Keith Waterhouse - Billy Liar

A little bit dated, and you forget that the protagonist is only in his teens. Gets caught up in the little lies that he conjures up.

“I turn over a new leaf every day. But the blots show through,”

"frowning women, their black scratched handbags crammed with half-digested grievances, pushed through the vegetable stalls to the steps of the rates office"

Fiat 595 Arbarth Competizione

We picked up our new car yesterday. First ever brand new car and all very shiny.

Hiromi Kawakami - The Nakano Thrift Shop

Another esoteric journey of life just bumbling along in a little shop.

Beautifully written once more

Lazy day on the river

A beautiful clear blue sunny day. Joanne, Luger and me on the boat all day.

Both with clear heads after an evening of drinks/food with Simon and Rachel at 'Spoons.

Back this evening though as tired out and as we're getting the new car tomorrow morning!

Rebecca West - The Return of the Soldier

A sad tale of shell-shock, memory loss, and return to 15 years before. A soldier having to forego his old love and return to his current. with all the pain that comes with it.

A good if quick read.

Fashion, Printing, Migraine, and Krafwerk (again)

Yesterday was our last full day in Antwerp.

We had a little lay in, and then wandered down to the fashion museum. It was a Hermes exhibition with lots of ladies fashion from the past twenty years, with some older pieces.

Then we had some lunch in a vegetarian cafe; some quiche and vegetables.

Then off to the printing museum, which was fascinating. Plantin-Moretus was the chaps name, and rather good too.

Then a couple of 'de Konicks' and a beer/lemonade for Jo. Then back to the hotel for a bad migraine: too much lunchtime drinking and sunshine!

Managed to force myself well enough, after a little vomiting, to the second Kraftwerk gig. This time it was the 'Tour de France' concert.

Today was to come home, after finding Joanne's iPad had been nicked from the hotel room! First a train to Brussels, Eurostar (with lunch) to London, and then first class home.

Ghent on the Monday

We found most places were shut on Monday, so we took a day trip to Ghent.

An easy train journey, and then bought day-only tram tickets, to get to the city centre.

A place full of historic buildings. We went in a big cathedral, where they had the van Eyck mystic lamb painting, but couldn't be bothered to pay the 4 euros each to see it.

A very nice burger and beers in the sun.

A further wander about, tram, and home

Kraftwerk for an extra concert last night

Yesterday was Sunday.

We took an earlyish wander to the big market the lady told us about yesterday. It sold mostly clothes and food. We didn't get anything, but it was interesting to mooch about.

We then wandered further and came across another market, with a choice of food. We ended up fairly simple with hotdogs.

We then strolled further and got to the river.

We then went to find where the Kraftwerk concert was due to be held. Enquired if there were any spare tickets for the evening. There were, we bought them, and then went in to the early (7:00pm) 'Trans-Europe Express' gig. Fantastic it was too.

Afterward some beers and nachos!

Philip Roth - The Dying Animal

An excellent story of a serial older man and student lover's relationship over a number of years.

A little disturbing and direct, but an excellent read.

Haruki Murakami - The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

A curious world of the narrator, that surrounds his journey to get his wife back. A strange mixture of interwoven tales. Utterly compelling!

Antwerp via Eurostar

The holiday started at leaving the front door of home. A gentle, if early, wander down to the station on the Saturday morning (yesterday). First class to London, then a hop over to St Pancras, and then Eurostar with breakfast to Brussels. Then a train to Antwerp.

We got in mid-afternoon and took a stroll to get our bearings. We had an evening meal out with a few beers and back to bed pretty early, as we were rather tired

May bank holiday weekend

Well it's Monday evening, back to work in the morning. Saturday was going into town for coffee, drop trousers off for adjustment, and to the bank to move DDs from NandP to HSBC. Then to Wroxham for more boat fenders, and then to boat to put them on. Simon and Rachel were there too. That evening we went to Grandma's for a chinese. Sunday wa down the gym, then food shop and fitted the guitar on the wall. Lunch was at Brewdog for curry-dog and beer. Monday was out to buy new Dyson and get more gravel for the back garden. Then jojnd G&G and S&R down the Coach and Horses. Meanwhile Noah took his chums out on the boat. And Eleanor is still in France with Lea.