End of July 2015 – Newsletter

So hardly had I got started with the iAdrian project than we’ve had to shelve one of the prototypes and seriously look at the rest of the project going forward.

It’s all well and good starting something like this due to the huge demand of people wanting to come back as me, but when the hardware and the software don’t work hand in glove, we are headed for difficulties.

So we have been in the media spotlight over the last couple of weeks.

I have standards to uphold and when the prototype goes off piste so dramatically, I am seriously thinking about cancelling the whole thing.

I suppose it is really down to the fundamental lack of understanding about how I behave. There is always going to be a black sheep, a bad apple, but at least let’s try and avoid that if at all possible.

So in order to set the record straight I should say that future prototypes will have to look seriously at their conduct and we are going tweak the i8 (all the pies and) chip, or replace it with the new German i9 version.

Artificial intelligence is all well and good, but there has to be a degree of intelligence, self-regulation and self-awareness. A certain standard should be set, and I have set these standards.

So it is not kooool (you can tell I’ve been in Paris!), to think you can replace red Lycra with an orange bra and leather jacket, you are not trying to dress like Wonder Woman!

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower

It is also not cool and more of a cliché to spill your ‘Sherbet Dib-Dab’ on a young ladies chest. As for paying for things, cheques are soooo passé and contactless payment seemed entirely inappropriate for this kind of transaction, so dear Lord for heaven’s sake pay with cash, it’s what rolled up notes are for!

I do not condone any of this behaviour and all future models of iAdrian will be fitted with a remote cut off switch, whereby any behaviour which I do not deem commensurate with the image of the brand will result in the immediate suspension of the account and prototype, any subsequent transgression; in termination.

At that point I will take your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle!

The whole premise of the iAdrian project was to produce a ‘Replicant’ of me that was more Harrison Ford, and less Mr Bean.

It will be fitted with a gyroscopic sensor that determines the nature of the Replicant’s movement and a failsafe device that will ensure that the iAdrian does not fail at any crucial point, also a proximity sensor to make sure no-one else is around to avoid embarrassment when anything does break!

Paris

Once again I have been travelling….

Chez Moi?

Chez Moi?

Yesterday I was sipping Pastis in Montmatre after a fact finding tour to see if I could add a Jazz appreciation app as part of the package.

If you appreciate jazz, this link is my friend Pat’s sister. Lovely girl, incredible voice, super talented, Sara will go far. Maybe with a little help from our friends!

https://soundcloud.com/sara-dowling/sets/from-shadows-into-light-album-sampler/s-pQZeC

and wine tasting?

and wine tasting?

So I wandered the streets of Paris in the small hours wearing my special beret, glass of absinthe in hand, following a little green faerie. On and on I walked, down narrow side streets until through the gloom I noticed a lantern above a door, a man with eyes like Marty Feldman stepped out of the shadows.

“Niccccceeee to see you both”, he said, and he ushered me into the labyrinth.

Down and down I descended into these caves beneath the Seine following this strange music, hypnotised, or just led by a bottle when suddenly I entered a dimly lit room, full of strange characters, a couple were dancing and a band were playing in a corner. This strange music called Jazz was trying to seduce me, was I undergoing some kind Daliesque transformation, the couple dancing were cutting some strange shapes, and I realised, I really had drunk too much absinthe.

They were Smokin' as you can see by the proximity of the fire extinguisher to the drummer

They were Smokin’ as you can see by the proximity of the fire extinguisher to the drummer.

Slowly I floated to the surface to find myself lying on the beach at the side of the Seine, but what I realised was that it wasn’t all a surrealistic dream, or was it?

Had I now entered some sort of nightmare world? Is this how the French make a silk purse out of a Sow’s Ear, or at least the rest of the frog when you’ve taken his legs?

Frog minus Legs.

Frog minus Legs.

Despite the debacle over the iAdrian, I have begun to realise that I have become bestowed with super-powers. Beyond not suffering from hangovers, I am now able to walk through steel and glass.

I admit this has had less than 100% success rate. It has resulted in what some people have seen as bizarre and amusing incidents as I hone my powers, but I am starting to understand my limits and test them.

I have been most successful on the newest of tube trains, where I appear to be able to walk the entire length of the train unimpeded; also with doors when they are already open.

I still struggle with the older model of tube and closed doors which does result in me constantly banging my face against the glass like a persistent zombie, but I will succeed, and I have found that pushing, pulling, or even turning the handle on the door will allow me access through to Narnia.

Goodness the absinthe really has stayed with me this time!

Some of you have been asking me why I am not already in Ibiza. I am!

I sent out an updated prototype. We are still working on it, but one night at Amnesia and its memory was wiped… This aside the images being sent back show that it is having fun, in fact so much fun that I may have to go out and make some adjustments, this is likely to become a regular occurrence.

