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Carcassonne Day One : My Beers

This bar is a part of a national franchise, a nod towards the growing craft beer trend that is continuing to take place across France.

I got fridge envy seeing this.

Unfortunately, we visited on a Saturday evening, which meant that the bar was packed and there was some loud music blaring out from a band. The service was prompt, polite and helpful, with the venue having a welcoming vibe. It did mean that it wasn’t quite the visit we wanted, as we had hoped to get food and there were no spare tables available. I like the concept, but couldn’t see a beer list and they might be well served by becoming Untappd verified. It was an extensive range and they had sourced local, national and international beers.

The prices were reasonable, although it was a little difficult trying to unpick which brewery was brewing each beer and I struggled to read the bottles in the fridges.

I liked the design of this bar, this is certainly on-trend. It’s located in a retail park out of the centre of Carcassonne and so I was moderately surprised at how many people had got there (we had walked fifteen minutes from our hotel).

As we were on the continent, we decided to go al fresco with our beers. Although the music was perhaps a bigger reason to go outside if I’m being honest. I went for a Vertigo from BAPBAP brewery, and it was a decent IPA with a fruity edge to it. It gave us an initial problem that we needed food, but luckily, I noticed that there was a restaurant next door so this was a plan that didn’t require much thinking about. As for this chain, it’s an excellent concept as France needs far more craft beer venues. It’s the future.

May 1, 2024
Carcassonne Day One : Walking from Carcassonne Airport into the City Centre

There’s a bus that goes from the airport at Carcassonne into the city centre shortly after each flight arrives. However, we weren’t going with that convenience and especially not at the luxurious price point of €6 each, so we decided to walk. I have form here, since I walked to and from the airport last time I came here.

Liam wanted us to walk along the equivalent of the M25, but my much calmer and more fearful mind thought that we’d take a rather more quiet and peaceful route.

Liam claimed that I was walking us into a retail park, but I’m a professional at these things.

And as if by magic, we stumbled into a McDonald’s. This was handy, they had charging facilities for my phone. Incidentally, and I don’t want to get sidetracked, but this was decent value at €6 (the same as the bus fare) and I got a fish sandwich which was better than I had anticipated. For food critics, we did have a little more local food as well later on during this weekend, but this was a suitable lunch for us. And, yes, I know it’s Heineken, but McDonald’s isn’t yet known for its craft beer range. Maybe one day they’ll have some Coolhead beer.

I twice got entangled by this bloody tape.

Some old vehicle.

Professional looking signage as we headed towards the canal.

I admit that the scenery wasn’t always spectacular.

But it improved once we got to the canal.

Approaching the centre of the city. I mentioned to Liam that there was an impressive castle at Carcassonne, but he was quite sceptical as he still couldn’t see it by the time we reached the centre.

That’s some canal… But more on this canal in a later post as we did a walk along it.

Liam, still sceptical, asked if that tower was something to do with the castle. I encouraged him to keep faith that there was actually a big castle to see.

This was a bit of drama, some hoarding that had fallen on a car that the police were trying to remove. I think they wondered why I was taking a photo, but they probably didn’t know I had a blog that needed some vague effort being made at content.

Liam by now had spotted the castle.

I think he was pleased that I hadn’t misled him.

And here we are at our luxury accommodation. By luxury, I mean so cheap that Richard wouldn’t stay there, but Liam and I don’t have very high expectations. The walk took just under two hours including the stop at McDonald’s and we were unanimous (well, I was) that the €6 was better spent on food and drink than on a bus fare. All rather lovely.

May 1, 2024
Carcassonne Day One : Ryanair Flight from London Stansted to Carcassonne

Our dining treat whilst waiting for the flight was a £4.99 Boots meal deal and this was rather agreeable…. Anyway, I’m not sure that even my two loyal blog readers are much interested in that, but there we go. My blog, I can bore whoever I like.

