MALTESE TRUCKS FROM DAVE SPENCER

stills from my latest DVD Maltese Trucks 1972 to 2001, I hope this one sells well, I enjoyed putting it together.

My best mate John Bishop is getting ready for another Malta trip , we hope to have some footage from John, John is also helping put together our August book launch at the Hellingly Festival of Transport, hopefully on the Sunday with Eastbourne bookshop signings on the Saturday.

Still not sure whats happening on Saturday, family tie up, waiting for feedback, still possible its Devon but who knows.

Certain is Sunday and that's the St Helen's bus museum for the Chester running day where we'll have our stall as usual.

link to bookshop fo my book
A Smudge On My Lens

http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=631%20

A SMUDGE ON MY LENS BY DAVE SPENCER

Its only a pretend smudge you know!
You don't come more iconic in my book than Beachy Head lighthouse, it used to be manned, on Christmas day they'd pray for good weather to winch down their keeper's dinners

here's a link straight to the bookshop to place your advance orders for my new autobiography, it will probably be available well before Sept 1st

http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=631

by Dave Spencer
Published: 01 September 2008

An adopted post war baby boomer from a Sussex council estate, reminders of the conflict littered the 50’s landscape. Nature was still bountiful but the landed gentry were selling our heritage before conservation had teeth. This was the first television generation: weaned on the Flower Pot Men, Dave Spencer grows up in an increasingly commercial and libertarian society which explodes into the colourful sixties. Ill at ease amongst former public school boys, a lurch to the left sees the author struggling with the antics of gas board apprentices followed by fun in the stock room as a trainee retail manager. Set against popular music and current events of the era a rude awakening comes in the shape of a wily Glaswegian con man. A confrontation with the law and a taste of life on the road leads to a ferry across the Mersey and a hippy hike from Cornwall to Manchester. A final fling in Sussex comes as a long haired milkman in a story which mixes religion, drugs, politics and passion.
From idealist to opportunist the author encounters characters from the IRA to the Jewish rag trade. It’s not all a barrel of laughs but with a wry sense of humour and optimism life is never dull. One minute a member of Britain’s nuclear defence forces and the next fighting for a woman’s right to order a pint of ale. The alternative society of 70’s Manchester saw radical political and social changes embraced with the author’s usual enthusiasm.
Settling down to a conventional lifestyle didn’t stop wanderlust, resuming interest in hobbies Dave emerges as one of the world’s most travelled transport photographers with his video camera aimed at some unlikely corners of a bewildered planet. The kindness of strangers often restores faith in mankind and some of the characters we meet are strange indeed.

ISBN: 978-1906510-787

moving on, tonight I finished the Maltese truck film, just need to add it to the sites, also doing a Youtube upload

A SMUDGE ON MY LENS MATADOR BOOK BY DAVE SPENCER

the last of snowy Cobham, each night now I seem to have a task for the publishers of my book so that fills in a bit of time which would otherwise be spent gardening, editing. I'm planning launch sessions for August, suggestions welcome.

Last night and tonight I've been trawling through my Maltese films extracting truck scenes, got 30 minutes from 1994 trip, wonderful scenes, I've still got lots more to go at so should easily get a programme.

Also tonight I hope to start on the railway cine film as promises, also getting stuff ready for departure to South America week Friday.

KAZAN TARTARSTAN MY FAVOURITE

Kazan really was my favourite on the 1997 Russian trip down the Volga, with the Riga built cars and attractive local scenery it was busy and full of interest.

Tomorrow the last of Cobham, perhaps tonight a Youtube of Kazan.

The 2008 Cobham DVD is ready, we already have orders for it.

Getting the cover sorted for my book, A Smudge On My Lens.

Tomorrow night I'll be copying some nice looking film on trains ( 1970s) with real sound.

A couple of really nice pieces of feedback alas not copy and pastable otherwise I'd put them on.

MORE SNOWY COBHAM SCENES

brrrr, makes me cold just to think about it, turns out was the coldest April day in 20 years and heaviest April snow since 80s. We were glad to get bathed and in bed last night, still felt shattered today.

Had a bad run to work this morning, stuck on M56 motorway for 90 minutes at multiple smash up.

Got some ink for printer so can catch up on lists, covers etc also Gill Blanchard my Norfolk researcher has put me in touch with someone else researching the Blanchflowers around Whinburgh in Norfolk.

Mandy got the family weeding photos back today, some make me look almost normal!

