Do you ever get a tune stuck in your head? I've had one bouncing around the empty caverns of mine all week. The Bonnie Blue Flag.You probably don't know it. I'd never heard it until a couple of weeks ago. When we visited Gettysburg.
Kids. You have to pretend to educate them. Even when you're on holiday. Gettysburg seemed a good one. What could be more educational? (Lessons by a qualified teacher, I know. They'd be more educational. I was going to say a term an university, but remembered my student days.)
And I fancied going myself.
On the journey from Washington, the kids got to see some proper countryside. Not just the fractured factories and hapless houses that line the railway. Fields of corn and hills of green. Didn't want them thinking the USA was one huge junk pile. Which is a natural enough assumption, if you've travelled through New Jersey by train.
The battlefield was as fun as a battlefield can ever be.
The guide guided us around the battlefield in the order of events. I spotted the brewpub as we swung through town.
"What about that brewpub in town?" I suggested as we pulled out of the car park
Jamie and Paul* were well ahead of me. "There's a better one in Frederick."
Frederick. Who wouldn't want to go to somewhere with just a first name?
On the way, Jamie put on a CD she'd bought in the museum shop. Of rebel songs. Many tunes were familiar. Hadn't I heard that in The Regent? (Before the bus drove into the bar.) Very catchy. But disturbing ethically.
It was nice. The brewpub in Frederick. Cask-conditioned Stout. Very nice. Type of thing I used to dream about. And a cake for Andrew's birthday (almost).
After blackmail, a bribe and some physical intimidation, Alexei and Andrew had their films ready on Sunday. For the holiday in the USA competition. Just like the Oscars, this competition has many categories. (If you have kids, you'll know why.) Andrew won the Music category hands down**. With photos accompanied by music.
He picked one of the songs he heard on the ride to Frederick. The Bonnie Blue Flag. A good choice, artistically.
But not for me. I can't get the bloody thing out of my head.
* our very generous hosts in Washington
** Alexei won the categories Craziness and Making Dad Look Good even more easily
Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery
124 North Market Street
Frederick, MD 21701
Tel: 301-631-0089
Fax: 301-631-1874
http://www.brewers-alley.com/
I've found that humming a few bars of 'Dancing Queen' by ABBA will remove any thought lodged in my brain. But beware, the cure may be worse than the affliction.
ReplyDeleteFriday night and the lights are low,
ReplyDeleteLooking out for a place to go - arrrrgh!