The Return of The Completely Forgotten
Came across a keyboard I had a while back—a Pebble K380. I’ve not used it in ages. And while it means I’ll have even more bulk in my bag if I choose to return to it. It is much nicer to type on than the foldable keyboard I’ve been using over the last long while. Much more amenable to getting stuck into longer pieces. Let’s just see if I do.
It was quite painful to re-Pair it with the iPad. I’m not sure why. Maybe the other keyboard connection conflicted with it somehow. Eventually I ‘forgot’ the foldable keyboard on the iPad’s Bluetooth settings and tried again. It worked then. Not sure whether this was reason it worked, but I did finally get it to Pair. Hence these longer paragraphs than I usually make. Sorry.
Welcome back, K380. I’d not completely forgotten you. Really. Okay, I had.
It was quite painful to re-Pair it with the iPad. I’m not sure why. Maybe the other keyboard connection conflicted with it somehow. Eventually I ‘forgot’ the foldable keyboard on the iPad’s Bluetooth settings and tried again. It worked then. Not sure whether this was reason it worked, but I did finally get it to Pair. Hence these longer paragraphs than I usually make. Sorry.
Welcome back, K380. I’d not completely forgotten you. Really. Okay, I had.
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Lottery Winners in Leigh
Had been looking forward to the Lottery Winners homecoming stadium gig for ages. And it was last weekend at the Leigh Sports Village stadium—home of the Leigh Leopards rugby league team and Man Utd Women’s team.
Leigh is not on a train route, so I took the train to Newton-le-Willows and caught a bus from there which terminated at the bus station in Leigh. First time I’ve been to Newton by public transport and not made it into the Firkin for a pint or two of ale—‘cos it didn’t open until 2pm and I was leaving before then.
The bus to Leigh was fine. It didn’t take long to get there. It was another warm sunny day (earlier in the week the forecast had been light rain all day, so that was a result). Thought I’d get a few ales in places I hadn’t been to before. Unfortunately it proved a hopeless cause in terms of real ale. The first place I went was Bond Street Brewing Company, which sounded promising (and had a 4.7/5 rating on Google). There was no ale on and not even any vacant hand pulls. I ended up with a John Smiths keg thing. To be fair it was only £3.10 for a pint so I couldn’t complain too much. Let’s say the visit was interesting.
John Smiths keg in the Broad Street Brewing Company
Next up was the Waterside, a large canal side pub. This time they had three hand pulls on the bar. But nope, they were all vacant. Perhaps the Billy Ocean fans had drunk them dry the day before (he played the stadium the night before). It was very warm drinking in the sunshine (this time keg Boddingtons). The pub got overly busy in the sun and they kept putting a rope up by the door to prevent (or at least discourage) new customers coming in.
Boddingtons keg in The Waterside
Just across and down the bridge it was on into the Leopards Den. The Leopards being the rugby team and not a local feline. Perhaps the Leigh Leopard is akin to the Hartlepool Monkey—maybe I’ll look into it. This time I was left on Thatchers cider—and in floppy plastic glasses to boot. All in all a very different drinking experience for me than usual. It’s how the other half lives, I guess.
Thatchers cider in the Leopards Den (in plastic glasses)
Then I made my way towards the ground, I hoped to get a pint in at the big pub by the stadium. I’d decided not to get in to the Lilacs, as I was not sure four or five hours in the stadium would be good for me legs. Ended up with a very expensive pint of Beavertown, Neck Oil. The area outside was heaving with people heading towards the gig.
I got to the stadium about 7pm. Unfortunately the long queues for merchandise were off-putting for me. A real shame as I fancied getting another LW t-shirt. They do have some nice ones, and it’s good to further support the group. Maybe I’ll get one online in the coming weeks. I picked up a can of Guinness instead.
Scouting for Girls had gone and now it was time for the main band. Everybody clap!
Thom gets 'Leigh' tattoo whilst on stage
I struggled a bit to get up to my seat. It was booked as an Accessible ticket, but being accessible apparently didn’t mean having anything to hold on to traversing the stairs. It was no different to any other part of the stadium, as far as I could see.
Ended up sat next to a couple who had come up from Cardiff for the gig. Whenever LW play they do pull in fans from all over. After a while with the DJ playing some decent northern tunes it was time for Scouting for Girls to come on. I’m not a particular fan of theirs, but I have listened to the new album a couple times and I prefer it to their older stuff—they’ve been going for X years now. Time flies etc. The atmosphere was upbeat and increasing in volume and exuberance all the time ably helped by the DJ’s tuneage.