COBHAM SNOW BUS TODAY

the family wedding went well at the Palm House , Sefton Park, perhaps I'll post some pictures later in the week. We got home around 10.45 and were up again at 4 am and found the village deep in snow. The drive down the M6 was quiet but by Birmingham the snow was deep, just two lanes open, on the M40 it was down to 1 and getting worse. By the M25 is was horrific and we were wishing we were still in bed, more so when we arrived at Cobham and we found they were considering cancelling the event.
It was 9.30 am before they decided to go ahead and then we could put up the stand, the snow was still coming down but not so bad but it remained bitterly cold all day with the wind picking up although there were sunny intervals. Attendance was well down, visitors, buses and stalls, we had our worse day trading there in about 20 years.
The bad weather died make for atmospheric photos, its an ill wind etc
Well we are safely home, enjoyable seeing friends etc but now a hot bath, a soak , yet another brew and an early night.

The only real minus on the day was a bunch of Chinese youths who had no idea about getting out of peoples way for photography.

RUSHING THROUGH RUSSIA 1997

as we headed down the Volga river into Tartarstan we visited Nizhnekamsk home to huge tyre and petrochem complexes, once closed to outsiders. The next visit was to one of my favourite Russian systems Kazan which will feature in a future blog. This was all in August 1997.

Today I packed the car ready for our 4 am start on Sunday for Cobham, hope to see many of you there. This evening we battle through the grand national traffic to Liverpool for a family wedding at Sefton Park, can't be too late back though. Probably won't get time to blog tomorrow night but will rejoin with experiences at Cobham on Monday .

The tulips in the garden are coming out in drovers , looking very nice. Lots of potential renters looking at Les Halman's property opposite us, yet another set of neighbours, the last lot never talked once, think they were Iranians, wish they'd all go back.

HIGH LEVEL TERRORIST SECURITY ALERT IN LEIGH LANCASHIRE

Community support officers declare Leigh to be in midst of terrorist alert, bus spotter possible arab terrorist accosted opposite bu station, police not interested. Bus station staff ever vigilant call in the massed ranks of the chocolate soldiers after being given brush off.

Yes folks yet another day in the never ending hassles of bus photography. The GMPTE staff either want to brush up on the law or learn about customer relations.

The amazing attitude in Yorkshire around Barnsley meant bad publicity and a change of mind, Manchester area is going down the same bad route at present. These community support thugs seem a cross between dads army watching parachutists dressed as nuns crossed with Hitlers brown shirts.

Its so out of control, next if you a an old lady who likes herbs it will be the bonfire as a witch. Come to think of it what about the thugs , robbers, hoodies etc concentrating on the community officers and leaving the innocent citizens alone for a while, they would be made for each other.

Meanwhile late afternoon after a meeting at Atherton the sun came out, my first sequence since photography at Leigh nearly 35 years ago, probably my last for another 35 if this was anything to go by.

MANCHESTER NUDE NAZI ORGY TO RUSSIA

some shots from Izhevsk August 1997, a sunny Russian transport tour down the Volga



Meanwhile back in Manchester transport and local history with the Mosley family, of blackshirts , Nazis and formula 1 racing fame and the infamous nude Nazi call girl orgy, that should keep the Sun going for a while.

A bit of tidying up around the garden edges out back then on with covers for the Russian DVDS. Glass everywhere in the kitchen, a smashed work board went everywhere.

The weather still looks grim for Cobham on Sunday, we have confirmed Sandtoft, North Weald, Herne Bay and LOTS amongst others.

Wonder if we'll make it to the Three Greyhounds tonight, by the way a word of commendation for woods our Knutsford butcher, superb meat supplier, local, fresh and tastey produce.

RUSSIA TO COBHAM IN ONE GO

myself, Mandy, Richard Lomas and Sergei Tarkhov, Clouseau in disguise
bet ya didn't know I was a ton up kid


more on Russia 1997, now then plenty to do, a bit of tidying,in garden, back lawn mowed, hedge trimmer out and some bushes and grasses felled, plants tied back, greenhouse watered etc. Then did authors profile on publishers web site. Tonight also hope to edit 3rd of my 1997 Russian films and load another Youtube entry from that memorable trip.

Sunday, its Cobham time again, snow forecast, that should be interesting, photo opportunities perhaps, hope to see lots of you there.

MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY DAVE SPENCER A SMUDGE ON MY LENS

publication date and isbn number now available

Matador Non-Fiction

A Smudge on my Lens
£9.99

by Dave Spencer

Published: 01 September 2008

An adopted post war baby boomer from a Sussex council estate, reminders of the conflict littered the 50’s landscape. Nature was still bountiful but the landed gentry were selling our heritage before conservation had teeth. This was the first television generation: weaned on the Flower Pot Men, Dave Spencer grows up in an increasingly commercial and libertarian society which explodes into the colourful sixties. Ill at ease amongst former public school boys, a lurch to the left sees the author struggling with the antics of gas board apprentices followed by fun in the stock room as a trainee retail manager. Set against popular music and current events of the era a rude awakening comes in the shape of a wily Glaswegian con man. A confrontation with the law and a taste of life on the road leads to a ferry across the Mersey and a hippy hike from Cornwall to Manchester. A final fling in Sussex comes as a long haired milkman in a story which mixes religion, drugs, politics and passion.

From idealist to opportunist the author encounters characters from the IRA to the Jewish rag trade. It’s not all a barrel of laughs but with a wry sense of humour and optimism life is never dull. One minute a member of Britain’s nuclear defence forces and the next fighting for a woman’s right to order a pint of ale. The alternative society of 70’s Manchester saw radical political and social changes embraced with the author’s usual enthusiasm.

Settling down to a conventional lifestyle didn’t stop wanderlust, resuming interest in hobbies Dave emerges as one of the world’s most travelled transport photographers with his video camera aimed at some unlikely corners of a bewildered planet. The kindness of strangers often restores faith in mankind and some of the characters we meet are strange indeed.

ISBN: 978-1906510-787

PERM RUSSIA 1997 A TRIP IN TIME

three more Manchester shots from yesterday morning while i was waiting for Chinese Visa to come through, seen outside the university on Oxford Rd.

I've just put DVD 644 on to DVD for first time, brief look at Kirov as hop off the trans Siberian then rest on the city of Perm, August 1997. Here are a couple of shots, I may post a clip on Youtube.

Last night I sent off the photos for my book A Smudge On My Lens, thats just about done except for the cover.

I'm just off to do the Manchester DVD, got up todate with covers last night before bed, today I was in North East for work, rotten weather, howling gales and heavy rain.

For anyone interested here the latest Market Restaurant newsletter , you'll know it from our Pudding Club blogs.


Dear Marketeers,
Here is our latest newsletter & Menu


The Marketeer
Issue 74 Spring April 2008

Our first winner!
In the last edition we announced a free monthly draw was to be made from your email addresses for a meal for two, including bottle of house wine….. We are delighted to announce our first winner is Richard Follows. If you receive The Marketeer by post you’re missing out on this great chance to win a meal for two. Drop us an email at marketrestaurant@btconnect.com and we’ll put you in the next draw.
“Sweet Meets” - Manchester’s Pudding Club ….…. Well we can’t hold off any longer. For all those with a sweet tooth “Sweet Meets” - Manchester’s Pudding Club will convene once again on Tuesday 6th May 2008 and (subject to demand) Wednesday 7th May. Tickets sell out fast (still priced at £25 – what a bargain) so please contact us with your requirements.
“New opening times….
…. many customers have been disappointed that we’re closed or fully booked when they want to celebrate something special. So we’ve responded by extending our opening hours to include Tuesday lunch and dinner and Saturday lunch and we’re now open from 6pm in the evenings. Even so it’s best to book to avoid disappointment.
“Our very SPECIAL Offer…..”
We launch a new menu in April to run until 17th May details can be found on the website and we’ve decided to make you another offer you can’t refuse! Try our “Market Choice”. Three courses at an all in price of £25 including a side order. The offer is available every Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday evenings. All you do is select your dishes from our normal menu but you only pay £25. Please telephone first to check availability and to avoid disappointment.
….. Welcome to Max…..
New opening times have resulted in a need for additional staff, so we were delighted when Maxwell Sheen joined the team recently, a hospitality professional with years of experience in bars and restaurants Max is Restaurant Supervisor; he said he’d never seen anything quite like The Market Restaurant before and it took us all a while to persuade him to join us and learn some of our quirky ways but already he’s become part of the furniture.
“Wine of the Month”
Last time we told you of a great find a Ripasso – a big red from the Valpolicella region. It has been so well received it out sold the house red and so we’ve given it its own place on the wine list. Watch out this month for a Prosecco; classic and elegant with tiny bubbles (the hallmark of quality) and a fresh green apple nose and palate, with a long, crisp finish.
Using a technique called 'White vinification' (without the skins). The grapes are harvested from the hills of the first Dolomitic ridges in the north of Italy from late September to mid-October. The delicate 'sparkle' is added during a slow refermentation in large sealed tanks.

