TT 08 Nov Of Oxford and the Porcupine

A leisurely start to the day saw Andrew and I breaking our fast while my clothes tumbled their way to cleanliness. Further tumbling, this time to dryness, found us walking around the town before clothes and lads were reunited and returned to the flat. And then we were off on our big Oxford adventure, leaving from Paddington we shared tall tales, middling anecdotes, and small favours (err oops, wot goes on tour stays on tour). Deciding that it would be a good idea to find the venue first (see, clever chaps!) we even managed to find a map which had the street we wanted on it. For those of you playing at home the walk took 25mins.

This level of exertion led us to seek refuge in a pub, one that served Wychwood beer - damm I'm good. Plans were assessed, talk made of more beer, but in the end we thought a viewing of the old pretty Oxford would be good (the venue was in the newer, less salubrious bit). So we ambled off, arms linked and voices raised in song "And did these feet, in ancient times..." (more prog refs there kids). Sadly it appeared god is a pop fan, for the heavens began dribbling, causing consternation and a call from the big man "quick, to the pub". just after we enacted Andrew's directive the heavens opened and unleashed a torrent the likes of which the world has rarely seen, thankfully we were at a bar and ordering a frueli (belgian strawberry beer, nice but missing some of the characteristic sour notes a good fruit beer should have).

We read papers and drank our beer. How very Oxford thought we. The deluge stopped and after letting the ark go first, we went on a rambling tour of old Oxford, which is indeed 'right nice'. Lots of lovely buildings and attractive wildlife. Many pictures were taken (of the buildings) and the light after the rain was quite superb. As evening fell our minds turned to other things so while searching out a pub, we came across a scotch shop. I know, of all the things eh?! So in our Don-like image we meandered in to thrill the somewhat bored chap in there. They had some barrels of scotch which you could buy small portions of and we tried the Ben Nevis 10yo and the Macallan 18yo. Neither grabbed us, although andrew liked the Nevis (I think it was the same as what I'd had at the tasting the other week). The sales-chappie managed to sadden me by not having any Brora or Edradour, but did give us some tasting of an Aushkoshtan (no it's not spelled right and Im too lazy to google...Neil?) as he'd asked if we liked it and I said I'd been unimpressed thus far. A three barrelled 18yo dram was poured, and lo, the people were mightily impressed (matured in sherry, bourbon and something else, memory hazy). We liked this shop, said we'd return tomorrow (to which we all smiled) and meandered off. Three nips under our belt was certainly keeping our bellyfires warm, rather than risk it being put out we found another pub. As luck would have it, "The White Horse" - the one that Insp Morse drank lots of pints at. Again so impressed was I that texts were sent. I hope they were understandable!

More meandering, more photos and a realistation that gnawing pain in our bellies was not misplaced rats, rather twas hunger. So grub and wine was had by all. And finally to the venue. Not the best, but meh. the doors had opened at 7 and we got there about 740ish, in time to catch the last three songs of Anathema. That pissed us off a bit, but they were doing acoustic so missing their usual power. Oh well, another time. I grabbed a t-shirt and andrew grabbed beer. We bullied our way to near the front and awaited Porcupine Tree.

What a stunning set. Steve Wilson said as it was the 2nd round of touring for Fear OABP that they'd be mixing things up and we got three tracks from Signify (ooohhhh), Even Less, a fair chunk of FoaBP, couple from the new EP Nil recurring, bits of Deadwing (sadly not Arriving Somewhere...), couple from IA, Hatesong. So yeah wot a fantastic setlist for my first gig from PT, I've spending far too much money on this band since 1995 or 6 when Adrian said he'd heard something from TSMS and said I needed to get the album. Damm him. Very happy camper here.

We meandered back to the railway station, caught the earlier train (woohoo) then bussed back to home, tired (well it was 2am), boozed (beer, wine, spirits) and spiritually uplifted (awesome gig).

b xxx off to Cardiff today