We hadn’t been anywhere for ages, so we decided that this weekend we’d jump on a train and go somewhere we hadn’t been yet. No agenda, and no particular expectations.
The man at the information booth suggested Leamington Spa. Less than an hour away, and a nice place for a picnic lunch.
It was a gorgeous day – as if winter had taken a big step back before inevitably descending upon us now that daylight savings is over – and we had a lovely time.
The panini shop along the main road is superb (tuna melt with hot pepper sauce) – but avoid their milkshakes, which consist only of milk and some sort of flavoured powder.
Milkshakes should consist of at least 30% icecream, and you flavour it with syrup. Creaming Soda, specifically.
Lunch by the river, a stroll around the gardens and a quick stop off in the sweet shop, who had seasonally decided to diversify into massive arsenals of weapons grade fireworks. We bought a large bag of bullseyes, aniseed balls, peanut brittle cleverly shaped as peanut shells and assorted other tooth-rotting traditional fare. No explosives.
The train ride back was a bit of a squash. Standing room only – and we couldn’t even get into the aisles carriages. We were just squeezed in by the doors – like a packed lift rocketing sideways.
Next time we plan a bit of spontaneity, we’ll make it on a Saturday when the trains back into New Street aren’t quite so disastrous. But we’ll certainly be doing it again.
I heartily approve of such spontaneity :D I’ve not been to many places ‘up north’ (of London, haha), but my sister was christened in leamington Spa.
Is Birmingham worth a visit as much as, say, Manchester is? I like Manchester.
Paul
thats my hometwon right there dubber. hope you enjoyed the spa (won’t stress you on not adding the regal prefix)
never heard from your brummy toasting mate btw
jim
Wasn’t sure whether the ‘Royal’ in ‘Royal Leamington Spa’ was an affectation or part of the real name. None of the signs or train station announcements mentioned it. Perhaps the UK’s become less regally focused since you departed… but liked it a lot.
I’ll follow up with Juggla. Sounds like it’s not just him, but a significant proportion of Overproof Sound System heading NZ-wards soon.
leamington spa has up until now been an annoying speed bump on the train between oxford and brum… it’s nice to know that there’s another town tha might be worth a dedicated daytrip sometime :-)
ahhh – the lovely Leamington of Spas. I have very fond memories of my time living there – frosty walks home through the churchyard and making some serious noise on the Parade with Sambassadors of Groove (http://www.sambassadors.freeuk.com).
an interesting mix of regency splendour masking some serious numbers of downwardly mobile hippy types all of whom I loved dearly…
Good choice.
Juliet