Look carefully and you'll see some very familiar faces from British comedy. Was that Dave Gorman perhaps sipping a pint? Film is released in the UK on 19th July 2013
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
World's End Trailer - Simon Pegg back on the booze for summer 2013
Been waiting for this for awhile. The World's End film trailer won't be uploaded onto YouTube for awhile and those MSN hosted adverts do my head in. So here's Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz trio Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright reunited for their final installment in their 'Three Flavours Cornetto' trilogy.
Look carefully and you'll see some very familiar faces from British comedy. Was that Dave Gorman perhaps sipping a pint? Film is released in the UK on 19th July 2013
Look carefully and you'll see some very familiar faces from British comedy. Was that Dave Gorman perhaps sipping a pint? Film is released in the UK on 19th July 2013
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Venture Bros Season 5 preview
This YouTube video of Season 5 of Venture Bros looks amazing. Its described as a sneak peek but offers more than just a quick clip show that makes you consider taking a long holiday to the USA just to see it. I bet the 19th May 2013 can't come quick enough for our cousins over the pond - lucky gits.
Here's the slideshow of images from the Venture Bros blog.
Here's the slideshow of images from the Venture Bros blog.
Thursday, 7 March 2013
Amon Tobin ISAM 2.0 at the De La Warr, Bexhill
Although I was aware of Tobin's performances I'd never actually listened to his music so did some YouTube listening. Good to see some video game soundtrack on his CV via Splinter Cell but it was certainly music that you would listen to rather than dance to.
His set started with a massive black curtain unveiling his white cubic set with projected visuals. I was reminded of Etienne De Crecy's cube visuals we'd seen years ago but Amon Tobin had taken it to the next level. His first half was the money-shot with a spaceship theme and cinematic electronic music. Tobin could be seen in the centre of the cubed wall with a clever switchable see-through screen whenever he wanted to show himself off. He completed the visuals with a spaceman suit. One highlight was the real-time projected light effect based on his piano hands movement. You could see him play an air-piano in front of a camera or something in his booth and the cubed-stage would mimic his hand movements. Very clever!
After Amon Tobin came out of his space pod to get a cheer from the crowd he went back to do a more dance-driven set that made some of the crowd goes nuts with his angular drum and bass sounds. His final encore started off very noodle-y and twinkly then built into a moody slow tempo but effective soundscape. With only a couple of minutes to go there was some random bloke who managed to invade the stage and walk up to Amon Tobin's booth cube to peer in. Eventually some stage technician grabbed the guy and handed him over to security who marched him out.
Sunday, 10 February 2013
Norway bound (Sunday 10th February)
Narvik was our destination today, a road trip of 200km into another country, Norway. Last night we researched what Narvik offered and there seemed to be some impressive views, a couple of museums, in case we didn't find the views plus a couple of random sights to see in case all of the above failed.
There were hardly any cars on the road, those that were driving were towing snowmobiles for off-road adventures. We'd already experienced the E10 road going to Abisko and Narvik was twice the distance. As we got nearer to the border the landscape changed from the flat, frozen lakes with the temperature dropping to minus 30 degrees C to more twisty roads passing entrances to ski resorts. For a mile we had to slow down as the signs instructed to prevent road/wheel noise that couldn't set off an avalanche. The 4wd of the Skoda Yeti also felt the ice of the road below so made the progress slow. To the side of the roads were frozen waterfalls with even one of them being climbed at the time.
The Norway/Sweden border was at the very top of ski fields where the snow just seemed to be even deeper and whiter. We had brought our passports with us but they weren't needed as the checkpoint was only for lorries with something to declare. We simply drove past a queue of trucks and a completely frozen official's building.
Eventually the roads started to go down hill and the apprehension disappeared when we saw the fjord landscape. The temperature outside the car was even warmer rising up to a balmy minus 5 degrees C. After being awestruck by the scenery I spotted a massive bridge ahead to cross the fjord. I realised that we didn't have any Norwegian currency so hoped there wouldn't be a toll. Luckily there wasn't and within a few more kilometres we had reached Narvik.
After stopping at the town's tourist information centre and finding it closed we parked up in the centre (so we assumed) for free and pretty well realised that Sunday wasn't the best day to visit. No museums, no shops, no bars or cafes were open. Only a Spar shop was open where Kerry bought some tobacco (later we discovered that it cost twice the UK price). We could actually see the surrounding mountains that people were skiing hence the lack of people in town. All we could do was walk around and see the limited open air sights and public art like the big sign for where you could be instead.
