Lynmouth Aug 06
Day one
We set out at 5.54 and took the pretty route.
At about 9.30 we were at Clovelly. Clovelly is a small fishing village set 400ft down the side of a cliff, the only way down is to walk the steep cobble pathways, (not for the faint hearted). The cottages are all over 5oo years old, there are no privately owned homes and no cars are aloud. Deliveries are made by sledge, great fun to watch.
Then a cream tea, (well you have to).
From Clovelly we went to Instow beach
Where we walked hand in hand in the surf, until hubby saw an ice-cream hut. At which point he took of like a bullet from a gun dragging me behind him, with my little legs going ten to the dozen to keep up. It was very nice ice-cream, made with clotted cream, I would have just rather not have run the 4 minute mile for it.
From there it was on to Arlington Court
The court has a wide collection of carriages and stables. There is also a very large garden, but by this time it had started to rain, so we headed for Lymouth and our hotel.
After tea we took a walk along the front and watched the suffers. Then to bed to be woken at 2.30am by the life guard…
The Bath hotel as been a family run business for over 60 years. The owners Neil and Sharon are friendly and chatty without being intrusive, and will happily chat about the history of Lynmouth and the hotel.
We spent one evening, (Ok a few more than that but I am taking about this particle one), sat in the bar
and Neil showed us old photos of the hotel and the flood that nearly wiped out lynmouth.
If I have a criticism of the Bath it’s the food and wine, far too nice, (I have put on nearly a stone).
A little history
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On the 15th august 1952 after a day of rain, the east and west Lyn Rivers rose and filled with the Exmoor catchment flooded Lynmouth. The waters brought boulders with it that smashed everything within its path. 39 people lost their life’s and Lynmouth was never to be the same again, The river was deepen and the road moved, the harbour was also changed so that if the unthinkable ever happen again, water would be channelled hopefully away. There is a small memorial hall in Lynmouth, with pictures and news paper articles, interviews, all of which are heart breaking. The Gorge has markings on the wall to show the height of the water and mud at its highest. Even looking at the markings it’s hard to image that amount of water charging at you! There are stories that locals love to tell and the photos are a testament to the people, the next day after the flood the tearooms were open serving cream teas to the rescuers. Lynmouth is a must visit place and should be on everyone list of places to see.
We saw some lovely sunsets, and Lynmouth looks lovely by night, here are a few more photo’s before we get back to the “What we did” part of the story.
More to follow, stay tuned
(Don’t forget little sis to put the curser over all the pic’s even the last few).
Day two
As soon as it was light we dressed and walked up to the harbour to see what all the fuss had been. When you anchor up near the shore without reading your tidal waves guide this happens
Who you gonna call
Fun over we went back to the hotel for breakfast and decided over a full English a boat ride would be nice. So after finishing our 3 and a bit course breakfast we headed back down to the harbour and sat waiting to book our ticket. While we waited we watched this man
He has to go up this track every morning to make sure it is clear for the water powered train.
The train goes up to Lynton which is the sister town to Lynmouth. You can walk up to Lynton, (if you are feeling full of life, or go up on the train. It is a very steep walk up a winding pathway).
The boat trips had been cancelled due to it being too rough out at sea so we took the train up to Lynton,
where we were told Ilfracombe took boats out most days. So we walked back down into Lynmouth
And headed for Ilfracombe.
The boats had been cancelled there too, for the same reason. So we went up to look at St. Nicolas church, this church stands on top of a steep hill and was used as a light house as well as a church, as it over looks the sea.
We stopped for fish and chips before heading back to Lynmouth via the moors and Minehead, where we decided to have a walk along the sands. It was so windy that it was causing mini sand storms and we were sand blasted. Well it got the fake tan off my legs!
Then back to the hotel for another 4 course tea.
We took our evening stroll and watched the line dancers, (all done for charity) in the street and took a few more photos.
Then it was time for a night cap or two, three, four. OK we left the bar at 12.40, very merry indeed, (I was on my holidays, I don’t make a habbit out of it)!
Stay tuned for the next thrilling instalment?!
Day three
After another big breakfast we decided to try for another boat ride so took off for Ilfacombe again, and just missed the boat by about a minute! OK let’s go to the Valley of the rocks instead. We got as far as Black Rock and had to pull onto Exmoor National Park centre.
The car had died; well the radiator pipe had gone.
I reclined the seat and took a nap while hubby wondered round the car park swearing at the car and trying to find a phone, (no reception on the mobiles out here), so that he could ring the AA.
An hour later a very nice man turned up,
And half an hour after that we were on our way.
To the valley of the rocks.
Then on to woody bay.
As its name suggests this bay is at the bottom of a very steep and winding pathway through trees,
It is quite a walk as you can see, (coming back up is far worse)!
but when you get to the bottom it is well worth the walk.
It is a small cove with a small waterfall,
and rock pools.
Then it was time to head back to the hotel for another 5 courses, (have I been saying 4? It is 5. Now you can see where all the weight as come from).
After tea out for our stroll, the nights entertainment was Morris dancers, very entertaining.
At few more photos’s of Lynmouth at night.
And so to bed, after a few in the bar.
Last Day.
Saturday, August 5th, 2006
After packing and sulking, a last big breakfast and another sulk, (glare at the people on the opposite table, after all they have a few more days here), we decided to have one more go at a boat trip. Again they had been cancelled because of bad weather out at sea, (what’s wrong with them all, they have life jackets don’t they? I think they just didn’t want to clean up the sick)!
So we did a little Christmas shopping, (yes that’s right, they have some lovely craft shops) and packed the car and headed homewards, still sulking.
We popped into Watchet on the way. Watchet. is a little harbour town, with a little lighthouse and a statue of the Ancient Mariner.
Then we came home along the coast as far as we could.
We spent an hour by the river in Stratford watching the boats, (sorry no pic’s this time), then home.
Wales
So here we go, we decided to go to Wales for a couple of days this time and in the car so as not to get wet, again.
We headed out and stopped for breakfast at the OK Diner in Leominster. it was much better than we had expected it to be, a very nice breakfast and tea/coffee for £4.95 each. The inside is done out 1950’s stile, but the seats are very low. My chin was on the table, I nearly had to ask for a booster sit.
From there we went to Dolaucothi gold mines. These mines were used by the Romans and Victorians.
On ground level there is an exhibition of mining tools, video and machinery. There is also a place where you can pan for gold, yes we did, and yes we found some, (well, OK then we know it was only fools gold, but we enjoyed ourselves and brought it home with us). We were allowing our inner child to play.
You can take a tour through the mines but you have to be fairly sound of body. The entrance is up the side of an 80ft steep hill. If you decide to do the tour, as we did. You are kited out with helmet and lights. I was really pleased to find that yes you did need them, (so may places give you theses to add to the effect), there was no light down there at all. It was one of the best mines we have visited. Well worth the trip.
Then on to Aberaeron for dinner. (Chips), you have to it’s the seaside and it’s the law. Go to the seaside, you must eat chips.
It was getting late by this time so we headed off over the mountain road, (which starts at Tregaron) to Beulah, the scenery is unbelievable, here are a few shots. I could and did take more.
We arrived at hubby’s mom and dads just in time for tea.
