Explorations in Exeter

Sunday 15 November - Drove to Exeter to see the famous cathedral. It is a very eclectic cathedral with Norman and medieval elements as well as Victorian and modern day renovations and additions. The town itself has lots of delightful old timber-frame buildings but is plagued with modern and mainstream shops. After exploring the Cathedral and a bit of the town we had a lovely lunch overlooking the cathedral and its green then joined a free tour of the Cathedral close. The tour was very interesting and informative despite covering only a small area around the cathedral. We learned about the sundial on opposite the cathedral which has no 9 as the sun does not shine on it at 9 because the cathedral blocks it. We also saw the corbels on the cathedral one depicting the stonemason's daughter and another depicting Bruce the famous pipe-smoking dog, complete with pipe. The Cathedral had one of the first clocks in the country and has nearly always had a cat on the payroll to control the rodent population; consequently it is thought to be the inspiration for the nursery rhyme, "hickory dickory dock". Exeter also boasts the smallest street in England, based on the original lines of a Saxon street and measuring only 25 inches at one entrance but is still technically a street because it a. has a street lamp and b. has doors which open onto it. After the tour we visited the ruins of the norman castle before getting back into the car and heading back to Bristol.

Vintage in Vogue in Chipping Sodbury

Saturday 14 November - Ian and I rented a car since I had the entire weekend off and since we needed to get to Swindon for a dinner party. We took advantage of the car in the morning by going to a vintage and antiques fair in Chipping Sodubury, a medieval market town not far from Bristol. Despite the storm weather of rain and wind we made promenaded up the town to the village hall. We had a good time looking at all the vintage christmas decorations, paper, fabric and other nick-knacks. Afterwards we checked out the local market and walked along the canal (which was near flooding from all the rain) before taking a leisurely drive through the countryside back to Bristol.

Graduation

Friday 13 November - It finally happened, only 9 months after I actually finished my coursework, I've officially graduated from UWE. The ceremony took place in the Bristol cathedral and was not too prolonged taking only about an hour for the speeches and reading of all the names. I was the only one present from my course. Afterwards we enjoyed some champagne and cakes at the alumni reception in a very lovely marquee erected just outside the cathedral. Ian took some photos of me in my Master's degree robes before we celebrated with more champagne at home followed by a nice meal at the Glass Boat.

Giselle

Friday 6 November - I've been dying to see the ballet, probably because all the Christmas decorations make me think of the Nutcracker, but as that is not playing we went to see Giselle at the Hippodrome. Performed by the English National Ballet it is considered one of the greatest tragic romances in ballet. Giselle is a young country girl with a poor heart, her mother fears that dancing will kill her. She falls in love with an aristocrat who has disguised himself as a local farmer. When his true identity is revealed and the fact that he is engaged giselle dances herself to death. In the second act giselle joins the Willi, the spirits of virgins who have died for love. The Willi capture young men lost in the forrest and force them to dance to death. Giselle saves her aristocratic lover from the Willi queen when he goes to mourn at her grave. It was an amazing performance (overlooking the cringe-worthy fall of the queen of the Willi in one of her solo dances) with a lot of synchronized dancing of the Willi (about 20 ballerinas). The music was lovely and the costumes were also impressive, a very enjoyable evening.

Birthday stroll at Kings Weston

Saturday 31 October - For a nice activity on Ian's birthday we took the train to Shirehampton than took a leisurely stroll around King's Weston House. It was a lovely sunny fall day and we enjoyed the scenery and the autumn colours. We had a nice little lunch at the tea room at King's Weston House before walking back to the train station and heading back to Bristol.

The Avon in the Autumn

Saturday 17 October - It's that time of year again, time to visit Bradford-on-Avon. Well I imagine any time is a good time but it just so happens that its been about a year since we were last in that lovely village. We took the train to Bradford after a nice breakfast of pastries and lattes (courtesy of our new nespresso machine) and a stop at the Clifton farmer's market. It was a lovely day, a bit chilly but sunny. We arrived in Bradford and followed a nice walking route, stopping in shops along the way. At 2 we interrupted our walk for a hearty meal at the Bridge tea house, then continued on seeing the sights and visiting shops. We bought a few nice souvenirs and had a lovely time exploring the village and revisiting our favorite spots (Ian's being the canal lock where we watched a canal barge use the lock to go further up the Avon).

Cardiff: Wales Ho!

Saturday 10 October - Now that we are without a car we are limited to bus/train travel. We used this as a opportunity to finally visit Cardiff. Only about an hour and a half train ride away, Cardiff is the capitol of Wales. It was surprisingly similar to Bristol in that it has a lot of shopping. However, there are quite a few more arcades, including the cardiff arcade which had an impressive selection of butchers and a very nice fishmonger. Unlike Bristol, Cardiff also has a castle and this was our first stop of the day. The castle grounds include the ruins of a norman keep atop a steep hill and complete with surrounding moat. There is also a victorian manor house and a victorian recreation of a roman gate and enclosing stone wall. The Keep offered superburb views of the city and surrounding countryside. The Victorian manor was amazing intricate. Inside were lovely stained glass and faux stone walls, to give the feel of a medieval castle with all the comforts of the Victorian age. An intricate Arab room had complex vaulted ceiling and intricate tile work. The banquet hall was ornamented with murals, carved animal heads, a wooden vaulted ceiling with angles and stained glass. My favourite room was of course the library with its ornate bookcases, featuring unusual animals carved at the corners like platypuses and beavers. I was also jealous of the desks in the library which had built in heaters. After thoroughly visiting the castle, we had a nice pub lunch outside where we could watch all the shoppers. We walked down to the bay and watched some of the boats come in before heading back to the the train and back to Bristol.

