Month: July 2015
London – Manchester – Edinburgh
Took a bus and train to get Manchester and Edinburgh. The bus was late, but other than that, it was a great trip.
I was in Manchester long time ago. My impression was “nothing much changed since I was there”. I saw lots of pubs, people were nice, old buildings and rain. It must have been raining last few years.
I remembered that I saw boat houses last time was there. I liked them very much. I wondered if they were still there. So I walked around the town. I found them. I’m not too sure they are the same ones that I saw. however they looked great. It made me feel like I need to live on a boat.
Next day I took a train to Edinburgh after my little sight seen of Manchester. This is my second country of my trip. Scotland reminds me so much of NZ. I saw fields, hills, mountains, and sheep. One thing different from NZ is castles.
When I got out the station, what I saw was mind blowing. I have been to many places…. Castles and old churches were everywhere. And I looked down the train station where surrounded by valley. As I walked around I found lots of small steps, and allies. I settled myself in an old pub where was middle of steel stairs, Half Way House.
Next day, I went on a bus to go to Inverness!!!
13th & 14th July 2015
London photos
London Gigs
So I played a couple shows in London for the first time. I did not have 300 people, but it was good fun. I must say that the best part was having my Kiwi homies at the shows.
Some footage from Bohemia
The bayou where I played on Sunday was really nice place. And it was really honour to be part of London International Ska Fest Sunday service. Finally met Sean who organises the festival and member of the Loafers (one of my fav Two Tone ska bands in the 80’s).
It was so nice to talk to Sean about his music career. I really relate to that. I wish I had more time to hang out with him. I feel like I wish I could install his bran for a while to know how or what he thinks!
Anyhow, I appreciate very much whoever came to the shows. I hope to see you sometime in the future!!!
Something really crazy is some people knew or heard “Moisty” before.
More life
Tube Strike
It seemed to know that I was coming to London. I was not too happy of two days (more like a day 1/2) of Tube strike.
I managed to meet with my old work mate Angela at Liverpool St station. Then I arranged to meet my friend from Canada, DJ Mossman. Angela helped me to find the way to Notting Hill. We thought it only took two buses. That was a big mistake.
From Liverpool St, I caught a bus. however the bus was stuck in the traffic most of time. Because it was limited transports in London. So the bus gave up before Soho. He suggested to catch other bus behind. eventually I had never seen any.
So I walked toward to Hyde Park. there was human traffic as well. Hard to walk. I grew up in Japan. So I know bad traffic is. But this is something I have never seen before. People everywhere, and cars and buses stopped middle of traffic.
I managed to meet Moss after an hour of walking. Then I though “well how can I get back to accommodation in Dagenham (East London). First option was taking the same route with buses and train. At 9.30pm, buses were full of people and hard to get on. I thought fuck it, then started walking. I got to one of Over Ground train stations. Because I though that may have been a chance to get on. By the time, it was 10.30pm. It was not going straight to Dagenham (I had to change 3 times). I figured that trains would not be the option.
Meanwhile I kept walking. I met a lady who was there for work. She said that she had to pay £200 for taxi. But still she was walking to her hotel. And I saw buses with full of people. Everytime I saw people at bus stops, I asked the way to go to Liverpool st or get to East London. I even tried to catch taxi. No luck.
At that point, I knew I would not be able to go back. So I texted Angela to arrange I could stay her place for the night. It was lucky that I was able to stay hers, otherwise I would have slept on the street.
In short, I did not like Tube strike. And last picture tells you how I walked whole afternoon to night in London.
Quick Up Date
Hi guys sorry for slow up dating. I will post more, when I get some time next few days. But meanwhile here is a little video for you. It has been great and busy.
London Catch Up
One of things I want to do for my travel, is that I would like to catch up my friends. There are so many people to see around the world.
Well this week, I enjoyed hanging out with my old work mate, Angela and DJ Mossman!!
Yeah Angela is in good form. Sure miss her around my work though. She has been in London for a while now.
Moss has been working hard on next project. If you love ska/rocksteady/reggae, you will love his work. And if you have not seen this film, Rocksteady: the roots of reggae, check it out. He was music director.
Auckland to London
I knew it will be a long trip from my home to London. And I don’t think I can say I love it.
Stop over at Changi airport for 6 hours. It was actually rather nice that I could stretch my legs. And I knew my friend, Rudie Bam Bam was there to catch his flight while I was there. I hanged out with him and his girl friend, Sacha at the airport. Eventually after 36 hours later, I made it to the Heathrow. Not
bad jetlag and ready to play! 
My holiday has just began
Hi everyone, and thank you for checking out my blog!!!
Please check my “about me” section to find out more about me.
Anyhow I’m just about to take off New Zealand where I live currently. It will be long journey for sure. And I feel nervous to leave my comfy things behind, at the same time, I’m very excited.
First stop is London. I’m going to apply for Beluras transit visa in London, and play a couple gigs.
If you are around London, I would like to catch up with you.
10th of July at Bohemia Hackney and Sun, 12th of July
And I’m still open to anywhere keen to have me to play. Just let me know.
Ska Overlander 
