Wednesday 31st July 2024

 

Julie went to Iford Manor today. The image doesn't convey the stress she had getting there after taking the wrong turning at West Harptree, and again near Radstock. It was a blisteringly hot day too. I got a phone call at home as she was completely lost in Peasedown St John, just seven miles away. I even looked into my getting the train to Freshford and walking to the gardens to drive Julie home.  Anyway she got there safely, met her friend Vanda there and absolutely loved Iford Manor Gardens. I'd like to go myself, on a less hot day though. Food was glorious I hear.

Tuesday 30th July 2024

 

I've been neighbours of Roger Bond since December 2009. He and his partner Betty were a lovely couple, sadly Betty died a couple of years ago. Now Roger is downsizing and hoping to move to a bungalow in Milton, a part of Weston a couple of miles away. We don't want him to move as he's a very good neighbour, keeps an eye on the house, always pottering about outside. But he's recently turned 80 and I can understand his wish to be somewhere smaller and on one level. I noticed today the For Sale sign has become a Sold sign. Not what I wanted to see but happy for Roger as the house has only been on the market just over a week. Though I have a horrible feeling it may be being bought to rent out, many houses around here are now rented. We'll will see.

Monday 29th July 2024

 That was a little warm at 6pm. Admittedly car thermometer readings are less that accurate but even so the temperature would be in the high twenties. Finally though we are getting a spell of hot weather. This year has been dominated by cool and very wet days. Of course there have been sunny periods but they have been few, cool and short lived. May and June were both substantially below average temperature. Sadly though this warm spell is only expected to last a few days. August the 3rd is sometimes quoted as the peak heat day, when latent heat and strong sunshine reach their peak. I can recall a number of very hot early August's. After that the sun's strength starts to decline rapidly in conjunction with losing two to three minutes sunlight every day. By the end of August it will be dark at around 9pm, and while warm days are common then, nights start to become cooler. So, I shall make the most of this mini-summer, it has been a long time coming.

Sunday 28th July 2024

 

Today one of my father's carers brought his lifelong friend Arthur to see dad. Arthur and dad have been friends since the early 1950's, though dad knew of Arthur and his twin Doug at school. They both had printing businesses but began at David Allen's as apprentices. I've happy memories of Arthur and his family with us going on holiday together. It was always a lot of fun, especially on Lindisfarne. Arthur is now 94, dad will be 93 soon. They had a lot to talk about and remember today.

Later having a lazy day at home I lay on the lawn this afternoon. Everyone should lie on grass for hours in sunshine. It's very relaxing. Even Yorvik looks relaxed....

Saturday 27th July 2024

 

My two purchases at the Bath Book Fair today. Both quite rare in their own way and both at a very reasonable price £25 for the BB book and £35 for the Jefferies book. I may say more about these in a later post. 

I woke this morning and fancied a day trip to Bath (visiting the book fair but also just a tourist day). Julie was heading out for a walk elsewhere, so quickly buying my train ticket. (£10.45 return with my seniors railcard) I walked to the station, got the 10.04 train and by 10.50 I was at the Green Rocket vegan cafe having bubble and squeak and enjoying watching the Madding Crowd. Most entertaining.

After breakfast I spent an hour or two at the book fair, which was huge, before thinking I'd like a boat trip. Julie did this boat trip a while back, now it's my turn. What a delightful hour chugging up the Avon with my hot chocolate as far as Bathampton and this weir before returning. A five mile pootle before getting the train back to reality.

Friday 26th July 2024

Next weekend is the Wick St Lawrence Harvest Home event. It happens in the field behind our house. This morning I heard the clink clink of metal pegs being struck, and I thought aye-aye, they've begun putting the marquee up. Sure enough as I popped around to Kelly's for more cat food the task has begun. Next Saturday it will be bedlam around here with music until midnight. It's just once a year though.

In the evening we were sitting and said to each other, shall we go and see the nightjars one last time this year? We've only managed one other trip so far this year to see them, and they'll be flying back to Africa in a couple of weeks. It was now or never. We didn't leave the house until gone 8 o'clock but had time for the obligatory flask of tea before we saw one fly across the path. It was very quiet in our usual spot on Staple Plantation so we walked to Vinny Combe where a lot more activity took place, a lot of churring, plus we saw two more birds. We both love being on the Quantocks in the evening, especially if our spontaneous visit was so well rewarded.

Thursday 25th July 2024

All aboard the Witherslack Hall for the 14.40 service to Minehead. 