After tea we took a walk down the lanes and around the village, (again with touches, very little street lighting out here). Then back to sit on their decking with a cup of tea, to watch the stars. Because there is very little light pollution, we could see thousands of stars; I even saw a shooting star, that’s only the 4th one I have seen. “There are lots of stars up there you know” father-in-law kept telling me, “yes I know” I kept telling him. Well he had a glass or two
Tuesday
Up and away, we took the mountain road over Rhayader. to Devils Bridge. then through Aberyswyth to Clarach. We stopped here to get a cuppa and breakfast, but it was shut! No I am not joking, 10.40 on a Tuesday in the summer and the place was shut. So we went on to Borth. and got breakfast, I love Borth. There’s not a lot there and that’s just the way I like it, no amusements or penny arcades, just piece and quiet. We sat on the dunes and watched the sea and boats, very peaceful.
These are some of the things we saw on the beach/dunes.
Then it was time to head for home, a quick stop at Harry Tuffins for a cuppa in Church stoke, and a stop at bridgnorth, where we walk along the castle promenade, then home.
London
November
(Don’t forget to put your cursor over the pictures for info)
We are back; I could get use to the lifestyle I have just experienced.
Right let’s start at the beginning. Friday morning, being all excited I suggested we get to the station an hour early, because by the time we got sorted and to the platform it would not be to far off the time for the train. It’s a good job we did! We got to the station to be told that because of technical problems on the line our train would not be stopping at the station, we would have to get to New Street to pick it up. That was OK there was a local train due in 10 minutes, which we waited for, that turned up 15 minuets late. We eventually arrived in New Street with about 5 minutes to spare. Got on the train to find it that full and we couldn’t make our way to our seats, after two stops we eventually got to sit down.
We arrived in London 10 minutes late and got a taxi to the hotel, which took nearly half an hour due to the traffic, (I couldn’t live in London, all the people would do my head in)!
We then booked into the The Royal Horseguards Hotel.
Off we went to our room
We decided to go out and do a little sight seeing; I have been to London a few times in the past, but hubby as only even driven through it working so it was all new to him.
And so back to the hotel to get changed and on to our champagne reception in the undercroft.
Stay tuned for more.
After a rest and shower we went for a drink, then on to
The banqueting House.
First the Champagne Reception in the undercroft
The champagne flowed freely, and so did the nibble things, I had several glasses of the bubbly stuff. After consuming several bottles of bubbly we moved on to the banqueting Hall for the meal and awards. The room was awe inspiring.
We took our seats and the wine begain to flow.
Wines
Champagne Vouban Fieies – Brut special Cuvee
Sancesse Blanc – Domaine Crcchet 2005
Cites de Beaune Villages – Louis Latous 2004
Menu
Cannaloni of Artichokes, peppers, Aubergine and Feta chesse
drissled with a light coriander and basil dressing served with a marmalade of sunbrushed tomatoes and caramelised red onions
*****
Rump of spring lamb with a minted pea ravioli
Dauphincise potatoes, summer bean cassoulette
served with rosemary jus
*****
Iced nugatine and berry parfait with a crown of spun sugar and vodlka raspberry coutis
*****
coffee and petit four
Brandy
Then the awards, there were several to give out, but I felt so proud when hubby went for his. The team he was part of had won their award for their work on making tail lifts safer for the people who have to use them, He was awarded this sliver dish
And because we long suffering wives have put up with the long hours and grumpy moods we too got a present. A beautiful sliver letter opener.
Then it was back to the hotel, where hubby joined his work mate for a few more beers and I went to the land of nod. I was worn out!
Stay tuned for part three.
We decided to take the early breakfast, (7 am) in the 1-21-2 restaurant named after the old Whitehall number, and then do a little more sight seeing before getting the 11.10 train home. It was a lovely sunny morning and with only the occasional runner and odd tourist it was nice to walk round. We crossed the bridge into the south side and walked full circle back to the hotel
And so homeward bound.
The train was bang on time, 10 minutes out of the station it stopped; yes you’ve guessed it more technical difficulties on the lines. 40 minutes later we were off again and back home by 3.
Wales
We have spent the weekend at the in-laws in Wales, (Newbridge-on-wye). We have had a lovely weekend, but I am very red, it as been very hot!
On the way there we stopped on the top of Clee Hills and took a few photos. I think it’s a lovely place, and the views phenomenal.
The village is very quiet, (unlike around here, at the moment I am listening to kids screaming and shouting at each other). On Saturday night we went to the New Inn and had a lovely meal. Mother-in-law had duck glazed with ginger and honey severed with 3 salads, then raspberries and meringue, Hubby had cured ham and eggs followed by treacle pud and custard. Father-in-law and I had lamb chops and veg, then he had spotted dick and I had 5 Wales cheeses and crackers. Couldn’t tell you what they were, but they were lovely! That and two rounds of drinks cost just over £55. If you are that way have dinner there.
The view from the back of their house is lovely just below the bush line there is a pond with ducks.
This is their wasps nest in the shed.
I love this bridge we go over it on the way.
There’s this lovely river only a couple of minutes walk away, we spent most of the weekend just walking around the village.
There are also a lot of Red Kite, (is that how it’s spelt)? Around there, here’s one now
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07
Whity
Whitby. is some where I have always wanted to go, I have for a long time want to stand on the hill, look out to sea and see if I can spot the ‘Demeter’
So this year we went. I shall start my tail at the beginning.
We left home at 6.45 and headed for the OK Diner for breakfast, it was closed, so we carried on to the little chef, (very nice scrambled eggs there, hubby got a lolly-pop so he was happy). Ok let’s get serous now.
We headed first to York somewhere else I have never visited; we parked up and put 4 hours on the car. First we headed for the Castle Museum. this place is well worth a visit. It has a Edwardian street, (sorry about the pictures, cameras not too good in the dark), war memorabilia, old clothes and loads of other stuff. It took us nearly two hours to go round.
Then we headed for the cathedral, (which took us ages to find), but it was packed out, so we decided to leave it and have a weekend there to do the sights. Hubby took this picture with his wide lens. That’s why it looks all bendy.
Then it was on to Whitby, my first impression of Whitby was… ‘What have I done?’ It was not what I was expecting, I had a very Romanic idea in my head from reading Dracula, and I should have left it there!
We stayed at the Bagdale Hall. on the west side,This didn’t turn out to be what we thought either. We had booked into the Hall, (or so we thought) like the pictures on the site, we were put in a plain back room, over looking the car park, that’s what we had booked they said, (I think not I would NOT let hubby book a room like that). Anyhow we were there so made the best of it. West side of Whitby was seaside town! (All the things I hate, rows of chip shops, junk shops and buckets and spades), not that I am against them, it’s just that I had gone for history, legends and myths, not sea side!
We took a walk up the front and popped into a café called The Marine Café, a very strange place run by kids. Hubby ordered cod and chips, but they had no cod, (I found this really funny, we were in a fishing port)! Anyway we had our haddock and chips, and I will say they were the best fish and chips I have had in a long time, (and they were huge pieces of fish, noting like we get here at home).
On the evening we took a walk up the hill and I looked out to sea for the Demeter
and had a look at the Whale Bones, (which are not the original) and the statue of James Cook.
We then went on a ghost walk with ‘The man in Black’ (otherwise know as Harry) which was fun, Picked up some nice stories on the way round, which I may tell you about later.
That done we decide to go and have something to eat, (now I can hear all you people who have been before laughing), Whitby closes at 9-9.30, so unless you are happy to sit in a pub there’s nothing to do and nowhere to eat. We just got into a Chinese restaurant before they closed called Ming’s Place, and ordered a meal for two. Fantastic! The food was out of this world, but you could have fed 22 with it.
Day two.
