clevercherry.com Blogs

I don't support... by Ian

Ian — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

.... Man Utd but blimey they were good last night.

HM has had her operation, all has gone well except the morphine has taken the pain away but delivered sickness instead. They are keeping her in.

Joke by Alex

Alex — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Richard stole my joke for his blog!

Which I stole from Ryan Carson.

legs, bums and tums by Amie

Amie — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Last night I went to my first Legs, Bums and Tums class and I can honestly say I think it will be my last!

It seemed our instructor liked to work on the legs more than anything...I'm having trouble walking today!

(Nerdy) Joke of the Day by Richard

Richard — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Comic Sans walks into a bar. The barman shouts, "Get out! We don't serve your type in here".

Well, I thought it was funny.

Start Chopping by Mark

Mark — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Dull I know but whilst I was pruning fruit bushes last weekend I was usung sadies dads new secateurs. They were absolutly brilliant as they use a rachet system so you can cut through branches about 2" thick with ease. So i bought some and they arrived this morning.

Yeah i know its really boring but hey when you need to prune down some bushes in the future you'll think "I know what I need, some of those great secateur things that marks got and you'll all be queing up outside my front door, you know it's true.

Chinese Food by Shaun

Shaun — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Had a loveley meal of Chinese food at Henry's Cantonese Restaurant last night. I had Sizzling Monk Fish and King Prawn s with Hot & Spicy Sauce... mmmmm

No Hair by Richard

Richard — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

I've recently taken to shaving my head, (right down to the skin), on a regular basis. I like how it looks and it makes my head maintenance free. Great result!

Soup by Gavin

Gavin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

I got in last night after staying over to do some band related work (yes band work - it's not all rock and roll being in a band you know!) and got straight on with making a soup.

I got inspired after picking up a big tub of lovely soup from the farmers market and feasting on it for days. So, thought it would be a good source of healthy bits as well as a quick fix for lunch/tea when needed. Plus I fancied getting a cook on too.

I opted for parsnips, carrots and sweet potato as my main ingredients (roasting the parsnips first through Matt's recommendation), along with some other bits, herbs and stock, backed up with a bit of goats cheese to take the edge off the sweet veg, it came out great.

I can't wait for my tea tonight!

Chilli Time by Mark

Mark — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Get em in!

Right about now you should be looking at planting yer chillis for this year. To be honest its a bit too nippy to put em in the greenhouse at the mo as a cold snap could bum em out, however a window ledge is ideal

This year I will be growing:
Hungarian Hot wax
Apache
Jalapeno
Poblano

I thought this year i would go for chillis with a decent kick but wernt radio rental so you never used them. Last year's apache's were magic hence we are doing them again. The Poblano and Hot wax are really only for salads if i'm honest as they arent very strong at all. Other ones i am looking at growing this year are Ear Bob or Pinocchio's nose.

Seeing your kids.... by Ian

Ian — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

.... in a wheelchair is not a good thing to see. HM is going into hospital today to have both her big toes infused into the bone of her feet. Osteoarthritis has made the joint in her big toes incredibly painful, the cure is to limit how the big toe works by completely restricting it's movement, sounds gross doesn't it? She'll be unable to walk for a while so we have a wheelchair in the house. The kids all "had a go" in it, whilst what they was doing was funny, it was quite unsettling to see them in it. Johnny Rotten said, "I'm glad I've got legs" and I immediately thought how the things we take for granted every day are so important.

Today, I'll be sparing a thought for everyone who has to use a wheelchair when perhaps, they'd rather not if they had the choice and I won't be complaining about the weather, or women who hog the middle lane, or chavs, or anything really.

Romantic Sunday with the wife.... by Ed

Ed — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

....in the Cotswold near Burford. The hotel was set in the beautiful countryside and a very relaxing atmosphere and vibe, so much so the wife fell asleep while I watched the FA Cup 6th round drinking champagne. The restuarant in the hotel was fabulous and went for the old favourite Sirloin Steak and chunky chips, with chilli squid to start. By almost 2145 we were both tucked up in bed passed out - kids really tire you out!

Couscous by Richard

Richard — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

I had chicken with coriander and veg, on a bed of couscous for dinner last night. It was very nice.

Weekends! by Lee

Lee — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

It was a great weekend for me lots of relaxing and having time to reflect and of course lots of fun. I’m looking forward to seeing my brother in Norwich soon I think lots of partying is in mind. This weekend has been so great.

Potholes by Alex

Alex — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Driving down St Mary's Road today we noticed some serious roadworks. Looks like the pothole reporting site that Shaun linked to really works! Actually, the works looked a little heavier than pothole-filling but there did seem to be cones at every speed bump/pothole (one and the same).

Although oddly I've just received an e-mail from the council saying they're looking into it. It looks like an automated response save for the fact that it's six days later!

