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
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Wednesday 22nd June - the business part of the trip begins for real
Wednesday 22nd June
Speedway day !! (I hope)
Did the train thing and boy will that be fun for the next three weeks. Walked to Euston and got caught in the rush hour crush but survived. A big backpack comes in real handy for pushy people who need an accidental thump as I “accidentally’ turn round. Found the underground station strangely as it may seem, underground below the proper above ground railway. Then a quick trip to Kings Cross to connect to the above ground service. More stuck up business type suited stampeding cattle on the way to work to contend with and it was as if I was swimming upstream against a surging torrent of London bound commuters heading the other way. No luck with a direct Kings Lynn service so it was all change at Cambridge and a 30 minute wait for a connecting train. Nice and sunny on the way Cambridge but regular readers will know what is coming next. The sky started to turn grey as we left Cambridge and worry levels were heightening as we pulled in to Kings Lynn. The walk to the hotel was meant to be about 30 minutes. Ten minutes in and there was a charming little three minute deluge. A quick duck under a shop canopy, off with the backpack and rain jacket on and brolly up. Onwards and upwards and away I trudged again. Five minutes later the sun came out and I was sweating like a pig so off with the backpack and off with the rain jacket. Off I merrily trudged again to be greeted five minutes later with another rain shower. I was starting to see a pattern emerging. I exhausted my entire vocabulary of swear words and off with the backpack and on went the rain jacket again. This was getting beyond a joke. You guessed it, out came the sun again and an unseen passing mother I hadn’t noticed was forced to cover her childs ears. As Elton John so eloquently put it “Sorry seemed to be the hardest word”. She muttered something under her breath as she scurried off. To cap it all off I missed the hotel and walked straight on by. The address was Clenchwarton Road but the entrance was off a side road and the hotel was hidden behind some trees and I didn't see it first time around. I finally found the hotel only to be told they had no booking for me. Turns out the web booking company I used does some funny encoding with their bookings and my name was down as Howxard Willxiams. maybe they thought I was Polish. Lucky I had a copy of the booking email with a confirmation number. The girl at reception was brilliant about it and we had a good laugh. Adjourned to the bar for a Adnams Bitter (best brew of the trip so far) and a feed of liver and onions that should arrive any minute. Not getting my hopes up regarding tonight, it’s a funny old wet / dry / wet day and the track could be anything from brilliant to awful. … to be continued
Liver and onion arrived and omg ... SENSATIONAL. A massive hollow square shaped golden yorkshire pudding like a walled castle filled with liver, onions, bacon, mash and peas. All mine for the grand total of seven quid. People have been knighted for less and I'm nominating the cook for the next Queens birthday honours list. I have no idea what tonight's speedway meeting will bring, as I type this there is blue sky to the left, dark grey sky to the right (don't ask me for directions like east or west etc) and steam coming off the footpath outside the window. It all depends on the mixture of rain and wind and how the combination works out, the wind is a good drying wind which is about the only plus. It's only Wolves that are visiting so it's not like it's a team full of wonderful Aussies (with due apologies to Ty Proctor).
I've decided I hate BT, I bought a 30 day wireless plan and so far my batting average is awful at two days for zero connection. I think where ever I go I should sleep in the foyer of the BT offices and I might get lucky. I ended up getting a hotel internet wirless connection, hang the expense ..... to be continued
What a brilliant night that was !! The rain and wind must have been just the right amount and despite a few drops of rain just before the kick off and overcast skies we got a meeting in and it was absolutely off the top shelf and of A1 quality. The track turned out to be brilliant. Wolves deserved better than the zero points they ended up with but Kings Lynn batted that little bit further down the order and in the end took all the points on offer in winning 50-43. I make a note of passing in my program and in many races I have made notes that tell me (for example) in Heat 1 Kenneth Bjerre went from fourth to second. My Aussie mate Ty Proctor even chipped in with a superb heat eight win !! Niels Kristian Iversen was specializing in losing the lead and getting it back again and in heat 12 Sitera and the lesser Lindgren (Ludvig) had a brilliant battle with Sitera making a pass round the outside stick and then Lindgren came off trying to return the favour. It was brilliant stuff … at least I thought it as brilliant till the next heat came along. Heat 13 redfined brilliant. The background was Lindgren the elder (Freddie) had the black and white tablecloth on for a double points ride after Wolves had fallen 10 points behind. Iversen and Bjerre gated for KL and for over two laps team rode keeping the very frustrated Lindgren in third. On lap three Lindgren somehow found a gap and took second and on lap four conjoured up another miracle to find a gap that he had no right to see let alone use to make a pass and take the win. Fair play to the Kings Lynn supporters, everyone around me applauded the ride, it was that good. If you weren’t impressed with that you must have had ice in your veins. More please. In ”seen in the flesh” terms for me it would rank right up there with Darcy Ward’s effort in winning is first U21 title at Gosford.
The lowlight of the night was that some scoundrel who shall remain nameless but who has the initials “Big Fat Dave” dobbed me in to the track announcer Mike Bennett. Mike read out “I’ve got a message to look out for a dwarf waving an Australian flag who can talk under water and who is the resident announcer at Broadford in Australia”. I eventually found Mike and introduced myself and we had a nice couple of minute chat. It was really good to see him go about his work and how he is a normal guy like any other speedway fan to talk to when it’s private but as soon as he is on the mike his public persona cuts in and he is very good to the point of being depressingly good given that I know a very little something about the perils of talking into a mike at the speedway. I wish I could project my voice like his, he does a brilliant job of upping the volume without yelling and without his voice going up an octave or two. Something to aspire to !! The fun didn’t end there because during the interval he grabbed me and did a quick interview. I remember talking about the Cardiff GP, tipping Jason Crump to win the GP, Ty Proctor, why Australia breeds great speedway riders, Leigh Adams, the quality of the racing in the Elite League and how long I was over here for. I hope it came over ok.
Met Brian and his wife who gave me my ticket for the Word Cup meeting qualifier in July. Also managed to catch up with Theresa who I knew from the BSF and had a quick chat to her as well. When it was all over I got a lift back to the hotel, fell into bed and dreamed the dreams of a contented man.
