3243 - Quays to the city

A warm day, went out in shorts and t-shirt
On the train to see Jo, had a coffee
At Tania's, her back's broken but not worse
Than it was before her brace (fits nicely)
Avoiding in Ramadan the city
Centre where possible, we caught the bus
Part way to Salford Quays, got off safely
Despite a madman on the bus, then passed
Some time in Costa, and sat on the grass
Then sat by Man U's stadium talkin' bout
Britpop and Madchester, that's what Josie
Likes now, the Gallaghers from Oasis
Blur and the Stone Roses, she knows their 'shit'
While it's all funny memories for me

3242 - Poor young soul

Straight after work I went to Home, the new
Trendy cinema, the new Cornerhouse
In Tony Wilson Place (ha ha!), and you
Know it's near the 'Hacienda' flats that house
The spawn of the rich, beards and lower face
With hairy covering, and the men too
Why did I go to Tony Wilson Place?
To see the film 'bout Amy You-Know-Who
It was fun watching clips when she would do
Her fun teenage stuff, but it seemed although
She was a top singer from those young years
With good friends, she needed weed and booze too
Everything else was bound to happen to
Her, talent notwithstanding, poor lil mouse

3192 - Back in the UKUK

So here I am back home, but honestly
I couldn't afford to be away more
I was shocked at my bank account money
Though I shouldn't be. First there was the floor
Of my flat last month, done by the builder
And after that I went on my travels
Specifically, a European tour
To Czech Republic, German towns and hills
And Austria, where I heard no yodels
I'm still in Europe in my head. You see
All these great buildings and Germanic lore
In museums and all around. It fills
Your head, immersed in sights and history
But you don't want to travel forever

3190 - Fancy Danube

My last full day, and due to tiredness
Of feet from yesterday, travelled about
Extensively by U-bahn. First stop was
The bus station, to buy a bus ticket
To Prague for 20 euros - no repeat
Of my last journey which cost 50... Yikes!
A very hot day, so tried to keep out
Of the sun. Next stop, seeing as I liked
Vienna's vast streets and buildings, unlike
Anywhere else, the architecture place
In the Museums Quarter. In the heat
I checked out Schonbrunn Palace, but I hiked
Away immediately, preferred quietness
Of the Danube, north of the tourists' shouts

Tue 12 May

3189 - Lost in Austria

I've walked further in one day than ever
Before - at least that's how it feels right now
My feet ache so much and I need a shower
I had one this morning, but need somehow
To clean every part again, yes I do
I paid a huge amount to Austrian trains
(Should've got the bus) from Salzburg and to
Vienna. Took some time to check me in
At the hostel, so didn't start walking
Round Viennese sights til half-two. But the
Day's been marvellously sunny, and allowed
Me to walk almost everywhere within
The tourist area of old Vienna
Amazing buildings. Nineteenth century wow!

Mon 11 May

3188 - No trouble brewing

What to do, my second day in Salzburg?
I hadn't a clue, Hellbrunn Palace was
The favourite, someone had been there who dug
It, but Vienna has got palaces
That are better. Looked at maps, references
To Stiegl Brewery tours where you can learn
About the brewing process - thought this is
A better way to spend the day. It turned
Out it was a free event. Austrian
Families were there in droves, wore clothes so snug
Trousers above the knee, flouncy dresses
Brass bands, huge amounts of beer, and mountains
In the background. Climbed Kapuzinerberg
Afterwards, then bought six-pack Stiegl beers

Sun 10 May

3184 - A father, who art in Munich

This is my last full day in Munich and
It was very similar to yesterday
But reversed in order. First, art. Began
With a visit to the Alte Pinakothek
You just gotta love a Flemish master
Or fifty. Plus Rubens, Rembrandt, works not
As well-known to me simply because they're
Not housed in London. After I came out
Of there, the sky cleared, and I had a good
Walk round the 'English Garden' which was grand
Except that I just kept losing my way
Never did find the Chinese Tower! I fought
My way out of that maze to watch Bayern
Get hammered 3-0 by Barca today

