Category: Visits

Day 1.

Late(ish) flight for us this time, usually we are in the bar before breakfast when we are away for the weekend, but this time it was a far more socialable time of 17:30 flight.

We did have a slight issue getting an airbnb, as quite a few of them only allowed to check in up to about 21:00, which was too early for us.

Airport was reasonably quiet, only about 10 mins to get through check your bag lanes, then on to the bar – as always, not great, expensive, but what else ya gonna do?

Flight was late, and no food on the flight either, which was very annoying, but I watched the majority of “The Beekeeper” (not great) and before we knew it we were heading into Marco Polo.

Pretty sure passport control was okay, nothing too terrible, and as we only had hand baggage we hunted down counter 71 to get our water taxi.

I had only booked it the day before, as I was going to just take the wheeled bus, but coming into Venice its nice to go by water – I had inadvertently booked a “shared” taxi, which was no problem, just four other people on it, and we were first stop at Crea. Really nice way to come in, even though it was dark, and about 3x more expensive than on land, we landed within 20 meters of our airbnb.

Whatsappd our landlords for the next three days, and soon a slightly older gentleman came, who didn’t seem to speak a word of English other than “Andrew”, showed us around by pointing at things and saying an Italian word. It was a little like being in a childrens “learn to speak Italian” programme. Anyway, we worked it out, took the keys, then head off down the canal for a quick explore.

Had a walk down the main street from our place, Rio Tera S. Leonardo, to see what we could see – and not a lot, other than a lot of water and bridges. It was dark and we were a bit tired, and we got the initial lay of the land – the weather was great for March, and we decided on some pizza (fantastic) and a kebab (not fantastic) then a big snooze.

Day 2.

Up pretty early, and a quick walk around to find the supermarket to pick up some provisions, I was told off by the cashier for not “weighing my bread”, and we came home for a tasty breakfast of bread, ham and cheese – how very European.

We had booked on the “free” walking tour at 11, so we headed off down the same street and had a little drink in a corner caff waiting for it to start. The free tour is actually nothing like free, one has to pay a 3 euro booking fee per person, then the first thing she told us was that we pay “what we think is right” at the end, with a reminder that apparently a real tour costs 30 euro a person.., We walked around, saw a few things, then paid.

We then meandered around looking for a drink and lunch and ended up near Rialto bridge, which was packed, so we retraced our steps to the hospital square for our first real beverage and lunch. I had a big beer, which was infact pretty damn big, at 1 litre, and had a pizza that was specifically marked as having no tomato – quel surpise when it had tomato on it!

We walked around a bit, and made our way to the “bookshop” – ohhh wow. It’s a bookshop, with a load of foreign books, some of them in wooden boats, and it’s a “tourist” attraction! How silly.

Then St Marks, viewed Bridge of Sighs, saw the massive (tiny) park, walked back to Rialto, crossed the bridge then meandered through the “middle” portion of Venice and found a little square to have a beverage and cold cuts…

After we came back over the river, we headed to a little place near us, and had a pretty okay meal…

Day 3.

I have had a bad calf for about three weeks, but decided to get Venice on the Strava, so as we knew we were getting the  bus at 9:30 I skipped off for a quick run around – that’s nice. Early morning, hardly anyone about – in fact I think one person on Rialto, I sort of followed the route we did yesterday, and managed four miles or so before back and showered ready for some island hopping..

Got the WaterBus from Crea, I think it was 25 euro each for the whole day – then Kate directed us to the right bus, and after a quick stop, we found ourselves on Murano.

Relatively quiet when we got there, so we walked up the canal side past the many many “glass shops” – in one window it said something like – all our glass is made here and not in China!

Walked around most of the main streets, then stopped for a refreshing beverage whilst Kate went off to buy some glass stuff – quite nice right by the big canal. After deciding not to have lunch there, we set off for somewhere, the place I wanted to go to, was shut – so we went down by the boat pickup for a massive pizza and massive beer.

Straight on the boat for the final island – quite a long ride this one, but we sat at the back in the wind, as wasn’t too bad – Burano is the one that you see in the pictures with the different coloured houses – pretty nice, but of cource full of folk trying to take pictures of the crowds trying to take pictures of the coloured houses.

Had a beer here, waiting for the boat back, then a pretty long sail back home.

Once we got back we almost when to the apparently not ironically named “Very Good” restaurant, but a saleman persuaded us to go to Agli Archi next door, as they had a nice inside place, and it was getting pretty chilly…

Good meal.

Back home to the bnb and a relatively early night.

Day 4.

Hometime, last days are always a problem for me, just cannot relax – but we found a great place to lock our bags away for a few hours, then had another walk through the town down to the South, crossing the Grand Canal we made our way back on the “west” side of Venice, which was very nice. A lot quieter, but nice squares and seems a bit for relaxed.

I think if we ever visit again, we’ll be standing more time here.

Time was a ticking so we collected our bags, walked over to the bus station, and found the right place to get the ATVO tickets, which had no queue (whereas the “main” ticket office was packed) – and luckily the bus was leaving in 5 mins… 20 mins later, we were at the airport and whipping through security.

A few things after security, so we grabbed some more bread and melted cheese and waiting for our plane. It was late, and I finally discovered that my tooth had cracked.

Flight over, easy drive back, and home by 18:00.

That was Venice – nice place, doesn’t smell, although we might have been lucky with the weather March is a great time to visit.

Day 1.

So although my “head office” is in Copenhagen, I have only had the opportunity to visit twice, and both of us have wanted to have a proper nose around, so this year, for our regular end of year break – we decided to head off over to Denmark so a long weekend.

Weekend started on the Weds, setting off from Bristol early doors – we arrived with no checked in baggage and breezed through security for a change, and before we knew it we were having a beer at about 08:00 in the morning – isn’t it just soo daft that all these wierdos in the airport bars are supping ale at stupid o’clock in the morning – what on earth do we do it for????

Great flight of two hours with some grub and a couple more beers, just watched a movie, and it was time to land. Bit of a queue at passport control, as it always seems to be now, then we were minding down the concourse looking for the train.

I had not used the train from the airport before, and didn’t really check what happens, what I had not realised that we should have taken the train, and not the metro, as we headed into Copenhagen I had assumed the vehicle would be going to the central station, but as it was a tube it didn’t – and I wasn’t too sure what the next stops were so we got out “downtown”, which meant a half hour, very chilly walk to the hotel – but at least we got to see the place a bit. It was snowing….

Arrived just after 14:00, and the room wasn’t quite ready, but after a few minutes we were in!

Slightly odd rooms in the CitizenM, supposed to be all the same, with a massive bed in the window, which means some clambering, and the shower “pod” is sort of in the room, so you can vaguely see the person in the shower – but for us – it was great, and pretty central.

After checkin, we thought we’d get the lie of the land, so set off towards the indoor food hall at TorvehallerneKBH, which had a load of food places, including the famous open sandwiches – Smørrebrød. Although there were no queues, it didn’t seem the right time to eat, so we had a nose then walked back into town along Frederiksborggade past the Round Tower, and down into the center.

Made it back to the big square – Kongens Nytorv, had a look at the Christmas “market”, then down, probably the most photographed part of Copenhagen – Nyhavn, where it was getting cold.

So, landmarks done – it was time for some beverages – first up was a very small place called Charlie’s Bar. It was small, and the bar man seemed drunk, but we found a little table, stripped off a bit, and listened to a lot of Danish, punctuated with many fucks and other associated British swear words – something to get used to in Denmark, the locals seem to swear, a lot.

After a few pints of the local lager here, we ventured out to see some more streets and ended up in one of our favourite places – the Drop Inn, which promised lots of live music, sadly all after our bedtime. After a bit of an initial confrontation here which the bar man, as I failed to speak properly when trying to find a “normal” lager and not something dark – we had many beers.

After drinking enough to make standing a problem, we decided to head over to the place that sold a million beers – The TapHouse. Gosh – luckily not too busy, so spend some time with the bar staff finding two lagers I would like, out of the wall full of them, then had another couple or so…

We then realised we hadn’t eaten, so went to the classic Danish cuisine restaurant – Jagger (think Danish Maccy D’s) – where apparently we had another drink and a tasty burger (only realised after looking at the photos the next day ;o). Then knackered, we played with the colours in the room via the supplied iPad and went to sleep.

Day 2.

I had decided to go to the office on the Thursday (today), but as I managed to drag myself out of bed at 09:00, with a very slight! Hangover, it didn’t seem such a good idea. Anyway, headed over to the office for about 10 to start my day – leaving Sian to have some fun strolling around the city without my moaning.

Office was fine, and we went for a spot of lunch with some of the team, then I headed back to find Sian, I whatsapped here a few times, not realising that her data wasn’t working, so she only got the messages when she stumbled passed free wifi from a pub – so she sat and pinged me where she was, so popped over for a very expensive Stella.

All that walking had taken it’s toll, even Sian had walked about 50 miles, so we had a few restful hours in the hotel, and decided to have an Indian. On the way we passed the No Stress Bar, which was a pretty cool place, mostly doing cocktails, but also okay lager – we had quite a few, Sians favourite being a Chilli Margarita – which was a bit spicy. Then we went to Indian swaad – which was shit. I think we just went home then, but not sure ;o)

Day 3.

Had a busy day planned for Friday, starting off with a Walking Tour by Politically Incorrect (which seems difficult to find on bing search for some reason) which was promoted as an “adult” tour of the city. Our guy was a bit hyper, swore a lot and said some funny stuff – also gave us some Viking history and a tour of most of the places we had mooched past on the first day, ending up with the changing of the guards – it was pretty damn good – so we booked the next one for Saturday.

This tour finished a bit late, and so rather than just get a train, we walked the two miles over to the Carlsberg factory for our tour. On the way we planned to pick up another famous bit of nosh, again a burger, from the Gasoline Grill – we passed one, in a rush, ordered – and luckily she said it would be 10 minutes, 10 minutes we didn’t have, so we left.

Got to Carlsberg just about on time, had a faff with the tickets, but got into the self guided tour just about in time. This was reasonably interesting, and although the tagline is …probably the best beer in the world – they are lying. Even the free lager at the actual brewery was not that great.

But, they had a Gasoline grill near by, so we got our burger – and by damn it was nice!…

Had a stroll back into the town in the cold and the dark, and decided to have a nose around Tivoli Gardens, you have to pay to just look around, and it’s pretty rubbish. I guess it was nice to see it, but I wouldn’t go back – ever ;o)

Afterwards we nipped over for a beer in the Drop Inn again, in case of music. Then we headed over to the “Scottish Bar” as they did have some live music, and we sat and listened and had at least a few beers – then went for a Chinese… We may get to Danish cuisine eventually.

Day 4.

First thing in the morning was the canal tour – which I had been on something similar when I came to Copenhagen with work, but this was nice, other than two British birds behind us talking non-stop – it actually took us close to where we were to walk to later in the day.  Then we did a bit of walking around to get an appetite for the open sandwiches we had planned for lunch,  but we got to the market and the queues were sensational! So Sian would have queued – and then ate on the go, but not me, no way pal, even though I was starving, I wasn’t hanging around – we walked back and thought we would try somewhere we had seen previously the “app restaurant”.

It’s apparently a chain, and you just sit down, download the app, and order your drinks and food – no interaction required ;o) It was surprisingly good – great choice, and the tables have a weird bit of iron-mongery on them, but this is where they place two wooden boards that hold your food in the middle.

We couldn’t hang around tho, as we had booked into the next “free” tour – of the hippy commune on the side of Copenhagen – Christiania. I’ll start by saying that this was the worse thing we did, the tour was poor, but the actual place it’s self was appalling – really not my thing, it was full of dirty wierdos and the alley where you can buy your drugs was just hideous. I am not a prude by any means, but this was like something out of a post apocalyptic film, shanty shite. I hated it.

We left, cold and a bit pissed off with the experience – so we went and got pissed back in the Scottish Bar and had a kebab.

Day 5.

Leaving day – I really don’t like hanging around, but our flight wasn’t until 21:00, so we had a full day to fill – so we had an early lunch at the open sandwich bar – fak me it was expensive, I think about £50 for four open sandwiches and a drink – it was pretty good, but I prefer my sandwiches enclosed so nothing can escape and then we did finally go up the round tower.

After lunch we checked out, and headed for the train – to get the train to Sweden! Now unless you know a bit of geography, this doesn’t seem very cool, but there is a sea between Denmark and Sweden – and it not only has a tunnel, but also a Bridge – I know, how cool is that, driving on a bridge, that disappears into the sea and into a tunnel for half the crossing…

Over in Sweden we first stopped at Lund, which seems like quite a nice small town, slightly olde worlde which a big church – then on to Malmo which is big, and dark when we got there and cold.

We had to get back for the flights, and I couldn’t drink, so unfortunately we mostly walked around a lot, Lund was especially busy in the “bars”. But atleast we had now set foot in Sweden, which was nice.

Back on the train straight to the airport, which was handy, then a bit of a hang around and then home.

So that was Copenhagen, it was pretty nice, great time of year with the cold and the snow – it is very expensive, probably nearly double the UK prices – but a nice November trip all in all. I guess I’ll only go back, if it’s with work….

