It’s a pirates life for me
When pirates sailed the Seven Seas they used to entertain each other with horrific stories about Sirens luring men to their deaths on the rocks; giant waves smashing ships to smithereens as if made from matchwood; and great ocean beasts swallowing seamen whole.
Today pirates scare the hebe-gebes out of each other with tales of how you might entertain 20 under 6’s at a children’s birthday party.
“Y’ah! Tis a story to chill the very marrow of yer bones. Twenty princesses and pirates all armed to the teeth with modeling balloons! A great pink sponge cake with a Barbie sticking out the top! Paper plates of iced gems and tortilla chips all smashed to smithereens! Musical statues and sleeping lions! A place no man should ever have to visit! Beware the children’s party!”
I quite enjoyed it really.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
A funny old game
I really expected England to get a thorough thumping at Croatia's hands last night, so the 4-1 drubbing dished out to the home side was a pleasant surprise. Walcott is predictably the back page headliner today -- his hat-trick was taken with composure and professionalism -- but the player who made the biggest difference to the side was Emile Heskey. Put in to hold up the ball and worry the Croatian back four with his strength, Emile did exactly that; and although a blunt weapon, he provided some excellent touches and vision in addition to the job assigned. Ultimately it was Heskey's strength, experience, support and drive that allowed Walcott and Rooney to get in the game and on the score sheet. Well done Emile!
I watched the second half of the match at 'the club'.
It's the first time I've ever venture into my local snooker club for anything other than a game of snooker. As expected, it was a great venue to watch football with strangers: partisan, beer-fuelled, chavvie and terrace-like. I loved it!
Apart from the result and some good England performances, what impressed me most about last night's game was the reaction of the Croatian fans when their team were 4-1 down: they were rhythmically chanting, clapping and bouncing up & down as if they were 4-1 up! The stadium was rocking!
4-1 down at Wembley and we'd be ripping up the seats.
Of course there's no mention of the crowd's amazing support for their team in the press today: all that the Croats get is lambasted for the 30 seconds of monkey chants directed at Emile from a tiny number of supporters.
And Setanta Sports is shit btw: terrible camera work, terrible commentary, all round shabby presentation. And you have to pay extra for it. No live England matches on terrestrial. No England match highlights on terrestrial. Well done the FA. A fucking disgrace.
I really expected England to get a thorough thumping at Croatia's hands last night, so the 4-1 drubbing dished out to the home side was a pleasant surprise. Walcott is predictably the back page headliner today -- his hat-trick was taken with composure and professionalism -- but the player who made the biggest difference to the side was Emile Heskey. Put in to hold up the ball and worry the Croatian back four with his strength, Emile did exactly that; and although a blunt weapon, he provided some excellent touches and vision in addition to the job assigned. Ultimately it was Heskey's strength, experience, support and drive that allowed Walcott and Rooney to get in the game and on the score sheet. Well done Emile!
I watched the second half of the match at 'the club'.
It's the first time I've ever venture into my local snooker club for anything other than a game of snooker. As expected, it was a great venue to watch football with strangers: partisan, beer-fuelled, chavvie and terrace-like. I loved it!
Apart from the result and some good England performances, what impressed me most about last night's game was the reaction of the Croatian fans when their team were 4-1 down: they were rhythmically chanting, clapping and bouncing up & down as if they were 4-1 up! The stadium was rocking!
4-1 down at Wembley and we'd be ripping up the seats.
Of course there's no mention of the crowd's amazing support for their team in the press today: all that the Croats get is lambasted for the 30 seconds of monkey chants directed at Emile from a tiny number of supporters.
And Setanta Sports is shit btw: terrible camera work, terrible commentary, all round shabby presentation. And you have to pay extra for it. No live England matches on terrestrial. No England match highlights on terrestrial. Well done the FA. A fucking disgrace.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Kaah chooow!
India's first day at school today. I think we're more excited than she is, which is just how I wanted it: I haven't made too much fuss as I'm hoping she'll approach it just as she did with nursery and the transistion will be seamless.
Back to school = end of summer, and it really has been the worse summer I can remember: The wettest, dullest summer on my personal record. I blame global warming.
That global warming brought a thunderstorm down upon us last night at the kids bedtime. We got hit with hailstones the size of ice cubes. They rattled against the window panes and cannoned-off the sills with gusto. If we had any gin in the house, I'd have been out catching them in a tumbler. Elliot, who had not experienced a thunderstorm before, heard the thunder and wondered what was happening. I told him that the noise was thunder and asked if he would like to see the lightning outside. He was very enthusiastic and excited, until we got to the window and he looked out...
...to discover that Lightning McQueen was nowhere to be seen.
He was gutted.
India's first day at school today. I think we're more excited than she is, which is just how I wanted it: I haven't made too much fuss as I'm hoping she'll approach it just as she did with nursery and the transistion will be seamless.
Back to school = end of summer, and it really has been the worse summer I can remember: The wettest, dullest summer on my personal record. I blame global warming.
