Last night out

So I had my last night out in Taunton yesterday. In a way, the best and the worst of the place was pretty much summed up by the experience.

On the one hand, the photo opposite (which wouldn't look out of place on the kitchenstairs weblog) is a hilarious, if disingenuous, parody of Somerset's lack of cosmopolitan credentials - beer labelled as cocktails. Note the artwork behind, imploring the drinker to "be careful who you smile at". Good advice in Taunton at the best of times.

On the other hand, there was Club Aura. Following a good few drinks in Sturms Sports Bar, where Super League was being shown on the big screen, we ventured along the road to the club. As it happened, Seb Fontaine was appearing that night, so we accidentally got the benefit of hearing a world class dance DJ. In Taunton? Surely not, I hear you cry. Stranger things have happened. In fact, it was a really good night all round. The reputation of Taunton (and market towns in general) for being full of cider drinking yobs fighting over the same three ugly women was blown apart by the atmosphere and attitude of the place. Admittedly, a very ugly woman did point and laugh at me, but I tend to get that wherever I go these days.

So yes, I will miss Taunton. My friends and family most of all, but also the fact that it's not such a bad place and there are good times to be had. We did witness one minor altercation outside a kebab shop, but other than that there was no fighting and no cider was consumed! Of course I'm excited about London and the opportunities it will bring, but at the end of the day, home is still home.