Innit by Mark

Mark — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

As Ian mentioned in his blog, I too heard the 2 blokes on radio 4 banging on about how their pit bulls were 'safe' and 'not vicious' although it was hard to understand what they were banging on about with all the 'innit' and 'ya get me' thown into the sentence like some bizarre form of punctuation. What made it worse was the fact that they openly bragged that the dogs were a status symbol (vicious mental dog, vicious mental owner perhaps).

Anyway it was immediately followed by a story of a man who will receive the 'Hero of the Holocaust' medal today for risking his own life trying so save Jews from persecution by the Nazi's (and losing an eye in the process). Which when coupled with the blokes above, really covers both ends of the evolutionary spectrum i thought.

Killer idea by Sue

Sue — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

This morning BBC Breakfast reported on a German idea for raising funds to repair the potholes that have arisen following the cold snap - something like 40% of German roads are in a poor state.

They plan to sell the potholes - the idea is that you buy a pothole for about 15 Euros and, when the local authority fill it in they inscribe it with a name of your choice, so you can dedicate it to your loved one.

Great idea for businesses too I would have thought, a new version of street advertising.

Of course I can imagine lots of people wanting to buy a pothole, have it inscribed with the name of their spouse, and then run over it - several times!!!

You get me?.... by Ian

Ian — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

..... On the radio 4 programme Today, they had a piece about dangerous dogs. They interviewed two chaps from Hackney who were the proud owners of Pit Bull and Stafforrdshire Bull crosses. The dogs are illegal but hey ho, this is England, you don't have to abide by the law because the police are too busy letting convicted rapists and child killers back out on the streets (don#t get me started)... anyway, what I found fascinating wasn't the fact that these two chaps had no concept of what a dangerous dog is, or that they were blatantly breaking the law, or that the couldn't care less, no none of that, the fascinating thing was their use of our beloved English, innit, you get me yeah?

Come the revolution, zero, absolutely zero tolerance. I reckon within a year I could make this beautiful country great again but it would involve locking up, and throwing away the key, a lot of people. The Chav is now your average Englishman, be afraid, be very afraid.

Casa Ruiz...the review! by Amie

Amie — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

As you know I went to Casa Ruiz on Friday evening and although I knew it was going to be nice, I was pleasently surprised. The food was outstanding. We ate the following:

Bread, Olives and Nuts
Dressed Manchego Cheese
Piquillo Peppers Stuffed with Goats Cheese (Amazing...it was like an explosion of flavours in my mouth! Check out the picture below)
Chicken, Bacon and Pepper Kebabs
Chorizo sausage cooked with Rioja wine
Chicken Thighs cooked in a Garlic sauce
Tiger Prawns cooked in a Garlic and Chilli oil
Crispy fried Potato with a Spicy Red Pepper sauce and a lemon mayonaise
And a Spanish version of Creme Brulee

All swilled down with a lovely bottle of Rioja and a couple of coffees.

A big thank you to Emma for such a lovely meal and wonderful service!

What a weekend! by Matt

Matt — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

I had one of those amazing weekends that come round once in a while; purely divine.

On Friday night we had a lovely evening with Jen's folks, eating fish & chips and playing cards. The boys managed to win the game in 4 hands - ( I must admit we did get a few lucky hand dealt to us)

On the Saturday, whilst Jen was at work I popped into the city to do a bit of shopping ( I was early enough to find the city centre not that busy) and had a pint in my favourite pub. On the evening Jen and I had a fabulous evening with Ian and Sarah, beautiful food and wine was tasted. At the end I was having to "table clench" - No more food would fit into my belly.

Yesterday we spent the afternoon at my parents. First off, we all went for a refreshing walk around the Arboretum. Mom cooked a fantastic Sunday roast beef dinner with all the trimmings, best I'd had in ages. We then played cards until I couldn't keep my eyes open and we drove home. I was in bed a sleep by 21:30 and woke this morning fresh as a daisy.

Nottingham and stuff... by Gavin

Gavin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

My weekend was very pleasant, and managed to fit quite a lot in withourt being overly busy.

Friday night consisted of a gig in Nottingham, which was really good and we sold loads of merch, which always helps! Then Hollie and I went out in Nottingham with one of Hol's best friends from her uni days.

We spent the day in Nottingham getting some good food at The Orange Tree, doing a bit of shopping, and mooching about. We got a couple of records (Kate Bush and Yes), a couple of CDs (The Knife and Efterklang) and a few other bits, including a nice new lamp from Habitat for our lounge.

Wine and Cheese with friends over at ours on Saturday night, then writing new stuff with the band on Sunday before going home to be treated to some great food and a relaxing bath.

All in all it was a good weekend, time with friends, nice weather , a few treats, and left me feeling refreshed. Winner.

