LOOK What I Did

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

My Birthday! And so what…

So we left Padstow in the morning after breakfast and failing to buy a painting, and sped off to Port Issac, which is supposedly famous for something Martin Clunes does, it’s quite nice, and I bought some “fresh crab”, which I saw he was preparing into shells from a massive Tupperware container with the words “Costco” written on it.

It;’s quite a nice place, and we were very lucky we managed to park in the town, rather than in the “main” carpark, right on the edge. Again though, it was too busy.

After that we came home, got stuck in a traffic jam, opened some great presents and had a ruby murry.

And that was Padstow.

If I ever did go back, which is doubtful it was be in the complete off season. But all in all, I am glad I went, and it is a nice place overall…

Off down to Riksville, which is on the East side of the harbour – where Rik Stein had created his own wood covered community to sell his wares. He has a deli, a fish and chip shop, a fish sellers, and I think a something else which I can’t recall. We wanted breakfast, but there was nothing to be seen.

Back into Padstow proper and we called into the bakery, and I got a Giant Steak Pasty – which like all pasties in the world was far too hot to eat, so I carried it.

Our intention was to travel across the River Camel, and has a little look around Rock – famous for being named after a large stone, so we boarded the ferry and set off to the town of Rock. It wasn’t a town, it was a road, and quite a long one at that, but there was NOTHING there. So disappointing. We expected something, as the online mention had been about great restaurants, and fantastic deli’s and fish shops and … Well its just a road, with some crappy shops along it. Its small.

So after moaning about it for an hour, we headed off West towards somewhere, we started on roads, which got narrow, so we followed a sign stating Public Footpath into a field. With no more signs. They are lying bastards, these people in cagools who put up these signs, deliberately pointing them to muddy, in-escapable fields, where farmers, or wildlife are going to kill you. We followed the edge, saw a stle, followed the edge – then came to a sodding locked gate. So we had no choice put to jump it, expecting the farmer with this gun and condescending attitude to appear at any moment – what we did find was another style. It said, in very clear red and white letters – PRIVATE PROPERTY – no access allowed. Ha! we said, and we nervously climbed over, and spend the next 20 mins in a Mission Impossible style crouch, hiding from golfers and groundsmen. So we were out of the fields, but in a golf course with no idea which was was out, and no Golf club, ball, tee or hat – we were going to be found out unless we took immediate action. So we went to the highest point on the golf course and sat on a bench. Then we ran like baby turtles to the safety of the dunes and sea.

Walking for some more time we got to a place, which had nothing, not even an open toilet, then continued on to Polzeath – where we actually found some pubs, so sat and boozed it up, whilst Kate had cheesy chips and the most expensive brownie in the world.

We walked back along the beach which only took around 45 mins – which was 3hrs 15 less than it took to get out there, we boarded the ferry, quite happy to have left the North Side of the RIver Camel for good (well until tomorrow when we went back).

Back into Padstow, and we had a couple of beers, then went to look at the Italian, and ended up in Old Ship Inn, which I sat sourfaced and drinking coke, with a dry burger.

Another day, another headache.. Nah – actually I felt pretty good in the morning, in was “fall back” weekend, so we got an extra hour lie in for free, which was nice. I almost went down the harbour early to take some photos, but dossed in the house until breakfast in the end.

The harbour was quite quiet by the time we got down, found a little cafe place, and got some meat and bread and tea down our greedy necks, and then it was time for the headland walk…

We walked.

For ages.

Around the coast.

And got to a place with a really crappy hotel/pub.

Then we walked back.

Along the road.

In all the walk was pretty good, the coastline is so similar to Pembrokeshire (and probably all other coastlines in Britain , if not the world), but there were a few neat features, and it was a little blustery, although surprisingly warm. At Trevone we expected to find a great little pub, tucked away in the cliffs, with a roaring fire, and great food – but we didn’t. So we had a quick pint in a real crappy hotel, and then walked the three miles back along the road into Padstow.

Once arrived we found a decent table in the crap side of the Customer House, and spend the rest of the day reading the papers, watching football, eating nuts and scones, and drinking huge amounts of alcohol – good day all round really.

After having too much to drink we went and ordered a take out, and had a final pint. By 8:30 we were stuffing into a Chinese feast for six – even the woman taking our order suggested we had bought way too much. It was really good I thought, but sooo much of it ;o)

So we finally booked into Padstow. We have been talking about this for years, but finally we found a “cottage” and booked up in October Half Term.

On the Saturday morning, we set off around 10, with a slight hangover about the car – and headed off down the M4, M5 and then out into the wilds of Cornwall. Sian had been trying for an hour to get her fantasy football complete on her phone in the car. Unfortunately every time she thought she was complete, the reception disappeared, or the screen went blank. It is a little annoying that connection is so patchy – still first world problem and all that…

As we got to the edge of Exeter, I realised I had run out of road, so desperately got the old Sat Nav on and just before the turning it sprung to life with a “Next Exit you plank”…

After some time, and not a huge amount of traffic we found our selves close by, we decided to detour to St Merryn, as the Times has announced that Rik’s place our there was in the top 25 pubs for something or other – so we tried it, it wasn’t even in the top 25 of pubs I’ve been in, just in Wales, in towns beginning with D, with bar staff called Owen. But actually it was okay, we had mussels for Sian, Sausage and mash for Kate me, and a burger for me Kate. Too many onions in the gravy, meant that my burger moved to Kate, who then found it had too much cheese on it – which it blumming well did – a smallish burger, quite probably really meaty tasting, with a massive dollop of melted strong cheese – mental man.

As I was driving we didn’t stay long, and before we knew it we were slowly driving through Padstow, marveling at the number of people, and tiny streets and looking for the car park. We parked up, and then had a couple of hours to spend, so we thought we would have a look around and see what was what in Padstow. 10 minutes later we were bored, so decided to go for a pint in the first pub on the list the – The Harbour Inn, it didn’t allow children in the bar bit, which was fine because there were some nice comfy sofa’s free, they served San Miguel and the toilets were outside…

After shooting back to the car, then moving it to a longer stay car-park, we loaded ourselves up and walked across the to the new house…

It was pretty good, a litle small, but there wasn’t many of us – you access the place by putting a number in a little “safe” just outside the door, which open’s up to reveal the key, the combination for Malt Cottage incase you are nearby is: 0788.. There are so many rental places, nearly every door way has one of these little key safes. So anyway, now we got comfy in the house, it was difficult to drag our sorry asses out, but strictly came on, so that was an excuse.

Down to the harbour and it was packed, completely autumnully packed, I just cannot imagine how rubbish it must be in the Summer. People everywhere, and dogs, my oh my, dogs everywhere – and I do mean canines. We looked into two pubs – packed, so we wondered over to the other side of the harbour, and managed to secure a table in the Shipwrights for the first of very many Korev beers. We had a couple and um’d and arr’d about food, but in the end had a look into The Old Custom House around 9:00 and managed to nab a table by the door. Straight in with the beer and grub, and as quick as a flash it was fish pie time – yummy.

Back to the ranch pretty early, and to bed – which was surprisingly comfortable.

