A lovely day at symons yat with Vicki and Holly

TodayViki and Holly called round on this sunny yet showery day. The beginning of Winter really. We decided to set off over the Severn Bridge to Symonds yat past Tintern Abbey until we reached Symons yat just over in England.

As soon as we arrived at Symonds yat we had a meal in the Saracens head near the river bank. A pleasant pub frequented by many walkers and we had some very nice food. I nearly fainted we recieved the £50 bill. We then had a few games of pool in the back of the pub with Holly who was playing very well (considering she is still 8 although she was slightly creative with the rules) and whilst admiring a friendly terrier dog who we later met near the bridge outside. We went for a walk and Holly took some photos of the swollen river - which even now had canoes sailing down it. Holly, viki and I crossed a swinging temporary bridge and then Holly did some singing. She has started stage coach and as I discovered has an amazing voice - I was quite taken back. Next she tried to get me to climb up an enscarpement but I fell down quite some distance and was covered head to toe in mud. She then climbed up to a small cave with her mum.

We went back to the saracens head for several games of pool and then back for X factor.

I have been reading Harry Patch's autobiography

From Olddown to being a postman in Newport!

I Had the weekend off and had a somewhat contrasting days. On saturday I went to Old Down country park with my neice Elli. The park in situated at Old Down just outside of Thornbury (and where Mike Oldfield of Tubular bells lives) on the escarpment overlooking the Severn Vale. We made our way there and walked into the walled garden and into the cafe and had lunch whilst Elli had a go on the bouncy castle. A walk around the swings lead to the animas which included pigs, turkeys, lamas and some very lively emu's. A very pretty little place with a farm shop too. In the evening I took Jasper for a walk in the halloween moonlight which lit up the fields and was shinning through the trees.

On Sunday attended morning service at Thornbury URC for All souls and saints service. It was very nice and there was a part in the service where we could light candles for people who needed our prayer or had departed this life. Very much a servive about rememberance. The gales which had been howling outside had been gone by midday. After church chatted to an 89 year old Londoner called Aubrey who had served in the signals in Belgium during the second world. Aubrey lives in the flats near Tesco's and appeared to enjoy talking about London and his experiences in the war. After church I decided to head over to Newport to finish taking photos around that part of Monmouthshire and also to catch up with Fr Edward who was a student at the same time as me at Lampeter.

Going to Newport is like taking a step back into the 1970's with its boxing clubs - snooker clubs and general run down of VIctorian shipping area. Looming over the town is the great transporter bridge which dominates the whole town. I was in a down town little area of Victorian streets next St Michaels catholic church where two elderly ladies were stood in their doorways. ' Are you our postman?' they asked. A bit thrown by being though of a postman they asked again. Apparently I looked like their postman although what I would be doing without post on a Sunday I don't know! Anyway it transpired that they knew Fr Edward - who is quite a personality (always has been) and directed me in his direction.

When the door of the vicarage of St Stephens opened Fr Edward opened it and curiously appeared absolutely no different to how he was in 1993! It was great to meet him and he showed me arond the inscense strewn church and said he was enjoying his job in this multi cultural and interesting parish. A long way from the rural idyll of Lampeter.

In the evening I watched the antiques road show with mum and dad from Lincoln.

Zooming into the Cotswolds

I have always really enjoyed James Herriot books/films mainly because they combine the countryside with vintage cars. Today I had the opportunity to combine both cars and countryside as I navigated for Rose in the Gloucestershire Vintage car rally.

I arrived at Iron Acton at 9 and set off in the 1948 Triumph through to Michael Woods service station where we stopped and waited for Registration. I took the oportunity to look at the other cars - also heard on the radion in the service station that Stephen Gaitley had died. We set off at 10 along the roads through Wotton Under Edge and Tetbury (where we were momentarily following another car into a car park rather than the route!) and then along the long narrow road to Cirencester. We had up to this point had the hood off as the weather was ok - but just as we got on to the dual carriageway to Cheltenham it started raining. So we had to stop and put the hood on. Also we had to get the window wipers working which was interesting as they all had to work in tandem as they all worked on the one motor which had to be pulled out. We eventually made it to Cheltenham (Southam) where there was the Black Country steam and vintage car rally (although we were along way from the Black Country!). The place was full of steam engines and vintage cars and a car boot - we were parked two deep and had to ask the man in front of us to move his car when we wanted to leave. I had a good look around and was fascinated by the smell of stean and oil and also the barrell organs. Also interesting were all the stalls and exhibitions and there was a rag and bone man who looked older than his wares and a bit like a Dickens character with his pointed hat oily face.

In the evening I set off for home but mum and dad were out so I made it just in time for the Taize service at St Bartholomews (my old church). The church was in pitch darkness and surrounded by thousands of tea cup lights on the pillars and windows ledges as we sang the familiar latin chants. All very atmospheric and there was a long silence of about 15 minutes just looking at the candles and thinking.

A warm westonbirt day

As October progresses it becomes tradional to head for Westonbirt again - another year gone so quickly! We headed off early this morning climbing the hills around Wotten UnderEdge - Holly not too pleased at having to travel in my car again (she say's it makes her feel sick).

Anyway the countryside around Westonbirt was just as lovely on that ancient flat but high land with straight roman roads with lovely overhanging trees.

We parked up as usual and Holly took charge of the camera. We had a good walk around the main section - I desperately wanted to ask silly questions like - how did a 2000 year old redwood manage to get there. How was it transported - had it been there all the time? I'm very ignorant of these things (can't you tell) but there is something about trees which I love - the patterns in the branches and the wonderful colours. After lunch we had our usual game of hide and seek except that I decided to overhide which got Vicki and Holly worried a bit! Every single dog there had to be patted and smoothed by holly as we walked into the sculture trail. I like this part of the wood best as it is mroe natural in feel and quite ancient - and watched some wood carvers making chairs. We rested in a nearby field watching some airoplanes doing acrobatics in the sky before setting off for some drinks and Holly having a chocolate icecream.

The leaves were just turning - its a time of the year I quite like although quite sad as it marks the end of another year and the beginning of winter. Its a pattern which seems to ignore the wars - petty consumerism and buisiness of life in general. Things haven't changed much in some parts of the Cotsworlds although I guess this area is in reality populated by the 'London Set.' There is something quite reassuring that these trees will be around for many many years - and that that people in the future as well as in the past will enjoy them.

Do trees have spirits? An interesting theologial question. A narrow fundementalist line would say a most definite NO. However I'm a wooly liberal and it is my belief that it is the essense of all living things that constitutes a soul - or spirit - or that thing which makes me - me and you -you. Do I think trees have spirits which are capable of thinking or emotion. Well not thinking in the conventional sense. It's an intersting debate and one which has fascinated man in general. In the dark ages when England was covered by huge swathes of forests the celts and others were fearful of the woods and this can sometimes be shown in medieval art and lore. What does seem clear to me is that walking through woods seems pretty timeless. I remember walking awhile ago near some trees that my grandfather had played close to as a little boy. The consumerist grab for more things has led to a lack of respect for trees - and at their peril. I don't know if trees have spirits or not but what is clear to me is that they represent many peoples memories and the country around them - they are a silent witness to the world around them. It is reassuring in a world where things change (not always for the better) that something remain the same in one's memories.

Anyway ended the day with X factor and holly and I taking Jasper for a walk.

This week saw my third time at People Of Note Choir. I am enjoying this a lot - they practise in Clifton in the Bhuddist Subud Hall (temple) a former 18th cent Wesleyan chapel. I wondered in and took part in some of the excercises lead by Nickomo and Ressula. Touching toes, making funny noises and pulling faces - certainly nothing like the Anglo Catholic choir practices I was used to as a boy! There was a little bit of wandering around whilst singing - but you can guess who stayed still with the one or two other basses who were a bit embarressed! Work began on bridge over troubled water and resumed on a nice peice by Byron which stated that ' he loved man none the less but nature more.' Wonderful words! The notices during the break last week were memorable as somebody mentioned circle (as in stone dancing) dancing and a Hungaran folk singing workshop and Gospel this week! Very diverse!

Pursued by Police and a Rocking chair:

I fancied a quick trip across the bridge today and came back pursued by police and with a rocking chair. It all started when I decided I wanted to have the mouthpeice back out of my trumpet. I rang the shop in chepstow - partly because I fancied a day over the bridge. So I parked by the castle and walked into the town and up to the music shop.

I saw a rocking chair in the St Davids Charity shop - a very nice one for £40 and thought I would like it. However I first of all took my trumpet to the music shop. The lady serving had a device for taking the mouthpeice out - lie a vice. Trouble was - she didn't know how to use it. After 45mins I managed ot work it out and didn't have to pay either! On the way back I picked up the rocking chair and then walked through Chepstow carrying a trumpet and a rocking chair over my chepstow - over a mile walk!

I then crossed the iron bridge and then on to Hewelsfield and St Brievels before descding into the Wye valley and across to Whitebrook. Sad to see the old church now converted into residential use. The interior had an Indian style screen in it but I guess it had now gone. Passed the empty cottages and then down into Monmouth. I took the beutiful and isolated route through Cymcarvan and stopped at the very isolated medieval church.

I stopped in the petrol station and bought some groceries - and thought I had purchased some diesel.

The next day I arrived back from Clevedon having had tea with Vici and found a note on the mat from PC Plod the local special constable. It said they wanted me to speak to them. So I rang them and it transpired that I hadn't paid for the diesel - I had forgotten to look at my receipt. However the PC I spoke to said not to be too embarressed as he had just filled his police car with the wrong fuel and it had stopped on the dual carriageway. I sent the garage a cheque!

A quick visit to Lampeter and a dash down to Tiger bay!

This Saturday I travelled to two very contrasting places - the rural silence of Lampeter and then the highly modernistic and happening activity of Tiger Bay (Cardiff Bay) all in one day!
Basically Paul travelled up from Witney to Thornbury. Paul is one of my Lampeter friends with whom I shared a corridor and spent many late nights in discusssions and even went for a corridor midnight hike once into the Cambrian wilds arriving back at Midnight!
On the Friday I met up with Vici at Clevedon and had a meal overlooking the peir and sea and dashed back to Thornbury to meet Paul.
Saturday morning we decided to travel up to Lampeter - which was Pauls first visit for some time. It was a pleasant morning as we set off and travelled through the Valleys along the Brecon beacons noting all the familiar sights along the way. I always feel that I'm on my way to Lampeter when I see Pen Y Fans peak - or the small church tower of Llywel opposite the now derelict motel where I can remember on my first journey up to Lampeter mum dad and mys sister stopped to have a meal. I was very nervous not knowing what to expect - today I felt a bit sad seeing the cafe smashed to peices and overlooking to the ancient tower of Llywel. However not for long - we descended into the woods and passed through to Llandovery a small market town with a church and a wonderful bikers pub 'the west end cafe.' I always stop here on my way through Wales and although it is a bikers pub through and through it has a sense of place that Starbucks e.t.c. just doesn't have! There were bikers papers and everything to do with biking. So true to form Paul had a bacon butty and I had a cooked brekkie before making our way up the long mountain road to Lampeter.
Nearing Lampeter we caught sight of the radio mast on the hill which we used to see from campus and also past the old pub 'the ram in' where we used to have methsoc meals. I can always remember the landlord saying to me on my first visit with mum and dad ' you'll really enjoy yourself there my son!' Sadly the old pub is shut and boarded up - a sad end to a lovely little village pub. I suppose some corperate weatherspoon thing will take it's place who knows?
Anyway we passed into the town and parked up and then walked up Bridge street where Measyrhaf is. I used to live in Measyrhaf in '92 and was glad to see that there seemed to be students in there still! Our first port of call was Hags record shop. The owner 'hag' is an ex student and labour councillor and had a chapter devoted to himself from his time in the 70's in a book about a john o groats to cornwall pub crawl. However his shop is the epitome of what a record shop should be and how I remembered it when it was in High street. Floor to ceiling with CDs and LP's and the friendly bloke at the till who remembers me even though I only come in every six months and we have a chat about bands e.t.c. Anyway Paul and I had a good look around and then set off for the Uni.
Our walk around the uni took us to our old Halls - I had to peep into my room and noted that the furniture has now been changed at last! Designed by a prison architect in the 70's he had allegedly used the same design to make the cell like rooms. However many happy memories in Dawson of watching neighbours (whats changed!!!) going for gold and the numerous all night parties - gossip sessions and footie games outside. And our other rooms in the Welsh Simon Evans too. I also remembered my 1 am games of shoe golf with Mike and friends. I was introduced to Shoe Golf after crossing campus once at 2am. Mike and friends were playing their newly invented game of shoe golf. Basically it involved wearing your shoe or trainer at the end of the toes and then taking a run and then a long kick similar to real golf! One aim was to avoid the dulas river! There were various 'holes' from the library to the students union. The things we do when we're young!!
We made our way over to the old 1822 buildings which are modelled on Oxford Quads and had a look in the old chapel with its seating facing each other and painted green. Many happy memories of drunken carol services (not me drunk - the congregation!) and playing the organ in the high loft. Paul and I remembered the many services in here including the time we tried to get a congregation to sing religious words to Bryan Adams 'everything you do.' We walked past the refectory with memories of the infamous christmas meal food fight with 200 students having the largest food fight ever! I can remember being rather taken back seeing the chef splattered with food and a 100 people or caught up in a forest of flying food.
After our look around the uni we decided to take a walk up to Alt Goch an isolated hill fort situated a mile or two out of Lampeter in the wild woods on the old drovers paths. It was a lovely walk up a hill and past a farm and then into some thick woods with very ancient raised sides to the path- and if I remember rightly these were drovers paths. I have been up here a few times but couldn't remember if I had been here as a student but then it came back to me that I had done. In a flash I could remember walking up here on my own in light snow and thinking that the scene reminded me of a wooded picture in my grandmothers house. Anyway Paul and I climbed through the woods and out into the opening with views to the Cambrians - and as Paul said - the thing that struck us most was the silence - not having to listen to traffic or other sounds. We walked on and the path went through a feild of cows with calfs so we hastily looked for exits just incase but they didn't worry. We eventually found the elusive hill fort that I had never quite found before - a raised circular peice of ground. However before this we sat on a 100 year old tree that had fallen down.
Our walk back took us into town past a rugby match and then on to lunch in the legendary Mr Conti's. For those not familiar with Conti's it is a well known chain of cafe's in the area run by the legendary Mr Conti and the cafe itself (and some would say the contents) have not changed much since the 1950's and very much has that 50's milk bar look. Some of my first year friends used to meet here as coffee and potatoes were cheap here and would chat for hours planning parties or expeditions to go and buy joss sticks in Carmarthen! Anyway today we had our lunch here and then made our way down the street to call in on Mrs Rees.
Mrs Rees must be in her eary 80's and was chapel steward for the little methodist church ' st thomas' that we used to attend. During our first year the chapel was a crumbling Victorian building without heating or elecric points and had been closed as a dangerous structure several times. A rotten gallery, huge cracks in the walls, dry rot and a caving in ceiling led to it being pulled down in our second year and a new building put up in its place. During that time Mrs Rees had looked after the students and we used to have meetings in the new church when it was complete. Anyway since then I always pop in on Mrs Rees who like all Lampeter people knows all the town gossip and has always said 'you must bring Paul with you next time.' So this time I did and she was over the moon to see Paul!
As usual it was sad to leave Lampeter with its memories both when I was a student and the many subsequent visits. I believe strongly in the celtic notion (must be distant welsh/irish roots!) of place. For most people places are inconsequential. However for people who erected standing stones and built churches places were very important. Celtic people realised that places held memories for people and sygnifcance - and I guess that is why Conamarra, Ireland e.t.c. does with me. There are exceptions - I don't think Milton Keynes or Wolverhampton are likely to evoke such response from me - maybe they do for the people who live there?!
Our next port of call on the way back was entirely different - Tiger Bay. Home of Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones and once a redlight district. What a transformation!! We felt slightly dishelved amongst the suits well dressed people walking along the waterfront bars with their boats tied up at the quay. There is something majestic in the new National Theatre building and of course the redbrick dock building overlooking the bay.
The whole area was alive with people enjoying a good time in the miriad of resteraunts on the water front and even somebody doing some live singing. It was all rather impressive with the magnificent modern architecture and light years away from its hey day when Tiger Bay was a rough and tough area with a reputation. The whole regeneration seems to have extended to the late Victorian streets behind.
One point of interest was Roadl Dahls church - where he was cristnened the former Norwegian Lutheran church. A boarded gothic church of 1860 which looked as though it had been taken straight from a norwegian Fjord. After a spell of dereliction it was moved in the late 90's to its present site next to the water and now serves as an art centre.
We had our meal in a very pleasant restored dock building with a new atrium and then made our way back to Thornbury.
It had been a day of contrasts - good memories and company and hopefully won't be long before our next visit!

Three head off for Conamara Ireland

Well - the long awaited day arrived on Thursday 17th August for our journey to Rosmuc - we all piled into the car. I insisted on driving via the scenic route to Holyhead to catch the ferry - which although via smaller roads was the most direct. We passed through Lampeter and then through Aberystwyth where the sea had whipped itself up into a frenzy. I usually like Aber best when there is a huge gale and massive waves over the promenade. However I didn't feel the same just before getting on a ferry the next day! Holly had been very good but being 8 she was restless and wanted her fish and chips so we stopped off and then walked back through the castle to the car. There was a busy street market with lots of 'hippy things' which looked very tempting. The rest of the journey was lovely and we saw Snowdonia and Ffestiniog railway before arriving late at Holyhead. We found the beach hut hotel - a sort of back packers hotel (although not cheap!) and settled in. Holly was going through a eat as many crips as possible phase but we did manage to give her some other food in the nearby pub.

Next day we went for a walk to kill time. There is a massive headland with a large empty mock Victorian castle which is now boarded up and we played on the beach - Holly insisting I play on the rocks. Everytime we saw a ferry - there's our ferry she shouted!

At two we headed onto the massive ferry and made the mistake of sitting near the shop. Holly popped into the shop every two minutes and in the end I bought her a little toy puppy dog which she carried everywhere. We also had a meal on this relatively calm sea! We eventually saw Dublin and then drove the 200km to Galway and then along a very narrow road into some very wild isolated country which made Dartmoor look like the middle of Birmingham. Massive lochs and huge mountains and very dark indeed. We drove for miles and beyond our turn off at Mam Cross. Rain coming lashing down and we eventually got ourselves back onto the right road and drove 20km a long a road without houses at all and nearly got lost again. Eventually we tried a random little lane which turned out to be several miles from the cottage where Holly saw a little wild kitten. We knocked on a random door where a lady had heard of Martin Grealish's holiday cottage which was several miles away. A longer journey ahead and a but of guess work we drove a long a very narrow walled road convinced we were on the wrong road. We knocked on another door. 'Your very near my love - follow the road till you see a cottage all lit up - God bless you.' So we did but drove past it and nearly into the sea loch near a quay. Eventually we saw a cottage lit up and headed for it. 11.30. We should have been here hours ago. The key was under a stone.

It was mid monday morning by the time we rocovered. The cottage was in a lovely setting plonked in the middle of moorland wth a sea loch below and (occasional according to the weather) views of the Ben mountains . The whole landscape seemed littered with huge boulders and ruined stone cottages (Presumably vacated in the 1840 famine). We decided today would be a chill out day so we set about exploring the cottage and took the first of many walks down to the quay - or the car drop as Holly called it! The land around here was very boggy and had many stone lined fields which were a nightmare to navigate - but we did and found a small rock to perch on infront of a ruined cottage. However this was only achieved after more than one of us ended up knee deep in peet.

On the way back Holly met Tiny the dog - one of many that she met on holiday but she particularly liked Tiny - who lived up to his name and didn't mind being picked up all the time. She also made friends with a small sheep dog and tiny dog up the road but couldn't understand why the dogs were free to roam and didn't have collars. Evening was spend trying to light the peet on the cottage fire with views from patio window of the mountains and sea loch. Peet isn't the easiest of stuff to burn but we got it going and the smell from it is lovely! One slight problem we had was that the tap water wasn't safe to drink but the owners provided us with some drinking casks.

Tuesday saw us head out to the 'capital of connamara' Clifden which was where our local shops were - 30 miles away! A small town amongst the mountains with two huge spires dominating the scene. It has been founded early in the 19th cent by one Mr D'Arcy. Today a small bustling place not unlike those lake dstrict places. We eventually arrived and bought holly a rain coat and boots which was much needed although she didn't want to wear it! We then had a meal in a restaurant with views over the busy town square. On the walls were pictures of films from the area - the field and the quiet man. We then went to hire our bikes and a bike rack. Unfortunately the rack broke half way along the north road so John the shop owner decided to drop them over to us - and found our cottage by word of mouth - such is Ireland.

We eventually made our way to Revylle a large beach in the conamara mountains with good views over to the island of Innishboffin which mysteriously appeared and disapeared! We walked along the headland which involved negotiating some difficult stiles and wire. I once decided to slide down part of a small cliff which was very painfull and got some laughs from Vicky and Holly. We eventually ended up at Leanne where 'the field' was filmed and in the pub which was used in the film and had a meal and played cards. In the evening back at the cottage we lit a peet fire and watched some films.

