Happy New Year

Happy New Year
Originally uploaded by fred pipes.

Happy New Year to one and all! I've still got a stinking code (cold) so spent last night watching Adaptation (must watch it again whenever I get writers' block!) and Jools Holland on tv, sipping some of that amazing cask-strength apple brandy Sam bought me for Xmas (I am now today officially on the wagon)! Went on the obligatory Clarion bike ride to a jam-packed Carats cafe at the end of Shoreham harbour. It was a glorious day, albeit with a strong wind against us as we travelled west. Behind us Brighton was busy preparing security for the Fatboy Slim concert this afternoon. After polishing off a plate of egg and saute potatoes in the open air outside Carats, stopped off to do some trawler spotting behind Fatboy's house on Millionaires' Row, hoping maybe to see the one Judy Stevens drew. Back in town, I managed to bump into most of the people I know in Brighton, including Peter Chrisp who reminded me I hadn't blogged the Count Arthur Strong show I saw with Peter and Lisa. So here it is: he's a sort of cross between Harry Worth and Fred Emney, with a touch of John Shuttleworth and Freddie Frinton, ie a posh drunken thespian of Northern Origin prone to 'senior moments' played by Steve Delaney. He was ably assisted in the Komedia performance of 'It just wouldn't be Christmas without us - now would it eh!' on 23 December by sidekick Terry Titter, a scouse entertainer of yesteryear, buxom TV cook Irene Titter, and Malcolm, a camp graduate of the Count's Doncaster Academy (all played by Terry Kilkelly). After several false starts with voices off, it started shambolically and got even more chaotic, but in the most amusing surreal way, ending with the audience tiptoeing out leaving Count Arthur and Terry both asleep on the sofa in front of the telly! An act to catch again in Edinburgh next year for sure.