Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[horseplayer]

Very best of luck on road to recovery Horsey

Hoping your recovery goes well Horsey.

I'd heard of GBS, a former Celtic player (Morten Wieghorst) came down with it when playing for us. He was back playing about a year later, he only played another 4 or 5 games for Celtic. He did however have another 4 good years playing back home in Denmark, winning the Cup & a League/Cup double.

There was a home produced film of his recovery, and it even shows him scoring after his return (the Celtic crowd went daft for him that night), hope you recover as well as Big Morten did!!

Very best of luck on road to recovery Horsey

Very best of luck on road to recovery Horsey

Glad to hear you're on the mend, Horsey.

Agree 100%, regarding the NHS. People love a moan up, but we really don't know how lucky we are.

All the best!

Glad to hear you're on the mend, Horsey.

Agree 100%, regarding the NHS. People love a moan up, but we really don't know how lucky we are.

All the best!

My Goodness Horsey. You never know how much inner strength and determination you have in reserve until something comes to test it.

More power to you.

many thanks to you all appreciated

[horseplayer]

Crikey John, you don't do things by halves, do you?

That sounds terrible.

To get that malaise, do you just have to run bad?

I just can't begin to imagine how I would cope if anything like that ever happened to me. I've been so lucky with health, & I honestly don't know what it must feel like to be ill or unwell.

Everything crossed for a full and speedy recovery. The lads on Fred have missed you terribly.   

No not exactly lucky in these things but i could have been a lot worse, just back from a rehab session at hospital easily most "active" one there which is a good boost.

It normally comes after the flu which i did have or something similar a few weeks before, it is basically your immune system over acting and rather than attacking the bad virus deciding to attack all of your organs.

Cheers Tikay

[Doobs]

As you asked, here is a quick Norway post

We went last year about April.  It was still pretty cold, and the weather is pretty changable.  When it is sunny, the place is glorious, but it can be wet and windy.  So many vistas that are stunningly beautiful, even when the weather isn't great.

We flew into Oslo with the aforementioned Norweigan.  I can't remember how much it was, but it really wan't much, and as I said on the Vegas board the planes were nice and you got wifi.  It was nothing like your average ryanair plane with 30 ywars service.  You had to buy your own snacks and drinks, but it wasn't expensive.  

We then flew straight up to Tromso, as the missus wanted to have a go at the seeing the Northern lights.  It was pretty cold wet and windy up there, and we didn't see them.  I will gloss over everything else there as I asusme you are just interested in the bit at the bottom, so will concentrate on after we flew back to Oslo.

Oslo is pretty nice.  It isn't that big, we had a hotel near the train station and could just walk to most bits, and my missus is pretty averse to walking.  Sure we could have done a lot more if we had more days.

We walked a bit around old oslo and new oslo

Click to see full-size image.

That building is pretty cool, you can walk right up the side and on the roof.  We weren't there that look, so just did the walking and had a meal from memory.  We ate here http://engebret-cafe.no/english_/, which was picked as it was very old and traditional (my missus), aka possible tourist trap (me).  It wasn't really my thing, but was better than I expected.  My missus tried the whale, which is something I wasn't ever eating, but the fish was nice.  Fairly sure there is some pretty plain stuff if that appeals.  The area around there was old oslo, but there wasn't the usual bunch of cafes you'd expect in the old town of most cities these days.

We based much of our trip on Norway in a nutshell https://www.norwaynutshell.com/original-norway-in-a-nutshell/.  We did it independently as we wanted to stop in Flam and did a couple of other things.

The next day we got the train to Bergen (we stopped at Myrdal).  I like trains, but obviously not as much as you, but this one was fantastic.  The train goes through the outkirts of Oslo and through beautiful fjords/mountains/rivers right up to the snow/ski areas around Myrdal.  I think it was about 4 hours, but would be surprised if there is a better 4 hour train journey anywhere.  The bit where we went through a tunnel and came out to be surrounded by snow was pretty special, but it all was.  The train had wifi on board, but I spent much of the journey just staring at the scenery.  