That global warming brought a thunderstorm down upon us last night at the kids bedtime. We got hit with hailstones the size of ice cubes. They rattled against the window panes and cannoned-off the sills with gusto. If we had any gin in the house, I'd have been out catching them in a tumbler. Elliot, who had not experienced a thunderstorm before, heard the thunder and wondered what was happening. I told him that the noise was thunder and asked if he would like to see the lightning outside. He was very enthusiastic and excited, until we got to the window and he looked out...
...to discover that Lightning McQueen was nowhere to be seen.
He was gutted.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Cannibal Rampage
The Times published an article last week on the very real threat of global famine and the causes behind it (climate change, population growth, wealth growth & changing tastes in China, meat production, resultant hoarding of stable foods and cereal by governments and food price hikes).
If you type the word famine into The Times article database, you quickly find a host of articles relating the unsavoury, but historically accurate fact that in times of famine, desperate people have no choice but to turn to cannibalism to survive. 14th Century England, Stalin's USSR, airplanes crashing in the Andes, the list of examples goes on and on...
Clearly an early, controlled, adoption of cannibalism in the Western World (i.e. before we get too desperate) would help control climate change on two fronts: a ready and waiting nutritious food-supply that would dampen population growth. Perhaps we should start with butchering and eating old people?
I can almost see Delia cooking herself on TV.
I'd make a lovely sausage.
The Times published an article last week on the very real threat of global famine and the causes behind it (climate change, population growth, wealth growth & changing tastes in China, meat production, resultant hoarding of stable foods and cereal by governments and food price hikes).
If you type the word famine into The Times article database, you quickly find a host of articles relating the unsavoury, but historically accurate fact that in times of famine, desperate people have no choice but to turn to cannibalism to survive. 14th Century England, Stalin's USSR, airplanes crashing in the Andes, the list of examples goes on and on...
Clearly an early, controlled, adoption of cannibalism in the Western World (i.e. before we get too desperate) would help control climate change on two fronts: a ready and waiting nutritious food-supply that would dampen population growth. Perhaps we should start with butchering and eating old people?
I can almost see Delia cooking herself on TV.
I'd make a lovely sausage.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
d20 = 1
E. Gary Gygax died on Tuesday aged 69.
For non-gamers, this means zip.
For gamers, it means the godfather of the hobby/modern gaming industry is dead.
Gygax was the co-creator of the UberGeek phenomenon Dungeons & Dragons. And what a phenomenon it was. Gygax created a whole new leisure activity, which captured and fostered the imaginations of millions (particularly teenage boys), spawned a huge wave of copy-cat and evolution products, and has been a driving factor in the success of a great many modern computer and video games: computerised versions of the classic D&D pen & paper mechanics still form the structures and cores of virtually all fantasy and character-driven computer games and RPG's today. Add in the piggy-back revival in fantasy literature and films, and Gygax's creation can hold its head up as an innovative and classic design that truly was ground-breaking.
Although I haven't played a RPG for decades, I am a gamer, and a lot of my interest was sparked by a set of D&D that a friend purchased and brought into school. It was the source of many happy memories and enduring friendships.
Thank you Mr. Gygax.
E. Gary Gygax died on Tuesday aged 69.
For non-gamers, this means zip.
For gamers, it means the godfather of the hobby/modern gaming industry is dead.
Gygax was the co-creator of the UberGeek phenomenon Dungeons & Dragons. And what a phenomenon it was. Gygax created a whole new leisure activity, which captured and fostered the imaginations of millions (particularly teenage boys), spawned a huge wave of copy-cat and evolution products, and has been a driving factor in the success of a great many modern computer and video games: computerised versions of the classic D&D pen & paper mechanics still form the structures and cores of virtually all fantasy and character-driven computer games and RPG's today. Add in the piggy-back revival in fantasy literature and films, and Gygax's creation can hold its head up as an innovative and classic design that truly was ground-breaking.
Although I haven't played a RPG for decades, I am a gamer, and a lot of my interest was sparked by a set of D&D that a friend purchased and brought into school. It was the source of many happy memories and enduring friendships.
Thank you Mr. Gygax.
Shake it baby
We had a massive 5.2 ricter scale earthquake last week. I didn't feel a thing. That didn't stop the news channels having a field day covering the seismic event. The BBC News had a brilliantly edited piece that opened with the usual suspects -- man in street tells reporter that his chimney fell down, lady in street tells reporter that a roof tile landed on her car, old man says he slept through it all -- but finished with a young couple in hospital, clutching their newborn baby.
New Mum Girl: "I'd just had 'im when the earthquake struck. The bed moved and my curtains shook!"
I bet they did.
We had a massive 5.2 ricter scale earthquake last week. I didn't feel a thing. That didn't stop the news channels having a field day covering the seismic event. The BBC News had a brilliantly edited piece that opened with the usual suspects -- man in street tells reporter that his chimney fell down, lady in street tells reporter that a roof tile landed on her car, old man says he slept through it all -- but finished with a young couple in hospital, clutching their newborn baby.
New Mum Girl: "I'd just had 'im when the earthquake struck. The bed moved and my curtains shook!"
I bet they did.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Loco loco!
