College Campers

When you’re on the edge of a college campus in the middle of the country, you usually have to make your own entertainment. Normally that’s not a problem, but we didn’t want to stray too far away from our digs. We ended up commandeering a firepit for a barbecue, but unfortunately there was no-one to join us. Not that it mattered since I didn’t get much sleep anyway due to my travel companion’s excessive snoring. Even stretching my legs in the middle of the night didn’t seem to work. For the first day we’d planned to cook up a breakfast while our cool bag supplies held out, while on the second day we discovered that there was a café on-site. We ventured in and saw that the prices were a bit steep; they were asking £4 for a bacon or sausage roll. Nevertheless, we coughed up and at least the cash went to the students. I even bought one of their chocolatey rocky roads to keep me going for a mid-morning snack. 

Ghosts (Series 2)

When I first learned that the Horrible Histories team had written a second series my first reaction was oh no, not these nutters again’. But aside from the return of the annoying theme tune, this instalment was rather good. We had a few more character insights (though I would have loved to have known about how the major died) as well as novel ideas of things that you can do with an old house. Even the plague team got a look-in. I thought that the idea of the older characters witnessing the demise of some of the younger ones was great and this should have been brought in earlier. I enjoyed Julian’s plotline in the Christmas Special where his past begins to haunt him. We’re also teased by Mary’s witch trial, though this is something that could be covered in a third series which has now been commissioned. Kitty’s character could also be explored; although she is one of the more annoying characters and perhaps it’s time that she could be moved on. We also don’t know about Robin’s death or the real reason why any of them were left behind. There’s plenty more ghost stories to come!

Glamping at the National Star College, Ullenwood

Our digs for the next two days was a little glamping site next to a college; yet we had no idea that we’d be staying on the premises of an actual college for special needs. We therefore had to be a little more careful as to what we’d normally get up to in the evening. The premier suite was a bungalow with a very round door rather like a hobbit hole. We got the gypsy caravan. Inside our pined wagon were two leather mattresses separated by a shelf mounted on the wall. Above this was a porthole that looked out onto the farmland. We also got a wall socket each and a light switch; though our phones served better once we were in bed. Outside was a small wooden table and two wooden chairs in our porch, while across the road was a modern toilet block complete with outside sink for our cooking needs.

Hanging at the Hostel

I needed somewhere cheap to stay in London. I looked at hostels but didn’t really want to be put up in a dorm. Then I discovered that private rooms were available, and I could even upgrade to a double if I wanted. After the booking, I was told that there was an issue with my window. It wouldn’t open but they didn’t have the capacity to move me to another room or the ability to repair it in time. But why would you want a window open in January? Their solution was to offer me a 10% reduction of the room. I didn’t say anything but it just happened. It took me a while to find the place. It wasn’t on Oxford Street as advertised but down a sideroad. Then after being buzzed through the door, I had to climb three flights of stairs to reach reception. The whole place seemed to be a jumble of flats on top of a building. It was quiet on arrival and the check-in went smoothly with a nice chat from the receptionist. I suppose she was trying to discover why a single person had booked a double bed… 

Glamping Supplies

 After leaving the cathedral, we headed over to Eastgate to see the famous Greyfriars. This Tudor church wasn’t that impressive in its location adjacent to a modern shopping centre, and it looked more like an ideal local hangout for druggies. However, we were impressed by the nearby jewellers on Southgate Street. Confusingly called Baker (though I suppose that you can’t help what you are called sometimes), this traditional watchmaker sports a large clock overhanging the street while beneath it in an alcove is a line of guild statues in painted middle-aged dress. Each figure holds a bell apart from the friar who pulls a rope to the bell above. After waiting for the clock to strike the hour, we decided to get supplies for the evening and had a browse in the pound shop. We came away with a chess board for our evening entertainment which we later discovered had a piece missing. We thought about taking it back, but I thought that the effort would outweigh the cost.  

Wedding Plans #devilsdaughter 15

Luke and Lucinda walked down the boardwalk towards their chauffeured limousine. Luke had no idea where they were going next. In fact, he couldn’t really see where they were going next as most of Lucinda’s hair was draped around his head but he daren’t let go of this voluptuous lady. All he could feel was the weight of her hips with every step that she took.

‘Did you realise sweetie’ asked Lucinda as passers-by turned their heads and stood to make way for them ‘that the store clerk referred to us as Mr. and Mrs. Evans?’

‘Yes’ said Luke. ‘Lucinda, let’s do it. I can’t wait for that dress. Let’s get married. Today.’

‘Sounds like a proposition to me. But a gal ought to wear something nice for her big day.’ She climbed into the back of her limo which somehow seemed to have shrunk in the heat. Luke scrambled in after her and began discussing plans with the driver.

Galivanting in Gloucester

With dinner done, we set about exploring the rest of the city. We started with a stroll towards the cathedral, passing a military museum and posing for a picture next to a small tank. We passed through a lovely pedestrianised archway with cafes lined up either side and it really felt like we were in a different country. On arrival we noticed that a film crew was outside. We were still allowed into the cathedral but the cloisters were closed to allow filming to take place. I’m not a particularly religious person but I do enjoy exploring the architecture of these large buildings. After exploring the lower levels, we worked out how to get upstairs to explore the upper levels. As well as some amazing gargoyles on display here, we also found the whisper corridor. This was a u-shaped passageway from one side of the cathedral to the other that allows a whisper from one end to be heard at the other. Unfortunately, we got a bit carried away and got told off by a passing couple.