When's the best time to have a disaster?

So, last night we all arrived at "the house" to finish off a few bits of painting and tidying prior to the carpet man arriving in the morning. However, only a few minutes into work Andy noticed some unfortunate stains appearing on the ceiling of the dining room. It became clear there was a leak somewhere above. Investigations proved that there wasn't a leak, but, in fact, three. One of the workmen in the house had managed to screw down the floorboard right into one of the central heating pipes.

This is where I was able to use a tip that my dad had showed me as a kid, and I had not used since, by taking a splinter and jamming it into the hole(s). The wood expands as it gets damp and staunches the flow (you can see this to best effect in the bottom picture).

An emergency plumber was summoned, came and started to effect a repair.

This morning, I got a text from Andy, saying "Getting the full set - checking for a gas leak now".

Luckily the plumber (from the previous evening) had returned and was able to track and repair the gas leak. There was an old lead pipe which lead to the hall which had not been properly capped.

We decided that while this wasn't exactly how we'd have planned it, getting these problems while there was no floor coverings was probably the best time......silver linings, eh.

While we waited for the carpet to be laid, Andy showed me his new pride and joy. The original Consumer Unit (I think this is a poncey name for a fuse box) was located in the living room, just above the electricity meter. This was a bonkers location, and so Caitlin and Andy have taken the rewire as an opportunity to relocate it to the cellar. And it is a thing of beauty....

Cool, eh? It's got lights and everything. The lights stay on, even if all the breakers trip so you can see what's what....as long as you don't fall down the cellar stairs in the dark getting to it.

They've also got an internet connected thermostat for the central heating so Caitlin or Andy can switch the heating on (or off) from in bed....or work, or the moon.

It is so cool. It's a bit like HAL in 2001.....but I hope it's a bit more cooperative.

Nick Lowe

One of the names you might have noticed on that list yesterday, was that of Nick Lowe. I have seen him thrice now, as on two of those Elvis Costello shows he was the support. I thought I might share a bit about some of the names on yesterday's list. How would you feel when someone you like so much forgets the words of the first verse of the first song of his first gig in Manchester for 20 years? One of your favourite songs?

I became aware of Nick Lowe in the late 1970's as a producer of a large number of Stiff Records records including those of the early Elvis Costello. Before that, he'd already had a bit of a career, first with Kippington Lodge, and then with a greater profile as a member of Brinsley Schwarz, a group the record company were convinced were going to take over the world. They didn't.

As well as a producer in the late 70's he was a member of Rockpile from 1975 with Dave Edmunds, Billy Bremner (no, not that one), and Terry Williams. Although the band were around for a while - I saw them supporting Elvis Costello in 1980 - and the members produced their own solo albums, the groups itself only ever issued one, "Seconds of Pleasure". I seem to remember that it was claimed that the complexity of the contracts the individual members had with other record companies made it difficult for them to produce a "Rockpile" album.

In the summer of 1978, I briefly worked, washing up, in the kitchen of the Steak and Kebab House in Didsbury. After my first shift, I took the unheard of sum of £7.50 (may pay for one shift) to my favourite record shop in Stockport (I can't now remember its name, but they gave the records to you in a plastic bag with Laurel and Hardy on the front) and spent the afternoon browsing through their stock before settling on "Jesus of Cool" by Nick Lowe (not unexpectedly the record company had to change the records name for US issue and settled on "Pure Pop for Now People"). LPs cost £2.99 or up to £3.14 depending on the record company issuing it. I'm not sure exactly how much I paid.

It was, and still is, fantastic. In fact I think I might still have it up in the attic. I Love The Sound of Breaking Glass, Little Hitler, So It Goes and the wonderful "Marie Provost" about a silent film star eaten by her dog after taking her own life.

Lowe describes himself, adjusting the James Brown quote, as "the least hard working person in rock and roll" so I haven't seen him nearly as much as I'd like.

The last time was a solo gig at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester which was notable not only for his first gig in Manchester for 20 years, but he opened with one of my favourite songs of his, "What's Shakin' on the Hill". Unfortunately he forgot the words half way through the first verse.....he recovered and the rest of the concert was a blast. I'd love to see him again, but don't want another twenty year wait! If you're reading this Nick, let's get some dates sorted.

