3172 - The Greek Sheikh

Good evening, just got back from a big meal
At Dimitri's in Manchester, a Greek
Restaurant that has served us up a real
Great slap-up occasion, though it was steep
Thirty-four quid per head, could make you weep
But with some wine (or beer) down your neck, who
Cares anyway? Soon there'll be time for sleep
Now I must digest all that grub and try to
Get a bit more drunk cos it's Friday you
Know. Drinking makes everything somehow feel
Okay for a while. At least I'm not deep
In debt (yet). Well I am if I think too
Hard about it, with this mortgage to deal
With. I need money, not much as a sheikh

2960 - First day back

(A day late, posting about yesterday)
A long and busy day, though spent at home
Only four hours sleep, cos of the delay
With the late plane home from Corfu, with some
Mistakes made by easyJet, the wrong plane
Being one of them. No more trains would run
At gone 2 a.m, but a bus then came
At 2:30 to take us home. Right on!
Sleep came at 4:45. Yes, it came
At last! Bliss! First chore though on the new day
Was unblocking the loo, rubber gloves donned
Then sorted my holiday photos, gained
Some likes. Typed up my Greek jokes and twenty
Fun travel limericks. How I like to roam!

About Tue 23 Sep

2959 - Up and down Corfu

It's the final day of our holidays
Although humid, there's been a lot of cloud
Some sunny spells. The timing was OK
We got a bus from out of Corfu Town
To Mount Pantokrator, the highest mount
On the island, 3,000 feet, not tall
Compared to some in Greece, but a foot-pound
All right. Was worried sun will make us boil
And sweat profusely, but it clouded well
And screened us from sun on our upward way
We walked through clouds, it was cool but the shroud
Of mist hid the views. The sun came out while
We were at Agni Beach, cooling sea spray
Great last treat on the same day we fly out

Mon 22 Sep

2958 - And wine not?

It may be Sunday, but who gives a fuck?
Today we went from Saranda to Corfu
Most of the day was Saranda, as luck
Would have it, then the ferry took us to
Corfu from Albania, travellers me and you
Dragged my suitcase to the hotel, sweaty
Changed tops, a bottle of wine by the sea
Lots of midges biting, not biting me
Then to a restaurant, prices not low
But what can you do, when you're all at sea?
Corfu, Albania, it's all the same sea
Ionian, south of Adriatic, pluck
One from the other, all comes down to luck
I'm pissed, that's all I'd like to say to you!!

Sun 21 Sep

2956 - Kids in Albania

A very long day, up at crack of dawn
The 7 a.m. bus from Monodendri
To Ioannina... Of sleep I was shorn
The morning mist in the mountains. Then we
Walked to Perama. Sat in a cafe
While John visited the cave. Caught the bus
To Gjirokastra, Albania. Happy
Walking around, everyone jaywalks. Sussed
Out the castle and old town, now tourist-
Friendly. Downhill to the new bustling town
Mixture of girls and boys still there to see
Scooters, cars, but traffic lights don't exist
Roundabouts are anarchic. When we'd seen
The main sights, chicken and chips, beer, TV

Fri 19 Sep 

2955 - Gorge-ous

Today could be Scots' independence day
The day the Jocks vote, their referendum
On whether to stay or leave the UK
Although it affects us, it's up to them
There could be reprisals from Cameron
If they have the audacity to go
Meanwhile today in Greece it's been good fun
Got up early, got lost bag back, that's so
Lucky, it contained my passport! We showed
A fleet foot in the Vikos Gorge today
Good exercise, though quite a strain for some
Mainly shaded by trees, pleasant to go
Along. Got a lift back from the cafe-
Owner at Vikos. Shared ride with Germans

Thur 18 Sep

2954 - Ioannina to Monodendri

Had breakfast at the Dioni Hotel
In Ioannina, north-west part of Greece
An area they call Zagori. All well
At first, wandered round, saw the lake, a nice
View, blue water and sky, and all at peace
Busy streets in town centre though, no sign
Of austerity. Frappe. Caught the bus
To Monodendri, but changed buses. In
The rush I left my bag on the first one
(With passport in it!) I thought 'Fucking hell!
How will I get that back?' Didn't need police
Spoke to the driver. He rang the first one
And it was agreed that next morning we'll
Meet and he'll return it. Hotel's GORGE-ous!