On or two people are a little worried that their faux pas will make it onto these pages, but I promise to keep your identity secret until, well what can I say, until you become famous?

I shall leave with some images of Paris at sunset. It took me a while, but eventually I was able to Photoshop out most of the graffiti!

New stock is already with us, plus a top-up of some summer fun. Photos will follow.

Ten reasons to visit Paris:

1: Jazz?

2: Absinthe

3: Caves

4: Inseinity

5: ……..

La Conciergerie

La Conciergerie

La Seine

La Seine

 

 

Copyright © 2015 Adrian Holdsworth. All Rights Reserved.

VOLPE – Summer Sale

Before entering

Please read the small print.

This the world famous V O L P E small print NOT

CLOSING DOWN 

S A L E

Often you may feel misled,

But you really do have to read the small print.

It is not in my nature to mislead, so

you have been warned.

Things are not always as they seem.

As always we will continue to apply our

NO HAGGLING Policy

I wish you happy shopping, but remember

when you cross the threshold

Your soul is mine.

The Devil is in the Detail, or sat behind the desk at the back, depending on your perspective.

ALWAYS READ THE SMALL PRINT

ACCORDING TO OUR EMI, THE VOLPE  COOKIE POLICY, IS TO EAT THEM!

 

 

Copyright © 2015 Adrian Holdsworth. All Rights Reserved.

Wine Tasting Date and June Newsletter 2015

Rather than send you 2 emails; you know, what with the cost of postage these days, I have combined the Newsletter with information regarding the next Wine Tasting.

Firstly, an update on the launch of my new product: the revolutionary i-Adrian. Due to an unprecedented demand for this product, the queue of people wanting to come back as me is stretching round the block. Subsequently, it means the launch of i-Adrian will be delayed until I have completely tested and exhausted the prototype. It, and I, may be a while!

STOP PRESS… Shock horror, designer posts a disrobed photo on Instagram! No, no, no, not me…

As I regarded the photo for research purposes: PAH! Disrobed my derriere, all it is, is bit of thigh and a varicose vein, isn’t it? I show more than that at work. At least you can console yourselves that it wasn’t me and it didn’t involve Lycra, yet this has spawned another idea!

Carve yourself a slice, Danish!

I nominate Karl Lagerfeld and Mugatu to post similar images.

The Boss with his feet up?

The Boss with his feet up?

So our next wine tasting will be on Bastille Day…. The 14th of July.

However, “Up yours Delors” or a more topically, “We’re not bourgeois, Francois”, we’ve done French wine for the moment and before you get up on your high horse with the help of that little Napolionic stepladder, hitch up your skirts and flounce off into the distance.  That was a joke courtesy of “Le Roast Beef”! Make mine medium rare….

I had been contemplating Greek wines, but Vash told me that the shoebox full of Drachma I’d saved would only get me a glass of Retsina and when I’m thirsty you know that won’t go very far. However a certain Mark and I have clubbed together (not the Ibiza version) and found we have enough Drachma to buy the rest of the Parthenon. He’s looking at the option of putting in a helipad, an artificial snow maker and ski lifts!

The evening will be hosted by Vash, one of my closest friends; he who runs the Cork and Bottle Wine Bar in Leicester Square. Shouldn’t we all have a close friend who runs a Wine Bar? I can hear one or two of you saying, “only you”. This is something we are updating with the new i-Adrian, there will be an app and a wristband to manage and maximise your intake of alcohol!

So for the wine evening we are off to the New World and I’m building an ark as well as a small bridge.

Please let me know if you’d like to come, and I will forward you the details.

Our next wine tasting?

Our next wine tasting?

Right, let’s get down to the newsletter and all the shenanigans that I may have been up to over the last month.

I went to a “Gelato Festival” in Spit all Fields on Sunday. Goodness, they really were that close together. Call me a snob, but to queue for a thimble-full of ice cream you must be mad; I could have made my own in the time it was taking to queue!

This was followed by my first attempt at Ten Pin Bowling. Now, I’d never played before and I may have had a solitary beer, but once I had dragged myself out of the gutter, Wolfgang our barman asked me how long I’d been playing, as I made strike after strike.

I’m now signed up for the equivalent of the Manchester City of Ten Pin Bowling, based in Brick Lane and playing for beer… Oh well, shame it couldn’t be for Petrus.

Travel moi?

Don’t mind if I do.

I ventured back to Ibiza for a birthday; a young lady, Tania, was turning 30 (ahem) and a group of fourteen of us headed to the island. It was a truly amazing weekend for everyone, people who just gelled.

Predator

Predator

And of course a panorama.

