Very impressive all round and off course on time throughout the journey. I just wish we could do it in the UK.
Tomorrow I am onwards to Ljubljana in Slovenia where I shall stop, catch my tail, and work out where to go next.
London to Munich, by Train, in a day...I must be mad
Very impressive all round and off course on time throughout the journey. I just wish we could do it in the UK.
Tomorrow I am onwards to Ljubljana in Slovenia where I shall stop, catch my tail, and work out where to go next.
Salisbury to London in a car called Desmond
The journey to London from home last night was tiring but far cheaper than the train. Motto: Watch out for ageing VW Beetles (called Desmond) where the heating warms the feet of the passenger, the bottom of the driver and nothing for the back seats, and cannot be turned off. Cue me and Dave cooking and Robyn in the back freezing. Heavy traffic coming into London also meant the journey took about 3 hours. However, very nice to see Dave and Robyn again and stay at their house in Streatham.
This morning I have caught the first of many trains in to London Bridge Station, then walked along the riverside path to Tower Bridge. I was tempted by HMS Belfast (having done submarines on my last trip a battleship seemed appropriate) but the £12.95 entrance fee was rather off putting so after breakfast I succumbed to the "Tower Bridge Experience" which comprises the old engine rooms and the pedestrian walkway across the bridge.
The engine rooms occupy about 15 minutes and to my mind are rather dull but I was pleased to be channelled round into the gift shop at the end. I like a good gift shop, me. Once I had climbed the many steps to the top of the North tower you can then wonder back and forth along the foot ways to your heart's content. Both sides are open and both offer fantastic views up and down the river with notes and guides to help you decipher the views. Having a fantastic clear day as well is a definite plus. I remember going up there once before when I was a sprog and I was sure then it was open to the elements, not behind double glazing as now, but the guide assured me that this had never been the case.
After finishing at the bridge (recommended by the way and not too touristica) I waled on through the City past the Tower of London vaguely in the direction of Kings Cross but on eventually consulting my map decided that the rest of the distance should be covered by tube. This took me all the way to St Pancras International, for me to collect my ticket, have lunch and get my bearings prior to my departure early on Tuesday morning. Lunch was supplied by Yo Sushi! - very enjoyable and much cheaper than usual as they were doing a deal "all plates for £2.20". The waitress seemed surprised at how much I had eaten but then it would be rude to leave them on the conveyor belt, going round and round I felt.
Then onwards from the station to my hotel. Just outside St Pancras is a YHA and now I'm a member I was cursing for not having booked in. As I walked down the Euston Road I was pretty certain that I had made a critical mistake choosing this place instead, but now I have arrived I'm not so sure. First impressions are rather odd - you go to a local newsagent (smartly refurbished by the way) and collect your key and a member of staff shows you to the apartment. I seem good a picking places with lots of stairs and this place is no exception - the rooms are on the third floor.
With the entrance hallway looking a bit grotty, and all the steps, I was starting to feel like doing a runner there and then but once inside the place is lovely. Smartly modern interior with 3-4 small bedrooms off a shared corridor, there are two bathrooms (cramped but usable) and a good sized kitchen You are right on Tottenham Court Road which certainly provides a lively scene from the bedroom window, and a tube station is just round the corner (Goodge Street). Best of all though is the kitchen is well stocked with tea/coffee/milk/eggs/bacon/washing machine with powder/a kettle/microwave and oven etc etc, all for £45.00 per person per night.
I reckon this is the way to go - it might be a mile or so from St Pancras, and there might be sirens rushing past, but having somewhere like this that is cheap and user friendly, and best of all not full of scuzzy backpackers (like the YHA) is great. And I can plug my laptop in, make myself a cuppa, and relax (and wash my smelly socks). The link for the company behind the appartment is www.flexistay.net
Tonight I am meeting another friend for supper then a reasonably early night before heading to Brussels tomorrow morning. Next update coming soon...