The end (for today)
Speedway day !! (I hope)
Did the train thing and boy will that be fun for the next three weeks. Walked to Euston and got caught in the rush hour crush but survived. A big backpack comes in real handy for pushy people who need an accidental thump as I “accidentally’ turn round. Found the underground station strangely as it may seem, underground below the proper above ground railway. Then a quick trip to Kings Cross to connect to the above ground service. More stuck up business type suited stampeding cattle on the way to work to contend with and it was as if I was swimming upstream against a surging torrent of London bound commuters heading the other way. No luck with a direct Kings Lynn service so it was all change at Cambridge and a 30 minute wait for a connecting train. Nice and sunny on the way Cambridge but regular readers will know what is coming next. The sky started to turn grey as we left Cambridge and worry levels were heightening as we pulled in to Kings Lynn. The walk to the hotel was meant to be about 30 minutes. Ten minutes in and there was a charming little three minute deluge. A quick duck under a shop canopy, off with the backpack and rain jacket on and brolly up. Onwards and upwards and away I trudged again. Five minutes later the sun came out and I was sweating like a pig so off with the backpack and off with the rain jacket. Off I merrily trudged again to be greeted five minutes later with another rain shower. I was starting to see a pattern emerging. I exhausted my entire vocabulary of swear words and off with the backpack and on went the rain jacket again. This was getting beyond a joke. You guessed it, out came the sun again and an unseen passing mother I hadn’t noticed was forced to cover her childs ears. As Elton John so eloquently put it “Sorry seemed to be the hardest word”. She muttered something under her breath as she scurried off. To cap it all off I missed the hotel and walked straight on by. The address was Clenchwarton Road but the entrance was off a side road and the hotel was hidden behind some trees and I didn't see it first time around. I finally found the hotel only to be told they had no booking for me. Turns out the web booking company I used does some funny encoding with their bookings and my name was down as Howxard Willxiams. maybe they thought I was Polish. Lucky I had a copy of the booking email with a confirmation number. The girl at reception was brilliant about it and we had a good laugh. Adjourned to the bar for a Adnams Bitter (best brew of the trip so far) and a feed of liver and onions that should arrive any minute. Not getting my hopes up regarding tonight, it’s a funny old wet / dry / wet day and the track could be anything from brilliant to awful. … to be continued
Liver and onion arrived and omg ... SENSATIONAL. A massive hollow square shaped golden yorkshire pudding like a walled castle filled with liver, onions, bacon, mash and peas. All mine for the grand total of seven quid. People have been knighted for less and I'm nominating the cook for the next Queens birthday honours list. I have no idea what tonight's speedway meeting will bring, as I type this there is blue sky to the left, dark grey sky to the right (don't ask me for directions like east or west etc) and steam coming off the footpath outside the window. It all depends on the mixture of rain and wind and how the combination works out, the wind is a good drying wind which is about the only plus. It's only Wolves that are visiting so it's not like it's a team full of wonderful Aussies (with due apologies to Ty Proctor).
I've decided I hate BT, I bought a 30 day wireless plan and so far my batting average is awful at two days for zero connection. I think where ever I go I should sleep in the foyer of the BT offices and I might get lucky. I ended up getting a hotel internet wirless connection, hang the expense ..... to be continued
What a brilliant night that was !! The rain and wind must have been just the right amount and despite a few drops of rain just before the kick off and overcast skies we got a meeting in and it was absolutely off the top shelf and of A1 quality. The track turned out to be brilliant. Wolves deserved better than the zero points they ended up with but Kings Lynn batted that little bit further down the order and in the end took all the points on offer in winning 50-43. I make a note of passing in my program and in many races I have made notes that tell me (for example) in Heat 1 Kenneth Bjerre went from fourth to second. My Aussie mate Ty Proctor even chipped in with a superb heat eight win !! Niels Kristian Iversen was specializing in losing the lead and getting it back again and in heat 12 Sitera and the lesser Lindgren (Ludvig) had a brilliant battle with Sitera making a pass round the outside stick and then Lindgren came off trying to return the favour. It was brilliant stuff … at least I thought it as brilliant till the next heat came along. Heat 13 redfined brilliant. The background was Lindgren the elder (Freddie) had the black and white tablecloth on for a double points ride after Wolves had fallen 10 points behind. Iversen and Bjerre gated for KL and for over two laps team rode keeping the very frustrated Lindgren in third. On lap three Lindgren somehow found a gap and took second and on lap four conjoured up another miracle to find a gap that he had no right to see let alone use to make a pass and take the win. Fair play to the Kings Lynn supporters, everyone around me applauded the ride, it was that good. If you weren’t impressed with that you must have had ice in your veins. More please. In ”seen in the flesh” terms for me it would rank right up there with Darcy Ward’s effort in winning is first U21 title at Gosford.
The lowlight of the night was that some scoundrel who shall remain nameless but who has the initials “Big Fat Dave” dobbed me in to the track announcer Mike Bennett. Mike read out “I’ve got a message to look out for a dwarf waving an Australian flag who can talk under water and who is the resident announcer at Broadford in Australia”. I eventually found Mike and introduced myself and we had a nice couple of minute chat. It was really good to see him go about his work and how he is a normal guy like any other speedway fan to talk to when it’s private but as soon as he is on the mike his public persona cuts in and he is very good to the point of being depressingly good given that I know a very little something about the perils of talking into a mike at the speedway. I wish I could project my voice like his, he does a brilliant job of upping the volume without yelling and without his voice going up an octave or two. Something to aspire to !! The fun didn’t end there because during the interval he grabbed me and did a quick interview. I remember talking about the Cardiff GP, tipping Jason Crump to win the GP, Ty Proctor, why Australia breeds great speedway riders, Leigh Adams, the quality of the racing in the Elite League and how long I was over here for. I hope it came over ok.
Met Brian and his wife who gave me my ticket for the Word Cup meeting qualifier in July. Also managed to catch up with Theresa who I knew from the BSF and had a quick chat to her as well. When it was all over I got a lift back to the hotel, fell into bed and dreamed the dreams of a contented man.
