After having a pint in a pub, I decided to catch the new Batman film in Grantham’s cinema - quite an odd experience as it has a youth club feel about it, plus there was an interval during the film (incidentally, I didn’t like film: too long, boring and violent).

I caught the train back to London in the evening, worlds apart from Lincolnshire.

Grantham

For more pictures click here.

It was really rewarding work and impressive the amount of work that can be achieved in a short space of time with a lot of people.

Sunday was spent in Poole just down the road from Bournemouth which also seemed nice. A picnic in the park was followed by a visit to Poole museum which was quite interesting and modern. However, it was just too hot to be walking around so we had to find a beach so we could chill out and cool down in the sea again.

Later that day, with the sun still hot in the sky at 7pm, I caught the train back to London, a world away from Bournemouth.

Jo, Me and Eric

Walking towards Poole harbour

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7530963.stm

The lads on the walk.

Me and Bill.

Dan and Bill.

The view from the top of Blencathra.

I first travelled to Brussels on the Eurostar which was quite exciting - it was actually really relaxing for me because I don’t really like flying so to go abroad without the anxiety of the plane/airport was a bonus. It was speedy too - it takes the same time to get up to York as it does to Brussels. Once in Brussels I had to navigate my way to my hotel which I’d booked for the first night before the festival. Most decent cheap accommodation had been booked up by festival goers so I’d had to book into a cheapish hotel called ‘Hotel Barry’. It turned out to be a bit of a shabby affair located in a dodgy rundown area of the city. I would have complained if it wasn’t for the fact that shabby hotels are what I specialise in and I was only there one night anyway (still a rip-off though). However, that night I did get to sample some lovely Belgian beers and see some of the beautiful city when I met up with some friends.

The festival was great. Obviously festival camping is never ideal but I think we fared well throughout the 4 days. Weather was mixed with some days being scorching hot and others quite wet with heavy showers. So as well as the music and beer drinking there was lots of other things to do like..um..er..well, ok so that was all we did mainly. Actually Werchter village was quite nice to walk in to - there was a lovely bakery and ice cream shop. One of the highlights of the festival was the last day when we all decided to do fancy dress (we had pre-planned this). Everyone made a real effort and there was a lepricorn, a performing monkey and show-stealer Beech with his inflatable sumo suit. I went as my stock character - the pirate (but a good one).

After the festival, my friends caught the train back home but I had a couple of days in Brussels before I was due to catch the Eurostar for my return journey. It was great to have a bit of time in the city and explore Brussels (and more importantly, get clean after camping for 4 days). I stayed in a cool hostel called Hotel Van Gogh, a building in which Van Gogh had worked, apparently. So a quick tour of the city saw me take in the impressive comic book museum, featuring famous Belgian artists such as Herge (Tin tin) and Peyo (The Smurfs). The Musee de la Ville featured the history of Brussels and the huge Cathedral was impressive. Actually, just walking around the city is enough to impress - the building and architecture is stunning especially in the Grand Place (click here for panorama). There’s also countless chocolate shops and waffle cafes to peruse and sample.

I’d recommend a visit to Brussels to anyone - especially if you like beer.

Camping at the festival.

Our fancy dress outfits.

Me and Beech enjoying a beer.

Lovely buildings.

Me outside ‘Manneken Pis’ - this means ‘little man pee’ and is a famous statue and local legend in Belgium.

We spent the afternoon strolling down the pier, playing on the amusements (Dad and Eric especially had fun with air hockey) and listening to some crooner play Elvis on his guitar at the end of the pier. The pier was built in 1876 so is pretty old. (Click here for a panorama of the pier).

We also headed up the Great Orme - the small mountain that overlooks the town. Near the top there is a dry ski slope and a toboggan run. I’d been on this a few times when I was young but Eric took the chance to have a go on it and we watched him zoom down.

A lovely day topped off by giving Dad an extra Birthday treat once we got back home: his favourite childhood pudding of jam roly poly and custard which we fittingly decorated with candles.

