journeys for the last 10 years... decided to commit suicide on my body. It gave up the ghost- was no longer waterproof. It soaked through my not-so-waterproof, and consequently my hoody, my cardy-jacket layer, my thin hoody, and my vest top... to my now shivering wreck of a body. I managed to endure a wierd Norweigen metal band whose name escapes me and the freakin wierdness of GWAR (which was like world of warcraft meets red dwarf on viagra and speed)... before realising that I really needed to get warm and dry soon as. I headed back to camp... and it was a good hour or two before I felt warm again. I had intended to go back for Buckcherry, Disturbed and Bullet for My Valentine, finishing with Frank Turner on the Pepsi Max stage... but it became apparant that ALL my warm layers I'd been wearing were soaked through and that I had nothing dry or warm to wear. The rain was heavier than ever, the wind was even colder if it was possible and I pretty much had to cut my losses and stay put in my tent, miserably listening to Disturbed and Bullet from afar. I was gutted... but I guess no band is worth getting sick for. Next year, I will definitely be taking a far more substantial rain coat.
And that concluded Download. The long trudge back to the car carrying all our stuff, in the masses of mud from the previous day felt like some sort of apocalyptic mass exodus of weary, sunburnt, slightly damp, achey broken people burdened with too much luggage and inappropriate footwear. Still... a last southern comfort and coke accompanied by an apple, was had in celebration on reaching the car... and our trip ended.
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