Today we went somewhere new – to Wenchford in the Forest of Dean.

You head up past Lydney and just after the Cock Inn you turn left. Its a small spot which has a river. We mucked about crossing the stream, and Kate nearly got stuck – luckily Ma, was on hand to create a survival route. We swang and walked. I cannot believe its so hard to swing on a rope after 43 years and an extra 2 stone.

It was pretty quiet except for the obligatory dog walkers, some folk were having a short sleeved picnic as we were leaving.

It was okay. We had a quick pint in the Cock Inn, as it was rude not to.

Woke in the morning, feeling okay considering the previous day, and Phils alarm going off dead early like and dead loud like too.

I went to shower and get sorted, and when I came out of the bathroom, Phil was looking paler than usual (quite a feat) – he pointed a wobbly finger above the exit door. And there was a spider the size of a cat! Arrggghhh.

I must admit I did a little scared dance, hoping up and down and waving my hands about. It was enormous, and it was staring at us. Phil ran away to get showered and I watched the beast walk across the top of the door, in that spidery way they do, the down the other side, then straight at me. I was sweating.

Next thing a shrill scream came from the bathroom “I’m trapped” it pierced, “It’s on the door, I’m stuck”. OMG OMFG OMFMFG I found myself hoping and waving again, and I had lost sight of the first beasty they were attacking us in a pincer movement – I shrank away from the bathroom door, expecting a spider the size of a Rhino to come bursting out at any moment, but also wary of the floor where his mate was stalking me. I heard some scraping and slapping, and courageous Phil came tumbling out “Ah AH AH” he explained.

Anyway, we managed to get out, have some breakfast (which was very tasty, but Phil had a Kilo of free oats and a vegetarian breakfast) and into the car for the next adventure.

First up was BroadWay – the place we didn’t get to the previous evening where we saw a jogger jump up and high five a street sign – what a man. Broadway is nice, especially early when no one is around apart from Mr Sunshine – we even found some toilets next to the cleanest, tidiest play park in the world. After a little wander we decided to head on, it was too early for a beer.

Next stop was Sunny Stratford, last time I was here I ran (well slowly jogged) twenty six miles, and that was the whole reason for this blog. We had a mooch around, almost went up the new tower in the Shakespeare place, but it cost so we didn’t. We were very relieved to see that very sparing use of a cartoon Shakespeare was had around the town. NOT! We listen to a guy talk to a group of people about the town, nearly bought a martmite flavored sausage roll (that will haunt me for ever) and a actually did buy a newspaper. We sat down and had a beer. The we left.

We almost stopped somewhere else, but it didn’t look so good, and Phil was gasping for a beverage, so we headed over ot he sleepy hamlet of Chipping Norton. It looks better when you drive through it.

We arrived and I had a quick look into the dive that was to be our hotel for the night, what a place, scary bar woman/owner and drunks in the bar – drinking beer, at this time. So we went for a pint. Then we went for another and sat outside with a tasty baguette for me, and a crappy ploughmans for Phil – (the spellcheck wanted to change ploughmans to manslaughter, which has a certain ring to it) he actually moaned about it. After beers we took the plunge and checked in, the woman knew what we were about, “the quiors” were shown to their room, and the bar had a giggle. Although they were happy talking about how f&*kin happy they were that Ian Pasley was dead, as we left.

We had a wander around, and its not a fab place, so we sat on a sort of balcony and drank until supper time. When we got in the pub with the with the sort of balcony, they gave us a loyalty card thing which meant we had a free pint after we had 9 or 10 I think. We didn’t really think it was worth while, but Phil knows his onions, and as it happened we filled it by bed time. After some time we set off for the Thai, which looked a bit alright – it was (so she said) packed – but I just think she didn’t like the cut of our jib – so we found another Chinese place, which looked a little iffy. It was iffy, but it used chop sticks, and natty old fashioned 1`960’s chinese chop stick holders and a little bowl to eat your nosh with. I had something sizzly, Phil didn’t. It was quite a find – very good and it was enjoyed.

Back to the balcony in the dark and the free pint, which I was too rich to get, so Phil got it along with another girly coffee, or was it hot chocolate?

Back home, no spiders, and an okay sleep.

Next morning was a breakfast in a 1950’s dining room, which hadn’t been cleaned since then, with a very dodgy looking woman doing some very dodgy cooking and a cat. The food was meaty and greasy – so went down a treat. Phil had a fondant.

Over to Gloucester to be dropped off and picked up.

Massive thanks to Joey the Lips who cared for me so much during the couple of days – it wouldn’t have been the same without him, but then, I wouldn’t have gone on my own.

Good times.

Woo Hoo – holiday.

We had been planning a trip for some time, ever since the original “The Trip” with Coogan and the welsh bloke, and it finally happened. We had the idea for a couple of days of fantastic hotels, brilliant food, lots of script writing and incredible company. We failed.

We set off down the old M4 around 9:00 on the Thurs, and within minutes the jokes were flowing like honey wine at the monastery when the monks realised that Master Monk had left for the village and forgotten to lock up his Kays Catalogue. Unfortunately like the monks the wine and excitement ran out before the Severn Bridge. So we drove in silence to the M5. A change in scenery and we were back on form, unfortunately we didn’t have a mini camera in the car, so the exquisite pearls of handsome humor have been lost in the folds of time, but it got us to a petrol station in a village just off the M5.

Now we were really on a voyage of discovery, speeding along country lanes looking for a bacon roll on the side of the road (well in a van on the side of the road), we found, instead, a hotel/pub affair. We dared to venture in, and passed the polish security guards dressed as cleaners, but balked at the price for a cooked breakfast – six quid, I ask you! In fact the main reason we didn’t stop was the table they had was next to some other humans – and we don’t like that.

More lanes and we found Nailsbury or maybe Nailsworth, and as I had been here before I could navigate the driver to the car park – and in short order we had a fantastic bacon roll and tea – this was living alright…

After Nails* we headed through Minchimptonhamptonshire and a herd of cows, which spooked Phil rather dramatically – but we were soon over the common looking for the next stop. We saw a sign for Cirencester – so we headed in. After a quick detour around the one way we parked up and looked at the delights of the town – it’s okay there. After thinking everyone passing on a bike was Gibson, we settled in for my first beer of the day. The sun was out, I had a drink and we had 30 mins before the car parking ran out. At this point we could see the car park, so with a saftey net of only 3 mins we ambled over – it wasn’t our parking place – so we meandered around to find where we left the car. We found it.

After some time in the car we arrived at the next stop, it was nearly lunch time, but I had gobbled down 12 wine gums and a packet of Pork Scratchings so decided to just go with the lager this time, brave Phil had a fancy pants coffee – he’s really metropolitan don’t ya’know. We left the lovely village of Bourton to pastures new, and off to Stow – which is on the Wold apparently, but we didn’t see any rivers there. Another quick mooch around and a pint each this time outside a pub. Not too shabby.

