London

 

So, with the RYA Judges and Umpires Conference at the Royal Thames I was going to have to go up on Friday anyway, so treated myself to an early train with the intention of doing the tourist stuff.

Only problem was that I had booked an Easy Hotel - and they said my card was declined. Then when I read the small print check in was for an hour and a half between 3pm and 4.30. Having paid £20 for a ticket to the London Transport Museum, which is valid for a year, I figured I might as well get checked in, so took the tube to Gloucester Road. Their card machine was not working so I had to get cash anyway. The room was a pod. No way of controlling the temperature, but it was OK.

Went to the British Museum, I had a ticket for 1800 but got in about half an hour earlier. The aim was to see the roof, which it turns out was installed 22 years ago. The building is very impressive outside, but the 2 acre roof has made it less impressive inside. The massive facades just seem a little miniaturised by the roof. 

The  place was quite crowded and finding things was a problem - I decided I wanted to see the Sutton Hoo Treasures and without purchasing the app found it quite difficult.  I eventually succeeded.

Morning walk to the Conference at the Royal Thames was good. Natural History Museum and Victoria and Albert are impressive buildings. I also had time for a leisurely breakfast at McDonalds.

Two days at the Royal Thames - and an early departure in order to catch the train back to Wales.

Malaga, Spain

Vueling offered a flight from Cardiff to Malaga and back for £37.77 and Expedia had a hotel at half board for £140 so a couple of days in Spain seemed attractive. Especially when you consider that my train fare to and from London next weekend is £36.60. The room is about the same price but with no food and it is advertised as not having a window.

Saturday 14th
Inevitably I was ready early. Flight was 14.30 but I caught the 10am bus to the airport (heavy showers forecast and umbrellas are on the forbidden list. Don't remember a lot of publicity about needing a mask but cruise experience in mind I knew that Spain still requires them on all public transport. Seemed logical to waste time at the airport rather than in my place. Good seat right at the back and by a window, noise cancelling headphones working overtime. Bit of a delay getting off the plane, and onto bus to terminal.
Train was good, it seemed to be tap on tap off with bank card. Hotel OK, no window and finding a TV channel that did English was difficult, but wi-fi was good enough for the Wild Card Games, Food average, but adequate. Shor walk around the area.

Sunday 15th

Breakfast and back to room to get the second game. Got out of the room about Midday. Walked down to the beach and turned left towards Malaga. It was pretty windy but offshore, so no waves. Got quite a distance before I realised that my masks were back at the hotel and would be needed for the return journey by train. Found an unused mask on the floor after about 200m of thinking this. Lucky!
The Littoral Park was nice and the promenade was never ending. Got to the station feeling thirsty. Found McD and had an Ice cream - decided a drink would be nice but it had a lot of ice in it (which I crunched)
Renewed enthusiasm and crossed the river, saw the old market before walking back to the station and back to hotel. Matches started at 7pm local time, the same time as dinner so had to put that on pause while I ate but got back to live by half time. Good match, interspersed with walking around the room to get my 22,100 steps (10.3mls) done.

Monday 16th
Breakfast and back to room for first of the two matches I am behind on. An upset as NY Giants beat the Vikings.. 
It was even windier today, but sunny. Having got a digital guide the plan was to get the train into Malaga and do the sites, only I was on the wrong platform. So it was a walk to next station to kill time and check out where I might be walking. Train turned up and I got to the end of the line. Walked down the main drag and was feeling thirsty when I came across a McD - this time I personalised my drink - no ice.

Main sites photographed, including the bullring. The area round the harbour has been very nicely modernised good wander and at 3.30 I treated myself to an Ice Cream at McD 1euro, and I like their soft ice cream cones.
Back at Hotel and blogging before I forget. Still have to work out timings to get to airport, Gate closes 07.10, but they say I should be at gate by 06.50. First train is due at airport at 06.45. Ten minutes to get through security and to the gate (or is it really 30mins?) Walk to the airport is 1hr 15.If I leave at 0500 I should be there by 06.15 which is a bit early but do I trust a walking access to the airport?

Tuesday 17th

Well, the alarm worked at 04.30 and I got up. Bit surprised to find a crowd in the Lobby waiting for their coach. The Google track had one error in it, and I was worried that another road was blocked in the same manner, but there was a track that got me through. Photo shows the moonlight walk, interesting number of cockerels crowing. Then there was the problem of getting into the Airport itself. Slight cut on hand getting into car park. Once in the building it seemed to be as far to the gate - don't think I would have done it if I had been on the train, and as it was a bus to the plane it would have been bad. Security had a good go at me, had to take boots off and then I got chosen for an explosive test.

Plane was pretty empty. Having got a seat on the left the wind at Cardiff was out of the east so we came in over Llantwit and St Athan - so I didn't get the nice pictures of Barry that I was hoping for. 

Started walking but it was cold and the bus was coming so I caught it at top of the Porthkerry Lane and went back to the airport - and then on home. Had been able to download the Tampa/Dallas match at the Airport and it came with the adverts. Question is how prompt will I need to be next weekend to get them, only four matches, so they would fill the week.