Author: bigdunc09

When last we met, I was discussing all things Italian.

Since then, the country has been in the news for a fast spread of Covid-19 and the subsequent panic across the rest of Europe. That this pandemic was predicted in a horror novel several years ago, could be a storyline from a Twilight Zone episode – or hints at time travel – and, as if by magic, there is much more on all of this later.

However, we start with pizza.

Half term was made up of halcyon days and moments. A trip to Il Capitano’s, our local pizzeria, was one of the real highlights: given that I celebrated my fortieth there, it’s a special place anyway what with the warm welcome you get and the excellent ingredients used, but this visit was even better than the first, thanks to the specials we ordered. A Tuscan sausage and broccoli white pizza; a frutti di mare (including clams) without cheese and, best of all, the Carbonara pizza which was like nothing I’ve tasted on a base before.

In fact, I’d go so far as to say this place’s pizza is the best I’ve had in the eight years of domestic bliss since our honeymoon in Naples (where I even went to the birthplace of the dish) and, possibly, in this country. Given my affection for the Neapolitan riviera – and my experiences tasting pizza in a variety of establishments over the years – that’s high praise indeed, so I’d recommend you go there ASAP.

A very different – but just as impressive – meal experience awaited us a few days later. We’d been looking forward to visiting Kala Bistro in Manchester since before it had opened, and – having already been to Pinion a couple of times and Wreckfish, too – knew it was going to be special. I spoke last time of my admiration for Gary Usher and discussed his management style (as well as Nike trainers) with our brilliant waiter. We opted for the fixed price lunch as we were on our way to somewhere special, and ended up swapping meals half way through so that the other could enjoy the myriad flavours and textures the excellent starters and main courses provided.

I started with a Gin Mare and some delightfully marinated olives, then the gorgeously pink pate whilst WW went for the smoked haddock fishcake with a pretty green parsley mayonnaise and a celeriac remoulade. Really fresh flavours, matching the bottle of Provence Rose we’d picked perfectly. Then, a beautiful bream with some amazing cucumber & spring onion salad before swapping for the unctuous pork knuckle with fennel orzo, macadamia, salsa verde and a treacley sauce, accompanied by some tenderstem broccoli with anchovy mayo. Finally, what the missus described as the ‘best Crunchie ever’ chocolate and honeycomb semifreddo, whilst I devoured a tawny port with some lovely Lincolnshire Poacher.

Quite simply, delicious and cool in equal measure.

Then it was on to the Opera House and something we’d been looking forward to for years since the potential Back To The Future Musical was mooted. We got the tickets the day they were announced last year, meaning we were there two days after the world premiere. This also meant there were several uber-fans present in the audience, whose outfits made the event all the more memorable. I saw a few Docs – coincidentally, whom I was dressed as by a group of excitable women during my 80s themed surprise thirtieth birthday party –  and a few more Marties, including one guy who went the whole hog and had not only the cap and auto-fit jacket from BTTF2 but also the Nike trainers I’ve longed dreamed about and it was the first time I saw them in real life. I was in awe but didn’t take a picture as he was there with his little daughter (about the same age as B) and I was really impressed that he had introduced her to the trilogy at such a young age.

Even the couple in front of us in the theatre had brought their young son, replete with Marty McFly ‘life preserve’ and double denim and, do you know what?

He was called Elijah.

The performance itself was incredible and probably the best on-stage production we’ve ever seen. That the creative team behind this had done one of my favourite films such justice made me cry real tears at one point in the afternoon. Yes, the power of love right there: tears of joy, of wonder, recalling one of my earliest trips to the cinema and a lasting image throughout the years since then, included at seminal moments and still enjoyed and the gift that keeps on giving. For example, I heard recently that Biff Tannen – the misogynist bully – is based on Donald Trump! 

