A few if us are mini-mingling at FOPP this morning to torture ourselves by attempting to resist the lure of retail therapy. We’ll be the ones fidgeting and mumbling to each other. Do come along too if you can.
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Simonl says
Waves from just south of junction 17 on the M4.
DogFacedBoy says
Would recommend taking a stroll down to Plastic Wax and The Centre For Better Grooves
Vulpes Vulpes says
@simonl Waves back!
After a great Full English on Baldwin Street we successfully relieved FOPP of a selection of goodies while listening to Americana strains downstairs and then some ghastly dirge-like whining upstairs as we picked at the motherlodes. I escaped lightly with a Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott album (thanks Steve – you were right, it’s a good ‘un) and the new Squeeze LP plus a Patrick Leigh Fermor paperback (Mani) to dive into once I’ve finished the walk-across-Europe trio.
Staggering out onto the pavment post-FOPP, I took my leave as I had to press on with domestic chores, and left Steve & Paul as they were fixing crampons for the assault on Park Street; they had Rise in their sights next, and were aiming to crest the Triangle ridge within minutes, or possibly half an hour with a pause for oxygen at Camp 1 (Bristol Guild). Both were already labouring under their loads of FOPP-spoor, Paul particularly weighed down, and the talk was of a similar shelf-depletion event at the top of the hill.
I hope they have made it safely, and that a dispatch will be received confirming their safe descent to the Park Row NCP after summitting.
We will do this again, and next time it would be great to meet up with even more Afterworders.
Kid Dynamite says
A bit more notice and I could have turned up – I was free till 11 this morning, and I owe Linkins in Fopp a chat. Interested to see what the infrequent visitors make of Rise – I reckon it’s declined horribly over the past twelve months or so.
GCU Grey Area says
Its a pleasant shop, but I know what you mean. Far, far less cds and DVDs and the book section isn’t as good as it once was. They used to have loads of bargain art/design books, but nothing tempting today aside from a few Taaschens at a tenner each. Oh, and they’ve stopped selling cheap Moleskine notebooks.
DogFacedBoy says
Isn’t Rise owned by Rough Trade these days? I’ve always found RT shops dull
GCU Grey Area says
RT own a majority share in Rise, who were set up by Fopp’s founder.
Rise was previously on two floors, but the ground floor is now a cafe. All things audio-visual are now on the first floor. I’d date its going a bit downhill to when it gave up the ground floor.
GCU Grey Area says
Oh, bugger.
I should have looked here before I set off this morning. Had to be at Brizzle Airport at 10.30, so went on to that Park Street. Rise around 11.15, and thence to Fopp and St. Nicholas Market. Pleasant bimble around, but no purchases.
Happy Harry says
Am just home from beer festival and racing at Ascot – would otherwise have joined a mingle round that area. I visited Rise, and Plastic Wax last Sunday and thought Rise had improved its selection since my previous visit. If I’m talking bollocks blame the West Berks Brewery
el toro says
It was indeed a fine morning, despite you getting my name wrong, but don’t worry……I forgive you Mike!
The trip around Rise wasn’t as productive. Steve and I both agree that we prefer our retail offerings laid out a bit more user friendly. Having most of your CD selection laid out under a general A, B, C etc heading really doesn’t tempt me to browse these days I’m afraid. Fopp’s more individual labelling is much more helpful. Maybe I’m just a grumpy old bastard…..
Vulpes Vulpes says
Sorry Mike! That’s what I get for buying my first ever Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott album – fixated.
Vulpes Vulpes says
arf
SteveT says
Grumpy old bastard but still shopping like a mentalist!! Good to meet you Vulpes. Incidentally the Americana strains were Dave Rawlings new album Nashville Obsolete and mighty fine it is too.
Rise was as El Toro said slightly disappointing but wonder if we had shopped there first that FOPP wouldn’t have been disappointing.
The Funkadelic cd I deliberated over, I did in fact already have so El Toro got a Brucie Bonus.