Glastonbury

Saturday 22 August - Ian and I decided to spend our last weekend together, before I fly to the states, by visiting Glastonbury. Normally a place we avoid at all costs during the festival season, we thought it would be safe to visit now. Our first stop was the farm museum, which had some charming displays demonstrating country life and the development of farming and farming equipment. From the museum we made our way to the famous abbey said to have been standing in 600 ad, all that remains are some picturesque ruins. These are housed within a lovely walled park, a charming place to stroll around or relax (assuming you can avoid the weirdos trying to pick up 'vibrations' or lying on the ground to absorb the energy of the place). Legend has it that King Arthur and Queen Guinevere were buried here, there remains being discovered in 1191. The pond on the grounds holds some massage fish which rival those at the Bristol zoo and some entertaining ducks. We were pursued by one onto the middle of the bridge to be fed rather than join his compatriots swimming in the water below. After the Abbey we walked through town and scaled the steep hill to the infamous tor (hill). Atop the hill is St. Michael's tower which offers a stunning view of the surrounding countryside. Evidence of people on the tor dates back to neolithic times. It was called the Isle of Avalon by the Ancient Britons as it was then surrounded by fenland (wetlands) and was effectively an island at the time. The tor and the surrounding area are steeped in an aura of mystery relating to the legend of King Arthur. We didn't feel any deep mystic forces but we enjoyed the scenery and the lovely day.

Clevedon in the evening

Wednesday 19 August - Finally a summer day, balmy and sunny. We had a lovely barbecue for dinner than drove over to Clevedon to watch the sunset and the lights come on at the pier. It really felt like a proper visit to the beach with people swimming and boating and the sound of the waves lapping on the rocky shore.

Tea on the River Trail

Sunday 16 August - Took the bikes for a spin to along the Kennet Avon Canal to Beese's tea house. A Bristol, institution this restaurant is located right on the edge of the the canal. Ferry boats and canal boats often stop for a meal or a drink. We each had a yummy burger followed by tea and cake. Then we took a small ferry across the canal and biked back on the other side of the canal.

Upper Slaughter

We passed by a magnificent manor house on the way into Upper Slaughter as well as a butterfly bush swarmed with butterflies. We first visited the church here and picked up a bag of local apples for 50p. From the church we found the old school house, covered in flowers, still with an old metal bell on the exterior. Down the hill from the schoolhouse we met the river Eye again as it forded the road. Nearby was a house with an impressive number of dove holes in its facade. We walked along the river for a bit before coming upon another luxury hotel where we got directions for the footpath back to Lower Slaughter where we got in the car and made our way to Stow on the Wold. Where we did a quick tour of the town as the shops closed then went on to pass through Chipping Camden with a quick stop to see its wool market then on the M5 and back to Bristol.

Lower Slaughter

Perhaps unfortunately named, the slaughters really delivered the Cotswold charm that we were seeking. We parked in Lower Slaughters by the church, which was small but housed some lovely stained glass. The river passed nearby and we followed it a bit as it passed along a hotel. We spotted trout in the river which had impressively clear water that was moving quickly. We doubled back along the river passing charming stone cottages festooned with summer flowers. The river leads to the old mill fitted with an old fashioned wooden water wheel and a brick smoke stack. At the old mill we perused the shop which had gifts and garden supplies and the best strawberry ice cream I have ever had before walking up the road to Upper Slaughter.

Cotswolds revisited

Saturday 16 August - Another trip to the Cotswolds to visit some of the villages we previously passed by or through but didn't have time to visit. It was a bit of a rough start to the morning but we eventually got on the road, heading north to the Cotwolds. Our first stop was the busy town of Tetbury where we walked around the market and visited some of the shops. The place was chock-a-block with antiques shops and quite a few gardening shops as well. Back to the car and on to Bourton on the water. A charming village with a picturesque stream running through the village and delicate footbridges spanning it, however the place was heaving with tourists and it was difficult to enjoy the scenery or even to walk around. We stopped for a quick lunch of fish n' chips and a meander around the town then made our way to the Slaughters.

Clevedon Pier

Directly after watching the balloons we drove to Clevedon. A lovely little seaside village, famous for its picturesque pier. The pier was built in 1868 during a period of great seaside resort towns. We had our packed breakfast of coffee and pastry (bought at the baker in Weston S.M.) then walked along the beach to the pier. The pier doesn't open until ten so we walked around the town, visiting the high street with its shops and then walking along the poets walk to a lookout tower and on to an old church before looping back to the pier itself. The ornate supports makes the thick metal look delicate. At the end of the pier is a lovely pagoda style building where one can buy tea and cakes and sit out on the pier to enjoy the view. There are a number of benches at the end of the pier and benches line both sides of the length of the pier. While we were at the pier we got to watch the 1930's style ship the Balmoral, dock and launch from the pier. We relaxed for awhile in the sun on the pier than walked back to the beach before heading back to Bristol for lunch. (apologies for not using my own photos. My camera was disappointingly set to a wierd setting and all my images are washed out).

