In Retrospect: Was A Sunny Day

May 2010; the month's been a bit of a wash-out so far, but when the sun finally comes out, I'm assigned a mission. Al and Kelly have friends visiting from America, and would like to spend the day with them, looking around the city. They of course need a knowledgeable guide for this trip, and so with the promise of a couple of pints in it for my good self, I agree to shepherd them on their journey.

The thing is, with so many places we could potentially go, I have difficulty deciding which would be best. So a novel idea occurs: why not go to them all? A little walk surely wouldn't do our transatlantic cousins any harm?

It's fair to say that Nate and Laura, the "cousins" in question, have no idea what's hit them. They've never walked any further in the States than the convenience store. My fifteen-mile, nine-hour round trip of the city leaves them almost delirious, although true to my word, I show them everything worth seeing. Having wandered around Williamson Park, into the cathedral, down through Dalton Square, out to St George's Quay, up Castle Hill past the Priory, into the Merchants for brief refreshment, and then up the river to Conder Green in time for tea at The Stork (I heartily recommend the South African boerewors), they're on the point of collapse. However, fortified by food and a couple of invigorating pints, they just about manage the final leg of the journey.

From left to right, Nate, Kelly, Al and Laura make their way along the picturesque lane that leads from Conder Green to Galgate as the sun sets on the estuary behind us. 'Twas a sunny day, and a strenuous one at that, but enjoyable nonetheless.