Friday, August 27, 2004
Holiday part 2
Well lets try again - top tips don't run Kazaa whilst trying to enter a massive long blog as if it all crashes you think you saved your Blog as a draft - OH NO!
Anyway were was I? Monday the 16th I believe. Well we went to Minion on Bodmin moor for the morning and lovely views and Hurlers stone circle we saw as well as tin mines galor. Then we (unknowingly) followed the rain to the seaside, via Jamaica Inn (must read book at some point). We spotted the evidence of downpours but thought there had been a burst main where the policeman was directing us. We got to Tintagel and didn't go to the castle proper due to the rain, it eased, we went up the hill to the church, it hoofed it down and there was a fabulous thunderstorm. SI arranged to meet stalkerboy in a pub in Bude later, little did we know the valid reason to avoid the assignation.
About 5.30 we set off back home - the road through Boscastle. It was blocked. At this point roles were adopted - SI valiant driver, putting her car through deep water a specialty, Iola pool of calm and encouragement in the passenger seat, perusing map and making encouraging noises. Chap concerned in back seat, leaping out to investigate every hold up and queue. 3 or 4 queues later and a pool of water or 2 we hooked up with a lovely man in a blue van who decided to adopt us and lead us into the light. Sorry to the A39 (Atlantic highway). He inspired us to follow him through the deepest water possible without a flooded car (bless diesel, my car would have sooo died) and one at the main road we traveled forth. Then followed a detour. Came out early, were intrigued by what appeared to be a machine vacuuming the road. Intimidated by what was a ambulance base being set up for Boscastle. By this stage "concerned" from Leeds had called and we had heard that the car park we'd have been parked in if we had been running to time had been mega flooded and buildings were disappearing there.
We nearly got to Bude - but were turned back by policeman "did you see the canal?" yes "well you don't normally from here do you?" We had acquired some followers who believed in the power of SI to get us through. She went one way, had to turn around (tree and flood blocking the way) then we went another and were the last people across the bridge at Bude. We therefore drove up the hill, parked up and went to be ghouls. By the time we got home 20 mins later it was far too late for the dread date so it was postponed till Wednesday.
We were transfixed by the news channels for the rest of the evening - how close were we to having been in Boscastle? Only my thirst for castle prevented this (oh and the fact SI had been there a fortnight before)
Tuesday - chap had been rather poorly all night - bugs from the sea I suspect so SI and I went to Barnstable for the day. Significantly less eventful than the day before, pleasant day spent strolling around shops was had. On our return Chap was slightly further from deaths door ("haven't felt this ill since my appendix burst in Ikea") and a peaceful evening in front of the telly occurred, more news of Boscastle, we were becoming obsessed.
Wednesday -chap nearly mended, but SI said we really could stay another night so we decided to. Therefore went to meet her friends for lunch after a stroll along a clifftop so they could talk of babies and work and A level results coming out the next day. Mrs "I am queen bee now, I think you were queen bee, I will destroy you" behaved in a way towards SI so that I feel valid to call her this. Food was fab then we went off to Wadebridge for the afternoon. Pleasant stroll around a picturesque village and despite the sky's efforts to terrify us with the downpours there it was sunny and fine.
Returned to SIs house at Kilkhampton to a top tea and then out to dread date with Stalkerboy. Which it was. He was determined to talk maniacally across all of us. Every lead you threw him to link to SI on he blanked. After 1.5 hours he asked her "where are we going with this then?" about the date/relationship I know not... It transpired that the toilet every 15 mins wasn't drug taking but hernia related. Despite this we still spent the whole evening in his company - Tips for dating: talk with your date not at them. Remember what they say about themselves. If in a group remember this is called a safe environment for a first date NOT the Spanish inquisition.
Thursday: Alevel day SI left (go her! She got an A in English, and all her students passed their philosophy courses too) and we soon followed - off to Oakhampton, excellent castle, then on to Exeter. Lunch at the Met and then I had the mild version of Chap's illness (poor SI had the mid version, aggravated by the diabetics need to eat no matter what) I just felt supper bloaty and then the meal we had later never made it out of the restaurant, so sad, it was very tasty. Not so tasty 2nd time around, although Wild berries Sorbet is one of the least unpleasant things to throw up. We did have a nice stroll around Exeter with Dr AM who we were staying with. She was another lovely friend of Chap (I'm waiting, there must be some wanker friends somewhere) and we discovered we knew someone in common - Spike. She is super brainy which was quite alarming - in a league beyond Dr A (who I have yet to tell you about) and she's pretty far out there on the old research scientist/academic front.
Friday and it was time to return. SI was running late due to the stupidity of minions at the Drs she uses, prescriptions not being in the right place etc. We finally left Exeter at noon. Roadworks, then roadworks and rain then rain and heavy traffic all the way and then well rain/heavy traffic/roadworks sums up most of the next 8.5 hours to Leeds. We did all go insane at various times. We did manage not to kill each other. We did eye spy, 20 questions and convince ourselves that we were on the road to hell. We got back. We got to the pub. We were happy.