The end (for today)
Tuesday - the last rest day
Tuesday 21st June
Today was a sorting out stuff day. I got myself fixed up with an internet connection via a 30 day BT plan although it keeps dropping out where I am staying and I can’t stay online long enough to post (Grrr). Apparently I’m in a Wi-Fi black spot. I think it’s like a Bermuda triangle thing for wireless internet. I'm not a happy little bunny I also got my mobile phone sorted by topping up online although I think I’m paying top dollar for everything seeing it’s my Oz number and I think everything is charged at international rates. The upside is I don’t have to let those who have my number know a temporary new one. Somehow while attending to the above I managed to waste two hours on the internet at a coffee shop with free WiFi and I could have made a takeover bid for the shop on the coffee I drank.
I did a huge walkies in the afternoon. It involved a big loop taking in Regents Park, then across to Kensington Gardens & Hyde Park and then I circled back past Buck house where Liz and Phil live. Gee they have a long way to walk to put the rubbish bins out. Came back via Oxford Circus and it is aptly named, there are plenty of clowns about. On the way back to where I am staying I decided to call in to the same pub as last night and had the best Thai style grilled lamb with grilled vegetables & rice. It was yummy. Would you believe in a traditional English pub they have a Thai cook with a Thai menu? To top it off the traditional English pub had an Estonian barmaid with a lovely pair of tats …. a tattoo of a dragon on her upper arm and a butterfly on her upper chest. Based on what I have seen in the last two days I’m convinced all people over about 45 years of age in English pubs are eccentrics. Whether that is result of genetics, environment, the culture, or because normal people stay away because of all the strange people in pubs I don’t know. Today’s exhibit A was a husband and wife team who both wore business suits, both had on striped business shirts, both were fighting losing battles with a midriff bulge, both drank pints of lager and both had a seriously short haircut (hers a bit longer than his though). The only way I could tell them apart was that she had lipstick on and was doing all the talking; he had a tie on and was doing all the listening and nodding.
Tomorrow is the first of the travelling to speedway days. Up early, pack the bags and off to Kings Lynn. Somewhere along the way I must see if I can find a medical centre that does an over the counter bladder enlargement, the one I have at present is proving vastly inadequate.
I was somewhat disturbed to find my future travelling partner has been trolling the various internet speedway forums posting vicious personal attacks regarding my perceived poor sense of humour. Surely this is in direct contravention of forum rules and should not be tolerated? Shame on the forum owners for allowing such disgraceful behaviour.
Today was a sorting out stuff day. I got myself fixed up with an internet connection via a 30 day BT plan although it keeps dropping out where I am staying and I can’t stay online long enough to post (Grrr). Apparently I’m in a Wi-Fi black spot. I think it’s like a Bermuda triangle thing for wireless internet. I'm not a happy little bunny I also got my mobile phone sorted by topping up online although I think I’m paying top dollar for everything seeing it’s my Oz number and I think everything is charged at international rates. The upside is I don’t have to let those who have my number know a temporary new one. Somehow while attending to the above I managed to waste two hours on the internet at a coffee shop with free WiFi and I could have made a takeover bid for the shop on the coffee I drank.
I did a huge walkies in the afternoon. It involved a big loop taking in Regents Park, then across to Kensington Gardens & Hyde Park and then I circled back past Buck house where Liz and Phil live. Gee they have a long way to walk to put the rubbish bins out. Came back via Oxford Circus and it is aptly named, there are plenty of clowns about. On the way back to where I am staying I decided to call in to the same pub as last night and had the best Thai style grilled lamb with grilled vegetables & rice. It was yummy. Would you believe in a traditional English pub they have a Thai cook with a Thai menu? To top it off the traditional English pub had an Estonian barmaid with a lovely pair of tats …. a tattoo of a dragon on her upper arm and a butterfly on her upper chest. Based on what I have seen in the last two days I’m convinced all people over about 45 years of age in English pubs are eccentrics. Whether that is result of genetics, environment, the culture, or because normal people stay away because of all the strange people in pubs I don’t know. Today’s exhibit A was a husband and wife team who both wore business suits, both had on striped business shirts, both were fighting losing battles with a midriff bulge, both drank pints of lager and both had a seriously short haircut (hers a bit longer than his though). The only way I could tell them apart was that she had lipstick on and was doing all the talking; he had a tie on and was doing all the listening and nodding.
Tomorrow is the first of the travelling to speedway days. Up early, pack the bags and off to Kings Lynn. Somewhere along the way I must see if I can find a medical centre that does an over the counter bladder enlargement, the one I have at present is proving vastly inadequate.
I was somewhat disturbed to find my future travelling partner has been trolling the various internet speedway forums posting vicious personal attacks regarding my perceived poor sense of humour. Surely this is in direct contravention of forum rules and should not be tolerated? Shame on the forum owners for allowing such disgraceful behaviour.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday - at least the calendar says it is Monday
Monday 20th June
Safely arrived at Heathrow circa 6:45 am. The eighth and ninth wonders of the world happened, the plane was on time and I got through the airport formalities with a minimum of fuss. Everything I ever said about Heathrow airport I take back. The plane left Bangkok a little late but made up time due to a helpful tail wind. I can now safely reveal that after a dinner (at about 2am mind you) of Lamb curry, Bok Choi and rice that the guy in seat 47K was also experiencing tail wind problems. It’s very lucky that fellow passengers noses don’t work when they are asleep. Also had the tenth wonder of the world happen when I arrived, the sun was out and it wasn’t raining. I had to check that we had actually landed in London. I got to the accommodation (Schafer House, Euston) around 9 am. Its part of the UCL group (University Colleges London) and I can thoroughly recommend them. Five star hotels they are not but cheap, clean, user friendly places they are. Basically they rent out the colleges rooms over the academic year summer break. The rooms are spartan (bed, desk, chair, sink, wardrobe, and a small chest of drawers is all) and the dunny & shower is about five steps down the hall but if we are talking value for money it’s right up there with the best. The downside is the internet connection, in a word at the moment I can’t get any. Actually that’s more than one word but who is counting. I’m writing this in Microsoft Word and will cut and paste when the little icon on my PC turns green and tells me I am connected. So far multiple false alarms with internet connection via Wi-Fi but I am the eternal optimist, it will happen (today I hope).
