Bletchley Park and Peter Gabriel
I get to sleep quickly and sleep some long stretches.
0330 I wake. I could probably get back to sleep but make the fatal mistake of thinking/worrying about the days plans. Sleep won’t come but I at least rest.
0515 I decide to investigate trains again.
0530 I make myself a coffee and finalise the day. Weather wise, today is the best day for Arundel Castle. My only concern is getting back with enough time to comfortably make it to the concert and have dinner. I realise quick dinner options will be really easy so best to leave that out of the equation. That should mean plenty of time.
0600 After FINALLY making my mind up to go with Arundel today, I go to their website for more information. And I notice they are closed on Mondays! I am SO glad I realised before going. I check the BBC weather for tomorrow and I think that will still work. So I guess I’ll do Bletchley Park today. It’s closer so I can afford a more relaxed pace.
0630 I spend a little time loading pics into Lightroom that I might want to use for the blog.
0700 I go down for breakfast.
0800 I get started on my first blog entry.
0830 Time to head out. Will take Northern line to Euston then train to Bletchley. Northern line is easy and I will take it tomorrow. But I don’t see any lifts. Will need to investigate.
0855 I get to Euston and buy my off-peak ticket thinking that off-peak starts at 0900 but I check and it’s 0930. No big problem. Just a little wait. May as well grab a coffee. The weather is much more pleasant today. Doesn’t feel anywhere as humid.
0956 Train to Bletchley.
1038 Arrive. It’s just a few minutes walk. The visitors fall into 2 groups: oldies like me and noisey annoying school kids.
The museum is fascinating though a little repetitive. I definitely learn more bit it was also a bit beyond me in places. I think there are some missed opportunities to break down the key concepts a bit further, even at the risk of over simplification. By the end I am feeling a bit overloaded. But very glad I came.
1330 I finish with coffee and cake. I think about going to the national museum of computing which is nearby, but discover it’s closed today.
1350 I head back to the station. A train arrives as I get there.
1435 Arrive euston. I’m thinking of walking to the station with my bags tomorrow instead of navigating the tube, so I walk back to checkout how easy it is and how long it takes. It’s an easy walk and 20 min. Sounds like a plan.
On the train I did some more investigation into local sim/esim as the Optus roaming isn’t that great. EE definitely seem to have the best coverage but they don’t offer an esim. So I go with physical sim instead. Still not sure if it’s the best option. I might not be able to stop the Optus roaming. Time will tell.
1530 I’m back in the hotel with sim installed. Time to chill before heading to the concert.
1545 I’m feeling dozy so decide to try and have a nap. But it’s a trick! Definitely not getting any sleep any time soon.
1705 After a quick shower I decide to head to the O2. I catch the Elizabeth line to Canary Wharf then Jubilee line to North Greenwich.
1745 The trip goes smoothly and I’m at the venue. I head in to find something to eat. I vividly remember my experience here 10 years ago when anxiety and indecision made choosing somewhere to eat a real challenge. Thankfully this time I take it in my stride and find somewhere (Street Burger) straight away. Phew!
2000 the concert begins around 8pm. It’s amazing. New and old songs nicely integrated. Great musicians as always. And so amazing how Peter constantly acknowledges and promotes his band members and people providing the artwork. One interval and two encores later, it finishes around 1045. Sitting next to a very enthusiastic couple. She decides to sing along at the top of her voice a couple of times. Fortunately only in a couple of songs and she can actually sing. But really - who does that?
As expected, the crowds back to the tube are insane. But slowly we get there.
1129 I’m on the Elizabeth line.
2400 Bed time.