Film Fest, Marking and a Tour of Somerset

Catching up on the last week, I realise that we've been quite busy one way or another. Last Sunday saw us walking down into town in the afternoon. Su told me this massive painting at the bottom of Walcot Street has been there since August.

We were on the way to see our first film in this year's Bath Film Festival at the Little Theatre - My Old Lady. A good cast and an enjoyable film.

Afterwards we went for a very pleasant drink at one of the two pubs in contention for the title of Bath's smallest pub.

Tuesday saw me at UWE to talk to project students and appreciating the unexpectedly sunny afternoon, complete with "Simpson's clouds".

Wednesday night we walked down to the Chapel Arts Centre to see Finding Fela, a long and riveting film well worth catching if it comes your way. Great music too!

Interesting light over Bath skyline as we walked back up the hill, Guessed it was the moon, rather than an alien invasion!

We were back at Chapel Arts Centre the next night for a double feature of science fiction films. The first, "Coherence" was a really good film that is again highly recommended!

The second feature, "Frequency" was based on an interesting idea but went on for too long and would have benefited from editing as tight as Coherence.

In between film-going, I have been marking assignment by first year Music Technology students at UWE. Today has been a day away from the virtual red pen. We went out for the afternoon, pausing to enjoy the loads of blossom on our autumn-flowering cherry.

We went to the Bath & West Showground to a Home Improvements show. Thought it might be useful when we do actually sell our house to release capital and move. Didn't stay there long, and then headed off to Wells - unexpectedly via Glastonbury due to a misplaced road sign -  but enjoyed the autumn colours and view of the tor. In the car park in Wells, we said "Oooh Yes!" to this numberplate.

In the Market Square, I enjoyed being reminded of this memorial to a champion long-jumper. Maybe I should collect Olympic memorials from around the country- all suggestions gratefully received!

Glimpsed through a shop window, interesting additions to the wall of the building.

It was a lovely afternoon, making Wells Cathedral glow in the sunshine.

One of the cloisters inside.

We read a few of the many wall plaques, including this one erected by a surviving son - talk about damning somebody with faint praise: "unambitious but uniform"!

Also a plaque dedicated to someone who died at the Battle of Waterloo.

We had a look at the outside of a house for sale in Wells. It's a possibility we'll not rule out - still some more to go and check out, though. Lovely skies at the end of the afternoon.

A golden glow lit up this church steeple.

Mackerel skies to finish the afternoon.

 This day a year ago,  it was a day of sunlight that finished with this spectacular sunset I saw when walking Bella down on Kensington Meadows.

Film, Music, Lights and Cobwebs

Another few days to catch up on! On Wednesday we went down into town to try and see "Mr Turner" in the morning. That showing was sold out, so we bough tickets for the evening and had a spontaneous wander around town. In an arcade, I was much taken by the design of this bench - quite stylish for the U.K.!

I was much taken by this street performer, using a loop pedal and beatboxing, playing guitar & soprano saxophone and singing to great effect. His website has music for sale 

Continuing on the outdoor music theme, we sat in the Abbey Square and ate our lunchtime pies while listening to the classical guitar player who regularly plays there.

That evening we walked back down into town where we spotted this window display of Santa taking an "elfie"…

The lights had been switched on a couple of hours before we got there.Christmas 

We finally got to see the film - great performance by Timothy Spall - initially felt a bit let down by the film, but it is growing on me the more I think about it

Next day it was bright and beautifully clear.

A camper van with a stylish sunshade.

Made me think of the Big Brother commentary - 518,000 days in there doesn't bear thinking about!

Burning bush in the sunshine.

Went for a walk with Su later on and enjoyed lovely skies over Little Solsbury.

Yesterday was a very different day, with mist most of the day and spider's webs bejewelled everywhere.

More web.

 This day a year ago, we woke up to the most stunning sunrise - fiery skies all round

Out and About Over The Last Few Days

Another few days to catch up on, starting with last Friday when I was at UWE for tutorials with first year Audio Engineering students. Spotted this while going to the next tutorial - no-one to be seen working…

On Sunday morning, the skies were clear and blue while the valley down by the river was shrouded in mist.

Our silver birch  in the sunshine.

We went off to check out a campsite and cafe at Merkins Farm near Bradford on Avon, where we went afterwards for a walk around historic buildings - this one built in 1697

Walked around the slopes of this politically named area - great views and lovely old houses, despite the name :-)

Just to make it clear - wonder how they vote?

After that, we went off to Victoria Park to enjoy the sunshine. Lovely colours.

A fluffy tree.

Aquae Sulis, City of Bath building in the Botanic garden.

This cloud with the sun behind it caught me eye.

Bath W.I. edible garden display.

This plant doesn't look real.

Mushrooms aplenty at the moment.

A swan cleaning itself.

Yesterday, we went off to Chew Valley Lake, where we found this flock of ducks hopefully waiting for

More fungi in the the trees

Lovely stand of trees.

Dogwood brightening up a grey day.

This day a year ago, we went up to Westonbirt to enjoy the last of the Autumn colour - including this grand display on the woodland floor.