THE SOUTH WEST including DISCWORLD

06.05.2009 - 15.05.2009

It was wonderful staying with David's cousin Ebu and Jeremy in Holton, Somerset; a soft place to land after a stressful time.

A visit to Wells Cathedral to examine the detail of the stone carvings under the spotlight of a friend of Ebu's was enthralling.

Each seasonal altar cloth is a work of art

The unique arch supporting the roof of the nave

The side nave

Detail on one of the pillars

A beautifully carved crucifix

The oldest working clock in England

and the little man who strikes the bell every hour

The steps to the vestry are age-worn

and the roof is spectacular.

We enjoyed browsing the many stalls on Saturday at the street market in Bridgport, and walking through the pastures scattered with buttercups, along lush lanes lined with nettles and delicate Queen Anne's Lace flowers.

Hawthorn bushes everywhere are bedecked with blossom like crisp, white snow. Village gardens are brimming with opulent peonies and tulips, and whiffs of lilac blossom tickle the senses. I did not know that lilac comes in white, purple and lilac colours!

We lunched with cousin Judy and Rob down in Ebford, feasting on Damson berry [Ebu's]

and English gooseberry desserts. We visited Dominic, Helen and Beatrice for scones [they worked the 2nd time around....well done Dominic!], strawberry jam and Rodda's clotted cream with English tea in their cute, rose-covered cottage in the forest near Cranborne. Their garden was filled with the sounds of the woods and the heavy scent of Damascena roses. Several days were spent catching up with ourselves, repacking and planning for the travels ahead.

For those who may be avid Terry Pratchett fans, we discovered that the hub of his following is based in a shop in the town of Wincanton, near us in Holton.

The town is the only one in all England which is twinned with a fictitious city, Ankh-Morpork,

and some new streets are being given names such as Peach Pie Street and Treacle Pie Road [BBC 9 April 2009].