Wed 17 Sep

2953 - Corfu to Ioannina

First full day in Greece. Woke up in Corfu
Aided by lots of noise from cranes moving
Rocks in the harbour. Only got a few
Hours sleep, just made breakfast, was enjoying
(Missing line)
The last two fried eggs, and a boiled egg. Then
We strolled along the seafront, me dragging
My suitcase on wheels in the heat. Hopped on
The ferry to Igoumenitsa. Some
Hours there, killing time, drinking Alfa brew
Til the 5:30 bus. We were going
To Ioannina, got there 'bout 7
Seems full of students. Cheap food, meatball soup
Then a few beers, late to bed. Eyes shutting...

Tue 16 Sep

2952 - Late night trip to Greece

Hello everyone, we are here in Greece
Afternoon flight, Manchester to Corfu
But time zones mean that we arrive, crisis
Eleven is quite late, for me and you
We did our best to find a decent brew
In Corfu Town. It's not all cheap, no way
But we found somewhere, drank beers, wine, what have you
And drank til beyond 3, accepting they
Wouldn't serve beer that time, not OK
And so tomorrow, ferry, mainland, is
Our goal, to Ioannina, get straight through
Stay there one night, then somehow make our way
To the Vikos Gorge. Have a peace-
ful night, and I wish the exact same to you

Mon 15 Sep 

2949 - Get us to the Greek!

That's it, my last day's work done, now I can
Concentrate on my upcoming travel
To Greece and Albania along with John
Might be more difficult this time to 'pull'
For those who think I'm a magnet for girls
(So untrue). Still not got my currency
Do they use the euro in Greece? Same thrill
As last time when I went there, hopefully
Sunshine, signs all in Greek, all that we'll see
Blue sea around Corfu, then the mainland
Walking a great long gorge, hope that goes well
Then crossing into that strange old country
Albania, what will it be like, and when
We reach Tirana? Soon I'll know and tell...

2872 - Recover, recycle, relocate

Thank God a decent lie-in (no drink had
Either - gonna try to cut down on that
And on what goes with it). Been a bad lad
Have enjoyed two nights in, it's played its part
In feeling good and saving, too. Must start
Saving for my two (no, three) holidays
(Hungary, London and Greece). Chance to sort
My balcony (off work you see), old chairs
Tennis rackets, bikes, now removed, oh yes
Was gonna take 'em to the tip inside
A hired van later on, but left them at
The recycling area by these flats. Guess
That'll save time when moving Nance from bad
Rented room in Glossop to Bury flat

2870 - Manic Tuesday

Frenetic afternoon, rushed from work to
Do shopping, then saw most of the England
Game, but we both decided we should view
The Italy / Uruguay conclusion
Since Suarez bit an Italian, and then
The U's scored luckily, knocked Italy
Out, another shock, like England, like Spain
(England, though, got the least points of those three)
Greece / Ivory Coast to come, write this quickly
Then guitar practice. Ain't got time to do
Comedy tonight, Bad Language must come
Also under the axe, tomorrow - see
I'm in Liverpool then, time won't allow
These two nights out, and rest is what I want

2858 - Wheels in motion

It's a hot day, like up the devil's ass
It's almost midsummer, it comes round fast
But I'll not be too down as light gets less
Again, got two hols in Europe, a blast
To look forward to. Hungary and North West
Greece (and Albania). In Hungary, Miklos
Waits to welcome me, but partying first
In a youth hostel, central Budapest
That's late July, coming home in August
Good news when I got home. I'm on the list
To tell 'Tales of Whatever' Monday next
I'll get the cycling story off my chest
Whenever I recount it, they're impressed
I'm off to Vee's to watch some football next...

