Peter Burton's daily log, covering Peter's personal interests, e.g. jazz, travel and general grumpiness plus (occasionally) the business of Isomatic and its associate companies.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Benoit de la Rue with the John Barnes Quartet
This evening Selina and I celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary, going out with Benoit de la Rue, our new French member of staff at Boost Energy Systems Ltd. He drove us to
The Ewe at Weston Green for home-cooked food. They serve real chips, made by peeling real potatoes !
We continued to the
George & Dragon in Thames Ditton so that Benoit (pictured) could play his alto Sax with the John Barnes quartet, comprising John Barnes (baritone sax, tenor sax, clarinet), Alan Berry (keyboard), Mick Durell (double bass) and Don Cook (drums). The other guest was John Lang (trombone).
Benoit led the group for
Petite Fleur, composed by Sidney Bechet, who is performing it on this link. Benoit then joined the band in an improvised blues, which seemed to suit him very well. He must have nerves of steel; I know how hard it is to perform in public.
Other notable numbers were:
1)
Here Comes That Rainy Day, in latin style, as on the link.
2)
It's a Sin to Tell a Lie, a 1936 popular song by Billy Mayhew. The link is to the famous Fats Waller version.
3) As it is Mardi Gras today,
St Thomas, composed by Sonny Rollins, who plays it on this link.
Labels: Eating out, Jazz
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Dinner at the Rajdoot
This evening we celebrated my birthday by eating out at
The Rajdoot in Burpham, Guildford. This restaurant has survived for over 25 years when so many others have failed. Part of the answer is in the picture; high-backed chairs and nice tables with clean white tablecloths. The other part is the staff seem to be pleased one is eating there. In so many establishments one feels that the staff don't care or would rather have an empty place so they don't need to work. The food was good too !
Labels: Eating out
Saturday, March 14, 2009
West Moors, Dorset
Today we visited West Moors in Dorset, one of the villages in the Bournemouth area about which we knew nothing. We lunched very cheaply and well at the
Elephant & Castle (pictured), washing the food down with a pint of Ringwood Bitter (Peter) and a dry white wine (Selina). We were very impressed with the village centre; two pubs, two small supermarkets, two BUTCHERS, a coffee shop, etc. The residential streets were quiet, clean and free of parked cars. This place is not like Guildford !
Labels: drinking, Eating out, Travel
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Bournemouth
Today we drove to Bournemouth and had lunch at
The Crown in Northbourne (pictured). Marston's Pedigree has been replaced by the more local and equally acceptable Ringwood Bitter and there were no special food offers. Still good though.
We then went to the sea front and walked along the promenade and back along the cliff top in glorious sunshine, warm enough to sit on the conveniently placed seats.
We drove back via Ferndown, West Moors, Verwood, Salisbury, Stockbridge and Arlesford. This started well but traffic in Salisbury and no room for us in the Stockbridge tea room rather spoiled it. We had real tea, not the strong milky stew favoured by English housewives, at
Tiffins in New Alresford. This is only just off our normal route.
Labels: drinking, Eating out, Travel
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Musical museum, then Berrylands
This afternoon Brian Hicks, Selina and I went to a concert at the Musical Museum in Brentford. This featured the recently restored Mighty Wurlitzer (console pictured), played both by a musician and from piano rolls. We also had recitals from a pianola, a female singer and a piano-accordion. Bucks fizz was included in the price. Our intention had been to have lunch in the pub across the road but this proved impossible due to the absence of the chef. Instead we ate in Cafe Rouge near Kew Bridge. The food and wine were excellent, although we had to tolerate a blast of cold air as the main door was frequently opened.