Julie and I were on the West Somerset Railway today to celebrate my 60th birthday for one final time. Julie had bought me an afternoon tea (£65 each, but that includes the train too of course) for my birthday but the first day we could reclaim it was today. And that day has arrived with perfect timing given all that's going on.

We got there a little too early so watched the volunteers messing about at Bishop's Lydiard station. Quite a crowd surrounded one chat beating the living daylights out of a coupling thing, whereupon succeeding in his endeavours a loud cheer erupted.

Eventually we were called onto table eight (out of the rain). And what a spread, one vegetarian plate stand one gluten free. It looked lovely and was tasty too. But like all cream teas, there was far too much to eat. It doesn't look much but we both struggled.

It takes an hour to get to Minehead, where we had thirty minutes to wander about before heading back with complimentary tea on tap. Such a lovely present and hats off to the West Somerset Railway, it was a beautifully slick, well organised day.

On the way home we popped onto the Carew Arms in Crowcombe to have a drink. I've been meaning to come here for years. I wish I'd visited sooner, it's a great place. And they do rooms too.

Wednesday 24th July 2024

Modern life is quite odd I feel. Images drive society. Images always did play a huge part in society of course with art and sculpture for example but as most people have mobile phones capable of producing quality images the explosion of communication via photography is with us.

Two images from today then. First one from Bill the builder who had been repairing the dorma window in dad's house. We'd had it fixed badly by a cowboy in December who disappeared when the rain kept pouring in. Bill was then found and from what I can see from a series of images he's done a good job. The dorma window looked rotten to the core. Being 300+ miles away I only know what's been done through these images.

Then below my lunch today. I took this image around the same time as I received the roof ones. It's a grilled chicken salad from RubiconToo in Cotham. I'm trying to have salad each day to eat more healthy, this was today's menu. Very tasty. I sent this image to Julie, yet I wonder why I photographed a salad to send to her? It's instant gratification I think, a colourful plate of food I wanted to share with her but she's thirty miles south in Mark. Before smartphones I'd have just eaten my lunch and forgotten about it. Now this food, (and the rotten roof). are preserved in a snapshot of a day of communication through vision, interesting.

l.

Tuesday 23rd July 2024

It's my choice but I don't often get let out of Bristol these days. Today however I had a rare trip to Broadcasting House to record five episodes of Tweet of the Day with Michael Palin. It's almost ten years since we last met, in Bristol in September 2014. Today I could have stayed in Bristol and done it all down the line, but it is always better in person.

I got to BH in good time, with about an hour and a half to wait. I'd hoped to go into All Saints church but it was closed so I mooched about having a coffee and exploring the streets behind the BBC. Then I had a chat to a security guard who pointed out George Orwell's office. His statue is impressive.

Before long Michael turned up in a very gangster like Range Rover belonging to Sketch Cars who I use for VIP work. The recording went well, Bob the studio manager was roaring with laughter, which was encouraging. All too soon we had to depart and that was it, it was all over. I doubt I'll ever work with Michael again, which is a shame as he really is a genuinely good person. We even chatted about my favourite sketch, the Cheese Shop, and he recited some joyous wordsmithing lines from that sketch while we sat in the foyer. Days like this don't get much better.

Monday 22nd July 2024

 

It happens every year of course, but we're a month from the longest day and suddenly the longer nights are creeping back. Just over three weeks ago we watched nightjar at 10pm when it was still light enough to see. Now, subtly day by day, by 9.30pm tonight it was quite dark. I've not had the bedside lamp lit for months, tonight though it was a necessity when I came to bed at 10pm. More poignant this year as we've never really got going with the summer. By the end of August it'll be dark before 9pm and we'll slide towards Christmas. I dread it. Once the dark days are here it's okay, it's this transition I don't enjoy. 

Sunday 21st July 2024

Well that's George away then back to Northern Ireland ( that white blob in the sky). Darren left after breakfast at 10am to drive back to Yorkshire, George was getting the 3.35 plane and being dropped off by Annali.

I don't often look on Flight radar but as we're having a relaxing day I thought I would. The image below was as he was taking off and 55 minutes later he was at Belfast International.  But the image above was only possible as I knew his plane was passing overhead via FlightRadar.  The end of a good weekend.