Boat Panorama

Sunday (the Birthday), was spent cruising between Ibiza and Formentera on a large Sunseeker, lunch at Beso Beach and then on to walk the sandy strip between Formentera and S’Espalmador. It was followed by drinks at Es Vive and then on to La Bodega in Ibiza Town for dinner.

Beso Boat

Beso Boat

Beso Beach

Beso Beach

So what is anyone esle having?

So what is anyone esle having?

Birthday Girl

Birthday Girl

Girls having fun?

Girls having fun?

Unsynchronised Swimming Squad

Unsynchronised Swimming Squad

Those who could dance then did VIP at Pacha with David Guetta, the next day was Hed Kandi at Ocean Beach and it was topped off with a day at the beach on Tuesday.

Birthday Girl Again

Birthday Girl Again

It sounds extravagant, it wasn’t, and shared between so many lovely people it was an absolute joy. And because we didn’t go to Amnesia, unforgettable!

The Ladies of the Rings

The Ladies of the Rings

The things I do?

The things I do?

The things I have to suffer!

The things I have to suffer!

I should have sent postcards to all, but the only person I know who still does this is my mother, and before you get any ideas, she doesn’t send the saucy ones!

I hadn’t been able to raise mum (mother) on the home phone, and she has a mobile which she never switches on. I spoke to my brother, who was unsure of her whereabouts when, lo and behold, a postcard arrives entitled “Beautiful Ullswater”.

My mother is shortly to celebrate her 87th birthday, so clearly she had me very, very, very late in life, and still displays the wanderlust that both she and Kathleen grew up with.

She’d been up to see a red squirrel colony, clearly in order to exact revenge for the great squirrel attack of 2013, which left her with a broken wrist! You’ll just have to look up the reference to this.

Then on to walk a goat path, I quote, “I did a mountain goat trip up to Ashness Bridge + passed the Lodore Falls + over Honister Pass + up to the ancient stones on foot.” I passed Ian McKellan and a hobbit on their way down and glittering in a gully I saw a ring…

OK, I made the last bit up, but for an 86 year old with Macular Degeneration she’s doing pretty well. I keep expecting her to do the Donald Pleasance thing from The Great Escape and leave pins on the kitchen floor to impress me with, or in my case step on!

The Falls of Lodore

The Falls of Lodore

Congratulations are in order for Shirley at Colbert, who is expecting her second baby shortly; clearly Jason has been working his magic again. As he would say as he sits perched on a banquet at The Wolseley, “This is where the magic happens!” He is certainly perspicacious in his dealings. Do you remember “The Good Old Days”?

After the magnificent weather of the last few days spare a thought for Adam and friends, who are cycling from Caen in France to the Med, it has been over 40C everyday so far. The lengths people will go to for a wash in clean water!

He is undertaking this feat for Charity and I would have liked to have gone along, but it meant being away for 10 days at a busy time of year. I may attempt to do it next year. Adam has been suggesting that I should be the front half of a tandem. As this is the man who was testing a Velcro jumpsuit for marathons to attach himself to a speeding Kenyan, I suspect I know how this is going to end!

I asked for an action shot, but all he sent me were these.

Good luck Adam.

Superman's Watch

Superman’s Watch

Superman wrapped up against the cold!

Superman wrapped up against the cold!

I will finish with a tinge of sadness. After what has been a very long battle, my good friend Tanya Vilmashkin gave up her difficult and painful fight against breast cancer.

She died at home in Australia with her family at her side. She left behind her many friends here in London. She had hoped to live to see the birthday of her best friend Tania; sadly she died the day before.

I struggled to find a picture of Tanya as they all had her friends in them, but not one had all of them in, so in the end I went for this one, as I’m sure this is how she might like to be remembered to everyone.

The plan was for a group of us to enjoy a holiday together in Ibiza. We were 14 in total, 15 with Tanya, and as I outlined earlier in the newsletter it turned out to be a truly unforgettable weekend. Tanya was definitely along in spirit, we will all miss her.

Tanya Vilmashkin

Tanya Vilmashkin

 

Copyright © 2015 Adrian Holdsworth. All Rights Reserved.

Sad News

I was saddened by the news that Christopher Lee had died.

I have worked in the retail industry a very long time. In fact I started aged 15 at Butlins in Minehead where I grew up selling “Kiss me Quick” hats and printed t-shirts. It may appear that things haven’t moved on that much.

Later I joined a retail management training scheme at Harrods, and Christopher Lee, was the second celebrity I met, the first was Egon Ronay, both opposite ends of life’s rich tapestry in many respects.

I literally bumped into Christopher Lee on my way back from lunch one day.

Rushing upstairs to get back to my department I was head down, on a mission and not looking where I was going, when I caught him in the midriff with my head. I looked up apologetically only to see Dracula looking down on me. Imagine my terror, was I really that late back from lunch, would the mere contact with him make me one of the undead?

