We will be there on the Tuesday rather than Saturday. Saturday is Fulham away which is the perfect excuse for a weekend at the first born's flat in the East End. We will also more likely be in Pizza Express than Cafe Rouge! Agree with you on the Lowry - excellent venue, which I will be frequenting this Friday for the opening night of Richard Thompson's tour.

We had a table for 16 at Thyme booked for last Saturday which we only booked on Wednesday. On Friday tea time we got a call to say that they has ceased trading on that day. Luckily the Pines stepped into the breach with a fine meal in a private room to boot.

I didn't know there was opera on but I know the Cornerhouse in Manchester has a live feed of the musical Fela from the National this Thursday which is a similar idea. You need to get down to see Opera North at the Lowry Paul, if you have not already done. Next visit is in the first week of March and I think we will be seeing Carmen. Saw The King's Speech last night - excellent.

In that case tha needs to get out more lad.

They were indeed Oz, although arriving a bit late I was so far back I could barely see them. Just back after another fabulous weekend (well best part of a week). Makes a change to be shaking dust off everything rather than mud. Some thoughts on my festival, although I suspect most weren't on the telly: - Gorillaz - enjoyed in parts, usually the parts that others there didn't. The Syrian band I thought were terrific and it was worth the time for the brief cameo by Lou Reed, the man with the most lived in face in rock and roll, including Keith Richards. That was the only time I went to the Pyramid stage. Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni Ba. Simply wonderful. I've seen the band 5 or 6 times and they just keep getting better and better. The Guardian this morning said the crowd leaving the West Holts field wore gobsmacked expressions and I can well believe that. I urge anyone interested in guitar bands who hasn't ventured into African music to see them if they can. The Unthanks - a delay of 20 minutes with sound problems put them a bit off their stride but they still gave an excellent set. Nick Lowe - an object lesson for any new wannabees in how to deliver an hour of perfectly crafted pop songs with the minimum of fuss, backed by an extraordinary tight band. To Mezclao - a new Cuban band on in an obscure bar in the early hours of Sunday - a joy. Dr John - only caught the first half an hour as I had to work. Small crowd because he started in competition with the football (that was a mistake that thousands might have regretted), but wonderful to see the legend live again after I think 38 years. Richard Thompson - again another admirable set delivered to a small but passionate crowd. Rodgrigo y Gabriella - I've been wanting to see them for a while now but last night was the first time. They produce an extraordinary live experience for two people and guitars. I have a theory that they are guitar heroes for twentysomethings, who didn't have anyone like Hendrix or Clapton to worship. They have invented a new genre, which Q calls thrash metal flamenco, which is as good a description as I can think of. Gomez - closed the Avalon stage. A while since I've seen them and I managed to catch the last half hour. A nice way to finish last night. My son and his mate are scouring the Sky+ tape looking for themselves in the crowd for Orbital, which included a stage appearance for a Rovers fan - Matt Smith. he's the second that I know of, after me last year Other than that, a bit too much beer and not enough sleep.

Went to see the excellent Rokia Traore last night at the Bridgewater Hall - none other than El Hadj Diouf was there as well.

That list just shows the danger of producing a list on votes on the internet. I can't take seriously any list of the top 250 films that doesn't have any Robert Altman films in it. I don't recall seeing any Wim Wenders films on there either. Yet it's full of pretty ordinary stuff.

Don't like the music but I did once spend a very bizarre but fun night in the bar at the Marriott in Cardiff a few years ago with Lemmy - he'd just got up.

If you mean parched peas, they're still readily available on the Flag Market in Preston most weekends.

I can see both sides, but he felt it inappropriate and as he does all the hard work to make it happen, I would regard it as his call.

I understand from the man that organises it that the big flag will not be making an appearance in the Blackburn End tonight given the circumstances.

It'll be a late night then, as it's only on at Blackburn and the Reebok at about 11.00 pm from Friday. It's on at Wigan, Trafford Centre and the Printworks at more sensible times though.

Saw Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll on Saturday - it was very good indeed. Sorry - couldn't resist that. Paul - it's on at Vue in Blackburn and at the Reebok this week, though not in either cinema in Preston.

I may have missed this as I've been away for the last 2 weeks but there doesn't seem to have been any mention of Don Martin's sad death at the tragically young age of 65. He may not have been at the highest level but he provided plenty of entertainment for me in my formative years as a Rovers fan in the old Third Division team. There was a nice article by Paul Agnew in today's programme.

Duk and Pond are owned by the same management and are about 100 yards apart. I prefer Pond as it's a bit lighter and airier but the food is pretty much the same in both. I know they both have very good reputations but I find them fairly ordinary to be honest.

Presumably lifted from Saturday's programme! Ferencvaros sounds impressive but they're not what they were, towards the foot of the table and having games abandoned due to fan riots. It will be a challenge but that's when you usually get the break to be a manager.

Spot on Oz. I knew there would be at least someone on here who would pick it up. They used to let their support of Tranmere get in the way of possible rock stardom. They famously refused to appear on a popular music programme in Newcastle one Friday night (The Word?) as it clashed with a Tranmere home game.

I see from yesterday's match programme that Craig Short is the new manager at Ferencvaros. Of no interest to me as I was a teenage armchair Honved fan

I too am ambivalent about Wagamama - it's Ok but doesn't fill me with enthusiasm. Tampopo, on the same model in Albert Square, is better in my view.

Apologies if this is somewhere else on the thread but Simon Barker is now Head of Delegate Liaison (?) at the PFA and is a trustee of the National Football Museum in Preston - for those fans who remember the last time we had to sell our best players to survive.

Hughesy - how about following the link and reading the menu?

Mike, if you need to be in the centre of town then Mr Heathcote's place would still be the best option if you want a good meal in quality surroundings - it's been rebranded as the Grill Room at the Olive Press but is little changed otherwise. If you can move a little out of town Inside Out on Higher Walton Road in Walton-le-Dale has been good the few times I've been there, although it's been a while. There's Thyme at the Sirloin, (which you could walk to from home!) and Gordon's recommendation of San Marco in Much Hoole is a good one if it's not too far out and quality Italian is OK.

I'll have to diagree with you about Northcote Manor. I've only been to Stanley House once and that was a while ago so I may be out of date but it seemed good but not great value for the price. On the other hand we were at Northcote on Monday for the wife's birthday and it was almost faultless, if breathtakingly expensive. I found the staff pretty relaxed, certainly no pretensions of grandeur that you often get at Michelin places. The tomato comsomme, ostensibly the filler course to make his Great British Menu into 5 courses, was simply outstanding.

Not really for this thread but I can't think where else to put it. I got a mailing from Northcote Manor the other day with some lunch offers and there is a location map which shows everywhere within 30 miles but completely misses Burnley - hats off to Nigel!

I've been to the San Marco a couple of times - both excellent - and it's only 10 minutes from home for me!