julianradbourne.co.uk AKA The Two Sheds Review: 01/08/2025

Sunday, August 31, 2025

The Battle of the Cromer Buskers

The Battle for busking supremacy in Cromer. Who gets your vote? The guy playing the thing outside the church or the woman with the karaoke machine outside the supermarket? You decide!

Saturday, August 30, 2025

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Well, the summer's almost over, the kids are going back to school, so you know what that means, don't you?

Rebellion: Civil War II Chapter Ten

From his position aboard the Saratoga, Hague tried the best he could to direct the battle efforts. He was not expecting what was about to happen.

"General!" Ross called out. "We're getting a transmission from Earth, for you."

"Who from?"

"The President's office!"

"Of all the times for that bitch to call! Okay, put her through."

The small screen in front of Hague soon came to life with Servalan's image.

"General, I have new orders for you," she said. "Surrender."

Podley had left Magus alone in his office while he returned to his work. As Magus watched him working he began to see why he was so admired and respected by those who served under him. He could also see that Podley was a man of integrity, and perhaps that was the main reason Podley had agreed to help him.

On board the bridge of the Saratoga, Commodore Ross sat nervously as they headed toward Wolf 359. Beside him stood General Hague. This was the first battle since the Minbari war ten years previously that Hague had taken part in, and he was still nervous.

Nearby, Colonel McQueen watched them both. He wasn't sure if this was a good idea, going to Wolf 359 in this way.

“My squadron aren't ready,” he said. “And there's hardly any of us left!”

“That doesn't matter, Colonel,” said Hague. “We need as many ships as we can get.”

“I tend to agree with the Colonel,” said Ross. “And besides, why wait for us at Wolf 359? Why there?”

Rebellion: Civil War II Chapter Seven

Pendragon had called a meeting of all the senior officers of the ships under the command of the Free Federation. They each sat around the huge conference table in the Observation Lounge. Sisko and Dax represented the Defiant, Sinclair and Shelby for the Lohengrin, Picard and Riker for the Enterprise, Winthorn and Scott for the Scotsman, and Tarrant and Koenig for the Tempest. Both MacCleods were also present. Pendragon stood at the head of the table, a grim look on his face.

“You will all know by now that Commander Blake has taken the Liberator to face the invading force,” he started. “And with the information that has come to me, I believe we should join him.”

“What information?” asked Picard.

“The invading forces now seem to be gathering at Wolf 359, probably to launch a large-scale assault on Earth itself.”

The Ops room on the Pegasus was still a hive of activity as Blake and Avon entered. From the Liberator they had been watching what was going on throughout the quadrant, but were somewhat surprised at the order Pendragon had given.

Blake was the first one to approach Pendragon at his station.

“Captain Pendragon, I'd like to speak with you, urgently.”

Pendragon was busy checking all the communications channels.

“Make it quick, Commander.”

“My crew and I have also been monitoring the channels,” Blake said. “And although we are under the flag of the Free Federation, we don't agree with your order. We must do something. We can't stand by and watch the Empire invade and take control of things!”

The away team from the Eden, consisting of Adair, Solace, Danziger, and Walman soon arrived on the surface of G-889. The sight that greeted them was a pleasant one. All around them were hills, covered by a plentiful supply of foliage life. It was the sort of place someone could retire to, an idyllic setting.

The peace was soon disturbed by a loud banging noise, and the ground beneath their feet shook with every impact. Alonzo began to scan the area with his tri-corder.

“I'm picking up something big a mile away from us, moving at an incredible speed. I've never seen anything that big move that quickly before!”

Just as the U.S.S. Saratoga moved slowly past the Norpin colony, its commanding officer, Commodore Ross, could not believe his eyes or his ears.

“How many ships are approaching us?” he asked.

“Over two hundred!” the Ops manager reported. “Sontarran, Imperial… and Centauri!”

It's a question that you've probably never asked: what did glam rockers did before there was glam rock? While some of them launched their careers during glam rock's heyday some of them began to ply their trade in the 1960's, and here's some tracks that show "What Glam Rockers Did in the 60's".

Julian's Social Media Discoveries Episode 23: Messer, Al Matcott, Ministry of Defiance, City Weezle and More!

It's time for another episode of Julian's Social Media Discoveries, featuring songs from artists who have just and handful of listeners right up to a media collective that has almost three million.

