Day 2: Isle of Bute

Sunday 14th August - 2022

When we departed our Glasgow hotel this morning our destination was a visit the Isle of Bute. The island is located out in the Firth of Clyde, and is 33-miles from the Wemyss Bay ferry terminal, so we needed to travel out here via a CalMac ferry from the mainland, arriving into the principal town of Rothesay. 

The Isle of Bute's Mount Stuart House estate built in approximately 1877 

Let me tell you folks you just have to Google this place it is truly breathtaking, it has left me completely speechless, any photographer would be in their element here in Scotland, it is absolutely beautiful & to make things better the weather is unbelievable at 26°C.

This island contains some of the grandest Victorian buildings and glorious gardens anywhere in the UK. And believe it not, it is known for its remote and protected sandy beaches.

Photo overlooking the River Clyde from a little town called Lyle Hill.

We are sitting having lunch inside the island's striking 19th Century neo-gothic mansion, the Mount Stuart House estate. Built in approximately 1877 was once owned by the richest person in the world, the Marquis of Bute that made his fortune out of Welsh Coal.

This was the first house in the world to have an indoor swimming pool. Richard Attenborough once had his estate on this island. Henry 'Birdie' Bowers was on the Polar Party with explorer Scott on his fatal Terra Nova expedition to the Antarctic in 1911, also lived here on the island & perished with Scott on that ill-fated trip.

The rise of the Stuarts of Bute: 1300-1700. From 1900 to the present day.

The present head and heir of the Bute family is Johnny Bute, who after a successful career in motor racing, he was British Formula 3 Champion in 1984, drove in Formula 1 in the 1986 season (wait for this) & won the Le Mans 24-hour race in 1988. 

Johnny is taking Mount Stuart, the Bute Estate and the other family business interests forward into the 21st Century.

The marble in this joint is all from Italy the same source of supply that Michelangelo used in all his sculptures, just look at this stair case, & the roof over the marble stair case.

(Photo above) Check out their library, complete with a billboard sized wall hanging tapestry, the work is about 25-30 ft long, the intricate detail would blow your socks off.

I was talking to our Tour Guide, John, on the way over here this morning on the ferry.

I asked him about the weather that we can expect into the future, he said that maybe our tour will be one of the lucky one’s as far as the weather is concerned, he said that it should not be too bad. So keep your fingers crossed for us.

Our C·I·E Tour Group motorcoach at the Wemyss Bay, CalMac ferry terminal

We are not even 24-hours into this tour & already it has surpassed all my early expectations. There are thirty punters on the tour, six short of the maximum numbers, which makes it fantastic because we have so much more room on the Coach.

There are two other Aussie’s in the group, one lady from Adelaide & the other lady from Chipping Norton near Liverpool in Sydney. The other members on the tour are from Canada & America which I think is a great mix.

The ornate Wemyss Bay railway station is 26-miles from Glasgow Central

This evening we have a free evening to do what ever we want, then in the morning we head off to Lock Lomond for the next part of the tour.

Reception is very bad in this part of the world & John advises us that it will become worse the further north we travel.

The journey continues... next stop Loch Lomond.

Warbo

Day 1: In sunny Glasgow

Saturday 13th August - 2022

I am completely gob smacked by my first day back in Glasgow after 51-years, the city turned on sensational weather for me, 28°c, blue skies, sunshine, as you can see in the photos for my arrival to start my 12-day Scottish extravaganza.

While l was strolling around the Glasgow yesterday morning l could not help to notice that hundreds of people were walking around in their kilts. I thought to myself , this can’t be right surely to god they still don’t were their National Dress in the 21 century.

I decided to ask one of the punters “what’s this business of you folks still wearing your kilts”. He said ore’ no laddie, there is the World Pipe Band Championships being held here down the road at Glasgow Green at the moment. Why don’t you come on down & check it out.

I couldn’t believe my luck, not only did l come to visit Scotland for its beauty I also just happened to stumble across all these people from all over the world including Australia here to complete in these world championships, & trust me there were literally thousands of them. What a bonus.

I wandered around the grounds taking in all the wonderful Bagpipe music for hours, it made the hairs that I still have on the top of my head stand up, I love the sound of the Bagpipes because my forefathers were Scottish & that explains why I love that one & only sound.