Next stop was terminal. We pulled into the car park of the hotel in Chippen Campden and I checked us in. It is a twin I asked – no she replied. It *will* be a twin I suggested, and luckily she agreed to get housekeeping to do the necessary – so we had a beer. We looked a little like we were going to a Camp Den. After a beer, a wink from the bar man and some curry popcorn we checked in into the room. It was a twin, but barely. It used to be a Queen bed, but was actually two singles, they had but two single mattresses on, but not moved the bed – so as the old phrase goes, you couldn’t have got a rizla between us – well not until we re-arranged the furniture to give us some man space.

We decided to walk to the village next door, a 5 mile slog over mountains and streams, it was 4:30 – we managed about 50 yards and saw that a pub was having a pub quiz later so headed back up the high street for a quick mosey then a pint. I think at this time we may have had another pint, then went to a nice place to see if we could get in on the Curry Night – we couldn’t – so we had a beer. As it happened the pub with the quiz, had an exciting rear which was a fully fledged Indian – fan bloody tastic. We raced over and had a great curry and Cobra wolfed down to get us in the bar by 8:00 for the quiz. It started late.

The quiz was jolly good fun – fueled in part by the beers we had, and the beers the quiz master had, it was loud and boisterous and rude – we came third – the others must have cheated, because we did, and we still only came third. But we did get all the joke questions right, and shouted them out to great applause and even a fist pump by the quiz master.

We had a final pint and a coffee and fed a slug some curry popcorn – then we retired to our honeymoon suite and before I could finish my dissection of the next days driving, Phil was swaddled up and sleeping like a baby. A baby who makes alarming whale blows in his sleep….

I felt a spider walk my leg in the night, but dismissed it – more of that tomorrow…

Monday. Barcalona Day. No swimming. Train to catch. We had the wrong time. We waited…..

Along with the rest of Santa Susanna. The trains are massive there, but only have half the chairs we do – so we had the pleasure of being packed in like matchmakers (Orange thanks God – not coffee) with the only loud Welshman right next to us. He was from Llandaf, and he lied, repeatedly, to his sons about all sorts of things. Well when I say lie, I do mean lie, but in the sense of he kept telling them things about life/the world that were just not correct like an ant is a tiny buffalo and stuff – perhaps he was just a little thick.

After a couple of station stops the tanoy came on, loudly, with a very bad singer – it sounded like they had given him a microphone in the front and piped his tones through all the carriages. I could not believe it, you wouldn’t have any of that in Britain. It was loud and rubbish. After a time I managed to move 180 degrees in the matchmaker box and realised to my horror that there was a bloke, some 2 feet away from me, with a mic and a speaker and he was actually “busking” to us on the train! Why the &^&* had no one told him to shut up or even turn it down I don’t know. Even if he had been Julio Iglesias no one would have been able to give him any cash as we couldn’t move – what a plonker. So he deliberately tortured us, safe in the knowledge no one could lift their arm high enough to clonk him. Thank the lord he got off after a couple of stops.

Just over an hour into Barcelona, and as we pulled into a station I thought we had at least another to go, but the whole train emptied. I was  a little shocked at this, so we jumped off with the crowd and headed upstairs. I think the station was Passeig de Gracia but even looking on Google I cannot be sure but it ended up being just the right place to get the tourist bus. After spending a few Euro on a couple of life saving waters, we paid up and took the first half of the bus tour. Luckily we took the back row of the bus, upstairs, and in the shade – it was nice. We went along the front and the side and the back and saw some stuff. We were told about Gaudi repeatedly, he seems to equal Barcelona, even though no one seemed to like his architecture at the time, and he was killed by a tram (which we were told about 10 times)

After a couple of hours we were back at the beginning, and it was time for lunch. We strolled down Les Rambles, which is a street where you are very likely to get robbed and looked for somewhere to have a drink. All looked the same, and not great – then, through the robbers we noticed a square. We sat, it was like luxury we had comfy seats and cold beer, and a “proper” hot dog, and some tumblers tumbled and no one tried to steal our clothes. It was so nice we ended up staying for three (drinks not hot dogs, although I was tempted.).

After lunch it was time for the bus again, so we shambled down the Rambles holding very tightly to our slacks and purses, and had a look around the Quay side – where we send 60 cent having a wee wee (boy it was worth it though ;o), then we got on the bus again for the second half of the Barcelona journey. We saw some more stuff on this pass, and two hours later we were back again. We did a little bit of exploring, and Kate magically directed us around all the tiny streets to the only square we found, where we were easily persuaded to spend 50% more than the rest of Barcelona on supper. But we were on the only square around – so that was okay. The toilet had a bloke in it who had the job of putting soap on your hand, starting the tap and then drying your hand – I didn’t let him.

Back on a slightly less packed train, and quick doss on the balcony before gwelly.

Another day, Sunday today, not something you really think about on your hols – all days blur into one. Up early again, and a little run into Pineda de Mar this morning, and right past the Maccy D’s. I was tempted, but it was just out of reach given my training was going that well…

Back for a swim – the water seemed a little warmer today, so we had a splash about before breakfast – Kate had Chicken Nuggets I had my normal number of rolls and greasy meat. Afterwards we got back down on our beds by the pool, but I didn’t venture in again, I didn’t want to get wet before our stroll.

Back down to Pineda, with a view to eat at the Tapas bar I had heard about. We had a look along the front, then back for the Tapas. It was good. The beer glass was frosted, and we had anchovies, calamari, bread, cheese, meatballs it was great. To top it off, we were sat outside, in the shade, with the F1 on a big telly just in front of us – now that is the life…. After nosh we relented to Kate to get a blow up thing for the water – she decided on a great big ring, which she had to carry!

Back down the beach, and into the waves in our new toy. Luckily for Kate after about 30 seconds on it I felt sea sick, so she had the joy of me pushing her in it, into the waves. Ah what fun. The sea was reasonably “warm” and the waves were fun, but I got caught by one, and spun under, as I had my ear plugs in and the sea invaded my head, it almost caused them to pop out. I had a real stabbing pain in my ear, and managed to stumble out of the sea and tag-team Sian to take over. I thought I might have perforated my ear drum – I hadn’t…

After a while we set off back, and into the pool to get Kate to practice diving through the ring, after a few worried aborted attempts she finally did it, and was well chuffed. This continued for some time and long enough to get a big scar down her leg from the creases – but she was in the pool so couldn’t complain too much ;o) I retired and the other came up soon ready for Kates special treat for supper – we were going to the Hotel Buffet – Oh no!

So we ummed a little, but ended up going back into the breakfast room for supper, to be honest it wasn’t bad, but it did make me think what a great choice we made in just booking breakfast. There was a good choice, for me mostly veal and lamb chops. But it was good to have a little of everything, and then a little more, and then a little more, and then …. So we were home sooner than usual, so took a littlel stroll up the shops and got some goodies. Nice to be back early and took the opportunity to get some extra zzz’s. Sian and Kate fell asleep with their Kindles open.