A list of bands

While we've been decorating in Sale, we've listened to a great deal of Smooth FM. It's been amazing how many of the songs I know. I reckon that it must be a 95% hit rate. When I say "I know", I mean they are familiar to me, so I can hum them or sing the chorus, but I might not immediately be able to name either song or artist. That must be a function of being so old, but what has surprised me is how many artists are ones I've actually shelled out money to see.

And that got me onto a mental list of all the bands I've been to see (which isn't that many). You know how we blokes like a good list. I'll be interested to see how many get added over the next few weeks.

Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers
Blondie
Stranglers
Stiff Little Fingers
OMD
The Pogues
The Cure
Siouxsie and the Banshees
Hootie and the Blowfish
Elvis Costello (Apollo, Bridgewater Hall, Lancaster Uni, Liverpool Royal Court, Liverpool Philharmonic, Birmingham NEC, Birmingham Odeon, Royal Albert Hall)
Crowded House
B-52's
Kleenex
The Damned
The Slits
David Bowie
Prince
The Rolling Stones
Little Bo Bitch
Joe Jackson
Orchestra Baobab
Buena Vista All Stars
Steve Earle
The Dead Kennedys
The Jam
The Specials (Two Tone Tour)
Buzzcocks (supported by Joy Division)
Sex Pistols (2014 version)
Young Marble Giants
Revillos
Nico
Fairground Attraction
Bob Dylan
The Long Ryders
Los Lobos
John Mayall
Dr John
Slim Gaillard
The Incredible Jimmy Smith
Johnny Winter
Nick Lowe
U2 (Salford Uni Student Union)
Barenaked Ladies
The Mod-ettes
Gogol Bordello
Robert Cray

---

New additions

Michelle Shocked
Billy Bragg
Teardrop Explodes
Van Morrison

Happy Days

Over the last month or so, I've been suffering with a few physical ailments which have got me down a bit. I seem to be slower in overcoming them than before. However, there are signs that I'm coming through, and things are perking up.

Last time out I told you about the work that Gel and I had put in trying to help Caitlin and Andy with their house. Although this has taken a lot out of me, it has also made me feel great. It's kick started me into Spring.

Just overnight we've had a lovely house guest from another part of the EU. Miriam is a childhood friend of Gel's currently living in Germany. She tries to come over regularly to visit family and friends (and smuggle back all those English things you can't get in Germany). She is mad as a box of frogs and I can see why she and Gel get on so well :0)), and we had a lovely time entertaining her and introducing her to our new cats (she's not been to see us for over a year so hasn't met them before).

The weather is trying to become Springlike, and much as I try to portray myself as a winter lover, there's no denying that the warmer weather and longer days are nice.

The other big thing that indicates I'm returning to normal, is that on my way out of the house this morning, I picked up my camera. Not something I've done for a while. This is a phenomenon that Phil and I have discussed at length. How you you can go into a bit of a trough, not having taken a picture for weeks, and then get a nice kick from starting up again.

And I did take one today, but am reluctant to share it as I think it might form the start of a little project, and I want to get a few more before unveiling it to you.

So for now, here's one from the archives.

I do like this one. I took it at Chester Zoo on Oct 15th 2006.

So, it's all finished....

Ha!

I am referring, of course, to the work we've been helping with on Caitlin and Andy's house.

Just to take you back to the start, Caitlin and Andy had been looking for property in the Sale area, where they currently live, and were hoping to pick up a bargain even if it meant a little work. After a few other properties were seen, and in a couple of cases bid on, this current one came on the market.

It had been owned by an old lady, a retired teacher, who had died, and the solicitors in charge of disposing of the estate were selling it. It is a Victorian, two-bed, end terrace, with off street parking and a lovely sized garden on a small unadopted cul-de-sac.

It was very clear from the get-go that a lot of work was going to be necessary, but it turned out that there was more than they bargained for. A suitable bid was made, and accepted, and various trades persons were engaged to have a look at the property and give estimates for work.

The roofers said that the work done on the roof was possibly the worst they'd ever seen. Some of the tiles had been painted with grey paint, and we think this may have been a scam to pretend they'd replaced tiles when, in fact, they simply been up and painted it. Somebody had also sprayed expanding foam under the roof tiles and this had led to tiles lifting and damp getting everywhere.