Ticket to Ride update: I watched Channel Five's Lockdown a couple of weeks ago. It featured some high security prison in the San Francisco area jammed full of white tattooed-up nazi gang members who were at war -- that means randomly shanking/stabbing -- hispanic tattooed-up ganag members. The two groups clearly had a lot in common: a love of crime, a love of gang membership, a love of tattoos, a love of boby-building and stabbing each other. They also shared a coverted gym, where 190 of them all slept together, with no bars or guards separating the two warring factions. As someone unused to prison life, I would describe the set-up as scary.
Anyway, half-way through the programme, the camera pans across the gym, and in the no-mans land between whites and latinos there are sets of tables and chairs, and there, on one table, are two muscled-up latino ganagbangers playing...
Ticket to Ride.
Ticket to Ride update: I watched Channel Five's Lockdown a couple of weeks ago. It featured some high security prison in the San Francisco area jammed full of white tattooed-up nazi gang members who were at war -- that means randomly shanking/stabbing -- hispanic tattooed-up ganag members. The two groups clearly had a lot in common: a love of crime, a love of gang membership, a love of tattoos, a love of boby-building and stabbing each other. They also shared a coverted gym, where 190 of them all slept together, with no bars or guards separating the two warring factions. As someone unused to prison life, I would describe the set-up as scary.
Anyway, half-way through the programme, the camera pans across the gym, and in the no-mans land between whites and latinos there are sets of tables and chairs, and there, on one table, are two muscled-up latino ganagbangers playing...
Ticket to Ride.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
I've got a ticket to ride
..and it's alright!
I got bought -- or rather I bought it for myself and asked my mum to cough up the cash -- a copy of Ticket to Ride Europe by Days of Wonder for Christmas. It's a route-building game set in 1905 Europe, where you claim train routes by drafting cards and using them to pay for your little coloured plastic trains to link up exotic city destinations. I did my homework on the board game geek websites before putting the order in, and by gum it's a corker of a game. Really nicely produced, super simple rules and some tight, strategic and fun gameplay.
Vic and I have played half a dozen 1-on-1 games now, and it holds up really well as a two player game: there's very little hostile blocking going on, and it's all about racing your opponent and taking a gamble on picking up extra routes. It's quite a strategic game, but it's light, not fluffy.
Now, here's the bonus: Days of Wonder run Ticket to Ride online as a free play experience. You can register and play online right now. They give you a special code with the physical boardgame to track your scores and create new games, but you don't need a code to jump into someone elses game. I've already become rather addicted to the whole thing: it is in this arena where I can get my fix of a busy four or five player game, which is a completely different experience to Vic and my two player 'race' games. I've been sticking to the less complex -- and frankly not as good -- United States map, so our physical games on the Europe map retain their challenge.
I've already clocked up 20 games online, plus the 6 we've played at home, and after 26 games I have to say the game is top drawer. I'd say it's the best "family" boardgame out there -- better than Risk, Monopoly, Settlers or Carcassone. Heartily recommended.
..and it's alright!
I got bought -- or rather I bought it for myself and asked my mum to cough up the cash -- a copy of Ticket to Ride Europe by Days of Wonder for Christmas. It's a route-building game set in 1905 Europe, where you claim train routes by drafting cards and using them to pay for your little coloured plastic trains to link up exotic city destinations. I did my homework on the board game geek websites before putting the order in, and by gum it's a corker of a game. Really nicely produced, super simple rules and some tight, strategic and fun gameplay.
Vic and I have played half a dozen 1-on-1 games now, and it holds up really well as a two player game: there's very little hostile blocking going on, and it's all about racing your opponent and taking a gamble on picking up extra routes. It's quite a strategic game, but it's light, not fluffy.
Now, here's the bonus: Days of Wonder run Ticket to Ride online as a free play experience. You can register and play online right now. They give you a special code with the physical boardgame to track your scores and create new games, but you don't need a code to jump into someone elses game. I've already become rather addicted to the whole thing: it is in this arena where I can get my fix of a busy four or five player game, which is a completely different experience to Vic and my two player 'race' games. I've been sticking to the less complex -- and frankly not as good -- United States map, so our physical games on the Europe map retain their challenge.
I've already clocked up 20 games online, plus the 6 we've played at home, and after 26 games I have to say the game is top drawer. I'd say it's the best "family" boardgame out there -- better than Risk, Monopoly, Settlers or Carcassone. Heartily recommended.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Wits & Wagers: A Review
We managed about a dozen games of Wits & Wagers over the Christmas break with an assortment of friends and family. Generally the game was well-received, I think mainly because (a) people like new games, (b) it's quick to play, (c) it's easy to learn and (d) there's no downtime. I guess about 50% of people have asked to play it again and that's a good indication that the game is a good one, with decent appeal.
The only problem with the game is that it is incredibly American-centric. It's clearly an American game written for a US audience. As a result, the questions can be REALLY frustrating for UK/European players. 'European' questions are dumbed down for the US market (e.g. "In what year did the 'European Front' of WWII open?" aka "In what year did WWII start?" -- 5 out of 6 in our group knew it instantly), whilst some of the US sports, entertainment and politics questions are so obscure for Europeans as to be complete guesswork (e.g. "How many home runs did some player you've never heard of hit during his baseball career?"). The game is crying out for a European version/set of questions.