Wed 6 May

3183 - Munching in Munchen (at last)

A hot day, did not need to take my coat
Got the U-bahn to the Olympic zone
Really liked the stadium and how it's set
In a park with great views of tower and town
If you climb the hill built on things knocked down
And turned to rubble by British bombing
In the war, then they let grass grow upon
It all, and hey - some nice hills! Tasting
Currywurst for the first time. Interesting
But too much tomato. Then, welcome seat
On the tube to Allianz Arena, home
To Bayern Munich football team. Going
Back to the centre. New museum's got
Lots of info on Nazi Munich. Boom!

Tue 5 May

3182 - No munching in Munchen

I'll write this now, while I'm here just waiting
For Minji Kim to message, so I know
Where to meet, although I have an inkling
She said Odeonsplatz, but that's lacking
In detail. I've just been there - it's quite big
Which cafe are they in? And they're eating
While I'm starving, but maybe I could go
Without food, just drink beer, from stein I'll swig
And if need be, a takeaway to dig
At the hunger if it comes later. So...
Spoke to a nice Romanian nurse sitting
On the train to Munich. Once here, I go
Straight into a 'Third Reich tour' - fun seeing
Inside the Hofbrauhaus. More beer halls now?

Mon 4 May

3180 - Not such a blue night after all!

I'm writing this on Sunday, I'm afraid
But that is because of last night's night out
In Nuremberg with Julius - went on late
He was supposed to go at ten, did not
And in the end missed his train, stuck about
The station all night, I suppose - oh dear
He seemed to lose his bearings easily
At least I found the station. Drank some beer -
Much beer, even - thank God I didn't steer
In the direction of Bamberg! (He'd said
Let's meet there!) After dark, buildings were lit
In blue light, but missed it all. Did see a
Flaming sculpture, though. I slept well, delayed
Getting up til 12. Missed breakfast, no doubt!

Sat 2 May

3179 - Don't Argue with Prague!

Lucky I wrote last night's sonnet before
A marathon drinking session outside
The hostel, sitting in the cold night air
For hour after hour. Think we must have stayed
Out there til 5.30. The light had made
The bedroom bright when I closed the curtain
But after a quiet start, the evening played
Its part in a great day, had so much fun
Listening to Jan do his Cockney accent
I shook with laughter, that I can assure
Today, on four hour's sleep, I climbed the height
Up to the castle, crossed the Vltava
By two bridges. Could do with rest for sure
But may not get it before drinks are plied

Fri 1 May

3136 - Set in stone

I was supposed to go to an event
But after a long day at work and since
No-one wanted to go with me, I went
Home instead, to relax after my sins
Having thrashed through the ashes of a once
Promising career, though they say I'm good
They always mark me down when the year ends
If only someone had said yes, I could
At long last have finally attended
And explored the interior like I've meant
To so often, that is, the John Rylands
Library, Victorian splendour in wood
And stone, but maybe soon that long intent
Will be realised, and with or without friends

3111 - Pavilion panorama and paranoia

I've caught my first cold this winter, and so
I'm staying home, not off to see Josie
Glad I'm not out in rainfall and wind blow
Some good pictures from Brighton - you should see
The previous two days' diary, the entries
Containing pix taken when the sun shone
Which makes the whole scene look much more friendly
And stunning as it lights the Pavilion
Yesterday stood in Vic and Bert's bedroom
Funny to think they lay there long ago
Perhaps even producing a pickney
Put off though by unwanted attention
From the local commoners; didn't go
Back there too often, oh spoiled royalty!

