BIG CAT STATESIDE

So, the Big Cat is currently Airborne on his way to NYC. He 'phoned me this morning quite worked up as he had just looked at a weather forecast. It is predicted to be 44degrees in New York this week, I'm not sure how he's going to cope. Cope with the heat and his culinary task, let me explain... He has basically decided that for the duration of his two week holiday he is (in Spurlock fashion) say YES to all offers of going large, adding cheese, extra meat in his burrito, syrup and ice cream on his pancakes, cheese on everything basically. He is hoping to put on two stone in the two weeks, though I'm not sure that he had taken perspiration into account, so he is going to have to work very hard.
This means that the Sluge is going to be manning the helm of the Upper 10, and fitting in shirt appointments in the evenings.

Lalex watches Hit The Shelves- But Not For Long!!

If you like to be different, then the new line of Lalex watches now in stock at Upper 10 may be just the thing for you. A Lalex watch is bound to set its wearer apart, not only for their striking designs and and fabulous originality, but because they are so new and stocked in only a smattering of outlets in the UK- so you aren't likely to see lots of others sporting them. Which is great if being up to the minute and different is your style.

Lalex do a fantastic selection of classic watch designs, but also have a hugely popular Oversized range- These are watches with huge faces- set on terriffic Italian Leather Pilot style straps- I have been wearing one myself and absolutely loving it- as well as getting plenty of compliments on it.

Lalex are brand new in the world of timepieces- but are long established as makers of fine Italian Leather products- which is why we have no qualms in stocking these watches.

However, they have been flying off the shelves- and Lalex are desperately trying to keep up with demand- so if you see one you like on the shelf or in the window- at Upper 10 snap it up before someone else does!!!!!!!!

The Tiger and the Slug

It is a well known fact that the Championship Links at Hoylake have borne witness to some of the games true heroes. It is a little known fact that it has also played host to one of our very own true golfing zeros.

As Tiger plotted a steady first nine yesterday, and then tore it up- racing to 5 under by the close of play, I wonder if he realised that the trail he was blazing was covering the tracks of a previous trail that wasn't so much "blazed" as "stickily laid". That's right, the Slug Trail has passed on its travels along the famed 18 holes of Hoylake.

And so a little explanation. On one of the few days when the Slug wasn't studying at the University of Liverpool library or locked in high-level, philosophical debate in one of the many street side bistro/cafes of Toxteth, so popular with the bohemian Liverpool intelligensia; he was invited to play at Hoylake. I believe this was by one of the Slug's university pals who was on the golf team.

Anyway, as the Slug relates it, he played to 16 in lashing rain and driving wind- none of this still sunny weather that Tiger is enjoying. If its true- not a bad knock by the Sluge- Anyone who knows any different, please let us know by posting a comment.

So, there you have it- two of the planets finest beasts, The Tiger and the Slug, united by Hoylake. I wonder who'd win a fight between a Tiger and Slug?

Not so Sluggish for the slug this week though:

The trail has led as far and wide as Durham, Sunderland, Rotherham, Sheffield, Manchetser, London and Chorley in shirt appointments and customer meetings.

Ironically the Slug moves fast on the Shirt Circuit so keep your eyes peeled for a visit to a town near you- get along to see him and refer your friends to get yourself decked out in the finest quality bespoke shirts.

Upper 10's Apprentice

Ever aware of the perils of rampant capitalism, consumerism, multinationalism leading to the homogenisation of not only our high streets but towns and cities themselves ; we at Upper 10 have decided to do our bit to highlight the positive effects small and medium sized enterprises can have not only on the economy but society itself.

We therefore decided to run our own Apprenticeship Scheme- inspired by Alan Sugar. But in an attempt to benefit the whole of humankind we decided to trawl the ex-Soviet Eastern European States so that a special person- not as privileged as ourselves may benefit from the wealth of business knowledge being accumulated at Upper 10 Towers. Our search was long and tough- through some of the harshest terrain of the Baltic states to the very borders of Russia. It was here in a makeshift Yak- ranching hut that we found our apprentice- herding Yak during his university holidays to help fund his studies.