In the evening the three of us went to the
Berrylands Hotel in Surbiton, for
Brian White's Magna jazz band, with Keith Brown (drums, pictured) replacing Rex Bennett. Numbers that we particularly enjoyed were as follows:
'The Old Stack o' Lee Blues', original composer unknown, celebrating the murder of William 'Billy' Lyons by Lee Shelton in 1895;
'The Georgia Grind', by Spencer Williams in 1915;
'Goody, Goody', composed by Matty Malneck in 1936 with lyrics by Johnny Mercer, sung by Brian with the usual standing ovation by his fans enhanced by me standing on my chair (Alan Dandy's suggestion);
'Shimmy-Sha-Wabble' again by Spencer Williams;
Alan Dandy's feature, combining 'Ghost of a Chance', about which we know nothing, with 'Willow Weep for Me', composed in 1932 by Ann Ronell. This is the number that Fred Hunt played as his solo feature at every performance of the Alex Welsh band that we ever saw, and there were many.
Labels: Concerts, Eating out, Jazz
Friday, November 14, 2008
Windsor for Selina's birthday
To celebrate Selina's birthday today (I am not allowed to say which one) we went to Windsor for much of the day. This involved kissing and cuddling in every place we visited; so I too enjoyed her birthday. We had lunch in 'The Crooked House', then toured
Windsor Castle, as pictured. We spent the rest of the afternoon in shops, coffee bars and a pub before having dinner at a new Chinese Restaurant, two doors away from the Royal Theatre. 13.50 pounds buys as much as you can eat, far more than we wanted. The alcohol license was still to be granted so we were each given a free glass of wine.
At the theatre we saw the Agatha Christie play 'And Then There Were None', advertised as following closely the original novel. It was certainly gripping, with a typically devious plot.
One warning to visitors to Windsor: DO NOT use the car park immediately behind the theatre or any other privately owned car park. They use a clamping company but do not pay them. Result is over-enthusiastic clamping to make as much money as possible, see
Windsor forum. We actually witnessed this happening.
Ideally we, the car-driving electoral majority, should have our own political party, pledged to re-introduce hanging, drawing and quartering for clamper scum, thus discouraging any others. As this will not happen, the only alternative is to starve the private car parks of funds by NEVER EVER using them. If the local authority car parks are all full, PLEASE DRIVE AWAY from Windsor and post to the forum explaining why you spent no money in the town.
Labels: Eating out, Grumpy, Theatre, Travel
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
BMEA Conference at the Southampton Novotel
.
Today we have been enjoying the 2008 British Marine Electronics Association (BMEA) Conference at the Southampton Novotel (pictured). The presentations were all good but we particularly enjoyed:
'Investing - the Ideal World' by Martin Hurll of St. James Place Capital, who boosted our flagging morale with respect to the financial crisis;
'Selling to the UK and USA' by Nick Heyes of Marine Electronic Services Ltd., who described in great detail the wonders of West Marine, only to provide the punch line that he found its Ts & Cs to be unacceptable.
In the bar Tamzin Matthew, legal and Company Secretary at the British Maritime Federation, explained how, as members, we can get free legal advice. She observed that we were not serious drinkers as we were sipping our wine so slowly. I explained that at 5.15 pounds per glass we felt obliged to eke it out until called to the dinner.
Labels: drinking, Eating out, Travel, Water power, Wind power
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Jack o' Newbury, Binfield
This afternoon we had lunch with a Portuguese interview candidate at the
Jack o' Newbury in Binfield, Berkshire. A photograph is now available, shown here, showing the pub with few cars spoiling the view. Good food and a fine range of wines by the glass. Friendly service and friendly locals. One word of warning; no food on Sunday evenings.
Labels: Eating out
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Burford Bridge; Lust, Caution
For our 42nd wedding anniversary today we had lunch at the
Burford Bridge Hotel. The food was excellent, as was the service and the view (pictured). The Mercure Group has kept up the fine tradition inherited from the previous owners.
In the evening we saw
Lust, Caution at the David Lean cinema in Croydon's Clocktower arts centre. This is a truly great film by Ang Lee, with a believable plot that keeps the suspense going to the very end. Wei Tang is a fine young actress, switching effortlessly from poor innocent student with no make-up and baggy clothes to the painted seductress in beautiful Silk Cheongsams. The sex (and there is plenty of it) is very hot and features a wide range of positions. Don't miss it !