Covid still continues to disrupt everything.

We booked to go here earlier in the year, and two days before we were to visit they were flooded, and didn’t reopen until September. So after having issues with Abergavenny and trying to rebook Felin Fach Griffin – we decided on a night over in Skenfrith.

Looks to be a bit on a rainy day, so we went prepared with our waterproofs and my new Salomon booties for a 12 miles hike around 2/3 of the three castles walk (the full thing is 19 miles, which was a little too much).

Skenfrith was only about 40 mins from home, so we arrived about 10:30, and I went in to make sure I could download the route, as reception was very flaky – looked very nice inside and was well welcomed for that short burst.

Hike was pretty steep and wet, but not much rain forthe first 10 miles – we stopped off at Grosmont, for a pint in a very nice little pub – as we had packed a couple of sangers – and had planned a big old evening meal we only had a quick pint, but food looked pretty good there.

After a very quick look around the castle, we continued our walk up and up through the mist and clouds to the highest point at around 1400ft, then came off the official three castles walk to head back to the hotel.

By the time we got off the hill the rain really started in earnest, and we got immediatly soaked – as the light was failing, and I wasn’t sure if my phone was going to be very usuable in the rain – we decided to follow the road back to the hotel – which may have cost us half a mile, but saved a lot of swearing.

Luckily the road was very quiet, we only saw perhaps a dozen cars on the three mile stroll, and before long we arrived back in the hotel, dripping quietly onto their reception floor.

Check in was very efficient, and within 5 mins we were in the room, which had a big four poster and a seperate sitting area – very nice.

The shower was pretty okay, albeit within the bath, but pretty soon we were clean and dry – the room temperature wasn’t great, but fine for me. We had a cup of tea, with fresh milk and a very nice little shortbread – and dossed for a short while.

Dinner was booked for 7, so we headed down just before 6, and managed three very nice beers and vodkas, before ordering up the nosh.

Smallish menu, but decent choice, we plumped for a cheese broulee which I had never neard of before and a liver pate. Fillet of beef, with ox-cheek and pepper sauce for me, and sea bream for Sian, which we were to go 50/50 on.

We sat for drinks in front of the fire, and for food, on a good table “in the corner” – which was great. Food came very quickly and was very very tasty, both starters were lovely.

After starters, the mains came a little too fast, but were both excellent. I had ordered medium rare, and it was perfectly cooked, plenty of red. The fish and the meat were fantastic, the ox cheek was perhaps slightly too well done, or just a little dry, but the peppercorn sauce was great. I even liked the carrots.

After another round, we had the cheese board to share – three decent pieces of cheese and enough grapes and crackers for two – very good.

The whole meal was really very good – not cheap, fillet was £27, fish £21 – but worth the money for the quality – one of the best meals we have had.

Good sleep that night, I was knackered and was in bed before 9 – and then a pretty damn good breakfast in the morning.

All in all a great place, with great food. My only single issue, was they had the house cat roaming around the restaurant which some people love – I don’t!

Not something we would do every weekend, at £280 all in, but a very nice treat on occasion.

8.5/10

This year we decided to go to Seville for our “late in the year” visit – this was mostly because SkyScanner had it as the cheapest place to go.

We had two flights from Bristol with extra bags for a hundred smackeroons – not too shabby at all!!!

So Friday morning we got our stuff together and set off early doors for the airport. Found a spot in the”usual” place, just by the enterence of the multi story, and in no time we were through security (I got body scanned and some block felt my feet) and into expense central.

Usual routine, BK breakfast (07:00 is a little early for a beverage, but saw loads of folk drinking. Why n earth do people think that because they are getting a flight it is a good idea to have a pint with breakfast???) then by the time we finished that its the long queue for the plane.

Although we had a cheap flight, I was too tight to pay for an allocated seat – I’l say it’s out of principal, and they decided to put us an entire plane away from each other. As it happened that was fine, I had my movie and didn’t really notice the flight.

After a couple of hours we landed in the heat (in Dec) and were whisked through the airport and nabbed a cab into town.

Hotel was “boutique”, which just means smaller than usual, but pretty okay – and the room was ready, so straight in at around 13:00 Spain time. After a quicvk unpack we headed off to get the lay of the land.

It was pretty warm, not hot, on the first day, and I did look a bit of a chump with my shorts, short sleeved top and hat on, but it was pleasant enough. We took a stroll right through the middle and ended up at the “Plaza de España” which was a pretty cool place. No bars there tho,, which missed a trick, so after drinking in as much of the sceneary we headed for a bar. Luckily we found one.

First local beer, it was okay, and a coup-le of tapas, meats and then fried fish – was tasty, and plenty of it, another couple of beers and it was time to head back tot he hotel to change.

Got back and slipped into something warmer, and may have had a little snooze, but then went up to Hercules – which is a big bar/local/tourist place for a sniff around and a couple of beers. Then we headed over to a typical Spanish venue for a Vindaloo.

Day 2.

Pretty hot today, went for a quick run down by the river this morning, nice to stretch the legs! Then we headed off for some breakfast, where I had my first smoothy – raspberry and pineapple – it was nice, but every time I took the first swig it made me gag just a little.

The we had a stroll, and went up on the “mushrooms” of Seville – which was really good – I liked that quite a lot (alhough it was a bit high) – it was only a couple of euro’s to visit as well – highly recommended ;o)

After that we walked some more and nipped in McD’s for a wee (and some chips with cheese and bacon – which was very underwhelming), then along the river to the bullring for a visit.I quite liked that – but would have liked to have sat in the stands, although we did go on the actual bullring.

We then found the guarantreed tourist attraction in every foriegn city – the O’Neils Irish bar. So we say outside with massive vodkas and hienikens in the 21 degree heat. I was sweating, and it wasn’t the prices.

After that we went to the big market place that had loads of eateries, and had nothing, then I am not sure if we had Lunch or not, but we sat outside a beer place for a long while, then I think we got changed, had another beer and ended up in the burger joint – which was real nice!!!

Day 3.

Lie in today, nursing a bit of a hangover.

So we went to Alcazar first, and had a look around, then over to the “gypsy” quarter – Triana, walking past some of the old expo stuff. Stumbled across a real “traditional” tapas place called Tipico, which we were the first in, but was packed after half an hour. The menu had no English, and they did’t really understand you so we guessed and ordered a variety of things. When they are ready they chuck them on the counter and ort of shout in your direction, so we need to keep your wits about you – had some tasty stuff there tho….

After Triana it started to rain pretty well, so we legged it somewhere, maybe straight to the Cathedral – which was massoove. We walked up the tower, which was free – tidy and by the time we were bored of religion it had cleared up.

Not sure why we didn’t have drinks, but we went back to hotel, then out again at 8, whch was ewhen the nice tapas bar across from the hotle opened (Maguila) – had a very good de-constructed beef wellington and a coupl eof good beers. We intended to go to the blues bar, but it was shut on a Sunday, so we just went home I think…

Day 4.

Final day, had a mooch around the center, and had a quick look at was was the old tobacco factory and now is the University, then had another nice lot of tapas at Chic&ole – where we had what was called Scampi and glue, which was shell off prawns and some tiny thin things, which were delish, and we think we found out were baby eels, but still not too sure…

After that it was time to head back to hotel, eat some more free sweets and get the taxi back to the airport.

This time we happened to have a row to ourselves so we had plenty of space – tidy.

We went to krak off – which apparently is the right way to say it – not Krak ow!

Had a bit of a long weekend – travelling on the Thurs monring and back on the Monday night – plenty of time to see the sights, maybe too long, we’ll see..

Up very early on Thurs, had to be in the airport at 5:30, so although tempting, it was too early for a beer, and instead the regulation burger king was had instead. After the checkin/security and breakfast, we didnt have too long to wait until the flight came. It is completely amazing the way that flights work now – so many are leaving, one after each other, all therse people flighing around Europe for 50 quid each way – it really is amazing when you think about it.

Landed in Karkow about 10:30, with the hour difference – and was loking to get the train, but nah, too hell with that, lets just get a taxi. 89 zlotes – which is something around 20 quid – but no hassles, no mucking about – tidy.

Hotel room was ready, quite a nice hotel very near to the centre (Holiday Inn), and in next to no time we were out to the square.

It’s a big square.

It was a bit widy and a slight bit raining and was a nice break from the non stop heat we have had back home – we sat on the West side of the square and had the first local beer – a Tyskie, and tried out my Polish – I was rubbish.

After a short time, we went for a stroll, and then to Moburger, just off the square – which provided a pretty damn good burger.

We walked a little more, then back to the hotel for a quick snooze – I was knackered. Then we headed back out to the old town, and sat in a boozer called Cafe Art and had some Zywiec’s until the cows came home. We picked up some water and some crisps and went to bed.

Day 2. Took the free tour around old town, and then the tour around the Jewish Quarter – both about 2hrs and about 2 miles. Was pretty good, the morning one was better. In between we stuffed down some polish sausages and some dumpling things.

We had a couple of beers in the Qrt, and then back to the square for some drinkies and a big steak. We went to Sioux this time – pretty good place…

Day 3. Did a bit of sight seeing, saw inside some of the churches, and had a real cup of tea in the morning at the bulldog bar, which was full of hungover brits, some of them keeping the British stereotype alive by drinking beer.

Back to Sioux for livers for lunch, then headed down to the Qrt for a night out. Sat in a couple of bars, one used to be a SInger factoy, and we sat with a sewing machine, then we found a bar ith some live guitar playing and ventured in. The bar man, had no mixers, but he had beer, and Sian was happy with the initial vokda – the barman turned out to be a bit of a charactor, was boozing, and tempting shots out. We were buying rounds at under 3 quid for a pint and a shot – acording to Monzo we had quite a few.

Got slightly lost on the way home, and I had a terrible keebab, which was like a tosted sandwich, and which I found out in the morning was full of sauerkraut.

Day 4. Quite hung over, but booked a tri to the salt mines for 11:30. So had a poor breakfast on the square, and in the Taxi for about an hour in a long and winding vouage to pick others up, and then to the salt mines. Which were neither as cold, nor as amazing as  I was led to believe.

The mine itself was massive, really incredible, and the carvings and things were quite impressive – but it was like a cattle market. In here, little chat, now here, not granite floors, but salt, now here, and chat, salt things. I did lick the walls and it was very salty.

Back to the square, and a relaxing few beers, and quite an early night.

Day 5. Last day, already. Up early as we had to catch the minibus to the camps at 7:30. Bigger van this time, and a movie for the one or so hr trip out to Auschwitz.

After a bit of confusion with the size of the bags we were in and being herded around the camp one. It was nothing like I expected, big buildings with displays – like a museum I suppose. We say the piles of hair, and shoes and combs, and glasses and heard the history of the place.

It’s an event one needs to see, so I won’t explain too much, but I preferred the second camp, a lot more “real” for me. They say birds don’t sing there, and I didn’t hear any – I did n the first camp, but this second one, was different.

Back to the square for a couple of hours, some ribs, then to the airport and home.

We liked Krakow, we had plenty to do over five days, the weather was great, it wasn’t too expensive and it’s only a couple of hours away. Tidy.

Arrived in madeira after a second attempt at the runway, around twelve midday – not a bad time to arrive..

Had attempted an early night, but managed to get a few bottles of Peroni down me, so wasn’t feeling perfect at for in the morning. Still quick shower and out of the house around four thirty…

Got onto the airport approach and it stayed raining a fair bit, there was us in our shorts and tee shirts, hardly prepared. After a bit of confusion on the suitcase weight we were hussled through security and time for a body scan for me and it was over to bk for brekkie..

We had avery nice man pick us up from the airport, who practiced his English on us for the 30 mins out took to the hotel, then in for an early cheek in. All went well until it came to payment, I had loaded up the Monza card but the limit on a transaction was a grand so it kept getting rejected, slightly embarrassing! So had to put it in the credit card in the end, gord knows how much Tesco will charge us for that…

Up to the room on the 17th, not bad, basically two rooms together, on the end of the hotel, so with three balconies, which was a little excessive. Plenty of space, just a little tired, I can imagine ten or twenty yeasts ago this place was the dog’s but not so much now, didn’t even have flat screens in the rooms!!😁

After a quick unpack we were off and turned left out of the hotel for a stroll down the lido area.. it was pretty hot now, not crazy, but getting too the limit of my hopeless heat tolerance, so after a mile or so we stopped for what would prove to be the first of very many “Corals”…

Just along the front there we pitched up at a little pizzeria, didn’t look amazing, but I had an excellent spaghetti with salami, basil and olive oil – I loved it, just what i needed…

After lunch we strolled or a little further and then headed home, back at the hotel we got our swimmers on and headed down about 30 floors to the sea. Ohh chilly willy in the ocean, but you soon get used to it, there was no beach, just straight in to the sea, there were fish everywhere..

We sat around the seas level pool for a while and I dropped off three times, I know this because my hat fell off three times..

After getting suited and booted (well i put a new tee shirt on) we looking around for the first nights feast and settled on the Taj. Nice ruby…

It was getting a little late now so off to bed. The music was still playing downstairs so I stuck my ear blockers in and was zonked.