Rebellion: Civil War II Chapter Three

Along the Narn/Centauri border, all seemed oblivious to the so-called invasion, because the forces of both sides were engaged in another battle of their own. Since the destruction of the Narn colony by the strange cloaked vessel, the war between the two powers had escalated, and in this particular battle, the Narns were having the better of it. Indeed, both parties fought so viciously they did not notice two hundred Imperial and Sontarran ships coming out of warp nearby, but they soon noticed them as they joined the battle on the side of the Centauri Republic. With over two hundred ships now against them, the Narn war cruisers had no chance. The battle was ended in a manner of minutes.

The atmosphere was forboding as Major Kira and Constable Odo were lead down the corridor of the Imperial Star Destroyer, the huge, lurking form of Darth Vader walking before them.

"Do not even consider escape, Major.", said Vader. "Not even your changeling friend will be able to help you."

"What do you mean?"

A guard walked out and handed Vader a container. "You are going in here.", Vader said, motioning to the container.

It's a bank holiday weekend here in the UK, so it's time for another music special. This time around we're going back to 1975 for our album listen-a-long and the original soundtrack for Ken Russell's film version of Tommy, featuring Oliver Reed, Ann-Margaret, Eric Clapton, Paul Nicholas, and, of course, The Who!

The Thursday Rock Show: Music To Grow Up To III

It's time for The Thursday Rock Show once again as we take another trip into my past with a few more songs that formed part of my personal record collection back in the day. All of these date back to the late 1970s, and most of them have that punk/new wave vibe about them.

Julian's Social Media Discoveries Episode 22: Miniaturized, Cuss Face, Strange Authority, The New Death Cult & More!

It's Tuesday, so it's time for another mixture of songs from around the world in Julian's Social Media Discoveries.

Rebellion: Civil War II Chapter One

It was a quiet day aboard the U.S.S. Eden, the fifteen year old Excelsior-class vessel, due to be de-commissioned in two months time. Already stunned by the news of the election reaching them, this only added to the sadness they felt over the loss of their ship, their 'old friend'.

In the centre chair sat Commander Broderick O'Neill, a veteren of many campaigns, who thought that he would be retired along with the Eden. A wily old-stager, he couldn't have been more wrong.

Suddenly, the sensors came alive. As they approached the first of the Sontaran colonies, their sensors went into overdrive.

Happy Anniversary Monty!

These photos were taken ten years apart, the first on August 15th, 2015, the second on August 15th, 2025, ten years after Monty joined our family.

Happy anniversary big boy. You really are one of the kindest and most caring souls I've ever known.

The Thursday Rock Show: Music To Grow Up To II

The latest edition of The Thursday Rock Show sees us taking another journey down my personal memory lane with Music To Grow Up To II. All of the songs here with either in my own record collection or were ones I could easily "borrow" from my brothers and sisters.

We've reached episode twenty-one of the Social Media Discoveries series. Does this mean we get the key to the door now? If so, what door will the key fit, and where will it lead us?

Federation No More: Civil War Chapter Eighty-Two

The time had come. Every vote had been counted, and now, nearly five hundred planets and colonies that made up the United Federation of Planets waited with baited breath as the result was announced.

On the Pegasus station, the senior officers of all the ships now under the flag of the Free Federation stood in the Operations Room, gazing at the view-screen, watching the I.S.N. broadcast as Lois Kent, their top reporter, stood outside Starfleet Command in San Francisco as the result was announced.

On the Changeling's homeworld, Kira had taken Odo in the door she had found earlier. Odo was a little confused.

"Odd that there should be a door here.", he said.

He kneeled down, and began to examine the lock.

As Janeway tried to convince the Caretaker to help them, Tuvok arrived back.

"Captain, I have located the data banks that would send us home, but it would take several hours to activate."

"We don't have several hours.", said Janeway. "This array could go up any minute!"

With the sick and injured from the Ocampa homeworld away team being treated by Voyager's holographic doctor, Captain Janeway thought she was almost home and dry. She thought that all she had left to do was to convince the Caretaker to send all of them home. It wasn't going to be that easy.

Try as they might, the Voyager away team could not find Kim and Torres, even with Kes' help. They were quickly running out of options.

"They may be trying to get to the surface via the old shaft.", said Kes. "That's how I got to the surface."

"Very well.", said Janeway, as another blast from the array shook the ground beneath them. "Paris, you and Neelix go with Kes to the shaft. We'll try to find out something at the medical centre."

With the election now only hours away, reporters from all over the quadrant gathered around Airlock Three as Starfleet One docked with Deep Space Nine. Shortly afterwards, the airlock door opened, and Servalan and her entourage stepped onto the station. Immediately she was overwhelmed with questions. Questions about the Dominion conference. She gave every reporter one straight answer.