This is beginning to read too much like a gig review, but it isn’t for the music press so let’s just cut the chase. The Lottery Winners came on to adoring fans who loved every fucking minute of it. The band playing their hometown fucking loved it to. I’m sure there were tears of joy shed around all corners of the stadium. Thom, Kate, Rob and Joe loved it—possibly as much as I did. So many good songs, a vibe delivering wide smiles bigger than the town of Leigh itself. Frank Turner came on to do his stuff with them (‘Start Again’ was on another level), and the Reverend himself delivered You Again with Kate with aplomb.
Chad Kroeger, the Nickleback singer, wasn’t in attendance and his part had been sent as a full screen video for Kate to duet Ragdoll with—and it worked well. Another guest who came on stage didn’t sing at all: it was a tattoo artist who inked ‘Leigh’ onto Thom’s arm as the band delivered Superpower. Super indeed (it brought back memories of Frank getting the date of the Wembley Arena gig inked live backstage at the gig in question—I was wearing my FTHC T-shirt from that night. A nice juxtaposition.).
Kate bossing with the Bass all night
Thom and Frank loving the occasion—it's not Dirt and Gold, it's gold and gold.
Nearing the end in Leigh.
The performance and humour of the band shone through and, as night fell, it was a cue for bright lights, and streamers, and coloured cannon fodder to drench the crowd, and there were fireworks on stage too. Brilliant light for a brilliant night. Long live the Lottery Winners. Please get on the LW bus, if you’re not on yet, you’re missing out.
I didn’t get on the bus, I got an Uber home to Liverpool from just outside the Leopard’s Den. It was only £42, cheaper than any hotel I could get and I was home just after midnight. Result. While I was waiting for the taxi I got chatting to some other fans who were trying to get taxis to their hotel in Warrington. They’d come down that day from Durham. The Lottery Winners performances do have some pulling power and devoted fans throughout the country—and this home gig was north of special. You can see the smiles for miles around.
Leigh is not on a train route, so I took the train to Newton-le-Willows and caught a bus from there which terminated at the bus station in Leigh. First time I’ve been to Newton by public transport and not made it into the Firkin for a pint or two of ale—‘cos it didn’t open until 2pm and I was leaving before then.
The bus to Leigh was fine. It didn’t take long to get there. It was another warm sunny day (earlier in the week the forecast had been light rain all day, so that was a result). Thought I’d get a few ales in places I hadn’t been to before. Unfortunately it proved a hopeless cause in terms of real ale. The first place I went was Bond Street Brewing Company, which sounded promising (and had a 4.7/5 rating on Google). There was no ale on and not even any vacant hand pulls. I ended up with a John Smiths keg thing. To be fair it was only £3.10 for a pint so I couldn’t complain too much. Let’s say the visit was interesting.
John Smiths keg in the Broad Street Brewing Company
Next up was the Waterside, a large canal side pub. This time they had three hand pulls on the bar. But nope, they were all vacant. Perhaps the Billy Ocean fans had drunk them dry the day before (he played the stadium the night before). It was very warm drinking in the sunshine (this time keg Boddingtons). The pub got overly busy in the sun and they kept putting a rope up by the door to prevent (or at least discourage) new customers coming in.
Boddingtons keg in The Waterside
Just across and down the bridge it was on into the Leopards Den. The Leopards being the rugby team and not a local feline. Perhaps the Leigh Leopard is akin to the Hartlepool Monkey—maybe I’ll look into it. This time I was left on Thatchers cider—and in floppy plastic glasses to boot. All in all a very different drinking experience for me than usual. It’s how the other half lives, I guess.
Thatchers cider in the Leopards Den (in plastic glasses)
Then I made my way towards the ground, I hoped to get a pint in at the big pub by the stadium. I’d decided not to get in to the Lilacs, as I was not sure four or five hours in the stadium would be good for me legs. Ended up with a very expensive pint of Beavertown, Neck Oil. The area outside was heaving with people heading towards the gig.
I got to the stadium about 7pm. Unfortunately the long queues for merchandise were off-putting for me. A real shame as I fancied getting another LW t-shirt. They do have some nice ones, and it’s good to further support the group. Maybe I’ll get one online in the coming weeks. I picked up a can of Guinness instead.