Unfortunately I had to get back to my hotel because I was about to meet & greet my C·I·E Tour Group who were scheduled to leave on our the first tour around the City & I sure as hell did not want to miss out on this city tour of Glasgow famed for its Victorian & Art Nouveau Architecture. 

Today Glasgow is Scotland’s cultural hub. Glasgow has a population of 660,000 people, for those of you that did not know, Edinburgh is the Capital of Scotland.

As you can see in the photos you could buy yourself a set of bagpipes if you wished (see photo above). The first set of bagpipes in that photograph you could duty for £875 or AUD$1,500 if you are inclined to annoy you neighbours.

There are 30-people on this very exclusive tour from all over the world including 3 Aussie’s of which I am one. Our Tour guide, John, is Scottish, our coach driver Gary is Irish. They will be with us for the entire trip.

I am very impressed with what I see so far, if my hunch is correct as I mentioned previously this part of my holiday will definitely be the highlight of my tour of the British Isles in the Summer of ‘22. I am sure the memories will stay with me until I turn my toes up in another 20 or so years, God willing.

Our first port of call this afternoon was this magnificent medieval Glasgow Cathedral, being such a magnificent day weather wise I requested that I wanted to take a photograph of our newly formed C·I·E Tour Group in front of the Cathedral of all our new friends just to break the ice.

This photograph sure achieved its purpose & now that I have broken the ice with everyone it has made it so much easier for everyone to be friendlier to each other almost immediately because they all want a copy of that photograph that I have taken in front of the Cathedral.

It actually turned the clock back to my early flying days when all the crew would venture out together before Walkman’s & mobile phones were the curse to society.

The photo of that superb building is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum which was of great interest to me because John our tour guide mentioned that there was a Spitfire Aircraft hanging from the ceiling & you all know the soft spot I hold in my heart for that wonderful aircraft that I was fortunate enough to fly over the English Channel a few years ago.

I definitely was not disappointed with the display of the Spitfire in the museum, plus they had on display a Haggis taxidermy mount, which l really wanted to see what those creatures actually looked like.

When our Coach bought us back to our hotel from the City tour around 5:00pm it was time to freshen up, have a shower then meet all my very best new friends in the bar for welcoming drinks at 6:00pm followed by dinner in the restaurant.

During dinner our Tour Guide John gave us all a briefing of our trip & what he expected from all of us before retiring to my room for a well earned sleep.

I have just read today’s plan of events, brekko at 07:00 board coach at 08:15 for another day sightseeing here in Glasgow.

A Haggis taxidermy mount, l really wanted to see what those creatures actually looked like. A Haggis is a fictional creature of Scottish folklore, said to be native to the Scottish Highlands.

Take a ferry to the lsle of Bute for stunning island scenery and a guided tour of the 19th Century Mount Stuart House. Spend some time in Rothesay, the main town on the island. Enjoy a free evening in Glasgow & dine independently.

Stay tuned for more of Warbo’s Magical Mystery Tour of Scotland”.

Cheers for now, must prepare for breakfast.

Warbo

Jaunting off to Scotland by Bus

Friday 12th August - 2022

After two months in the UK, I have departed Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire about 80Kms northwest of London, for Scotland by Motorcoach, to join up with my C·I·E Tours 12-day Grand Tour of Scotland that will include the 2022 Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Our coach driver is Scottish & I am having trouble understanding his accent, God forbid. Thank heavens I am not driving, this freeway is like driving on Sydney's Southern distributor in peak hour. The traffic is moving at a snail's pace.

Thinking back to my last visit to Scotland, I have just calculated that it has been 51-years since I was last here, and now I have finally made back to Scotland, and by sheer coincidence I have entered Scotland at exactly the same place that I did all those years ago, via the M6 at Gretna Green.

The 'Welcome to Scotland' sign. Unfortunately the photo (above) is the pits because we were heading right into the afternoon sun & I did not have a choice.

My good run of luck with the weather has followed me to Scotland, the driver just informed us that the temperature today in Glasgow was 32°c.

There are real hills as l look out each side of the coach. The country side is much more greener up here the further we travel north. It is now 8:00pm and the sun is still up, however l can feel a little nip in the air that I haven’t felt since l arrived in the UK some 78-days ago.

Due to our Friday afternoon M6 Motorway delays, we will arrive into Glasgow about 90-minutes late. I'm spending the first night in the Z Hotel is right in heart of downtown Glasgow. And tomorrow I will join up my C·I·E Tour Group.

