Pre-Brexit GB Part 3: 'Goin down Bristle

A Week in Bristol: - Greyrocks' longest stay yet - and our first time as house-guests of the offspring and spouse! They even swapped bedrooms to accommodate the wrinklies! We tried to behave ourselves, but caused frustration by not having smartphones with which to navigate, and by our preference for the little community bus from the end of the street over the major routes.
We set the tone of being locationally challenged on the short journey from Bath to their home in BS5, by getting stuck in a long jam, and then trying to avoid the city centre and losing road signs! The "kids" were working at different points in our stay so we let ourselves in unloaded then dropped off at the local, where Ruth swallowed a piece of a back tooth along with the bar snacks!

Since we last used it there have been extensive improvements to Stapleton Road Station; a most bizarre set of ramps! All we had to do was go a few stops on the line and walk to a pub to meet J, C and the parents, but we set off incorrectly and walked for an age until Bob "refused"! We sent texts and Ruth went off alone. By the time she was spotted on the fourth side of a square he had been rescued! At least it wasn't raining! We had a very good fish dinner, and heard of Grant's plans for the coming week which involved cycling near the Loire. This was the first of a series of eating treats organised by Chloë, only one of which had to be revised to cut down on long walks!

Euro Election Day

Our daytime activities revolved around finishing off the summer preparation shopping, failing to get a blood test, succeeding (eventually) in getting International Driving permits, and some general wandering around the city centre, sometimes involving some fine real ale! We didn't get to Weston, Clevedon or beyond as had been originally planned, but we did use the little ferry and walk back to the M-Shed for a quick re-visit.



A special midweek treat arranged for us was to be the last customers for the "cheapish" lunch at Pasta Ripiena, which - having been lavishly reviewed by Jay Rayner in the Guardian requires some forethought. It did not disappoint - even if hard to find!

Whatever rocks your boat!

When we reached the Bank Holiday weekend we had more time with the daughter. We met her after work in a lovely waterside pub and then went for an Indian meal, which was to be followed by jazz in a long-established club, that turned out to be a bit earnest and we abandoned! On Saturday morning Ruth walked to local master butchers' for barbecue stuff and in search of lamb for the Sunday. In the latter she failed so we took the car to the supermarket and got caught up in the major disruption that was the Love Saves The Day 2 day festival. Completely inexplicable to Greyrocks, it looked like you had to be a white well-heeled student to be there,  but hey! The vast Tesco car park was the official drop-off point and was dominated by Portaloos and pre-drinkers! For the rest of the weekend we avoided the area,  visiting the garden centre and holding said barbecue to which Jack's Mum was invited! The weather was starting to look threatening, but the rain saved itself for the Sunday!

That's more like it!

Jack was working but we three did our own bit of "festival"  by walking down the road to the Sugar Loaf for their free gig - with plenty of real ale options! The pub had been lavishly decorated - inside and out, but was near-empty when we arrived. The stage was outside, but by the time the first act was due to start Plan B had to be enacted and all was moved inside due to heavy rain! We saw a really good singer-songwriter from Cardiff, and a couple of other acts, then the sun came out and the rest could be back outside and was very busy! We loved Millie and her band.

Ruth left early to start prepping, Jack returned from a busy day at "the ship" and we enjoyed a proper Sunday roast in a "jolly" state, waiting for Euro election results, and falling asleep in chairs!

With Jack needed for another busy day at work on the Bank Holiday Chloë and Bob went for a long ride towards Bath, then we were taken by her to buy some CBD oil in town, and onward to the centre of "Broadmead", where there was an outdoor Bordeaux wine fair!

The weather, however, was not reminiscent of the south of France. and whilst this was well-organised and theoretically appealing there were not many punters braving the cold wind! We each had a "flight" of three small tasters and cheered up! The sommelier who guided us was very interesting and we somehow ended up discreetly discussing Brexit! We two owned up to being en route to France next day!

Jack met us for the Early Bird dinner at The Cowshed, but scornfully eschewed the film we three were going to see! It was "Rocketman" - which even Elton-phobic Chloë enjoyed. It was raining buckets when we left the cinema, and it had to be an Uber back to the ranch. The following day we started our own "managed exit" from Britain!