Devon and Somerset buying trip results
After a fantastic weekend away I have returned with a Land Rover full of good cider and some recommendations if you are heading to Devon or Somerset.
Hancocks Cider was my first port of call, I had discovered the company on the UK Cider website so I placed an order to collect on Friday. Its about 21/2 hours from Salisbury so I may not be visiting very often, but its in a nice part of the world and very near to Devon 4x4 if I ever need parts for the Landy. Hancocks don't sell direct to the public but even so a sign on the gate would be helpful, My sat nav took me to an unmarked track about a mile long with no indication that there might be a ciderworks nearby.
Luckily I persevered and eventually met with Helen who is part of the family that have been making cider for over 100 years. The cider looks nicely packaged and I'm looking forward to trying the 1976 Vintage that she supplied.
The Silverton Inn, Fore Street, Silverton, Exeter, EX5 4HP
01392 860196
Silverton seems to be a pleasant and busy village with a Spar shop with butcher attached, a greengrocer and three pubs. There is also a regular bus service to and from Exeter which must be useful for both visitors and locals. It is lovely to be sitting in the sun waiting for breakfast to be cooked and for people to walk past and say hello, even to a stranger!
My evening meal was provided by The Three Tunns Inn, just 150 yards from the Silverton (I didn't visit the third pub, the Lamb). The menu in the Three Tunns is very extensive , spreading across 2 large blackboards in the dining area and a third board in the main bar with lighter snacks. Again the Landlord was very friendly and welcoming (not always a given for the lone male traveller) and I enjoyed a couple of pints of well kept Exmoor Ale (nice to see as normally I only buy their bottled range).
The food was a step up from the usual pub grub, without being gastro-pub naff which was nice, and a starter and main and the two pints came to £17.50 which was more than reasonable.
After an interesting day in Exeter doing an induction course for Wessex 4x4 Response (I hope to become a full member in the next couple of months) I made my way into Somerset to buy some more cider before heading home.
I have previously visited the area on several occasions to buy cider from Roger Wilkins and had never rea;ised previously that Wedmore is only 20 miles from the sea. I took full advantage this time, spending some time at Brean (driving on the beach is good fun) and visiting Weston Super Mare - I remmber going there with my Mother and Sister when I was a brat.
Supper and a bed for the night came from the Basonbridge Inn, in East Huntspill, after I couldn't find anywhere further up the coast. Not being a caravanner I didn't really fit in around Brean - there were serried ranks of them in fields all over the area.
The Basonbridge gives mixed messages and I couldn't really get my head round it. From the outside, driving past, it looks fairly smart and a good village pub.
Basonbridge Inn, East Huntspill, Highbridge, Somerset TA8 4RL
01278 782616
Hancocks Cider was my first port of call, I had discovered the company on the UK Cider website so I placed an order to collect on Friday. Its about 21/2 hours from Salisbury so I may not be visiting very often, but its in a nice part of the world and very near to Devon 4x4 if I ever need parts for the Landy. Hancocks don't sell direct to the public but even so a sign on the gate would be helpful, My sat nav took me to an unmarked track about a mile long with no indication that there might be a ciderworks nearby.
Luckily I persevered and eventually met with Helen who is part of the family that have been making cider for over 100 years. The cider looks nicely packaged and I'm looking forward to trying the 1976 Vintage that she supplied.
That night I stayed in The Silverton Inn about 10 miles outside Exeter. The pub is very friendly and welcoming and the room was good value and comfortable at £30 per night including breakfast. It only has a shared showeroom for the guests although there is a basin in the room. Food is served although I chose to eat just down the road. Unfortunately the website on their business card resolves to a holding page, but I do have a photograph:
The Silverton Inn, Fore Street, Silverton, Exeter, EX5 4HP01392 860196
Silverton seems to be a pleasant and busy village with a Spar shop with butcher attached, a greengrocer and three pubs. There is also a regular bus service to and from Exeter which must be useful for both visitors and locals. It is lovely to be sitting in the sun waiting for breakfast to be cooked and for people to walk past and say hello, even to a stranger!