And, only tonight, a contestant on Mastermind had the Trilogy as her specialist subject (I had chosen it as one of mine when I applied a couple of years ago: tonight I would have got 9, and she got 10, although I’d have beaten her overall) but, back to the show, the cast were amazing at recreating the iconic characters from the original film and the writers were very clever in their adaptations. The sound and the effects were incredible, too, and as for the DeLorean: you’ll have to see it to understand why I was so taken with the show. 

Even seeing the original actors now, can be emotive:

Afterwards, we enjoyed a few drinks in Spinningfields at the Oast House with old friends for a lovely catch up and subsequently missed the train home, meaning a couple more at the Atlas Bar, which was nice.

The following week, things went back to normal and I eagerly anticipated the return of The Twilight Zone. It was somewhat serendipitous that the first episode might have been based on a podcast episode, after I’d written last month about how certain Podcasts had changed my life, and – as if by magic – I time-travelled back to my MA studies ten years ago when a fortune cookie also changed my life and I learned there had previously been a Twilight Zone episode about a similar situation.

This time around , the first episode was a very clever conceit wherein a guy listens to a podcast on a flight about the flight he is actually on; art imitating life, and podcasts resonating with a listener’s current situation… you couldn’t have made it up. I thought I was in the Twilight Zone myself, a feeling confirmed the following morning when I heard a bizarre story on the radio about someone buying an engagement card which was already written in. This led to an investigation over about a week, with the aim of hunting down the couples in question and then solving the mystery.

In the end, it was pretty straightforward, but it all reminded me of projects from the past – messages, notes, found communication forming fabricated narratives – which I (somewhat serendipitously) stumbled upon when preparing to decorate the back room and the discovery took me back in time.

Not quite thirty years, but still a time when things seemed easier. After this week, it would be understandable to go even further back in time to when people were quarantined, houses sectioned off, animals made scapegoats and people wore elaborate contraptions as panic as well as a disease spread like wildfire. Sadly, exciting events planned for the next few weeks have been postponed (a reunion with Andre Gomes, ‘Brewster’s Millions’ the musical) but this obviously means very little when people are dying.

Talking of football and spending money a nice little coincidence also occurred this week as my mum took my lad to Bootle Strand as he loves the myriad vehicles there. It was her first visit, so we discussed the place in detail. Very little surprises me in this world, but I was startled to see Carlo was also there only two days later. Things like all this make you question what exactly is going on and what will happen next…

January and February are often the hardest months: post Christmas, then back to work blues; dark nights and mornings; coughs and colds; no money… failing to stick to optimistic resolutions. 

Thoughts of change.

This year was much the same, but a surprising development in battling through was my discovery of several entertaining and informative podcasts, which have become my new obsession. Some are quite difficult to listen to in the house (particularly the hilarious ‘Gossipmongers’) but others, I find, quite calming and almost therapeutic (Jay Rayner’s ‘Kitchen Confidential’ which is also extremely useful) but it’s the interviews which I found most insightful, especially the hospitality-themed ‘Humans of Hospitality‘ with the co founder of Hawksmoor, Will Beckett; having visited last year, it was fascinating to hear about his struggles and inspirations. Anyone considering a career in the hospitality, should devote an hour to this.

Undoubtedly the best ‘listen’ of recent weeks was the discovery of the Two Shot podcast by Craig Parkinson in which he sits and talks about the work and careers of myriad artists, actors, cultural influences and just interesting people. He himself has been something of a silent figure in my own life over the years, silently stealing scenes in some of the best things I’ve watched in recent times: first, as my old mate Tony Wilson (fact) in ‘Control’ then a Purple Heart-peddling dancer in Northern Soul film ‘Soul Boy’; Everyman drinker in under-rated series ‘Great Night Out’ (we loved it… apparently not many other people did) then more recently, as The cereal-offering dad in Bandersnatch (the interactive Black Mirror) then, even more recently, the excellent ‘Sick of It’ and a brooding bad guy in the brilliant ‘Temple’. You’ll know his voice from a plethora of adverts, too… and then, to top it off, he’s only from bloody Blackpool and even attended the college where I spent my informative year around the same time!

