4650 - Sweet FA Cup

I've not done what I hoped, but still I've had
A good day, dominated by two things
The FA Cup Final, Man City thrashed
Watford six nil, quite rightly too, thrilling
Nice to see a final with goals going in
The other thing was the Eurovision
Song Contest from Tel Aviv, where I've been
Nice to see shots of the beach I've been on
The winner, don't know why, the Netherlands
I thought the best songs were by Norway and
Italy, Australia also. Britain
Came last, ridiculous, but not so stunned
We don't get that it's about glamour. Bad
Choice yet again! But still enjoyed the songs!

3920 - Sun 14 May 17

Woke up quite late, very dehydrated
Watched TV, chatted with Carla, and thought
I probably wouldn't achieve much, my head
Not at its clearest. Nevertheless, put
Ideas on paper for next Wednesday's spot
At the Whalley Range night I liked so much
Last time I did comedy there - a lot
Of fun, friendly people there, a nice touch
Of variety with the acts, not just
Comedy but song, dance, and all things weird
Also I finished my book that's about
Medieval siege warfare, covering such
A wide swathe of history - even read
Of how Jerusalem crusaders fought...

3903 - Israel Day 8

I'm sitting in Ben Gurion Airport lounge
Halfway through a four-hour wait for the plane
Set my alarm for 5a.m. to scrounge
A lift to Masada from a man, Dan
From Switzerland, though he lives in London
In his hired car he drove at speed toward
The hilltop fortress to be reached by dawn
Took pics, shot two videos - what a reward
For picking that hostel in Arad! Good
Wi-fi strength too. Since then, waited around
In Arad and in Be'ersheva stations
And now in the airport. I bought some food
And duty-free chocolates with my last mound
Of shekels, all spent, so no wastage - none!

Thur 27 April 17

3902 - Israel Day 7

Another busy day, last full day here
In Israel, starting in Jerusalem
Early morning trip to the Dome of  the
Rock, the famous mosque I just had to come
And see. Then buses galore, leaving from
Central Bus Station for Be'ersheva and
From there to Arad. Checked in, then I zoomed
By bus to Ein Bokek for Dead Sea sand
And salty water. I floated as planned
Even filming a video on water
Was worried that I was getting sun-burned
So left after an hour or so, returned
To the hostel. Some good chats and a beer
Up early tomorrow, so see you then!

Wed 26 April 17

3901 - Israel Day 6

Day in the city of Jerusalem
Multi-ethnic, religious, everything
Began with coffee and pastries, and then
A guided tour, descriptions interesting
Christian, Armenian, Jewish, Muslim things
Old walls, churches, synagogues and temples
Stood at the Wailing Wall, but not knowing
What to pray about. Later, climbed the Hill
(Mount) of Olives, proved to be time spent well
Then to Mount Zion, and King David's tomb
Surrounded by Orthodox Jews praying
Reading, singing, dancing. But not quite all
Still had to record a video again
Up on the hostel roof, the light fading...

Tue 25 April 17

3900 - Israel Day 5

An early rise. I shared a room with Grant
A friendly American film-maker
And keen photographer. Talked to him, and
Stephanie from Australia. We had a
Long chat, sat in the kitchen for 4 hours
In the fine Fauzi Azar Inn, it's in
Nazareth, the site of some holy powers
Displayed, the Annunciation for one
Visited the church today where 'twas done
And Nazareth Village, with actors who meant
To show the first century lifestyle to the
Tourists. Grant paid my fee - what a great man!
Caught the bus to Jerusalem, now I can't
Get wi-fi or make calls - what a shocker!

Mon 24 April 17

3899 - Israel Day 4

Oh so close to disaster this morning
Left Momo's, caught a bus to the station
As the security man checked my things
I realised I had left behind my phone
Got a bus back again, retrieved it! On
A bus once more, and still I caught the 9
a.m. departure, going to Nazareth
Where shops are shut on Sundays - it's Christian
Tradition here. Do Arabs observe both
Fridays and Sundays, are there two sabbaths?
Most Arab shops were shut too, so walking
Around the town today, wasn't heaving
With people. I'm sunburned, I've had enough
Heat! Bought a nice sandwich as I walked round

Sun 23 April 17

3898 - Israel Day 3

A tiring day. The heat is so hot that
Even an Israeli thinks it's too hot
The day was dominated by the task
Of shooting my song video. Did three strolls
In the end. One central one near the boats
Overlooking the beach. Was so nervous
Then walked for miles to find somewhere remote
Found a deserted hill which I felt was
OK to run through the song, but of course
I forgot one of the lines - what a prat!!!
But did it. It was better, still a lot
Of room for improvement. Sunbathed, then chose
The hostel balcony for Take 3, sat
On the floor, and once more, lyrics forgot!!!

