3279 - Costa del Stockport

A nice trip out to Stockport with Josie
She wanted white trainers, Nike brand, so we
Looked for them in the mall, and in JD
Sports we found some that fit, fairly quickly
And she put them on instead of her D
Ms (Doc Marten boots) - she gave them to me
To carry round. So humid, so thirsty
We went to Costa soon after McD
For more drinks. I took her back home early
Probably wise, tomorrow is her holiday
To Nerja near Malaga, with mummy
Who's recovering from a back injury
I hope they both relax, take things easy
And don't get sunburn, keep nice and shady!

3275 - From Thailand to Spain via Croatia

Nice day at work, just three of us were in
And at lunchtime I met Pearl for a meal
We went to Thaikhun, two courses, filling
And tasty, catching up with news of Pearl
She's off to Croatia soon, me as well
But I'll be there about two weeks later
We're both visiting Split, it looks a real
Nice place. This evening at home, played guitar
I'm starting to play it now like a star
Although of course it's harder when playing
Live, trying to sing at the same time, tell
Me about it. Watching Barcelona
Play Roma on Spanish television
The commentary's so quick, can't catch their spiel

3239 - In a pint pot

Listening to 'In A Rut' - no special cause
Except it's on my headphones, my playlist
Just got in from work, left there 'early doors'
(Yuk, I hate that phrase!) Next I shall get pissed
Starting off at the Brewdog, then visit
A few more places maybe, during which
Time I'll discuss with John recent tourist
Activities of ours, then we will switch
To planning our jaunt in September, ditch
Suitcases, just a bag each, not all floors
We'll be on, or pavements, but hills that twist
And potholes in the Balkans. Had some chips
At lunchtime from the Hip Hop Chip Shop - now's
Tea-time but think I'll miss it, miss miss missed

3220 - Get in!

I'll quickly write this, then play my guitar
Then watch Top of the Pops 1980
Not sure if I'll do much after that, for
It'll be getting late, and energy
And will-power running out. Still, I am free
To decide to do anything, nothing
That's not always a possibility
Want to stop drinks and smokes the remaining
Half of this month and beyond, and looking
For a new bed, but first task's buying a
Paint roller and white paint, brighten up the
Unused bedroom, then start advertising
For a tenant for it. Could be before
My September Balkan break, hopefully

3209 - Evenings of light

Last day of May, the best month of the year
Or sometimes it's June, hotter, lighter nights
June starts tomorrow, and I'm off the beer
For a while, not totally, but I might
Have a good go at cutting down, despite
Since payday going out on Friday and
Having a few beers, but was still a slight
Amount really, and rest of the weekend
I've had none and I wanted none. I'll spend
(Hopefully) a lot less this month and gear
Things up to, saving for autumn's travels, flight
To Bulgaria's already paid for. Planned
Purchase of bed this month, tattoos, not sure
Maybe, maybe not. Hail, evenings of light!

3204 - Shat out of hell

A varied day, took it off work to go
To a driving awareness course up in
Bury, a four hour workshop that had no
Possibility of being late - a fine
Is what you get - and points - for arriving
Late, or for a no-show, or no ID
This harsh enforcement had me worrying
So much, albeit just subconsciously
That I woke from a nightmare, eight thirty
In which I couldn't pack in time, too slow
And couldn't find passport, before heading
To the airport for a flight home. Legacy
Of recent flights to / from Europe also...
Then - ska-tological comedian

3201 - The Pound of Music

My feet ache, as they did regularly
On my recent European holiday
The Eurovision Song Contest's on, they
Are about to vote. Really hope that they
Show some shots of Vienna, where I strayed
Just over a week ago! A great place
So many elegant streets, and much I'd
Like to have seen but didn't have time. Grace
And monumentality, grandeur, space
No, they're going to have an Austrian spree
But in song on stage. Oh well. It's OK
If I want Austrian images, could face
For first time ever, perhaps, just maybe
Watch 'The Sound of Music'! Could be worse, eh?