Below the Balloons

Sunday 9 August - Once again we forced ourselves to wake up early to see the balloons but it was definitely worth it. We drove to a different location in order to see the balloons from a new angle. We managed to fins a spot just below Ashton Court where we could see the Balloons inflating in the distance. We had an excellent view of the balloons lifting off and most of the balloons floated in our direction if not directly over us. A few balloons nearly landed just near the car before regaining height and moving on. It was the best viewing of the launch we have had.

Nightglow revisited

We had a bit of a rest after returning from Weston-Super-Mare than biked over to Ashton Court for the second and final nightglow. We got there in much better time and were able to get as close as possible to the balloons. We also stayed for the fireworks which were impressively synchronized to music.

Wonders of Weston-Super-Mare

We had heard a number of disparaging things about Weston-Super-Mare so we were not expecting to spend much time there after visiting the sand sculptures, however, we were very pleasantly surprised by the town. We walked along the beach where they have donkeys for rides and horses with train or fire engine style carts that run up and down the beach. A small "train" takes visitors from one end of the beach to the other along the promenade. There is a long pier but sadly it recently suffered a fire and is currently under renovation. We visited the bustling shopping area and were impressed by the butcher, baker and especially the greengrocer lined up in a row. We walked to the end of the beach where there is a marine lake. This was created to counter-act the fact that low tide draws the water hundreds of miles from the shore. The Marine lake is a small cove of damned up water which remains full at low tide and is refreshed at high tide. A clever path along the far edge of the lake makes it seem as if visitors are walking on the water. We had a lunch of fish and chips on the beach, then making our way back to the car we were stopped by a procession of people dressed and marching toward a recreation civil was battle on the beach. Hundreds of participants we costumed and equipped for the planned battle, it was an impressive sight. Just before leaving we wandered through the games area where all the rides and attractions are well maintained and of vintage decoration. We saw a lovely steam powered carousel spinning rather rapidly as well as old fashioned two person swings and a carousel featuring vintage cars. We tool a ride on one of the earliest fair ground rides, a steam yacht. Although it was powered by steam and did not seem too frightening it was an impressive ride. The only safety feature was that we had to hook our arms around the back of the benches to hold on as it swung back and forth lifting our feet off the ground, it was a fun, if slightly terrifying experience.

Sea Creatures in Sand

After breakfast we made our way to Weston-super-mare to see the sand creations at the Sand sculpture festival. The display was very impressive. There were a few free-standing sculptures: a man sitting, a donkey ride, a vw beetle and a castle. The main feature was a massive display of sealife. Leading intothe display was a recreation of the city seafront with buildings and the ferris wheel, set on a sea with boats and buoys bobbing in front. The display itself featured all manner of sea creatures from whales to sea turtles, walrus, seals, sharks, fish coral and even some swimmers and divers. It was fantastic the number of textures and effects that can be accomplished with sand. The sculptures were in the open air and we learned that the type of sand is crucial, because the sand used absorbs the rain without dissolving.

Balloons and Breakfast

Saturday 8 August - We watched the Friday evening Balloon launch which was quite a disappointment. Well over an hour late starting the launch only consisted of 17 widely spaced balloons. We decided to get up early on saturday morning and watch the 6 am launch. Per usual it was late starting but it was a n excellent launch, there was little wind so we saw lots of balloons grouped together. Afterwards we intended to go out for breakfast but England being England nothing was open till 9:30 at the earliest so we got some pastries at the grocery store and ate them at home.

Nightglow

Thursday 6 August - To open the 2009 International balloon Fiesta held at Ashton court, event organizers put on another of their infamous "nightglows". Although Ian and I watched a launch last year, the weather was so rubbish that we didn't see any of the nightglows but we made it to the opening one this year. It was a bit of a challenge to get there as the suspension bridge was closed even to pedestrians so we had to drive down to Ashton court and then walk a ways to get to the gate and then into the center of the grounds where the event was being held. We were 25 minutes late and sure that we had missed the display but in typical English fashion things were late starting and we made it just in time. It was an excellent display in which the Balloons lit up, using their flames, choreographed to music. It was beautiful to watch and a very unique event. There were fireworks after but it paled in comparison. It was a long trip home, first walking to the car and then driving the detour and then sitting in traffic, we didn't get home till midnight but we had a good evening.

Italian Garden, English Jazz

Sunday 2 August - After a very liesurely breakfast and some window shopping and Lunch in Bath Ian made our way to Iford Manor, near Bath and Just outside Bradford-on-Avon. The manor, which was originally medieval but revamped in the 18th century is built into a hill that sits along the Frome River. There is an impressive stone bridge surmounted by a statue of Minerva which one must cross to get to the Manor and its parking lot. The spot is best know for its Italianate gardens, deigned by Harold Ainsworth Peto beginning in 1899. There are a delightful tangle of paths which lead you through the gardens, each opening onto a new garden, architectural feature or vista. There are lots of sculptures, water features and columns sprinkled throughout the grounds as well as some more surprising features such as a larger than life size, seated, stone sumo wrestler which smiles down at visitors from a wooded hill. There is also a lovely oriental themed garden, a humorous statue of a dog enjoying a good scratch and of course the charming cloisters area where events like opera and classical concerts are held in the very intimate setting. Ian and I went to Iford to enjoy one of the three to tea performances. These take place on Sundays from 3 to 4 and feature local artists playing within the gardens. It was wonderful to hear some jazz in this unusual atmosphere and then stroll around the gardens. It was an excellent way to end the week

Fireworks at the Festival

Back home in Bristol we had a lovely dinner of moules frites accompanied by strawberry rhubarb crumble made from our recently purchased rhubarb, and then hurried down to the Harbor for the fireworks. This weekend Bristol was hosting its annual Harbor Festival which features musicians, dancers and performers from all over the country, performing in different locations around the harborside for free. We went last year and enjoyed the circus performances, some dancing and some music. There wasn't much to tempt us to venture into the crowds this year except the fireworks. A wonderful display, set to music and set among the cranes of the harborside and the masts of visiting tall ships, it was an excellent way to finish a great day.