Wednesday was the day of the bike bike ride! 3o miles for a 8 year old! We set off on our bikes along the walled fields and then on the moor road. Holly stopped to pat the dogs on the way especially a small brown one called biscuit. We sheltered part of the way in a disused station but then bravely fought the elements past lochs and a long winding road for 15 miles until we reached the hotel at Maam Cross. We were far too bedraglled to eat in the resteraunt and Holly spent some time chatting to the cat asleep at the entrance of the hotel. Several of the drinkers in the bar were interested to hear we came from Bristol and of course I had to have a guiness! One rather small and ancient looking guy said he had been to England before 'laying cables near Derby.'

We set off for home and made sure there was a warm fire lit in the evening! The man in the small shop Mikos was very impressed with Holly's efforts and I had a chat to him about Irish - most people in these parts speak Irish as their first language. He was very friendly as was his wife and struck up a good raport with them.

Thursday - saw us heading towards Renvylle on a reasonable day weatherwise. We took a packed lunch with us and our swimming gear and headed into the sea complete with our boogy boards. The waves here were good although it was actually warmer in the water than outside!

Friday - we went pony trecking at one of the most stunning parts of the region! We set off nice early and drove the long and winding road to Ballykaneelly via Cashel. The little seaside places were very picturesque but the road quite slow and again wonderful views of the Bens. I stopped on the way to take a photo and ended up falling in a rabbit hole which caused Holly to laugh. An unlikely road along some hilltop moorland with sea views took us to a viewing point where we could see an estuary and Clifden. The road took us to Ballykaneely a small reeflike place with a common and some very fine white sand - quite unlike any other beach I've seen in Ireland. Sean the owner of the stables greeted us - a weathered not very talkative chap he managed to handle Holly's 101 questions very well as he led us out onto the common and we rode across the beaches for a couple of hours. We decided after this we would get out and have a swim - which we did and we enjoyed the sea which was comming in.Our meal in the pub was very good indeed and Holly pretended she was called Sharon which amused the other people in the bar.

Our way back was slightly embarressing as we shopped at Lidls in clifden but had no idea that in Eire you can't pay by visa!

Saturday saw us go for a small bike ride along the narrow lanes near where we lived. Some of the roads looked hardly used and it was strange how there were small walled fields and empty cottages built of huge boulders dotted all over the place. We followed one road down to small quay where there was a ruined cottage. Part of the roof had caved in but I went into the part which survived - how people survived in those days! Very small - dark and with drift wood roof. Also across the quay were about 5 empty cottages - so there must have been quite a small community here 150 years ago. We played on the rocks and saw some chickens running about loose and sine geese. Our bike ride took us along a small road past some stables with tiny doors - clearly not used for a very long time. We spend the rest of the day having a roast made by Vicki and playing on the rocks and going to visit Tiny down near the quay.

Sunday was a rainy day but we did get out! We set off along the mountain roads towards Kylemore - a vast Victorian abbey built among the mountains. Also a bit of a money spinner - those nuns seemed to know a think about making money. It was also lashing down with rain and the passanger side wiper stopped working which was pain! However we stopped at the abbey and looked around at the estate and the vast Victorian mansion and with Holly leading us the large church too. Holly was in no mood for walking today but with a mixture of hide and seek we managed to ger her to walk to the walled gared which was lovely and still had the gardeners cottage intact. The visitors centre had lovely stuff but certainly not at Victorian prices - more's the pity! My friend back at Miko's store in Rosmuc lent me a wrench to tighten the wipers bolt which had come loose (but infact on returning to the UK it turned out the last person to service had installed the wrong size wiper!).

Monday saw us return to Renylle beach. The weather was horrific and the storm comming off clurred Inishboffin. But did that stop us going in the water? No it didn't. Holly was insistant and infact it was warmer in the water than it was outiside. We didn't feel complete idiots as another group were in the water - in wet suits! When we got back we warmed up with the usual climb over the rocks and then another very warm peet fire amd some films. Had a long chat with the man in Miko's about James Bond and Doctor who!

Tuesday - saw us drive off to Clifden again to buy presents and look around and go for a walk. It was a pleasant day driving among the mountains and when we got there we found connely's pub and had lunch. Vicky had an interesting sea food mix full of crab, salmon and other local specialities. We also met our bike owning friend and asked him to pick our bikes up and then sat on a varanda with views overlooking the whole countryside. We eventually took a walk up to the D'Arcy monument - the 18th cent chappy who founded the town of Clifden and enjoyed the magnificent views. On returning we cycled down to the guays and met Tiny and his very friendly owner again and lit our last fire.

Wednesday - we took our last bike ride along the same route as on Saturday. However this time we met three very friendly donkeys. In the afternoon another walk to the car drop and Holly had to say goodbye to Tiny. However there was a large labrador playing at the harbour who Holly played with for ages. We were slightly perturbed at one stage when he just plopped into the harbour. We looked both way's and panicked! However the dog hadsimply jumped in and swam back again and did it several times. We cyled up the lane back to the house and he joined us. A bit of a blessing as he kept Holly occupied and got very black indeed playing in a nearby pool. Eventually we had to get him to follow us back on our bikes to the farm where Holly appeared to say something to him and he just stayed! Our last meal out was at the hotel again at Maam Cross. I called into Miko's store where the lady had a long chat and said it was lovely to see us and to come back and in Irish ' God go with you.'

Thursday - saw us setting off at 7am. It was a journey and a half on bumpy roads down to Galway which took an hour and a half. As usual i was in a panic although we had plenty of time for the ferry! However we sped across Ireland and made it to Dublin docks where we had to wait a while. I must admit I was amazed that I had managed to get all the bookings e.t.c. correct - qutie an involved buisness! However we eventually we boarded the ship and had a meal on board. However it was tossed around like a cork and poor Holly was very frightened for a while. Sick bags were everywhere. I could hardly stand up. However we chatted to a lovely lady and family from Mayo (who now live in Stockport). Holly was frightened that we might have to get the life boats but towards the end of the trip she had recovered and was ready to go and tell the captain off. We eventually rolled off the ferry late at 6pm.

Then the wipers misbehaved again and a nice chap from Llanfairpwwngygogerchllandrybblecogerch garage came out and helped us and we were back on the road again. We wanted to find a faster route but unbeleivably the AA suggestion meant a trip up to Liverpool and then down! No way! My own home made route was a route via Shrewsbury and Telford and was a little quicker which goes to show that the AA don't know it all! As it happened the motorway took nearly as long as the other country route - I like my dad feel that motorways are only helpful if the destination is actually next to them!

It was 11.30 by the time we arrived in Thornbury and then Holly and Vic had to drive off to their own home.

So another lovely holiday in the Emeral Isle. Small places with friendly people - if only one could find a living in these places! A place where consumerism - tesco's (although they are making inroads here!) and other mass produced rubbish doesn't seem to have affected these communities which still exist on the wild western fringes. For how long one wonders - as house prices in these areas reach record levels - but the mountains and the lochs will always be here for ever. Having lived in a small community before - you do miss chatting to people in the local shops and passing time - living back in England one sometimes feels anonymous. However it is great that these communities still survive - long may they do so!

The Bristol to Tiverton Challenge!

Five years ago Lee and I had a day out cycling along the tow path from Tiverton to the end of the unfinished Tiverton Taunton canal. ' How about we cycle from Bristol to Tiverton one day' I suggested not thinking for a minute that we could actually do it one day! However we thought about it and had the idea that it was just about do-able!
After a couple of years pouring over maps we decided this year was the year. Previously we have done the Thornbury - Aberystwyth challenge and the Dartmoor challenge - this year was going to be the Tiverton challenge.
We had hoped to set off earlier in August but unfortunately I had severe tooth pain/ abcess so I had to grab the next available date. So on the 4th August I set off for Tiverton after putting on my handle grips I put the bike in the back of the car and set off for Lee's house with some very dark clouds and rain hitting the car. We spent a couple of hours planning in the whitelion - my favourite pub next to the bridge in Tiverton.
Next day at 7 we set off for Lee's mums house at Whitchurch and arrived at 8.30 - and it was then that the reality of 'the challenge' started. Our start was initially difficult cycling out of Bristol on the Wells road out of the city and towards Norton Malreward. I half expected to end up looking like the imprint of HGV lorry. My legs were beginning to ache even here - but had some lucusade and managed to find some strength to zip past the norman church down on to the Chewstoke road where we had our first photo stop. We passed through the small winding village of ChewStoke and then past the lakes which looked lovely.
We were heading for West Harptree or so we thought as we saw the lead medieval spire peep out in the distance. There were cycle route signs pointing in three directions and we headed off towards the village only to find that we should have gone in the other direction - even though my sense of dirction was telling me something different. Lucky we didn't take my normal route as it would have added miles on to the route.
The next section was very cruel as we headed up a massive hill on to the Mendips. It was like Everest but not so tame. The climb was virtually vertical and the sweat was pouring into my eyes. The views over to the Bristol channel mya have been lovely but I too exhausted to notice. My main source of inspiration was singing which ranged from the grand old duke of york to tipperary.
As I reached the summit Lee was at the top looking as thought he had simply breezed up the hill - think I must be getting old and unfit! We hit the road across the rollercoaster hill top mendip country and past the open lead mines until we reached Priddy. It seemed odd how I seemed to know all the pubs on Mendip although Lee questioend my sense of direction on several occasions - and just as well or we would have taken a longer route. However passing Priddy Pool we had our sandwiches and lucozade before setting off again.
The road fell down towards ebbor gorge - where I have been with Holly and Vicky on many occasions. Lee sailed on down enjoying the views over to Glastonbury and beyond - for me it seemed to hail the journey proper. We didn't join the witches at Wookey Hole (although a broomstick would have done us some good!) and we hit Wells at about Midday. The place was bursting full! W of people. We walked up the main street and through by the cathedral and by the Bishops palace where we bought pasties (but didn't share them with the ducks! ) and replensished our Lucozade levels and enjoyed sitting in the sun.
However we couldn't sit around all day we had to hit the road again. This time a bit of disused railway line leading to Dullcote and then a tiny roman road leading from there to Glastonbury with some very deep Rymes on either side - nice and peacful although my mobile phone kept ringing!
We could see the mystical sight of Glastonbury in the distance but unlike the mystical warlocks and witches who read The Guardian (and who all seem to hail from London - you are more likely to hear estuary english here than any hocus pocus) we decided to take the ring road around the town and head for Street. However the mysical sight of Glastonbury from that long straight narrow road will stay with me. I'm not sure what to believe about some of the legends about this place and the various characters who emerge (usually psychotherapists!) saying that they are re-incarnations of Arthur. However the whole place was under water (hence why there are no medieval churches on low lying land - current ones are Victorian) and the old belief that it will come under water again actually seems quite plausable. Blakes imagery in 'and did those feet' are wonderful ideas even if they are only legends in much the same way as the Santiago Compestella was for the medieval pilgrim. We can ruin it by looking at it logically and knowing that of course it would have been very unlikely a first century person from the middle east would land up in Glastonbury - but to do so spoils the idea and the romance. Maybe even if it isn't true we need the romance of the idea!! However there is something quite sygnifcant about the place and cycling along the straight narrow raod brough tthat to mind.
At street we cycled into the street and we met modern romance of a different kind namely that of the long suffering husbands and their credit cards. One can't imagine Joseph of Arimathea popping into Clerks village with his credit card taking a bashing from the wife. Yet there seemed dozens of families enjoying the great bargain hunt - and I must admit I did feel an urge to go and look at the M and S shop. We found some drinks in Boot and refuelled whilst the modern pilgrims engaged in their modern visa magic. Having said that - if there had been a record shop I would have downed my bike and come under the spell too!
It all seemed in stark contrast to the mystical relatively little known small road we travelled in on. That seemed to sum up camelot of old. One really can't imagine King 'Arfer' at Street screaming at his kids to 'watch that icecream' or lady quinivere going off to the next retail shop to buy a knocked down Gucci bag. Perhaps he could have got a knocked down round table from the Street Habitat shop but I doubt the gallant band of removal men would have been a match for the camelot of old.
Anyway we decided to move on and headed off down towards sedgemoor - deviating from the set route. We decided to follow the flat route heading for the start of the Bridgewater Taunton Canal. This area of course is famous for the 1685 battle of sedgemoor - and a peep into Westonzoyland church will find carved names of the prisoners captured and held in there and then given grizzly horrible deaths. 700 people were hung in woods not far from here. And as we cycled past something was clearly suffering on my rear end - namely my saddle. However the road was long and the rymes seemed to stretch on for ever. The area does still retain a sad atmosphere - like all fen land. On higher ground were the medieval somereset church towers and monuments - and eventually we passed Burrow Mump - Lee was well ahead of me by this time.
Burrow Mump (See earlier blog entry) has a church on a small hill - in everyway as atmospheric as Glastonbury but less known.
Our canal started after west ling and we hoped on to this pleasant peice of waterway which wound its way towards Taunton. I had started to think we were nearing destination (mistakenly) although I did see Wellington Monument in the distance.
As we headed towards Taunton I began to experience real agonising pain and was scared that I would have to finish the journey and would become known as Mr Two Thirds - in much the same way as Lee did after our Lampeter crawl. It was agony and I think if Lee hadn't have had foresight to put all his Allan Keys in his rucksack then it would have been the train for me. For some reason the saddly had been pointing into my leg right next to a very sensitive nerve.
The Taunton challenged the combined map reading skills of Neil and Lee and we hit the place on rush hour.
Somehow we managed to find our way out of the town and through to Bishops Hull were some ambigious signage led us to take another wrong turn. I think we had pschologically reached our home ground although in fact we had quite some way to go! We headed back towards the medieval octagonal tower of Bishops Hill church and headed downwards to wards some narrow lanes which went on and on - and on! Whoever had devised this route had cruelly left the steeper climbs till now and some ambigous signage again including once instance when Lee had to get off his bike and break some hedge to see it. We headed off with the sun lowering in the sky and the sound of church bells pealing at one distant and lonely church. I had to have some chocolagte and proceeded to eat a massive bar of chocolate whilst I was eating!
There were alot of negelcted cottages on route and some very isoalted places. Both of us were starting to feel exhausted although lee stopped to have his photo next to Frog lane (Lee is known as Kermit) in one village.
Just as I was about to give up and had sung my whole routine of songs we found the start fo the Tiverton canal covered in dark trees. From Taunton I had mentioned about wanting to have a nice long cool Fosters beer - and had dreamt of it for some time after our last lucusade bottle disapeared (Which Lee kindly shared with me). The pace really picked up as we headed for the pub at Sampford Peverill - infact quite speedy although one lone runner seemed to be putting us to shame as we couldn't catch him up.
At Sampford Peverill we stopped at the pub and I went in for the drinks. The barman and some of the blokes at the bar were qutie amused ' bloody 'ell' they said 'you must be fit!' Well not quite.
I sank my pint very quickly as I was very busy but was distressed to find somehow my lamp batteries had been used and it was one of those moonless nights.
I had to follow Lee for the last few miles in the dark occasionally running into bats and risking falling in the water and getting nabbed by a policeman on the other end.
We reached Lee's home by 11 where we took some photos and even though lee was exhausted very kindly made some tea which we finished at 10 minutes to midnight.
All in all a fantastic adventure - wonder where the new challenge will be. We seem to think it will be finishing the rest of this national track in the other direction.

A long way to Brean!

After yesterdays crawl I found I had left my camera in Phils car so had to drive over to St George to pick it up. Mr Phil was there with a big box of architectural pamphlets and books for me and then not wanting to get caught up in the motorway snarl ups found my own way to Brean.
Rather than sit in traffic jams for hours on end I went rather a long way round. I stopped at Pensford - a small village on the Wells road which was badly flooded in 1969 and has a church framed by a huge viaduct and on an island!
I then headed towards Clutton and then to Hinton Blewitt on the Mendips which had a village green and stopped to take photos in the village church where I had a chat with a lady doing the flowers. Several small lanes later I found my way on to the A38 but cut across by Crooks Peak and then a small road which wound miles until I arrived at Brean. May have taken longer but far more interesting and no hold ups rather than sitting in the traffic.
Arrived just in time for lunch at the Lazy pub next to Vickys caravan site. Sat there in the warm sun and then played ball with Holly who then had a horse ride on the beach - a fine beach with views over the channel. I like it here - although tacky in the extreme the Brummie people here are very friendly (and I have always found them to be so when I lived there) and just talk to you - which if happened in Bristol or Gloucestershire would lead to someone being sectioned!! I've found that before in the club - which although incredibly tacky is always friendly in a way which I miss. Having lived up 'in the midlands' I used to enjoy people making conversation ad hoc (even though I didn't like being called duck!) even though one didn't know them from Adam. The south is quite a solitary place! In the evening I was sad to hear of the death of Harry Patch the last tommie from the first world war - an end of an era. He brought to mind Gerald from Horfield church who we knew in the 80's. He had joined below age and lost his leg and arm - Harry was wise and never failed to mention what a waste the war was. He was a wise man - and although he admired the sacrifice of others he didn't get caught up in the pomp and circumstance of it.
I guess also he was our last link with the Victorian age and that era has now slipped from our human consciousness.

A gloucesteshire and Herefordshire church crawl

I hadn't seen Phil for over a year since the last AGM in Herefordshire (when I won a competition) so it was great to see him again. As he pulled up and we set off past Gloucester the clouds looked very mean indeed and we weren't sure what kind of day we woud have but as it turned out everything remained dry.

Our first stop was at Corse church - a medieval church within sight of the Malvern Hills with a broach spire and peeping over some orchards. Apparently the village was chosen as a chartist settlement in the 1840's but failed not long afterwards. Some workmen were in the church putting up some boards to commemorate this event.

Our next church was again closer to the Maleverns and fairly remote and next to a big house. The roads had flood measurement sticks at the side and we missed the turning. Hasfield had some gargoyels and some fine glass and an excellent view over the chuchyard to the hills.

Feeling hungry we stopped off at pub in Staunton where the publican seemed to have it in for blueberry J2o's and had never heard of Hasfeild even though he had been there for 14 years. Eventually an elderl gent piped up and said he knew the place. I had cod and chips which I of course enjoyed.

Our next stop was at Staunton Church next to a small lake and a medieval court now used for buisness puposes. With a medieval tower and what looked like a bog standard Victorian rebuilt I was quite takenback when i walked inside and saw some triangular Herefordshire Arcades 13th cent and the Elizabethan tomb with neck ruffs and family at prayer.

Our next church Bromsberrow was clearly a chocolate box affair and next to a massive house and we couldn't work outhow to get to it. In the end we braved the drive. A church with a tall timber tower and spire and of that reddish stone. Inside a locked chapel with tombs inside and some rather fine flemish glass.

Our next stop was at Easterton with a medieval tower and an elderly gent who told us to close the door to stop the birds getting in. A church which had been mostly rebuilt by Gilbert Scott in the 1860's and very ornate. Something which caught my eye was a little angel memorial - unusual as it was to a small girl of 5 who died in 1905 of dypheria but with a photo of her next to it. Quite sad really.

Mr Phil had to be back for a footie match but we managed to fit in another church which looked decidely closed and keep out signs. A small chocolate box church of early date with fine views over to the Malverns.

Wentwood Forest Walk

Having taken little Holly to school today I headed off to Wentwood forest across the bridge - clutching my jaw and a packet of pain killers. Jasper jumped in the back of the car and we headed off up the hill past the resevoir and into the shady picnic areas in the forest with some clouds that looked as though they were about to burst.

We walked for about five miles with Jasper developing a deaf ear at intervals but eventually left the forest and found some very nice lanes near Pen Cae Mawr and a strange fortified castle like keep witha modern farmhouse inside it. Will have to look up at some point.

After the walk I drove along Golden Hill with its marvelous views over to the Black Mountains and through the narrow high hedged lanes to the sad old Pennywell chapel with its gate which has been emptyfor 70 years. Sadly somebody has bought it and I was horrified to see that the toombstones which had lain in this quiet remote hillside for three centuries had been removed and the burial ground cleared. There seems something not quite right about this although I suppose the dead aren't going to be around to mind! Sad for me was the loss of some fine 18th cent gravestones.

Harry Patch - First World War Veteran

It was sad today to hear of the passing of Harry Patch - the last veteran of the first world war at the age of 111. I admired his view of the first world war summed up with him standing in front of some war gravs and saying ' so many people died - and what for.' It is sad because he represents a generation that has disapeared.
He reminded me of Gerald an elderly gentleman from Horfield church who I remember as a choir boy. Gerald used to come to dinner but I well remember the stories of the trenchies and why he lost his leg. I also remember reading All quiet on the western front..

