The Life and Times of this Old Git

Name:
Location: Teignmouth, Devon, United Kingdom

I'm married with two grown up children and four grandchildren, My wife of 47 years is Sue and we are the same age. My two children are Pamela (blogging occasionly under Pam-bigbustybikerbaby.blogspot.com and Roy,who was recently Paralysed from the waist down due to an Absys on his Spine. My 4 grandchildren are (oldest first) Gavin, Hayley, Thomas,and Zoe. Sue and I are both retired and we're disabled too, her with a badly Arthritic back and spine, me with lung (COPD) and Heart problems.I have always loved Fishing (all sorts) Sue started fishing with me about 8 years ago, now she really enjoys it too. We both love m'cycles and m'cycling, Sue owns and rides her own bike which is a Custom 1981 250 Honda.I own a 1979 Honda CX500. We are both members of this motorcycle club ( view or join our club on http://www.cx-gl.org.uk/) or see my blog post Dec 2007 blog "Getting old, never", of course we're badly resticted now due to our illness, only riding in really good weather.Just over three years ago we lost our best friend and Baby Mojo the border Collie, Gone but never forgotten. Please feel free to use any of our photo's but do let me know you have used them, thank you.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

A WALK TO HEDDON'S MOUTH.

On a recent trip to North Devon we decided on a walk to "Heddon's Mouth" on Exmoor. This lovely area is situated about 3 miles from Parracombe off the A39 road. When visiting just follow the signs for "Hunters Inn" a very famous lovely Moorland eating house/Pub.This beautiful very popular Pub does great food in a lovely atmosphere, with real open log fires on cooler days.
The day we visited was a little misty with the sun appearing occasionally. The area is a part of 12 miles of rugged Exmoor coastline, it also has starting here the National Trust managed walk to the renovated lime kiln at "Heddons Mouth". This picture shows the pub.
PLEASE CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT.
This is the National Trust information centre and shop(below), situated at the beginning of the walk.There are quite a few parking spaces available on grass but due to the wet weather most people as you can see parked on the road.

Below taken just after the start of this lovely easy walk, you follow this stream right down the valley to its meeting with the sea.
The lovely little stream meanders along through all sorts of trees, this pictures shows the height of the hills that surround the valley.
The picture below was taken from a clearing in the stream side walk, shows, just below the top a clear area which is actually a footpath, this precarious and steep path runs right around the hillside, but I'm not sure where to.
The valley (below) is quite steep but the path meanders along the stream staying fairly flat.
Below this is my favourite picture, showing the valley almost at its end as it widens on reaching the beach. The Gorse contrasts so well against the stream, grass and hillside.
Here you see Sue crossing the stream on stepping stones at the beach end, she managed it without getting her feet wet!!!.
Below one of the many (this one renovated) Lime kilns that dot this part of Exmoor, can you imagine a hundred years or more ago having to lug the Lime either the mile up the valley, or try to put it on board ships on this rough sea's coastline.
Below the two paths that lead away from the mouth back toward the Pub and Shop, the right path is slightly flatter and easier. When we went we decided to walk the slightly harder path on the way down, returning the easier route.
This view below shows the rocky/pebbly beach here, notice the stream runs down then disappears under the stone reappearing 15 or 20 feet lower down.
This Picture below shows "Heddon's Mouth's" shingle beach taken from the sea.
We picked the right day for this walk, it was a bright but not too warm day and was ideal walking weather.
Joke of the day

There is a new study about women and how they feel about their ar.es. The results were pretty interesting:


30% of women think their ar.e is too fat............

10% of women think their ar.e is too skinny......

The remaining 60% say they don't care, they love him, he's a good man, and they wouldn't trade him for the world.

Monday, May 19, 2008

A REAL TREAT.

We have just arrived home from a week in a Luxury farm Cottage at West Pitt Fishery,Uplowman, nr Tiverton, Devon. This fishery complex consists of a set of three hundred year old farm cottages, all tastefully converted to luxury accommodation. Accommodation is available in two 2/3 berth single bedroom cottages and a Converted Hayloft which is ideal for a couple. All the cottages are 4 star, also under construction (or conversion) is a 5 star cottage to sleep 6. Also a special all on one level Bungalow (new) this will be suitable for Disabled or people with stair climbing difficulties. Our own farm cottage (this picture) sleeps up to nine people in three bedrooms and was really pleasant. The fishing was on four lakes, one which is available to residents only, the others were also available on day ticket. Alongside our cottage was a lockable tackle room with a wash basin, Bait Fridge, storage/Lockers and rod racks which was very handy.The fishing was fabulous and all of us enjoyed it immensely.The picture shows our cottage(the Blue door), with the the tackle room two windows to the left (by the bush).
Click on any picture to enlarge it.
The View below was taken from the car park toward the first (private to residents) lake, on the left is the cottage under renovation (available July). Just around the corner are the two other cottages, all are within 60 meters of the Lake.
This picture below is of the large kitchen area, its really ideal with Dishwasher, Coffee Maker, Microwave, Hob, Four burner Cooker with hotplate, ordinary or fan assisted ovens, Toaster, Extractor fan, with central sink and worktop area's.
This picture below shows the kitchen seating area (seats nine) with the Welsh style dresser. Notice the real Oak ceiling beams and Partition wall.
The cosy lounge below has two large comfy Sofa's and three armchairs, a cabinet TV, DVD etc. The huge Real working Fireplace below is almost "inglenook" style, with lighting set back inside it and the side oven. Only pity was it just wasn't cold enough to light it.
This picture below is of an Alcove by the fireside, we said it was the haunted naughty chair where you were sent if you misbehaved. Sue caught it here with a little sunlight peeping through the closed curtains giving it atmosphere.
The picture below shows the Fireplace and Fire in daylight, it would really have been lovely to light it, the owners supply a large basket of wood, kindling and lighters free then after that you buy what you need.
This view is taken from the entrance hall/kitchen passage and shows the staircase on the right, the lounge in front but just look at the internal door, how it bows at top and bottom, amazingly it closes perfectly.
Here below we have the bedroom Sue and I used it is known as the family room and contains a double, a single and two bunk beds. All the bedrooms (three) are on suite and contain both bath and showers.
This is the corner below of Peter and Karen's room, showing the olde stonework and dresser , bathroom is around the corner.
This view below was taken from our bedroom window and shows the steps leading up to the swimming pool and Patio area, the second lake is in the background.
Here Dave and I languish in the lovely Indoor heated Pool (we did most nights), this is free to residents also available is a Sauna.
Our party consisted of Sue and I, our Grandson Gavin plus our friends Karen, Peter and their son David. We all agreed it was a fabulous holiday, both the owners and staff could not do enough to help and asked on several occasions was there anything else we required. The cleanliness of the whole place is second to none and we wouldn't hesitate to thoroughly recommend it to all including Fishermen,Walkers or even Twitchers