Hotel Buffet – 6/10

Lots of thunder in the night, but the morning was clear. I was up early and off for a run to Malgrat. Felt really good to run, and I went around the back a little and further than we had walked previously. Years ago my folks had stayed here in a hotel which I tried to find, I couldn’t – I ran back the other way, along the road by the coast, and it was great. Got back, far to sweaty to go straight in the pool, but I did anyway – the shock of the cold water nearly gave me a cardiacarest but I survived. Yet another massive breakfast, and afterwards, as we had put some towels down in the morning, we spent it around the pool. Bit of a doze, a little swim and some nice relax took us to lunch. I ordered a beer and a fanta, when the waiter saw this he did an amused “oooh lalaaaa” to me – not sure what he was insinuating, but it seemed to amuse him no end.

After lunch we went back, and the girls splashed around and I went back to my hidey hole on the balcony and drank and ate cooked pig skin – life was good. After they came back it started to rain again, but only when I noticed the ball, and my T-shirt were still around the poolside. I got wet.

Another walk up the strip and a visit to the same place we went on the first night, very slow service, and I had another Spaghetti Fruti de Mar – this one however had no sauce – just lashings of olive oil, it was okay, but no where near as nice as the others I had. After waiting for a week for the food and final drinks we mooched back. Kate and I had our silhouettes cut out by a bloke on the front – it took him about 30 seconds, it was so impressive, although whilst typing this it doesn’t do it justice.

Didn’t see much of Tenacious fly today.

Bei Peppe – 6/10

Thunder in the night, and rain in the morning. So we decided to head back to Girona. Had the big breakfast again, and got some tickets – remembering to Validate them. On the train along with Tenacious, we set off to Girona. The trains are big, but have few seats, so Kate sat across the way from us and after a couple of stops had Micheal Jackson sit next to her. He obliviously had some condition because his fingers, toes and some of his hand was white, the rest wasn’t. He looked a little like a snake shedding his skin. I don’t know if there is a phrase which says in every black person there is a white persons trying to get out – but if there is, it was his.

Girona was pretty good, we walked around the old Ciry, and walked the walls. At one point we had to go up a tower on a spiral staircase. As it was busy I waited for the girls, but then the queue disappeared and I risked the climb – I don’t like heights or staircases you can see though, but to make it worse as I was half way up some woman was coming down on a mission. She physically pushed by out of the way which meant I was pushed into the central column of the staircase, which was rusty – so I had bronze boob for the rest of the day.

We found a little cafe for a beer, and then after some wondering around trying to find a food place with room, we sat on their Rambals and had some great tapas, we shared everything, and to give him is dues Tenacious fly waited until we had finished before he launched in.

We walked around the rest of the town, and then it started to rain, alot. So we had to get in a pub, and fast – which we did. We had a train to catch, so we braved the storm – which luckily for us was just about stopping and managed to get a seat for the journey home. Once back the pool side was quite quiet – ideal for a swim, so we splashed about a bit.

Along the strip again, and actually found the place we he been looking for the night before – it was good. It was down a backstreet, and we were quite pensive when we arrived, but it was great, and had to large parties of locals in. I had a monkfish stew thing, which was a great thing – best place we went to.

Whilst there we could hear and see the rain picking up again, so we got a little wet on the way home, but there was hardly anyone on the strip – which was magnificent. I didn’t mind a little rain when we almost had the pavement to ourselves. We got back and sat on the balcony watching the lightening flash, the thunder roar and the rain pour – it was good.

Antonios – 9/10

Next day and it was Water Park day – unfortunately. Big old breakfast, then we had to get our towels and look for the free bus to the Park. A bus came with no room, everyone ran to it, then another cheaper looking one came, which we managed to get onto after a bit of faffing, as we didn’t have a ticket. Two days later we made it to the Park in Lorett de Mar, just as it opened. Some more faffing and we got in. I felt sick.

We found a spot and Mr Miserable didn’t want to do anything, so the girls went off and had a great time on all the scary water rides. I dossed, and slept a little, and dossed some more. I did enjoy the day, as it was a great day to totally do nothing what so ever, which was one of the ideas I had for the holiday – but it meant that I didn’t go with the family on anything, which was bad. At about 12:00 Tenacious fly turned up, he obviously missed the first bus, had a lay in and caught the second free bus – either that or he flew all the way – I’ll never know. They enjoyed the rides though I think, and they even went around again in the afternoon. I stayed in my bin.

After planning out a book, it was time to catch the bus home. We got there on time, and we had seats. After a bit of time on the balcony we headed out for some more nosh. I was after a specific place, but we couldn’t find it. We headed to the place, as mapped in Trip Advisor and the place wasn’t there – what was there was nothing. I was gagging for a wee-wee, so in the end had to run into a hotel to find a toilet. We walked some more, and some more and found nothing, so headed back to the strip.

We say outside the place, and after ordering, we discovered the Malbro Girl was sitting next to us, and she managed to smoke a fag constantly for the two hours we were there. Whether she was on the phone, eating, drinking, talking, holding her breath she still had the fag in her mouth. Given the amount of smoke drifting over us she probably wasn’t really smoking it at all, just holding it and pointing the red bit at us. It was a shame really because the food was great. I had another Spaghetti Fruiti de Mar here, and it was better than the first one. The staff were arseholes though. Tenacious fly was back.

They started okay, but were so slow, and although I appreciate it that Europe does things differently in restaurants to us normal people, and things are more “laid back”, but when you wait for 15 minutes for a drink, and then have to ask three times for the bill it gets a little frustrating. At one point I asked another waiter for the bill and he looked at me with disgust, and said something in some foreign language. Well I showed him, I left no tip! HA!

Home bed.

Vistamar (food) – 9/10

Vistamar service and other customers – 1/10

UP early doors, and spent some time watching the imbeciles actually queuing at 8:00 to be allowed to put their towels down. Some of the loungers have towels on for most of the day with no one there. It is a self fulfilling process though, as because people do it, then in order to get a bed, you also have to do it – stupid.

So we went down just after 8:00 and had a little swim. This was nice,hardly anyone else around, almost the whole of the pool to ourselves – although with five people in the pool it was a little crowded for me. We spent around half hour in the pool, which was surprisingly cold when you first got in it – then off for the first of many massive breakfasts. Standard hotel fare, big huge buffet with everything you could want from fruit, cereals, bread, cheese, hams, bacon (well a sort of European bacon), eggs, chicken nuggets, chips and on and on. I immediately got into a routine which stayed with me for the remained. Two rolls, lots of meat and cheese and some orange juice.

Once sated, we decided to find the “private” beach the hotel may or may not have, it may not, as far as we could see. So instead we walked along the coast to the other town – Pineda de Mar. This seemed like quite a trek, and Kate couldn’t wait to get in the sea, but wait she did ;o)

We had a little look around, and big brave Kate climbed a playground thing with a slide, then we went to the Amstel pub. Amsel beer glasses, Amstel menu, Amsel table, Amstel ashtray, Amsel chairs – but oddly no Amstel lager. Nah – I’m kidding. After this brief stop we headed back to find a piece of beach we liked. That took longer than you might expect. Finally we found a spot we liked, so the race was on to get in the sea. The beach was a sort of shingle, with a steep incline down to the sea, there were big breakers but as the beach was so sloped within about 15 foot you were out of your depth – I was scared as I didn’t know how the undercurrents might behave, but after a time we were pretty confident. If you weer caught in a wave you got pummeled – this is a lot more fun than it sounds. I had a little sit in the sun whilst Sian took over sea duties with my book, my water bottle and Tenacious fly for company.