Having grown up with him as the Count, I must have looked terrified, I was mortified, and apologised profusely. He looked down at me and said “Are you hurt? There really is no terrible need to rush, it doesn’t save anything.” Even today I remember the calming tone, and the softness in his voice, I still hear that every time I hear him speak, and yet I scurried off still apologising.

By all rights I should be lying by a pool in Grasse this weekend with a Michelin starred chef preparing my every meal, quaffing a delightfully chilled rose from Bandol. A very big thank you for the offer btw (by the way).LOL!!!!!

However after being away the last couple of weekends and back to Ibiza next for a big birthday bash, there are people who are starting to ridicule me for my apparent ‘jetset’ lifestyle. Sadly I had to kick this trip into the long grass.

I was mocked in the gym this morning by a friend who suggested that I must be claiming benefits, because I clearly don’t work. Ouch!

Now there’s a thought!

He did admit that if he was re-incarnated, he would like to come back as me, too late my friend, I’ve grabbed that slot!

Look, would you rather read the ramblings of a couch potato?

Following the Fifi fiasco, and the scandal surrounding the voting and bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup, the former of which Wikipedia describes as follows:

“The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be the 21st FIFA World Cup an international men’s football tournament, that is currently scheduled to take place between 14 June and 15 July 2018 in Russia”.

Currently scheduled?

So we left it to the Italians to get the better of Vladimir Putin, I love this photo courtesy of Corriere della Sera.

I think Vlad the Impaler may have now “dealt” with guy in the background who is clearly laughing at his expense, but too late the photo is already out there.

And Renzi is only safe because Italy buys so much of Russia’s oil and gas.

Putin

 Copyright © 2015 Adrian Holdsworth. All Rights Reserved.

End of May Newsletter – Part 2

As the sun is finally here we can now all look forward to putting on that new summer wardrobe, what you mean you haven’t bothered, well we have the new Emperor’s New Clothes collection available. It is fashion darhlinks!

I am back, after running here, running there, it’s been fun.  Saturday night as you know I headed for Ibiza and then came back Sunday night to spend the Monday in London with a great friend, before returning to Ibiza for a little Vitamin D.

Breakfast this morning at The Wolseley, really? Jason made a rare visit down from his tower above the restaurant, greeting us with a warm hand and a warm heart, it has been too long and that empty space on your bathroom wall is now filled.

I was with a new companion, a friend of Jason, Marie and myself, we found ourselves discussing the topic of Vitamin D. By all accounts it is what we have all been missing and GP’s are texting their patients telling them to get out in the midday sun, shed as much clothing as possible clothing as possible and exposing themselves to the sun’s rays.

No second invitation needed there then, back in a mo!

I brought the sun back from Ibiza with me?

And no sooner will I mention that, than the heavens will open, and a deluge of biblical proportions will arrive such is my ability to jinx things.

Early morning Tuesday I ran to the deserted beach at S’estanyol from Ibiza, stripped off my running gear and swam in the cool waters for a while before getting dressed and running back. This is the Ibiza I know and love.

S'estanyol

S’estanyol

So it is with a note of sadness that I will warn you that it has changed and much as I still love the island things are different, a friend was the victim of an attempted robbery in a club, and two others were mugged in Ibiza town, if you are going please be aware that this can happen even there.

Leaving your bag unattended on a beach was always a bit of a gamble. So the other morning leaving my running outfit at the beach whilst I swam in the cool water was a calculated risk. Would someone dare to steal my things and run the risk of being chased by a mad Englishman, wearing what would appear to be a flesh coloured, Lycra  full bodysuit!!!!

Mateo, you’ve been in a similar situation, haven’t you?

Talking of jinxing things, I hold up as an example: Ponte dell’Accedemia in Venice. No sooner had I handcuffed myself to it in a futile gesture to show my undying love for Fifa, sorry Fifi that it required urgent work to strengthen it. The huge number of people crossing this bridge plus the padlocks that adorn its railings bearing the initials of lovers who have pledged their troth to the person opposite them, before hurling the keys into the lagoon, have finally taken their toll.

This work will be sponsored by Luxottica, who will be producing a range of bridge shaped sunglasses to mark the occasion. OK, I made that bit up, and OK, also the bit about my undying love for Fifi, it was always Trixibelle.

But really, my heart belongs to me and only me, I am the man in the mirror.

View from a bridge

View from a bridge

Well Fifa, hmm.

One of the internet clips that still makes me laugh out loud if the one of Sepp Blatter falling off stage whilst shaking hands at the conclusion of yet another deal. Let’s shake on it, and ooops!