We have stopped to change drivers our pilot must be out of hours, I hope that our new pilot does not have such a strong Scottish accent.

I decided that I should take a photo out of the front window of the bus. As you can see the traffic is still horrendous, these Pommies need to build this M6 freeway with 6 lanes not 3 as you can see in the photo. This highway is exactly the same as it was in 1971 when I first drove up here in my VW Camper Van with Pam as my navigator.

I am having the time of my life, who ever would have thought that I could have so much fun with a future Miss World sitting right next to me, money can not by this sort of entertainment.

Thinking back to when l booked this trip way back in late May it really did not cost that much if my memory serves me correctly, As I said I thought it was very inexpensive & it was. Just £28 return or AUD$77.00. The only bargain that l have experienced so far with UK transport while I've been here.

Everyone told me that l should have flown to Glasgow, thank heavens I didn’t because I would have missed out on all this fun.

The journey continues, I am sure there will be more to come before arrive in Glasgow.

Warbo

2022 MotoGP British Grand Prix

Sunday 7th August - 2022

Another day in the life of your roving unpaid correspondent who is working under the pseudonym name of the 'Squire' from the Shire. You know I could really get to enjoy this holiday business. When I woke up this morning I thought to myself ‘how darn good is this’.

I definitely missed my calling first of all training to become a grease monkey in my teens & then later in my 20s becoming an International 'Trolly-Dolly' with Qantas Airways.

Aussie Jack Miller finished on the podium

with third place on his orange Ducati

When I was a hairy-arsed kid I had these delusional dreams that I wanted to become a wildlife photographer, sitting out there in the scrub for hours or weeks on end waiting for that one-in-a-million wildlife photo that would make me famous like Sir David Attenborough.

Didn’t happen, here I am sitting in my small B&B room in ancient Redbourn typing madly away for another story to join the rest of my many stories on Warbo’s 'Magical Mystery Tour' of the UK in the summer of 2022.

The good result for me is that I have enjoyed sharing my experiences & adventures with my friends from all over the world. The responses have all been in the positive, as yet I have not received one bad comment from anybody. Maybe you are all too polite to tell me to pull my head in & just shut up.

The MotoGP Grand Prix beasts snaking their way
around Beckett’s corner almost in front of me

My last email was written at 04:30 yesterday Sunday (7/8/22) with a certain wish list that I wanted to eventuate at yesterday’s MotoGP British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

My first request was that Jack Miller (our Aussie boy) would be competitive in the 20-lap MotoGP British Grand Prix & hold our flag up high for Australia. Jack qualified on the front grid in third fastest time, during an action packed, heart stopping race he actually led the race until his tyres started to go south & had to settle for 3rd place on the podium which I also wished for, & that also did happen.

My view looking north through the Grandstand towards Chapel corner

My Grandstand seat in the Beckett’s stand was sensational as you can see by the photo above. From my reserved seat in the stand I could not only see what was happening in front & to the sides of me on the track I could also see other parts of the race circuit in the distance so it was well worth the extra money I paid for the seat.

My other two interests in the Grand Prix was 21-year-old Remy Gardner, son of one our past great World Champions (Wayne Gardner) This is the first season he has stepped up to the big boys division & he will take some time before he hits his straps with the big fellas. However he has the right DNA to succeed at the top level.

Wayne Gardner used to live down Burraneer Bay where I live, another former 'Shire' boy. They are everywhere.

Remy Gardner, son of former Australian
1987 World Champion - Wayne Gardner  

My third interest was an Italian rider named Franco Morbidelli (Yamaha) he is a friend of a friend of mine back home in Sydney, the plan was to have my friend (Coil-Spring) that’s his nick-name. Coil-Spring was trying to get Franco to organise a visit to the pits for me. However that did not happen because all the stars did align correctly, unfortunately. Bugger.

Now I know you are all waiting with baited breath for me to give you my preferred class of motorcycle racing, between the Superbikes & MotoGP bikes, well here is my verdict. As you know I attended the British World Superbike Champions at Brands Hatch recently, keeping that in mind I will continue.

I did mention to you that I had fallen in love with the Brands Hatch Motor Racing Circuit, my words were 'Exquisite & Intimate' & not for one moment have I changed my mind about what I said on the 24th July ‘22.

Event winner, Italy's Francesco Bagnaia

I was definitely spoilt on that day at Brands Hatch, I consider Silverstone to be just too big with no personality & way too expensive for a battler like myself to watch motor racing.

