Jeff spent a happy morning at the Clevedon Mens Shed. He had been given a piece of oak from Blenheim Palace Estate and needed to make it acceptable to bring into New Zealand - planed and oiled. Their space was very cramped but socially in good heart. I meanwhile took the dog for a two hour jaunt across a large woodland hill overlooking Clevedon. We were back at Clevedon a couple of days later to visit friends Jean and Lew, ironically enough from Nelson, who were seeing Jean's Mum. We had not caught up for sometime at home in Nelson so Clevedon, Somerset it was. Jean's Mum is late 80's in her own home, a real doll. Lew finds these small English towns restrictive being an outdoors man, so was away to Ireland a few days later to look at their dairy industry as you do.
Bristol University opened 1876.
Bristol Harbour, well worth a wander around. The council have really tidied it up but kept the history. A wee ferry putters back and foward you can go on with the dog £1.
The Bristol landmark Clifton Suspension Bridge, a masterpiece of Victorian engineering by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
The Royal Crescent, very similar to the one in Bath.
We drove to Bristol city early in the morning straight into a central carpark. Jeff had plotted out the highlights so we had a happy wander about for a few hours. Bristol is on the River Avon and has a long maritime history. The city centre port has been turned into cultural hub with museums, re-purposed warehouses. We have found that the dog Suki is a "babe magnet". Folks smile when they see her, want to pat her and chat about their dog or one they had.
Next day we did a long walk called "Goblin Combe & Wrington loop from Cleeve." Just love the names so you have to do it. Quite a variety of landscape including the above resident goats - dog and they ignored each other.
Weston Super Mare is a coastal town about 12km south of Bristol. An "affordable" town which means you have to pay to use the trolley at Tesco so that they do not get flogged according to the security guard at the entrance. He lent me a £1 which I gave back after using the trolley. This town probably had its heyday in the 50's. The big plus for it is that it has beaches and a couple of pennisular walks. We were going out in tbe evening so a beach outing in the day should tire the dog out. She love "zoomies" as friend Claire calls them. Running madly in circles, sprints and biting at the water.
Weston Super Mare beach has a massive tidal range. In the background is Brean Down which we circumnavigated.
Hundreds of caravans line the foreshore.
An old church overlooking the beach. Abandoned in 1846. There is a church with the same name in Bristol that was bombed in WW2. Unfortunate.
Kiwi dog sitters doing a selfie. Tricky to get Suki to face the right way.
We went up to the Swan Inn that evening and met David and Peri. We had cycled with David last year on the Channel to Med tour. Was great to see them and the next two hours passed quickly. David is riding Munich to Rome in September which we will undertake late May next year. He is hard out training concentrating on hills as the ride is graded 8-10. Hard.
Wells Cathedral built from 1175AD over the next three hundred years. Fabulous.
The astronomical clock has jousting knights that perform every quarter of an hour. The cyclist is dwarfed by this massive building.
Note how the stone steps have worn over the centuries on the way to the Chapter House.
The Chapter House with impressive stone vaulting.
Wells, other than the Cathedral and Bishops Palace, is famous for the natural spring water running down the stone gutters on Market and High Streets. There is also a market day on Saturday which is always interesting to walk around.
See springwater running in tge channel on the right.
The dog is always thirsty so any opportunity.
Another day, another hike curtesy of our Komoot app and recommendation from our Friday night dinner friends. This one wth the mouthful name of "Beacon Batch & Dolebury Warren loop from Burrington Combe". A solid 13km. Had the dog flagging a bit near the end but so worth it. Woodlands, heather tops, trig point with 360 degree views. More wild horses in the bracken. A lazy afternoon reading the Sunday papers was a joy.
The trig at the top only 400mtrs but that dog was chuffed.
Dolebury Warren had been an iron age fort.
Wild horses.
This week from the 10th August is forecast to be tbe UK's fifth heatwave. In the 30's. So we have planned beach mornings Wednesday/ Thursday and no walking for the dog's benefit as she overheats easily.
After our long Sunday hike of 13km a 5km only loop only around Chew Lake (no swimming allowed) next day was in order. Suki got a few swims in the River Chew which flows into the lake. There is also a well known fish and chip shop at the top of the lake called " Salt and Vinegar". We had yet to try any f&c in the 8 weeks here so seemed a good idea.
Chew lake from Knowle Hill.
Suki is not a natural swimmer but gives it her best.
Choice of Haddock or Hake for the fish. 2 pieces of Haddock and a scoop chips was £30. Served with lemon in a box with wooden fork/knife.
Ok once a year was our feeling.
Flying under the radar are the stone circles at Stanton Drew. Not on the scale of Stonehenge or with the hoopla but interesting nonetheless.
We love some of the figurines on new thatch, very clever. This is a very small round house at a Y intersection.
So as promised 36C here today so our usual very early morning out the door and drive 20mins to the beach for the dogs benefit. She can then lie about inside out of the heat mostly for the afternoon.
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