So after less than an hour we drove back to Kiruna whilst there was daylight (sun setting about 3:00pm) and enjoyed the pink and purple lighting effects on the mountain landscape. We stopped for a hot chocolate at the Swedish ski resort of Bjorkliden and took in the views of the frozen lake below. After another few more kilometres we swapped seats for driving which was Kerry's first time on frozen roads and a left-hand drive car. Quite scary for her especially after 10 minutes a herd of reindeer barged onto the road just metres in front. With the reindeer remaining in the road and ignoring the car's horn it took another car behind us to drive at them and scare them back into the field.
Back in Kiruna and we wanted a decent meal. However, being a Sunday, hardly anywhere was open so we were limited for choice. The Scandic hotel near the tourist centre offered two in-house restaurants but when we got there only one was open and the other 'Mommas Pub' had a limited menu. So, that really only left going back to our own hotel, the Bishops Inn / Arms for prospect of another burger. The menu was still limited being a Sunday (and is still reduced Mondays too) but we ordered entrecote steak and I had the pasta which came with the odd side of pork leg and bratwurst sausage (each main course was about £29 each). Both didn't disappoint coupled with more Belgian beer. We even shared a dessert and blew the budget which was also delicious.
There were hardly any cars on the road, those that were driving were towing snowmobiles for off-road adventures. We'd already experienced the E10 road going to Abisko and Narvik was twice the distance. As we got nearer to the border the landscape changed from the flat, frozen lakes with the temperature dropping to minus 30 degrees C to more twisty roads passing entrances to ski resorts. For a mile we had to slow down as the signs instructed to prevent road/wheel noise that couldn't set off an avalanche. The 4wd of the Skoda Yeti also felt the ice of the road below so made the progress slow. To the side of the roads were frozen waterfalls with even one of them being climbed at the time.
The Norway/Sweden border was at the very top of ski fields where the snow just seemed to be even deeper and whiter. We had brought our passports with us but they weren't needed as the checkpoint was only for lorries with something to declare. We simply drove past a queue of trucks and a completely frozen official's building.
Eventually the roads started to go down hill and the apprehension disappeared when we saw the fjord landscape. The temperature outside the car was even warmer rising up to a balmy minus 5 degrees C. After being awestruck by the scenery I spotted a massive bridge ahead to cross the fjord. I realised that we didn't have any Norwegian currency so hoped there wouldn't be a toll. Luckily there wasn't and within a few more kilometres we had reached Narvik.
After stopping at the town's tourist information centre and finding it closed we parked up in the centre (so we assumed) for free and pretty well realised that Sunday wasn't the best day to visit. No museums, no shops, no bars or cafes were open. Only a Spar shop was open where Kerry bought some tobacco (later we discovered that it cost twice the UK price). We could actually see the surrounding mountains that people were skiing hence the lack of people in town. All we could do was walk around and see the limited open air sights and public art like the big sign for where you could be instead.
Saturday, 9 February 2013
Transport Doggy-style (Saturday 9 February)
Up early for both trying to sort out a hire car and for our dog sledding experience. Slightly stressful sorting out the car. Went to the tourist centre and saw/heard a couple already on the Europcar free phone to say that they were busy at the time and would have to call back. The tourist desk recommended I call Hertz from the Scandic hotel. They were fully booked. Took a third phone number for a hire car company and they were fully booked. It took another call to Europcar to get a double the price 4WD Skoda Yeti.
With the car booked we headed over to the Kiruna Guide Tor office. Again they seemed a little disorganised as they were expecting another couple but eventually left without them. We'd been warned that the temperature where the dog sledding was taking place was a very chilly minus 30. It was this point when I discovered that the locals drop the 'minus' when stating the temperature as it seldom gets over freezing.
Met another English couple called Biggles and Ros who were staying in a local lodge. After getting dressed in the extra warm overalls and boots etc we met our dog sled driver, Luc who was French. In fact he drives up to Kiruna every year with his own pack of dogs from Lyon. There were about 11 dogs pulling us along the way with the dogs taking directional orders in French. We'd been warned that they poop and pee along the way so there was always a bit of smell. One or two of the dogs wiped their arses whilst running causing the sled to stop or falter and sometimes Luc, the driver would smack them for obedience. It wasn't cruel or hard but they had to know who was in charge. Otherwise the dogs would eat from the snow banks along the way to cool down and get hydrated. Strangely when we did stop for our lunch break some of the dogs would eat another's poo!
