Bearskinrug would like you all to take a bite of the marshmellow me..

coming soon a reasonable taste of life as a rug.

Go the Dogs!!!

News from the front:

The days are getting shorter, along with my tolerance for numpties. I don't know how much longer I'll be living at the CP.. I've just about had enuff of my temporary environs.. Where to next???

I am looking forward to the arrival of the parentals.. Mrs.H is first cab off the rank, later this month.. Then Ma and Rich will be hitting the shores come October. It's been 3 and a half years since I caught up with Richard, how the time flies.

I've placed myself on severe rations in an attempt to save as much coin as possible for upcoming travels. On the cards in the next few months- Berlin, one of my all time faves. There is also talk of the Peckham crew hitting Kerala, India for the festive season. A xmas in the sun is certainly tempting.

More importantly, it is almost time to start planning next summers festival. At the moment there are too many options. Wherever I end up, it's going to be a serious committment. The shortlist will take me to either the states, portugal, serbia or tanzania. It can only be one, maybe 2 at a stretch. Anyone interested in joining me on an epic adventure should apply by show of hand. Each of these loco's has a week long festival, or thereabouts. So dont be shy.

Greetings from Ol' Blighty.

So you might have noticed a few changes to the blog since you last checked in... well, they coincide with a few changes in the lives of Mez and Bear. Things don't always go according to plan, so one has to adapt, and revert to plan b, c or even d, depending on how far down the rabbit hole you find yourself. For Mez and myself, it was time to face a few home truths, home just wasn't doing it for either of us anymore. In short, we were'nt bringing out the best in eachother, infact quite the opposite. So we've decided to go our separate ways in order to re-invigorate our lives and bring some positivity back to a once light hearted relationship. I'm the first to admit I've made some mistakes, I'm far from perfect. If I had invested as much time and effort into our relationship as other aspects of my life, I'd most probably not be writing these words. Alas, experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other. Our separation has been amicable and we will remain good friends, this I know. Mez is being the free spirit she has always dreamt of, about to depart on the trip of a lifetime, a personal inquisition, following her heart and dreams. And who am I to stand in her way. She goes with my blessing and support, hopefully safe in the knowledge that if she so chooses to come back, my heart and arms will be open. The difficulty in seeing her go is monumental, however, knowing the value of what she is about to embark upon, I couldn't be more excited. Life is experience, and one should never let hope or nostalgia stand in the way of authentic experience.

So follow her adventures at http://www.theamateuracrobat.com/

As for me, where to next?? Stay tuned and you might just find out.

Update on Religion..

As you all know, I'm a bit of a religion nut. Theres nothing better than bowing down to the almighty and taking in a great game of footy on the weekends. Living in London allows for the mixing and acceptance of many religions. My passions and fervour for all sport with a ball involved runs deep. A landmark year ahead, 2009 has already seen the monumental shift of cricketing supremecy, from my beloved to my most loathed. No better motivation can there be to get that spot back. Although I believe we're due a few years in the doldrums, down with the kiwis, packies & windies. Makes for an interesting Ashes series in the summer. I drool with anticipation. The press over here are crowing at the retirement of Haydo. The odds have dropped on a pommie victory, amazing how one man, in his absence, can alter the perception of a nation. Maybe Haydos should of had one more turn in ol' blighty. Regardless, the proud Queenslander can hold his head up high, his replacement has some enormous boots to fill for sure.

Football, my love, how art thou? Looking good from my perspective. My teams are all performing admirably.
My spiritual love Queensland Roar are looking good for a top 2 finish and a finals berth. The Red Devils have moved to the top of the premiership, where they belong. My adopted local team, the Lions of Millwall are hovering around the promotion zone. Seville have moved into second spot in the Spanish league, still miles behind the powerhouse Barca. Unfortunately my Albanian and German teams, Partizani and Werder Bremen are feeling the pinch this season, and will not be in the hunt.