For ages Pendragon had sat in his office, studying the layout of Cygnus Alpha Magus had given them. Suddenly, he received a call from Plato in the Operations Room, asking him to go there. He soon joined Plato at his science station.

No matter how many attempts she tried, Kira got the same result. Something was blocking her transmissions, something that was on the planet. She tried every technique she knew, but nothing would work. She tried to get the answer from the shuttle's computer.

In his study, Magus sat at his huge desk, with countless books stacked in front of him. Then, suddenly, a small computer terminal appeared in front of him, out of nowhere. Putting the book down, he began to speak.

"Computer, open a secure channel to the Demeter City Police Department on Altor. Specifically, Captain Rexton Podley."

Janeway, Chakotay, Tuvok, Paris and Neelix arrived on the surface of the desert planet. The heat was stifling. Janeway had never felt anything like it before. Neelix began to look around, and in the distance, he could see what appeared to be a camp. He led the others in that direction. Soon, a crowd of aliens could be seen. They were curious; who could be visiting them?

Harry Kim was now alone, save for his thoughts and his unconscious companion. That, however, was about to change. Once again she rose quickly, and was thankful there was no one there to hold her down this time. Instead, she shot Kim an icy stare. For a moment it looked as if she was about to attack him.

With Voyager and the Maquis ship in orbit around the desert planet, Tuvok went to the quarters that had been assigned to Neelix to collect him. When he entered he found them in some disarray. On the dining table was a huge amount of food, most of it half-eaten, and many large glasses of water.

Tuvok looked around, and saw steam coming from the nearby bathroom area. He also heard a noise that seemed horrible to him. It was Neelix singing. Walking forward, and trying to ignore the noise, Tuvok soon found Neelix in a bath, having a good time playing with the water.

Federation No More: Civil War Chapter Seventy

Unai, the First Minister of Traxxor, was taking a tour of the Traxxon Central Command, where almost all of Traxxor's military operations were run. The Minister himself had served in Traxxor's space fleet just prior to their joining the United Federation of Planets, and he was most impressed with the layout. He wondered, however, how the crew would react in a crisis. Membership of the Federation had not provided one for so long.

Captain Janeway sat in her Ready Room, checking the status reports from all over the ship. She only stopped when her door buzzer sounded. Seconds later Tuvok entered, tapping out something on his data pad as he began to speak.

"Captain, I have observed something about the array. The pulses... they are getting quicker."

"Quicker? What do you mean?"

"The time between the pulses has decreased by three-point-seven seconds."

"Have you noticed anything else about them?"

"No. But they will probably get quicker as time passes."

With Delenn's cruiser docked with Babylon 5, she started to make her way through customs until she came upon the brooding figure of Kosh. Delenn could tell that all was not well.

"What is it, Ambassador?", she asked. "What is wrong?"

"Change. The balance of power in the universe is about to change."

"What do you mean?"

Delenn then noticed an I.S.N. broadcast on a nearby monitor, telling of the Dominion conference on Deep Space Nine.

"The Dominion? Who are they?", Delenn asked.

"A force stronger than we have ever encountered."

A short time later Delenn entered Sheridan's office, in an attempt to try and find out what was going on.

"You have as much idea as I do.", Sheridan said. "All I know is that as soon as news of the conference got around, Ambassador Mollari packed his bags and headed to D.S.9 as soon as possible!"

"Then the Centauri Republic has been invited also. Who else has?"

"The Sontarrans, the Breen, the Monstrons, although nothing has been heard from them for nearly two years. You name them, they've been invited!"

Delenn studied the 'guest' list.

"I see the Romulans have not!"

"I noticed that. That's what worries me. This Dominion, whoever they are, claim to want to work with every major power in the Alpha Quadrant, yet they asked that the Romulans be excluded from these talks. I don't know why."

"The Minbari have also. I thought I would have been asked to attend."

"Apparently the Grey Council are sending a representative."

"If you'll excuse me, Captain, I would like to contact my government."

And with that Delenn left Sheridan alone, so she could try and find out some more about the Dominion.

With Starfleet One in orbit around Alpha Centauri, Servalan commenced with one of her now popular walkabouts, meeting and greeting the citizens of the Federation. A delegation from the nearby Centauri homeworld watched as I.S.N. reporter Lois Kent approached Servalan.

"Madam President, how do you feel about the news that Ambassador Spock has gained a slight lead in the polls?"

