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the-hindu-times · 5 years

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May, June, July 2019 reviews

photo: taken on Nic Bennett’s phone On Wed 1st May, I once again set off to see Idlewild. This time at the Cambridge Junction with support from Hamish Hawk. Realising I had met him before, in his record shop in Edinbrugh, his onstage presence had more in common with Morrissey than someone in retail. Whilst Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason played the larger Corn Exchange, Hamish’s band made way for solo/acoustic number 'Catherine Opens a Window' - his answer to The Smiths' 'Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want' or 'Asleep' - as Hamish gave the occasional gaze over to the talkative bar area during this delicate section. Back catalogue and recent EP songs were performed, which were all new to this audience.

The next day was the beginning of three nights at Outside The Box at the Royal Oak New Malden: Russell Howard on Thursday, Milton Jones on Friday and Al Murray on Saturday. I left the later early to catch Richard Ashcroft at The Olympia but train delays meant that by the time I arrived, he was already on to his '90s nostalgic hit parade, having missed the minimal selection of newer material. We were back at Outside The Box at Langleys, Surbiton for Romesh Ranganathan, before another Al Murray show there.

photo: taken on Nic Bennett’s phone

Having previously seen Dean Friedman at Teddington Arts Centre (a large church near Kingston), a year or so ago, he's continued to be a frequent visitor from over the pond; selling out Pizza Expresses and country pubs. This time, he's deservedly in prestigious theatre, The Bloomsbury, close to central London but sadly only a few are in attendance. It's a similar set to before; covering songs from all of his albums on piano and guitar. Once again, he takes moments to advertise future gigs and what merch he has for sale - but a show just focusing on his wonderful songbook would have been much more credible. He always seems to be looking towards the future whilst his songs tell his past.

photo: taken on Nic Bennett’s phone

On the Tuesday, I was back in Cambridge - this time for the Manic Street Preachers at the Corn Exchange; a venue we were due to return to last month the cancelled Ryan Adams tour. Standing can get uncomfortably crowded in there, and the reserved seating on the balcony gets worse the closer to the front, due to the perspex safety screen. There were a few chairs put out just under the balcony/above the standing, which isn't a bad spot though. Marking 19 years and 8 months since the release of 'This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours', the adverts suggested that they would be playing the album in order, in its entirety - to which they did neither. Not the only marketing con to help make a fast buck, as it looked like they had bought all the unofficial £5 t shirts from outside gigs in 1998, and were now selling them for £30. The extra money was spent on more live session musicians for the tour, with the highlights being the two songs from latest LP ‘Resistance Is Futile’.

photo: taken on Nic Bennett’s phone

The following evening, From The Jam, were at Epsom Playhouse. The small, all seated theatre saw original The Jam member, Bruce Foxton, battle through the flu to perform acoustic renditions of hits, album tracks and b-sides with Russell Hastings having permanently taken Paul Weller's place, whilst he continues to evolve as a successful solo artist. Support act, Nine Below Zero re-emerge to join in on a couple of numbers for an audience of one type and age bracket.

Monday afternoon's set from James Walsh at the Groucho Club saw Sam Fender and band turn up with journalist, Gordan Smart, and Josh McClorey from The Strypes, whom had to turn down the opportunity to be Weller's new guitarist whilst Steve Cradock's out with The Specials. The next day saw Brushy One String's first ever London show at The Blues Kitchen in Camden. With just one A (5th) string on his acoustic guitar, Jamacain musician, Andrew Chin, performed his Youtube hit 'Chicken in the Corn', along with other originals and Reggae classics. On Thursday, Lights was over from Canada but we decided to see Mull Historical Society’s stripped back set at Bush Hall on a night where the songs without Bernard Butler on guitar sounded best. After All Points East festival on the last Friday of the month, where Bring Me The Horizon topped the bill, we were at the Fighting Cocks, Kingtson for Outside The Box with Nick Helme, before we returned to the same club at Langleys Surbiton (Harry Hill, Matt Forde, Kerry Godliman), West Molesey Barn Theatre (Andy Parsons), Royal Oak, New Malden (Harry Hill [again], followed by just making Andy Parsons [again], after coming back from a live session on Bournemouth Radio, the next night]).