Up early and a walk along the front, I love this time of day, no one about, you can walk freely and look and see the beauty of the place, and it is beautiful without all the seaside junk. We walked to the end of the pier, the wind was howling, the sea rough. It is easy to see how Bram Stoker came to write his book, stood there at the end of the pier watching the sea, with nothing to hear but the wind and the gulls, the sea mist winding its way around the headland, it was both beautiful and eerie.
After breakfast, (which gave me another giggling fit, the woman on the next table asked for kippers, Whitby is a fishing port which I have already said, and is renowned for it’s smoked kippers, which are smoked just up the road, they hadn’t got any)!
We took the tour bus trip, this is great. For £3 each you can stay on the bus for as long as you like, or get off and on as much as you like, the bus comes with a very witty commentary from the driver and passes most places of interest, so we spent the day jumping on and off this bus, then when the day was over we went all the way round to listen to the commentary all the way through. So on our little tour we first got off at St. Hilda’s church and grave yard. The grave yard is very old, no one has been buried there for over 100 years, (Our bus driver got off the bus and showed hubby and I a couple of graves that people miss, as he recognised our accents and he comes from the west midlands too), any way the graves were of two pirates, on one of them you can just see the imprint of a skull, they think it’s real, but can’t touch it in case it falls to bits. The photo I took wasn’t very clear so you will just have to look at the marker they put on the graves. St Hilda’s is a lovely church and I was really looking forwards to seeing inside, what another disappointment. All the pews had been covered over so that more plastic junk could be laid out for sale.
Whitby Abbey. is a wonderful place, take an audio tour and you can listen to the history and legends told to you by St Hilda and a monk. The ruin itself is beautiful and is a must to go and see.
From there we went to captain Cooks Museum, very interest and some lovely old letters in Cooks own hand.
We then went to look at the Jet. Whitby is renowned for its Jet, and guess what? Hubby brought me some for my birthday, a necklace and matching earrings, (show you later).
Time for a little light lunch so we popped into the Monks Haven, (all of the above were on the East side and I must say this was more like the Whitby I was expecting). We ordered baguettes; they came with that much filling in them they wouldn’t close, plus salad and crisp.
By the time we had got back to the West side it was early evening. We had been told by the bus driver to try ‘The Jolly Sailor’ for a good pint, so we did. It was a good pint and cheap, but no one was very jolly in there?
Off we went then for another walking tour with Harry, this time a Dracula walk (altogether now OOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo). No, come on it was very interesting, Harry told us how Stoker had woven parts of Whitby’s history and myths into his story, and how he had come to write the book, which was originally a play, (again I will tell you more later). All good fun.
Day three.
Before breakfast we decide to take a walk over the bridge to east side, all cobbled little streets, lovely, (bit of a mistake, did I tell you I had hurt my foot the day before? Don’t know how, but it hurt like hell)! Anyway back to the story, we took a walk past the 199 steps to St. Hilda’s and on to the end of the pier, we were going to walk the 199 steps, (something else I wanted to do), hubby looked quite relieved when I said lets leave it until tomorrow my foot hurts. Hehe.
After breakfast, (I ordered Kedgeree, you know smoked fish, rice, peas and egg, what I got was rice, peas and a tiny, tiny amount of fish). We then decide on a drive across the moors. On the way we came across this bridge, (now you have to understand I love bridges, they fascinate me, and it doesn’t matter how many times I am told how they stay up there, I still don’t know how they stay up there). I so wanted a picture of this bridge
So hubby bless him, went and stood in the river to take it, he is the little dot.
Is that better?
Up on the moors we found a Roman road and went along that, the moors are best seen in the winter, when it’s cold and bleak. Of course that’s just my opinion.
They have very wooly sheep
Back to Whitby for a light lunch at Bomthas Victorian tea rooms. I know a nice light quiche salad, (I never learn). A huge piece of blue cheese and broccoli quiche, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, cress, onion, beetroot, spring onion, peppers, radish’s, apple, orange, new potatoes, crisp, carrots, sweet corn, coleslaw, potato salad, and egg salad. (They don’t do things by half’s here)!
After a little rest we went and had a look around the Grand Turk. It is sea bearing and the cannons do work; (I want a go, pleasssssse). The ship was used to film Hornblower, but sadly is now up for sale and may never see British waters again, so I am glad we saw it this time.
Next on our list of things to do was a sunset trip out to sea on the Esk Belle, yes you have it, we sailed out to see the sunset in the sea, and very pretty it was too.
Given that there was nothing else to do we then went on the twilight cruse, go out when it’s still light, come back in the dark. Our boat was chased by gulls, (who got me all down my back, is that lucky)?
From the sea you could see St. Hilda’s lit up. The local kids have a great time dancing in front of the lights and projecting shadow images onto the church walls. As we pulled into the harbour the heavens opened, so it was quick march to the hotel, (well it was a hobble for me, my foot had stated to swell!
Day four
After our morning stroll and breakfast we went to the Whitby Museum, founded in 1823 and set in lovely gardens, it is what a museum should be. I knew I was going to love the place as soon as I walked in, it smelt like a museum! It was full of local fossils, natural history, model ships, costumes, toys, jet, relics from Captain Cook and the Scoresbys – famous whalers, and a glory Hand. What is a glory hand I hear you ask, and I am glad you did, because I really wanted to tell you.
In days of old, when people were hung, it was thought that if you cut off the hand of the hung person, squeezed out the blood using a piece of the burial shroud, then preserved the hand in salt and other herbs, it gained magical powers. People believe that if you placed a candle in-between the second and third knuckle and carried into the place you wanted to rob, the people there would fall into a deep, deep sleep, so you could get away with it. They found the hand they have in the museum at the back of the church; they think the people who were going to rob the church had second thoughts and left the hand.
By this time my poor old foot had, had it so we went into town and got one of those elastic bandages, (the ones that cut your blood off ha-ha). And so to give it a rest went for another drive over the moors to Rosedale, where we stopped and had lunch at the Coach House Inn.
As my foot still didn’t feel any better we drove out over the moors in the evening to.
Day Five
My foot had swollen to twice the size, so after breakfast we decide to head for home, we didn’t stop on the way back as the car had started to make very strange noises. Once home we went to Chiquito’s for tea, (who wants to cook when they have just got home from there holidays)?
Well here are a few more shots of Whitby taken by both hubby and myself, (or is that I)? Anyway enjoy.
So to the story of Dracula, I have already put the photos of the cliff face and me looking out to sea for the Demeter on previous pages, so we won’t go there again, this is the beach where the ship ran aground, in real life a ship did run aground here. However the captain was not lashed to the wheel dead like the captain of the Demeter, but he was dead… dead drunk.
Dracula left the ship as a big black dog, there is a legend of a black dog in Whitby that says if you and you alone hear a dog howl, you will die shortly.
The dog ran up the 199 steps to St Hilda’s church to hide in the grave yard.
This is the screaming tunnel, where Dracula claimed a victim
There are bats in Whitby, and baby gulls sometimes get confused when landing on window ledges; they tap the glass trying to get the reflection to feed them. So Stoker took the bats and made them the size of the gulls and let them tap on the windows of his victims.
The glowing eyes of Dracula come from the fact that when stokers boarding house landlady threw him out so that she could clean, he would sit in the second story of the Royal Hotel, which over looks St Hilda’s, at certain parts of the day the sun glints off St Hilda’s and gives the appearance of two eye.
So would I go to Whitby again, the answer, no. I feel they are losing there history to plastic buckets and side show amusements and yes I know they have to make a living, but it’s sad!
and I never got to walk the 199 steps!
