Pictures from Holiday in Shrewsbury, Shropshire in August 2007.
In August 2007 I was staying at a camp site at Montford Bridge. Mainly because it was on a bus route out of Shrewsbury. I was on foot with all the clobber I needed. The 'two man' tent I had bought really needed two people to put up! There were no instructions with it, really, it only told you to note the way it was folded. This was so intricate, that it was practically impossible to remember. On the Wednesday, it looked like I had most of the site to myself, but I soon found out differently by Friday, when they started rolling in for the Bank Holiday! They all seemed to be complete with screaming kids and two dogs. The dogs insisted on attempting to attack other people's dogs and/or kick up a huge fuss whenever you went near their tent/s.
One week of blazing sunshine! Sometimes a bit misty to start, but picking up later. The grounds of Shrewsbury Castle were delightfully well kept.
The proprietoress told be there was a steam fair 'nearby' on the Sunday. She told be vaguely about a footpath beyond the pub, which I took. It involved dashing over the nearby A5 at one point. Took a wrong turn, and ended up at a crystal-clear pool in the middle of nowhere, complete with water boatmen, reeds and water lilies. The traffic on the A5 could be heard nearby dashing past like things possessed, with this hidden haven of peace nearby! Ended up on a back road not knowing which way to go, but two kids were passing by, and they told me to go right to the end of the road. Got to the end of the road, a mile farther on, just before 5 p.m. and there were literally THOUSANDS of cars trying to get out. The main road was held up by lights to let them out, and that was backed up as far as I could see.
Got to the ticket office, but they let me in for free, as it was closing. There were fairground rides e.g. a merry-go-round, big wheel and dodgem cars. Ranks and ranks of tractors and traction engines. Also refurbished barrel organs. See pictures below.
Bank Holiday Monday found me trying to get back to my tent from a near deserted bus station. A bloke asked me when the bus I was taking (went on to Oswestry) was due. "Fifteen minutes past the hour," I said. He asked for a light. Oy! Oy! I thought, but he didn't ask for any money. He had this light blue top on. It was prison clothing. He said he'd had the worst night of his life, been CS gassed, and had been in police detention overnight. All he had was what he stood up in and a Police Warrant to get to Oswestry. We waited and waited. "You're sure they run, at this time?" he said. Luckily, I had a time table on me. When I studied it, I saw that it was every OTHER hour! I don't think he even had a watch on him. "Half an hour," I said, and went off for a coffee. I bought him a sandwich, which he refused. The bus arrived, and the bloke presented the warrant, and went to the back and started to fall asleep, as I don't think he had had much sleep. Just as I was due to get off, I went to the back, thrust him a £5 note, and said, "Take this. I think you'll need it!" He really had no money on him.
The journey back went pear-shaped from the start, when the Hopper bus to Shrewsbury was ten minutes late, leaving me about ten minutes to get from the bus to the rail station and find the right platform. When I got to the station the TV display indicated the train at 12.01 to Manchester Piccadilly, but NO PLATFORM! I had about five minutes, by this time. The booking office was nearby. They had to ring up internally to find the platform, which was No. 4. Journey to Manchester uneventful. Boarded Trans Pennine bound for Newcastle, which rattles ON and ON, seemingly endlessly. Wanted to go to the loo. I found the handle on the door completely broken off. You just couldn't get in! A trolley came past, operated by a scatty French woman. I was falling asleep, and ordered a cappuccino, "Milk, No Sugar" She gave me a cup with three sachets of milk, only to find it already had powdered milk in it, and also ADDED SUGAR. The lady went to the end of the carriage and train, turned the trolley around, came back, jogged my table with the trolley and the cappuccino deposited itself ALL OVER my left leg. She was very apologetic. I said, "Don't worry about it!" and "Pas de tout!" as she beat a hasty retreat!
Dying for the toilet and smoke on arrival at Leeds, but the Ilkley train was due. Caught the train, went for the loo, and heard an altercation breaking out. There was a 'lady' screaming and swearing at the Guard. I gather she was put off at the next stop, complete with more shouting and swearing. Got to Ilkley, waiting for the 3.27 bus to Silsden, but found myself caught short. "I'll try Pizza Express, " I thought. It's waitress service. Leave by luggage near some tables outside. Stand waiting to be seated in full view. No-one takes a blind bit of notice. I have to approach a waitress, ask for a cappuccino outside, and dash to the loo. After relieving myself, I wash my face to wake up. Reach for hand towel. The dispenser is empty! On coming out, there are whole empty tables that haven't been cleared of their debris. I go outside and wait and wait. A waitress eventually emerges for another table. "Are you being served, " she says. "I asked someone inside, " I say. She disappears. I wait and wait. I am just picking up my luggage to leave in disgust, when a cappuccino arrives. It is MINUSCULE, and only luke warm. After that, I go back in to pay, to be treated with the same lack of interest by the staff.
The moral of this story is can you wonder, as it is reported here, that about half as many people are emigrating from this country, as those immigrating??
Pictures from Holiday in Shrewsbury, Shropshire in August 2007. | |
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