Just a normal train journey, as you can see

Click to see full-size image.

From Myrdal we got the tourist train down into Flam.  This train is a bit more old school and it stops in a couple of places for photos.  It is a very attractive journey down into Flam (pronounced Flom), but the other train felt more special as it was just the standard Oslo to Bergen train.  We stayed for two nights in Flam.  We got up early, and the place was really quiet.  The Fjord was still and there was barely anyone around.  It probably seemed more quiet than it was, as we didn't have the kids pestering us for the first time in years.  It is right at the end of one of teh Fjords and is in a beautiful setting. There must definitely be two different Flams though, as it has a huge dock for cruise boats and guess the place is very very different when a boat is there.  As it was we pottered round the shops and museum, had a quiet coffeee and a couple of quiet meals, and it was lovely.  We also went out on a boat http://www.fjordsafari.com/  .  The norway in a nutshell tour takes a bigger slower boat, where as this one is a small fast boat.  Not sure which is best, we saw seals and porpoises on our boat.  Given the speed and time of year, you got some fairly biting air on your face (it was proper nippy as they say in the North).  They kitted us out in some pretty cold resistant suits, hats and goggles (see pictures on the website), but you still got the wind in your face.  Sure you'll tell us the tour guides were about 15.  We also visited a place where they made cheese.  Our trip was fine, but suspect the slower warmer boat might be just as good.    

You probably get a good idea of how wrapped up you need to be on the fjordsafari here

Click to see full-size image.

That is probably nothing on what we had to wear to go out looking for the Northern Lights in the middle of the night, North of the Arctic circle.  

We also ate at the brewery you can see in the pictures on the fjord safari website.  You are kind of limited for night entertainment in Flam, so five course meal with a different beer with each course was the choice.  Not sure it will be up your street, but 4 of the 5 courses were nice from memory, with only one thing I didn't really enjoy.  Beers were fine too.  You only get a small glass of each, so you aren't getting hammered, though not sure if there is a non alcohol version (you don't drink?).

 

The next day we did a bit more pottering/shopping/coffee drinking, and got a standard bus to Voss.  So long as you get off at the right stop, the bus drops you right by the train station.  The stretch from Voss to Bergen on the train wasn't nearly as scenic as the Oslo/Myrdal journey and I'd strongly recommend going from Oslo.

We got to Bergen late afternoon for a flight the next morning.  We intended to have a walk around Bergen, but the weather was proper filthy, so we decided to just eat in the hotel.  We stayed at the Radisson Blu which was right on the wharf.  Sure if a gale wasn't blowing and the rain wasn't horizontal it would have been a lovely place for a walk.  The food in the hotel was probably as nice a meal as I ate in Norway.

I thought it was going to be expensive, but if you live in London, I am not sure you'd notice much difference.  

It really is a nice place, and we are intending to take the kids over some time.  I'd definitely do the train again, and wouldn't mind trying the atlantic ocean road.   There is a boat that goes all the way up the coast, but not sure it is for me.  

[tikay]

Top work Doobs, thank you very much. I shall send it to Her Ladyship for further perusal.

That building is really impressive. I looked it up, it's a bloody Opera House. What a waste to construct such a beautiful building & waste it on Opera shite.

And that photo of the train going through the snow, Gill will be all over that. Weird - but nice - the fascination she has with snow.

For those wondering why we are prattling on about Norway, Gill & I were considering a short trip to NYC, but it was not cost or time effective, as we could only manage 3 or 4 days, so eventually, it looks like we have settled on a buses, trains, boats & planes trip to Bergen in Norway. Doobs may have complicated it now, by adding Oslo into the mix.   