My evening meal was provided by The Three Tunns Inn, just 150 yards from the Silverton (I didn't visit the third pub, the Lamb). The menu in the Three Tunns is very extensive , spreading across 2 large blackboards in the dining area and a third board in the main bar with lighter snacks. Again the Landlord was very friendly and welcoming (not always a given for the lone male traveller) and I enjoyed a couple of pints of well kept Exmoor Ale (nice to see as normally I only buy their bottled range).
The food was a step up from the usual pub grub, without being gastro-pub naff which was nice, and a starter and main and the two pints came to £17.50 which was more than reasonable.
After an interesting day in Exeter doing an induction course for Wessex 4x4 Response (I hope to become a full member in the next couple of months) I made my way into Somerset to buy some more cider before heading home.
I have previously visited the area on several occasions to buy cider from Roger Wilkins and had never rea;ised previously that Wedmore is only 20 miles from the sea. I took full advantage this time, spending some time at Brean (driving on the beach is good fun) and visiting Weston Super Mare - I remmber going there with my Mother and Sister when I was a brat.
Supper and a bed for the night came from the Basonbridge Inn, in East Huntspill, after I couldn't find anywhere further up the coast. Not being a caravanner I didn't really fit in around Brean - there were serried ranks of them in fields all over the area.The Basonbridge gives mixed messages and I couldn't really get my head round it. From the outside, driving past, it looks fairly smart and a good village pub.
Basonbridge Inn, East Huntspill, Highbridge, Somerset TA8 4RL01278 782616
The interior is so far removed from the village pub idea I wondered if I was in the right place, with cafe style seating and high tables. However, the bar was busy with the local cricket team and the cider from Rich's up the road was only £2.00 per pint, so I felt obliged to have three to wash down my lasagne and chips.
My double room was very reasonable at £27.50 with breakfast and a nice comfy double bed although the en-suite was past its best and I was surprised at the lack of soap, shampoo and even a water glass.
Sunday morning I visted Rich's Cider to buy some stock but despite an email, using the contact form on the website and a phone call earlier in the week to arrange things there was no one there who could arrange a trade sale, so I left empty handed and instead went on to the wonderfulness that is Wilkins Cider. As always Roger was welcoming and friendly, the cider flowing freely to all visitors and I left happily with six boxes for the shop and Salisbury Beerex.
All in all a nice weekend away and one that I hope to repeat soon.
My double room was very reasonable at £27.50 with breakfast and a nice comfy double bed although the en-suite was past its best and I was surprised at the lack of soap, shampoo and even a water glass.
Sunday morning I visted Rich's Cider to buy some stock but despite an email, using the contact form on the website and a phone call earlier in the week to arrange things there was no one there who could arrange a trade sale, so I left empty handed and instead went on to the wonderfulness that is Wilkins Cider. As always Roger was welcoming and friendly, the cider flowing freely to all visitors and I left happily with six boxes for the shop and Salisbury Beerex.
All in all a nice weekend away and one that I hope to repeat soon.
Devon Cider
I am visiting Exeter this coming weekend and will be stocking up on cider while I'm in Devon, both for the two shops and for Salisbury Beerex.
So far I have contacted, and hope to visit, Rich's Cider and Hancock's Cider, but do you have any other recommendations? I thought perhaps the cider making arm of Vigo Ltd would be a good bet but any other thoughts would be gratefully appreciated.
So far I have contacted, and hope to visit, Rich's Cider and Hancock's Cider, but do you have any other recommendations? I thought perhaps the cider making arm of Vigo Ltd would be a good bet but any other thoughts would be gratefully appreciated.