Saturday 20th July 2020

What a great day. We spent it on the Somerset Levels. The weather was a bit strange, with rain in the middle of the day but that added to the atmosphere as while the rain was at its heaviest wet were in the Canada Hide having a 2 hour lunch and just putting the world to right. Actually being in there as the rain poured down was lovely and peaceful, with a kingfisher and hobby adding to that. We'd begun at the Hub at 11am, then walked to the Canada Hide. The rain prevented walking further but as it dried up we headed to look at the reconstruction of the Sweet Track before heading back to the Hub for coffee and cake. We chatted so long we were the last people there, well after it closed. But the night was yet young and we then headed to Wells for a lovely Greek meal, after trying in Glastonbury but everywhere was packed. So good to catch up. Really enjoyed the day.

Friday 19th July 2024

 The Newcastle University (well four of us) reunion is underway. Today Darren was coming to stay with us and George was coming to stay with Annali. We'd decided to meet in the middle tonight for a meal, choosing the Castle of Comfort pub at East Harptree. Darren made it from Yorkshire after a long slow drive, Fridays are never good on the roads. We got to the pub at about 6.30 and a brilliant evening took place with Annali's husband and oldest child joining us. We left as a near full moon rose over Stockhill on the Mendips. Perfect. We've not seen each other for about 25 years but picked up the conversation as if we'd only last met yesterday. Full day of reminiscing planned for tomorrow. 

Thursday 18th July 2024

I've only really posted these images as I visit 'Kelly's' pet store regularly to buy food for Gingernut. I can see the roof of the old farm building from the back of the house it is that close, and I like to also support a local business too. Kelly only sells what she calls proper pet food, no grains or vegetables in her cat food because cats are full carnivores. Dogs will eat anything. Her main brand is Canagan, who she once worked for, but I also order bulk amounts of Fish-4-Cats which his lordship likes better.  A lot of Canagan's varieties are chicken based and he doesn't like chicken for some odd reason. Anyway that's this week's order put to Kelly,  and it'll keep the lad going for a while.

Wednesday 17th July 2024

I went for a walk today, up and around the Catholic Cathedral in Clifton. Quite strange coming back here as this was my stamping ground when I used to park in this area then walk into work. Then a residential parking zone was put in place and I had to park in the multi storey at Clifton Down. The Pandemic changed all that and I've parked at work ever since. This is a nice part of Clifton, surprisingly quiet for the centre of a large city, very green and very early Victorian in architecture. Good to know some things never change.

Tuesday 16th July 2024

 

I was working from home today, but decided to take a long lunchbreak. We needed eggs and I could have gone to the local Tesco, but I fancied a drive out somewhere. There's a farm vending machine at Westhay, so I thought, Hub for lunch, milk and eggs on the way home. Which is what I did. It's about 20 miles to the Hub, getting there I was surprised how busy it was but not too bad. Lunch was a lovely baked potato with cheese, and some salad. Washed down with a hot chocolate. Possibly a strange combination, but it hit the spot. Then home, a dozen eggs and a litre of milk from the vending outlet, next to which was a field of resting cows surrounded by cattle egrets. These egrets arrived on the Levels about 15 years ago and have stayed. Now there's about a 100 breeding pairs. There's a church nearby where they roost, I've never seen then there, but seeing them today made me think I must visit that roost. A nice long lunch, which actually was only 1 hour 40 minutes.

Monday 15th July 2024

After last week, it was back-to-work Monday, and I quite liked getting back down and dirty with the nitty gritty of daily life. Sometimes the mundane is a pleasure. today's big job was transcribing last Friday's edition of Rare Earth - on alternative meat  - by which they mean artificial or cultured meat grown in a laboratory setting. As part of the process delivering a programme a transcript and PasB (Programme as Broadcast) needs to be sent to the Open University. Also sent is the audio of the programme. Given this series is 53 minutes long, doing all of the OU Deliverables takes the best part of a half day. The transcription is interesting as I firstly do this on 365-Office - but what comes back is laughable. Actually that's unfair, it's very good, but can throw up odd whoopsies, such as ending a speakers words at the beginning of the next speakers words, or best of all typing Great tits as Great xxxx. All of which needs checking and tidying up and takes about 3 hours. In many ways I enjoy it as I get to listen to the programme properly, and in doing so when i come to do the paperwork after broadcast, it's already done.

The blue line in the middle is the audio being played on VCS, otherwise known as Highlander. A very useful tool in that the audio plays with a timeline to work from. 

My day on Monday then, or morning to be precise.

 

Sunday 14th July 2024

An at home day today. Weather lovely, Wimbledon mens final on television, 21 year old Alcaraz beat 37 year old Djokovic in three sets, stunning game but Alcaraz was just on fire. Quite odd seeing Novak unable to counteract Carlos's firepower of shots.