I have to ask myself why all the great cinema of the last 12 months has featured foreign language films: 'Tell No-one', 'The Lives of Others' and now 'Lust, Caution'. I suppose English Language cinema is just catering for the mass audience, AKA the great unwashed.
Labels: Eating out, Film
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
New Year's Eve problem solved by Brian
We mentioned to Brian at the Cricks one night that we always find New Year's Eve a problem. The following week he gave us a typed invitation to dinner at his house followed by music at
Guildford Corporation Club. Yesterday evening Brian provided pate, trout from the Goldaming trout farm, toffee cheesecake, chardonnay, coffee and then champagne with Brian's friends Tanya and Robert. Brian then drove all of us to the club, where we were entertained by
The DISCiples. They played rock/pop from the 60s onward, rather too loudly for us, particularly when dancing near them. Andy on lead guitar was good.
Thanks Brian for a good evening.
Labels: Eating out, Pop Music
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Selina's long lost cousin
This afternoon we met Selina's long lost cousin Joe and his wife Robyn for the first time. They have flown over from Melbourne, Australia, where Joe was taken when he was 7 years old. Six cousins/siblings and their six spouses had a very substantial meal at the White House Restaurant in Hendon, followed by more snacks and cakes than we could eat at cousin Michael's house nearby.
Labels: Eating out, Family
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Missed Berrylands; Jack o' Newbury again
On Thursday we had a visitor at Park Farm so there was no chance of leaving early for jazz at the Berrylands. We took him for dinner at the
Jack o' Newbury in Binfield, Berkshire, leaving for home around 22:00. Cottage pie and a pint of 'Hoppit' went down well.
Labels: Eating out
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Millais, Archduke, Present Laughter
Selina's birthday treat on Wednesday was a trip to London, first for the
Millais exhibition at Tate Britain; a large display showing the versatility of this great British artist.
We then walked along the Thames to
The Archduke for an excellent early dinner. This is our favourite London eatery which we began using soon after it opened in 1979, when it had no competition in the area. How things have changed.
Our last treat was to walk the few yards along the street to see the Noel Coward play
Present Laughter at the National Theatre. Very enjoyable.
Labels: Art, Eating out, Theatre
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Jack o' Newbury, Binfield
On Friday evening Selina and I ate out at the
Jack o' Newbury in Binfield, Berkshire before returning to work for the evening shift. No photograph seems to be available on the web and it was rather dark to take one ourselves but here is an artist's impression. Good food and a fine range of wines by the glass. Friendly service and friendly locals. One word of warning; no food on Sunday evenings.
We first tried the
Three Legged Cross but they no longer serve food on any evening. We then went to the
Stag & Hounds but all the tables were occupied or reserved.
Jack of Newbury is a legendary figure of early Tudor England akin to Dick Whittington. His story was written as a work of fiction in the 1590’s by Thomas Deloney.
Labels: Eating out
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Kings Head Rudgwick
Having been thoroughly lost in the dark Sussex Countryside yesterday, we found ourselves in Rudgwick so ate and drank at the
Kings Head. The Sussex bitter went down a treat and the home-made lasagne was excellent. Recommended, particularly if you like Italian food.
Labels: Eating out
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Jack o' Newbury, Binfield
On Tuesday evening we ate out at the Jack o' Newbury in Binfield, Berkshire with a visitor. No photograph seems to be available on the web and it was rather dark to take one ourselves. Good food and a fine range of real ales. Friendly service and friendly locals. One word of warning; no food on Sunday evenings.
Labels: Eating out
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
The Molly Millar, Wokingham
On Tuesday evening we were working late so broke for dinner at
The Molly Millar in Wokingham. Food was good and very cheap. Wells Bombardier was on draught. The pub appears to be aimed at the 18 year-old end of the market; loud music, coffee shop decor, 25 lager keg taps vs 2 real ale pumps. What happened to those wonderful days when the young enthusiasts from CAMRA temporarily halted the decline of beer provision.
