Does England do sunshine ?

Thursday 23rd June

“Depresssed” of no fixed abode writes ….

“ I need help. I’m rewriting the George Harrison song “Here doesn’t come the sun” and I’m stuck with the chorus. So far I have

I’m here to help put England on the map
But please tell me why the weather is so ….

I can’t seem to find the right word to compl;ete the second line. Answers on a postcard please.”

I can fully sympathise with “Depressed”. Having said that last night’s meeting made up for everything. I’ve gone back and filled in the details in yesterday’s post in case anyone really cares but it’s mostly speedway so my family can avoid that part like the plague .. Speedway tragics are welcome to partake in my thoughts. Another dreary grey day here and another shower of rain so I got wet walking to Kings Lynn station. The good news is I hit the station at the right time and the train was not far off leaving. I’ve got a bit of a wait at Ely for the connection to Ipswich though. I have a lovely blister on my right heel that is going to make a sticky mess when it bursts. I have no idea why, I deliberately bought old shoes already broken in but I guess walking with a big backpack on alters the way I walk and it affects my posture a bit. Never mind, it’s not life threatening and if needs be I can always hop my way around the UK.

I’m looking forward to catching up with a few people at Ipswich tonight and I hope I can find the people I would like to meet and avoid the other ones. I’ve just been interrupted by the ticket inspector who reminds me of a Monty Python character in one of the public service sketches (eg Arguments are next door)”. Nice bloke though, incredibly cheerful for such a crap job (hang on, I think I might have just solved the lyric problems from earlier on)

To be continued ….

Got to Ipswich. Walked to my guest house to discover the owner was out until 2 pm and I had two hours to kill. Asked a passer by and found out the nearest boozer was a “12 minute” walk away but it was up a bit of a hill. I subsequently discovered that the deliverer of that information was blind and could not tell time. Not to be discouraged off I went. After a trek up a hill that Mt Everest would be proud to call its own and with a 30 pound backpack on board weighing me down I found the “Fat Cat” Free House. What God taketh away by the horrible walk which half killed me God giveth back because it is a superb establishment. Only small but it has a bar, a small sun room type extension out the back and a gorgeous beer garden with grass and tables and trees further out the back. It has atmosphere and ambience to kill for. When I die and go to heaven (stop laughing) this will be the kind of pub they have there. Nice customers, another superb brew (Suffolk Pride) and lovely surroundings. Special mention to Ipswich local Ron who recommended my tipple of the day. Lots of old pub paraphanalia from probably about 1830 that has remained untouched until now completed the total picture. I had a wonderful Pork Pie with Chutney and Mustard for the grand total of 1.70 and I was in heaven. Why doesn’t this type of pub grub happen in Oz ? All it needed was Elle McPherson to call by in a frisky mood and it would have been close to the best two hours of my life. Your correspondent is now on his fourth pint because it is raining yet again (and yes I know I am anal retentive when it comes to rain) and I can’t bring myself to venture out when it’s wet. If it’s any consolation it’s all downhill from here (back to where I’m staying I mean). Texted Sue from the rather brilliant speedway live updates website to let her know I had arrived in Ipswich. Alas children minding duties didn’t allow her to venture out of the house and come and keep me company. All I can say to Sue is sorry for the text messages, I don’t know what came over me. To the sound of raucous laughing form the next table I must sign off, the big hand is telling me I need to be underway and the battery meter on my PC is telling me I’m stuffed in the very near future. Here’s hoping Kevin Doolan and Taylor Poole are in the mood for entertainment tonight although being Aussies that’s a given. Had a lovely chat with Ray and Tim (gee I hope I got their names right) about life in general and bikes and travel in particular. Top blokes and really nice chatting to them. The day was made complete when the barman gave me a “The Fat Cat Freehouse” beanie. Life doesn’t get much better. The sun has now decided to make a cameo appearance and I need to make the most of it so I’m gone …. to be continued