Tuesday, July 31, 2007

The fourth poker championship tour (July 27)



It was the usual combatants that sat round the green table and did battle. Blood, tears, gouging and loud whooping; and that was just getting the snacks!

It seemed from very early on that Chris would win, as he'd scored a few big winning hands at the start of the night; almost holding as many chips as me, Jason and Dave put together. Slowly, though, Chris's advantage was chipped away to the point where he, myself and Dave had about the same amount. Jason, as is becoming a pattern, was losing more than winning and was down on chips. He was to lose them all before the end of the night, but only by one hand. Going into that last hand, it would prove to be 'winner takes all' between me, Dave and Chris. We all bet hard but Chris had to pull out, not having a good hand to begin with. Dave and I continued to bet heavy all the way to the river card, where it turned out that Dave had the winning hand.

So there it was, another new winner. Each of the 4 of us has now won a night at poker. I intend to be the first 2 time winner. Until next time!

Monday, July 30, 2007

The T4 Party on the Beach Weekender (July 20-22)



It's seemed like a good idea at the time. And it was a journey made twice before: Drive to Bristol a couple of days before the Sunday for a full weekend of fun. I remember first time we (Me, Gregg and Neil) attended T4. It took me barely 2 1/2 hours to get to Bristol.
This year it took me 2 1/2 hours just to cross London!!!
Another 4 hours to get to Reading, and the whole journey took just over a whopping 7 1/2 hours!!!!!!!

There was a very good reason for the slow journey. It was the day the heavens opened. The rain we got was, quote, '10x heavier than heavy rain'. In fact I had to drive through a 'lake' very early in my journey, the water level easily lapping the top of the wheels!!

Needless to say the drive was very dull and tedious an agonising. I was hungry, because all the service stations had closed due to flooding and I was neigh on delirious when I arrived at the hotel at 8:05 after leaving Ilford at 12:30. To be fair Dan, Gregg and Neil, did no better. Their journey started from Kings Cross. They too had to deal with 'river crossings' and delays, just the same, and arrived about and hour before me.

Neil, Dan, Gregg

'Onwards and upwards'; we still had a quick sauna and swim before hitting the town. Food was paramount because till then I had eaten nothing all day and was starting to see dead people! We ended up in a Witherspoon mainly because we knew they would still do food at 10:30 at night. We wound up next to this crazy woman who was only a few years older than us but looked about 20 years older! She was mad!! We finished the night in Chicago Rock Cafe on the port because it seemed the liveliest bar.



On Saturday we pottered around town; the port front, the shops the Arnolfini museum. We had a late lunch in a bar the was a boat permanently moored. It was called 'Apple' and specialised in cider, which we all sampled along with the rather sumptuous food that was laid on. Back to the hotel for another dip and roast, and we were on the town again. We checked out several bars and pubs early on in the night before going to club Oceana. Dan and Neil had never been to Oceana before and me and Gregg took delight in showing them all the themed rooms. Sadly we only got a far as the 'Boudoir' and stopped for drinks. And there we stayed. We met 4 lovely young ladies in there and ended up chatting away till nearly closing time, when we all went up to the disco room to dance away the final minutes. Two of the girls lived not to far away so we all jumped in cabs to keep the drinking and music going. At 5:20 Dan recognised that we should get some sleep as T4 was only hours away.











I think we were packed and checked out by 12 on Sunday and drove the 20 odd miles to Weston Super Mare. The ever lovely Vicky met us there after getting the train that morning. The beach was a little soggy but the weather was bright and the sun beat down as the day wore on. We saw Akon, Amerie, Mika, Girls Aloud (rubbish, although the ginger one would get it), Badly Drawn Boy, Kaiser Chiefs, Natasha Bedingfield, The Hoosiers, Athlete and Just Jack. Vicky hot footed over to the second stage to see Mark Ronson and I heard Dizzee Rascal whilst we were queuing up for food.