Day 2.

Woke about 6 to a pitch black sky, and lay for awhile listening to the hotel creek itself awake. You could hear it stretch and take those first 40 year tentative steps to wakefulness. You could hear it gargle and clean it’s teeth then exercise it’s spine as the lifts began to whir, and slowly as the bangs increase, the aircon rumbled and the water poured beneath the walls it’s new day began.

Down at sunrise to the pool, omg cold here too, and made of salty water.. Got a few lengths in tho. Weirdly it looked bigger from the balcony, not sure how that happens. Also once your in is amazing how quick you get used to it.

Over for breakfast and managed to get a table on the terrace, we soon realised that once 9:00 chimes it gets uncomfortably busy in the place, nice fruit, nice ham, nice cheese, rubbish bacon and sausage.

Back up and waiting for madam to get ready, we had decided that we would have a little look around the capital today. Our hotel (Pestana Carton) was at the top of a hill down to the port, at the bottom Kate saw a little outcrop with a thing on the top, so we went to investigate and some crazy dude had made it his home, as apparently it was once the smallest country in the world, so he now lived there with his cats and his problems.

After the visit to this other country, we walked the Promanard out to old town, then back to a spot on google which wasn’t anything, then back into town, and along the restaurant street, then along some more to the market, then back along the restaurant street,  then we had a sit down and a beer, and the waitress seemed to get a scolding from the manager for not forcing food on us.

After this beverage we went to the market, and saw a lot of fish, some ugly, then some fruit, then onto the terrace for a nice drinkies.

By this time we had to get some lunch, so we strolled over to the Beerhouse, where I had a Stein of their beer and some limpets. So in 2017 we can eat limpets it seems, in 1987 I used them to catch Gobies in the rock pools, but now we have to pay nine euros to eat some – now that’s progress…

After the beerhouse we went back home.

Over to Casal da Penha in the evening, another close place – we almost went for a Turkish, and got on the terrace, but it a slightly rubbish spot, and I had the selection of fish – which was okay, but not great.

Came home and Kate did my eyebrows – I looked like a wally.

Day 3.

Up earlyish, and decided to run down to where we went on the first day – 3.6 sweaty miles later I met Sian in the pool, it was quite nice (but also a bit naughty) to just strip off the running gear and get straight into the pool. More toast, cheese, ham and fruit and we were off for a jaunt around the West…

We hired a taxi for the trip – sixty euros, who took us down the coast to a fishing village (which compared to fishing villages in UK was a bit rubbish) which had a lot of recycled art, which was quite cool. We squeezed in an expensive beer, then back in the taxi for a very slow crawl up the mountain to Cabo Girao which is one of the highest “skywalks” – which means you walk on glass, at pushing 2000ft it’s something that left me a little short of breath.It is said it is the highest in Europe, but I think that is the skywalk rather than the cliff edge – but not 100%, and Wikipedia didn’t help. It’s high enough anyway…

After this we wound our way through the mountains to Ribeira Brava and another villagey place – it was okay, we had some chips and a beer.

Then he took the “motorway” back home – and we got dropped off in Funchal town again, for another walk around. We had tried to get to the Se “cathedral” but it was closed again, as it was Saturday so we had some crepes and stolled around and back home again.

In the evening we headed to the left (West) back to the Lido area, and had a beer in the Scat bar (well technically in the Qasbah which seems to be the drinking part) for a couple of beers listening to the man twiddle his Ge-tar. Being greedy I asked the man what a Caneca was as I thought it was a type of lager that came in a Pint. It actually meant a pint of Carlsberg, Caneca being Portuguese for mug – exactly what I felt.

First choice was full (and continued to be so for the next three attempts) so we went to the O Chefe Steakhouse and Sea Basket and had a quite pleasant Ugly fish.

Day 4.

Day of rest.

Went for a swim in the morning and stuffed some breakfast down, then dossed around for a while on the sun beds in the sunshine, which wasn’t too hot, then we went for lunch. Decided on a pizza, as Kate fancied one, and the pizza place was completely empty, the girls didn’t like their food, but my fishy pizza was pretty good.

After lunch we dossed some more, Sian went for a lie down on her own, so I played spot the Sian from the balcony.

Down the Westend for the evening and back to Qasbah, earlier than before and it was still very hot, then after a look at a couple of places that were full we went into the Restaurante O Dragoeiro where I was greeted by an old black dude in his Ritz bellhop attire who fist pumped me and poke as if I knew him. After pretending that I did, he showed us to an okay table outside where I had a very wonderful fillet on the stone, where a lump of meat is presented on a very hot stone, and you basically cook it yourself– with no discount.

Day 5.

Up and the usual swim/eat/get dressed/out, and down into Funchal again for about 9:30 where we got the cable car up to Monte. I don’t like cable cars, I don’t like heights very much, but cable cars fill me with dread – not 100% sure why, but I sat with white knuckles grabbing the rail for the 20 mins it took to get to the top.

Once there we walked up a very steep hill, saw a tiny church thing and had an early beer. Once finished we went to Monte church, looked inside, and then went on the toboggans.

This is quite a weird thing, it used to be the transport around these parts, but that was when donkeys were cars, so now they just stuff tourists into little sleds and push/push/drag/steer you down the steeep roads. It’s pretty good fun, and to be honest you kind of have to do it here, our guys were old and heavy breathed over us, but it was neat at times. 10 mins and 45 euro later we stopped only to to be pushed into a 10 euro picture. We declined and after being semi-accosted by the hateful taxi drivers we walked down the hill just behind the drop off point – having the drivers shout “It’s very far” or some-such. It wasn’t really – maybe 20 mins walk, all downhill..

Had a little look around the top part of Funchal, and had a beer in a place we would return to for Octoplod (Espaco Funchal). Bit more walking and back for a swim for me and Sian. We took to the sea today, and swam out to the pontoon, which had had no one on it for the one hour I was watching, then by the time we got into the cold water it was almost full. We swam out, and around, then people left, so we swam back out again – I felt sea sick immediately, stayed for a short while then off again on the loop..

We had been spending the early evening most days in the hotel bar, more specifically out on the terrace – which was quite nice. It was half price from 6 – 7, so we managed to get down there most days. After Kate was ready we headed over to Beef & Wine, which I absolutely loved, I loved the décor, the staff, the bread and cheese and ham, the Octopus done “their” way and specifically I totally loved the rib-eye. I thought it was fantastic. The rest of the meals were pretty good, although I thought Kates chicken was overdone – an ace place to go, hugely recommended.

Day 6

Had a swim – and stuffed my self at breakfast today – probably had an omelette and all the other stuff. We headed to Eira do Serrado, which is 1000m in the air (supported by a mountain). To get there we used local transport, which only went at 9/10/11, so we went to the bus stop mentioned by the hotel, and the woman there told us that the 81 bus was not on that route. So we went to another bus stop and that didn’t mention 81, we asked a woman who looked 3 ft to the left when talking to you and she told us we had to get it from the main bus stop in Funchal, and finally after looking on the interweb we waited at the bus stop opposite the casino and after 15 mins the 81 bus came.

We went about 6 miles and it took 30 mins, with the bus driver winding his way up this mountain side like a big fat metal, wheeled goat – until we got to the top. We walked up to the viewing platform then down the trail to the town below. It was quite hot, but walking downhill was fine, after about an hour (and only 2 miles I think) we got to the town and had sandwiches and beer until the bus came.

As we were waiting for the bus some cheeky monkey came over and said that for 3 euro each he would taxi us back, five of the waiting people were taken in by this obviously corrupt , illegal and dangerous suggestion (well, not really) and we stoically waited in the heat for the bus, which was late, and took us miles out of the way, and took 1 hr to get back, and deposited us in Funchal, and let the people at the back of the queue get on first.

Went to see the Se, which compared to the worse cathedral in the UK, was uninspiring, then had a beer, then the long, hot, up hill walk to the hotel.

Ladies went swimming, I lounged on the balcony drinking coke and reading Skagboys.

Had some beer on the terrace – then went to the Turkish, where we were served by a Cockney (put a lead on her, Turkish), and the food was okay.

Day 7.

I think I swam, but cannot remember, probably went for breakfast, and lounged on the sun beds and finally got a bit red, and definitely went into Funchal yet again – this time to go back to a place to have the roasted Octoplod – which was really very good. It was very “meaty” and not in the slightest bit chewy and I really liked it.

After food the girls decided that they wanted to shop – so I walked back, in a bit of a hurry and sweat all over the supermarket counter. Then had  nice relax until they came back with their wares.

Out to the West again tonight, and down the Qasbah for some tunes. Then we went for another Indian, which had great poppadums’ but one of the worse Vindaloos I have ever had. Also the naan was thick and had tons of Keema in – never seen anything like it. Very disappointing. He gave us 15 euro off, but we gave him 10 back because I am stupid.

Day 8.

Came home.