Castles, crypts and coffins

Farleigh-Hungerford castle was quiet a different experience from that at Nunney. The castle is set apart from the nearest village and is a rolling expanse of ruins rather than the compact, well preserved castle we found at Nunney. However, there was an excellent audio guide that came with the entry, which explained the castles history and the rather intriguing actions of some of its residents. The castle was built by Sir Thomas Hungerford in the 14th century and was expanded upon by later generations. The castle is involved in stories of murder and imprisonment, as well as family battles over loyalty to the crown. The castle passed in and out of the Hungerford family a few times but was finally lost by a spendthrift descendent in the late 1600's. One of the best features was the chapel with magnificent tombs, in stone and marble, as well as wall paintings, some from the Victorian era and one massive figure of knight thought to be 600 years old. There was also a crypt with rare lead coffins including two for children. It was an excellent visit despite a downpour in the middle. We also took a nice walk along the river that runs by the castle before heading through Bath and back to Bristol.

Summer Fayre in Somerset

Saturday 1 August - Finally an outing to see some castles. we have driven by and seen the exterior of a number of castles, but I was determined that we should really see some and get more than a passing impression. With that goal in mind we made our way to the village of Nunney in Somerset. In the center of the town, surrounded by its own tiny moat is the picturesque Nunney Castle. It is a relatively small castle but "looks exactly how castes are supposed to look". It is French in style with the classic four towers and connecting curtain walls. It can be accessed by a bridge across the moat, however we were unable to get across as the area was roped off because of the Nunney Summer Fayre that was taking place. Despite the intermittent rain we had a great time wandering through the village and perusing the many stalls offering food, fudge, second-hand items, jewellery, plants and gifts. We picked up some fresh local rhubarb and a lovely and massive ceramic mixing bowl for a song. We watched the Morris dancers performing and enjoyed some freshly made doughnuts. We also visited the charming village church with its own second-hand sale and refreshments. We had a cup of tea and some sweets which we enjoyed in the pews before leaving the bunting bedecked town and heading for our next castle, Farleigh-Hungerford.

Castle Combe

Saturday 25 July - Finally some beautiful weather. We took advantage of it by going berry picking in the morning at Chosen Hill Farm in Chew magna where we got some strawberries and some red currants. After Lunch at the flat we drove to Castle Combe touted as the "loveliest village in England". It is a small fairly typical Cotswold village with lots of charming stone cottages complete with low wide doors and window boxes brimming with flowers. It also has the obligatory trout stream running merrily through the village. There is also a charming old wool market and butter cross at the town center. We walked around the town and the impressive Manor House Hotel with its amazing Italianate gardens. We also visited the church which boasts one of the oldest clocks in England. It was smaller than expected and in my humble, opinion not much prettier than many of the other villages we've visited but well worth a visit.

Walks and Clocks

Sunday 19 July- After a lovely breakfast in Russell Square park, Ian and I went our separate ways. I spent most of the morning in the British Museum. Then meandered along to the houses of parliament and Big Ben. I walked along the Thames for a while. Stumbled across the Gardening museum then made my way to Victoria station to catch the coach home. It took an excruciating 2 hours to get out of the city but I finally made it back to Bristol safe and sound.

Galleries and Gardens

Saturday 18 July - Ian had to attend a conference in London, so I took advantage of the opportunity to have a place to stay overnight in the city and explore London. I arrived in London late Friday night and had dinner with Ian. The next day while Ian was at the conference I took a long walk around the city. I made it a point to not take the underground so as to enjoy the nice weather and to explore new areas. I started from Russell Square and walked to the British Museum and walked through their Indian landscape display. It was then through the theatre district to Covent square market. From there I made my way to Leicester square and then spent a few hours in the National Gallery. Through Trafalgar square to St. James' park. A leisurely stroll through the park and it gardens to Buckingham, along the Mews and up to Knightsbridge and over to Harrod's where I enjoyed perusing the ornate food halls and the egyptian hall. Onto the V&A for a couple of hours then through Hyde park and up to Regent's Park. My favorite park in London, Regent's park had a lot to offer in the summer. The rose garden was spectacular with an amazing amount of varieties of roses including some I had never seen before. I also visited the amazing Avenue Gardens with its urns, fountains and topiaries. In the ponds there were a variety of waterfowl including some really cute ducklings. I met up with Ian outside the park and we walked to the Hotel, then went out for dinner at an Italian restaurant nearby.

