Dave was having none of that

Yesterday while eating a ham sandwich, David broke off one of his teeth – and it wasn’t even crusty bread!  So this morning at 9.30 we made the dentist our first port of call to get it sorted.  Wondering what to do after that as it was a lovely morning and too nice to go home, David suggested we went to West Pennard where there is a “statue shop”.  I have a long-standing hankering for a statue of Michelangelo’s “David” to stand on our patio and Dave said he would buy one for my birthday in a couple of weeks’ time.  Jackie had told me that in passing she had seen one there.  Too late, the one she had seen was sold last week.  The only one they had was made of sandstone, the wrong colour as it had to match the dark grey slate. 

A very helpful lady showed us a Roman soldier and told us she could get “David” in the same colour and size so she is going to give us a ring when she has one in stock – and we are under no obligation to buy it if we don’t like it. 

Still reasonably early, we drove to Shepton Mallet.  Although only about 24 miles from home, we had only ever bypassed it on the way to the showground but never been into the town.  We were pleasantly surprised as there were interesting little shops and no big department stores. 

Market Cross, Shepton Mallet

Sign on the Market Cross

The Market Cross in the town square was established in 1500 and rebuilt in 1841.  In 1685 the Duke of Monmouth’s troops gathered here twice and later twelve men were hung, drawn and quartered from the Cross.  Gruesome but interesting.  We had our lunch here then made our way back to Clark’s Village in Street.  We had almost three hours before reporting back to dentist.  How quickly the time went though.

We bought some chocolate eggs in Thorntons – on offer so we bought four bags of five for 98p.   Mmmm. I tried to tempt Dave with a big bag of toffee but he was having none of that! 

We went to the Pot People to see if by chance they had “David” there, only to discover that it was under new ownership – the same people who owned the place we went to earlier. 

The Grand Pier

The Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare

What a very sad day yesterday – the early morning news showed pictures of the blazing 1,000 feet long Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare.  The latest news on this suggests that the fire could have been started in one of the cafe kitchens.  Nothing has been mentioned about casualties so hopefully no-one was injured.  What a shock to the relatively new owners who, only a few months back, had spent about £1 million on restoration. 

Construction was started in November 1903 and it was opened just eight months later in June 1904. Not bad for the erection of 4,000 tons of steel and iron and 600 iron piles driven into the sand/clay. A theatre was erected with seating for 2,000 people, a similar capacity to the Bristol Hippodrome.

It was the intention to build a low water jetty to rival the nearby Birnbeck Pier and have a share in the steamer trade. A low water extension was finished three years later from the back of the theatre that made the structure 6,600 feet long. An electric train was planned to carry boat passengers to the end of this jetty, but because of the large rise and fall of the tide, the second greatest in the world, the jetty still did not reach the sea at low water and the strong currents made landing by the steamers a very tricky operation. The owner of the White funnel fleet stated it was dangerous to use.  The low water extension costing £20,000 was only used on two days in September 1907 raising only £117 in fees.  This was dismantled between 1916 and 1918.

The theatre was destroyed by fire on the 13 January 1930. The first fire engine had to send for more hosepipes. Crowds gathered to watch and in the nearby Odeon cinema a hand-written slide interrupted the performance with the news that the pier was on fire and most of the cinema-goers rushed out to watch. 

The loss of the pier as an attraction was a blow to the rest of the town’s trade and apparently visitor numbers in 1930 were down by 500,000.

As the theatre had been running at a loss it was decided that a funfair should be the nature of the replacement pavilion. Due to it being under-insured immediate replacement was not possible. The pier stood unused for two seasons until a new company provided the extra capital and rebuilding work was started. It was reopened for the 1932 season with fun fair equipment and travelling acts – one being One legged Peggy the high diver. During the following winter the present pavilion was erected. 

High quality cast-iron was used and most of the 1904 piles are still in place.  The cast iron piles were dug into the beach and back filled but this was unstable because of the disturbance of the sand or clay. An engineer named Mitchell invented the screw pile, with two blades about four feet across at the bottom similar to a boat propellor. These were screwed into the beach by hand, horse or steam power and are extremely stable, being able to carry a load of about 40 tons each. 

