I do like to be besides the seaside

Following the excitement of the last few weeks, this week has been much quieter, spent mainly at home (back up north, as I now have to say).

I’ve spent a few days working, but on Wednesday I met up with my old Drama teacher from school, as a friend of his was performing his flee circus in Congleton, as part of town hall being 150 years old (think that's what it was, but something or possibly someone related to Congleton is 150 this year). There is currently an exhibition with historical re-enactors going on in the town hall, which is absolutely fascinating (I learnt a lot about Congleton and I’ve lived there for 19 years!). Anyway, that's beside the point. We both went to see ‘Uncle Tachos Flee circus’, which was rather brilliant! It was a half hour show, performed as a traditional flee circus should be, with all the charm that you’d expect. There was a fair bit of audience participation, which I’m sure anyone who knows me will tell you, isn’t my favourite thing, but I think  got off lightly, only being picked on a few times. Uncle Tacko and my drama teacher (Donald) are two of a kind, having both been part of a Pierrot troop. Do explore his website (http://www.prom-prom.com/) as Uncle Tacko does all sorts of interesting things and is a wonderful entertainer for all ages; as he kept telling us ‘silly and educational’. Following that, Donald and I had a good old catch-up, having not spoken since I saw Les Mis (remember that entry dear reader?).

Friday night was rather good! Dad and I went to the Exchange (I've really missed that place) to see 'The Mighty Walzer'. It’s a play about Oliver Walzer who has a natural talent for ping-pong. It follows him growing up in Manchester and everything that goes with it; it was absolutely brilliant! The only set was piles of cardboard boxes and there were some fantastic performances! Elliot Levey was great as Oliver Walzer, whilst Tracey-Ann Oberman was equally brilliant as his mum. I was surprised by just how funny it was, helped I think partly by the local references and jokes (they'll get to travel, to Stockport!). As you'd expect, we stage-doored (still a word) the delightful Ms Oberman who was very warm and chatty.

Saturday was an early start, as I begin my silly few weeks; next stop Eastbourne! By the time I'd got there and put bags down, we had a lovely meal on the beach (not literally, but we weren't far off) before having a very relaxing (if not warm) walk along the seafront, which was lovely. Following that we went on a sightseeing bus and saw all the sights of Eastbourne (there's more than just the sea I learnt), which was a little windy, but then we could have sat downstairs. After a busy day, we made it back to the flat before watching Ghostbusters (yes, I've never seen it dear reader), which was rather good.

Sunday would have been an exploration further afield, but I was too lazy and sleep in (I'm going to play the 'I'm a student, what do you expect card', but that's rubbish). So instead we had a more relaxed day and went to Waitrose (ooh I say!) and saw the new ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ movie, which was very funny. Followed by an ice cream (ice cream number two on the count, and no Dad, I've not been in the sea yet), we headed back for Ghostbusters Two, which I realise is just as good as the first.