The first half of the long Michaelmas Term finished on Tuesday 17th
October, and it couldn’t come quick enough. It had been a fruitful one,
overtime wise but very trying at times and tempers were starting to fray
everywhere. I was very glad to deposit Bernie the minibus back at the sports
ground in East Brighton park and get the no.27 home on Tuesday night. It’s
entirely possible I got off one stop later and called in at the Co-op for
something to celebrate with.
We weren’t quite done with school yet, but Wednesday was a free day, and I scheduled a couple of appointments. First up was a fun packed visit to the dentist where I was inevitably admonished for not flossing enough. I promised to do better, like I always do. Then it was a quick walk back home for a coffee to start replacing some of the staining she had removed.
Next up was the opticians for a check-up. I’d sensed that my vision
hadn’t changed much in the last couple of years and so it proved. Long sight
still excellent and no need to change my reading glasses. A few quid saved and
most welcome.
Thursday morning was the Support Staff INSET, an annual event that we
are constantly reminded throughout the year, is mandatory. In truth the only
mandatory bit is Safeguarding – very important of course but they always pad it
out with other stuff to keep us there for the whole morning. The talk was this
time at least by someone with a bit of enthusiasm which is more than can be
said for some who’ve seemed as bored with the subject as the audience.
By lunchtime though we were free, and we went our separate ways,
although a colleague very kindly gave me a lift home. The afternoon was spent –
after a nap – hauling stuff down to Patsy which seemed to mostly consist of
dead cow in the form of boots, jeans and coats, the selection of which had
inevitably been agonised over for some time. How I suffer for my er, art.
Friday the 19th of October and the day had come where Patsy
would be getting her first outing since the summer. Looking at Google Maps over
an early cuppa found a fly in the ointment. There was a closure on the A23
Purley Way in Croydon and the suggested route looked decidedly un-caravan
friendly. Hoping it was temporary I set about getting ready, packing some of my
batch cooked meals into the cool bag.
By 9:30am I was at the Sainsbury near storage for a Click &
Collect, stocking up on caravanning essentials like beer, wine, and cheese
before juicing up Hetty who, most inconsiderately demanded something other than
fresh air to run on.
The closure on the A23 hadn’t cleared – water main, gas main or something – so my own diversion was concocted which would keep me on A roads. I have always used the same route to Crystal Palace, the one that our friends showed us when we first started caravanning. I get a little nervous going ‘off-piste’ being nowhere near as confident a driver towing than I am with the school minibus. However the diversion worked well, traffic overall was average, and I pulled into the site around 2 hours later unscathed.
It was great to see the wardens John & Maria again and it was clear as I headed to the pitch how hard they’ve been working to spruce up the site. As I’ve said before, it’s under constant threat of closure so there’s not much investment from on high, understandably.
Rain was imminent so set up was fairly swift, and although mild the heating was switched on to give Patsy a bit of an airing. A couple of gammon rolls were wolfed down, with some liquid accompaniment before a nice nap, from which I woke to find the temperature in the van positively sub-tropical. Warm enough to forgive another beer but I abstained at least until dinner/teatime.
Saturday 21st October
Up at silly o’clock to get ready for my trip up to the NEC to look at a caravan or two and catch up with a few friends. With the train hopefully leaving Euston soon after 8am – no guarantee with Avanti West Coast – I needed to be out of the by 6:45am to get, first, the 3 bus to Brixton, then the tube to Euston.
Arriving on Friday I’d noted that College Road – where the no. 3 bus
turns after leaving the stop near the site – was closed. So this meant a longer
than usual walk to the bus terminus the other end of Crystal Palace Parade. One
was just leaving when I arrived so there was a bit of a wait in the rain, the
shelters being occupied by other folk up at silly o’clock.
By 7:45am I was at Euston having endured the torturous screeching of the underground train as it wound its way around the bends from Brixton. If the likes of the CIA – other government agencies are available – want to coerce prisoners they should just play this on a loop until they succumb.
