Post by rjdgull on Aug 27, 2011 22:29:14 GMT
The winning post this week was one of the most comprehensive that I've read on this site and unusually, it was not on a football match, but about curry! As always, it was written in very much his own style and sounded like a cracking night out. Funny that Jethro was mentioned as he was just round the corner that night performing in the Babbacombe theatre! Good on you Chris and keep those posts coming - maybe you can crack open some beer and play a few celebratory tracks?
Special mention to Barts as always for his historic research on Plymouth grounds.
THE HIMALAYA INDIAN RESTAURANT, BABBACOMBE - OPERATION VINDALOO 1/11 - SAT 20 AUGUST 2011
........well, here it is gang - the hugely-awaited report on the inaugural TFF Curry Club (Main Head Office Branch) meeting with Operation Vindaloo 1/11 at the above fine eatery in Reddenhill Road, Babbacombe - even at this early stage I can see our learned and esteemed friend Jon nodding sagely at how the scamp from Tweenaway has finally turned to the mighty Babbs for nutritional comfort and sustenance (hope Jon is enjoying his well-earned hols btw - he is a good egg)..........
..........first things first - I "think" we decided by end of the night (dependent on amount of Tiger beer consumed) that Phil was the unofficial/semi-official/fully official Photo Officer (delete as appropriate) for our esteemed TFF Curry Club - he will no doubt confirm or deny accordingly!............
.....ok then.........
..........the three participants on the night were Mr_Chelstongull (Phil), my bruv Mr_How Long, Nige?, known now as Nige and meself Mr_W (aka Chris/Statto/Bully/Beefy/Le Boeuf etc - the bleddy list goes on) - I got to know Phil a few years ago in a previous web-life in these 'ere parts in TUFC-land when he was a founder member of the Horsees along with me, and also the now-gone but still nosebags in occasionally on here Mr_GBH (Hail To The Horse, son - awight Jack me dhoby bucket?) - Phil and me anyway have a huge liking for quality proggy music etc and well, here we are, with me bruv in tow as another willing participant - we threatened a "Curry Night" so...............
...........an initial contact 'tween Phil n me was made at HQ1 (Theatre of Nightmares/House of Eternal Pain) prior to the Creepy Crawley match this Sat just gone 20 August, a pick-up time was established and off we went to view the match - not a lot to say - L 1-3 - well wellied by a team who looked 2 Divisions better than us at least - no complaints, Evans from the prisoner (grudgingly - you're still a feckin' fat fecker though, AND ya fat wizards' apprentice - you'll piiss this Division though I reckon - some class out there even Mark Loram would have been proud of, first-touch wise) - nuff said on that for now - the pickup from Chez_Phil for us to collect his esteemed Progmeisterness was arranged for 1930 hours (table booked by moi for 2030 hours btw) - so Nige n me set off from Shiphay at 1910 - got to RV point - the great man emerged at 1930 (with a book I'd lent him - Ian Hunter - "Diary Of A Rock And Roll Star" - best rock autobiography EVER imho, the well-sound John Lydons' "No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs", Motley Crues' "The Dirt" and Keef (hey you cats) Richards' "Life" all run it close) - I would SOOOOO love to say Phil appeared in leather headband, chiffon scarf (your scarf, it was ap-ricot), lavender tie-dye smock and "I WAS at Woodstock" t-shirt, exploding purple flares, Jesus wellies (sandals), stinking of patchouli and playing finger-cymbals and a set of bongos whilst chanting ancient Proggy mantras and lines from long-forgotten and obscure Wishbone Ash and King Crimson album tracks and B-sides but alas no, it was smart button-down shirt and jeans with trainers - never mind!........
