Spring Show


Springtime has to be one of the best times of the year. Nature showing all her best bits. Have just driven past thousands, if not millions, of beautiful Pansy’s, Primula’s, Daffodils and Magnolia Tree blooms. So here is a small contribution from our front garden.

Had to snap the back view because they were just so bright. And here they are from the front, some might say from the proper side.

Obviously we are all waiting for the Cherry blossoms to begin their display. Unfortunately, I have noticed that one of our two trees looks to have finally succumbed to the disease which was causing its leaves to wilt. It had managed to give a magnificent display each year even though the leaves would die back. This morning I can find no sign any buds forming. I guess we’ll have to replace it after giving us great pleasure for thirty years or so.

Glorious Wells


Yesterday we spent a fabulous day visiting Wells in Somerset.

We couldn’t have asked for better weather. After around two hours traveling we arrived and promptly set about finding somewhere to have a bite to eat and a cuppa. We settled on The Crown at Wells and Antons Bistro and opted to eat in The Penns Bar.

Originally a separate inn, it was from an upper window here that William Penn, a Quaker who later gave his name to Pennsylvania USA (and our bar), preached to a crowd below in 1685.

After lunch we started our exploration in earnest. After browsing some of the market stalls and doing a bit of window shopping we passed through the archway and headed towards the Bishops Palace and Moat.

The weather was so good that many folks had brought picnics and were sitting enjoying the sunshine. Not something we are able to do as often as we would like. Of course nobody was allowed on the bowling green quality lawns immediately in front of the palace itself.

Before traveling down to Wells I had printed of the Wells Moat Walk map which guides you around the moat and makes sure you don’t miss the main sights. Each of the following views are from that walk.

The Tithe Barn, unfortunately, was surrounded by parked cars which was a shame. Its a lovely building and deserves to be seen without the automotive graffiti.

As we strolled along the moat we availed ourselves of a deliciously smooth 99 apiece. This really was just like a summers day. We had to keep reminding ourselves that it was still only the third week of March.

Wherever you are in the city the magnificent cathedral dominates the skyline. But there are plenty of other interesting sights.

Adjacent to the cathedral can be found the Vicars Close which has it’s own unique style and, having no through road, forms a quiet secluded area away from the general hustle and bustle.

The cathedral itself has many interesting feature both outside as well as in. Close to the entrance to the Vicars Close, on the cathedral wall you can see the Wells Clock, said to be the second oldest clock mechanism in Britain.

Inside, the cathedral has many beautiful architectural features. In the main body of the building is the scissor arch. An impressive feature but they serve a very real purpose. In the past a high tower topped by a lead covered wooden spire had been constructed but as the foundations were not stable large cracks began to appear in the tower structure. The scissor arch is an engineering solution to the problem.

Leading up to the Chapter House is a remarkable flight of stairs

The Chapter House, an octagonal structure, is a beautiful room constructed over the undercroft is where the Canons met to conduct cathedral business.

By far the most spectacular feature of the cathedral is the West Front which features some 300 statues.

After touring the cathedral we were ready to return home. On route we stopped, at the White Horse Ampfield,  for dinner.

A fine and tasty end to a great day.

Ski jumpers soar over Hampstead Heath


I stumbled across this article and thought I would share.

The novel idea of importing 45 tons of snow, 25 Norwegian skiers and building an almost full sized ski jump obviously gave Londoners something to gawp at back in 1950, although I can’t imagine why the event was originally proposed. Perhaps the words of a “spokesmen” give us a clue

An official said of the event, “This exhibition has been such an unqualified success that we are very much hoping it will become one of the country’s major sporting features.”

Maybe there were some pretensions that London could host the Winter Olympics. Is this where Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards gained inspiration ?

BBC ON THIS DAY | 25 | 1950: Ski jumpers soar over Hampstead Heath.

Malaysian F1 – Podium


Look at the faces. 1st and 2nd place holders Alonso and Perez are beaming away. What is wrong with Hamilton. He has a podium position. I know its not what should have been but come on Lewis crack a smile.

Sergio Perez has done so well today and it shows on his face. There will be one hell of a party tonight.

Hamilton has left the podium while Perez and Alonso are still out celebrating, what is that all about

Dream Race For Sergio


Sergio Perez is having the drive of his life.

Listening to the team radio it would seem that his team are prepared to bank the points that he appears to have in the bag. They should just let him get on, and keep doing what he has been doing all afternoon.

Its a shame that he ran wide so he has to hunt down Alonso again.

Only 4 laps to go. He can still take Alonso

Supermarket products get smaller, but the prices don’t – Underhand Actions Of Manufacturers


I have long felt that some of the items I have bought, during my weekly shop, have been shrinking. Now the weight of the consumer group Which has been brought to bear and guess what they have found.

It’s true. The products that we are buying are indeed shrinking while the prices remain the same or, in some cases, have actually gone up.

I believe that Which are right, that manufacturers must be forced to provide unit pricing so that we the consumers can really see what we are paying for.

Supermarket producers get smaller, but the prices don’t | Mail Online.

Button Betters Massa


It was only a matter of time before Button took Massa but it really took some steel as Massa wasn’t going to give in easily. A marvellous piece of driving. Shame Button still has a lot of work to do while he languishes at P15.

Maclaren Horror Story


Having had the dream start to the Malaysian F1 the Maclaren team have moved into a nightmare. Hamilton had a terrible pit stop and rejoined the race behind Alonso and then Button has a collision and has to pit for a new nose. How fortunes can change.