ensuitepilgrim's Blog

An inauspicious start as we had to disembark from the Ryanair plane.
Just before take off, the pilot spotted a warning light.
Returned to starting point and boarded another , identical plane.
Eventually arrived an hour and twenty minutes late.

Booked in to the Mercure Hotel, then a quick taxi ride to the Old Town,
where “El Diabolo” was still serving food,TG.
Great beer and a live singer who made us laugh by murdering a series of classic hits, ranging from the rather inappropriate “In the Summertime”, to “No Woman, No Cry”, encouraged by a group of local girls, who happily danced away. Great vibe , as we say these days.
Bed by 1.30 pm, in a beautiful room.

Sunday, 30 th November

Excellent, unhurried breakfast, then bus 93, to St Michael’s Gate, the only remaining, original gate to the Old Town.

It was 3* in a light drizzle! for most of the day?Unsurprisingly, we were wrapped up in preparation and this did not detract from the enjoyment of walking about this beautiful old quarter.

The Christmas Market was in full swing in the Main Squares; unlike Birmingham’s “Biggest” market, this very traditional market is more locally authentic, with a bewildering choice of regional produce, artefacts, food and drink.
Hannah and I enjoyed a a Cherry Punch.
This was Hannah’s reaction:-

When telling people we were going to Bratislava, sometimes a look of puzzlement would cloud their brows.
Perhaps this T – Shirt encapsulates their reaction.

Festivities continued by the Market, next to the ice rink, on stage,Bratislava’s answer to “Girls Aloud”.

Cultural visit to the Primate’s palace.
The Palace was designed for the Cardinal Joseph Bátthány, Archbishop of Esztergom and Primate of Hungary in 1781, this palace is one of the architectural jewels of Slovakia.

Its pale pink and white exterior is topped with various marble statues and a large cast iron cardinal’s hat. The hat is a symbol of the Archbishop, for whom the palace was built, and of the various cardinals who lived here throughout the years.

It was here on 26th December 1805 in the Hall of Mirrors that Napoleon signed the Pressburg Peace Treaty after being defeated at the Battle of Austerlitz

Today, the palace houses part of the Municipal Museum, and has an excellent collection of 17th century English Tapestries, which were found hidden in the palace.

Fortified by soup and beer in “The Dubliner”, for lunch, some more meandering led to the banks of the Danube.
Rather grey and forbidding, but still a river with so much history.

Back in the historic quarter, twilight descending, eyes upward:-

It was time to return to the Hotel, feet up in readiness for an evening in the highly recommended ,Prasna Basta Restaurant; table booked.

No sun – no moon!
No morn – no noon –
No dawn – no dusk – no proper time of day.
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member –
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds! –
November!
Thomas Hood

Have to empathise with this seasonal poem.
Had plenty of (dead) leaves, though.
Thought I should catch up, as Bratislava beckons this Saturday and I should hope to write a separate,little travelogue about it.
So, this seems like it is going to be a retrospective Diary, but like walks, you may have a route in mind,but unexpected thoughts, people and other paths usually present irresistible diversions.

Had a flu jab on my birthday and an excellent dinner at LaGrill in Maney,handily situated, opposite the Horse and Jockey Pub.
Hannah was busy making two amazing cakes for the two celebrations.
The ensuing weekend saw the family here for a celebratory meal and a drinks party on the Sunday.
Not before I had persuaded Tom and Dan to clear the garden pond…and their heads.We managed to sever the lead to the pump, but I was able to fix that a couple of days later.
They made a good job and after I had disposed of the overgrown reeds etc. It looked as good as new.

On the subject of leaf clearing,I wore myself out with a major clearance in the garden.
;”And limitless are leaves stiff or drooping in the fields,
And brown ants in the little wells beneath them,
And mossy scabs of the worm fence, heap’d stones, elder, mullein and poke-weed. ” Walt Whitman
“Limitless”- My description at the time would not have been quite so poetic!

The following Monday I had recovered enough to make my first visit to the gym, since before my Chemo treatment in the Spring – defeating a tendency to procrastination in this matter – Really good, light session, followed by the steam room and jacuzzi.
I must mention the cultural highlight of the month, so far.
The cinema to see ” MR Turner”.
For me, the combination of Mike Leigh and Timothy Spall is unbeatable.
Brilliantly shot and acted.

Medical matters included a lengthy session with my GP, to go through DVLA ‘ s questionnaire to him, informing their decision to renew my licence..
( since the Fall, two years ago, this has become an annual bind)
A CT Scan , the results of which I await and the regular Warfarin check up.

There was a very pleasant World Development Group fund raiding dinner on 22 nd , at which I caught up with an ex- colleague and other acquaintances, with usual suggestions about catching up,etc,

Relieved to have gone a month without any infections and to have enjoyed a number of walks,locally, ranging from 4 to 6 miles.
Still some way to go, literally, if I am to enjoy the re planned Caminho, next year.
The first stretch of the Via de la Plata, from Seville to Caceres; most probably the Monday after Easter week, in April.
Mac has promised to come and we would welcome any more Pilgrims, should you be tempted!

Bratislava, here I come….na zdravie.