.......rendevous successful - we proceeded in the Nige-mobile, sporty little white model (with recent memories of Gas and Shots away still fresh in its' memory cells - regrettably no legendary Mr_W's Nuclear Snakebite Cocktail Bar (come on down Ben!!!) in operation in the rear on this occasion), parked up behind The George in Babb and bonus here - a quid in the bottom of the ticket machine - early result boded well - all hands then into The George for a planned two flagon warm-up session - all went well, initially anyway - ale ordered etc (re-run of Big Auld Arse v Pool on) - bit of chat - Karaoke ready to start etc - when we realised that the majority of the pub had slunk outside for a handy, discreet ciggy break and what appeared to be a mad raggedy-woman was resplendent there behind us at the bar shouting at herself AND the barman for reasons known only to herself - suffice to say, it appeared anyway she had been drinking the "Demon Scrumps" heartily since lunchtime so - to avoid any further potential scenes with her - as she was having an argument with herself at this point, most heatedly - we supped up swiftly and proceeded to The Dog And Duck for part II of the pre-build-up and to discuss tactics for the final push on the Himalaya, 'twas much, much livelier in here - re-run of Posh v Ipswich now and a busy crowd, nice now in here (both pubs have been knocked into one room set-ups btw many moons ago now for any old Babb regulars - plasma mega-screens up in both) - after a quick flagon, it was set the controls for the summit so............
..........to the Himalaya - no probs in here at all frankly - for me anyway service was spot on, we were shown to seats - it WAS full almost btw already, so just as well we booked - orders were taken, ale (Tiger - daddy bottles) ordered, the only thing was it was a wee-bit dimpsy in there (dark) so to three middle-aged, grumpy auld men and not enough pairs of specs with us it was hard going - Phil called for the Braille menu in a combination of Cornish/English/Irish and Rubbish but to no avail.................
..........ok - to the foody stuff - three Starters ordered, Phil went for Onion Bhajee (safe), Nige Mixee Kebab (safer!!), me Lamb Choela (is it safe?, feckin' deffo not mate) - a one red chili-rated Nepalese dish (bloody hot as well) - oh btw this joint has a double menu - as well as all the trad Indian stuff it also does a load of Nepalese dishes - imagine the difference between Thai and Chinese food - bit like that - think you know what we mean - we all enjoyed them thoroughly as well as the usual Plain Pappadum selection with a four chutney set-up gig going on - spicy Papps next time I reckon - Massala - geddin there - this chutney formation was onion salad, sweet chutney, V V hot lime pickle, and a mint sauce - a lot of Indian restaurants vary here somewhat to my knowledge btw - I have known some to have three or four different hot pickle selections as well as numerous sweet chutney versions etc - anyway - it was very nice again - all enjoyed it - even if I did need the jug of water to stick on me fat head to cool me down as it was shockingly hot, that starter!!!........
.............onto Main Course time - Phil was Chicken Rajeshwari (a one red chili-rated dish - sounds lovely from the menu - boneless, barbecued, diced chicken pieces, onion, garlic, green chillies, tomatoes etc), Nige was basic "mild plain prawn curry" - try saying that after 5 pints of cider/lager!! - not Nige - he was kindly nominated driver - good egg he is too - and meself another one red chili-rated one, King Prawn Jalfreizi - we all know how THAT goes - well suffice to say - all the food was fantastic regarding main courses - we bolstered this up with a pair of Nans (not little old ladies - but garlic and plain breads - boom tssssh), a couple of veggie sides (spinach/potatoes/cauli - you know how it is) as well and a brace of pilau rices to boot - and most excellent it all was - a splendid evening was enjoyed by all - now to the banter - well, you know as the Tiger beer goes in, the sad confessions of guilty pleasures regarding music and entertainment-wise come out - I shall list a few subjects to whet ya appetites - who and when - well, who knows!...........
