I did this for MIS Online, but then missed the deadline!!
So, although it's a bit late, enjoy.
Hi Gang!
Well, despite having only started my new job 3 weeks before, I managed to
connive the day of work on the Friday to attend the Crunch! gig.
I was picked up at the Motorway Service station on the Thursday evening by
Mountain Boy and Rich Groves. From there we proceeded the dreary route down
the M40, M25 and M11 to Cheryl's house, managing to avoid the hand-held
speed trap just after Oxford. Bloody police! Why don't they spend more time
catching real criminals?
It was on the way down the motorway that the idea of the MadWeekend
re-surfaced, to general agreement all-round. This could definitely be a
goer, but I'm sure we'll learn more as things get sorted.
This time we managed to find Cheryl's house first time without the need to
phone her for directions once we reached Barking! That evening we popped
over to the 24 hour Tesco to pick up some beer and nibbles. Starting the
weekend as we meant to continue.
After Cheryl had managed to keep us up half the night watching TV, we
retired to bed, hoping to be up bright and early for the rendez-vous in the
Spread Eagle.
We were up relatively early the following morning, and I left before Cheryl
and Mountain Boy as I had a prior engagement at CancerBACUP to hand over the
remaining monies from Rhythmstock! When I got there, I met up with the
photographer, Simon Moore, who showed me round the offices and introduced me
to the fund-raising staff. They all knew me by name and presented me with a
thank you card. It was good to meet them.
I arrived at the Spread Eagle at about 12:45, but not before being accosted
by the WeeMon who'd been to Syd's Hair Cuts in the High Street (from the
cover of the 'Five Cuts' promo CD, and 'One Step Beyond' video) to get his
perm done. �7 and the bloody barber still didn't get his cat to lick the
fluff off, though.
On arriving at the Spread Eagle, all the usual faces were there. Vince,
Jerney, Becky, Swanny, Rich... apologies for those I've missed. After the
usual back-slapping and hand-shaking, I eventually got to the bar! �3.43 for
a Guinness and cigar! Can't wait till the Dublin Castle opens again.
The next 5� hours were spent in chatter and sharing of photos taken at
Rhythmstock! In between times, more people started arriving and some started
departing as well. WeeStoo and Vince had to shoot off to meet MrG and
Vincent Carden respectively.
At about 18:30, we all piled down to the venue for a few more bevvies, and
to meet up with those who unfortunately couldn't get the day off work. There
we sat drinking, talking and drinking, waiting for Crunch! to come on stage.
I really must learn that several pints of Guinness does not make up for lack
of food during the day.
Scatty put in an appearance just after 19:00. Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear.
Slightly the worse for wear, I fear. I was one of the lucky ones who wasn't
grasped in his vice-like grip and told that I was loved. However, Scatty has
threatened that I will not be forgotten next time around. Shit!
Crunch! came on shortly after 21:00. Lee was not dressed completely in his
Spotter disguise, but damn close. The gig was fantastic. Plenty of jumping
around at the front of the stage, where Lee offered the mike to various fans
when he'd obviously forgotten the words to the song! A touch of Suggsitis
there, methinks. Lee took time-out halfway through the set for a cigarette
whilst the band played the longest version of F�r Elise that I've ever
heard!Jerney had her pillowcase (sorry, I mean, banner) taken by Lee as a
momento and got involved in handbags with some girl who kept pushing at the
front. Very nice.
The gig came to a close and we all started to filter out the wrong way. So,
about-turn and off we toddled out the correct way. I met up with Cheryl,
Adele & Peter Hargreaves and Mountain Boy after the gig and we went off in
search of some Frank Bough. Never has a steak-baguette tasted so divine or
been devoured so quickly. Real porcine manners, I tell you.
Adele drove us back to Cheryl's place via the 24 hour Tesco again for a few
more supplies. Back at Cheryl's we put Dumb and Dumber on the video to round
the evening off.
The following morning we were due to leave. Mountain Boy got in contact with
Rich to find out what time we were to meet him at the Tube station.
Unfortunately, one of the stations had problems necessitating a bus-ride, so
Rich was running a bit late. Never mind, off to the chippy round the corner
for a chip-butty!
Finally we left Cheryl's, met Rich at the Tube and were on our way once
again. The journey back seemed to take forever (God, motorways are boring).
Mountain Boy dropped me off at about 18:00. The end to a truly fantastic
weekend.
When's the next one, Swanny?
Stay Mad 8-)
Simesy
ICQ - 50212254
www.nuttysounds.co.uk - A great hom(ep)age to a great group
www.blockheads.co.uk - the official Ian Dury fansite
www.countrybumpkin.ndo.co.uk - My first crack @ it
-
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