Trip journal, pt 3
Sep. 11th, 2010 02:12 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
the_andyThe Finale
October 23, 11:11
Made it to Bristol. Met the lovely cats then picked up snacks from the Indian deli. Went back tolittlebutfierce and phredd's to eat and chat. Phredd and I then went grocery shopping so he could cook dinner (I found the hidden cans of artichoke hearts. Finding hidden things (graves, vegetables) remains my most impressive talent) and stopped by the off-license store. Guinness without nitrogen isn't quite as good, I should have stuck with my first choice of cheap red wine.
Dinner was vegan “Italian sausage”, some kind of pasta with artichokes, and an orange pepper sauce. I didn't have more than a taste of anything on account of the huge amount of pakoras I ate for our “snack”. In my defense, they were quite tasty and I had only had a Snickers on the train. We got some clothes washed, so the last few days of the trip won't smell too foul. Now I'm just hoping they dry before we head to London tomorrow. I, perhaps foolishly, put all my t-shirts in. On the other hand, they will dry quicker than anything else and I can get by with my turtleneck in the meanwhile.
We have tentatively confirmed meeting with Chas [one of my old bosses, he got a job in England after getting laid off] for lunch and a ride to Stonehenge on Sunday, which I am quite looking forward to. Now everyone has been fed and showered we'll be getting a tour of the sights of Bristol, or at least this part of it. Oh, and I have to assist Phredd in moving a desk upstairs. Curse my hubris that I showed off by opening that jam jar!
18:24
Returned from out long jaunt around this part of Bristol, stopping in cafes, co-ops, and second hand stores all the way. Chris picked up a sweet faux velvet jacked. Now after seven hours out it's time to eat, rest and plan to meet up in London tomorrow afternoon. Chris still has a mild something of the head, but has picked up some meds that are managing it tolerably well. It seems that Chris's laptop, in Phredd's words, poisoned the well of their wi-fi. Ah well, we'll need to take turns. At least we can connect here at all (stupid Dublin) and plan transit for the London leg.
October 24, 10:57
Overslept a bit. Accidentally deleted the music from the alarm so it went off on time, but played nothing. We tossed stuff together and made it to Bristol Temple Meads in time for the 11 to Paddington. And now we're off: in London around 1h40 from now.
21:12
Made it to the hostel. Dorm looks pretty good, though it's a shame we couldn't get a private room for even the last night. Paddington station was a madhouse, but somehow we made it though. grabbed some tasty gnocci at an Italian restaurant on Earl's Court Road, then went to meet up with littlebutfierce and Phredd at the London Transit museum. Which was fascinating, we stayed until closing time (thought to be fair we arrived only 1h30 before then). After, we went to an ok place for hummus fulled dinner. Then grabbed a drink at a pub and hopped on the underground again to visit a cafe that was open late and littlebutfierce liked. We took the trains as far together as we could, then made out goodbyes.
I tried to call Chas, but only ended up leaving a message. Hope there's an e-mail when I check tonight or I get through to him tomorrow. Now we've a bit of internet (only fair after the highway robbery that is towels here) so we can hopefully get everything squared away for Sunday between us, Chas, and![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
bookzombie and pennski.
Aside from the crowds at Paddington the underground has been fairly easy to navigate. We used a pass today (long line at Paddington, etc.), but bought Oyster cards for the rest of the trip, so we shouldn't have problems getting around to everything else we're interested in, though there obviously is only time enough for a fraction of it all. Sorry British Museum, we're barely going to get to touch you.
October 25, 00:00
Daylight savings today, hope that doesn't screw me up somehow.
9:05
Well, the cell didn't update with DST until it was turned off, so I was up a bit early. Not that I was sleeping well anyway - the snorer under me had to pack for an early flight, a new roommate got in at 4am, I was sweaty from not showering in the morning, and just had general difficulty sleeping on this trip. I haven't felt terribly tired though, so either I am actually sleeping enough or I'm running on adrenaline.
We're both ready and fed (pretty tasty quiche). Somehow having no major errors meeting up even though Chris is without an alarm clock, so now we can have a leisurely morning before making our way to meet Chas.
10:34
On the train to Liss. Departure time is less than 3 minutes away. Waterloo station was a refreshing change from Paddington, though I imagine that the trains offered and it being Sunday morning are to account for the airy conditions. We took the Jubilee line one stop in getting here. Its metal panels, huge pipes, and depth underground give it a spectacular sci-fi flavor.
22:04
After a full day we're on a train back to London. Charles and Tammy, with Olivia, Rowan, and the dogs, picked us up at Liss and took us to lunch in Winchester (at the slug and lettuce) [I know there are a lot of them, but the name still tickles me]. From there we went to Stonehenge only to find it closed in 5 minutes (at 16:00)! Fortunately after paying they were leisurely about getting people out of the field and it only takes about 25 minutes for a proper walk around it anyway. After there was a bit of a walk and ball tossing to tire the dogs, then it was back in the car to get dropped at bookzombie & pennski's
We talked about the history of the area, differences between US & UK living, working at WotC, and how to explain US style biscuits. I was also recruited to reenact a Loony Toons bit w/ Rowan.
