rips

The first few shots in a gallery which I intend to expand slowly but surely in time. Updates aren't expected to be too regular, but WILL happen! I like to think I have an eye for a photograph, although it could be described as a 'lazy eye' the past few years as I haven't really done much of this sort of thing...*21 photos as at 08/01/06*

Paying homage to the costume designers and mask makers of the 21st Century. Gotta love 'em!

Usual drunken balls. But with the added bonus of a coldsore. Lush! *PUBS VISITED: The Brook House, Flute, The Bumper, Hannah's Bar, The KrazyHouse.

A jaunt down to the capital to sample the impressive looking new Wembley Stadium, and what better reason than to see Metallica rock the place and test the structure's foundations with a trademark massive crowd! Myself, Wet, True Faith, Shara, John and Nikki had a storming time, marred only by the fact that it was so solid wedged in the standing bit that I couldnt battle any further forward for better photos, oh well...next time!

Lunacy at the Worth Valley Railway - the first time in over two years for me. PROPER trains with all day bars on board, pub lock-in, raves in Engine Sheds, crazy people and sleeping on Lance's vintage double decker bus in the car park. Yes ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Boocock's Big Haworth Night Out! Joined by the boys from Bo'Ness, some lads from Festiniog, the Haworth locals and various other revellers, this ensured that this years Worth Valley do was a one to remember for a long time. Hazy though those memories maybe for some...!

The quiet-ish 'night before' her main event for her 21st was spent locally but as usual there were some hi-jinx, not least Ham and his tendency to dance anywhere to anything. I left with Hails and Steph just after 11, so no doubt missed some blackmail photo opportunities later on, but hey ho...the Carling Academy was beckoning and nobody else wanted to go...!!! *PUBS VISITED: The Runhead, Ryton Hotel; The Fox and Hounds, The Soldiers (Crawcrook), Revolution @ The Carling Academy (Newcastle).

Birthday drinkies for the hilarious blonde random one, who chose town as the start point, then on to Durham for a nice change. *PUBS VISITED: The Telegraph, Long Bar (Newcastle); Varsity, Jimmy Allens, Chase, The Swan and Three Cygnets (Durham).

Just a bog standard night out really. But had the camera in me pocket, so it would've been rude not to take a couple of snaps at least...! Lea - you are SUCH a poser luvvie!

Phil and Wendy's adorable baby daughter, Sophia Jordan, was Christened at Greenside Chapel (Tyne and Wear) on Sunday 6th May 2007 at 10:30am. Included within are a couple of shots from the ceremony, and lots of the boozy aftermath to wet the baby's head!!! Photos are not captioned in this gallery. *PUBS VISITED: Greenside Social Club (Greenside); The Ship Inn, The Black Bull, The Boat House (Wylam); Crawcrook Social Club, The Lambs Arms (Crawcrook).

Julie finally passes from being a loveable teenage rogue into an adult. Sort of(!) Another drunken night with loads of familiar faces over in the North West. Class night as per usual, despite the various difficulties getting there and back on the train! *PUBS VISITED: The Head of Steam (Huddersfield), then The Brook House, Flute, Bumper, Metropolitan, The Pilgrim, Heebie Jeebies, Magnet (Liverpool).

Another of the annual 'lads nights out' which never fails to disappoint in the amusement stakes. After starting local then moving into town for the start of 'Happy Hour' and nailing the Guinness to get the customary free hats, the usual antics unfolded in earnest. As expected. An undoubted highlight of the evening was the cameo appearance of gorgeous models Gem and Tess. Wicked! *PUBS VISITED: Silver Giraffe Restaurant, The Half Moon, Jolly Fellows, The Old Cross (all Ryton); Long Bar, Destination, Sports Bar, Sam Jacks, Boom! 90's bar, RE-Wind, Bar 42 (Newcastle).

Went local for a change - cheap drinks and cheap humour were rife all night, but ye cannit argue at 1.60 for a cocktail! Our Jen and Ruth from Liverpool were also on hand to sample the evening's proceedings. *PUBS VISITED: The Runhead, Ryton Social (The 'Midget' Bar!), The Ryton Hotel, The Fox and Hounds, Crawcrook Social Club and The Lambs Arms.