We left the hotel at 09:00 and after getting a new number plate I got home at 18:00 – long old day.

~~~~~~~~~

So, Madeira – I really enjoyed it, the temperature was hot enough (around the 25 degree mark), but it wasn’t that oppressive heat you get sometimes. It was a nice relax, but we also got up to a few things and generally saw the “sights” that were around.

I think perhaps if we ever return, we would hire a car, and have a good look around the North of the island and see more of the wilderness. We will also do the levada walks.

The hotel was pretty good, we had a suite, with sea views – it was an end unit, so had the three balconies – it could do with a bit of a re-furb, but it was clean and nice enough. It was the little things that annoyed – the wardrobe door didn’t work well, the aircon was from the 20’s (although it worked), the furniture was dated, and no flat screen T.V – for 200 quid a night – that’s not cricket ;o)

The pools were fine, although sea water and not hugely heated it seemed, the location on the water’s edge, and in between the West and centre of Funchal was good, and the breakfast was fine.

Obrigado Madeira.

We decided to go away in half term, and I planned a fun filled few days in Reading and then Greenwich.

Reading is pretty rubbish to be honest, there is bascially nothing to do there. Once we arrived, by train – we walked to the hotel, and then took a stroll down the Thames with the purpose of showing the girls where the man who commuted via helicopter lived – I think he may have moved.

After that we walked into town, had a look at the Oracle and then had a beer. Lacking for things to do we visited Vue and watched Lego Batman – then we had an exceedingly strong curry.

Bye Reading.

Next day was into the Big Smoke, which is always a little bit exciting, we crossed town from Paddington to Greenwich, and after checking in we took a stroll up to the observatory and straddled the east / west line and saw some interesting things about the first reliable clocks..

After this we walked under the Thames, which I always like, and got the train to the O2, where I surprised the girls with a walk to the top of the O2, on their new walkway. It’s quite good, but you don’t really get a sense of height and its pretty expensive (£30 each). But it was goodto do, and as we went up at 4:15 it was getting dark and the sights were pretty good.

After this exertion we had some chicken and went home to bed.

Next morning was breakfast in Bills, then a mooch around Greenwhich village where they were filming The Crown then onto our 10:40 sailing into Westmister. Nice little jaunt in the boat, then straight back over to Tower Bridge for the next surprise..

Tower Bridge has added glass walkways, I was a little nervous, but hought I would be able to do it – it was very weird trying. I had to hold Kate and Sian as I stepped on it, I was sweating cobs, and my knees were knocking, but after a while I managed it on my own. It was a very odd sensation when you know you are safe, but you body just wont do it!

After the Bridge we headed to a nearby German place so I could have a stein and a sausage, then we walked up Fenchurch Street to the Bank and had a look around the Museum where we picked up a gold bar – £400K’s worth – it was pretty heavy, and shows that those films where gold bars are being passed around must have very strong thieves.

After this we went to an “escape room”, where you are locked in a room and have to work out some riddles. We spent about half the time wondering out loud just what was happening, but then things clicked and we progressed nicely – in the end we did the lot,with 17 second to spare ;o)

After this it was a quick beer by BT Center and then the train back to Greenwich where we headed to an Italian which was off the tourist track – it was pretty good..

Home – bed. Had a quick look at Buck House the next day, then got the train home. We like London.

o2 – 7/10

Boat – 6/10

Tower Bridge – 8/10

Bank – 6/10

Escape Room – 7/10

Few days away – 8/10

So, final day and another early start. It was the Colosseum today and as it was the first Sunday in the month, it was free to get in – so bound to be busy.

We got there just after 8:30 after a faff with the train again, to get this one you have to turn right as you get to the metro and go under the tracks to the other side. Two queues and no one really helping you other than what I assume are hawkers selling tours. We decided to queue against the smaller line on the right hand side as you come out of the station. Here you are given a ticket to the three parts, and then you go into the Colosseum via the “tickets” row which gets you in line with all the other queuers to go through security. As we got to the check point two very annoying people pushed passed flashing their “Roma Pass” at us – like it means something, anyway we just went around them and through. It was here that we realised that it was better to get the tickets before hand, as all the dudes who were queuing, had to get their tickets now, and we just walked passed… coolio.

I like this place, next time though I will look to book the basement tour, got exasperated by all the morons taking selfies and not actually looking at the building itself. Walked around every inch, then out.

Next was to walk around the forum, then up the road to get a pizza in a Chinese – which was odd.

Then it was about time to get the train back to the airport and home.

Like Rome, think we will return.

Up early today as we had tickets to see the popes pad.

Had a decent breakfast in the hotel, with hot dogs and burnt Pancetta with odd bread and non salted butter, and red orange juice.

Walked to the station and used the machine to get two single journey tickets 1.5E, nd got very confused as to which platform we should stand on. Sign’s in Italy are very confusing. Anyway after a little mucking about we were on the metro for a couple of stops to Cipro. Cipro is the nearest station to the Vatican Museum, but the metro tells you to get off a stop before, because that is where the start of the queue line is!

Anyway, no queuing for us – we walked straight in and up and up and got a talky tour and set off to look at some old stuff. There was quite a lot of that. I liked the map corridor best. After walking for some time we got to the main event – the Sistine Chapel… I didn’t really like it, its a big box with pictures on the walls.

We walked from there out and around to the famous place where the pope comes out, and there was a massive queue there, so I took Sian through the non scenic route all the way over to the Piazza del Popolo. We sat and had a little drink here and it started to rain a bit.

From here we walked down the road to the Spanish Steps, walked up them and into a church with a singing “security guard” then back down the other steps and back to the fountains for a big pork baguette.

Sufficiently sated we headed back down the alleyways to the Pantheon and went in this time – it’s free, and very cool – would be brilliant if it rained properly as the rain just pours in from the hole. From here we spent a while just wondering around, until we came to anther Piazza which had a statue of the guy from Assasins Creed on, where wefound a decent bar and sat out watching the people and football for a couple of hours.

More mooching from here an across the river to the Trastevere area and along the river to where the Mouth of Truth is. From here up the road to the views at the Basilica di Santa Maria and then down to have a look at the Colosseum. We got a bit lost here and ended up in the Druids Den, which was an Irish pub where we had a couple of real pints.

A little bit more of a walk and then some food in Amedeo Ristorante where I had a not as nice as last nights seafood pasta thing again, and we were entertained for a while by a very enthusiastic young American.

I think we just went home to bed after that. Long day, we walked about 10 miles I think…

We had been meaning to visit Rome for some time now, but never got around to doing it, so we booked it, and we went…

So on Friday, we set off to Bristol around 10:30, once arrived and parked up, and with  the knowledge that the pre-pay technology didn’t work – we had a quick beer after struggling through security, and we were on holiday – 2.5 hrs from Bristol to Rome.

Great train from the airport, the Leonardo Express, which takes you right into the heart of Rome in about 30 mins – you can get your ticket at the airport, and it really is easy. Once in Rome, we wandered over to the hotel.

I had booked two hotels, The Independent Hotel and The Navona Palace Residenze di Charme, both had decent reviews, but the Navona was right in the middle and noisier than the others. Baring in mind we had to get from the station to the hotel and then back again, I took the executive decision to keep us in the Independent, which was 5 mins from the train station.

Great guy at the counter, and we had been bumped to a room with a balcony, which was nice. After a quick relax, we walked into Rome proper for our first view of the place.

First thing to notice was how warm it was, baring in mind this was the beginning of December, I think we had over packed the warmness, we took a right out of the hotel, a right and a left and walked down a road with loads of armed guards outside the building – I assume this was the embassy’s? The we got to the Quirinal Palace with mor armed dudes, down the steps and another right and we were at the Trevi Fountains. Which are some fountains.

Took some photos of people taking photos, and was amazed by the number of people not actually looking at the attraction but taking selfies of themselves – all a bit odd for me, and something which happened more and more throughout the trip. After having a look at this stuff, we headed down Via delle Muratte towards the Pantheon. Just follow the road, and it takes you right there, passing many hawkers, who at this point we just ignored. We got to the Pantheon at the exact second it closed, so we carried on past it and over to Piazza Navono – where we thought we might have to put up with a Christmas market – but there wasn’t one.

We sat in one of the many restaurants, and looked at the prices – 21 Euro for a large beer, o we got up again and carried on walking around. Almost opposite was another place with a nice guy who wangled us in, medium beer was I think 9 euro – medium is half a litre, which is a little bit like a pint. We had two of those and left a little bit poorer. As we were leaving a hawker with bags did a splendid deal with an Italian customer who, no messing told the guy he would give him 15 E for the bag, which had initially started at I think 50 – something for later.

From here we walked down the allies until we got to our second hotel – it was really in the action, and I was happy with the choice we made. We walking aimlessly for a bit and passed quite a few places, until we found ourselves back by the Pantheon and a food place that had been packed previously. We sat outside, me in just a shirt, and had some very pleasent seafood spaghetti and a large beer. Food was grand and the beer was massive, a large beer is a litre, and came in a sort of stien that I had to use two hands to lift.

After a return along our original way in, we got back to the hotel and had a final drink on the roof top terrace. Rome was nice.

Had a “red letter” day since last Christmas which needed to be used – so we booked into The Hatton Court Hotel near Upton St Leonards.

Went up early doors, and as the forcast was for rain we decided to go straight into Gloucester and have a look  around, rather than risk a wet walk in the countryside. Gloucester was fine, not a bad place to visit – the docks being the best bit, but after a stroll it was agreed that I could get some booze – so I did.

With the sun not quite over the yardarm I tucked into a little glass of booze. Sian had a rubbish coffee, which was made barely drinkable by a load of extra milk. There was an odd woman serving, and no one else in there we just had the one.

Next up was the docks, we went to a little pub called the tall ships which was also a “seafood” restaurant, to see what they had on offer. Grub was okay, but decided just to have a beverage. Then to Wetherspoons.

Next stop was food, and The Barge proved to be very disappointing, it had a toilet with a numerical lock – so you have to remember the number – quite embarrassing if you can’t.

Enough of Gloucester, it was nearing checkin time, so he headed off to the Hatton Court. Once in the room, we were disappointed to find that it was “old”. Which meant that they had an excuse to have peeling wallpaper around the “old” lead windows, water damaged widow ledges and a toilet which didn’t flush properly. Still, we moaned to ourselves and left for the walk down the massive hill to the pub at the bottom.

We had a beer or two here.

Back up the ginormous hill and we had another beer, which was Hatton Lager – interesting, and quite nice, until I found out it was re-badged Coors Lite. Then checked into the restaurant and got served by a rubbish waitress. It trys to be a bit up-market, but doesn’t really succeed. We inquired about the Linguine to see what was ith it, and there wasn’t anything – so no chicken or seafood, it was just pasta – £13:50 worth of just pasta!

I went for the expensive selection and it was pretty good. Then bed.

Decent breakfast, and an early checkout as we had to be back home for Remembrance Sunday.

Half term, 2016, October.

Still in Cambridge this morning, but after waiting the compulsory two hours for daughter to get ready we were ready for the off. I went down and mentioned to the manager that “something” was taken from our room – she didn’t seem concerned in the least, and I know its just a cube of fudge – but it was TAKEN!

In car, down to the retail park so that daughter could have a look at a shop that sold two stories of tat, then onward to Oxford.

Sat Nav took us all over the place, not sure why – we ended up about 20 miles from London at one point – but after two hours we landed in the second Premier Inn – some miles from Oxford.

Again couldn’t check in, but had a taxi called, and within 20 mins we were mooching around Oxford. The taxi driver was a little surprised at where we wanted to get out, but it had ticked over to eight quid – and that-is-my-limit. We walked up and down the main drag, and it was not cool.

Lunch was in Nando’s at the very end of George Street, disappointing – we used to love Nando’s and I still remember losing my Nando’s virginity in Cheltenham all those years ago – it was fan-bloody-tastic, this one was not.

Little look around the Castle, and a walk around some of the more olde-wordly streets to the Library, then down though the little alley ways to the Turf Tavern. The Brend took me there when we stopped off in Oxford on a cycle, and I was mega impressed – as it was hardly signposted and was a little higgeldy-piggledy place, with little rooms and a seating area within a block of houses. I don’t think the family were as impressed. And the Amstel was not great.

Afterwards, a treat for daughter, in the Winter and after 14:00 you can have a look around the New College, and in here, apparently, was where Malfroy was turned into a ferret. She recognized it immediately – she was happy.

After the culture we walked behind some of the colleges and down to the Head of the River, which is our go-to pub in the summer – not so busy in October, but quite nice to have a couple of beverages and a £4.50 sausage roll.

After liquid refreshment we walked along Broad Street behind Christ Church, then back passed New College and over to the Kings Arms where we watched the ebb and flow of customers with a few Morrittis and some large hairy scratchings.

After this we ambled over to the restaurants and decided on Jamies, we had to wait at the bar, where I ordered some drinks and the bar man talked me into putting my card behind the counter – something I never, ever, ever, ever do. Everywhere seems to serve beer in cans now – idiotic – but it must be the fashion I guess? Sian had a great linguine, daughter a decent burger and I had a crappy dappy pasta -which describes itself as:

• GENNARO’S TAGLIATELLE BOLOGNESE

  £6.50 / £10.95

  Amazing pork & beef slow cooked with red wine, topped with pangrattato & Parmesan

Bloody liars.

I expected chunks of meat – it was rubbish. I commented on the fact it was poor twice, to which the waiter just said thanks. I moaned at the manager and got it removed from the bill – which was good, but I wasn’t after that, I just wanted some recognition to the fact that the dish was dire. It didn’t come, but at least it meant we got a free taxi home with the discount.

Nine quid to return and we checked in, pretty pooped – I then realized that I had a tag in my pocket, I’d left my bloody card behind the counter!

Half term, 2016, October.