Scouting for Girls had gone and now it was time for the main band. Everybody clap!
Thom gets 'Leigh' tattoo whilst on stage
I struggled a bit to get up to my seat. It was booked as an Accessible ticket, but being accessible apparently didn’t mean having anything to hold on to traversing the stairs. It was no different to any other part of the stadium, as far as I could see.
Ended up sat next to a couple who had come up from Cardiff for the gig. Whenever LW play they do pull in fans from all over. After a while with the DJ playing some decent northern tunes it was time for Scouting for Girls to come on. I’m not a particular fan of theirs, but I have listened to the new album a couple times and I prefer it to their older stuff—they’ve been going for X years now. Time flies etc. The atmosphere was upbeat and increasing in volume and exuberance all the time ably helped by the DJ’s tuneage.
This is beginning to read too much like a gig review, but it isn’t for the music press so let’s just cut the chase. The Lottery Winners came on to adoring fans who loved every fucking minute of it. The band playing their hometown fucking loved it to. I’m sure there were tears of joy shed around all corners of the stadium. Thom, Kate, Rob and Joe loved it—possibly as much as I did. So many good songs, a vibe delivering wide smiles bigger than the town of Leigh itself. Frank Turner came on to do his stuff with them (‘Start Again’ was on another level), and the Reverend himself delivered You Again with Kate with aplomb.
Chad Kroeger, the Nickleback singer, wasn’t in attendance and his part had been sent as a full screen video for Kate to duet Ragdoll with—and it worked well. Another guest who came on stage didn’t sing at all: it was a tattoo artist who inked ‘Leigh’ onto Thom’s arm as the band delivered Superpower. Super indeed (it brought back memories of Frank getting the date of the Wembley Arena gig inked live backstage at the gig in question—I was wearing my FTHC T-shirt from that night. A nice juxtaposition.).
Kate bossing with the Bass all night
Thom and Frank loving the occasion—it's not Dirt and Gold, it's gold and gold.
Nearing the end in Leigh.
The performance and humour of the band shone through and, as night fell, it was a cue for bright lights, and streamers, and coloured cannon fodder to drench the crowd, and there were fireworks on stage too. Brilliant light for a brilliant night. Long live the Lottery Winners. Please get on the LW bus, if you’re not on yet, you’re missing out.
I didn’t get on the bus, I got an Uber home to Liverpool from just outside the Leopard’s Den. It was only £42, cheaper than any hotel I could get and I was home just after midnight. Result. While I was waiting for the taxi I got chatting to some other fans who were trying to get taxis to their hotel in Warrington. They’d come down that day from Durham. The Lottery Winners performances do have some pulling power and devoted fans throughout the country—and this home gig was north of special. You can see the smiles for miles around.
Pokémon Go to the Pub
Created another Pokémon Go Route last week. It’s from Dr Duncans to the Denbigh Castle, or more correctly to the PokéStop by the Denbigh, which is the lovely ‘Nomad Clan’ mural. The route takes in the Queens Arms on Victoria Street, so you can take in three fab pubs.
Had to appeal the decision to refuse the route on Danger grounds. Lol
When I first uploaded the Route it was turned down by the powers that be. The Route was rejected because it was ‘dangerous or unsafe area.’ I had to bother to appeal this spurious reasoning and I did appeal, and was successful. Huzzah!
Dr D's to Denbigh Castle Route
There is definitely a theme in my routes. Good pubs aplenty and not too long either. You can actually now follow a continuous route from the Queen of Hope Street at the top in of town down to the Denbigh Castle, on the other side of Dale Street. This is made up of four routes and takes in loads of good Liverpool pubs. I’m not sure I’ll ever do all four in one day, but it could happen.
- QoHS (Liverpool Philharmonic stop) to the Grapes. This originally took in the Caledonia, which is now closed, but you don’t have to walk past the Cali to complete the route. You simply take in the Belvedere Arms instead.
- The Grapes to the Vines, taking in the Dispensary
- Vines to Dr Duncans.
- Dr Duncs to Denbigh Castle (Nomad Clan Stop), taking you past the Queens Arms.
From Doctor Duncans to The Vines
From The Vines to The Grapes
From The Grapes to the Queen of Hope Street/Philharmonic Pub
Good luck picking up those Zygarde cells. At least you can guarantee a decent pint or two even if you can’t get those pesky Zygardes.
