Air - 26th July

Having spent a couple of days recovering...... it was time for another concert. This time a more relaxing evening... we went to Abbey Neumunster in town to see Air. It was a much more relaxed evening, and Marty and I went with his Mum, Dad, Irene, Mike and Steve.

It was very enjoyable.....but I am pretty much gigged out!!!! Good job we don't have any more until the three day party next weekend!!!! Aaaaarrrgghhhhhh!!!!!

Alcossebre / Benicassim - Spain

I will try not to bore you with too many details, so will just give you the basics and some photo's.....

If you want to see more pics and videos you could always check out my facebook account..... All the music video's are on YouTube under Gringo141 if you want to see them.

Wednesday 18th July
Fly from Hahn to Valencia
Hire car (Toyota Yaris) - drive to apartment in Alcossebre, (about 1hr 20 minutes away).
Apartment is brand new and sparkling, even has equipped kitchen and washing machine!
We went to the beach and had dinner in Restaurant La Maya. I had Swordfish, which was wonderful.
After we went to Paris-Texas Bar for San Fransisco cocktails and a walk around the town, before going to bed.


Thursday 19th July
Got up and had cooked breakfast.
Went to the shops on the front, to buy inflatable ring and lilo.
Made our way to quite deserted beach in Torrenostra, and passed an old guy selling fruit and veg, so we bought 9 kilo's of stuff to make veggie stew, and fruit for dessert, all for 9 euro's!!!
Went to beach, played in sea, the to Cheers bar for a drink and game of pool, then to the fish shop and home for seafood stew and Swordfish, expertly cooked by Kate.
We went of the FIB (Festival International de Benicassim) at 23.00
We saw Iggy & The Stooges and Bright Eyes, then went home to bed at 02.00

Friday 20th July
Up at 09.00 for brekkie, then gift shopping in Alcossebre.
We took a trip up the mountain to book a table at El Pinar for Monday, and admired the views...
We had dinner at L'Illa on the marina, ad went up to /fib at 22.30.
We saw Dinosaur Jr, and Who Made Who, then home at 02.45 - Exhausted!!!

Saturday 21st July
Up at about 10.00, posted postcards, then to Cheers for breakfast.
We went to Benicassim early to make sure we could get parked and then walked down into the town for gift shopping.
We had a quick drink at Jota's on the beach front, and then went to La Sidreria De.. for tapas - absolutely delicious!!!!! hey even had these funky tops to the cider bottles which auto fill the glass.......
23.00 went to the FIB and saw The B52's, Arctic Monkeys, Fisherspooner and Ellen Allien, then home to bed at 05.15!!!! Martin and I then went down on to the beach to watch the sunrise. We wanted to stay awake long enough to have breakfast in Cheers, but by 08.15 we were too tired to stay up any longer......

Sunday 22nd July
Slept on and off all day, and there was a bit of rain so no hurry to get up and out. At 18.00 it was back up 30 degrees so we decided to go to Benicassim for a spot more shopping. I bought myself some wooden monkey's in a lovely little shop we happened to find....
We had a buffet dinner, and a drink in the Sports bar and Irish Bar.
We got to FIB at 21.45 and saw Amy Winehouse, Kings of Leon - took a break and went back to car to chill and have drinks, then back to FIB to see Muse...... who were incredible. absolutely fantastic!!!!!!
As we were all tired we left there about 03.00, and Kate fell asleep in the back of the car. Martin and I felt more awake when we got back, so went down to the beach to play in the waves, and talk...... Marty drew me a lovely picture on the beach........ then home to bed.......a very romantic evening..... :)

Monday 23rd July
Out of bed at 13.30 and straight to Bar La Maya for tapas.
Then down onto the beach in Alcossebre and up to El Pinar for the most wonderful meal. The three of us had aperitif's, starters, main, desserts, a bottle of wine, beer, and coffee, and it all came to 126 euro!!!!!! I would have been happy to pay 250 euro for the meal!!!!
We walked back down the beach to Paris - Texas bar, and then home to bed.

Tuesday 24th July
Time to come home, but we made a quick stop back at Torrenostra beach for one last play in the sea....... big waves today, so was great fun, but hard work!!!!
Back to the airport for 16.00 and back in Hahn at 20.15.
Home, and bed....... exhausted but very very very happy!!!!!!!!

In general the beer and food were extremely cheap, the weather was 35 degrees by day and 25 at night. The people we laid back and friendly and the concerts were brill!!!! A wonderfully relaxing holiday by day, and a crazy, exciting party by night!!!!! We will definitely be going back next year!!!!!

Non Sky Dive 15th July

Martin and I were meant to do our Sky dive today, but it was cancelled once we arrived as the wind was too strong.....

Anyway, we met the guys and had a beer with them and then explored the north of Luxembourg.

We found some shops that were open on Sunday's... (very rare), and also Napoleon's tree...... from where you can see the whole of Luxembourg, including the towers in Kirchberg!!!

Quite remarkable and as it was 37 degrees, it was a lovely way to spend the afternoon.....

Then on to Mum's for a BBQ.... perfect!!!!!

Lombard & Flamenco 14th July

We went with Kate tot he Lombard Summer BBQ. It was great... loads of activities and free food and drinks.

We all went in the Land Rover over the 45 degree angle structure.... (scarier than it sounds), Kate did the quad biking and Martin did the air tunnel flying.

Brilliant afternoon, followed by a train trip up to Wiltz to the Flamenco concert. Although the first half was disappointing the second half was great fun and full of spirit and passion.

Scissor Sister 10th July

Wow.... sorry Abs, but they were brilliant.

The energy level was incredible, and the show itself was just fantastic.

The music, singing and general show all worked well together and everyone had a great time.

I will post a video as soon as I get the chance to upload it......

Chemical Brothers 8th July

After the busy Red Rock, we had a quiet Saturday, and had Mike and Kate over for dinner.... Beef Wellington with roast potatoes and green beans in bacon... mmmmmmm

Sunday came the long awaited Chemical Brothers concert. Although it was thoroughly enjoyable, I couldn't help but compare it to Daft Punk. The crowd weren't as involved, and there was no encore..... good, but a bit of a disappointment.

Red Rock Festival Esch 5th & 6th July

Thursday and Friday saw the massive Red Rock Festival in Esch. Martin and I went on both nights....

On Thursday we saw Keane and Faithless, and on Friday we saw Placebo and Daft Punk.

Both nights were fantastic!!! Faithless were wonderful live, but I think overall, without a doubt, the best act of the two days was Daft Punk.

I could have danced and jumped around all night if I hadn't been too afraid of bursting my stitches!!!!!

An incredible two days!!!!!

Here is a taster of Daft Punk...... (clips from all the bands can be seen on You Tube under Gringo141.

Little Removal 2nd July 2007

I had a little tumour in my right thigh, but it has been removed today..... so I am little sore, but pleased it is gone.

It all went well, and came out in one piece. I have 3 little stitches which have to come out in 2 weeks, and no exercise until then.... what a shame!!!!!

JP Morgan City Jogging 1st July

Yesterday Martin and I took part in the JP Morgan City Jogging. It is a 10km run /jog / walk for all those who want to keep fit - part of the "Fit for Life" programme here in Lux.

I decided to walk, as running 10km is a little beyond me at the mo... so I walked with Kate and Martin's Mum, and we completed the course (from the Coque, down into the valley and back up again), in 1hour 48 minutes. I was very pleased with myself. Martin did better, however, he managed to run the course in 55minutes 35 seconds. I am very proud!!!