Petul, Katzenbruchestr., Essen, Germany

This place had a strange telephone for the reception, which did speak English, but the studio itself was quite nice, though narrow. My stay was most memorable for the vault-like door, and the shower, which had many complex nozzles. It took a lot of time with cold water spurting to figure out how all the controls worked. I had to use the strange telephone again to find the wifi code as well. I also think it could be clearer whether one is expected to park along the side or at the front of the residence, as it is not very clear (at least to somewhat not from Germany) whether there are any restrictions on the street. Obviously there was no restaurant, but local facilities included a then-closed Lidl supermarket next door and a suitable kebab shop round the corner.

Iron Witch at the Black Heart 19 August 2017

I saw "Iron Witch" at the Black Heart, Camden, on 19 August. This was a very heavy band and I could not hear any themes they may have had very well. I would say, on a scale of 1 to 100 with Guns and Roses at 5 and nothing but very loud amplifier feedback with bass at 100, they might be rated 95. However, I would rate the beer, Camden Pale Ale, very good.

Opium Lord at the Black Heart

A Wandering Opium Lord. 

I and a few dozen other people attended this gig at the Black Heart on 8 July, 2017. The first band This Ends Here had quite interesting changes of pace and theme but I thought seemed very much as though they were reading sheet music and needed more practice to get into the flow. The second band Grey Widow were very fuzzy and heavy in a simple and slow way with mildly innovative squeaky vocals. I am not sure if they played more than one very long track. The third band Opium Lord came up with some fine riffs that occasionally progressed into something a little bizarre, and at other times maintained the line. Their vocalist was of the shouty school, and wandered in a curiously masterful way in front of the platform.

Garsoniere Victor Seaview, Constanta, Romania

I stayed in this studio "Garsoniere Victor Seaview" in Constanta for a few nights. The room is quite large, with TV, wifi and aircon, though the kitchen and the bathroom are very small. I was on the ground floor, so there wasn't any 'seaview'. It is close to the beach, though a deserted section of it -- which may be good or bad -- and a small 24 hr supermarket is nearby. The proprietor was very friendly and did not object to me checking in after midnight (due the trains missing their connections). It is rather a long walk to either the resort at Mamaia or central Constanta, though some restaurants can be found 10 minutes stroll up to the main road.

Hotel Sir Gard de Nord, Bucarest

View of gas station roof and station.

I arrived at this very inexpensive hotel in June 2017 and they offered me a clean room with its own bathroom above the gas station and not a bad view of the Gard de Nord, from where I could take a bus to the airport the next day. The location wass surprisingly pleasant and any rough types seem to have long been moved on. The air conditioning was not working (though it may be one has to ask for a control).

National History Museum, Bucarest, Romania.

This museum of haphazard history contains a selection of Roman and a few later medieval stones, combined with a reproduction of Trajan's column, which commemorates his defeat of the Dacians (who lived here before the Romans came). There is also an impressive collection of gold objects through the centuries, beginning with 3 fine helmets from about the 4th century BC. Puzzlingly, one can find hidden in a gallery with an entrance in the corner, and easily missed, an extensive and well contextualised exhibition of Romania in the first world war, with English translation. Obviously, to be a first class national history museum this has to all be put in to order and the gaps filled in! But not so bad as far as it goes.

Cafe del Mar, Mamaia, Romania

I dropped into the Cafe del Mar, an upscale beach bar and club on the Black Sea at Mamaia, Romania. The sofas were comfy and the beautiful people were lounging on the "sezlongs". A chilled mix played. Unfortunately the bass was largely provided by the neighbouring bar, accompanied by shouts from an adjoining volleyball court. Perhaps I am a little fussy. The cheapest beer was Ursus at 10 lei (£2) and cocktails about 23 lei (£4.40): about double the neighbouring bars, but still less than London. I could not see any particular reason to pay more to drink a second beer there, so went to a cheaper sunbed next door. But might be nice for some club activity late in the evening.

Sal Island, Cape Verde

In Africa!

Diverse animation.

I spent a little over a week at the Riu Touareg hotel on Sal island, Cape Verde. The hotel is surrounded by desert -- a half day tour round the island was pleasant, but enough. It stands on an endless, permanently red flagged beach (though someone who gets up earlier than me claimed to have seen a green flag between 8.30 and 9.30 one morning). The waves are powerful but not too cold, and fun for the brave to splash around in. The staff were wonderful and friendly, but too busy to chat much. The service at the (free) bars was the fastest I have ever experienced. The Asian-style restaurant could do with a little work, but the others were decent, and the fish was always excellent, as one might expect.  The resort stage is large and well-appointed, but the 'shows' were, though enthusiastic, generally a disappointment. But I quite liked the one about Africa.  Nightlife was splendid (for those who liked karaoke).  Considering the size of the resort I think they should up their game in the entertainment department and spend a lot more on musicians and singers. One person was seen being rude to a cat, but the rest were fine.

Table football

Grand Magus at the Underworld, 1 April 2017

The first band played a heavy rock and roll the next a heavy hard rock, i could not see much about them. Grand Magus put in some fine guitar licks and rousing choruses, marred by air conditioning unit that kept dripping. . The crowd continued the cries if hhammerof the North long after the band left the stage.  I do wonder though if theusic is not perhaps a little, well, simple. But as they said, a good turnout for a Sunday night.