"Polls can be deceptive, Miss Kent."

"And what about the reported rumours that several prominent Starfleet officers, most notably Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Admiral Sherman Potter have defected to the so-called 'Free Federation'?"

"The Council of the United Federation of Planets does not recognise this so-called alliance, and as for these rumours, I'm sure they are nothing more than that. Now, if you'll excuse me."

Servalan continued with her walkabout. Kent did not believe her. Instead, she believed these rumours, and she knew something big was about to happen.

Federation No More: Civil War Chapter Sixty-Six

"...and if Servalan was to win the forthcoming presidential election, we in the Traxxon government would have to strongly re-consider our role within the Federation."

"You mean you would leave?"

"Yes. That is one option."

"Those were the words of Traxxon First Minister Unai. Minister Unai is the first planetary leader to speak out against President Servalan..."

"Switch it off.", Servalan ordered. "I've heard enough."

Bus Gate? What Bus Gate?

A lot of people visiting Cromer are confused about the bus gate on Overstrand Road. Where is it? What is it? Where are the signs? I didn't see any signs! Perhaps this short video will help you.

Slowly, Ambassador Delenn poked her head through the doorway in the bar of Paradise City. Already there were Picard, the two McClouds, the crew from the Tempest, Lethbridge-Stewart, Admiral Potter and Ambassador Kosh.

"It seems I was right about this.", she said. "Something is happening here!"

"But you were not on the invitation list!"

Slowly, Kira Nerys began to come to. Through hazy eyes she could tell that she was no longer aboard the Defiant. Her eyes clearing, she soon saw Odo sitting beside her.

Renegades: Civil War Chapter Sixty-Three

It had been two hours since the Defiant had left Dax and O’Brien behind. It was a solemn mood on the bridge as Sisko contemplated their next move. However, their mission would be more difficult because of the loss of two of their most experienced officers. Sisko decided to pick his officers’ brains. To that end, he activated his communicator.

As John Sheridan stood at the main observation port in the Ops room of Babylon 5, he couldn't help but have a feeling of great anticipation, as if something in the galaxy was about to happen, something that he should have been a part of. The odd transmission he had received days earlier, telling his senior officers to go to Nimbus III, and the war between the Narns and the Centauris, called for his attention on the station. There was no way he could leave at the moment. He had wanted to see what it was.

A pleased President Servalan sat in her office in Paris, her close advisers around her, watching the latest I.S.N. news broadcast. "And the latest polls show that President Servalan has a marginal three percent lead over Ambassador Spock in the polls. The reason for this lead is that many people do not believe his claim that former president James Watt is still alive."

Renegades: Civil War Chapter Sixty

The bridge of the Defiant was now being used as a sort of conference centre, as Wanathar, Quark’s business partner, scoured every piece of equipment while the Ferengi scurried after him, trying to get some information about the Dominion out of him.

"The facts are that we have very little contact with the Founders," said Wanathar, as he began to closely inspect Kira’s Bajoran ear-ring.

The Thursday Rock Show: Music To Grow Up To

This week's Thursday Rock Show sees us taking a trip down my personal memory lane as we look back at some of the songs that were a part of my own record collection in the days way back when.

Renegades: Civil War Chapter Fifty-Nine

Suddenly, Captain Janeway and her crew found themselves in a totally new environment, one that reminded them of home, of Earth. In front of them was an old farmhouse, which looked like it had been plucked right out of the twentieth century. As soon as she had arrived wherever it was, she began to conduct a tricorder scan.

"What is this place?" a confused Paris asked.

"We've only travelled a few hundred kilometres," Janeway replied. "We're inside the array!"

"Then this is some sort of holographic projection!" said Kim.

Then, their conversation was interrupted when an elderly lady emerged from the old house. She was carrying a tray overloaded with glasses of what looked like old-style lemonade.

"Oh! I wasn't expecting you so soon!" she said. "Anyway, the others will be here shortly!"

Renegades: Civil War Chapter Fifty-Eight

With the U.S.S. Defiant now in the Gamma Quadrant, and the cloaking device engaged, Commander Sisko sat in his quarters planning what they would do once they reached the Korama system and had made contact with Quark’s business partner. A few moments later, his door buzzer sounded, and Major Kira entered.

"Was I disturbing you, Commander?" she asked.

"No, Major. Come in. Sit down."

Kira seated herself opposite Sisko. He could tell that something was wrong, that she had something on her mind.

"Permission to speak freely, Commander."

