Hola

Well, we survived the journey out. Take some advice from me, don't ever travel overnight by train. Its a nightmare. The bunks are really small, really uncomfortable and really close together. I didn't sleep a wink. However, things got better once we reached Madrid. The apartment was really nice and really central. The TV didn't work but since we'd probably only have got Spanish TV anyway it didn't matter too much. On the cultural front I went to the Prado, the Reine Sophia, the Teatro Espangnol, Saint Miguel and the cathedral at the bottom of the street (can't remember the name). The Prado was a little disappointing. Velasquez isn't all he's cracked up to be when you're up close and personal although Tintiretto made up for this a little. Equally, the Reine Sophia. Guernica is, of course, fabulous and all the related sketches and photos of the development of the picture is fascinating too. But I don't like Dali. And Spanish galleries are so badly designed. They don't flow at all and you end up spending half your time retracing your steps. The Teatro was fantastic though. We saw Sweeney Todd. In Spanish. And it was fabulous. I thought Sondheim was all about the words but he's not. The music is really good too. And the others liked it. The cast were just out of this world. I went to Mass at the cathedral (I'd never been to one before) but it was a bit disappointing. Just one bloke and a nun. No choirs, no thuribles, nothing. What's that all about?

Otherwise we spent a lot of time shopping (a shirt and a tie) and drinking (too many to name and I can't even remember half of them) which was a lot of fun. Coming home, Easyjet was surprisingly good but that the fact that they'd switched our airport to Liverpool was a pain. But here I am. Safe and sound and back home. Work tomorrow. Goody. That's all. J x

Oh This Year We're Off To Sunny Spain

Yes, ladies & germs I'm off to the sun drenched shores (well actually there aren't any shores but you get the picture - its the "sun drenched" you need to concentrate on) of Madrid. Our trusty band of adventurers armed only with the Spanish for "four beers please" (no, I don 't know, ask Denise) will brave the Spanish race and the Spanish railways to spend 4 nights on the sun drenched... oh yes, I've already done that bit. Rather unusually I am simply going along for the ride and have taken no part in the organisation whatsoever. Its strangely liberating not worrying about everyone else and what we'll do and see etc. So you'll have to wait until I get back to hear the hilarious tales of me trying to but a new outfit in The Prado etc etc. Anyway, looking forward to the break. See you soon. That's all. J x

Night on the Tiles

Night out with the trainees celebrating various exam successes. Started off in Sinclairs (which luckily doesn't do vodka martinis and therefore didn't get too drunk too soon) but ended up in Panacea which does so I did! Got various bits of advice on what it takes to be a good BLM (and what it doesn't). As expected, my ideas around standards of dress (i.e. shirt and tie not jeans and T shirt) were not that popular. Luckily though it looks as though my new trainees already wear shirts and ties to work so it shouldn't be a problem. The die-hards there at the end were me Nick, Lesley & Ben. Well done you! That's all. J x

Just Watched...

.... O Brother. Where Art Thou. (With no question mark - why not?). What a fantastic film. Beautifully written, beautifully acted and beautifully shot. And beautiful George Clooney. Perfect. That's all. J x

Random Posts

Been getting some random comments on the blog so I have instituted a "check first" regime. Any comments you make will now have to be viewed by me before they appear on the site. Hopefully this won't mean too many delays. Out with D and friends last night to Strada (no soup) and the Great John Street hotel (far too many VMs for a school night). Feeling a little rough this morning. That's all. J x