Ticket price at Brands Hatch including entry & Grandstand seat on possibly the best corner of any motor racing circuit in the world (Paddock Hill Bend). UK£54 or AUD$94.00. Ticket price at Silverstone including entry & Grandstand seat. UK£188 or AUD$326.00.

Almost three times the price & believe you me the difference is definitely not worth it between the two categories for sure as long as my arse points to the ground.

When I spoke to various people yesterday about the race, they told me that MotoGP racing has completely lost the plot, & as you can witness in my photographs the stands are empty of spectators. At those prices why wouldn’t they be.

Note the mostly empty outer stand

As far as I am concerned it was a complete rip off. You may as well stay at home & watch the MotoGP British Grand Prix in the comfort of your lounge chair with a cool one in your hand & save yourself $366.00.

Apparently yesterday’s spectator crowd was 50% down on last year's event. Some of them even told me that they will be changing their allegiance over to the Superbikes. Something does not add up, does it?

You really could not tell the difference between the speeds of both categories, & my opinion is that the Superbikes sound much better & have more grunt, l like that word, don’t you?

There you have it. I am definitely a Superbike fan through & through. Tonight another trip to the West End to see ‘Phantom of the Opera’ at Her Majesty’s Theatre at Piccadilly Circus. Stay safe.

Cheers from the 'Squire'.

Warbo

Final placings for yesterday's MotoGP British Grand Prix are as follows.

1st. Francesco Bagnaia. Italy. Ducati.
2nd. Maverick Vinales. Spain. Aprilia.
3rd. Jack Miller. Australia. Ducati.

Of interest...

15th. Franco Morbidelli. Italy. Yamaha
18th. Remy Gardner. Australia. KTM Team

Thank Abba for the Music

Tuesday 2nd August - 2022

l'm back for my daily update & critique of last night’s Mamma Mia the Jukebox Musical. It's been playing in London since 1999 making it the eighth longest running show ever and seen by over 9-million people.

l know that you will ask me if the show was worthwhile to see, here is my answer; ‘An Irresistibly Enjoyment Hit’.

l found Mamma Mia to be a light, sometimes silly, romantic musical comedy that featured gorgeous scenery, a catchy soundtrack, magnificent costumes, with the message that sometimes you must take a chance & risk everything in order to achieve your dreams like many of us do in our lives without realising it.

The musical runs for 2 hours & 35 mins.

The show has a strong feminist message, looking around the Novello Theatre l would has at a guess the audience breakdown would definitely be 80%-20% in favour of the fairer sex.

The last three songs performed were: Mamma Mia - Dancing Queen - Waterloo, Mamma Mia used in the encore/finale was sung by the Company.

At the end the whole audience was on their feet (including me) dancing away.

My wrap up of Mamma Mia the musical was a couple of hours of pure, unadulterated escapism, guaranteed to have you dancing in the aisles which it accomplished.

Unfortunately l could only give it a rating of 8 out of 10. Tonight l am off to see Musical No. 3. ‘Anything Goes’ at the Bibican Theatre.

That then leaves me with another 8 shows before l hit the road to Glasgow for my 12-day tour of Scotland commencing on Saturday 13th August.

Before l sign off on this email l would like to give you the so called experts opinion on their view of the Best top 10 Musicals in the West End, l do not necessarily agree with them as you will notice by the shows that l will booked to see in the next week or so.

Here is their list in order and the dates that I will see the shows:

1. Lion King. (No).
2. Phantom of the Opera. 8 Aug
3. Tina. 31 July
3. Mamma Mia. 1 Aug
4. Back to the Future. 4 Aug
5. Pretty Women. 10 Aug
6. Mousetrap. 6 Aug
7. Mary Poppins. (No).
8. Anything Goes. 2 Aug
9. Wicked. (No).
10. Kinky Boots. 9 Aug
11. Cabaret. 3 Aug

*Bob Marley 5/8. I have chosen to see Bob Marley purely for the reggae music.

The Novello Theatre, by-the-way, was where in 1987, Barry Humphries, alias the gladdie-throwing Edna Everage, set new box office records with over 200 sold-out performances of Back with a Vengeance!

That’s all for now until tomorrow’s review of tonight’s performance of ‘Anything Goes’

Cheers from your roving critique living the dream in London’s West End.

