MavinsBlog

This Blog is no longer in use. Please go to http://69.89.31.103/~romanonl/andrewmavin/ There will be a .com address soon. Thanks for commenting here, hopefully we'll see you at the other place. cheers Andrew

Friday, October 27, 2006

Latest Scan photo!!!!


All is well with Kippa according to the Doctor .... !!

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Will there be or won't there be?

Many of you know that for many many years, I have been a big follower of Genesis (the band, not the "Book Of .... "). Over the past year or so there have been a lot of rumours about the possible reunion of Genesis either with the 5 of them, or the 4 of them or just the 3 of them ...... well, a very sensible German has set up a site containing the best info I have been able to find. So .... to share with you all, cos I have sort of been keeping it to myself recently

http://www.genesis-fanclub.de/genesis/reunion/genesis_of_a_reunion_engl.htm


Personally, I would prefer them to leave it. Collins is now partially deaf in his left ear, (some say this might be an advantage) Banks' last effort was interesting, but lacked drive, Rutherford's Mechanics seem to have settled for dismal, middle of the road stuff. Gabriel and Hackett seem to be the only sensible ones by refusing (so far) to join in.


Oh well, we will see anyway, I will probably go and see them where ever they will be, but after the last time I saw them (Ahoy with Wilson singing) I wasn't impressed.

Monday, October 23, 2006

Greetings again ....

As Dave Matthews often sings "So Much To Say, So Much To Say, So Much To Say ... yeah yeah ... So Much So Much So Much To Say" Or something like that

Its proably best to divide things into chapters

1. Manchester - After a long drive from Brussels which began at 05.00 in the morning, and after a good night at Churchills, I arrive to a meal at Pizza Express ... Yummy! It was nice to bite into that lovely crust again. We used to do Pizza Express a lot as there was one just down the road from where we lived, was nice to have the memories flowing back. Met up with a lot of friends and had a great time with all of them, esepcially those who were at the wedding, a lot to catch up about and a lot of new photos to go through.

2. Dad - Drove to Newcastle on the Sunday. Dad looked very tired and it was very obvious that the Steriods had taken their toll on his face and body, about half a stone had been added. He was very tired and not really up to much which was good for Louise as she could also spend a lot of time relaxing. The visit to the Clinic on Thursday showed his platlets were down to 8.4 (shoudl be 10) and needed 3 units of new blood as a top up. At least he will be off the steriods for the time being. Managed to get out to Hill Head and some other places ..... he even managed to sit in the back of the car which was, for him, very exciting! He has finally finished, what I think is, his best boat to date.

It really captures the best things of all the boats he has done so far (around 18). The detail on this one is particuly great especially the toilet paper in the bathroom and the lino in the cabin. Excellent! Photos don't really do it justice to be honest.


3. The Tap and Spile - Monday night at the Tap and Spile with Ali was a tremendous success! A lot of people in the place considering it was a Monday. The set was great, especially with Ali, Looking forward to another long weekend in January here in Brussels. The Websters and the Hirsts where both there supporting as was a madman who air guitared and air sang "I'm A Believer" to the enjoyment of all around. One bit of very sad news was that "Bob" as in "Sally and Bob" in Chris' Living Room, passed away a couple of weeks ago. We dedicated the performance that night in his memory.
















This is Ruben.


4. Sheffield - Left Newcastle on Thursday to drive down to Sheffields to see Yo, Steve, Ruben and Nathaniel. Again, lovely to see them and their photos. Rhuben is becoming quiet an accomplished pianist while Nathaniel is the leading contender for the "Boris Johnson Look-a-like 2006". Sheffield is a strange city to me .... I always seem to get lost despite visiting many many times before. Even Lou gets confused sometimes, and seeing as she stayed there for 5 years, I at least have an excuse!




















5. Hacconby - Friday ..... it must be Hacconby. Popped in for Luinch to Terry and Jill who also live the in house just up from Lou's Mum and Dad in france. Very nice and kind couple, both Ex-teachers and so get on with them very well.

6. Wisbech - Wisbech, .... it must still be Friday. Thanks to Jason and Kate ... and of course Isobelle .... for letting us stay with them despite them moving house .... on Tuesday! At least it was a night off for them both. Drank FAR too much with Jason after the girls had wimped out to bed, but it was great to catch up with them all. It will be a long time before we see all these people again, but hopefully we will!

By The Way .... Kate doesn't know about this photo!!!















7. Sunday. - Did F*** all .....

8. The Car - Did us proud. Very Comfortable and very economical. 38MPG for over 1100 miles including town / Motorway and country roads and was fully laden with gear .... and Louise!

By the way .... little update.. .. we have the next big scan on Thursday so hopefully some more funny pictures then. Mummy doing very well .... not so sick and has a smile on her face again!

Friday, October 13, 2006

See you in about a week.

Unless you happen to pop into Tap and Spile on Monday or be in Manchester this weekend, or in Churchills bar tonight, or Sheffield on Thursday / Friday ..... Bye for now!

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

UPDATE UPDATE !!


Louise was sick on Monday night .... oh dear oh dear ...... All clocks restarted.

Monday, October 09, 2006

One Week Later .......

Yes, it is one week later, and a big thank you to all those who posted a comment and also to those who couldn't work it out and sent me an E mail instead.

Things here are all fine and dandy, Lou hasn't been sick for almost a week now (previous record was 56 hours during the last 7 weeks)

Lots of things have happened here this week, A new baby carrying device was purchased, aka a new car. e bought the Citroen Picasso ..... very nice. I only have 2 things that are a tad add and one huge issue ...... It has no rev counter which although one should use ears, it is nice to watch! There is an odd tick tick ticking sound inside the ventilation system ..... only lasts for about 4 or 5 seconds, then goes ..... these 2 things I can live with. However, I simply cannot understand how Citroen can allow a car out of the factory with such an appaulling sounding speaker system. It is truely awful! I have already changed the rear speakers so that some resemblance of bass can be heard, the front door bins will be changed soon. The fronty placed tweaters are fine and acceptable..... Hopefully all will be sorted by next week as I will be driving up North.

Louises' parents arrived on Monday, and were immediatly taken to Casualty as Marian had fallen over on the way to the airport in Carcassone. A broken right ankle and tendon damage in the left ankle meant most of the week was spent trundling her along the flat corridors on a wheelly stool and firemans lifts up and down stairs. ... I'm not even going to mention the showers!




Susie and Gianni (or Jar Knee as he is know) also visited this week for a few days which was great to see them again.
It was Giannis first visit to Brussels ..... so .... well .... we had to sample some of the many beers ...... we had about 8 different ones in one night ..... so not a bad start. But all told, we 6 had a lot of fun and laughter and daftness.


This week, should be quieter, Brugge tomorrow, Churchills on Friday and then off to the NE to see Dad. Playing with Ali in the Tap and Spile next Monday so if anyone wants to pop along .... they do do real ale!

Monday, October 02, 2006

For those of you who know, and for those who don't .....

The Future Mummy and Daddy are all well ......