Here's the original idea for Bergen - scroll down & look at that itinerary. Ooohhhh.


http://en.visitbergen.com/things-to-do/norway-in-a-nutshell-r-p825223


08:43: Train from Bergen to Voss
 09:56: Arrival Voss
 10:10: Bus from Voss to Gudvangen
 11:20: Arrival Gudvangen
 11:30: Boat from Gudvangen (classic boat)
 14:05: Arrival in Flåm
 14:50: Flåm Railway to Myrdal
 15:46: Arrival Myrdal
 15:52: Train from Myrdal to Bergen
 17:58: Arrival in Bergen


How neat is that?

[Doobs]

You can fly in to oslo and out of Bergen.  We did.  I think we had to change airlines from Bergen to get back.  The norway in a nutshell people also have trips in to Oslo and out of Bergen.  Those pictures of the train were realistic for us.  The train went through a tunnel (through a mountain?) and you came out and it was snow everywhere.  The train down from Myrdal started surrounded by snow.

It got late last night, but look up Seasight.  It is a new ferry coming out of flam.  Your trip suggest it is a classic ferry, so not convinced it is the same one.  The new boat looks incredible though.

You'll love it regardless.  Hard to say just how impressive the fjords are.

[tikay]

^^^

We are 99% certain to do the Norway adventure, just got to pin down the details now. 

Thanks for the help. I'm almost scared to send a link to Gill, she'll wet herself. 

[tikay]

Anyone watch Last Night of the Proms last night?

If there's a more uplifting occasion, I'll be very surprised, just decent, good people enjoying themselves. I get very emotional when I watch it, & I never miss it. Pomp & Circumstance, Jerusalem & LOHAG are especially emosh I always think.

They had the Red Button thing on BBC so you could watch the "Parks" OB's from Belfast & Hyde Park. Whilst football fans were scrapping at West Ham, here were thousands of folks out having a wonderful time with not a policeman in sight, & everyone in good voice & humour. Love it.  

And the Conductor bloke was so flamboyant, a sort of conductor version of Liberace. Probably a bit straight laced in real life, an Accountant from Norfolk or something, but he entered right into the spirit of all the singing stuff. Think his name was Sakari Oramo, & he had these wonderfully expressive hand movements.

Lovely job, lovely.  

[horseplayer]

As you asked, here is a quick Norway post

We went last year about April.  It was still pretty cold, and the weather is pretty changable.  When it is sunny, the place is glorious, but it can be wet and windy.  So many vistas that are stunningly beautiful, even when the weather isn't great.

We flew into Oslo with the aforementioned Norweigan.  I can't remember how much it was, but it really wan't much, and as I said on the Vegas board the planes were nice and you got wifi.  It was nothing like your average ryanair plane with 30 ywars service.  You had to buy your own snacks and drinks, but it wasn't expensive.  

We then flew straight up to Tromso, as the missus wanted to have a go at the seeing the Northern lights.  It was pretty cold wet and windy up there, and we didn't see them.  I will gloss over everything else there as I asusme you are just interested in the bit at the bottom, so will concentrate on after we flew back to Oslo.

Oslo is pretty nice.  It isn't that big, we had a hotel near the train station and could just walk to most bits, and my missus is pretty averse to walking.  Sure we could have done a lot more if we had more days.

We walked a bit around old oslo and new oslo

Click to see full-size image.

That building is pretty cool, you can walk right up the side and on the roof.  We weren't there that look, so just did the walking and had a meal from memory.  We ate here http://engebret-cafe.no/english_/, which was picked as it was very old and traditional (my missus), aka possible tourist trap (me).  It wasn't really my thing, but was better than I expected.  My missus tried the whale, which is something I wasn't ever eating, but the fish was nice.  Fairly sure there is some pretty plain stuff if that appeals.  The area around there was old oslo, but there wasn't the usual bunch of cafes you'd expect in the old town of most cities these days.