Chris's cell was dead, but fortunately she secured good directions beforehand and we were smoothly deposited at our destination. Where upon we talked of Doctor Who DVDs, problems w/ work, high school graduations, transit, living in different sized towns, and, finally, train schedules to London. Also there was tasty Chinese take out. Then we realized it was 20 to 10, so they walked us to the Whitchurch station and saw us safely on the train to Waterloo. Just some planning left for our last full day, then some well deserved sleep.
October 26m 8:36 LAST FULL DAY
Chris had the alarm today, but in addition to waking sporadically it seems at least two roommates were getting up shortly before I intended to. All said, however, I slept quite well last night, at least compared to the rest of the trip.
16:30
The British Museum went super quick. We focused on only a few things to avoid being overwhelmed (alas, the Japan rooms were closed today) and the next thing we knew hours had passed and our feet were aching. We wandered around and ended up with some pretty good vegetarian Indian for lunch.
We stopped by the scotch store Eric recommended. It was suitably impressive, but between not knowing enough about scotch (other than how to enjoy a drink) and worrying about it in my luggage, I decided against buying any.
Then we went to the government buildings to visit he war room/Churchill museum. This could have been fascinating, but was structured to drag out your visit (by putting a huge Churchill museum in the middle of another museum for starters). Then we walked across the Golden Jubilee pedestrian bridge and I got some great (if they turn out) nighttime shots of the Eye, Big Ben, parliament, Westminster, etc. Then we walked along the Thames, shared some cotton candy, and looked up a restaurant close to the hostel. It was a bit pricey, but not too bad and was a nice way to wrap up out last day in London. Now we're doing as much packing as possible while we can have the lights on (we've been out so early and back so late we haven't had the main lights on in out dorms until now.)
I'm cramming as much as possible into my checked bag. After hauling it around cities, on buses, trains, and ferries, it'll be a relief to check it onto the plane for the last leg of the journey.
October 27, 8:08
Of course on the last night I have my best night of sleep. A busy day, but not being up too late appears to be the trick. I didn't oversleep though, a shared room under a high traffic hallway make it impossible to get uninterrupted sleep between 7 and 8.
...
It feels like there are a thousand thoughts I haven't recorded here, but it'll be the big things I don't forget. It's the day to day of the trip this is meant to record.
...
Today I'll take some pictures of the hostel, have a leisurely shower and breakfast, and fight out way through Paddington to an airport train. We've been traveling for 14 days, it's strange to consider it's almost at an end. I'm glad we have some time off at home still: I'm going to have to get used to being in one place again. Hope the cats remember us
14:45
Heathrow is the worst airport in the world.
October 23, 11:11
Made it to Bristol. Met the lovely cats then picked up snacks from the Indian deli. Went back to
littlebutfierce and phredd's to eat and chat. Phredd and I then went grocery shopping so he could cook dinner (I found the hidden cans of artichoke hearts. Finding hidden things (graves, vegetables) remains my most impressive talent) and stopped by the off-license store. Guinness without nitrogen isn't quite as good, I should have stuck with my first choice of cheap red wine. Dinner was vegan “Italian sausage”, some kind of pasta with artichokes, and an orange pepper sauce. I didn't have more than a taste of anything on account of the huge amount of pakoras I ate for our “snack”. In my defense, they were quite tasty and I had only had a Snickers on the train. We got some clothes washed, so the last few days of the trip won't smell too foul. Now I'm just hoping they dry before we head to London tomorrow. I, perhaps foolishly, put all my t-shirts in. On the other hand, they will dry quicker than anything else and I can get by with my turtleneck in the meanwhile.
We have tentatively confirmed meeting with Chas [one of my old bosses, he got a job in England after getting laid off] for lunch and a ride to Stonehenge on Sunday, which I am quite looking forward to. Now everyone has been fed and showered we'll be getting a tour of the sights of Bristol, or at least this part of it. Oh, and I have to assist Phredd in moving a desk upstairs. Curse my hubris that I showed off by opening that jam jar!
18:24
Returned from out long jaunt around this part of Bristol, stopping in cafes, co-ops, and second hand stores all the way. Chris picked up a sweet faux velvet jacked. Now after seven hours out it's time to eat, rest and plan to meet up in London tomorrow afternoon. Chris still has a mild something of the head, but has picked up some meds that are managing it tolerably well. It seems that Chris's laptop, in Phredd's words, poisoned the well of their wi-fi. Ah well, we'll need to take turns. At least we can connect here at all (stupid Dublin) and plan transit for the London leg.
October 24, 10:57
Overslept a bit. Accidentally deleted the music from the alarm so it went off on time, but played nothing. We tossed stuff together and made it to Bristol Temple Meads in time for the 11 to Paddington. And now we're off: in London around 1h40 from now.
21:12
Made it to the hostel. Dorm looks pretty good, though it's a shame we couldn't get a private room for even the last night. Paddington station was a madhouse, but somehow we made it though. grabbed some tasty gnocci at an Italian restaurant on Earl's Court Road, then went to meet up with littlebutfierce and Phredd at the London Transit museum. Which was fascinating, we stayed until closing time (thought to be fair we arrived only 1h30 before then). After, we went to an ok place for hummus fulled dinner. Then grabbed a drink at a pub and hopped on the underground again to visit a cafe that was open late and littlebutfierce liked. We took the trains as far together as we could, then made out goodbyes.
