Go East!

We procrastinated
put off making a decision
and were generally indecisive.

The grey wet weather hadn't helped.
How can you plan a holiday when the weather is so rubbish?
Hibernation felt more appropriate!

I kept looking at the calendar
trying to work out when
a) we had some free days
and
b) when the sun would be likely to shine!

In the end we realised that we would have to go as soon as the KHT broke up from college.
Norfolk was our chosen destination
We have only been to Norfolk for a holiday once before
and on that ocasion we seemed to be camped in the middle of an earwig infestation.
We were NOT going back to that site again!
I took a deep breath and picked a site near Cromer.

A flurry of activity ensued, as we frantically tried to get everything done that needed to be done before we went away - including making all the invitations for the Afternoon Tea Service, which will take place a few days after we return.

Last time we headed east,
which was possibly in 2013,
they were in the process of upgrading the A14.
Six years later and they were still in the process of upgrading the A14.



It was interesting to see parts that I remember as being a muddy building site, were now much improved sections of road - with the sea of mud replaced by landscaping.

Our car has a built in sat nav.
When we bought it the salesman assured us,
with his promotional parlance,
that the satnav would update itself automatically.
At the time I was doubtful.
Having driven along the A14 I am even more doubtful,
as we traversed sections of tarmac of which the satnave was blissfully unaware.
We often had to guess where we needed to go.
Satnav - you are supposed to tells us!

We found Cambridge services, in the middle of roadworks.
Six years ago, it was a welcome oasis,  safe place to stop.
Today it was noisy, overcrowded and accessed by a tortuous route past partially built road bridges.
We ate lunch, drank our coffee and didn't linger.

Heading northwards, suddenly a large church looms out of the plains
"Wow! That must be Ely Cathedral!" I guessed.
"We must visit it sometime!
"Can we go there today?" asks the KHT
"Not towing a caravan..."

I wonder how many other cities have a name as short as Ely?
At Ely we had to guess which way to go - and guessed wrong. Fortunately we found a bit of road which looped around, saving us any complicated manoeuvres with the caravan.
Look on the bright side, at least we saw the cathedral twice - albeit from a distance!
The satnav then took us up a narrow very bumpy road past some depot - Queen Adelaide or some such name.
As we travelled we had tantalising glimpses of Ouses both Great and Little -  as they traversed the countryside.





We found the campsite and checked in.
"Have you visited before?"
"No"
She rattled of some directions and handed us a map.
I had forgotten the directions before we left the office.
Anything with a reference to left or right is doomed before it is spoken.
By now there were about five other vehicles queued behind us.
DH asked the KHT to open the gate for us.
She did and we pulled forward.
The KHT then wanted to let all the other vehicles through as well...
"No, they need to check in first!" DH pointed out.
Reluctantly the KHT climbed in the car, deprived of self appointed role as chief gate-opener.
By this time I have definitely forgotten the instructions and I am trying to make sense of the map,
"Do we turn up there?" I ask, as we pass a track
DH drives forward.

We find ourselves in a farmyard.
Things are not looking promising.
Who else, besides us, could get lost on a farm?!
I get out the car and ask a couple who are admiring the view
if they know where the camping fields are.
"Oh you shouldn't be in here!" says the man,
"You need to turn around, then I will show you where to go."
Poor DH then has to try and turn around the car and caravan, with his spatially-challenged wife giving directions.
At the third shunt he makes it, without demolishing the carefully stacked hay bales.
A bemused head appears outof a barn doors and looks at us and shakes his head in bemusement at another set of visitors incapable of following simple instructions..
The couple show us where we should have turned and we follow the track up to the field.

DH greets the sight of the toilet block with joy. It is a couple of hours since lunch.
He greets the sight of the cleaning team with less joy,
however they direct him to an alternative block which is surprisingly close.
We find our pitch which has a view over the sea, with an onshore breeze to match!
Welcome to windy Norfolk.

Zechariah's Story - The Forgotten Folk? (Part 1)

Zechariah’s Story

To be honest with you..

I never expected to be chosen.

I suppose that’s because I don’t feel special.

I usually prefer to hide in the background.

Some may say I that God has not shown me favour, but I was born into the priestly tribe,

as I am a decendant of Abijah.

I have lived a good life,

had a good education,

always  had plenty to eat and drink

and a place to call home.

My wife is a great blessing to me -

If I am a cup half-empty person

she is a ‘cup-that-is-practically-full’ kind of person.