We based much of our trip on Norway in a nutshell https://www.norwaynutshell.com/original-norway-in-a-nutshell/.  We did it independently as we wanted to stop in Flam and did a couple of other things.

The next day we got the train to Bergen (we stopped at Myrdal).  I like trains, but obviously not as much as you, but this one was fantastic.  The train goes through the outkirts of Oslo and through beautiful fjords/mountains/rivers right up to the snow/ski areas around Myrdal.  I think it was about 4 hours, but would be surprised if there is a better 4 hour train journey anywhere.  The bit where we went through a tunnel and came out to be surrounded by snow was pretty special, but it all was.  The train had wifi on board, but I spent much of the journey just staring at the scenery.  

Just a normal train journey, as you can see

Click to see full-size image.

From Myrdal we got the tourist train down into Flam.  This train is a bit more old school and it stops in a couple of places for photos.  It is a very attractive journey down into Flam (pronounced Flom), but the other train felt more special as it was just the standard Oslo to Bergen train.  We stayed for two nights in Flam.  We got up early, and the place was really quiet.  The Fjord was still and there was barely anyone around.  It probably seemed more quiet than it was, as we didn't have the kids pestering us for the first time in years.  It is right at the end of one of teh Fjords and is in a beautiful setting. There must definitely be two different Flams though, as it has a huge dock for cruise boats and guess the place is very very different when a boat is there.  As it was we pottered round the shops and museum, had a quiet coffeee and a couple of quiet meals, and it was lovely.  We also went out on a boat http://www.fjordsafari.com/  .  The norway in a nutshell tour takes a bigger slower boat, where as this one is a small fast boat.  Not sure which is best, we saw seals and porpoises on our boat.  Given the speed and time of year, you got some fairly biting air on your face (it was proper nippy as they say in the North).  They kitted us out in some pretty cold resistant suits, hats and goggles (see pictures on the website), but you still got the wind in your face.  Sure you'll tell us the tour guides were about 15.  We also visited a place where they made cheese.  Our trip was fine, but suspect the slower warmer boat might be just as good.    

You probably get a good idea of how wrapped up you need to be on the fjordsafari here

Click to see full-size image.

That is probably nothing on what we had to wear to go out looking for the Northern Lights in the middle of the night, North of the Arctic circle.  

We also ate at the brewery you can see in the pictures on the fjord safari website.  You are kind of limited for night entertainment in Flam, so five course meal with a different beer with each course was the choice.  Not sure it will be up your street, but 4 of the 5 courses were nice from memory, with only one thing I didn't really enjoy.  Beers were fine too.  You only get a small glass of each, so you aren't getting hammered, though not sure if there is a non alcohol version (you don't drink?).

 

The next day we did a bit more pottering/shopping/coffee drinking, and got a standard bus to Voss.  So long as you get off at the right stop, the bus drops you right by the train station.  The stretch from Voss to Bergen on the train wasn't nearly as scenic as the Oslo/Myrdal journey and I'd strongly recommend going from Oslo.

We got to Bergen late afternoon for a flight the next morning.  We intended to have a walk around Bergen, but the weather was proper filthy, so we decided to just eat in the hotel.  We stayed at the Radisson Blu which was right on the wharf.  Sure if a gale wasn't blowing and the rain wasn't horizontal it would have been a lovely place for a walk.  The food in the hotel was probably as nice a meal as I ate in Norway.

I thought it was going to be expensive, but if you live in London, I am not sure you'd notice much difference.  

It really is a nice place, and we are intending to take the kids over some time.  I'd definitely do the train again, and wouldn't mind trying the atlantic ocean road.   There is a boat that goes all the way up the coast, but not sure it is for me.  

Doobs this looks fantastic could u pm me more details when u have time?

Will be good to aim for something like this

[RED-DOG]

Anyone watch Last Night of the Proms last night?