Between a bad tooth and a Black Rock

Well - by now I should have just completed the Bristol Tiverton challange with Lee on our bikes. Instead I'm at home writing my blog! Well what happened?
On Saturday I looked after Holly - starting at 7am. A quick walk drive to Blaise castle with her bike. 'Hurry up Neil - keep up' she said as she sped through the woods whilst I was on foot. My chances of catching an energetic 8 year old on a bike were very slim. A little later she was climbing some tree's although had to steer her away from wanting to help an old tramp who was sleeping on a path.
Our next stop was Harry Potter and Holly was so excited she was knocking on the locked doors of the cinema. She went in and ignored the chocolate and crisps we bought in with us and ordered some pop corn and drinks at a staggering - £17 on top of the £17 for tickets!!! Had I of thought of it we could have gone to the Orpheus in Henleaze. Anway Holly made her way to the cinema into the posh seats. She was excellent - she was spell bound for the three hours that the film was on although not having read the book I was struggling with the plot of the film. I enjoyed Snapes appearances though - I've always liked Alan Rickmans acting - especially as the sheriff of Nottingham.
After Potter I dropped Holly home. She saw a little black dog without a collar and wanted to rescue it. I wish we had although at the time I thought he might live nearby and in the past this has been the case when I've rescue a dog (at Lampeter). I wish people would buy collars and keep their animals within sight and safe - it costs very little. I wish though I had done what she had wanted to do.
My next stop was Mellies (orchestra and Lampeter) for her moving in party at her new house in Clevedon. The whole time I kept thinking I would bump into my ex Girlfriend who lives in Clevedon. I'm not sure it would really matter as I'm sure she has moved on. As soon as Melanie answered the door I popped off to buy my paniers at Halfords before coming back.
And then began my problems. My teeth really hurt - very badly as I was driving along - no warning or anything. I grabbed some paracetemol. I was still under the illusion that I could still go ahead with the Tiverton challange but as the sleepless night went on I realises I couldn't.
On Sunday I let lee know that I couldn't go ahead without seeing a dentist. Having rung the emergency dentist I couldn't see anyone until Monday. I tried going to church but left after the first hymn as I couldn't stand the pain. The rest of the day I called round mums.
Monday saw me ringing the dentist desperately hoping for an appointment - low and behold I got one. I popped over mums where we sat indoors watching Percy the woodpigeon watching us on the shed roof and puffing himself up. I then had half an hour or so to kill so walked up by the common and into Horfield Church where I was a choirboy over 22 years ago. It's always been a mysterious church set in the middle of Horfield common and on such an ancient site. I can remember the processions around the churchyard, the choir schools and the characters of this very 'high' church. The church looks the same though although I always see something new everytime I visit (I usually call in on my way to the dentists!). I was always fascinated by the monument by the organ to George Armstrong who fell off the Bristol Bridge drawbridge in 1799. Was he drunk or what?
The jovial dentist said I had a cavity and that it was all infected and gave me some anti biotics. I then made my way to Cribbs Causeway - Cathedral of Consumerism where everybody seemed to have the appearance of the zombies in night of the living dead. The churchyard at Horfield was far less scary! At least they aren't inflicting poverty on the rest of the world not to name the endless pollution (yes I know I drove!!!). Had lunch with Vicky at Pizza hut (teeth didn't appetite) where as usuall I loved the salads!!
In the evening I desperately wanted to get out and see the world again before sunset! I decided to take Jasper for his daily walk - but this time over in Wales. He was glad to see me and we sped across the bridge noting that the tide was up. Saw the standing stones at Heston Brake (See earlier entry from last year) and then drove down the lane to Black Rock - the place of the last coracle fishing. There was a little harbour and a rock with a lighthouse which didn't impress Jasper. We walked to Sudbrook where I admired the Victorian Pump engine and the medieval ruined church next to the cliff edge which couldn't be seen under all the ivy and undergrowth. Wish somebody would care for it - not many years left now - a pity as the church has been abandoned since 1757. I then drove back through Crick and over the hills by Shirenewton - so near to home and never been around here much before '07! However my teeth were killing me by the time I got home - badly needed some medication!
I wish I could have done the challange today - but I was afraid that leaving it would lead to the tooth getting worse - so one day the challange will be done. We've already done the Dartmoor and Aberystwyth challange - we must do the Tiverton challenge somehow sometime!

Boating to Bessies the New Orleans way

I resisted the Fopp (record Shop) urge today and walked to the Architecture centre opposite Pero's bridge - not sure what the exhbition was today but couldn't help buying yet another book! Anyway Dad said to meet opposite the watershed at 4.15 so I was a little early and walked around with my goats cheese and olive baguette in hand. Today we were meeting up to celebrate uncle Johns 80th birthday (I can't believe Uncle John is 80!) by taking a cruise up the river Avon to bessies tea gardens.

However uncle John wasn't in the know so Pete led me over to where Uncle John and Auntie Janet were having a drink before meeting everybody else at the quay. 'Good to see you - fancy seeing you here today!! said Pete and aunty Janet. After a while claire, Joby and family arrived and then the rest of the family arrived. Elli and Toby were excited about going on the boat ride. However we waited for the boat but the boat didn't arrive.

However a little while later it turned out the boat was leaving from elsewhere. We all made a dash through Kingstreet - past the Llandoger Trow (where I used to spend a lot of time in my teens!) and saw the boat arriving and we all climbed aboard. As the boat moved along it was like being in New Orleans (does New Orleans have a river?) with some excellent new Orleans Jazz playing and chatting to family and Sue (Cousin) leading the dancing and waving to everybody on the shore.

When we arrived at Bessies we saw a mountain of scones, jam and cream. We sang happy birthday to Uncle John and then a good rock group started up - would like to hear them again! Uncle John gave a speech and Me and Alan had three scones and toby and the children sat and watched the rock muscians playing.

The journey back was great with the children enjoying playing on the boat. A really lovely afternoon and great to see family again and a bit like being on a boat in New Orleans!

Thornbury Mezza

Vicky and me found it too hot today to go for a long walk so we tried the new thornbury Mezza which was very nice experience. The old g

Mums Birthday

Mum and dad arrived back from north Wales yesterday and I managed to think it was mums birthday today instead of yesterday!!! In the morning I called over to see Mel and her lovely new house. Rob was in the roof looking for how to find the heating and the hot water on. Didn't stay long as had to get back and make some cheese and pinnapple sticks for Mums part in the afternoon.

Jasper had a super quick walk this afternoon as I drove over to Julies new house at the back of Combe Dingle - a massive thirties house - I was thinking I could probably fit my house in about 10 times! It was a lovely afternoon and met auntie Jilly who came over from Ystrad Mynach and also aunty Janet and Uncle John. Toby and Elli were there playing with the greengages and small apples and Wilf the dog getting very excited.

A night at the proms - Iron Acton Style

Saturday was a bright day and decided to head for Pershore Abbey although the M4 was clogged up and went for an unexpexted climb thtrough some of the narrowest roads in the uk. A road took me up to the isoalted heights of the cotswolds with barely room for the car and eventually I came to Cowley church site next to a husge hotel (formerly manor) with lots of signs telling worshipers to keep out. I then drove up 800 feet to Brimsfield where the medieval church was sited on the highest point. A sign said leave your car at the village hall but I couldn't find it! Eventually I did and walked up to St Micheals which had the ancient characteristic of not having an east window and had some splendid views over the narrow combes below.
The road somehow seemed to get narrower as I passed through a hillside wood - it came to a cross roads and then climbed up a steep hill and came to a hillside parish and crossroads with the saxon church in the hollow with house. Here only 40 people live and the church has medieval paintings and 18th cent pews and reading desk.
Then moved onto see more saxon work at winstone and then onto coulesbourne, north cerney and at Baunton something interesting. As I opened the door a huge 9ft medieval St Christopher leapt out from the wall. Apparently according to tradition seeing this once a day prevents the viewer from dieing a violent death.
On the way home I had a text from Mel to say that there were still some tickets on sale for the Iron Action proms. So anyway dashed out and bought a chair. Got there and enjoyed some excellent music from the shows and found I was sat next to psychiatrist collegue! Then came the flag waving bit - the bit I always find difficult having a natural aversion to any nationalism of any kind. However the fireworks soon put me at ease - amazing.

A hot journey to Evesham and Elmley Castle

It's been a long time since I've been back to this part of the world. Elmley castle is in a very pretty and relatively little known part of the world. My first stop was at Ashchurch where in the churchyard I found a pair of stocks - a good place to put some MP's I think. Now that would be good fun.

I kept my eye open for any asparagus farms as that is grown mostly around here. Elmley is situated under the Bredon Hills and is a pircturesque village of black and white timber frame houses and is middle England at it's best. I Stopped and had a look at the medieval church of St Mary. This is where aged 7 my interest in architecture was born - with the huge Coventry monuments with their ranks of children in renaisance dress and also at the back of the church a grim wooden carriage with the legend 'the trumpet shall sound on it.'

I was a bit hungry so I didn't head off into the hills - that will be a trip for another day. There are alot of iron age remains around here.

My next stop was at Little Comberton and then Bricklehampton a village on the lower levels and with a 13th cent church. At Cropthorne a large village full of timber frame houses I saw the wonderful Dingley monuments and an anglo saxon cross.

I headed for Evesham which was choc-a block full of traffic but is a pleasant enought little place. I parked a little way out of town and walked in and headed straight into a resteraunt which could have come out of the 60's. Its a strange thing with the west midlands that everything seems to date from that era. Another curious observation was that there was a real mix of regional accents. Some people spoke with west country accents and yet in this resteraunt everybody spoke with a brummie accent - very confusing but I guess this is on the borders of both areas. Well I had come here to look for a pressie for mum but although there was good selection of shops I found nothing and ended up buying myself a shirt in Burtons where the poor depressed shop assistant said ththe at several shops had closed nearby.

My next stop was to look at the small streets near Evesham Abbey. The abbey complex is a strange one. Two medieval parish churches in one churchyard (one now redundant) with a huge bell tower inbetween them. On the way into All Saints were two medieval figures which I thought must have been symbols for medieval local folk around the countryside. The redundant medieval building was decked out in puritan style but nonethe less interesting.

I walked up to the bookshop at Bengeworth. The book shop looks 19th cent - as does the shop keeper - a very nice survival (the bookshop not the shop keeper!). I actually didn't have enough money on me to purchase a Pevsner and could easily have just gone and purchased an up to date one. However I really felt I didn't want to line the pockets of certain evil multi national bookshops so walked two miles to get my money and walked back - such is my support for local shops!

Also I asked if he had a copy of Johny Walker - Tramp which dad had lent me when I was small and was a set text in his day. The book is the early 20's account of a real life tramp (the author William Davies) who originally came from Newport but went to the US at about the time of the depression. He was a real beggar for many years and travelled around. He eventually came back to England and wrote his memoirs and ended up living in a cottage in Nailsworth of all places. The book begins with his account of soup kitchens and the various dodges tramps did to get food.

I guess we don't see real tramps like that anymore - for all his hardships Davies comes across as having enjoyed his experiences. Anyway I'm glad to have found the book - it is a 1932 edition and cost £3.20. I would probably have had to remortgage my house if I had bought it in waterstones and some faceless executve would be sipping champaigne with the profit. Long live Independant shops I say! Also Waterstones wouldn't have had this title - it seems most bookshops just sale the same old stock everywhere.

A walk back and a drive round some more villages around Evesham and then back to Thornbury. I actually bought mums presents in Wyevale garden centre half a mile from where I live (are they evil multi national shops?!!)

A wonderful day on the Waverley

I've been meaning to travel on the Waverley for some time but have never made it! Last week dad reminded me that the channel trip to Lundy was taking place with the annual service in St Helena's church on the island.

I arrived at 8.30 and walked along the peir stopping where I saw Mark's placque. A crowd built up as I saw the paddle steamer circling the peir and then followed them down to this old ship. It was a replica of a 1899 vessel but actually built in 1947. Once inside I bought my ticket and then had a good look around - especially at the engine room where the beams were working full steam. Apparently the engines run on black oil these days. The whole ship was of an era and had a wonderful charm about it. I bought a hot chocolate and wandered onto the deck and had a good look around as the boat pulled towards Penarth and then along the Welsh Coast. We then trawled along the north Devon coast and then stopped at Ilfracombe - after seeing the great Hangman cliff. It was at Ilfracombe that we saw the town criers and a lot of people dressed in Victorian clothes singing sea shanties as part of the towns Victorian festival. The vicar also made himself known - Rev Auden and a request came up for people to join the church choir! Anyway as we neared Lundy the excitement grew - although it took half an hour to land the boat for some reason.

We then dashed up the hill to the lone church of St Helena. There had been a medieval church here but was replaced by this large building of 1896 - in a wonderful granite. However the east window didn't appear to be finished. We walked into the dusty unused church and I found my place. In the meantime the vicar got ready as did the makeshift choir. The organ was too damaged to use (salt air) so a keyboard was produced. The elderly couple next to me decided to walk out because of this - which was silly as the music was very traditional! Sadly the elderly gent giving out the hymn sheets said that this lonely island church might not remain open for much longer due to repairs required. The church was certainly dusty and some of the windows had replaced with makeshift glass.

The service was lovely - very anglo catholic! The candles were lit and then the inscense was lit and altar censed. There was a very young team leading the music (From thornbury) which included some psalms and the wonderful hymn 'Christ Triumphant ever reigning' which has a very strident tune! The readings were of the visions of Ezekiel and Revelation - and what I liked about the vicar was that he said he didn't know what they were about either but that they were beautiful writings. He was quite a jovial character who opened the service by saying 'welcome to everybody - especially those who pinched my place on the landrover! People have been heard to go overboard on the return journey!' He was very amusing and conversational - and I warmed to his theme as he said that he didn't have all the answers. He said that all he knew is that there is a wonderful creation outside the church - and that people shouldn't confine 'religion' to just the hour in the god box every Sunday. He also said that the creatures in the visions were a bit like those in Dr Who. He said that he didn't know what they represented - or even what the trinity meant. There was some chanting too. However I was watching my watch the whole time making sure I didn't miss the trip back.

Afterwards I shook hands with Rev Auden and walked out with huge views of the North Devon coast and the Island of Lundy. The church bells were ringing joyfully (all 8) and then I felt a little sad as the last lone bell tolled for a short while. It seemed sad that another year would pass before the church came back to use (if it survives!).

I ran down the hill and hopped on the boat and sat watching the coast as it passed me by. I popped down for a chili in the resteurant and then moved around the ship looking at the engine room and several rooms around it. It was nice to see the moon coming up above the mendip hills and to see the lights as we arrived near Cardiff.

We arrived back at 11pm an hour late after a lovely day out on this the last paddle steamer in the UK. It seems to me a far more sensible way to get about - nice and relaxed and also I felt lucky that the weather was good in the afternoon and unlike the mainland we didn't have any rain.

Hustings and Somerset

Last week I saw the Hustings advertised in the church hall with all the main parties involved and some of the fringe ones. Fortunately the BNP didn't turn up although a policeman came in case a few skin heads and the like turned up! I sat at the back expecting a nice session of Question time when the Vicar who was chairing the session turned up and deicded to ask me to be the runner with the microphone. So after a while of answering pre-asked questions I stuck my hand up and had the first question. I asked what the parties would do to clean up the financial sector which produced a laugh in the light of recent MP's expenses.
Next day I decided to travel into somerset and find Noroche castle near Broadway. On the way I tried out several places I hadn't been to before and found myself in some very narrow lanes

Llangeview an isolated place,

Some places leave an impression on you - and this isolated place that nobody comes to - certainly did that.
For years I had driven through the woods and down the small road with the black mountains in the distance (and the sugar loaf) and somehow had managed to miss this tiny place. Infact there was no sign. I simply left Qwernesney and saw a lane on the left and followed it for a mile until I saw a large farmhouse and then an isolated St Davids church all on its own on a small hillock and trees around it.
I parked the car on the grass and walked through the churchyard and was amazed to see the ancient door not locked but held closed with a peice of rope. It was dark in the porch as I walked in and fiddled with the door hoook (nearly left thinking it was locked) but wandered into an interior which was ever so simple (No Windows on the north side!). Not only had the 20th and 21st century left no mark on the place but also no sign of Victoriana (Other than the dusty harmonium) - the nearest things were 18th cent. It was all so simple and crude with the tall box pews and the pulpit in the middle of the nave - and just a simple table for the altar. The church dates back as far as the 13th century although most of the fabric was of the 15th. This church was made redundant in the late 1990's which is an amazing feet since there are no houses nearby. It is now owned by the Friends of Friendless churches who haven't tarted it up at all - hence why I Nearly put my foot through some 18th century floor boards near the pulpit!
For me it was the atmosphere of the place - its utter isolation (and only 20 miles from Bristol!!) and also the dust and simplicty of the building.
Will it be here in another couple of hundred years. I hope so. It is still a consecrated building and I Would love to think that maybe one day services could return - but I guess they never will. The place amongst the south monmouthshire hills is a very moving place. The fact that it is called St Davids was quite sygificant to me - the man who left his celtic mark all around the country of Pembrokshire, my universtity at Lampeter and of course several other places.
I started off at Llanfair Discoed and tried to see the castle under the undergrowth but it was on private property so could only be seen from the road. Then drove into the Wentwood forest and on to Usk and Llangeview. These are really lovely places but so few people from Bristol no that they are within half an hours drive away from them. Also the resevoir near Llanfair looked lovely. I then drove along the ridge at Pen Cae Mawr with the ridge of the mountains in the distance.
Earlier in the day popped in on Michelle and took Toby and Ellie to buy their magazines and had lunch with them before setting off for the Severn Bridge.

Getting Lost!

aving done a night shift I thought there could be nothing better than a short walk in the country in the afternoon.
I have recently aquired a Jamie Oliver cook book. I actually enjoy cooking but have been a little bit under practised recently. No - I didn't do a naked chef impression on my open stairs - but I did make a very nice basil and parmisan scrambled egg which turned out ok! Infact very nice!
Anyway I took myself off for a walk a little later - took Jasper in the car to Hill - a small place a couple of miles from here where mums ancestors are buried in the church. It basically consists of a aristocratic home and a church perched on a hill with rooks crowing endlessly.
I walked up through the common land and through a field of long grass and buttercups which opened up into the Severn Vale. I walked down a slope and saw a underused path lead into some woods and couldn't help wondering whether my ancestors had walked along here too. I walked through the woods and eventually walked back up the hill - no roads or anything nearby. After passing through a gate onto some high but flat ground I saw a deer running in the grass not far away.
I walked a little further and came to an edge and could see over the Severn Vale with the river and forest of deane in the distance. However I was completely in the wrong place and felt quite disorientated and a little worried as I was starting to feel hungry.
However natural instincts took me to the right turning and followed through the ancient fields back to the car.
On getting home I decided to make myelf a new smoothy which was actually excellent. It consisted of Blueberries, honey and vanila ice cream, chopped bannana and grapes and milk. Very nice - best one yet!

A Holly Day

A very pleasant day which started with looking after Holly for the day. Holly and Vicky popped in yesterday evening and stayed over downstairs whilst I had to put up with the cat jumping on my head all night!
Next day Holly and I took Jasper for a walk which ended up in a unintended £10 spend on comics,pens and sweets. We then walked Jasper around the park throwing sticks. Holly is a bit of a tom boy and insisted on climbing down to the brook where she saw a log crossing the brook and decided to cross it with me following with the dog.
Our next stop was Vue - one of the multi plexes I normally shy away from prefering the charms of the Orpheus in Henleaze. As we bought our hotdogs (two for holly) and pop corn which came to £15 I kind of get the feeling that people are being mugged and missing great places like The Cube and The Orpheus. Howover we popped into see Caroline which was quite different to what I thought it would be. Quite marcabe - a bit like the corpse bride- and besides myself I rather enjoyed it - including the haunting harp music..

Revisting St Barts and Crooks Peak

Today I sped off to St Barts to play for the morning service. Many of you will know that I sang in the choir and played the organ here from 1987-1990 and then 1997 - 2003. It was twelve years ago that I arrived back in the west country having hopped off a train with two suitcases having been away in Lampeter (3 years) leeds (2 years) and Burton year and a half year.
It was also the week as Peter Bailey started as preist in charge of St Barts along with Heather his wife. He could often be seen cycling around the parish on his bike. Anyway when I popped along to St Barts today I heard that Peter was going to retire - and it seemed to take all my thoughts back to that day when I arrived back in Bristol. Can it really be so long? Ireland, Vicky Holly, orchestra, new friends e.t.c. have all happened in that time since.
As I walked into the church and saw several familiar faces it seemed to take me back to the late 1980's except the people there are now older - including myself! The Victorian church (A massive building) has been reordered with carpets, chairs and a kitchen and loo in the redundant south aisle and some ramps built up outside. It was a nice service but sadly the organ ( an especially good one) was hardly playable.
The congregation were fitted into the side aisle - again I felt a bit sad that the congregation has now got so low in number here that they can fit in the side chapel with ease. When I was here the congregation comfortably filled up the nave.
Afterwards it was nice to meet up and chat to some familiar faces and hear how things have been . I remembered some of the former choir, 'Mac' 'Frank' and Ken but it was nice to see Miv there too.
Afterwards I drove over to Mellies who was packing for her move and then drove through the long route to Crooks Peak Via the standing Stones at Stanton Drew including three stones called The Cove which I had never heard of. We had an ice cream at Chew Valley lake and then walked through hanging wood up on to the huge hulk of Crooks peak and along the ridge.
We ended the day out in the Dove cote at Long Ashton.
It certainly feels like an era having heard Peter is leaving St Barts and made me feel reflective on how quick the last 12 years have gone.

I have also started reading a book about Monasticism I picked up at Tintern Abbey. Don't worry I have no intention of becoming a monk - I couldn't get into the habit. However it was book written by a Benedictine monk at Worth Abbey who was part of a reality TV programme where four different people from conrasting backgrounds attempted to get to grip with monastic life. The book is not so much a religious book in the convetional sense but deals with the importance of having some kind of 'sanctuary' in our lives - a place where we can take stock of ourselves.
One of the issues Abbot Jamison covers is silence and how important it is in these where we are so 'busy.' I found this interesting because I like silence. It seems strange for someone who plays loud musical instruments to like silence. However I find it helpful to have quiet and to gather my thoughts. I think there are different types of 'noise' and I find background noise both stressful and irritable. Good noise for me is music - or sound I want to hear. Bad noise - is the background sound of radios or noise from people around me which makes it very hard to focus on what I'm doing. I found the chapter on why silence is important and useful - interesting. It's well known in mental health circles that background noise affects mood.
The chapter on community was interesting - the abbot mentioned that the word community is often overused and has lost it's meaning. i.e. IT community, or radio controlled car community. The abbot suggests that being part of a community should be something much wider than our own particular interest in terms of culture and our responsbilities to those who are weaker, less well off than ourselves.
An interesting book and quite thought provoking...