Paul Weller brought his ever changing set list to Bedgebury Pinetum forest before we witnessed David Blaine wow Hammersmith Apollo, the night before we attended Metallica at Twickenham stadium. The following evening saw Rhys James headline the New Malden Sports Ground club before I was back at Outside The Box in Kingston for Romesh Ranganathan, Al Lubel and Adam Bloom.

I wasn’t that impressed with my first trip to Exeter but Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds were mostly on top form at Powderham Castle. I would have liked The Charlatans’ ‘90s’ greatest hits support set to have have been more varied and up to date but they were being pleasing the majority.

photo: taken on Nic Bennett’s phone

After Josh Widdicombe at Outside The Box in Surbiton at Langleys on the first day of July, I was at another Paul Weller show on Sunday, in Greenwich. Another Outside The Box the following evening, in Kingston, saw Angelos Epithemiou top the bill before Wednesday night’s Cosmo Sheldrake gig at the Oval Space was shut down early due to curfew laws – something he won’t have as much of a problem with on his European tour. Bob Dylan and Neil Young at Hyde Park on the Friday was followed by a daytime trip to Dartford’s free festival for The Farm and The Lightning Seeds.

The next day we were at On Blackheath, where Morcheeba had an afternoon slot. The festival seemed much smaller than previous years and the signs for what you could and couldn’t bring in were different to what the security would snatch from you so, we didn’t stick around.

On Tuesday, Doves played a nostalgic set at Sommerset House before The Good, The Bad & The Queen hosted a much better evening of new music. Harry Enfield, Miles Kane and Jeff Wootton were amongst the smaller crowd, to the night before, as Damon Albarn’s group engaged and impressed. After meeting Tom Speight on the train home, we went along to his short set, opening for The Lighthouse Family at a Banquet Records night, before a seaside trip back to Folkestone for Graham Nash at the Leas Cliff Hall. I’m still not sure Michael Barakan (Shane Fontayne) works on guitar for him, although I did like some of his country style, and the show worked much better with the addition of James Raymond on keys.

Nic Bennett

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unabashedlywaywardcloud · 3 years

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"Calorie Comparison - 'Being good' vs. 'Being bad' Today we want to show you how easy it is to consume the same amount of calories in nutritious food as it is in less nutritious food Sure, the avocado on toast with be healthier nutrition-wise But the calorie comparison remains the same 1 piece of toast with half an avocado on it is 300 calories And so is 1 slice of pizza So if you're calorie counting & your aim is to lose weight Make sure you are aware of the calorie content in everything you consume Just because it's deemed 'good food' doesn't mean it is low calorie It's all about portion size 🍽" Join us from January 4th on our 6 week Kickstarter programme, learn more here: https://akhealthandfitness.fitproconnect.com/transformbodyhealthdec20 #bootcamps #outsidefitness #lifestylecoach #exercise #mentalhealth #personaltraining#womenshealth #community #Resistancebands #healthcoach #health #fatloss #accountability #weightloss #womensfitness #folkestone #hawkinge #cheriton #hythe #sandgate #capelleferne #elham #lyminge #stowting #brabourne #folkestonebootcamps #akhealthandfitness #personaltrainer #fitnessclasses #reducestress (at Folkestone, Kent) https://www.instagram.com/p/CI2-gmng9C-/?igshid=uttqgu7q3bk1

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paulandkarenartandlife · 4 years

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First party on the Harbour Arm? 2016

Seems a while ago now, that K celebrated her 60th birthday on the newly restored Folkestone Harbour Arm! Sorry, if not many Folkestonians were invited - we didn’t know that many of you at the time and old friends and family took precedence of course. It was a leap of faith as global warming had not yet come to our shores, so the date of Shakespeare’s Birthday was hopefully going to be warm enough... It was a really great evening. All this was pre-instagramming, so we relied on wonderful Dave Hendley and friends to take the occasional photo as a record of events. Music was live from the charming Dulcie May-Moreno. Astrid Goldsmith, now far too famous as an award winning animator of Mock Duck Studios, provided a screening for children sitting on hay bales behind a secret curtain in the undercover passageway. Delicious wood fired pizzas and tapas from Follies and drinks kept us fed and watered. The harbour carpark was empty, we had the run of the place. The weekend continued with aperos at Rocksalt, major family takeaway meal delivered to the Grand self-catering appartments. Folkestone was an undiscovered jewel to many who were visiting for the first time. The Harbour Arm was showing its versatile potential as an exciting social space.