Had another mega plus, my mobile phone works with the Orange network over here. Sent some text messages and people actually answered so that meant they got the messages and (I hope) wanted to answer. Dave from Darwin (my future travelling companion) was complaining about his head hurting after a big weekend at the V8 supercars at Happy Valley in Darwin (a very happy valley if the reports are to be believed) but that comes under the heading of “tell someone who cares”. Dave, if you will drink enough alcohol to refloat the Bismarck don’t come complaining to me about it. It's Dave’s eyes and tongue he should be worried about, in the Facebook pics that I saw where Dave was with the V8 grid girls and had one girl draped over each arm his eyes were popping out of his head and people were tripping over his tongue. Look them in the eye next time please Dave.
I’m struggling hard to keep awake all day to reach about 10pm before collapsing in a massive heap and into bed. I’m attempting to reach the normal bedtime without crashing beforehand so I can sleep over night and wake up adjusted to British time. Checked in with no problem but it’s a weird system, the room is numbered A334 and you have to open the door A33 which reveals another mini corridor and then find a second door with 4 on it and behind it is where the room will be hiding. Not a great thing for a guy to have to figure out when he is brain dead after 31 hours in transit.
Went for a wander across Regents Park past Madame Tussauds & Baker Street and ended up at Lords Cricket Ground. I didn’t go in because there was a game on between Kent and Middlesex. I might go back there tomorrow when I’m a bit more alert even though the cost is 15 quid (gees, 15 quid, do they think I am rich or something ?). I can now safely reveal I had a drink at Windsor Castle …. not the place where the royals live but at a pub by the same name. Had a pint of Fullers London Pride and a pint of Ringwood Ale to go with a Tagliatelli Bolognese for lunch that wasn’t half bad. There was a very nice blonde pub owner who could have had some considerable luck with me if she played her cards right but she must have been a bit shy but that was her loss. Called in to the Globe Hotel (Bombardier beer, not bad but I’ve had better) to see if they have the speedway on Sky tonight (they do) but the beer selection was a bit boring. Moved on to the Court Hotel in Tottenham Court Road where they do have Sky and the Polish barman is a speedway nut so I will be heading back there for sure. They have Marstons Pedigree beer (very nice) and seeing my auntie married a Marston then it’s all good.
I’m back at the room and will next try to top up my mobile phone with a recharge from Orange. I hope the recharge number to dial is the same as back home else I am in deep do do’s. I hope day one finishes ok, at 3 pm I’m struggling but hopefully my second wind will kick in sometime soon.
10pm update – Couldn’t stay awake so had a short nap this afternoon. It all got a bit too difficult and not being conscious for a while won fairly easily. I strolled down the Court Hotel to find the Polish barman gone and a British guy there instead. The tennis from Wimbledon with Andy Murray playing was on TV and the barman was a tennis fan and wouldn’t change to the speedway. A thousand curses on Mr. Murray and I hope he loses. The curses must have been on time delay because he won the first set easily against some no name with a hyphenated surname from somewhere that escapes me. The scampi for dinner was cheap and basic but it was all I needed. Found my way across the road to the Mortimers Arms and they were only too glad to put the bikes on TV for me. I shouldn’t have bothered; it was a dreary affair on a wet track with Coventry fairly easy winners over Eastbourne. Not a great spectacle by any means. You knew it was bad when Rory Schlein rode straight into the side of someone when Rory lost control of his bike through very little fault of his own. Maybe it was karma and the Andy Murray fans were getting their own back on me.
PS Normal service has been resumed; it’s raining here in north London this evening. The fine weather earlier today had given me a bad case of premature elation. Now it's reminded me it's around I hope the rain will p*ss off for the next month !!
Safely arrived at Heathrow circa 6:45 am. The eighth and ninth wonders of the world happened, the plane was on time and I got through the airport formalities with a minimum of fuss. Everything I ever said about Heathrow airport I take back. The plane left Bangkok a little late but made up time due to a helpful tail wind. I can now safely reveal that after a dinner (at about 2am mind you) of Lamb curry, Bok Choi and rice that the guy in seat 47K was also experiencing tail wind problems. It’s very lucky that fellow passengers noses don’t work when they are asleep. Also had the tenth wonder of the world happen when I arrived, the sun was out and it wasn’t raining. I had to check that we had actually landed in London. I got to the accommodation (Schafer House, Euston) around 9 am. Its part of the UCL group (University Colleges London) and I can thoroughly recommend them. Five star hotels they are not but cheap, clean, user friendly places they are. Basically they rent out the colleges rooms over the academic year summer break. The rooms are spartan (bed, desk, chair, sink, wardrobe, and a small chest of drawers is all) and the dunny & shower is about five steps down the hall but if we are talking value for money it’s right up there with the best. The downside is the internet connection, in a word at the moment I can’t get any. Actually that’s more than one word but who is counting. I’m writing this in Microsoft Word and will cut and paste when the little icon on my PC turns green and tells me I am connected. So far multiple false alarms with internet connection via Wi-Fi but I am the eternal optimist, it will happen (today I hope).
Had another mega plus, my mobile phone works with the Orange network over here. Sent some text messages and people actually answered so that meant they got the messages and (I hope) wanted to answer. Dave from Darwin (my future travelling companion) was complaining about his head hurting after a big weekend at the V8 supercars at Happy Valley in Darwin (a very happy valley if the reports are to be believed) but that comes under the heading of “tell someone who cares”. Dave, if you will drink enough alcohol to refloat the Bismarck don’t come complaining to me about it. It's Dave’s eyes and tongue he should be worried about, in the Facebook pics that I saw where Dave was with the V8 grid girls and had one girl draped over each arm his eyes were popping out of his head and people were tripping over his tongue. Look them in the eye next time please Dave.
I’m struggling hard to keep awake all day to reach about 10pm before collapsing in a massive heap and into bed. I’m attempting to reach the normal bedtime without crashing beforehand so I can sleep over night and wake up adjusted to British time. Checked in with no problem but it’s a weird system, the room is numbered A334 and you have to open the door A33 which reveals another mini corridor and then find a second door with 4 on it and behind it is where the room will be hiding. Not a great thing for a guy to have to figure out when he is brain dead after 31 hours in transit.
