We met up with Albert at The Duke’s Head in Dunton Green, Kent as the grey clouds gathered and the rain approached.

With a good turn-out and late coffees we started off after a rain shower pass some shops until we turned left for our countryside walk. Due to the earlier rain it was muddy under foot but the sun made an appearance which allowed a pleasant outing which included a walk around Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve alas without one member & her dog Poppy.

We returned to the car park for the majority to have their pub lunch while I departed home due to not being my 100%.

To the next one !

Steve

LVCC v Essex, Tunbridge Wells, 17 June 2009

© Sarah Ansell

Ännu en mycket bra låt av Kent. “Musik non stop” från deras skiva Hagnesta Hill (1999).

(Du måste klicka för att se videon på youtube i ett nytt fönster)

Three songs. Three feelings. Three beats.

Vi lyssnade på Kent i bilen på väg till skolan idag. Jag blev då påmind om hur länge sedan det var jag lyssnade på kanske Sveriges bästa band. Här är en av mina absoluta favoriter:

Today, after so many  years ,your gold hair in Kent’s sky,are still gold like that unforgettable afternoon in Ramsgate  and like my endless love for you.

På förra skivan ”Tillbaka till samtiden” tog Kent sina första steg bort från det bredbenta rocksoundet. Nu har de klivit ännu längre. I låt efter låt klär de melodierna i syntar, istället för Sami Sirviös gitarr-riff. Ljudbilden är både tyngre, mörkare och monotonare än tidigare. Under de första genomlyssningarna drunknar man nästan i den. Men efter ett tag börjar du lager för lager komma under de elektroniska skalen, och därunder hittar du några av de finaste melodier Kent producerat det här decenniet.
I ”Vals för satan (din vän pessimisten)” sjunger Joakim Berg om ”röda maj, värmen erövrar stan” och som skivans titel redan skvallrat om lyser de politiska budskapen i flera av låtarna.
Skivan avslutas enligt Kent-tradition med en episk ballad. I ”Det finns inga ord” bäddas lyssnaren in i en mjuk dröm. Men successivt byggs låten upp, för att slutligen nå sitt klimax när ett förlösande gitarr-solo går loss mot alla syntar, en blivande klassiker.
Trots att albumet har ett par dippar den första halvan, kommer det ändå vara mitt soundtrack i den kalla, slöslaskiga vinter som snart är här.

4J av 5J

Här kan du lyssna på “Det finns inga ord” som får min röst som 2009 års bästa svenska låt:

Coming out next month.

Pro 40 Spitfires v Eagles, Canterbury, 13 September 2008

© Sarah Ansell

The glorious looking 166 rpelacement – the Alfa Romeo 169 – as mentioned here only last week will be see Fiat make use of the Chrysler buyout and launch it in America as well as Europe

Aiming clearly at BMW’s 5 Series and the big luxury cruisers usually rolled out by Jaguar and with more than a hint of Maserati Quattroporte style, the Alfa Romeo 169 is clearly a winner in the looks department.

While details on specifics are still hidden, the Alfa 169 will sit on a rear-wheel drive platorm that may be half-inched from the next Chyrsler 300C while speculators expect the 8C Competizione’s 4.7 litre V8 may find itself beneath the ‘hood’ when the 169 rolls onto the roads in America.

It’s expected that it’ll hit the dealers and roads in the States by 2011 and weigh in around the $40,000 mark. Of course, it’s great news for American drivers but I want  a confirmed date for the 169’s European launch and when I can expect to find the new Alfa Romeo in Kent.

Taken on a little point & shoot camera. LVCC v Lancashire, Canterbury, 30 August 2007

© Sarah Ansell

Kent har varit min favorit svensk musikgrupp men jag har inte varit så intresserad av deras nyaste låtar av någon anledning.  De nya låtarna kan vara hur bra som helst men jag älskar fortfarande deras äldre låtar. Som till exempel ”om du var här” och även många från skivan “Hagnesta Hill”.

LVCC v Glamorgan, Canterbury, 6 May 2009

© Sarah Ansell

Due to hit roads in the UK in March 2010, the pretty much all-new Doblo Cargo has been shown in the first image released by Fiat.

The only thing about the new Doblo Cargo that is carried over from the previous model is the name. Everything else about next year’s model is new – from the brand-new platform to the technical spec and the, frankly, amazing styling.Yes, that’s right: amazing styling on what was once considered the ugly duckling.

This, compared to any van, and especially so when compared to the current model, is a great looking vehicle.

With it’s rounded front end, stand-out grille and wraparound headlights and on to the panel styling and even an attractive rear-end, I’d be a lot happier seeing more of the new Doblo Cargo in Kent than I would it’s predecessor or competitors.

Fiat have upped the capcity for it too with 2.2 metres of interior length and 1.23 metres between the arches. They’re even going to offer it up with a variety of body sizes – high top, short and lwb five-seater combi so that it can offer up a solution to all.This is the van that Fiat are dropping in the States as part of their Chrysler deal which makes the whole proposition a lot less laughable than it was before the new styling was unveiled.

Let’s hope it does well.

As those little cars so popular and well known throghout Europe are being tentatively pointed at America by their manufacturers, one manufacturer with an already strong foothold over the pond, Mazda, has made a move. The Mazda2 will be hitting roads Stateside.

