Beaches and the English Countryside

Saturday dawned misty but warm so after a few domestics (like washing, shopping, and lunch) we headed back too Weston Supermare. Harry was keen to do a museum and I was keen to get outside so we compromised and stopped first at a helicopter museum we passed. It was quite a large one and reasonably packed with helicopters ranging from small prototypes to the royal helicopters complete with bars and plush cushions. The Duke and Queen visited the museum a couple of months ago and opened a new wing so it is obviously quite a well known museum. It didn't keep my interest for long so while Harry took heaps of photos and wandered around slowly I sat down and read the paper and enjoyed a spot of r and r. Locals laugh when we say we went to Weston for the afternoon but there is actually a lot to do. We had walked along the promenade and beach before but at both ends of the bay there are hills to climb, views to see and old buildings. We first went to Uphill (not apparently named because it is up a hill but the name is derived from the scandanavian name 'hubba' and the old english word for creek 'pill'. Anyway, lovely little 13th century church and scenery overlooking the town, beach and marina.

Athe other end of the beach is a hill and below a disused pier. Looks as though they built the new one and then left the other to disrepair - rather a shame really, because in quite a good position sitting on a rock. We suspect it might still be used to launch life boats if necessary though the sea doesn't look that dangerous and the worst that could happen is getting stuck in the mud and having to wait for a the high tide. Around the knoll was Sandy Bay. Those of you who know me well will know I was in my element. Just like me sitting and watching Harry look at helicopters it was his turn to sit and watch me play in the sand and paddle in the water (I think we are both still kids at heart). There were a few people on the beach, and a few dogs playing with frisbees and sticks and children playing in the sand. Again, can't swim in the beach cos it turns to mud quite quickly but I would imagine that in high tide could paddle comfortably before your feet sink too far. We sat on a log, having a cuppa and admiring the sun shining down on us through a gap in the clouds. We would have liked to have stayed longer to watch it set but we had been invited out to listen to a group (specialising in Stevie Wonder songs) in the evening and so headed off home.

Sunday, Adrienne and Shane piled with us into our car and off we went to Wells. England's smallest city. What a cutie. Lots of little shops (including a fudge shop!!), wonderful cathedral and an abbey surrounded by a moat and garden. Heaps of history to enjoy amongst gardens and flowers and trees. We sat by a church to have our lunch and then went for a walk through the countryside to Dulcote - where we picked wild marjoram and the last of the blackberries for a crumble and admired some wonderful statues in some unusual places.