The Wild Wye Valley

Monday 29 August - Since it was a bank holiday weekend we took the opportunity to visit Hay on Wye. We took a minor detour on the way to visit the quaint church in Kilpeck. The church has a number of charming corbels including a rather cheeky sheelah na gig (fertility symbol). We took a wander around the church and visited the ruins of Kilpeck Castle before continuing our journey to Hay. First priority upon arriving in Hay was to get lunch, we had sandwiches and Sundaes at Shepherds then promptly visited our favorite shops and perused the books. After we had sated ourselves with browsing books we hoped back in the car and drove along the pass heading to Abergavenny. There was a slight delay when we came across three geese in the road. We pulled over to take a photo as they turned into a farm yard and then were entertained by the farm dog who insisted on herding the geese around. We picked up some greengage plums that the farmer was offering then continued further along the track. We stopped and took a small hike to visit some Welsh Cobbs as they grazed among the ferns before heading all the way to Bristol.

The Boutiques in Bath

Saturday 28 August - Another weekend and we rented another car. We went to Bath for lunch and some shopping. Luckily it was a fairly sunny day so we were able wander around comfortably despite the crowds. We had a very nice lunch at Wild Cafe and then did some shopping. I was overwhelmed by all the new fabrics that were on sale at my favorite fabric shop. We walked by some of the nice parks one of which had an impressive floral display for the Royal wedding. I also visited some new shops including a hatter and a bespoke stationary shop. After a few hours wandering around we got in the car and drove to Swindon to have a very pleasant and relaxed dinner with Sam and Jez.

Enjoying Some Summer Sunshine

Sunday 21 August - Because we had the car to go to Sam's party we decided to make as much use of it as possible. After a cloudy morning where we had a leisurely breakfast and I did some more Aerial yoga practice, the sky cleared and we made our way toward Bradford on Avon. We stopped along the way to take a little hike and enjoy some lovely views. Once in Bradford we wandered around and took a long walk along the canal tow path. By that time we were starving so we drove up the hill to the Castle Inn for a delicious late lunch on their patio. Then we dropped back down to walk along the weavers' cottages and inspect their gardens. On the way home we stopped into Corsham, a quaint medieval town with a lovely manor house, church and park grounds. We did some window shopping along the high street and meandered through the church yard and park grounds before heading back to Bristol

Sam and Jez's Summer Bash

Saturday 20 August - I woke up early to pedal up to the farmer's market to collect bouquets and bread for Sam and Jez's party. I packed in some Aerial yoga practice before we packed the car and headed to Swindon. We arrived early at their house so Ian could get the BBQ started and I helped Sam in the Kitchen and decorate the other rooms. We had a really great time. We met lots of Sam's friends, who we'd heard about previously. We were the first ones there and the last to leave. It was a really lovely evening.

Ballons and Bubbly

Saturday 13 August - We invited Sam over for a picnic and a view of the Bristol Balloon Fiesta. The weekend weather wasn't stunning rather grey and drizlly so we were a bit worried about the launch. However Sam showed up at 3 and we went shopping while Ian fired up the grill. When we got back laden with parcels we packed the food in our lovely wicker basket and trudged up to the park overlooking the suspension bridge. We arrived just in time and a cry of excitement for the first balloon went up as we arrived at the park. We spread out our blanket and the food and opened a bottle of cava and settled in to eat and watch the balloons. We had an excellent meal and a good view and the weather was a bit grey but quite comfortable. After all the ballons had gone by (85 in total) we went back to the flat for a cup of tea and some more chatting before we took Sam to the trainstation to head back to Swindon.

Treasure Island

Friday 12 August - Ian's Friend from Bristol Uni organized and outing to go see Treasure island at the Old Vic. However, the historic theatre is being renovated so a stage and seating has been constructed in front of the theatre, on the cobblestone street. We were lucky in that it did not rain as it was an open air theatre. It was nice to finally see an Old Vic production since it is one of the Bristol institutions that we had yet to visit. It was also fun to see Treasure Island in the city and area that inspired the story. After the play we had a pint with Emily before heading home for a late dinner

Queens, Poets and Cocktails

Tuesday 9 August - Ian was meant to work in London today so I had planned to take the bus in, visit a few museums and meet him for dinner then we could travel Back to Bristol together. Unfortunately, his company changed the plan last minute so I went on my own. I left Bristol at 9.30 and arrived in London around 12. luckily it was a warm sunny day so I was able to walk all the way to the V&A where I thoroughly perused the shop then had lunch in their excellent cafe before visiting the illustration awards, botanical prints, Beatrix potter botanical illustration exhibition as well as a number of other galleries. From there I took the tube to Westminster where I joined the massive queue to get into the famous Abbey. I wandered around the abbey following the audio guide which fairly uninformative considering how much history the abbey has. I saw the tombs of Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scotts as well as the stones in poet's corner. There was a lot of beautiful sculpture, carving and brass plaques. I left the abbey shortly after 4.30 and made my way to Trafalgar square and from there to Covent Garden where I met up with Caryn and we had drinks and dinner at Brown's. It was lovely to catch up and here about her move back to London. When we finished we said goodbye and I walked back to Victoria station via st. James park and Buckingham palace. I got on the bus at 9 and was home shortly after 11.