Locally produced charcoal
We are now stocking real, English charcoal made just down the road at Landford. This charcoal is much better quality than the imported type, so you are not only supporting a traditional local industry but also you will enjoy a BBQ that is easier to light and uses less fuel.
More information about the benefits of buying local charcoal can be found at http://www.localcharcoal.co.uk/
More information about the benefits of buying local charcoal can be found at http://www.localcharcoal.co.uk/
New arrivals in both shops
I'm pleased to announce that a delivery of Samuel Smiths beers has just arrived in both shops - we currently have stocks of:
Samuel Smiths Imperial Stout
Samuel Smiths India Ale
Samuel Smiths Nut Brown Ale
Samuel Smiths Outmeal Stout
Samuel Smiths Old Brewery Pale Ale
Samuel Smiths Organic Best Ale
Samuel Smiths Organic Cherry
Samuel Smiths Organic Cider
Samuel Smiths Organic Lager
We are very happy to despatch the bottles by courier to anywhere in mainland UK so please contact Abbey Stores 0n 01722 336984 or email shop@abbeystores.co.uk for more details and prices.
Samuel Smiths Imperial Stout
Samuel Smiths India Ale
Samuel Smiths Nut Brown Ale
Samuel Smiths Outmeal Stout
Samuel Smiths Old Brewery Pale Ale
Samuel Smiths Organic Best Ale
Samuel Smiths Organic Cherry
Samuel Smiths Organic Cider
Samuel Smiths Organic Lager
We are very happy to despatch the bottles by courier to anywhere in mainland UK so please contact Abbey Stores 0n 01722 336984 or email shop@abbeystores.co.uk for more details and prices.
Drink Beer and Carry On
The ideal message in these recession-nonsense times - carry on drinking beer, enjoying life and having fun.
Buy a t-shirt from this link and you can spread the message as well - I've just ordered one!
http://www.drinkbeerandcarryon.co.uk/
Buy a t-shirt from this link and you can spread the message as well - I've just ordered one!
http://www.drinkbeerandcarryon.co.uk/
Salisbury in Swingtime
Come along to the Salisbury Guildhall this Thursday evening to enjoy dancing by candlelight to the International swing orchestera "Graham Dalby and the Gramaphones".
For more information and to download a flyer please see my Salisbury Scrutineer Post.
For more information and to download a flyer please see my Salisbury Scrutineer Post.
Sunday Opening arrives in Coombe Bissett
After a long absence the shop in Coombe Bissett will once again open on a Sunday morning.
There are also extended hours during the week, as detailed below:
There are also extended hours during the week, as detailed below:
NEW OPENING HOURS IN COOMBE BISSETT FROM 23 NOVEMBER 2008
Monday to Friday 7.00am to 6.00pm
Saturday 7.00am to 2.00pm
Sunday 8.30am to 11.30pm
All aspects of the shop will be available, that is: papers, chilled and frozen, bread, fruit and veg, alcohol, tobacco etc. We can also accept mail and use the Post Office, although there is no mail collection until 4.45pm on Monday.
We look forward to seeing you and please tell your friends!
Cash Register for sale
I am selling a very good quality cash register, as previously used in Coombe Bissett Stores prior to EPoS. Currently bidding stands at 99p so come along and grab a bargain!
It is a Geller EX-300 - a powerful bit of kit if required with programmable memory, audit roll and receipt roll, 12 departments, moveable customer display etc etc. I am also throwing in two extra till rolls.
Gellar EX-300 Cash Register on Ebay
Collection can be made in person or the item can be couriered to the winning bidder.
It is a Geller EX-300 - a powerful bit of kit if required with programmable memory, audit roll and receipt roll, 12 departments, moveable customer display etc etc. I am also throwing in two extra till rolls.
Gellar EX-300 Cash Register on Ebay
Collection can be made in person or the item can be couriered to the winning bidder.
Cider by Rosie returns
I am very pleased to announce that both branches now have limited stocks of the 2008 Cider by Rosie - Rose Grant's excellent Dorset cider is back.
