Month: March 2014

What a weekend of excess. Pub on Friday for too many, then too much food on Sat (even though I managed to go for a decent 30 mile cycle) then big breakfast, big picnic and a load of pork – good job its not Mother’s Day every weekend.

The boys managed to get back this weekend, Ant was back in good time on the Friday, and Tom managed to arrive about 7 on Sat evening. So after a huge Chinese we rested our weary heads ready for the Wye. We had arranged to leave at 10:15 – we didn’t, as we never do – but only 20 minutes late we left, in the two car convoy for Symonds Yat. Tiny roads and a parking space in the mud, which my rear wheels didn’t like too much but we had arrived and the canoe owners didn’t mind too much that we were a fraction late.

Very bossy woman got us into our life jackets a little red crop top affair (even though we were on the concrete and 5 miles form getting into the river), we then got an oar, a map, and a barrel to put our picnic in and were directed onto the vehicle for transfer. I felt sick in the van. We got there,carried our (heavy) three man canoes down to the river and stood through the tremendously important safety briefing then I got my far ass into the canoe and although besieged by a load of two-maners we were away. It takes a little getting used to in a boat like this – they are quite stable, but you do feel a little vunerable until you get used to it. We took our time and waited for the chuckle brothers (and sister) to emerge. They were going quite fast, but not in a particularly straight line – it seemed perhaps there was more power on one side than the other, and the steering may have been slightly erratic. They certainally used all the river though, and the bank, and the trees – the ducks were dumbstruck.

We intended to get off at the first pub, but half an hour in we felt like we may have missed it – the signs on the river are rubbish, well they are not there in fact. So you have no idea where you are or how far you have gone. The water proof map was only good for being able to withstand water, as the river was so small it was impossible to see where you might be at any time. But as we headed around the island (to the left as instructed) we saw some white water. White water generally means one thing – rocks. We scooted around and took a tiny bit of the current, the keystone cops however managed to drive directly at the largest rock in the river and “beach” themselves. We sailed away as Ant managed to get out and rescue them from certain peril. Given their rubbish control they really truly could not have done that if they had meant to.

As we realised that the pub was now just a simple thought, we looked for a landing platform, we found a shingle beach and pulled up. Once on terra ferma I took the opportunity to move a little way down the beach and have a quick Jimmy. Once the rest had abandoned ship we sat on the bank (where there were loads of spiders I saw, so I stood) and ate our enormous picnic. The the other party would had shred our lift to the river arrived, and pulled in, with Ant bay watch sprinting through the river to save them and pull them in –  *a little way down the beach* luckily they did not say and sit in the the little sand river I had created. After some time, and a little bit of drying we set off, we got in and headed off, when the Marx brothers (and sister) tried to get off the shore. I watched in wonderment as Tom literally rolled into the boat, causing a slight disturbance in the stability and within 2 (very slow motion) seconds to my eyes watched in amused fascination as they capsized. Ant seemed to just step out, but Becs pretty much did an Eskimo Roll, and was drenched, you could plainly see her slightly “put out” expression from 100 yards down river.

From here we thought there might have been another pub, but none to be seem so we just rowed back to the start – pausing slightly for Kate to jump in so she was wet as well as the others. We docked and were then told to bring our canoes up the steps and back to the lot – they were heavier than before.Then a quick Peroni outside the Ferry Inn – we braved the car park and headed home.

Back on the cycle at the moment, have the CarTen in about seven weeks – 100 miles from Cardiff to Tenby, so I need to get back used to putting the miles in. I bought a new bike when we were Ooop North, but it still has not come – I hope it wil this week, because the creaking and clicking on my current bike is doing my swede in.

Out at 7:30 and it was a little chilly, I really should have worn my tights, but by that time it was too late, 10 miles in and things were okay, apart from my tootsies which were frozen – nice ride, tiring, as I am not used to it yet – but 33 miles not bad before 9:30.

Sian had decided to visit the boys in Swansea this weekend, so although Tom had forgot and buggered off to meet up with his bird, we took ourselves and Becs down to visit. For a change I sat in the back, and dozed there and back – now that’s living alright – like having a chauffeur although I don’t think Sian is too keen on being the driver, but it was a wonderful day off.

Got down to the student digs and picked up Ant, then into Swansea center and a couple of detours before we parked up. Ant took us to a place called the Smoke Haus, which was pretty damn good. They had all sorts of American type meet and bread – hot dogs, burgers, pulled pork the full nine yards. I was completely undecided and my Coors didn’t help matters, but eventually I picked the Brisket – I shouldn’t have. It was okay, but really i was expecting something out of Man Vs Food, all wet and dripping and thick – but it wasn’t like that. Quite tasty though and surprisingly filling. Rest of the nosh went down well, so a thumbs up for the Hous, will try somewthing else if we return.

