Revolution? Nah, Take That ..and Party!

It seemed only yesterday that Mrs MDS first saw Take That in 1993 when it was all screaming girls. I felt too old at the time as I had a mortgage, a job in radio, responsibilities and a Renault 5 with the number plate C123WAD. It had a radio and played cassettes, mainly my dance tracks & anthems. I wasn't to get a mobile phone until 1997 (and I've had the same number ever since!) I was just growing out of raves, clubbing and all manner of loud music. I was championing Paul Weller on one of the radio programmes I produced and a friend had introduced me to Oasis.

But when I first saw Take That, although they didn't replaced in my affection my then current favourite band Diffiniad, I loved them. Diffiniad actually opened their set at the 1993 Eisteddfod at Builth Wells with 'Could it be magic' and 'Everything Changes but You' was brilliant for driving and singing along to so I was very happy. This time frame is only relevant because on Christmas Eve 1994, five of us were out in the local pub drinking and saying which member of Take That we'd marry! I willingly choose Gary Barlow which was greeted with drunken laughter, however last night reunited with 2 of the original 5 (one of which is my sister) and guess what they all want Gary now! And it was Gary who said on stage in a sagely way '15 years, 15 bloody years' I was too far away to correct him and say actually 16 - as it was 1995 when Robbie pushed off.

And 15,16 or 17 years bring a big difference. For one I'm no longer driving a Renault 5, I have a cd player in the car plus I now pack my own sarnies! I think then the most I ever had to hand was gum or a pack of marlboro lights. It was obvious to me my rock chic past was well and truly over.

I made yet another road trip along the M4, stopped at Leigh Delamare on the way there. Managed to park the car in perfect place by waiting until there was a space - patience! Cardiff is such a fab place to go and see bands, ok so I could only get tickets for Cardiff but I was happy with that. When we rocked up at the Millennium stadium, (after I had ate my sandwiches in the car, and met the girls in Pizza Express) the Pet Shop Boys were playing. It was a good set and enjoyable, actually I think it was the first time I'd sat and listened to them at a live venue!

We had sunshine, warmth and the build up was filled with hilarity and stupidity.

And then the show started. It was fantastic. I wasn't sure if I would be as excited as I found myself in the same stadium in 2006 when they toured again. But OMG when Robbie came on I went mental. Honestly he was ace, he is such a performer and I pitied the poor people behind and in front. The whole set was stunning, the songs were fab and the costumes and choreography was excellent.

Howard & Jason's moves were amazing. Howard was wearing a white jumpsuit/harem pant number and looked amazing dancing that all of us dumped Gary right then and there! It was hilarious and for one moment I thought their testosterone levels would lead them to have a punch up with Robbie (he is still the consummate show off!) They all seemed so grown up too, in fact poor Mark Owen looked quite worn (out). Progress really was a show of coming of age and actually it didn't feel that bad to no longer have those marlboro lights I once loved so much!

Yep, moi going for it. I lost my voice and was rather sweaty from dancing. On the way back to the car, there were a band of a bout 12 people and some tents outside Cardiff Castle with a badly painted 'Revolution' board. As I was walking past, a couple of women were talking and on seeing this band of revolution one quipped (read this in a Cardiff accent if you can) 'We''ll see how revolutionary they are in December' and carried on walking, talking without taking a breath. It did seem to me that they looked like people from another time, quite 1990s New Age Travellers and out of touch, it seemed sad and not revolutionary on any level.

Then back on the road, home. When I saw the London 120 miles sign I sighed, sucked it up and kept driving and ruining my voice more with really bad singing but I was having my own party!

The Road Trip

Not a Route 66 road trip I hasten to add. Nope, a good old fashioned M4 number. Honestly I've been up and down the M4 most of my life given I was born in South Wales, moved to Bristol, then London, back to Bristol (a brief few years at uni in Norwich), then London, Bristol, Aberystwyth (for a couple of years, miles away I know), Swansea, Bristol & London. Bonkers. My parents have now moved from Bristol to London, well Home Counties but north west London. Mr MDS's parents live in Bath and most of our family and friends are still deposited in Wales and Bristol. He is also a M4 shuffler , Cardiff, London, Bristol, London, Bristol & London - we were destined to do it together!

Reading service station is my favourite stop and failing that Leigh Delamare. I often do hand overs of petit garcon at Cheiveley services. I never stop at Membury unless desperate, nor any of the services on M4 in Wales as they are all off from the motorway. Yesterday I found myself on route for Swansea via Bath to drop the petit garcon off as I was going to a funeral to accompany my mother. It was her cousin who was 90 and therefore had lived a full and proper life. Her husband is still alive and he was an RAF pilot in the war, he was a splendid host at the wake and I actually had a lovely time listening to people talking about their lives. Also I got to see one of my cousins who was going off to see Rod Stewart at the Liberty stadium that evening. Which set me off on how much I hated 'We are Sailing' as a child. I loathed that song. My next biggest loathe was Mull of Kintyre. The petit garcon is following in my footsteps as his most loathed song last year was Katy Perry's California Gurls. A bit of gossip but my cousin used to go out with Keith Allen! Her father was furious as he had just come out of borstal. Years later I reunited them at the premier party for Twin Town. I'd never met Keith until then and it was also before Lily became famous. It was a film made before a lot of the acting crew were famous, i.e. Rhys Ifans and Dougray Scott to name two.

I had to drive back to Bath to stay the night and then set off from Bath to home this morning. Ah the joys of travelling up and down the M4.

Mrs MDS's place of birth, not the M4, nor junction 33 but Barry! The only people who appreciate this fact are Gavin & Stacey fans.

The Severn Crossing, an amazing bridge and feat of engineering. It is more impressive as you drive into Wales or seen from the train in or out of Newport.

Beautiful Bath

Mrs MDS's breakfast of choice on the road.

My willing accomplish (in part)

Lovely allotment produce courtesy of grandparents