.........Kellys' Heroes and "Burning Bridges", Papillon, The Shawshank Redemption, Good Will Hunting (films), "White Horses" (beautiful song), "Miss You Nights" by Cliff Richard, Saxon (ffs someone!!!), Hawkwind (hmm, nice), Mott The Hoople, ELO, Spinal Tap - turn it up to 11, Queen, Cerys Matthews (who plays banjo - extraordinary, good on her), Jethro, Jethro Tull, "Afternoon Delight" by The Starlight Vocal Band (Gawd, it gets worse), Stephen Fry, Enoch Powell, the recent riots, machine-gunning the recent rioters and looters, National Servicing the recent rioters and looters and turning 'em into suicide bombers (with extended cattle prod if necessary if they deviate from target - last one possibly a bit TOO radical?), the World Wrestling Federation, Saturday afternoon wrestling from the 70s' on "World Of Sport" especially Jackie Pallo, the Royal Brothers and Kendo Nagasaki, Starsky and Hutch and the theme music along with the sheer embarrassment of having to go into Flox Records to order your little brother the 7" single of the afore-mentioned Starsky & Hutch theme music and the sheer incredulity of finding that there were TWO versions of it available - he did have both btw in the end, David Soul and TWO, yes, TWO 12" albums by him STILL in someones' collection (Jeez man), "The Royle Family" and in particular Caroline Aherne and Dave Cash with their brilliantly poignant script-writing (and who DIDN'T sniffle during "The Queen Of Sheba"? - "Scarlet Ribbons" and all that), "The Old Grey Whistle Test" and "Whispering Bob Harris", the late and sadly-missed John Peel, the "discovery" that two of the three attendees of the nights' festivities were actually Liverpool-born and henceforth "therefore thieving Scousers", (doh, which two?), Tweenaway v Cuthbert v TBGS - who WOULD win in a fight between them?, Lord_Hawhawhawhawhaw himself, bruv referring to me and Phil as Scratchy and Spikey (as opposed to Smashy and Nicey - "its' for charideeeeeeeeeee, mate") - think I prefer the "Two Old Gits" from Harry Enfield meself ffs - the joys of Jenny Agutter in "Walkabout" to a 70s' schoolboy (still Bang Tidy now allegedly - she'd love that), the joys also of the much-lamented Flox Records in Fleet Street (as was), Torquay, the joys (or other-wise, take ya pick!!) of the mighty-Merse nowadays - and probably the zenith here, Roger Whitaker and just one measly attendance of just one of his concerts - at this point, I personally would like to say in my personal defence (!!!), sadly in hindsight, "I say to you Roger (in the style of the pub Cockney in Harry Enfield) - Oi, noooooo Whitaker, go home my son - take yaself, ya silly beard and speccys, ya geeetar AND ya weirdy-whistling and bleedin' STAY in facking Durham Town, DON'T leave it, got it?" - (too late now anyway - bah)............
............all in all, a fab night out, we called for the bill after coffees and mints - it was to be fair, a bit pricey, as other reviews have said for this joint - due to the high price of the bottled ale thats why - but excellent quality and the company excellent also........
.......Cheers Phil and Nige...............
.........we hope to do another one soon, I imagine our learned friends Jon and Nick (aka Da Prof/Mr_Barton Downs) may well be along then - till next time happy Bhuna'ing and keep the TUFC faith gang - maybe someone else will chippy in on here soon - we'll look forward to it greatly..............
...I think Phil will report in now with his comments - and hopefully a couple of piccies - there may be a bit of technical lighting issuery here though!..........
......and to finish.......
.............spesh for Phil and in the words of the almighty Sir William of Idol and his feckin' soft Southern self (prob livin' in La-La land as we speak) - "Its' a nice day for a white wedding, start agaaaaain" ("erm my faves' "Eyes Without A Face" actually" - nice song) - just juggling and a tattoo to go now Phil!.........
.......and I KNOW youse bhoys is all askin' like whats' he listening to now?- well, its'......
....."Jesus Of Surburbia" - the mighty Green Day...............
....phew, am currently getting involved on a "Nuclear Snakebite" after that lot (The Trees know what THAT is).........
........high five here gang, large one all round to Rog, Pat, Phil_Chelst, Jon, Nick the Prof, Paul Dutch, Paul n Ralph Coysh, The_Mighty_Trees and mate_John, the Beard outside, old-un Badders, Dave The Taxi, Nick_the_Mad, the Famous Five, Big Darren, Cav (of course), the Tabbster, Tattoo'ed Dave, Mr_and Mrs_GBH but most of all, the shiniest star by far, my grand brother Nige..........