A pint break in the Queens Arms
Had to appeal the decision to refuse the route on Danger grounds. Lol
When I first uploaded the Route it was turned down by the powers that be. The Route was rejected because it was ‘dangerous or unsafe area.’ I had to bother to appeal this spurious reasoning and I did appeal, and was successful. Huzzah!
Dr D's to Denbigh Castle Route
There is definitely a theme in my routes. Good pubs aplenty and not too long either. You can actually now follow a continuous route from the Queen of Hope Street at the top in of town down to the Denbigh Castle, on the other side of Dale Street. This is made up of four routes and takes in loads of good Liverpool pubs. I’m not sure I’ll ever do all four in one day, but it could happen.
- QoHS (Liverpool Philharmonic stop) to the Grapes. This originally took in the Caledonia, which is now closed, but you don’t have to walk past the Cali to complete the route. You simply take in the Belvedere Arms instead.
- The Grapes to the Vines, taking in the Dispensary
- Vines to Dr Duncans.
- Dr Duncs to Denbigh Castle (Nomad Clan Stop), taking you past the Queens Arms.
From Doctor Duncans to The Vines
From The Vines to The Grapes
From The Grapes to the Queen of Hope Street/Philharmonic Pub
Good luck picking up those Zygarde cells. At least you can guarantee a decent pint or two even if you can’t get those pesky Zygardes.
A pint break in the Queens Arms
The Possibility of A Return
25/04/26 09:16 Filed in: Writing
Have a few bits of writing on here including some flash fiction from challenges that are no longer with us. There used to be quite a few decent contests out there back in the Days of Twitter. Is it just me, or did the entire world take a wrong turning once Twitter was no longer the good thing—or did i just turn off? So there’s some very short stories then, there are some memoirs pieces about all sorts from days long gone (all days—even those just yesterday—are l…o….n…g gone, aren’t they?), there’s even a few poem-type things too, which I dare say are thankfully rare.
I’ve not been writing nearly as much lately. Partly due to health stresses—but I’m also sure also because of the disappearing Twitter based flash challenges, and the happy gang mentality that went with it—this has become a sepia-toned, and much faded memory. Hoping to get some more done in the here and now. Could happen. In theory. I wouldn’t put money on it though.
I’ve not been writing nearly as much lately. Partly due to health stresses—but I’m also sure also because of the disappearing Twitter based flash challenges, and the happy gang mentality that went with it—this has become a sepia-toned, and much faded memory. Hoping to get some more done in the here and now. Could happen. In theory. I wouldn’t put money on it though.
The Website Thing
Had to change some stuff with my website host recently and after changing it I’ve had a couple of minor issues to wrangle with. It doesn’t take much of an issue to completely stop one thing or another working. I’ve dealt with the main issue I had, but it has resulted in me finding other website related things to deal with.
Broadly I’ve got to consider how I want the site to work. And this actually gives a whole ‘chicken and the egg’ problem. If I move away from a blog format, for some of it, what will I put up instead? In the end, the content should really be driving what I put up here, rather than the format driving the content. The blog format is clearly the easiest way of me progressively adding to the website, but I wonder if I should just use that format for one—or two—parts of the site.
I’m considering stopping the blog element with respect to the Real Ale Liverpool and ‘Health/MS’ parts of the site. A ‘diary’ format probably only really works if I am to put up regular words, rather than randomly dropping in bits and bobs.
The presentation of the writing bits on the site may be more problematic. There isn’t a time based element to them when they are not tied to events/days of the week. And I’m not sure having single pages for the odd 3 or 5 hundred word piece works (not that I’ve being doing much of that at all lately—God I miss the Days that FlashDogs ruled the waves rather than Memes and AI generated content). It requires more thought, and work—including the writing it at all bit..
And maybe I need to find another way of building the website. But changing from the current way (often writing bits on the hoof (like this) on my iPad, then adding it to my Rapidweaver site on my computer when I get back home) doesn’t make sense until I know what I want on the site and how I want to present it. Changing to a new app before I’ve decided that could cause needless issues down the road.
Now where did I leave that thinking cap? I’ll have a look behind the sofa later…
Broadly I’ve got to consider how I want the site to work. And this actually gives a whole ‘chicken and the egg’ problem. If I move away from a blog format, for some of it, what will I put up instead? In the end, the content should really be driving what I put up here, rather than the format driving the content. The blog format is clearly the easiest way of me progressively adding to the website, but I wonder if I should just use that format for one—or two—parts of the site.
