A Three Pack

These ice blocks came quickly; but we did have a less practical back-up option ordered to collect at a store just in case. They were light and chunky and easy to fit into the freezer and didn’t take up much room in the cool bag either, but did the job to keep the bag cool throughout the day. The brand name also gives a bit of reassurance that the product is going to do what it says on the tin. It’s a shame that they didn’t come in a choice of colours, but I suppose blue is the most practical and they do stand out when you’re looking for them. The non-toxic element is also reassuring. No-one wants to get sick after consuming a beverage. It’s a shame that you have to keep them on a flat surface when freezing. You may have to reorganise your whole freezer drawer to fit them in.

Glasshouse Tap is 5

I’ve never actually managed to visit. I’ve come close, but they weren’t open at the time. It wasn’t doing very well and they were struggling to keep the place open. I haven’t even seen anywhere that sells its beers or met anyone that’s tried them. The website is just a mixture of cans and t-shirts to choose from, and there’s no information about its history or how the name was chosen at all, even if you pry away at a side menu. I’ve been told that it’s easily accessible from the canal. It’s proving very difficult to find a picture. I’m guessing that tables are laid out like a Bavarian beer hall. It’s probably not somewhere that you’d choose to sit inside in warm weather. Still, it’s another one to attempt to tick off the bucket list; that’s assuming if it makes it to another year. Better try to get there sooner rather than later.

Abandon Pub #sambourne 13

I’m not a big fan of this pub. It’s very picturesque but the couple in charge are a bit backwards. It’s run by a grumpy old bat and her grown-up son who runs the kitchen and tends to the bar on quiet evenings. We’d booked a room a few months in advance for a group meeting. And because it was a picturesque pub; we’d put it on the front cover of our seasonal magazine. I called ahead a few weeks in advance to remind them that we were coming. Then on the evening, the staff totally blanked us. They hadn’t got our room ready and only had one beer on which wasn’t in the best condition and soon ran out. At the break, I was considering abandoning the meeting to go to another venue; but they did add another beer. At the end of the meeting, they confessed to me that they’d forgotten that we were coming. I haven’t been back since.

Speak like Shakespeare

Am I to be bombarded with quotes from the bard? Will there be excerpts from his plays? Or is this an excuse to use ‘oldspeak’ and put ye in front of every word? She might not be able to do it successfully and give up in a tongue-twisted stupor. Or I might get an everyday conversation. I get a speech that I can’t understand, but that’s quite usual. The second attempt is different, and I begin to understand the first half but it becomes too long for my brain to process what it means. A third attempt is also unique and short, and I understood the first bit but not the second. Some of it doesn’t make sense; like cowards die many times but the valiant only die once. At the end of the day, it just a collection of quotes that it’s read out. It’s not like you can have a conversation.

When Trees Attack #sambourne 12

It looks like something’s getting ready to charge. They’re even pointing. The one on the right might be holding the branch like a cane. It might be the commander while all the left ones are lining up like obedient troops. There’s even a butterfly in the top left to act as a scout. Are the nearest ones having a duel about having to attack, or are they exchanging strategies? The door actually looks like quite a weak point. After all, it’s made as the same materials as themselves. The bushes have already been sent in. They’re blocking the windows and making sure that there’s no escape. And some more reinforcements have been sent in on the right behind them while some of the older troops have been sent to approach from the rear. And now they’re ready to begin their assault. Will they open fire or drop the command to charge?

Spider-Man: Homecoming

It was strange to see a film without an origin story; though it blended in nicely with the rest of the franchise and people were already familiar with the character. The idea of having another superhero as a mentor is also quite unique for this franchise and works well with the age of the characters. The relationship between Ned and Peter is also good fun; though the rest of the class is a little too close. There’s a bit of bullying but it’s mental rather than physical. At least Parker tries to do the right thing. This actor has the right level of immaturity which makes his decisions fun to watch. I like the irony that Happy is not happy to help Parker out and does so only under Stark’s direction. It was a shame that the final battle didn’t take place at school; but I suppose it makes sense when you put it into context with the other films.

Exquisite Gardening #sambourne 11

Someone has some serious skills here with a hedge trimmer. It must really irritate them when there’s a twig or leaf poking up out of place or not in line. Even  the tree is carefully pruned. It looks like it’s got eyes. I wonder if it nibbles a bit of hedge each time the wind blows and bends it over. I wouldn’t know how it reaches the bushes on the far side though. Perhaps the leafless tree does that. They do look a little more rugged. Perhaps there’s lasers at night that trims off any excess growth. The sensors could be installed on the drainpipes. Or maybe there’s a template for every shape that’s kept in the gardener’s shed. It might even be a school for trainee gardeners and the mistakes are kept around the back. I bet that little blackboard reads “Keep off the grass”. But it does look more than four words. Maybe it states the punishment as well.