Sunny Weston-Super-Mare. 30th November 2013

A trip to Weston-Super-Mare on a sunny autumn day.

Such a good way to avoid the crazyness that is Christmas shopping in Cheltenham on a Saturday.

The tide was out when we arrived. The low tide at Weston can be up to a mile from the sea-front.

What'sisname.

Weston-Super-Mud.

At the end of the Grand Pier. In this arcade there was the scariest looking ride...basically a robotic arm throwing people about. Didn't get a picture...

Pinocchio.

On the Pier.

Starling.

He was making some beautiful sounds.

The faded glamour of the English Seaside.

Knightstone Harbour.

Inside the Wetherspoons Cabot Court Hotel... we could see a wild and stormy sea... well a kind of video installation of one.

Pier at sunset.

Steep Holm Island.

There is some interesting history to Steep Holm Island. The island is now uninhabited apart from wardens and it is protected as a nature reserve and site of special scientific interest. Maybe I'll pay a visit sometime.
 http://www.steepholm.org.uk/

Sunset.

The tide has come in and the sun is setting on a wonderfully peaceful day in Weston-Super-Mare.

Things I've seen from my front window.

 

Can you see things while just staying still? It probably helps to get out a bit and I'm sure that travelling broadens your horizons and experiences. Well, due to money (...lack of it), I don't get to go very far very often. Even when you are staying still though, everything else keeps moving. So here's a set of pictures of the things I've seen from my front window.





Sunrise





Cheltenham. (Not LA ;) )





Net curtains on a sunny day.





Rainbow.





Hello up there!





Chimney pot and glowing wall.





The Moon, clouds and obsolete TV aerials.



Chimney stacks in the moonlight.





Chive flowers in the window box.



Erm... I think he's called Chris something...He was on a TV programme called 'Show me the Monet'.





Mirror.





Looming day and scaffolding.





Patriotism begins at the Municipal Offices.





The Moon and Mars.



The Moon and Venus.



Brecon Beacons - July 2013

A trip to the beautiful Brecon Beacons.

Here are a few photos...

 



First thing's first...a paddle in the river.



Hello pony!



Old train carriage.



The Vale of Ewyas in The Black Mountains



Ancient walls and buildings.





A little later after some fine ales at the Half Moon Hotel.





 



Llanthony Priory



These are the picturesque ruins of Llanthony Priory. The Priory was first established around 1100. There is more history here: http://www.castlewales.com/llantho.html





Arches





Tower. Thanks to Phil for this pic.



Some clever swift parents have found a safe place to raise their youngsters in a sheltered archway among the ruins.





This is such a beautiful location... you can walk among the ruins, surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Brecon Beacons and guess what?...There's a pub too!



The bar is situated in 12th century vaults.



A friendly sparrow...very keen on pine nuts.



Misty morning view from the tent.

On the way back a little detour to Abergavenny Market.



Abergavenny Market



Wrestlers!



Tewkesbury Medieval Festival. 13th July 2013.

On the hottest day of the year so far I went to Tewkesbury Medieval Festival. (that's not me, by the way.)

I've never been to the festival before for one reason or another. As you come into the festival you can walk through the encampment where the battle re-enactors are preparing for the main event. This is a re-enactment of the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471.

You can find out more here: http://www.tewkesburymedievalfestival.org/aboutus.htm

Here are a few photos...

Archers Practicing

Encampment

This is Europe's biggest event of this kind and I get the impression that a lot of the people involved may travel throughout the summer. I imagine the encampment gets lively once the battle is over and the punters have gone.

On the way through to the main festival site there are many stalls with wonderful handcrafted items...

Kegs

Hawks keeping cool

Tall Knight

Band

Preparing for battle

Must be hot in those costumes!

The first archery rounds

It got too hot for me..and I had to go and get some refreshments. I can't imagine how hot they got on the battlefield in those costumes. I have to admire their efforts and commitment.

This is a friendly, inviting and uncynical free event and I'll definitely go again.