The usual alcohol driven kicks with me little buddies by the Mersey. I really must stop getting so excitable when 'Rollin' by Limp Bizkit comes on and crashing the stage though...! *PUBS VISITED: The Brook House, The Hope & Anchor, The Flute, and rounded off the night in the good old The KrazyHouse - where else?!

A blurry affair, but a good laugh all the same. This year our festive gathering was held in the Platinum Club bar at St.James's Park in Newcastle, with pre-event drinks in Shearer's Bar, and Rafferty's for myself and Mr.Covell briefly beforehand too.

Suggs and the boys brought their festive bandwagon to the MetroRadio Arena in Newcastle and in timeless form, spread feelgood vibes and amusing dances around the whole venue with a set lasting almost two hours and jam-packed full of the classics. Here are two dozen snapshots of the occasion. Fab!

A trip to Lincoln by special train for the day for a brief look round the Christmas Markets etc. And a look in a couple of the alehouses too, naturally, as it was the day before Keith's 40th! Batteries on digicam ran out though...that'll teach me! :-(

Quarter of a century old. Tut tut! All downhill from here, as they say...if that's the case, then it's always best to bow out with a good old party, ably assisted by a few (dozen) mates from all corners of the UK! Superb night, and raucous as ever!!! Whoever nicked me Santa Hat, I want it BACK, got it?! ((Captions have been omitted due to high number of photos)) *PUBS VISITED: Bannatyne's, Sam Jacks, Boom! 90s Bar, PopWorld, REwind, and Revolution clubnight at The Carling Academy.

Ageing and controversial 80's metallers W.A.S.P played Newcastle for the first time in over 13 years with this gig at the Carling Academy. With a back catalogue spanning over two decades, the setlist was a mixture of old favourites and one or two unfamiliar songs...but most importantly, all the kickass hits to headbang along to with the exception of 'Animal'...top night!

The third in a hat-trick of birthday celebrations! This time it was the turn of the delectable Jenni to turn TWENTEEN, wearing an outfit that only SHE would dare...! North East representatives were myself and Sammy Snakes. Another hugely enjoyable night of madness on Merseyside ensued as the following pubs played host to Miss Edge and her merry band of disciples: The Brook House, The Cooler (student union), Blue Angel, Bar Baa.

His name is Ratty and by his own admission, he is rather batty. Steady decided to break from the norm and go to Hexham for his birthday night out this year. Cue a hilarious night out with the usual suspects and a whole load more - a canny crowd attended and doubled the takings of Hexham's bars with their thirst for alcohol; *PUBS VISITED: The Phoenix, The Forum (Wetherspoons), The Heart of All England, Mr.Ant's, Studio Nightclub.

Still skint from Dublin earlier in the week, I joined the lads (and lasses!) late and left early, but here is a small record of the drunken antics in between those times when I was present...just for you Dave! *PUBS VISITED: Long Bar, Sports Cafe, Sam Jacks, Boom 90s Bar;

90 photos from a long overdue 'lads weekend' in Dublin and excellent craic! *PUBS VISITED: Bowes Bar, Doyle's, MacTurcaills, Chaplin's, Panama, K3, Fitzsimons, The Turk's Head, The Thomas Read (Temple Bar), RedZBar, the WKD party bus (lol!), Bruxelles, Eamonn Doran's, The Porter House (Temple Bar), The Brazen Head, O'Sullivans, Buskers, Hard Rock Cafe, Gogarty's, The Temple Bar, Club Lapello (lol again), Q-Bar, Viper Rooms, Chatham Brasserie, Palace Bar, The Auld Dubliner, Farringtons, Club M, Pal Joey's, Gravity, The Bull+Castle;

A good laugh on just a bog-standard-ish night out in good ol' Craa-Crook. Matty mayhem in fine - erm form(?) - throughout the night and Ham and Jonny belting out the classics on karaoke. A canny turnout of folk! Sadly myself and Mike had to leave earlyish, but still didnt dampen the night. Nice one lads! *PUBS VISITED: The Fox And Hounds, The Lambs Arms.

(Hic!)Yet another pilgrimage to Merseyside to gan on the lash with my lovely lady friends with the intention of getting absolutely w*nkered. Joined once again by regular fellow hedonist Lance and Micky T, the antics marked the anniversary of meeting the ladies in Kavos - one of the best things that ever happened. Love ya loads girls! *PUBS VISITED: The Brook House, The Pilgrim, Bumper, Heeby Jeebies, and of course, The Krazy House.