Here are a few photos...

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travelonlinetips-blog · 5 years

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New Post has been published on https://travelonlinetips.com/brexit-chris-grayling-criticised-for-wasting-tens-of-millions-on-rushed-and-risky-no-deal-ferry-planning/

Brexit: Chris Grayling criticised for wasting tens of millions on 'rushed and risky' no-deal ferry planning

The transport secretary is under renewed pressure after MPs said his department had squandered £85m on ferry contracts for a no-deal Brexit.

The Public Accounts Committee has published a report into a £33m out-of-court settlement that the Department for Transport (DfT) made with Eurotunnel.

The payout was agreed after the channel tunnel operator challenged what the MPs called “a rushed and risky procurement of additional ferry capacity” by Chris Grayling’s department.

We’ll tell you what’s true. You can form your own view.

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Towards the end of 2018, the government made a worst-case assumption that the normal flow of goods across the short channel crossings could be reduced by 87 per cent for up to six months.

To assist with the movement of essential goods, the DfT awarded contracts to Brittany Ferries, DFDS Seaways and a “paper” company called Seaborne Freight – which turned out to have no vessels and whose business terms were copied from a pizza delivery company.

Eurotunnel, which has experience in running ferries as well as the shuttle between Folkestone and Calais, was not invited to tender.

The committee says the hurried and bungled arrangements exposed the department to a court challenge from Eurotunnel.

“Rather than risk losing a legal case, which may have resulted in the court cancelling the ferry contracts ahead of 29 March 2019, the department reached a £33 million out-of-court settlement with Eurotunnel,” the report said.

In addition, £51.4m of taxpayers’ money was spent on cancelling contracts with the Danish ferry operator DFDS and the French line Brittany Ferries.

The DfT claimed that the £33m settlement with Eurotunnel would go towards infrastructure improvements. But Meg Hillier, the Labour chair of the committee, said: “Public benefits from the settlement with Eurotunnel amount to little more than window dressing.

“The taxpayer has been landed with a £85m bill with very little to show for it following the rushed procurement of ferry freight capacity.”

The MPs also warned the DfT about a lack of preparedness for the next deadline for leaving the European Union, 31 October 2019.

The committee said: “The department must learn from this episode and use its time well should it be required to re-procure ferry capacity ahead of the new October deadline.

“The window for decision-making for any departure on 31 October is short and key deadlines for decisions are passing every day.

“There is a real risk that the short time left before 31 October will force the department into further high-risk procurements.

A DfT spokesperson said: “The freight capacity contracts were taken out as an insurance policy for the UK to ensure that key medical supplies could be guaranteed in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

“This step was in response to changed assumptions about potential delays in the Dover strait, and the agreements were entered into as soon as a cross-government collective decision was taken that they were needed.

“Two weeks ago the department outlined a new framework proposal to provide a list of operators capable of delivering this vital freight capacity without the government committing to any agreements at this stage, with market engagement already under way.”

The DfT is facing more legal action relating to the Eurotunnel settlement. In April, P&O Ferries began a legal challenge against the deal on the grounds of breach of procurement law.

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melisandresbeaver · 6 years

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What a weekend!!! Absolutely coloured it in these last few gigs. May Madness continues.. #livemusic #livemusicrocks #livemusicphoto #livemusicphotography #livemusicvenue #localmusic #localmusicians #localmusicscene #punk #punkrock #punkscene #punkfashion #pizza #localgig #localgigs #localbands #localband #ibanezbass #gretsch #folkestone #maidstone #maidstonefringefestival #pubgig #funny #band #music #musicians #photography #fts #melisandre #beaver #ainsley #ainsleyharriot #spicy #spice #allthingsspicy #spicey #kentbands #unsigned #unsignedartist #unsignedband #unsignedmusic #unsignedmusicians #merchandise #buyourstuff

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adaniellelife · 6 years

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There’s something about pizza, it just makes me happy, so when I discovered Luben Pizza in Folkestone one lunch time with Sylvia, I knew I had to share, as seriously this is one of the cutest pizzerias I’ve ever been too, it is very Instagrammable, I just love the rustic tables and industrial fittings, really gives the place a warm inviting feel, oh and did I mention the wood fired pizzas are incredible.