3195 - That was the two weeks, that was

So many holiday pictures I took
Been posting them today, it took all day
First, posting them from phone onto Facebook
Replying to comments was fun, I'd say
But now I'm numbering them, not yet half-way
Through that process, and saving to hard drive
Good to relive it all, though, all that way
I travelled, walked like you wouldn't believe
It's reminded me all those things I strove
To pack into each day, people will look
At those pix and wonder, and some may say
'I want to go there,' and some may just grieve
That they can't, but despite their sad bad luck
I hope they liked seeing my holiday!

3192 - Back in the UKUK

So here I am back home, but honestly
I couldn't afford to be away more
I was shocked at my bank account money
Though I shouldn't be. First there was the floor
Of my flat last month, done by the builder
And after that I went on my travels
Specifically, a European tour
To Czech Republic, German towns and hills
And Austria, where I heard no yodels
I'm still in Europe in my head. You see
All these great buildings and Germanic lore
In museums and all around. It fills
Your head, immersed in sights and history
But you don't want to travel forever

3191 - Not very Prague-matic

Why did I choose to end my tour in Prague
(Where I began?) What a dumb decision
Should have flown home from Vienna. A drag
This last day, waiting near the bus station
For a four hour bus to Prague, no reason
To do this, I realise now, all too late
A waste of time and money, but it's done
At least all my travelling has turned out neat
Let's hope this applies to today - that's great
A successful and varied trip. I dug
Everywhere I went, though Munich was one
Big disappointment how few friends I made...
Last night in Vienna, a good chinwag
With a few people. Last day there was fun!

Wed 13 May

3190 - Fancy Danube

My last full day, and due to tiredness
Of feet from yesterday, travelled about
Extensively by U-bahn. First stop was
The bus station, to buy a bus ticket
To Prague for 20 euros - no repeat
Of my last journey which cost 50... Yikes!
A very hot day, so tried to keep out
Of the sun. Next stop, seeing as I liked
Vienna's vast streets and buildings, unlike
Anywhere else, the architecture place
In the Museums Quarter. In the heat
I checked out Schonbrunn Palace, but I hiked
Away immediately, preferred quietness
Of the Danube, north of the tourists' shouts

Tue 12 May

3189 - Lost in Austria

I've walked further in one day than ever
Before - at least that's how it feels right now
My feet ache so much and I need a shower
I had one this morning, but need somehow
To clean every part again, yes I do
I paid a huge amount to Austrian trains
(Should've got the bus) from Salzburg and to
Vienna. Took some time to check me in
At the hostel, so didn't start walking
Round Viennese sights til half-two. But the
Day's been marvellously sunny, and allowed
Me to walk almost everywhere within
The tourist area of old Vienna
Amazing buildings. Nineteenth century wow!

Mon 11 May

3186 - Lake Dischtricht

My good luck on this holiday has held
Berchtesgaden's an outdoor kind of place
The sun shone til 4:30, so we sailed
(Me and a guy called Jet) on this high lake
Called Konigsee (King's Lake) and saw the face
Of Mt Watzmann, the second highest peak
In Germany. At the far side, amazed
At the beauty of Obersee, and walked
Alongside it and beyond, trying to seek
A route up the steep hill to waterfall
Was successful. Next, because of footache
No more long walks, but cable-car technique
Took us up Mt Jenner, where we beheld
Great views of lake and Berchtesgaden. Ace!

Fri 8 May

3183 - Munching in Munchen (at last)

A hot day, did not need to take my coat
Got the U-bahn to the Olympic zone
Really liked the stadium and how it's set
In a park with great views of tower and town
If you climb the hill built on things knocked down
And turned to rubble by British bombing
In the war, then they let grass grow upon
It all, and hey - some nice hills! Tasting
Currywurst for the first time. Interesting
But too much tomato. Then, welcome seat
On the tube to Allianz Arena, home
To Bayern Munich football team. Going
Back to the centre. New museum's got
Lots of info on Nazi Munich. Boom!