Axl and his band of merry men rolled into the Toon for their first gig here in over 13 years. Having JUST missed them as a skint, starry eyed teenager last time, the effort was made to go and see one of the most flamboyant frontmen of all time heading up one of rock n' roll's greatest bands. The line-up had changed almost completely, but you cant help rock out to the tunes. Axl still knows how to entertain, though the infamous diva strops and unpredictability are now overshadowed by the dodgy new hairdo - inspired by Mick Hucknall?! Setlist was mostly 'old' stuff from the Appetite album.

A good night out, and a good sup, with Lance and Sparksy in Bury, Manchester, marred only by the incident afterwards back at the hotel whereupon I was assaulted. Still didn't spoil an otherwise exceleent weekend though. *PUBS VISITED: The Two Tubs Inn, The Robert Peel (Wetherspoons), Wyldes Bar and Yates's.

More alcohol-propelled antics with the lads. I caught up with them mid-afternoon as they left Corbridge beer festival...a few drinks in Corbridge followed, then a trip into Newcastle with plenty of high-jinks in between. Never a dull moment with this lot...! *PUBS VISITED: The Blue Bell (Corbridge); Long Bar, Sports Bar (Newcastle).

Who said drinking this much on a work night was a good idea? Oh yeah - ME!!! The 'f*ck it' attitude prevailed as the multi-coloured drinks flowed. Vodka, sambuca, Champagne cocktails and Apple sourz all down the hatch at an alarming rate considering it was just a normal night out and not to celebrate anything! Oops! *PUBS VISITED: Centurion, North Bar, Sam Jacks, Opera, Bannatynes.

A brief trip over the water to Dublin to witness evergreen crowdpleasers and hard rocking f**kers Metallica doing what they do best for the huge crowd at the RDS Arena. Kick-ass gig and some good banter with some of the crowd - before, during and after the gig. You know who you are...! Captions not required in this collection as I think the pics say it all! *PUBS VISITED: Paddy Cullens, Mary Mac's (Ballsbridge area).

A few pics of the stunning scenery unique to this part of the world taken during a couple of days up in Scotland dodging the midgies in early June. Some older photos, namely the ones with snow in, also included from a brief trip up earlier in the year too. Not even a suggestion that alcohol featured on these jaunts, although admittedly, it did in small measures! *PUBS VISITED: The NeviSport, The Grog n Gruel, Loch Iall, The Ben Nevis (all in Fort William); Bridge of Orchy Hotel; Mondo Bar (Oban); Invervey Hotel (Tyndrum); Siglo, Whistle Binkies (Edinburgh).

A sociable few(?!) drinks midweek. Or that was the plan, til we discovered it was Happy Hour on the Champagne Cocktails...!!! *PUBS VISITED: Bannatynes, Opera bar.

Here we go again. A strange night due to various unavoidable circumstances, however a good laugh in the end, all the same! Includes a cameo appearance from Nessie the alcoholic monster. *PUBS VISITED: The Richard John Blackler (Wetherspoons), Lloyd's Bar, Ca Va, Hannah's Bar, KrazyHouse.

A few relaxing drinks after work on St.Paddy's Day...or so I thought. Til the lads turned up...! Cue the inevitable riots. *PUBS VISITED: The Keel Row (Lloyds @ the Gate), Sam Jacks, Sports Bar.

The title pretty much explains it! The usual story...with the added bonus of a trip up to Tom's flat for a housewarming party for a bit after clubbing. *PUBS VISITED: The Hope & Anchor, Ca Va, Sports Bar, Roadkill, Krazy House.

Straight from clubbing in Newcastle on to a train to Manchester then onwards to Cardiff with no sleep to join a few mates for an afternoon sampling the various hostelries on St.Mary's Street...or at least that was the idea. Hard Rock Cafe was too comfy in the end...! *PUBS VISITED: The Great Western (Wetherspoons), Walkabout [effing rugby games!], Hard Rock Cafe.