If there's a more uplifting occasion, I'll be very surprised, just decent, good people enjoying themselves. I get very emotional when I watch it, & I never miss it. Pomp & Circumstance, Jerusalem & LOHAG are especially emosh I always think.

They had the Red Button thing on BBC so you could watch the "Parks" OB's from Belfast & Hyde Park. Whilst football fans were scrapping at West Ham, here were thousands of folks out having a wonderful time with not a policeman in sight, & everyone in good voice & humour. Love it.  

And the Conductor bloke was so flamboyant, a sort of conductor version of Liberace. Probably a bit straight laced in real life, an Accountant from Norfolk or something, but he entered right into the spirit of all the singing stuff. Think his name was Sakari Oramo, & he had these wonderfully expressive hand movements.

Lovely job, lovely.  

Shite.

[bookiebasher]

Anyone watch Last Night of the Proms last night?

If there's a more uplifting occasion, I'll be very surprised, just decent, good people enjoying themselves. I get very emotional when I watch it, & I never miss it. Pomp & Circumstance, Jerusalem & LOHAG are especially emosh I always think.

They had the Red Button thing on BBC so you could watch the "Parks" OB's from Belfast & Hyde Park. Whilst football fans were scrapping at West Ham, here were thousands of folks out having a wonderful time with not a policeman in sight, & everyone in good voice & humour. Love it.  

And the Conductor bloke was so flamboyant, a sort of conductor version of Liberace. Probably a bit straight laced in real life, an Accountant from Norfolk or something, but he entered right into the spirit of all the singing stuff. Think his name was Sakari Oramo, & he had these wonderfully expressive hand movements.

Lovely job, lovely.  

Shite.

 I did chuckle 

[BigAdz]

Top work Doobs, thank you very much. I shall send it to Her Ladyship for further perusal.

That building is really impressive. I looked it up, it's a bloody Opera House. What a waste to construct such a beautiful building & waste it on Opera shite.

And that photo of the train going through the snow, Gill will be all over that. Weird - but nice - the fascination she has with snow.

For those wondering why we are prattling on about Norway, Gill & I were considering a short trip to NYC, but it was not cost or time effective, as we could only manage 3 or 4 days, so eventually, it looks like we have settled on a buses, trains, boats & planes trip to Bergen in Norway. Doobs may have complicated it now, by adding Oslo into the mix.   

Here's the original idea for Bergen - scroll down & look at that itinerary. Ooohhhh.


http://en.visitbergen.com/things-to-do/norway-in-a-nutshell-r-p825223


08:43: Train from Bergen to Voss
 09:56: Arrival Voss
 10:10: Bus from Voss to Gudvangen
 11:20: Arrival Gudvangen
 11:30: Boat from Gudvangen (classic boat)
 14:05: Arrival in Flåm
 14:50: Flåm Railway to Myrdal
 15:46: Arrival Myrdal
 15:52: Train from Myrdal to Bergen
 17:58: Arrival in Bergen


How neat is that?

Fwiw. I have been to Bergen 7 times in the last 3.5 years. It is always raining.

The Norwegians even joke it always rains in Bergen.

Pack accordingly, but great place though.

[tikay]

Top work Doobs, thank you very much. I shall send it to Her Ladyship for further perusal.

That building is really impressive. I looked it up, it's a bloody Opera House. What a waste to construct such a beautiful building & waste it on Opera shite.

And that photo of the train going through the snow, Gill will be all over that. Weird - but nice - the fascination she has with snow.

For those wondering why we are prattling on about Norway, Gill & I were considering a short trip to NYC, but it was not cost or time effective, as we could only manage 3 or 4 days, so eventually, it looks like we have settled on a buses, trains, boats & planes trip to Bergen in Norway. Doobs may have complicated it now, by adding Oslo into the mix.    

