Blog: The Hills Of Bristol

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Saturday afternoon found me boarding a train for BRISTOL. I'd prebooked my tickets so was in First Class, but this was a First Class unlike any other, for it was the new version of GWR where everything was either GREY or DARK GREY and with ominous sockets lit by STRANGE blue lights. It was basically like going on a train designed by the people who made THE DEATH STAR. In Sith Class!

Once I got to Bristol it was SUCH a lovely day I thought I'd try and walk to my B&B. Every other time i've been I've always got a taxi, as I have it imprinted in my mind that Bristol Temple Meads station is MILES from Bristol Actual, but when me and my Dad when a few weeks ago it turned out to not be SO far. Thus I waked to the city centre in about fifteen minutes, and had high hopes of getting to Clifton on the other side of town just as easily. What I had not realised is that Bristol is basically A RUDDY GREAT MOUNTAIN with Clifton perched on the very summit! CRIKEY! I nearly DIED walking up that flipping hill, it's ridiculous! Once again I found myself wondering why people insist on building cities on VAST INCLINES when there is a whole Fenland area which is nice and flat with plenty of space for houses. Come ON, urban developers!

I checked in, got my breath back, then rolled back downhill to meet Mr R Kirkham in the PUB. I was able to use my newfound local knowledge to get there as it was one of the pub's I'd been in with my Dad - turns out it wasn't just a pub crawl, it had been a FACT FINDING MISSION! Ray and I enjoyed a pint then walked to another bit of town where The Stag & Hounds was hosting the birthday party of Ms V Longley, featuring myself and Mr G Osborn doing GIGS. When Verity had emailed me about TIMES she'd said that the pub had suggested that sets happen at 9.30pm and 10.30pm to avoid overlapping with the band downstairs. This sounded a bit odd to me, but all became clear once we were in as an Instrumental Noise Band were soundchecking in the bar area on ground floor, making an ENORMOUS instrumental noise!

Upstairs we found the birthday girl and a huge number of delightful people, including Gav and Mr R Rosehip. Rocker was DJing and doing so at HIGH VOLUME - i wondered why until there was a gap in the tunes and the band downstairs came BOOMING THROUGH. It was, alas, a battle of the sound systems in which my hearing was the first casualty, so a bunch of us went and sat on the VERANDA for a right old natter. It was delightful!

The delight continued at just after 9.30pm when Gav took to the stage (I say "stage" i mean "the 30% of floor space outlined by the PA system") and ROCKED the house. We have been listening to his new album "Share Your Toys" (available right here) a LOT in our house, so I sang along with pretty much ALL of it. Have I mentioned before how GRATE Gav is at this sort of thing? I'm pretty sure I have, but just in case: he is GRATE at this sort of thing!

After Gav had left the entire room GRINNING we had a short break and then I went on and did THIS:

The Peterborough All-Saints Wide Game Team (group B)

My Boss Was In An Indie Band Once

That Guy

Can We Be Friends?

(You Make Me Feel) Soft Rock

20 Things To Do Before You're 30

It Only Works Because You're here

The Lesson Of The Smiths

Boom Shake The Room

Easily Impressed

Why yes, since you ask, that gap before Easily Impressed DOES indicate that it was an encore, for LO! it all went very well, despite certain "issues" to do with the performer not remembering the words to his own songs. To be fair I HAD warned people that this might happen (I hadn't had my tea, that's the only reason why, honest!) but luckily when I DID forget it turned out that approx 40% of the audience were singing along anyway, so I just joined in with them. PHEW!

With that all done various people with responsibilities zoomed off and I had another pint, during which I reminded myself about the whole "not having had my tea" thing so HUGGED everyone I could get my hands on and headed off into the night. I had a very nice pizza which I bought at the bottom of the hill into Clifton and then LUGGED all the way to the top. By heck, when I finally sat down to eat it I felt like i DESERVED it!!

posted 9/6/2015 by MJ Hibbett

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