Anyway, the Avanti train was on time – not the time on the ticket but
the time on the departure board - and we were off. With just a few stops,
though one more than scheduled, the train arrived on time, the Digispeed app on
my phone – used when taking colleagues out on driving assessments at work –
recording in excess of 125 mph at times.
First up on arrival at the NEC was meeting up with my friend Sandra
who, at 7:00am had learnt that her 7:30am train had been cancelled. Easy to
blame Avanti’s poor management but in truth it was the weather with lots of
lines shut in her area. She’d decided to jump in the car and had a trouble-free
journey down from Chester thankfully.
Both in need of coffee we swerved the massive queue at Starbucks and
instead found a little newsagents with a coffee machine. That would do and for
the money – probably half the price of Starbucks – well worth it. We found a
pew to restore caffeine levels before diving into the halls.
Well a good day was had, achieving what we wanted to, nosing at a few
vans, recoiling at the price of awnings, but more importantly catching up with
friends. Sandra had brought a packed lunch and at a time that could , with a
bit of latitude, be considered lunchtime, we found a perch and tucked in.
At around 2pm we decided to call time, we’d had an early start and my
blimmin’ right knee was starting to complain. Not the joint as such but the
musculature that surrounds it. I had the same trouble with the left one a few
years back which eventually improved to a degree, but the day served as a
reminder that I’m going to have to pace myself for the rest of the week and
book an appointment with my GP to start the process of getting it sorted.
We said our goodbyes and I made my way to the train station – in the
knowledge that my booked train had been cancelled but there was an earlier one
that my ticket should still be valid for.
All went well and with just one stop at Coventry the train racked up even greater speeds. By 7pm I was back in cosy Patsy and after a restorative ale tucked into a home-made curry before a pleasant evening in front of the telly and an early night. It had been a good day.
· Public transport used: 3 bus to Brixton, tube to Euston, Avanti West Coast to Birmingham International, same on the return. TFL usage capped at £8.10.
Sandra recalls:
“A few weeks before October half term, it became clear that due to other people’s holidays I would not be able to join Richard in London very sadly. We then decided to visit the October Caravan and Motorhome show in Birmingham for the day.
All the trains were booked tickets
for the show etc. I had agreed to bring a packed lunch as, on this occasion, my
journey was far shorter. We certainly were not prepared to pay the food prices
at the show.
A couple of days before, the weather
took a turn for the worse. In fact, as far as the West Coast mainline was
concerned we were in a different country separated by a sea of water! Or at
least that is how it felt. We both were keeping an anxious eye on the train
timetables and surely as night follows day, one by one the lines declared
themselves underwater and blocked for at least 24 hours. By 7:00 AM on the
Saturday it was quite clear that if I wanted to go by train it was not going to
happen. Richard however was having more success south of Birmingham.
A quick decision and I was driving it's about two hours for me. A very quick breakfast a check of the roads, yes there were, a couple of places with some standing water but knowing the road as I do I knew it would not cause me problems and equally it had stopped raining.
We both set off Richard catching the
number 3 to Brixton, me driving southwards to meet up at the show. Ironically,
we both left within 5 minutes of each other time wise so in a race as to who
got there first!
Fortunately, the roads were quiet, and I made excellent progress, the two or three areas which were slightly underwater I knew where they were and how to deal with them and as a result I actually arrived in Birmingham at the NEC about 10 minutes before my train would have been due in. I have to commend the staff at the NEC for how simple they made access to disabled people parking hall which was just opposite the main entrance door.
I had already booked a mobility scooter so that I would be able to get to see the show in its entirety. Having picked up my scooter I then waited for Richard to arrive about 20 minutes after I had done so.
Upon his arrival first order of
business was a cup of coffee which fortunately managed to avoid breaking the
bank! We then had a look at the map and decided upon a route which would
encompass the places we wished to see.
It’s true to say, as many have done,
in our online caravan community, one of the main reasons for attending is to
catch up with friends along the way. I am pleased to say that we managed to do
this throughout the day, sadly missing two or three friends who we knew were
busy working at the show. We hope to meet them again soon.
One of the first things I noticed was
how quiet the show actually was, obviously the weather had put people off and
the widespread train cancellations had not helped out either. It is about six
or seven years I think since I was last at the show and the other thing I
noticed was how much smaller in terms of size the exhibitions actually were.