Barely Wood and Beyond

Sunday 7 August - We wanted to take advantage of having the car for the whole weekend but were not very inspired by the rainy weather. We went over to spin city and set up my aerial yoga hammock (it was so nice to get in it and play a bit). We took a walk around the village and things seemed to be clearing up so we decided to go to Barley Wood Walled gardens for a late lunch. We arrived and meandered through the garden to the restaurant. No sooner were we seated then it started to bucket down again. We were quite pleased to be nested in the comfortable dining room looking through the windows at the rain as is passed across the hills. We had an excellent meal, it was everything I was hoping it would be. After a very leisurely lunch (with an amazing dessert), we took a drive through the Mendips and all the way to Cheddar. It was an excellent way to spend a rainy day. We hit some traffic coming back to Bristol but finally made it home and settled in to watch the Pajama Game and have a light snack for dinner.

Foal Play

From Nunney we made our way to Lacock village. We hadn't been since Christmas and I was itching to wander the quaint streets and peruse the wares on offer at various doorsteps. We visited our usual shops and picked up an excellent cookbook from the national trust shop. We also got some fresh eggs from someone stoop. We took a brief walk through forest and field then looped back through the village. We then visited the horses in the paddock near the church. They were remarkably friendly, especially the adorable foal who kept trying to eat my sleeves or nibble my camera. We popped back into the village to buy some apples from another doorstep then brought them to the horses which was quite entertaining. We then tried to visit my favourite garden centre but as it was closing we only had moments to wander through. Then it was a leisurely drive back to Bristol.

Nowhere like Nunney

This is our third year of going to the Nunney street fair and the first time we've actually planned ahead and intended to go. I've been excited about this for the past two weeks since we booked the car. We got a fairly early start after breakfast and made our way into the countryside. We did get a bit lost on the way there but it was a very pleasant drive. We wandered around all the stalls at the fair and I picked up a few goodies. We had some local cider and savory pastries for lunch followed by the best fresh cooked donuts (one of the biggest draws to the fair). We took some time to relax on the grass in front of the castle and listen to the live music. Ian got his fill of watching the morris dancing and I got my fill of bargain shopping and donuts so we got back on the road and made our way to Lacock.

Frenchness at the Farmers Market

Saturday 6 August - Since we were going to Nunney for the day Ian got up early to go pick up the car. I cycled over to the Farmer's Market on Whiteladies road. Along with my usual fruit, veg and bread I got a lovely bouquet of flowers. I loaded up the wicker basket on the front of my bicycle and cycled home. I felt very french with my basket brimming full of goodies from the market, despite the grey drizzly weather.

Balcony Bounty

I've been having a lot of success with my balcony gardens this year. I'm finally figuring out what works and what doesn't and being a bit restrained with my plant purchases. We have a very tall tomato plant growing out front and we've just finished harvesting the last of the peas. My wildflowers lend a bright and cheery air to the front while there's lots of pansies and draping plants on the back. Although it has been Engalnd's coldest and wettest summer in 20 years and we've rareley eaten out on the balcony this year we are still making the most of our extra space.

Fascinating, Feathery Fascinators

Sunday 31 July - Ian had scuba diving classes and I had a class at The Bristol Folk House to learn how to make a fascinatos. For those who are unaware fascinators are headpieces that don't quite qualify as hats and which generally have lots of feathers. The class was a lot of fun and it was really interesting to work in a new medium. Everyone in the class had the same basic materials but we all created very different fascinators, much to my surprise. I was quite pleased with the outcome of my efforst and would be quite happy to start hat/fascinator making a new hobby (as if I needed another one!)

Stokes Croft Street Art

After leaving the Harbour Festival we wandered over to Stokes Croft to check out some of the infamous Bristol street art. I snapped some photos and then we dragged our tired feet back to Clifton.

The Cat's Whiskas at Harbour Festival

Saturday 30 July - This is Harbour Festival weekend. We didn't bother to go last year but the weather was nice and I wanted to see the art market. We wandered around looking at all the stalls for awhile and then took a break at the Whiskas area which had free yoga and a free yoga matt if you took place. I did the yoga class while Ian lounged in one of the giant bean bags scattered on the grass then we relaxed for a little while enjoying some free ice cream (those whiskas people really know how to live). Then we watched an aerial arts performance which used the arial yoga hammock. Finally we made it to the art market to peruse around, After, we were quite exhausted from battling the crowds so decided to call it quits.