This year was the 40th Anniversary of the first ever Pride March in London. How so much has changed. Its hard to believe that 40 years ago even being homosexual was against the law in this land.
After coming out, I on occassions would march outside parliament demanding equality,and you know what, we got it. So a march that strarted to ensure that people could have a right to live the way they are is now, today, a grand parade through central London. So I made my way off to Regents Street, despite several attempts to wake Dusan, he was not having any of it. So off I went to making my way to the spot outside Hamley's where I hooked up with Lee, Matthew & Chris, where we waited and chatted as the crowds gathered until the first float came along. It was a spectacular two hour parade this year. Float after float, and when the Army, Navy and Airforce came past everyone really cheered out of respect for our boys and girls that are away fighting for our land.
Neil Sexton was marching but left the parade at our point and hooked up with us and shortly after, my friend Steph's son arrived. His only 16 and only came out a few weeks ago. He had some lesbian friends with him. His first pride and he wanted to come hang with me. I'd best be on my best behavior.
Once we wandered down to Soho and hooked up with my dear friend Emily, and from there wandered down to Traffalgar Square, to watch the live stage. From there we headed to Soho Square where my work friend Lisa joined us. It was a shame Emily had left already, I know they would have really got on well.
For once the sun shone the whole day and that is amazing. Made you feel really good to be surrounded by so many other gay people and realise life is good, life is for living and we sure do live a great life. Happy Pride.
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Catching up with dear friends
Having not seen Marcus Chops in what seemed and age and with the rare event that Dusan had the entire weekend off we booked a last minute hotel and headed down to Cardiff for the weekend.
Arriving close to midnight chops was clearly excited to see and us was waiting at the hotel when we arrived. He seemed so excited it reminded me of Tigger bouncing around. :-)
Once unpacked we all headed into town to go to a bar or a club. Maybe I am just getting old or cynical but it felt to me like we were stepping into an episode of Hollyoaks and despite the fact it was a gay club, there seemed to be be more straight women than men, immediately making me feel outside of my comfort zone. After two drinks we all decided we would rather just chill in the hotel.
Saturday, it being Wales, we decided to make a trip to "Big Pitt", the National Mining Museum. We were taken on an hour underground tour on what was once one of the biggest coal mining pits in the land, only closing in the early 1990s after the Thatcher Scargil era. Our tour guide took us, hard hat & light and all on an hours walk around through the mine, down the shaft and into the tunnels, stables exploring what was once a working mine. He himself having worked the mines as did most of the people in the area.
Exhausted when we got back we stopped and bought some drinks for the room and chilled a bit before heading back into town for another night out. A different club, but same as night before. Hen Nights, Straight Women everywhere, even though it was a gay venue. Really made you realise how provincial and different from London everything is out of the Capital. Kicking ones heals together and repeating, Theres no place like home, theres no place like home.
It was lovely to see Marcus again on his own turf. His always visiting us.
Last Saturday was the Clapham Street party and I was invited to a party before at my work friend, Jacqui's. Met up with David on the way and headed for cocktails before. We were trying Pimms made with Champagne. Yummy.
By 1600 we tried to enter the street party but now in its 6th year the place was heaving and over an hour line to get in, so instead we headed to Two Brewers and had a fun time anyway. Thanks to Jacqui for the invite and a great afternoon.
Saturday evening I had to head back to Hertfordshire, for a surprise 65th Birthday Party for my Uncle Terry. Not a real uncle but always felt like Family. Linda, Terry, and their three Children grew up with my brother and I and it was lovely to see them all again. Felt like such a trek at 1030 to take the train back from Herts to SE London, but worth it just to see everyone once more.
Finally, yesterday went to see Woody & Steve and their babies (Dogs), Milly, Molly Olly & Lucy too. Been far too long and was so good to see them again and hopefully wont be so long next time. Feels like I really have caught up with old dear friends again. Plus summer well and truly is here :-) Hot enough for you?
Arriving close to midnight chops was clearly excited to see and us was waiting at the hotel when we arrived. He seemed so excited it reminded me of Tigger bouncing around. :-)
Once unpacked we all headed into town to go to a bar or a club. Maybe I am just getting old or cynical but it felt to me like we were stepping into an episode of Hollyoaks and despite the fact it was a gay club, there seemed to be be more straight women than men, immediately making me feel outside of my comfort zone. After two drinks we all decided we would rather just chill in the hotel.
Saturday, it being Wales, we decided to make a trip to "Big Pitt", the National Mining Museum. We were taken on an hour underground tour on what was once one of the biggest coal mining pits in the land, only closing in the early 1990s after the Thatcher Scargil era. Our tour guide took us, hard hat & light and all on an hours walk around through the mine, down the shaft and into the tunnels, stables exploring what was once a working mine. He himself having worked the mines as did most of the people in the area.
Exhausted when we got back we stopped and bought some drinks for the room and chilled a bit before heading back into town for another night out. A different club, but same as night before. Hen Nights, Straight Women everywhere, even though it was a gay venue. Really made you realise how provincial and different from London everything is out of the Capital. Kicking ones heals together and repeating, Theres no place like home, theres no place like home.
It was lovely to see Marcus again on his own turf. His always visiting us.
Last Saturday was the Clapham Street party and I was invited to a party before at my work friend, Jacqui's. Met up with David on the way and headed for cocktails before. We were trying Pimms made with Champagne. Yummy.
By 1600 we tried to enter the street party but now in its 6th year the place was heaving and over an hour line to get in, so instead we headed to Two Brewers and had a fun time anyway. Thanks to Jacqui for the invite and a great afternoon.
Saturday evening I had to head back to Hertfordshire, for a surprise 65th Birthday Party for my Uncle Terry. Not a real uncle but always felt like Family. Linda, Terry, and their three Children grew up with my brother and I and it was lovely to see them all again. Felt like such a trek at 1030 to take the train back from Herts to SE London, but worth it just to see everyone once more.
Finally, yesterday went to see Woody & Steve and their babies (Dogs), Milly, Molly Olly & Lucy too. Been far too long and was so good to see them again and hopefully wont be so long next time. Feels like I really have caught up with old dear friends again. Plus summer well and truly is here :-) Hot enough for you?
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