Whilst Luc prepared our mushroom soup in the teepee we got to pet the dogs and take some photos as well as to properly introduce ourselves and warm up next to the fire. It was a crystal clear day but so cold that any exposed skin chilled you to the bone.
I tried to explain that the Brighton connection to Stockholm airport which had Abba memorabilia to Luc but he didn't understand my pronunciation of my A's. I tried to sing Waterloo and then he said he doesn't watch TV. He then said that if I had sang Super Trooper he would've understood me. Awkward!
I asked whether the formation of the dogs were led by the alpha male but Luc explained that it was more about where the dogs themselves would prefer to be after so many runs. The leader was one that took the directions better (even though a couple of times it would get it wrong, have Luc shout at it or get reprimanded).
I asked whether the formation of the dogs were led by the alpha male but Luc explained that it was more about where the dogs themselves would prefer to be after so many runs. The leader was one that took the directions better (even though a couple of times it would get it wrong, have Luc shout at it or get reprimanded).
On the way back I either had to tuck my fingers into my arm pits or cover my face to shelter from the cold air so couldn't really enjoy the beautiful landscape and really regretted not wearing a balaclava.
I would have enjoyed it a lot more but the frost-biting temperatures just made me want it to be over quicker.
Back at the hotel Europcar said they would pick us up to collect the hire car which saved us a taxi fee to the airport. With the early sunset we headed out to Abisko hoping to get a chance to go up their ski lift to view the Aurora on the mountain lodge. The website said they were fully booked but it was worth a chance to drive the 60km plus maybe get dinner at their hotel lodge. The roads were icy but as long as you drove sensibly without any sudden braking or sharp wheel turns it was no problem. We overestimated the it would take getting there an hour early to find the hotel bar and restaurant closed. With the prospect of waiting an hour or even two to see if there would be any availability we headed back but kept looking to the sky. After a couple of stops in parking areas we eventually saw another Aurora, slightly less impressive than the previous night but eerily green with a striking clear starry night sky. With it being so cold I gave up going out of the car and somehow kept the camera still balanced on the dash and steering wheel.
Next blog entry - Day 4: Norway bound (Sunday 10th February)
Friday, 8 February 2013
Ice hotel, snowmobiling and Northern Lights (Friday 8 February)
Hotel room was like an oven when we woke up. Breakfast was a buffet laid out on the pub's bar. Quite a good choice but like most hotels, the coffee was rubbish. Whilst getting ready I flicked through the 10 TV channels. Most of them were Swedish with one Finnish, one Norwegian and one Russian. It was a mix of politics, skiing, US imports, fashion and women's chat programmes at that time of the morning.
Since our first booked tour was at 5:45pm we had quite a bit time on our hands and Kiruna town centre had very little to offer. After a good coffee in Cafe Safari we headed to the tourist office and found out the bus timetable which had a coach going to the Ice Hotel. For about £7 each for a return we caught the bus taking us direct to the Ice Hotel within 30 minutes. The bus even took credit cards so no need for cash. There were quite a few stops picking up school children (before the early sunset I guess).
Nowhere on the website did it say about an entry price to enter the Ice Hotel but it was a staggering £35 each. We knew we had about 2 hours to view the hotel and we'd hoped to dine in the restaurant. The hotel part and ice sculptures were amazing with each room designed by a different artist. Also inside the Ice Hotel was the vodka bar but we didn't stay for a drink. Since it was so cold there the ice was sturdy enough to drill and screw in sliding doors. After seeing the amazing luxury suites, the church building was slightly disappointing in comparison and the building with images of how they built it all was slightly pointless.
With the free map given we tried to find the restaurant but had no luck so went to the bar near the entrance. Although there was free wifi the bar food was a little disappointing with cold ciabattas and smoked reindeer. Kerry's cocktail of hot apple juice with pear cognac and cinnamon stick was apparently delicious so I'm told (repeatedly). By the time we'd finished it was time to catch the bus back to Kiruna.