Went for a wander across Regents Park past Madame Tussauds & Baker Street and ended up at Lords Cricket Ground. I didn’t go in because there was a game on between Kent and Middlesex. I might go back there tomorrow when I’m a bit more alert even though the cost is 15 quid (gees, 15 quid, do they think I am rich or something ?). I can now safely reveal I had a drink at Windsor Castle …. not the place where the royals live but at a pub by the same name. Had a pint of Fullers London Pride and a pint of Ringwood Ale to go with a Tagliatelli Bolognese for lunch that wasn’t half bad. There was a very nice blonde pub owner who could have had some considerable luck with me if she played her cards right but she must have been a bit shy but that was her loss. Called in to the Globe Hotel (Bombardier beer, not bad but I’ve had better) to see if they have the speedway on Sky tonight (they do) but the beer selection was a bit boring. Moved on to the Court Hotel in Tottenham Court Road where they do have Sky and the Polish barman is a speedway nut so I will be heading back there for sure. They have Marstons Pedigree beer (very nice) and seeing my auntie married a Marston then it’s all good.
I’m back at the room and will next try to top up my mobile phone with a recharge from Orange. I hope the recharge number to dial is the same as back home else I am in deep do do’s. I hope day one finishes ok, at 3 pm I’m struggling but hopefully my second wind will kick in sometime soon.
10pm update – Couldn’t stay awake so had a short nap this afternoon. It all got a bit too difficult and not being conscious for a while won fairly easily. I strolled down the Court Hotel to find the Polish barman gone and a British guy there instead. The tennis from Wimbledon with Andy Murray playing was on TV and the barman was a tennis fan and wouldn’t change to the speedway. A thousand curses on Mr. Murray and I hope he loses. The curses must have been on time delay because he won the first set easily against some no name with a hyphenated surname from somewhere that escapes me. The scampi for dinner was cheap and basic but it was all I needed. Found my way across the road to the Mortimers Arms and they were only too glad to put the bikes on TV for me. I shouldn’t have bothered; it was a dreary affair on a wet track with Coventry fairly easy winners over Eastbourne. Not a great spectacle by any means. You knew it was bad when Rory Schlein rode straight into the side of someone when Rory lost control of his bike through very little fault of his own. Maybe it was karma and the Andy Murray fans were getting their own back on me.
PS Normal service has been resumed; it’s raining here in north London this evening. The fine weather earlier today had given me a bad case of premature elation. Now it's reminded me it's around I hope the rain will p*ss off for the next month !!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
In transit - Bangkok airport by night
I arrived safely in Bangkok after nine hours in the air. Totally forgot that Jetstar don’t have in flight entertainment and they only have cold food like sandwiches for purchase. Bummer !! Luckily I slept a bit and talked a bit to the guy in the next seat which helped pass the time. It would have been totally boring (I really mean even more totally boring) otherwise.
Bangkok airport reminds me of Chadstone shopping centre except the car parking is replaced by plane parking. It’s an excuse to make you walk by (and through) shops and I did thank my lucky stars I’m not travelling with a purchasing inclined person of the fairer gender who is into retail therapy. Cunningly the planes arrive at the extreme end of the arrival gates and where you want to go is at the other end of the airport about 5 miles away. Steve Monaghetti would have got tired walking past all the shops with all the crap on offer that no one really needs. Still the same a few feel compelled to buy because they are away from home and feel they have to so they can boast to the grandchildren when they get home and so they can have everyone who walks buy thinking they are rich. Nice airport though, only built about 5 years ago and it’s all nice and new looking.
Eventually found the Qantas club (note to airport – maps in the terminal would help) and am now comfortably domiciled in a cosy corner with food and drink close at hand. Not much to say apart from that, the place is empty, I'm already on nodding terms with one of the staff that work here but actual spoken words seem a bit of a distant task. I have three hours to kill and with free drink on offer I should sleep extremely well on the way to London. Not much else to add, terminal boredom is sinking in and I have some glasses to empty.
Bangkok airport reminds me of Chadstone shopping centre except the car parking is replaced by plane parking. It’s an excuse to make you walk by (and through) shops and I did thank my lucky stars I’m not travelling with a purchasing inclined person of the fairer gender who is into retail therapy. Cunningly the planes arrive at the extreme end of the arrival gates and where you want to go is at the other end of the airport about 5 miles away. Steve Monaghetti would have got tired walking past all the shops with all the crap on offer that no one really needs. Still the same a few feel compelled to buy because they are away from home and feel they have to so they can boast to the grandchildren when they get home and so they can have everyone who walks buy thinking they are rich. Nice airport though, only built about 5 years ago and it’s all nice and new looking.
Eventually found the Qantas club (note to airport – maps in the terminal would help) and am now comfortably domiciled in a cosy corner with food and drink close at hand. Not much to say apart from that, the place is empty, I'm already on nodding terms with one of the staff that work here but actual spoken words seem a bit of a distant task. I have three hours to kill and with free drink on offer I should sleep extremely well on the way to London. Not much else to add, terminal boredom is sinking in and I have some glasses to empty.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Here we go again :o)
Finally it's arrived !!. Seems like I've been waiting for ever for the time to pass since I booked and to go. It's 7am and I'm all showered, fed, watered and packed. Hard part done and now the easy part of home to airport and 24 hours on a plane to London via Bangkok.
Was an exciting day yesterday. Some big purchases to be made so off to the supermarket for toothpaste, a new toothbrush, shaving cream and a chocolate bar. Not quite sure how the chocolate bar found it's way into the trip planning but never mind. Then next door to the chemist for my Calcia / Vitamin D tablets the doctor seems to think I will be better off for taking. Something about being a slave indoors to the job and never getting enough sun so I don't get enough Vitamin D I seem to recall. Anyway, they now have chocolate flavoured Calcia / Vitamin D tablets . Seriously. I've gone "wtf, chocolate in medication?". Anyway after having one I had another because they were nice. If you read in the news about an Australian backpacker dying of a Vitamin D overdose in England you will know whats happened.