Warbo

Classics on the Common

Wednesday 27th July - 2022

Before l even start to report on the Classics on the Common here in the very upmarket Harpenden UK, let me assure you that our very own Sylvanvale Pre-WWII Vintage Car Show that we present to the public of Sydney & the Sutherland Shire every year to raise much needed funds to support our preferred Charity, the Sylvanvale Foundation, is way up there.

(Above) 1938 Lagonda LG6. Designed by W.O. Bentley after he joined Lagonda as Technical Director after leaving the Bentley company he founded. Meadows 6cyl. 4453cc engine. Originally bodied as a saloon, rebuilt over 30 years by the late John Batt.

Rest assured we can hold our heads up very high, l am allowed to give you my expert opinion & advice on this subject because l do have the experience when it comes to commenting on car shows through out the world, because l have been there & done that.

In March this year I was also backed up by Mark 'Fletch' Fletcher from Classic Resto’s TV fame when he attended our show to do a show for his TV Series. During the Trophy presentations 'Fletch' made it known to every one in attendance that our Pre-WWII Vintage Car Show that the quality of Vintage vehicles that were on display on the bitumen in the Sutherland Shire Car Park in sleepy old Sutherland, NSW, is up there with the quality of the vehicles displayed at Pebble Beach in California, USA. 

(Above) Three Austin Sevens. When my Mum & Dad were married my Dad owned one of these pure 'Gems'. They drove to Bundanoon in Dad’s Austin Seven to spend their Honeymoon.

Fletch should know because he also has vast experience & knowledge to make that comment exactly the same as l do. Needless to say l was overwhelmed & so proud with his comments & opinion to say the least.

OK. Yesterday’s vast display of so called 'Classic' vehicles in the very, very upmarket ritzy Harpenden can not really be compared to our Pre-WWII Vintage car show that we present to the public in Sutherland, Sydney, purely on scale & size alone.

(Above) Photo of the hordes of people that visited the 'Classics on The Common' in Harpenden yesterday that were enjoying themselves wondering amongst the 1,400 Classic Vehicles that were on display.

Yesterday there were 1,400 vehicles on display covering many acres of grassy grounds in the massive Common here on St Albans Road in Harpenden, our display area on the bitumen in the Sutherland Car Park displays a tad over 100 Vintage vehicles, however to qualify to enter in our show all vehicles must have been built Pre the second World War, no exceptions, (1st September 1939) & this is what makes our show so unique, l believe.

l really had no idea what to expect before attending yesterday’s “Classics on the Common”. All that entrants needed to do was pay your entry fee of £17pounds (AUD$30.00) & rock up to exhibit your vehicle.

(Above) Now were talking. 1928-1929 Model A Ford Speedster.

Spectators entry fee a gold coin, I found it hard to believe that they did not charge an entry fee for the punter’s considering that the event is organised by the local Rotary Club of Harpenden, can you just imagine if they charged a nominal fee of five pounds how much they could have raised for charity, it would be mind boggling (that’s cheap) AUD$8.50. You can’t even buy a pint of beer here for that much money.

The scale of this presentation here is absolutely massive, (1,400 vehicles at $30 a vehicle = $42,000 plus spectator entry)? These vehicles spread out over acres & acres of ground, l was completely taken aback with the amount of spectators that attended this event. 

(Above) 1926 Sunbeam. Long 25hp. Tourer. One of only five remaining of this particular model. There are only two 'Landaulette' bodied cars that pre-date this car, (1) in Australia & (1) in New Zealand. 

This car is the oldest of the four left remaining 'Seat Tourers' cars that are known to exist located in Saffron Walden in Essex & (1) located in Germany. So very rare in the UK being one of only two cars known to exist.

Thousands upon thousands upon thousands of people & l am not exaggerating streamed through the acres of vehicles that were on display all day long from 11am-9pm, remembering that yesterday was a week day (Wednesday) l commented to one of the organisers “Doesn’t anybody work in this place” to which his answer to me was “This is Harpenden”.

l must admit that l was very disappointed with the lack of older vehicles, I would say out of the 1,400 vehicles on display there would have been no more than 50 vehicles that would have be built before 1940. I was expecting to see many more older vehicles on display, after all this is England.

(Above) Now for some real class & distinction. 1923 Model T Ford.