3110 - Brighton and Gloomyton

On the train from Brighton to Manchester
Changing at Gatwick, Reading, Birmingham
Not been able to use my phone charger
The phone lasted long enough, just, to aim
It at some Brighton sights. Of course, the main
One being the famous Pavilion
Of George IV. That building looks so glam
I've always wanted to visit. It's done
We also had a great stroll on the pier
As the sun shone, but then replaced by gloom
Took refuge in Bar Revenge, then in one
More pub, back to Kipp's Hostel, and then on
To Brighton station, plenty of time there
To catch the trains that are taking us home

Sat 21 February

3070 - Time and a lit up cathedral

The time has gone, the moment has gone too
It's gone one, the night's gone, it's gone, that's it
Although I could say one, I could say two
And whatever I say, it don't mean shit
Could be the early nineties now, no, bit
Of that maybe, but who gives a shit, what
Does it matter, whether it is a hit
Or not, and I'd prefer if it is not
It's not the seventies, it's not that hot
So long ago, cathedral lit up to
Some spiritual ideal same time as lit
Up Yes and Genesis, Status Quo rocked
All over the world, The Jam said stuff too
How is it better now, it's not, it's shit

Sun 11 Jan 15

3063 - Buildings in the mist

Early rising, for me, Sunday morning
Before eight, because I needed to be
At Vee's flat by nine-thirty. Was walking
Through Manchester town centre, and could see
Some interesting views, hazy through foggy
Mist, like the Beetham Tower just on Deansgate
It seems to float in the mist, so that we
Can see through it, it doesn't exist. Wait
A few minutes, the fog clears, and its state
Returns to solidity, air clearing
Saw Josie back to Wilmslow, a coffee
In Starbucks, then home. This evening, I made
King Gong with Dermot, as usual cringing
At goings-on. Now bedtime looms for me

Sunday 4 January

3029 - Falling down and rising up

Come Dine With Me this week's in Manchester
I might see a face I know - I hope so
There's a Dom. I know two, though one's Cheshire
Wait - there they all are, and the answer's no
I don't know this Dom. 'Tracksuit Dom,' you know!
It looks as though it will be amusing
Forgot to wear a belt today, oh no!
When I got to work, trousers were slipping
A bit too far down! Will be correcting
That mistake tomorrow, so when I'm there
My pants won't fall when I get up and go
Meanwhile, today I saw the opening
Of the new multi-storey. Took picture
Or two of Father Christmas outside. Ho!

3025 - Health and savings

A fun talk after work in the Library
Called Manchester Drunk n Sober, no less
Unusual distraction, completely free
Could've gone for a drink but just not arsed
Without beer those things seem easy to pass
And so straight home, exercised, ate some grub
Watching some football, as usual it's Spurs
On a Thursday, minor game in Europe
Sitting here, for company a teacup
Or maybe a mug, but it contains tea
The night's not quite over, but I've impressed
Myself behaving myself, keeping up
The health and savings regime, with Louis
Gone to London to stay for a few days

3017 - Maybe tomorrow

I should be at the library, writing
But when I left the office, I turned right
Out of habit, homeward route following
And unfortunately realised too late
Maybe tomorrow I'll go there about
Five, maybe sooner, after Building Our
Future (don't ask!), and then maybe I'll write
Some poetry or comedy, some more
Short stories (what became of them?), and / or
Even try making music - exciting
If I can use some software, I'll be quite
Pleased with that, able to arrange and score
It's vital I get in a new routine
Of creating, not sitting in each night

3011 - In the bag

A bit of a disappointment tonight
Went to the library after work fired up
Hoping, expecting I'd have time to write
But they closed the room, yes they shut it up
Or maybe it was booked for something. Up
I had to get from the desk. Could have searched
For a chair somewhere, there floors both up
And down, but I feared there'd be few left. Clutched
My bag and left the building, instead fetched
Myself back home, cooked tea, then tried to write
The rest of what I'd begun. Ended up
With two draft poems, then happily snatched
My guitar for the first play for four nights
Disco and funk, yes, my flat is funked up!