The day to day ramblings of a 30 something Lancastrian. If you want to read my views on life, the great outdoors, what I am listening to and where I think people should go, then read on. If you wish to contact me please mail stewood(at)gmail.com

Wednesday 23 January 2008

Radio update


Just a follow up to a previous post. Talksport and XFM are now officially off the list. The latter just can't get past its samey playlist and as for Talksport, now Ronnie Irani might be from Leigh but he certainly isn't a broadcaster. All he does on air is agree with everything Alan Boozil says, winds him up over his drinking habits or just asks banal questions. Not good for a national station.
The Revolution just seems to be wanting to be XFM lite and seems to be disappearing up its own bum hole so its GMR all the way for me.
Eamonn O'Neil and Dianne Oxberry are quality radio. Empathetic with the listeners, informative, even Eamonns old jokes get me laughing. They have a good team esp when they include the newreader Faye Ruscoe into their show. It certainly cheers up the drive through the traffic in the morning.
Terry Christian is still on GMR, he now does the drive show and is just the typical Terry, loud, opinionated and pretty funny. He even plays a Manchester tune everyday at 5.15 and not just the typical Momdays, Roses, Morrissey neither.
It maybe the BBC but GMR is at the moment a great listen and long may it continue.

What the crivens is going on??


What is it with this country and January these days. I remember there used to be a bit of snow round my birthday (this Sunday hint hint!!) but for the last couple of years all we have had is rain and wind. Any day now I expect 4 people on horseback to appear on the horizon and then it is curtains for the lot of us.
On Monday I did the usual walk from the workhouse to the Betamax shop for that dinnertime pick me up of chocolate and I was nearly washed away as the Irwell was, shall we say, pretty high. In fact I read that the Mark Addy is actually flooded, which doesn't surprise me. It was looking that if it got much worses they would have to evacuate the Lowry Hotel. Now what a shame that would have been looking at the the rock stars, D list celebs and footballers with their clothes horse other halves standing outside trying to avoid the shopping trollies, McDonald litter and condoms that were washed up from the river.

Tuesday 8 January 2008

Am I getting old?


I finally think I am you know. I have started listening to Radio 4 and not just for test match special. I don't read tabloids anymore and go for broadsheets (this may just be common sense I suppose) and I have also reinvigorated my passion for golf, well of sorts.
I spent last weekend on a freebie at The Belfry. Now whilst I didn't play any rounds, I had a bash on the driving range and have now decided that I am going to dust the clubs down this year and get back playing. I haven't played in about 4 years but fully intend to get right back into it.
I am even, as I type, wearing a jumper and polo shirt combo.
I'll be namedropping Brucie, Tarby and Lynchy if I am not careful

Writing on the Wall for Afflecks?

Well it looks like that is it for Afflecks. The stallholders have been given 2 weeks notice it seems to vacate the premises.
Now to be honest I haven't been an Afflecks customer for years, not since the heady days of Madchester when I used to go there most Saturdays in the summer (Winter was for football) and get my hands on some live bootleg tape or vid or some rare record or other. But it has always been a Manchester institution and as such its possible closing should be mourned.
Fingers crossed a compromise can be reached but sadly it doesn't look like it and once more we will the erosion of Manchester and the continuation of its decline into just another city centre.

Monday 7 January 2008

New Year, new blog....

I have just realised I haven't posted on here since March last year. Not really sure why, think it was more that I started my book in the summer and so forgot about it. I am going to try and get onto it more this year I reckon.
Keep your eyes peeled for more from this on a regular basis (fingers crossed)