Joke of the day.
(Ladies this ones is very naughty so please be warned, it is not to everyone's taste .)
Male Interpretations.

A woman was in a coma. She had been in it for months. Nurses were in her room giving her a sponge bath. One of them was washing her private area and noticed that there was a slight response on the monitor when she touched her. They tried it again and sure enough there was sizable movement.

They went to her husband and explained what happened, telling him, "As crazy as this sounds, maybe a little oral s * x will do the trick and bring her out of the coma.

The husband was sceptical, but they assured him that they'd close the curtains for privacy. The husband finally agreed and went into his wife's room. After a few minutes the woman's monitor flat lined, no pulse, no heart rate. The nurses run back into the room. "What happened!?" they cried.

The husband said, "I'm not sure....maybe she choked?"

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

AT LONG LONG LAST.

On Monday at last everything just about came together.I am of course talking about our motorcycles, we hadn't had both on the road together until now for over a year. There were lots of reasons why one or the other was not available to ride, but now except for a lot of hard cleaning they are ready. After taxing Sue's bike (250cc) on Saturday we were just waiting for decent weather and on Monday we got it. So a short 15 mile each way acclimatising trip was planned, around the local area as far as Barnstaple then back on the Scenic route.
When we arrived back we were both cream crackered after such a long lay off from riding but we really enjoyed ourselves. So when the weather forecast for Tuesday was good then a longer ride was worked out.We decided to go Blackmoor gate, then on to South Molton, from there across on the country roads ending up in Lynton/Lynmouth, then after an hour or two for lunch etc, ride back to the van. This we did and here are a few photo's we took. For more details of Lynton/Lynemouth see my blog of the same name on 23/7/07 or go to this website. http://www.whatsonexmoor.co.uk/villages/Lynton.htm
This photo is of the main street leading through the town or village, I must admit to not being sure into which category it falls?.
This photo (above)shows the narrow little streets here in the village/town of Lynton, although merged hand in fist with its sister village/town Lynmouth it is nowhere near as famous.
Another shot (above) of the main street, this little village boasts two supermarkets a Cinema, a town hall and its own little museum, plus of course the famous cliff railway.
Above this steep narrow little street is typical of lots of streets here. These two villages were probably made famous by Napoleon, because during the Napoleonic wars Brits were denied their usual Continental holiday haunts so had to find pleasant holiday areas here rather than abroad.
The poet Shelley spent several months here and in fact named the area "little Switzerland", other famous writer/poets who spent time here included Coleridge and Wordsworth.
This photo is of the high walled walk that leads either down the very very steep hill to Lynmouth, or along the coast wall to the "Valley of the Rocks". Also just around the corner is the Cliff railway.
Above, The Cliff Railway car just as its about to starts its steep, perilous looking journey.
Above, Its off on its journey.
Here at the top looking downward, as you can see its steep and a long way down,approx 500 feet.

Here we are our transport. The loves of our lives, nearest the camera my 1979 Honda CX500, then Sue's 1981 Honda CM250T, shown here on Exmoor when we stopped for nature calls. They are both starting to look how we want them but there is still a long way to go yet.
Do click on any photo to enlarge it.

Joke of the day.

THE YEAR'S BEST HEADLINES OF 2007:


(Yes, they were really printed as seen here.)

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
Now that's taking things a bit far!

Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
What a guy!

Miners Refuse to Work after Death
No-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-sos!

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
See if that works any better than a fair trial!

War Dims Hope for Peace
I can see where it might have that effect!

If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
Ya think?!

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
Who would have thought!

Enfield ( London ) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
They may be on to something!

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?!

Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge
He probably IS the battery charge

New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
Weren't they fat enough?!

Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
That's what he gets for eating those beans!

Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
Do they taste like chicken?

Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
Chainsaw Massacre all over again!

Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
Boy, are they tall!

And the winner is....

Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Did I read that right?