Due to be shown with US spech at the Los Angeles Auto Show alongside the likes of the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and Kia’s Soul as the smaller models of car aimed at American buyers.

American buyers can expect to find a 1.6-litre engine under the “hood” – it’s really the largest Mazda can cram in there – and the possibility of diesels hitting the tarmac over there too. Entry-level gadgets will probably be considered minimal but there’s plenty of add-ons available.

I’ve seen quite a bit of the Mazda2 in Kent over recent months as small cars take over the local motorways and supermarket carparks. It’s a cracker in terms of looks, plenty of personality and quirkiness but surprisingly large for a ’small car’ – no dount why Mazda isn’t too concerned about throwing it to the Americans.

So, Americans looking for something small enough to dart around city streets and still offer plenty of space within and a bucket load of economy should be pretty happy with the launch of the Mazda2 in the US.

Pre season warm up match v Notts, Canterbury, 1 April 2009

© Sarah Ansell

Central Parade, Herne Bay, Kent.

Holga 120GFN, Kodak 400VC

It’s always such a great feeling to flop around in bed for a few extra hours. I was starving this morning, so I had a  giant omelet, one bowl of cereal, a plate of eggs, potatoes, bacon, two cups of iced tea today. I actually think I should stop eating less, because both days I stuffed myself to a point where I wasn’t that hungry for dinner. We played ping pong later, and it was way competitive. I beat Kevin first game, and played Simon and Brandon. I hit Simon with the ball and gave him a red circle on his arm. Then before dinner, I played Hassan and I totally won, because he kept hitting it into the net. It was cute when the guys were cheering me on and booing Hassan. He takes ping pong games much too seriously. 6 or 7 points into the game though, I accidentally stepped on the ball and crushed it. Hassan told me, “You need to calm down.” Then we went to dinner and had some chow mein and fried rice and vegetables and took some chicken off Kevin’s plate. We came back to play Big 2, Slapjack, Kent, and Drug Dealer. Bonnie is such a great partner for Kent. Half the time, we didn’t even need signals because we looked at each other and nodded. Awesome stuff. I was cop a number of times for Drug Dealer, and on more than a couple of occasions, I called out the drug dealer within a few seconds of the start of the game. Then I took a shower at 10 or so, because we actually have to follow the quiet hours now. I moved the poster to in front of our door, so I could easily refer to it. Those stupid games that involve slapping hurt like a motherfather. I need to work on my 6-7-page essay soon and get it checked by some peer tutor tomorrow night.

A bit late with this post but every picture tells a story …

A Horse Encounter

Another midweek MGR ramble led by Don over 3 to 4 miles of misty Kent countryside. Meeting up at The White Rock Inn in Underriver, Kent with the ladies outnumbering the gents we walked around some muddy fields for the above horsey encounter – I’m sure that one was keen to join the club.

Alas I didn’t stay for my usual pint but it looked from the outside a very homely pub where the majority stayed for their lunch.

To the next one !
Steve

PS. Alas I missed the following Farnborough ramble ( 18/11 ) due to windy weather & not feeling great but I will return !

Tonight I embark on the academic journey of a weekend! Well technically I started yesterday morning. This is a long and short weekend for me. Long in the sense that I have a lot to do and short in the sense that I have a little amount of time to get it all done. I have 2 fairly large exams: 1 in Political Methods, which involves statistic and a great deal of other confusing topics and 1 in American Politics, which is quite detail oriented and trickily written. I have 3 assignments to write: 1 letter to an elected official on the topic of “gay marriage” and 2 broadcasts to be written for a somewhat picky professor. In addition, I hope to be able to finally fill out my RA application. So so much to do!

Yesterday morning, I met with my Poli Meth professor to go over some statistic problems and I must say I am still utterly confused about them. Although it was reassuring that he promises to hold you more accountable for the knowledge and comprehension of the material that the actual answers you get for the problems. Also, since I have shown that I am generally interested in learning the material, I am sure he will be lenient on my exam. Just the other day I turned in an assignment and the last two problems I had no clue how to figure out so I wrote that along with a general explanation of the concepts and received full credit. If this is any indication of the exam I will be fine. Also he is letting us use all our resources- I would feel a bit more comfortable if I have the current edition of the textbook, but if all else fails I figure there is always google.

For that class I still need to study the new text I copied, the old text, powerpoint presentations, homework problems, and the online site.

Today I spent 4 hours in the library studying American Politics; I am sad to say that is the time it took for me to read and take notes on just one chapter in the book. I still have two chapters to go, as well as class notes, and online notes.

I wrote my letter to the elected official quite quickly and since it is not being graded I didn’t have to spend the amount of time researching for it that I would have otherwise.

I have one draft of a broadcast and the other I haven’t had time to begin.

I am split in my emotions over all of this. On one hand, I have a lot on my plate and I am nervous I won’t be adequately prepared for either exam. Also it is frustrating that with all the hours I have been putting in, I still seem to have made no headway. But on the other hand, I definitely missed having to really study. I guess I just wish I had missed it a week ago and started studying super early. Although the last 2 assignments were recently assigned so I can’t really help that.

Well I suppose I should get back to work. Although I plan on running out and grabbing some ice cream to keep me company, probably not a good idea seeing as it’s already 10 at night, but I’ll work it off this summer right…?

Wish me luck!

LVCC v Derbyshire, Canterbury, 3 August 2009

© Sarah Ansell