Not had much of an update on this for a while, not really sure why I have stopped updating, I guess I am just far too lazy which is a shame. Anyway – we went to two University Cities this half term.

I always take this week off, as my birthday always falls within it, and its a good excuse to go away for a few days. Initially we ummed and arred about going abroad, but because we always leave things until late, the only places were Ibiza and Corfu, anywhere near in budget, and both of them have rain (potentially), so why fly miles away when we can have rain here…

Left on Sunday morning, for the three and a half hour drive across to Cambridge, it’s been many years since I came here last, which was when I was working on a project in work based in Cambridge. Mrs Sat Nav really wanted us to go across the M4/M25/M11 but I was insistent that we go up to Birmingham and do M5/M42/M6/A14 which meant we had a frosty half an hour in the car whilst she insinuated that my navigational skills were rubbish, in the end I won though. Ha! Take that TomTom..

Missed a turning and ended up coming into Cambridge from Arbury side, which meant I could bore the passengers with a very quick detour to Perse Way, where I first rented a house for my short time in Pipex at the Science Park – around twenty years ago! Quicker than expected we were into the center and after a slight queue and me being completely confused we arrived at the hotel. Another Premier Inn, but as we will see later perhaps the last?

Far too early to check in, we got our bearings and took the shortish walk down New Street to the Grafton Center. Gosh, it looked a little different – as I tried to work out just what I expected to be there we walked down the road towards Parker’s Piece. Straight across here and you are on the main drag into the town center.

Watch out for bikes! They are everywhere and anywhere and no-surely-not-there, but we navigated the cycle-tide and managed to get ourselves to a place that pretty much summed up what they sold – Bread and Meat.

We had some bread and meat.

After that we mooched around the corner to spend £11 climbing some spiral stairs to have a crap view from the top of “Great” St Marys church, it was closed for visitors on the Monday onward, such a shame they hadn’t started on the Sunday…

After this, a little bit more of a walk North, then down Trinity Lane and over the Cam to walk along the backs. Luckily, it was a pretty nice day for us, so after ear-wigging the punters (and not so secretly hoping one of them would fall in), we had a nice little stroll down the back of the uni’s.

Once complete we went to find the old Crown Plaza (which is now a Hilton) and took a stroll out across the town to the “North side”. We stopped here for a quick beverage, but as time was getting on, we decided to head back to the hotel to check in.

Once back, we had a sit down, and at 5:45 decided that we didn’t have the energy to head back to town, so went to visit the bar. They had no Vodka, which is quite amazing, and no Coffee – however they did have a happy hour, so we had four Miguels and four buds for fifteen quid – can’t knock that. Then, as we had beer, Pizza was the favored supper, so next door to a very tasty Pizza Hut. Then bed.

Next day we arose early, then waited around for 2 hours whilst daughter got her act together, then we headed back into town, with a plan. That plan initially required a visit to The Eagle, where we we going to have breakfast, but there were no punters, so we just walked through and had a look at the RAF bar – but didn’t eat. Instead we went to the Copper Kettle – I used to love the one in H/West, and their Sausage, Chips and gravy – but this one was not so good.

After breakfast we headed right out North as far as possible and looked around all the streets we missed on Sunday. Unfortunately none of the colleges were open to the public today – unless you wanted to part with some folding – so we walked to Silver Street and as luck would have it, waited 5 mins for the “tour bus”. We always go on these as its a good way to see around, but this one was a bit hopeless. For somewhere which is so great, the tour doesn’t have a lot to say, but it took us around, and we listened to some bloke say something about a city or university or something.

After that it was lunch, so daughter suggested we go to Byron’s, which was pretty good – ordered a medium rare burger, which was actually medium rare – and pretty tasty. All good.

Just around the corner from Byron, is the Varsity Hotel and Spa – which has a little entrance hall, and a lift right up to the top which has an roof top bar. Which was great, but cold today (although the supplied blankets!), the view is great (well, you could see a lot of cranes) but the drinks are expensive. We had two, and they cost the same as eight had done yesterday. Good experience though, it’s rammed in the Summer, as you would imagine, but in October – plenty of places.

We walked back into town and popped in the Regal for a quick one – an old haunt of my CPR2 days, and then over to the Vue cinema for a relax. Really fantastic reclining, comfy, massive chairs here – pity the film (Inferno) was shit.

It was now about 8, so we walked down the East Road to see what food we could find down Regent Street, we found an ace little Chinese right at the top – Yim Wah Express , which was nice, and ordered a load of stuff that was really very good.

Then back down the dark streets to the hotel, where we found that the cleaner had stolen one cube of daughters fudge. How odd.

I went to see a play.

That’s a bit unusual, but the trigger for this was that Captain Picard and Gandalf were doing a play together. I wasn’t really fussed on what the play was, just wanted to see these two do their thang.

Booked into the New Theatre Cardiff for the 3rd Sept, we booked the tickets ages ago, and they sold out fast – we also booke the room ages ago, and that was selling out fast also, which was odd. Once we decended into Cardiff we found out why.

The trip in was a toss up between driving and training, I went for the driving approach, which resulted in lots of swearing as the traffic was manic. Also all the car parks were turning people away, I had never seen that before, but we discovered that there was a monster truck festival in the Millennium (now Principality) stadium. We very luckily managed to get into the train station car park, and also just managed to scrape together the 10 pound coins it needed – how people manage to get 10 pound coins I don’t know.

As we were now late, after a late start and rubbish traffic we checked in, to be given Room 101 – a disabled room. The hotel is packed he said, “oh” we said in way of argument.

Checked in, and off for lunch – we wanted a burger, but ended up in the Cosy Club and had a load of tapas, it was great. Decent beer and pretty nice grub – it was (as usual) raining out.

After some food we did some (very unsuccessful) shoe shopping and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in Henrys reading and supping. Time flew and before we knew it we headed over to the theatre to get very warm and queue for a long time to get  little drink, but 20 minutues later and the play began. Two hours later, after a very ot queue for a beer in the intermission, it finished.

My verdict? It was alright. It had a lot of words, and a lot of pauses, and some funny bits, and some extreme swearing, and it also had the guy from Game of Thrones and Stella in it (although I didn’t realise, as he had an awful London accent). I don’t think I liked the play, but it was an experience to see those two greats ply their trade.

After queuing to get out we had many beverages in a couple of pubs and staggered to a kebab place around 12:30, and scoffed in our room.

Next morning we wrongly decided to go to Bills for breakfast, and came home.

Bought another TravelZoo offer for a nights stay, afternoon tea, seven course menu and breakfast in Llansantffraed Court near Abergavenny a few weeks back, and we headed over yesterday.

Quite an impressive place as you drive up the sort of farm track to it, its big, and has a plenty of space for parking. We checked in around early check in time and was given room 4. I think this was because we were going to have our daughter over – but we didn’t in the end. Interesting room, three rooms, one main bedroom, a small “lounge” which had been converted into a little bedroom, and then up the stairs to the en-suite.

En-suite was modern looking and pretty good, the rest of the place seemed clean enough, but it had old furniture – plenty of dark wood, and a 1970’s alarm clock. But all in all it was fine. But freezing. The windows may as well not been there, they were “period” which mean thin glass and iron, but once we shut the curtains and cranked up the electric heaters it started to warm up. We were also above the kitchen – so there as a fair bit of noise.

After a doss around for a half hour it was time for tea, in the “drawing room”, which was okay, if a little tired – and with the worlds smallest tables in it. We sat, we read, we had some tea and some scones and some cream and some jam and some welshcakes, and it was fine.

After tea, we went back to the room to get some coats and went for a little stroll up the lane to the church, and then around the grounds. We weren’t out for long, but it was already getting dark, so we retired to the bar for beer and vodka. Not too many staff around, and the room was okay, but again you could see how shabby it was – the beer (San Miguel) was £4.30, and the vodka an eye watering £5.60. We found out later that the “dash” of lime in the vodka was a quid!!!

After 30 quid we asked if we could start the food earlier than planned, and just after 7 we had the canapes – which were actually pretty good. There was a great cheesy profiterole, a snappy curly thing, and some salmon with cheese and chive Philadelphia on a tiny home made Ritz cracker. It was okay. About 15 minutes later we were escorted to the restaurant.

Restaurant is actually quite nice, this is a newer area of the hotel and it shows. Only pretty small, but pretty okay.Within a few minutes course No. 1 arrived:

Smoked Haddock – in a tiny jamjar, with a sort of yogurty thing around it, and nuts, lots of nuts – but very little haddock (made me feel a bit sick)

Pigeon – on a plate this time, with some different types of beetroot and some other stuff. Two tiny strips, of which one was a little tough – but quite nice (we also had some bread before this, which was nice – I had Sour Dough and Sian had Tiger (which oddly most others also picked one of each too) with unsalted butter, but with very salty salt crumbs on the butter plate – yummy)

Monkfish – with fancy mushrooms which weren’t great and some odd vegetable which I cannot remember the name, but was the consistency of a carrot, but tasted like a potato. Monkfish was small and okay – could make better at home.

Lamb – the main event, lamb sweetbreads (very nice but ate them when they were still very hot), and a couple of small pieces of lamb which were pretty good. Also an assortment of devil food (garden veg, sweedy/parsnipy).

Mango – first of the desserts and probably the biggest dish – a kind of mousy thing which was surprisingly nice with a slither of mango

Chocolate – A cup, which had been in the oven with a sort of chocolate souffle which a evaporating cream thing and a touch of sherry on the side, would have preferred cream to sherry – it was a little too much without a smoothering of creme.

so that was it – proper price, to you sir, one day only £55 – don’t think I would have been happy paying that – but then I am a tight miserable get.

Noisy in bed while the kitchen was open, but bed was quite comfy – and had a fitful sleep. Breakfast in the morning was okay – sausage was the best part, the rest was nice, but a little greasy – made a lot better when the ketchup came.

£150 quid all in +drinks, it was slightly different and not bad, unless they spend a bit on it I wouldn’t hurry back, but if they did a deal in the summer it might be worth it on a hot sunny day..

Llansantffraed Court – 6/10

Food – 7/10

Drinks – 4/10

So cycle tour complete we headed on down to (or maybe across to) Dartmouth for the night. Luckily the weather had broke, and the old current bun was shining. As I was wet and cycled out, Sian drove, so I enjoyed the passenger experience, with a big pork pie and a drink.

Driving down here takes AGES.. We only wanted to go a few miles, but it took rather a long time, but eventually we got to Townstals Farmhouse in Dartmouth, which would be our home for the night. Pleasant people, decent room, unfortunately not a great shower, but once refreshed we took the long walk down to the harbor. It was steep. I had cycled up some steep bits, but I think this may have been even steeper – but downhill, fine for now, but not something to look forward to on the way home.

Had a quick mooch about the front, and bought a paper and was surprised to see very little in the way of outside seating. The harbor side is splendid, but it seems a missed opportunity to not have tables outside, anywhere… So we headed on for a beer in the Crown Hotel, which was quite nice, and had the obligatory drunks at the bar – we were told of one place with a beer garden, only for the drunk to remind the bar man that it had shut some time back – whether they meant last night at closing I will never know.

Went for a little more of a stroll and tried a place we were thinking of food in – the Dolphin, which was a little “unclean” but served decently proceed drinks and we found a table to read from. After a couple in there we headed to yet another “oldest pub in xxx” which was small, and busy, and the toilets were on the top of a narrow windy staircase – Sian had a Vodka that was filled with Barcardi and Kate had some grub. Before we knew it it was supper time, so luckily just across the road was an Indian, so we dined with slightly too wet curry, a very nice server and a very annoying lad who luckily left before our mains.

Long walk back up the hill and crashed out, tired…

Nice place to visit, but not a lot there, and no drinking int he sun…

Climb a mountain. That’s a good thing to do, right?

We had seen the weather forecast change from sun to rain to wind to wind and rain to wind and rain and sun to cloudy – the day turned out to be all of the above. We decided to get there early, so at 6:55 we were waiting for MaccyD’s to open, to get some calories in before the scramble. We had decent enough gear – good walking shoes (a must), shorts, napsack with provisions (and even a torch – just in case), and some wet gear and water. Although the mountain is accessible to most – people do seem to forget that it actually is a mountain (just), and some of the kit we saw people in during the day was incredible – and not in a good way..

Arriving at Pen-y-pass around 7:45, there was plenty of room in the car park (it was a Friday in Summer Holidays), but it does fill up quickly. The car parking is £10 which I see on the internet lots of people seem to moan about – but if you are walking you are paying £10 for a car full of people to spend 6-10 hrs in an incredible place – to me that is a bargain, and well worth it.

There are many routes up the mountain, from the train, and the Llanberis track (which I believe is just a sloping walk) to the Miners track to the Pyg track (on our side) – we had decided to run the Pyg then go over the notorious Crib Goch. I had researched the Crib extensively before we left, as it is not highlighted on Snowdon, due to its “extreme” nature, and it is NOT to be taken lightly. YouTube has some vid’s, and I saw every single one before leaving – each time coming away with sweaty palms, as I am not very good with heights – but the wife and daughter wanted to do it, and to be honest if you can, you should – as it is thrilling.

The walk begins at the car park at Pen-y-pass, in the top right hand corner, and begins with the Pyg track – this follows the hill up, and it mostly stone steps dropped into the ground to follow – there are a couple of slightly steep bits, but it very easy to follow. As we ascended we could see the ridge of Crib Goch in the distance (although at the time I didn’t realise as it looked too steep to climb) – we saw a man running down the hill, and we thought he must have been up the top early and was one of these extreme runners – but no, he had left his parking ticket in his rucksack and needed to get back down to put it in the car! – Remember kids – parking ticket in the rucksack is bad…

After only about half a mile up hill we came to the style, I had heard that the Crib Goch path is a divergence from the main path just before this, but not seeing any signs we continued on over the style, before realising around a quarter of a mile later that we had missed it. I was reluctant to go up, as I don’t like the heights and it was drizzly at this time, but the others insisted – so I gave them the last chance and we turned around and went back to the style. We looked up at the cliff face and I wasn’t sure that could be it, but we saw a couple of people in the distance and took a chance.

