A Dr Who of a Day

Bank Holiday Monday was the last part of Marilyns birthday pressie from last year - the Dr Who concert in Cardiff - where we met this little fella in the Castle Park:








The lengthy queues to get in testament to its enduring popularity - and the show didn't disappoint.

The music, provided by the BBC Orchestra and Chorus of Wales, the exceptional soloist Elin Manham Thomas (with the voice of an Ood) the lighting and staging were all exceptional. The show just flew by.

They reprised all of the Doctors 

and their time travelling friends 





on three mega screens and many of the aliens came to life on stage and around the auditorium. 

The show was presented by Peter Davison (doesn't look like this any more :) - the 5th Doctor - 









but the volume from the audience showed David Tennant to be the most popular incarnation.

Tall Ships 2015 Arrive in Gloucester

Crowds gathered on both banks of the Sharpness Canal as the first of the Tall Ships sailed under the raised road bridge and into Gloucester Quays for the start of a three day celebration of these grand old sailing vessels:

Hellens at Much Marcle

Mentioned in the Doomsday Book the gardens at Hellens in Much Marcle is a site of great historical, archeological, and scientific interest (SSSI). In spring the woods are full of wild flowers - daffodils,orchids,anemones,and bluebells. There are also small-leafed lime and wild service trees in the wood, which invariable suggest very ancient woodland.

It has an unusual herb collection, containing viagra substitutes and poisons, arranged afront of a large brick built C17 octagonal dovecot.

labyrinth with an interesting centrepiece 

Amongst other items of interest were:

large fungi

willow ball garden relaxer

Blooms and Bikers

River Barn, near Malmesbury, is a three and a half acre riverside garden set around part of a former model farm.

Within the garden were some interesting ornaments

 














and willow sculptures

On leaving, just down the path, was a footpath by the river which then cut off across the fields. Ready for a stretch of the legs we set off. Eventually we came to a side road that led us onto the Malmesbury to Wootton Basset road where we were met with a cacophony of engine roar and and hooters. The road was just packed with bikers. No exaggeration must have been a coupla miles long - took nearly half an hour to pass (much to the chagrin of those motorists stuck on the feeder roads). Apparently a young woman biker, Elizabeth Stevens was planning a sponsored 'Ride of Respect' past the war memorial in Wooton with a few friends for 'Help the Heroes'. It took off on social media and on the day around 10,000 bikers + 5,000 pillions turned up :-0 Police had to escort them in cohorts of 500 down the route. As I've always said you never know what your going to come across when you get out there in the open air ;)

Return to Randwick

Whilst at the Wap we heard tell of a bluebell wood above the village. On yet another fine day we had to go explore. 






The shades of green as you pass through spring to summer are numerous, bright and new.

The woodland floor was covered in newly emerging wild garlic, almost looked like a powdering of snow, 









peppered with bluebells that eventually took prominence in profusion,






and if you look very closely there is a sighting of rare wild woodland orchids. 

Welcome to Randwick Wap

Amongst a number of festivals of pagan origin, later adopted by the orthodox church, held in Gloucestershire to herald in spring is the Wap - one of the country's oldest surviving festivals.Dating from around the C12 this rowdy affair was banned for a short period in the 1800's due to riotous and drunken behaviour 8~p

The Randwick Wap, held atop of the Stroud Valley, was revived by the late Rev Nial Morrison. It starts with the blessing of the Wap Cheeses before they are rolled three times around the church widdershins anti-clockwise. One cheese is shared out and the other two kept for the cheese rolling.

The years elected Village Mayor, Wap Queen and elected entourage process down the narrow main street from the War Memorial to the Mayor Pool.

The crowd are kept at bay by the Mop Man and his Apprentice wafting their very wet mops around :)

At the Mayors Pool the Mayor and Wap Queen are doused with (buckets) of spring water followed by short speeches by both and a rendition of the Wap song.

Held shoulder high on wooden sled seats, by members of the local football team, they are paraded back through the main street to the head of the well race.

At the head of the well race we return to the remaining two cheeses. These heavy roundels are rolled down the steep hill three times alternately by the Mayor and Queen,

and, alternately retrieved and returned up the hill, at a trot, by two of the younger flower maidens.














Then on to the main field for the fayre and entertainment. T'would not, of course, be complete without the Morris Dancers:

Welly Wagging:

and birds of prey:

Then off to the WI tent for tea n cakes :-p

Eastcombe, Bussage and Brownshill Gardens

Set in a hilltop location in the Stroud Valley These are a collection of medium and small gardens spread across three adjoining villages. The village hall providing a focal point complete with tea, cakes and plant stalls.

stunning views over the valley