Hanham Court

Sunday 12 July - Having read an article in our local magazine "Clifton Life" about Hanham court I knew Ian and I would have to visit and the sooner the better. The Property is owned and maintained by the couple I & J Bannerman who design gardens and landscapes for a number of Wealthy and Aristocratic people including the Royal Family. Despite being close by (between Bristol and Bath, near Keynsham) we had a bit of trouble locating the place, but it was well worth it. We were amazed by the gardens and especially the size of the massive planters used. There were lots of boxwood hedges keeping things in order and defining the space of the garden. Roses, Delphinium, sun flowers, dahlias, zinnias, lilies and especially sweet peas were all in bloom and looking spectacular. The house itself is a bit of a curiosity, with bits of building seemingly tacked on here and there including a turret. We walked through the main gardens then round to a very unique water feature, the 'dancing crown' fountain where a small metal crown sits upon a stone in the middle of a pool, when the fountain is turned on a jet of water from the stone shoots the crown nearly six feet in the air where it hovers until after a few minutes it becomes unbalances and topple into the pool. A real treat to see. After watching the crown dance and plunge we walked pass the pond and did a circuit round the adjoining fields and orchard before heading back toward the main house to have a cup of tea and some cake. After visiting the gardens we drove down the road the Avon canal where we walked along the canal to enjoy the sunshine and watch the canal barges before heading back to Bristol.

Village life

Saturday 11 July - After a leisurely breakfast Ian and I headed north toward Cheltenham and the "Romantic Road", a route I discovered in a Cotswold's travel guide, which promised to reveal some "delightful but lesser-known areas of the Cotswolds". After passing through Cheltenham we drove along some very small roads through some very quaint villages. The area is known for its stone built cottage and many had lovely gardens. We stopped off at Chedworth and saw the site of the ancient Roman villa. From there we passed through some more small villages and made an interesting, if unscheduled stop at the Cotswold Ice Cream Company farm where we had a taste of their wonderful ice cream before getting back on the road. Then it was on to Burford. A lovely and relatively large Cotswold village. We ate our picnic lunch along a duck infested river,near the public car park. Then visited the house across the river which had an open garden. The Cotswold food and wine festival was taking place this weekend in Burford so we had some lovely samples of cheese, apple juice and beer. We walked up the main street, perusing the shops, bought some Lardy cakes for Sunday's breakfast, and visited the small but surprisingly well stocked Burford Museum. Back in the car we made our way to the charming village of Fairford. This sleepy hamlet was one of the highlights of the trip. The reason for stopping was to see the only complete set of Medieval stained glass in the country. The church was lovely and the stained glass very impressive with a lot of character. On one side of the church the upper set of stained glasses features angels and saints, on the other devils and church persecutors. In one set on stained glass one can spot a pair of sandaled feet as they ascend to heaven. A local parishioner very kindly, pointed out these interesting features and told us about the church, the glass and its cleaning/restoration, as well as showing us the altar (which had been moved and covered to accommodate a wedding) whose legs were specially designed to mimic the arches depicted in the stain glass and which boasted a lily pattern created from inlaid wood. From the Church we walked to the mill and oxen pen. Where we crossed a small river where we could see large fish swimming and a family of swans and their cygnets. From Fairford we made our way to the much acclaimed Bibury, called by William Morris "the most beautiful village in England". It is known for its stream, full of trout and its row of picturesque weavers' cottages. We strolled around Bibury, picking up some trout for dinner from the local trout farm and enjoying the cottages and their gardens, the church and the Bibury Hotel gardens. We got back in the car and on the road just before the rain hit. And despite a wet drive made it home for a lovely trout dinner.

Hemington Open Day

Having left Somerset Lavender we took an uncharted route back to Bristol, on our way we crossed a sign for "Hemington open Day" our curiosity piqued we followed the signs to discover an entire English village open for visitors. Along with a large tea tent, games, interesting animals and games of chance there were several back gardens open for the public to admire. One particularly spectacular garden boasted a water garden, a stream with bridges, two aviaries, ducks, ducklings, chickens, chicks, doves, and guinea pigs as well as several flower gardens, a rose garden, a vegetable garden, an orchard and a netted garden for berries. At each garden various activities/items were on offer, one house featured china items, another used books and another toys. There were also raffles, ice cream, crafts and plants available. At the Church there was a flower exhibition featuring 23 arrangements each representing a different country. We took a stab at trying to identify the countries but some arrangements were easier to decipher than others. After visiting all the gardens we had tea with fresh strawberries and cream at the tea tent and enjoyed the music of the fairground organ, and immense automatic machine with moving wooden automaton playing along to the music. It was a marvelously British experience and Ian and I are ready to move to Hemington should anything become available.

Somerset Smells

Sunday 5 July - Having visited Somerset Lavender last year well past the prime growing season, and having enjoyed lavender currently blooming in a number of Clifton gardens I've been quite keen to revisit Somerset Lavender while the lavender was still in bloom. After having a busy and fun filled fourth of July BBQ the day before this sunday seemed like a perfect opportunity to take a leisurely drive out to the farm. Before we could even see the field we could smell the lavender. Pulling into the parking lot I was amazed at the vibrancy and intensity of the purple, it was beyond all expectation. We took a stroll through the lavender garden which features different varieties of lavender than meandered around the large field, taking in the sunshine, the scent of lavender and the hum of bees. I got a small pot of lavender to grow on my balcony and remind me of our trip.