Then off to Joe the Italian barber for a haircut. Joe is at that undeterminable age that Italians get to after 50, he could be 55, 65 or 75 and I wouldn't know. I think he's mid 60's. The length of Joe's haircuts are related to how much he likes you and how much you talk to him. I've seen a chatty near bald man have a 20 minute haircut complete with a trim for everything that can be trimmed (eyebrows, nasal hair, ear hair etc) . I've also seen a smart arse youngster with an attitude get about a three and a half minute haircut. Good bloke is Joe, it was with great sadness that he told me that after 20 years he had to raise the price of his haircuts to $16 from $14. Bless him .... 20 years !! I didn't have the heart to tell him what other barbers charge. Then again you wouldn't call Joe's salon a boutique operation with luxurious surroundings. Overheads are not a thing Joe has a lot of. Never mind, basic minimalist 1950's decor is bound to come back into vogue one day. Ask him about mobile phones if you visit, that's an entertaining exercise in itself. Not sure how good he is a barber, over the last few years he seems to be putting a gradually expanding hole smack bang in the middle of my haircut.
Then out into the garden to mow the above ground bits that masquerade as lawn. I'm not a gardeners bottom when it comes to matters horticultural but it actually looks quite nice when the weeds are all mown to the same height. Must get the guard at the back of the mower where the catcher is meant to go fixed though, ever since it fell off I get pelted in the shins with small sticks and stones and some of them don't half sting. Maybe get it fixed when I get back. The shins aren't too bad this morning considering. I dream of all sorts of things when I'm mowing "hmmm ... swimming pool over there, Japanese garden in the corner, waterfall outside the bedroom window would be nice" kind of stuff. I must have short term memory problems because nothing ever happens.
I have nothing in the house food wise (well not quite nothing if you count three apples and a half a loaf of bread) so I wandered down the bistro at the local hostelry to strap the nosebag on. Had a lovely couple of glasses of Pepperjack Shiraz to wash down a really nice serve of lamb shanks. They fell off the bone and were really tender and a joy to eat. Got looked after by a charming Asian lass who if she was a fish and you caught her you certainly wouldn't throw her back for being horizontally undersize. Vertically maybe but not horizontally. Gorgeous animated smiling face though, one of those "light up the room smiles" that is great to see. Nice girl too. That contrasted with the duty manager who to the opening line of "table for one please, unless you have an international super model who is dining alone and is looking for some company" greeted me with a stony face and a monotone reply. He could of at least pretended it was funny. Never mind, I guess you don't get promoted for being nice, being boring and unimaginative seems to be a prerequisite for promotion these days. There are no hidden surprises with those types of people I guess.
Came home, ironed, websurfed, checked out some naughty websites as a going away present to myself, then packed. Slept, woke up, did stuff and here I am. My mate Kerry is picking me up at 11'ish so a few hours to kill then I'm off. Drizzle Island here I come.
**** (Note to self - If you turn off the electricity at the mains this time remember to leave the fridge doors open)
Was an exciting day yesterday. Some big purchases to be made so off to the supermarket for toothpaste, a new toothbrush, shaving cream and a chocolate bar. Not quite sure how the chocolate bar found it's way into the trip planning but never mind. Then next door to the chemist for my Calcia / Vitamin D tablets the doctor seems to think I will be better off for taking. Something about being a slave indoors to the job and never getting enough sun so I don't get enough Vitamin D I seem to recall. Anyway, they now have chocolate flavoured Calcia / Vitamin D tablets . Seriously. I've gone "wtf, chocolate in medication?". Anyway after having one I had another because they were nice. If you read in the news about an Australian backpacker dying of a Vitamin D overdose in England you will know whats happened.
Then off to Joe the Italian barber for a haircut. Joe is at that undeterminable age that Italians get to after 50, he could be 55, 65 or 75 and I wouldn't know. I think he's mid 60's. The length of Joe's haircuts are related to how much he likes you and how much you talk to him. I've seen a chatty near bald man have a 20 minute haircut complete with a trim for everything that can be trimmed (eyebrows, nasal hair, ear hair etc) . I've also seen a smart arse youngster with an attitude get about a three and a half minute haircut. Good bloke is Joe, it was with great sadness that he told me that after 20 years he had to raise the price of his haircuts to $16 from $14. Bless him .... 20 years !! I didn't have the heart to tell him what other barbers charge. Then again you wouldn't call Joe's salon a boutique operation with luxurious surroundings. Overheads are not a thing Joe has a lot of. Never mind, basic minimalist 1950's decor is bound to come back into vogue one day. Ask him about mobile phones if you visit, that's an entertaining exercise in itself. Not sure how good he is a barber, over the last few years he seems to be putting a gradually expanding hole smack bang in the middle of my haircut.
Then out into the garden to mow the above ground bits that masquerade as lawn. I'm not a gardeners bottom when it comes to matters horticultural but it actually looks quite nice when the weeds are all mown to the same height. Must get the guard at the back of the mower where the catcher is meant to go fixed though, ever since it fell off I get pelted in the shins with small sticks and stones and some of them don't half sting. Maybe get it fixed when I get back. The shins aren't too bad this morning considering. I dream of all sorts of things when I'm mowing "hmmm ... swimming pool over there, Japanese garden in the corner, waterfall outside the bedroom window would be nice" kind of stuff. I must have short term memory problems because nothing ever happens.
I have nothing in the house food wise (well not quite nothing if you count three apples and a half a loaf of bread) so I wandered down the bistro at the local hostelry to strap the nosebag on. Had a lovely couple of glasses of Pepperjack Shiraz to wash down a really nice serve of lamb shanks. They fell off the bone and were really tender and a joy to eat. Got looked after by a charming Asian lass who if she was a fish and you caught her you certainly wouldn't throw her back for being horizontally undersize. Vertically maybe but not horizontally. Gorgeous animated smiling face though, one of those "light up the room smiles" that is great to see. Nice girl too. That contrasted with the duty manager who to the opening line of "table for one please, unless you have an international super model who is dining alone and is looking for some company" greeted me with a stony face and a monotone reply. He could of at least pretended it was funny. Never mind, I guess you don't get promoted for being nice, being boring and unimaginative seems to be a prerequisite for promotion these days. There are no hidden surprises with those types of people I guess.