We arrived at the gate before the previous flight had even left, this is the departure to Memmingen which it occurred to me that I haven’t visited before. Incidentally, don’t Ryanair have a lot of vans?

There we go, the departure board changed and we’re ready for the off.

We paid £15 each for this flight, so it’d be hard to complain too much, and indeed I didn’t find anything to complain about anyway. Not that I go looking for things to complain about I’d better add there. The efficiency from Ryanair is impressive, they’ve got passengers waiting to board the flight before the passengers from the inbound flight have left the aircraft and it certainly works for them in terms of the timings. It means that passengers have to stand and wait, which is sub-optimal for those who mobility issues, but I’ll give them their mark for their planning proficiency.

I had plenty of time to take photos of the aircraft. Liam was excited that the cockpit had a window that opened. It then emerged that he hadn’t flown overseas since we went to Malta the week before Covid caused so many problems. He needs to get out more as well it seems….

And a photo of the aforementioned window.

I’m too tight to pay for a specific seat on board, but I was surprised and delighted to get 10A, a window seat, without paying. Liam also got fortunate, he got 4A or something similar. After boarding, Liam messaged to say they had a planning issue with a customer with a disability, but they resolved it promptly, meaning that we departed on time. The crew were efficient and from I saw worked hard.

I was in prime position to spot if the engine fell out. I’m pleased to say that it didn’t.

The flight went quickly, not least because I fell asleep for most of it. I’ve visited Carcassonne before, but it was pre-blog (a bit like before cameras, it’s a dark age for me) and I also used my camera to take most of the photos and so Google hasn’t carefully logged them all for me. I do worry slightly when I forget so much about a past trip.

Liam disembarking…. It’s a building which feels more constructed for functionality rather than design appeal.

The aircraft was clean, well maintained and is registration EI-DWV, a 16 year old Boeing 737 which must be one of the older ones in their fleet. My record on recording these things is a bit patchy, but I don’t think I’ve been on this aircraft before.

Back to the flight, this was an pretty impeccable offering from Ryanair at a price that was bordering on the ridiculous. I might have worked for BA in the past and my affinity is with them, but this Ryanair effort was well managed, efficient and respectful to the passengers. The opportunity that they give people to travel at affordable rates really is notable.

As for the airport, other than for the odd situation with insufficient toilets in the arrival area (there’s more in departures) which caused some queues, it was all ordered and logical taking us under 20 minutes to get from the aircraft to the front of the terminal building. We weren’t delayed by not having EU passports, the border control desk was just dealing with this flight which I think was the last of the day, so everyone was in the same queue and it was fast moving. All in all, one of those flights where there’s nothing much of note to write, which is really for the best as it means that everyone went well.

May 1, 2024
Carcassonne Day One : Stansted Wetherspoons – The Windmill

As there’s limited public seating in the airside part of Stansted, it wasn’t clear where else we would wait for our flight other than at the Wetherspoons at Stansted Airport, the Windmill. I’ve written about this venue before, but it’s well managed, the staff are engaging, it’s efficient and the environment is clean. It’s expensive, but that’s hardly going to surprise anyone. Liam and I had already enjoyed an extensive breakfast of a packet of crisps and a beer, so we didn’t need to have a fine dining meal. I’m sure (well, I’m not, I’m not always very observant) that they’ve extended the Windmill again, as we were seated in a wing that I hadn’t even noticed before. Incidentally, I remember the previous Wetherspoon outlet at Stansted which had around 18 tables, whereas they must now have over 100 tables across the two floors.

I like high seating and I was enjoying watching whether people coming in would go for high or low seating, and the majority went for higher seating. That’s how I spend my time now, with riveting polling such as that. I definitely need to get out more.

