England -v- Germany

Ok, so the England football (soccer) squad will be heading home from South Africa having lost 4:1 to Germany - living up to expectations, yet again.

However, despite the glorious weather and a hopeful Guide there have been no walkers today. A shame really, it would have been a good day for walks, not too busy in town and certainly nearly deserted this afternoon as kick-off approached.

The children have loved the opportunity to play in the fountains by the meeting point, Neptune, and there have been lots of people just wandering about, heading back and forth to the docks and the pubs and entertainment venues there.

Walking home there was a distinct lack of people about, but the pubs were very full with bouncers on the doors, the windows wide open and a certain amount of noise and cheering. The Guide only saw one policeman patrolling the Corn Street area. It will be interesting to find out how the crowds behaved in Queen Square.

There are no walks next weekend - the Guide is having a well-earned weekend off. So back to the blog on 10 July. See you then.

Graduation

What promised to be a really hot day, thankfully turned a littly cloudy around mid-day and this was a relief from the sun.

Again no walkers for the 10AM walk so spent some time chatting with the lovely ladies in the Tourist Information office and then to the Central Library for a customary flick through 'Heat' magazine, but as usual there was nothing much of interest.

There was a graduation ceremony at the Cathedral, but there was no indication of which university it was which a little disappointing, although there were banners outside for Clifton High School. Also Downend Christadelphia had an exhibition on College Green, the grass looking brown and thirsty.

Lunch on the Green under a tree and a book - All the Rivers Run by Nancy Cato. Hopefully it won't need renewing again! And only a small breeze - not enough to fly the flags.

A lovely lady from Germany on the 1PM walk; she loved the walk so much, the Guide gracefully received a tip. That doesn't happen very often!

The breeze picked up a bit towards 4PM and Helen (the woman with the National Trust van) was having trouble with the sun umbrella. She in on Central Promenade every 6 weeks or so drumming up membership and a very pleasant person.

Caught a glimps of the Bristol Pride Drag Race but only the back of 'Dolly Parton'-esque wigs towering over the head of other people.

So only one walker today and probably none tomorrow. Don't be so pessimistic, is the cry. But England are playing Germany with a kick-off at 3PM and Glasto is on. But I'll let you know ...