Perhaps this time he may fall a little further, but the fall will be softened by a large number of scrunched up $100 bills.

Chuck may well have seen off any chance I may have of selling another blazer this season.

The Pope, will be blissfully unaware of any of this, he hasn’t watched television since 1990.

So unless he’s got sepia Sepp on speed dial on his “Popemobile”, he’s been unable to get the scores of the Argentinian football league. I think that’s taking avoiding the results of a game a little too far, take note of that Jake.

By all accounts he gets the results via his Swiss Guard, who produce him a series of elaborate tables and charts of the season’s progress, the Pope plays Fantasy Football?

I know the answer to this before I start, but what if the Swiss Guard had a sense of humour? I said I know the answer to that one, but let’s fantasise a little.

Imagine they are feeding the Pope all the wrong results, he’s sat at dinner, head in hands the Swiss Guard stood around giggling because they’ve told him that his favourite team the ‘Saints of San Lorenzo’ have been beaten at  0-5 home by the newly promoted ‘Nuns of Santa Lucia’!

Ring any bells Jake?

Then the joke rumbles on. There is the rumour the Johnny Depp may yet still go to jail over the smuggling of Pistol and Boo, like the Swiss it appears that the Australians have misplaced their sense of humour.

For the Aussies, there is a glimmer of hope, bosses are drawing up lists of suitable clothing for work, you know where this is going…… No onsies, no Ugg boots and no thongs. This is my uniform when I’m not wearing Lycra, until I was told it was impossible to wear Ugg boots and thongs at the same time!

Onesie

Onesie

Then at the other end of the scale, Jacob Zuma has a swimming pool at his house paid for from the public purse as it is a source of water for fighting a fire at his palatial house, should lightening ever strike!

Perhaps I could claim that Ronaldo my waxing aficionado is required expense because he makes me run and cycle faster.

Not all great leaders are that lucky and I include myself in that, because we are all diminutive. Spare a thought for poor Francois Hollande. Not only does he look like he’s about to be shot out of a cannon by his latest conquest every time he steps onto his moped, but his bodyguards don’t appear to be Bond. By all accounts, one is an alcoholic, another has psychological problems and a third discharged his weapon in the toilets at the Elysee Palace. Ooh ‘er missus, moi a double entendre?

Anyway they don’t to the go to the shooting range, clearly because they can’t keep their powder dry, and they don’t like working for a female boss, so not adhering to any stereotypes then!

Just to finish off this newsletter, what happens if someone goes into MacDonald’s and asks for a Fleetwood.

 

Copyright © 2015 Adrian Holdsworth. All Rights Reserved.

 

End of May Newsletter 2015

Before Sam complains, I am trying to get it out on time, but I am doing almost as much travelling as he is this weekend.

Saturday night Ibiza, Sunday night back to London for lunch with a friend on Monday, Monday night back to Ibiza, Wednesday afternoon back to London….. And so on!

I know I can hear you saying, blah, blah, blah, blah.

And no, I’m not cycling it for Charity, but I may indulge in a little Lycra wearing, then there is the glo-stick waving and just because I can.

I always try and write this on the plane, but it depends whether either the inspiration or the alcohol is in the blood.

Cue photo taken out of the window of a plane.

Sky

Sky

Previously I have blamed the little green fairy (absinthe), even Vash (a little red number, yes, you’ve see me in a little red number), but this time it was Neil, Eugene, Wim, Magnus, Benji and a Mezcal worm!

In no particular order, as I don’t want you boys fighting over billing again.

Apparently Neil and Wim had lost 5 hours this afternoon to the delights of Mezcal and have been desperately searching the memory banks for clues.

Ibiza now boasts a Mezcalleria, where all life’s troubles can be forgotten and gone forever, and the grub in the bottle bears a striking resemblance to Jabba the Hut.

The early bird catches the worm!

The early bird catches the worm!

No wonder, Ed (Moribund), Dave (our glistening, illustrious leader) and Grant (holiday schnapps) will be down here this year.

Neil is in possession of a brand new, hand built, carbon fibre S-works bicycle, I was there to deliver the pedals. Pedalling, pedals so to speak.

Surprise, surprise it is matt black, with matt black accessories. Luckily for him, he won’t need to go on the road as he can coast the pavements all the way home without fear of his stealth bike being hit by a car, and if anyone does get remotely close, in the dark he will flash his golden tooth as a sign of danger.

Eugene was thinking about changing the colour of his Range Rover from Matt Olive Green to a Kaleidoscope effect with rotating number plate to confuse the local constabulary.

Magnus who is new to the newsletter adds a slightly different dimension he’s very spiritual, like Neil used to be in the old days, before pigeon rage!