I always see the problems, the things that could go wrong.

Elizabeth expects things to go right

and, to be fair, they usually do.

There’s just one way in which we have not been blessed

and it is quite painful for us both, but particularly for my beloved Elizabeth.

You see, we have no children.

No sons to continue the priestly line.

No daughters to marry off.

No grandchildren to stand on my lap and tug on my beard..

It was the turn of our Order to serve in the temple,
We were preparing for the prayer session and they were drawing lots to see which priest would be chosen to go into the Holy of Holies to offer up the sacrifice

When they read out my name I thought I was hearing things

To be honest, I wondered if I was day dreaming -

thinking about what I would like to happen,

rather than what was actually happening.

Then I realised that everyone was looking at me, that it was true

I really was the one who was going into the Holy of Holies today.

God had chosen me from my order.

The same God, who despite my faithfulness in prayer

had remained silent when I had cried out to him.

When I had pleaded and bargained, he remained ‘schtum’.

When I had asked for Elizabeth’s sake - 

for her dignity and to save her from disgrace

he appeared not to hear.

So I had decided that God had forgotten about me.

No children of mine were going to brighten our faces 

and the faces of our friends and neighbours

None of my offspring were going to be the next ‘Elijah’

to transform the lives of my people 

and bring those who had stopped following the law, back to God, 

that was for certain….

My hands were shaking as I tied the rope around my ankle

No-one can enter the Holy of Holies without that rope, 

as only the person who is chosen, can enter.

The rope is tied around the ankle of the priest offering sacrifice, 

so that if anything happens to the priest 

the rest can pull him out.

The priest is chosen by drawing lots - 

it avoids any accusation of favouritism!

Only God can influence the choice of priest.

I took a deep breath and stepped into the Holy of holies

Outside everyone else was deep in prayer.

I was concentrating so hard on following the priestly protocols 

that I didn’t notice him at first

Then, I nearly jumped out of my skin!

There, to the right of the altar, was a figure.

I was absolutely terrified!

I should be alone,

and I wasn’t.

What had gone wrong?

My knees shook.

I was in a state of absolute panic,

not knowing what had happened,

or why this person was here.

Then he spoke

“Do not be afraid Zechariah”

I thought I am not afraid

I am WAY past the point of being afraid!

Then I thought

Hang on, this person knows my name…

Is this a messenger from God?

My heartbeat slowed down to just very very fast

“Your prayer has been heard.”

Oh my goodness it IS an angel

This isn’t supposed to happen to Zechariah the overlooked!

Which prayer is God answering, I wondered…

The angels continued

“Your wife will bear you a son and you will call him John.”

Oh my goodness, God is answering my really, really big prayer

But it is impossible! My wife is way beyond her childbearing years..

Yes, OK, there is a precedent. 

I know all about the story of Abraham and Sarah, 

but Abraham was special

AND he had been promised a son…

I am not Abraham, 'the father of nations',

I have not been promised a whole galaxy of generations…

I am Zechariah the forgotten

The angel didn’t stop there with the news of a child, 

he also drew up a road map for his life!

This promised child will be a  hope bringer

Holy spirit container

alcohol abstainer

salvation proclaimer

a repentance encourager

broken relationship repairer

and a heart preparer.

This sounded like a pretty demanding job description 

for a child that has not yet been conceived by two ‘past it’ parents..

A thousand questions filled my mind

Was this really going to happen

or was I dreaming?

I needed a verification code

before I was going to claim this particular promise!

If I left here telling everyone that Elizabeth was going to have a child, 
they would think I was going mad!

"How can I be sure of this?” I asked this angelic apparition.

Apparently this was not the time for asking questions

The angel was Gabriel, no less, 

sent by God to announce this news.

I would receive verification all right!

Because I had expressed my doubt

I would not speak again until the child was born…

If I had anymore questions I kept them to myself.
I had no say in the matter really,

as I was unable to utter a word.

My tongue had been silenced.

I left the Holy of Holies

to a sea of expectant faces

"What took me so long?" they demanded,

"What happened?" they enquired.

But not a word passed my lips.

All I could do was try and explain with by gestures

the glory, power and authority of the angel,

and a summary of all the angel had foretold.

I expected disbelief.

I anticipated derision.

I feared being humoured.

But they took it all in,

as if they saw nothing outrageous at all in what the angel had said.