Kiruna Guidetur, the company we'd booked our first tour was located just metres away from the hotel. Checking in and getting kitted out for our snowmobile adventure was slightly shambolic. Our personal guide quickly introduced himself then we were sort of left alone wondering if we should just help ourselves to the clothes. There were no thick snowboots left in our sizes (common sizes UK 8 and 9) due to a previous party who had the same sized feet. It seemed to take ages waiting and wondering where the guide had gone. It was frustrating that he never really told us what we needed either but after half an hour we were in the minibus to the starting point of the snowmobiling. The guide explained that there were two other guides waiting for us but it seemed that a couple of snowmobiles needed fueling and one was missing. Again, no real communication or explanation of what was going on. However, once we all got sorted with a 2 minute training session we were off in a convoy and any grievances soon forgotten with the fun I was having.
The snowmobiles had heated handlebars and an unusual accelerator lever that you pressed with the base of your hand instead of the twist handle I was expecting. When you did accelerate it was incredibly quick so you needed plenty of room in front to stop crashes. There was a very defined route already and plenty of bumps along the way. At some points there were some icy tracks and unfortunately Kerry driving in front suddenly spilled into the metre deep snow. Slight panic set in as the group ahead had were far in front and didn't realise us stopping plus the snowmobile was well and truly stuck in the snow. Luckily Kerry was totally unhurt as the snow was so deep but slightly tricky to get her out. The snowmobile itself had tipped over at an angle. We took ages digging it out but it was so heavy there was no way to budge it. We weren't told how to reverse the engine either so had to just wait until the tour guide realised we were missing! It took three of us to un-wedge it then shift it over then the guide actually driving it out.
Back on track and another rider ahead did the same spill but recovered quickly. There was a long section across the frozen lake where we were allowed to go whatever speed we were daring to do. I think I managed over 70kph but it got a bit hairy so couldn't maintain it. Eventually we got to a teepee-like cabin for our evening meal where the tour guides had built a fire inside and cooked more reindeer meat (in a stew) with hot lingonberry juice. Later there was a dessert of sponge with cloudberry jam which was very tasty.
Back on track and another rider ahead did the same spill but recovered quickly. There was a long section across the frozen lake where we were allowed to go whatever speed we were daring to do. I think I managed over 70kph but it got a bit hairy so couldn't maintain it. Eventually we got to a teepee-like cabin for our evening meal where the tour guides had built a fire inside and cooked more reindeer meat (in a stew) with hot lingonberry juice. Later there was a dessert of sponge with cloudberry jam which was very tasty.
The journey back was perhaps the best bit. The Northern Lights finally made an appearance twice. It was an eerie green ribbon of light above but not quite what I'd expected. Very faint and didn't really last long but still enough time to take two or three long exposures on the camera. Apparently there was a low KP forecast hence the low intensity of the Aurora but at least we'd seen it. After a second time we headed back to the minibus and got back to the hotel around 11pm. A long day with an early start the next for our dog sledding experience.
Next blog entry - Day 3: Transport Doggy-style (Saturday 9 February)
Next blog entry - Day 3: Transport Doggy-style (Saturday 9 February)
Thursday, 7 February 2013
Journey to Kiruna, Sweden (Thursday 7 February)
A full day of travel to get to the icy North of Sweden. Free wifi on the Norwegian Air plane which was unexpected. The inflight magazine revealed that the town of Kiruna, our destination was investing to relocate 3kms south due to the mine's expansion. Also read about a Norwegian explorer legend that had been featured in a movie called Kon Tiki. The story goes that a guy wanted to prove Pacific migration so built a raft and brought a crew along to sail across the ocean catching live shark along the way.
Stockholm airport was ok. It amused me that the staff used adult sized scooters ferrying around stock to shops. Nice Brighton connection with a number of Abba memorabilia displayed including their Eurovision outfits, winner's medals and Brighton Dome admission tickets. Otherwise it was a case of eating at the New Orleans restaurant drinking Brooklyn Beer on tap and laughing at the Swedish choclate brands like Mums Mums, Kexx and Plopp
Met a Norwegian guy (from Narvik) on the plane to Kiruna who was so friendly he offered to share us a taxi then gave us a lift to the hotel. The snow had been piled up high everywhere making roads like snowboarding halfpipes plus the roofs had at least a metre of snow on top.
Our hotel was the Hotel Bishops Inn and had a great English themed-bar offering a great selection of beers including a Belgian raspberry flavour beer. It was a bit weird having to check in at the bar but the room was ok and you couldn't hear the bar below.
I guess with the Kiruna town light pollution there was no way to see any Northern Light action. :-(
Next blog entry - Day 2: Ice hotel, snowmobiling and Northern Lights (Friday 8 February)
Next blog entry - Day 2: Ice hotel, snowmobiling and Northern Lights (Friday 8 February)
