jtay

Hello, I'm staying at the Best Western Irving on the 7th. Where does the hotel shuttle bus pick up from at DFW and do I need to call the hotel to arrange a pick up? Or does it run on a half hour schedule, or similar? Cheers John

We went a couple of years ago and loved it. It felt like a really young vibrant city, with that old Eastern European look - Old trains, old trams, bullet holes in the buildings, etc. You've got a couple of days, so a day on either side of the river should do it. When you go across to the other side, walk up to the Citadella for the view. Then you're on the right side for the castle, museum, etc. I'd stay on the other side (Pest), so you're in amongst it, but I'd imagine that the hotels in the boozy area are noisy at night. The hotels were great value btw, compared with other big cities. The beer's cheap, especially in the ruin pubs. If you want to pay a bit more, there's a cracking craft beer bar called the Marionett, down on the front by the Marriot Hotel. The food was great, especially if you love paprika. If you're flying in, you can get a public bus and then the metro, which drops you in the centre of town. It's really cheap. Have fun.

A rotten day to discover a leak in your walking boots.

I fixed a hammock up in the brewshed this morning. Visions of lazy Sunday afternoons, drifting off with the spring sunshine streaming through the windows. Came in for a warm up instead.

No worries. Yep, getting close. This time next week, I'll be packing. I'd take that too, based on the season so far out there. Some interest coming up this week... Let's hope it continues.

Burner's on and I'm going to have a Stout in a minute. Awful weather.

Did you look up? It was rumbling away nicely to the South of here.

Showers on and off for most of the day today. The heaviest shower that moved through half an hour ago looks to have sparked up a bit to the East of Southampton. One more incoming here, then that should be it for the day.

A lot of people are idiots Andy, unfortunately. This morning I picked up a disposable bbq grill from the riverbank in Downton, complete with melted plastic. And last week I had to give a couple of kids a b*ll*cking for chucking their empty plastic bottle in the river. The latter cheered me up no end.

There are two to the naked eye. One further North than that. Blandford ish.

Lightning to the South West now and thunder not too far away. It's not all going East.

Moderate rain here now. Retreated to the brewshed, where I have a rubbish view to the East.

Nice... Glad you got some T&L Tom.

I can see it flashing away to the SE. Looks like its heading up the M3.

You and me, both. Flashing away to the North still.

We're going to miss out to the East and West, but can hear it going off all around. Very dark to the South. Good luck boys and girls.

Here's your Somerset cell, looking West from South Wiltshire....

Looking your way...

Sat in the garden in the sunshine and we can hear it.

A bit of undulation 30mins ago has given way to moderate rain here now. Today's gardening effort has come to a halt, but at least the spuds and onions that went in earlier are getting a bit of a watering.

Nearly gone...

The Sun has broken through, so we've got another cracking day lined up. @jy- It looks your Red Kite has moved in round here now. Took these last night. It roosted in the trees about 100 yards away from the back garden and it was back swooping around at 7ish this morning. The OH says that she's been telling me it's been here for a week, or so and that I really should listen. At least I think that's what she said.

Nice one... Which outbound flight are you on? Looks like I'm on the same flight as @mihai_necula (BA0193) on the 7th. Welcome aboard @mihai_necula btw.

Just taken delivery of a tripod, so I think we're all set... Flights all booked. US ETSA has been approved. Dog Tag insurance is sorted. Booked in at the Best Western Irving for the night of the 7th. Owt else?

Sweeter than sweet...