The path is just before the style on the right, where there is a break in the fence – after a little way it comes to another style which has some little red warning signs on it – do not continue if you think you wont like like, because not long after this it becomes difficult to come back down again…

The first bit is easy, but it soon becomes a bit of a scramble up some reasonably steep sections, but there is a path of sorts to follow, I seem to remember it was slightly to the left – luckily we were following some others so they “seemed” to know what they were doing. It was at this point, perhaps a quarter of the way up that I started to tremble, the other two were having a great time, but I could begin to feel my heart racing and the shakes beginning. At a point a little further up, you have to actually climb – which means finding hand holds and physically pull yourself up and over – now I was finding that my arms were not really pulling me enough and I started using my knees – a “bad move”.

As it got steeper, I had that over whelming sensation that one slip and you could really be in trouble – at this point you may not fall far, but it would be enough to break something – hopefully not your head, I was tensing too much and beginning to struggle. The other two were loving it, and they did kindly give me some encouraging words “are you okay, well done” to which I just couldn’t respond. After this initial bit it flattens out and I shook a little and was breathing hard – I was scared, and only half way up..

Next section was even more of a climb, there is no path here, just rock and loose stuff, and you just have to go up, at one point I did think that this was it, and I couldn’t get any further, but at this point it would be more difficult to go back down, so up we went. There is a small “technical” bit here, where you have to climb again, it was for me a little challenging, and I kept thinking, why the heck did I do this, I am going to get stuck or die – I did think it would be a little embarrassing to die on a grade one scramble, so up I went. The next section was a little slippery, with the rain, and some grass on the rocks – you are reasonably “safe”, but I couldn’t look down, at this point one slip would mean certain injury, or worse – and although it is relatively easy, so is tripping in the street. Again, as there is no path, you look up and just hope you are going the right way, I was pulling myself up, with my whole body pressed against the face, not the idea climbing position I don’t think.

Looking up, we still seemed to have a very long way to go, but at this point the rocks make something like a natural staircase, and it is technically easy to ascend to the top, but if you hate heights, you still cling on with grim death and keep going and going. At this point I was overtaken by a guy who was almost running up the side, he looked like he had done it before, and looked at me with pity as I clung on as he gamboled past me – not far now I thought, and eventually we got to the top.

It was now quite wet, and the rock looked dangerous – the wind had also picked up a bit, and although I had read the stories, I was surprised at the lack of room at the top, I sat, and just managed to take a photo and get some breath and a drink before the real challenge started.. The ridge itself is, well a ridge, on one side (the right) is pretty much a sheer drop, the other is just a very steep scree – make no mistake, if you fell either side it was be unpleasant. The first bit I managed standing on the ridge line – that didn’t last long, and I took the easier route, which is very slightly to the left, holding the ridge with your hands. I felt very exposed, and worried, at one point I had to mount the ridge like a horseman (feeling like it was the apocalypse) and another I had to crawl, but head first. Mostly though you can navigate the edge reasonably okay, there are some places where it seems like you cannot find a foothold, and you are constantly aware of the height and “danger”.

It went on and on and on, but after a while we got to the pinnacles – you can go over them – no chance, but there is a good path around them, but you have to climb a little bit – then you come to the last pinnacle – which you have to climb, on the right hand side, with a drop, and its relatively easy – but due to the height I just went straight up, no thinking, even when our daughter went slightly the wrong way, there was no way I could pause, I was up. On the other side is a steep down, which was almost as scary, then onto a proper path. I gasped for air and shook for some time – it was like the adrenaline has been spent and I relaxed – I shouldn’t have.

On the other side of the first ridge, is a bit of a path, which then ascends to a second ridge – just a little one, which I even managed to walk across in parts, after this is another path, which splits – one way is up the other around, we had some real climbers behind us, and they said to go up, so I have no idea where the other path goes, but we followed them. After you get to the top of this bit, there is a very steep cliff face – you have to go up it. This is real climbing, and none of the reviews I read mentioned this, although again it is not difficult, it is hard for someone who is not a mountaineer and you are very exposed as you climb at 90 degrees, at one point it felt like over 90. I don’t know what the best route is here, but after scrambling and climbing on my knees we were heading up again. This bit was similar to the bit before you ge to the top at the beginning, but not quite so steep – the rock looks a little more like slate, and there are good handholds but yet again I felt very exposed, after this it is another small ridge like and eventually, after what feels like a week you are finally at the top – thank god for that.

We looked back and I was amazed we had got across it, after having all that panic inside you the feeling of getting across is amazing. I realise it is not hard in the scale of things, but for me, quite possibly the hardest thing I have ever done. If you don’t like things like “Go Ape”, then you really have to consider whether you should attempt this or not – it is absolutely worth it, it is dangerous (in a loose sense of the word) and you could fall, if you did you would be in trouble, but many people do it, and very few die.

Once at the top, you decent slightly to the Llanberis track, and chug up with the rest of them to the top – we had a beer in the cafe, just to say that we had a beer at the highest “pub” in the UK, then after a little breather we set off back.

The return route was the miners track, which starts next to the marker a little way back down the Llanberis track from the summit and is a little tricky in places – not hard in any way, but does require some scrambling up – its not just steps. A little way down this path, there is another little “finger stone” and you go right here (not well marked, and it is difficult to see the route at the start) onto the miners track proper. This is then a bit of a decent and a mile or so of flatish walking. It is a lot longer going this way, rather than continuing on the path across the Pyg – and although the old stone houses are interesting to see, if you want to get back the Pyg may be better.

So according to Strava it was around 9 miles in total and took us about six hours ( Snowdon strava route ).

It was great – well worth attempting, would I do it again? Not on your nelly.

The rain was quite heavy now, so we went back to the hotel, had a relaxing shower, and out to the pub and the Begal Spice for a top Indian.

Snowdon – conquered.

So we were off on a short, four day holiday – to do a little of North Wales, Snowdon, then a couple of days in Liverpool.

Started earlyish on the Thurs, just after “rush hour”, and the going was painful. Travelling up through Abergavenny is never the easiest – but there were a lot of of slow movers, and we had forgotton the Royal Welsh was on in Builth, so that slowed us to. Our TomTom also seems to have gone mental, and she took us down some wild and wonderful roads, when staying on the main would have been better – but after many hours we made it to Portmierion.

This is a place, which was built some time back by a guy who wanted to see if he could build a nice village – with Mediterranean influences in North Wales – well, he succeeded.

It is now just holiday homes, and hotel rooms – but of course there are one or two tourists wandering around, its about a tenner a head, and there was free parking on site – we came and wandered. Although the day was not great, the sun was sort of out, and the wind was windy, we mooched around the coast line, then had a wee dram in the hotel. UP the hill to the “cafe” we had some reasonably decent grub at a reasonably decent price, and Kate had an ice cream which was again pretty reasonable. Its good to see places which dont charge too much. We went to catch the land train, but it was packed, so we spent the next half hour having a look at the square and buying some prints. Went back and missed the train again! It seems people were queuing for the next train, as the one was leaving – so we gave up and walked it instead – which was nice.

It wasn’t far to walk, and the run was good, we did the circuit and then had seen all there was to see – so we headed out. It is a shame that “villages” like this cannot be built normally – but I guess without the tourist dollar they would be too expensive to maintain – but on the face of it there doesn’t seem to be any reason why something like this couldn’t be a normal place..

Up the road to Caernarfon, and after some faffing with the car park, we checked in. Room was reasonable, but we unpacked and chilled for a short while, then off to see a little bit of the town. As time was getting on we walked thought and went to the Castell which was a very weird place, it has such a selection of punters, from young families to alcoholics – slightly scary in places, some dudes arrived and were drinking things like a WKD with a Carlsburg top – and seemingly quite abusive, but we found a decent table and had a couple.

Next stop was the Black Boy Inn, which seems to have the best reputation in town. They don’t take bookings after 6, so we get a buzzer thing, and go and have a drink in the bar, then when a table is free they buzz you and you go into the restaurant. This works well, and we manage to find a nice little table to wait. After about half hour we were shown through – great starters and main course – not perfect but very good all the same. After nosh it was time to head back and check the weather for he 50th time to see what would await us on Snowdon.

Popped down to Pembrokeshire again, this weekend. Nice one day, thunder the next.

Although no rain on Sat, it still wasn’t quite nice enough to sit out and beer. So sat in and went to Hazelbeach in the evening to the Ferry House Inn, which was disspointing. It needs a little tlc, the staff were confused and not great, and unfortunately nearly all the food was overcooked. Won’t return.

I used to go down here on the BMX’s many years ago, to go “mud surfing”, when you would run along the mud flats and dive into the mud and skip across the goo. Seemed fun back then.

On the way back we used to be so thirsty we would look for a farmers irrigation pipe with a hole in it, and drink from the pipe – gawd knows where the water came from, but we didn’t die – well not all of us.

Managed a quick run down Clay Lanes and through town, and got very confused with the new round-about they are building – but got back just before the weather went nuts. Thunder and torrential rain. On the way back the road into Port Talbot was rubbish, stupid 50 mile an hours “warning signs” and a tail back for about 6 miles. Not fun.

Wasn’t raining when we got back.

Kate was off out, so we decided to take a spin up to Cheltenham and have a look at Art in the Park. It was some pictures, hanging in a park, and a closed street with stalls. It was “fine”.

Had a little look around, and tried to find a nice village to stop for a drink – didn’t find any – even the pubs on the edge of the Cotswolds were not any good – one, I had passed many times had actually shut, and another didn’t seem to want to serve us. So we ended up at the Air Balloon, which used to be the only pub with no smoking, now its just a pub on a roundabout. We had a swifty, almost in sun.

Then we came home and had a drink in the Rose, it hadn’t got much hotter.

Down the sarf coast this weekend – and it was full of cockney barra-boys.

We wanted to get away for a couple of days at the end of half term, so after looking to see where we hadn’t been, we settled on Bournemouth. Decided that as we didn’t need the car when we got there, we would let the train take the strain, and eighty quid for the three of us – which wasn’t too bad.

Set off from Severn Tunnel Jnt on the commuter train at 7:55, dropped off by Becs we headed to the carriage we *may* have a booking on, only to see that no booking tickets were out, and it was packed. So for the first half hour into Bristol we hovered around the corridoor. Once in Temple Meads we found a four seater and relaxed a little bit. One change in Southampton which had a big train with loads of seats and 3 and a bit hours later we were at Bournemouth, and it was drizzling.

Got a taxi the mile or so to the hotel – a fiver, bloody cabbies must be rolling in it, we tried to check into the Premier Inn. No joy, but at least we could drop our bags off, with a promise to return around 2. We hadn’t realised that the Wheels festival was on, but we headed into town first for a beer and some nosh.

After a little walk around and up and down we found nothing much, but a slightly worn shopping place – we got a paper, and went for a beer in the standard – Slug and Lettuce. Couple of pints later we headed over to the burger place for some nosh – one hour wait! So we walked back to Wagamamma’s on Kate’s insistence, and after a 15 minute wait in the wind we gor a bench and had some decent noodles. Once sated we headed back to check in.

After another queue we got our room, and bless my soul if we didn’t manage to get a “sea view with balcony” – which was nice. After a view of the pier and a little unload, we headed down to the sea front – to see what we could see, by the sea. We walked by the sea, and the fun sounded like it came from the top, loads of noise and screeching. We walked the front and watched Kangaroo Joe do a wheelie on a quad bike on the sand, then up to the fun.. It had finished, we saw a formula ford car, and some go-carts and some lawn-mowers – the sun was shining.

Back down into the town, and a search for a decent pub – we failed and went into the Brasshouse – which is like a Wetherspoons, only not quite so nice – quick beer, then back to the hotel for a real drink and a sit in the biiig window. It was after seven now, so it had to be supper time. We headed on back down the avenue, and tried the burger place again – hour wait. So went to the other burger place – Longhorn, which was quite a nice place, had some stags in and a queue for the toilet – but slightly different beer and a really good burger – moist and pink, and a real tasy burger.

Into the shop to get some provisions, which didn’t get eaten in the end – and back to the hotel and very quickly to sleep – except for Kate who busied herself with the Sims…

Day 2

Up early for a quick run from one of the piers to another, the main one was open, so got to go on for free. Back, cold shower to cool down – then over to Weatherspoon’s for a quick sausage roll…

Walked over to the train station – about a 20 minute walk from the hotel, and onto the quick train to Poole. Out of the train station and it didn’t look great, but once we got down to the “old town” things picked up, and we had a look at the million pound boats outside of the sunseeker factory, and snuck in a little beer in the sun (and wind) on the front. We walked to the end, and saw the old lifeboat station, then back across the old town to lunch.

We stopped in a place recommended by tripadvisor – the Crown Hotel, which did look a little dodgy as we entered, and had a big fat dog on one of the benches – but we stayed for a drink, and then decided on lunch here – it was grand. Had free breads to start, then a massive “starter” of mussles, and a great beef suet pie. We sat in the courtyard, and it was a little breazy, but pretty good. Then we walked some more, and found another decent pub – Rope and Anchor, which had a pleasant fruity guy running the show.. After all this fun, we headed back up to the station and the train back to Bournemouth.