I’m considering stopping the blog element with respect to the Real Ale Liverpool and ‘Health/MS’ parts of the site. A ‘diary’ format probably only really works if I am to put up regular words, rather than randomly dropping in bits and bobs.
The presentation of the writing bits on the site may be more problematic. There isn’t a time based element to them when they are not tied to events/days of the week. And I’m not sure having single pages for the odd 3 or 5 hundred word piece works (not that I’ve being doing much of that at all lately—God I miss the Days that FlashDogs ruled the waves rather than Memes and AI generated content). It requires more thought, and work—including the writing it at all bit..
And maybe I need to find another way of building the website. But changing from the current way (often writing bits on the hoof (like this) on my iPad, then adding it to my Rapidweaver site on my computer when I get back home) doesn’t make sense until I know what I want on the site and how I want to present it. Changing to a new app before I’ve decided that could cause needless issues down the road.
Now where did I leave that thinking cap? I’ll have a look behind the sofa later…
Renew Time
Received an email a couple of days ago to warn me my Disability Railcard was about to expire. It was a no brainier to decide if it was worth getting again. I must have saved a few hundred pounds for the 54 quid it costs over the three years. Well worth it.
But it was bloody frightening to discover that I had first got a card three years ago. Feels more like two at the most, FFS. If there’s one thing I’d like to renew it is time itself. Anyone know who I can ask for time to be checked and recalibrated. Let us Renew Time!
I maybe should have chosen to update the photo on the card, but I didn’t take the opportunity, so I’m stuck with a ‘going through a fat phase’ photo of me—and one without a beard too. To be honest though when I am out and about on a train I’m rarely asked to show my card (a digital one) or often even show a ticket.
Feel like I need to book a train trip somewhere to use the benefit of the savings: one third off. One trip could pay for the card.
But it was bloody frightening to discover that I had first got a card three years ago. Feels more like two at the most, FFS. If there’s one thing I’d like to renew it is time itself. Anyone know who I can ask for time to be checked and recalibrated. Let us Renew Time!
I maybe should have chosen to update the photo on the card, but I didn’t take the opportunity, so I’m stuck with a ‘going through a fat phase’ photo of me—and one without a beard too. To be honest though when I am out and about on a train I’m rarely asked to show my card (a digital one) or often even show a ticket.
Feel like I need to book a train trip somewhere to use the benefit of the savings: one third off. One trip could pay for the card.
Writing: A Return Required
10/03/26 22:58 Filed in: Writing | Writing Plan
It’s been a while since I’ve done much writing. And I need to get back to it. It’s been exactly a year since I posted anything under the ‘Rat Rampant’ page. I read the last two things I put up and I had no memory of writing them really, or posting them. I read them on Scrivener and wasn’t aware I’d then posted them. FFS.
Obviously it’s been a bit stressful with the MS and I don’t know whether it is the stress that has affected my memory or impacted on me not writing—or whether MS as a neurological condition has impacted too on my writing game. I’ve read a few things I’ve put up on the website and think a) they’re not bad, and b) could I write that now? I guess that latter one is one scary consideration. Something has affected me; in the last year I hardly did any reading either.
With the world going thru its current nightmare I think sitting in front of a blank screen and imagining stuff must be a good use of my time. And, even if that screen remains stubbornly blank, it will prove less stressful than watching the news channels.
So I am tasking myself to come up with a writing schedule, be it stories, blogs, or finishing off those damn novels (before starting another). First up I better write something random and new to go on to Rat Rampant. It’s my website and I guess I could make it short anyway.
Obviously it’s been a bit stressful with the MS and I don’t know whether it is the stress that has affected my memory or impacted on me not writing—or whether MS as a neurological condition has impacted too on my writing game. I’ve read a few things I’ve put up on the website and think a) they’re not bad, and b) could I write that now? I guess that latter one is one scary consideration. Something has affected me; in the last year I hardly did any reading either.
With the world going thru its current nightmare I think sitting in front of a blank screen and imagining stuff must be a good use of my time. And, even if that screen remains stubbornly blank, it will prove less stressful than watching the news channels.