I also began reading Miss Austen. I bought this at the church fete yesterday for £1. It looks new, and is a fictionalised novel based on facts about Cassandra Austen, Jane's older sister. And though I'm only 60 pages in so far, it's a good page turner. I must get to Chawton, I've been saying this for years but I must go, don't let it slip for too long, time is passing.

Saturday 13th July 2024

I was feeling a little better today, so continued to go on a pre arranged visit to Chisledon in Wiltshire. The church there, Holy Cross, was hosting a summer fete. It's the church where Richard Jefferies was married, 150 years ago last week, and today as part of the fete three paintings by Kate Tyrone, an American fan of Jefferies were to be exhibited.

First though I was feeling well enough for a walk at Cherhill Down. Julie loves it here. There's a layby on the A4 and you walk through a clump of trees to Cherhill Monument. It used to be a favourite walk of Julie's when she lived around here but we've not been for years. It was a perfect walking day, not too sunny, not too hot, just pleasant. We walked 3.2 miles in total, that was enough for me today but I really enjoyed it, with loads of butterflies on the chalk downland, it's a long time since I've seen so many marbled white in one area.

The highlight possibly though was sitting here before returning. I liked the view anyway, we'd just come down the right hand track. Yellowhammer and corn bunting singing everywhere. But then two red kite came into view and flew low over and around us for a few minutes. As ever if one just sits the wildlife will come to you. A lovely diversion after the last few weeks. The church fete was good too and we caught up with Colin the vice chair of the Richard Jefferies Society too. 

Friday 12th July 2024

 

Feeling a little battered and bruised today after the last few weeks. No physical symptoms after yesterday just mentally not in a good place so today I took an unusual (for me) sick day to reset myself. Didn't do much other than a coffee at Middlecombe Nursery while Julie bought plants for a client, then home resting.

This cheered me up however, my friends in Ferrara in Italy. Their daughter Paola graduated from the University of Milan yesterday and Cristina wanted to share to moment with me. I've never seen myself as a father, or having children, but this reminds me of those moments families have that I'll never experience. It sometimes makes me think about the routes we take through life. Lovely to see Luigi, Paola, Cristina and Alice though on their happy day.

Thursday 11th July 2024

 A day I'll not forget in a hurry. This afternoon I had a procedure as they call it at hospital. It was not a great way to spend an afternoon but important to do. Julie couldn't accompany me so waited outside the ward. Just over two hours as an outpatient and I was allowed home. One thing I'd never thought of in reaching 60, that basically the body starts to age rapidly now. 60 isn't old these days, but evolutionary I'm officially geriatric. Quite sobering to think there's less time ahead than behind me. Yet I still feel and think like a teenager. I'm glad I went through it though, despite how scary it was beforehand.

Wednesday 10th July 2024

Well the most exciting thing to happen today was we've bought a second hand rise and recliner chair for dad. And this is it. Christina, one of dad's carers rang me at lunchtime and said with dad's worsening mobility he needs a rise and recliner chair. I'd looked at new ones in the autumn, but this one was 'pre-loved' - second hand in my book. Christina had seen it in the British Heart Foundation shop. £170 + £30 delivery.  I said Christina could buy it but to complicate matters more, payment had to be made in the shop not over the phone. Christina bless went down in person and paid. It's being delivered on Friday.

Tuesday 9th July 2024

 

Yet another produce image. These are wonderful. Julie's been growing three bags of new potatoes near the conservatory.  We've emptied one bag already but this afternoon dodging the rain Julie emptied half of one bag and this was the result. Nearly 800g of lovely jewels. We plan to have some of these tonight with sardines. Healthy fish and chips then. Lovely. Julie is a good gardener as they're near perfect despite the endless rain and cool spring and early summer.

Monday 8th July 2024

 

 I'm sure Wimbledon comes around quicker every year. It's pouring in Somerset, it's also pouring in London. Meaning only two matches were possible last night, we watched this one between Dune and Djokovic. Dune at 21 had all the energy and enthusiasm of youth. Djokovic at 37 had all the steady nerve and experience of age. Age won out in this match but it was a terrific game. What was odd was that the crowd were booing Djokovic when he won a point or lost a point. Why that was I've no idea, but it was totally unacceptable and Djokovic himself had a go at them during his post match interview. I hope this isn't a growing trend of loutish behaviour. 