The Reds... ahh the Reds.. can we just for once deliver a season that matches the pre-season hype and promise. I think we can. Can we dream of a finals berth, unlikely, but I'd be happy with dark horse status. The top half of the table would be a good result. It's an exciting young team, time for the likes of Barnes, Cooper, Horwill, Holmes, Hynes, Mcmeniman and Ioane to deliver. Carn Queensland. My prediction, an optimistic 6th. Man most missed- Latho.

My other Lions team, from B-Vegas, can hopefully rise above the mediocrity of recent AFL seasons. Surely a top eight finish and a finals berth cannot elude captain Brown-dog another year. My prediction, 7th.

Finally to the scandalous NRL.. will we have a year free of off-field incidents, I doubt it. Still, it's the game I can't help but love. Dearest to heart The Mighty Maroons, gunning for history. I know where my money will be. Big Mal to deliver the dynasty they said could never happen in the modern game.
The Bronx, recruited well, but lost some important names. I'll be interested to see how life progresses post Bennett. The match of the season will be when the dragons come to town. My prediction, 4th, but serious contenders. Man most missed- Stagg.
And finally to my beloved Doggies... can they bring back their tough nut style, capture some of the brilliance in defence and attack that once made them the most feared of all. I hope so. They've recruited very well. Adding more Queenslanders to their stock is always a wise idea. I'm quite excited about the new look Dogs. All the tossers are now gone. The team can start to work as a team should, and deliver El Masri into the annuls of history. My prediction, sneak into the top 8. Man gladly missed- SBW.

So there you have it, my religious ideals for the year 2009. My most desired result of the year ahead- Wallabies holding the Bledisloe Cup aloft. Amen.

On the Menu...

It's 2009, already..., and the days are getting longer. We'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all, whoever & wherever you may be, a fabulous new year. A landmark year in store no doubt. To those Ozmosians ready to bust waters, good health. For those venturing into unchartered territory, good luck. To those spreading their wings, good flight. And to those with a palpable wanderlust, happy trails. We hope you all have a most satisfying, most enlightening, and most serendipitous 2009.

On the menu for us this year... work, work.. more work.. and with any luck, a property... somewhere.. somehow. As markets slide and crisis deepens, money in the pocket becomes ever more valuable. We'll bide our time, we're in no rush, but we're licking our lips as values tumble. Mind you.... She's thinking lobster, he's thinking burger king.

Travel destinations this year.. on the immediate horizon is a return to Albania, this time with Mezz instead of the mafia. Russia's number has also come up- a road trip from Moscow to Helsinki via St.Petersburg in the summer, I'm thinking big old black mercedes. Exit 09 (Serbia) has not been ruled out, this time an attack from the east, Moldova/Romania we were thinking. We've also decided that it's time for a warm xmas.. so 09/10 festive period is gonna have to be more tropical than not. Add a couple more surprise weekenders and we're in for a cracker.

Stories and snaps from the Spain/Portugal road-trip are imminent, so stay tuned for that. But for now... we must away. xxxx

Sometimes life can seem so cruel...

We've had some news from Kate and Ricki that tears at the heart strings on all levels. Khai, their new born baby boy passed away a couple of days ago. Now he's with the angels, where he can be a little boy for eternity. We wish we could be there with you today, to celebrate his short life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both, and your families.

Sending much love over the seas and into your hearts. M & B

Knocked-up Abroad...

This is the endearing image we'll keep of our not so little mate, Isa. Knocked-up abroad, but not for much longer. We sent the Isacol out with a bang, just 2 days before Guy Fawkes or Bonfire night. Ask the train to show you his video. Needless to say the neighbours weren't all that impressed. Tough crowd down in hamclap.

We are definately gunna miss them, but this is no place to rear grubnuts. Give them sun, sea and trees I say. We wish them all the very best for their new foray into parenthood.
I'll be very interested to chat to the Coltrain a few months after the birth. He's adamant life won't be changing.. but I've a sneaky suspicion he's in for a surprise or two.

Good luck maestro & may the force be with you both.

the clapham crew wish their resident parentals a fond farewell..