Bristol - The Big Match

 Despite the forecast for heavy rain, Kathy’s 32nd birthday dawned bright and sunny. With no Misty to wake us we slept in till 8am before lazing about. A scrappy crossword off was won by someone, not sure who, then the pub quiz was won, emphatically by me. Ian not knowing what MSG stands for in food, or that Luton is in Bedfordshire. We breakfasted on porridge and toast, before lazing some more then going for a shower. The staff at Baltic Wharf are super efficient and the shower block only closes for 20 mins for cleaning, meaning even Ian can find time to go. Then we had a lovely Skype with Kathy and watched her open her presents. That was fun. 

Present time

By now it was almost time for Vicky to arrive, but we had a super quick walk out onto the wharf and Underfall Yard.

Underfall Yard

Looking back toward Dame Shirley

Just outside the secret gate.

We made a sandwich and Vicky and Alex arrived soon after. Vicky had been to the races the day before and looked very Shelpid. Soon after it was time to make the short, 15min (yes 15min!) walk to Ashton gate, where we waved goodbye to Alex. He was off to meet his mate in the pub. In the ground it was sit where you like, so we chose a sparsely populated area and sat down.

The wide open spaces of Ashton Gate

The best laid plans and all that. Bang on kick off the beer bus arrived and stood all around us, including, next to me,  a giant of a man who hadn’t washed in weeks. We fell behind on 20mins which annoyed giant haystacks so much he had to sit down, flooding over his seat and half of mine. Me and Vicky have never been so close as I leaned over to avoid him. At half time they left for beer, so we took the opportunity to move a few rows forward. BIG mistake. Behind us were a row of students who, for whatever reason, had decided to go to the football in the away end. They kept calling Ollie Rathbone forehead, weren’t sure if they supported Reading or Spurs, and, hanging offence, had no clue who Georgie Kelly was! As for the game, we levelled with a dodgy pen but they scored a winner on the 90th min. To make matters worse, all the teams around us won plunging us back into the relegation picture. Never have a Rotherham game on your birthday again Kath.

We ploughed a disconsolate furrow back to Dame Shirley and had a consoling coffee before changing for our meal out. The restaurant, a Mezze place recommended by Alex, was also only a 15 min walk, but as we stepped on dame Shirley’s little step the heavens opened. I mean biblical rain. Cardiff level rain. We were like drowned rats as we arrived to meet Colette and Roland, Alex’s mum and dad. They insisted on giving us a hug though! They are lovely. 

A smashing evening was had by all. We ordered one of everything which turned out to be just right, Vickys shelpidness having lingered. Unfortunately I took no photos so no one can see! The rain also lingered, and having just about dried out, Ian and I said our goodbyes and waded through the puddles back to Dame Shirley. We ramped up the heating to 11 and squeezed in an episode of happy valley before retiring with the bish bosh sounds of the rain on Dame Shirley’s roof.

OS watch

I have decided on OS now I think but had a bit of a mare and kept forgetting to turn it on. Here is a disjointed record of my days walks