As if they expected God to perform miracles

And maybe he will.

Little Miss Invisible's Grand Day Out

After a run of seemingly endless soggy days, the KHT and I were delighted to have the opportunity to visit the 'Painting childhood' exhibition at Compton Verny.

The KHT and I have different approaches to viewing an exhibition - I browse through, stopping to ponder further on those that catch my interest. The KHT studies each and everyone intently, as if trying to enter into the magical world the canvas portrays.

Having completed the exhibition I return and sit and wait.
I am content to be,
but my presence disturbs her ponderings,
as I am an unwitting intrusion,
an unwelcome reminder of the real world.
Despite my protestations the KHT completes the second room in a 10th of the time she took over the first, when she savoured each and every scene.

After coffee we move on the the second part of the exhibition - Childhood Now,
which also provided the opportunity to creat a self-portrait.
The KHT preferred to draw cartoons,
but I attempt a self portrait in brown pencil crayon and add my attempt to the collection,
There is a clear distinction between those who can give an idea of depth and those who cannot.
I am firmly with the cannots!
I will not be having an exhibition in an art gallery anytime soon

Whiter shade of pale..

The KHT's favourite place at Compton Verny is the chapel.
As she is wearing a cream coloured sweat shirt
she disappears into the background,
consumed by the pale woodwork
as if clothed in an invisibility cloak
The chapel is a popular venue for weddings - I wonder if they ever lose the bride in all the whiteness.

Stairway to heaven

Outside in the parkland, strange green shapes
disturb the peaceful landscape of the Old Town Meadow,
where once a village stood.

We do not immediately warm to these alien forms
that feel like a tactless intrusion upon the landscape,
but the photographic potential is enough to lure us closer.
















And closer...






















And closer...



The green shapes invite interaction, though climbing on them is discouraged. They provoke a reaction and encourage us to view both the landscape and cloudscape in a different way.










We head off on a circular walk around Old Town Meadow, following the path that has been mown through the meadow, all the time observing the encroaching storm.











The KHT set off on a run, keen to get back to the car before the clouds reached us.
In her mind a tornado or hurricane are imminent,
or worse...

I followed after at a more sedate pace, taking photos of items of interest, such as storm clouds and blue butterflies.













We had barely driven out of the car park when the storm broke
It provided some interesting puddles to enliven the journey back,
but it was only rain.
Yes, more rain.
Will this be the wettest June on record?

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Perhaps the question should be, should we stay or should we go, but no-one wrote a song with that title...

Saturday morning on 'Crows Nest Campsite' with its stunning views over the estuary and Cardigan Bay. The sun is shining.
"Shall we go to the beach?"
We make lunch.
It rains.
Shall we stay or shall we go... home?

Our time is up tomorrow anyway.
We had originally planned to return on a Sunday to avoid the traffic,
but the route we chose was the lesser traveled route.
We were never in a queue - apart from waiting for a train to pass at a level crossing - in stark contrast with the traffic jams we have encountered on the M5 in previous years.
We had seen more sheep and cows, than cars, as we drove past fields of oilseed rape displaying their last hints of yellow and swathes of verdant green pasture.
Traffic was not likely to be an issue on our return journey, so were free to go when we wanted.
The pitch was paid for up to 10:30am the next day.
However, taking the van down the winding track to the main road meant the van needed careful packing. As a precaution I removed of the plates from the top cupboard,
just in case they failed to stay in place.
Call it lack of faith, if you wish.
I call it pragmatism!

The rain stopped.
The sun appeared - we went off to the beach.
"Let's walk to the river!" announced the KHT,
and promptly set off in the opposite direction.
As we neared the cliff, she spotted a dead jellyfish.
She removed her hat and stood a short distance away
to pay her respects to this deceased beast of the oceans.


We walked back to the car.
By now the sun had definitely won the battle.
Alas, our picnic chairs were packed in the caravan
as we had expected to eat our lunch in the car in the rain, gazing out over the grey turbulent waters.
(Well, it is Wales!)
Fortunately, there was a picnic table free adjacent to the carpark.
Perfect!

It was very pleasant sitting in the weak sunshine,
with stunning wraparound scenery
Listening to the sound of the sea
and distant chatter.
Should we stay or should we go?