Although I like the game, it's US questions mark it down, and I think GiftTRAP retains its place as our current top family 'party game'. Wits & Wagers sits nicely alongside it and Apples to Apples on our hot family game shelf.
Verdict: 4 stars
We managed about a dozen games of Wits & Wagers over the Christmas break with an assortment of friends and family. Generally the game was well-received, I think mainly because (a) people like new games, (b) it's quick to play, (c) it's easy to learn and (d) there's no downtime. I guess about 50% of people have asked to play it again and that's a good indication that the game is a good one, with decent appeal.
The only problem with the game is that it is incredibly American-centric. It's clearly an American game written for a US audience. As a result, the questions can be REALLY frustrating for UK/European players. 'European' questions are dumbed down for the US market (e.g. "In what year did the 'European Front' of WWII open?" aka "In what year did WWII start?" -- 5 out of 6 in our group knew it instantly), whilst some of the US sports, entertainment and politics questions are so obscure for Europeans as to be complete guesswork (e.g. "How many home runs did some player you've never heard of hit during his baseball career?"). The game is crying out for a European version/set of questions.
Although I like the game, it's US questions mark it down, and I think GiftTRAP retains its place as our current top family 'party game'. Wits & Wagers sits nicely alongside it and Apples to Apples on our hot family game shelf.
Verdict: 4 stars
Thursday, December 13, 2007
The office Christmas party
Tomorrow night sees our office Christmas party -- entitled Moonlit in Marrakech -- taking place for the second year running at Legoland.
This might sound exciting, until you realise that by Legoland they mean in a big marquee in the car park, rather than in amongst the park rides. The Marrakech theme extends to "exotic" [belly?] dancers, cous cous, coffee, peppermint tea, the chance to win a free carpet and the crowd-pulling Camel Rodeo machine.
Dodgems, casino, disco, leering Morrocan guys behind the free bar, assorted bongs, and crappy coaches, complete the night.
Unfortunately, due to cashflow issues, I'm not going.
Obviously I'm gutted to be missing out on the Camel Rodeo.
...so much so, that I've got the hump.
Tomorrow night sees our office Christmas party -- entitled Moonlit in Marrakech -- taking place for the second year running at Legoland.This might sound exciting, until you realise that by Legoland they mean in a big marquee in the car park, rather than in amongst the park rides. The Marrakech theme extends to "exotic" [belly?] dancers, cous cous, coffee, peppermint tea, the chance to win a free carpet and the crowd-pulling Camel Rodeo machine.
Dodgems, casino, disco, leering Morrocan guys behind the free bar, assorted bongs, and crappy coaches, complete the night.
Unfortunately, due to cashflow issues, I'm not going.
Obviously I'm gutted to be missing out on the Camel Rodeo.
...so much so, that I've got the hump.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
This season's new board game
According to Facebook's 100 Question Geek Test, I am geekier than 94% of the general population.
That's a fair assessment.
As apart of my Grand Geek persona* I am often tagged as the "board game guy", as I'm the one out of our friend circles to produce -- and demand to play -- new board games at any and all social occasions.
Last year's Christmas board game was GiftTRAP, as recommended by my game designer friend Tony, and it ticked all the right boxes: Beautiful components, easy, fast and fun game play. I think everyone who has played it has enjoyed it, and I think two or three additional copies have been purchased off the back of our sessions.
This year's new party game, purchased after considerable market research, is Wits & Wagers, which seems to be the next big thing in party games and, if you believe the hype, "the best trivia game ever".
I'm looking forward to inflicting it upon friends and family over the coming weeks, and excitedly busted open the box last night to check it out. Looks good, looks quick (20 mins a game), looks simple, looks like it's going to be a lot of fun.
* As opposed to my Grand Puppetmaster persona
According to Facebook's 100 Question Geek Test, I am geekier than 94% of the general population.That's a fair assessment.
As apart of my Grand Geek persona* I am often tagged as the "board game guy", as I'm the one out of our friend circles to produce -- and demand to play -- new board games at any and all social occasions.
Last year's Christmas board game was GiftTRAP, as recommended by my game designer friend Tony, and it ticked all the right boxes: Beautiful components, easy, fast and fun game play. I think everyone who has played it has enjoyed it, and I think two or three additional copies have been purchased off the back of our sessions.
This year's new party game, purchased after considerable market research, is Wits & Wagers, which seems to be the next big thing in party games and, if you believe the hype, "the best trivia game ever".
I'm looking forward to inflicting it upon friends and family over the coming weeks, and excitedly busted open the box last night to check it out. Looks good, looks quick (20 mins a game), looks simple, looks like it's going to be a lot of fun.