Photos
Lynmouth
Have you ever been to a place where you feel totally different? Lighter in mood and sprit? For me the place is Lynmouth, I have been to many places but Lynmouth makes me feel ‘well.’ And that is where I have been for the past couple of days, doing a bit of walking. Before we went hubby was telling a friend that I love to walk, but have trouble with steep inclines and declines, (well they were properly having a good laugh at the fact I have to go up on all fours and come down on my bum), and hubby’s friend told him to get me a walking stick, so we did from a walking shop, (no the shop wasn’t walking). I got quite excited about my stick, it has suspension! And it worked I was up and down the hills like a mountain goat. Anyway I digress. Let’s start at the beginning.
Hubby decided he wanted to see Stonehenge, as he has never seen it, I have, it was about 23 years ago. It was my first (and last), attempt at camping, 4 of us plus camping gear packed into a mini. Off to Stonehenge we went, the only place we could find to camp was the back of a pub, in a dip, it rained and rained and rained and rained, the tent started to fill with water, four of us slept in the mini. Never again will I go camping! Anyway back to the story.
Off we went to Stonehenge, (yes miles out of the way that we wanted to go), got there, hubby looked at it over the fence, said it’s not worth the £7 to get in, because you can’t get up close to it and drove off. Just like that, did I want to kill him? (Answers on a post card).
We eventually arrived in lynmouth and booked into our favourite hotel The Bath, only to be told it was being sold, Sharon and Neil are to lose their jobs and home, What, what.! I love The Bath, but it is Sharon and Neil that make it feel like home. (Never fear they are buying there own hotel and as soon as I get the details I will link them).
A walk along the river and into The Lyn Valley café for a cream tea, then back to the hotel for a rest and tea. Oh I didn’t tell you hubby had a welcome pack put in the room, big fluffy robes, wine, fruit, fudge and a mug and posh tea. Ah he spoils me.
After tea it was a stroll along the beach and back for coffee and baileys, and so to bed.
next day
Our walk started in Lynton which sits above Lynmouth so we took the Cliff railway. up the 500 feet (140 metres) to the top.
We start at St Mary the virgin Church, a local legend claims that the church was to be built over the road, but every brick the builders laid in a day was moved to where the church is now by the pixies. So the builders gave up and built the church where it is today. We took the North Walk and through a gate onto the coastal path. The goats that live here now were introduced in the 1976 after the original goats were hunted to extinction. As goats go they are bloody big things!
The coastal path is quiet narrow in places but easy to walk and the sight of the rocks. from this side is far, far more beautiful than the drive through on the other side. The first rock you see is called Rugged jack, legend has it that the druid and his companions were dancing here on a Sunday, when Satan appeared and turned them into stone! (Let that be a lesson to you). A little further on and you can see Castle rock and on the opposite side the ‘Devils cheese ring’. You can get to the top of Castle rock, it is a bit of a scramble, but well worth the effort for the views, and yes we did it.
After a cup of tea we set out to walk over Hollerday Hill. a very steep climb from this side on lose dirt tracks, but again worth the effort, we walked right over the top of this hill and found the remains of the old Iron Age village and the remains of Sir george Newnews house. The pathways over this hill change from dirt track to boulders to grass and back again, every turn is something new. We decided to take the Snowball track back down to Lynton, very slippery on this particular day.
Then it was time for tea, another evening walk, coffee and baileys and bed.
Photos below just put your curser over the top for info.
You have to ride the open top bus across the moors and into Minehead. Starting at Lynmouth, (out side the trust hut not on the bridge as everyone will tell you) the bus takes you through County Gate across the moors to Porlock and onto Minehead. Porlock in at the bottom of a 1 in 4 hill, great fun, especially on the way back up in a clapped out bus. You must sit on the top, you can tell everyone who has done this, they are the ones with their hair stuck on end and fly’s between their teeth! I would advice a hard hat and goggles, some of the tree branches are very low and yes if you don’t duck you will get a smack in the teeth. Ha-ha all good fun. A round trip takes two hours, but you can get of if you want.
We then decided to walk along the river Lyn to Watersmeet, it’s a lovely walk but you do need boots or a strong pair of shoes, not flip flops, or a pushchair, (yes we did see them both). The pathway goes from surfaced to dirt then rocks, and continues the dirt/rock right up to Watersmeet. On the way you pass over the stone Chiselcombe Bridge which was rebuilt in 1957 after the original was washed away in the floods of 52, you also pass through the remains of the mineral water factory also washed away in the floods. At the end of this walk you come to a 19th century fishing lodge, now a tearoom. So a cuppa before we head off back to Lynmouth, this time taking the woodland walk. Obviously this way is not taken very often, the paths were not well worn, which made it all the more fun, steep hills, (then you have to get down again), lose stones on pathways and deep drops into the river below.
Back again for tea and a stroll etc etc.
he had just caught a fish
We left the longest walk of the week till the last day, I don’t know if this was a good idea or not, given that it turned out to be the hottest day too.
So we started our walk at Lynton and walked to Lynbridge, these are just footpaths, over the road and into the woodlands, the path climbs and you get some lovely views of Lynbridge through the trees. The path zig zags a bit and the climb gets steeper, but when you reach the top the views are spectacular. We walked right over the top of Summerhouse hill and in places the path is only just wide enough to put one foot in front of the other. Then down into Myrtleberry Cleave and through what is left of an Iron Age fort, onto Watersmeet. A fantastic walk with beautiful views and the only thing you hear is bird song and grass hoppers.
We walked back to Lynmouth along the river walk, where I will admit to taking off my boots and dangling my feet in the ice cold water, ahhhh bliss.
Days out
Warwick Castle
Last weekend we took a trip to Warwick castle. it’s been many years since our last visit there. Number one son was quite young and a peacock took his sandwich out of his hand and ate it! Anyway back to the present.
At £15.95 each to get in, £3 for parking and that annoying thing of charging you that much then, £1.35 for a bottle of water, (yes you can take your own, but on a hot day it’s goes warm very quickly, and yes you could take a cool bag, but if you want to climb in and out, up and down it’s not a clever idea to take a big bag). And a further £2.75 to go into the ghost tower, (all because they have a few flashing lights and people dressed up, we didn’t go in). It’s not cheap, but it is a full day and there are lots of places to explore and things to watch, it is also a very beautiful place, (as you can see below, these are just a few of the photos we took).
We started our trip around the castle by first going into the Dream of Battle, which opened this year, basically you have a few models, sound effects and films shows about a small boys dreams/nightmares the night before he goes into battle, it was quite good. Next onto Kingmaker, again models and sound tracks, but also the smells of the time, YUK! Then on to the chapel, great hall and state rooms, all done out with period furniture and models, (can you see a pattern here), followed by the Royal weekend party, (yes you have it models). That said it was done very well. The dungeons were small, (well der they would be, wouldn’t they), very dark and not nice. (There was even a body, see if you can spot it in the photo).
We then took a walk around the castle perimeters and up onto the ramparts, to the top of Guy’s tower; back down along another rampart into Caesar’s tower and back down to ground, (500 steps to climb up and then back down). From the top we had some lovely views of the grounds and an old part of Warwick town, (picture below, no it’s not a model village, we were that high up). We also walked to the top of the mound which is the oldest part of the castle
Next on our list was a walk to the Trebuchet viewing area to see, (yes you have it), the Trebuchet in action. All I can say is ‘WOW I am just very pleased I wasn’t anywhere near where that ball came down’! (The Trebuchet is the worlds biggest siege machine, just in case you are wondering). Then a walk down the river to the Mill and Engine house. Lots of machinery and a big water wheel. Very pretty.