I went to the bar to order as they were playing a rather mean prank on customers and pretending on the app that they only had Greene King beers. I was momentarily excited to see that they had Theakstons Old Peculier, but the helpful staff member said that it had sold out within two hours and it had surprised them. I mean, I can hardly wonder why that beer sold out when the delights of Greene King IPA was on….. Anyway, they had Gold from Exmoor Ales and so I had half of that, it was a not unagreeable creamy, smooth and light beer. It also went well with the five decaff coffees that I had, such are the joys of unlimited coffee.

There are other food and beverage options at the airport which aren’t really any more expensive than Wetherspoons, but their beer and coffee options are more extensive and better value. I might try the Camden Bar and Kitchen at some point which has a few craft beer options and although isn’t linked to the Camden Brewery, as it’s operated by SSP, it does sell their beers.

May 1, 2024
Carcassonne Day One : Leave Liquids and Devices in the Bag

I remembered that I had a full bottle of water before going through security and that led to the slight issue of where I was going to pour it. There didn’t seem to be any receptacles for liquids at the security area and so we had to traipse all the way back outside whilst I poured the water on the floor near to a bus and likely got noticed by six security cameras thinking that it was some nefarious attack on the building. I perhaps over-think these things if I’m being honest. It also made me wonder why I keep thinking I’ll drink all this water, but I’m not sure that anyone else (even my two loyal readers) would be overly engaged at that thought process.

Anyway, this wasn’t the reason for this post and I’ve become distracted already. After entering the security line, we got directed off to a new extension to the terminal building and I was delighted to see that we were part of a trial. Often this isn’t good, but on this occasion it was the new technology that meant liquids and laptops could stay inside of the bag whilst it went through security. I wouldn’t say that this is life-changing, but it is certainly preferable.

I’m not sure that they had it working quite right as twenty bags in a row went off to secondary screening and then that promptly blocked the entire security line. The staff remained polite and calm, other than one stressed guy who frankly looked panicked by the whole arrangement, but he was my favourite staff member as he was creating a bit of drama for passengers to watch. The owner of the twentieth bag seemed more stressed as the individual bag checks were going to take some time, they might have been less excited by the whole trial. As a positive, Liam and I sailed through, getting through by a whisker (around three hours) before the flight departed. Liam rejected my suggestion that this was cutting it fine, but he’s very reckless and is the only one of us who has actually missed a flight.

May 1, 2024
Carcassonne Day One : Breakfast of Champions

Stansted Airport long ago gave up with any attempt of having seating in their main departures section of the terminal, unless sitting on the floor is in the management’s action plan for customers. However, a short walk to the airport’s bus station terminal leads to a positive smorgasbord of seating options, so we rushed there positively giddy with excitement for the trip. I accept that a breakfast, or perhaps brunch is more appropriate, of King Queen Knave and Adnams Ghostship crisps might not feel premium, but adventures that start with a Pressure Drop beer at least have a positive beginning. Also, the prices in the terminal were far too indulgent for Liam and I, so this was a much more practical thrifty option. Also sitting in the bus station lets me dream of travel, seeing such glorious destinations on the departing coaches which included Braintree, Harlow and Luton. Does travel get any more decadent than that? I don’t think so.

May 1, 2024
Carcassonne Day One : Getting to Stansted Airport

I don’t get much chance to get away at the moment, so there will be a small deluge of excited posts about a weekend away which can surprise and delight my two loyal blog readers. Thanks to Susanne for driving Liam and I to Stansted Airport for the adventure, with the added excitement for me of being a passenger in a left-hand drive car so I could pretend momentarily that I was driving. As I mentioned, I don’t get out much and this is all I can muster for this blog to liven up the drive to the airport. One thing about living nearer to Stansted Airport is that it feels much more convenient, although less so for Liam who had driven all the way from Norwich already.

Stansted Airport doesn’t allow for free drop-off any more as they can excitedly collect money from drivers who want convenience, but it does allow you to park for up to an hour in the medium stay car park without charge and then get a free shuttle to the terminal. As usual, I couldn’t risk being late at the airport, so we arrived nearly four hours before the flight, which to me is cutting it fine. Anyway, I digress. Hopefully I’ll be able to write this weekend up before getting distracted and taking nine months to complete it.