Kristoff Johan Sparkovsky was orphaned when his parents were sent to the Gulags of Siberia. Left on his own Kris grafted a living de-lousing Yak (which is where is affinity for the animal stems from). So prodigious a de-louser was he, that he made a name for himself stretching far beyond his native land as far as the Urals. He also set up a side business breeding the lice he obtained from the Yaks to show on the Russian travelling Circus Tour. It is this kind of entreprenerial spirit that attracted us the Kris, and that we hope to nurture during his internship with us.

Eventually the Yak and Lice afforded Kris his dream- to study binary Yak farming at the university of Chernobyl. Kris is currently undertaking his Masters degree having aced his undergraduate degree, scoring a commendation in his paper on the genito- urinary system of the yak- a subject close to his heart.

Kris hopes to learn much whilst on his apprenticeship with Upper 10- and hopes to meet lots of nice English girls. Although-(as you can see from the picture) he seems to have taken quite a shine to the chairman.

We will keep you updated on Kris' progress.

TEAM U10

First Entry

So... The first ever U10 Blog. Hopefully this is going to be a useful bit of fun for all of our friends and family to keep up to speed with what me and damo are up to, we don't just stand in a shop all day, entertaining all of our mates and fielding prank 'phone calls from the U10 physician.

As i write Dam has begun his w/e off, he has pulled about 14 days straight so he's looking forward to his time off, although frankly i'd much rather be in Upper 10 Towers than in a field in North Wales, which is what awaits him on his return to Red Rose country.

I have to shoot off this afternoon to see a shirt client, so to complete the family feel Butthead is coming in to look after the shop until 5.30!!

In the coming week we are really busy with are Bespoke Shirt Making service, basically i'll be out and about whilst le big cat is at HQ hustling in the shop and filling up my calendar!

No beer for me this w/e, i'm taking it easy and going to try to enjoy some nice weather. I haven't swung in anger for about 6 months so might squeeze 9 holes in on Sunday pm.

Ok - I'm going to post this now and see what the hell happens,

I promise to keep this up and try and up the humour levels, and try and keep this an interesting insight into the running of a small, growing, family run business!!

Slug x

Mitch checks in

Mitch here in my inaugural blog on the U10 space. As I take a pause from the near impossible art of running along beaches whilst simultaneously sucking my 'pack in and doffing my proverbial cap at hotties to the left and right of me; I take a moment to reflect upon the first time I heard the now legendary Upper 10 name...

Matt & I were togging up in preparation for another shift saving the lives of the vulnerable, occasionally straying onto the more pressing debate as to what on earth possessed the casting directors to put Steph in the line up. C.J., of course, Caroline, obviously; but Steph, Steph! It just doesn't make sense....

....I digress. So, it was at some point in the privacy and intimacy that only a Lifeguards' beach hut can envelop its staff in, that I chose my moment to confide in Matt. The thing is, I had been having trouble keeping my stubble at just the right length so that I was pulling of the 5 o'clock shadow look without unleashing a whole world of schtubbley pain on the numerous hotties upon whom I need to perform CPR on a 10 times daily basis.
Matt let out a relieved sigh- he later told me he'd thought I was going to ask him to check me for testicular cancer again- 'the answer' he said 'is quite straightforward. You need to get yourself a decent razor, brush and, of course, the appropriate cream to leave your face as soft as a baby piglet's bottom.' I had expected a response like this and had in fact already resigned myself to the fact that I would have to relinquish my sponsorship deal with Bic. 'I know of just the place' Matt continued, interrupting my thoughts which had strayed onto other products I would now be free to put my name to. Perhaps GHDs? It may finally be time to say goodbye to the perm, well though it has served me over these last 30 years. 'It is an emporium of fine products for the well-groomed gent. It is a treasure trove of quintessentially British names....' He didn't have time to continue eulogising, I had vanished and was logged on making what would be the first of many orders at www.upper10.co.uk .

Ciao, Mitch.

Here is a picture of me from my recent holiday in Newquay. I am match fit at the moment thanks to my 5 a side on Mondays.

Slug