Basingstoke, London and the Lovelies

I went up to Basingstoke last weekend to stay with Dad, as JC was meant to be off to Luxembourg to visit his parents and sister who had flown in from NZ.  Not only did JC pick up an awful cold, which meant he was in no mood to travel, but his sister and children had brought Covid to his parent's in Luxembourg. So the Luxembourg end was in various states of coughing/bed-bound people and certainly not open for visitors.  

JC notwithstanding, I took the train up to Basingstoke Thursday evening.  I worked from there Friday morning and was grateful I would take Dad to a hospital appointment that afternoon and meet an old friend for coffee later that day.  

On Saturday I went up to London and met Caitlin for lunch in Okan.  Aside from the fact that we had to squidge into the seating, and wait to be served (Caitlin nailed the calm-Ruth-down thing) the food was amazingly wonderful and I'd highly recommend.  We then pottered off to meet Keith, Jude and Robin for coffee in Grind.

It was only once in Grind that we realised it was part of Brewdog.  Which was majorly exciting as this Brewdog pub had a slide in it.  What's not to love?


Once we had slid ourselves out, Caitlin and I pottered off to the Imperial War Museum. Allegedly to see 'stuff' but actually because it was a convent spot to stop, have a cuppa and do puzzles.  

We then ambled down towards Stockwell and met Riona and Mark for coffee.  They had just returned from Bruges and it was wonderful to see them both.  

On Sunday Robin and I cooked, then the boys and I played games. Lovely stuff.  Not so lovely was the train home.  When it arrived at Basingstoke I literally had to push my way on.  There were over 15 people standing in the bit between the doors and the toilet.  I couldn't put my bag down and it was similar to those buses you get at airports to take you to/from the plane.  We went via Westbury as there were track works.  But, by then, I'd also ascertained that Paddington station was closed and passengers for Bristol and the like were all on this train.  100s of people left the train at Wesbury and suddenly the carriage was half empty.  Really weird, and I was grateful after a couple of hours on my feet to have a seat.  At least I got home OK and only 16 minutes late - there goes another Delay Repay claim.