Was pretty tired by now, and took the longer way back to town, walking past all the food and drink shops – back in the hotel, we had a quick beer, and decided on the Indian Lounge – which was a pretty good find – we sat in the “window” which had a great view of all the stag dudes and dudesses walking passed. My Vindaloo was good, Madras not so much.

Went back to the hotel, Kate queued for a Pizza and I listened to some SKA from the main stage on the beach. For 45 minutes, it got cold, but then they came back. Tired – bed.

Next morning we had the Premier Inn breakfast, and due to being so honest we had to pay for it, too many queues and too hot. But I loaded my plate and it was sufficient. Dossed in the room, then hiked to the station for the return. Got back a little early, so had to lift and was screwed over by £8.50 for a taxi home.

Good time, but doubt I would go back, unless it was to specifically see the Wheels festival..

Hotel: 8/10 (sea view / balcony)

Longhorn: 8/10

Indian Lounge: 7/10

Ma and Pa came up this weekend, it was Mothers birthday and a Bank Holiday, so they could take advantage of a spare room and kip down with us.

Friday was as normal, but just for me, as Sian stayed at home and mowed the lawn and took Kate to the pictures. Not too much had in the pub, and an early night.

Up on Sat and out for a wee cycle, it was windy again, and a little rainy. I took the bike out and as soon as I got on it the rain began, just a “light drizzle” but enough – and that wind, it is never ending. Just a quick 17 miles today – I say I am on a taper, before CarTen next weekend, but in reality I was just tired and lazy. Folks came about 11, and we headed off after waiting for daughter for an hour. Up the M5 to the first sop off, Eastington and a nice place called the Old Bagers Inn. Looks a little dodgy from the outside, but I did my research, and although the car park was packed, it wasn’t and we got a good seat and a couple of lime and soda’s and a decent burger (if a little dry). After nosh it was onward to the main event.

Woodchester Mansion is part of the National Trust, and is in Woodchester, I think. We stopped off before to look at the view, then down a tiny lane to the car park (£3) before walking down the track to the mansion. I had quite good expectations on this place, which were unfortunately largely unfounded. It is a big house that was nt finished, and you are supposed to be able to see how they built it. It was fine, if a little on the expensive side, at £7 each – but you could see stuff. They have “the builders in” which as part of an unfinished mansion gives the impression it is unfinished because the work is still happening. That’s not the case, but with scaffold all over it is a little “hmm whateva”. Toilets out the back, which Sian noted that there was a bloke having a wee with the door open – which turned out to be pops..

We had a mooch, and a tea, which we were overcharged, but pops pushed our refund, then we had a lift back which was “no charge” – which was nice.

Jst a short hop home, and even though we had a big lunch, we managed to get a big, fat Indian down our necks.

Next day mother was booked into the Celtic for afternoon tea, so we went down Chepstow for a look around – which as it was Sunday morning consisted of looking at closed shops and having a tea in the Lime Tree. Then over the normal place for a Sunday – the garden center and farm shop – we made our way back and they headed off for tea. We had arranged for some flowers to be put on their table, which weren’t which is disappointing from the Celtic Manor, we never got an excuse.

Monday was a niceish morning, so I took the last ride before CarTen, and squeezed in a 40 before the May fair, and a couple of Stella’s.

Good Bank Hols all in all…

Had an extra day off after the Bank Holiday, so the two of us went to Bath. We’ll we parked up int he station with the intention of going to Bath, but its too far, so we just stopped off at Bristol for the day. Caught the “just before 10” train to Bristol, and barely got a seat – its always too full on the train, the excuse is no “rolling stock” because of the electrification happening next year – so we’ll see.

Got there quite early and walked around the “back” of the station and around to the Mariott and the new arcade. Lovely sunny day, and hardly anyone around – just perfect for me, so we ambled around and picked up a couple of pamphlets from the market and looked for a place in the sun to have an early beer. Decided on the Hole in the Wall, and had an average Star and a crap coffee thing – was fully charged up now through for the uphill walk over to Clifton.

Clifton is a couple of miles from the center of Bristol and starts a little up-hill, but it is a pleasant enough walk, and given the day it was fine. Took us around the same amount of time that it takes a pint of Star to beg to be released to get to the pub by the bridge. Arrived and thankfully it was a lot quieter than the last time, but the bar staff still don’t have a clue about serving in order – they really need one of those voucher systems the cold meat counters used to have.

Great spot though, no grass, just tables and concrete, but a pretty cool view over the Avon Gorge and the Clifton Suspension Bridge – life was good, Sian seemed to be happy with the no alcohol approach, so I took advantage and nailed a couple of Heineken – it was great.

After a while thoughts turned to lunch, so we ambled off back down to the town, and stopped off at Browns for a quick one – I had plenty of beer in my belly by then, so didn’t get any food, just a final beer in the Hole in Wall to complete the circuit for the day. Got the 4:25 and I think I stood up.

Great day.

Went to see Stewart Lee this weekend, booked tickets ages ago, and nearly forgot it was this weekend. Was originally going to go to Bristol, but by the time I got around to booking it was only Cardiff free. So we booked a night in the Parc, and headed on down.

Well, we headed on down, after an initial false start as we got in the car to catch the train with only 6 minutes to go, and I um’d and ar’d and in the end, got out of the car and waited 20  mins for the next one – so we got the train, bloody 17 quid one way – you cant get a “return” that is over night, and by about 4 we were in Cardiff.

Straight to the station with a really heavy bag, which Sian said she’d carry, and then to make it even heavier we bought a couple of bottles of water ready for later, but we checked in and had a “quiet” room on the 4th floor, with the creakiest floorboards and the worse TV in a hotel I have seen since 1994 in a Beefeater in Bracknell. But we weren’t there for the TV, so we left and headed for some of the new pubs on Westgate Street. We didn’t pass them so ended up in Zero Degrees, or the hardest sofa ever. Quick pint and Phil turned up, and cried about walking over to us, so we set off back to the hotel and the place opposite.

We ordered a beer, then finally Phil came, and then after some more time Jess arrived – seems Phil had told her to wait in the room until the coast was clear or something.

After a couple of expensive beers, we got the train to the Bay, and as time was of the essence, we had a quick bit in the American Diner. Which was quite cheap.

We got to the “gig” at 7:30, as it said in the ticket, only to find that there was no one around as they were all in, and it actually started at 7:30 – which to be honest we should have guessed. So we snuck in when the usher said it was okay, and with full bladders we set out to enjoy the show. He was okay.

The “gig” consisted of some stuff about UKIP, and Urine, and being nasty to the audience – Stewart Lee freaks laughed at everything, as people tend to do at these things, I did laugh a little, I think Jess had a dose. Intermission and a quick 10 minutes to waste money on a beer which you don’t really want, then another hour or so. It was pretty good all in all, he is an odd comic, and I would imagine some people really don’t get on with his humor.

Afterwards we met a couple who knew Phil and Jess and went back to the expensive bar for four rounds of 25 quid drinks. I think it was prett enjoyable. After we got kicked out, we decided to go and have a mooch around Cardiff, at 2:00 in the morning, which was to be honest maybe a little early. We bagged a kebab, and wandered back through the people and swearing, and skreeching and blue light to nosh on the food, and fall asleep.

Rained the next day, so we got the train home.

Many years ago, when games took 15 minutes to load, there was a magazine called Zzap!64, it was based in Ludlow, and the team there seemed to have a really good time, playing games and probably boozing – I loved that magazine and the reviewers and the excitement that was computers at the time. It shut down after some time, but I always remembered that little town, and one day I would visit it.

So we did. Nearly 30 years later.

Set off on the Thursday, as it was half term, and it poured down. Its been pretty nice through Feb, but the one day I can take a day off it rained, alot. We zoomed north passed Monmouth, and Hereford and Leominster, and a hour and a half later we arrived at our home for the night, the Cliffe Hotel, and couldn’t check in. So we drove up the narrow hill into Ludlow and parked up, outside it poured.

First stop was to have a wander around the castle – this was great, if a little wet. Mostly outside, but a lot still standing, and you could go up to the top of the tower – which made me scared. Spent about an hour here, and it was great. After the castle we had a little stroll around the town, trying to get some bearings, and popped into the Marches, which we expected to be a pub, but wasn’t for a really nice Tuna Panini and a San Miguel. Read half the paper, then it was time to check in.

We had the “cottage”, at the hotel, which was okay, two bedrooms and a kitchen and a hospital bathroom/wetroom, but we had no time to lose, so we brought the things in and walked along the river to a pub my the river.. Once we arrived, the best table in the house was taken by some folk drinking coffee, but we eyed them up, and after a short while, we were in the window seat, with a great view of the river. A couple of pints and a read of the paper later, we moved on and up to the Wheatsheaf Inn, it was still raining.

Been to a few Wheatsheafs, around the country, and this was nothing special and I had to have a 1664, which reminded me just how much taste it has – tried to do the crossword, and find the WiFi password, but then it was time to get into the town proper, in the dark and the rain. It was “proper wet” by now. I directed everyone over to a pub, but it was shut, so we finally spilled into the Rose and Crown looking a little bedraggled. I was so wet, that I thought the Grolsh tap was a Hieniken one, so we played some cards, and braved the outside loo.

Just by here was King Street, and No. 1 and 2 where Zzap 64 offices were many moons ago, no plaque, no mention (unsurprisingly) so I took a photo, as you do, and that was it.

After this we headed over to an old building, that looked less old inside, they had a fire and San Miguel, so we sat and dried off. It was slightly odd here, as one side was brand new and kitted out in a very modern way, the other side was a little more traditional – in that it was older. But a good seat and a decent place.. Next stop was the Crown, where they had lots of beers, but not many lagers – I had a Dortmund, which was quite nice – it was pretty full here, and we didn’t know where to go for food, so we went back to the old pub – the feathers to sort out where next.

After the second visit to the feathers, we went to get some water, then decided on a curry. It was pretty busy, but we found a table and the menu was fancy curry, so I just asked for a simple Vindaloo, and fair play – they were happy to provide. Then it all went a little odd.

I spend the next 20 minutes talking to someone sat next to me, whilst I ate my curry – slightly odd for me, what was odder was that there wasn’t actually anyone sat next to me – I must have been hallucinating – must have been the Dortmund? Anyway – it was quite tasty, and I didn’t fall over, I dont think.

Nice walk downhill to the hotel, and I fell straight asleep with my clothes on, wasted with no serious intent.

Next morning we had a great breakfast, although Sian’s poached egg wasn’t poached enough, then back into Ludlow to have a final look around. We went into the church there, and paid a little extra to go up the bell tower and to the top. This was frightening. Tight spiral staircases make me scared, and half way up I had to take my jumper off because I was sweating buckets. When I finally emerged from a little doorway off the spiral staircase, by feet were aching from trying to grip the stairs so much. It was quite high, but inside, was just a narrow staircase I have no idea why it worries me quite so much..

Getting back through the little doorway and on to the stairs was an embarrassment, it is just so irrational, now that I am sitting here typing I just cannot see why I was so scared of it – stupid stupid stupid.

So after a little walk around we got in the car and came home.

Quite like Ludlow.

11 2 11 is not the number for directory enquirers, its in a pub, and not leaving from door opening until 11 (should be last orders but not any more)

Got down the shop at 10:55 in a hurry to get to the pub in time – had a couple the night before, but not too many, so once timsed it was over to see the door opening. Unfortunately at 10:58 the door was already open, so we closed it, had a picture, then at 11:00 on the dot we were in and ordering our fist drinkies…

Hour 1.

The longest hour, 11 to 12, normally you would fire down a couple of pints in the first hour of being in a pub, so it was a little tricky getting the pace right for a single one. We ponced around and read some of the paper. First present for Paul was a Happy Birthday badge. We were the only ones in for only about half an hour, but we did have a reserved sign on our table – whioch was a nice touch – oh, and the first drink was on the house..

Hour 2.

Gagging for the next drink – at 12:10 I ordered, Stella #2. John arrived and sat on his usual table and Paul took some “sly” photo’s with his phone controlling the camera. Internet all working now, I think, more paper.

Hour 3.

Cards came out as one of the next presents and we played some cribbage, which was new to me, and Johns mate came. Stella #3. I made a happy face for my pint which I was very proud of.

Hour 4.

Our guests arrived, and we had a couple of massive fat chips. I think maybe the crossword started about here. Stella #4

Hour 5. (3 o’clock)

Guests still here, food finished, straw in pint – children playing board games – more guests arrived. Stella #5

Hour 6. Halfway

Guests still here, crossword may be finished, not sure what else was happening. Stella #6 balanced on a beer mat on a pint.

Hour 7.

Still have the guests around – things getting a little blurred now. Not sure how the time was passed. Stella #7 balanced on top of a bottle of Smirnoff

Hour 8.

Snacks came out, spicy crispy things and pistachios – some guests still around, even more blurred. Stella #8

Hour 9. (7 o’clock)

Supper time! Faggots and peas and mash and extra gravy. Whole hour spent enjoying the food. I think next orders had moved to about half past the hour by now. Stella #9

Hour 10.

A little bit of water I think, band sets up and maybe starts – its super dooper loud. Pint only just begun at 8:40, Stella #10

Hour 11.

Double figure pints makes a mans head spin. Music still going and is too loud still, Get gee’d up by the wife’s who pitch up for a short while. 9:33 and a pint is in progress – try some arty shots (with a camera not alcohol) Stella #11

Hour 12. (10 o’clock)

Final hour to make it to 11. Music still going, little nervous lad with a guitar and backing songs, its okay I think I might have been singing at this point. Stella #12, 22:19 its begun

Hour 13.

Made it. Left the pub sometime very shortly after 11:00. All slightly fuzzy.

Good time had, thanks to Paul for keeping me company – next time 24 hrs?

Off up to Brum for the weekend, Ma, Pa and Kate had tickets for Strictly Come Dancing Tour, so us and Claire, Liam and Imy heading up to Birmingham for the weekend..

We had tickets for the train, and with no minutes to spare we finally left the house to get down Severn Tunnel, I tried to buy a ticket and the stupid machine (or the stupid person trying to use it) wouldn’t take my cash, so in the end I just bought two tickets – I have a feeling Sundays may have been free, but anyway, with the clock ticking we were all set.. After all the naging I had given everyone we ended up having 10 minutes to wait for the train, and when it came there was loads of room – so began our trip.