Luben’s is much more than just a restaurant with a trendy decor, the menu is amazing, they offer both Neopolitan, a light crust with a thin base, and my favourite the Romana, which are generally larger, thinner with a crispy finish, and there are 16 different options to choose from, such as the simple Fiore de latte mozzarella with basil and tomato to the exquisite chicken, pancetta, roast peppers, and red onion pizza that I demolished.

Not after pizza, I’m not judging, sometimes you want something different, Luben also have a great selection of deli salads, as well as cannelloni and mac and cheese, which is certainly on my hit list next time I go as I love mac and cheese, and they have one with spinach and spring onion that sounds to die for. They also do great starters, I was a little jealous by someone else in the restaurant that went for the garlic dough balls and bruschetta, but when you come at lunchtime it did seem a little excessive as my pizza was quite big. I love that Luben has an open kitchen, you can see the chefs preparing your pizza, as literally everything is cooked fresh, and because it is wood fired it is also super quick, which I love, as once I smell pizza I need pizza!!! They also source most of their toppings locally, which I think should also be celebrated, with the meat used coming from Moonsgreen farm in Kent, while its flour and other vegetables are from local suppliers, plus if you are vegan, you can still have pizza as they can substitute its normal cheese for vegan cheese so you don’t have to miss out.

I can’t recommend this place enough, location is excellent right in the centre of Folkestone, staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, ask if you need suggestions or want to change something on one of the pizzas, and the food was delicious, I’m not even sorry to say I ate every last bit of my pizza! Luben really would make a great choice for casual dinners with friends, late lunches as well as romantic date night, and I can’t wait to go back.

The only problem you will have at Luben is deciding which pizza to go for.

Luben, 24 Rendezvous Street, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 1EZ

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Kent Life: @LubensPizza in Folkestone There's something about pizza, it just makes me happy, so when I discovered Luben Pizza in Folkestone…

#Folkestone #Kent Life #Luben Pizza

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lornamorris · 6 years

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Last night I went to @lubenspizza with @sabinacommon and @khstevens83 and we had SUCH yummy pizza! Maybe some wine... 💆🏽 Love how well they cater for different diets and the decor is 👌🏼 Tonight is a less exciting meal of homemade-reheated-from-frozen tomato and red pepper soup #glamlife . . . . #friends #food #catchup #pizza #italian #doughballs #folkestone #eatout #explore #discover #foodie #interiordesign #restaurantdecor #decor #naturallook (at Luben's Pizza)

#catchup #decor #folkestone #eatout #discover #interiordesign #naturallook #friends #doughballs #glamlife #food #restaurantdecor #pizza #explore #foodie #italian

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john2983miller-blog · 5 years

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Kent Restaurants - A Manual

If you're really feeling a little bit peckish as well as need to have someplace to consume, there are actually manies bistros in Kent to choose! Delight your hunger and also check out a wonderful club, restaurant, coffee shop or even dining establishment Kent must use like The Charles Dickens in Broadstairs or even perhaps a carvery dish in among the best Kent restaurants as well as pubs like The Crown Inn in Finglesham, a gorgeous community near Sandwich.

If soaring gos to entice you, there are actually additionally a lot of mattress & morning meal hotels and resorts in Kent, in addition to bed and breakfast as well as rooms, as well as none are actually a lot more luxurious than Margate's Georgian town hall and also shop B&B, The Reading Rooms, which has actually gained kudos coming from The Guardian's trip segment.

www.chapteronerestaurant.co.uk

There are actually several bistros in Canterbury, most of which give new, nearby as well as natural fruit and vegetables including the Good Shed bistro, the Farmhouse dining establishment or even Cafe des Amis all situated in the urban area facility.

There are actually a lot of Kent restaurants along with Italian dishes on promotion, numerous of which are actually of leading lesson criterion. There is actually Ask in Canterbury forgeting the stream, a really prominent bistro in Kent, and also Prezzo as well as Posillipo in Broadstairs, each of which forget the magnificent beach of Broadstairs.