Sat 22 April 17

3897 - Israel Day 2

Despite my late arrival, rose early
For my first full day here in Israel
Woke at 7 and tried the Israeli
Breakfast. Fried eggs were nice, but salad hell
First task, to get cheap clothes at the Carmel
Market, then explored the artisans' stalls
Went up Shalom Tower, the view was real
Cool. Then, Neve Tzedek, suburb where all
Began, up Eilat Street to Jaffa. Call
From the minaret heard. Now saw the sea
And the white beach close up. Walked for a mile
Back up  to Tel Aviv, a brief paddle
And a good sunbathe. I now feel sleepy
Might try to rest, rehearse my song. We'll see!

Fri 21 April 17

3896 - Israel Day 1

I made it despite the plane being late
To Momo's Hostel, Central Tel Aviv
Just made the train, then caught a bus, went straight
To the right place. Luck's in, and what's more, with
A song I hope to do in a cool vid
Music and comedy combined. I hope
I can get helpers tomorrow. They're hid
God knows where, maybe on the beachy slope
The bars will close tomorrow, so I'll hop
Across the street to tourist info, get
A map, tour the town while I can, amid
The warm sunny vibes, get lyrics for pop
Song, then do it. I could delay til Sat
Things have begun well here in Tel Aviv!

Thur 20 April 17

3895 - Wed 19 April 17

My last full day in the UK, because
Tomorrow I fly off to Israel
What an exciting location! To cross
For the first time into Asia, a real
Melange of history, politics - a thrill
This really is a trip with a difference
Even more so than when in Istanbul
The one thing I don't expect is romance
But anything else could happen, a chance
For some great memories and experiences
Will I be able to video? Time will tell
Could it be these videos will win me fans?
Maybe not yet, but I'll try to fulfil
The opportunity this trip could spell

3894 - Tue 18 April 17

Pub quiz tonight at the Railway Inn in
West Didsbury, a short tram ride away
Recent quizzes haven't seen much winning
Could  be my last night before I'm away
To Israel, and tomorrow's my last day
In the office. Today took  the long walk
To the barber's, haircut for holiday
Sunny but chilly, coat zipped as I stalked
Along, my uncut hair like a big cork
Sticking out too far, but, when returning
From the barber's, neater-looking, OK
But more boring than hoped for. Maybe chalk
Colours can liven it up, videoing
On my mind. Looking cool, necessity

3892 - Sun 16 April 17

Not done much today, was disappointed
No proper Easter films 'bout Jesus' life
What gives? With all the channels we are fed
There's nowt about the Saviour's toil and strife
It makes me very CROSS. I'm not the type
To get all religious, pray and whatnot
But Jesus' story, though it may be hype
Is still good for a watch if you  are not
Doing anything special. What a plot!
Went out for a walk, cos I was bor-ed
Bought two books for my trip, now can I read
The two I bought yesterday, before that?
No, don't think so. No time left, I'm afraid
Got an Arabic language book, I have

3891 - Sat 15 April 17

Oops, in yesterday's sonnet, talked about
Today's activity, in Liverpool
With Jo, on the train. Quite windy, not wet
Sunny at times. Albert Dock was too full
No tables available, had to pull
Out and head back to the main shops, to Cote
Brasserie - yes, there's one in Liverpool
Though no set menu, food still a delight
I had chicken, Jo had steak, which she liked
We walked to Mathew Street, a few minutes
Down in the new Cavern Club, which was cool
For Jo to see - well actually, quite hot!!
And that was that, soft lad! Yes that was that!
Won't see Jo til my return from Israel...

3890 - Fri 14 April 17

Somehow forgot to write this piece last night
I was obsessed with finishing a book
The Mammoth Book of Tasteless Jokes, a right
Rivettin' read, humour that can't be spoke
I did it, and today I bought new books
To take with me to Israel, both travel
Accounts, of Spain, and Nice, France, where I've looked
Already, or would like to. A young girl
From the UK's been stabbed, her blood was spilled
She's dead, aged 20, Jerusalem's blight
Has claimed a traveller, days before my booked
Flight to Ben Gurion Airport, Israel
Today went to Liverpool with Jo. Quite
Tired, but we enjoyed our food, and our walk

3889 - Thur 13 April 17

Approximately half a day's work done
Combined with obtaining my new passport
Had two nice walks round Liverpool. I've come
To the Passport Office. Mustn't get caught
Out at the fussy Israeli airport
With an almost expired passport, and stopped
From going any further. Also put
In a promotion application. Popped
It through the Jobs Portal, then could  have shopped
In Scouse City, but didn't. Did have fun
Taking a few pix, and one video shot
Outside the Catholic cathedral, topped
By its crown-like tower, lit by the sun
Will pop that on YouTube 'fore I forget!