Tuesday 12 June 2007

OLD HAUNTS

Went on a trip down Memory Lane yesterday on the way to watch Pirates of the Caribbean. The film was long but didn't seem so and was thoroughly entertaining. I prefer total escape adventures but this was fun and beautifully filmed. Just how many Depps does a filmgoer need? Couldn't wait for Keef's appearance. It was perfect. Pure rock and roll. The walk through the past took me to a rundown boarding house (Warning: Author in Dostoyevskian mood right now) on a sink estate in a Midlands city. Past worn out mattresses, nappies, dead fridges and crisp packets; on through narrow alleys decorated with washing hanging out to dry, occasional flourishes of florid flowers amidst the dead wood and brown leaves of dried out plants; past the inhabitants, half-dressed and wearing worn faces, idling away the afternoon with a outdoor cigarette; past the gym with its metal fencing; past the school with its playground sounds and another with its choir practice, until finally I reached my destination. Across the filth covered patio came the sound of a television gone mad, barking out daytime trash. Entering with trepidation (she came as well) we went to the bar and ordered a half pint of Guinness. Old friends were met, a homage was said for the recently departed, wise eyes cast their wild look over worn furniture and then it was back into the daylight, heading through the rundown suburban streets for the bright lights of the city centre.

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