Brean Beach

Sunday 28 June - Since it is finally starting to feel like summer here, Ian and I have been starting to dream of the beach. We decided to take a trip to the beach, with our friend Caryn and her sister. Trying to avoid crowded and touristy beaches we made our way south to Burnham on the Sea and then headed North along the coast road until we reached Brean. The beach here is protected by a spit of land called Brean Down. It was one of the most unusual beach experiences I've had. We parked literally on the beach and set up a blanket in front of the car. There were lots of people but not many had set out towels. The sand, if it can be called such was dark brown and proved to be muddy and clay like as the tide went out. When we first arrived the water was quite close to where we parked but by the time we finished are picnic it was several hundred yards away. There were no rocks or shells on the beach and very little seaweed. After eating we decided to walk to Brean down to explore a fissure in the cliff face. We then walked to the water which was no easy task as the mud sometimes rose to mid-shin. Once there, a beach patrol truck came along to announce that at this point with the tide going out and the sand being so soft it was no longer safe to be at the waters edge. We made our way back to the beach and decided to walk up the stairs to the top of Brean down. We tried walking to the end of the spit but every time we thought we were there we would crest a hill and see more land. As it was starting to rain we made our way back to the car. On the way back to Bristol we stopped in cheddar to peek in the shops and drive through the gorge. An unconventional beach outing but fun.

Hollyhocks, hedges and home

We made our way back to the car and drove out of town to visit Anne Hathaway's cottage, home of Shakespeare's wife. The gardens here were by far the most amazing. Unfortunately my camera battery died so I am without photos. However, there were tee pees of a variety of sweet peas, poppies, roses and the most amazing hollyhocks. The cottage itself was another interesting wood and timber building with furniture from the period. We also enjoyed a hedge maze and a woodland walk on the property. We drove through the Cotswolds to get back to Bristol, stopping in Stow-on-Wold for a lovely dinner at the White Hart.

Along the Avon

After visiting Shakespeare's birth place we wandered through Stratford. We saw the foundations of the house where Shakespeare died and the amazing knot garden attached to the original house. We also wandered through a public park, overflowing with flowers and punctuated with metal sculptures representing different Shakespearean plays. From there We made our way to Nash House, the Home of Shakespeare's eldest daughter and her Husband. Nash was a docotor and his home with Susanna Shakespeare was a luxurious, purpose built establishment. This house was very well run, large open rooms, lots of light and flowers from the garden in every room. The rooms hold original furniture of amazing quality and beauty. The entrance hall fireplace contains two large cast iron swans, because we were told, Shakespeare was known as the swan of Stratford and this has become the logo and symbol throughout the town. The Nash gardens are one of my favorite places in Stratford. There is a typical English garden, a structured geometric garden with box hedge and a rose garden overflowing with roses and with a boxwood alley through the middle. There was also a lovely shop and a cafe at Nash house. It is out of the way, off the main roads and quite close to Holy Trinity Church which is where we went next. The church is a typical English parish church with bright stained glass and impressive stone arches and carvings but is unique in that it houses Shakespeare's grave. The grave takes prominence of place at the head of the church, wardened off and with a monument to Shakespeare on the wall beside it. After strolling around the grounds, which are located right along the Avon. We strolled along the Avon watching people in row boats.

Saturday in Stratford

Saturday 27 June - With access to a car for the summer, Ian and I could finally make a trip to Stratford upon Avon. Practically living upon the Avon ourselves I've felt that we ought to visit the famous place for some time now. With the weather predicted to be sunny we took the opportunity to go on Saturday. It was a longer drive than I had anticipated, almost 2 hours and approaching the city was a bit disappointing as the main road passes by housing estates and industrial parks. Once we had parked and were making our way to the city centre things started looking up. We watched a canal boat as it passed through one of the locks on the canal. At a large roundabout we saw lots of lovely flowers and some shaped into animals: duck, swans and rabbits. At the tourist office we decided what we wanted to see and got a ticket that allowed entry into 3 out of the 5 Shakespeare properties. We first visited Shakespeare's birthplace. A large wood and timber house located along a wide walking path lined with shops. We first had to pass through a timed video introduction which was rather bland but processed us through some interesting room with stage-like sets. Then into the house populated with guides dressed in period costume. The most interesting feature for me was the recreation painted coarse linen which was used like wall paper to brighten the rooms. Also interesting was the fact that Shakespeare's father kept an ornate bed in the public sitting room just to show off his wealth. After a tour through the house we enjoyed the lovely gardens and an watched an actor giving lines.

Strawberries and Tea

Sunday 21 June - After the excitement of Ascot Ian and I took it easy on Sunday. We met up with some friends in the afternoon to go to a garden party. The event was held at Emmaus house, a not-for-profit organization which helps the homeless. Their offices are located in Clifton and have amazing gardens. The party was part of a fundraiser and far exceeded my expectations. There was a small croquet pitch set up. We played a rather haphazard very unofficial game which was a lot of fun. We also perused the stalls selling local crafts, second hand books, and a few raffles and games of chance. We then walked around the gardens. There were some very lovely roses as well as an impressive vegetable garden, a zen garden and a topiary garden. To finish off the event we had a cream tea for four including various sandwiches, cakes, scones and some really delicious strawberries. Despite the overcast, grey weather and a few drops of rain we had a lovely time.