As you can easily observe, you're truly craved selection for Kent Hotels - in addition to that there is actually an incredible quantity of points to accomplish in Kent coming from palaces and also stream watercraft scenic tours to warm air balloon as well as chopper trips. And also as if that is actually not nearly enough Kent possesses a superb assortment of dining establishments as well creating your holiday definitely one-of-a-kind. if amount of money were actually no item, there is actually sufficient to possess numerous extraordinary vacations, therefore pleased searching!

If you're trying to find a flavor oceanic and also fish as well as fish and shellfish is you're factor after that make sure to take a see to The Crab as well as Winkle. This splendid Kent dining establishment in Whitstable neglecting the port obtains it is actually create daily coming from the marketplace listed below, implying you angle receive food items a lot fresher!

Properly, Kent is actually jammed-packed along with opportunities for an excellent time for all the loved ones. Of training program if the weather condition is actually great there is actually absolutely no a lot better choice than constructing a jolly great sand palace on one of Kent's lots of lovely seashores. Kent includes 3 blue banner seashores as well as along with a lot of to opt for coming from it wont be actually tough to discover your personal item of the beach to set down the seaside towel!

Merely a couple of moments steer coming from the beachfront will certainly take you right into Kent's impressive country side - this area is actually contacted the backyard of England for an explanation! There is actually a charming herbal tea space, congregation, present store as well as pair of bars and also the fortress stands up satisfaction of area looking over the area.

You'll never ever be actually caught for a location to remain in the Garden of England, as there are actually dozens Hotels in Kent to select from. If it is actually deluxe you're after, you could possibly stay like a god in The Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells, a regal 18th century residence along with outstanding gym centers and also a Chandelier bistro. It is actually likewise entirely accredited for wedding ceremonies and also public relationship events, if you're considering proposing!

When you locate on your own visualizing a snack, the dining establishments in Kent you can easily pick from are actually certainly not limited! Stop those cravings pains through checking out some of Kent's numerous gastro bars, restaurants or even bistros, including The Dog Inn in Wingham, or even you can easily appreciate a full-on typical Sunday roast thanks to The George & Dragon in the town of Ightham UK.

Or even if it is actually one more country location along with a tip of deluxe you're trying to find, Kent restaurants do not happen additional self-indulgent than The Marquis at Alkham, lately granted along with a Michelin climbing celebrity, which impresses visitors therefore the great eating and also the every bit as great country side settings UK.

Unusual offerings are actually formulated due to the Hoodener's Horse in Ashford, that dish out some superb Mexican recipes, while if Indian dining establishments you're yearning, The Raja of Kent in Tenterden will certainly very most absolutely leave you upset.

You might additionally be actually astonished due to the semi-rural attraction of such B&B locations as Orchard Cottage, Rochester, a best jumping-off place to Rochester Castle or even The Historic Dockyard in Chatham.

Take an excursion to Kent! Along with some of the greatest areas to keep, dining establishments and also therefore a lot to find as well as perform, you'll be actually promised a superb opportunity.

Kent possesses a huge range of famous monoliths and also religions. There are actually some awesome palaces such as Dover, Walmer and also Leeds palace as well as some outstanding religions, one-of-a-kind in their very own technique as well as presenting a wide array of historical artefacts such as the St. Peters Church in Sandwich.

There are actually the sizable purchasing facility's such as Bluewater as well as Westwood Cross, as well as additionally the curious local area profession outlets, present stores and also fine art pictures in which to discover your very own item of Kent to take residence. And also why certainly not take a travel to one of Kent's outstanding wineries as well as purchase some great nearby white wine to take house along with you?

On the contrary, if you wish for a feeling of record yet along with included solitude, Ashford's Eastwell Manor Hotel is actually a Hotel in Kent the same level superiority, as it was actually installed the mid-1500s and also was actually as soon as rented through Prince Alfred (child of Queen Victoria).

A higher training class dining establishment in Kent which you ought to most definitely take into consideration will be actually Michael Caines in Abode Hotel in Canterbury. This best Kent dining establishment is actually a hairstyle over the remainder, providing a Los Angeles carte food selections to need! There are actually a stable of alternatives consisting of early riser as well as lunch food selections as well BR6 8NF.