* As opposed to my Grand Puppetmaster persona
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Eight at the Thatch: Restaurant Review
Vic and I were lucky enough to bag a free two course lunch at the newly opened Eight at the Thatch restaurant in Thame, and we cashed it in yesterday for a leisurely Saturday lunch time treat. Jeremy and Jane clearly have a headstart with the business, effectively having had a lengthy, demanding and high profile interview/training schedule with Raymond Blanc broadcast on BBC2 -- I have to say that the rigours of those intense weeks have paid off, as our experience was extremely enjoyable and satisfying.
We were immediately greeted on arrival by one of the senior staff, who was sat with Raymond at a table in the bar. It was all very professional and we were given the option of either a drink in the bar area or going straight to our table. We opted for the second option, got a polite nod from a very casual Raymond, and headed to a table for two in the old part of the restaurant. I was thrilled to see that Jane was going to be managing our table, and in my excitement, I walked into one of the low ceiling beams.
Jane was warm, relaxed, friendly and attentive throughout our meal and you quickly realised why Raymond had selected her and Jeremy over the fancied twins. She was great and very professional.
Previously visitors to the building, during it's time as Thatchers or The Old Trout, wouldn't believe the transformation of the interior: a dark and rather drab building has been converted to a light and airy dining space, which retains much of the listed charms -- such as those dangerously low beams, old tiled flooring and a few nooks and crannies -- but also now has a modern extension, an open bar area and considerable outside eating areas. A sympathic and functional conversion, helped by some good music at a right volume level.
Vic ordered a glass of Merlot, whilst I went for Pino Grigio. With hindsight we should have just ordered a bottle of the house Merlot, as we ended up ordering one after our starters anyhow: it was well priced at £13.
You can find the Autumn menu on the blog link above. Vic ordered the mussels to start, I fancied the roquefort souffle. With my shellfish allergy I couldn't try the mussels, but Vic was impressed. A good sized portion. My souffle was top drawer: light, fluffy and the roquefort wasn't over done. It was served with plenty of mixed leaves, balsamic dressing, walnut pieces and a sliced half of pear. The only minor criticism was that the pear was a little firm -- it could have been a bit riper -- but it did offer a good contrast to the soft souffle. THe souffle wasn't cheap at £6.80, and with that and the firm pear in mind, I rated it a 8/10.
For main course Vic selected the beef filet medallions, served with horseradish mash and French beans, I went for the pork belly with savoy cabbage and half a baked apple. Jane suggested that I might need a side portion of potatoes and she was right. Vic asked for the beef rare and it came cooked exactly as requested -- she was very pleased. My pork belly was sublime: the cracking was like a thin layer of brittle toffee, which complemented the soft fat perfectly, and the meat itself was moist and full of taste. The apple side was unusual, as it was a sweet dessert apple that had been cooked with the pork, so that it took up the meat flavours. It was delicious and worked brilliantly with the rest of the dish. The meat portion was perfect, and I rated the dish a 10/10, although there could have been more cabbage and potatoes if I was nit-picking. I think Vic rated her beef as a 10/10 too. For £12, I'd eat the pork belly every day of the week if I could!
As we'd enjoyed our free starters and mains so much, and had wine left in the bottle, we ordered a dessert to share. A Mont Blanc meringue served with chestnut & rum puree and chantily cream. Vic thought it was really good, but I was a bit disappointed. I think it came down to personal taste, but the meringue was just a little to dry and sticky for me, and the puree didn't quite have enough power to cut into the meringue and cream's sweetness. I rated it a harsh 6/10, but Vic upped that to an eight or nine.
We really enjoyed our lunch at Eight at the Thatch, and we will be going back very soon. There were a few minor criticisms -- tiny paper napkins that Jane was already aware of and a couple of my courses drifting by the table (which suggested some communication issues) -- but that was the whole point of the free 'practice sessions' lunches. I made a pin of taking a quick wander around the restaurant and picking up the bar menu. What was good to see was the variety in dishes and prices -- Raymond was plugging their simple omelettes to a couple who had come in from the street -- and that the meat seems to have been locally sourced from the award-winning Newitts butchers. One of the bar menu options is a platter of eight (on theme) tapas style snacks, such as olives, which should be great in the summer sitting out on their terrace with a cold beer or glass of wine.
I'd whole-heartedly recommend a visit and wish Jane & Jeremy good luck with the venture, as it seems to fit a hole in the market in Thame: good quality food, served with some class, in a relaxed but upmarket venue. We left as delighted customers.
Vic and I were lucky enough to bag a free two course lunch at the newly opened Eight at the Thatch restaurant in Thame, and we cashed it in yesterday for a leisurely Saturday lunch time treat. Jeremy and Jane clearly have a headstart with the business, effectively having had a lengthy, demanding and high profile interview/training schedule with Raymond Blanc broadcast on BBC2 -- I have to say that the rigours of those intense weeks have paid off, as our experience was extremely enjoyable and satisfying.
We were immediately greeted on arrival by one of the senior staff, who was sat with Raymond at a table in the bar. It was all very professional and we were given the option of either a drink in the bar area or going straight to our table. We opted for the second option, got a polite nod from a very casual Raymond, and headed to a table for two in the old part of the restaurant. I was thrilled to see that Jane was going to be managing our table, and in my excitement, I walked into one of the low ceiling beams.
