Relatively Fit

It’s even windier today than it was yesterday, yet it’s still not a patch on Holme Pierrepoint on Sunday. So it doesn’t stop me cycling.

We look at non driving options for Bruges next year. It seems ferries no longer run to Ostend and stopped doing so many years ago. This means the only option really is the tunnel and Eurostar via Brussels where you have to change trains.

We could be right travellers, a night in London, a night in Brussels, a night in Bruges... just like students backpacking around Europe. Of course, as we are making plans, Brussels goes into 'lockdown'.

My squash opponent announces himself ‘relatively’ fit for tonight’s game but not relatively enough to stop me taking a game off him. He stuns us all later in the pub when he enquires about doing Pilates on Saturday, after rejecting the idea for years. Obviously not as relatively fit as he thought. 

(Thursday 19^th November)

Backpacking In Bristol

So this morning the dogs go to into kennels. Then L and L pack up our rucksacks and head off to Bristol. This involves getting the bus to Derby and then the train to Bristol Temple Meads. This is all to do with ticket pricing and the fact their online booking system doesn’t seem to accept that we can get there without changing in Birmingham when clearly there is a potential change at Derby...

That said it all goes like clockwork and we even have time to a breakfast butty at the café across from Derby Station. At about 1% of the price on the station.

Our first overnight stop on this backpacking trip is the Ibis hotel near Bristol Temple Meads station. Yes, we are really slumming it. Nice bed, best check it out.

Bed verified we head out for a seedy night out in Bristol. With the Camra Good Beer Guide App in hand we dip our taste buds into the Bristol watering holes. Both the Cornubia and the Seven Stars are excellent old pubs with a good range of ales including plenty of darkies. Neither though does food however, nor does the more modern Beer Emporium at least not on Tuesdays. They recommend next door, the King William. They sold us a lemon there. The food is average, the beer only Sam Smiths and the clientèle questionable. Never mind, we’re now fed and the Old Brewery Bitter has watered down the stronger stuff from earlier.

Our final port of call is the Gryphon, a pub which is a shrine to heavy metal music and real ale. Although their range isn’t that strong tonight, probably because it’s a Tuesday. If we come again I’d probably stay all night in Cornubia...

(Tuesday 23^rd June)