Are Brilliant ... Mark XXV

It's been some time since I last added to this particular unruly thread. You may complain that there is no rhyme or reason to its compilation. You will be right.

It has also been a good time since my last blog of any designation. You may complain, but I doubt that you will. You are discerning people and have other things in your life without having to be distressed about the (welcome?) silence of the Overgraduate.

So what have I been up to? Went to Anglesey/Mon. Went to Newcastle. Watched some rugby. All good stuff.

So what is brilliant?

Treaddur Bay.  Mon's most congenial resort village. Good walking in both directions from the beach car park and good beer and chips at the cafe by that car park. The rest of the food looked good as well but we saved our appetites for the Panton Arms in Pentraeth. No belly pork (the bloke on the next table ordered the last portion) which only slightly took the edge off it.

Treaddur Bay ... brilliant

Indian Pale Ale in many of its guises - a taste rediscovered from my earliest student days.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople. I've raved about this film on previous occasions but we rewatched it in the company of Daughter Number 2 and however enthusiastic I was in the past, it probably wasn't enough. Quite majestical (this phrase will make sense when you, as you must, see the movie). 9.5/10.

Whitley Bay Golf Club - whereat we played in glorious weather on the Friday of our annual Heineken Cup expedition. OG was not good enough for this track but enjoyed it immensely.

Whitley Bay Golf Club ... brilliant

Rugby Union - despite all the unintended consequences of professionalism and the modern crisis of participation (whither 4th XV rugby?) there is reassurance to be had in the European Finals weekend. Newcastle proved a worthy host and AO, JRS, AW, AS and BH incomparably good company. We've already bought our tickets for Marseilles next year.

Aston Old Edwardians (a sub-set of the previous entry) - a venerable institution not without its problems but the club that has given me most of my friends, many of whom I caught up with in Newcastle.

Another sub-set: the final two minutes of the first half of the Champions Cup final - quite simply the most ruthless and professional set of plays I have ever been lucky enough to witness. Saracens, chapeau.

Home.