Jane was warm, relaxed, friendly and attentive throughout our meal and you quickly realised why Raymond had selected her and Jeremy over the fancied twins. She was great and very professional.
Previously visitors to the building, during it's time as Thatchers or The Old Trout, wouldn't believe the transformation of the interior: a dark and rather drab building has been converted to a light and airy dining space, which retains much of the listed charms -- such as those dangerously low beams, old tiled flooring and a few nooks and crannies -- but also now has a modern extension, an open bar area and considerable outside eating areas. A sympathic and functional conversion, helped by some good music at a right volume level.
Vic ordered a glass of Merlot, whilst I went for Pino Grigio. With hindsight we should have just ordered a bottle of the house Merlot, as we ended up ordering one after our starters anyhow: it was well priced at £13.
You can find the Autumn menu on the blog link above. Vic ordered the mussels to start, I fancied the roquefort souffle. With my shellfish allergy I couldn't try the mussels, but Vic was impressed. A good sized portion. My souffle was top drawer: light, fluffy and the roquefort wasn't over done. It was served with plenty of mixed leaves, balsamic dressing, walnut pieces and a sliced half of pear. The only minor criticism was that the pear was a little firm -- it could have been a bit riper -- but it did offer a good contrast to the soft souffle. THe souffle wasn't cheap at £6.80, and with that and the firm pear in mind, I rated it a 8/10.
For main course Vic selected the beef filet medallions, served with horseradish mash and French beans, I went for the pork belly with savoy cabbage and half a baked apple. Jane suggested that I might need a side portion of potatoes and she was right. Vic asked for the beef rare and it came cooked exactly as requested -- she was very pleased. My pork belly was sublime: the cracking was like a thin layer of brittle toffee, which complemented the soft fat perfectly, and the meat itself was moist and full of taste. The apple side was unusual, as it was a sweet dessert apple that had been cooked with the pork, so that it took up the meat flavours. It was delicious and worked brilliantly with the rest of the dish. The meat portion was perfect, and I rated the dish a 10/10, although there could have been more cabbage and potatoes if I was nit-picking. I think Vic rated her beef as a 10/10 too. For £12, I'd eat the pork belly every day of the week if I could!
As we'd enjoyed our free starters and mains so much, and had wine left in the bottle, we ordered a dessert to share. A Mont Blanc meringue served with chestnut & rum puree and chantily cream. Vic thought it was really good, but I was a bit disappointed. I think it came down to personal taste, but the meringue was just a little to dry and sticky for me, and the puree didn't quite have enough power to cut into the meringue and cream's sweetness. I rated it a harsh 6/10, but Vic upped that to an eight or nine.
We really enjoyed our lunch at Eight at the Thatch, and we will be going back very soon. There were a few minor criticisms -- tiny paper napkins that Jane was already aware of and a couple of my courses drifting by the table (which suggested some communication issues) -- but that was the whole point of the free 'practice sessions' lunches. I made a pin of taking a quick wander around the restaurant and picking up the bar menu. What was good to see was the variety in dishes and prices -- Raymond was plugging their simple omelettes to a couple who had come in from the street -- and that the meat seems to have been locally sourced from the award-winning Newitts butchers. One of the bar menu options is a platter of eight (on theme) tapas style snacks, such as olives, which should be great in the summer sitting out on their terrace with a cold beer or glass of wine.
I'd whole-heartedly recommend a visit and wish Jane & Jeremy good luck with the venture, as it seems to fit a hole in the market in Thame: good quality food, served with some class, in a relaxed but upmarket venue. We left as delighted customers.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Football is Entertainment
You can't buy a simple Mars bar anymore at Arsenal, you can only buy a £3.80 pot of Maltezsers -- the sort you would purchase on a trip to the theatre. It's a clear message that Premiership football is being marketed as entertainment to the upwardly mobile, rather than what it should be: meat pies and painful watching for the masses.
And talking of painful watching, Oxford United's Chairman seems desperate to shank his investment into deep water. A lack of action on the managerial front sees the fanbase evaporating at a fatal rate. No fans = no money. No money = administration and/or no chance of escaping the BSP. Administration means end of the club in the short-term. No escaping the BSP means end of the club in the long-term. And not a single £3.80 box of Maltezsers in sight.
You can't buy a simple Mars bar anymore at Arsenal, you can only buy a £3.80 pot of Maltezsers -- the sort you would purchase on a trip to the theatre. It's a clear message that Premiership football is being marketed as entertainment to the upwardly mobile, rather than what it should be: meat pies and painful watching for the masses.