Anyway, the two stand out episodes of ……. featured candid chats with Bill Ryder Jones and Gary Usher, both of whom have also featured in high moments of the past year. I’ve written before about meeting Bill at a gig last year and it was fascinating to hear the way he spoke so eloquently about his life and influences.

Meanwhile, you all know about my admiration for Usher’s restaurants and his morals, but he opened up to Parkinson – who had actually been brave enough to cook for the chef – in a very different way to the TV documentary which aired last year. It was refreshing, brutally honest – shocking in parts – and whetted our appetite for a trip to Kala in Manchester next weekend before the hugely exciting ‘Back to the Future – The Musical.’ I’ll tell you all about that next time… whilst you’re waiting with baited breath, have a go at the podcasts!

I’ve not just been listening to my phone whilst cooking. Excellent new albums by Blossoms – whose songs ‘The Keeper’ and ‘Your Girlfriend’ (arguably the greatest music video ever) just get better and better – and Tame Impala – unique and cool. Just watch the video for ‘Lost in Yesterday’. They took me back to nights discovering new bands at uni twenty years ago and feeling hip, rather than forty something with a sore hip. Then comes the old favourites, Courteeners, with their own new sound (partly inspired by the former pair) and the hauntingly beautiful ‘Hanging off your Cloud’ (part of a trilogy with a linked narrative by the fantastic writer Emma Jane Unsworth) which we were fortunate enough to hear live at an incredible hour long, tea time intimate gig in the historic Albert Hall last weekend. 

Like a cross between a town hall and a church, it was an intense and incredibly special concert like none we’d really been to before. The love in that room, for the four lads and girl on stage but also for each other – and across a such a wide range of ages of devoted fans – is something which as Liam himself said at the end, nobody else has it. It feels like a family singsong but with strangers, and is always a cathartic experience.

God bless the band, indeed.

Before the gig, we were footloose and child free… so made the the most of it. I’ve written several times before of our love for Manchester. Not just the music and famous faces, but its hidden places and its history. One recently opened venue mixed the two quite beautifully, with a little help from Tom Kerridge, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, and I’d been itching to see the interior, so surprised the Mrs with a stop off for a drink at the ornate bar in what was once the city’s stock exchange.

This was the first time I’d set foot in any of Kerridge’s sites, but I’ve been inspired by his recipes (and lifestyle choices) for years – especially his Chicken Kiev – and the menu looked mightily impressive, as was the decor and the open kitchen with its chicken rotisserie ovens, but I was a little taken aback – and disappointed – by the myriad flat screens showing football and cricket sky sports whilst the clientele ticked into their Sunday lunches, as well as the bizarre knuckledusters that doubled as handles on the dumb waiters. It reminded us of a gangster themed bar we’d frequented the previous night, and both created a slight discomfit at a time when the nation is in the grip of a gang crime epidemic. That the drinks there came to nearly thirty quid didn’t matter, because it was a memorable experience in such special surroundings. We will be back…

So much of the city doesn’t look anything like the back of a fridge, quite the opposite in fact, but many choose not to see that side due to outdated rivalries and ignorant tribalism. Thankfully, TV and film reminds cognoscenti viewers of the many cool and interesting venues across Cottonopolis, especially. I’m thinking of ‘Age Before Beauty’ from a couple of years ago, and the likes of Cold Feet and The Stranger, both of which we loved and – whilst perhaps emblematic of turning forty – I’m not embarrassed to say we’d look forward to the returns of. Similarly, Stranger Things whose new trailer dropped and the teenage us got excited about… other notable viewing included Downsizing, The Assassination of Malcolm X, Avenue 5 and (finally) the conclusion of the riveting Temple.

It wasn’t all plain sailing through the start of the year, however. Prolonged Illness. The very real threat of spreading diseases. Painfully ongoing shyness and other parental concerns… but then, lest we forget some very good news. Friends getting the all clear. Mary Seacole’s first leading role. Comebacks, and spotting sparrowhawks. 