Labels: Eating out, Grumpy
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Royal Oak, Paley Street; floods
On Friday evening the director/shareholders of
Boost Energy had a working dinner at the
Royal Oak, Paley Street. The food and drink are good there, although it is rather expensive and fully booked most Fridays. We did not know until today that it is owned by Michael Parkinson and his son.
Getting there was difficult due to many roads being flooded but we splashed our way through various diversions. We mentally planned a higher ground route home but, as always, came to Chobham. The village centre was closed to traffic and the fire brigade was pumping water out via a very long hose. When we reached the point where the hose ended, surprise surprise, the road was flooded to a depth greater than anything we had experienced that evening. We managed to get through in first gear with accelerator buried in the carpet and water washing over the bonnet !
Labels: Eating out
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Excel Jazzmen with Colin Kingwell at The Cricketers, Yately
On Wednesday evening we went to
The Cricketers, Yately for a meal and to see the Excel Jazzmen again. Ken Clayton was ill so he was replaced on trombone by Colin Kingwell, who proved to be a fine player. We must see his Jazz Bandits some time.
In response to our comments here after our last visit, the band played more slow numbers and gave Terry Twiss (banjo) more vocal opportunities, singing on no less than five numbers; all great.
However, our favourite of the evening was 'Snag it' with a great trombone solo from Colin and fine clarinet and vocal from Bernie Murtha, who hardly played his alto sax last night.
Prior to the jazz I ate the 'Hunter's chicken' and Selina managed more than half her Sausages and Mash, washed down with a bottle of cheap but good Chilean Merlot. A good meal and not too expensive. We will have to miss the next fortnightly jazz session but we will almost certainly return in a month.
Labels: Eating out, Jazz
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
The Woolpack at Banstead
After a full hard day working at the premises of a customer in Croydon, famous for its poor electricity supply, we set out for home at 19:30. Rather than eat at 21:00 we stopped at
The Woolpack in Banstead for dinner. From the outside this looks like a typical country pub (see picture). Inside it is an old-fashioned pub as seen in London many years ago. The food is excellent and not over-priced. I had a great shortcrust steak and ale pie with my favourite Young's Biiter and Selina enjoyed her sausages and mash with a good French Vin de Pays Rouge. This is the third time we have visited Banstead and the third time we have used this pub, the last two visits being solely for that purpose. I guess that says it all.
Labels: drinking, Eating out
Saturday, February 17, 2007
The Archduke Restaurant on the South Bank
On Friday evening we ate at
The Archduke Restaurant on London's South Bank. Good food and wine and the presto menue for pre-concert or theatre diners is low price by London standards. There is also a popular bar downstairs that features jazz Monday to Saturday. The only downside is the noise.
Labels: Eating out
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Hurtwood Inn at Peaslake, Surrey
For Sunday lunch we drove to
Peaslake, a beautiful Surrey village. It is a real village, not just a hamlet, with its own village stores. We ate and drank at the Hurtwood Inn, which serves a range of local real ales. We chose the salmon, which was excellent, and I drank the local 'Shere Drop' bitter. Selina pronounced her dry white wine 'superb'. The pictures show the Inn and the surrounding village centre from a previous visit.
Labels: Eating out
Monday, January 01, 2007
New Year's Eve problem solved by Rajdoot
For New Year's Eve we thought we would go to one of our regular pubs. The Saddlers Arms was standing room only, The Cricketers was charging 15 pounds each and The Europa had no live music. When every pub lets you down, what do you do ? You go to an Indian restaurant, where customer service always comes first. We went to
The Rajdoot 220 London Road, Burpham, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 7JS, which we recommend to anyone in this area.
Labels: Eating out
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Today we visited West Moors in Dorset, one of the villages in the Bournemouth area about which we knew nothing. We lunched very cheaply and well at the Elephant & Castle (pictured), washing the food down with a pint of Ringwood Bitter (Peter) and a dry white wine (Selina). We were very impressed with the village centre; two pubs, two small supermarkets, two BUTCHERS, a coffee shop, etc. The residential streets were quiet, clean and free of parked cars. This place is not like Guildford !
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