No Heavy Petting

Vintage: Jubilee Pool, Llanelli

Was thinking about the Marina in Swansea earlier and I got to thinking how much swimming pools have changed since I was a young boyo growing up in the 1970's/80's. I was what my grandmother called a "water baby" because I loved swimming and spent a fair amount of time at the Jubilee pool in Llanelli, jumping from top board, 'bombing' friends. (In fact I will go as far as to claim I was one of the first ten year olds in Strade school to actually dive from the highest board.)

But the changes from the 'baths' then to now are are as different as a graceful dive is to a bellyflop.

First off, the water seems warmer in todays sports centers.

Pools of yesteryear always had a foot bath linking changing room to swimming pool. Don't see them these days.

Swimming pools used to have a gutter running around the edges, as well as the occasional handrail.

The "No Heavy Petting" signs have disappeared.

Ditto the frightening grates in the middle of the deep end. I used to imagine all kinds of underwater leviathans inhabited those, convinced a slimy claw would reach out from the darkness if you dared get too near and pull you to your doom.

Leisure centers used stink of chlorine which would linger on you all day. Coming home on the bus you could always tell if someone had visied Jubilee pool. The potent stink has gone, along with hamburgers. Ah yes in Llanelli baths they didnt sell regular beefburgers, you got hamburgers (which were rather tasty if my tastebuds remember rightly.)

History Meet History

The River Thames 2012


The Thames and the City by Canaletto, 1847


Thames Jubilee pageant 2012

Sunday 3rd June, 2012 and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee (only the second one in history). To celebrate, the famous Thames flotilla scene painted by Canaletto all those years ago has been recreated and Dai Jakes thinks that whoever had this idea deserves a few drinks. We're all part of history today dear readers, this won't ever happen again. Wonderful scenes!

Diamond Jubilee 2012

Time for an ale yet?

For the next four days Great Britain is celebrating Queen Elizabeth II 60 years reign, and being as this is only the second Diamond Jubilee in the United Kingdoms history it is a pretty historic event whatever your feelings on the Royal family.
"Gawd bless yer Ma'am!" Is what I imagine some over zealous cockneye is shouting from under a Union Jack flag and cap decorated with pin badges of the St George Cross and The Who. And good luck to them, I hope those celebrating have a good day and everything runs according to plan.
Dai Jakes however is not a big fan of the monarchy so instead of filling a blog with the usual photographs of regal pomp and ceremony (there are hundreds of other bloggers doing that) here there will be more 'man-on-the-street- type photos to show you all what it looks like in our towns, away from London and the glare and pizzazz of newsrooms and glossy magazines.


I love corgies. And Special Brew.

I flicked stations at halftime during the Wales v Barbarians rugby game (Wales won by the way) to see what sort of coverage the Diamond Jubilee was getting in the United States, and sure enough CNN have caught the bug too. So much so that the weather forecast for tomorrow was the top story. In case you are wondering dear reader, tomorrow is when a thousand ships and boats sail down the Thames with Her Majesty and Prince Philip on a throne on the main ship. Mr Jakes is looking forward to that. One thousand ships of all sizes. The mind doeth boggle.


It rains here. A lot.

But for now lets have some music from Johnny and chums! Apologies for the obvious choice but its still a great tune all these years on. And I was never a Sex Pistols fan when I first started listening to metal/punk. Ithought they were thick yobs with nothing to say or offer. God Save the Changes.


Rowdy louts or visionaries?


Patriotic tissue

This is interesting (albeit in a gory sort of way). Last saturday I cut myself shaving (not the famous beard, just experimenting with a bald top lip) and as everyone is aware I have a camera always at the ready like a photo obssessed Billy the Kid. Prepared for any ghost or alien that decides to pay a visit or in case of clumsy accidents like above.
It bled like a ripe tangerine and naturally I happily snapped away, hoping for a decent shot of a rich, crimson swab of pretty mulch that I could use in some post or other. Hey Presto! A week on and I have it. The colours fit: red, white and blue and its kinda heart shaped which denotes passion. More passion for Wales but you get the picture. And so did Mr Jakes.


Cool Brittania!


Pets At Home in Carmarthen

Even the animals in Pets At Home have the Jubilee bug, as you can see from the Union Jack above the guinea pig and rabbits enclosure.

Mr Jake's Gift To The Queen

Perfect for bathtime!

Prime Minister David 'Dai' Cameron has put the kybosh on taxpayers forking out £60m on a yacht as a gift for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. But don't be too sad dear Majesty because we at the Dai Jake's Book offices have had a whip round with our dinner money and chosen to go hungry in order to get you a spiffy new yacht.
It comes complete with life vests, radio and binoculars and the upper deck is removable with a working anchor. The fancy cabin comes with a kitchen for the royal gin and furniture for the royal bum. Cool huh?
Just don't allow Andy to land any choppers on it, and don't take it too far out. Im certain you will be pleased with our efforts (and the fact that we now have to eat at Poundland) and any Knighthoods or OBE's kindly chucked our way will be gratefully received. Dai Jakes OBE has such a nice ring to it. Enjoy!