June 2025
Access All (Some) Areas
Obviously with the MS I have some issues. These include ones that can make going to a standing gig bordering somewhere north of impossible. I heard about Access Cards for people who have disabilities of one type or another a while ago. It is a paid for card (£15) which lasts for 3 years.
I didn’t have any gigs coming up over the last couple of months so I hadn’t applied for it (it IS paid for, so there is no point in paying for it until you are going to use it).
Hopefully it will help me get access to some seated areas (the one place I never wanted to be at a gig, back in the day) and get disabled toilet access. We’ll see. It may be a case of just ‘better having it than not’ and acting as a comfort blanket when I attempt to go for any gig tickets. Of course whether the card is any good it may depend on the gigs and places I want to go to—it’s no good having access to something that doesn’t exist. Not all places have seated areas and/or disabled toilets. And those that do may have limited spaces; so additional communication with venues before gigs may be required to ascertain actual options.
We shall see. Better to have it than not I suspect.
Anyways there are likely better options for me out there than when I didn’t have the card, or at least I’ll know where I stand (or hopefully don’t stand!) with it. Upcoming gigs I’d like to go to included my fave, Chuck Prophet (at the Arts Club Loft), and Amy MacDonald (at the Baltic Jacaranda). According to their website the latter is standing only; but they may be able to provide chairs. As it happens Amy’s gig has sold out now anyways. But it has me checking out options and realities now each time I see a potential gig.
Should you be interested in the Access Card check it out at:
www.accesscard.online
I didn’t have any gigs coming up over the last couple of months so I hadn’t applied for it (it IS paid for, so there is no point in paying for it until you are going to use it).
Hopefully it will help me get access to some seated areas (the one place I never wanted to be at a gig, back in the day) and get disabled toilet access. We’ll see. It may be a case of just ‘better having it than not’ and acting as a comfort blanket when I attempt to go for any gig tickets. Of course whether the card is any good it may depend on the gigs and places I want to go to—it’s no good having access to something that doesn’t exist. Not all places have seated areas and/or disabled toilets. And those that do may have limited spaces; so additional communication with venues before gigs may be required to ascertain actual options.
We shall see. Better to have it than not I suspect.
Anyways there are likely better options for me out there than when I didn’t have the card, or at least I’ll know where I stand (or hopefully don’t stand!) with it. Upcoming gigs I’d like to go to included my fave, Chuck Prophet (at the Arts Club Loft), and Amy MacDonald (at the Baltic Jacaranda). According to their website the latter is standing only; but they may be able to provide chairs. As it happens Amy’s gig has sold out now anyways. But it has me checking out options and realities now each time I see a potential gig.
Should you be interested in the Access Card check it out at:
www.accesscard.online
Comments
Hopefully a Farewell to Procrastination
I’ve had two part written books which have stalled from severe bouts of procrastination: 'Fergie Time' and 'The Wobbly Odyssey.' I am now in need to finish one—or both—of these. They are both 80% or so complete (as far as first drafts go that probably means many miles from finished).
The 'Wobbly Odyssey: To Hull And Back' is currently 78,400 words from an initial target of 80k. In fact I reckon there will be a further 15k or so words to complete it. We’ll see.
The story is a comedic tale of three guys on an epic pub crawl taking in cities between Liverpool and Hull. So with me heading to Cleethorpes in four weeks maybe that would be a fitting way to fit in my writing (it’s not that far from Hull as the crow flies; but surprisingly distant by public transport). Can I complete the first draft by the time I go to DocksFest? I could even reward myself with an ale trip to Hull to celebrate. Well, er, maybe not in reality.
If it does prove to be ‘only’ 15k words to finish, well with 27 days to go right now then it’s only 600 words a day.
Let’s see. Watch this space.
The 'Wobbly Odyssey: To Hull And Back' is currently 78,400 words from an initial target of 80k. In fact I reckon there will be a further 15k or so words to complete it. We’ll see.
The story is a comedic tale of three guys on an epic pub crawl taking in cities between Liverpool and Hull. So with me heading to Cleethorpes in four weeks maybe that would be a fitting way to fit in my writing (it’s not that far from Hull as the crow flies; but surprisingly distant by public transport). Can I complete the first draft by the time I go to DocksFest? I could even reward myself with an ale trip to Hull to celebrate. Well, er, maybe not in reality.
If it does prove to be ‘only’ 15k words to finish, well with 27 days to go right now then it’s only 600 words a day.
Let’s see. Watch this space.
Docksfest2
In four weeks time I’ll be heading to my second DocksFest, which is held at the Meridian Ground in Cleethorpes. Last year two of my very favourite acts were playing: Lottery Winners and Frank Turner.. This time I bought the tickets before they even announced who was playing. It has proved to be a few class oldies who I’ve also seen before: Ash, Maximo Park and the Charlatans. And a few bands I’ve not heard of but for a quick blast on Spotify. Should be good again.
Last year I stayed in an Air B&B some distance away (I think between Cleethorpes and Grimsby. It was a bit of a struggle walking back to the place after a long day. I actually set off whilst the headline act (Razorlight) was playing (I’d seen my fave two anyway). It took me a few breaks sitting on walls an all. This time should be better, I’ve got myself a portable chair, which fits in my rucksack, for the day itself. Also I’ve managed to get a hotel for a decent price very close to the venue. Great result.
I’ll no doubt do what I did last time and spend some of Friday at the Docks Brewery in Grimsby, whilst enjoying their beers I can watch the inevitable last minute chaos unfold there. Then Saturday is gig day. Sunday will be a relaxing ‘The Day After’ in Cleethorpes.
The return train is only costing twenty odd quid, which is a result. But they are for specific trains, so—note to self—I need to plan carefully.
Bring it on!
Last year I stayed in an Air B&B some distance away (I think between Cleethorpes and Grimsby. It was a bit of a struggle walking back to the place after a long day. I actually set off whilst the headline act (Razorlight) was playing (I’d seen my fave two anyway). It took me a few breaks sitting on walls an all. This time should be better, I’ve got myself a portable chair, which fits in my rucksack, for the day itself. Also I’ve managed to get a hotel for a decent price very close to the venue. Great result.
I’ll no doubt do what I did last time and spend some of Friday at the Docks Brewery in Grimsby, whilst enjoying their beers I can watch the inevitable last minute chaos unfold there. Then Saturday is gig day. Sunday will be a relaxing ‘The Day After’ in Cleethorpes.
The return train is only costing twenty odd quid, which is a result. But they are for specific trains, so—note to self—I need to plan carefully.
Bring it on!