3284 - Taking a raincheck

What a wet day, the rain's gone on and on!
So much so that there's now a giant hole
In the Mancunian Way, please don't fall in!
The rain's enough to make of us a mole
Burying ourselves deep down like lumps of coal
It's eased off now, and the weather forecast
For the weekend's OK, so I will roll
Up at Piccadilly station, half-past
Twelve tomorrow, with a big group, a taste
Of beer and the Glossop folk train to come!
Should be fun, while Jo's in Spain and I'm all
At a loss for what to do these two Sats
Last week, Huddersfield, this week, Glossop. Fun
And beer are intertwined, be still, my soul!

3228 - Souper trouper

What a long day, woke just after seven
Dozed for a bit, rose seven twenty five
Well, lying in bed is close to heaven
And I drifted, listening to Beeb Five Live
Got to the office at eight twenty five
It seems like yesterday, technically, it is
Worked hard as usual, annual report jive
Queries and such, the usual thankless biz
Some laughs with Emma, who is quite a wheeze
And quite a sneeze with her hay fever. Then
Walked to the station, met Jo, caught train to arrive
In Manchester, to Vee and Pearl's flat, these
Last moments with Pearl, meal at half seven
Tampopo, Laksa soup, Walked miles. Survived.

Fri 19 June

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

3185 - Burgers and beer gardens in Berchtesgaden

The journey went well, finally left Munich
By bus to Salzburg, then back to Deutschland
Immediately by train, to Burger King
Hostel in Berchtesgaden, afternoon
'Bout half-past one, the sun was shining down
Made enquiries at the tourist office
And also found a Lidl store, and found
An amazingly cheap beer store with its
Prices of good bottled beer, only cents
Each (less than one euro), and so I picked
Up five of these local beers for the grand
Sum of only six euros - under six
Actually! Heaven! Met Jet, went walking
Round Berchtesgaden. Now bedtime's at hand...

Thur 7 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

3173 - United in Munich

Am enjoying my evening, had good day
With Josie in Arndale and Old Trafford
A bit of rain but mainly stayed away
And quite warm sunshine meant that it felt good
Strangely when we got to Old T Jo did
Not want to look round the club shop this time
So with the Jappy snappers, stood outside
Then wandered off to Lowry mall, a fine
Mocha in Costa til six, then soon flyin'
Home by tram and train. Now my holiday
Is looking even better, yes I've scored
A hit tonight, I'm meeting Minji Kim
In Munich. For timing that good I'd pray
But no need, it's gonna happen, by God!

3171 - Prague pilgrim's progress

Getting in the holiday zone of mind
Excitement builds. Today, getting my phone
Mended so I can charge it and still find
Power to post on Twitter. Having flown
To Prague, I'll want and need to have well shown
The sights I see, the folk I meet, also
In German places, beer and mountains grown
To gross proportions, only goats may go
To those high heights! My German learning's slow
I'm struggling to study the lingo, kind
Of lazy maybe, but distraction's blown
It away, along with 'Dragon Tattoo'
(The book), but I could catch up when flyin'
Or waitin' in stations for trains to come

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

3109 - London and Brighton on no sleep

On the train to London Euston and then
We'll change and catch the tube to Victoria
From where we'll catch one more train to Brighton
It's excitin' lookin' forward to the
Tattoo convention, then a drink or two
Will I get any tattoos? I'm not sure
The prices might be too high, go over
The hundred I pay up in Manchester
For three smallish ones. After the tattoo
Show we'll go to the aftershow event
Or back to the hostel, I'll grab a beer
I'll be so tired by then, won't have a clue
I won't know where I am, won't feel no pain
(Hopefully) to endure, won't feel injured...

Fri 20 February

3101 - Motorbike treat

Watching Top of the Pops 1980
The Revillos have been on Motorbike
Beat duty. That reminds me of when me
And a couple of school friends who quite liked
Punky stuff caught the train (no, not the bike)
To Sutton Coldfield from Lichfield in our
School uniforms, must've bunked off, got psyched
Up to meet The Revillos, Fay Fife a
Schoolboy's dream, but not a looker
In my book, sorry! More a fantasy
In those days was Kate Bush - made Dave and Mike
Go ga-ga before Lady G got here
And talking of gal singers, then Debbie
Harry of Blondie, hair messy and spiked

3098 - Train to Alphaville

Got sleepy at work this afternoon. I
Didn't stay up so late but hammered it
Probably because Louis said goodbye
And I was free to kind of celebrate
Though of course that's not the right word for it
Also spoke to Tania unexpected
A call on my phone came really quite late
And we both kinda gushed 'bout Jo and said
How great she is, which she is, though her head
Is now almost teenage and she'll defy
Us both at times, but not for long. Spirit
Of '77 right now being led
By Kraftwerk's Trans-Europe Express. I'll spy
That moving landscape, late April - can't wait!

