So That Was Christmas

Just got back from a trip up north. Weather was bad, fog n rain, almost all of the trip up there n back. But as you can see it didn't deter Santa. How he gets down the central heating duct I'll never know!

Great catching up with family in Carlisle and Dumfries. Yet again an exceptional festive spread provided by Lynne, ably assisted by Craig n Jean.

So back to Gloucester for New Year. Guess we'll get thru the wine n chocs by Easter :-p

Have a great New Year yourselves.

Another year older ...

The only way to spend a birthday, in good company in a Landmark Trust property. This year, accompanied by Marilyn n Marion, we headed west to Pembroke and the tiny city of St David.

The cottage at Tower Hill St Davids is situated just above the close wall at St David’s and has an amazing view of the cathedral and ruin of the bishops palace, A place of worship that was already ancient when the Normans built their cathedral beside it. The cathedral also houses the tomb of Henry VII father, Henry VIII grandfather, which it is said saved the cathedral from the reformation. St Davids is the smallest city in the UK. 

With the cathedral at one side and the Farmers Arms at the other it caters for both spiritual and worldly needs.

The coastal footpath round St Davids Head is stunning and culminates in ancient stone fortifications and cromlechs. We followed this with a trip to Strumble Head with its remote lighthouse. 

Coetan Arthur is a Neolithic burial chamber dating from about 4000BC. It has a huge capstone almost 20ft (6m) wide, supported by a side stone over 3ft (1m) tall. It was almost certainly built this way, with one end resting on the ground, as an 'earthfast' megalith. It mimics the shape of Carn Llidi behind it. This coastline has a rich prehistoric past. There are also remains of ancient field patterns, enclosures and defensive banks dotted all around.

Then more cromlechs from the impressive Pentre Ifan 

to the smaller St Elvis.

Had a great meal at the wonderful Sloop at Perthgain with its picturesque harbour and amazing slate and loadstone works whose gigantic stone skips flowed crushed stone directly to the harbourside and waiting ships.

For breakfast and/or lunch 35 @ Solva is to be highly recommended for food and friendly service.

Autumn Colours in the Forest of Dean

Amazing sunny weekend, not yet crisp with frost, but a perfect day to enjoy the rustic colours of autumn. The forest floor in many places is carpeted in gold and brown. Together with the shards of low sunlight seeping through the trees makes this years a memorable autumnal scene.





















and having walked the path from Blackpool Pond there is no better place to refresh than the kiosk at Mallards Pike Lake.

Autumn Days in the Lakes

Just spent a week up north with Sis, included a day in Keswick and another in Bowness on Windermere. The autumn colours were breathtaking.

Stopped off @ Grassmere on the way back gathering real gingerbread from the old original gingerbread shop. Just behind you will find a church and to the rear is the family burial plot of the Wordsworths. Behind that is a new daffodil walk (bet it's lovely in spring) paved with hexagonal slate, each one dedicated to a sponsor.

Another Cracking CheltLitFest

Caught the likes of ...

David Suchet, a great raconteur, have you heard the one about the penny clenched between the buttocks? He was hot foot from recording the very last of Poirot, soon to be televised. There were only a few words for Poirot left unspoken so Suchet read them on an earlier stage to be able to claim thet he had spoken every word the Agatha Christie ever wrote for her famous detective. Question of the session “did you ever have any amorous feelings toward Miss Lemon ?” :)

There followed Jon Ronson and Peter Serafinowicz

SebastianFaulks

and PhilipPullman – another good raconteur!

Had to slip away after Phillip to go to friends joint 60^th in Market Drayton. John,Sue and I met up whilst at Poly in Birmingham many moons ago and ended up sharing a room in a house in Rotton Park. A great musical and artistic family the night was everything you would expect. Met some people I hadn’t seen for many years.

Back to the Fest Sunday lunch for the amazingly talented Sir Terence David John "Terry" Pratchett. 

then JennyAgguter (been a big fan from the Railway Children days thru Logans Run, Equus, Walkabout, Sweet William et al)

Finishing on Sue Townsend, Rachel Joyce and Ian McEwan.

Roll on 2013!

Vaux sur Mer

A wonderful finale to Summer with our good friends Dave n Sue on the French Atlantic Coast.

Saintes and Port D’Envaux Sculptures

Saintes is a traditional French town with a long history.

In the chalk like surface of this unique landscape artists have come over time and left their work in the rock for all to look and marvel. 

Then down to the river for a traditional picnic.

Rastrelli Cello Quartet

Caught these guys at Eglise St-Pierre in Chaillevette and were completely blown away. Went from clasics thru Hogey Carmichael to Brubeck. Energetic, enthusiastic, versatile they rightfully were called back for encore upon encore. If you ever get a chance go see them!

 Mornac where the food is simply marvellous with crepes to die for.

Le Tremblade is one of many oyster fisheries of the Gironde with all the sights, sounds and smells of a working river. The flat bottom barges transport the oysters.

The grand finale was Marilyn’s birthday. Had a birthday meal on the sea front in Naussica at St Palais. Beautiful pink lingering sunset over the sea. After the main course sweets arrived, ice cream to die for in tall glasses n Ms had sparklers in it as all the waiting staff at the restaurant came over singing happy birthday in French to the accompaniment of wooden spoons on trays :)) Then the proprietor, a friend of Dave n Sues, came over with complimentary Champaign :-p