Blogs from Somerset, England, United Kingdom, Europe - page 4

Morning arrived, and while I had slept comfortably in my tent, it had rained overnight. No avoiding it...priority one... need to pee. After the mad rush to the washroom block, the slog through the long wet grass, and a quick shower, it was soggy tent packing time. Bike loaded, I had a morning briefing with Joe America (neighbouring cyclist/tenter), and then I was on my way to find my morning coffee. Rather than mount an expedition to find a morning friendly eatery, I headed to the Morrison's (mega grocery store with restaurant) that I has spied yesterday. I made it, after almost getting t-boned at a busy roundabout. Morrison's was my meal/coffee break theme for the day, as they also popped up trailside in Bridgwater and Taunton. More salt flats riding to start my morning, then ... read more

Farewell to old England, but not forever. Sandy and Francis have been such good hosts that we're planning our return visit already (don't tell them, let them get over this visit first!). Although we both eagerly look forward to the next 5 weeks as we wheel around the place we were a bit sad to say 'see ya later' to Rose Cottage and its resident. Both Lee and I had a great time doing just what we wanted. Sometimes nothing, sometimes walking, sometimes nothing, sometimes cooking, sometimes nothing, sometimes 'strimming' or whatever we did enjoy our time there. The place is great, the company is terrific, the cider delightful and the weather terrible (well 3 out of 4 ain't bad!). Last night was spent dining at Kentsbury Grange, the Michelin starred restaurant of Michael Caines. Bit ... read more

Buddhafield festival The Buddhafield festival in Somerset, where I blagged my way in as a volunteer (they were desperate for an additional ‘poo fairy’) is way out hippie dippy. No drugs or alcohol allowed, nudity tolerated, but is mainly evident in elderly men, and there’s something about an elderly man naked except for socks, shoes and a shoulder bag that doesn't inspire me to stay in the moment or enjoy the natural countryside. And the opening ritual with Men of the Wildwood, (oh yes, and Women of the Wildwood too. Let's include them, or at least tag them onto the end because we're all-inclusive here) welcoming the Buddha made me want to giggle, with their green make up, and the Lord of the Wildwood's costume looking like the remnants of the faux leatherette cover of a ... read more

We decided to take a drive to Minehead. The weather has been pretty dismal (cool and cloudy) for the past couple of days, so we thought we'd head to the coast in search of sun! Ha! We did get a little there, but not much. It was a really pretty drive with winding roads that varied from just above sea level to over 1000'. It was about a 45-minute drive from our cottage. The beach front, in some areas, looked like a tourist spot with all the souvenir shops, gambling joints and eateries. There was also a small amusement park, which we chose not to pursue. :-) We chose to walk over to the harbor where the boats were grounded. I'm sure, on the weekends, that this place is pretty crowded with locals and tourists. I'm ... read more

Geo: 51.3814, -2.35745Today Meriel and I and the dogs, Monty & Malfy enjoyed a 2 hour meandering walk through the fields and along the Banks of the Avon between Great Somerford And Malmesbury. Our route took us though woods lined with flowering bluebells and the remnants of the daffodils.With the dogs securely on leashes we crossed a number of field with grazing cows. Now all my previous encounters with such bovine beasts have been unremarkable... you'd only have to blink an eye and the cows would turn away. Not these ones... I reckon they were zombie cows.... not only did they actively follow us but they didn't even stop advancing when we we trying to 'whoosh' them away! Quite disturbing.... but we prevailed! Humans 1 - Cows 0.After nature there must be culture - I went ... read more