On the Saturday we headed off to CC for a night with the folks before Bristol. As usual the kids really enjoyed themselves there. I don't know whether it's the garden or the change of scene or what but they just seem to take to it. They amused themselves for hours losing Dad's golf balls in the shrubs, despite the cold and slight drizzle. C and I were tired due to general stress and interrupted nights but the stay was good for us.
After lunch on Sunday we went off to Thornbury castle via the Roman villa at Chedworth. This was worth a look and Minnie did some kind of Halloween themed discovery trail thingummy. Jim and I liked the spring in the corner of the plot where one would make one's offerings to the local water spirit. We offered 5p each and made a wish. Jim confessed later that his was for some Toys-R-Us consumer item or other.
We then went for a walk for a loop up the hill and we're generally impressed with the children's stoicism. They are good and uncomplaining walkers these days. Also reflected on the lovely scenery and presence of hills, sadly lacking in Cambridgeshire.
Then on to the castle, which proved to be brilliant. One of the only places I've been where the room is better in reality than in the brochure. We had booked a suite (called "Portlethen") - us in the bedroom and the kids in the living room, and it was genuinely Tudor and really huge. All oak panels and tapestries, with an open fire in a huge fireplace and a complementary decanter of sherry. The bedroom had an enormous and really comfy four poster in it. He nicest hotel room I've stayed in, I think. We went for dinner early, and caused a certain amount of consternation, as I think they had to go and rustle up a chef, but it was ok as the lounge was like a posher version of the Trinity senior common room and the children amused themselves playing chess and bagatelle. Food was mediocre when it finally arrived though...
Next day was our Bristol day, and so we drove in under the Clifton bridge and went to see the ss Great Britain. The children seemed very interested - Jim especially in the underside including the "udder" - and I was greatly impressed by the quality of the restoration and the context.
Here's Jim being Brunel:
After the Great Britain and the inevitable brush with the souvenir shop, we had lunch at the caff by the water and it was nice enough to sit outside. Bizarrely, C's boss, with whom she has had so much trouble recently, wandered past - she didn't notice us but it seemed an unwelcome intrusion. She has family in Bristol apparently.
After the GB we crossed the Avon to the annoyingly-named @bristol [sic] which is a hands-science museumy thing with lots of buttons to press and experiments to do. Slightly purgatorial for adults, especially those who want to be pressing the buttons rather than supervising children pressing buttons, but good for the kids. Spent quite a long time there but missed out on the planetarium show as it was fully booked. Made mental note to go to the London one. Thence to an early dinner at a nearby Pizza Express, at which children were very well behaved, and back to the castle.
Got all the kids to bed with no trouble but Min was woken in the middle of the night by a scratching sound next to her head. She was in the bed that pulled down out of the panelling in the vast sitting room, and the other two were on rollaway beds. At first I thought she was fussing, but I listened for a while and it started again - it was really loud and sounded like an animal scratching directly at the other side of the panelling. After knocking on next door to no avail, much fussing about and a call to reception, the girls moved to the floor in our room and slept fine there. Not even the phone call and moving mattresses woke Jim up. Amazing. Next morning I told the kids it was the famous ghost dog of Old Thornbury, which they loved all the more after reception told me that there really was a ghost dog seen on the lawn occasionally, reputed to be one of Mary I's greyhounds... I prefer the theory that a bird had got trapped in the flue that ran behind the panelling.
Next morning we decided we were too tired to attempt anything more strenuous than driving home. I can't honestly remember if I have ever been to Bristol itself and, if so, when it was, but it seemed like a nice city and area. The hotel was, despite our nighttime misfortune, a lovely place to stay.
Next day, there was much ferrying around as both the girls had playdates, and C and I bought Halloween supplies. Much fun carving pumpkins, having witch hair pasta and then a successful trick or treat round.
On the Thursday we went to that London (at great expense, it being a weekday) to see Matilda at the Cambridge theatre. It was brilliant, but the kids' behaviour at Carluccio's beforehand was not quite so great. They were excited and lively, shall we say. Home from KX.
The girlz went on Friday morning and it was just us and Jim. It was actually really lovely to have some time with him. Took him to the park on Friday and to Anglesey Abbey (on my own, because C was very tired and stressed) and the latter was particularly nice. We walked together and chatted like friends and then had coffee and milkshakes in the cafe. On Sunday we went to see the excellent Hotel Transylvania at Cineworld, then I delivered him back to Exning with a heavy heart. Apparently he has been full of his adventures ever since...
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