Romantic Chester Feb 09

It was a lovely spring day when we visited Chester. Boarding the train at Gobowen we headed down the tracks to Chester Station a free bus service then takes you into the city centre.

Here is a link to Chester web site http://www.visitchester.com/

We first headed to the La Tasca Spanish Tapas Restaurant http://www.latasca.co.uk/ . Here we had a lovely Spanish meal by candle light. We had a lovely time and Billy popped the question yet again. Watch this space during the spring and summer months.

After our meal we visited the Grosvenor Museum. Here is a really good display of the roman days in Chester, the history of the walls and the early 1900 it is a interesting museum if only a little small and it is free to enter. Here is a links to the web site :-http://www.chester.gov.uk/tourism_and_leisure-1/culture_and_leisure/grosvenor_museum.aspx

We then headed for a look around the shops. We bought a few books for Aaron on our travels.

After looking around for a while we headed for the Ye Olde Boot Inn. Here are some links to info on the pub

http://www.chestertourist.com/pubs.htm

http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/chester/bar-pub/144378g/ye-olde-boot-inn

The Pub is said to be the oldest in Chester dating back to 1643. It has a reputation for being very haunted. Even outside I got the jitters. Walking into the pub it was defiantly filled with atmosphere low beams, its age stood out with bulging walls and the black and white decor added to the unique atmosphere of this very old pub. Another plus point the beer was cheap.

After more shopping . Our next stop was the cities cathedral.

Here is a link to the web site http://www.chestercathedral.com/. This is a magnificent cathedral which i have visited many time especially in my younger days. I remember on a school trip we rubbed etching from markings at the cathedral. We had a cream tea here today before heading back home on the train.

Thanks Billy for a lovely day.

Miss Me A Little, But Not To Much

We we sad to hear of the death of yet another little boy Ivan. It brought back memories for all Daniel`s family and friends.

The words David Cameron said at the weekend :-

"We didn't expect to lose him so young and so suddenly. He leaves a hole in our life so big that words can't describe it. Bed time, bath time, meal time - nothing will feel the same again.

"He added: "We console ourselves knowing that he won't suffer anymore, that his end was quick, and that he is in a better place. But we all just miss him so desperately."

These words expressed how many of us feel after losing such a special child. These parents will miss him terribly just as any of us out there feel about our own special children. A forum tribute has been started in Daniel`s web site for Ivan if any one would liketo leave a message.

link :- www.danielstrustfund.com

Below is a poem I was given a Well`s Catherdral recently :-

MISS ME BUT LET ME GO

When I come to the end of the road,

and the sun has set for me,

I want no tears in a gloom - filled room.

Why cry for a soul set free ?

------------

Miss me a little, but not too much,

and not with your head bowed low.

Remember thelove thatonce we shared,

Miss me, but let me go.

------------

This is a journey we al must take

and each must take alone ;

It`s all a part of God`s perfect plan,

a step on the road to home.

--------------

When you are lonely and sick of heart

go to the friends we know.

Bury your sorrows in doing good,

Miss me, but let me go.

---------------

Somerset Brean Down, Berrow & Burnham On Sea Feb 09

Leaving early we headed to Shrewsbury, stopping off for breakfast at McDonald's for breakfast. We then joined the A49 for a scenic journey along the Shropshire. Herefordshire, Gloucestershire / Welsh Boarder.

It was a lovely run, we stopped at the Ruins of Tintern Abbey before headed on our journey over the Severn Bridge.

We visited many places whilst in Somerset which are set out in the blogs below.
We had early morning starts over a few days.
We stayed a Brean Down at a holiday park. Brean is on the coast one night the mist rolled in from the sea making it a very aerie still night.

Link to Brean Down www.burnham-on-sea.com/breandown.shtml

The park had lots to do Aaron enjoyed playing on the 2p machines and was thrilled when all the 2p`s spilled out when he won.

We also played air hockey and snooker. We had lovely meals out some nights as a treat we all deserved.

The entertainment on Saturday Night was fantastic, "retakethat". This group was a tribute band to the real Take That. We had great time singing along and dancing to the Take That hits. We all enjoyed the show.

re take that web site link http://www.retakethat.com/

In the past I have stayed at this park with Daniel, he would have really enjoyed this night which made us a little sad. Daniel was a party animal when it came to bands and disco`s he loved it. It`s heartbreaking to know he will never be here to enjoy life as he did.

Aaron really was in the party mood tonight he is a fond fan of Take That. He sang along and also joined the boys and girls dancing on the dance floor. This was nice to see as it is the first time he has done this since Daniel died. The boys were partners in crime and loved to be on the dance floor together.

The band also did a tribute act to the Beatles. Billy and I danced along to the tunes. the night was over so fast, it was late as we all strolled back to are beds for the night.

Also during the break away we went swimming in the park pool. It was a very warm pool we all had a good swim and played ball. I got upset remembering Daniel and how he enjoyed swimming. Life to him was so unfair.
During our stay at Brean we also visited Burnham on Sea. The sea front here is very clean and tidy. Also on our travels we watched the radio controlled boat race and fed the swans and ducks.

The sun shone down all wekend Billy, Aaron and I had a lovely time but one little boy will always be missing on our family days out.

To find out more visit the blogs below and for more photo`s visit photobucket link opposite.

Weston Super Mere Somerset Feb 09

One occassion we visited Weston Super Mere. We Looked around the shops and the sea front.