More will follow over the summer months but you can enjoy some now - just pop in to Abbey Stores or Coombe Bissett Stores for a free taste.
On a different note, one month on from starting work at CB in the store room we can now see the end is near - decorating is nearly finished along with plumbing and electrics should be finished next week. Hopefully the new shop counter will be installed around 19 March ready for wiring; CSY are starting the Vector EPOS installation on 1 April.
More will follow over the summer months but you can enjoy some now - just pop in to Abbey Stores or Coombe Bissett Stores for a free taste.
On a different note, one month on from starting work at CB in the store room we can now see the end is near - decorating is nearly finished along with plumbing and electrics should be finished next week. Hopefully the new shop counter will be installed around 19 March ready for wiring; CSY are starting the Vector EPOS installation on 1 April.
Debit and credit card acceptance
We now accept all major credit and debit cards for purchases over £5.00 at Coombe Bissett. In addition to paying by card we can now offer cashback for debit card customers of up to £50.00 per £5.00+ transaction.
This should make it easier to use the shop even if you do not have enough cash.
Our major refurbishment works kick off this weekend (9/10 February) when we close at 10am on the 9th to allow specialist contractors to remove an asbestolux ceiling. After this has gone we can review the store area and start to rebuild it into a multi-use space for office, storage, staff facilities and tasting room.
Once the store area is under way we can turn our attentions to the shop, needing to finish the shop works before April 1st when the Post Office changes. Ideas at this stage include replacement of aging fridges with a remote multideck, 1-2 new freezers, a changed counter area and review the shelving layout. Lots to do in a short space of time but I'm sure we will cope!
This should make it easier to use the shop even if you do not have enough cash.
Our major refurbishment works kick off this weekend (9/10 February) when we close at 10am on the 9th to allow specialist contractors to remove an asbestolux ceiling. After this has gone we can review the store area and start to rebuild it into a multi-use space for office, storage, staff facilities and tasting room.
Once the store area is under way we can turn our attentions to the shop, needing to finish the shop works before April 1st when the Post Office changes. Ideas at this stage include replacement of aging fridges with a remote multideck, 1-2 new freezers, a changed counter area and review the shelving layout. Lots to do in a short space of time but I'm sure we will cope!
Good News at last!
On Friday 11 January 2008 the Abbey Stores estate will increase to 2 shops!
Yes, after 81/2 months of negotiations, highs and lows, we have finally exchanged contracts and will complete this Friday.
The shop in question is Coombe Bissett Stores, Homington Road, Coombe Bissett SP5 4LR
Googlemaps link
I hope to offer the best bits from Abbey Stores alongside the day to day essentials of a village shop. In due course we will have a website for the new shop but for the time being our normal site will carry news and announcements. Abbey Stores will continue to offer the very best in fine food and drink as normal.
I look forward to seeing you in Coombe Bissett.
Charles
Yes, after 81/2 months of negotiations, highs and lows, we have finally exchanged contracts and will complete this Friday.
The shop in question is Coombe Bissett Stores, Homington Road, Coombe Bissett SP5 4LR
Googlemaps link
I hope to offer the best bits from Abbey Stores alongside the day to day essentials of a village shop. In due course we will have a website for the new shop but for the time being our normal site will carry news and announcements. Abbey Stores will continue to offer the very best in fine food and drink as normal.
I look forward to seeing you in Coombe Bissett.
Charles
New Year updates
I hope you had a good Christmas and New Year - while it has been nice to have a few (3) days off it does feel right to be back to work today.
I have spent the morning updating the website and the shopping site - removing the Christmas hours, adding an event on the 19th, updating other relevent pages and the product a-z. I have also made a couple of minor changes to the shopping site.
Cheers,
Charles.
I have spent the morning updating the website and the shopping site - removing the Christmas hours, adding an event on the 19th, updating other relevent pages and the product a-z. I have also made a couple of minor changes to the shopping site.