3055 - Veggie table

Last few hours at Mum's, went shopping for her
Before it rained, then taxi to station
Train to Liverpool, changed for Manchester
Popped into the flat, saw Pearl, Lou, Vee and
Then drove P and L to Wilmslow, the fun
Began as Josie joined us, then drove to
The Sanskruti in Fallowfield. Meal-time
It was a veggie place, I didn't know
When I booked it, but it was nice, and Jo
Enjoyed hers too. Back to flat of Vera
Where we played 'Articulate' - tempers ran
At times, but it was a laugh. Me and Lou
Beat the girls. Yay! Dropped Jo off, curly hair
Impressed us all! Now one night on my own...

Sat 27 Dec

3021 - Play my cards right

Been on a free train ride down to Cheshire
And back, collected my card from the pub
That I left there last night when we retired
Cos Jo felt a bit ill and we gave up
On watching Arsenal / United, stopped
Sitting in that hot crowded place, headed
Back to hers, then I headed back, a top
Day but unaware til later, then dread
As I realised I was without my card
But then I felt calm, no need to perspire
They'd keep it safe til tomorrow. I hopped
There on a priceless ride, as I just said
Earlier today I worked out what to tire
Them with this Tuesday - it won't be a flop!

3013 - Present and correct

A fun day visiting Josie Wosie
Hopped on the train to Manc Piccadilly
From there we caught the tram down to Old T
Realised this was an opportunity
To buy Jo's things for Christmas and birthday
For part of her Chrissy prezzy, onesie
In Man U design, looks very pretty
Then for her birthday that's in January
She wants to watch United play with me
So I bought two tickets, Reds v Burnley
She thinks the Reds will win, so she's happy
And for me, this present-buying's early
I can afford it, living frugally
Now in Dec and Jan I'll have more money

2978 - Rugger bugger

Interrupted sleep last night, loud party
After an hour turned light on, read my book
Neared the end of Mary Barton quickly
But left the last few pages, which I flicked
Through on the train to Cheshire, on the track
I was on track to finish, and I did
Reach the conclusion before getting back
To Manchester. What did we do? We sped
By train and tram once more to Old Trafford
St Helens and Wigan met there, rugby
Grand Final, striped shirts, beer bellies, the look
Ate curry at the Quays mall, then we heard
Loud horns blown. Back in town, bought for Josie
A phone case for her i-Phone 4 - it's slick

2971 - Train in rain

Rainy morning, walked to Piccadilly
But coat made me warm, took it off on train
Got off at Wilmslow, dry now, saw Josie
We walked to station, Manchester again
Same as last weekend, Old Trafford the scene
She was hoping for an MU phone case
They didn't have them, the trip was in vain
But I bought her a football from the trays
Of dark blue balls, dark blue is their away
Strip this season. The shirts are seventy
Quid each, sixty for kids' sizes. Refrained
From splashing out that much. You'd be amazed
At all the foreigners in that store, pre-
pared to part with humongous cash therein

2939 - London Day Five

Up early. Pearl's ice bucket challenge, then
Met her at New Cross Gate, after doctor's
Appointment. Went by bus to Greenwich in
The Green Cafe, then bought book, then onwards
To Blackheath via Greenwich Park, but there's
Steady rainfall. No coat. Bought more stuff there
Then train and bus back to Pearl's, then quick! Let's
Get to Euston! Bye, Pearl! Me and Jo were
On a delayed train to Wilmslow, Cheshire
Her mum collected her, then I then went
To Manchester, chores at home, then rehearsed
With Dermot tomorrow's regime, yes sir
Pints in the Salford Arms, then typed up in
My flat, emailed it to us both. Oh yes

About Mon 1 Sep

2935 - London Day One

Woke at 6:30, train station by 8
Collected Jo at Wilmslow station, and
Hung around park and shops a while. Not late
For the London train. Good. At Euston, planned
Our journey to Deptford Bridge. Had to spend
A few hours in Deptford High Street, but liked
The small independent shops all around
Hardly any chain stores, I was surprised
But Pearl said this was a typical sight
In South London. Food shops, fish shops, it's great
Pearl joined us at the 'Big Red' restaurant
Which is an old double-decker bus, right?
55 quid expenditure, oh shit
But good value. My pasta tasted grand

About Thur 28 August

2934 - Girls United

Very tired, quite a late night, guitar play
Then a drink, then late night conversation
So instead of rehearsing comedy
I'm staying in. Just as well. My alarm
Is set for 6:30. Must catch the train
From Piccadilly at 8 to Wilmslow
Collecting Josie with her bags, then stayin'
Around the shops and cafes til we go
To London on the midday train. I so
Enjoy exploring the capital. They
(My two daughters) like having good old fun
When they meet all too rarely. I don't know
What we'll do yet, but we will have good days
This week Jo's on the way towards woman