Various other affordable Hotels in Kent feature the Holiday Inn Express in Folkestone (the closest accommodation to Eurotunnel, if an enchanting rest to Paris gets on the memory cards) and also ABode Hotel in Canterbury (along with areas at simply ₤ 42 pp, it is actually ideal for day-trippers that prefer to see the wonderful Canterbury Cathedral).

Fanatics of exquisite bistros in Kent can possibly do absolutely no far better than ruining on their own through checking out Thackeray's in Tunbridge Wells, a Michelin starred French bistro situated in the residence of 19th century author and also satirist William Makepeace Thackeray BR6 8NF.

Various other fish and shellfish dining establishments in Kent deserving newsworthy feature the world-renowned Whitstable Oyster Company, Hythe Bay Seafood Restaurant and also The Coastguard in Street Margarets Bay, which permits you to look throughout the Straits of Dover while you appreciate their nearby cod in Hoegaarden draft beer concoction Orpington.

Yet another Kent bistro to look at would certainly be actually The Barn Restaurant in Rainham, providing a contact of West End prestige in eating in Medway, this remarkable bistro in Kent equilibriums conventional dishes along with a contemporary discussion.

An additional Kent Hotel suitable for a master is actually Starborough Manor, Edenbridge, disregarding a moated fortress as well as offering exceptional 5-star lodge lodging, which possesses its very own attractive mansion premises and also slashed on its own some TELEVISION insurance coverage on BBC's Great British Railway Journeys.

A Kent dining establishment along with a dash of present-day fashion may be discovered in The Mulberry Tree, found 4 kilometers coming from Staplehurst, which dishes out present day British & European dishes created coming from local area fruit and vegetables.

There are actually likewise several multinational bistros in Kent including the Italian dishes delivered through Alexandra Ristorante in Ramsgate - situated on the beach neglecting the Royal Harbour - and also Posillipo in Broadstairs, Faversham as well as Canterbury, that are actually a dab palm at serving handcrafted Neopolitan pizzas.

If your taste buds demand a respectable fishmongers, Eddie Gilbert's in Ramsgate is actually a fine fish as well as potato chip outlet dining establishment which took on its own the most effective Newcomer award at the Kent Restaurant Awards 2009.

If you expensive one thing a little bit much more advanced, there is actually several best side bistros in Kent to deal with yourselves like Richard Philips at Chapel Down in Tunbridge Wells, among best dining establishments in Kent, vowing a definitely motivating eating adventure. Victor of the Kent Restaurant Awards 2009 for greatest English meals this spot is actually certainly not one to be actually skipped!

There is actually a lot of a great cafeteria or even coffee shop as well as Kent additionally includes several of best bistros in the UK. There is actually a dining establishment for everybody, along with Indian, Mediterranean, Mexican and also, certainly, conventional English food to discuss merely a handful of.

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statesofwake · 7 years

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Dedication to the gold beaters

(hancock and kelly Live)

I felt the shift in energy before opening the door to the storefront; secluded by a tree outside, surrounded by benches, the storefront is noticeable only because of its SALE/LET sign at the entrance of four, red-edged doors. I have arrived at a wake, standing by two bodies, intertwined. Passers-by ocassionally notice the gathering, but it’s a Sunday, and the only shop that’s open sells ‘Asian and Eastern European’ goods.

At the back of the storefront, two bodies lie next two each other, arms and limbs intertwined; next to them, on the corner, a pile of coal, leaving thin dust all over the tiled floor, steps of witnesses marked across the room, fading by the time I reach the doorways again.

Slowly, with care, another body applies gold leaf to the skin- the points of contact, skin to skin, skin to floor, floor to air. What has been hammered into sheets, is now applied to the body. The same skin that carried the weight of coal days before, or documented the traces of its movement within this disused space, in which every echo lingers in the dust. The same skin that rubbed against its weight and was marked by its strong smell. The miners, of sorts.

Three years ago, word broke during the Folkestone Triennial out that a gold bullion was buried on the town beach; some thought it a rumour or a hoax, but many descended down with metal detectors and spades, committed to the excavation, unsure as to whether what they were finding was gold or art, or perhaps both.

A 1915 book on the uses and history of gold leaf begins with the gold beaters, a group of men from Boston who ‘wield heavy hammers daily pounding out the filmy sheets of Gold Leaf’. The art of gold beating has existed for over ‘three thousand years’. Coal mining in the UK dates back to the Roman period.

