Calibans

Theatre Notes

Went to see The Tempest being performed at Castell Coch on Friday evening. It’s a summer tradition of touring outdoor shows around Wales, and good fun although I’m not entirely sure it’s a proper way for grown men to make a living.

This performance is touring for the rest of the summer (http://www.stageworkstheatre.co.uk/), although another group, the Wales Actors Company, got cancelled last year after the Arts Council withdrew its funding.

Restaurant Notes

Found a new restaurant nearby, in Nelson. It’s called Sergeants, and it used to be the local police station. Great food: haddock chowder, fillet steak & lemon cheesecake; but the words alone don’t really do it justice. Top scoff, and all locally sourced and prepared on the premises – no ping cuisine here. (www.sergeantsrestaurant.com)

TV Notes

The West Wing has finished. Forever. There’s now a gap in my life, which could only possibly be filled by the new series of the Sopranos being shown soon. Let’s hope.

BTW, it’s clear that the US could only get Presidents like Jeb Bartlett and Matt Santos on TV. In reality they got the President it deserves.

There’s a new series of Brainiac on Sky, the pop-science show which answers the great science questions, such as will it blow or will it glow when two chemicals are mixed. That’s the kind of chemistry I wish I’d had in school (of course Gwyn Williams tried his best to blow the school up on a couple of occasions). Things get put in microwaves and lots of caravans get blown up (slogan – we do this so you don’t have to).

Rugby Notes

New Zealand ran out winners over Australia 13-9, and in the process claimed the Bledisloe Cup. Australia fought well, and threatened to score a precious try late on, but they were let down but some average kicking by Sterling Mortlock. He and Percy Montgomery are made to look very average by Dan Carter, who looks like he’ll never miss.

The Wallabies host the Springboks in Sydney next Saturday, 10:30 on Sky. (home.skysports.com/rugbyunion)

Cricket Notes

Surprisingly England dispatched Pakistan within 3 days in the 2nd test. Steve Harmison on form was the difference. He and Monty Panesar got all the wickets except for one run out.

Elsewhere in the world, Sri Lanka ran riot with the bat and world records tumbled. They scored 756-5 declared with Mahela Jayawardene getting a massive 374 and Kumar Sangakkara chipping in with 287 for a world record 3rd wicket partnership of 624. Jayawardene’s “knock” sits only behind Brian Lara in the individual scoring records.

They duly beat South Africa by an innings.

Probably even more surprising was that Glamorgan won by 10 wickets at Gloucester on the weekend. Again it was Mike Powell with another double hundred who led the way – getting out on 299 must be a terrible feeling but getting 299 but be a great feeling. Crofty wheeled away and finished with 13 wickets, his best performance for 14 years and got the papers saying that he is now the best off-spinner in the country (England and Wales I guess that means).

Link of the Week

Richard Brunstrom, the head of North Wales Police, has a blog. Or rather, a “plodcast”. He is best known for his ludicrously strong anti-motoring views and is Jeremy Clarkson’s Enemy Number One. Nevertheless, it’s refreshing to see a boss open up his daily life like this. (http://www.north-wales.police.uk/nwp/public/en/blogs)