Platform Five

The Tradition of Platform Five began on a Friday..........

Platform Five is a tradition among horn players dating back to the late 2005's, myth states that two young horn players (named Alex and Steve) were the first to take out their horns and play to the multitude apon the sacred platforn of the train station of the Bridge of London. The multitude, who have tasted the holy spirit (or cider or ale), throw their loose change into the cases of the horn players and applaud the players of the horns.
The players of horns can then proceed to the Park of the Honorable Oak weighted down with the coins of the drunken men and women of business and finance from the city.

The players must be anointed with spirits and ale.........

Alex

One of the pretty leaflet girls trying a tuba:

Last Saturday myself and Alex earned almost £40 each in 40 minutes on platform 5.
Yesterday (Sunday) myself, a tuba and trumpet went busking on Oxford Street and Carnaby Road. As well as leaving somewhat richer (and colder) than we began, we were also shown on Italian TV yesterday evening and French TV yesterday afternoon. We also became aquainted with some rather pretty girls who were handing out flyers and dancing to our more jazzy Christmas carols.

Counting coins:

It took over thirty minutes in a cafe to count and split the almost £300 we brought in. I can also tell you that that amount of loose change weighs quite a lot.

I was then prompted to count my collection of 1 and 2ps, about two years buildup, which some of you may have seen. The grand total being 535* 1ps and 235 * 2ps. (Just under a tenner of coppers)

The bank will be visited tomorrow.

Christmas Dinner

Myself and the housemates had our Christmas dinner last night, Attended by ourselves, four other horn players, a violinist and some randomer.

Setting up the Dining Room

The responsability was allocated evenly between the four members of the household, I was in charge of starters, assistant chef and sound technition. (We now have a speakers in the hall and sitting room conected to my stereo, which can be switched on or off at will.)
Lucy was head chef, and did very well, the turkey was sublime.
Michael was in charge of decorations, dining room arrangement and table spread. (Our sitting room was converted into a dining room) hopefully I can get a few pics to show what we did.
Andy took charge of invitations, alcohol and was a general handy man for the other members of the team.

The set menu was as follows:

Smoked Rainbow Trout with mixed leaf salad and lemon, basil and caper dressing.


Roast Turkey with Sage, Apricot and Rosemary Stuffing
Roast Chicken with Sage and Onion Stuffing
Sausages Wrapped in Smoked Bacon



Selection Of Vegetables;
Brussel Sprouts
Roast Potato and Parsnip
CarrotSweet Potato Mash

Christmas Pudding
Chocolate Cheesecake

The meal was a great success and dinner was followed by twister, charades and assorted other evening (drinking) games. Pics to follow soon.

Stella

The latest addition to the clan of mentalists that is my family (see kris kringle blog on Norwegien Wood Page) is called Stella, She is two years old, about 4 1/2 inches long and very hairy.

I got my first tarantula, (she's a Chilean Rose, imported I think) about two months ago, the breed is noted for their docile nature and she has quickly gotten used to being manhandled. Only once has she nipped me a fang, and that was just a playful warning, (her venom is similar to that of a bee)

Her home is a perspex tank, about a foot by 1/2 foot (30cm * 15cm) I guess. She has a water dish and half a flower pot, into which she retreats when startled.

Once she is used to being lifted up (she can really shift when she is shoked and even a small fall would be catastrophic) I will let her roam my room and be better able to show friends.

Stella Roaming my Bed

She eats crickets, who are even more mental than my family, not ones to be allowed wander around the room. Once she grows she will be able to eat locusts and pinkie mice. My issue now is that, due to the small appitite of these animals, most of the crickets I purchase perish before they can be fed to Stella, this is why it is good economy to obtain another two tarantulas, of different breeds for their beautiful colours and varied challanges.

More pictures to follow, I need to borrow a real camera and think about lighting, as it is hard to capture her beautiful shades.

Christmas Prezzie

Further to extensive discussion on the Viking Longship Page, I am going to make my prezzie wish list here (mainly just cos I can) i can then extend the list as ideas pop into my head.

1. Jamie Oliver Cookbook (Not: Cook with Jamie)
2. Something silly or remote controlled.
3. A proper nice shirt (What size am I mum?)
4. Tarantula and/or housing for a new tarantula (these would have to be ordered online and delivered to my house)
visit http://www.britnett-carver.co.uk/c2c/spiderandinvertsinstock.html for an idea of prices
Good species may be Mexican red knee (any age)
part of cost of Venezualan Green Bottle Blue (Chromatopelma cynopubescens) as they are a little over the limit,(if a baby can be found cheaper that would be amazing)
Maybe a Salmon Pink Goliath or Chaco golden knee (these may be expensive or hard to find.)

Housing suitable for a tarantula (see website or tarantula care pages for ideas) would also be appreciated.

More ideas may follow.....

Welcome to my blog!

Hopefully this blog will allow you to have an insight into my life in a small town near the East coast of England called London.

In stark contrast to the blog of brother Viking Longship and Wife, there will be insights into life in the sprawling metropolis. Instead of animals; there will be taxi drivers, instead of barns; garages, instead of snow; there are wheeliebins. eight legs replace three...... Instead of cruiseliners, there is this bendy, shiny thing which one must blow down (although sometimes they do make the same noise)

I live in a four bedroom flat, above a dental laborotory in SE23. My housemates are Michael and Lucy (Horn Players) and Andy (Clarinet). My room contains a futon, computer and stereo desk, two shelves, a big cupboard, chair, a fireplace and currently a Stephen. We share a nicely fitted, modern kitchen and decent sized sitting room with three piece suite and tv. The upstairs bathroom has shower downstairs has shower and bath. walls are a creamy (i guess) white throughout. Pictures of house and residents will follow. I like it here and have been living here now for well over a year.

I have just had the last day of the term, in my fourth year at the Guildhall School of Music. The French Horn is a lot harder than it looks, so i spend much of my time trying to play that. The work is mainly aimed at my forthcoming postgraduate audition for Guildhall and 2 upcoming concertos. It has been probably my busiest term yet and I am seriously looking forward to the Christmas break.

My hobbies include..... cycling, although my London bike got knicked so not done much recently, sleeping, squash and tennis(weather permitting) and tarantula keeping.

When I work out how to do pictures a proper introduction to Stella (my Chilean Rose Tarantula) will follow. Any advice VL?

That will do for now.

London Son

First Blog

Having taken the lead of the Viking Longship and Wife I have decided to set up a blog of my own so you can all keep track of my adventures in London and beyond. I expect the appearance of my blog will keep changing for a while until I settle on something I like.

As with Viking Longship's blog, you will be able to keep track of my animal adventures, (I expect my collection to increase) as well as following my musical adventures, cooking inventions and general maddness.

Please come back often and leave lots of comments, (although preferably nice ones)