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.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

What a wonderful Venue.

 Todays blog is about a place quite close to home, only about 6 miles away on Devon's Haldon hills.This is the Haldon Belvedere or St Lawrence Castle.This three turreted tiny Castle lies on a hill top about  250 metres above sea level with fabulous panoramic views.It was built in the 1780s by Sir Robert Palk an extremely wealthy business man who acquired his fortune in India.The Castle was originally built as the centre piece of his huge estate, on completion it was dedicated to Major General Stringer Lawrence the founder of the Indian Army. The castle is in a cleared area in a small wood with well kept lawns, Rhododendron and Azalea's bushes flower for long periods during spring and summer
The Castle is available to view or to hire for functions such as private dances,Weddings, large birthday parties etc. It also has a Civic marriage licence, so you can do it all in one building, the Wedding ceremony, the reception and the beautiful Balcony flat for the Honeymoon, also it has a licence to sell Alcohol at functions.
Here is the original road bridge (re pointed obviously), this now joins with the new Tarmac road.
Do click on any picture to enlarge it.
This is the original old  pathway used by both Horses and carts to cross the bridge to the Castle.
The old path now joins the new, with a first glimpse of the Castle.
Below This here is the view as you pull into the car park, me and my car are parked in front of the castle.
Another view.
Each piece has its own door, which when open on summer days makes a lovely open room.

If you fancy a night or two here in this unique setting, in the rooftop flat then its possible. How many friends will have stayed alone in a Devon Castle ???? then look in the link below for details. This link (copy & paste) has every thing you need to know about the belevedere. Please do click on the Blue writing under the pictures in the link to give you a full 380 degree panoramic views.
http://www.haldonbelvedere.co.uk/Home_Page_.html

Joke of the day.
A man walks into a bar and notices an attractive but older woman sitting alone on a stool. The man approaches her slowly, sidling along the bar,eventually asking "may i buy you a drink?" The woman turns slowly to him saying "No thank you, Alcohol is bad for my legs"
"I'm sorry" the man says, "do they swell ?"
"No" the woman says "they spread".

Friday, December 03, 2010

What ever next

Hi, Just don't know what the hell blogger is up to but my last post "Odds & Ends" just shows up as see more WTF. Anyway to view this C*ck up click on read more.Also only one blog per page on my comp.

ODDS & ENDS.

Read more ยป

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Autumn on Haldon Moor.

Just a couple of weeks ago we did a winter walk to the view point and Obelisk in Haldon Forest. Haldon Forest and Moors lie here in S Devon, They are a row of moreland hills midway between Exeter and the Seaside towns of Dawlish, Teignmouth,and N Abott they stand just over 250 metres above sea level and have fantastic Estuary and coastal views.The Moor itself had its own Airfield from around 1928, this comprised of a cleared area of grass scrub land with a runway of nearly 3/4 of a mile and was used as a civil airport, it also had a few hangers too.During the war the Air Ministry commandeered the field for Military use and it never really recovered again after the war.About three miles away across the Moor lies this walk, ending at the Obelisk.This Obelisk built in 1742 as a navigational aid to shipping was ideal as its elevated position shows.Todays walk starts at a large car park and Picnic area just 1/2 mile from the main A380 Rd.This walk is level and easy at less than 800 yards from the start area, most of it on Ashphalt or compressed ground (Wheelchair ideal).
Below start out.

Lots of side paths for the kids to explore too.
At various points in the walk there clearings with wooden seats to stop and rest if you wish.
Here is the Obelisk.
You can see below the leaves are starting to turn their lovely Autumn Colours.
About 1/2 way down the walk now.
Below, just getting the first of the lovely estuary views now.
This is the clearing in the Forest that allows you such lovely views, the fence is necessary as there are 20 ft drop offs in places.
The seating area, with myself and friends Anne and Jeff from Exmouth.
Below. Its a shame it wasn't to clear, although in the summer months the foliage grows obscuring some places.
The River Exe estuary.
Again the Exe.
A little farther round.
Please do click on any picture to enlarge it.
No Joke of the day today as blogger refused to move the last picture for the joke.