There is a garden here in memory of Jill Dando, the TV presenter that was shot on her door step some years ago. Here are some photographs and links.

Links to town web site http://www.weston-super-mare.com/

link to Jill Dando Tribute Web Site http://www.muswell-hill.com/dando/

Chedder Gorge Somerset Feb 09

Chedder is a very pretty place with fancy coloured cottages and high rock gorge. We walked around Chedder for quite some time visiting the Chedder Cheese Company.



Here Aaron got to see how the cheese is made. We walked around the factory then at the end he even got the taste the different cheeses the factory makes. The factory even makes chuckney which was very nice.

We carried on our walk before returning to the car and driving up the narrow gorge.

We saw the mountain goats before we drove out into the open country side of part of the Mendip Mountains.


Below more photographs and links -
Chedder web site link

http://www.cheddarcaves.co.uk/ & http://www.cheddarvillage.co.uk/

Wookey Hole Somerset Feb 09

We visited Wookey Hole. This was a good place to explore. Ideal for children due to the variety of different activity's available.

Here is a link to Wookey Hole Web site -- http://www.wookey.co.uk/

Our journey round wookey hole first took us to the fabulous caves link to caves :-http://www.wookey.co.uk/caves.htm. We walked through a variety of caverns. Some of which were very colourful with stalagmites and stalactites lite up by coloured lights.

The river Axe runs throughout the cave. It is extremely deep in parts. One part had a boat tied up along what was an underground shore line.

We walked thought the cave ducking under the low parts and walking over high platform's with the river running far below us. It was a very interesting place to visit.

Another link About he Caves http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wookey_Hole_Caves

We spent quite some time in the cave. Spooky story`s were told as we travelled round. One about the Witch that was turned to stone by a monk and holy water. We learnt how the Celt's used the cave as there home and how due to the even temperature it was possible the cave would be warmer than the outside of the cave in the cold harsh winters around the Mendips.

We were also shown the wookey cave cheese that matures underground in time by now Aaron was sick of cheese ans so were we.

Are trip continued to the outside of the cave and into the fairy garden.

The fairy garden was very pretty it was near the cave entrance. We walked through the garden towards the dinosaur park. There was a huge King Kong here as well as huge dinosaur models.

Entering the buildings firstly took us into the museum. Here there were items that had been found in the cave along with diving equipment and displays of caveman times. The museum was very interesting.

Next stop was the paper mill here is were they make very expensive paper. The children can also have a go at paper making. It is interesting to watch.

Moving on we entered the play areas. There is a good soft play area for younger children.

We were getting hungry so we visited the canteen for lunch.

After we headed for the circus. Young children performed acrobatic tricks. They were really good and entertaining.

Also at wookey hole we looked at the clown museum. This was a very interesting museum filled with lots of clown material from all over the world. Fab to look and we all enjoyed this area.

Other places of interest included the old seaside penny machines, mirror mazes, funny mirrors and the pirates play area. The pirate play area includes canon`s firing soft balls. The children, mums and dads also had a good time here. I was glad I was on Aaron`s side.


All to soon our day at wookey hole was over. It was a good place to visit with a wide range of activity's to do although it was a little expensive.

To view more photographs from our Somerset visit. Visit photobucket on line photo page link opposite

The Abbey Glastonbury Somerset Feb 09

Driving into Glastonbury we parked up in the main town car park. We headed for the high street to look around the shops. WOW what a place. The shops were fantastic hippy and witch craft right up my street. They were fascinating to look in. Aaron is into different rock formations and unique musical instruments so he had a great time looking around the shops.
Entering each the smell of incense and the unusual, magical, mystical items fascinated us all.
Here is a link for information on Glastonbury http://www.glastonbury.co.uk/pages/
I have always had an interest in magical mythical history and witches. Aaron also has a keen interest in mythological and history. Billy also has the same interests as us both they watch the history channel on sky together a few times a week.
We all really enjoyed looking around the shops. The hippy fantasy element of Glastonbury surly makes this town a fascinating place to visit.
The town also hosts what must be the greatest music festival in the UK. Here is a link to the web site :- http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/

We continued our journey which took us to Glastonbury Abbey. Yet again this was another very interesting place to visit.

We strolled around listening to the story`s of medieval times the monks and the tales of King Arthur. Again this was a place of aerie peace and tranquility despite of its past some of it re - known ed for its extreme violence and poverty. the buildings are now ruins. Aaron enjoyed exploring as did Billy and I.

It was even more interesting due to the fact it was brought to life by the living history characters that told the story's around the Abbey.

We stayed here for quite some time as it was a very interesting place to visit. Towards the end of our visit to the abbey we watched as medieval bread was made. Aaron actually joined in making the dough and was shown how to test the quality of the dough for raising.
Heading back to the car we picked up some cakes from one of the fab cake shops in the town.
Here is link to the Abbey web site http://www.glastonburyabbey.com/

here are some links to other interesting web sites concerning Glastonbury.
Witch Craft Shop - http://witchcraftshop.co.uk/store/index.php?CatID=0087
Witch`s Meet Up Web site -
Druids Web Site -
http://witches.meetup.com/cities/us/ct/glastonbury/http://www.tylwythteg.com/tylwythteg/glatstonb.html
Witch craft emporium - http://www.witchcraftemporium.com/
History Glastonbury Festival - http://www.new-age.co.uk/glastonbury-festival-history.htm
Local History - http://www.localhistories.org/glastonbury.html