BOATY Mc BOATFACE

(Turk)

Ever wondered what the first 2 letters on a fishing boat stood for? Well, I'm yer man:-

Surprisingly includes Eire, like the RNLI

CWRW WYTHNOS PEDWAR DEG SAITH

 

ABYSSINIA/I'LL BE SEEIN YA

Entonces, to celebrate selling 31 Gwent Grove yesterday, I googled "best restaurants in Swansea" to find a treat for us. 

The top rated, with 5 out of 5, and 306 reviews was ABYSSINIA, on Oxford Street. Oh, that sounds interesting I thought, plenty of veggie options for Kim, carné options for me, and a chance to discover a new cuisine! I've never sampled Ethiopian / Eritrean food, so let's go! 

First off, the menu was very different:-

They specialise in breakfasts, 

Unfortunately Foul has a different meaning here to Ethiopia 

It looked nice, tho, & came recommended by a fellow invigilator. Perhaps another day.

We opted for the Veggie Special, with a side of "cubed lamb" called Derek Tibbs (?)

This promised to contain a selection of speciality dishes. Unfortunately, it came served on a huge sourdough pancake made from some fermented dark grain. This actually tasted "foul", was spongy, floppy & cold. The veggie dishes were ok, but nothing special. Basically variations on daal. 

Poor old Derek Tibbs must have been very old indeed, as the chunks were unchewable, and on the bone. I think chopped hoggit breasts. These were barely cooked, so almost inedible. The spicing was very weak, no taste bar old lamb. 

The guy next to us had one of the lentil dishes, on the pancake, and ate it by tearing off bits of the pancake, loading it with lentils all with his right hand. Not the best looking presentation....

So not a hit. I can't say I'll be seeing ya, as we won't.

THE FALL - TODAY

 

This day in history, May 29 1453 Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks 

https://greekreporter.com/2026/05/29/may-29-1453-constantinople-fell/

We conquered it in 2006....

20 years ago.....

In the snow...

HIDDEN STRANGLERS?

 

(Apologies for the poor photos, time & lighting were not with me)

I've walked past these pictures numerous times already, in the foyer of  Y Neuadd Fawr on Campws Bae, Prifysgol Abertawe.

Today I noticed something strange. One of the paintings was of a group of young men, one particularly reminiscent of a lad I was in Uni with, a raving socialist in the true Valleys 'Quinta Brigada' mould, who we nicknamed Lenin. Upon closer inspection, I realised they were another group altogether.

                         

They are part of a set of paintings by David Carpanini (another bracchi descendant?)

. 

The plaque explains that the images are "the resolute people" " scarred by the industrial landscape of the South Wales valleys".  I searched in vain for a connection to Hugh et al, but the internet had no clue as to why the boys are featured thus. Could they be an Easter egg played by the artist? Perhaps a fan? I think we should be told...... 

GABBA GABBA HEY YN YR 'DIFF

What was I doing on 3rd October 1978? The Blitzkrieg bop in Y Bar Dyfed of Cardiff Uni's Student Union. 

 Setlist

1. Rockaway Beach
   Play Video
2. Teenage Lobotomy
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3. Blitzkrieg Bop
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4. I Don't Want You
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5. Go Mental
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6. Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment
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7. Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue
   Play Video
8. You're Gonna Kill That Girl
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9. Don't Come Close
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10. I Just Want to Have Something to Do
    Play Video
11. Bad Brain
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12. She's the One
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13. Sheena Is a Punk Rocker
    Play Video
14. Havana Affair
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15. Commando
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16. Needles and Pins
    (Jackie DeShannon cover)
    Play Video
17. Surfin' Bird
    (The Trashmen cover)
    Play Video
18. Cretin Hop
    Play Video
19. Listen to My Heart
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20. California Sun
    (Joe Jones cover)
    Play Video
21. I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You
    Play Video
22. Pinhead
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23. Encore:
24. Do You Wanna Dance?
    (Bobby Freeman cover)
    Play Video
25. I Wanna Be Sedated
    Play Video
26. Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World
    Play Video
27. Encore 2:
28. Judy Is a Punk
    Play Video
29. Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue
    Play Video
30. We're a Happy Family

90 mins of pure powerpunk!

See  https://grumunkin.blogspot.com/2011/12/genesis-of-gabba-gabba.html

&   https://grumunkin.blogspot.com/2025/09/ramoans.html

Drat, Just noticed that I blogged this previously. Old age doesn't come alone....

TRAPPED!

Convo in the car today:-

Chris to Kim:- OMG we seem to be trapped in St Thomas against our will! 

Car smart infotainment system:- "Oh dear, that does sound distressing, I can call the emergency services for assistance if you like....

THEY ARE LISTENING - BERTO, YOU WERE RIGHT! 

JAPAN MEETS ITALY IN WALES

Out for brekkie @ Forte's Bracelet Bay. With the cast of Last of the Summer Wine.

A real Mumbles tradition. 

I taught (?) Amelia Macari, the 4th generation of owners, but don't think she fancied carrying on the family trade.

Funnily enough, I also taught Greg Ballentine, who made this "You Tube" history of the Cafe.

A fabulous traditional Bracchi Café.

Dunno how this links to Japan, apart from the fact that the photo shows my Jap Hog outside.....

 

CWRW WYTHNOS PEDWAR DEG PUMP

 

MY TRAVEL AGENT

 

I am very lucky to share my life with a partner who loves travel as much as me. Even better, she loves planning trips, accommodation, transfers, & flights too. This means I can sit on my arse, & just enjoy the experience!