Tintern Car Rally

The forecasters had the weather wrong again today. Barbecue and sunshine was what was predicted - however although it was grey and overcast at times the weather held out for the Chepstow VIA black mountain drive.

A collection of cars all met up at a garden centre near Pwyll Meyric just outside Chepsow. After admiring the cars - which appeared to consist of quite a few MG's and several Austin Sevens.

I met up with Rose at Iron Acton and Rose drove tothe garden centre in her 1948 1800cc Triumph
which as you can see is a very stylish car although with a long nose! We sped out of the garden centre and through the roman town of Caerleon -which still has remains of hydrocausts and large 15ft ramparts around the church and town and some roman bits and peices in the church. We took a small road towards Llanfair Discoed. The map said to turn right at the Taj Mahal. As we were not in India I presumed they meant the resteurant which has actually been renamed.

I thought we had entered the village on the wrong road but no problem we arrived at Llanfair Discoed and climbed past the resevior and through the Wentwood Forest and down towards USK where we headed out towards Glascoed and onto a nearby resevior.

We had to rescue Roses' door at a nearby petrol station but sped on towards good old Abergavenny with the Sugar Loaf mountain in the distance which I have climbed with Lee, Mel, Stuart and Sheila and of course carried baby Holly up when she was 1.

We headed along the very narrow road towards Llantony through the windy valley road negotiating bends, tractors and cars. At the abbey there were horses just having come back from a ride and we parked up and had a look at the transitional abbey - typical cistercian choice of beautiful locality in which to meditate.

We headed off towards Hereford but then ended up at Ross on Wye and had lunch and watched the cricket near the river.

The trip back was through the forest of Deane (near where I had been a couple of weeks ago) and through Coleford and into St Briavels past the castle - and of course the wonderful drop into the Wye Valley. The drive ended up at the Anchor Inn opposite the abbey.

I set off for a walk not to see the abbey but the medieval/Victorian church which stands on a very isolated spot on a hill and had been destroyed by a couple of people who had been dabbling with black magic in1977. The church lost its roof to fire and is today is in a very dangerous condition. The joists in the body of the church have rotted exposing the crypt and bits of stone work falling every where and trees and bushes growing all over it. Very sad to see. The walk up to it was along a cobbled path hidden between cottages and up a steep hill - lots of interesting tombs some quite sad including a 17 year old who died in 1876. Some were grand but covered in Ivy and there were one or two very loose slabs I stood on and moved quickly.

One wonders what the future of the church is. The churchyard is still owned by the church in wales but the church building privately although open. There was a note about it belonging to the Grail Trust.

Who ever it belongs to obviously isn't too concerned about health and safety (and quite rightly). Too many buildings are knocked down in the name of H and S or tarted up beyond recognition. Maybe this sad and very lonely old church will crumble on it's own - yet it is a key part of the scenery - completely upstaged by the abbey.

The place feels haunted.

However we made our way back to Thornbury where I said goodbye. Thankyou Rose for a lovely day - I really enjoy these rallies - they remind me alittle of the world of James Herriot (who you remember I came across accidently in Thirsk many year ago - although under sad circumstances!).

The evening I spent at Vicky and Hollies. Vicky made me my favourite Goats Cheese Tart with salad (a firm favourite) and Holly insisted on having a piggy back ride whilst watching 'about a boy' (With the wonderful sound track by Badly Drawn Boy).

A day out at Bath and Trying to break Infiltrate the National Trust

Whilst everybody else was tucked up at home watching James Bond or getting snarled up in holiday traffic a team of five LGO's (Long well green orchestra's) met up for a walk across the Bath southern slopes. I Set off nice and early because I don't know the south of Bath that well and ended up half an hour early near the Sham Castle. A little while later Peter, Dan and Alison turned up as did Ruth.
At 11 we put our best feet forward and set off on our tour which cut across Bathwick Hill with views over the city which took my breath away. I was pointing out churches and Peter pointed out schools - nobody dared point out the pubs! We also saw the train pulling out of Bath station and also the huge incongrous gothic tower and spire of St Johns peeping out of all that classicism. Anyway we carried on down a hill and past a small farm and past a weird looking cemetary with some interesting buildings in it although one covered in tarpaulin. This was in a small combe and and what caught my eye was a creepy nightmarish octagonal building which looked like it had walked off a hammer horror film. It was infact the nonconformist chapel of 1860 by Baths rogue goth Arhitect who designed some very weird buildings in the city - this octagonal thing was true to form. I was also interested to read that the poet AE houseman and architect JE Gill is buried there too. However I'm not usually one for cemeteries as they give me the creeps but it was interesting to see this hidden away far from anywhere!
We past our way through a field where someone was shouting at their dog and then across some woods and down the side of Prior Park's great garden and house.
We saw a very tempting door through to the park which just happened to be open - course we would have paid up if we had been required - honest!!! We didn't get to see the park as the entrance was miles away and a national trust gnome came complete with green overalls came out of a nearby house and told us we couldn't get in that way and told us to close the gates (even though it was him who had left them open!!).
Anyway I guess he mus have been suspicious of us as a mi5 hellicopter was circling up above us - no doubt sent by him to keep an eye on us for infiltrating his gardens. He probably had us down as litter louts and had the copter on the look out for us!!! However we made haste up the hill and found a nice place to sit and have our lunch with an excellent view of the city. Not quite so nice for the poor ant hills below - some of whom came out to see who was perched on their mobile homes - probably ruining their tiny plasma TV screen receptions. Anyway we had a good meal admiring the view.
We walked up by the uni and past a field with a lone white horse under a tree. Some of us were confused as to which white horse people were pointing at as there was one in the distance! The horse in the field looked bored and would probably have quite liked to have put his feet up and watched the grand national if the farmer had shipped a TV in. He certainly didn't notice us.
We carried on past the dogs home and predictably I started to feel upset. Everyone who knows me will be aware that like my dad I love dogs. I love animals anyway but I particularly like dogs and always adopt every single stray that I see. I could actually feel my eyes going - particularly when I saw a black dog bounding about in his kennel barking presumably for an owner or somebody to love it. I know sometimes people die or are made homeless but I just can't understand people who have a dog and then just send it away when they get tired of it. It's a mentality which I suppose one can tie into the whole consumerism thing - people want things and then put them aside when their done. Except an animal is not a thing! I've always believed that if humans have souls (That bit which is your personality - the thing that makes you you) then animals sure as heck have one too. I guess it's also the reason I'm a big James Herriot fan too.
Anyway we carried on until we reached the last feature of the walk which was the sham castle which in its GothiK with a K forms may have looked like a real castle if you had drunk too much. But of course it was a Folly built for the rich and frolicsome of the 18th cent to laud over the people of Bath below.
We arrived back at our cars at 4 and said goodbye. It was a very varied walk and very enjoyable with some excellent views of places I hadn't been to before.
However my excercise hadn't finished as I had to get back to take Jasper for a three mile walk.

A quick Tiverton Trip

Satuday saw me fly down with Mellie to Tiverton to see Lee (ex Lampeter student) although we got held up in a huge traffic jam at Avonmouth bridge. We had an excellent day out which commenced with Mellie bringing some Uni Photos of Lee (when he looked like Micky Pearce from Only fools and horses!) which his wife Katey enjoyed seeing! We then hit the town for our 'subs' which we took to eat by the canal in the lovely warm sun watching the ponies drawing the narrow boats up and down the canal.
In time honoured fashion we found our way to the White Heart in Tiverton which I have taken a liking to and also found some time to plan the Bristol to Tiverton bike ride which me and Lee are going to do in July. We haven't done one since the Crapstone Dartmoor challange. This was quite an adventure several years back. We choose a misty and rainy day to cycle across the whole of Dartmoor and picked a place called Crapstone to cycle too. I was most amused several years later to see an ad showing a cyclist entering Crapstone in exactly the same way as us even though we had thought of it before them!! The trip had been misty although we did get a good view of the prison - and I managed to get away! We also ate our sandwiches in the pouring rain just outside Mortonhampstead!
So hopefully the Tiverton challange will take place in better weather - I hope!

We're singing in the rain! A family picnic in the rain!

When mum and dad mentioned that we were going for a picnic at Wrington - I wondered whether they would ring up and cancel as it was tipping down! As I drew nearer and nearer I seriously wondered what we would do. However it was going to be a lovely day with my parents and my sister Michelle, Simon and neice Elli and nephew Toby.
We parked up in a layby in the middle of nowehere (like gangsters) and put boots on and walked into the fields by a stream outside the village. Toby (2) and Elli (5) loved it and walked for miles - playing poo sticks at a nearby bridge and then walking onto an old disused railway. I was amazed they walked so far!
For lunch we drove up Wrington Hill and had it in the pouring rain in a field on a tarpallin. It was actually great fun and clearly Toby was enjoying it. The rain came down and we got soaking wet but pretended it wasn't there! We walked up the hill at Wrington and then down again to the cars and then had a hot chocolate and cake at the walled garden cafe just outside the village where we were greated by a friendly dog. Had a good look around the gardens created for the Will's family (who I used to work for at St Monica's many years ago!!).
In the evening called in on Vicky and had a Thai green curry which was a first and watched 'death sentence' which was a somewhat gory gangster film - although I did enjoy the car chases!
I've always fancied being a 'wise guy' mafia leader - so long as I don't have to kill anyone - and presuming one can keep the left wing politics!!

Sunday Sun in April 4th

Vicky called over this afternoon with Holly and had a Shepherds pie which I hadn't made for years (Veggie of course). I actually quite enjoy cooking when I have the time and ingredients to hand although anyone who knows me will be aware that I rarely use a cookbook but just go by intuition - with mixed results. However today's went off with no problem.
After the usual DVD Holly asked to take Jasper for a walk so we set off along the lanes walking Jasper who was pulling today. We took a route I'm not familiar with across a farmers field and watched a pig and some piglets running up and down the pen as we walked past up the field and through a private garden and then a field into the white horse at Bickover enjoying the views over the severn. Holly had to get Jasper some water though.
A nice day out and also organised the Irish holiday to Conamaragh.

Glorious Gloucestershire

With some rather threatening clouds in the sky I wasn't sure where to head for - even as I got to the Severn Bridge. However today I decided to head off to that rather strange bit of country at the forest of Deane and the Gloucestershire on the other side of the Severn. I wanted to see a place called Awre which is on a loop in the Severn - and the tower of the church can be seen from the other side. I passed through several villages including the 18th cent Blakeney and down a long lane which passed over a railway track and came to a group of small houses and a medieval church on it's own with views over to the Severn. The church with its medieval tower was open so had a good look around. Apparently Awre is a crossing to the other side of the river and many families can trace marriages to people in the neighbouring parish across the water. However there are many records of people drowning including a trow in 1760 which killed 20 people. Also a rather macabre story of grave robbers in the late 1780's presumably for medical science who were taken from Awre and tried.

My next stop was at Blakeney with it's toy box gothiK church of 1800. It looked like somebody had got some lego and stuck it all together including a mean little tower. I disturbed the vicaress who was leading a meditation but they were very happy and welcoming for me to look around.

Anyway I headed off for the forest of Deane up the roads into the forest and came to an opening which looked interesing with common land and some very narrow lanes and cottages. I then set off for Littledeane and then Cinderford a curiously industrial little place and then to Mitcheldeane and Abenhall.

Woolaston, Blakeney, Awre, Soudley, Huntley, Cinderford, Little Deane,

Day out in Somerset

Thursday 19th March - Dad has told me that he had seen a 'tin tabernacle' near Wedmore yesterday. I have in the past sent photos to Ian Smith the author of a book which was reviewed in the times (and I was acknowledged in!) so everytime I hear of a tin tabernacle I'm in a rush to photograph it and send to Ian. This was one that he hadn't come across. So met up with my dad and drove to Wedmore on this lovely almost (!) Spring day and had a look around the huge medieval church here - which is on a large scale. We then drove on to the Somerset levels where this disused tin-church was and took some photos - before the owner could come out! Our next stop was the small medieval church at Meare with its manor house adjacent and also a medieval fish house nearby. The whole area had been a massive lake up until the 18th cent. However I didn't cross the field to have a look at it as there were some very angry and huge highland cattle in the way - and I didn't fancy arguing with them.

Our next stop was at Compton Dundon near a iron age fort by Somerton. The church here was open. We then sped off to Babcary where some ancestors came from and dad had a good look around the churchyard and found some graves. My grandad could remember playing at a stream near some cottages outside the village so we located that. Grampy could remember playing there during the 1st world war and when he last went in the late 1990's he said that it looked exactly the same as it did back in those days. A resident came out of one of the cottages and was curious as to who we were. When dad said that some distant relatives had lived in one of the cottages the man was a bit indignant and said he had lived there all his life and never heard of them ( I think he thought we were going to put a claim in for his property!). However he warmed up a bit when he realised that we were just looking at the place where grampy used to play. He used to travel up on the train and stay with his relatives. It's kind of strange to think how much the world has changed in all that time yet some places look the same.

Our next stop was Barton St David which has a medieval octagonal tower and a very early chancel arch. Our last stop as dad had to be back in Bristol to help Julie with buying her house was at Butleigh - and we couldn't find it!! After about an hour trying to find it we did - and had a very quick look around.

Lampeter, Celts, Friends And The Sea !

Leaving Lampeter today was like leaving an old friend - as I walked up to Falcondale lake and through the university campus another trip was drawing to a close.
Friday saw me doing some last minute packing making sure I had my Buildings Of Wales book and my camera I headed off over the Severn Bridge and followed the slightly longer route through Usk and by Abergavenny and crawled up via Bwlch (Welsh for Pass) on the A40 and stopping at Llanhamlech church to look at an early Christian stone in the porch. The church and house were set with the backdrop of Pen Y Fan in the distance.
My next stop was at Llandovery at the west end cafe. This is a cafe frequented by bikers and has a slight touch of the 'milk bar' feel about it. This was where we stopped when I first came to Lampeter with mum dad and Michelle way back in sept 1990.
After an omlete I took some pictures of the church and drove along the mountain road stopping at the small village of Caio at the foot of the Cambrians. I drove straight to Bryn Cwrt Pantycelyn where I was staying. Pantycelyn http://www.pantycelyn.co.uk/ is situated out of town along the Llanwnen road - a road where I drove many times when I was learning to drive with Mr Crybyn. Certainly an unusual place to learn - and I had quite a shock when I moved up to Leeds and had to negotiate roundabouts, traffic lights and zebra crossings!! Anyway I arrived and was warmly greeted by Anne and really rather pleased to have the room I had before again. It has a good view of the garden and of the cobs. Before meeting the others I decided to go on an architectural trail which took me to Llanwenog a hillside parish with views over to the Cambrians and very clearly ancient. Lucky for me the parish church, St Gwenog was open and inside the weirdest font I've seen. It was clearly of an early 12th cent date with 12 mask like faces printed into the side. All very celtic in feel. I spent some time wondering how people found their way out here all that time ago. I was also interested to see that this area is the Smot Yn Du (Gods Black Spot) with many old Unitarian Chapels (you only ever see one or two in large towns!!!) but there are many of them in this area and still quite active.
I drove to LLandysul and can remember travelling through here on the bus years ago.
In the evening I popped back to Lampeter and had a short walk through town and through the campus and St Peters. It was good to see the familiar sights including 'Magic Mountain' behind the college. So called because of the conical shape with a circle of trees (hill fort) and rumours that pagans were dancing up there with bonfires e.t.c. However I have fond memories of taking the trays from the refec and going up 'magic mountain' in the snow and sliding down below.

I also popped in on Mrs Rees (From St Thomas) although only for a short while. Her daughter Barbera was there and reminded me of the time when I played the organ for her sons christening and being used to playing a pipe organ nobody could help me turn the sound up on the new electronic organ purchased for the rebuilt church building!! Well her son is now 16 and Mrs Rees filled be in quickly on some of the local gossip around the church and town.
I saw Jo with family in The High Street - and it was a somewhat moving moment to see Jo again as it has been five or six years! Jo used to live in Simon Evans - the Welsh Hall with myself, Mike , Paul and Nigel and Alister. Jo was also president of the Lampeter Christian Union. Anyway it was great to see Jo, Ryan and baby Amy and we had a meal in the Blacklion - a pub which was the scene of many methsoc meals and debates in the past.
On saturday I had breakfast and chatted to some people from Stourbridge. I then drove into Lampeter and had a good look around the town. Some of the shops had changed although there seemed to be the same group of drinkers at Harford Square. I popped into Hags record shop - for old time sakes where I had a chat with the owner. I bought lots of classical and rock LPS from Hags record shop when it was upstairs near the town hall most of which dated from the 1960's. 'Hag' himself is a bit of a celebrity and features in a book entitled the longest pub crawl. He has also been mayor of the town as well as a graduate! I bought some classical Faure and by complete contrast an 'Alarm' CD - they must have regrouped recently. I can remember going to hear them in Birmingham with my school friends whilst I was at Lampeter. The Alarm are basically a welsh-folk-punk-rock band whose lyrics deal with issues like unemployment in the valleys and devolution.
I then walked past my old house 'Maesyrhaf' which is still occupied by students and Alan the barber is still snipping away. I then took a walk over by Brondeifi and admired the Quad buildings with the backgdrop of the forest and hills behind. Far better scenery than Oxford - anyday!!
At midday I met Amy Jo and Ryan who were staying near Tregaron. We had a little walk around town and unfortunately poor little Amy hurt her head running.
Anyway we set off for Llanechaeron a country house designed by John Nash in 1795 and now owned by the national Trust. We had a walk around the gardens and then had some sandwiches next to the lake. Amy particuarly enjoyed looking at the Pigs. We then had a cake and coffee and I bought some artichokes although not quite sure what to do with them! Our next stop was at Aberearon where we had a walk around looking at this perfect Georgian (well nearly!!!) harbourside town with its multi couloured houses and had fish and chips. It was cold out on the harbour.

After saying goodnight to Jo Ryan and Amy, Mike and I stopped in the adjacent pub for a drink and set the world to rights discussing the Credit Crunch and discussing how on earth fundementalists can reconcile Darwins Evolution theory with the existence of fossils and science with creation!!! Neither of us are actually fundementalists but it was interesting and reminded me of discussions we used to have around the kitchen table in our halls! Interestingly an old chapel I passed on Friday had the usual datestone inscribed with the date from creation instead of 1860 when it was built. This must have been a rebuff to the scientific liberalism prevelant in the area.
Next day I set off for St Thomas but had a wander by College chapel. I always recall walking in there one Sunday back in 1990 and being put off by the fact that the pews face each other in Oxford tradition! I popped back out to ask the chapel clerk where 'ordinary students sat!!!' However college chapel has gone Sky High since our days and there were even some stations of the Cross pinned to the walls. However the new chaplain caught me and today and said hello - I told him I used to play for occasional services there and practice on it.

During the night I had woken up and for some reason decided to read the book of Mathew something I very rarely do anytime! I've always read Mark but the last few words of Mathew really struck me ' And be assured, I am with you always to the end of time.' I thought of all those Celtic Saints - the people who had carved that font at Llanwenhog then my own past and today. There have been times when to be honest he has seemed quite distance but out on the hills and connecting celtic past those words do resonate.
St Thomas was packed and I recognised a few faces. It is amazing to think of the old Victorian church building with its huge cracks in the walls and ceiling and no heating or water!!! And within those three years the church had been pulled down and a new one erected on the site - now not so new at 16 years old!!! Sadly not so many students as when we used to attend the church. The service was taken by a Rev David Whitehouse and as with all Methodist services the singing was very loud!!!! Mrs Rees Grabbed me afterwards to ask about various Lampeter people. I recognised Peter Cotgrove (we had a methsoc bonfire on his farm).
A short walk later and I had lunch with Jo, Ryand and Amy. We talked about past Lampeter things and also our current jobs and church - and then sadly said goodbye. It was wonderful to see them after so long and sad to say goodbye but also great to meet Amy.

I then popped into college chapel again where visitors were looking around and said hello. I said that I had been a student here 'a long time ago in 1993.' They both replied that they had been students at Aber in the early 1970's - didn't like to say that was when I was born!!
In the afternoon I walked up to Alt Goch - a lovely hillside walk which I discovered in my final year or rather Michael found for me!! It was a long walk up through some very ancient woods and across a hilltop where the sheep seemed to be watching me!! It was very quiet - infact you could almost hear the silence. Nothing had changed much here since 1993 and I daresay not alot before then either. Could see the Cambrians in the distance.
In the evening I drove over to Aberystwyth - I love Aber and have some very happy memories of when we used to travel along the coast road in the bus as Students and Climb to the top of Constition Hill. Also some later memories when Mike first moved to lecture at the university we had a barbecue on the beach. However the best time to visit it is when there is a real storm brewing and huge waves.
There was no storm this evening but as Mike and I walked into St Micheals church there was certainly something going on. St Michaels is a very large charasmatic Anglican church that Mike attends and has somewhat lively music. As I said to Mike this was a rare occasion when we actually increased the average age of the congregation (instead of the other way around in Thornbury!!!). I tried to ignore the hands in the air e.t.c. but quite enjoyed the somewhat joyful music of the worship band and of course Stuart Bell preaching. All different from the plainer fare I'm now used to.
Afterwards we had our tea in the converted railway station which brough back memories of a long train journey with a girlfriend. It was quite a journey with some excellent scenery although the train didn't sink in Borth (as it apparently did when it was opened!!!). Again it came to that sad moment when I had to say goodbye to Mike but will certainly try and see Mike more often (when he's not in Las Vegas or geography conferances in Australia!!). One thing I have learned over the years is that although I strongly feel that places are important in a celtic kind of way it is people that make them sygnificant. I have been here on my own in the past but it's far better when old friends are around.
On Monday I had my final breakfast at Pantycelyn. Sad to leave my room with the view of the Cobs - and wished I could have stayed longer (would have had I not been having a sofa delivered on Tuesday!!). I do enjoy staying here and I can see Pantycelyn will be a place I will return back to in the same way as I used to with Mr and Mrs Jones Cwmanne (before they retired). A very friendly and peaceful place and not far from where I used to cycle whilst I was at college.