May 1, 2024
Lidgate – Lidgate Star Census from 1911

[I’ll come back and add more to this post as I find out more….]

Old census returns are fascinating things, this one is from the Lidgate Star in 1911. It’s the Leach family, who were a couple who had four children, all female, although two children had already died. William and Margaret had married in Newmarket in the final quarter of 1893.

William James Leach (born in 1867)

Margaret Leach (born in 1867)

Margaret Leach (born in 1895)

Winifred Leach (born in 1896)

Dorothy Leach (born in 1898)

Florence Leach (born in 1899)

William Crick (born in 1874)

William and his family had also been at the pub at the 1901 census, with William Crick being Margaret’s brother.

William James Leach died on 6 August 1947 at the age of 81.

April 17, 2024
200 Years Ago in Norwich : Transportation for Stealing Rope

And another in my little series of posts relating to articles in the Norwich Mercury from 200 years ago this week. The list of crimes, as usual, was extensive and it’s evident from the media of the time that Norwich was a dangerous city in which to live. Crime was seemingly out of control and the judicial system was desperately trying to deter people from committing offences by having harsher and harsher sentences. And this was certainly one of them:

“John Challis, charged with stealing a quantity of rope, the property of Samuel Jay, transported for 14 years”.

Challis had been caught committing crimes before, and indeed had been flogged to stop him repeating his misdemeanours, but that clearly didn’t work. This sentence isn’t some extreme offence either, the courts of the time liked transportation. John was 19 years old, so wasn’t really a hardened criminal and he was sent to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) on the Princess Charlotte, which departed on 3 July 1824 and arrived on 9 November 1824. It’s hard to imagine just what that journey must have been like, but I’m imagining it was traumatic. Those who saw their sentences out were allowed to remain as free settlers in Australia or be given a ticket home, but the story isn’t a happy one for John. He died on 1 January 1827 at the age of 22 and he’s buried in the Cypress Street Anglican Cemetery in Launceston City.

April 11, 2024
200 Years Ago in Norwich : Little Public Spirit Amongst Norwich Citizens?

Going back 200 years ago and the journalism in the Norwich Mercury….. I’m more amused by the editor’s response to a letter rather than what the correspondent had sent, but let’s deal with that first:

“Sir,

It has often been a subject of regret to many of the inhabitants of this city, and not less to many of the country families who resort hither for medical advice, that in a place where there are so many public and scientific societies, and in which public improvements have kept pace with its increased population*, that there exist not in the city of Norwich any public baths, either for the benefit of the invalid or the gratification of the luxurious.

There is no doubt that if baths were established here, our medical men would be still more resorted to for advice, by distant patients, than they now are, and many families might be thus encouraged to take up a temporary residence here, who, under present circumstances, must go to Yarmouth or London for the sake of such conveniences.

As an establishment of this nature could not fail to succeed, it is, I conceive, worthy the attention of some spirited individual to invest a small capital in the scheme, as a source of emolument, sure to repay him liberally for his trouble. A lodging house upon a respectable scale might be attached to the baths. Should no individual be found who would undertake this, possibly there might be found twenty gentlemen who, by subscribing 25l each, would become shareholders of such an undertaking, or as a joint stock company, for their own personal comfort or convenience.

There are, perhaps, few places which possess such advantages as this city, in regard to pure water, daily into the very houses, besides the facility of carrying off the water at a very trifling expence.

I am Sir, an Invalid.”

As an aside, Norwich didn’t get baths for some time after this letter, but it was response of the editor that moderately amused me.

“*We wish we could confirm the compliment our correspondent pays the citizens. There certainly is no place in the kingdom where so little public spirit is exhibited, and where improvement is so far behind wealth and population”.

I’m not sure that the present editor of the EDP, or indeed a similar journal, would get away with that.

April 11, 2024