So I am tasking myself to come up with a writing schedule, be it stories, blogs, or finishing off those damn novels (before starting another). First up I better write something random and new to go on to Rat Rampant. It’s my website and I guess I could make it short anyway.
Pokémon Go: Kalos Event
Had an excellent week on Pokémon Go this week catching a few I didn’t already have and getting some with Mega Energy. Some of these with enough to Mega Evolve and others just getting me part way, but closer next time I see the right Mega Raids.
These were once again largely assisted by turning up at—or near to—the Liverpool Meet-Ups by St George’s Hall. Highlights were getting a few Kyogres, being able to Mega a Tyranitar, and getting closer to a Mega of Metagross. Shame I didn’t get a Mega Swampert (one of my favourite Pokémon’s in my Dex). But getting a Kyogre I guess makes up for it from a Water type anyway.
New Pokémon I caught this week included;
Kyogre
Zekrom
Reshiram
Kyurem
Mega Malamar
Xerneas shiny
Kangaskhan (hatched 10k shiny)
Hawlucha (another hatched 10k)
Next week I should hopefully get a MewTwo which will get me my Platinum badge for catching all the Kantos. I’ve not got many Platinum badges (9 total ATM) so any more I can get now would be great. Unique Poke stops may be next but will require me to visit a few newish towns and spin away.
I’ve now got 31 I can Mega evolve—and therefore collect the energy without Raiding—I’ve been slow working on these. I guess cos you can’t Raid on your tod that easily. Thank you, Liverpool peeps. I went into the park the other day (waiting to get Tyranitar) and spoke very briefly to a couple of people. Haven’t met the main peeps of the group. It did good to see that there are plenty of people doing it—don’t want to think I’m the only one not reading books and ‘wasting’ my time with the game. It’s clearly mostly younger people than me. And many not old enough to take the route of playing whilst having a pint in Dr Ds. Well, not old enough yet…
These were once again largely assisted by turning up at—or near to—the Liverpool Meet-Ups by St George’s Hall. Highlights were getting a few Kyogres, being able to Mega a Tyranitar, and getting closer to a Mega of Metagross. Shame I didn’t get a Mega Swampert (one of my favourite Pokémon’s in my Dex). But getting a Kyogre I guess makes up for it from a Water type anyway.
New Pokémon I caught this week included;
Kyogre
Zekrom
Reshiram
Kyurem
Mega Malamar
Xerneas shiny
Kangaskhan (hatched 10k shiny)
Hawlucha (another hatched 10k)
Next week I should hopefully get a MewTwo which will get me my Platinum badge for catching all the Kantos. I’ve not got many Platinum badges (9 total ATM) so any more I can get now would be great. Unique Poke stops may be next but will require me to visit a few newish towns and spin away.
I’ve now got 31 I can Mega evolve—and therefore collect the energy without Raiding—I’ve been slow working on these. I guess cos you can’t Raid on your tod that easily. Thank you, Liverpool peeps. I went into the park the other day (waiting to get Tyranitar) and spoke very briefly to a couple of people. Haven’t met the main peeps of the group. It did good to see that there are plenty of people doing it—don’t want to think I’m the only one not reading books and ‘wasting’ my time with the game. It’s clearly mostly younger people than me. And many not old enough to take the route of playing whilst having a pint in Dr Ds. Well, not old enough yet…
A Good Weekend of Pokémon Go
My first Shundo: a shiny Spinda for Valentines weekend. All the Spindas had a heart shaped pattern on them. Just getting a shiny was nice, but a 100% one (a Hundo) was brilliant (even for a fairly useless Pokémon).
A Spinda Shundo. Not that useful, but cute.
On Sunday I went into town when the Meowth Gigantimax event was on. As I’ve done once before I ‘joined’ the local Liverpool group trying to catch them around St John’s Garden. I was having a relaxed time in Dr Duncans whilst they were wandering around the gardens. I joined three or four groups and caught some. My first Gigantimax.
But best of all I’d been hoping for a few weeks to catch a Mega Pidgeot - and I did, thanks to the groups, finally a new possibility to Mega evolve a Pokémon or two. I don’t have that many that can Mega evolve at the moment. It was the last day that they would be available for quite a while. Next up now will be to try and catch a Sableye over the next couple of weeks. Fingers crossed.
My first Mega Pidgeot enjoying The Vines.
A Spinda Shundo. Not that useful, but cute.
