Had a surprisingly good time last night at the Vortex Jazz club in Dalston. It’s in a funny little Oasis called Gillette Square off Kingsland Road. Didn’t really know what to expect but was impressed by the standard of the musicians in Loz Speyer’s Quartet. The night was called ‘In the Key of Monk’ and was a tribute to Thelonious Monk.

Wow. Admittedly, it’s been a while since I’ve been to the theatre – the last time was Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake @ Sadler’s Wells which was incredible, but certainly one step removed. I suppose there are parallels between a gay version of Swan Lake and a transexual pianist and a gospel choir but outside of the gender swapping there’s very little comparison. I couldn’t recommend the show more. Not only are the songs well crafted, but open, honest and almost a tick-list of different emotions. It’s a real journey from one song to the next, with the gospel choir reinforcing your emotional state with everything from subtle harmonies to belting songs out so loud you wonder if you can feel the wind blowing from their direction. Really special. Go see it before it’s over.

Gonna try and find some more images to give you an idea of what the shows like, but in the meantime, just get some tickets and go: http://www.sohotheatre.com/pl1902.html

After 12months of doing absolutely no training I completed my third Olympic triathlon on Sunday. It hurt, but not as much as I thought. My time of 2:42 was 18 minutes slower than last year, but the course was slightly longer this year so I reckon NO TRAINING = 15 minutes. Photos are still on their way for this year, but I managed to find my photos from the 2009 London triathlon but the site seems to be struggling a bit at the moment. Not sure whether they are worth the £19 for the photos, but I reckon I’m going to be looking stronger last year for sure.

Not really sure if some of these photos should be up here, but hey and doubt that anyone is going to notice or say anything. After a testosterone-fuelled night of alcohol, fires and Welsh Dad it was great to have a relaxing paddle home.

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Part II of Neill Stephen’s Stag Doo – Canoeing on the River Wye.

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And so it begins. Starting from the Moran in Chiswick in a Beekeeper outfit, we headed out in the community fun bus towards Wales. Despite being on a stag doo, no-one had brought any beer and the M4 wasn’t going to oblige as it’s banned from being sold in the service stations. Nothing like big brother trying to control the British drinking habit! A few old skool dance choons and 4 hours later we were in deepest, darkest Wales.

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After a polish catholic ceremony in Warsaw we headed an hour out to the countryside to a remote reception hall with a floating reception area. After a glass of champagne we headed to the dining area which was a purpose-built room, surrounded by glass windows and trees. Beautiful. Was suprised to see a shot glass with a stem but soon discovered this was standard fare in Poland and that Vodka was the drink of the night. In fact, we kinda got told off for drinking anything else. In a twist on what I thought was tradition, apple juice was the chaser. Shots of vodka followed by a swig of apple juice. It works! Not only that but I didn’t seem to have a hangover, despite getting through at least a litre of vodka throughout the course of the night. Music was mostly supplied by a jazz / swing cover band who played some great tunes and got everyone on the dance floor. The weather was gorgeous, but it was a little hot and humid even after dark. Jin & Renata both seemed to be having the time of their lives and rightly so. Met some great people and it was a shame to leave the next day…

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A quick break to Barcelona Weds 14th – Fri 16th June. Arrived really late on the Tuesday and woke up to hot sunshine and a glass of Rosada across the road from Miranda’s flat. No-one of me, Miranda, Bea or Johnny had any plans or intentions other than to do nothing stressful so we spent the days strolling or lounging on the beach. The trip out to Sitges was extra-special, well worth the train ride. Was great to swim off the beach and climb up the rocks out in the bay and then dry off melting into the sand. Very relaxing and much needed. You want beerfantacocacolaspritemasagee?

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A great day out at Kew Gardens for Mum’s birthday

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A fab day out at Royal Ascot and onto A rooftop bar in the West End followed by a delicious Japanese dinner and a lot of drinks.

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