Another good night on the hoy in Geordieland, with the aim of finally checking out the rock night at the new(ish) Carling Academy on Westgate Road. Top night!!! Make your own captions for this gallery...I'm having a mental block(!) *PUBS VISITED: Mushroom Bar, Sam Jacks, Lloyd's Bar @ the Gate, The Carling Academy.

Another look down to Merseyside with Lance - hopefully this time wouldn't be QUITE as blurry! Fab to meet a few new faces, and also catch up with a couple of old ones too. I am beginning to think I should rename this gallery 'A Night With Julie Lavin' as the little poser is in virtually every photo...! *PUBS VISITED: Wetherspoons by Lime St., Roadkill, Metropolitan, Reflex, The Krazy House.

Took nearly two days to recover, was left nursing several unidentified drinking injuries and was smashed off my head. Apparently it was like watching a pinball going down the stairs in the 'K' as I left, having gone severely OTT on sambuca and vodka. Top night! *PUBS VISITED: Head of Steam (Lime St), Roadkill, Bumper, Korova, Reflex, The KrazyHouse.

No it didnt last 5 days as the dates suggest! Work xmas party on the 16th at the Innisfree Club in Longbenton, then Yates's in town; The xmas meal on the 21st was at the Blue Coyote Mexican on Pilgrim St, other bars sampled either side were Bar 55, The Lodge, Apartment and Revolution at which point I left them to it and went home knackered...! Not like me!

A myriad of different people appearing and disappearing again throughout the night, but a right good laugh. Big up everyone, especially the special guests from Liverpool and Halifax who came up for it...the fact I was sober wasnt too bad in the end(!) *PUBS VISITED: Trillians, The Union Rooms, Revolution, Balmbras (Reflex), The Akenside, Chase, Baja BeachClub.

Here we go again! More fun and frolics with the riotous Jen and Julie in Liverpool, along with a cameo appearance from Sarah. *PUBS VISITED: Revolution, CaVa, Reflex, The KrazyHouse.

More burning the candle at both ends with the hedonistic Julie and Jen Rybz in Liverpool. *PUBS VISITED: The Brunswick (Piccadilly, Manchester); The Rat N Parrot, The Swan, Ca Va, Reflex, Le Bateau (all Liverpool).

A couple of hours in Pacific Bar at the Haymarket with Anth, Claire, Emma and (latterly) Darron after one of the longest most tedious working days ever! That called for a drink...or twelve...the rest, as they say, is a blur.

Round two...! A night out/reunion with Jen and Jules on their home patch. I must be brave or stupid! Quality night out, inebriated bodies all round and some top establishments were visited! AJ - hope U feel better soon babe xx *PUBS VISITED: The Richard John Blackler (Wetherspoons), Ca Va, Reflex, Krazy House.

A week with the lads (Slap, Jonny, Rick, Wet, Hailsy, Ham, Rat, Micky T and Sam) in sunny Corfu. A week where the booze flowed all too freely and the sunburn hurt. Big shout to the girls in the apartment next door (Jenny x2, Julie, Sarah, Rosie and AJ), and to Nicola and Gail, who were all fab company and banter all holiday too. See some of you again sometime??? xx

The second attempt of obtaining some pics of what is arguably the most spectacular gig you'll ever see. (Ta Rich). Rammstein live! In the Toon!

Just another daft overnighter in Edinburgh in the usual haunt...good old Whistle Binkies live music bar...til the bouncer's kicked us out at 3am anyway...

A few sociable drinks in Manchesters huge Printworks complex beforehand with Mike, Lance, Haddock and Wayne, then to the most awesome gig you are ever likely to see...RAMMSTEIN live. Sadly the friggin camera decided to give up before the gig, so theres only a couple of pics from the pubs. BAH! *PUBS VISITED: Yates @ Piccadilly; Lloyds Bar, Lucid, Norwegian Blue, Waxy O Connors @ The Printworks complex; and the M.E.N Arena Travel Inn bar.

Taking in London, York, London again, Norwich and, er, York again. WHY? Coz I am mad. But then you should\'ve guessed that by now! Accomodation was at the uber-posh Ramada Encore in York. *PUBS VISITED: The Head of Steam [London, Euston]; The Ackhorne, The Golden Ball, Reflex 80s bar, Ramada Encore Hotel bar [all York]; Hamilton Hall (Wetherspoons)[London, Liverpool Street].