The forecast for Sunday was wet.
We had no real reason to delay.
Despite her desire to go in the sea, there was no way the KHT was going to dip as much as a toe in the briny now she had seen a jelly fish,
despite its apparent demise.
So we returned to the campsite and finished packing the caravan.
Whilst we were at the beach new arrivals had pitched on the adjacent pitch.
They watched with great interest as DH moved the caravan off the pitch using the remote control.

Off we set - up the valley to Dolgellau, and down through Corris to Machynlleth.
We crossed the Dovey
"Turn off by the clock" I directed DH.
Then we noticed a car ahead with hazards flashing.
"Ah!" announced DH 'It looks like the road is blocked..."
Indeed it was.

For some reason, someone randomly decided to direct the traffic up the road before the incident.
Unfortunately, it was a dead end.
"Are you good at reversing?" a disgruntled fellow driver asked DH, as they attempted to maneuver around each other, "I have no idea why they sent us up there!"
Fortunately, DH has a wife who can give good guidance, and frequently does... ;)

We returned to the scene and realised that the main road was blocked by a car on its side.
Locals stood around observing, wondering how on earth the driver had managed to tip the car over in such a small space.
There was a detour we could have taken, but it was down minor roads which we didn't know.
We decided to wait. We had plenty of time.
The fire brigade efficiently moved the car over to the right, to allow traffic to pass.
We continued on our way, retracing our route through the the welsh valleys.

Norweigen Blue?

We stopped at the Co-op shopping centre in Church Stoke - where a parrot was not sleeping,
but keeping an eye on any customers who wandered in.















Not long after 8pm we arrived home to tumultuous cheer from all our neighbours.
It is nice to have been missed, we reflected fondly.
Only to discover later that we drove up at the precise moment Liverpool scored in some football match.
No wonder the roads were so quiet!

Close the Lid After Use!

Friday was the delayed-by-weather train day.
Delayed, because we had intended to visit the railway the previous day,
but had made a last-minute decision to travel 41 miles to Aberystwyth instead,
in pursuit of sunshine!

Having purchased our tickets, we climbed aboard, ready for our trip up the valley.
Off we chugged up the line to Dolgoth
(which incidentally the spellchecker wishes to change to Golgotha).
We had a picnic lunch with us, so I thought I ought to pop in and use the facilities before we went off up the hill to admire the waterfalls.
One cubicle was in use, so I popped my head around the door,
no ceramic pan, just a low-level camping toilet, which I thought was rather odd.
There must be a proper toilet in the other cubicle, I thought.
A cry of anguish told me otherwise.
I opened the lid and looked down into an abyss....
A notice on the inside of the lid instructed the user to close the lid after use.
The toilet was reminiscent of the dreaded cubicle trench toilets at Greenbelt in the 1980's.
"This is not a place to drop a phone," I thought to myself,
before I quickly did that which I had come to do and speedily closed the lid before disaster struck.
In contrast, there was a ceramic hand basin with running water - though admittedly it could have been fed from a rainwater tank, given the abundant supply in the area...

Off up the valley, we went - trying to avoid the noisier family groups.
The water tumbles down the valley over a succession of falls, so you are never far from the roar of descending water.

We discovered a bench and settled down to our picnic.
No sooner had we begun to eat
than we became aware of raindrops descending
dampening our spirits.
How rude!
It was forecast to be grey and overcast, but to remain dry.
I put a raincoat over my fleece and wished I had worn my jumper as well.
"It is not June until tomorrow, " I kept reminding myself. "It is still spring!"

We climbed up to the upper reaches of the falls, the rain was now persistent.
We checked the timetable and decided that the descent would be doable in 30 minutes.
It was accomplished in twelve - considerably quicker than our laboured ascent!


On returning to Dolgoth station I examined the timetable and was somewhat perplexed


"It says that the last return train is 1.24 and we are catching the 2:32pm train"
The station master magically appeared out of her office,
like a genie summoned out of a lamp
" I am confused.." 
"I know. I heard. That is why I appeared." she announced,
"Are you going back to Tywyn?"
"Yes"
"Then you will be fine, but you won't be able to get back to here."
I thought to myself, I don't want to get back to here.
The waterfalls are very nice, but the facilities leave a lot to be desired!

The train arrived.
We found a single carriage and enjoyed the relative pieace and quiet for the rest of the journey up to Nant Gwernol, and back to Tywyn,
as the KHT waved royally to anyone who paused to wave at the train.

For those planning future trips on this railway, I can report that the facilities in Tywyn station were much less scary!

