Bostin'!!

I met up with everyone's favourite Brummie, Gavin Hartigan last night for a few drinks, along with Phil Ratcliffe. Gavin's over from the U.S. where he's lived for about 15 years now on a Month's holiday. He'd just had a quite severe haircut as you can see!

Photo from Rick

Just got this photo through from Rick, from when he visited us recently, thanks Rick!

DnB NOR Party - Morning After

The morning after, as the weather was so nice we had a bit of a stroll around the hotel grounds, which was very pleasant, before heading home.

DnB NOR Party - The Party

The party itself was good fun. There were pre-dinner drinks, before the sit down dinner. After that finished, the entertainment was provided by a band, so we all had a bit of a dance around. (or quite a bit in the case of me and Mike Rufian during our b-boy dance off). At one point during the evening we went outside where some people from a wedding reception that was taking place at the hotel were releasing large flying lanterns into the air.

South Lodge Hotel Pre Dinner Drinks from martin clinton on Vimeo.

South Lodge Hotel Flying Lanterns from martin clinton on Vimeo.

South Lodge Hotel Dancing! from martin clinton on Vimeo.

DnB NOR Party - Hotel Room

It was the Annual DnB NOR party this weekend. This year it was held at the South Lodge Hotel in Sussex. It was a very enjoyable weekend, Siv and I got to the hotel quite early and we were pleasantly surprised by the room we had! I sat in the bath watching TV, and the shower was a huge one with jets from the side as well as above.

South Lodge Hotel Room from martin clinton on Vimeo.

Evening walk at Fairlop Waters

It was a clear and sunny evening when we got home from work, so Siv and I took a stroll up to Fairlop Waters, where there was a great sunset, and lots of rabbits!

Maureen's Birthday

It was Maureen's Birthday, so we all got together to celebrate, though the celebrations seemed to take their toll on Dad and Russell!

Day out in London - Siv

Siv met up with Fi and Anne at The Crusting Pipe in London for a few lunchtime drinks before they went shopping in Covent Garden. After this they went for some food at Tutton's. They all had a great time!

Day out in London - Vince

I had a trip around London in the Autumn sunshine, before heading off for a haircut at The Curious Comb, I passed a few landmarks such a James Smith's umbrella shop, as well as The Old Bailey. On the way to London Bridge station, I passed this marching band, taking part in some City tradition or other!

Marching band in London from martin clinton on Vimeo.

Back to Barcelona - Beach Salsa Party

After Poble Espanyol, we made our way past the Olympic Stadium, past the (closed at 2.30pm!) Miro Foundation, and back down to Barceloneta taking the funicular railway. Here we sat at a beach bar in the sun having some cocktails. In the late afternoon/early evening, a salsa band started playing on a stage that had been set up on the sea front. We went along to have a little look, to find everyone dancing around...it was like being in an edition of Strictly Come Dancing! When that finished, we slowly headed back to the hotel as the next morning we had to head off the the airport and rainy London! All the photos from our break are here:

Barcelona Oct 2009

Barcelona Oct 2009 - Beach Salsa Party from martin clinton on Vimeo.

Back to Barcelona - Poble Espanyol

During the day, Siv and I walked up to Montjuic Park, to visit Poble Espanyol, a tourist attraction built in 1929 for the Barcelona Expo. I has different areas reflecting different Spanish houses and areas, as well as a large number of sculptures. Its also home to lots of arts and crafts shops, and below you can see the film of one of the artists making little glass bulls (not to be confused with the Tommy Steele song!) We took lots of photos, all of which are here:

Barcelona Oct 2009

Barcelona Oct 2009 - Poble Espanyol from martin clinton on Vimeo.

Back to Barcelona - Boots!

Siv found a new favourite shop while in Barcelona, Scala Dei had LOTS of boots and shoes at very good prices! All the Barcelona photos are here:

Barcelona Oct 2009

Back to Barcelona - El Pi Antic Restaurant

After a long day out, we had a bit of a search for a restaurant that DIDN'T do Tapas (not as easy as you might think!), and eventually found an old looking place called El Pi Antic, which did pretty good food, and the staff were very friendly. All our Barcelona photos are here:

Barcelona Oct 2009

Barcelona Oct 2009 - El Pi Antic restaurant from martin clinton on Vimeo.

Back to Barcelona - Casa Mila

Late in the afternoon, Siv and I managed to joing the much shorter queue at the famous Casa Mila, designed by Gaudi. The queues had been huga during our last visit, but were a lot better now, especially a bit later during the day. We were lucky it was a warm sunny evening, so the light was great for photos (too many to show here). All our photos are here:

Barcelona Oct 2009

Barcelona Oct 2009 - Gaudi's Casa Milà from martin clinton on Vimeo.