My first job of this very sunny day was to look around Lampeter and I bought a Univeristy rugby shirt which I changed into. I then cycled up Forest Road and admired the view over to Tregaron. My next stop was the Falcondale Lake - an area which has seen some of its woods chopped down.

Falcondale Lake is very beautiful although there was an urban myth doing the rounds that it was going to be filled in?!! We used to walk through the lanes at midnight and light jostics on the banks and sit around. Once we did this and were followed by some other students who decided to screach - being in the middle of nowhere in the pitch darkeness we all screamed. I sometimes used to come up here to think - and of course the sad day I left Lampeter myself, mum and dad came up here afterwards. Strange that memory is quite clear in my mind where others have faded.

I also used to come up here to sulk sometimes too. I did this once and came up in the pitch darkness without a torch. The lake was lovely but there were some dogs barking above the woods and the walk was pitch black. I then had to rush towards falcondale hotel as I was scared stiff! I can remember looking at the stars.

Today I cycled towards Maestir and then back to the car. There was a deserted farm house - one of many

My next trip was to Newquay - somewhere I asociate not just with Lampeter days but also with fairly recent holidays and meeting friends. Parked up and had a good wonder around (also in the former Steward Seconds where I used to buy my clothes!!!) and made for the peir. On the way I had a veggie pasty and then sat on the beach until half two. This was the beach featured above on the title bar of my blog (I'm the one with the sunglasses). The lady in the pasty shop took me by suprise by asing me if I was a student but then I remembered I had my uni shirt on. I was sneakily pleased she thought I might be although I guess I could have been a mature student!!

I drove back to Aberearon and then back to Lampeter for a quick walk around Lampeter town as I always do before leaving. I had planned to drive across the Cambrian mountains but as it is a single track road and there is nothing for 20 miles (and the time was 5.30) I decided to go back the normal route. I felt sad leaving as the beauty of the places always captivates me and also having had an excellent time meeting old friends. However I soon perked up after some scampi and chips in the West End Cafe and then managed to get a wonderful view of Pen Y Fan framed across the dusk as I drove past.

For me this Lampeter trip was extra special as I had met my friends and enjoyed seeing them again and catching up with them. I guess I shall be back later in the year.

I was home by 8.30 having driven the long route - immediately I got back I heard some barking and took Jasper for a walk.

Bath Day Today!

I couldn't decide to today whether to paint the house or go out. Anyway I called Mel and decided that it was a good day to go to Bath! Picked Mellie up at Longwell Green and headed for Bath to look around the music shops. I suggested parking at Landsdowne (up by the church!!) but Mellie pursuaded me to go for the car park nearer to the city with less of a climb! Anyway we visited the travel shop and tried to get in at the locked architecture centre - not open until April. However it was lunch time so set off for Pultney Bridge and had lunch there. Whilst mel checked out the sports shop I looked in Oxfam (a typical Neil shop since uni days) and then we hit the road for the music shop. I bought a CD of Macdowell music (or Wild Rose fame) and Billy Mayrle CD and then to Littlewoods where I discovered that clothes designed for younger people no longer suit me. Better stay with my biker jacet and Army Shirt of the early 90's!!! Had a coffee in Costa and then dropped Mellie back and I hit the road to Argos where I bought a nice new sofa bed and then walked Jasper. Weird Moon in the sky above the lane - very low in the sky!
In the evening watched my favourite Starter For Ten - a film about student life in the 80's with James Mc Evoy and Catherine Tate - I was a little bit like that when I was at Uni.

Jade Goody

' I wish Jade didn't have to die,' said 8 year old Holly yesterday. I have very little knowledge or interest who Jade actually is as I have next to no interest in Big Brother (although I did know Jonty Stern from last year!). I'm sure Holly had little idea who Jade was too as big brother is usually beyond her bed time. However it brought a tear to my eye and touched me a bit as she tried to empathise in her 8 year old way with what was happening to this grown up person.
I don't like Big Brother but I've always made it my policy as far as possible not to judge the way people choose to live the way they do. although I can't say that I particularly shared any of Jades enthusiasm for Consumer society.
However she is human with children and it has served as a poigniant reminder of people I have known and lost to cancer. It is very difficult to answer the question of why? It could be easy to come up with some glib formulaic answer gleaned from the bible or phillosophy and some who peddle fundementalist views probably would. My view is that there probably is no answer to the question why - other than it is tragically sad that people have to suffer pain and die. Sometimes I think Children summarise things very succinctly and my view like Holly's is ' I wish she like the other people I have known didn't have to die.' May she know peace.

A Glorious Gower Weekend!

Before the LGO trip away I must admit I was feeling abit nervous. Would people like it? Would the hotel be ok? Would there be a problem with the rooms - would it SNOW? As I made my way down in Friday it happily remained snow free as I drove into Swansea and along by The Mumbles and then along the narrow road through Bishopston to the familiar sight of Oxwich bay. I've been here several times in recent years - once when Holly had just learned to walk and took her first few steps into the sea and kept shouting after Vicky because she thought Vicky wouldn't come back again. Holly must have been two then. We then camped here a couple of years later and met a Hippy who lived in a camper van and lit a bonfire on the beach at 11pm. The hippy guy, Roland hailed from the Forest Of Deane and normally lived under the Severn Bridge - met him once again when I happened to be walking out to the Island below the Bridge. He seemed to have a very carefree life going from place to place in his caravan. Maybe one day if I'm ever made redundant I'll sale my house and buy a van and hit the open road! Nice thought, although I couldn't help wondering what he does for water or the loo?! Maybe I would like a camper van with creature comforts maybe! Better still a permanent yurt on the Pembrokeshire coast and take next doors dog (Jasper ). Well one can dream. Knowing my luck I would probably end up with a centrally heated cardboard box in Broadmead. There you go.

This time the hotel looked great and as I walked in I saw some familiar faces were in the ante - room. I was shown up to my room - which was a palace compared to my basic home in Thornbury. However what was great about it was the magnificent view from the window looking over the whole of Oxwich bay and a flat screen TV mounted on the wall. I felt like a millionairre although sadly without the ferrari or wife!!!
After a chat I couldn't wait to get to the beach and have a look around - it was good to be here again with the little church perched up on the cliff and the beach.
When I arrived several other people had turned up, Peter Patch and Caite and Angus and then everybody else turned up. Went for a short walk with Graham and family e.t.c. and put my feet in the water and I felt like an eskimo who has forgotten to put his socks on!!

We had tea in the bar which was very nice (as always here!) and then I popped into Swansea to pick Paul up. Having left the lovely surroundings of the hotel my arrival into Swansea was not unlike that of going into Beirut (but obviously with very different dress codes!). British Rail was amazingly on time and Paul had a good journey down.
I had a good long sleep. In the morning I worked out how to use the Jacosie (??!!) and stayed in there before looking out the window at the beach (after I had got changed of course!!!). After breakfast we broke into groups and started playing quartet stuff which was great and then set off to walk at Rhossili. On the way we saw a dog run into the road who looked like a stray and was very glad when Jacqui led the dog back to a house where the owner seemed to know him - poor thing. We drove to the cliff car park and met up although missed some of the group. The mist was closing in on this cliff top village and we could hardly see the beach let alone the cliffs and bay. However we made our way down to the beach and walked along the beach - and of course I had to roll up my Jeans and get in the water! It felt like I had just put my foot in the freezer but very nice anyway and I insisted on walking up the beach without my Docs or Socks on! I tried to get Martin to go in but he was wise enough not to.
We all huddled into the cafe at the top and had a pannini and everybody had cakes. We then made our way back to the hotel.
I decided to try and find Martin and the others at the pub (after a brief walk to the castle) but in the end took a turning down to Penrice - a memorable lane which led down hill and vale to a very small and ancient isolated hill top hamlet with a medieval church looking out over the bay. Very quaint indeed.
In the evening we had our evening meal and Rose had devised some games which were great fun - testing our knowledge of music e.t.c.
After this I enjoyed a good Port and went off to bed.
At 5am I looked out of my window and it was still dark - however I could hear the sea crashing and could see almost a silver pond like sea crashing on the beach. I left the curtains open as I watched sunlight arrive over the beach - very magical.
Had breakfast and looked at the lovely clear view. However this soon clouded over and it hammered down. However we played our quartets for a while and then walked along the beach with Jacqui, Michelle and Charlotte and got bac just as the hurricane was about to start.
We had lunch and then said our goodbyes.

Woodchester Rambles

This morning I thought about my evening walk with Jasper last Friday. We had walked past where an old cottage had stood opposite the school in Crossways road - a lovely little cottage with picture postcard windows and a date stone complete with initials of the family who owned it. However I got a bit of a shock because we walked past and found the cottage completely bulldozed except for about 4 foot of wall and a late Georgian rustic stair case poking out of the rubble. I was quite shocked as this was such a picturesque building probably dated between 1795-1820. However a look at the garden and it was clear what the developers had in mind. The cottage stood between the builders and someone making a packet and building some new residential units - maximising their profits and space allocated for new build.
I had mixed feelings - firstly shock. Secondly disgust but maybe also some sympathy for people struggling with an economic downturn which perhaps requires such drastic sacrifices. However it also highlighted the fact that there are many good unlisted buildings which are very much at risk at the moment. Several farmhouses in the area which although of some age are unlisted and it seems the latest grab for development land has seen developers buy old properties primarily to knock down and maximise the unit potential of the land on which it stood. Several 'for Sale' boards are quite blatant about it.
It seems to me that the planning laws our failing to protect those parts of our culture that are most at risk. It is not practical to list everything but surely something must be done to protect buildings of over 150 years old. The mistakes made in Bristol during the 1960's and 1970's appear to be happening again.
This morning I took the car to be cleaned (at last ) and took a walk in the Mundi Fields. I had planned to attend worship at St Pauls Clifton for a change (The music is excellent there!) but didn't leave in enough time.
In the afternoon Dan, Rachel and Alison called round and we drove up the steep Uley Hill to Woodchester noting the gliders on the way who seemed to appear from nowhere. We also noted the longbarrow with views over the river Severn Vale.
A rugged road down to Woodchester and a walk down to the house and to the lakes was lovely and very atmospheric as usual. The lakes were very still there were quite a few people out and about in the valley which made the place seem less isolated and haunted (which it can be at certain times). Work seems to be carrying on with the house and the estate.

Apparently the house is supposed to be one of the most haunted in the uk and according to a book I own a balck cowled figure and coffin can be seen hovering above the lakes. I'm certainly a sceptic when it comes to these things - I believe that people often have a psychological response to empty things or places where something used to be which produces a response which people assume to be ghost like. However after recent event at work I am a little more open minded. On a night shift I was reading in a lounge in the modern part of the building when I heard footsteps in the room above at 2am and 4am. Nothing unusual as one of our residents likes to go for a stroll - however when I dashed up to look both rooms were in darkness and the person concerned was in bed!! However it could maybe related to me feeling tired (although they were very audible footsteps!!) and I guess being an old building one does pick up on cues for things which I suppose could trigger a Psychological response. I didn't feel scared but just baffled. Maybe it was an animal on the roof?!

However should there be such things they are far less harmful than living beings. They don't have the ability to blow the planet up or the ability to use all the earths resources in lieu of future generations. However I'm always suspicious of mediums and spiritualists as they have the power to manipulate people when they are at their most vulnerable - and my personal feelings are to leave such things well alone (if they exist!!!) and let them get on with it!

On the way back we stopped at the small village of Frocester in a pub for a drink - and in the famous typical Gloucestershire fashion everybody did the Western thing - and stopped and stared and carried on.
Came back and watched Jeremy Paxmans 'The Victorians' which was fascinating following the inside outs of the Victorian home and the hypocrisy of Victorian morality and crime. Reminded me of my Part 1 History at Lampeter where I studied Victorian society and some of its less well known aspects. Also started reading a book called in the Shadow Of The Work House - an interesting book which I feel people society would do well to remember. The amount of times I hear people complaining about people being on benefits! The workhouse was very cruel as it segregated families, taught people that poverty was evil and their own fault and humilated people and led to some very harsh lives. Dad traced a distant member of the family to a workhouse and her paupers grave in a local Victorian cemetary - an umarked one which really brought home to me the harshness of Victorian society to poverty. Whatever the Prop Up mentality of Bevans welfare state one would never like to see a return to the workhouse and the mentality which drove those institutions.

A Saturday Walk

Jasper had another short trip in the car today. Bundled him into the back of a rapidly hairy car and then set of for Berkeley and parked up just outside the castle by a stream. I let jasper off his lead and we had a good walk past a nearby old mill and down past the power station where we were no doubt watched by all the cameras set high above the fences. Jasper chased sticks around on the shore of the Severn and I discovered one section of the Severn Way has apparenly been cut off although I could see over to Sharpness docks.
Then on the way back I walked along a path with a deep ditch below full of sewerage. There was a path parrell opposite and Jasper decided he was going to walk on that. After some bad language from myself and some apparent deafness (strange when Jasper can hear me arriving back at my house from 50 yards away!!!) he just carried on and nearly got stuck in the stuff looking at me to hawl him back out. No Way!! You got yourself in there mate! Anyway he struggled out with me shouting at him until he came back over a nearby bridge.
There fortunately was a river nearby and I dragged him into it with him looking daggers and not appreciating the cold. However my car stank!!!!!
In the evening I popped over to Vicky and Hollies for a Chineese meal and to watch Doctor Who.

Llandaff Cathedral Trip

I decided today to head off to Llandaff Cathdedral -never having been there before. It was a little bit of a nightmare trying to find it but eventually trawled my way through the north Cardiff suburbs to find the cathedral hidden in almost a little village with a Bsihops palace e.t.c.
I was impressed by the cathedral and also the friendly lady on the welcome desk although there were no signs to the entrance of the cathedral - not even on the door. I half expected a congregation to turn round and look at me as I entered the west door. But the place was deserted other than the organ being dismantled. An impressive interior with lots of norman work but having been bit by a bomb during the war had a wonderful rebuilt by Architect George Pace with a modern screen and a sculpture by Jacob Epstein (Coventry Cathedral) but also some wonderful norman hidden pagan figures hidden up above behind walls.
I had a quick walk around and set off to take photos in Penarth a seaside place west of Cardiff and then back for orchestra practise.

A walk with Jasper and Vicky

Jasper is a very lucky Dog. He has his first trip to the seaside yesterday to Brean and ran around in circles around the beach. It took him a little while to get used to riding in the car.
Today (monday) I popped him in the car and we headed off to Ashton Court after picking Vicky up (Holly at ha ha club). We had an excellent walk by the deer park with Jasper enjoying his new found freedom although he became very thirsty and had a drink at the caff. He kept looking back to see what we thought of him. We had a veggie burger and chips in the caff which I was suprised to see there since our 1990 games of golf for games at school. Jasper really enjoyed himself running around and it was nice to see him so happy and smiling across his face.
We had been out on Friday to see Madagascar and had a very nice meal at The Dovecote on the Friday.

Sunday at Sudeley

Today we set off for Sudeley castle after I had been to church. A very cold day indeed and had the look of snow about it. However we headed off up the m5 towards Tewkesbury and ended up

at Winchcoombe where we parked the car and walked towards the very pictruesque town and into Janes tea shop where we enjoyed some excellent food and conversation with the owner and people on the adjoining table. I had a very interesting orange and coconut tea which I cant find anywhere on sale. Anyway it turned out that the lady adjacent to me hailed from York so I told her that I had lived in Leeds many years ago which she found interesting. After our meal we headed off to the castle. It maybe a very beautiful castle indeed but certainly not worth £15 entry fee or even the £7 garden fee. However it was closed so we just carried on. We walked for several miles to the top of a hill which turned out to be Humblebee Wood (see photo) and not far from a massive long barrow called Belas Knapp Chambered Long barrow - even though we didn't know it at the time. That is why one should always carry a Pevsner buildings of england (gloucestershire) with you at all times!!! Apparently constructed 3000BC and thirty eight skeletons found there in 1863 and 1928. Well I was certainly no skeleton after our meal in Janes tea shop!

From Chepstow to Hill

On Saturday I joined Simon, and Elli and Toby for their trip to Chepstow castle which was a lovely trip. Toby was woken up to see the Severn Bridge - we were both wearing the same colour hoodie too! We drove through to the car park and then Elli and Toby ran into the castle and explored all the rooms and galleries in the castle. After a stop in the shop where Elli bought a princess and Toby a dragon we had our pasties in the car before heading back home to Thornbury. I have some new books I purchased in the shop by Kate Roberts and Rhy Davies , The Awakening and Print of a Hare's Foot ' which look interesting and are set in Wales.

In the afternoon I travelled 4 miles to visit the small village of Hill where some very distant ancestors came from. It was a bit weird seeing some 18th cent gravestones in the churchyard to the Hobby's with some rather gloomy verses on them to cheer the reader. However one was particularly interesting as it mentioned a Elizabeth Hobby who had been a maid in the vicarage from the 1760's for 29 years. This was to prove interesting later in my walk. I peeped into the ancient church with its massive raised family pew opposite the pulpit for the Fust's. Also on the wall was a tablet to one Thomas Hobby 1700 and something.

Out from the church there were many rooks cawing in the trees which made for a creepy atmosphere. Anyway there was a very pleasant walk over the gate into some common hill top land and where there proved to be a stile heading towards some woods and a tunnel. On the way back I asked a lady where the walk went to and explained I had seen some 'hobby' tablets in the church and the one about the maid in the vicarage. She then told me that she lived in the old vicarage at Hill and had a old sepia photo of the servants who had worked there.

All in all an interesting day out.

A visit to Sheila and Stuart - Flying the Lampeter Flag in Cambridge!

I had prepared the journey sometime in advance and wrote the route out on my dash board! However I didn't keep to the route I actually chose. I had written the route to pass Birmingham and stay on the motorways - and thankgoodness I didn't. I don't know whether I would have got there any quicker (even though the motorway was way off direction) but I decided to shoot up the Roman Fosseway and via Brinklow - somewhere which I remember well from the past. First up I got lost getting on to the A40 (how many times have I driven up it?!!!) and had to go into Cheltenham to get on it. However I eventually got my chariot back onto the fosseway and sailed past Bourton on the Water and Stowe and eventually Warwick.
I stopped at a pretty village called Brinklow which held a few memories for me. The thatch cottages and the church perched on high ground looked much the same as it did when I used to come and stay near here in the early - mid '90's. I was intrigued to find my name in the visitors book from 1992 - its seems an age away. I last came here I think in 1994 so it did feel very strange to be back to part of my life which has well and truly gone. However I do remember passing here on my way to Northumberland with mum and dad in the '80's so I felt a bit like a pilgrim today. As I went up to the church door three people, including a bloke who looked like a farmer who welcome me in and said there was a bathroom in the church?!! And there was too. I had a look around and at the visitors book - this is a very ancient place with some ancient tumuli on the raised ground outside the church.
On my way out the same three people were there and we chatted about church and about Thornbury. Apparently they only get 15 on a sunday here - how on earth do they keep it going? The friendly lady seemed to know everybody in the village and wanted to know who it was I went out with - I was very evasive!! Still it was good to see the place again although as I say that chapter in my life was a long time ago and now is now so to speak.
I then headed on to the M6 and headed on until I reached the outskirts of Cambridge and drove into Girton Sheila and Stuarts village on the outskirts. It was great to see them both after what seemed like an age!
After a catch up we caught a bus into Cambridge and had a look around. My first impression was that it was smaller and in some ways more cosier than Oxford - and I was very intrigued to be shown around the circular crusader church. Our Crusader church in Bristol (temple church) was replaced with the current perpendicular building - but here was the tiny circular building here. We then headed off to St Johns college and Trinity where I kept saying 'isn't this like Lampeter' everytime we saw the college chapel. However it was very reassuring to see some Welsh in St Johns comemorating the translator of the bible into Welsh. We had a walk around the backs and then into Corpus Christie which with its quad and tiny doors was like Lampeter!!!!!! We then had a good chat in a local Italian coffee shop before heading off to say hi to Sheila and Stuart cooking us an excellent meal.
After a goodnights sleep I popped downstairs and was shocked to have a call to tell me that Mark had suddenly passed away. It took quite a while for this to sink in - mostly on the drive back and on Monday. It just seems so sad that he should be taken so early. My abiding memories of him (besides the lads night out which didn't happen on residents holiday!!!) will be off him going out to help me and other around him. Anyone who knew Mark will remember that he wouldn't just help. He would drive from one end of town to the other to give me a lift and that was so typical of him - he was the same with everybody and will be much missed by all those whose lives he came into contact with.
In the afternoon we headed off for Lavenham in essex which was a first for me. I had always asociated Essex with Jamie Oliver or London but the part of essex I saw could easily have been Herefordshire or Shropshire. Our first stop was at an interesting looking church at Stoke by clare with a large flint perpendicular church with a medieval painting which was very cold inside. Our next stop was at Clare, a Augustinian community in the grounds of a former priory church - the current one using the former infirmery. It had a lovely garden.
We stopped in Clare for a meal having parked our car near the former bridewell and a norman quarry! Opposite the pub a large 16th cent house and a huge perpendicular church. We went into the warm and had a lovely meal before heading off to Lavenham.
It was dark as we entered Lavenhamand drove through on our way back to Oxford and sadly to say goodbye to Stuart and Sheila. I had a wonderful time (inspite of the sad news about Mark) and saw a part of the country I had not seen before.
The journey back was uneventful although I was quite thoughtful, sad to leave friends behind and also about Mark. However I stopped at Brinklow again and rang mum and dad to ask them where the chip shop was (unusual for me but peckish). Eventually I made my way on to the fosse way and saw a baby doe (?) which ran into the side of the road. However I cut a corner and headed for Evesham and then on to the M5 and then home. I still think it was quicker and easier than the whole motorway option.
I met up with Vicky next day and we had lunch inthe blue bowl at Almondsbury where I mentioned to the bar lady about a local ghost book which mentioned her pub. She confirmed this with a story about glasses being thrown and a little girl being seen. We then headed off to Blaise Castle and had a walk through it.