Horses, Hats and Hullabaloo

Saturday 20 June - A day at the races! A friend of ours gave Ian and me tickets to the exclusive Royal Ascot races, a week long event of horse racing and socialising. The event is broken up into three areas silver ring, grandstand and royal enclosure. Silver ring is general entry, grandstand has a dress code of smart wear and the royal enclosure has a dress code of mourning suite for gents and specific dress regulations for ladies. The event is best known for its amazing and unusual ladies' hats. We saw a number of fantastic as well as outrageous hats and fascinators (anything smaller than a hat usually a headband, comb or clip adorned with feathers or flowers. We were lucky enough to be in the grandstand area which is separated from the silver ring but mingles with the royal enclosure so we were surrounded by smart dresses and immaculate suits. We arrived by 11 to get a parking space then walked to the racecourse to explore. By 12 we were quite hungry and made our way back to the car park for a picnic. We were unprepared for the seriousness of Ascot picnics in the car park as many people had set up tables and chairs, some even had tents or marquees and most had champagne and fantastic picnic food. We enjoyed our more humble picnic in the car then made our way back to the grandstand. The day officially begins with the arrival of the queen by horse drawn carriage. She comes from her home at Windsor castle, proceeds up part of the race track and into the parade ring. We saw her from quite close in the parade ring. Shortly after the Queen arrives the races begin. There were six races on the day. We placed small bets on most of the races which made the race that much more exciting. Between races we meandered around the grandstand area taking in the hats, drinking champagne and picking horses for the next races. Our friend Tom gave us a tour of the grandstands and watched some of the races with us. After the last race flags on songbooks are handed out and everyone gathers round the bandstand where there is a sing along. It was a very surreal experience to sing along to Sinatra's "New York, New York" with a crowd of Brits all waving the union jack. At the end of the day Tom took us to the town of Windsor to see the castle and quaint town. We walked along the waterway with its famous swans (that only the queen can eat, I'm not sure why she would want to) and glimpsed Eaton college. We had dinner in Windsor in the old converted railway station before dropping Tom off at his parent's home in Ascot and driving back to Bristol.

Bath from Above

Sunday 14 June - After our long bike ride on Saturday we decided to prevent sore muscles by going for a long walk. We drove to The University of Bath and from there began the six mile hike known as the Bath Skyline walk. This trail takes one through fields and forests and intermittently presents one with amazing views of the city and surrounding countryside. Some of the trails were well defined while other meandered through thick trees or overgrown fields. It was a perfect day, blue skies and warm but not too hot. We walked to sham castle a lovely castle folly which is only a facade of one wall but it can be seen from Bath City centre. We also took a rather strenuous detour to visit Prior Park Landscape Garden which features a lovely Palladian bridge (one of only four in the world). The park also has a sham bridge and serpentine pool, including ducklings, and some lovely forest paths. After exploring the park we meandered back to the skyline trail and made it back to the car park. Overall, a very physical weekend but quite enjoyable.

On the Road Again

Saturday 13 June - After a leisurely morning around Clifton we decided to stretch our legs by going for a bike ride. We chose a trail near Severn beach that would only take us about 4 miles to get to. The route itself was a 12 mile circuit with some hills. However, on the way there we found that a small section of the road was closed for construction which meant a 4 mile detour. On our detour we discovered a charming old church with a lovely churchyard full of a variety of roses in bloom. We were entertained by a number of cows in the adjoining field as the played with a traffic cone. We enjoyed our ride along the beach and winding through some small country roads through marshes and farms despite the occasional light rain shower. However, as the route back took us aimlessly through a number of industrial parks and we had to back track when we hit the detour from the other side, we ended up taking the train home from Shirehampton as it was getting on 8 o'clock and we weren't sure how to get home. Although it was probably the same length as the Bristol to Bath route we took early there were a lot more hills and a lot more turning around to retrace our route which made it feel like a much more strenuous trip. We had a big dinner and relaxed for the rest of the evening.

Bristol to Bath

Saturday 30 May - While strolling around the shops in Clifton village Ian and I found a used bike for Ian. Since it was such a lovely sunny day we decided to spend the afternoon exploring the Bristol bike path. Initially we intended on just going for a short ride to try out Ian's new bike, but once we had started we found the path pleasantly flat and easy going and the weather so fine that we went all the way to Bath. It was amazing to pass right through the middle of fields. The path was built on an old railway line and the remnants of platforms making charming rest stops. At a couple there are ice cream and drinks stands and at one an old depot still stands which serves sandwiches and other food. At one point the path goes through a long tunnel which is a strange experience, it was quite dark and the air was very chilled. Once in Bath we parked the bikes and took a walk around the city center. Then we biked up to the park and had a wander through the botanical gardens. Then we made our way back to the bike path and started the trip home to Bristol. The only difficulty on the ride was the myriad of bugs, mostly in the shady areas that with which we were pelted and our clothes were peppered with them when we got home. The path itself is 16 miles one way and Ian figures with the extra riding to and from the path we biked about 35 miles. We were definitely a bit sore the next day especially our bottoms but it was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.

All Aboard!

Sunday 24 May - After a leisurely morning Ian and I made our way across the Clifton Suspension Bridge to Ashton Court. We were in search of the rarely open Miniature steam railway. Created and run by a local club the railway is really quite impressive. They had two track running with six to eight trains running. The engines are mi natures of real trains and they pull benches for passengers. They are quite accurate and require refuelling with coal and top ups of water after each trip round the track. Ian and I paid 60p each for a ticket to ride the trains and it moved with surprising comfort and speed. no details were spared around the track which went by miniature stations and a tiny turntable as well as proportioned and working signal system and water pumps. It was quite an unusual and fun experience. Afterwards Ian convinced me to play a round of golf which we soldiered through (despite nearly killing the people in front of three times, Ian loosing two balls and a few blisters on our palms) until the 13th hole where we both lost our balls and couldn't find any replacements and so had to pack it in. We both got slight sunburns from our big day out but it was nice to see the sun again.