The drive home was no better. The M4 was closed because of an accident and it took me and Vicky 6 hours to get home. Dan, Gregg and Neil failed to reach London in time for the last trains home, so Gregg had to stay at his girlfriend's while Neil had to stay at his parents, having to miss his next day at work. Poor Dan had to drive on to Canterbury in Kent. Even now I'm too scared to ask him what time he got home.

Same again next year? :)

More pics here on Facebook

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Oh. We're going to Ibiza (July 13-17)



There she was sitting by the radio Friday night, listening to Kiss, when the DJ announces a competition. The first person to text in when he played a particular song would win a weekend holiday to Ibiza, the next weekend, for them and 5 friends; with VIP entry to Hedkandi on the Saturday night. Melissa texted in as soon as she heard the song, and was surprised when the radio station rang her back and told her she had won!

Exactly 1 week later Melissa, Dani, Gemma, Sarah, Vicky and I were on a plane heading off to the party isle.

I didn't have a evening free in the run up to the holiday. Monday; step. Tuesday; Lakeside with Sarah and Vicky. Wednesday; body pump and badminton down the gym. Thursday; packing!!

Friday

Gemma, Danni, Melissa
Sarah, Vicky, Me

We arrived in Ibiza in the middle of the night, but all still ventured out to explore. We caught mini cabs into Ibiza Town. It was very 'Spanish' in town with many locals out and about which surprised us all; it didn't feel 'touristy'. We eventually all met up in a McDonalds after 30 mins, as the cabs we caught dropped the 2 groups off in different locations. A little more wandering around then we all decided to head back to the hotel. The cabs had overcharged us o the way down so decided to walk back. We started off in the right direction but got a little lost as we got near. We cut through a building site and got startle by security or somebody hanging around in the dark. We all ran, all the way back to the hotel. It was funny later.





Saturday

The day started with breakfast then we all hit the pool, for some serious power sunbathing. Later on in the afternoon Sarah and Vicky went for a walk, checking out the beach and stuff. Then later on still Me, Melissa, Gemma and Dani done the same.







That evening was 'Hedkandi' night. We got dressed in our finest threads, posed for a few pics and headed out for dinner at a very local Chinese resturant. We all walked to town again, along the coast for a change of scenery. There were some market stalls along the way which the girls loved. Unfortunately by following the coast our bearings were thrown and we ended up wandering around again, eventually finding where we needed to be but not before walking twice as far as we needed to. D'oh!







A boat trip took us over to the club El Divino, where we got our VIP entry to the club and VIP lounge. With complementary drinks too, the VIP lounge was where we spent most of our night. Toward the end of the night (the start of the next day!) we went onto the dance floor for a dance. It was a lot less packed then but still busy. This was a club that could hold hold 2500 people. The club finished at 7am and we left just before that, if only to avoid the rush for cabs.







Sunday

Everyone was up by 11am for our trip across the island to San Antonio, the beach was much better there and it had the tourist feel lacking in Ibiza Town. Again, it was all about the sunbathing with a little paddle in the sea. Later on we took a stroll around the shops and grabbed some lunch. We headed back to our hotel again to get ready for another night out. There was a split decision for the night. Gemma, Dani and Mel headed back to San Antonio, and later onto club Pasha; whilst me, Vicky and Sarah explored the old part of Ibiza town.









Monday

Monday was our final day and we had to pack and vacate our rooms by midday. Our flight however was not until 1.30 that night! So we hung out by the pool again, soaking up the rays, went for a walk and done some photos on the beach that Gemma directed. That evening we got changed and all went to the old part of Ibiza Town for dinner and have a look around. All until we had get to the airport and fly home. :(








Some of these and many more photos can be found on my Facebook in 2 galleries.
gallery 1
gallery 2

Also I would like to say many thank to Melissa for inviting me along. Thanx, I had fun. Much love. Mwah x x!