Back to my roots

Most people will have heard my story about my great grandfather being stolen by gypsies when he was a child working in the fields and luckily found again after the gypsies were chased. Well this apparently happened in North Petherton where he was born in 1889. There are lot's of 'Marchants' living in North Petherton today - some distant relatives too. Hugenots However there were hugenots who moved to Bristol and I guess quite likely they came to what would have been a prosperous place. So I decided to spend a day in the quantock hills and travel to North Petherton.
My first stop was at the local cemetary on the edge of town where there was a very spiky Victorian gothic horror chapel. A lady came up to me and asked why I was there - and she happened (via a very long winded conversation) to know Paul Marchant who lives in the village and is a distant relative. However she said she was not good at remembering names so no doubt poor Paul will be wondering just who it was who visited his village.
I took around the village and saw the congregational church where there are some Marchant Plaques apparently - recently closed. Then a wander round this large village and to the huge parish church.
I then took a single track road up to Broomfield which climbed the Quantock hills with views over to Wales and the sea. Broomfield is very isolated indeed and had to travel through a wooded area and up to some high land. All Saints on top was medieval with some fine 15th cent bench ends and through reading the tablets some connections with Ireland too.
I then visited Elmore and then drove to a fantastic farm shop where I had a large omlette and then back to several other little villages. In one I entered the church (North Newton) where the Alfred Jewel (now in the Ashmolean) was found. I also thought i was going to be lost when I walked into the pitch black church and heard a key being turned. I hurried outside to find it was a lady vicar locking the vestry up - phew - I thought was going to be locked in.
A very pleasant day with some fine views

The Harold Stones Treleck

Some lovely places are very much off the beaten path. Yesterday I set off from Thornbury at 12.30 and by 1.10 I was at this amazing hill top village 9 miles from Chepstow. Treleck (town of the stones) is on high ground with a massive early medieval church well worth a visit as it has some exhibits inside. However before getting to the village one finds the Harold Stones which are reported to have been erected to commerorate the victory of Harold Godwinsons army over the Welsh in 1036. However they are actually bronze age - and simply amazing in their little field off the road. I then drove to Monmouth - where there are some good shops although the Hawkshead is now closing down. A road out of Monmouth took me towards Rockfield and then I headed towards Llantillio Crosseny. However I took a turning off towards Newcastle (!) with the black mountains in the distance. At Llangattock Vibon Avel I saw a sign for the ancient church of St Cadoc. There were some lovely views of the blackmountains as I walked down a very long path to the church where five members of the Rolls family are buried (or Rolls Royce fame).

The road followed round to the main Skenfrith road - I then took a turning off and saw a large white castle in the distance but with only a footpath sign - now Cadw or national trust info - completely off the beaten track. I didn't stop but wish I did as it was clearly medieval and obviously not visited very often.

My next stop was at the very ancient church of St Teilo which is one of those places that are very dark and with a very heavy historic atmosphere. The church is situated amongst some half derelict 18th cent stables belonging to a house demolished in 1922. The church is mostly medieval but the crossing which is very dark and very low has a very ancient tangible atmosphere to it. History and the present feel very close here especially as outside there are rows upon rows of 18th century graves all around. There are some medieval doors leading to places that have gone and there is a green man (pagan) with a lolling tongue. The link between paganism and Christianity was a strong one in early medieval days - and one which would shock some people in the church today and to be fair some anti - church pagans too. The theological link between nature and Christianity was very close and sadly lost to today. It was one of those places where I felt like a modern ghost (ghost of christmas present!!!!) haunting the place instead of the other way around.

I then drove towards Monmouth and saw a sign for Llanfeanor. This wasn't in my buildings of Wales but I gave it a go. The road was very narrow and led through hills and valleys for several miles with the black mountains in the distance. At the end was a very small hamlet of four cottages and St Beunos church. The church was a Victorian rebuild but the dedication is that of St Beuno who came over from Ireland in the 6th century and founded a church at Clynog fawr which I visited nearly twenty four years ago!! A lady came out of a cottage and asked if she could be nosy and asked what I was up to. I explained my interest in architecture. She said they very rarely had visitors at Llanfeanor as it was so isolated hence her questions. She left convinced when I guessed the age of the church correctly (1860) however she did say someone had pinched part of the parish pump parts of which were left. I passed several 16th century looking houses on the way back.

My last stop of the day was at a lonely church not far away at Llanfihangel Ystern Llewern with a small timber bellcote and over looking a wooded valley.

Neil and the Dalecks and Cyber Men - Tiger Bay!

There was great excitement as Neil, Vicky and Holly piled in the car to see the Dalecks and Cyber men at Tiger Bay just outside Cardiff. Most people would normallyu run away from these creatures but we headed off for the Red Dragon display in Cardiff - Holly was very excited! As we entered the Dr Who building we had a nice cup of coffee and a cake although Holly was desperate to skip that and get into the Doctor who experience! We did get in and enjoyed the whole thing particularly the Dalecks who Holly made rise and fall several times. The Cyber men frightened her a bit but she soon recoverd enough by the time she got to the shop where she choose some iron figures and a Dr Who annual. From there we walked out into the futuristic environment of Tiger Bay with all the national buildings nearby and of course the huge harbour and marina and the pier on the end with an ice cream shop. Holly and myself had an ice cream and then went outside - hlly playing on the sculpures and asking every boat men if we could go on their boat. We eventually took a boat over to Penarth but didn't alight and then went on a ride over to the castle in Cardiff which took an hour. We then had an interesting eating experience in a Chineese resteurant where no one could understand us and we didn't know how to go about ordering our food. However Holly really enjoyed being able to helpherself and myself to the buffet available.
After our trip we travelled back to Thorbury where Holly played on her Nintendo and watched Stardust - which of course I did as well falling in love with the star like Triston!
A very nice trip out

A walk to the north pole - well Cam Hill

It was one of those days today! I have had a bad case of Man Flu (cold). Also I hadn't slept well during the night - infact I was downstairs rearranging the furniture at 3am. Never mind. However when I havea cold I become very very forgetful and today I lost my mobile phone whilst out shopping at Tesco's!
It was a beautiful clear day today so Daniel and Alison popped round at 2pm and we headed for Cam Hill near Dursley which is an old favourite. The conical hill was still there. Walking up the slope we noted the ice on the ground and also the quietness - well sort of. The car park was quite full. We walked along the ridge and from there we saw all my familiar places. Nibley tower, Herefordshire, Gloucester with its cathedral still dominating the scene. I reflected that it does seem unusual for a cathedral to stick out quite so much without being dominated by Sky Scrapers! We walked along part of the Cotswold way and walking back there was a lovely red glow from the sun.
We decided to stop off for a drink on the way back. In my wisdom I decided to drive to Berkeley and to a local green where I can remember commenting that there was a nice pub. It may have been a very nice pub indeed. However we parked the car when some aristocrat on a horse (who did look like Lord Berkeley) made himself look important and rode into the pub yard for no particular reason and cracked his whip and made some snobby comment which I didn't quite catch when he rode out. I wish I had started singing the red flag and waving a communist manifesto at him - I detest these hunt people. Aside from the hunting issue one could tell that he actually thought that he was something special and superior. I have no respect for this kind of person at all. Most of us have had to work hard to get by and have earned it by merit rather than birth right. Whilst I would not go as far as to wish our aristocracy the fate of the Rominovs I do wish that Labour had done more to strip these people for their hereditory peerages. This person on the horse clearly thought he was superior but to mind he was deluded as all I saw was a wealthy idiot on a horse.
As for hunting. On wonders what kind of mind thinks killing animals in a barbaric way is sport. I would argue that it is part of the artisctocratic mindset and right wing bias which emphasises the survival of the fittest and the destruction of the weakest. Thankfully society seems to have moved on from this kind of mindset but I guess some people still believe in it. Again their love of hunting fits in to the 'Individualistic' ideology which sadly has become a symbol of the post Thatcherite 1980's Britain. For me the banning of Hunting was perhaps one of the better acheivements of the Labour Party in these later years. I would like the Labour party to go one further and stop the perpetuity of the aristocracy. Not very likely but it would be nice.

We then headed on to the white heart - a favourite of mine where we celebrated dads 60th in November. This is where I made a bit of an embaressing gaffe. I was telling my parents about a rather rude ELDERLY 75 person I had come across recently. Uncle John said - 'he wasn't 75 was he in an amused voice (thankfully). I suddenly remembered Uncle John was 75 - I owe him whiskies for a year now.

When I got back I had a call from Tesco's to say my phone had been found! How nice not to worry about texts and calls for a day!

Once

Breda at work lent me a lovely film called once. A contemporary music film set in Dublin where a busker meets an assylum seeker single mum and set about making an album of some quite good music. This film has a wonderful sound track and deals with the issues of single parent hood and assylum seekers in an intelligent way portraying the fact that these people do have hard lives and have the same needs and aspirations as everybody else. It basilcally kicks the backside of grown up - comics like The Daily Mail. Having said that these were not the main themes of the film - the music was central.
However it did ring a chord with someone at work wanting to tell me a joke about assylum seekers and I said that I didn't want to hear it. One wonders if the Daily Mail readership lived under an oppressive regime they would want a better life for their children? The trouble is that the Daily Mail readership rarely questions the so called facts that this comic produces and sometimes the lies about scrounging e.t.c. I also reminded the person that the Marchant surname is of Hugenot lineage and over a hundred and fifty years ago would have come over as political assylum seekers away from the French Catholics. No answer to that!!

Another Trip To Westonbirt

Well things have been a bit quiet over the last few months due to problems with the car. However in Octorber Neil and Friends Vicki and Holly travelled to Westonbirt as usual for this time of year.

The colors this time of year seemed to be even more glourious - yet the best part of Westonbirt is the bit that people don't know so well. To the left of the cafe and down a hill is a more wild and less planned bit of Woodland with trees. Holly insisted that I chase her through the Woodland but getting to old to do that now!

It was alovely day out and after a rainy start it actually turned out fine.

On the way home we passed some of the neolithic hills in the fields around by Newington Bagpath where the medieval church is still standing empty after attempts were made to buy it and turn it into housing but the local farmer refused access for services. However it is very isolated indeed and stands all alone on the edge of a wooded field overlooking a valley now in a sad state of repair.

From Cathars to Le Vines - A trip to the south of France

After a few hours sleep on Thursday at 3 am - I headed off to Long Ashton where I met Mel and Rob and made our way to the Airport. After a shorter than we expected flight we ended up at Beziers and hired a car and took a trip to the Cap - De Agde. I had planned to do a bit of reading before I left - but following fairly hectic events at work it meant that I have had little time to read up on the region. We spent some time at Cap De Agne and even managed to make a small splash in the med and had a pleasant lunch.

We then moved on to Beziers. I love French towns and I Love how all the regions all seem so different. This one was very different from my normal Normany-Brittany trips of the past and my first glimpse of mediteranean France. A walk around Beziers and after bit of reading I was intrigued to find out about the Cathars - a form of pre-reformation heresy that I hadn't come across although typical of the region. Having read Laurie Lee's 'as I walked out one summer morning' I was excited to see the pyranees in the distance! However I had no plans to walk away with just a violin to make a living with!

Anyway Beziers had quite a bloody history with Simon De Montfort rounding up thousand of people for execution. I was also intrigued later to learn that I had past several routes to St Iago (st James de Compestella). The architecture here following the usual French medieval plans - strangely unlike English medieval towns not appearing to have burgage plots. We had a good look around the cathedral of St Nazaire. St Nazaire cathedral like many in the region seemed partially built but on an excellent hill tip site. We arrived at our campsite at Le nautique at six and examimed the caravan which was in a very well kept site next to a lake.

Friday - I was very excited to head off towards the Pyranees. We drove through some very mediteranean country. I was intrigued later to read that some of the early theologians - arinanues e.t.c. that I had read and written some very dry essay about at Lampeter had been active in this region. A few burnings at the stake seemed to liven the stories up! Anyway we drove on through some hills looking at the vines and eventually stopped at Durban Corbiers where there was a pattisorie and some interesting architecture and lots of dogs! I am always bemused about the amount of dogs one sees in France. I was saddened to see stray kittens in several car - parks - if I had a chance I would have taken them home. What can you do?

Anyway anther feature of Durban was the dried up river in the centre. We then drove on through Tuchan and arived at Quirbus - a keep perched somewhat precariously on an outcrop with a steep path up to it. We walked to the top and had excellent views over the range and Pyranees in the distance! We wandered down and had lunch and set off for another larger castle at Pyrepetus which certainly was very photogenic. We had quite a steep climb here and admired the handgliders from the chapelle St Lawrence.

We left here and headed for a gorge (nr St Poul) where we walked along watching people far below walking down the gulley - river! We also passed a hermits home.

On the way back we stopped in a bar/restuarant in . It was a lively place and reminded me of some of the places I had where I had meals in Dinard - almost 8 years ago. I'm always fascinated by the characters in French towns. Again I was bemused by a man at the bar cuddling his dog - not something you would see in your average English booxer. Mel and Rob had a local dish and I settled for a four cheese Pizza. It was quite late by the time we got back.

On the saturday we headed out again to Carcossone via Lasours slightly north. We stopped off at a Pattisorie and then headed off into some French country towns. I'm always intrigued by these small places. I have to admit a slight error on my part led us to taking a small lane through some vine fields and past a most romantic romansque 12th cent church which looked quite neglected and deserted and not in use either.

We evetually ended up at the pretty village of Lasours where we experienced some of the scary loos in France. French loos have a reputation. In Paris I found them to be ok - same in Brittany. However this region seemed to specialise in the bidet which according to the French is supposed to be more hygenic but to my mind - urghhhh! Anyway we had a nice hot cholate in a cafe where my welsh and french got mixed up buying cakes! Anyway we eventually headed up to he castle and enjoyed some excellent views if slightly painful legs!

We headed off to Carcasonne - later on and visited the castle although we couldn't get in to the main section. However we enjoyed looking at this impressive citadel erected by the Trencavel family (I wonder if there is a celtic link with the Cornish name Pencavel?) and had a look around the citadel. Like all good invading barbariens we had a glace - or some people (me) two! We had a walk around the ramparts and then around the basillica and around Ye Medieval shops.

Next we invaded the town which seemed a pleasant enough place with some excellent art - neveau buildings. Even the drunk near a local bridge was polite. However one native in a cafe saw us eyeing his menu and said 'non' in a get-out-of- my -restaurant -before- I-behead-you voice' I felt like adding fuel to my large stake by saying I have a hugenot surname but I think he would have served me up with his frites if I had!

We eventually found a friendly enough place near the castle and then had a trip home with Rob looking for Petrol quite urgently as most stations were closed.

On the sunday we headed off for Norbonne where we a somewhat seedy street market in practice. However it was an intriqueing place and reminded me a little of Vannes or Quimper. A massive half built cathedral. I was also fascinated to that the Hugenots had been busy in the cathedral smashing the heads of the reredos figures. I was suprised that they had come this far south as they were mainly from La Rochelle and Northern France. I guess this must have been the earlier wave of hugenot Calvinists rather than the later groups of the late 18th cent.

We had a good look here and enjoyed some cakes on one of the main streets after climbing a steep tower in the town hall. We had a quick look around and found La Marchand pont bridge which amused me.

We then headed off to Norbanne Plage and St Paul where the sea was quite rough. Remembering my last big swim in similar conditions at Bude I had wished I had brought my swim stuff along - will have to wait until I borrow Alans wet suit when things are warmer. After Piella and meeting a friendly dog we headed off to Groussane where we walked by the town and saw some flamingos in the estuary.

A very enjoyable holiday. A huge thankyou to Rob for driving and for Melanie for organising!

Next morning we flew back to the current financial crisis and the nationalisation of the high street banks. However it does warm my heart that some of the capitalists who have made millions off of the back of others might walk away poor men although I doubt very much they will be living on a run down council estate and sending their kids to the local comp. It also warms my heart that nationalisation is happening - much as I thought it might several years ago when it seemed that consumerism and capitalism/greed might remain order of the day. As much as I want nationalisation I never ever thought it would come back again albeit in not quite the form I hope for. All we need now is for the public service sector to be renationalised and the Miners to get their Justice - although sadly too late for the miners I fear. I was equally annoyed to see a Government Minister, Harriet Harman visiting Henbury in todays news. The area has had a new school - but people get a rough deal here in terms of investment in amenities and policing - that tends to follow where certain local councillors live. One hopes that maybe she might go back and redress the balance between working and middle classes - I say tongue in cheek but having said that I never expected to nationalisation again in my life time! Britain remains to my mind as class and status conscious as sadly it ever was.

Trencorn Megaliths

Have just come back from a few days in Cornwall. A short walk took me up to some of the best megaliths I have seen and also some of the best views. The little known Trencorn megaliths are situated high above Lelant and St Ives. I took a wander up a very narrow lane and found myself on an exposed hillside. Curiously a police car came down the lane - thought of witches e.t.c. (as at Lampeter) crossed my mind !! Anyway the view from the top was amazing - one could see Newquay in the distance and from the south St Micheals mount! It must be the only place where one can see both the Atlantic and the channel at the same time!

Apparently there is an ancient well under one of the stones which I missed.

A Misty Mountain Walk

Today I was determined to walk up Gospel Pass again - which I did. After the long windy drive to the start I walked onto the mountain after having my sandwiches. The clouds were down to the edge of the mountain but were starting to come across the ridge. So I only walked as far as the Trip point.

I spoke to an elderly couple half way down from Newcastle who were very freindly and staying with friends and re-walking the Offa's dyke path. They said they were really enjoying their walk although we joked about the views.

On the way back I called in at Llanbedr and Capel Y Ffin and then arrived back home and gave Jasper another walk!

Today I should have been climbing the slopes of Snowdon but ended up climbing the less severe slopes of Burrow Mump. A combination of the rain and Holly feeling unwell meant that camping was out of the question so a slight let up in the weather meant I could go off on one of my 'Pevsner' style travels. It has poured down whilst I was in Salvatore's (barber). However I set off towards Burrow mum[ at about 3. I took a short cut over the Poldon hills and through Nanny Bettys village of Stawell to look at the unfinished medieval church in the village. It appeared to only be half built. I then drove through a very narrow lane on to the Sedgemoor below and the lane weaved it's way through the little clumps of tree's until I got to Sutton Mallet a small hamlet with a Georgian redundant church which looks like it could have come out of a Jane Austen Novel with pews nearly as tall as I am! Now owned by the Church Conservation Trust. I then drove through Moorlinch to Burrow Mump a stange looking earthwork on the edge of Burrow Bridge with a half finished church - now a war memorial perched on the top. There were surprisingly lots of people up there (although it is owned by the National Trust) and the view is as good as the one to be had from Glastonbury. Sedgemoor always has a sad feel to it - partly because this was were the Monmouth rebellion took place and many people were rounded up - locked in the churches and then murdered and Judge Jeferries murdered many people too here. However these days there is nothing more sinister than a severe lack of food shops - as I found out or battery shops for the camera which I had to drive all the way to Langport for.

Afterward I drove towards Burtle which is in the middle of the Levels and again very flat indeed. Ended up having a walk on Burnham sands which was very nice - inspite of the zimmer frames and old time caffs Burnham does have a pleasant feel to it (when you are on the beach!) and there is an old wooden light house that is worth walking too.