Bath Polo

Saturday 23 May - Ian and I got up early to catch the train to Bath, from there we caught a bus to the outskirts of the city and the Bath Race Course. All this effort was made to see our favorite sport, Polo. Disappointingly the since they were exhibition matches the games were only two or four chukkers as opposed to the usual outdoor six. However, there was some good play as it was the Women's international team against a collection of male players. despite some raucous, vulgar and uninformed local British spectators we enjoyed watching the matches very much. Between games we took a long stroll through the golf course and to the Cotswold way footpath network which gave a spectacular view of Bath and the surrounding area.

Leaving the Lakes

After lunch we started south again and as it was sunny again we stopped in Windermere and walked around the town centre but there was not much there except a few shops and restaurants. The real action was down on the lake shore at Bowness on Windermere. We visited a number of shops and stopped for some luxury lakeland ice cream which was delicious. Enjoying our ice cream we walked along the lake edge taking in all the tourist activities like boating and parks on the shore. It was by far the busiest lakeside area we had visited and from there it was difficult to really walk around the lake and get a good view. However we left the region feeling that we had seen much and would have much to explore and do if we have the opportunity to return.

Grasmere Again

When we left Aira Force we continued along Ullswater and all the way down to Ambleside where we headed north again to revisit Grasmere. We picked up so more Gingerbread as we had already exhausted our previous store and went along the riverside walking path. As we stopped at tea shop for lunch however, our luck faltered and it began to downpour again. It seems as if our time in Grasmere was cursed.

Water, Water, Everywhere

We Drove along Ullswater about two thirds of the way down the lake then turned off to visit the largest and most visited waterfall in the area, Aira Force. We parked in a National Trust car park a short walk from the actual falls. Along the way we came across a fallen tree trunk encrusted with pennies, not to be left out, we hammered in a penny of our own. Then we made our way to the falls with only a slight up-hill detour to another car-park (don't listen to other tourists shouting directions to each other). The falls were quite impressive and almost encased in the surrounding stones. We took a further venture along the stream at the top of the falls to another, smaller waterfall, Rushing Waters where we were able to cross the stream and climb down the other side of the river. We were lucky enough to have a dry almost sunny morning so it was quite an enjoyable trapse through the woods.

Another lake Another world

Sunday 24 May - We started our final day in the Lake district with another hearty Full English Breakfast than took a turn around the gardens at Thwaite Howe and admired the view. After we had packed the car and checked out we made our way over to Ullswater. At the top of the lake we stopped at the small town of Pooley Bridge and admired yet another well crafted stone bridge. We then took a walk up the stream to the lake itself. This is one of the more isolated lakes, surprising for its size. The road only tracks along one side of the water so to get a different view one has to walk or boat. We walked for a short while along the shore line and it was one of the most unusual I have encountered. Fields came straight to the water in some parts, other areas were rocky beaches and other areas were reedy. Dead or leafless trees stuck early out of the shore some partly in the water. It was a very interesting and serene place but there were a number of camp sites along the shore which detracted from the beauty and the feeling of isolation. We walked back to the town and visited a flea market in the town hall before heading out to Aira Force.

Dining in Cockermouth

From Buttermere we drove along Crummock water and up to Cockermouth. Although much of the town was closed for the evening we had a wander around. It seems like a lovely town, slightly larger than Keswick. There were lots of brightly coloured and cheery looking building among the many shops and restaurants. We decided to have dinner at a small pub called the bitter end which was associated with the smallest brewery in Cumbria. We had a sampling of the beers and chose and ale and a stout to have with dinner. After dinner we got caught in a small shower and saw a very nice rainbow. We walked around the town a bit more seeing the castle ruins and the factory of another brewery, Jennings before heading back to the car and back to Thornthwaite via the Whinlatter pass this time.

The Beauty of Buttermere

Emerging from the Honister Pass we came upon the small town of Buttermere. We parked in a car park set above the village and its parish church with a good view of the fells. We made our way into town making friends with a border collie puppy along the way. In town we saw the Fish Inn (home of Mary known as the Maid of Buttermere, considered a great beauty and written about by both Wordsworth and Coleridge. She Married a Colonel Augustus Hope who was later discovered to be a fraud and already married). We also saw the streams and a bit of Buttermere water. It was certainly a hidden jewel in the district, obviously well used by hikers and without the tourist frills and shops. As we were leaving Buttermere we saw some cows being led home via the road by a purple truck and kept in line by a border collie nipping at their hocks.

Honister Pass

From the Bowder stone we started making our way up to the bustling town of Cockermouth. Our route took us through the infamous Honister pass. The steep and winding roads did make me question weather the car would make it up the hills but as we wound through the pass we saw the Honister Slate Mine and some very steep and craggy fells. Many of the building and footpath in the area are made with the local slate which has an amazing blue hue to it, especially when it is wet. As we drove through the pass we could see swathes of blue where slate rubble had collected.

Wonderful Waterways

After thoroughly examining the Bowder stone we carried on along a small path, crossing the road and finding ourselves by a lovely stream. On the other side of the water we could see a lovely moss covered walk basking in sunlight. We walked along the river trying to find a way to the other side, Ian even tried crossing the river in is wellies but to no avail. I should probably note here that the water of the rivers and lakes here is remarkably clear and generally gives a lovely, if deceivingly shallow view of the rocky bottom. We looped back around via the river/road to the car park.