Bristol, etc.

This weekend in Bristol was excellent! Sam and I set off immediately after work Friday on the coach and travelled to Bristol. During the usual 45 minute layover in scenic Birmingham (holla to G-rider), we called in at our favorite chippy/curry house, Salt ‘n’ Pepper, across the street from the National Express station for a lamb burger and chips with curry sauce, mmm nutritious. By the time we made it down to Bristol, we were ready for cup of tea with friends, which was not difficult to find. Sam went immediately into comedian mode as soon as we met Zan and Nath at the bus station in Bristol, and remained there for the entirety of the weekend. As with most funny people, Sam feeds off the laughter of the audience, and Nath happens to be one of those easily-tickled types who especially likes Sam’s sense of humor. A great pair. Zan, upon hearing me say only a few words, exclaimed “Augh! Your accent! You sound so English!” Dearie, dearie. I feared this would become apparent, though not so soon. I blame it on the reception job, and being a woman (highly adaptable creatures, we are). Zan, incidentally, has the cutest northern accent, harking from Carlisle, which is almost on the Scottish border. She apparently gets accused of picking up the west country accent when she goes back to Carlisle. So many accents in this blessed country.

But, as you can see from the pictures, we mostly just visited friends, chatted, did a little shopping, walked around the Cheddar Gorge (Will leading the way with map, naturally), driving through Cheddar (where they make the cheese), and more eating, chatting, etc. On Saturday evening, we met up with a different group of Sam’s University friends at a local pub (the gathering was going to be a housewarming until said house’s roof fell in under heavy rains, oops) whereupon I chatted with the lovely Nancy and Alex and tasted some Leffe beer, remembering how tasty white Belgian beers are. Mmm, sweet. Highly recommended.

Sunday we went to Cairn’s Road Baptist, which is a lovely little church. Very family-oriented but not too-much so, lots of life. And then Sunday dinner with the Myerscough family, with whom Sam spent many a Sunday during his Uni years, and how he kept from getting too skinny. The Myerscoughs are such a wonderful family. One of those who are always giving to the community and are pillars in their local church. They gave Sam and I The Five Love Languages for a wedding gift/ I needed a book to read on the bus, and it has been great. I have heard a lot about it, and heard the languages explained to me before, but the book is really good. I think already knew that Sam and I are both QT types who don’t dislike PT. Score. Looks like a problem-free marriage!

And now back again and 2 days finished in my 3rd to last week at work. Next (long) weekend, Northern Ireland! I’m so excited; and we get to take a ferry across the sea, wee! Will keep you posted.