We walked back around the castle and on to the bird of prey mews to have a look at the birds, you wouldn’t have thought birds could look ‘stuck-up’ but this lot managed it perfectly!
We thought this piece of wood looked like a hand reaching up to grab anyone who passed by to close.
Then a stroll across Oak Tree lawn, (yes it was a stroll, I was a bit hot by this time), to the peacock garden so called because… anyone want a guess? Correct it has peacocks, and just in case they were all feeling unsociable and hiding, some of the bushes were cut into peacock shapes. There is also a very nice conservatory with some very large plants, (bigger than hubby and that’s saying something)! With only half an hour to the Winged warriors show we went and found a nice spot to sit, (and this is where I got sunburned) to watch the birdies. They are trained so well, flying just above our heads and refusing to come down from the battlements all good fun. This over we were only left with the Victorian Rose Garden to see so off we went. Very pretty and smelt divine.
On the way out we had a look around the tented village, not a lot was happening. All the villagers were sat eating, come to think about it that was all we had seen them do all day!
Then it was time for home, very tired, very hot and with sore feet, (perhaps new shoes were a mistake).
Don’t forget to put your cursor over the pictures for info, (if you can call it that)!
All in all it is a very nice day out, lots of thing to see and do, lots of history and if like us you are a bit daft, theres plenty of room to pretend you a mediaeval knight and have a bit of a joust, (you could even buy a sword).
More sites to look at.
Ruston Triangular Lodge
Sunday saw us at Ruston Triangular Lodge Northamptonshire, we have been there before, but I had forgotten just how full of mystery it was.
Designed and built by Sir Thomas Tresham between 1593 and 1597 after being imprisoned for his beliefs. Sir Thomas was a roman catholic and built his lodge as a snub to the government of the time. It has three walls, three floors, three windows in each wall of each room and three doors in each room. The number 3 symbolising the Holy Trinity. A quotation from St. John’s gospel sits above the door ‘Tres Testimonium Dant’ which means ‘There are three that give witness.’
Letters and numbers can be seen right around the building, it is thought that there is a hidden message in these numbers and letters; no one yet had broken the code.
Elan valley
Yesterday hubby decided it was time to visit the Elan Valley again, ‘It should be flowing well after all the rain we have had’ well in theory. In fact it was full but only the bottom dam (behind the visitors centre), was flowing. So we had a wonder up to it, took a few photos and then drove round to our favourite waterfall, where we parked up and ate our picnic lunch, in the car, why, because it was bloody freezing and tipping it down .
The stones you can see in the foreground represent the small villages that were submerged when the reservoirs were built, when you see the stones and realise that’s what they represent it makes a shiver run down your spine, well it did mine.
There’s some very nice heather growing on the sides of the hills.
Our favourite waterfall
YES it is July!
Hubby had a Dr. Who moment
Arts Fest 07
Arts fest has been and gone, and what a lovely time we had. Number 1 son and I set off on the train on a bright and sunny morning. First stop was the Levity 11 – Architects of the Air, a huge installation, (think bouncy castle with out the bounce). Lit by natural light defused through coloured plastic, a mini maze of tunnels inspired by the repetitious forms found in the bazaars of Iran and little domes to sit in and listen to the relaxing music.
I could have happily stayed in there all day, but too much to see and do to do that. So after a wonder around the Levity and a little sit in one of the domes we headed out and across the road to the Curzon Station, (the oldest surviving railway terminus in the world) where we saw the fossilised cat.
The station had an exhibition of photography including the Severn Valley railway and a very touching series of photos of the people lining the tracks as the RFK Funeral train went past.
Then we popped over to Millennium Point to see the Nachdey Hasdey Bhangra Group, full of life these dancers, I felt tired just watching them.
From there we popped into the think tank to use the loo and found an exhibition of the ‘coming soon’ VTP200 which will be a 200 metres high observation and leisure tower. It looks fantastic! I want to climb to the top.
Then on to the Arcadian Centre to see the Art of Japanese sword fighting, a bit disappointing this, number 1 found it disappointing too. Not a lot of go in it, as it were. So we set of again this time to Chamberlain Square to the beachside stage for coconuts and comedy, which wasn’t funny, we didn’t stay long granted, but not even a titter did we hear. So we headed for Centenary Square, through Paradise forum. Now whose bright idea it was to put a show on in the middle of here needs their head looking. It’s not big enough to walk through on an average day, you couldn’t move! With a lot of jostling we got thought and out into the open air again, ahh bliss air, (excepted it wasn’t really air, it had got very hot by this time) and headed for The Drum Presents… Moseley Cultural Arts, these were kids of varying ages playing African drums and they were brilliant. We watched these for a little while, but it was much to hot.
So we went inside the Rep and had a drink, then into the Door to watch Language Alive do Hansel and Gretel, which was fun. They had the children from the audience playing the parts of H & G and the woods. We had to do the sound effects, (a very drunk man in front of us was having a whale of a time). That finished and we came back out into the heat to see the Bai Ling Chinese Acrobatic Arts Co.
We only watched a few minutes then moved on to watch Capoeira Conviver from Brazil, which is marshal Arts to music, sort of. Number 1 will explain it better, it was fantastic!
Then we went for tea at the café Soya.
After a very nice meal and bottle of wine we headed back to Centenary Square where we staked our claim over our little plot of land for the rest of the night. We listened to the City of Birmingham Young voices, saw Jasper Carrott get is star for the walk of Stars, (Ozzy had the last one) and
Then it was Classic Fantasia,
CBSO and the Birmingham Royal ballet, followed by the CBSO and the Birmingham Opera company, then to top it off a fire works display as the CBSO played the 1812 overture, Land of Hope and Glory, Dam busters, William Tell overture, and the grenadier song from Carmen
What more could one ask for?
Then it was time to get the train home and in bed for 12.30 for the next day.
day 2
So off we set again, (this time on a Sunday still warm and sunny) on the train and into Birmingham. First we headed for the flea market at the custard factory, (not part of the Arts Fest), but a very nice little market just the same. From there we went to the Arcadian Stage for a bit of Irish music, then over to the Mail box, (how long as the underpass walkway to the mailbox been filled in, the one with the big Chinese building thingy in the middle)? for a multi sensory, interactive sound and light installation, in the Neverland Lagoon. Don’t get excited, a few cut out trees, people drawing on walls and a few cushions, doesn’t spell multi sensory to me. So off to Chamberlain square to watch Punch and Judy done with real people, very bazaar, but good. Then across to centenary square for a bit of Merengue dancing, go on give it a shake. By now it was very hot, so we popped into the Rep for a drink and went on to the City Centre Gardens Activity Space to see a lovely little kids play about some pirates, who all get what they want in the end, but not the way they want it. Ahhh sweet. The name of the company escapes me at the moment, but number 1 will remember.
Things were getting a little boaring by now so it was time to head for home.