Whilst in a petrol station The Daily Mail (or should it be Daily propoganda) screamed headings about the slump in the economy. It's a pity this paper (which supported Hitler before war was declared) or should I say nasty little rag - doesn't remember the last economic crisits caused by themselves in the 1980's. Seeing the smarmy shadow chancellor response anyone would think the 15% mortgage rates and systamatic destruction of Industry hadn't happened back in 1990. Whatever you can say about Darling at least he appears to be relatively honest about the situation - and to some extent the economic situation is global rather than local. At least Darling hasn't gone about bringing the demise of industries (mines) out of spite because the Unions don't support them. Don't get me wrong - I do think Labour should be doing more to hammer the higher income earners and to some degree I think the unhindered emergence of China and India as global economies and super powers has caused this latest econmic crisis. However I feel The Conservatives have very short memories! What ever happens I think the emergence of China and Russia as new super powers with new oil rich economies is going to put us and the United States where they were twenty years ago. That is an interesting although slightly alarming thought. A visit to an old USSR country several years ago showed a little what life was like when I went off the tourist trail and visited the very poor working class area and entered a shop which had very little in the variety of food. I was quite taken back. When Russia is holding us ransom for our fuel and China is buying all our food stock - is it really so far fetched to think that this could be our future? I guess they would probably think what goes round comes round I guess!

A ruined village and a day at Hereford

It is really surpising how somewhere that has been deserted since 1772 can just drop off the map - the 2oth century has past Runston and left no visible mark. I felt like Capt.n Scott after I found it. This was the third attempt - I eventually found it using a satalite photo and a OD. The road was hardly wide enough for a car and had grass growing through the middle. I hopped over a stile and walked into the fields - no sign post to the church at all. There was a great view of the river Severn. The church is part of a medieval village complex - the church being the only thing left other than mounds. The church itself is dated 12th cent but the north window looks even earlier than that. The church was vacated around 1772 - just prior to that the inhabitants were described as being little more than vagabonds. There were two tents perched up against the church. A nearby field was given over to archery and had metal pigs and farm animals dotted about. It is amazing how time can just pass over a place - I doubt little has changed here in a century.
After I walked back to my car parked a mile away I drove onto Hereford - a bit like a pilgrim from medieval days! I had lunch in the trendy 'Cafe @ All Saints http://www.cafeatallsaints.co.uk/Bill-AS-gallery.htm
which has seating up in the medieval roof of a church and is very unique. However quite costly too although all locally sourced food! I then had a quick look around the cathedral - I particularly enjoyed seing the crypt again. On the way back I drove via Abergavenny and stopped at Wormbridge and then at Kenderchurch and then along a very narrow lane by the Black Mountains to a place called Rowlestone. Here the church has some norman carvings in the Kilpeck school style and some weird horizontal 15th cent candlesticks sticking out from the wall with animals along them.
All in all an enjoyable day out.

From Purton to Slimbridge

This has been the first day for ages that we haven't needed an ark to get about in! So after cooking lunch for Vicki and baby Holly we headed off to Purton along the very narrow lane to wear the canal travels alongside the river Severn. We headed over the plimsol bridge after waiting for a bridge to come down. We just got three quaters of a way when a voice over a microphone asked us walkers to hurry up. He got impatient and said 'will the walkers get off the bridge as I have to take it up again!' Moody swing bridge man. Anyway Vicki and I walked along the canal with views across the Severn to the forest of Deane and distant Herefordshire. We walked a long way with Holly who would cycle for a mile or so and then arrive back. We eventually had to negiotiate some hissing swans and Holly as usual stopped for every dog along the way including one called Fudge who lived on a house boat. At the bike cafe at Slimbridge we sat on the side of the canal as Holly enjoyed her ice cream and drink before walking back and having a jacket potatoe and watching the soaps!

Mouser

This is my new friend - Mouser who lives with Michelle, Simon Elli and Toby!

A new Shirt at Glastonbury

It looked fairly bleak on Saturday morning before I set off for Cost Del a Brean and I thought maybe Noah's ark would be stuck in the motorway waiting for the summerhold ups to clear whilst his animals play on their portable - in - ark entertainment consoles. I arrived at Vicky's caravan at 11 just as Holly arrived and then headed off towards Glastonbury. One traffic jam too many I decided to head off on a small road via Mark on the somerset Levels. Well worth the effort and far more direct than the motorway. We passed a nature reserve with reeds and ducks at Weare.
At Glastonbury Holly got into Hippy shopping mode whilst her mum was busy in another shop. It was a very nervous 'uncle' Neil who observed Holly picking up lots of expensive quartz and asking lots of questions. 'Yes you can pick that up - but any breakages have to be paid for' floated across the room.....
Anyway we all headed off for a nice Hippy cafe across the road where we had some guiche and cuccous and mingled with the other hippy Guardian readers. I got the impression that being a hippy is no longer a cheap option looking at the photos on the wall at a cool £100 0K.
After a short trip to the charity shop where Holly bought up every outfit in the shop we headed up the hill to the tor. Holly asked lots of questions. She was bemused at my anwer to 'what is in the small reseviore below.?' I said that a FRIENDLY shark called Sid who lived there survining on Jam and tea and had his reseviore built so that he could see the Tor!
At the top I was intrigued that this was the site of a 13th cent earth quake. On the way down we called in to the Bishopston Trading centre where I bought another Hippy Top before driving back to Costa Del Brean.
On the way back I had to take a peek at the peir in Weston which did look a bit strange for not being there. I had to dash back and give Jasper a walk.
Americans have threatened Poland with Nuclaer Strike. Well what does the US expect if it chooses to base its new missile bases in Poland. One can hardly blame Russia for being edgy at the moment. One wonders whether there is anything other than saw dust between the ears of the American strategists?! They don't seem to appreciate that Russia holds all the Aces as a Super Power.

An evening in Wiltshire.

On Wednesday it was Toby's 2nd birthday and we all met at Michelles house for birthday cake and to play with kitten mouser.
After Toby and Elli went to bed I drove off to the Wiltshire border of Kenighton Micheal, Littleton Drew and eventually the norman church at Stanton St Quentin which appeared to be mostly 12th century and with this interesting sculture with Christ Stamping on a Serpent which sits in the middle of the west wall. There were also some 17th cent tombs built into the east wall. There is some nice countryside here towards Malmesbury and clearly very ancient. I found it interesting to link in the sculputure with modern thinking about Christ but I guess that the serpent was more symbolic than mythical. One wonders what the 12th century villagers of Stanton St Quentin would make of the motorway nearby.
Got back and heard the new about Georgia. Whilst one cannot condone the way Russia has marched into Georgia one cannot but wince at the hypocrisy of American intervention and wonder what their real interests are in the region. It is with just a little bit of relish that Russia is now a superpower with far more gas and oil reserves than the US which is a turn around from the cold war. The US us is like a small child kicking and screaming - yet with all its oil and gas gone it is not a match for Russia - and I think Russia knows that too. The US have nothing to bargain with! I've never been a fan of the US and well remember the bad-news propoganda we used to have shoved on to our television screens during the 1980's. I even remember one 9 oclock news item was about how the poor in Russia could not afford shoes. Naturally it made every daily mail reader think of Russia as being backward and those readers naturally forgot the unemployed and poor in the US. So much for free reporting and news!
One wonders how it will effect the ordinary people of Georgia. The families and kids - it seems it's always the children and families who have nothing - who come off worst in these conflicts as the rich and powerful battle it out against each other. It's always the poor who bear the brunt of the idiocricy of the rich or powerful. I hope that it does not end up like Serbia or Croatia but that depends how desperate Russia is to assert itself and how much the US is hell bent on interfering wherever there is oil or gas.

A grand day out to Exmouth

On Monday 11th August me, Kate, Molly and Amy, Lee and Mel met up and travelled down to Exmouth to look around a local country park. It was great to see everybody again and our first stop was of course to the resteurant where I ordered a huge hot chololate which seemed to consist of mainly marsh mellow! We then had lunch whilst Melanie was negiotating the wilds of Exeter trying to meet us. We then moved in to the park and looked at the items on show and surprised Lee by saying that my g grandfather was stolen by gypsies when we looked at a caravan. We then had a ride on a train across a couple of fields where Molly fed the Lamas and deer and then we all did some trampoleening (including the grown ups) before ending up with a ice cream nearby. We all had an excellent time and the weather just about held out!

Mr Neil

Neil and Vickys Trip to Ebbor Gorge

Neil,Vicky and Holly met up at 10 and made our way to Ebbor gorge which was as beautiful as ever. We stopped on the way at the castle of comfort where we had a lovely meal and Neil of course had to encourage everybody with a chocolate fudge cake. Holly made friends with a little 4 year old boy called Rory which involved chasing him with a wooden spoon!

At ebbor gorge we walked through the gorge past the wicker man and

From Longwell to Keynsham - Crocodile Dundee

G'day folks,

today we set off on our adventure from Daniels house to brave the interior of the bush around by Wiilbridge Mill with Graham and Liz and family. We set off for a nice walk along the railway past the empty cottages at Syston and saw the railway complete with engines. I particularly (Im very much into Banksy at the moment) liked some graffiti on an old engine which bore the legend ' RUST in peace. At bitton station we sat in the full Bush heat -Martin and I protected by our Bush head gear. We all had an ice cream - everybody saying how nice the heat was although I think I was hoping for an icy blast from Siberia.

A little way along in some fields we came to a small chapel like building which was derelict and had an open door. Well my architectural nose got the better of me and we piled through the nettles into the building which had the remains of a fire place and an archway. A closer look at the photos of the building showed it to be of a date c1860-70. I came to the conclusion that it must have been an estate managers office of some kind which is quite probable given its proximity to several large houses and also the river. Still unusual though. Some one must of re-roofed fairly recently too for use as a byre.

After a walk along by the river we ended up at Keynsham and had a beer in the pub. I also ordered some tucker - a goats cheese and asparags which I did duly get. It was very tasty - all two mouthfulls of it. A small peice of goast chese with three asparagis sticks and four tomatoe qauters. We were down to starvation tucker at this point.

Anyway duly fed and watered we made our way past the bridge at Keynsham where everybody along the river shouted out g'day to me and Martin. We walked along the river where thankflly there were no sharks resident ( I dreamed I was in a car being chased by a shark the other night) and saw a very cute little terrier dog who wanted to follow us and whom I would have dognapped if his owners weren't looking!

We then walked up the hill towards Daniels house thankful that for once we didn't get lost in the bush or eaten by wild tigers or elephants.

All in all a really nice afternoon out - thankyou to Daniel for leading the way!

Climbing the Blorenge

Today I decided to climb the massive Blorenge - which turned out to be quite a climb. In the morning I attended morning worship at St Mary's priory in Chepstow - an ancient norman building with an almost as ancient congregation. They were very friendly although a lot of the service was inaudible due to the acoustics of this ancient norman church - they could do with a central altar and pulpit. Afterwards I had a go on the large organ which rang around the priory church. I then headed off to Abergavenny via Llanover near where the famos Lady Llanover lived who was a harpist and brought Welsh culture and language back to south Wales.

Then off to Abergavenny for a nice quiet walk up the Blorenge. I had a look in the antique shop there where there was a creepy Victorian family album. Somebody next to me said how sad it was that the family were probably long forgotten. I popped in Tesco's for some food and then made my way up the Blorenge. I had to pass a cemetary ( I don't like cemetaries much) with stones with pictures on which was creepy. Then a walk under the main road into Llanfoist and past the old church. Then a strange tunnel which went under the canal with the sound of water above. I then has a climb through some woods which was gruelling. However half way up my legs were killing me. A family walked past and the dad said - it's a long way up don't tkae our route. 'Yes' his wife replied,'don't listen or take advice from him -he got us lost!' Well it really was steep - a whole lot steeper than Sugar Loaf mountain. Once on top fine views over to the Severn. It was well worth it and a bit like walking on the moon. The walk down was quite ardous.

Neil Vicky and Hollies Trip to Slimbridge

Vicky and Holly called on Saturday for lunch and we all went off to Slimbridge. It was a day full of showers but we had a great time. Holly made some badges downstairs and went outside and fed the birds in two seconds flat. Holly then borrowed my camera and learnt to use it with the zoom in two seconds flat at age 7. Talk kids being technology conscious! At that age I was playing with a commodore 64! Anyway we had a good walk around and saw lots of chicks including those pictured - the ones above were perched high up on a beam in the roof like the Osmond family! In the evening we had a meal in the chineese in Thornbury.

A trip to Santiago Compestella

Some places are full of atmosphere - others have the atmosphere of Slough Bus station. However the ancient place of Pennalt is one of those special places and takes a bit of getting to. I had driven to Monmouth to check out the Hawkeshead shop which was actually full of nice shirts e.t.c. Had a look around the small county town with its small individual shops and then set off on the Treleck road back to Bristol. As you climb the hill out of Monmouth and reach the summit you see a sign for Pennalt. It's quite a journey and you branch off on a turning for the old church. The road is very narrow - hardly a cars width and goes through woods and valleys for about two miles. Eventually you come to the church which is situated on top of the hillside overlooking the whole of the Wye Valley. This is where medieval pilgrims came on the journey to Santiago in Galithia in Spain. Just imagine what an amazing trip that must have been for medieval poeple. The church has an air of pilgrimage about it with its strange tunnel in the south aisle and a modern pilgrim tapestry. The church was run-down for a bit because the Victorians had built a gothic church in the village of Pennalt which recently has been closed down and is now a small house. The Old church is now back in use for regular worship even though it is several miles from Modern Pennalt.

On the way back I saw the Harold Stones (Neolithic) situated in a small field just outside the village of Trelleck. Why are they called Harold Stones? No idea! Trelleck is a fairly ancient kind of place.

A Day out in Somerset

Today dad and me set out for Wells in Somerset. However in a bid to take as much time as possible and see as many places we called in at quite a few places. First on the list was St Edwards at Barrow Gurney near Robs woodworking rooms. Lots of good art work here by Woodyer and situated next to a lovely jacobean house.

Our next port of call was Nempnett Thrubwell but we called in at tiny St James Regill which had some unusual plaster casts presumably for bronze work. This tiny 1860 church is not listed anywhere and I didn't know it even existed! After this we negotiated some very narrow roads until we came to Nempnett Thrubwell church - prettily sited next to a farm. A now not well known church and quite isolated but with views over to Blagdon. An ancient church at Butcombe proved interesting with a rood screen which was found in a local farmyard.

We then stopped at Blagdon to view the magnificent perp. work there before moving on to the low norman church at Compton Martin with one of those barley stick pillars which can be seen at Durham cathedral.

We then stopped off at an unusuall settlement. A village of new houses and then a massive Victorian church with octoganal tower with venetian bridges leading to some fine houses all in a square. This turned out to be the former mendip hospial and the huge church is now three houses as is the hospital - all designed by Sir Gilbert Scott.

We then travelled into Wells where I nearly had my wing mirror taken off by an arrogant motorist! We then had lunch in the refectory a nice veggie mushroom thingy and some lemonade which turned out to be alcoholic. We saw the cathedral ginger cat in the cloisters and then a lady who told her daughter that there was nothing but 'crap' written on the monuments. We thought it very funny to see a monument to a Norman Lamont 172o something!

After wells we headed for Priddy a medieval church in a exposed mendip village. Another small medieval church with lots of medieval fittings. We then headed off to Charterhouse to see Caroes 1908 st Hughes which was built as a miners hut but given some magnificent carving inside. Nearby lots of mine shafts and exposed country.

We then called in Mr Topladies church (Burrington Combe) and took photos of gargoyles and then onto Wrington where there was a creepy monument with a hand pointing to a vault.

All in all a nice trip out!

Flight to Slimbridge

Michelle (my sister) dropped off baby Toby and I took him down to Slimbridge. Me and Toby have been here once before and for a little while he was asleep. As we went out into the grounds with our birdseed we were chased by the usual gang of ducks and geese some of whom were higher up the pecking order than others! It was great to see them all and being this time of year there were ducklings and signets. Infact when Toby and I had a play in the playground a mother Swan and her signets stood infront of a gate hissing at everybody. We had a nice meal in the cafe and Toby demolished a cake for me.
It must have been an animal day for me as I met 'mouser' who is a 9 week old fluffy kitten and very - very cute. 'Mouser' perched herself on my shoulder for a while until my sister came back. She is a long haired tabby kitten and almost not much bigger than my hand.
A nice day was contrasted with a horrible visit to the Consumerist Cathedral (the Mall) at Cribbs Cause way to try and find a kermit card for Lee. I hate the place. People with their noses at a permanent 90 degrees as if they are celebrities. If I was a celebrity I sure as hell wouldn't shop at Cribbs.

All roads lead back to Lampeter!

It was that time of year again when I always head back towards Lampeter. I woke up early so I could arrive early enough to attend service at St Thomas'. I was a little worried about the fuel strike however carried on driving up the valleys and past Llandovery and then on to the mountain road past Talley. Then the magical moment as you pass Cwmann with views over the Carron Valley with St Peters peeking above the woods. Anyway as I drove into town it was great to see Measyrhaf still there and with the same curtains in the windows. After 15 years!

I had an hour to kill so I walked to the university and popped into the Chapel and then walked down the river path to Brondeifi. I then knocked on Mrs Rees door who was shocked to see me after a year and a half. At St Thomas the service was pleasant with some nice hymns and a bit of Welsh for the final blessing. I then scarpered up a hill towards Sillian for a very quick cycle and then past falcondale lake where the trees have been cut down.
Next job was to find Pantycelyn my guest house which was situated out in the sticks - a Welsh Cob farm which was lovely http://www.pantycelyn.co.uk/ . Situated in a very quiet lane it was both friendly (in Lampeter fashion) and very comfortable. However I soon set off for Mwnt which meant a drive down to Cardigan where I found something to eat and then on to Llantood where I took a picture of the neglected St Illtyds church. I then stopped off at St Dogmeals Priory before landing up at Mwnt. The church here is on the St Davids pilgrim route which I would like to walk one day. It is situated next to a cliff and above a beach and still has a wonderful braced ceiling and remains of a rood loft.
I then set off for Aberearon where I had a short walk along the beach. For the first time inspite of having lived here for three years I could see the tower of St Davids church Aber arth perched high up above a cliff overlooking Cardigan bay. How on earth did I ever miss it?! I had to navigate up a very narrow road to get to it. In the evening I had a walk from Aberearon to Aber Arth along the sea shore. I arrived back at Panycelyn and watched the foal and horse from my window - unusually for me I fell asleep straight away.
The next day had an excellent cooked breakfast and headed off for Lampeter where I popped in on Mrs Rees (from St Thoms). It was mid day before I left but eventually and after I had been given all the gossip about the town. I headed off for Machynledd where I parked up and had a look in the Peter Snow hippy shop with all the coloured rugs and shirts. Came to the conclusion that being a hippy is getting to be an expensive buisness these days. Also so a van pull up at the eco shop (run by George Monbiot I think) which seemed a bit unethical.

I headed into Y Tabernacl Art gallery which was wonderful as this time it was John Pipers work. Superb collection of pen and ink. John Pipers work is fantastic.
Then I drove up to Corris and stopped off at the slate managers house and had a brief look around the village. Last time I was here was in 2001 when Vicky and I climbed Snowdon and had to stay in the converted school / hostel. I can remember bringing my bike once ( a mistake in Snowdonia! ) and cycling along a very narrow lane. Well this time I drove along it which was very worrying indeed! Eventually I managed to get back to the A470 after some wonderful views. Next stop was for an apple and a climb up the side of a mountain with views over to Cader Idris.
By evening I was getting hungry so stopped off at Aberdovey where I had a very expensive and tiny meal in a gastro pub. Then a walk along the beach and then a drive to Towyn. I stopped off at Pennal Parish church where I was shocked by the presence of a Shiva and Bhudda on two of the windows and then opposite a revealing painting of Jesus showing everything. I was initially shocked and quite angry at this but as I stopped to think a bit more about it and read the words Vietnam painted on his arms I realised that I had been more worried about the superficial impresion of the painting rather than the very important issues painted on his arm. Well it made me think anyway!!
I drove back trough the happy valley and back to Aberystwyth where I walked along the sea front and then headed back to Pantycelyn.
The next day began with breakfast downstairs which I shared with a German couple who introduced themselves. I was also introduced to Anne and Hugh's dogs and made a friend in Sally a Spaniel. I've always loved all dogs from an early age.

I then made myway to Lampeter. I had a look in the 'hippy shop' random collection at the bottom of Bridge street where we used to buy our inscense cones and josticks. The owners had a chat with me and said they have been in Lampeter for thirty years now. I called in Hags record shop - an excellent store run by the local labour councilor. All second hand CD's. Had a chat with the bloke behind the counter who said he had the best job in the world playing his favourite music. Even if his wages weren't great, he had the worlds best commute from a nearby farm. I left with a £2 Alarm single!

I then cycled from Market Square to Brondeifi and to Llandewi Brondeifi stopping at the bridge and post office at llanfair Clydogau where in 1992 we had walked to as students in the middle of the night. We started off at 11pm and arrived back at Lampeter at about 4am. We were very tired after that adventure! Anyway today I had a bannana and called in the post office to buy some post cards. I then cycled up the ancient valley to Llandewi Breifi - an ancient church sited on the 6th cent site where St David preached and the ground rose up apparently. Anyway there was a very tangible atmosphere in the ancient church as I looked at some 6th cent stones. It was also quite eery in that it was very silent and remote. A very creepy tombstone in the churchyard said, ' our lives hangd in the balance, dear reader you might think you are mighty - live at lunch time dead by evening.' Daniel williams 1835. Not a cheerful thought.

A ride back in the rain I headed off to Aberysytwyth where I walked up and down the sea front a few times and sat on the beach. I also walked up to the top of Constitution hill and admired the views across to Cader Idris. New Cafe up here.

The trip back to Bristol was only broken by a stop at falcondale lake where the trees have been cut down.

