AJG in the sea

Word up,

I’ve written part of this blog on the beach. Yeah, me on a beach – By choice. Jesus.

I’ve never really liked the beach much. My idea of Hell is a ‘beach holiday’. Even when I was younger – despite visiting Blackpool about 10 times a year to visit my Gran and Granddad – I hated the beach. Not that I’m suggesting for one second that anybody should set hoof in the Blackpool sea… Your legs dissolve, don’t they?

It’s not that I’m scared of getting eaten by a shark or attacked by a giant jellyfish. I’m not allergic to the sea… I just don’t peak off it. I get the same reaction from people when I tell them that I don’t like the sea when I tell people that I don’t eat cheese or nuts. People look at me like I’m insane when I explain that, no, I don’t have an allergy to nuts. I JUST DON’T LIKE THEM!

I recall one holiday in Wales with my aunt and uncle, Ged and Donna. They had, and still have, speed boats and jetski’s and love water skiing etc. I was probably around 10, I can’t remember to be honest, and I passed on every opportunity that was presented to me to get in the water. Most other kids would have jumped at the chance. I spoke to another aunt, Michaela, and she reckons that, with the exception of Ged, the whole disliking of the beach runs throughout our family.

Jesus, I feel like I’m blogging the entire history of my family here. Sorry. Back on track…

So, over the past few years, I’ve usually spent Easter in Cornwall and, weather permitting, it usually involved trips to the beach. Although I would never go anywhere near the sea, I did grow to love sitting on the beach, reading, eating and sleeping. Oh, and having some (very) competitive games of rounders – Carl Hayes is the most competitive person I know!

Anyway, I discovered that the beach was one of the few places where it was acceptable to snooze throughout the daytime and constantly snack and not get in to trouble!

Easter was weird this year and I really missed going to Cornwall so, on Easter Sunday, I decided to go to the beach. I just packed my bag with a towel, book and my iPod and went on my own. There’s loads of beaches here but I decided to visit Shek O. It involved a short ride on the MTR and a bus ride and took about 40 minutes. I really enjoyed it. So much so that I decided to go and paddle in the sea for the first time in my life.

I’m going to visit a different beach soon.

Did everyone enjoy the Royal Wedding? I watched some if it in a shopping mall. They had seats set out and were serving English tea and cake. It was amazing! I realise that the wedding wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I enjoyed it and I was a bit upset that I’d not been back in England so I could get caught up in it all.

Greg Foster sent me over a CD of his new band, Mancini Fires. It’s very good! You should check ‘em out here. ‘Ghosts’ is my favourite track. Sticking with the music theme, my friend, Gbenga, will be performing on Later… with Jools Holland with ace his band, Metronomy,  this coming week (3rd May). Check it out!

I’ve found out that Suede are coming to HK in August. I never though I’d ever get so excited about the prospect of seeing Suede. Yes, no doubt it’ll be 40 or 50 quid to see ‘em, but I’m going!

I’ve done other stuff too, but I’ll save that for the next blog.

Playlist – I’ve been listening to the following bits and pieces:

Take That- Progress

Paul Aiden - Loads of old stuff I found in my iTunes!

Mancini Fires – Rise EP

Badly Drawn Boy – The Hour of Bewilderbeast – Somebody Tweeted saying that they’d forgotten how good this album was and I realised that I’ve not listened to it in ages. And, yes, I’d also forgotten how good it is.

Frankie & The Heartstrings – Hunger

Laters,

AJG

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