Chirk Castle
My husband and I went on a visit to Chirk castle it’s a 14th century fortress and was the home of the Middleton’s up until two years ago when it became to exceptive to run so they gave it over to the NT. It cost 7 pound adults for both castle and gardens or 4.50 for just the gardens. We stared with the gardens but didn’t do all of it, it was a very cold wet day so most of the footpaths were mud. We did see the clipped yews and the thatched ‘Hawk House’ which was very pretty. We also made friends with a one eyed cat, who I stroked and he followed us around the garden, standing on out feet every time we stopped walking. We were very cold at this point and decided to go and get something warm to eat, rather than continue around the garden, plus we had booked to see a behind the scenes tour, (an extra pound each). So we went into the coffee house, sorry restaurant and had two very small bowls of lukewarm soup, and two very hard locally baked bread rolls, 6.80p, the reason the soup was only just warm, we were too early, soup didn’t come out until 12. It was 10 too. So after that we went on our tour, to look at the parts that are still being worked on, there was a lot of Pugin décor, the tour guide didn’t like Pugin and made it known. I quite like Pugin lots of dark oak and carvings. The guide said it was far to dark and gothic, well each to his own. We then went for a look around the house, completed in 1310, some rooms were very pretty, beautifully plasterwork and tapestries. The library had a fireplace that Pugin had built from a four-poster bed and in the main hall a clock he had made from old doors. There is also a 20th century laundry, 18th century servant’s hall and a medieval tower and dungeon very creepy down there. The gardens also house a pair of the most beautiful gates made in 1719 by the Davies brothers. It’s well worth a visit, make it a nice dry day to take advantage of the gardens, and take your own flask.
Pooles Cavern
We went to pooles cavern yesterday, not bad. We have seen prettier rock formations both here in Britain and in Oz. But for 6.20 it wasn’t bad. The tour lasted about ¾ of an hour and the pathways were quiet safe, we have been to some that were very steep and slippy, some weren’t even pathways as such. The guild was a little on the manic side, but I think that added to the experience somewhat. They have some of the fastest growing stalagmite in Britain, i.e. 4-to5 cm in 6 years. The parking however is not free as stated on the web site, it’s pay and display. One pound for a couple of hours. On the way home we stopped off at a pub called The Bowling Green Inn at Ashborne for a spot of lunch. A very strange place couldn’t make its mind up what it wanted to be. One part was full of football memorabilia, another books. All around were Buddha’s, American Indian art work, Chinese, Japanese masks etc. The people were a bit on the strange side too, but saying that we had a lovely lunch. Steak and kidney with new potatoes and peas served in a large Yorkshire pudding. It was real food too not tinned or frozen and piping hot. 6.50 each, needless to say next time we are that way that’s were we will head for lunch.
Tal-Y-Llyn
Sunday saw us on the bike to Wales again, this time only 3 bikes.
Our merry little band consisted of Hubby, me, hubby’s boss and hubby’s slightly deranged friend who from now on shall be know as HF.
We met up at 10.45 and took off with HF in the lead. A misunderstanding, (well HF wasn’t listening) ended up with us going the long way round to miss Bala (when there was no need to miss it). HF also took a wrong turn and led us up a goat track, luckily we didn’t meet any goats, just 4 very bemused looking sheep. That said the views were beautiful. I just wish my camera hadn’t have been in my pocket. Some of the trees had started to change for autumn so the green was specked with yellow and gold.
The day started off grey and 2 hours later when we arrived at Tal-Y-llyn it was raining cats and dogs. We had lunch in the Pen-Y-Bone
It’s just a shame the weather stopped us from eating out side by the lake
After lunch we took off for Tywyn and Halo’s for ice-cream, (its ice-cream to die for), on the way we past some lovely scenery.
Then back home for 7.
A round trip of over 200 miles so numb bums all round, but a lovely day.
Stratford
We spent a few hours in Stratford the other day. We stayed by the river Avon, too many tourist in the town. It was a lovely warm day which was nice, but brought everyone else out too. (Note to self, next time go in the winter). We had a walk along the river and a little boat ride, a look around the butterfly farm and lunch from a barge. Pic’s below. I don’t know anything about butterflies, except they are very pretty, so if anyone out there can name them please feel free.
Elan Valley
This time the Cradley ride out was to the Elan Valley, (where our water comes from) It was quite scary how much water there wasn’t!
This ride out seemed a little chaotic to the last one, we had only been going about 20 minutes when three rides decided to take a short cut and we ended up in front of them, (we were tail rider again). Several of the riders took over the lead rider and two of them took a wrong turn and ended up in Aberystwyth! But saying that no one fell off.
The weather held out for us again and we stayed dry, if a little cold at times.
We had dinner at the Park Motel which has gone under new management, (in fact they have only had it a couple of weeks). The food was excellent.
Well that’s the last one for this year, anymore we go on now will be for our pleasure.
Arts Fest 06
ASO Youth Orchestra Quintet, they were very good
The Void these were good to, I would say they were in the early to late teens.
Mothertrucker, (number 1 son writes about these quite a lot), rock band. Very good, although a very strange lady decided to do a very hippy dance in front of the stage, could have been because the BBC cameras were there, but who knows. She may like to hippy dance to Rock, it made a change from the head banging dances I used to do to rock music, (too old now I fall over and have to have a rest).
At the Waterhall
Solo Plus Theatre Company presents Medieval Mystery Plays, basically The Passion in 20 minutes with sign language on the side, very bizarre.
At the rep Door
Big Brum Tie co presents The Balancing Act by Edward Bond. they performed a little scene and asked the audience’s opinion on it, it was interest to see how these things come together.
Marcus Eyre Productions presents The Next Drink
Treefrog Theatre Company presents Don’t Pick Sport!
They were all good.
At the Flapper & Firkin
Tindal street press presents tell Tales 3, three short stories, well one really the other two were extracts, but the full one was very good. I am told that the Flapper is to be pulled down, what can I say? After being in it I can see why, dark, dank, with sticky floors and a smell of pee.
At the CBOS Centre Bar
TNI, we saw a couple of Afro- Caribbean singers here. I missed there names, but they were really good; if anyone out there saw them what were they called. They did an a cappella version of the lords pray.
At centenary Square
Fola, an Irish folk group
The Birmingham Royal ballet who did extracts from Fire Bird, The four seasons and the Nutcracker. Also three dances to swing music.
t Chamberlain Square
CB
Walsall Illuminations
Last night we went to Walsall Illuminations.
This year we didn’t get soaked or that cold.
They had some new lights, gone were the stars and balls you used to start the walk with and in their place pirates and clowns. This year they had a big wheel, (didn’t go on), and a stratosphere which you could go inside. Once in there patterns were projected onto the ceiling, I did manage to get a few photos which are below. There was also a man dressed as Charlie Chaplin who did a little show, lots of pretending to throw water around. There was the laser show over the water, which this year was a bit of a disappointment. The best part of the evening I thought was the ultra violet puppet show. Yes ultra violet puppets in a darken tent, they were so funny, singing snails,(singing I’am so lonely), bugs and a snot blowing green thing, singing your beautiful.
If you have little ones this is a must to go and see and if like us lot you are a big kid at heart you must also go and see it. Where else are you going to get an evening out for £6 a head, (less if you are a young’un’ or an old’un’)
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
I am sat here listening to Carmen, singing my little head off, (no I don’t know the words, I make them up as I go along).Yesterday I decided to go to the Birmingham Museum and Art gallery, I have not been for years. I used to spend many a happy hour or two there when number 1 son was little, (and the science museum, which no longer exists, its millennium point now. Been there was not impressed). I got there a bit early so I had a wonder around the shops, Boy have they changed it or what! It as been years sense I have wonder round the town. I brought a Big Issue and had a chat to the man selling it, about the weather, (very British). I went into The Works and was very restrain, I only brought one book, (I love cheap book shops). I brought Beyond the Da Vinci Code by Rene Chandelle and I shall read it when I have finished the book I am reading now. I can only read one book at a time unlike number 1 son who as many books on the go all at once. I still had a little time left so I wondered around and took a few photos of some of the old buildings, wheel, and eternal flame. Then on to the museum.