Rolls Royces & Bentleys a dime a dozen, Lamborghinis, Audis, Mercedes, VW, mini’s Vauxhalls, Morris minors, Ferrari’s, Morgans, MGs, Porsches by the dozen, Jaguars, Singers, Austin Healeys, MGBs by the truck load, McLarens, Nobles, Jensen Interceptors, Humbers, Hillman’s, Anglia’s, Cortina’s, Bug eye Sprite’s, Ford Consul’s, Sunbeam Tigers, Fiats, Peugeots, Renaults, Triumphs, Triumph Heralds by the ton, very few American cars, the list goes on & on & on after all there were 1,400 vehicles on display.

Absolutely nobody was dressed in Period dress, I suppose that was because the vehicles were not old enough, there was no music being played, no trophies, the food stalls were very ordinary. Our ten fresh food outlets in Sutherland were in a different league, you could actually have a decent choice, instead of Fish & chips, Hamburgers.

(Above) Don’t you just love this Morris Minor 1000. As a young motor mechanic in the '60s I cut my teeth on these wonderful vehicles, could not get enough of them. I really wish that I owned one of them today.

I went there yesterday expecting to learn new ideas to enhance our Pre WWII Vintage Car Show & actually came away with nothing, as a matter of fact we could teach the Poms about how to run a more interesting car show for the spectators.

l truly believe that at our Pre-WWII car show that we present to the public back home in Sydney is in a totally different class & much more interesting because of the unique vehicles that we present to the enthusiastic spectator.

Where can you go to see 100 plus Vintage Vehicles all pre 1939 on display with out all of these other makes & models only making up the numbers. Very unique indeed.

(Above) 1950 Healey Silverstone. Just 105 Silverstones were produced (1949-50), 51 'D Types' & 54 'E types'. All Silverstones utilised Riley running gear including a 2.4 twin cam OHV Pushrod engine with twin SU Carburettors, producing 104bhp at 4,500 rpm. Despite considerable track success the company discontinued Silverstone’s production in favour of the profitable Nash Healey and from 1952 the company the fabulous Austin Healy.

That’s my report from the 'Classics on the Common' from yesterday.

Hope that you enjoyed your Squire's roving report from the bowels of ancient Harpenden, where the poor are poor & the rich keep getting richer.

My next critique will probably be tomorrow. This evening I am heading off to see Simply Red the British Soul & Pop band from Manchester perform in an open air concert at Bedford Park in Bedford which is only a short train ride away from Harpenden.

Stay safe.

Cheers for now,

Warbo

Simply the Best

Sunday 31st July - 2022

Hello all,

Just letting you know that l am really ramping things up here in London for the final few weeks of my vacation here in the 'Old Dart'. I cannot afford to let the grass grow under my feet because before l know it l will be boarding the QF2 for Sydney on the 29th August.

As l had previously mentioned in one of my general emails, l managed to book 10 shows over a 10-day period. That means that l will not really have too many more free days until l leave for Scotland.

Last night I went to see 'Tina', the musical. l caught the Tube into Covent Garden, disembarked & walked around to the Aldwych Theatre which is only a short walk from the station.

On the short walk to the theatre l had completely forgotten how pleasant, dynamic, enjoyable & uplifting this area of London is, strolling past all the bars & eateries.

The last time l experienced this feeling was when l went to see 'Queen' the musical by Ben Elton at the Dominion Theatre in 2012, 10-years ago, while l was waiting for my flight to Ireland for my tour with C.I.E. Tours, they are the same company that l am using this year for my 12-day extravaganza to Scotland on the 13th August. Deja Vu.

For last night's performance l managed to jag a seat five rows from the stage, it makes things so much easier if you only want one seat exactly the same as jagging a seat on an aircraft at the last moment, this theatre is ornate & intimate just like me.

There are only 1,200 seats in this magnificent Edwardian Baroque style Theatre, it really makes you feel as though the cast were performing just for my own pleasure, that’s how good it is.

Adrienne Warren who played 'Tina' was superb, her rendition of 'Simply the Best' was nothing short of sensational. The costumes & sets & orchestra were magnificent.

What l have decided to do with all remaining shows is to rate each performance out of 10.

Last night's show 'Tina' l have given it 9 out of 10 with a star.

This evening l am off to see 'Mamma Mia' at the Novello Theatre which is just a stones throw from the Aldwych Theatre were l was last evening.

Guess what? l know this is getting boring, however it is now 68-days since l set foot in the UK, still have not worn my rain coat or raised the brolly. Hard to believe eh?

