Greenbelt - Day 2

Was circulating at an event earlier and started chatting to someone. Found out they came from Michigan, USA - which seemed a long way to come to Cheltenham for a festival.

Me, "So what brings you here?

Him, "I'm with him." He nods towards someone chatting away at the next table.

I look across and don't recognise anyone.

Me, "Whose he?

Him, "Rob Bell."

Oh dear, he's only one our main speakers... I look again.

Me, "Sorry, didn't recognise him. He looks different from his photo."

Him, "Yes, he's had a major haircut."

Me (relieved), "That explains it..."

Greenbelt 2009

Have arrived at Greenbelt.

The site is up.

People are arriving.

Let the gathering commence.

My career as a burglar...

Spent a fair chunk of the afternoon trying to break in to my garage.

Weather was nice so thought I'd go for a bike ride. Go down to my garage and I simply can't get the padlock to open... and of course any tools that would be helpful are in the garage... and why did I get a lock with 'extra security'??

So, after a bit of hitting it, and the odd naughty word, I trundle off to Wickes.

Have to say that I was a little nervous walking to the checkout wanting to pay solely for some boltcutters and a padlock. Felt if I was asked, there could be some awkward explaining to do...

Still, no awkward questions - either at the store or later whilst I wrestle the padlock with the boltcutters - and the garage was freed!

Don't feel a discreet life of crime is ahead of me.

Website of the week

There is the always excellent Graphjam - but then I came across this.
Simply superb.

hattip - dizzythinks.net

The Proms

The other day I was thinking that despite having lived in London for several years, there are numerous 'London' things I haven't done. For some bizarre reason going to the Proms sprung to mind, so I booked a ticket for the Friday I returned from Devon, regardless of the programme.

Well, it wasn't your 'typical' prom evening...

First up was a piece by Jonny Greenwood. Still best known as part of Radiohead he has also done some classical and film work - his soundtrack for There Will Be Blood won a Grammy. The piece was fine, very enjoyable, though I'm not sure how the orchestra felt as for long sections the strings either have to pluck their instruments or play them as though they were ukuleles - slightly ironic as the excellent Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain are playing the Proms next week.

Then there was Apollo by Stravinsky - fairly mainstream and most enjoyable.

After the interval was 'The Arches' from The Mask of Orpheus by Sir Harrison Birtwistle. The words interesting, challenging and innovative spring to mind. It came across to me as a strange mix of improvised jazz, bad experimental Anglican liturgy and the noise a group of toddlers make when they are let loose with the instruments from the toy box.

It was a little bit weird, a little bit mental, and I actually found it quite enjoyable! Not sure what the various tourists made of it - the Japanese and Korean students sat next to me, who seemed be in London to attend language school, looked a little bemused.

At least they stayed. On a Friday night I'd say the Royal Albert Hall was around half full and several left during the Birtwistle piece. As I said, not a 'typical' Prom!

Hartland

Last day of my (too) short stay in Devon and the weather is lovely. Head out to a part of north Devon I've not been to before - the Hartland area. It's a little off the beaten track - most people either shot straight past on the way to Bude or head to Clovelly - and this probably adds to its charm.

Down by Hartland Quay the shoreline is impressively rocky. Over the centuries this part of the north Devon coast has claimed numerous ships and it's easy to see why. The view across to Lundy is beautiful and clear.

After a little potter I head to Hartland Abbey. Apparently one of the last abbeys under Henry VIII, and then given to the keeper of his wines, it's been passed down through the generations and is still in private hands. Open to public at certain times it has that usual mix found in UK minor stately homes - feeling a little run down and needing some TLC in places, but still stunning with impressive architecture, furnishings and art work. From here I wander down to the coast to a quite and (fairly) secluded bay.

Recognise the house in the right hand photo? It was used in the recent BBC adaptation of Sense and Sensibility as the house the Dashwoods went to. As with many minor stately homes, those location fees probably come in handy!

The Coast and Moor

Weather a bit murky today. Well it's not so much raining with drizzle and grey skies as there is low cloud coming off the sea. Driving up over Exmoor reminded me of driving through Scotland in the autumn - though a little warmer.

Headed to Lynton and Lynmouth, two small towns linked by a Victorian Cliff Railway. Lynton sits on the top of the cliff, with Lynmouth the old small harbour town below.

I'm sure in their time they were once bustling little towns, after all a cliff railway was built to link the two, but now they sit on the remote Exmoor coast and are kept ticking over by the tourist trade. A short stroll along the coastal path is rewarded by the stunning Valley of the Rocks. Local claims that this part of North Devon is a 'little Switzerland' may be little optimistic - but it is beautiful and very like the north of Scotland.

Make my way back - via the coast, the moors and the cloud - to Barnstaple and then the evening is spent in a fantastic local pub in a small village on the edge of Exmoor. To say it's off the beaten track is to over state its transport links. It accepts only cash and cheques - a note on the door says 'we don't serve plastic food so we don't accept plastic money' - and it doesn't have a till, merely a drawer.

A great place with good food and great beer - I can't remember the last time I was asked 'do you want straight glass or a handle?' - and it is exactly as a local village pub should be!

The Tarka Trail

Weather has been a bit up and down - one day wonderful sunshine, the next full of grey skies and drizzle.

Make the most of today's weather and hire a bike to cycle some of the Tarka Trail, an old railway route in north Devon that is now a popular walk and cycleway.

I've done the southern section before - from Fremington Quay to Torrington - so this time I head north all the way past Barnstaple out to Crowe Point. Fine weather and a drink stop - purely for medicinal purposes naturally - make it a pleasant day, topped off with a lovely picnic lunch overlooking the Taw estuary.

Taking off my T shirt later I see that I have a pronounced 'cyclist's tan'!

Towards the South West

Heading down to glorious North Devon for a few days break and rather than sit in a traffic jam around Stonehenge, I took the opportunity to potter around Salisbury for a couple of hours.

Wandered around Old Sarum and then headed to the 'new' Cathedral - which has been there since about 1250. Like most cathedrals parts of it are behind scaffolding, but the interior is stunning. On the tour the guide said that the choir stalls used today are the same original ones from the 13th century. To think service have been conducted from the same seats for hundreds of years...

Around the cathedral is a lovely close and green space. The weather was beautiful and many were making the most of it, including a group of Morris Dancers. A 'typically English' scene in many respects - but I'm not sure that Morris Dancing should be encouraged!

On the way out of Salisbury I stopped at Old Wardour Castle. Going down various narrow lanes of rural Wiltshire you are rewarded with a stunning ruined castle. It's been used for various films - including Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves - and you can see why. A bonus was a falconry display being held on the day.

Overall a leisurely and fascinating day - so much better than being sat in a queue on the A303.

Website of the week

Okay, so I'll never make it into the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame or the Baseball Hall of Fame - mainly because I'm not American and play neither sport.

I've even accepted that my call up to the England squad is perhaps unlikely and I won't make it into the Football Hall of Fame.

Still, there is hope!

Who knows, one day I could make it into the Accounting Hall of Fame.

Hattip to the Independent on Sunday.