We set off with the two main dealers
in mind Coachman, obviously for Richard and Elddis who make my sister’s
caravan. It was nice to see and compare the latest edition of Richard’s caravan
the VIP 520/4. We both commented on how grey the interior was with dark wood
effect, something that seems to be a trend across the board at the moment.
Neither of us are particular fans, preferring warm wood tones. Unfortunately
Elddis no longer produce my sister’s Affinity 530 model, which has the same
layout as the 520/4. The interiors of all the new vans were grey and dark wood
in the main.
As we tootled around we kept meeting
up with loads of friends and it made for a very happy visit. No doubt we will
see you all again over the next 12 months. I was conscious that Richard’s knee
was giving him considerable amounts of pain and I made sure that we took
regular breaks so that it would not become unmanageable.
We then found a picnic area in one of the halls and decided to eat our packed lunch. This time instead of the usual gammon baguette, we had sausage baps, bananas and obviously some cake!
That was not an accessories hall like
the one that used to be and accessories as such were in the main around the
edge of each of the halls. We had a good look around the Isabella stand,
keeping a very firm hand on our credit cards!
A few more awnings and such like were
looked at but on the whole neither of us felt inclined to purchase anything at
the show. As I said earlier the main purpose of the visit was social rather
than being in the market to buy anything.
It was by now heading towards mid afternoon and Richard had two trains and a bus journey to return to Crystal Palace and I had my drive north. We were both getting tired and so decided to call it a day. We said our goodbyes and both of us had a relatively straightforward journey back. For me personally, there is no incentive to revisit the show anytime soon, other than a social visit. Nonetheless, it was a very pleasant day out which I enjoyed very much.
I will hand over now to Richard to complete the blog of his time in London."
Sunday 22nd October
The rain eased during the night, and it was bright sunshine that greeted me on opening the blinds, which was just as well as the days’ booked activities were largely outdoors.
I’d started – not finished obviously – an itinerary, the week prior so knew I needed to be away from the ‘van by 11:45am for the crawl over to North London. Three bus and over two hours later via Elephant & Castle and Camden I emerged in the leafy suburb of Highgate. The difference in – and sometimes within – London Boroughs can be vast and although Highgate still reeked, this time it was of money.
A traverse through a pretty (gated, obviously) road brought me to Swains Lane up a short stretch of which I was to find my first destination – Highgate Cemetery. I’ve done the East side before – and that has arguably the more famous er, residents – Karl Marx being one – but I had booked a tour of the West side, supposedly more atmospheric. I was early so took a pew in the neighbouring Waterlow Park, perusing social media in case I had missed anything in the last ten minutes.
The tour began at 2:30pm led by a very knowledgeable volunteer, who was engaging and entertaining. We learnt about the history of Highgate – starting its life as a private cemetery and one of London’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ built to ease overcrowding in local churchyards thanks to London’s rapid growth.
We walked through the Egyptian Avenue and around the Circle of Lebanon – both considered quite controversial back in the 1800’s and some notable residents were pointed out. The founder of Crufts dog show, the maker of Big Ben and the Liberty Bell, Michael Faraday, to name but a few. More recent additions included George Michael and Alexander Litvinenko, who given the cause of his death, was sealed in a lead lined coffin.
Part of the cemetery that only those on the tour get to see was the eerie catacombs, with rows and rows of coffins, some of which had started to disintegrate, and you could glimpse at the skeletal remains if you wished.
We heard how the cemetery started to fall into disrepair in the early 20th century and gruesome tales of bodysnatching as it lay abandoned, the formation of the Friends of Highgate Cemetery who rescued it and are now it’s custodians.
A fascinating tour that well overran it’s allotted 70 minutes and one I’d certainly recommend. The ticket included entry to the East side as well but as I’d seen that before and would be placing more demands on my troublesome knee later, I decided instead to go in search of ‘medication’ up the hill in the village centre – namely a pub.