A walk in the park

At the beginning of the week we went to a funeral at Taunton Crematorium – not a nice occasion but we met up with a few old friends we hadn’t seen for years.  On the way there David glanced through the gates of Vivary Park and commented how nice the flowers looked.  As we drove past on each of my previous visits to the hospital I thought I would like to walk into the park – if my memory serves me correctly I hadn’t been in there since I finished working in Taunton in 1959 – can’t believe that that was almost 50 years ago. 

On the way back from the crematorium and as it was such a beautiful day, I detoured to where I knew there used to be a car park quite near the park.  There was no sign pointing that way and for all I knew it could now be a block of flats – but it wasn’t.  We walked into the High Street through a tiny alleyway, so old that it looked like it could collapse on us at any time, and stopped for a coffee sitting outside in the sunshine.  Just a short walk then to the park.

Vivary Park, Taunton

Was it always as large as this?  The flowers and trees were indeed a picture and we took a circular route all around, sitting, walking, sitting, walking.  “Looks like they’re digging a pond there” Dave said as we passed the cordoned off area. 

Vivary Park, Taunton

Then reading the sign it said they were in fact filling in the boating lake!  How can you tell just by looking whether the hole is being dug, or being filled in!  Come to think of it, there would probably have been a heap of soil if they were digging it out, but we weren’t logical enough to think of that at the time.  The swans were also enjoying the sunshine – dad basking on the bank making sure we didn’t go too close, while mum was teaching the little ones how to behave in the water. 

Oh and I forgot to mention we also went into Hatchers for lunch – the carvery, to be recommended.  

Shopper on the wall!

A few months ago the new market area opened between Bridgwater and North Petherton.  It looks huge from the main road but until today we hadn’t been in around there.  A car boot sale is advertised for every Saturday so this morning Dave suggested that we go out and have a look.  It seemed even bigger once we’d turned onto the site and at the approach roundabout this larger-than-life wooden bull stands in all his glory.

There were quite a few car booters outside, farmers’ market stalls, some antiques and a large restaurant on the inside. The butcher looked very tempting – or rather his meat did – but as we’ve just filled the freezer we bypassed him.

I bought a light weight shopping bag to put all my other purchases in – but there weren’t any other purchases.  With the gradual demise of the supermarket plastic carrier bags, I’m sure I’ll find a use for my new bag.  Anyway I really like the picture – Le Déjeuner des canotiers

Renoir - Luncheon of the boating party

 

I had this as a framed print, but the sun got at it and everything went blue, so last week that went out with the rubbish.  Perhaps I’ll hang the shopper on the wall instead so I’ll remember to take it shopping with me.

Rose between two thorns

Off this afternoon to visit a friend where a public right of way runs at the back of her house.  At the edge of her garden there is a wooden stile, and on the other side were brambles, nettles and grass and it was fairly obvious that no-one had used this right of way for some considerable time. We walked up the steps to the path and very nearly got blown over by the cold wind.  We hadn’t noticed it until we left the shelter of the house and we certainly didn’t stay long up there. 

This view is along the river looking towards Hinkley Point Power Station way off on the horizon.  The bore was coming up and it wasn’t a bit as I remembered it as a child.  My mother used to take me to the town to see this spectacle; in fact the town bridge was always packed with people who had come to watch it.  It was a highlight of the week, but I expect the youngsters today wouldn’t know what it was.  Today, though, it was just a mild ripple. 

 

This beautiful red rose was growing in an overgrown patch – a rose between two (or more) thorns. 

 

 

 

We went into Morrisons on the way home and again the queue for petrol was very long.  They must have had a delivery. 

“We’ll do our shopping first” Dave said, “and fill up on the way out”.  Wrong – we were only in the store about twenty minutes and by the time we were back at the petrol station the signs were out – NO FUEL. 

At least now the tanker drivers’ dispute is over, although I don’t know any details, but now we can get back to planning a holiday.

Things are OK so far

Check up time at the hospital.  The nurse gave me a quick check over – feeling around for nasty lumps – but nothing more was found.  Just have to sit back and wait a couple of weeks now for my three-monthly CT scan, but I’m feeling so well that I’m hoping the results will be positive.

I was then sent for a blood test – had to wait about three-quarters of an hour for that, then I was in and out in about two minutes.  Got out with three minutes to spare before the car parking charge went up to £2 extra. 

We parked in the town afterwards intending to go somewhere nice for lunch.  It was such a lovely day so we bought fish and chips instead and sat by the river to eat them.  The OAP special offer in the fish bar was £1.50 cheaper.  

