Monday, 12 January 2015

January unfolds

An interesting set of sights in January so far, beginning with this new addition to the van's dashboard - a present from Carol.
We ventured off to Glastonbury reclamation to get some quarry tiles to put under our stove when we finally let it go out in the Spring. Spotted this artefact when wandering round various piles of reclaimed materials.
First one of these I've ever come across.
Walked down into Bath a week ago, we decided that this Christmas wreath won the prize for the most flamboyant we've seen this year.
Another interesting door adornment.
Spotted outside a garage door…
… so, if you dump rubbish there, it won't be moved. Can't see this having much effect on the fly-tippers.
Several of these spotted on the outside of St Swithin's church - not sure what they are meant to depict.
Plaque on a house on the Paragon.
Outside the YMCA, Su pointed this foundation stone out to me.
We went to the Little Theatre to see Birdman - a most astonishing and excellent film. If you see just one film this year, make sure that it's this one!
Last week saw us at Patsi & Bill's for a not-quite- Twelfth-Night party, where a food-laden table greeted us.
Spotted on a lamp-post, a distressing tale.
Last week we went off to Frome, lunching at the Cheese and Grain, where lots of bands from the 60s and 70s perform.
Old advertising spotted on a building above the main street through the town.
We went down memory lane - up Catherine Hill, which we lived just off  in the early 90s. It is now a tourist attraction.
An unusual frontage - I think this may be the building that used to be the office of the Fortean Times, now superseded by the Internet!
Frome Church on a lovely sunny - if cold - afternoon.
On the main street in Frome.
This is the Boyle Cross.
This street has a stream running down it that hasn't been paved over.
We finished the afternoon with a hot drink at Whiteways garden centre in Bath and a lovely sunset.
Setting sun through trees edging the garden centre.
Another evening saw me walking down this path at dusk - I really liked the pool of light against the sky.
Looking over Bath skyline from above Perfect View
Down in Bath the other day looking for a music shop that I discovered has closed down, I noticed this  unusual sign.
The other day we went to Bruton to visit the Hauser and Wirth art gallery. Despite the information on their website, they weren't open, but we did manage to see some items on display - enormous bucket included.
A rather large clock in the middle of a field - what else would you expect?!!
Not frustrated, we went into Bruton town but didn't cross this ford.
Thought we'd better behave ourselves!
Some really old architecture in Bruton, along with some more modern and inappropriate examples.
Then we came across Sexey's Hospital…
… the chapel…
… Sexey beast, himself …
Walking around the back of the town, saw this most unusual door knocker.
Great old gates.
I though he took a sled pulled by reindeer.
Plox House - most unusual name.
After Bruton, we went off to Street, where I spotted this memorial to Alice Clark.
At Clark's Village, a living sculpture shoe made from woven willow,
Going for a walk yesterday, spotted this nicely decorated skip.
Winter supplies more exhibits for the Museum of Abandoned Items!
Out today, saw the church on Claremont has again been a victim of a vehicle crash.
After lunch at Prior Park we went for a walk around Lyncombe Vale for the first time. I'm not familiar with Stefan Zweig - Google reveals him as the inspiration for Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel.
A rather dragons and dungeons, sub-Tolkien feel to this renovated porch.
Just a mere…
This day a year ago, we were in Godney at the Sheppey Inn with Jon Ryan and Elaine Chalus - good food and a great pub sign!

Thursday, 1 January 2015

Farewell 2014 and Happy New Year 2015

Christmas Eve found us in Sydney Gardens, admiring the stonework on this canal bridge.
Neo-classical folly. 
Spotted over a front door. 
Weather was set fair. 
Christmas morning saw our clematis flowers still blooming! 
The salvia was still at it as well… 
… along with these primroses 
- and these wallflowers. 
and our winter-flowering cherry is still going strong. 
We walked up to Primrose Woods, on the way passing these archery targets set up in the school grounds.
Amongst the trees, we hung up the bird feeders Carol had given us.
 
One of Santa's little helpers left their hat on a gate. 
Talking of whom, a late delivery in progress? 
Deluxe Christmas pudding! 
We went to Bradford on Avon a couple of days later, where we saw yet another Olympic commemorative artefact - this time a bridge.
Please don't park on the gravestones! 
We came across this very old Saxon church! 
A couple of days later, walking around Mount Beacon we saw this doorway with a definite challenge to its vertical hold. 
Looking down the hill at St Stephens Church towards the sunset.
Took this covered motorbike to be a horse at first sight. 
An abandoned comb greeted me when I got out of the car in Bear Flat the next day. 
We paid a proper visit to Alexandara Park many years after a very short visit with Tempo and Ruby, our dogs of the time. 
The panoramic view across Bath is tremendous.
Going back down the hill, spotted this imaginative decoration on a rear windscreen wiper.
Went for a very welcome hot chocolate on sucha bright and cold afternoon at the excellent Bear Pad. 
Next morning was again clear, with mist down in the valley. 
I walked down into town and enjoyed the misty spectacle as I walked along Camden 
 Another interesting wreath for this year's collection.
I met up with former student and teaching colleague, Duncan McKean on a trip over from Holland, for an enjoyable couple of hours in Jolly's tea room 
Graffiti spotted on the wall of a Sure Start centre revealed a long harboured sentiment. 
Love this window on a building behind Charlotte Street car park.
- or a marketing ploy? 
"You're not taking my photograph, are you?" said the lovely Su.
This day a year ago, as ever the lovely Bella was keeping my ball kicking skills finely honed.
Wishing all our readers a Happy New Year 2015!