Friday, 22 February 2008


Arrived back from my adventure in Jersey. I set off on the 16th Feb at about 5am and arrived in Weymouth at 8am and caught the ferry to St Helier. I stayed in the Monacco hotel which was very nice in an attic room overlooking the pleasant Regency street.
Over the five days I hired a bike and cyled around the Island. On the Sunday I cycled out to Sion in the centre of the Island where I was welcomed by most of the congregation and the minister of the URC chapel. However I got there early and had a wander around the area on my bike. The minister introduced me to everybody too. After that I dashed across the fields over to the Durrel Zoo where I was very impressed by the conservation ethos and nearly fancied booking a place in a pen myself.
I then cycled off to Rozell and along the coast learning that cycling along the northern coast is a bit of a job as you have to go down all the time to the beaches.
The next day I set off for Gorey and passed Le Hougie thingy which was a stone age thing. However I took a short cut down a lane and found Le Pouguelaye a Dolman which stood over the bay and really had an atmosphere. I then cycled up to Rozell again via St Martins and was impressed again although all the cycling was beginning to take its toll. In the evening I saw No Country for Old which I rather liked recieved a 8/10 rating.
Following day I travelled to Plemont and stopped at Greve De Lecq and chatted to an old lady about Hens eggs e.t.c. Finished the day at Grosnez point. In the evening I watched in the Valley Of Elah.
During the evenings I had my meals at a cafe in Parade Street owned by a retired trucker called Brian who talked more than he cooked and kept all his customers waiting but was very friendly.
On the final day I visited Jersey Musueam and then made my way to Ferry for crossing back to the UK.

Wednesday, 13 February 2008

Feb travels

Wish I had my digital camera - another one bites the dust yet again. No I din't drop it in the harbour (as I did back in 04!!!). However I managed to get to Y Smot Du on Sunday and the whole place was as lovely as ever. I climbed up from the ruined priory and found myself on the high moor. I met a couple of people who advised me to take a short cut through a wood on the way down. Well their short cut turned out to be a rabbit run and I found myself on the edge of a mountain not quite sure how to get back. Eventually I bumped in to two farmers who told me that someone had died on the hill last week and shouldn't I have a mobile phone and somebody with me!
Well anyway I found my way back to Capel Y ffin with it's atmospheric old church and Baptist church behind. I could really feel how Bruce Chatwin managed to get his inspiration for on the Black Hill although I had actually imagined it a bit further away!
The next day I revisited Rhossili again and climbed along the headland

Wednesday, 6 February 2008

The Record Player

I should have been saving for boring things like car service or a fridge. However I decided what I really needed was a record player!! From an early age when Dad gave me his Hendrix records and Bob Dylan stuff I have always liked Vynle (where is my dicitonary!!!) and have built up a decent collection which has included stuff from Saxon Marrlion to dylan Neil Diamond and Young and plenty of classical. It also gives me an excuse to travel up to the record shop in the Clifton Arcade and chat to the bloke on the till about the music of the 60's and 70's and moan about most modern stuff (other than the Kaiser cheifs and arctic monekeys). Anyway I managed a little while without a record player but managed to buy a small 50's retro MP3 thing which whilst not great is ok for what I need. However apparently need an amp for bigger speakers.
Have been playing lots of Mr Mc Cartney too really - you can't beat the music of 'my' era really - but I guess everybody says that!

Capel Bedwyr Pen Y Well


Some of you will remember the very isolated ruined church I discoverd in September (see below). Not knowing what it was - was quite intriquing. Its hill top site and very narrow lane showed a building which was of 1680- 1720 date. Well on a subsequent visit in January the undergrowth has been cut back to show some graves from the 1840's and some very creepy coffin shape holes in the ground! The church has been propped up and will be visited by Norman Chang who will send back a report at some stage. unbelievable the hwole site has been bought for development.
It is one of the most atmospheric spots iknow. With a bit of research the church is of very early non conformist origin and the name Pen Y well refers to the hill side font used for early baptisms.
The buildings is exceptionally interesting and is on the verge of collapse but has some unusual features including the west facade which has an early looking door. At the other end is a collapsed looking cottage or stable.
I Found the whole experience of being up on this hillside lonely spot where nothing has changed for at least 100 years quite atmospheric.
One would hope something of this lonely spot will remain when the bullzoers move in.

New Year

Hello all,
it's been a busy start to the year. I have been running the show at work whilst Jenny has been away. However I have managed to get out and about and enjoyed a wonderful day up on Crooks Peak with Stuart and Sheila and a walk with Melanie and Ron at Llanwit Major on the following day looking at St Donats castle and church - an ancient celtic place of worship. Have been fairly busy with the church and have also been along to Orchestra - enjoying the concert at St George.
I am off for two weeks in Feb so if anyone is around and wants to go walking or hosteling e.t.c. give me a call.
Neil