Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar

I've been for a walk. I avoided the rain and the beach is lovely at this time of year - winter has finished washing it clean and the littering crowds have not yet returned. This will set me up for an afternoon of watching rugby and drinking Barolo - two of my favourite things.

After my walk I read a golf magazine for a few minutes and drank coffee made in the stove top espresso maker that I have only this morning realised is in the top cupboard. Lovely coffee. Then I did another of my favourite things. I had a shave. Most particularlyI like having a shave here on the island. I don't know what it is (maybe the lovely Welsh water) but a shave here is deeply satisfactory.

And I'll tell you what else I did. Whilst shaving I listened (on BBC Sounds) to a re-run of Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar. Now you might have sussed it by now but Big Fat Pig (that's me not Alexei) is not really a creature of the political left. Alexei Sayle most definitely is. Nonetheless I love him. He is genuinely very funny and I admire his convictions. But let's stress the important bit - he's funny. The braying uncomedic participants on The News Quiz should listen and learn. 

Finally last night's rugby. Wales can count themselves unlucky not to have defied the odds and beaten France at the disgracefully part-empty Principality Stadium. France started like a train but for the second two thirds of the match were the lesser side. Matt Carley (a referee I like) had a difficult night and, for whatever reason, never got to grips with the scrummage. Still, be thankful for small mercies - Jaco Peyper was running the touch. Two words that convey excellence - Taulupe Faletau. What a player.

The Pig Is A New Romantic

I'm feeling rather chipper, thank you for asking. The Groupie and I went for a bracing walk in (on?) Cannock Chase this afternoon. Got a bit muddy but good times - the sun shone for much of the time so I wore the precious Oakleys - said it before but it merits repetition - girls go crazy for a sharp-dressed man.

Anyway, what's this romanticism that's got hold of the Pig? Well may you ask - here we go: 

Government has no rights; it is a delegation from several individuals for the purpose of securing their own. It is therefore just, only so far as it exists by their consent, useful only so far as it operates to their well-being.

Percy Byssche Shelley in the conduct of his private life may have had the morals of an alley cat, but that is the only regard in which he might be compared to Donald J. Trump. The quoted lines make up the first clause of Shelley's Declaration of Rights, coined in 1812. They are brilliant. We should trumpet them and act by them.

Now for some damned fine coffee - Machu Picchu since you ask. Reasons to be cheerful, one, two, three. See ya. 

A Matter Of Attitude To Coffee

OG is on the road. In Bologna with the Groupie. Great place - masses of churches (see what I did there?) and Europe's oldest university. We've been here less than a day and already had two good meals out - most notably lunch today at Trattoria Leonida. Top grade risotto, decent pinot grigio, all washed down with an espresso and a limoncello. Top banana as they don't say round here.

marker of civilisation

The flight over was fine but I can't completely get over my hatred of crowds in a place like Heathrow - all those people nervously making their way somewhere else and temporarily losing contact with their manners. Why do people stand up as soon as the plane comes to a halt, even though they know full well they can't get off yet and that they are going to have to queue just like everyone else for their baggage? Mass hysteria? And don't gey me started on excess hand baggage - make the bastards walk, that's what I say.

We're staying in an apartment in the centre of the city. You can tell you are in a civilised place when you get advice about the best way to prepare your coffee - the stove top is thankfully better than the formidable looking machine. Once again, top banana.

Are Brilliant ... Mark XXII

damn fine coffee

Good coffee. I am currently drinking Kochere from Ethiopia, courtesy of the admirable Monmouth Coffee Company in Covent Garden. I make it in my newish Russell Hobbs filter machine, the old apparatus having burnt itself out. I prefer this method of production by a small margin over the stove top and the cafetiere.

That London - I was there yesterday on janitorial duty for Daughter Number Two's flat. I had drinks and a meal with both DN2 and DN1. The pub (whose name I forget) where we drank was memorably described by DN2 as being full of old men who smell like mashed potatoes. We then ate at Del'ish, a Persian restaurant in Fitzrovia. Very good.

My daughters - one shouldn't boast but they are rather marvellous.