And talking of painful watching, Oxford United's Chairman seems desperate to shank his investment into deep water. A lack of action on the managerial front sees the fanbase evaporating at a fatal rate. No fans = no money. No money = administration and/or no chance of escaping the BSP. Administration means end of the club in the short-term. No escaping the BSP means end of the club in the long-term. And not a single £3.80 box of Maltezsers in sight.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
PassPort to PortRait
Due to being generally useless and always leaving things until the last moment, and thereby causing myself and others maximum inconvenience, I had to travel into London yesterday to get my passport renewed on a Premium four hour turnaround service. Four hours isn't a long time to kill in London, so I took a stroll up to Buckingham Palace, then through sunny St James' Park, past Admirality Arch and into Trafalgar Square. A quick splash in the fountains was followed by a visit to the National Gallery -- an ideal place to while away the time.
Due to being generally useless and always leaving things until the last moment, and thereby causing myself and others maximum inconvenience, I had to travel into London yesterday to get my passport renewed on a Premium four hour turnaround service. Four hours isn't a long time to kill in London, so I took a stroll up to Buckingham Palace, then through sunny St James' Park, past Admirality Arch and into Trafalgar Square. A quick splash in the fountains was followed by a visit to the National Gallery -- an ideal place to while away the time.I went for Holbein's 'The Ambassadors', Stubbs' 'Whistlejacket' and the Canaletto's -- my old favourites -- but its was Duane Hanson's 'Traveller' that really stood out and caught the eye (pictured above). It was so out-of-place that initially, without my glasses on, I thought it was real. A very clever piece of work, cleverly positioned and exhibited by the gallery.
Had a coffee, spotted some NevilleUK trays, picked up the passport -- I now look like a con rather than a boyband member -- and took the slow train home.
India had her first ballet lesson yesterday. Tomorrow is her 4th birthday!
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Beans means cricket
I'm in Cambridge today ahead of our inter-site company cricket match. I'm keeping one eye on the BBC Weather reports and the other on the banks of grey clouds rolling in. It looks gloomy, but the groundsman -- who I had a quick chat to at lunch time whilst he was preparing the track -- is confident that it will remain dry. I am less confident and reckon my trip over will be wasted. I have a feeling that come five o'clock it will be wetter than Elliot's over-night nappy.
The skill level, like most company and pub team games, will be mediocre to mixed. I had been looking forward to it until Tuesday night, when my practice session in the local nets was abysmal. I was terrible, even managing to bowl one ball over the nets and into a hedge. i.e. I bowled the ball about 12 feet too high. If I do that later, I'm going to be ashamed of myself, give a load of runs away, and generally be a laughing-stock. I've now put some pressure on myself to deliver, and my mindset has moved from "just enjoy the game" to "don't be a donkey".
At the same time as the self-induced pressure, I now see a big spread on our UK corporate intranet page, biggin' up the match and announcing that there is to be a cup awarded to the winning team. There's even a photo of the damn gleaming thing. Worse still, there will be a globally published match report and in-play photos released across the company.
My cricket whites are so old they have 30" inside leg measurements. That's 4" too short. They come halfway up my calves. They also have a snooker ball sized hole in the rear end area. I shall be wearing a jockstrap and my bare cheeks underneath them.
That's going to look good beamed around the world.
The MD of our Japan operation is going to love the view of my arsehole.
I'm in Cambridge today ahead of our inter-site company cricket match. I'm keeping one eye on the BBC Weather reports and the other on the banks of grey clouds rolling in. It looks gloomy, but the groundsman -- who I had a quick chat to at lunch time whilst he was preparing the track -- is confident that it will remain dry. I am less confident and reckon my trip over will be wasted. I have a feeling that come five o'clock it will be wetter than Elliot's over-night nappy.The skill level, like most company and pub team games, will be mediocre to mixed. I had been looking forward to it until Tuesday night, when my practice session in the local nets was abysmal. I was terrible, even managing to bowl one ball over the nets and into a hedge. i.e. I bowled the ball about 12 feet too high. If I do that later, I'm going to be ashamed of myself, give a load of runs away, and generally be a laughing-stock. I've now put some pressure on myself to deliver, and my mindset has moved from "just enjoy the game" to "don't be a donkey".
At the same time as the self-induced pressure, I now see a big spread on our UK corporate intranet page, biggin' up the match and announcing that there is to be a cup awarded to the winning team. There's even a photo of the damn gleaming thing. Worse still, there will be a globally published match report and in-play photos released across the company.
My cricket whites are so old they have 30" inside leg measurements. That's 4" too short. They come halfway up my calves. They also have a snooker ball sized hole in the rear end area. I shall be wearing a jockstrap and my bare cheeks underneath them.
That's going to look good beamed around the world.
The MD of our Japan operation is going to love the view of my arsehole.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Bite my carrot!
There were two horses that lived in a field around the corner from my grandparents in Tackley, who I would be encouraged to feed peppermints to every time we walked the village. When you're a wee boy, horses seem huge, and to this day I still can taste the fear that welled up each time I was gently pushed forward with the instructions "keep your hand flat so he doesn't bite your fingers off".
For me, until recently, horses have always been immense beasts that bite off children's fingers and shit in the road*.
So it's always a great pleasure to take my own children up to the horse rescue centre at Speen and inflict the same long-term night terrors, resulting from enforced contact with horses, on them.