Gold leaf property investments have recently announced the completion of a purchase of a new property in Folkestone, consisting of three retail units, all leased, and two floors of residential flats sold on a long lease.

Mandalay in Myanmar produces 2000 thin gold leaves for a tickle of 24 karat pure gold after seven hours of pounding. It is a famous tourist spot for observing the process.

Last year, a controversial pizza company in New York produced a two-thousand dollar pizza with edible gold leaves. Nutritionists were invited to comment, and they denoted they decried its lack of nutritional value, and poor taste.

These two bodies, we have been watching them covered, and they gleam on the tiled floor, they gleam in this space where merchandise used to line the walls, they shine in the back, and you can notice them, if you look.

- Diana

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rudimentaryrecollections · 7 years

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London – Brussels 28 July 2017

I sit next to a friendly balding man named Andy on the bus. He is from Folkestone. He has spent three hours that morning travelling to London so that he can catch this bus to Prague. It is eight hours to Brussels. Nineteen to Czechia. There are TV screens with many movies like on planes. Unfortunately Andy's doesn't work and he laughs about it, these things always happen to him.

Rianne has messaged me back and says things got a bit crazy and she ended up in Birmingham. She is apologising and seems worried she has offended me -We will reunite in Czechia right?

- Of course, it is very kind and generous of you to open your home to me. Be well my friend and enjoy every moment.

I watch V is for Vendetta. We stop at the French border which is on the British Isle, where the European tunnel starts. There is a long delay. It is a bottleneck. We all get out and have our passports looked at by a British official. I get a bean burger and we get back onto the coach. We drive for ten minutes and get out again, to have our passports looked at by French customs. I get a stamp in mine. Many cars pass, but only about one in forty are asked to stop randomly, otherwise there would be too many delays. We drive further to the entrance of the tunnel. Andy points to a town in over a series of fences around the tunnel aread.

"That's Folkestone. It's mad, I can't get the bus from there, I have to go all the way to London. Once, on the way back, I asked the bus driver to let me out here for fifty quid, but he said 'no can do pal.' It's mad, haha, these things always happen to me." He gives me his number and says if I'm ever in Folkestone I have a place to stay. I might just take him up on it.

I thought we would drive through the tunnel. But as it turns out, we drive onto a train which takes us through the tunnel. It looks like a long industrial shed. We line up and slowly drive through the carriages. Four cars stop finally in the one in front of us. Our coach takes up one whole carriage. Large, futuristic doors close on each side of the carriage. Andy supposes these are to stop leaks or fires spreading.

We get out and stretch our legs. It is stuffy in the coach but cool in the carriage. We walk to the front of the train where a toilet carriage is. The doors between each carriage are stiff and take some muscles to push as pressure and weight causes resistance. I think it would be a good place to hitchikie, as many people lounge in their cars or the carriages for the forty minute journey.

We do not have to get out again until Brussels. No more border control.

I am taken aback. I had become accustomed to the UK. Now I was a foreigner again. Belgium is half Dutch, half French speaking. I turn data roaming on and walk towards the hostel I booked. There are soldiers on the street in pairs every once and a while and their trucks daunt on the street.

The hostel is in an African area of the town which is a different vibe to the tourist district I walked through.

The room is not a bedroom full of bunk beds like the UK hostels. It is an apartment room with two levels, a bathroom, a kitchen and single beds arranged neatly in the living room and two bedrooms. I meet a guy from Ecuador who is heading to a large electronic music festival tomorrow, called Tomorrowland. We go to get pizza together and we share amusing differences between our countries, culture and that of the country we are in. We talk about women, food, drinking and anxiety.

He tells me the only woman he has been with in Europe was one he befriended the night before and had sex with in the bathroom of a gay bar. He laughs because she was also from Ecuador. He also tells me he had to go to hospital a few days before, because he had a horrible pain in his gut. They ran some tests and interviewed him and told him he eats too fast - that is what caused the pain!

We go back before midnight because otherwise we will be locked out of the hostel. The hostel is nice but we do not like this rule as it restricts our freedom. We bid each other goodnight and I do not see him again. Such is travel.

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