We seem to have spent the bulk of this week either in bed (sleeping mostly - we both needed to catch up) or watching Frasier. I am determined to get through the remaining episodes of the final series so that I can crack open the next box set. Today we fancied a charity shop rummage for books and records (I currently have three books waiting to be read but it didn't stop me from buying more) so we set sail for Beeston. Once I had taken Jack to the park and had breakfast we took the bus. My first visit to Beeston took place a few years ago when I was reviewing Jim Bob's gig at The Greyhound and I wasn't exactly complimentary about the place, especially as I had no idea where I was because journeys are always a little weird at night. I have however come to like the place with its village atmosphere and feel some sympathy with the residents and traders for the discomfort they are currently going through with the extended tram works; extended both in terms of making the network longer and the time it is taking for it to happen. Shopping wise, there is a pleasing amount of independent shops but the High Street does loom with some of the big hitters having their feet under the table. There are also a fair amount of charity shops, something that was once hidden away has become a fixture. One of these shops has taken advantage of the buzzwords 'vintage' and 'retro', which basically means that they are allowed to sell the same old crap that the others do but charge a lot more for it.
My haul for the day consisted of two vinyl albums of not particularly high value; a Top of the Pops compilation and a James Last LP. I am still on a crusade to revive James Last's career and recently found out that he is doing a series of farewell concerts. Part of me likes to think that I am partly responsible for this, but I know deep down that it is mere coincidence. Having said that, if James Last was based in Nottingham he would run away with the idea and not give me any credit like others have done, so forgive me if I am sceptical. I also bought a book about Live Aid, Nerd Do Well by Simon Pegg, Moon River & Me by Andy Williams, and The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, so I have plenty to be getting on with.
Last time we visited Beeston we had a nice breakfast that was only spoiled by the slow service, this time we only wanted a cup of tea so we returned to Coffee Cup Cafe. I changed my mind at the last minute and opted for a cappuccino (cup of chino as I call it because I am hilarious) and regretted my decision as soon as it arrived. Despite the name of the establishment, this is a tea place unless you want instant coffee. Fancy cosmopolitan ideas such as cappuccino should not be dabbled in by people who don't know what they are doing, and foamy milk atop a cup of Nescafe does not a cappuccino make.
Our day had a 1980s pop soundtrack so either they pump out the hits of yesteryear to all the shoppers from a secret broadcasting room or every shop (and the cafe) was tuned in to the same nostalgic radio station. It was good pop thankfully, Coke rather than Pepsi if you will, featuring among others Tiffany, Rick Astley, Kylie Minogue and Madonna before she went off. In some towns I would have done some joke about it being in a timewarp and these songs being the latest hits as far as the residents were concerned, but Beeston doesn't deserve that.
Listen to this week's edition of The Sunday Alternative here.
===
February housekeeping
I rely on donations via the PayPal button to enable me to provide free online content. This year there are plans afoot for more podcasts plus documentaries, comedy sketches, short films and other content that will be available free of charge.
My audio books can be downloaded from my Bandcamp page.
My books (including my latest, Bowie Day), are available to download to your Kindle.
This daily blog can be delivered to your Kindle for just 99p a month
If you want an audio book or e-book and would prefer me to get more money, cutting out the corporate middlemen (or women) then make a donation of one pound or more, and then email me with ‘I paid a pound or more’ in the subject line. In the email simply tell me what you want and I’ll email it to you.