I was a little disappoint with it, it to as changed, I know move with the times. But it’s lost its museum feel, for me at least. They haven’t got the old fire engines or coaches anymore, or the dinosaurs, rocks, stuffed animals and birds, (the ones where you pressed the button and heard a very bad recording of bird song). They do still have the figurehead from the warship the Swallow (1800) and the old toys, now called the Pinto collection. I was pleased to see that the mummified man, chick, cat and falcon were still there to.
There was an exhibition by Ana Maria Pacheco and Kathe Kollwitz, the paintings were very dark, people being sucked dry of their life, and a very scary sculpture called man and sheep. The sheep being people, the eyes followed you around the room.
There is some nice pre-Raphaelite art, I liked the 3 pencil draws by Ford Madox Brown (1821-1893) based on the poem by lord Byron, ‘Parisian’ the first picture is called Study of the head and shows the head of Parisian, the second is called Parisian sleeps and shows Azo strangling his wife after allegations of an incestuous affaire. The third is called the Head of Price Azo, in this one he has a very evil expression as he contemplates the tragic consequences of him murderous intentions.
I also liked the painting of Proserpine by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882)
It shows Proserpine empress of Hades who was conveyed by Pluto (God of the underworld to be his bride). Her mother Ceres implodes her return, however she can only return if she as not eaten any of the fruit. Poor Proserpine had eaten one grain of Pomegranate so had to stay. The painting shows her in a very sad pose holding a pomegranate, with a piece of ivy in the bottom of the picture, which is the symbol of hope.
They have some new bits to, a room dedicated to Ethnography nice costumes and old photos. The wonder wall which had all sorts of bits and bobs in, some reminded me of my Nan’s house and it had a mummified crocodile,( no not nans house) did you know a crocodile is the only animal that is mummified with all its internal organs intact? Well now you do. Lifetimes, little rooms made to look like 1940’s to 60’s homes. Visions of Birmingham, couldn’t make my mind up what that bit was supposed to be about.
This is the eternal flame, that went out a week after it was lit, or was it a shorter time that that? Answers on a post card. Waste of gas, all that pollution going on up there.
Lake Vyrnwy
This was the first Cradley Kawasaki. rideout I have been on (they usually take place when I am at work), so I jumped at the chance to tag along.
I had no idea how much military precision went into a rideout, what with 2nd man drop off, last man pick-up and tail rider, (which is what hubby and I did), it’s like a finely tuned machine. We didn’t lose anyone and the only person to fall off didn’t really fall off. He put his foot down to find there was no ground underneath him so ended up leaning against a grass bank.
The day started for us at 8.15 at the Cradley shop, (as hubby is a helper, we have to be there before the clients, all of which have brought bikes from Cradley in the past few years), for debriefing which consisted of drinking several cups of tea. At nine o’clock we set off. Our first stop was at Tuffins at Churchstoke for a cuppa and the loo. At this point the weather didn’t look too bright, very dull and damp, and this is where we lost our first biker who went home! Ha-ha, these young uns can’t take it. Then on to Lake Vyrnwy going through Welshpool. which caused a bit of a stir, everyone stopping and staring at us. It must get on the queens nerves a bit, everybody looking all the time.
We had lunch at The lake Vyrnwy hotel. which over looks the lake, it is a beautiful spot and we sat on the balcony to eat as by this time the weather had become warm and sunny. After several more cups of tea we headed of home.
As we travelled along, watched by people and sheep, I did wonder what the people and sheep were thinking, answers on a post card. There’s nothing like motor biking you know, being out in the elements, feeling the wind rushing past. It’s so exciting.
Below are some of the photos I took, please bear in mind I was on the back of a bike going very fast, I mean the speed limit, I love the one where we were cornering.
Christmas Market
We have just been to the Christmas Market.
This is/was a bit of a tradition with hubby and me. We would go and have a big sausage and a glass or two of mulled wine and a wonder around the stalls, but this year I have to say I have not enjoyed it at all. The place was full of uncontrolled small children, foul mouthed teenagers and rude adults. I would like to tell you what delightful things were on the many stalls, but alas we couldn’t get near any of them and not because people were buying. The stalls were blocked by groups of people who were just stood chatting or eating and not moving when asked politely. So dishearten and fed-up I returned home without my annual glass of mulled wine and big sausage. For those of you who are wondering, no I won’t be trying it again next year. This year as put me right off the idea.
Aston Hall
Last night we went to Aston Hall.
At first I was a little disappointed, the last time we came here there were craft stalls, old medieval clothes, pork roast and a mead tent. This year it was one tent with crafts nothing different or out of the ordinary, no mead tent, just a table. We had a pork roast cob which was very chewy and had more apple sauce than anything else. We each had a different glass of ale so that we could taste them all. Hubby didn’t like any of them, number 1 son and myself liked the Kelpie seaweed ale so we brought a few bottles home.
Then to the house, before entering the house you stand in a large tent to be ‘entertained’ by a couple of jesters making balloon animals, both of whom looked like they wanted to be somewhere else. Then a duel between sir Thomas Holte and some other person I can’t remember the name of.
The house itself looked lovely by candle light. The high light of the evening for me was when both number 1 son and hubby got picked on by the ghosts of the past. (People dressed as they would have been and play acting the part). Number 1 son was told to take his hands out of his pockets and what a fine beard he had, then asked what he did for a living, and as quick as a flash he answered turning his job into the equivalent of what it would have been then. Hubby was not so good at it.
I took a few photos, I wasn’t aware that you could take them inside the house until we had got nearly all the way through.
Canal Boats
On Sunday we went into town to see the canal boats.
The weather held out for us, (it had been freezing and wet all day), but it turned into a nice evening.
Some of the boats were a little disappointing, but I suppose it’s hard to light up a canal boat, saying that there were a couple that really went to town. We stood at the N.I.C. end so we didn’t have to wait too long to see all the boats, (I took a few photos, on the night setting) then the batteries went dead so I changed them forgot to reset the camera and took the rest on auto and would you believe that when I put them on the computer the night shots were rubbish, and the auto were fine!
The last boat had a huge white Christmas tree on it with fireworks coming from the top, but they took it down way to early to go under the bridge so we didn’t get the full effect. The evening finished off with a firework display, but we only saw the tail end of that as we were stood on the wrong side of the canal.
Then on to café Soya for tea, before heading home to watch Housewife 49. Did anyone see it? I thought it was quite good.
Wassailing
Winter solstice.
(Read down the link a little. We went a wassailing in January of this year, I really enjoyed it. I think these old customs should be keep alive).
When we went a wassailing at the Severn Valley Country Park…
We meet up with a small group of people who obviously did it every year, but were welcomed like old friends. First we walked through the woods to find ‘The Old Man of the woods’ this is the oldest apple tree in the wood. We then all stood round it and sang a wassailing song to wake up the trees. Then a large wooden bowl was filled with cider and the head of the group blessed it, this bowl was then passed around the group and everyone drank from it and asked the ‘Old Man’ for a wish, (I asked for my health problems to be sorted and they were, don’t burst my bubble I believe it was the ‘Old Man’ that did it). Then a cake was passed around and we each had a piece, it was explained to us that the sharing of the food and drink was to symbolise that we are all family, then we each dipped a piece of bread into the cider that was left in the bowl and placed it on the ‘Old Man’ and the remaining cider was poured on the tree roots we then said thank you to him for last years harvest. Next was a bon-fire , lit by the tree,( not by the tree itself, next to it), each person there takes some wood and throws it into the fire shouting out their family name, again this is to unite everyone there and to let the ‘Old Man’ know which families have given him an offering, so bring good luck to the families. The smoke purifies the trees and the air.