“You’ll have to wait while I put in smaller pieces of fish” we were told, so we didn’t.  It wasn’t a special offer after all because you just wouldn’t get so much!

We called in to see a friend (we have an open invitation) who lives further along the river, but unfortunately she wasn’t home; probably out somewhere making the most of the sunshine. 

Another Beautiful Day

We set out this morning to go to Asda – David wanted some stone-coloured jeans to replace his old ones.  Typical male though as he said there was nothing wrong with the ones he had but he looked like someone’s poor relation!!  No luck though as they didn’t have any stone ones – but they had ladies’ ones so …. yes I bought some for me.

“They may have some at Highbridge” we were told, so off we went.  When we reached Highbridge we decided that as it was such a lovely day we’d go into Burnham-on-Sea and walk along the seafront in the sunshine. 

The beach wasn’t too crowded, just a few children with their mums and dads.  One dad was busily digging in the sand while his four children carried on with what they were doing, not a bit interested in holes in the sand.  I think dad just wanted the children there as an excuse to enjoy himself! 

The donkeys were out giving rides – what a boring life for them walking 100 yards along the beach, then 100 yards back again – all day, but at least the children seemed to enjoy it.  Oh to be young.

The Parish Church of St Andrew is on the sea front – and yes it has a leaning tower, said to lean 2.4 degrees.  A house called Tregunter is near the church – it stands on the site of an old farmhouse which was owned by the Roper family.  The sons of Farmer Roper fought at the Battle of Sedgemoor (see previous post) and were deported to America by Judge Jeffries.

Land was gifted to the Council with a covenant that it be used only for the purpose of public walks or pleasure purposes – Marine Cove Gardens were opened in 1927.   The gardens are sheltered from the sea breezes and the flowers were just coming to the end, but there was a lovely smell of wallflowers.  Perhaps the black tulips would have looked better a week ago! 

 

 

We called into see Terri and Steve on the way home and were invited to stay for tea.  The first barbecue of the season! 

 

Terri and I wandered around the garden while we were waiting for the burgers to cook. Everything looks a picture at this time of the year.

So our morning trip to the supermarket – an hour at the most – turned into about eight hours!

Oh, I almost forgot – David did get his pair of stone-coloured jeans – in fact he bought two pairs!

To have or not to have? That is the question!

Another visit to the hospital at Taunton (Jackie drove) to discuss whether or not to have an operation.  I didn’t think I was in any doubt before I went but when it actually came down to it, I couldn’t bring myself to say yes or no!  Do I have the operation while I’m feeling 100% fit, or because I feel 100% fit do I have to put myself through it?  Do I have the operation while I’m able to cope with it or wait until the symptoms return and I’m less able to cope with it.  Putting it in writing there seems no doubt as to what is needed, but it’s a hard decision to make.  Do we take a holiday somewhere to take my mind off it, or to mull things over?  I just don’t know.  Lorna told me that now I’m not in pain I look ten years younger.  Not sure that I totally agree but it did cheer me up! 

 

 

It was almost worth the drive to Taunton to see all the trees fully dressed in new leaves and blossom and the sun certainly makes a difference, although it had been raining on and off.

 We detoured a few hundred yards off the main road to lunch at the Maypole Inn at Thurloxton.  What excellent meals at reasonable charges, with friendly staff and nice surroundings.  We will certainly go there again and would recommend it to anyone – maybe get a reduced rate for free advertising!

Three bloggers meet!

Jackie (lavenderjack) and I took a trip to Minehead today to meet fellow blogger, Julie (KC’s Court).  It started out as a sweater and coat morning, but as the day progressed it turned out sunny and warm. 

We were a little early to meet Julie at 12, so drove to the harbour – unfortunately the tide was out which left the boats high and dry (well almost).  Butlins is just across the water, but it was so misty it was hard to distinguish between the white marquees and the sky.

We didn’t even think to try the door of this little church, just peeped through the window.

 

 

 

 

 

Julie introduced us to a local restaurant, Mr Micawber’s, where we had an excellent lunch followed by excellent desserts – naughty but nice!

A brief look around a few shops, then on the road home as Jackie had to pick up Stephanie from school.

 

 

It was still very misty away in the distance

 

 

Unusual chimney

This is an unusual chimney on a building near the Town Bridge at Bridgwater.

Our daughter and son-in-law visited today following their return yesterday from a holiday in Tenerife.  They had warmth!!