Saturday, February 21, 2009

Husa Chamartín, Madrid

Husa Chamartín, next to Chamartín station in Madrid. Very seventies feel, from the built in and non-functioning radio controls next to the bed, right down to the English racists in the bar, talking about how Asians "will always fuck you over". For once, since they were English and I was offended at the bad impression they were giving of my country, I told them not to be racist rather than just sitting and fuming as I normally would.

Six months ago, I would have said that the Husa Chamartín seemed fated for redevelopment. With the troubles in the Spanish economy, it might take a few years longer.

Not the sort of place you'd want to stay unless, as I am, you're arriving late on a train from Paris. Husa Chamartín, Madrid

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Two business cards from New York

Two places I really liked in New York:


Sunday, October 19, 2008

Kids busking in the Pavilion Gardens

Kids busking in the Pavilion Gardens

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Hanover beer festival 2008

Just found my drunken notes from the Hanover Beer Festival the other weekend.

Loved:
Naked Beacon (Breconshire brewery)
Fruitbat (B&T Brewery, Shefford, Beds) - raspberries!
Alton's Pride (Triple F Bewery, Alton, Hants)

Liked:
Festivale 30 (1648 Brewery, East Hoathley)
Winter Meltdown (Dark Star Brewery, Ansty) - needs a roaring fire and snow outside
Blonde (Saltaire Brewery, Shipley, W Yorks)

Saturday, October 11, 2008

At my local beer festival

Basic instructions. At my local beer festival

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Burgess online

I see that Kemp Town Parliamentary candidate Simon Burgess has <A href="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TcR6ywvOHh0">broached the Interwebs</a> as part of his campaign.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Brighton beautiful

<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7626796.stm>Great win</a> for Brighton tonight at home against Man City in the Carling Cup. Lots of blather on Five Live, though. Quick guide for Five Live commentators:

1. We don't have SKINT on our shirts any more, though it's a shame given the opposition tonight.
2. We have got final planning permission for Falmer.

But don't let that get in your way. Good interview with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Knight">Dick Knight</a>, though.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Enjoy France!

The US Government have now nationalised three major institutions in the course of a fortnight, so what could be more pleasurable than going to FreeRepublic, home of right wing nutcases, to hear them wail about how they are now living in a socialist republic?

Sunday, September 14, 2008

The last of summer in the Pavilion Gardens

The Brighton Food Festival on New Road providing the beer and sausages. The last of summer in the Pavilion Gardens

Friday, September 12, 2008

The city that only occasionally dozes

The New York Times's City Room blog is appalled at an advertising slogan that suggests London is the city that never sleeps: link