I tried to call Chas, but only ended up leaving a message. Hope there's an e-mail when I check tonight or I get through to him tomorrow. Now we've a bit of internet (only fair after the highway robbery that is towels here) so we can hopefully get everything squared away for Sunday between us, Chas, and
bookzombie and pennski. Aside from the crowds at Paddington the underground has been fairly easy to navigate. We used a pass today (long line at Paddington, etc.), but bought Oyster cards for the rest of the trip, so we shouldn't have problems getting around to everything else we're interested in, though there obviously is only time enough for a fraction of it all. Sorry British Museum, we're barely going to get to touch you.
October 25, 00:00
Daylight savings today, hope that doesn't screw me up somehow.
9:05
Well, the cell didn't update with DST until it was turned off, so I was up a bit early. Not that I was sleeping well anyway - the snorer under me had to pack for an early flight, a new roommate got in at 4am, I was sweaty from not showering in the morning, and just had general difficulty sleeping on this trip. I haven't felt terribly tired though, so either I am actually sleeping enough or I'm running on adrenaline.
We're both ready and fed (pretty tasty quiche). Somehow having no major errors meeting up even though Chris is without an alarm clock, so now we can have a leisurely morning before making our way to meet Chas.
10:34
On the train to Liss. Departure time is less than 3 minutes away. Waterloo station was a refreshing change from Paddington, though I imagine that the trains offered and it being Sunday morning are to account for the airy conditions. We took the Jubilee line one stop in getting here. Its metal panels, huge pipes, and depth underground give it a spectacular sci-fi flavor.
22:04
After a full day we're on a train back to London. Charles and Tammy, with Olivia, Rowan, and the dogs, picked us up at Liss and took us to lunch in Winchester (at the slug and lettuce) [I know there are a lot of them, but the name still tickles me]. From there we went to Stonehenge only to find it closed in 5 minutes (at 16:00)! Fortunately after paying they were leisurely about getting people out of the field and it only takes about 25 minutes for a proper walk around it anyway. After there was a bit of a walk and ball tossing to tire the dogs, then it was back in the car to get dropped at bookzombie & pennski's
We talked about the history of the area, differences between US & UK living, working at WotC, and how to explain US style biscuits. I was also recruited to reenact a Loony Toons bit w/ Rowan.
Chris's cell was dead, but fortunately she secured good directions beforehand and we were smoothly deposited at our destination. Where upon we talked of Doctor Who DVDs, problems w/ work, high school graduations, transit, living in different sized towns, and, finally, train schedules to London. Also there was tasty Chinese take out. Then we realized it was 20 to 10, so they walked us to the Whitchurch station and saw us safely on the train to Waterloo. Just some planning left for our last full day, then some well deserved sleep.
October 26m 8:36 LAST FULL DAY
Chris had the alarm today, but in addition to waking sporadically it seems at least two roommates were getting up shortly before I intended to. All said, however, I slept quite well last night, at least compared to the rest of the trip.
16:30
The British Museum went super quick. We focused on only a few things to avoid being overwhelmed (alas, the Japan rooms were closed today) and the next thing we knew hours had passed and our feet were aching. We wandered around and ended up with some pretty good vegetarian Indian for lunch.
We stopped by the scotch store Eric recommended. It was suitably impressive, but between not knowing enough about scotch (other than how to enjoy a drink) and worrying about it in my luggage, I decided against buying any.
Then we went to the government buildings to visit he war room/Churchill museum. This could have been fascinating, but was structured to drag out your visit (by putting a huge Churchill museum in the middle of another museum for starters). Then we walked across the Golden Jubilee pedestrian bridge and I got some great (if they turn out) nighttime shots of the Eye, Big Ben, parliament, Westminster, etc. Then we walked along the Thames, shared some cotton candy, and looked up a restaurant close to the hostel. It was a bit pricey, but not too bad and was a nice way to wrap up out last day in London. Now we're doing as much packing as possible while we can have the lights on (we've been out so early and back so late we haven't had the main lights on in out dorms until now.)
I'm cramming as much as possible into my checked bag. After hauling it around cities, on buses, trains, and ferries, it'll be a relief to check it onto the plane for the last leg of the journey.
October 27, 8:08
Of course on the last night I have my best night of sleep. A busy day, but not being up too late appears to be the trick. I didn't oversleep though, a shared room under a high traffic hallway make it impossible to get uninterrupted sleep between 7 and 8.
...
It feels like there are a thousand thoughts I haven't recorded here, but it'll be the big things I don't forget. It's the day to day of the trip this is meant to record.
...
Today I'll take some pictures of the hostel, have a leisurely shower and breakfast, and fight out way through Paddington to an airport train. We've been traveling for 14 days, it's strange to consider it's almost at an end. I'm glad we have some time off at home still: I'm going to have to get used to being in one place again. Hope the cats remember us
14:45
Heathrow is the worst airport in the world.