The pub in question was the Flask – the designated start point of the
evenings’ ghost tour – and I decided to book a table for a meal. I was too
early for that however and both inside and outside were heaving with punters
enjoying a late afternoon lunch and/or drink or three.
I procured a pint surprisingly quickly though and stood on the periphery indulging in that eminently delightful activity of people watching – and occasional listening. There were even some English accents to be heard amongst the American ones.
My table was booked for 5:30pm but at 5:20pm I thought I’d try my luck and gratefully took a seat as my table was available. My drinks order was taken and arrived as I perused the menu.
Then an extraordinary thing happened, I appeared to have become invisible! Staff came and went, as did punters and although I could have got someone’s attention earlier I was also curious to see how long it would take before I was noticed again. It also gave me the chance to earwig the couple on an adjacent table who were pontificating about which wine to go for. Three samples arrived and after much deliberation they decided on an Austrian red. I immediately grabbed the wine list to discover that said wine was thirty-seven quid a bottle. Ouch, I hope it was worth it.
At 6:03pm I decided enough was enough, got the attention of someone,
stated that I’d been sitting for 53 minutes, would really like to order some
food and also to see the manager. Time was now of the essence and my chosen
dish was unavailable. Nothing else could apparently be conjured up swiftly so I
settled on some chips – better than nowt.
The manager came over, I explained what had happened – or not happened,
politely but to the point and was offered sincerest apologies and a drink on
the house which appeared remarkably quickly. I finished the chips and took my
free pint outside to await the start of the ghost tour. Had they asked me to
pay for my chips and other pint I would have done. But they didn’t, so I
didn’t!
Our greeter for the ghost tour was a woman in traditional Spanish style dress who also looked remarkably like Cher – although pre or post plastic surgery I couldn’t decide. Once we were all checked in our host appeared, a caped bowler hatted gentleman with a booming voice, then we were off. First back down Swain’s Lane and past the cemetery, pausing for various ghoulish tales on the way, actors appearing from the shadows at various points. Whilst still in Highgate we paused at a pub for half an hour for refreshments, or in my case medicine for the knee in the guise of a pint of Timothy Taylor’s Landlord. Not the best example I’ve had but it was most welcome, as was the rest.
Another ghoulish interlude outside the pub, including a shot of local gin – guess who spotted there were some spare and blagged a second – don’t ask don’t get etc, then we were off again, across a very dark Hampstead Heath. More actors – well the same ones in different garb – appearing from the gloom.
The lights of Hampstead came into view and our final destination was in
sight – another pub, the Magdala – and a most welcome sight it was too. The
tour was wound up and prizes were given for the best dressed and I was
delighted to accept a bag of ‘Halloween’ super sour lollies! It had been a
superb tour – the best I’ve done to date. Certainly not scary but given the sometimes-fruity
language and subject matter, definitely not for kids. All the actors were good sports,
and our host was superb, it had been a cracking tour I one I can thoroughly
recommend. Details HERE
In the pub there was a strong dark Porter on offer – the drink that is
– that went down very well indeed, then it was time to for the short walk to
the bus stop to start my journey back to the site. Hampstead was quiet, unlike Elephant &
Castle where I changed buses, which seems to be perpetually traffic choked. It had been a good day, the experience at the
pub failing to spoil things, but I was very much looking forward to a rest.
Monday 23rd October
Of course I was awake at silly o’clock but nevertheless enjoyed the lie
in. Occasional showers throughout the morning confirmed my decision to stay
put, however after lunch and a nap it was time to get showered and tarted up
again as I was headed back into town for a show. The bus driver was clearly on a mission and
firing up my Digispeed app observed that it wasn’t just cars ignoring the 20mph
limit. Maybe he needed the bog but then we came to a standstill with the
announcement that the driver had been told to halt for a few minutes to ‘even
out the service.’
Once in town I had a short wander, but the threat of rain gave me an excuse to stop for the first pint of the day, some Americans pausing to admire and comment on my boots – bunion crushing zip and buckle winklepickers in case there was any doubt in your mind.
More meanderings brought me to the corner of Tottenham Court Rd and the Outernet experience – an unexpected treat. Stunning floor to ceiling – and ceiling – audio visual displays of incredible clarity they had to be seen to be believed. I snapped some photos of course but they really don’t do it justice. Very well worth checking out if you are in the area.