London's Burning by Jas

Jas — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

I completed my Heathrow trilogy yesterday with the last of the pick ups, this visit was including a de-tour to Romford to drop of my sister who was visiting. Usually not much problem in getting to Heathrow from there, M11 - M25 around 45 Min's top's, not yesterday there are major road works on the M25 on route to Heathrow and was advised not to go that way if i wanted any chance of the pick up on time. So i hit the A406 taking me through White Hart Lane territory, Hanger Lane junction, pass Wembley stadium, Gunnersbury park onto the M4 leading to Heathrow. Sounds like a reasonable journey 27 miles took me 1 hour 40 on a Sunday evening the traffic was shocking it was bumper to bumper most of the way with idiot drivers ducking and diving to steal the advantage. London is burning with the volume of traffic and the fumes and chaos it all brings hate the place, and i got to the pick up as they was just walking out of arrivals.

On a lighter note The Wolves were very unlucky against mighty Man U on Saturday not to get a point if they had won it would not have been by luck but well deserved, with time running out things are getting very touch and go the plus in all of this is that results around us are going for us for now any way.

As for the week ahead lets hope its better than the last as that was not a good week at all.

Nu Shoez by Mark

Mark — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The weekend flew by again with nothing out of the ordinary happening. We went swimming then I was out on the allotment planting the last of the onions and pruning the redcurrant bushes (they needed it).

On Friday on the way to the restaurant when we went to for lunch, my shoe fell apart, well the sole came off anyway. They are a great pair of shoes I bought from Shellys ages ago and are really comfey. Obviously there was much mirth and merriment as Ed & Shaun tried to walk behind be and completely rip the sole off (I was just too quick for them). Anyway even though I repaired it (and its fine again with a blob of superglue) I decided to treat myself to some shoes so after allotment business I popped out and bought some of these.

They are by John White and are great, in fact they are my new favorite thing (for today anyway). Other items purchased included potting compost, a mirror and some Chicken Poo pellets.

Yesterday we went out for lunch to some lovely pub in shifnal and that's about it really. Oh I found 2 packets of unmarked seeds in by seed box, I think they may be Habanero chilli's (but they could just as easy be turnips or marigolds i suppose. Dunno whether to plant em and see what comes up.

I like private... by Ian

Ian — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

... registrations on cars, they can be fun, I've got one. But, what I don't like is when they are manipulated so much, they don't actually represent the mark they are supposed to for the purpose of identifying the car. I followed a car this morning with the mark S ZOE RS. I thought it was just the spacing that was wrong but as I was following it for a while, I realised it couldn't just be the spacing, there simply weren't enough numbers in the plate for it to be real. What this lady has done, is change the number 2 for a letter Z. The plate should be S20 ERS.... isn't that illegal?

Grand Week Off by Richard

Richard — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Things what I did:

Caught up on my sleep
Watched films; played games
Ate a full rack of ribs at TGI Friday's
Ate pizza at Pizza Hut
Took JoJo to Sutton to sit her theory driving test. She passed!
Drove around a race track in an Ariel Atom
Had a look around Warwick Castle

A pretty good week off, I reckon.

The Ariel Atom drive yesterday was incredible. The racing instructor was really friendly; it was so strange being told to drive faster by someone for once!

After a couple of laps around, I was told to boot it, (literally), down one long straight. I thought that my foot was already pretty much on the floor but, OH MY GOD, when you put your foot right down you really know about it - it felt like my neck was breaking the acceleration was so fierce!

I'll admit that I was nervous as hell just before I got to the track but I loved every second of the drive. Hrm... wonder how long it would take me to save up for one...

Skin cream adverts are funny by Alex

Alex — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Some have whole biospheres within the cream apparently, but I just saw a great advert. The opening line:

"Inspired by the science of genes"

Unfortunately, I automatically switched off after hearing that, so I'm not sure how they followed that, but I wouldn't be surprised if it had nothing to do with 'the science of genes'.

Top nosh planned by Matt

Matt — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Tonight it's fish & chips with the in laws, and maybe a game of cards.
Tomorrow Jen and I are having dinner with Ian and Sarah.
Sunday, mom's cooking us a Sunday roast

Sounds like a perfect weekend to me.

Nice sleep.... by Ed

Ed — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

We've invested in a new mattress from M&S and let me tell you it kicks ass over the so called 'Memory Foam' mattress. Last night we had a fantastic night's sleep, until Sophia woke at 0115 for a feed, then Zach decided to wake at 0415 - so although it's a great mattress, we still need a peace free night to appreciate it!