Stay safe, look after yourselves.

From the “Squire” reporting live from the West End in the UK.

PS: I believe that Paul Dainty just announced today that 'Tina' the musical is coming to Australia in 2023.

My conversion at Brands Hatch

Monday 25th July - 2022

The Bennett's British Superbike Round 5 event at Brands Hatch is the Mecca of motorcycle racing in the UK.

Where do I begin to tell you about this exhilarating motorcycle race that I witnessed yesterday of the British Superbike Championship here at Brands Hatch.

MotoGP is arguably the Super Bowl of motorcycle road racing, however I will not be able to give you my opinion on that until I attend the Monster Energy British Grand Prix MotoGP at Silverstone on August 7th.

The start of the second British World Superbike race on
Sunday afternoon on Brabham Straight.

In my wildest dreams I cannot possibly see how the MotoGP motorcycle races can be any better than what I saw yesterday, anyway I will give you my opinion in due course.

As I have mentioned previously I have never had the privilege to watch a live world class motorcycle race in my life, mainly because I really have not been interested & I am a born & bred car enthusiast.

Yesterday’s programme has our very own Jason O’Halloran
 on the front cover, McAMS No.22. Yamaha 1000cc beast.
Can you spot the Aussie Flag?

Previously, two-wheel racing never really rattled my cage of floated my boat.

That all ceased yesterday, talk about exciting to watch, I was on the edge of my grand stand seat watching these high powered 1000cc beasts, & I mean beasts, trying to be tamed by their world class riders around this magnificent Grand Prix Circuit: (2.433 mile long circuit) here at the world famous Brands Hatch track.

Definitely no room for the faint hearted. If you are interested have look at this YouTube clip for yourself of the race. 2022 Bennett’s BSB, Round 5, Brands Hatch (Race 2) on Sunday 24th July.

After what I watched yesterday I am now a World Superbike fan.

(Photo above) This is the view that I had from my Grandstand seat of Paddock Hill Bend, that the experts say has the reputation of being one of the best & fastest corners in world motor sport anywhere in the world. I took this photograph just after they dropped the green flag, this shows you (30) 1000cc machines hitting Paddock Bend at 160 mph or 257 kms.

This race was absolutely spectacular between an Australian Jason O’Halloran (from Wollongong, NSW) 43-years old No.22 & a Brit who is the current World Superbike Champion, Tarran Mackenzie (from Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire) 26-years old No.1. These two blokes are in the same team McAMS they both ride 1000cc Yamahas.

Saturday & Sunday they faced off against each other on three occasions, on Saturday (Jason O’Halloran won Saturday’s race), then on Sunday they were at it again hammer & tong, (Tarran Mackenzie won both races on Sunday) with the Aussie lad right up Mackenzie’s clacker on both occasions.

(Photo above) I met Gary from Scotland who sat next to me all day, he was a wealth of knowledge & helped me through out the day. As you can see by his t-shirt & hat he is a real die hard Suzuki fan. He prefers the World Superbikes over the MotoGP bikes. I love my newest t-shirt, a spark plug with wings!

Remembering that these two lads are in the same team, what I absolutely adored about it was that they are definitely not under any team instructions or orders from their team boss’s as to who wins the race, like what happens in the farcical F1 Grand Prix teams.

In their second race yesterday for 20-laps these daredevils threw every thing at each other at break neck speeds with the lead changing several times & finally the Brit knocked off our Aussie boy on the very last corner & clinched victory by 0.037 seconds, doesn’t come any closer than that.

(Photo above) In one of the many retail stalls that are scattered around certain sections of the outfield I took a liking to these three dramatic photographs. If I had the room in my suitcase I would loved to have purchased one or all of them.
(John Stanley come on down).

I’m sure if you were here with me at Brands Hatch yesterday watching these events unfold you would also be on the British Superbike Championships train.

These guys actually do pass each other, not like what you see in the procession of F1 & many tin-top car races where they more or less just follow the leader once somebody hits the lead.

I am already converted after spending just 1-day watching these world class motorcycle races, so it looks like I am off to see the MotoGP at Phillip Island this year. Now that is a first.

The large and enthusiastic crowd enjoying the racing
and Britain's current run of warm weather.

Another thing that I am very impressed with here at this exquisite, intimate, motor racing circuit is the famous names that they have given to the corners & straights around the circuit.

