Thwarted

 I'd been gagging to go to the Evening Star and we'd never quite found the time or, rather, the right time.

So before we left Bristol I mooted the suggestion that we swing by on our way back to Eastbourne.  There had a been a lot of travel disruption so it looked like there may be a possibility we'd be forced via that route in any case.

Still, when it came to it on Sunday night it did look like order had been restored but I felt a bit unwell.  When I woke on Monday, I still felt quite ropey and the boy offered a delay to travel.

I really don't find the travel itself at all stressful but when I know I am travelling I do like to get it out of the way (I appreciate how weird that sounds).  So I decided I wasn't badly enough sick to delay and that, in fact, I'd prefer just to get on with it.

When the world climbed onto the train in Temple Meads and all chattered with what seemed more than the usual level of intensity I despaired of a peaceful journey.  I shouldn't have worried - it seemed that almost everyone got out at Bath for the, now legendary, Christmas Market.  The rest of the journey proceeded peacefully.

The boy asked did I still want to go to Brighton but I wasn't feeling like it - all I wanted was a sofa, a warm fire and pointless TV.

I even eschewed beer in favour of a mug of tea (Darjeeling, since I don't play fast and loose with caffeine after about 3pm).  Thankfully, the fridge still had a goodly supply of cans so the BBB was happy enough and I never feel beer envy once I decide not to drink so all was good.

There's no way we're venturing to Brighton before Christmas now, so we'll have to save it up as a New Year treat instead.

Today I'm catching up with work, and top of my to-do list was beer purchasing...so some of that's been done.  I'm not counting out the idea that more might be ordered...jus' saying.

Singularity born of a critical mass of black t-shirts

 We're in Bristol again - our last period her before the seasonal whatnots (we're spending the C word in Sussex).

Travel and arrival was stress-free and pleasant.  We arrived in a little late but it was of no consequence.  Dropping bags and turning on heating was followed by - yes, you've guessed it, a trip to the Barley Mow which continues to be the perfect pub.  The fire was on, the beer was excellent and the vibe was jolly.  We relaxed.

Wednesday was a quiet day before a bit of an onslaught.  Naturally, we convened in Little Martha where there was an ebb and flow of people and a good game of "Jaipur".  If only they'd have had the namesake beer on, then it would have been extremely fitting.

Thursday I had an early start (7.30 train to Birmingha,) and a long day.  It was a conference for work and involved a LOT of networking.  By 4pm I was done - as was my colleague who knows the area pretty well, being a west-midlander with family nearby.

We snook out and went to the Post Office Vaults - a small, fairly basic but very convenient, GBG-listed bar.  I didn't have too much time before my train back south so I just had a pint and a half of Oakham Citra which was perfect!  Maybe I'd have tried other things if I'd had longer there...who knows.  Still there was a train to catch so colleague walked me to the appropriate part of New Street (and by the way - WTF have they done to the concourse there? It's really hard to navigate now).

When I got back home - it was dinner time with a shared can of Old Freddy Walker - and a very early night.

Friday was more peopling - this time family and we had lunch in the Hollybush which is close to where brother lives.  We did a late lunch and had Proper Job and Fierce ad Noble Liberty.  Definitely a cut above the usual country-pub thing in that neck of the woods.  Catching up with family was lovely...nevertheless, we were both thoroughly peopled-out.

So, yesterday we did the usual Saturday-schlep up to Moor where there was an afternoon/evening gig on. Now, I've no idea how many forms of "metal" there are - but it was all represented in the line-up (I think).  Weirdly, whilst very noisy (in the back room in the brewery) because it was pretty much all low frequency sound it didn't really stop up chatting.  

We were totally surrounded by people in black garb.  When I went to the bar (with my pale grey sweatshirt and t-shirt) I felt like a real outlier.  When they poured the beer I'd ordered they first reached for a plastic glass, hesitated a second and looked how I was dressed - then said "are you here for the music" when I smiled and said no, immediately switched it for a proper glass.  Phew.

It was a nice vibe so we came back pleasantly relaxed.

Today? Well, it's Sunday so it'll be games at Little Martha - of course.