tygerland.net

Entry posted belatedly. Written 8th December ’06, 00:11

Major catastrophe on the Internet connection front - the Internet connection in our apartment is down, and it will not be sorted while we’re here. Shit. While in Russia and faced with a similar lack of coverage, I resorted to buying a pre-pay dial up card, but in Europe’s silicon valley, Tallinn, this just wouldn’t do. I’ll trundle each day to the nearest Wi-Fi café and get on at a decent speed. So apologies if I don’t reply to non-urgent emails or visit your blog over the next week or so.

I toyed with using my very swish Sony Eriksson cell-phone; after all it’s fully armed with all the 3G gubbubins, and set-up to go. However, as I don’t know the tariffs here in Estonia, and aware of the likelihood that Mrs. tyger would make me part with my balls if a weighty bill arrived at chez tyger, I think it’s best I ration access and get stuck into other writing and of course reading Dave Hill’s excellent new novel (which you can buy here).

It’s been a long day. We left blighty just after seven and with the favourable tailwind arrived just after nine (or eleven local time). Then straight to Mrs. tyger’s sister’s apartment for tea, and a couple of hours sleep. I awoke at four pm (local time) with a raging hunger and grogginess that can only be acquired with a long drive, a flight with a restive toddler, and an abject lack of sleep. We decided that lunch and a beer was in order. An hour later we were sat before a scrumptious feast and cold pint of Saku, the local beer.

I had chicken breast stuffed with pineapple, cheese, and prawns, served in a delicious garlic sauce, and Mrs. tyger satisfied her own growing hunger with a pork fillet pounded flat with melted cheese and served with spicy potato wedges. The pork melted in your mouth, and my chicken was splendid.

The restaurant doubled as a nightclub, and later in the subterranean bar, I was informed, would be topless go-go dancers. No amount of journalistic responsibility could convince Mrs. tyger of the necessity to report on this local cultural attraction. I apologise wholeheartedly for this oversight.

Anyway it’s gone midnight here, and no doubt tyger jnr. will be awake at sunrise, so I bid you farewell.