ensuitepilgrim's Blog

After returning from Uplifting, Provençal skies over Marseille….to gale damaged allotment ( yesterday was taken up with repairs there and in the rear garden ),another walk was needed.

So, under blue skies I set off with I-pod in place, to ramble around Sutton Park, entering by Boldmere Gate, upto the Jamboree Stone and from there by the side of the golf course, before cutting across to the left, where I found myself on an unfamiliar path.
Bonus? No dogs !
Eventually came to Bracebridge Pool, then upwards until I found myself looking at familiar territory.
Back to Wyndley Gate and then home.
A shade under 9 miles.

( About 86 miles done, now, including Marseille )

Soundtrack, today, again revealed songs I had not heard either before or for a long time!

Worst track? ” Besame Mucho” by Andrea Bocelli- great voice wasted on such a corny tune…still, there are only so many great Arias.

Best track? “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up ” by Tom Waits- witty and lively tune.

Saddest? ” Now You’re Gone” by Jeff Lynne- the fifth Beatle with a great arrangement underlying simple but affecting lyrics.

Marseille Reminder? ” The Game Pieces” by Fairport Convention.Sea and fishermen recalled the Vieux Port.Never heard it before.Great Lead voice.

Friday, 21 st February 2014

Bright, breezy morning.
Walk planned to be able to call in at Tesco’ s for some Fish Stew ingredients on the way back home!

Down to Town Gate,Sutton Park, longer route up to the Jamboree Stone.

Severn – Trent Sewer Repair Works still taking place over by the Chester Road, therefore detour through woodlands to Banners Gate.
Up Chester Road, into Tesco’s, no fresh mussels so had to settle for a frozen box.
Last stretch down Jockey Road homewards.

A couple of stand-out tracks stayed in the mind:-

” Go Out On The Road” by “Hurray For the Riff Raff”, very appropriate title.
Hurray for the Riff Raff is an American folk-blues and southern gothic Americana band from New Orleans, Louisiana.

“Tu Vas M’Accompagner” by Kate & Anna McGarrigle

“Bottom of the World” by Alejandro Escovedo.

8 1/2 miles today

Round it off to 95 aggregate!

Sunday 23rd February

Blustery conditions as we made our way towards the Post Office and Anchorage Rd,exploring Mulroy Rd, which led into a muddy lane , parallel with the railway.
Eventually bringing us out near Four Oaks Gate.
Down Blackroot Rd to Lichfield Rd and through the Town Centre, home.

6 miles approx.

101 mile aggregate ( not counting 3 miles yesterday, pushing grandson Jude to Sutton and back!)

Thursday 27th February 2014

A walk ,with Hannah along the Newhall Valley, up Penns Lane to Wylde Green with coffee at the Virdoo Lounge – thank you Hannah.
Hannah went on to a class and I continued along Chester Rd, through Pype Hayes Park and back along the Newhall Valley, returning home, via Wylde Green Road.
Bright sunshine, increasing signs of Spring and 7 miles.A pleasant stroll.

108 mile aggregate.

Saturday 1st March 2014. St David’s Day

Pity we are not playing Wales at rugby today.

After a morning at Kings Heath Park, first session of 5 week gardening course, home to greet grandson Jude and take him , in his buggy, for a walk in Sutton Park, whilst his dad, Tom, helped strip the wall paper in the kitchen. A no- brainier for choice!

So Hannah and Inset off, bright sunshine, Jude wrapped up in a leather jacket!
We walked to Boldmere Gate and then up to the Jamboree Stone.
Exit via Wyndley Pool and home,
Jude asleep for over an hour.
5 1/2.miles and pushing the buggy all the way, despite Hannah’s offers of help…

Aggregate 113 miles plus.

Having arrived in the afternoon, airport bus and taxi to the apartment.
Some shopping in Super U, round the corner, then a walk down towards the Vieux Port.A beer in “O’Malley’s” , during Happy Hour – which lasts from 5 – 9 pm – then a Tunisien Meal, where we started with a Brik ( not enjoyed since our Honeymoon in Tunisia, 41 years ago! Followed by Couscous in a variety of forms, accompanied by a carafe of North African Red. Tres Bon, Merci….
Walked about 5 miles in all

Friday 14 th February 2014

After breakfast, we set off, intending to walk two tours recommended by the Tourist Office.
I set my Pedometer on as we walked towards the Pharos monument in bright sunshine and giddy temperature of 17degrees?

By the time we returned to the Apartment, we had walked 11 miles, or so.
Having lunch outside, a Pastis by the Old Port en route home and having taken and/or visited all the major sights .
An excellent day, helped by the weather a great map from the T.O and an App. I had downloaded, previously.

Eating in this evening – nibbles, dips, chicken, salad and wonderful ,local bread.Possibly accompanied by a glass or two.

Saturday 15 th February 2014

Walked up to La Plaine Market.
Popular but relatively uninteresting, definitely local not tourist orientated!

But the areas and square nearby were fascinating – bohemian, arty if rather spoilt in places with an excess of graffiti .
After coffee, a walk th around the Arab quarter and the Nouailles market.
Picnic lunch on the quayside, always lively.

Purchased 72 hour bus and metro pass.
Took number 83 out along the Corniche, stopping off at a quaint little Vallon fishing village, then on to the Prado beach, which was artificially constructed a few years ago, using the earthworks from the Newly excavated Metro lines.
Very much a locals’ beach, with Wind surfing and kayaking schools.
Quite blustery walk along the little bays.
Then bus back to apartment.
Feet up for a while after 10 mile plus walking ( not including bus rides! )

Sunday 16th February 2014

Walked 1/2 way to the Port.
Arrived just in time to take the ferry across the Vieux Port – free, good fun.

Walked to the MCE M, but, being Sunday, loads of day trippers, abandoned the visit to this Museum, understandably popular.Maybe tomorrow,

So, coffee in a lovely square and after a diversion, Bus no 60 all the way to the most famous of Marseille’s sites, overlooking the city and venerated for centuries by the city’s fishermen :-
Everywhere you go in Marseille, you see the opulent, domed 19th-century Romano-Byzantine basilica occupying Marseille’s highest point, La Garde (162m). Built between 1853 and 1864, it is ornamented with coloured marble, murals depicting the safe passage of sailing vessels and superbly restored mosaics. The hilltop gives 360-degree panoramas of the city’s sea of terracotta roofs below
A really interesting church ….

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/france/provence/marseille/sights/religious/basilique-notre-dame-de-la-garde#ixzz2tWcueoJo

Also, 60 minutes real sunshine as we enjoyed a picnic lunch, outside the Basillica.
Then a walk down towards the city.
Took the Metro from Castellane to the Vieux Port.

Went to O’Malleys for the Match….bad news Liverpool lost.
Back to the Appt, cooked dinner – always a challenge, using different kit.

We survived Pork with mushrooms, cooked in a sauce of Vin rose and creme fraiche.

11 miles today – au pied.