After beach time we headed home and went for a quick bite to eat in the hotel outside restaurant – I had a “horse” sausage – make of that what you will – it was tasty, but a little dry..  Afterwards the girls took themselves off to the pool again, and I relaxed like an over-weight life guard in my chair on the balcony. Couple of beers and 17% of my book later and we were all back together ready to hit the strip. This time we didn’t walk so far, and went to another recommendation from tripadvisor. We hadn’t really got into the Spanish way yet – we were ready for food at eight, Spain isnt ready until way after nine, so we ended up being the only people in this place. The manager was friendly, I think, as he didn’t seem to speak any English – and the waiting staff kept walking passed us like it was an aquarium. We had some free things from him, which as we couldn’t speak the lingo we had no idea what they were – there were nice though, and I had my first Spaghetti Fruiti de Mar – it was nice. Couple of beers later and it was time to join the streams of people on the front. Back home to the balcony, and I couldn’t even finish my beer everyone was asleep again. We had had the air con all day, and the curtains closed, so it was chilling nicely, but also chilling noisily – good job I had my earplugs…

Via 7 – 8/10

Well we finally booked a holiday. We had planned to go on the last week in Aug this year, and I stupidly thought we would just get our pick of any “last minute” holidays and get going – well it wasn’t like that – everywhere I looked for a good hotel was booked, and when you have no location in mind it gets a little long winded. Anyway I ended up getting a hotel which had good reviews on the coast in Spain. After booking the hotel and flights separately – bloody RyanAir add’s extra money for everything. We decided to go to Santa Susanna on the Costa Brava about an hour up the coast from Barcelona.

I went to check in via Ryan Air and realised two things – one is that if your flight ids longer than seven days you either have to pay for allocated seating, or print out your ticket once you get there as you can only print out tickets within seven days of your flight. The second thing we realised was that Kate didn’t have a valid passport! We had just over a week to get it, so they went to the passport office in Newport of the off chance – but children cannot get a passport on the day, they have to send off and it takes a week – this was Monday, we were leaving the following Tues. The next appointment in Newport was three weeks in the future, so even though it only takes five minutes we eventually got a session in Liverpool on the Tues morning. So Sian and Kate got on the train Monday afternoon for a night out in the ‘pool.

They stayed, they saw and after a fire alarm scare they sat in front of Mrs Passport and after approx. 3 minutes it was stamped – we just had to hope it came before Tues. It did.

So up early doors on the Tues morning, and arrived into the airport car park at 6:45. Ready to queue, and queue we did. The bag checkin was slow as usual, but security was empty. Slightly annoyingly we have to make sure things are packed right, and have to take off all our clothes to get though the scanner, but the staff were mucking about with each other on the air side of the scanner. It’s a little frustrating that we have to do all these things to get through, and our security didn’t seem to give a shit. They did test Sian’s phone for drugs though – which was nice.

Once though we got ourselves into the holiday spirit with a big BK breakfast, and the the cattle market started for the flight. As everyone had assigned seats now, I don’t really understand the mentality to get there first. But a couple of hours later we were in Girona. Once we arrived we went to colelct your baggage, and also to pick up Tenacious fly – he is your own private fly who stays with you throughout your trip. He fights off the other flys so you only ever have one with you, but he stays there all holiday. After picking up the bags and Tenacious we met our non-communicative driver at the gate, and were ferried in the back of a nice minibus thing, with a number plate of HKY. Forty minutes and a five euro tip later I was standing in an air-conditioned queue listing to some annoying Russians try to check in, and had to hear the constant bleating of some Americans that things were not exactly the same as at home.

Room was okay – but warm, decent balcony which looked down on the pit of evil which was the pool side. So many people, my heart rate raised, my palms were sweating (although that was probably the 29 degree heat) and I thought I might have a panic attack – 8 days of this!!!!!

We set off for a little wonder down the strip, and stopped at Kate’s first choice of the week – the Burger Club. I was hyperventilating at this point – but luckily could breath enough to get a big fat bacon/cheese burger down my neck and the first of an occasional beer. I would have left there and then if I could have – I am just so rubbish.

So back to the hotel, and the girls went to brave the throngs in the pool, and I tried to relax with a can of beverage on the balcony. It was getting better, I could see them, but was far enough away from the crowds. I sat and sweated in the heat, read my book and drank my beer – actually this is okay I started to think…

Later on we walked down the avenue to the next village, Malgrat and as we walked in the heat we saw all the people – there were loads. The strip was okay, stalls on one side, bars/shops and restaurants on the other.. We had a plan for tonight, the number one place to start with – it seemed like it was miles away. We arrived we spent days waiting for a beer, and had some okay nosh. I decided to eat like a Spaniard, so had the Paella – but a meat one – expecting some meaty deliciousness in a variety of small fleshy parcels I had chunks of bony chicken in wet rice.

We walked the length of the strip back, and I relaxed out side on the balcony for a final beer – the girls were asleep, cuddling their Kindles when I came in – I think it was fair to say we were tired.

Burger Club – 7/10

Bei Pepe – 7/10

Okay, good, not so.

We left Canterbury and headed the 40 miles as the crow flies or 500 miles as the roads go to Southampton the next day, I managed to break apart the bike enough to get it in the boot, so we didn’t have to carry it around on the back and set off through the convoluted path that is the roads in the South East. We arrived in Southampton about 11:00 in a wonderfully warm day. We checked in early and parked up, and then headed out at to the train station. The “New Southampton” is a big shopping park, with internal shops and loads of car parks – its okay, but reminded me of being abroad somewhere, things weer a little unfamiliar. We got to the train station and after faffing with tickets got on the train to Winchester with 30 seconds to spare, and within about 15 minutes we were at Wincester, coming out of the station we had no idea which way to head, so out with the sat nav, and five mins later we were heading for the town center. We found a pub which was yet another “oldest pub”  to get a little light lunch and then had a look around. We saw the Cathedral, the had a look at “the oldest working mill, in the world”. Opposite the mill was a pub with a terrace garden next to the little river – we spent the entire rest of the day there.

We thought we might eat in Winchester, but by 7:00 no one was hungry so we just had another beer in a crappy place and got the train back. Then we went over the bridge into “Old Town”. It wasn’t very old.

We decided to treat ourselves to a picnic in Tesco (well be bought it in Tesco, we didn’t think it right to eat in) and back to the hotel. I felt a little dodgy, but managed to eat me sandwich in, then I went to sleep, no idea what Kate managed to eat.

Next morning and off to Starbucks for breakfast for a change, I had a panini as it had free pop-crisps, and then we went to get the ferry over to the Isle of Wight. The woman in the ticket office told me the cheepest ticket was £51 for the three of us, so we hummed and harred for a bit, then I noticed we could have a family tickey – so I said “How about the family ticket” and she said “okay, that will be £31” – stupid people. We caught the fast boat, which leaves about every half hour, and the crossing only took 25 mins or so – really speedy boat and a great crossing./ Before we knew it were were in the Isle of Wight and in Cowes, two days before the Cowes Week Regatta – not that you would have know.