Even found time to visit an exhibition: the very clever Dorothy / Bands FC show in the Cunard Building which re-imagined bands and songs quite magnificently.

Meanwhile, a trip to the wine dark sea is on the horizon.

To prepare, I’ve reimmersed myself in all things Italian, even learning the language once more. Bought one of the most beautiful football kits ever designed. Had an incredible meal (a wonderful T-bone, and a first taste of licorizia) at Cantinetta in the village and subsequent discussion about calcio. I even discovered that Carlo is living down the road from us! I really like the Cut of his jib, Ancelotti, and bought his book. Another hero? It might be time.

A decade ago, I was celebrating having got engaged in NYC and looking forward to a first new year being betrothed. So much has happened since then: marriage, kids, buying a house… greyer hair, yes; more content? certainly, though in many respects I’m still exactly the same person I was at thirty. 

Romantic; creative; trying the change the world (to little avail) and hopelessly trying to keep up with culture when there are more pressing priorities to attend to. 

Even writing a blog – in its infancy back in 2010 – is a challenge of epic proportions which takes a couple of months to complete, what with kids and marking and sleep to compete with the creativity. This means that, whilst the World is very different and technology more advanced now, I take some comfort in the fact that I’m still doing the same thing that I was ten years previous. It just takes me longer.

So, as I start a fifth new decade, some things change, but the majority stand still, and I’m still trying to stay down with the kids and keep up to date with what’s current in terms of literature and TV but with the added competition of children plus the benefits of box sets and streaming services, which means that whilst I had to wait a week to watch the next episodes of LOST on channel 4 all those years ago, now  I was able to The End of The F****ng World within a week (once the kids had gone to bed) and throughly loved its weirdness and beauty all at once.

However, it felt like the end of the f*****ng world when Andres Gomes broke his ankle and I saw it live, after he had had such an impact on our year. Betsy made him a get well card and was made up to see herself with him in a music video but it was a horrible experience I’d not really experienced before and don’t really want to again.

Still, we accentuated the positives and enjoyed celebrations at Fazenda / the lovely El Gato Negro (replete with Boys from the Blackstuff mosaic) and the impressive Light Night displays across the city, plus more reasons to be cheerful at the amazing Educate Awards ceremony at the cathedral. Even a Sky TV advert reduced this forty something to tears.

Talking of which, so did Howard’s Way, a wonderful little film I’d heard lots about and really loved reminiscing as a result of. In these dark times, it’s a great thing to remember special people and moments and also what’s important, which is why I was engrossing myself in a Nativity whilst others obsessed about irrelevant issues that one day will mean nothing (and I’ll be doing the same at a pantomime later this week…)

Still, I’d be lying if it didn’t bring a tear to my eye again meeting a childhood hero (Pat Nevin) at his own derby and chatting about my first game (in December 1990, thirty years previous) before immersing myself in the managerial debut of my teenage idol (Duncan Ferguson) who was the focus of my GCSE artwork and even found his way into my best man’s wedding speech, such was his impact on my life so far – and many others – celebrating an impassioned performance.

Perhaps his successor will have a similar influence (just instead on my fifth decade?) 

The day Ancelotti was announced (so perfectly, by the way) was seminal in that I’d never dreamed we’d have someone of his calibre in the dugout at GP. Similarly, I’d never dreamed of the previous night’s opportunity to see a ninth Star Wars film with an amazing Godson and his dad, a friend of now twenty years, and the revelations that came within it. The third trilogy ended satisfactorily, thankfully.

That followed a wonderful trip to the Enchanted Forest to see Father Christmas, and on this special anniversary again it all felt just too good to be true, as did the fantastic few days that followed: family time and celebration with some much needed relaxation mixed in to good effect. 

A great celebration, some good quality family time, a wonderful wedding, over indulging in food and drink… the past decade, encapsulated in the microcosm of Christmas week.

The 2010s were very good to me, but also very demanding and tiring at times. I’m hoping the 20s will be more calming and peaceful, for us all.

X.