On Sunday I went into town when the Meowth Gigantimax event was on. As I’ve done once before I ‘joined’ the local Liverpool group trying to catch them around St John’s Garden. I was having a relaxed time in Dr Duncans whilst they were wandering around the gardens. I joined three or four groups and caught some. My first Gigantimax.
But best of all I’d been hoping for a few weeks to catch a Mega Pidgeot - and I did, thanks to the groups, finally a new possibility to Mega evolve a Pokémon or two. I don’t have that many that can Mega evolve at the moment. It was the last day that they would be available for quite a while. Next up now will be to try and catch a Sableye over the next couple of weeks. Fingers crossed.
My first Mega Pidgeot enjoying The Vines.
Every Day Is A School Day
04/02/26 20:35 Filed in: liverpool
Every day is a school day, even for an old dog like me. At the weekend I got a Too Good to Go bag from Mattas (a locally famous international food store in Liverpool city centre; for those who don’t know it).
Obviously getting a Too Good to Go from a takeaway is more defined in advance. At least it’ll defo be a meal—always a bargain, even if the meal is not the one you’d prefer. Getting a random bag of ‘stuff’ from a shop—be it an Aldi Or Mattas) all bets are off. The contents could be anything, from breads and pastries through fruit and veg to flour and eggs. Anything the shop sells.
Last week I went for a TG2G from Mattas and left in the dark in more ways than one. When I opened the bag to peek in a few minutes after leaving I saw there were a few things, including an instant (2 mins in boiling water) noodle pack (Korean), a Korean noodle bowl, a lettuce, a soybean dip, and something that in the light of the street I assumed to be a plantain—from it’s shape at the bottom of the plastic bag.
When I got to the pub—the Red Lion, a short walk along from Mattas—I took out the plantain and discovered my supposition was wrong. Whilst it had the girth of a—very—large fruit, it wasn’t yellow away from the street lights, oh and it had green growth out the top of it. It was patently a root vegetable. One that I’d never seen the like of.
This aint no plantain.
I questioned the bar staff in case everyone knew what it was, and it was just a glaring gap in my eduction. They were as bemused—and amused—as me. No answer was the loud reply. Later I asked a group of nearby drinkers if they knew. They didn’t know either (and even asked for a photo of it). But one guy suggested a radish. I laughed. They’re tiny compared with this behemoth.
I ended up asking Dr Google and looking through some image of large white veg. And I discovered it was a Daikon. A Far Easttern veg, which was indeed from the radish/parsnip stable. It is often thinly sliced and eaten raw in salads, or else cooked in stews and treated a bit like carrots. It's common in Japanese cuisine and south east Asia in general.
You live, you learn. Every day IS a school day.
Obviously getting a Too Good to Go from a takeaway is more defined in advance. At least it’ll defo be a meal—always a bargain, even if the meal is not the one you’d prefer. Getting a random bag of ‘stuff’ from a shop—be it an Aldi Or Mattas) all bets are off. The contents could be anything, from breads and pastries through fruit and veg to flour and eggs. Anything the shop sells.
Last week I went for a TG2G from Mattas and left in the dark in more ways than one. When I opened the bag to peek in a few minutes after leaving I saw there were a few things, including an instant (2 mins in boiling water) noodle pack (Korean), a Korean noodle bowl, a lettuce, a soybean dip, and something that in the light of the street I assumed to be a plantain—from it’s shape at the bottom of the plastic bag.
When I got to the pub—the Red Lion, a short walk along from Mattas—I took out the plantain and discovered my supposition was wrong. Whilst it had the girth of a—very—large fruit, it wasn’t yellow away from the street lights, oh and it had green growth out the top of it. It was patently a root vegetable. One that I’d never seen the like of.
This aint no plantain.
I questioned the bar staff in case everyone knew what it was, and it was just a glaring gap in my eduction. They were as bemused—and amused—as me. No answer was the loud reply. Later I asked a group of nearby drinkers if they knew. They didn’t know either (and even asked for a photo of it). But one guy suggested a radish. I laughed. They’re tiny compared with this behemoth.
I ended up asking Dr Google and looking through some image of large white veg. And I discovered it was a Daikon. A Far Easttern veg, which was indeed from the radish/parsnip stable. It is often thinly sliced and eaten raw in salads, or else cooked in stews and treated a bit like carrots. It's common in Japanese cuisine and south east Asia in general.
You live, you learn. Every day IS a school day.