We crossed to East Cowes on the (free – brilliant) chain ferry, and found nothing of interest there what so ever, so came back after a few minutes, and went to catch a bus. First stop Newport, which seemed just as dirty as the real Newport is. Then a bus out to the monkey and owl sanctuary – which was okay, but it was so hot the monkeys couldn’t be bothered to dance for us – even when we shouted at them. Kate stroked an owl, I just took a picture. Another bus – back into Newport, just time for Kate to have some cheesy chips and me to have a beer, then we were on another bus to travel 15 miles and one hour. Not great. Then we arrived at the Needles, which are some rocks which stick out from the west side of the IoW, only the Needles is actually a tiny Blackpool full of horrors. We went on the cable car which really made my day, down to the beach after being queue jumped buying the tickets  by millions of foreign people. We got to the beach, saw the Needles in the distance and came back up again watching in mock surprise all the hats that had been blown off cable car riders.

Luckily the bus was coming in 20 minutes so we stood at the front of the queue, perhaps slightly keener than we should have, at one point I thought a bloke was going to stand in front of me, so I prepared my amazing put down I was going to fire at him, but he must have sensed it coming as we shuffled off in a waft of sweat. Bus came another, one and a half hours to get back, and more annoying, selfish morons on the bus and we were finally back at Cowes and could have a beverage. Caught the next available transport out of there and returned to Southampton. We found an Indian, and sat and had a beer and some really quite nice grub. Sian thought it was cold there, I was fine, so we swapped and then they turned off the air con.

Next morning we set off in search of Hungerford – we found it.

Then we came home.

So the cycle was over, around the M25 (sort of), 180 miles and three days – starting and finishing in Windsor.

As the Sunday was a short day, about 40 miles, we arrived back in Windsor around 13:30 and I left Greg to cycle the 40 miles to Paddington and Dave went back to the hotel to get himself home. I met up with Sian and Kate in the Royal Oak, a pub we had had a brief pint in three days ago just before the first day of peddling, and I was relieved to take my shoes off for the last time. Quick Peroni, and then we walked back to the hotel to collect the car and settle in for the journey to Canterbury. I went to collect the ticket from the reception – expecting a charge, but he just said – Click the button, so thirty quid saved there and safe, secure parking for the bike. Stuck the bike on, and poured myself into the passengers seat for the journey to stop No. 1.

M25 was rubbish, and I found out after than I am a crap passenger, Kate told me that I was grasping the door handle for dear life and muttering and sucking in air all the time – well I never. Couple of hours later and we finally arrived in Canterbury in the rain, they dont have their own car park, so we parked around teh back so I could check in, it was a nightmare – about 20 minutes in the queue of just two people, with one old biddy trying to book some rooms for next Feb – idiot. IN the end the counter girl told her to go and sit down and she would sort her later. Checked in and with knowledge of the car parking we unloaded.

Me and Kate carried the bike and all our bags upstairs to a decent, standard Premier Inn room, and th chauffer arrived shortly. We dossed for a bit, then headed out where we found it was raining again, so we got wet. The start of Canterbury is crapolla, its like a seventies architectural dreamboat, but we found a little street and then a pub – ace. Then we had a little look around and some of the rest of it was okay, and we managed to fins a pub or two as we decided which place to eat – I won.

The Royal Inn was the place of choice, which isnt a pub, and the royals weren’t. It was a chinese with a very odd Chinese woman in, she was like something from a sitcom – who wanted to talk to you but then either didn’t understand or was just not interested in any response – we ordered loads, she even said “That’s enough” as I went through the menu, but it was hot and tasty and the tso went down well. We were the only ones in there and she seemed to make out that they were only opening late for us, so don’t know what was happening – but we left and home to bed – I was shattered.

Next morning and we headed off to Burger King for breakfast which I loved, after finding the car was still there for Whitstable on the East coast – I was expecting Tenby, is was worse, quite a lot worse, but the weather held and we had tea in a tea house and a beer in a beer house – the pub was called the Prince Albert and once Kate found out what a Prince Albert was she could only say “WHAT??”. I needed fish and chips badly, so we went to the only one on trip advisor which was open, and it was okay – big fish and pretty tasty, but nothing to write home about. On the way up there I had a cream cake – but it was synthetic, and all the flour fell off it onto my engorged belly – not great.

They had a sea there too, which they paddled in for a short while and a harbour bit with a fresh fish stall which was expensive – we went back.

Had a better look around Canterbury in the afternoon, and had good intentions to walk the wall – but it poured down, so we went to the pub. After the pub again we had to think about what to eat and we went to a nice little place for supper. I had the pizza which as I am wierd was dry because I dont have sauce, but it was a decent enough place. Then to Tesco for chocolate and water and then bed.

Anniversary No. 7 – 20/07/07 was the wedding day, so seven years on – what’s that itch?

As part of our annual trek we have the wonderful opportunity to go away for a night without anyone but us – that is such a pleasure. Although it’s great to go away with others, a day on your own is something to look forward to, this year it was the Cotswolds. I looked and looked and looked for somewhere to go, but due to lack of planning, the top choices were booked, but Nailsworth, as it happened, was a good choice all round…

So we set off earlyish with the knowledge that it was going to rain – and boy did it. Got as far as the bridge and the rain started, of the M4 at the Stroud turning and the rain was a little persistent. We traveled down the smaller road following a guy who was pootling at 40, once he turned off I put the foot down and within 2 minutes was aquaplaning across the road – realising the error of my ways I was back at 40. The trip was okay, a little scary at times, and I wouldn’t have liked to have cycled it, but it was soon time to get into Nailsworth – it was raining.

Went to tell them I was there, but we couldn’t check in until three, it was only 10:30, so we had some time to kill. We walked around the village, me with my umbrella, and Sian with her little coat, I was dry(ish), she was wet, she even went to look to get a brolly – she didn’t. By eleven the pub was open, so we went for tea and coffee… Not saomething I would normally do, but I felt like it was too early for a beer, although I was reminded that any time is a good time 5 minutes after we got there when the first bar-fly appeared and ordered a pint. After tea, and a read of the local estate agents paper we set off for the walk to Woodchester – a few miles on the cycle track, saved by the trees – 35 mins later we arrived. It was raining.

I had a plan for a pub, but not knowing exactly where it was we questioned an idiot from the village, and next thing we were in a nice little pub in South Woodchester – the Ram Inn. It stopped raining.

After a beer and a wine we contemplated food, but decided to move on to the place I had in mind. It was raining.

We walked for father than we wanted to, but then we got to the pub, on the main road and it was nice, they served beer and faggots (with extra gravy) and delightful chips – so we stayed and watched the <clarkson> biblical rain </clarkson>. Then it stopped, I had a chat with a local about chips and Chinese and the cost of the Severn Bridge, so we took the opportunity to walk back. It was raining.

Sooner than we thought we were back at the Egypt Mill, and checked in. Great room. Next thing I knew I was drinking the worst Peroni I had ever tasted in a great little spot outside the mill. It was sunny.

