27 Weekends (part 3)

Edinburgh Sept 07
RWC 07 AB's v Scotland 40-0. Half empty Murrayfield a ground that is a little worse for wear. Scottish Whiskey experience with Rob and Adeline, complete with free Glencairn Glass. Out of the way B & B, interrupted afternoon nap from bagpipes and wedding party staying downstairs. Our first introduction to square sausage. The magnificent Edinburgh Castle. Walking the Royal Mile and taking the view atop Arthurs Seat. Beers in Haymarket and Dirty Dicks on Rose St decorated with musical instruments and golf club heads. How good are curry chips?? Sending someone to find the hidden toilet in Jekyl and Hyde never wears thin.

Cardiff, Bristol and Bath Oct 07
The writing was on the wall in London, recovering from a stomach bug, having to catch the train and being stung £60 each, then queuing for over 2 hours to squeeze on a Cardiff bound train. Rob and I giving the illusion we were breaking into Roberto's flat. Being caught by the neighbours who kindly offered to take our bags and whose door we knocked on at 2am to get them back. The buzz around the pubs before the game. The French fans singing outside the teams hotel, resplendent in Chabal costumes. Our amazing seats above Henry and Co. Close at half time then the place erupts as the French sneak it. Solemn drinks and tapas with Roberto post match. Chip Alley and for a minute thinking we were in the third world. Cardiff Castle and peacocks. Impressive Bristol split by the River Avon. Chatting in Bristols Notre Dame looking Cathedral. Friendly hosts in our B and B. Cornish pasties on the banks of the Avon. A visit to the Roman Baths narrated by our audioguide Bill Bryson, still heated by Suphorous Mineral Springs. A visit to Bath Abbey and Crypt. The typewriter row of Georgian Houses and stumbling upon a John and Helen recommended pub for local beer and Cider.

Florence Oct 07
Wonderful little B and B on the outskirts of Pisa. Starting our love affair with Italian Coffee. The first impressive sight of the Leaning Tower. A whistle stop visit to the Cathedral and Bapistry. Gelato on the banks of the Arno. Florence's Duomo, the insane lines of tourists for the Uffizi gallery, Ponte Vechio and the gold and silver shops, the impressive views atop Piazza Michelangelo, the disappointing Galleria Dell Accademia with the rather large Statue of David. Alfresco dining finished off with a bottle Lemoncello. A dash to the toilet on the South Side of the Arno before pizza amongst the antique market in Piazza Santo Spirrito.

Stockholm and Gotheburg Oct 07
A small little bedsit in suburban Stockholm.Fourteen islands making up the city. The amazing Autumnal Colours wandering around Djurgarden. Then seeing them in full on a boat trip around the area. The home of Icebugs. The Vasa Musuem sunk after launch in 1628. Gamla Stan the beautiful old town naturally complete with Kungliga Slottet or Royal Palace. Beatroot and meatball sandwhiches in Stockholms funky Sodermalm. Cobbled streets and narrow alleyways and a small english type pub with extensive beer collection top off our exploration of Sodermalm. Ferry ride home. Arguments before dinner and two missing people in Gamla Stan. Daylight saving ending and an extra hour to wait on the platform for our Gothenburg train. Party central with IFK Gothenburg taking the 2007 football title for the first time in 11 years. Blue flags and songs a plenty as the evening progressed. The Universeum, clocking running speeds, annaconda's, rainforest and shark tanks. The onboard Maritime museum including the Nordkaperen Submarine. More beer in the wooden Swedish beerhall ohallen 7:an.