Hereford Church Crawling Trip

It was a good sunny morning as we set off for Herefordshire. I was picked up by Mr Phil and Dianne whom it was great to meet at last. We zoomed up the motorway with map in had to All Saints Brockhampton a building set in a choclate box village. The building by Letharby 1901 - 2 had struck me as being very imaginative and also quite forward thinking in some ways. Lovely thatched roof with timber porch and inside a concrete roof with transverse arches supporting the ceiling. We met Richard, Wynne Ruth and John and then travelled on to Much Marckle - a small but very afluent place with a huge medieval church. There was a guide waiting for us and a soprano who was hitting an interesting selection of notes not necessarily in the right order. Some interesting tombs here with a wide variety of carved animals.

We then travelled on to the old church at Kempley now in the hands of English Heritage and where a bus load of people got off a coach to look at the building which ironically during the winter is very isolated. The next church was the new 1903 St Edwards church which was my favourite with a low roof inside and very arty crafty inside.

Our next stop was the pub in Hoarwithy where I had an artychoke thingy with chips and we met Andy Foster before going into St Catherines church which is a little peice of Southern France stuck in Herefordshire.

Moving from here we bumped into some water dousers at Kilpeck - the ancient norman church with its Sheila-na-gigs making some very rude poses whilst holding up the ceiling. It was wonderful to look at the mountains nearby but again about 40 people hovering around water dousing! They were even doing it in the church!

We then moved on Dore Abbey where we had our group photo taken and then on to a church at Bacton with some large monuments and then on to my other favourite and most remote church of St Margaret which we had some difficulty finding. Several people climbed the rood loft.

The last on our list was clodock with a muscians gallery with a music stand still in space.

Our Journey home was hampered by the Severn Bridge being closed.

Bannana Sandwich's at Heston Brake Megalith

Heston Brake Megaliths are not widely known at all. They should be! They merit a few lines under Portskewitt in buildings of Wales. I parked up at Aust again and cycled across the bridge. I cycled past Black rock and then just before Portskewitt and over a hedge I noticed a small hill/chamber with errie stones standing on it. The gate to the footpath was not very obvious and was up a small lane. In the end I was really taken back by the view of the stones on top of a chamber which contrasted with the new bridge in the background. Apparently Heston Brake is 'a denuded cairn 60ft in length mid neolithic'.

However no profound thoughts for me. I had my bannana sanwiches propped up against one of the stones wondering if neolithic man had bannana's and whether he had them in sandwiches. Probably never even saw a bannana! Whatever else neolithic man did he certainly chose some great places for picnics!

Anyway a cycle to Caldicot found a castle and medieval church. I then cycled on through the wonderful Cearwent Roman ruins which must be the best preserved roman walls and temples in the UK. I actually missed the roman town walls when I was here before - they are massive!! The church, St Tathans is full of Roman bits and peices in the porch. I then tried finding a medieval church at Wilcrick. I asked a parishioner at St Tathans and he had never heard of it! Not having a map I couldn't help. I flagged down a driver who had heard of it but wasn't sure how to get there.
In the end I headed inland towards Llanvaches which now is a peaceful place but in the mid 17th cent was the scene of the ejection of the vicar who formed a congregation which still meets at the 1639 Llanvaches congregational chapel. Most churchyards I have been to have some humour but the Victorian inscriptions here were sorrowful and for young people. The church medieval and small. I left this place and cycled up to Wentwood lake. I saw a small rabbit who stopped nearby and just stared and didn't move. We stayed looking at each other for a while before he slowly hopped into the side of the road. I then climbed some steep hill into Wentwood forest for a couple of miles and then from Pen Cae Mawr I had a wonderful view of the Blackmountains in the distance. I then cycled past the early ruined Pen Y Well where the builders have moved in. Like me they are sure that it is a very early building - they are doing a very sympathetic conversion. Sadly the very old gravestones are being moved to the walls of the garden. However the old chapel is being converted into a home - must be exceptionally creepy! I think it should have been left as a ruin given it's age and location. Anyway the builders were very sympathetic and interested. I told them it had been roofless for at least 70 years and they said that there was evidence of a fire in the building. They also found bits of the fire grate in the ruined vestry.
I cycled downhill for almost 10 miles back to the Severnbridge.

Two walks in one day!

Two walks in one day! The first walk began at Salem Methodist church - a building erected in 1787 at Winterbourne for workers in the hat industry. We met in the hall for a water aid walk and had a chat before setting out on rather a pleasant walk in literally 'pastures new.' Over a stile and into the Froome valley and under a mamoth railway bridge erected in 1902 but with a lovely stream below and most interestingly a quarry which had been cut to carry the railway above. We arrived back at Salem for drink and cakes which was pleasant.

In the evening Dan, Alison and Racheal called round and we headed off to Oldbury On Severn for a walk along the river bank towards the bridge. A pleasant evening with good views over to the Forest of Deane. I was somewhat amused to be approached by a young cow that followed us from the gate and allowed me to stroke it's nose which is a first. I've always assumed cows to be sort of passive - not bothered with humans - sort of animals but this one followed us in a most friendly way. Didn't make it to the bridge but walked back and called in the Blue Anchor for a drink and then drove up to the churchyard to see the views over the river Severn that are really quite fantastic - sitting on the bench where I often stop to have my sandwhiches during the day.

A ride to Chepstow and Mathern

I don't believe in ghosts but if I did Mathern would be the best place to find one. I travelled to Mathern the church and medieval Bishops palace which are situated near the river Severn and there was a stong smell of the estuary and sound of rooks as I cycled past.
At the medieval church I got a sense that the past isn't as far away as one thinks. I was amused by one of the tombs which was to a John Lee who died at 103, 'neer more shall we miss his drab coat and buttons.' (1827). Inside the dark medieval church there were some cups with water which I badly needed.
Earlier I had cycled to Chepstow and has a look at the modern bookshops there. I bought a book in the Welsh centre by Sian James called 'A little country.' which is set in post war Wales and apparently was made into a film. I cycled past the castle and across the bridge over the Wye and along Offa's Dyke to Tutshill church where a lady gave me some water to Drink.
I had parked the other side of the bridge at Pont Hafren Aust (Severn Bridge Aust) - a bridge which seemed to be shaking even more so than normal!

Neils Architecture

Some of you maybe interested to see some of my work on Phil Drapers website. Click on the Bristol pages and scroll down to the nonconformist pages and you will see of my work jazzed up by Mr Phil. The website is the most comprehensive record of church and chapel buildings in the Bristol area. Click on link below
http://www.churchcrawler.co.uk/

The beasts of Exmoor and the mad Army man!

If you Imagine the sargeant major from 'It aint half hot Mum' and the driving of Jeremy Clarson you will understand why this weekend is going to be very memorable. Mel and I drove to Porlock and arrived early and had a good look around. It coincided with the rather sedate flower festival in the ancient church of St Dubricius (a celtic saint who was decapitated and carried his head under his arm across the Severn as only a celtic saint can!). Melanie steered me away from the rather nice walking clothes in some of the shops and at 2 we met our man with the landrover for my 'Discovery tour' which was a Xmas pressie from Julie.
Well, as soon as we climbed aboard the Landrover mel and I realised that we were putting our lives in the hands of a crazy army man. He introduced himself as Richard who had been a Jungle expert in the army and was shouting to us rather like a Sargeant Major which, coincidently he was. However he seemed to be a very genial character and with much waving to the local shop keepers and passers by we left Porlock. It was as we left a narrow lane and he shot up and suddenly veered to the right almost turning the vechial upside down that we realised what kind of ride we were in for. His commentary was brilliant but shouted and punctuated his commentary with smacking his hands with enthusiasm in an almost manic way. As we drove across the moor he told all sorts of stories some about animals and red deer. He was driving as if he was on army manouvers and we were tossed around like corks in the back. However he was brilliant - he managed to incorperate some off roading at dunkery beacon which involved lots of bumps and sudden turns. Also as soon as he saw something he would slam the brakes on and shout wildly! However we saw three lots of red deer not too far away and he took us to a little known resevoire also up some disused stage coach roads without tarmac. Apparently people used to fall out with their luggage and roll down the hill to be picked up at the base of the hill!
It was certainly an experience and Richard certainly made it that!
In the evening I had a nice restful time baby sitting for ellie and toby and watching Jessie James and Garfield. I was amazed to see how much Garfield is like Midnight!
On sunday I arrived at church early and pleased to see concert posters up. Not many people in church day - only 13. One wonders how long it can go on like this and whether some kind of ecumenicalism should really be the way forward. I kind of think the end for most mainstream denominations isn't far hence and that by 2040 only the larger churches will be remaining. As a mystery worshiper I was appalled to see that nearly all congregations have nobody between 20-40 and don't seem particularly bothered. It's not just a case of bringing in a set of drums and pop music. People don't want to be preached at but to explore 'spirituallity' in an open and non dogmatic way. People these days sadly equate spirituality with fundementalism. Yet a simple candle and a moments silence or meditation in a cathedral can do more than the ranting of a mad bible basher or the consumerist worshiper at the cathedral of shopping in Cribbs Causeway which is all-me! It is sad that liberal approaches to religion have been hijacked by the 'I've got all the answers mob' because so many people like myself want to explore and see that there is more to life than career, car, immediate family and holiday.
In the afternoon I sped round to Vic and Holly and had a walk in Blaise castle and played snakes and ladders with Holly who at 7 is very good at it.

LongAshton and St Nicks Market

Today I met up with Vicky and travelled to Long Ashton where we went for a walk in the woods and saw the deer. I have some very early photos of me taken at Ashton court - I guess I also love the view from here.
After Ashton we went to St Nicks Market which I love. It's a maze of record shops and incense stalls and has a nice Veggie cafe at the back where we had a nice Veggie meal watching the activity around this old Georgian market. Even the elderly gent at the back has tidied up his book stall after many years!

Home and Away - good bye Sally

Neighbours is 'my soap' and the only one that I watch. However many years ago I used to like Home and Away too (when I was a student). So when after watching Neighbours the voice over said Sally Fletcher was leaving I just had to watch it (sad!). Well there wasn't a dry eye in the house (me and the cat) when we saw the final scene with Sally and Alf (Mr Stewart) on the beach. Strange how these things often strike a chord

A severn bridge walk, RDA Fair and Kingsweston - an interesting day!

I was driving by the old Aust Ferry on my way home from helping a friend with an essay when I decided that what I really wanted to do on this warm sunny evening was to walk across the bridge to take a picture of St Tecla's island - the ancient island where a celtic princess built a small chapel which still survives.

She must have had nerves of steel (they don't make princesses like they used to) because the ruined medieval chapel stands on an island which although near to the shore is natoriously dangerous to cross. Recently two people drowned attempting it. I have cycled across the bridge plenty of times (twice on my way to Aberystwyth !!!). However I have never walked across it or on the Welsh side. Today the light was lovely and the tide low do I could see all the little inlets.

Judging by the 12x zoom on the camera the chapel seems to have some walls remaining and one chancel arch. The sea comes right up to the edge of the island at high tide. It was interesting watching the variety of people walking across the bridge which included a drunk and his dog and and Indian family and several couples. There were also some travellers nearby which reminded me of Roland the hippy bloke Vicky Holly and I met at a campsite on the Gower last summer who lives in a motorvan and parks under the bridge at Beachley.

The afternoon was spent at the Riding For the Disabled Centre where mum was helping out on a stall. It was a nice afternoon and as usual I went home with more than I came with and met up with Dad Michelle Toby and Elli. The band was wonderful but the singer had some trouble with the mike and sounded very flat indeed - but down to the mike! Dad and I watched a Falconer with his Falcon and there was some medieval jousting on horse back. Unfortunately the riders seemed to have left their glasses at home as they missed several times!

Afterwards dad and I had something to eat in Kingsweston house vaults with a delightful view over to Avonmouth! Actually it is a lovely little 18th cent place with pleasant grounds - a nice place for a relaxing afternoon. That was until my friend called me and asked me over to help with the research essay! I'm convinced UWE invents dry essays just to spoil students weekends and to make them as least pertinent to the vocation as possible. UWE I have always felt is a degree factory as well as a beaurocratic dinasour which would be the model of a Soviet Republic!

This morning at church Alan took the service and I was pleasantly surprised. He seems as liberal as myself and said that he felt that it was wrong for people to be so dogmatic and not to question things and to accept that we can learn things from other faiths. I liked his honesty - I often feel that I don't have the answers to everything and would far rather that people were honest and said I don't know rather than reach for the bible and come up with a stock answer. Why is there so much evil in the world and why doesn't God intervene? I don't know the answer, or even if there is an answer. I can only be sure of what I think is right from my experience. There is nothing worse than someone giving you a text and verse answer when what you really want is a straight answer even if it is 'I don't know!'

A Day out at Portishead, Clapton in Gordano and Blaise

Today was a real mixed bag! Michelle rang me early and suggested we meet up in Portishead.
I arrived at 11 in portishead to see a massive tanker moving around the bay. Michelle turned up with Toby and Ellie and we had a walk around the boating lake and a picnic. Im always fascinated to see the small island in the severn estuary which according to 'channel passage' was where highway men were hanged so that they could be viewed by everybody on land for many miles.

Well there was no hanging about for us. We walked around the lake and then played a few games with elli and Toby and said goodbye at 2pm.

As usual I took a detour calling in at Walton in Gordano church which was open. My next tour took me through an exceptionally narrow lane up to Clapton in Gordano which is amazingly so isolated - it really is even though it is now underneath the motorway!! The church has long been redundant and stands hidden above some old abbey buildings. There were the usual 18th century gravestones with cheerful verses reminding people of their mortality - however there was one with some particularly good advice ' in time take time and do no time abuse - time when it's past - it is to late to choose. One wonders whether it's supposed to be witty, depressing or whethere there was some story behind it. Curiously no name only initials on it. The church was very difficult to get to and involved several reverse manovoures up the road.

My next trip was to Weston in Gordano church another medieval place with an awful musty smell and with lots of medieval items inside. I also put my head around a corner curtain and saw the head bust of a 18th century gentleman - have no idea who he was as it had moved from somwhere.

After this trip I looked after Holly for several hours in the evening ( I had forgotten I was supposed to be doing this) whilst her mum worked away at her essay in peace. I decided to entertain Holly by visiting Blaise Castle which was actually very nice in the evening by the swings and dragged into cafe for an ice cream. When It came to taking Holly back I had to chase her around Blaise but ended up picking some flowers for her mum and entertaining her afterwards.

Back home at 10!

Ebbor Gorge

Two weeks ago I met up with Vicki who was taking a break from studying and baby Holly (who is now 7) at their caravan in Brean and drove off to Ebbor Gorge naer Wells. I have been to Ebbor Gorge with Vicki and Holly a few times over the years. One trip ended up with us having a lift back in a tow truck after Vicki's car broke down and when Holly was smaller I used to have to carry Holly up the steps. However there was no stopping Holly today as she ran up the gorge and was waiting at the top for us. In the field above Ebbor we could see Glastonbury in the distance but Holly was enjoying a game of putting as many stones in a metal byre as possible! On the way back Holly counted all the steps and as usual made friends with all the dogs on the way back.

Ebbor Gorge is a well hidden secret and isn't sign posted well. If you drive to Wookey Hole follow the road out of the village and bear right until you climb a hill. I think it is National Trust.

Back at Brean I took Holly in the beach to find the horses but there were none. So I had to play a jumping off the Dunes game with Holly before leaving for work.

If Only they could talk!

This is my pal Jasper who lives next door. I often take him for a walk. Let me re-write that. This is my pal Jasper who takes ME for a walk and nearly bit through his lead the other day. We can often be seen walking our way up to Milbury Heath. The other day we were taken back to see some lamas in a field as if we were in the middle of Tibet. Jasper only has to hear the jangle of my car keys and he's barking away for his next walk. I once walked him nearly to Wotton Under Edge. He's usually very eager to get going. The other evening we sat next to the duck pond at Milbury - Jasper usually pops up and joins me on the seat!

For my birthday I indulged in a bit of nostalga and bought the James Herriot DVD series - all creatures great and small. My claim to fame is that when I lived in Leeds 93/96 I travelled up to Thirsk where the series was filmed. On the very day I was there I saw the funeral party of the real James Herriott, Alf Wight outside the real Skeldale house. I also took a peek at the 'drovers arms' but was slightly amused to see James Herriott plastered over everything - I'm not sure if there was a James Herroit pound shop!

I have always been moved by the books and the drama. I also admired the man - a quiet unassuming man whose love of animals and the countryside have given us stories which make us a think of a less complicated, stressful world of the 30's which has now gone. The other night I was watching one story where a dog has to be put down - and I forgot that it was only a programme and shed some tears. However Midnight the cat was sat next to me and gave me a big nip on the arm as if to say 'don't be so rediculous!' It might also have been that I was sat on 'her' sofa which becomes her territory after midnight and usually makes a point of letting me know.

My favourite character is Tristan Farnon who plays little brother to Seigfried - I enjoy his practical jokes! It's a long time since I've been up to the Dales. When I lived in Leeds I used to put my bike on the train and hop off to Skipton and then to Malham Cove.

For me I like James Herriot's/Alf Wights simple view of the world and I think his compassion for animals really shines through his work.

A Laycock day

Bank Holiday monday 5th May I set off for Chippenham where I met Mel Rob, Keeran Nick Jenny and Dog at their home near Morrisons. We headed out for Laycock and nearly got stuck in mud in the car park before setting off around the village. However I enjoyed looking at the architecture around the village especially that of the pub where we enjoyed a very nice meal. After the meal we walked around the village and predictably I had a long look in St Cyriacs church and then around the nearby Pottery although i was a bit scared that I would knock something over. Our next port of call was a craft fair in the village hall and then I nearly got locked in the village lock-up.

After Laycock we travelled to Bradford on Avon which looked as though it had been very busy today. Lots of pine and crafty shops here - had an ice cream and then watched the mechanics of the canal locks (how do you spell it ?!) changing.

After dropping Rob and Mel off I predictably took a long trip home via Corston across from the motorway and along some narrow lanes towards Foxley where I stopped at the medieval church and took some pictures of this chocolate box church with its old Jacobean furnishings. I then ended up at Sherston and then travelled back along the uplands to Chipping Sodbury. I always feel sad at the end of the day when the sun goes down - although it was the end of another lovely day.

Labour Values

> I read this post again after question time yesterday. I feel I need to add that I'm not a raving politico (cynical laugh in the background!) and I do have plenty of Tory and 'Sun' reading friends with whom I enjoy a good debate!!! However I do dislike poilitions of all party's who follow the party line instead of their own conscience. That is why I like Claire Short and even Boris Johnson!

I have heard various people say recently that New Labour shuns the working class - and I have always resisted the opportunity to agree. Labours shift from a mainly working class electorate towards woeing the middle classes has left those of us from working class backgrounds feeling the party main interests are no longer with us. A friend recently described herself as being working class and said she felt disgusted with Labour. She felt that New Labour and the middle classes were determined to keep her where she was. I often get a tinge of 'get back whence you came' from some professional types I come across but maybe that is delusion or paranoia?!
I have been a loyal labour voter since the age of 18 having been influenced by Neil Kinnock and Arthur Scargill. Although I have never liked the continuation of privatisation I have stuck with the party through out the years. I have always supported the more militant wing of the party (Tony Benn) and sympathised with the militants on Liverpool council. I was also influenced by dad who had been made redundant as a result of Mrs Thatchers economic policies. I come from a long line of furniture removers and my uncle who later became an English Literature author and professor (In Australia) said that he felt working as a removal man was the most honest work he had ever done and he hated people who think a lot about their 'status' in society. I'm very much the same! Like John Frost of the 1840 chartist riots I don't admire a man for the cloth on his back, money in the bank or the porsche that drives or even the status of his/her job. I admire a person for who they are rather than what they do. Sad thay New Labour would have us think otherwise.
I have become happier with Gordon as PM but putting tax increases on the lowest paid whilst supporting tax cuts for the middle classes makes me shudder. Is this really the party that I have consistantly voted for? I'm not about to jump ship but listening to people I Know who live in 'difficult areas' who struggle to pay for food and essentials I really do wonder.
However I'm not about to join my chums across the chamber. The one thing I have liked about the new Government is the re-building of schools in tough areas with 'academies.' I just wish that they had gone further and closed all the private and elitist schools at the same time. I believe strongly that every child should have the exact same education as any other. For me priviledge is anathema.
For me the moral problem with this country lies with those who have too much. I had to laugh at a recent vandalisation of a recent south west town entry on wiki. It described the inhabitants as being self absorbed and having a 'shop to you drop mentality' combined with a 'Celebrity status' complex. For me this sums up the moral problem with our class ridden society. People now seem to see themselves as 'celebrity' whilst they shun those on minimal wages and don't give a dam. Maggy Thatcher said there was no such thing as society. Sometimes I wonder whether the party that I've supported all these years has perpetuated this monster.
For me society matters - and the disintergration of community has lead to the social problems we have now. The clever thing is that consumerism has told everybody that they are 'celebrity.' Thus as Tony Blair said himself 'everybody thinks they are middle class.' This like nothing else has shut everybody elses mind to local injustice.
A read of housing conditions in Bristol the 1890's where families were living in one room with out sanitation or a national health service shows how far we have come. Yet if Tory economic theory and values were instituted we may well find ourselves retreating back. People are gnumbed by the idiocrity of cable TV and apathy and also the likes of Piers Morgan (although I am starting to like him) and the dreadful Sun comic.
So Why do I still vote labour? Its hard to break with a tradition and I do enjoy upsetting all the local Tories and Lib dems in the area!