So, new roof, new bathroom, new damp proof course, replaster every room, re wire, new radiators, new skirting boards and architraves.

They intend to to move in next Saturday, and this week the sparks, chippy and carpet man are in, so all the decorating had to be complete by this weekend just gone. Gel and I have been in most days over the last two weeks, and are both knackered but extremely pleased to have been able to help.

I'll do some pics soon.

But until then, you'll have to make do with a picture of the coffee and walnut cake that I've made. Hopefully now that we're less committed to decorating there will be more blog and more pictures of cakes.

Nom, nom, and, indeed, nom.

Now I know how Michelangelo felt

The last few days have been spent painting ceilings and walls and floors (varnish) and bannisters.....

Physically it has been punishing and we're getting home fit to drop. However, we know it's only for a short while, and then it's done.

I need to to learn to put more emulsion on the walls, and less on me.

The Sandmen

Do you ever rehearse conversations with people - mostly famous people - in case you were to meet them?

On Wednesday I went round to lend a hand to Andy as he sanded the hall and dining room of the new house. Towards midday I wandered up the road to B&M bargains to fetch a couple of bottles if water and nine, sorry six+three, pack of mini Twixes. I hadn't gone with the express intention of buying the Twixes, but was taken by the offer. Good old B&M. On the way up to B&M I rehearsed a conversation with Lou Macari.

Macari, posed in front of the Stretford End.

There were two things that prompted this rather pointless activity.

On Tuesday night before settling down to watch Eng v Ned BT were showing a "Wembley Classic" and in this case was the 1979 FA Cup Final. This was the third FA Cup Final in four years that United had contested. I went to all three, a defeat to Southampton in '76 (Stokes a mile offside), a win v Liverpool in '77 (somewhat lucky winner), and, as I watched, and remembered, on Tuesday night a defeat to Arsenal.

There were a number of things that struck me about this game. One was the number of clogging fouls that the referee allowed without brandishing a yellow card (did they have yellow cards then?). There was one in particular by Mickey Thomas on Pat Rice towards the end of the game.  Somewhat primitive. The other was that while I clearly knew the order of the goals (0-1, 0-2, 1-2, 2-2, 2-3), I had forgotten how close the end the third goal was. I was standing - yes standing, a £2.50 ticket - behind the goal we (Super Super Sam/ Super Super Sam/ Super Super Sam/ Super Sammy McIroy) equalised in, and remember clearly thinking that we'd "do them" in extra time.....not that extra time ever came.

This was one of those games described by the commentator as exciting for the neutrals, but overlooking the heart-wrenching effect on the losers. I remember being utterly spent after that game. It was a long coach trip home.

The game was at the end of the season, the FA Cup Final always is, the pitch was heavy, it always was in those days, and it was hot. There was only one sub allowed, and the players must have been knackered, so I was really impressed to see one of my heroes, Jimmy Greenhoff, still buzzing around right at the end of the game. He was just a few days short of his 33rd birthday.

Jimmy Greenhoff. £120,000 from Stoke, 97 games 26 goals.

The commentator was Brian Moore, with Brian Clough adding gnomic comments at irregular intervals. Much fewer than interjections these days from the "Colour Man". At one point, with Utd 0-2 down, the ball was crossed and Pat Jennings had to make a smart save from Macari, and Brian Moore described it as a good header from Macari "who gets up well for a small man" (or something similar).

It wasn't just that that made me rehearse the conversation with Macari. The catalyst was when I walked past Sale Leisure Centre. That might seem a bit random if you didn't know that I played five-a-side one week at Sale and on the way in I saw Lou Macari coming out after a swim.

Andy hired a belt sander and a corner sander, and had a go at sanding down the floorboards in the hall and dining room. We were a little haphazard, but the result was pretty decent.

Since then he, Caitlin, Gel and I - and today Andy's mum and dad - have been painting like mad things. Newly applied plaster is a thing of beauty, but needs quite a few layers of mist/paint/paint.... Everything Caitlin and Andy do know makes it more like a home and less like a building site. Gel made them a pile of food today which they can heat up quickly when they get home during this week. It's a lot of graft, but moving day is in two weeks and we're all going to pull together to make sure that it goes well. It's very exciting, and a real pleasure to be able to contribute.