Early Bank Holiday

Finally,after all these years, I've found the solution to great bank holidays - go the weekend before!! Had to this time because of diary probs. The weather was great, the crowds few, the motorways almost empty - delightful.

Seemed a bit of a contrast with Marion in Kenya n bombs goin off all around her (she is safe n sound though) n us in the tranquil south coast spot of Seaton - can thoroughly recommend Blue Waters friendly beyond belief, comfy beds n breckie served in your room :))

One of Seatons delightful aspects is its tramway. Circumnavigating the picturesque Tescos it then double dog-legs to travel a few miles up alongside the River Axe estuary, stopping briefly at Colyford before going forward to the lovely little village of Colyton (Devon's most rebellious town) They have 13 trams in their current fleet including two that would not be out of place on Blackpool seafront.

After the peace of the villages the bustle of Lyme Regis came as quite a contrast, though it is a seaside resort and it was a lovely day. 

Upward n onward to Sidbury where we chanced upon their 100 years Festival of Flowers and Memories relating to 1914 - 2014, with cameo sets in the church and a number of village gardens open to the public.

... a wander round Sidmouth then back to Beer for a beer :))

All too soon time to head back. Stopped off at Burrow Farm Gardens, what a treat, almost like a miniature Heligan. A beautiful 10-acre garden with unusual trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, where the rhodies and azaleas were in full bloom, and a traditional summerhouse looks towards a lake and ancient oak woodland. 

This May Hurt a Bit

An amazing play by Stella Feehily caught at the revamped Bristol Old Vic. A tour de force in support of the NHS and a wake up call to those who would let it demise through apathy. The dialogues between Winston Churchill and Aneurin Bevan were inspirational - and, of course, the three hander with the budgie "Margaret".




Top praise for Stephanie Cole who turned in a performance typical of the true trooper she is.



Another great innovation was the programme, just £3 and contained the full script, in the public domain. now that's show biz!



Also worth a mention is the food n drink fest taking place in the park opposite. The most amazing structure constructed of interwoven teepees internally bedecked with thousands of fairy lights n sound equipment. 

Worth catching them both if you can :) 

What a Cute Cottage

Sis had another birthday in April - seems to be an annual event :) 

This year featured a trip to Bath Thermea Spa. An amazing place with a rooftop pool overlooking the city and, unusually, we chose to go on the one day the sun shone in a perfect blue sky.

We stopped just south of the city in the village of Coombe Down in the aptly named Cute Cottage. The village is built on the site of the stone quarries which built a large part of Bath. The owners Martin and Jenny were so friendly and attentive as were the neighbours. Cute Cottage provided a quiet and cosy village retreat from the vibrancy and bustle of Bath. The cottage was incredibly well stocked, all mod cons, free wifi, comfy beds even a bbq on the lawn. Just round one corner was the amazing local deli that provided scrummy breakfasts and round the other a quality local chippy :-p

Also visited the American Museum, a well tucked away gem. To be fair they told a very balanced story of the development of modern America. Also a neat walk through the grounds and tea n cakes in the cafe.

                                                                                                               ...but the accommodation wasn't bad

the trip over on the Mayflower                                                      
was a bit rough!

and the locals were very talented 

       

as were we

Onward to Limpley Stoke Viaduct. The motor boats weren't yet running sadly but it is still very picturesque and well used by boaters, walkers and cyclists.

and to conclude ... a trip to the ancestral home of those who lived on the ley of the river Wool ...

Y-Fenni

Didn't we have a lovely day the day we went to --- Abergavenny. First outing of the year for Rascal was an idyllic rural campsite in the Welsh Brecons - Pyscodlyn Farm - at the foothills of Sugarloaf Mountain. 





A gate to the rear of the campsite leads to a footpath along the river Usk into the centre of Abergavenny.











If you are ever that way let us recommend breakfast at "Eat You Heart Out", bottom of the high street in Aber, evening meal at Venue 59 at the George, best pub is the Bell at Glangrwyney a mile or two beyond Aber - but avoid the Lamb and Flag if you possibly can!

A round trip took us to Tallybont on Usk where the canal crosses the Usk and was a major trading route when mining was at its height and before the railways took over. 











There are a number of great walks in the area including the Henry Vaughan Way. Henry Vaughan was a Welsh author, physician and metaphysical poet, his twin brother a hermetic philosopher and alchemist. Along the Way are marker posts with quotes from Henry. Then onto Llangorse Lake. Prehistoric settlers were attracted to Llangorse Lake because of it offered food and water where there was a natural opening in a landscape which at that time would have been densely wooded. In 1868 an Iron Age Crannog was discovered on a small man made island of stones just off the northern shore of Llangorse Lake (Bwlc Island). This island would have supported a small number of buildings. Similar dwellings known as Crannogs have identified in many locations in Ireland. In 1925 a remarkably well preserved dug-out canoe dating from 800 AD was found and can be seen in Brecon Museum.

Y-Fenni itself has much history on offer and its castle and museum, being free from English Heritage, has free public access! Its recent standing stones also testimont to the fact that it hosted an Eisteddfod. 

Did try, but afraid they didn't declare me king of england :-/

might go off n join Owen Glendowers lot :)

Bluebells are Blue

We had only intended to visit Home Farm, near Huntley, and wander their bluebell woods ..

This year really has been staggering for flora and blossom

but the day was so beautiful and the bluebells in profusion, we continued through the forest - pausing at Clearwell for a lunchtime snack - to the Wye valley and Cadora and Bigswear Woods. This Woodland Trust circular walk, alongside Offas Dyke, is one of the best bluebell woodland walks in the area.












Then, being sooo close we had to drop in at Tintern for tea n cakes (well, in my case, maple syrup crepes n cream :-p  ). The perfect end to a quintessential spring day. 

sans daughter

The eagle has flown - again. Caught the 1.30am bus from Gloucester to Heathrow on the first leg of her latest globe trot.

Missing her already :'-/ (or is it envy ?!?)

Update: the eagle has arrived safely in Laos and is now comfortably ensconced with friends in Vientiane ວຽງຈັນ :) 

Dancin on Ice

Sis is a long time fan of both Torvill & Dean and Dancing on Ice (hasn't missed an episode) so couldn't miss the chance to catch T & Ds 'final' D on I live at the Newcastle MetroRadioArena.

It was a sell-out and well lived up to expectations. Celebrity skaters included Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle, West End theatre star Bonnie Langford, actress Suzanne Shaw, singer Gareth Gates, actor Ray Quinn, former England Rugby Captain Kyran Bracken, Coronation Street’s Hayley Tamaddon and comedian Joe Pasquale (not my favourite but he was v funny!).

The first half was competative with TV judges Robin Cousins, former professional skaters Karen Barber and Nicky Slater. The second half was show dancing of the highest quality culminating in, you guessed it, Torvill and Dean reprising Bolero.