Magnus is discovering an entirely new side to the island. Tomorrow night he is going to an ‘extended’ Gong Session. I can’t wait to find out what that is, even finding out what a ‘standard’ Gong Session is, will do me!

He is also into a new type of shamanism, it blends shamanic beliefs with self-defence and its exponents are known as Shammandos! I’m not making this up…

The port and marina, has had a bit of a facelift, spruced up with palms.

Perseus was worried that his first visit to the island would be marred by the constant road works outside the house where he is staying, breath darling, breath I can inform you that the work is now finished.

However the new design includes several interesting trip hazards, raised lights in the pavement and even the pedestrian crossings which have no markings, but raised edges to hurl anyone who is not a fully functioning human being in front of a speeding vehicle.

None of them appear to conform to any Health and Safety standards I have heard of.

I have seen several “sober” people come a cropper on these design innovations in the time it took me to walk the length of the marina, so heaven knows what will happen once Mezcal and special K are working their magic.

Anyway that’s all for today, more soon, but must fly, no literally must fly I have a plane to catch.

Copyright © 2015 Adrian Holdsworth. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pistol and Boo – Safe?

Dear, Dear Johnny and Dear, Dear Larry,

It’s a slightly old story, but it seems that ‘Boat People’ are not the only immigrants to fall foul of Australia’s anti-immigration stance.

Whether you arrive on a boat or private jet it appears no matter who you are, you may not be welcome if your paperwork is not in order. However if you are the rather cute Yorkshire Terriers belonging to Johnny Depp and Amber Heard the fate could be a lot worse.

So Johnny was there filming yet another Privates of the Caribbean extravaganza, this time aptly called Dead Dogs Tell No Tales.

I don’t how he could stop such small creatures climbing aboard a private jet, dogging security, hiding under the seats before arriving undetected in the land of Oz. You can’t blame dear, dear Johnny for that.

They they bypassed passport control and security, and headed off to a grooming salon, in Brisbane? Is that some kind of joke? Surely someone must have noticed these little chaps with their diamante collars skipping off across the tarmac to freedom, a spruce up and a blow dry!

Little did they know that Barnaby Joyce was on their case, he’d catch the slippery little suckers, incarcerate them and euthanize (KILL) them if they didn’t high tail it out of there by Saturday night.

Luckily the story has ended well for Pistol and Boo, by strange fortune they managed to escape from gaol, dash to the airport, and with moments to spare clamber aboard the last flight to LA by climbing up the retracting wheels as the plane left the tarmac.

Phew!

However if you are an extremely tired, migrating bird and are desperate for landfall, your tired wings unable to bear you any further, be warned if you are going to touch down in Oz.

Make sure your biosecurity passport is in order, your feathers freshly preened and please try to avoid the anti-aircraft batteries now being set up along the coastline by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Pistol and Boo

Pistol and Boo

Of course there was plenty right and plenty wrong with this, but it did give me something to write about in the middle of the month!

Copyright © 2015 Adrian Holdsworth. All Rights Reserved.

Made to Measure

Apparently some of you would like to be reminded that we make garments to measure….

And a bit of eye candy, no, no, no, not Emi, it’s all about me, me, me!

Volpe Night Out

Volpe Night Out

I mean around all my travelling, ducking and diving, you want me to work as well. I’ll have you know I didn’t get into this to have a job it’s more of a role according to Boris, and only a couple of hours a fortnight at that.

A few days in Ibiza here, a weekend in Rome there, it’s as if you are trying to cramp my style!

Anyway, talking of style here are some photos of some outfits that I have put together, in order that you might have some idea of what I will mainly be wearing this summer.

Brown Check

These photos have already made an appearance on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for those of you who stalk me in such places.

We finally have a full range of summer fabrics for suits, jackets, shirts and beach towels. As it’s not warm enough for beach towels I’ll post those later. I know I’ll only get a slew of “out of office” from those of you who spend more time reclining on a beach than I do.

Blue Check

I’ll keep you abreast of my exploits and travels at another point as we are only a few days in, and don’t worry I’m storing it up.

Goodness, if I have to put up with Neil and Eugene fighting who has the greater column inches each time I write  one of these things. Luckily neither on them would be seen dead in any of the things I am posting here!

Blue Jersey

And so you know it’s not just about jackets, because dahlinks they are so on trend! Heavens I must leave the little green fairee alone!

Look I’m only trying to sound down, and trendy with the kids, and their social media.

Blue Check Suit

 

I wouldn’t want you to think that we’d forgotten about the suits…. the one above is particularly natty.

Finally here is a photo to show that I can sew. I know you only have my word for that, but I can and have in the past.

Buttonhole by Hand

Me and the elves are capable of anything, suits, jackets, trousers, shirts, ties, socks, underwear, coats and anything else including beach towels, just ask!

