Dracula's Castle

Saw this story on the BBC web site

"One of Romania's most popular tourist attractions, Dracula's Castle, is to be returned to its ancestral owners 60 years after being seized by communists."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5016898.stm

When we were over in Romania last year, we spent a few nights in Braşov in Transylvania.

The crazy guy who ran the hostel with his wife insisted on driving us to Bran Castle before we'd even had a chance to unpack our bags. After a long and terrifying hungover journey with no seat belts and over-taking horses and carts at a scary speed, we reached Bran Castle.

Bran Castle


It was shut.

We drove back and went for a few beers and food in Braşov.

Braşov


Braşov Council Square (Piaţa Sfatului)

A Small World

Was out for a pint with Andy and Stefan yesterday up in the old Air Organic (think it's calld Bigslope now).

I was telling Stefan about Ibiza and it turns out he knows Rufus too...and is DJing at Rufus and Fiona's wedding.



I've see Stefan play at Bar 10 on many occasions and also at several parties, so it should be cool :)

Arockalypse

I caught a some of the Eurovision Song Contest and saw the Finnish entry Lordi. Apparently Finland's choice prompted some controversy due to their lyrics such as:

"wings on my back, I got horns on my head, my fangs are sharp and my eyes are red, not quite an angel or the one that fell, now choose to join us or go straight to hell,"

Haha.

My favourite lyrics are these ones:

"The walls come down like thunder, The rocks about to roll, It’s the Arockalypse, Now bare your soul"

Fantastic, the "Arockalypse". I hadn't laughed so much for ages.



Watch the video in a larger screen.

As I write this, they are leading though. I hope they win!!

Ibiza - May 06

View the photos

It was Rufus's stag do this weekend over in Ibiza. There were 11 of us that went over and I had a great time. Really enjoyed it. I'd met a few of his mates before, but not all of them, and they all turned out to be a great bunch.

Mark's flash movie has some good photos.

Oliver, Matt, Ultan
Liam, Watty, me, Ruf, Mark, Dugid

Daz no doubt at the bar ordering some gin and Dave is taking the photo.

On Friday night Mark had managed to blag us invites for the opening night at Es Paradis so we headed along to the club about 1am or so. I never thought I'd last, but after a few San Miguels and Jack Daniels I got my second wind and was soon busting some moves on the dance floor.

Umm, yeah, Mark giving Liam a lift home in a shopping trolley after Es Paradis


Saturday, woke up after about 4 hours sleep feeling a tad rough. A full English breakfast with tea (the Special) was required. We kicked about by the pool and then headed to the beach before watching the FA Cup final. It was a great game. I had been wanting to watch the Hearts v Gretna game but it seems that I didn't miss much.

After a few beers, we crashed out till midnight before heading to Ibiza Town to go to Pacha. Once I woke up, I really enjoyed Pacha. Some top tunes.

Pacha


It was all too much for Ultan


On the Sunday, chilled out (after the Special for breakfast) before heading along to Cafe del Mar to watch the sunset. It was actually the highlight of my holiday, sitting on the beach, cracking weather, ice cold beers, chill out tunes and good mates.

Sunset at Cafe del Mar


After watching the sunset, went for a nice meal before heading out for a few beers in the strip in San Antonio.

On Monday we chilled by the pool before heading back to Cafe del Mar for a beer and some food before flying back to not so sunny Glasvegas.

All in all, a top holiday. I'll look forward to next years one :-)

View the photos

Ice cold beers

Rufus, the stag, and I enjoying a final ice cold beer back at Cafe del mar.

Cafe del mar

Chilling at Cafe del mar, Ibiza.

Baby Grace

Malky's girlfriend Sarah Lee and baby Grace joined us for a drink at West Beer on Sunday afternoon.



Grace stuck to the milk whilst Dad enjoyed a rare pint of wheat beer.

Tontine Lane

We cut through Tontine Lane in the Merchant City on route from West Beer to the Vicky to check out the Empire and Mitre Bar signs that were moved from Brunswick Lane.



The old Mitre Bar neon sign.

Sunday

Sunday was a busy day, went to Glasgow Green to meet Graham and his son Dylan for the May Day rally. Unfortunately, the weather was pretty miserable, so the crowds hadn't turned out.

On the plus side, Chas n Dave were the headline act and played both 'Rabbit' and 'Snooker Loopy'. Memories to Dan playing 'Rabbit' back in the INRS days. Classic lyrics '...you've got more rabbit than Sainbury's, you're becoming a pest..'

Graham n Dave (or was it Chas?)


West Beer (again)


After Graham's girlfriend arrived and took Dylan home, Graham got his drinking head and it was off to the West Beer for a few pints. Malky, Alex, Andy and Alan turned up too, so it was a good laugh.

We had a few pints here, then Graham, Andy, Alex, Alan and I headed to the Victoria Bar to meet some of Graham's SSP comrades.

The sign promises but fails to deliver any 'fun' on way to the Viccy bar.


We did all find it highly amusing however.

The Vicky Bar


A couple of beers in the Vicky and it was time for home.

Andy's Paintings

Andy has completed some more paintings..

He's already sold this one


But these two are for sale. If you like them let me know as I get commission on any sales :)

Ben Lomond

Walked up Ben Lomond yesterday with Rufus, Mark and Paul. Ben Lomond is 974m or 3195ft high and the route up from the car park at Rowardennan is a 7 mile round trip, with 940m of climb.

View the photos

Rufus, Paul and Me


View to the summit


Top day out although it was slightly surreal. There was a string quartet who walked up with their instruments and then proceeded to play on the summit.


I also filmed the string quartet on my camera, video below.



Watch the video in a larger screen.