Nice journey up to Cheltenham, where we waited for the next train for ten very cold minutes – its always freezing on this station. We managed to get some seats on the next leg, and one stop and 40 minutes later we were at New Street. Straight into a cab, who seemed to take us as far as Wolverhampton then back to the hotel and six quid later we were checking in. We stayed at the Hampton on Broad Street, which was fairly decent, and after a very quick unpack we headed out with an hour to go to get some food.

We passed a couple of places we could get in, but on my advice we tried to get something closer – but we failed miserably. It had slipped my mind that the over 7000 Strictly dudes were also trying to do the same as us, so we headed to the Arena and left them there whilst we went and stood around in the Malthouse. Half a beer later the throngs in the Malthouse were buggering off to the show, and we got a seat, another beer and a sharing platter – then it was time to see the other pubs around.

Piano and Pitcher was dark and cold, and I had a pint of Red Stripe which was a mistake, but then a decent Heinekin. We left after this for the Slug and Lettuce, and when I turned around Sian had disappeared, so I looked in the Slug for her and couldn’t see her – for the first time ever she didn’t have her phone, so I stood outside for a while incase she had left – but she didn’t appear so I looked again – and she had secured a table, but then couldn’t leave it, so she had been siting on her own with no drink for a while… Anyway – quick beer then back to Malthouse to wait for the others. Another couple of beers later, and we bought an ace Kebab to take back to the room. Day one – done.

Day two started with a massive breakfast and a meet up with the rest of the crowd – after eating two pigs on toast, we headed off in the cold, down the canal and over to the Jewerly Quarter – which has one or two Jewerly shops. We made it to the top and had a shufty around the Museum, with a guide, who’s opening gambit was along the lines of “I am not really with it today, so I might forget to tell you things – which I think she did. Quite an interesting tour and thirty mins later and we walked the long walk back to town.

After passing through Paradise Place – which was a completely not as advertised we set off in search of somewhere to sit, eat and be merry. That was harder than you would think – as there were eight of us, with a 12 year old and a three year old – getting the right place was not easy – Pop’s had a pie, and we sat in the cold watching him, then after some false starts we found a place which would have us – and preceded in staying there for about 5 hrs. Many stella’s sank and it was back to the hotel for a livener, then out to TinTins.

Tintins was terrible, although we didn’t get to eat there – we did queue for a while, and finally the dude came and told us there was a problem with the kitchen or something, so we couldn’t have food. So back to the Malt House again, where we luckily got a nice round table for all of us – nosh then more beer and it was bed time.

After yet another beer, we retired and should have had a kebab again, but I was way to fat, so just Sian had one.

Up, ate then trained, then home – Birmingham complete.

Bit of a lie in again and over to yesterdays breakfast place – never return should be an adhered to motto, as the place was not the same – bap was still quite nice, but the service and other stuff just wasn’t the same – but then I was lucky I think. After dropping our bags behind the counter we headed to the vaults, and couldn’t find them, so ambled around a bit before going to the museum. The girls went for a look around, I had an Iron Bru (It’s made form girders).

By now it was already 12:00, so we headed for another wanted place, the Decon Blue, oh no, I mean it was Decon Brodies a jolly place with tight jeans, and kilts, and flowing dresses and Peroni and a great burger – it was raining out, so we just stayed there until it was time for the plane.

Got our kit, and a taxi and headed back to the airport – Security was worse here, your bag disappeared, I had to stand in the scanner, after being told off for having some paper in my pocket, when the guy had asked me “Do you have anything in your pockets”.. But we made it. Then we found that the plane was delayed by about an hour.

So sat in the comfy costa chairs, drank loads of water, ate loads of crisps and read my Kindle – quite a nice end really.

Flight was quick, and before we knew it we were home – slightly tired.

Great place Edinburgh, enjoyed the time there and I think I preferred it to Brogues big thanks to all who took part!..

Edinburgh – 8/10

Great sleep in the massive bed, had a bit of a lie in and agreed to go over to the pub we had left last night for breakfast – it was shut, on a Saturday at 9:30, so we luckily found a nice alternative called the Edinburgh Larder just across the road, which presented us with wonderful baps, tea and service. It was so good we booked for Sunday.

After filling our faces, we set off down the Royal Mile to Holyrood. Lots of shops with the name Royal on the way, even the old Royal pound shoppe – we also passed on “Oink” which had a whole pig in the window, freshly cooked and glistening – mine later I thought.

Down to Holyrood, and as we closed in I realised that it wasn’t going to look like Stormont, because that is Stormont and not Holyrood. It was a big building though. The main reason for coming down here is that Edinburgh had a big hill in the middle of it, and we wanted to climb it. So we did. It was cold and slippery and we had to scramble up it – luckily we got to the top without dying, and then got down again without dying also. I think the word is bracing….

Into a little pub, that had crap lager, and then off into Edinburgh proper. But first a quick stop off to the “Oink” – for a major hog bap – nice…

We had a couple of things to do, as written by a previous tourist, and first stop was the Royal Circle Bar – this was great. Baring in mind it was probably about midday by now, it wasn’t too surprising to see it was full, but we immediately got a “sharing table”, and drinks came quite quick at the bar. After a little drinkies, a magical lady appeared to take our food orders, and our next lot of drinks – now that is fan-bloody-taskic. Good place – just too full for my tastes – but the food and drinks went down pretty well, and given its “reputation” as a place to go, the prices were great. Good find.

Off down Rose Street next, which is a street, with no roses on it, just shops, and people, and coldness. The ladies got lost in Primark and we have a crafty half and listened to a street band who were good, then a couple of lads turned up and “jammed” with the street guys – it was cool..

Down to the end of the Rose Street and my mission was to find the “wax bar” which I had visited many years ago, when I was not so grey, not so old and not so petty. I couldn’t find it, so we based ourselves in the Cellar Bar place, and I had a little hunt. The hunt was unsuccessful. After a couple of beers it was decided to eat in Hard Rock..

A bit of a walk, and there we were, and another ten thousand people. Again we were very lucky and managed to secure a table by the window for our hour and a half wait for a table – to be hoinest it was a bit early, so this wait was no issue, it was just like being in a pub, but a pub where I was sitting under Brain Johnstons jump suit! Bit more of the game that Dawns never looses, and our little table buzzer buzzed and we went though for grub. More cocktails for the ladies, another Tortoise for me, and we dived into hot wings with the Heavy Metal sauce – man o man – that was ace. Then I had the mixed grill sort of thing with brisket, chicken and ribs – it was nice, but there is so much BBQ sauce – waaaaaay too much for me. The chicken was ace though.

Once finished we walked though the throngs in the street and obligatory Christmas Market place, and then we were back to the hotel. D+P went upstairs and we went to see what we could find. On the way we asked a nice boy where to go, I dropped a bollock by mistaking Grayfriers Bobby with a Greyhound, but he still pointed us at something – as he left, he went 5 yards and shouted back “Grayfriers Bobby – You Prick”. Sounded pretty cool with that Scottish twang.

Anyway – we went to stag do hell in Grassmarket, and went to the Wee Bar, which was teeny tiny, and didn’t actually have a toilet. Then back to the hotel for a final one – I was tired, Sian booked a table for us in the Rose next week, and we went to bed.

Circle Bar – 8/10

Hard Rock – 6/10

Grassmarket nights – 2/10

Yeah – Christmas weekend away. Went off to Brogues last year, and this year it was to somewhere I had been once, with work, some years ago, in the dark..

Unfortunately it was a work Christmas party the day before – not something I usually partake in, but as the team is now pretty much based in Cardiff, it was worth giving it a go – luckily for me I was sensible, and got home around 7. It got messy after that..

So, up at the un-godly hour of 4:00am, and staggered into the shower to try and wake up, it didn’t really work. 4:48 and we were off in with Paul and Dawn and over the Bridge to BRS…

Got there with plenty of time to get though security, which was already queuing – stupid stupid thing, you now have t take off hats/scarfs/coats/jackets/boots/watches/belts and put all your little plastic bags in a neat line so the security folk can be arrogant arses to you. But it wasn’t too bad, and before I know it I have a BK sausage bap and a cup of tea – that’s the great thing about holiday – BK before 6!

Through the cattle market and into a bus, which was cold – thankfully, before being carted off with the other two thousand people to the plane. I nearly slept on it, but not quite. Bit of a walk from the plane to the taxi’s but there were plenty there and around five hours after I had got up we were checking in…

Room was pretty good – seemed dark – which wasn’t a problem, and not quite as sparkly as the brochure had suggested, but it had a wacking bed and a TV. Next stop – the outside.

It was chilly in Scotland – it had snowed the day before, and the remnants were still around – we made it about 15 mins up the road, before coffee (or tea) called. I was already feeling a little dehydrated, but a tea and a water cured that. Then we continued up the Royal Mile to the castle. By heck it was cold up there, we had a nose around – not much to see really, not so much a castle, more of a load of buildings on a rock. It was chilly.

Some time later, all the parts had been perused, and it was time to head for a beer… Just down from the castle is GrassMarket, which I think is the “old town”, but importantly it was just down a load of steps and it had the wonder of the modern world – a pub. Very nice guy at the bar helped us out, then overcharged us – but I suppose we were tourists after all.. Another beverage and sausage and mash, with a few Whitebait, and off we were exploring. Well, when I say exploring I just took the gang the long way around to the next stop – Grayfriers Bobby. This was a pub named after a dog who sat on a pavement for a long time, then died – then was buried. We managed to secure a great table in the window, and had some nibbles and a couple of the great Scottish lager – Peroni. We were also introduced to the game of Wizards – which is a game that’s sole purpose is to allow Dawn to win everytime! ;o)

After this relax, we walked back to the Radisson to do something, then over the road for the next one, and the next and maybe one more, its a little hazy. Early doors we walked just across the road to the Royal Spice, which had great reviews, but we sat in the back which was a little shabby, but Cobra on tap and a great Vindaloo along with a haggis Naan made it extremely bareable. I got the impression all the food was spicy, when everyone said “This food is spicy”, mine made me cry a little – magic.

Up to bed, and an early night was in order – Sian fell asleep immediately then amused me no end by talking to Kate on the TV remote control, while still under the influence of tireness – although impossible to relate, I spent 20 minutes laughing – after that I was so tired I slept until morning…

Radisson Blu – 7/10

Beehive – 7/10

Greyfriers Bobby – 7/10

Royal Spice – 8/10

We went away this weekend, and stayed just up the road in Abergavenny, as my folks came up.

The arrived on the Friday afternoon, and after failing to find some tea bags, we set off for the public house for a couple of beers and wine. Home earlyish, about half siz, and just time to catch Kate’s new haircut before she was whisked away to a party. Dossed around, had some Tagine, and watched a tiny bit of Children in Need it was an early night ready for Manana.

First port of call once up and showered was the new village Co-Op, which replaced the old shop. It is now smaller, and seem’s more densely packed, and had some issues with it’s papers and alcohol, whoich may be fioxed now, to get some crusty bread and tea bags. Half a loaf of bread later we needed down to Specsavers to get some batteries – which they didn’t have, so a quick look in Boots and we were all set.

We headed down to Colford on a horrible road, it was unfamiliar, and really foggy, so it wasn’t a pleasant run, the girls in the back were looking a little green by the time we got there. There is a place called Puzzle Wood, which is a wood, with some paths, and some odd geographical features (which just means old rocks covered in moss). Kate stole a can of Sprite on the way in (accidently I must add, and we thing that we may have paid for it in the admission charge), and we asked for a map, and the girl said “No maps, it’s just the puzzle of the wood”…

Like all puzzles, it was full of children screaming, wooden fence posts, rocks with moss, and lots of steps. The puzzle is, finding out what the puzzle is.

After a while we found our selves back at the end, which did surprise me once we got there, it is very easy to get disorientated in that there wooded, rocky, mossy place. Back in the car, for a short trip into Monmouth, were we went to the GateKeeper for some reasonable food, the the prep of the match. We didn’t have time to look around Monmouth, so set off for Abergavenny after nosh.

We stayed in the Abergavenny Hotel, which if you look on Google Maps today looks very run down and peeling – luckily for us it has recently undergone a complete make over, and is very pleasant indeed. It’s been open for around four months, and has lots of security doors, that open with a swipe from your card – the rooms were big, the showers bigger and all clean and sparkly – we approved. What we didn’t really approve of was the Kings Head where we ended up attempting to watch the rugby, the had a 80 ft screen, 3 ft away from us, and the speaker system set to 11. It was loud, unclear, uncomfortable, tasteless and full of people.

After rugby (Wales only just snuck a win against a 14 man Fiji team), we headed back to the hotel, to prepare for supper. I had considered driving at this point, after only supping two pints all day, but thankfully thought better of it after 15 mins, and booked a taxi for 6:15. Time for a beer in the hotel. Which was nice.

On the dot the simple taxi man came and whisked us in limited luxury to The Hardwick, which is know for being a bit good – and a bit good it ended up being…

On arrival front of house were reasonably friendly and took us to a great round table for the five of us. Drinks taken, and menu’s provided we tried to work out what to have – I had a Poretti. We ordered a couple of starters, mother shared a couple of scallops, and I mostly ate a crispy pulled pork and black pudding thing, with an apple mustard that had forgotten it was mustardy. Main’s were turbot, rib-eye, burger and a mixed port dish. Most were good, but I have had better steak, and mothers seemed a little tough. It seems to me to be a place where people just expect that the food is good, even when they are tasting it, and it almost doesn’t seem the “done thing” to mention that the food may not actually be worth the extra quids they push on it. I always say I shouldn’t have a steak, but did here, and asked the chef to cook it how he felt it needed, I don’t think he did unfortunately, and it could have done with another couple of mins to really get the fat cooking – but it was pretty good all in all. We then had a little game where you had to clip tiny clothes pegs onto your ear lobe for a bit – I lost.

A variety of puds were brought and all ate, a couple on Poretti’s and two and half hours and two hundred quid later we were back in the taxi to the hotel.

Back in the hotel we sat in the great rooms they had there and had another few gins/vodkas/wines and Grolshes – then it was bed time, and after a quick conti breakfast in the morning the visit was over.

Hotel – 8/10

Hardwick – 7/10

Puzzlewood – 6/10

King Head – 5/10