TARR STEPS SOMERSET.

Tarr Steps are supposedly prehistoric dating back to around 1000 BC and have some stones in the structure weighing 5 tons or more.They are over the river Barle situated in Somerset between the villages of Hawkridge and Liscombe, the nearest large town is Dulverton.



Above the car in the right corner.

We spent a day recently riding around Exmoor in Somerset, whilst there we thought we would visit the famous Tarr Steps. We came at this venue from the other side from normal, only 4x4s and tall vehicles normally approach from this side as the ford here is about 18" to 2 feet deep. There was a warning sign about 2 miles back but I chose to ignore it thinking perhaps it was an exaggeration but I was definitely wrong, anyway when we reached the steps there was nowhere to park just a turning point, so, Sue went over and took photo's while I stayed with the car.(you can just see our blue car in a few pics). We then did the long round trip to the normal side, where, we parked the car had a cuppa and took these photo's.It is a beautiful place that's for sure.

A QUICK JOKE

As I was walking to work this morning I came across an old man sitting on a wall crying his eyes out ,I approached him and asked what evers the matter to make you cry like that, he sobs I'm 78 years old and have a 25 year old wife at home who idolises me, making love to me in the morning then bringing me tea in bed then a full cooked breakfast, she then bathes and dresses me and before I get up we make love again he sobbed, hell I said why're you crying then but he just went on, at lunch she makes me whatever I want with my favourite pudding and then makes love nearly all afternoon in the evening is just the same a three course meal with the best wines and followed by a cheese board and Brandy with my coffee then up to bed for even more sex. after this he breaks down uncontrollably , for bloody hells sake I manage to say to him then why on earth are you still crying, to which he wails b- b- b- bu- bu- but I've f. f. f .f fo for forgotten where I live !!!!.

DUNKERY BEACON.

Above. The view from the car park as you start the long (for me) climb.
To take most of these pictures, Sue stood actually perched precariously on the beacon itself.
Above. Looking slightly inland, it doesn't matter in which area you look the views are stunning.
Sorry about the picture above being slightly into the sun but it just would'nt move no matter what I said to it, it shows the beacon's distance away after you top the first hill,

This next photo shows the path dissapearing into the distance.






Recently Sue and I went on a drive to Dunster and Minehead in Somerset, on the way we took in a few sights as usual. One of these was Dunkery beacon ,this beacon is one of the highest if not the highest point in N Devon and Somerset, its 1705 feet above sea level and is reached by (no road) about half a mile of steep uphill climb.The following day we returned complete with stout walking shoes, a drink, a snack, the walking sticks and most importantly a new portable oxygen cylinder,thus armed we set out. At this stage I should say that the views (even from the road) are absolutely stunning with a full circle of uninterupted landscape including across to Wales. On the top next to the lge pile of stones that is "The Beacon"is a plaque and a sun dial type pedestal presented by the Automobile Association that shows positions and distances to all the large surrounding towns etc.The biggest problem that faces me now is "A"which few of the 57 pictures do I put in the blog? and "B" how many can I put in without being boring?. Oh hell lets do it.

A CAR JOURNEY.(TO THE LOST BRIDGE)

The pictures above and the two below are of the lost bridge?!!.





A fortnight ago we decided to go for a drive around the borders of Exmoor area, whilst driving around we came across several small rivers and streams with fords and lovely old bridges.One of these bridges was really nice with a lovely grassy bank on which we had a picnic, the stream had a nice shallow area leading to a length of quite deep water (1 metre) we and the dog plus later a few kids enjoyed a paddle.The main reason I picked out pictures of this particular bridge is also because we cant bloody find it again, despite two trips trying, anyone got any ideas?.

THE LOVE OF OUR LIVES.

MOJO . She has always gone fishing with us even as a pup and still does.People marvel at the fact that she sits upright and alert with me for 8-9 or even 10 hours at a time, never having been taught this she just loves it, when it comes to our calls of nature she goes whenever I do and believe it not even takes a drink when i pick up my flask.
With her huge coat she suffers with the heat hence the umbrella.
I think she is very photogenic and loves having her picture taken.

Even now she really loves the water and a paddle.(so does the wife)

Now before I go any further I'm sure one or two people will disagree with some of the things and deeds that will be mentioned in this blog, if thats the case then so be it.
Now this blog is all about our 14 year old Border Collie Mojo, she is "our Baby"and will be treated as such for the rest of the short time she is with us.I have never in the whole of my 62 years been without a dog for more than a few weeks, but, Mojo is certainly one of the few that really stand out. She has enjoyed very good health up till a year or so ago when she started having problems with her Arthritic back end. She is on medicine from the vet plus we've recently invested in a magnetic collar to hopefully help her.As a pup she was definitely the easiest dog I've ever had when it came to training, And has very very rarely been away from us, going on holidays with us except for our foreign holidays, when, she stayed at our house with my son or daughter.I did try to add more photos and narrative but blogger would'nt let me, bye for now back in 2 wks.

THE VILLAGE OF WITHYPOOL.

This lovely old Spaniel fast asleep outside the shop ( all the time we were drinking our Tea) certainly did'nt need this notice on the next photo he wasnt awake long enough.

This beautiful cottage ,seen here in more detail is available to rent too.(Cant be bad a free ad for someone).

How about living here in this beautifully situated riverside cottage?.Or renting?.
Apparently this house did'nt flood even after all this years rains.

All enjoying a rare (this summer) sunny and warm day.

As you can see there is a car park and quite a large grassy bank where people bring children to picnic and swim and paddle in comparative safety.
Sue at the rear side of the bridge.
CLICK ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE.
Whilst on a day out last week we came across the pretty little village of Withypool, there is a little roadside cafe, a village shop (surprisingly well stocked, a little pub and of the course the river and bridge. I'm not sure exactly but it looks like the village only has about 30/40 houses.

SHAMMICK (COMBE MARTIN ) CARNIVAL.

Here are a few photo's of Combe Martin Carnival, I've not put these in before as I wanted to let Martin put his in on his blog first (Martins blog is "Combe Martin Life").

A BITSA BLOG

Aah now this be a picture of I spreading yonder straw in front of me neighbors van, cor twas bloody whet then I do tell Ee, it were up to me knees in sh...sh...sh...sh.. mud.
CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE>






This blog is exactly as the title suggests, bits of this, bits of that. These photo's are ones that my wife Sue took on our trips around N Devon and Somerset but that, for one reason or another did not get on a blog. I'm not even sure exactly where some were taken but I think they are worth showing you.