Here's the original idea for Bergen - scroll down & look at that itinerary. Ooohhhh.


http://en.visitbergen.com/things-to-do/norway-in-a-nutshell-r-p825223


08:43: Train from Bergen to Voss
 09:56: Arrival Voss
 10:10: Bus from Voss to Gudvangen
 11:20: Arrival Gudvangen
 11:30: Boat from Gudvangen (classic boat)
 14:05: Arrival in Flåm
 14:50: Flåm Railway to Myrdal
 15:46: Arrival Myrdal
 15:52: Train from Myrdal to Bergen
 17:58: Arrival in Bergen


How neat is that?

Fwiw. I have been to Bergen 7 times in the last 3.5 years. It is always raining.

The Norwegians even joke it always rains in Bergen.

Pack accordingly, but great place though.

Thanks Adzy. The weather won't bother us, but thanks for the tip.

Looks like we have decided on the trip, just 3 days sadly, we can't manage longer, but it'll be great.

I went there before, with Poker Week, or Poker 425, I forget which. It was when I was with Wm Hill, & Phil had sort of wangled it for me to get the TV gig. I had to go & do an audition & screen-test, but I think I was the only one tested. Obv.....

So we trotted off to Europe most weekends, & went to Bergen with Dave Compton & Rhowena. The Producer was "wormster", aka Steve Meehan, who became a blonde member, great little bloke. Through Steve, I got to know another horse racing Producer, who you may know of, Dave Gottfried (Sp?). I saw him in Vegas this year, but it was awkward as I had forgotten his name, you know how it is.   

Live Poker was illegal in Norway (still is, I think), but we played & filmed a Tourney in a little spieler in the back room of some office on an industrial estate.  

The Tourney was full of young Scandies, they were getting the lot online at the time, & these kids all had Porsches & Ferraris, never seen the like. One of them was utterly clueless, played any 2, he bust me with 3-4 & went on to win the thing. His name was Johnny Lodden, & it was my first encounter with him. All these years later & he's still playing any 2 & doing so for ridic stakes. Like him a lot.

The Tourney got abandoned at one stage, as we thought a police raid was imminent, but it turned out to be the King of Norway passing by on his way to the Harbour with a big police escort.  I kid you not.

What took you to Bergen so often? Holidays, or something far more important, such as concrete matters?

[BigAdz]

Work mainly but twice for cruise destinations.

Yes, they love a little slipformed curb up in Norway.

Tends to be a seasonal rebuild thing in Norway and Finalnd. Slipform a small curb in summer, then the poor weather comes in and the snow ploughs tend to do a fair amount of damage when clearing roads etc, so out comes the little slipform machine at the start of the season and so it goes on.

[Doobs]

Work mainly but twice for cruise destinations.

Yes, they love a little slipformed curb up in Norway.

Tends to be a seasonal rebuild thing in Norway and Finalnd. Slipform a small curb in summer, then the poor weather comes in and the snow ploughs tend to do a fair amount of damage when clearing roads etc, so out comes the little slipform machine at the start of the season and so it goes on.

I wasn't aware of quite how much rain fell on Bergen until your post.

http://www.pbase.com/bauer/bergen_norway

A joke is told in Bergen about a tourist asking a local boy if it ever stops raining. "I don't know, replies the boy, I'm only twelve."

Click to see full-size image.

Maybe I should have taken that walk?

[Karabiner]

Work mainly but twice for cruise destinations.

Yes, they love a little slipformed curb up in Norway.

Tends to be a seasonal rebuild thing in Norway and Finalnd. Slipform a small curb in summer, then the poor weather comes in and the snow ploughs tend to do a fair amount of damage when clearing roads etc, so out comes the little slipform machine at the start of the season and so it goes on.

I wasn't aware of quite how much rain fell on Bergen until your post.

http://www.pbase.com/bauer/bergen_norway

A joke is told in Bergen about a tourist asking a local boy if it ever stops raining. "I don't know, replies the boy, I'm only twelve."

Click to see full-size image.

Maybe I should have taken that walk?

They have strange brollies up there.