Wednesday 9 December 2015

Van Morrison - Carring a Torch/Not Supposed to Break Down

OLD PA'S WEDNESDAY CLUB
THE READING 10



I had this Mate who I worked with and all he listen to was Johnny Cash (not a lot wrong with that, I may add) but I thought his musical repertoire need a little expanding. I introduced him to Jackson Browne, Dylan, Leonard Cohen,The Clash etc etc but what he was really taken with was Van Morrison.

It so happened the Van was playing quite near, at the Hexagon in Reading. Tickets were duly bought and the excitement was mounting.

A guy who lived in Reading suggested we do the Reading 10. I immediately thought we should run 10 kilometres before going to see Van. That did not seem quite right to me.

No, this was the real Reading 10. He gave us a list of 10 pubs between the Train Station and the Hexagon Theatre. We could have a pint in each and be well primed in preparation to see Van.

We took our time and it was all going well until the last pub which was Fullers and we had a pint of ESB (Extra Special Bitter).

When we arrived at the venue Roger was a bit worse for wear and was deteriorating fast. I thought we should go direct to our seats and let him recover. Not for Roger, he started raving and I took him to the toilet, where he fell in to the urinals,banged his hand badly and started vomiting.

I thought it best to get him out and try and walk it off. Eventually I found a Wimpy Bar and he proceeded to fall asleep.

I got a Taxi to the Station and managed to get him to bed at my place, not far from Hayes Station.

I had missed the concert, so I just went across the road and a couple of more pints for good measure and ordered a Chinese. Chicken and Cashew nuts with Plain Rice and 2 Spring Rolls.

I found out that Roger got up the next morning went to work for the early shift and was immediately taken to Hospital. He had broken his wrist.

Apparently Van was on top form and the reviews said it was one of his best concerts ever.

You owe me one Roger!
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VAN MORRISON - Not Supposed to Breakdown

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Van Morrison - Carring a Torch/Not Supposed to Break Down
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6 comments

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Anonymous
9 December 2015 at 07:41

10 pre-gig pints? Er, asking for trouble there, mate. I used to have a couple or three before shows myself but have found that it can then all become a bit of blur, so knocked it on the head.

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9 December 2015 at 07:58

SB - Lessons were learnt that day. Your a right of course. If I had 10 pints today and went to see Oasis they may as well be Blur.

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9 December 2015 at 07:59

SB - Lessons were learnt that day. Your a right of course. If I had 10 pints today and went to see Oasis they may as well be Blur.

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9 December 2015 at 13:26

10 pints before a gig? Blimey. I invariably drive to concerts, so a sparkling water or a cup of coffee is all I usually imbibe, which sounds quite mundane in comparison with your adventures in Reading with Roger.
Just lately you appear to be keeping the good ship Tune Doctor afloat single-handedly Old Pa, I hope all is well with the family.

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9 December 2015 at 14:17

TS - Well TS all the good Doctors have got family commitments new babys etc. etc. I have also been very busy and my Blogging has suffered.
But the good news is everybody is going to make a big effort in the new year.

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9 December 2015 at 14:21

The Reading 10, what a legend! Poor old Roger, I know what it's like to keep up with you. Needless to say I did it once and only once! Thanks to one of your old posts Ballerina, I'm now a Van fan.
Well spotted TS, it's been a busy year with kids and new jobs but we hope to be climbing back aboard shortly!

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