On the pier with the Orme in the background.

Dad and Eric playing air hockey.

Donkeys on the beach.

Eric on the toboggan run.

Armed with a camera and sunglasses I enjoyed a great day at the seaside. Brighton is really big, not like the quaint seaside towns I’m used to up North - it’s actually like Bournemouth. I made my way down from the massive train station to the sea front where the promenade stretches for miles. It’s all so heavily built up - like a foreign resort. I spent most of the day strolling along the stony beach (shame it’s not sandy) taking in the sights of the burnt-out west pier and then walking along the main pier. This is great - full of classic seaside games, arcades, shops and funfairs. I bought fish and chips and watched the jet skiers zoom around beneath the pier, showing off to the crowds by doing stunts.

Click here to see my panorama of the pier.

Luckily for me, I had chosen to come to Brighton on the day of the famous ‘London to Brighton Classic Car Rally’. The finish line was just on the promenade so I spent most of the afternoon watching the cars come in which parked up along the sea front. The proud owners stood by their vehicles, happily ready to tell you all about their pride and joy.

Heading back to the station I did have a wonder through the winding shopping streets and had time to check out the famous Royal Pavilion, styled like an Indian palace by architect John Nash between 1815-1823. It’s quite spectacular.

I had a great day out but forgot to take sun cream so unfortunately I looked like classic Brit abroad for the journey back to London.

Deck chairs on the promenade

View from the beach

Brighton pier

Jet skiers

Car rally on the sea front

The Royal Pavillion

Unfortunately I was at work while they were out exploring the galleries, museums and tourist sites of the capital, although one evening me and Eric went for a night on the tiles. We went to Notting Hill Arts Club - to a hip-hop night where they have live bands as well as DJs. It was good fun and we watched three bands and singers playing a variety of soul, R n B and even some electro-rock music. It’s quite an alternative scene at the Arts Club so not a typical example of a nightclub in England. Eric seemed to have a good time though.

On the Saturday I had time to show Eric some of the cool buildings in London in The City. We wondered round looking at the great architecture of the ‘Gherkin’ (Swiss Re building), Natwest tower and the Lloyds building before grabbing a tasty burger on trendy Brick Lane.

This was before we attended a ‘Celebrate Rwanda’ day, an event organised by VSO volunteers (and Sue’s fellow colleagues from her time working in Rwanda). I really enjoyed the event which featured talks by Rwandanese officials, traditional dancers, slideshows and presentations by VSO members. I even had a go at the dancing…

It was good to get involved and find out more about Rwanda, the country and its culture.

At the club.

Eric outside the ‘Gherkin’.

Celebrate Rwanda day

Presentations

Traditional dancers

Sue telling us about her experiences

I headed back to the Tate Modern where outside there was a cool mountain biking competition being held. The crowds were huge but not as big as the jumps and ramps the crazy bikers were launching themselves off. Great entertainment. Back in Shepherds Bush later that evening I decided to get a last minute gig ticket (off a tout) for Terrorvision at the Empire. This band are a bit of a blast from the past from my yoof and they’ve recently reformed - they look a bit old now (and so do their fans) but they can still rock. Great stuff.

Sunday was a bit rainy so I headed to The Imperial War Museum, where I’d wanted to go for ages. I really enjoyed it but only had a few hours and needed a bit more time to see everything. There’s a great bit called ‘The Trench’ which recreates life in a WW2 trench, complete with smells and dark passageways.

Monday was a bit of a write-off. I’d planned to go to Brighton and got up early to get the train. Unfortunately, it was raining really hard and didn’t look like stopping. But being the stubborn boy I am, I still headed off for the station in my waterproofs only to turn back halfway there, my shoes squelching with water.

The rest of the day was spent indoors apart from heading out to catch ‘Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the crystal skull’ at the cinema. I enjoyed it but I don’t think everyone is of the same opinion…

I never tire of the views.

Tower bridge

MTB competition outside Tate Modern

Outside the Imperial War Museum

Terrorvision!