I must say I think it’s an experience everyone should have. Well perhaps not everyone, but if you have an open mind.
Today given it was cold but bright we decided to go to Hatton Lock to walk the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ (21 locks). We arrived, parked up, paid and displayed walked over the bridge. Would you believe they can close a canal! The toe paths were closed and part of the canal had been drained, we couldn’t find any signs to say why. Parts that had been left with water were frozen over, (see below). We did see some very nice sheep though.
Still not to be put off we decide to go to the building yard and watch them repairing the boats and have a nice cup of tea in the café… that had gone, it is now a pub. So we came home for a beef sandwich and a pickled onion.
Kyre Park
Yesterday we took a return visit to Kyre Park. It has been a few years since our last visit and I have to say I was a little sad at how neglected It had become. The house and tearooms are closed, gone is the life sized chess set and the maze cut into the grass. The pathways for wheelchairs and push chairs unkempt and cover with broken branches.
However saying that it’s still as pretty as ever, (even if there was no water flowing in the tower).
The garden contains some unusual trees, and wild flowers, a folly, (a tower with underground trail), waterfalls, a ruined Hermitage, bridges, geese and swans, (who were nesting).
Nice day out if you haven’t been before.
From there we went into Upton and had dinner in a nice little pub called The Plough Inn, right on the river side. Then on to the Malvern Hill. and to the
birthplace of Elgar.
A nice little museum. and the house where the great man was born. At £5 a head it’s well worth the visit. Take the audio tour.
Last night we went to Stourport. for a walk along the river and to watch the sun go down, (ahhh). Hubby took some lovely photos a few of which are here. He also took, (not shown here) several of what he thought was a heron sitting in a tree, until that is I pointed out to him that it was in fact a plastic bag, and he said he doesn’t need new glasses. tut.
I love to look at the boats, it always reminds me of a holiday we took many years ago on the Norfolk broards.
Lake Vyrnwy
As yesterday was so nice we took the bike out, (first time this year), it was also the first time I had used my new helmet. I have to admit my old one had had it. As we travelled along it was quiet, warm and best of all I didn’t have to hold the visor down!
So of we went to Lake Vyrnwy. (You say vern-wee). It was lovely riding down the lanes and seeing all the new spring lambs and pheasants running around, we also saw little rabbits, sweet. Isn’t funny how getting out in the greenery makes you feel better, it’s the same with the sea.
We took a few photos, I took some from the back of the bike as we were going along, I am getting quite good at it, even if I do say so myself.
If you do go, (and if you can get there do it really is beautiful), there are walks and a lovely sculpture park. If you go for a coffee go past the first café, (the one by the bird hide) and up the short slope. Much nicer people work there and the cake is really homemade, plus it’s cheaper and so is their bike hire.
Hatton Lock
Sunday saw hubby and me back at Hatton Lock to walk The Stairway to Heaven.
The stairway is a lock flight with 21 locks, it lifts the canal 144 feet (45 metres) in 2 miles (4km), in 1932 the locks were widen from 7 foot to 14 foot so that boats could move in pairs.
So we parked the car and walked to lock number one, then set off back down past the locks we had just walked pasts, (I wanted to start at the very beginning, OK), with our cameras in hand. (Me with my little point and click and hubby with his big fiddle with all the lenses job) for our nice little stroll. It really is beautiful and peaceful, we watched boats go through the locks, hubby got some good shots of the birds and we both got good shots of the locks.
When we got to the last lock we walked a little further before turning back to make our way back to the car, we went back to lock one for a drink, then back to the car. I am only pointing this out because I said that was a nice little 4 mile walk, but hubby pointed out it was nearer 5, He would hate you to think he only walked 4 when it was 5!
Kinver
Today we headed out to Kinver Edge. The edge is a mix of woodland and heath land. Home to slow worms, snakes and lizards, although we have never seen any on our many walks there. It is very hilly so the 3 mile we did walk hubby says is a lot as it was up and down hills. (Do you feel sorry for him? I made him walk). I will admit that some of the pathways are steep, and if you go off the pathways, (as I am apt to, I like to have a good nose), can get quite slippery under foot. I did slip a couple of times myself today, it’s so dry that the small pebbles and bits of tree just slide from under you, and send you on your way just a little faster that anticipated.
Kinver is also the home of the Holly Austin rock house.
Sea Life Centre
Today we decided to go to the sea life centre, because it doesn’t matter if it rains, guess what? It has been hot and sunny all day!
Well here are a few of the photos I took of all things fishy. Some of them didn’t turn out to well, too dark or the fish wouldn’t stand still, (well float still you know what I mean).
At £15 each to get in it’s not cheap, but you can stay as long as you like and if you have your hand stamped you can go out and come back in again.
While we were queuing we saw middles sis and dad, they were also going into the sea life centre, they must have run round because they over took us and disappeared! When we came out, hubby phoned to see if they want to join us for dinner, but they were already having theirs. (I am sorry but when I pay £15 I am getting my moneys worth.
We also went for a look around the art museum, but half of it was closed so that was a bit of a waste of time! Still it was a nice way to end the holidays.
West Midlands
This walk takes us from Stourton to Kinver via some very pretty walks and the canal towpath. It is a circular route and I will not give a time, as I never find these very useful. It always takes us a long time as we love to stop and stand and listen. We did this walk early September 07.
So park your car in the small car park by what used to be the stewponey, now new houses. And walk up the hill and over the little bridge, (the river under you is the Stour) and a few yards up this road you will see a public footpath sign. Take this path across the field, (today filled with potatoes),
over the style and down the deep steps, (take care they are very deep steps).
Follow the narrow path, through some lovely blackberry bushes, (pick a few if you have somewhere to put them), wild flowers and trees and through a gateway.
The path now widens out follow this path straight ahead, taking time to look at the trees and sandstone rocks and watch the squirrels at play. (Today as we walked through the leaves were just beginning to fall from the trees and every now and then one would fall down in front of us).
The path narrows again but keep going, stand and listen to the bird song, the water you can hear is the river Stour.
At the end of this track go through the gate and turn left, take the path marked Kinver. This is a narrow path between two walls,
it soon opens out onto a wide path with fields on either side, (don’t feed the horses).
Walk along this path and through another gate onto a narrow path,
this path you follow past the football pitch and into the car park. You are now in Kinver village. Walk through the village, (toilets can be found on the right-hand side of the road as you walk through the village, 20p to go. But they are very clean). Take time to look up, some of the buildings are beautiful.
Walk through the village until you come to a fork in the road, at this point if you have had enough you can take the left turn and this will take you back to the starting point, if not carry on up the hill for a couple of hundred yards, turn left at this house
And walk down this road until you come to a sign that says Dark Lane and The Anchor Hotel walk down this lane. The pub at the bottom is now houses, follow the path across to the left and down the lane. Turn left and go under the bridge.
This is the towpath that will take you back. Keep the canal on your right and the river on your left. The scenery changes from houses to boats, from being tree covered to wide open spaces, but there is always something to see.
Eventually you will come to Dunsley Tunnel no.31 go through this and walk on, (not much longer now).
In front of you, you will now see the Stewponey Tunnel and that’s it you are back where you started.
This walk took us 4 ½ hours, but like I said, we do, do a lot of messing about.