........."Up The Cats - County Kilkenny for Da All-Ireland again - go on, geddin there bhoys"........
PS:
.......One doggy-bag went out the door at the end of the night, I'll give you a clue, the one carrying it was NOT born in Liverpool.............
Special mention to Barts as always for his historic research on Plymouth grounds.
THE HIMALAYA INDIAN RESTAURANT, BABBACOMBE - OPERATION VINDALOO 1/11 - SAT 20 AUGUST 2011
........well, here it is gang - the hugely-awaited report on the inaugural TFF Curry Club (Main Head Office Branch) meeting with Operation Vindaloo 1/11 at the above fine eatery in Reddenhill Road, Babbacombe - even at this early stage I can see our learned and esteemed friend Jon nodding sagely at how the scamp from Tweenaway has finally turned to the mighty Babbs for nutritional comfort and sustenance (hope Jon is enjoying his well-earned hols btw - he is a good egg)..........
..........first things first - I "think" we decided by end of the night (dependent on amount of Tiger beer consumed) that Phil was the unofficial/semi-official/fully official Photo Officer (delete as appropriate) for our esteemed TFF Curry Club - he will no doubt confirm or deny accordingly!............
.....ok then.........
..........the three participants on the night were Mr_Chelstongull (Phil), my bruv Mr_How Long, Nige?, known now as Nige and meself Mr_W (aka Chris/Statto/Bully/Beefy/Le Boeuf etc - the bleddy list goes on) - I got to know Phil a few years ago in a previous web-life in these 'ere parts in TUFC-land when he was a founder member of the Horsees along with me, and also the now-gone but still nosebags in occasionally on here Mr_GBH (Hail To The Horse, son - awight Jack me dhoby bucket?) - Phil and me anyway have a huge liking for quality proggy music etc and well, here we are, with me bruv in tow as another willing participant - we threatened a "Curry Night" so...............
...........an initial contact 'tween Phil n me was made at HQ1 (Theatre of Nightmares/House of Eternal Pain) prior to the Creepy Crawley match this Sat just gone 20 August, a pick-up time was established and off we went to view the match - not a lot to say - L 1-3 - well wellied by a team who looked 2 Divisions better than us at least - no complaints, Evans from the prisoner (grudgingly - you're still a feckin' fat fecker though, AND ya fat wizards' apprentice - you'll piiss this Division though I reckon - some class out there even Mark Loram would have been proud of, first-touch wise) - nuff said on that for now - the pickup from Chez_Phil for us to collect his esteemed Progmeisterness was arranged for 1930 hours (table booked by moi for 2030 hours btw) - so Nige n me set off from Shiphay at 1910 - got to RV point - the great man emerged at 1930 (with a book I'd lent him - Ian Hunter - "Diary Of A Rock And Roll Star" - best rock autobiography EVER imho, the well-sound John Lydons' "No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs", Motley Crues' "The Dirt" and Keef (hey you cats) Richards' "Life" all run it close) - I would SOOOOO love to say Phil appeared in leather headband, chiffon scarf (your scarf, it was ap-ricot), lavender tie-dye smock and "I WAS at Woodstock" t-shirt, exploding purple flares, Jesus wellies (sandals), stinking of patchouli and playing finger-cymbals and a set of bongos whilst chanting ancient Proggy mantras and lines from long-forgotten and obscure Wishbone Ash and King Crimson album tracks and B-sides but alas no, it was smart button-down shirt and jeans with trainers - never mind!........
