I've been quite busy...

Gosh. It's been a while. I've been busy, busy, busy.

I am a year older,

I am now the proud owner of a beautiful walrus,

I've fitted a new gear stick to my broken Land Rover,

I've been working too much,

But most of all, I've been growing a beard, which is hard work and doesn't leave much time for blogging.

Come September 1^st the Handlebar Club is hosting the World Beard And Moustache Championships at the Brighton Centre in (not surprisingly) Brighton. I'm not planning on competing (Antonia thinks I should, and I might see what grows...) but we have our tickets already and I felt I should show my support for Blighty and facial hair in some way.

From tiny acorns....A new blank canvas.

It's been on the go for three weeks now and is starting to show promise. I haven't decided quite what style to go for yet. For a New Year's Eve party (1999) I spent three months working on a replica R.A.F. standard-issue (circa 1930) officer's handlebar.

I say, you there! Looks like a splendid fellow. Probably spent the morning giving Jerry what-for over sausage-side, then nipped over Frogland to be back in Blighty for afternoon tea and crumpet.

Then a couple of years ago, with somewhat less notice, I mustered up a passable Australian Sports Personality 'Chopper' style moustache which I coupled with a classy David Dickinson tan (Pantone1505 CS) and some hair I borrowed from a retired Austrian porn star.

G'day, sport! Chuck another slab o' piss in the ute, cobber, we're off to a barbie this arvo.

So, the big question is what to grow this time? I'm inclined towards a musketeer. Any suggestions gratefully received.

Taking the air. Isle Of Wight 2006.