Came home, ironed, websurfed, checked out some naughty websites as a going away present to myself, then packed. Slept, woke up, did stuff and here I am. My mate Kerry is picking me up at 11'ish so a few hours to kill then I'm off. Drizzle Island here I come.
**** (Note to self - If you turn off the electricity at the mains this time remember to leave the fridge doors open)
Monday, August 25, 2008
Home again - tired but happy
Well to complete the final mini chapter of the trip I should say a few last words now I'm home. After a wonderful time in Leicester on Wednesday I wandered over to Birmingham to hopefully catch the Elite League riders championship. Alas the weather had other ideas, horrible persistent drizzly rain from about 6pm onwards that would not quit. Nothing super heavy, just annoyingly constant and when the water started lying on the track and not draining away we were doomed. Met a lovely chap from Coventry (and his even lovelier daughter) and when the meeting got rained off I gave him my re-admission ticket so he could take someone for free to the restaging of the meeting (when ever that is). Never mind, it was a good excuse for an early night and getting half soaked in a sudden heavy shower on the way back to the hotel wasn't a bad secondary excuse either.
Thursday was a happy / sad day, glad to be going home but sad the trip was coming to an end. Typical English weather as it taunted me with the best day I had encountered since arriving with lovely sunshine just about all day. Caught the train to London (cost 61 quid if you don't mind) and got there mid morning. Thought I should do at least one touristy thing so I caught the tube to Embankment and after queuing for what seemed like hours eventually got to "fly" as the blurb said (which means a slow ride in normal speak) on the London Eye. It looked great from the ground but somehow felt a bit flat while I was up there and while it was happening. perhaps the long wait had dulled my enthusiasm for it. Finally escaped the hordes of marauding tourists and found a pub for lunch (strange how that kept happening) and settled down for an hour or so with a fish and chips interlude to help me fight the hunger pains.
Had a very zigzaggy walk down the Thames past the Houses of Commons / Big Ben, Lambeth Palace etc only to wonder what was next to kill a few hours. I then remembered that the Oval cricket ground wasn't too far away so I did some more more meandering till I had success and found it hiding behind some blocks of flats. As luck would have it a game was going on between Surrey and Sussex and I got to see a couple of hours of Sussex starting their first innings chasing 450 odd and at the rate they were going it was going to take them a very long time to catch it. Met three super blokes who I'll call "Nigel and the lads". All obviously well educated and loved their cricket and after me making a few comments about their beer looking terrible and owning up to being an uneducated colonial we had a nice time swapping stories and banter in between the overs and before stumps were drawn sometime after six. I happened to mention I was killing time and got a response "I can't think of a better way to kill time to be honest". A nice relaxing interlude in the sun and I even had some cake and biscuits forced upon me by Nigel and his mates. Absolutely smashing blokes all three of them. Those two hours summed up the trip for me, everywhere I went I met some lovely people and that was a really nice thing when all we seem to read in the papers is all the bad things and awful people in life.
The other good thing was it had taken me past most of the main peak hour rush so all that remained was to head back to Euston, pick up my backpack from left luggage and fight my way across town on the tube to Heathrow. More waiting around (how many hours did I spend doing that over the holiday ?) and then safely on the plane home. Apart from a slightly upset tummy and a window seat (and does that ever upset the people in your row who are trying to sleep) it was largely uneventful and boring trip home, although thinking about the good times I had encountered was a nice thing to exercise my mind on.
Have resolved to do it all again in the next year or two but take more time, take it slower and book everything in advance. I'm sure there are huge savings to be made on public transport and with accommodation if you take the time to research it and know how the land lies. Now that I know I'll be better prepared for the next one. More nice people to catch up with (and hopefully a few very nice ones to catch up with again) and I can't wait !!
Thursday was a happy / sad day, glad to be going home but sad the trip was coming to an end. Typical English weather as it taunted me with the best day I had encountered since arriving with lovely sunshine just about all day. Caught the train to London (cost 61 quid if you don't mind) and got there mid morning. Thought I should do at least one touristy thing so I caught the tube to Embankment and after queuing for what seemed like hours eventually got to "fly" as the blurb said (which means a slow ride in normal speak) on the London Eye. It looked great from the ground but somehow felt a bit flat while I was up there and while it was happening. perhaps the long wait had dulled my enthusiasm for it. Finally escaped the hordes of marauding tourists and found a pub for lunch (strange how that kept happening) and settled down for an hour or so with a fish and chips interlude to help me fight the hunger pains.
Had a very zigzaggy walk down the Thames past the Houses of Commons / Big Ben, Lambeth Palace etc only to wonder what was next to kill a few hours. I then remembered that the Oval cricket ground wasn't too far away so I did some more more meandering till I had success and found it hiding behind some blocks of flats. As luck would have it a game was going on between Surrey and Sussex and I got to see a couple of hours of Sussex starting their first innings chasing 450 odd and at the rate they were going it was going to take them a very long time to catch it. Met three super blokes who I'll call "Nigel and the lads". All obviously well educated and loved their cricket and after me making a few comments about their beer looking terrible and owning up to being an uneducated colonial we had a nice time swapping stories and banter in between the overs and before stumps were drawn sometime after six. I happened to mention I was killing time and got a response "I can't think of a better way to kill time to be honest". A nice relaxing interlude in the sun and I even had some cake and biscuits forced upon me by Nigel and his mates. Absolutely smashing blokes all three of them. Those two hours summed up the trip for me, everywhere I went I met some lovely people and that was a really nice thing when all we seem to read in the papers is all the bad things and awful people in life.
The other good thing was it had taken me past most of the main peak hour rush so all that remained was to head back to Euston, pick up my backpack from left luggage and fight my way across town on the tube to Heathrow. More waiting around (how many hours did I spend doing that over the holiday ?) and then safely on the plane home. Apart from a slightly upset tummy and a window seat (and does that ever upset the people in your row who are trying to sleep) it was largely uneventful and boring trip home, although thinking about the good times I had encountered was a nice thing to exercise my mind on.
