Life's a Beach

The Widemouth Manor Pub and Hotel sits high on the hill over looking Widemouth bay. Its near Bude on the North Cornish coast and enjoys sunshine 365 days of the year.

parky seekers

Its a nice spot, mile upon mile of sandy beach, rock pools, fantastic views, surfing and of course the pub.

not to mention the bracing winds

the Atlantic Highway of life

even the locals are friendly.

Marseille Magnifique

07:30 Friday morning. Eurostar Terminal, Waterloo. Rush Hour. The Eurostar train holds 800 people. It travels under the sea at 150 mph and your in Paris in 2 hours.

If you have ever wonder why the front window is so small, its because the drivers get hypnotized in the tunnel.

Tickets, check. Passport, check

We are going to France to watch the rugby. 2 Quarter Finals of the Rugby World Cup
Saturday, the big one, Eng vs Oz and Sunday SA vs Fiji.
First we have to get there. Waterloo to Lille 2 hours on Eurostar, then Lille to Marseille, 3 hours by TGV. The TGV gets up to 186 mph, our one ran out of beer. You don't really notice how fast your going, until the train goes along side the motorway, the cars in the fast lane look like they're going backwards.
We arrive in sun drenched Aix en Provence 4:00PM local time. Beer Time.

Aix en Provence (Aches and Pains)

"tri grandi beer silver poo" (3 beers please)

give me that phrase book

Southern France is just so relaxing. Service is slow, the weather is warm, there's lavender everywhere. You just slow right down. Cezanne certainly thought so, he sat around here, had a few beers and then painted some fruit.

La Hotel Security paramount

Saturday. Its match day. England fans out in force.

barmy army

But first things first. Lunch. This region is famous for Bouillabaisse. So to the old port...

Bouillabaisse (stinky-fish-soup)

Stade Velodrome is a small (60,000) stadium surrounded by mountains. We've got good seats high up by the 22. Drenched in sun the place is packed. And just a wee bit tense.

Australia are odds on favorites to win. Its a tight game. We bash the Aussies all over the park and you can tell they don't like it up em. At half time its only 10-6. You get the feeling we are in with a chance, so more bashing during the 2nd half. Then with 3 minutes to go - edge of your seat- becomes - heart in mouth- as Evil Wizard Sterling Mortlock has a penalty kick in our half. But...hes missed. England are through. We have won a glorious victory.

happy fans

Wild celebrations ensue. I chat with some Aussie's lads, all decent blokes in defeat, wearing rugby balls on their heads. We play high kicks over a busy roundabout and the police are called and stop us. All good fun.
But its not over yet, oh no, there's the small matter of France v New Zealand. We end up in some trendy wine bar, squeezed in at the back.

I'm the only one cheering the kiwis.

Against all the odds France beat the All Blacks.

The place goes crazy. Every ones kissing everyone. There's a real buzz in the streets, cars totting horns, people jumping in fountains. Another fantastic upset. We drink on into the night and get back to the hotel at 3:00AM. I ask a giddy French man how do you say "forward pass"? He smiles, shrugs and says "kiwi-lateral".

not another market

Sunday morning and we're at it again. Its Fiji's turn to over come the odds and beat SA.
Town is full of Springbok supporters with not a Fijian in sight.
First, to eat. We find a wine shop that's laid out a few tables and is offering some meats and cheese.

Non beer?

Bula!

Today we are seating closer but behind the post. Still in the sun. I have to buy some suntan lotion, the weather is so good. It must be 25C. In fact I wore shorts the whole time I was in France, carried a jumper but didn't wear it once.

Haka

Another tense game. SA always look the better team. Fiji run in 2 tries right in front of us, to make it 20 - 20 with 30 mins to go. Beer, sun, tension, passion, disbelief, sorrow, happiness.
SA just nudge it and Fiji do a lap of honour.

well done lads, from small places to greatness

We metro it back to Aches and Pains for a few cold beers. Scotland v Argentina is on in the background and we sit outside a cafe drinking cocktails.

drink your medicine

Monday morning we have a Eurostar to catch. Back on the train for another 5 hours.
swing low sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home

Cours Mirabeau

au revoir la Provence, I shall miss you

London Waterloo International has since closed and Eurostar trains come and go from St Pancras

Science Museum

The Natural History Museum is right next door to the Science Museum is right next door to the Victoria and Albert Museum. They are all free entry and you could easily spend a week in each one. I reckon this is part of the reason so many people visit London.

early start to beat the crowds

Its also London fashion week and there's a sale at Harrods. All this at South Kensington.

I wanna see Dinosaurs!

The terrifyingly life- like animatronic T Rex "senses" its prey and turns and roars when you get near it.
This was a bit much for wee Thames.

I dont wanna see anymore Dinosaurs!

The excellent Science Museum has the excellent Water Garden and excellent Launch Pad.

Lots of hands on stuff for kids to do.


The girls having coffee.