Bring Me Sunshine!

I packed wellies. I did not pack sandals - unless you count a pair of flipflops...
Yes, holidaying in Wales often means weather that is damp.
Persistently damp.

Before we departed to Wales I updated the weather app on my phone with nearby towns - Barmouth, Fairbourne, Aberystwyth, Dolgellau and Machynlleth, so I could see where the heaviest rain would be and hopefully avoid it!
Thursday was destined to be train day with a trip on the Talyllyn Railway - until I checked out the weather and realised that the only noticeable sunshine for the rest of the week in any of these five locations, was going to be TODAY in ABERYSTWYTH.
A quick change of plan and off we set for the university town - taking the scenic route through to Tywyn and up Happy Valley to Machynlleth. On hearing that we were driving through Happy Valley the KHT  was reminded of the TV series she was banned from watching.
We stopped at Furnace to admire the waterfall and waterwheel.

Upon reaching Aberystwyth we found a parking space close to the front - on the front would have been better, but one road back was close enough.
Facilities were located - essential after the journey and viewing of the waterfall.
We then headed off to the seafront to find somewhere to have our picnic.
As it wasn't that warm, we retreated to the shelter on the front for our picnic.
Yes, we were out of the wind, but, unless I am mistaken there was a delicate fragrance of urine... Nice.
As soon as we had finished eating the KHT and I legged it down to the beach to look for sea glass!
I didn't find much, but what I did find was well rounded with good colours.

Constitution Hill was calling to us. As there was a cliff railway, we didn't argue.
I have been to Aber probably half a dozen times before and have always walked up this end of prom landmark.
It was a real treat to effortlessly glide up the hill as the panoramic views unfolded before us.

Gone With The Wind?

At the top, we headed for the camera obscura - another first.
The KHT was bemused when she spotted cars moving on the image. It took us some time to convince the her that she was actually operating a giant periscope, not just watching a film.

The exterior viewing platform was explored, which was a tad breezy (understatement).











We popped into the cafe for well-earned refreshments. The assistant was new.
Having established that they had non-dairy milk but didn't do flat whites, I placed our order for cakes and drinks.
"Gluten-free/vegan chocolate tart, coffee cake, caramel shortbread, two lattes, please, one with ordinary, one soya and a glass of tap water."
If you know my family you will be able to work out exactly who had what.

Our drinks arrived.
"That one is the soya," she said indicating the one with the 'Guinness factor'.
"Really? I would have guessed the other way round."
"Yes, sorry.  I just made you a bad latte, shall I make another?"
"No, it will be fine," I reassured her.
And it was.
DH was not any more irritated than usual,
so she must have got the drinks the right way round too!

Returning down the cliff railway, the KHT spotted a statue on the headland at the opposite end of the prom.
"Let's go and see what it is!" announced the KHT, relishing her explorer mode.
"It's miles away! protested DH.
"Oh it will only take about 10 minutes...", was my optimistic prediction
Off we went
Catching Pokemon and visiting poke stops and gyms as we went.
After Wednesday's woeful weather it was wonderful to be in the warm sunshine.


Then I spotted it.
Was this the infamous crazy golf course,
right there on the sea front at Aberystwyth?
Many years ago, when I had been visiting Aber with my friend & her family, we played this course.
After exploring the town for a bit and finding nothing of interest in the shops. We had discovered this small crazy golf course, which was partially flooded.
What would it be like to play water crazy golf?
Would it be pathetic, or highly entertaining?
Only one way to find out.
We paid our money
and a hilarious game of crazy golf followed,
Water sprayed in arcs as we attempted to play the course, with the ball bobbing along the course.
At the end of each hole the ball had to be fished out of the hole to into which it had slowly and decorously sunk.

People stopped to watch observe our not-terribly-skillful game, water splashes and all.
On observing how much fun we were having, they also paid their money and joined us for half an hour of fun on the waterlogged course.

Back to today.
By now it was about 6pm, but the sun was still warm.
We tried to find somewhere DH could eat, and failed.
Chippy offering gluten-free - nothing?
Gluten-free restaurant - all dishes included tomato, dairy or courgette - all on the list-of-ingredients-to-be-avoided.
The KHT was MOST disappointed as she had already mentally made her selection from the menu.
Despite our reluctance to leave the sunshine, we nevertheless departed back to our crows nest of a campsite,
via Dolgellau this time to check out potential routes for the inevitable return home.