Have resolved to do it all again in the next year or two but take more time, take it slower and book everything in advance. I'm sure there are huge savings to be made on public transport and with accommodation if you take the time to research it and know how the land lies. Now that I know I'll be better prepared for the next one. More nice people to catch up with (and hopefully a few very nice ones to catch up with again) and I can't wait !!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Second last day
Have had a wonderful few days away from the speedway (mainly anyway) and catching up with relatives both in Wales and Leicester. Spent two days in the valleys with Ruth (my cousin) and husband Ian. Also got taken around Cardiff bay one afternoon by Linda (my other Welsh cousin) and husband Neil. Cardiff bay is marvellous, they have transformed what was largely a derelict area into a modern suburb which now houses the Millennium Centre (for performing arts) and the National Assembly (where the Welsh ruling body meets). Had a thoroughly enjoyable time all round.
Then off to Clacton On Sea to meet speedway author and historian Norman Jacobs. Had a lovely time with his family and then the next day took me to the speedway museum to have a look round and later to High Beech to the rear of the Kings Oak Hotel which is generally acknowledged as the place the first speedway meeting in England took place. Really interesting and enjoyable day we had and Norman is charming and knowledgeable company.
Then off to Anstey to catch up with the Leicester side of the family. Stayed with my Auntie Heather and husband Frank. They live fairly close to Bradgate Park and I had a lovely few hours yesterday walking in the park, watching the deer, enjoying the sunshine (after the rain stopped) and remembering what it was like years ago when we came here as a family when I was a kid. Had the family gathering last night and caught up with uncles Gordon & Frank (with Angela), and later on cousins Nick and John. John had two of his children there and they were an absolute delight, especially daughter Grace who narrated her way through some photographs she had taken on the family holiday to Normandy. Not bad for five years old !!
Off to Birmingham later today for one last speedway meeting and then head off home tomorrow. I've picked up a slight cold that is only very mild but I can't seem to shake off and the timing of going home is sounding very good. I've resolved to come back again in one of the next two years and take longer while travelling slower and seeing more of the country. More plans to be made and more people to meet !!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Friday in London & then Wales
Friday in London and no speedway since Tuesday !! Have spent a "recharge and catch up" couple of days in London doing laundry and sleeping longer than I had previously been. It was nice not to have to pack up and move on for a day or two. Spent a leisurely day yesterday walking through Kensington Gardens & Hyde Park heading in the general direction of Marble Arch and Oxford St. Had a "99" ice cream in the park for old times sake. Hit Oxford St and was amazed by the sheer volume of people. It was like doing a mobile monopoly game with all the streets that I know the names of but hadn't seen for a long time if at all. Headed over to Madame Tausaud's waxworks to try there but the queue was hundreds of yards long so I didn't bother. Same thing at the London Eye so I rapidly discovered the "must sees" were now "couldn't be arsed seeing". The pedestrian traffic was doing it's best to trample me like a herd of stampeding buffaloes so I adjourned to a local pub for lunch. Came out to be greeted by lovely sunshine so I thought I would take the London Tourist bus to see the sights instead of walk. Got on and chatted to the tour guide for a while to find she is a speedway fan from Bryn Mawr in Wales !! Off we went and on cue 15 minutes later the heavens opened and down came the rain. "What was the problem?" I hear you ask. An open topped bus was the problem so downstairs everyone went and that was packed till the rain stopped and the sun came out again and half of us went back upstairs again to get a wet backside sitting on the wet seats.
Changed tour guides half way through and got a Cockney guy who was really funny but sneaked in his gags with no change of voice or expression and if you didn't listen you missed them. I laughed at one of his Maggie Thatcher "sneaked in" gags and he commented he was glad at least one person appreciated them.
Travelling to Wales this afternoon to catch the Welsh side of the family, then up to Leicester on Monday to catch the Midlands side of the family. Birmingham next Wednesday for my final speedway meeting and then off home on the Thursday. How time has flown !!
Changed tour guides half way through and got a Cockney guy who was really funny but sneaked in his gags with no change of voice or expression and if you didn't listen you missed them. I laughed at one of his Maggie Thatcher "sneaked in" gags and he commented he was glad at least one person appreciated them.
Travelling to Wales this afternoon to catch the Welsh side of the family, then up to Leicester on Monday to catch the Midlands side of the family. Birmingham next Wednesday for my final speedway meeting and then off home on the Thursday. How time has flown !!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
London for a rest for a day or two
Finally found some time to relax I hope. Our trip to Sweden fell through so we are staying in the UK. Ron and I had planned to split up after the 2 weeks so we are doing his own thing and I'm doing mine. Have gone back to London and might do some London touristy things tomorrow then hope to sneak down to Wales for a day or two to catch up with the Welsh relatives if fits in with their plans.
Interesting day yesterday heading to the Isle Of Wight. The day went quite well until we got to the ferry and paid the fare. £103 for 2 adults and a car !!!!!!!!!!! To say we were gobsmacked was an understatement. If we hadn't promised to meet so many people we wouldn't have bothered. Horrible place to drive is the IOW, all narrow lanes and 30 mph speed limits and horrible traffic lights that don't change for ages and let about three cars and a heap of daylight through each light change. Then had trouble finding the hotel, we were thinking about having a whip round to buy the town we stayed in some house numbers. Lucky the speedway meeting saved the day, it was a hard fought battle with IOW emerging victorious over Kings Lynn but not before a decent old scrap. As a bonus I met more lovely BSF members Leigh, Foldsey, Sandie, W vs H, London Witch, Laura and Ruckeroo and probably a few more I forgot.
Got up this morning to come back to London and had a look round the Naval set up at Portsmouth. Very impressive and we felt we would have liked a whole day there to see it all properly rather than just the 2 hours we could spare. The Victory (Nelsons flagship at the Battle Of Trafalgar) was very spectacular indeed. Headed back from Portsmouth on the A3 and ran into mother and father of all traffic jams near Guildford. Tried to divert and got even further away from where we wanted so backtracked and then found a diversion that worked and ended up getting the car back to Avis with about 15 minutes to spare.
Caught the tube to London and here I am. Might try an Indian feed soon and then fall into bed for 8 hours uninterrupted shut eye. Don't care when I get up so no alarm to be set !!
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