I will defer to Bill Murray to finish, more or less.

When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. But standing here among the people of Pimlico and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn’t imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter.

 

April Newsletter 2015

‘Written at The Cork and Bottle’. Why? Because I can, or should I say was able to, at least to begin with.

It started in my toes.

The tingling.

I thought it was the dregs of the jet lag, perhaps DC (our glorious leader) waving his wand over our illustrious London Mayor, or maybe I’d been sitting cross-legged too long.

Had the gout returned? Was Monica Bellucci thinking of me? Was lilac the new black? Was I playing spin the bottle? Were the heels cutting off my circulation?

I mean, I can understand that. I passed Izzie Eddard in full drag in the street last week and my senses are yet to recover! He was in drag, not me. Wait, come to think of it; I was post gym and may have slipped into a little Lycra.

No I won’t post a photo

Anyway, whatever it was, it was making my toes tingle, and yes; roll over Sarah your expertise with toes may have worked on others, but this little piggy’s been to the market and back again.

Then I realised, it was the sand I could feel between my toes…..

Ibiza was beckoning me. The beacon that is Es Vedra was calling me.

I felt Neil’s need, a primordial vibration: was Eugene invoking the puppies? Was, Wes not Was.

Somebody walk the dinosaur and then out come the freaks!

Right, that’s it! I’m no longer throwing away such brilliant jokes. As if I continue to humiliate myself for the good of 113 nations, always prising a tiny piece off myself into my prose.

It’s like Dear Silvio giving up a hair follicle.

Es Vedra

Es Vedra

A couple of weeks ago I went to see “Fashion Victim” the Musical starring, in no small part, Nancy dell’Olio. I had almost, I say almost, forgotten about Nancy of the Oil, and then I was reminded of Sven and then Ulrikaka, those memories came flooding back. It was one of those things that was so bad it was almost good, as I say, almost; high camp indeed!

I’m going to have to step up my regimen if I’m going to remain that well preserved.

Keeping it on a football related theme, I spent a Sunday afternoon at the Emirates watching Arsenal and Chelsea fight it out. I took a friend Sam, who is an ardent Chelsea fan. I have never known them to be so quiet, admittedly there was a momentary lapse and a bit of a girlie squeal when Courtois (the Chelsea goalkeeper) lost control of the ball outside the area, but silence was resumed once they’d put their finger back to their mouth. By full time the finger was bleeding.

What Emi rates?

Emi rates

The political potato is hotting up. In the interests of fairness I will give of the leaders a similar amount of space. Which is not a great deal.

Dave is telling us we will never pay tax again, on anything, that we will all own our own homes and pass the debt onto our great, great, great grandchildren, that a referendum will be held on a reformed European Union by 2017. I can only assume that Dave will trawl out that fact later, that if the reformation of the EU doesn’t take place, neither will the referendum! Slippery when wet!

I want to like Ed Miliband, but then he involved Russell Brand in all this, and frankly he’s a nutter. Then I think about Ed and zzzzzzzz. Wake me up in a line or so.

Nick Clegg is the reason why we have bottoms shaped as we do. He sits astride the fence as if it were made for him. Grimly hanging to one of his shoes is NF, pint in the other hand, fag in his pursed lips. From the other shoe is a weird cross between the Donkey in Shrek and Wee Jimmy Krankie, I think that’ll be Nicola Sturgeon.

So in essence those are our choices. Perhaps I should go and live in a country with a more stable political structure, like Italy or Greece!

On the politics of subjects, I went to experience an interactive Alice in Wonderland extravaganza in the vaults at Waterloo. It was great fun. I was the five of diamonds which apparently in playing card terms means I have to accept reality, like that is so accurate, and so pertinent to Alice in Wonderland.

I chose EAT ME (yes, I am feeling OK), which given my diminutive stature was not necessarily a good idea, however shrink I did momentarily. I then found myself in a tin in the kitchen where they were making the tarts for the Queen of Hearts.

I could see the kitchen was not a happy  place, but they placed some ‘erbs around my neck, after a sardonic stare from Marco Pierre-Blanc and a jab with a pitch fork from Tom Baking-Tin, I legged it.

5 of Diamonds

5 of Diamonds

At least now I have arrived on the island. Who knows how. One moment I was at a wedding at Claridges, and I must say many congratulations and thank you to Daniel and Simon for a spectacular evening.

Team Volpe

……..and then as if no time had passed I awoke on a cliff overlooking Es Vedra, like one of those dreams or nightmares that you are never sure which is which. Time travel or too much champagne?

So from Team Volpe to Team Ibiza. Sunday was the opening at Amante Beach Club, I was reunited with Neil, Eugene, Peter, Isaac, Vin and about 2000 other people.

It’s funny how midnight turns into 4.30am, time travel indeed!

