Thursday was another 35C day so we arrived at the Uphill end of the beach very early on the high tide. Jeff was the only person swimming with a dog. All the other walkers did not seem interested but all carried on to the cafe?. We spent the afternoon inside keeping Suki cool then headed out at 6pm to drive up to Bristol for dinner with friends. Went to the "Inn on the Green" in north Bristol as our first choice was booked out. The meal was not memorable but super to meet up with Guy and Fiona again. They had come down to East Garston when we housesat at Cranes Farm for three plus weeks.
Next day we got to Blaise castle estate in Henbury, Bristol. It includes a folly castle. The drawcard though is the 265ha of surrounding parkland open to the public. It includes a gorge with the river Trym containing swimming holes. It was great fun as these pools/holes attract kids and dogs all in together. Suki was hopeless keeping hold of her stick with the other dogs or drowning it with her appalling swimming style. We continued on to Sand Point, a National Trust site, which was stunning with the headland attracting competing currents and bracing wind.
Went for our last long walk to Crooks Peak near a place called Winscombe Hill. Excellent views then a nice descent through Wavering Down. The dog faded a bit at the 10km mark but we were all but done. The town of Winscombe had a very good cafe with the owner giving a biscuit to the dog. They had only been going for less than a year and similar to Reece at our own cafe, Lambrettas in Nelson, knows the value of acknowledging locals. Did their own baking from locally sourced product while many cafes outsource here.
So owners at Congresbury returned Sunday late afternoon from their two weeks in Greece and we bombed down the road to Chichester to stay with friend Marj for two nights. The folks upon return were delighted that all was well and that their dog still loved them! Of the properties we looked after it was the least comfortable but we got to experience and see plenty of Somerset, no two days the same.
Sadly Marj had to head to Glasgow for her Mums funeral so we are camping in her home without her in Chichester. We will be get to see her again this year in November when her and a friend come out to Central Otago for wine touring so we will stay in Arrowtown to meet up.
Fly out of Heathrow tomorrow and home Thursday afternoon. It has been a fascinating four months travelling and grateful to stay safe and well. Ready for our own bed having sampled 36 beds on our travels. Our own home again .......
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