Cheers,
Charles.
There have been a lot of updates to the website and the shopping site over the past couple of weeks, and this is the first chance I've had to note them.
I have deleted the Ecover range from the online shop - in the past 18 months we have not sold a single item from the range through the online shop. In its place I have expanded the spirits range with some interesting products such as the Pusser's 15 year old.
This close to Christmas our stocks are changing by the minute - basically if you want draught beer we will do our best to help but the range is going to be limited. We have a small amount of draught cider in stock and plenty of bottles. Beers are OK - the range is mainly local but we do have rarities such as Samiclaus on the shelf, and a few Thomas Hardy's left.
If I don't post again, I hope you have a great Christmas and please check back in the New Year when I hope to have a new online shop in due course and hopefully some good news about a more physical shop...more on that later!
Cheers! :-)
I have deleted the Ecover range from the online shop - in the past 18 months we have not sold a single item from the range through the online shop. In its place I have expanded the spirits range with some interesting products such as the Pusser's 15 year old.
This close to Christmas our stocks are changing by the minute - basically if you want draught beer we will do our best to help but the range is going to be limited. We have a small amount of draught cider in stock and plenty of bottles. Beers are OK - the range is mainly local but we do have rarities such as Samiclaus on the shelf, and a few Thomas Hardy's left.
If I don't post again, I hope you have a great Christmas and please check back in the New Year when I hope to have a new online shop in due course and hopefully some good news about a more physical shop...more on that later!
Cheers! :-)
Blackboards
A new initiative - whenever we re-paint the blackboard outside the shop (about once a month) we will photograph it and post the image to our new, special, blackboard blog.
Click this link to see the boards so far.
Click this link to see the boards so far.
Updates
I have updated the homepage with a link to the lantern parade, placed our Christmas and New Year opening hours on the About us page and updated the product A-Z.
We have just taken delivery of some more Ashgrove cider from Marden in Herefordshire - very nice indeed. We have also received a selection of beers from Das Beerman, who specialise in German brews. They are now on sale.
We have just taken delivery of some more Ashgrove cider from Marden in Herefordshire - very nice indeed. We have also received a selection of beers from Das Beerman, who specialise in German brews. They are now on sale.
Shopping site
I have changed the way customers who order from our website will pay for delivery.
In the past we have used a complicated systems of weighing the items, then using different prices for different shipping weights. All well and good in principle, but a pain to explain to people and complicated to administer.
Instead we are implementing a flat rate delivery charge of £7.50 per order, whatever the size or weight. There are two key exceptions: 1) A new product in the form of some really nice Ugandan vanilla pods which will carry a flat fee of £1.00 per pack, and 2) If you order over £100.00 from the shopping site carriage will be free.
This is an experiment for the next few months but talking to other businesses who do things this way it seems to be a better option. Time will tell.
In the past we have used a complicated systems of weighing the items, then using different prices for different shipping weights. All well and good in principle, but a pain to explain to people and complicated to administer.
Instead we are implementing a flat rate delivery charge of £7.50 per order, whatever the size or weight. There are two key exceptions: 1) A new product in the form of some really nice Ugandan vanilla pods which will carry a flat fee of £1.00 per pack, and 2) If you order over £100.00 from the shopping site carriage will be free.
This is an experiment for the next few months but talking to other businesses who do things this way it seems to be a better option. Time will tell.
I have updated the product a-z this morning, sitting in my un-heated office with a kitten trying to "help" on the keyboard. The things I do! I have also worked on the links page, about us, pages of interest and the home page.
Tonight we are doing our first ever bar for Coombe Bissett village hall, and on Monday night I am selling mulled wine in the Market Square for a dance event.
Tonight we are doing our first ever bar for Coombe Bissett village hall, and on Monday night I am selling mulled wine in the Market Square for a dance event.
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