LOOK What I Did

Day 1.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 2.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 3.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good meal.

Back home to the bnb and a relatively early night.

Day 4.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 1.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 2.

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

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

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

Day 3.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 4.

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

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

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

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

Day 5.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Covid still continues to disrupt everything.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8.5/10

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 2.

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

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

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

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

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

Day 3.

Lie in today, nursing a bit of a hangover.

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

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

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

Day 4.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s a big square.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 2.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

After the beerhouse we went back home.

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

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

Day 3.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 4.

Day of rest.

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

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

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

Day 5.

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

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

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

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

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

Day 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 7.

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

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

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

Day 8.

Came home.

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

~~~~~~~~~

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

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

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

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

Obrigado Madeira.

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

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

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

Bye Reading.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

o2 – 7/10

Boat – 6/10

Tower Bridge – 8/10

Bank – 6/10

Escape Room – 7/10

Few days away – 8/10

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

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

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

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

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

Like Rome, think we will return.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We had a beer or two here.

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

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

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

Half term, 2016, October.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• GENNARO’S TAGLIATELLE BOLOGNESE

  £6.50 / £10.95

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

Bloody liars.

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

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

Half term, 2016, October.

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

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

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

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

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

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

We had some bread and meat.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I went to see a play.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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