Back to life....

....Back in London, back to life as normal and still trying those backward circles. Nearly!


Untitled from Roy Barker on Vimeo.

Bicycle Thieves....

....I went to the Tyneside Cinema today to see Ladri di biciclette, (The Bicycle Thieves), a 1948 Italian film. It was very good, although I was slightly disappointed to find that it wasn't being shown in the Classic Art Deco cinema screen as advertised, but in one of the newer screens. Still, I thoroughly enjoy visiting the Tyneside, and recommend it to anyone who finds themselves in Newcastle any time soon.

Tyneside Cinema


'Classic' Art Deco screen


Ladri di biciclette

Saturday 27th....

....My penultimate day was spent watching Newcastle Falcons draw 16-16 with Worcester Warriors at Kingston Park, followed by drinks in the evening with those still left in town.

Mum & Dad's place....

....Has always been nice, as it is the only home I've ever known, but it's all in the detail!

Boxing Day....

....Andy's parents Jean & Nige arrived today. At lunchtime we went for a walk along the promenade, after which I cycled in to Tynemouth to meet Paul briefly and watch Newcastle lose. The early evening brought the Laing, Wenzel and Whitehead families to Queens Road for our annual Boxing Day bash, at which yet more food and drink was consumed amongst homemade quiz's and board games.

Christmas Day....

....Another Christmas day is gone, but a great day it was. Nothing other than the familiar routine between family and the Brannens', (who are as good as family anyway!). Moderate(!) amounts of food, alcohol and board games were had:

Christmas Skype....

....A trans-Atlantic Christmas day Skype call with Matt & Tess in New York. (Spot the Barker family crammed in to shot in the bottom left hand corner!)

Christmas Evie....

....Congratulations to Tom & Sarah, whose baby daughter, Evie May Dixon, was born today - on Christmas Day! She is a wholesome 10lbs 10oz and mother & baby are doing well.

Christmas Eve....

....After a few games of pool at Whitley Lodge Snooker Centre, a few of us went for dinner together at Avanti in West Jesmond. Following that, we went to our usual xmas eve haunt, the Lonsdale, for drinks amongst old friends.

Newcastle Gateshead....

....is looking beautiful under Christmas skies.

The Sage & The Snowman....

....Mum and I went to the Sage today in Gateshead to watch classic film The Snowman, accompanied by a live orchestra and chorister. As a kid this was my favourite (Christmas) film and to hear the score played live as we watched was superb. It was also my first real visit to the Sage - many times I have photographed the exterior, but to be on the inside made me appreciate even more the wonderful design of the Lord Foster building. Not to mention the incredible acoustics from inside the main hall. Below is a slideshow of photos I took of both the inside and outside today.

Geordie racer....

....My local ride is a Raleigh Pursuit with, shock horror, gears!

Have a break....

....join Tupperware club!
For as long as I can remember, Dad has used this classic KitKat Tupperware container to take his lunch to work. He'd be more than welcome at AMV where myself and a few others unashamedly flaunt our ware and the packed lunch we carry in it. It is the Credit Crunch after all.

The Seed....

....Johnny Kelly of Nexus has created this beautiful short following the life cycle of an apple seed.

The Seed:


He was also responsible for this incredible short, that I posted on this blog some while ago.

Procrastination:

Charity shops rock....

....Another joy about being back home, Whitley Bay in particular, is the large number of charity shops within walking distance. I first started shopping in them from the age of 14/15, much to the dismay of class mates at the time! They have served me well over the years and yesterday was no different.

Mum's Mug / Dad's mug - loving the typography!


Faux Barbour style quilted jacket made by our very own G.T Sportswear of Gateshead!?


Stacking mugs

Angel Of The North....

.....I am now back in Newcastle for Christmas, and for the first time in 10 years since its erection, I managed to get up close and personal with Antony Gormley's 'Angel'.

Christmas feast....

....Hannah & Max hosted a dinner for several friends last night.
It was an incredible spread that made my last night in London pre-xmas a well fed one before leaving for Newcastle today. Thank you guys.

Hannah & Max's place....

....is smart. Beautiful design and even an espresso cup collection.
Heck, there are even pillars outside - P O S H !

The last stand....

....TBC decided to gather one last time in 2008.
Drinks in the Princess Alice were followed by curry at Lahore, followed by fun on top of Spitalfields car park.
A record nine of us made it out and had a great time - confirming that 2009 will be a strong year for TBC.







TBC Last Stand from Roy Barker on Vimeo.

Merry Christmas....

....from me & some microwaves. (you'll need sound for this).