After that god awful drink we set off back to the only pub we knew, the tea shop we started the day in. This time we were very grown up and had peroni and cider and black, and another, and another, and another. At one point I bought the drinks and could have sworn my Peroni was a cider – I thought that rather look like a plonker, not knowing the difference I would ask the boss the check – she told me I was stupid.

After quite a few rounds we decided to get an Indian, after canvassing the locals we went to the “Balti”. It was empty, apart from people getting a take out, I had a lamb Vindaloo for a change – it was lamby. Good thing about a village is it is never very far to home, and after a little walk in the dark we were back. Nice night was had, and before we knew it, it was Sunday.

Shower was ace, separate toilet was useful, and the breakfast was great – other than some stupid child running around like a child, and another couple sitting next to us when the entire place was empty.

Went up to Stroud in the morning, and its quite a nice place, although the canal is crap, and then came home – knackered.

Good place, nice time – Cotswolds are generally great…..

What on earth is a RIAT you may wonder, and assuming you are not an aeroplane nerd you may not have heard about it – it’s in RAF Fairford and it is the Royal International Air Tattoo – and I went this year.

Evening before was supposed to be a careful one – it wasn’t – although not too much, just two much – and we were up and at ’em at 5:00 the next morning – shattered. Paul told us that there would be queues and I hate queues – so the idea was to get there early, before they started. We got there early – they had already started. Not sure what it was like later on, but the traffic was great until a few miles before, then because of a junction up ahead and some stupid police, there were queues. Also, not helping were a couple of selfish idiots on horses on the road – causing problems. Anyway – in not too long a time we got there, parked up with my front wheel against a cone and retrieved my squashed hat from the car.

As we walked over to the gate I was aware that most people had various picnic items, like umbrellas, chairs, cool boxes, camera’s some people even had little trucks to carry their gear in. I had a hat.

Once trough security it was the first visit to Andy Loo’s, which Kate thought was quite amusing – and past some planes. There were a lot of planes on the ground, and some helicopters and loads of simulation machines. And loads and loads of people staring at these planes and helicopters, taking pictures and gurning, and some even writing numbers in little books. I know people need a hobby, but these were adults for goodness sake – although there were a higher percentage of odd looking people here also.

I was starving at this point so sought out the food place and got a crappy hotdog, not realising that further down the airfield were more places, the next place was actually called something like “gormay sausages” so I missed a trick there. We continued walking and walking – the runway was long – until it was time for the planes to take off – we just missed the start, but got a virepoint for the first plane – a Vulcan I think – it was very impressive – the rumble from the afterburners was exciting, the power and maneuverability of the thing was very cool – I thought this might actually be fun. The next plane wasn’t so good, nor the next, or the next, or the next, or the next, or the next. We had found a place to sit, and it was a beautiful if a little hot. Lunch was well received – I had a burger, which was dry – but quite tasty, and then a pasty which was hot and tasty – I was so full I even saved the end of the pasty for later.

After lunch it was decided we were to move on, and unfortunately as we walked up the 50 mile runway we missed the Apache and its pyrotechnics and the Grippen – which was very impressive. Obviously we could still see the things as they were in the sky, and that is up in the air, but we didn’t have a good relaxed view – which was a shame. We camped down on the grass again, and watched the Red Arrows and some team like the Red Arrows but in blue, then another group like the Red Arrows but with Breitling written on them. Then before we knew it, it was time to go home. So we went.

Unfortunately as I pulled away I heard a little *tsschink* and didn’t think anything of it, but the steering was flabby and pulling to the left – I thought a puncture, so got out to look – didn’t seem to be – but the noise continued as I went around the runway, so I stopped again. Tires looked okay, but as they are stupid run flats its not always obvious. Looked under the car – nothing, then I notice the cone was stuck in the wheel arch. I tried to remove it, and some kind soul stopped to help. Sian and I had not though rationally for the first 30 seconds, so he just said – you need to jack it up and take the wheel off. Good idea dude – but no jack.

Luckily he flagged down a passing cone man, who in turn called an AA man who was on site, and he jacked the car up, and with a quick “left hand down” the cone was removed – woohoo!.

Quite liked the airshow, but it wasn’t really my bag – even though I did enjoy the day- probably won’t rush back – but when I do, I shall take a chair.

RIAT – 7/10

Sian’s birthday this weekend, so instead of going off somewhere special we went back to Pembs… Not that going back to Pembs is bad…

Friday night was Hawaii Five-Oh night, we were supposed to sit outside in our hawaiin stuff – but it started to rain at four, as soon as Sian got there – so we braved it for a short while then had to take our gear inside. Sian was on the Pimm’s as were a lot of the others, I stayed on Stella – as I know where I am with that, well I know where I am until I have had five of them, then remembering where I am becomes more and more difficult…

So the night wore on and people came and people left and the Pimm’s went down and new jugs were bought and many people had a giggle at whether they wanted a lai or not, and the Stella went down and down and down.. Then it was drunk o’clock – or to be precise just after drunk o’clock – or actual about seventeen minutes after drunk o’clock and we went home. I was tired, I wanted to go to bed, but chinese was on display and people, so I sat through it – with a “pissy face” as I was told the next day.

Saturday morning, and a little worse for wear we set off for sunny Pembrokeshire – okay trip and we found ourselves having a massive load of chips from a chippy in a petrol station, with great views into the countryside. Unusual, but okay – greasy food is just want you want with a hangover – maybe not quite so much if you are going “Wet and Wild”…

Down to St julian – just off St Davids and down to the sea to wait for the boat under the lifeboat station. Slightly confusing as we were not really greeted and sort of stood around for a bit. But eventually he came, took us out a little way and lifejacketed us up.. The jet boat goes quite fast and its rather exciting bouncing through the chop – unfortunately is was a very calm day, and pretty much on slack tide, so not as bouncy as it might have been. Near the beginning he gunned the engine and headed straight to Ramsey Island, doing what felt like 60 miles an hour into a sheer cliff-face was a little unnerving, but with meters to space he stopped on a tenner, and swung us around. We saw some birds, and more birds and some cliffs and some seals, and some more birds, and the bitches and more birds and lots of seals. We bounced and giggled and shouted and smiled as we jet boated around – Sian lost her shoe at one point when half the ocean came in (it was chilly) and the people opposite resuded it. We went in caves and saw more cliffs and at each stop point I was feeling more and more sick – it was hot when not moving, so the sickness rose, but before it overflowed we were off bouncing through the sea again. Just before we finished he took us to see some porpoises – Kate was in her element, it was nice.

Later on we all went down Little Haven for some nosh in bow ties and tiaras – and saw the sunset.

Next morning we were up at four, yep four in the morning, to head out to Plumb Stone “Mountain” to watch the sun rise. It was cold and quiet and surprisingly light. The sun came up. We went for macdonalds breakfast at 5:30.

Back home and over to Tintern for a walk, a couple of beers and a game of cards – then home, Chinese and bed. Knackered.

So one year since I did the last one, one year! One whole year – that is scary. Well, anyway, I didn’t do it this year, so no swim training for me over the last 4 months – instead, I went down to watch GD and have some pints – that is a far better approach.

