In the pub

We’re off to Malvern today. I call Angus and give him a last chance to come along - which he takes.

Claire and I pack the car. Bean arrives as arranged in West Linton. Angus is waiting at Lanark station. The long haul down the motorway begins.

The traffic is relatively light, except for twenty minutes spent crawling past two 3 car shunts in the fast lane. The traffic northbound looks hideous.

The Airbnb in Malvern is a small apartment subdivided from a large house. It’s a bizarre conversion. The bathroom is only accessible from the main bedroom - which is kind of odd in a 4-person flat. Worse, there’s no door between the bedroom and the bathroom.

We walk into town through Priory park. It’s beautiful, twee, and dripping with affluence. Claire spots a tulip tree and a handkerchief tree. There’s a topiary snail and a topiary squirrel. Ancient ivy-encrusted buildings loom everywhere. A carved woman emits fresh spring water in the town centre. Pubs, restaurants, cafes, book shops, and knicknackeries crowd the steep slopes.

We eat Thai at the Red Lion. The beer is good - Boondoggle and Razor Back. There is also gin.