A sarnie from a ‘local’ supermarket and another pint set me up for the evenings’ entertainment – a new version of Grease at the Dominion Theatre. A late addition to my list but with a ticket for just twenty-five quid – albeit quite high up – an opportunity not to be missed.
The loudspeaker array suggested that it was going to be nice and loud – and it was – and a fabulous how too, though once again – in my view – the principal wasn’t the best singer or dancer. All the well-known songs were there, and Jason Donovan’s appearance was very popular – and he can certainly sing. The show closed with a medley of the all the famous songs, and everyone was up on their feet. It was a fantastic evening, and I left the theatre with a real buzz, just the job.
Tuesday 24th October
Not the best nights’ sleep thanks to my knee but the morning was bright and whilst I had nothing planned – and really needed to rest said knee – I didn’t want to waste the day. A plan was concocted, and late morning saw me at Battersea power station – for so long standing idle and crumbling but now redeveloped as a retail, entertainment and living space. I wasn’t particularly interested in those but was keen to see the building itself and up close it is very impressive indeed, as is the development around it. You can now ride a lift up one of the old chimney’s – for a fee – but I wasn’t prepared to pay the sizeable uplift for a same day booking. No matter it would keep, instead I procured a sarnie and coffee and sat scoffing and slurping whilst watching the world go by before embarking on a different route back for a change of scenery.
A lazy afternoon and evening ensued, and the rest was most welcome.
Wednesday 25th October
Another day and another ghost tour – well it was nearly Halloween, so it was important to keep in the er, spirit of things. This one was around St Pauls and in the evening obviously which gave me a free day, however conscious that I had to take it easy I had another lazy morning in the ‘van, reading, on the ‘net and snoozing at various points. The main meal – dinner/lunch/tea – call it what you will - was again taken at lunchtime – or is it dinner time – before the inevitable nap. I availed myself of the facilities for a wet shave and long hot shower before once again getting tarted up and heading to the bus stop. During the short periods in the morning when I was simultaneously awake and alert I’d consulted my to-do list and come up with a plan that wouldn’t be too much for my blimmin’ knee. Once again I took the 363 from near the site and swapped a little before Elephant & Castle, things grinding to a halt soon afterwards. Plenty got off and walked but my time was my own and I was happy enough to wait until we eventually got to my stop, a short way from the south side of Tower Bridge. There was the necessary pint – purely for medicinal purposes of course – then I set off for my first destination – in reality just around the corner – Shad Thames.
Shad Thames is the home of what were once massive warehouses on the south side of the Thames just east of Tower Bridge. Once housing tea, coffee, spices, and other goods from far flung corners of the world they are now luxury flats housing well-heeled or heavily mortgaged young professionals, with shops below but nevertheless it was still a very atmospheric place to wander in the fading light.
It was very busy around by Tower Bridge and I took a moment to soak up the vibe whilst clocking the views across the water.
Crossing the Thames I ticked off another pub on my list – The Minories – surprisingly, given that it was rush hour, managing to blag a table in an alcove. However said alcove had two tables and an irritating nasal twang emanated from the occupants of the other. I didn’t hang about.
Time for another supermarket sarnie, then make the short walk to check out the location of the start of the ghost walk. I was early but happily there was a conveniently located pub across the road in which I downed a nice warming Stout which had the dubious honour of being the most expensive ale of the trip so far.
A sizeable crowd was gathering by All Hallows Church when our host appeared. Names were taken and we were off, heading first to the Tower of London whose bloody history gives rise to no end of ghoulish and gory tales.
It was back to the church then before heading into the city a bit, by the Royal Exchange and Bank of England, taking in the church of St Bartholomew the Great nestled in a little clearing, and the remains of the Christchurch Greyfriars – bombed out during the war. One wall and the tower remains – now privately owned – but the gardens are public.
The tour was around two hours in length, finishing at St Pauls
Cathedral and whilst there wasn’t the costumes or theatrics of the previous
tour it was well worth it – the guide was knowledgeable and could be easily
heard above the frequent traffic. Again I’d recommend it. You can find the details HERE.