Anyway were was I? Monday the 16th I believe. Well we went to Minion on Bodmin moor for the morning and lovely views and Hurlers stone circle we saw as well as tin mines galor. Then we (unknowingly) followed the rain to the seaside, via Jamaica Inn (must read book at some point). We spotted the evidence of downpours but thought there had been a burst main where the policeman was directing us. We got to Tintagel and didn't go to the castle proper due to the rain, it eased, we went up the hill to the church, it hoofed it down and there was a fabulous thunderstorm. SI arranged to meet stalkerboy in a pub in Bude later, little did we know the valid reason to avoid the assignation.
About 5.30 we set off back home - the road through Boscastle. It was blocked. At this point roles were adopted - SI valiant driver, putting her car through deep water a specialty, Iola pool of calm and encouragement in the passenger seat, perusing map and making encouraging noises. Chap concerned in back seat, leaping out to investigate every hold up and queue. 3 or 4 queues later and a pool of water or 2 we hooked up with a lovely man in a blue van who decided to adopt us and lead us into the light. Sorry to the A39 (Atlantic highway). He inspired us to follow him through the deepest water possible without a flooded car (bless diesel, my car would have sooo died) and one at the main road we traveled forth. Then followed a detour. Came out early, were intrigued by what appeared to be a machine vacuuming the road. Intimidated by what was a ambulance base being set up for Boscastle. By this stage "concerned" from Leeds had called and we had heard that the car park we'd have been parked in if we had been running to time had been mega flooded and buildings were disappearing there.
We nearly got to Bude - but were turned back by policeman "did you see the canal?" yes "well you don't normally from here do you?" We had acquired some followers who believed in the power of SI to get us through. She went one way, had to turn around (tree and flood blocking the way) then we went another and were the last people across the bridge at Bude. We therefore drove up the hill, parked up and went to be ghouls. By the time we got home 20 mins later it was far too late for the dread date so it was postponed till Wednesday.
We were transfixed by the news channels for the rest of the evening - how close were we to having been in Boscastle? Only my thirst for castle prevented this (oh and the fact SI had been there a fortnight before)
Tuesday - chap had been rather poorly all night - bugs from the sea I suspect so SI and I went to Barnstable for the day. Significantly less eventful than the day before, pleasant day spent strolling around shops was had. On our return Chap was slightly further from deaths door ("haven't felt this ill since my appendix burst in Ikea") and a peaceful evening in front of the telly occurred, more news of Boscastle, we were becoming obsessed.
Wednesday -chap nearly mended, but SI said we really could stay another night so we decided to. Therefore went to meet her friends for lunch after a stroll along a clifftop so they could talk of babies and work and A level results coming out the next day. Mrs "I am queen bee now, I think you were queen bee, I will destroy you" behaved in a way towards SI so that I feel valid to call her this. Food was fab then we went off to Wadebridge for the afternoon. Pleasant stroll around a picturesque village and despite the sky's efforts to terrify us with the downpours there it was sunny and fine.
Returned to SIs house at Kilkhampton to a top tea and then out to dread date with Stalkerboy. Which it was. He was determined to talk maniacally across all of us. Every lead you threw him to link to SI on he blanked. After 1.5 hours he asked her "where are we going with this then?" about the date/relationship I know not... It transpired that the toilet every 15 mins wasn't drug taking but hernia related. Despite this we still spent the whole evening in his company - Tips for dating: talk with your date not at them. Remember what they say about themselves. If in a group remember this is called a safe environment for a first date NOT the Spanish inquisition.
Thursday: Alevel day SI left (go her! She got an A in English, and all her students passed their philosophy courses too) and we soon followed - off to Oakhampton, excellent castle, then on to Exeter. Lunch at the Met and then I had the mild version of Chap's illness (poor SI had the mid version, aggravated by the diabetics need to eat no matter what) I just felt supper bloaty and then the meal we had later never made it out of the restaurant, so sad, it was very tasty. Not so tasty 2nd time around, although Wild berries Sorbet is one of the least unpleasant things to throw up. We did have a nice stroll around Exeter with Dr AM who we were staying with. She was another lovely friend of Chap (I'm waiting, there must be some wanker friends somewhere) and we discovered we knew someone in common - Spike. She is super brainy which was quite alarming - in a league beyond Dr A (who I have yet to tell you about) and she's pretty far out there on the old research scientist/academic front.
Friday and it was time to return. SI was running late due to the stupidity of minions at the Drs she uses, prescriptions not being in the right place etc. We finally left Exeter at noon. Roadworks, then roadworks and rain then rain and heavy traffic all the way and then well rain/heavy traffic/roadworks sums up most of the next 8.5 hours to Leeds. We did all go insane at various times. We did manage not to kill each other. We did eye spy, 20 questions and convince ourselves that we were on the road to hell. We got back. We got to the pub. We were happy.
// posted by Bitvacuous @ 11:03 pm 