Tue 5 May

3182 - No munching in Munchen

I'll write this now, while I'm here just waiting
For Minji Kim to message, so I know
Where to meet, although I have an inkling
She said Odeonsplatz, but that's lacking
In detail. I've just been there - it's quite big
Which cafe are they in? And they're eating
While I'm starving, but maybe I could go
Without food, just drink beer, from stein I'll swig
And if need be, a takeaway to dig
At the hunger if it comes later. So...
Spoke to a nice Romanian nurse sitting
On the train to Munich. Once here, I go
Straight into a 'Third Reich tour' - fun seeing
Inside the Hofbrauhaus. More beer halls now?

Mon 4 May

3181 - News from Nuremberg

I woke at 12, slept well and recovered

From last night's drinks with Julius. The weather

Is rainy today, so I decided

To look round the National Museum here

I saw most of its many rooms, took four

Hours, beginning with a guided tour that

Focused on certain objects, how monks were

Living there, never speaking. But she said

They found buried females too - funny, that

Maybe it wasn't so terribly bad!

I'm typing this in Five Reasons - that's the

Name of this Nuremberg hostel I'm at

It's getting dark, and I still need some food

Think I'll walk outside, find a cheap supper...

3180 - Not such a blue night after all!

I'm writing this on Sunday, I'm afraid
But that is because of last night's night out
In Nuremberg with Julius - went on late
He was supposed to go at ten, did not
And in the end missed his train, stuck about
The station all night, I suppose - oh dear
He seemed to lose his bearings easily
At least I found the station. Drank some beer -
Much beer, even - thank God I didn't steer
In the direction of Bamberg! (He'd said
Let's meet there!) After dark, buildings were lit
In blue light, but missed it all. Did see a
Flaming sculpture, though. I slept well, delayed
Getting up til 12. Missed breakfast, no doubt!

Sat 2 May

3179 - Don't Argue with Prague!

Lucky I wrote last night's sonnet before
A marathon drinking session outside
The hostel, sitting in the cold night air
For hour after hour. Think we must have stayed
Out there til 5.30. The light had made
The bedroom bright when I closed the curtain
But after a quiet start, the evening played
Its part in a great day, had so much fun
Listening to Jan do his Cockney accent
I shook with laughter, that I can assure
Today, on four hour's sleep, I climbed the height
Up to the castle, crossed the Vltava
By two bridges. Could do with rest for sure
But may not get it before drinks are plied

Fri 1 May

3178 - Eastern bloc blog 'bout Prague

First full day in Prague, first full day's always
Exciting, getting used to a new land
Getting to know the buses and tramways
Two tours I've done, helped me to understand
The layout of old Prague, and then beyond
(On the 'alternative tour'). Saw street art
Saw galleries (from the outside!) and learned
About 3D printers and bitcoins, part
Of the changing world, try to take to heart
Nika was the morning guide, a nice face
From Ljubljana. Tomas was the 'art man'
In the afternoon, at Cross Club, then part
At Florenc station, bus back to my stay
At Elf Hostel. Most of it's gone as planned!

Thur 30 April

3177 - I'm not being vague - I'm in Prague

I'm safely at the Hostel Elf in Prague
Got here with no problems, got travel card
For all three days here, I'm already org-
anised for tomorrow, free tour with guide
Get to know the main sites. I can't afford
The segway tour, but bike hire's possible...
Of the Czech language I can't speak a word
But the hostel guys speak English quite well
As I'm sure many folk will do. Travel
Is easy for an English speaker, tongue
That's spoken everywhere, you're never barred
From being understood. If affable
Then you can have a good chat, get the bug
Once more for unknown pleasures, not be bored

Wed 29 April