"Always."

Kira then leapt to her feet, as if she were about to give a long-winded speech in the Bajoran Senate.

"What is wrong with Starfleet? Why the hell would they want to send us a new Security Chief? Odo was doing a fine job."

"I agree with you, Major, but I also agree with Starfleet on several aspects. Odo is not a team player, and he doesn’t abide by the rules, such as filing reports when he gets the job done."

"But he got the job done. Isn't that what counts?"

"It is, but Starfleet still wants it done their way! I'm sorry, Major, but I can't do a thing. Eddington is here, and that is the end of the story."

Kira then walked to the exit, but before she left, she turned to face Sisko.

"I just want to say one more thing, Commander. Starfleet is making a big mistake here!"

"'I couldn't agree more!'" replied Sisko.

Kira was slightly shocked, and very pleased, upon hearing this. She knew that if she had to fight Odo's case, that she now had an ally.

We've reached episode 20 of the Social Media Discoveries series, and you know what that means? We're taking another look at some more cover versions with The Pink Floyd Experience III.

It's his fault I'm doing this!

As you know I've been playing around with various AI services of late, mainly to help me with my writing. I've also been playing around with some song-generating AIs as well, putting some old lyrics to new songs, as well as a few one-line jokes and historical speeches.

I shared a couple of these on social media, then came across a website called Route Note that distributed music to services such as Spotify. So inspired by fellow content creator "The Professor" Nick Harrison I decided to take the plunge and see if I could get one of this songs uploaded to Spotify.

Renegades: Civil War Chapter Fifty-Seven

In the middle of the night, Ro Laren was dragged from what could loosely be called her bed in the room known as 'The Place of Novices' by those on Cygnus Alpha. To say that she was asleep would have been an over-statement. The bed was as hard as a rock, mainly because that was what it was. Ro soon found herself stood before the tall, imposing figure of Vargas. Ro had only met him briefly before, but she could tell that he was capable of great treachery.

Servalan relaxed in her sumptuous quarters in the Élysée Palace. Now it too reflected her tastes, decorated with the finest materials available. On one wall hung the Mona Lisa. Servalan gazed at the enigmatic smile, and smiled enigmatically herself. If there had been one person who could have stood against her and won, it would have been Spock; he had now been revealed as a madman. Perhaps she would allow the election to proceed, and then have the Ambassador committed for mental health reasons.

Finally, Watt had been assigned light duties in the penal colony that was in New Zealand. Repairing a damaged computer-core seemed mundane compared to flying through the galaxy as the commanding officer of the U.S.S. Valkyrie. Shortly afterwards, a guard came over to him and took him to one of the visitors’ rooms. Watt was not prepared for receiving any visitors, let alone the one he got. As he entered the room, he was greeted by the imposing figure of the legendary Ambassador Spock. The last time the two had met was at the Presidential Inauguration on Babylon 5, and although Watt was formerly regarded as one of Starfleet's greatest captains, he still felt a little overawed by the presence of the great ambassador.

Renegades - Civil War Chapter Fifty-Four

I haven't posted any of these in a while, so here's a link to the previous chapters in this series: https://twoshedsreview.blogspot.com/p/fiction-civil-war.html

The briefing room of Deep Space Nine was quiet as they waited for Sisko to tell them about their new ship, the U.S.S. Defiant.

"When the Borg threat was first learned of, Starfleet set about developing what is basically a warship. They took away all the family quarters, all the science labs, and all that was left were the bare essentials. What they basically had was the Defiant. But then the Borg threat lessened, as did the need for the Defiant."

"Why did the program stop?" asked O’Brien.

"Because of two things. The Defiant is over-powered and over-gunned. It has too much power for a vessel of its size."

"So the Federation wants us to attack the Dominion with just one ship?" asked Kira.

"No," Sisko replied. "It is General Hague’s hope that we can find a peaceful solution to this problem. Our mission is to journey to the Gamma Quadrant, locate the Founders, and negotiate with them."

Sunday, August 31, 2025

Saturday, August 30, 2025

Friday, August 29, 2025

Thursday, August 28, 2025

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Saturday, August 23, 2025

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Sunday, August 17, 2025

Friday, August 15, 2025

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Monday, August 11, 2025

Sunday, August 10, 2025

Saturday, August 09, 2025

Friday, August 08, 2025

Thursday, August 07, 2025

Wednesday, August 06, 2025

Tuesday, August 05, 2025

Monday, August 04, 2025

Sunday, August 03, 2025