After lunch it was time for the pilgrimage to the bowling alley – a very convenient thing to do on a Sunday in Swansea, sixty quid for two games mind – no wonder it wasn’t packed. But I did get to sneak in a couple of San Miguels. First game was a very tight affair with Becs leading up until the 9th, when I stuck out, and then finished with three strikes in the 10th, poor old Becs lost 131 to 133 – close. Second game was a different matter – four beers in, I was back to my professional form – all those years ago as “The Medics” bowling for Withybush – and slotted in a 203, probably the highest I have had since I retired. So that was the two frames all over. We dropped Ant back at his digs, and I spent the majority of the trip home having a little doze – epic.

Smoke Haus – 7/10

Got a blumming speeding ticket this week. During our trip Oop North I passed a sly police van on the way out of Gateshead – on a duel carrage way, which our sat nav said was national speed limit, but did have some 50 signs on – also stuck in the fast lane between two cars to tossers pinched me at 62 in a 50. I saw them and slowed as I got close, so I can only imagine the clocking was done some significant distance from the van. I know its my fault for “breaking the law” but it wasn’t obvious, and the road was perfect, it was 9:00 in the morning, perfect visibility and I was running with the other cars – so that’s it, I am never going to Newcastle again – hateful place ;o)

So this week we thought we should get out, and we visited Cardiff.

We went, we parked, we walked, we shopped, we ate Nando’s and visited the Museum. Then we came home.

It didn’t rain.

The great Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood, someone who didn’t like him and bloody Brian Adams – all nothing like you heard they were.

Another earyish start from Newcastle and thirty mins down the road stopping for some McDonalds. Breakfast Wrap and a bacon roll for greedy chops, normal food for the rest. The trip down was about three hours but again we had quite a good run, until we got into Nottinghamshire, where all the roads had 50 mile an hour speed limits and average speed camera’s. I would kill something if I lived there (or perhaps avoid the roads?) – but we got into Nottingham and took a diversion into a residential street to find a Windmill. We almost gave up, but find it we did and quite good it was too. Another free visit, it is a working mill, and you can go inside and see the bits that hurt and maim you. Quite liked that in a Good Life sort of way.

Once semi checked in we followed the map into Nottingham itself and walked the canal to find the castle – we saw a house on a hill with a Welsh flag flying (it was St David’s Day) and carried on expecting something more castle like. We were disappointed. We went for a beer on the canal side, two pubs were completely packed, one had no one in. We had a drink in the one no one was in – Sian said it was the worst wine she had ever had (and she’s had a few), but my 1664 was okay. We sat outside as it was sunny, but then a load of people came and the sun buggered off, so we left.

It was getting a little late now, so we headed for a pub we had passed earlier right next to the so called castle which offered fish and chips. Now this was more like it, a really nice place, which was quiet and gave you fish and chips in a box, with “real” vinegar and wooden knives and forks., They dropped a bollox with our order and brought the wrong things out, so as an appology they offered us a free round – can’t be bad – I almost said no – but just couldn’t make myself. When the food came it was good along with curry sauce and gravy.

After food we went to the caves under Nottingham – they were fully booked – we didn’t do so well on attractions. So instead we walked back to the hotel to checkin. Room was good, all newly renovated – but there were 10 lads checking in before us – on a stag do – and on our floor, and next to our room – you can guess what happened later. So after the check in we headed back into town and to a slightly odd place where I had a grolsh, then we traipsed around Nottingham firstly following some ice hockey fans to see where they were going (we didn’t realise they were ice hockey fans when we started stalking them) then found the only pub which looked like it might allow Kate in. It was a “rock” pub, or at least a pub with rock music on the jukebox. We had a couple of beers listening to AC/DC and Stiff Little Fingers – and then Suspicious Minds – so it wasn’t all rock!

The Indian street was just over the road, so we went to the highly recommended one – they poured scorn on us when we said we haddn’t booked, so we tried the next “best” also packed, so we went to another, and there was plenty of room, they took our coats and were very very friendly. It may have been a quid or two more than the others (maybe, not even sure that was the case) but I really enjoyed it. Tiger beer on tap and a great Chilli Chicken Curry went down a storm. It was relaxed, and friendly and I really enjoyed it. Then we staggered home.

Nottingham – 7/10

Hotel – 8/10