As follows: Brabham Straight (start-finish line), Paddock Hill Bend, Hailwoods Hill, Graham Hill Bend, Surtees, Hawthorn Hill, Hawthorns, Dingle Dell, Sheene Curve, Stirling, Clark Curve, to name a few.

Cheers from your roving correspondent from the insular peninsula in the “Shire”

Warbo

*You Tube clip below:
2022 Bennett’s BSB, Round 5, Brands Hatch (Race 2) on Sunday 24th July.

Roving around London

Thursday 30th June - 2022

Hello again from my rest day here in Harpenden.

I really do not know where to start my report today because of the huge day I had swanning around all my old haunts in downtown London yesterday.

Because of the threat of rain I decided to give my appearance on the Centre court at Wimbledon a miss yesterday, instead I decided to spend the day reminiscing of days gone bye when I used to frequent London on a monthly basis in a previous life.

Knowing that this will probably be my last swan song visiting the ‘Old Dart’ I spent most of the morning & afternoon walking around some of my favourite landmarks. 

My first port of call was to catch the Tube to the vibrant heart of London, Leicester Square which is almost slap bang in the West End. I wanted to check out all the Theatre Shows that are currently performing. It was wonderful to walk down Shaftesbury Ave towards Piccadilly Circus checking out all the famous shops & buildings. 

One of my favourite places to visit in Knightsbridge is Harrods. I absolutely loved the fresh food department of this magnificent store, yesterday I decided to see if it was still as good as it used to be previously.

Of course, I definitely was not disappointed, I will let you into a little secret about their fresh food department. The fascinating thing about their fresh food section is that you can purchase almost any type of fresh Cuisine from any where in the world, bar none.

Of course I decided to bite the bullet & hang the expense as you do when you are on holidays, especially when you are fortunate enough to be in the fresh food department of Harrods.

It was very hard for me to decide what l wanted to pig out on for lunch yesterday with such a large variety & selection to choose from. Seeing that l had not had the opportunity for over 5-weeks since departing Australia l decided to settle for one of my favourite meals. l settled on a Big Ben pie with mashie peas with mash potato & Rosella tomato sauce splashed all over everything, washed down with a caramel (double malt) milk shake, how does that grab you?

When I walked out of there l was completely satisfied.

Once I had satisfied my hunger pains it was time to move right along to Westminster Abbey, nearly all the Kings & Queens of England have been crowned in Westminster Abbey; it is also the burial place of many of England’s monarchs & some of the nation’s leading figures. (Photo below).

Not only that 'Big Ben' is only a stones throw away from the Abbey. I desperately wanted to check it out once again. After nearly five years under wraps, was Big Ben ready to chime again?

Six monarchs & 41 Prime Ministers have come & gone since Big Ben first struck its now familiar sound across Westminster. The refurbishment of the London landmark, which has seen costs already spiral to at least 80 million Pounds, or in real Aussie dollar value, that's $141 million.

The famous bell has been largely silent since 2017. Big Ben's time period. 1843 - May 1859. Standing 96mtrs tall.

As you can see by my photograph (at the very top), how magnificent does Big Ben looks after its refurbishment?

In one of my other photos you can see the London Eye which is a giant Ferris-wheel on the south Bank of the River Thames, also known as the Millennium Wheel, over the past few years it has also had a few other names, however as of mid - January 2015, is now called the Coca-Cola London Eye.

The structure is 443 feet tall or 135.03 metres. The London Eye was built between 1998-1999 & has proven to be one of London's most popular tourist attractions, if you like Ferris Wheels.

The building on the left hand side of the Hop-On, Hop-Off London Bus is the entrance to Westminster Abbey. In the middle of this photo the building with the Union Jack flying high is the Parliament House building.

Later in the afternoon it was now time to catch the Tube to South Kensington which is the closest station to the Royal Albert Hall where I needed to be by 19:30 to see Glady’s Knight & the Pips concert. (Midnight Train to Georgia).

Tomorrow night (Friday) I am back there to the Royal Albert Hall to see Frankie Valli & the 4 Seasons. Once I have seen Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons I will let you know all about both shows with my critique & expert opinion & how I rate them both, stay tuned.

Wish me luck on Sunday that I can jag a ticket to the British F1 Grand Prix from the Pommie Scalpers trackside at Silverstone.

I am feeling lucky, so I recon I can pull it off.

Cheers from your roving reporter here in London.

Warbo