Weekend, really looking forward to this, it's the wife's birthday and so we've got a romantic weekend in the Coltswold near Burford Sunday night and off Monday too - a kid free couple of days - thanks Mom and Dad x

Casa Ruiz by Amie

Amie — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

A while ago Clevercherry built a website for a family run Tapas bar in Bridgnorth, Casa Ruiz. I've been meaning to go and check it out for months but haven't had the chance. Well tonight's the night...I have my table booked for 8 o'clock and am looking forward to seeing what they have on offer. I do love tapas...possibly my most favourite food as you get to order lots of little things and try lots of dishes.

I'll let you know how I get on...I'm sure it will be delicious x

The gift of gab by Gavin

Gavin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

I went to The Rainbow last on Thursday night to see The Gift of Gab, of Blackalicious, perorm. He was absolutely amazing. I never expected words to leave a mans mouth with such flow and speed! The supports left a little to the imagination, and the venue was so cold it was ridiculous, but The Gab managed to lift the spirits and his humble, welcoming manner went down extremely well, nevermind his amazing MC skills!

Vino Loaf by Mark

Mark — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

This evening's beverage is a Chateau Monlot Grand Cru 2003 Bordeaux which i fancied the look of in Connolleys so i thought i'd buy one, i'll let you know if it's any good.

Apart from chubbing wine we dont really have much planned save that we will be swimming and I will be working on the allotment.

Also on Sunday we are going out for lunch for Sadie's dad's birthday, some place out Shifnal way, dunno where tho. This evening's dinner consists of Fajita's which are always a fave of mine, also I quite fancy an indian so we may do that tommorrow (hotter the better and all that).

And on a totally different point my book is turning out to be quite interesting, aparently the bloke that wrote it turned in the the 3 books to the publishers for printing then dropped down dead. They then went on to sell millions of copies.

Bit harsh

Tetley cheers in Wolves by Jas

Jas — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The people of Yorkshire must be up in arms about their favourite beers as from 2011 will be not be brewed in their native Yorkshire but one in the Black Country at Wolverhampton breweries. Tetley's have been brewed in Leeds since 1822 and was taken over by Carlsberg in 1988 although it is only the cask's hand pulled product that is coming to Wolves the fate of the Mild and Smoothflow has not been decided which we believe will also leave Leeds. A dark day I'm sure for Yorkshire when these changes come about, looking on the bright side Leeds may have a football team in the dizzy heights of the Championship next year is that any conciliation i suspect not.

Staying with football the red devil's and premiership champions are in town tomorrow (Wolves) its either a drubbing or we will make a game of it my heart is the latter my head is with the drubbing.

Stand Up! by Lee

Lee — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Yesterday I decided to purchase a new comedy film on itunes although I have had my new iphone now for what seems like months but possible is just weeks I feel like I haven’t really put it to good use. So like I said I brought Stephen k amos stand up and sat and watched it yesterday it was hilarious for anyone who doesn’t know who this guy is check him out he’s seriously funny.

I took HM Junior... by Ian

Ian — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

....out for a driving lesson last night in her car and thought I'd teach her how to fill it up with petrol. It was only after driving out of the petrol station that I realised not only did I teach her how to get her petrol cap off, how avoid getting petrol all over hands and soles of her shoes, I completely forgot to teach her how to walk into the kiosk and pay. I was stiched up like a kipper, £40.49 lighter, magic.

This weekend I mainly be, going out with Jen and Matt for some lovely grub and fine banter.

3D Avatar by Shaun

Shaun — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

I went to see Avatar in 3D yesterday. I thoroughly enjoyed the film. It was like a modern day cowboys and indians film, with the big battle scene at the end being just like Custer's Last Stand.

A: First cousin once removed! by Amie

Amie — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

I asked Wikipedia...

Why are teenagers so.... by Ian

Ian — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

.... punch worthy? No one likes getting up, no one likes overly happy people in the morning, but I do think, a level of civility and consideration for others should be showed at all time and yes that means in the morning too..... Are you reading this Lewis?

I just had another thought, in 20 days my youngest is a teenager too.... that's three in the house at the same time..... taxi

My New Clingers by Matt

Matt — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

I'm really chuffed with my new pair of slippers. The old ones were a size too big and so kept falling off when I walked down the stairs. My new slippers should be called clingers, not slippers, as they cling to my feet in an amazing way.

English Football by Ed

Ed — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

England playing football tonight against the African Cup of Nations Champions Egypt and to be honest I'm not really that fussed!

Death to Autotune by Gavin

Gavin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

I HATE AUTOTUNE.

HATE IT - FED UP OF HEARING IT!

WHY ... WHY BOTHER, WHAT'S THE POINT?

Learn to sing or don't bother singing at all. I don't understand what makes everyone want to overly autotune vocals at the moment, it's getting silly. Take the new Black Eyed Peas material for example, it's ridiculous how much they overly use autotune.

STOP IT!

Come on England by Lee

Lee — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

I can’t wait for the game tonight hopefully it’s a good one by that I mean England absolutely thrash Egypt. I think it might be a trip to the pub maybe.