Increasingly infrequent?

Perhaps I mean decreasingly frequent. More elegant, you know.

Another one of my increasingly infrequent posts,

which I already realize is going to be another excuse. I have a ton of stuff to do right now, what with finishing up recording projects and doing loads of gigs. I really have to maintain my house before it falls down around my ears, and I do try to get out in the sun and take a few pics. Right now I'm a bit short of ideas for pics, but I know that the trick is simply to get out there with the camera and do it. As always, Flickr will reflect any progress in this department.

I suppose that I must confess to having enough of a "real life" at the moment to warrant neglecting my online existence, and I'm not sure that this is a bad thing overall. Perhaps I'll be more net-bound when the winter comes around again.

Well, I survived my five-day trip abroad.

All was, on balance, enjoyable. The enterprise - a night in Calais followed by lunch in Veurne and then four days in Amsterdam, dinner in Bruges on the way home - once again reminded me how much I love those Low Countries. The cleanness, the public transport, the lack of hassle, the quality of stuff. I mean, compared to Oxford these days even Amsterdam is not an expensive place to be. Sobering. Time to make that move.

My efforts with the camping would have been greatly enhanced had my inflatable mattress been capable of a bit more sustained tumescence, but it wasn't and I survived. For a trip full of "lively debate", gallons of beer, minimal sleep, and - er - extracurricular activities, it turned out to be a good one. I think six people is a lot for group dynamics, but that's a lesson learned the proper way now; by experience. It was handy to split up the cost of taking two vehicles over as many ways as possible. Paid dividends for the shopping in Calais though, that. Extra carrying capacity is always a plus. I now have a hell of a cellar and a lot of good chocolate. And I'm knackered and I need a break :>

I don't know whether or not I want to make more trips in the Ford Buzzbox though. Fun though it is, it's noisy and juicy and small. I can get the same performance, better economy and a lot of luxury in the Chrysler 300C CRD. I wanted one of these a year ago, and I still do. Maybe time to talk to the dealers.

There are a few Flickr pics up. For some reason I wasn't very photographic on this trip, which is a shame. Still, now I know I can get away without being ill all the time watch this space!

Is that the time already?

Having lost last week to the flu, and in happy anticipation of losing next week to the fog of war in Amsterdam with my gurning friends, I have been having a very busy time. Why is it that packing all the stuff takes so much less time than even the simplest part of the paperwork? I've managed to get a few more photos sorted out, have shamefully neglected my Second Life (only viable when one doesn't have a first one going on), and have waded through a ton of email.

If you possess your souls in patience, a lot of Amsterdam pictures will appear next week end. For the time being, get on with your Easter eggs...