.......rendevous successful - we proceeded in the Nige-mobile, sporty little white model (with recent memories of Gas and Shots away still fresh in its' memory cells - regrettably no legendary Mr_W's Nuclear Snakebite Cocktail Bar (come on down Ben!!!) in operation in the rear on this occasion), parked up behind The George in Babb and bonus here - a quid in the bottom of the ticket machine - early result boded well - all hands then into The George for a planned two flagon warm-up session - all went well, initially anyway - ale ordered etc (re-run of Big Auld Arse v Pool on) - bit of chat - Karaoke ready to start etc - when we realised that the majority of the pub had slunk outside for a handy, discreet ciggy break and what appeared to be a mad raggedy-woman was resplendent there behind us at the bar shouting at herself AND the barman for reasons known only to herself - suffice to say, it appeared anyway she had been drinking the "Demon Scrumps" heartily since lunchtime so - to avoid any further potential scenes with her - as she was having an argument with herself at this point, most heatedly - we supped up swiftly and proceeded to The Dog And Duck for part II of the pre-build-up and to discuss tactics for the final push on the Himalaya, 'twas much, much livelier in here - re-run of Posh v Ipswich now and a busy crowd, nice now in here (both pubs have been knocked into one room set-ups btw many moons ago now for any old Babb regulars - plasma mega-screens up in both) - after a quick flagon, it was set the controls for the summit so............
..........to the Himalaya - no probs in here at all frankly - for me anyway service was spot on, we were shown to seats - it WAS full almost btw already, so just as well we booked - orders were taken, ale (Tiger - daddy bottles) ordered, the only thing was it was a wee-bit dimpsy in there (dark) so to three middle-aged, grumpy auld men and not enough pairs of specs with us it was hard going - Phil called for the Braille menu in a combination of Cornish/English/Irish and Rubbish but to no avail.................
..........ok - to the foody stuff - three Starters ordered, Phil went for Onion Bhajee (safe), Nige Mixee Kebab (safer!!), me Lamb Choela (is it safe?, feckin' deffo not mate) - a one red chili-rated Nepalese dish (bloody hot as well) - oh btw this joint has a double menu - as well as all the trad Indian stuff it also does a load of Nepalese dishes - imagine the difference between Thai and Chinese food - bit like that - think you know what we mean - we all enjoyed them thoroughly as well as the usual Plain Pappadum selection with a four chutney set-up gig going on - spicy Papps next time I reckon - Massala - geddin there - this chutney formation was onion salad, sweet chutney, V V hot lime pickle, and a mint sauce - a lot of Indian restaurants vary here somewhat to my knowledge btw - I have known some to have three or four different hot pickle selections as well as numerous sweet chutney versions etc - anyway - it was very nice again - all enjoyed it - even if I did need the jug of water to stick on me fat head to cool me down as it was shockingly hot, that starter!!!........
.............onto Main Course time - Phil was Chicken Rajeshwari (a one red chili-rated dish - sounds lovely from the menu - boneless, barbecued, diced chicken pieces, onion, garlic, green chillies, tomatoes etc), Nige was basic "mild plain prawn curry" - try saying that after 5 pints of cider/lager!! - not Nige - he was kindly nominated driver - good egg he is too - and meself another one red chili-rated one, King Prawn Jalfreizi - we all know how THAT goes - well suffice to say - all the food was fantastic regarding main courses - we bolstered this up with a pair of Nans (not little old ladies - but garlic and plain breads - boom tssssh), a couple of veggie sides (spinach/potatoes/cauli - you know how it is) as well and a brace of pilau rices to boot - and most excellent it all was - a splendid evening was enjoyed by all - now to the banter - well, you know as the Tiger beer goes in, the sad confessions of guilty pleasures regarding music and entertainment-wise come out - I shall list a few subjects to whet ya appetites - who and when - well, who knows!...........