So down the dreaded M4 at 3:30 on Friday, slow traffic almost immediately so we got off at Newport and went through Spytty and out by Tredegar House. Slow but possibly quicker – and the rest of the way was a bit stop start, but not too bad at all. Did rain like a mental case for a bit though.

So we were going to go out for some nosh, but instead we stayed in and got a ruby murry – from the Taj Mahal – but one time haunt in Haverfordwest. I have spent many many nights scoffing curry here, and I don’t think the curry has really changed in 20 years, its not as hot as it used to be though ;o)

Stayed at my folks for the night, then up early to get to Broad Haven before the 09:00 start. Searched out GD from 250 people in exactly the same outfits, and managed to give him a good luck before he set off for the swim – it was quite odd watching rather than eventing.

Had a cup of tea and ponced around for a bit, then we had a sit on the wall, and before we knew it GD had flown passed on his bike. We saw him on the beach and he looked really good, as he made his way up the hills to the finish. I met Mr Bradders then, so we went for a quick pint, and by the time we had supped it, we got to the beach just in time for GD to cross the finish, a smidge over three hours – very good.

Beers in the Ocean (the bar not the wet thing) with a pretty miserable bar man, then out the back of the Galleon for a few more Tortoises in the sun. Lovely. Left about 16:00 to get home and then out to the Pump on the Green.

We got to the pub, and it looked busy – we parked and all the locals stared at us, we went in and there was no one in the restaurant, but the miserable old get just said “No” when we asked for a table, I realise they may well have been fully booked, but a little more would have been nice. I will NEVER go there again. But then they are so busy they will hardly care….

So off to the Harp, and it was Sharp, right to the bottom of the glass. San Miguel and Mix Grill – super. The others had fish and crab and fish – Kate’s was massive! And she almost stuffed it all in.

Soon home, and to bed ready for an early return home on Sunday

Another quick run this morning, slightly different reversed route and another fine fine day. Not quite so hot on the return today and another very cold shower, but we were soon checked out and on the road to Richmond Park. This was just a quick detour to show the team the deer, and boy did we see some. I couldn’t look because there were half a million cyclists racing around – there must have been an event on, but we wasted a few minutes here and set off to park on the street outside Kew for 10:00. We got there a little early, and being British we sat in the car until 10, then into Kew for a mooch around. Its a little like being in a park, Kew, they had three greenhouses of which the biggest, best and most famous was shut for a 35 million quid make over, so we walked 10 miles and saw lots of grass and trees. We went up onto a very wobbly rusty iron structure which I hated as it had see though floors, so I walked around it in double quick time and then coming down the stairs I had to jump from beam to been as I rounded each corner, I did look like a right twerp.

Sat in the sun with another hot dog for lunch, then we went on a barefoot walk – which was very painful – and then it was three and time to go home. Hour and a half later we were home – nice one.

Hotel – 6/10

Wimbledon – 6/10

Shard – 7/10

Cable car – 6/10

Underwater walking – 6/10

Kew – 5/10

Busy time and we saw some sights we wouldn’t usually – almost running out of things to do in London now!!

Up with the commuters this morning and out in the sun for a run around Richmond town. Didn’t realise it would be so busy, so set off for a three miler around the place, and bumped into an old hotel I used to stay in called the Quinns – way back when I was working in the hospital. Got back and was sweating cobs, and just couldn’t get cool, I even had a cold shower – really cold – really very cold – but I was still sweating like a 70’s children show presenter.

Breakfast was in the old favorite – MaccyD’s – bacon baps and sausage muffins and we were ready to head into town. I bought the tickets today, and realised that you can use your friends and family rail card to buy the travelcards – so I saved about fifteen quids over mother who bought then yesterday. Quick spin overland first into Waterloo found us with loads of time to spare, so we took a stroll past the London eye and across Westminster bridge and into the throngs of mental tourists taking photos of themselves looking at various inanimate objects whilst causing traffic problems on the pavements. Not a moment too soon we were back downstairs into Westminster station and looking for the Jubilee line to London Bridge. Unfortunately some berk had got on the line, so Jubilee was shut. Quick panicky look at the map and we set off for Bank, then Northern line back to London Bridge – this detour cost some time, but we got out of the train and straight into the Shard queue.

A very polite bloke told us to queue up – over there, and then proceeded to tell another million people exactly the same thing with the same polite face and tone – why they don’t just employ a sign instead I don’t know – perhaps he was cheap? After a short wait we were on our way inside. Quick jimmy riddle for some of the party and we were into the first lift for the initial zoom up to the 38th floor. Then straight into another lift for the need zoom up to the 68th floor. The lifts are fast, 6m/s which is faster than grass grows, and pretty smooth. They also seem to work together – so as one goes down the other comes up, and when that one comes up the other goes down, you get the gist – I imagine there are other lifts for the hotel and office people, but we were shuffled into the View from the Shard lifts. Up at the viewing platform the views are rather spectacular – I hated it. I couldn’t get close to the windows, its so stupid, but I just found it quite odd. You could buy some expensive champagne here, and also walk up some more steps to the outside bit – which is pretty good, but even more frightening as you are now even higher! After some time people get bored of the height and terrific views and so the lift lifts you down to the floor again and the obligatory shop. Pop’s made me chuckle when he picked up a book with the Shard on the front and all blank pages – what kind of useless book is that he said…

Now time for luncheon, we walked through the station to Hayes Gallery and into Balls Bros. for some munch. It was nice in here, and they served Stella Black which I had never tasted before and we had sausages and burgers. As it was an all in ticket from my sister it was a fair price to be paid for the meal. After lunch we headed off to the mystery section of the day – which involved a train then DLR journey over to Royal Docks and a quick walk over to the Emarites Airline – which again had been kept quite quiet until the massive pylons gave the game away.  So a cable car over the Thames to the Millennium dome, or O2 as it is now called – the car was high, but I wasn’t quite so worried as I thought I might be. O2 is now quite impressive, loads of food places and beer places, so we had a quick sit down in another slug and then once sated headed back to the tube for the next exciting thing.

We made our way to Island Gardens and went to walk under water. Yes that’s right, we actually walked under water – under the Thames to be exact, and-we-didn’t-get-wet – wow!!!! Kate had not done it before, and I must admit when I was 10 I thought it was a little more impressive than it was this time, but its still pretty cool in a subway, walking and avoiding bikes sort of way. Emerging into the sunshine we took a quick walk past the Cutty Sark and over to the Yacht (what a silly spelling thing that is) were we sat right on the Thames with a massive window and had the worst (or best perhaps) barman ever. He was surely high on Cocaine and poured shorts like there was no tomorrow – Rum – he poured a quick whiskey for someone, diet coke, oh i put fat coke in that one – someone from the bar will drink that, a water and ice turned into a vodka and coke but in all he only charged for some, and it was quite entertaining,

Once finished we began the trek back across town to Richmond and just over an hour later we were in the Indian gulping down Cobra like the day before Ramadamadingdong. One not very hot Vinderloo and an hour later we were again finito. After a quick stop to get some water we were back in the hotel for a final Stella and back to sleep before 10:30.