Unfortunately you can't go throught the trauma of feeding them anymore -- they were getting fat on mountains of carrots, apples and Polos -- but you can still stroke them and get your allergies flared up. I left the place with one bloodshot eye, a torrent of snot oozing down my chin, and red-raw itchy hands.
Anyway, things didn't go to plan. Although India showed some trepidation, Elliot turned the tables. He ran around screaming, hands and fingers outstretched at horses teeth, leaping up at stable doors, scrambling to climb into stables, trying to poke the beasts in the eye, and generally having a wild time. If he could have rode one, he'd have given it a go.
One blast that amused India and made Vic and my eyebrows arch, was whilst petting one of the horses, hearing a good 30 second long fart come from its arse. He held it at a single note. It was impressive stuff. Two boxes further down and that horse did the same.
And the horse's name that lived between these two epic hair blowers?
'Reveille'.
You have to assume that he can play two or three different notes.
* I'd now actually like them to shit in my composter.
There were two horses that lived in a field around the corner from my grandparents in Tackley, who I would be encouraged to feed peppermints to every time we walked the village. When you're a wee boy, horses seem huge, and to this day I still can taste the fear that welled up each time I was gently pushed forward with the instructions "keep your hand flat so he doesn't bite your fingers off".For me, until recently, horses have always been immense beasts that bite off children's fingers and shit in the road*.
So it's always a great pleasure to take my own children up to the horse rescue centre at Speen and inflict the same long-term night terrors, resulting from enforced contact with horses, on them.
Unfortunately you can't go throught the trauma of feeding them anymore -- they were getting fat on mountains of carrots, apples and Polos -- but you can still stroke them and get your allergies flared up. I left the place with one bloodshot eye, a torrent of snot oozing down my chin, and red-raw itchy hands.
Anyway, things didn't go to plan. Although India showed some trepidation, Elliot turned the tables. He ran around screaming, hands and fingers outstretched at horses teeth, leaping up at stable doors, scrambling to climb into stables, trying to poke the beasts in the eye, and generally having a wild time. If he could have rode one, he'd have given it a go.
One blast that amused India and made Vic and my eyebrows arch, was whilst petting one of the horses, hearing a good 30 second long fart come from its arse. He held it at a single note. It was impressive stuff. Two boxes further down and that horse did the same.
And the horse's name that lived between these two epic hair blowers?
'Reveille'.
You have to assume that he can play two or three different notes.
* I'd now actually like them to shit in my composter.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Wii Willy Winky
Borrowed next door's Wii system and Sports game. Love the tennis. Bowling is cool. Baseball is alright. Golf is OK. Boxing is awful. Thought it was great on Saturday after mojitos and beers*. Getting bored of it after just five days. I don't think I'll be buying one.
* What isn't great after mojitos and beer?
Borrowed next door's Wii system and Sports game. Love the tennis. Bowling is cool. Baseball is alright. Golf is OK. Boxing is awful. Thought it was great on Saturday after mojitos and beers*. Getting bored of it after just five days. I don't think I'll be buying one.* What isn't great after mojitos and beer?
Adapted/Ripped Off From Ruffles
You can play spot the difference if you have keen eyes...
I've recently registered on Facebook. I've accumulated a handful of friends; I really have no idea of what I'm doing with it or what I should be doing with it. Rob told me to sign up, so I have. As part of the original Internet generation, my comprehension of it was basically as a big unwieldy largely inaccurate book. Social networking was limited to a bit of email and the odd message board. I'm probably missing the whole point of Web 2.0 -- which I suspect is either to hook people up for sex or to get jobs for the boys in the Square Mile -- but apart from accumulating old and lost friends, I just seem to spend most of my time finding out that my 'friends' are making 'friends' with people I've never heard of, turning people into zombies and/or sending them fish. There are 5 Nobby's on there, one of whom also seems to be an accountant who works in London (jobs for the boys in the Square Mile), and looks like a tosser. I've also randomly joined a few local groups, but quickly spotted that I am old enough to be the father of all the other members of said groups ("Welcome to our group gramps").
Second Life reference:
"I like your boobs mummy" -- India to Vic (yesterday)
That's my girl!
You can play spot the difference if you have keen eyes...
I've recently registered on Facebook. I've accumulated a handful of friends; I really have no idea of what I'm doing with it or what I should be doing with it. Rob told me to sign up, so I have. As part of the original Internet generation, my comprehension of it was basically as a big unwieldy largely inaccurate book. Social networking was limited to a bit of email and the odd message board. I'm probably missing the whole point of Web 2.0 -- which I suspect is either to hook people up for sex or to get jobs for the boys in the Square Mile -- but apart from accumulating old and lost friends, I just seem to spend most of my time finding out that my 'friends' are making 'friends' with people I've never heard of, turning people into zombies and/or sending them fish. There are 5 Nobby's on there, one of whom also seems to be an accountant who works in London (jobs for the boys in the Square Mile), and looks like a tosser. I've also randomly joined a few local groups, but quickly spotted that I am old enough to be the father of all the other members of said groups ("Welcome to our group gramps").
Second Life reference:
"I like your boobs mummy" -- India to Vic (yesterday)
That's my girl!
