Royal Bath and West Show Special

The Royal Bath and West Show opened today and runs until Saturday.

Wendy meets the Bishop of Bath and Wells Rt Rev Peter Price and Isambard Kingdom Brunel played by Martin Salter on the Best of Bath Stand

Frenchman Christian Moulec circles over the main arena with his geese

They had a good turn out due to the sun

These great bikes are painted to order in Somerset
by Kiddi Moto

Wendy with old family friend Gordon Tucker who is working at the show selling tractors made in India
Gordon collects tractors his shed is here

The main cattle pavilion where I have photographed John Major, Frank Bruno, Gary Glitter and The Village People, but not all at the same time.

The Alpacas seem as popular as ever

Save some for me!

Unusual Wedding Cake

Pipa thought she would like to move from a traditional wedding cake.
So Nicky made her this cake from a pile of her famous melt in the mouth brownies.

Cream Teas

We had cream teas in Combe Hay church today.
And with the help of the children who waved the sign at passing motorists,
we raised over £200 for the church improvement fund.

Lottie in a box

Lottie shares a storage box with her mothers original cabbage patch doll.

Tabitha was a Bridesmaid today for Pippa.

Old Newsagents Shop

A rare colour picture of our old newsagents in Bath, looking at the cards in the window it was around Valentines Day.
The advertising sign was for look and learn, which I think was the first part-work encyclopaedia.
The naughtiest magazine was Titbits, and the right-hand side of the window is full of Corgi toys which would be worth a small fortune if they were kept with the boxes.
Notice the chocolate machine at 6d a bar when there were 240 pence to the pound.
And yes we put the comics and magazine out every morning and took them all down every night.

Swanage

An old picture of Nicky, Helen and Anthony avoiding the incoming tide at Swanage.

Great Comedy Duo

One of my great pleasures of 2004 was to meet these two gentlemen.
If I say The Blood Donor, Hancock's half-hour and Steptoe and Son you would be right to think Galton and Simpson.
Ground breaking writers of some of the funniest comedy ever, and still with that mischievous twinkle in the eye.
More on Ray Galton and Alan Simpson Here

Sign in University green house.

Tabitha looking for better weather.

Lunch break for workmen on Plymouth Hoe

St Ives

Sam photographing David photographing Sam through Epidaurous a bronze by Barbara Hepworth.

I think the lady in pink must fancy him!

Ever had that feeling the neighbours are watching you!

Tree House Cat

Next doors cat is fed up with living with two dogs.
So he's moved into the kids tree house.

Wendy in the Bath

It's time to refit our bathroom after 40 years, so it was a tour of Bathroom shops today.
Here's Wendy checking the chosen bath for size.

Baby Food Update

Update on the St Michaels Mount baby food saga.
I have just had a call from Celia Mead the Western Region Marketing and Communications Manager for the National Trust.
She apologised for the problem and said the catering manager had looked for us, but didn't find us (we were in a hurry to feed the baby).
The problem is they use commercial microwaves and were afraid that it would leave hot spots in the food (I don't think any mother would feed her baby without trying the food first)
Anyway our complaint wasn't the first and they are considering fitting domestic microwaves for people to warm their own baby food.
So although it spoiled our day it may not yours?

The Baby the National Trust Tried to Starve.

The baby they tried to starve, Lottie Mattock with her granddad Sam Farr.
Picture David Mattock

Babies unwelcome at St Michaels Mount!

Babies unwelcome at St Michaels Mount!

While we were on holiday we visited the National Trust Property at St Michaels Mount.
The guidebook has plenty of warnings about the slippery causeway and steep steps.
But with four adults to help deal with a three-year-old and 9 month old baby we managed easily.
Just before lunchtime we went to the Sail Loft Restaurant, the guide says "Menu features local seafood dishes Children's menu".
We ordered for the five of us and said "can you warm our baby food for us"
To our surprise the reply was we don't do that, leaving us no choice but to cancel our order and walk the 800yards back over the slippery cobbled causeway with a hungry baby.
David and Helen had paid for a yearly season ticket for the National Trust a few days before; I hope they get a better welcome at the other National Trust properties.
I have since checked with a Senior Heath Inspector and there is no legal reason for this unreasonable act.
It wouldn't be a problem to change restaurants on the mainland, but to do this on an island is unforgivable.

Holiday Suprise

We have just come back from a week in Devon and Cornwall.
On the way back we passed a little Fiat Panda covered in hearts several times going up hills, as soon as we got on the flat it would pass us at 80mph.
I assured my good lady wife the names angels exotic on the side, was because the young ladies obviously ran a shop selling exotic animals and cleaning out angelfish tanks.
Imagine my surprise when I looked at the web site advertised on the back of the car!

Piggy time again

Pig with a hole in the ear.

Power Station

Sometimes something boring like the closure of a Power Station can be enlivened just by saying, "Go on throw the keys to him".
This was the closure of East Yelland Power Station near Barnstable in North Devon.

Some people have fairies at the bottom of the garden.
But we have Grandchildren, Lottie and Tabitha by Wendy.

Corsham Bike

On a recent visit to Corsham junior school I spotted this diverse collection of motorcycle parts.
It's only when you walk around the side you spot the true nature of this sculpture.

Guide Dog Puppy

Lottie the guide dog puppy, not looking very enthusiastic yet.

Bath Spring Flower Show

My favourite picture of the weekend didn't make the paper.
I was at Bath Spring flower show and photographing this young man with a gargoyle.
His mother said "pull a face like the gargoyle "before I had a chance to suggest it.

Lottie on her new swing.