StewBlog

We had to get up early to get a 9:15 coach out of Andorra and back to catch our flight from Barcelona. As we had a few hours to kill we got the bus into town and found a nice tapas bar, Taller Tapas, just a few blocks north of Placa Reial.

We got up pretty early and headed down for a quick breakfast before taking off up the road towards the gondola station. I left Matty and MJ in Ski Calbo to get fitted with boots and pick up their snowboards while I went to purchase lift passes...

By 10am we had to swing by the medical centre as Matty had injured his shoulder. An X-ray confirmed luxation acromioclavicular (grade III) - a dislocated shoulder.

We went for lunch....

Getting up early is a chore at the best of times, even when you're going to do something fun like going on holiday. This morning's early start - 4am - was particularly gruesome, especially as I had to pack everything before getting out of the house and on the way to Gatwick for a flight to Barcelona. Matty, MJ and I were on our way to the Pyrenees mountains for a weekend of snowboarding in the Andorran resort village of Soldeu.
Gatwick South Terminal really is terrible. I always moan about it, but the eating optins there are outrageously bad: McDonalds or the Upper Crust, both of which are always packed! Anyway, a few croissants and lattes later and we made it to our gate and on-board.
The absence of my snowboarding bag on arrival at El Prat was annoying. It missed the flight somehow and was arriving on the next one. This provided a useful few hours to head into Barcelona for tapas and a few beers before returning to the airport to pick up board and get on the coach transfer into the mountains...

I met Karen outside the Cricketers and we walked round to Bramley's for a few drinks. Karen's housemate, Jess, joined us for a bit as well and we had a nice chat about all sorts of things which elude me now as it seems like some time ago now...

I boarded the London train at Minster and had a pleasant ride in before switching to the tube to complete the first leg of my journey in Liverpool Street Station, on route to Guildford. I waited for Annie on the concourse after purchasing an eclectic mix of snacks from M&S... My phone rang, it was Annie, and upon answering she exclaimed she could see me... Now, I'm more of the sneaking up hunter type and don't like to be hunted so to find myself being helplessly snuck upon set in train a sequence of neuronal firing resulting in several loud exclamations of 'Stop looking at me!' down the phone leading proximal concourse loiterers to gaze quickly in my direction whilst taking nervous, stealthy steps to put distance betwixt the apparent madness and themselves, lest it be catching. After a satisfying rendezvous, Annie and I made haste for the train and tucked into aforementioned snacks as the train loped slowly through the urban sprawl of South-West London and into Surrey.

Dave kindly met up at the train station and we buckled up for the short journey to our Bed and Breakfast for the evening...

To be continued...

Went to have my hair cut in The Chair at 7:30 as they're open late on Thursday nights. Jeni had finished at 5:30 so Sue cut my hair. Matt was surprised that I was offered a beer whilst having my hair cut and even more incredulous when he was offered one too while he was waiting for me... 'A beer while you have your haircut! Are they mad?'

I went with Matt and MJ for a curry in the Kashmir afterwards. We were sat in my favorite table in the front window. I found out that they have a football team as well, so I am trying to organise a 7-a-side game on the astroturf at work with the guys that play on Wednesday nights.

Somehow, we came joint third in the pub quiz tonight...

Drove down to pick up some ski-wear for Matty and MJ and went for lunch in a proper greasy spoon on the high street before heading back to Canters...

Drinks in a rather busy Cherry Tree tonight, followed by the usual pilgrimage to Casey's