Category: Travel

Breakfast in America and a walk by the Hudson

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11 October 2015

After a shower and freshen up we left the hotel again in search of breakfast. Actually, by this time it was 10:45 so make that brunch. On our evening wanderings the night before when we’d been searching for coffee we’d seen an interesting place called Spring Natural Kitchen on Columbus Avenue, not too far from our hotel. It looked like a nice healthy place to have brunch so we thought we’d give it a try. First we had to do battle with the New York traffic, which was proving to be more than a little confusing. Continue reading Breakfast in America and a walk by the Hudson

Central Park wandering

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11 October 2015

We woke on Sunday morning still reeling from our airport experience but determined not to let it sour our views of New York. Our hotel, the Excelsior is just a block from Central Park on West 81st Street near the junction with Colombus Avenue. This was no coincidence, Commando knew one of the places I most wanted to see was Strawberry Fields in Central Park. This was the morning it was going to happen because Commando had a ten mile run scheduled and he planned to do it first thing in Central Park, followed by a late brunch in one of the places we’d seen when we went in search of coffee the night before. Because of the time difference we were awake early, just before six, and showered, dressed and out of the hotel before eight. In truth, I could have done with a coffee but I thought I might find somewhere in the park when Commando was running. Continue reading Central Park wandering

Welcome to America

Breakfast at Heathrow
Breakfast at Heathrow

10 October 2015

My nightmare about the check in at Heathrow turned out to be something of an omen for what was to come although not in quite the way I expected. Suffice to say, my welcome to America was not at all welcoming and most certainly not an experience I’ll be rushing to repeat. The following is a tale of woe that certainly doesn’t reflect on all my lovely American friends. It says more about the lack of organisation and common courtesy of the staff employed by American border control at JFK.  Continue reading Welcome to America

we are sailing, very nearly – first published 21 May 2013

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For nine months I’d been organising entertainment and refurbishment for the Silver Helm ship. Arabella and I had pored over carpet samples and fabric swatches, discussed which bars or public areas different entertainers would perform in and ordered hundreds of books for the library.  For the last few weeks I’d been preparing detailed itineraries for ship visits, discussing which cabins on which decks we would be able to show prospective passengers even what we’d eat for lunch. During all this I had never actually seen the ship. Finally, on 21 May 2013 I was going to board her. Continue reading we are sailing, very nearly – first published 21 May 2013

another London jaunt – first published 17 May 2013

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May 2013 seemed to be all about London for me, what with auditions and the Moonwalk. Less than a week after my epic nighttime walk around the big city, I was hopping on a London bound train again.  It was time to meet Arabella for the second round of auditions. At least this time I knew exactly where the Music Studios were and what to expect. At least I thought I did. Continue reading another London jaunt – first published 17 May 2013

All the fun of the big pink tent – first published 11 May 2013

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Moonwalk day had finally arrived and, for the second time in a week, I was off to London. This time it was in the car with Commando. We had a hotel booked in Putney but only one of us would be spending the night there and there was the small matter of actually getting to it. Driving in London is not as simple as you’d think… Continue reading All the fun of the big pink tent – first published 11 May 2013

a London adventure, auditions and a gift – first published 9 May 2013

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It isn’t often I go to London although it’s only seventy miles or so away and just over an hour by train. Twice in one week is unheard of. The week of the Moonwalk though, that was exactly what I’d be doing. The first of the two trips was rather exciting, if a little scary as I’d be all on my own and liable to get lost. Arabella and I would be meeting up at a studio in Marylebone to audition some musicians for the ship. Obviously I know nothing about classical music but Arabella thought I would be able to get an idea about the musicians themselves. It was heartening that she trusted my judgement. Continue reading a London adventure, auditions and a gift – first published 9 May 2013

Bristol, churches a castle and laughing on the train

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We knew we’d been riding our luck weather wise but there was still a little more of Bristol we wanted to see before we returned to Temple Meads. None of it was graffiti related but it was, broadly, on the way to the station. When I’d been looking at Google Maps plotting out our route I’d noticed a place called Castle Park and, what looked to be the remains of a castle. Who knew Bristol even had a castle? As it was close to the city centre it seemed too good to miss even if it did add a little bit to our walk back to the station. Continue reading Bristol, churches a castle and laughing on the train

The Bear Pit, traffic jams and the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft

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Since the first cave man ground up colourful rocks and mixed them with animal fat to paint on the walls of his cave, people have been creating art. Humans seem to have an innate desire to paint, whether that be on cave walls in the hope of a good hunt or on canvas to  capture the essence of the world around them. There was a time when artists suffered for their art in filthy garrets, swapping work that would one day make art dealers millions, for a meal. These days things have changed. Modern day artists live in large apartments with millions in the bank all made without the need to be mouldering in a cold grave first. Sadly, work created for money rather than love is not always good. Continue reading The Bear Pit, traffic jams and the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft

From Temple Meads to Spike Island

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2 September 2015

When I first heard about Banksy’s rather bizarre pop up ‘bemusement’ park, Dismaland I knew CJ would want to see it. Let’s face it I wanted to see it myself. The pictures I’d seen made me smile and I immediately got the tongue in cheek concept of an alternative theme park with miserable mouse eared staff and grotesque exhibits, another ironic Banksy comment on our society of greed and sensationalism. Research told me it would be easy enough to get to, although the journey would be long. Unfortunately, so would the queues. Some said the four hour wait was all part of Banksy’s master plan, an echo of the normal theme park experience. Even CJ agreed a three hour journey, followed by a four hour queue then another three hour journey didn’t sound like much fun, so I decided to come up with an alternative. Continue reading From Temple Meads to Spike Island