Bridge Cottage, Peppercombe

Well where did my 60^th year go :-/ but go it did!

As has become traditional with birthdays and/or valentines Marilyn arranged another (our 6^th) Landmark Trust stay – this time at Bridge Cottage, Peppercombe, Horns Cross near Bideford.

Peppercombe is a steep and wooded valley, through which a stream meanders down before spectacularly tumbling down to a beach in a fine waterfall. Gently sloping paths reach the shore.

 

The cliffs here are particularly dramatic, formed from an outcrop of red Triassic stone, with the whole magnificent North Devon coast line curving away in both directions and Lundy on the horizon.

Bridge Cottage, built in about 1830, stands in woods at the top of the combe. It had been empty for years, with a tarpaulin over its roof, but the walls of cob and stone were sound. The kitchen and parlour have stone-flagged floors and fireplaces, while the bedrooms follow the line of the roof. It had a small but perfectly formed real fire. There were rustic views from every window.

The weather was at times messy but did give rise to this double rainbow across the bay.

At the top of the path stands the Coach and Horses. Real Ales, fine food and a great host. Also close by are Bucks Mills, the picturesque Clovelley and ...

more pics

In Praise of Sir Goldsworthy Gurney 1793-1875

Like myself you may never have heard of Goldsworthy Gurney. In spite of having studied history in depth in my youth, especially the industrial revolution period, this chap escaped me. But without Gurney there may not have been Stephenson’s Rocket, many more miners may have been asphyxiated, Parliament and central London left in the dark for years and Cathedrals turned to ice in the winter. Deserved of his limelight this inventor and his daughter Anna Jane should not be forgot or marginalised in history.

Christmas Comes Early

Due to hectic social calanders this is the last weekend before the festive day that we shall all be together in Gloucester so we decided to have an early mini celebratory weekend.

We got the tree Friday much to the delight of Santa Doggie :) 

 






Lunch and some Christmas food shopping at the amazing Farringtons.



and onto the Enchanted Christmas arboretum at Westonburt.
This is best seen in 3D on a cold winters night in yer cap n boots, followed by a warming glass of mulled wine, but to give you a feel ...

More pics

Vid Clip

 Next day brought a search for breckie in the Forest of Dean which led us to Gavellers Cafe which also marks the start of the Forest Sculpture Trail ..

 

Then on to The Hungry Polar Bear, this years christmas offering at the amazing Clearwell Caves turned, yet again, into a winter wonderland ..

more pics
     

then home to a well earned home made sloe gin 

n a slice of Christmas cake :-p









Thinking of buying a Kindle, or book, this Christmas? Don't forget to order Angorichina by Marion Grace Woolley.

Chelt Lit Fest

Just completed the Cheltenham Lit Festival and used the opportunity to surreptitiously promote Marions book - loadsa fly posting. Coupla more coming out in late autumn and she just won $100 in an American short story comp :)

Our old favourite Roger McGough was there, 




together with Victoria Hislop (n hubby). Watch out for the Greek adaptation of 'The Island' and guess who plays the 'english gent'?











and lotsa authors, journalists n assorted entertainers:

Autumn comes to Highnam Woods

 

Arbour in a Storm

The latest addition to our garden - thanks to a rare discount and over 60's day @ B&Q :

Illuminating Blackpool

T'was the 'annual'trip with Sis to Blackpool. Despite pre weather forecasts of hell n high water the weather was fine all week. The new illuminations were fairly spectacular, including some music driven street lighting and illuminated trams.

 

 

BUT ... The town was heaving as it was half term which must be why most of the big shows closed the week before?? Foodie pubs had no food! and half the trams had been laid off !*! Still the digs were good as was the local pub. Finally found a last show by 'Dancing Queen' and it was a stormer. Started a bit light but then they rocked the roof outa Grease and had dancin in the aisle to Abba.

Cap d'Agde

Marilyn's birthday treat. Following in the footsteps of Kate Mosse's Labyrinth we based ourselves on the queyside in Agde and toured Bezier and Carcassonne. The weather held fair, affordable integrated public transport worked well and the beaches were excellent. Carcassonne and it's fortress are as magnificent as they are stunning.

more pics

Big Boats n Little Boats

 

The Tall Ships Festival is an annual event at Gloucester Docks where many of the tall ships are maintained and refurbished.

By contrast the small but perfectly formed Saul Canal Festival followed with a model of the London Duck - Marilyn and I have been on the London and Toronto Ducks :)

Jean's Birthday Trip

Ever wondered what it's like inside Buck House? Sis's birthday proved the opportunity to find out and it is spectacular. Amazing ceilings picked out in white and gold, inlaid furniture of perfection and a cream tea on the lawn to finish - nearest we'll get to a Palace tea party ;)

A quick tour round the Surrey countryside culminating in a bevvy at a delightful country hostelry.

Then off on the ferry to Ypres where our grandfather worked and died in the service of the War Graves Commission.