.........Kellys' Heroes and "Burning Bridges", Papillon, The Shawshank Redemption, Good Will Hunting (films), "White Horses" (beautiful song), "Miss You Nights" by Cliff Richard, Saxon (ffs someone!!!), Hawkwind (hmm, nice), Mott The Hoople, ELO, Spinal Tap - turn it up to 11, Queen, Cerys Matthews (who plays banjo - extraordinary, good on her), Jethro, Jethro Tull, "Afternoon Delight" by The Starlight Vocal Band (Gawd, it gets worse), Stephen Fry, Enoch Powell, the recent riots, machine-gunning the recent rioters and looters, National Servicing the recent rioters and looters and turning 'em into suicide bombers (with extended cattle prod if necessary if they deviate from target - last one possibly a bit TOO radical?), the World Wrestling Federation, Saturday afternoon wrestling from the 70s' on "World Of Sport" especially Jackie Pallo, the Royal Brothers and Kendo Nagasaki, Starsky and Hutch and the theme music along with the sheer embarrassment of having to go into Flox Records to order your little brother the 7" single of the afore-mentioned Starsky & Hutch theme music and the sheer incredulity of finding that there were TWO versions of it available - he did have both btw in the end, David Soul and TWO, yes, TWO 12" albums by him STILL in someones' collection (Jeez man), "The Royle Family" and in particular Caroline Aherne and Dave Cash with their brilliantly poignant script-writing (and who DIDN'T sniffle during "The Queen Of Sheba"? - "Scarlet Ribbons" and all that), "The Old Grey Whistle Test" and "Whispering Bob Harris", the late and sadly-missed John Peel, the "discovery" that two of the three attendees of the nights' festivities were actually Liverpool-born and henceforth "therefore thieving Scousers", (doh, which two?), Tweenaway v Cuthbert v TBGS - who WOULD win in a fight between them?, Lord_Hawhawhawhawhaw himself, bruv referring to me and Phil as Scratchy and Spikey (as opposed to Smashy and Nicey - "its' for charideeeeeeeeeee, mate") - think I prefer the "Two Old Gits" from Harry Enfield meself ffs - the joys of Jenny Agutter in "Walkabout" to a 70s' schoolboy (still Bang Tidy now allegedly - she'd love that), the joys also of the much-lamented Flox Records in Fleet Street (as was), Torquay, the joys (or other-wise, take ya pick!!) of the mighty-Merse nowadays - and probably the zenith here, Roger Whitaker and just one measly attendance of just one of his concerts - at this point, I personally would like to say in my personal defence (!!!), sadly in hindsight, "I say to you Roger (in the style of the pub Cockney in Harry Enfield) - Oi, noooooo Whitaker, go home my son - take yaself, ya silly beard and speccys, ya geeetar AND ya weirdy-whistling and bleedin' STAY in facking Durham Town, DON'T leave it, got it?" - (too late now anyway - bah)............
............all in all, a fab night out, we called for the bill after coffees and mints - it was to be fair, a bit pricey, as other reviews have said for this joint - due to the high price of the bottled ale thats why - but excellent quality and the company excellent also........
.......Cheers Phil and Nige...............
.........we hope to do another one soon, I imagine our learned friends Jon and Nick (aka Da Prof/Mr_Barton Downs) may well be along then - till next time happy Bhuna'ing and keep the TUFC faith gang - maybe someone else will chippy in on here soon - we'll look forward to it greatly..............
...I think Phil will report in now with his comments - and hopefully a couple of piccies - there may be a bit of technical lighting issuery here though!..........
......and to finish.......
.............spesh for Phil and in the words of the almighty Sir William of Idol and his feckin' soft Southern self (prob livin' in La-La land as we speak) - "Its' a nice day for a white wedding, start agaaaaain" ("erm my faves' "Eyes Without A Face" actually" - nice song) - just juggling and a tattoo to go now Phil!.........
.......and I KNOW youse bhoys is all askin' like whats' he listening to now?- well, its'......
....."Jesus Of Surburbia" - the mighty Green Day...............
....phew, am currently getting involved on a "Nuclear Snakebite" after that lot (The Trees know what THAT is).........
........high five here gang, large one all round to Rog, Pat, Phil_Chelst, Jon, Nick the Prof, Paul Dutch, Paul n Ralph Coysh, The_Mighty_Trees and mate_John, the Beard outside, old-un Badders, Dave The Taxi, Nick_the_Mad, the Famous Five, Big Darren, Cav (of course), the Tabbster, Tattoo'ed Dave, Mr_and Mrs_GBH but most of all, the shiniest star by far, my grand brother Nige..........
........."Up The Cats - County Kilkenny for Da All-Ireland again - go on, geddin there bhoys"........
PS:
.......One doggy-bag went out the door at the end of the night, I'll give you a clue, the one carrying it was NOT born in Liverpool.............