The thought of an ale to round the night off crossed my mind but to be honest I was ready to head back and there was a bus stop just across the road from St Pauls. A change at Aldwych, then again by the Imperial War Museum for the 3 back to the site. All the apps will tell you to change at Brixton but the routes merge at the IWM – it’s quieter there and you’re more likely to get a seat.
I dread to think of the number of hours I’d spent on buses so far – and later in the week it does become a bit wearing, particularly the journeys back to site that are usually on one of two routes. Earphones help but I find it hard to get stuck into a book, the mind wandering. I look around at my fellow passengers and wonder what the purpose of their journey is – going out, going home, going to work, coming home from work. Fair to say, no one looked that enthused!
Nevertheless it was a good day - currently unable to head out in the morning and wander for the whole day I felt I had made the best of it – and the trip so far.
Thursday 26th October
My lazy Tuesday afternoon wasn’t entirely unproductive – and I’d flexed the plastic and booked another show, long since deciding that life was too short to spend time wondering why you hadn’t done stuff.
So, another quiet morning, lunch(dinner?), nap, shower then glad rags on and a trudge to the bus stop. A couple more pubs ticked off the list along with an old favourite; the Lyric which despite it’s location still one of the cheapest in the area – Wetherspoons aside. An impressive and changing range of real ales means there’s always something new to try. As well as the regulars the pub was packed with tourists supping their half a Guiness, so I headed outside to people watch and was approached by a guy who’d clearly started on the grog sometime before me. I was half expecting to be tapped up for a pint or a fiver but no, he just fancied a chat. I mentioned the play I was seeing, and he said that his boss was the wife of actor Peter Bowles, who was considered for the part of Jerry Leadbitter in The Good Life – the Felicity Kendal connection. It also turns out he was a Kiwi who came over aged 24 and decided to stay, so we had more to talk about, with my trip downunder getting ever closer. I'm not one to start a conversation with strangers but it's nice to have someone to talk to when you are on your own. It was a good chinwag, but it was soon time for me to depart for the theatre – the Theatre Royal Haymarket, where I’d seen the Only Fools & Horses musical a few years back.
Noises Off follows the antics of a fictional touring theatre company attempting to stage a farce called Nothing on. Scenes switch from rehearsals in the first act, to opening night in the second, seen from backstage to the final night in the third.
The first act was funny enough, but they really ramped it up in the second with some proper laugh out loud comedy. The third was even funnier and had the audience – me included – in stitches. It was superb and a delight to see Felicity Kendal on stage, along with other names such as Tamzin Outhwaite and Matthew Horne. A thoroughly enjoyable evening and I’m so glad I made the last-minute decision to book it.
Friday 27th October
My last full day and the threat of frequent showers encouraged me to stay put, having a slow pack up in the afternoon because, as per usual I wanted to be away first thing Saturday to avoid the traffic.
There was one other thing of my list though – a visit to the fun fair in neighbouring Crystal Palace park. For a long while I’d fancied reliving my childhood and riding the Waltzer again but as the day went on I couldn’t strike up the enthusiasm so instead had a quiet night in – with an ale or too of course. No matter, it will be there next year.
Saturday 28th October
A quick cuppa and a banana, pack up completed and I was out of the site and on the road by 8:06am. Traffic was light and even the traffic lights were in a cooperative mood. There were a few spots of rain about but it started falling in earnest south of the M25 and as I headed into Sussex it was clear that it had been a very wet few hours. There was a lake across the road just after turning off the A27 – a Highways van was already there but it was still passable with care. I was at the storage gates by 9:50am to be confronted with another lake – this time right in front of Patsy’s resting place. I was able to motor move her in and the nearside was just accessible without getting wet feet. A return visit would be needed though to attach her nearside wheel clamp and remove the sodden towing cover.
And that was her last outing until March – no Christmas or February half-term getaway because, as many of you know, Sandra and I are off on a trip of a lifetime – to New Zealand in December. There might just be a blog or two…
Cheers
Rich