2784 - Hair today, hair tomorrow

Second night not enough sleep but feel good
Been eating well, no fags or booze for days
Too tired for exercises, but I should
Be OK tomorrow. Last weekend, gays
Could get married, big change in the UK's
Law, reflecting its more modern culture
Or maybe old-fashioned? Back in the days
Of Ancient Greece and Rome... Fancy a hair
Cut, nearly had one this lunchtime, but for
A job application not submitted
In the end, Steve too slow (again) to appraise
My draft, left it til last. Did not bother
To wait for him. At the death, decided
I didn't want that job, least not today...

2118 - Torch of the gods

A lovely day with Josie, that started
With her rowing badly with her mother
I almost had to leave her, but after
A few minutes, and me brushing her hair
Josie came with me, off to Manchester
Via Altrincham (on the tram), just to see
The Olympic torch procession on the
Main drag, Deansgate. Workmates Tracey, Julie
Were there with their kids and Tracey's hubby
Several buses and lots of police motored
By, the last thing we saw, the torchbearer
Himself, gone in a flash of fire, holy
Greek flame from Zeus that sadly has sputtered
Out a few times in wet British weather

2117 - The hot gates of the Greek goalposts

As Germany play Greece, will the result
Reflect the economic thrashing the
Germans have given the Greeks, an insult
To the proud engine of democracy
The unfortunate answer's probably
The Germans are one up, here comes the flood
One suspects, or can, like Thermopylae
The Greek warriors hold the enemy, blood
Notwithstanding, still standing, making good
Their proud ambition, not leaving the field
Alive except with full integrity
And honour befitting their bronzed manhood?
I can't see it, but miracles aren't foiled
By narrow mortal thought - they are crazy!

2115 - Salaam, so long!

The last Arabic class ended today
These lunchtime sessions were hard work, it's true
But now it's over I'll look back fondly
Fifty quid rarely proved such good value
Although Hannah the teacher's not on cue
Most weeks, and rushes through the coursework then
Leaving us dizzy, questions in a queue
That's not always dealt with. Pick up your pen
And quickly write your homework, for again
You'll not be told. She's not harsh, she's OK
She's from Greece, she's had seven kids, and knew
Arabic because of twenty years spent
In Saudi, met a man from Sudan, they
Now live in Prestwich. So, salaam to you!

2010 - Turkey trot

The tallest building now stands in Dubai
The Haiti earthquake destroys Port-au-Prince
Polish president's plane falls from the sky
Iceland eruption removes pilots' wings
BP oil well blows, causing huge Gulf slicks
EU bailout for Greece, Spain wins World Cup
In South Africa. Many Wikileaks
Pakistan monsoon floods, miners brought up
In Chile. What is North Korea up
To? EU loan for Ireland - that's where I
Drive to with two mates - Sheep's Head, West Cork - it's
Pretty in summer. An Amsterdam trip
Then Athens, Delphi, Thessaloniki
And Istanbul by bus, carpets, mad flings

2008 - Financial and other black holes

Petroleum hundred dollars per barrel
Stock market falls after US subprime
Crisis. Aussie PM Kevin Rudd tells
Them sorry for child-stealing. Bank crash time
Northern Rock and Lehman Brothers. Debt climbs
In Greece and Ireland. Fidel resigns, Raul
Takes over the family firm. They decline
The Lisbon Treaty in Ireland - they will
Get it right the second time. Meanwhile, Bill
Gates steps down. The Beijing Games go so well
CERN in Geneva, concerns of malign
After-effects, could create a black hole
Out with young Vicky from Oldham, oh well
Split, saw P in Paris, Barack did fine

Written Sun 4 March

2007 - The news and the muse

Bulgaria and Romania join EU
Celeb Big Brother starts racism row
Madeleine McCann snatched in Portugal - who
Did it? Greek heatwave, woodlands so hot now
Last Harry Potter published. Jericho
Summit between Olmert / Mahmoud Abbas
Marion Jones took drugs all those Games ago
UK boycott if Mugabe attends
The EU-Africa summit. Alas
Benazir Bhutto's assassin got through
I leave Blogit at year's end, start to go
To a poetry group, and have a bash
At live poetry reading with a view
To entertaining them, and this I do...

Written Sat 3 March