Kentsford Farm, Watchet
Monday 3rd August
After France, we were getting itchy to go away in Daisy again and now that I'm retired, we can go whenever we want and don't have to stick to weekends. It seems strange coming here without the grandkids. We've come here so many times with them.
It was a long journey down as the A303 was almost at a
standstill going past Stonehenge and beyond.
Approx 5 miles in both directions.
This can’t simply be due to rubberneckers. Eventually arrived and found a place to spend
the next few days. The grass is long but
because of the drought is very pale and not a lot of it. It is good to see the apple trees have grown
since we were last here and are full of fruit.
The ford at the farm is almost dried up though.
We got the bikes and headed into Watchet, however there is a locked gate and a kissing gate at the edge of the farm onto the pathway so we manhandled the bikes over the gates. Quite an undertaking.
Watchet hasn’t changed much although I can’t
find my tile I made many years ago for the towns harbour/mineral yard
wall. I think they have faded and new
drawings have been added.
We called into a pub that offered a beer
garden but there was a fan going constantly which made the area very noisy so
we went to another pub for our second drink.
Wow, these beers are going to my head and we still have to cycle
back! Mike had the thought to see if the
kissing gate would come off its hinges - which it did! So it was much easier pushing the bikes
through to the farm.
We had dinner al fresco using our new chairs
to sit at the table but they are not really designed for that. But they are comfy for relaxing in, which we
spend more time doing than eating at the table.
Rain during the night but not much.
Tuesday 4th
As the weather was forecast to be rain for
most of the day, we decided to take the steam train along its entire
length. Buying the tickets beforehand
saved £4. Again we cycled into the
station at Watchet, thank heavens for the gate that comes off its hinges!
They had a sleeper carriage that people could walk through seeing the
room layout and the separate toilet at the end of the carriage. Halfway through the carriage, there was a 1st
class seating area complete with manikins which were a little unnerving. After the carriage, there was a model railway
set up which reminded me of my Dads railway he had. I then had to hi-tail it back to the train
for the next leg of our journey.
This leg took us up the whole length of the track
to Minehead, an hour and a half's journey time.
A slightly quieter carriage this time but very hot and stuffy. At one time while it was raining outside the
smog came in through the window. This
must have been what it was like during the industrial revolution in London.
We reached Minehead slightly later than the timetable so we had a quick walk along the esplanade getting an ice cream to
eat as we walked. The tide was out and
the beach had grey/brown sand and pebbles. Not very inviting but as the water
was so far away, I wasn’t about to go paddling.
Back on the train, this time only back to Watchet. By this time it was 3pm. We caught the train at 10.30 this morning and it felt like we’d been on the train ALL day.
We were exhausted and felt very grubby. A beer before our ride home. We went to the cider place Pebbles, which is a small establishment but we found a table. It was well attended and again very noisy which wasn’t a bad thing but we were really wanting a bit of quiet by now so we headed off to another pub - which was closed so back again to the pub next door to where we had been. There were only a few locals there. Shame really as it felt that it could go out of business not long down the line. A cycle ride back, a relax and quick shower before dinner, which we had to eat inside due to the intermittent rain.
Wednesday 5th
Lazy day. late getting up, late breakfast,
didn’t do much during the morning. We
cycled into Watchet in the afternoon and looked around the shops then went to
the pub for a few beers and packets of crisps.
We were a little earlier than yesterday so we were the only ones in
there to start with.
When we returned to the site the ‘Duckson’s’
were near Daisy. Luckily they weren’t on
the chair we’d left out as all around there was duck muck and it is so liquidy
and black! Anyway they hung out with us
for the rest of the afternoon until they realised they weren’t getting any
crumbs from us.
A few games in the evening then off to bed.These new mattresses with foam and a memory foam topper certainly need getting used to. Neither of us feel completely comfy yet. Fingers crossed, we can get used to them in France. We are both looking forward to a full night's sleep.
Thursday 6th.
Another slow start as we needed the lie
in. Mike rigged up the drainage pipe so
that we could discharge around the trees that are so lacking in water just
now. Then we cycled into Watchet
again. I am so glad Mike found out about
lifting the kissing gate off its hinges, otherwise we’d have been walking all
the time.
This time we went to Watchet beach and this time the tide was in. It is the first time we’d see it with the tide in.
The
‘swimming pool’ was all covered over which was a shame as I wanted to explore
it and its surroundings but I had to contend with climbing the rocks and
exploring the upper beach. The wind had
died down a bit so we were able to sit on the rocks for a while contemplating the
waves. I love beaches.
Time for a cuppa and we stopped in the cafe
called Chives, thinking we had been there before. It was quite noisy and busy and after our tea
and stale teacake left then realised the place we had been to before was next
door! Oh well. All new experiences.
A slow cycle ride back. Again the ducks were near Daisy so this time
I shooed them away causing one duck to emit a black mass as he ran. I decided to put down kitchen roll where
these mounds were so we didn’t step in them and bring it back inside. Looks a mess but we can certainly see where
not to stand. Obviously we will clean
that up before we leave. A relax outside in the sunshine along with a strimmer
from the farm that went on for ages.
Turns out someone was trimming the hedges around a field.
I must have caught some sun as when I went in and had a wash, I saw marks where my top had been. Soon, it was time to get on the bikes again and go out for a meal at The Cats Whisker Kitchen.
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| Race You! |
'His Master's Voice'
The Cats Whisker Kitchen is a small friendly & welcoming tapas restaurant. You really feel at home here. The meal was lovely and we're glad that the ride home is on the flat as I don't think that we could have managed any hills.
Friday 7th
A slow start, breakfast then prepare to
leave. I like doing the cleaning before
we leave as its easier while Mike sees to the outside stuff. While packing up, Mike noticed water dripping down at the rear of nearside wheel arch. He had an idea of what it could be and it turned out to be correct - the drain from the sink had come apart and was draining the washing up water into the locker. Luckily, no damage done and with weather it soon dried out.