Opening at Amante, green eyes and no absinthe.


The moon rising over Eugene.

As the clock struck 5am, Medusa was waiting at the exit turning partied up people to stone.


So before any of you accuse me of doing no work, I am writing this which is at least something!

I will leave you to savour a panorama of Salinas yesterday.

Copyright © 2015 Adrian Holdsworth. All Rights Reserved.

Easter Newsletter 2015

We’ve been trying to keep you entertained with new stock, however sometimes nothing beats the musings and rantings that assault you on a regular basis.

So I’d hope I’d get this out before you went home, but I appear to have been paralysed by jet lag, and sleep deprivation.

That will teach me to spend the weekend in the company of Adam in the Big Apple. Now I know we’re small, but we’re not that small, we weren’t running round around the inside of a new iPhone 6 plus!

The bottle did say drink me, so we did, and another, and another and….. you get the drift.

It was New York, for heaven’s sake.

On the Way Out

On the Way Out

And as always no sooner do I mention the inclement weather, but the sun comes out and all of a sudden shorts and Birkenstocks are then ‘de rigueur’.

However if you are the slightest bit ‘Metrosexual’ it will be ankle length trousers and driving shoes exposing a shapely, porcelain white ankle.

That hipster beard is starting to itch like a camel’s naughty bits and having left the toes unkempt over the winter means the hair on them is now long enough to be plaited and beaded.

At least Perseus is getting his hair done.

Persus

Perseus

STOP PRESS……..

You are reading this and now you’re 38 seconds in, Stevie G hasn’t heard the whistle to start the second half and he continues the long established half-time tradition of the stomping of the divot.

Well, that would have been my excuse, how was I to know that some unsuspecting player from the opposition would have the temerity to try and stomp on the divot that I had run half way across the pitch to lay waste to?

I had a friend who had brought his family all the way from Canada for that game. He will now be fielding questions on his local, Liverpool Supporter’s radio station in Toronto, mild mannered public servant by day, mad, scouse supporting Canadian by night.

It’s not as though public officials in Toronto are prone to heavy partying or smoking crack!

Raheem Sterling is holding out for danger money, seemingly unaware that Stevie G is on his way at the end of the season so the training pitch will be that wee bit safer.

Chelsea are walking away with the Premiership and Jose is celebrating quietly because he is not in the slightest bit emotional. There are one or two that I know who will think I’ve now jinxed it.

Now we’ve got the football out of the way early, here’s something for Mrs. Slowcombe, and those amongst you who like cats. For all those cat lovers amongst you, apparently it’s cute?

Sleepy?

Aaaawwwww!

And then of course one for the ladies…

Flat Iron

Flat Iron

I love the way it scrolls into view.

Well, anyway back to politics.

Our illustrious leader is stood steadfastly with his arms folded across his chest, and with regard to the televised debate, Computer says, “Non”. Then along comes Ed MP for Morlays and Woodout (Titter ye not at the back), and somehow tricks Gideon into shaking hands, the game of Tag begins.

All I can think is thank goodness it’s not Kiss Chase, and Musical Chairs won’t work as too many MPs are giving up their seats at this election. There’s a joke in there somewhere, but given the current climate we won’t draw it to your attention.

To escape the madness I ventured to Fuerteventura in search of sunshine to put my seat on a deckchair.

How I love a good panorama.

Cofete

Cofete

I know it may start to look like a holiday brochure, but here are some more photos from the moon-like landscape of Fuerteventura or is it Tatooine?

Dark Side of the Moon Lunar Landscape Tatooine 2

TatooineIf you look closely, you can see Hans Solo walking away from a slightly damaged, yet salvageable Millennium Falcon.

Back to the Big Apple, where every street is like Oxford Street on the last Saturday before Christmas 24 hours a day.

There was a small respite on Sunday when Adam and I were able to stroll down the middle of 5th Avenue in our Easter Bonnets. I tried to do exactly the same again on Monday, sadly the response from Taxi Drivers and Truck Drivers alike was not as polite as I’d hoped.

I tried to give them a tip or two about etiquette and they less than politely outlined that I knew nothing about tipping. Clearly a dollar bill is less effective than an unkind word and a gun, and no wonder Dustin Hoffman went to see a dentist in New York, try going across town, the roads are so bad that the fillings are shaken from your teeth.

As I am starting to fade, I will leave you with some photos from the New York leg of my trips and when I am slightly more compliant I will comment on the items I have forgotten today.

Times Square - Because it's a panorama

Times Square – Because it’s a panorama

 

My view over the Hudson

My view over the Hudson

And finally………

On the Way Back

On the Way Back

Too late…………. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Copyright © 2015 Adrian Holdsworth. All Rights Reserved.