From one of the best Italian wine firms and its Prosecco is amongst the most absolutely complete expressions of this wine. Today, at the head of the winery, which was founded fifty years ago by Giustino Bisol, is his son Paolo. Ruggeri does not have its own vineyards but buys the grapes in the Valdobbiadene area. A bargain at £18.95 a bottle. If your email address is already on our database and you want to try this wine when you dine with us during April tell Max and we’ll only charge you £15 a bottle.
“Fine Waters…”
Claridge's is launching a water list, with 30 brands from as far afield as the icebergs of Newfoundland, the volcanoes of New Zealand and the Nilgiris Mountains in India.
Experts can differentiate between their mineral content and pH balance. They reckon: "Water is becoming like wine”. Certainly the price tags are almost on a par with a wine list. One variety, 420 Volcanic, sourced through 200m of volcanic rock, costs £21 for 42cl, which works out at £50 a litre. Berg, iceberg water from Canada, costs an equivalent of £30 a litre, while Mahalo Deep Sea Water, from Hawaii, costs £20 for 71cl, or £28 a litre.
In our quest to work with like minded local producers we tried a taste of Cheshire. Our new mineral waters are sourced from Nether Alderley. Started as a cottage industry in 1993 it is now one of the finest spring water companies in our region. Extracted from a natural spring which used to serve the houses in Nether Alderley; “Drink of this and take thy fill, the water falls at the Wizards will.” Available in still and sparkling 1 litre and 330 mml sizes.
“Market Restaurant Gift Vouchers”
Are available in any denomination you wish, just call in or ring us on 0161-834 3743
Dates for your diary
Farmers Markets:
We’ve always supported the Farmer’s Markets but have to applaud the traders at the Manchester one of late. Now down to about eight stalls they are valiantly championing the cause of local produce on the second and fourth Saturday of each month (and the preceding Fridays). The market is held in Piccadilly Gardens – not the best location. There are some great stalls; it really is worth checking out. We are looking at ways we could help to encourage visitors and a wider range of stalls. Any ideas?

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings try our “Market Choice” menu;
three courses from this menu plus a side order for £25
Menu
1st April – 17th May 2008

Cream of Cauliflower soup with croutons £4.95
Thai style Gravadlax with coriander and lime dressing £6.75
Red pepper and Goats cheese tart, Tapenade dressing £5.75
Chicken liver parfait with toast, spring onion and parsley salad £6.25
Blue cheese fritters served with Waldorf Salad £5.95
Smoked haddock and leek risotto with a soft poached egg £6.75

o-O-o

Rib eye steak with béarnaise sauce and potato wedges . . £17.95
Roast rump of lamb with tabbouleh and mint oil £15.95
Pan fried chicken breast stuffed with courgette and ricotta with a fresh tomato sauce £16.95
Roast fillet of salmon with watercress veloute £14.95
Char grilled polenta with rocket, parmesan and pesto salad £13.95
Twice baked leek, cheese and tomato timbales £13.95

Vegetables of the day or seasonal salad £2.50 each

o-O-o

Manchester Pavlova with whipped Jersey cream £5.25
Individual chocolate tart with white chocolate ice cream £5.50
Lemon and lime cheesecake with orange syrup £5.25
Rhubarb and ginger sorbet £4.95
English organic & farmhouse cheeses with biscuits and our own chutney £5.95
Finest stilton with a glass of either Late Bottled Vintage port or “Moscatel de Setubal” £6.95


Bottomless pot of tea or coffee £2.25 p.p.
Espresso £1.45 or Cappuccino £1.95 also available

NEW LUNCH MENU
Available 12 noon—2.30pm

Goats cheese and oven dried tomato bruschetta 8.95
Chicken Caesar salad small/large 6.50/9.95
Pan fried salmon niçoise 10.95
Soup of the day with crusty bread 4.95
Steak and onion ciabatta with potato wedges 9.95
Smoked salmon eggs Benedict 8.50
Club sandwich 8.95
Bangers and Mash, caramelised onion gravy 10.50
Roasted vegetable and tomato papardelle 9.95
Poached smoked haddock, chive potato cake, mustard beurre blanc 13.95
Prawn, crayfish and Marie rose sauce sandwich with rocket salad 13.95
Potato wedges, little gem, tomato or rocket and parmesan salad 2.50

Pudding of the day or Cheese & biscuits


Regards,
The Market Restaurant
104 High Street
MANCHESTER
M4 1 HQ
0161-834 3743
www.market-restaurant.com