Sunday 7th July 2024

 

Gentleman Jack burst onto the television screens in 2019. A phenomenal series that captured the nation. In October that year I visited Church Lawton and began some research into Marianne Lawton. Then in 2022 series two hit the airwaves, but it while still very good, didn't quite hit the mark for me. I'd not seen this series since then but today, mostly as we were shattered after yesterday, I began watching it again with a bottle of cider and crisps. It's good to revisit old series which I'd enjoyed. Many times they're not as good as I remembered but Gentleman Jack is still brilliant. Susanne Jones plays Anne Lister well, though she's made the real person more attractive and personable than she was in real life. Makes good television though, especially when tired after a long day. 

Saturday 6th July 2024

Dream in Colours, Steve's new band

Well that's closure. I've followed the band Show of Hands since the late 1990's. I think my first ever concert of theirs was part of the Nailsea Folk Club sessions and they performed in the Tithe Barn. But as they say all good things come to an end, and tonight Steve, Phil and Miranda performed for the very last time. They're going on to do other things but by closing the band they're also closing their brainchild the lovely Abbotsbury Family Festival for good too. After 25 years, it was a night of finality but very upbeat.

I first came to the festival around 2006, though I can't remember it. Then on July 3rd 2010 I remember seeing Adrian Edmondson's Bad Shepherds performing riotously. In 2014 I came and Julie and I saw the fantastic Sheelanagig perform, I wrote about it on this blog (July 5th). But the real stars of the day were always Show of Hands. Somehow ten years have since passed and so last October when I saw this was to be both their final performance and the final ever Abbotsbury Festival I instantly booked tickets.

Phil, Steve and Miranda's afternoon set

It was hilarious when Julie and I first got there a little before 1pm. The West Lawn wasn't open for another half an hour so we joined the back of the queue, a queue like I've never seen before, seated visitors (of a certain age) snaking through the Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Garden for miles it seemed. Joining the back of the line we only had a twenty minute wait then we joined the melee to pitch our chairs at the best spot on the Lawn. This left an hour and a half until the music began. Everyone therefore started eating lunch, and I mean everyone. A crowd of predominantly 60-80 year old, fans I'd say who have aged with the Duo over the years, I checked, Phil's now 71, Steve is 70. Even 'young' Miranda Sykes is 46!!

At 3pm the pair sang a number of their classics. Then Steve's new band took the stage, Dream in Colours. They were absolutely terrific, three young musicians, Johnny Kalsi 'drums', Bennet Cerven, fiddle and Eliza Marshall a world class flautist, plus Steve. I can just see why it's time to move to something new, their energy was infectious. After this a singer from Cornwall whose name I've forgotten performed before the duo returned at around 7.30pm for their final finale. 

The final song, a meshing of Cousin Jack

I'd not say the crowd was rocking, more of an age where excessive foot tapping was in order, but they were loving it. We were really lucky with the weather too as on Friday night apparently it was a wash out. But then at 9.30 the band who produced the astonishing rural anthem album Country Life bowed out. No tears, just joy and good emotions, just how it should be, quit while you're at the top. And the drive home through the Dorset countryside at dusk was superb. What a great day.

Chav I know but an opportunity I couldn't miss.

I'll end myself with this cheeky selfie with Steve after he'd finished singing with Dream In Colour. They were all milling about outside the Merch tent and I'd been speaking to Eliza Marshall asking her what she'd been playing (a bass flute) and Steve was next to me. So I asked. My final memory of a duo I've a lot of time for. The band has gone but the memories remain.

Friday 5th July 2024

 

Well she's back. Treacle, nemesis of Gingernut had been missing for about three weeks. Not properly missing, I think her family had been away, presumably then she was in a cattery or somewhere. Anyway suddenly she reappeared on Wednesday but not her usual routine, she was more distant and didn't stay in our garden long. We didn't see her yesterday but today she's back on her perch on our windowsill. Even though she can be a pest when trying to get outside (she runs in), we missed her a lot. I think she's put weight on and seems calmer. Gingernut hasn't noticed her yet.

I suppose I'd better mention the election result. The exit poll shown last night was quite accurate. As I write there's one seat left to declare, Scotland's Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, which usually is SNP, but looks like it might be Liberal Democrat,  but Labour have won a landslide win overall. Though oddly only because Reform combatted with Conservative and split the centre right vote. Labours actual voting percentage is only 33.7%, only up a couple of points from the last election in 2019, but enough to gain them 211 seats. A very interesting time.