Lovely visit to Little Switzerland

We were invited to stay with our good friends John and Julia in Wellington, Somerset near the border with Devon.  From their garden you can see the Wellington Monument atop the beautiful Blackdown Hills.  Built to commemorate the Iron Duke's victory, it is actually the tallest 3 sided building in the world.  Must walk up to it on our next visit, too hot to climb hills this time!!!

Our first visit was to Knighthayes Court, a jewel of a National Trust property less than ten minutes from the M5. The building was designed by William Burges, a well-known Victorian eccentric, so it looks part medieval, but also has lots of Gothic revival features and is set in lovely rolling parkland, with woodland walks and gardens to stroll through.  There is also a well used walled garden for those who are more interested in the vegetable side of gardening. I was sad to see that the wonderful hedgetop topiary, of the dogs chasing the fox, is now old and could do with being restored. The house itself is very interesting with great detail work in all the rooms, even the original owners, Heathcote Amory, were overwhelmed by the complexity and imagination of Burges's designs, and appointed another architect to tone it down.  My favourite was the billiards room ceiling-line carvings of the animals representing the Seven Deadly Sins.  Look up at the seven deadly sins looming over the billiard table; From the violent wolf to the greedy pig, these imaginative stone carvings are watched over by the wise owl - fabulous.
The gardens are very pretty, with a long view down to Tiverton in the valley.

The following day we visited Little Switzerland.  The small, unspoilt towns of Lynton and Lynmouth are situated on the northern edge of the Exmoor coast.  Lynton stands some 450 ft above its sister village of Lynmouth and in the 18th and 19th Centuries inspired Romantic poets and authors and became a popular tourist resort owing much of its development to the wealthy publisher, Sir George Newnes.  Lynmouth is also famous for The Lynmouth Flood on 15th August, 1952.  After days of torrential rainfall over Exmoor, accumulated flood water forced its way down the narrow valleys of the West and East Lyn rivers, which converge at Lymouth. The surge brought with it trees and boulders which dammed the rivers causing the waters to burst through with devastating consequences.  Overnight, over a hundred buildings were destroyed or damaged beyond repair along with 28 of the 31 bridges which spanned the two rivers.

The twin towns of Lynmouth, at sea level, and Lynton, considerably higher, are linked by a unique Victorian water-powered Cliff Railway, a steep and scenic journey lasting just a few breath-taking minutes.

The railway consists of two cars, each capable of transporting 40 passengers, joined by a continuous cable running around a 5 ft 6 in pulley at each end of the incline.  The cable below the upper car counterbalances that supporting the lower car, which weighs several tons, thereby keeping the two sides in equilibrium, +/- the weight of the water.  Water feeds through 5 inch pipes from the West Lyn River - over 1 mile away - into tanks under the floor of the upper car.  Each car has a 700 imperial gallon tank mounted between the wheels.  Water is discharged from the lower car, until the heavier top car begins to descend, with the speed controlled by a brakeman travelling on each car.  The parallel 3ft 9 in gauge tracks (which bow out at the centre point, to allow the cars to pass) rise 500 feet and are 862 feet long, giving the line a gradient of 1:1.724 (58%).  The lifts need absolutely no power to operate, water is its motive power.  The company is permitted to extract the water following an act of Parliament formed in 1888.  The water used is not altered, damaged or polluted in any way, just used as ballast and discharged onto the beach at Lynmouth about 100 metres away from the river from which it was taken.  As the water is not re-pumped to the top then no other machinery or fuel is required.  The lifts do not create any emissions, even the brakes are powered by water, and the carbon footprint today has not significantly changed in the last one hundred and twenty years.  The Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway remains one of the most environmentally friendly tourist attractions in the world.

There is no doubt why the Victorians named the area "Little Switzerland" - the alpine topography is stunning.  Rolling moorland tumbles down into wooded valleys alongside the fast flowing East and West Lyn Rivers which rush out to sea, whilst on either side some of England's highest sea cliffs provide a dramatic backdrop.

We then drove on to the Valley of the Rocks.  A dry valley that runs parallel to the coast about 1 kilometre to the west of the village of Lynton.  We looked hard for the feral goats but only managed to spot actors and drones filming Brittania for Sky.

Absolutely incredible views and there is an easy path right on the cliff edge.

We then drove on to the charming village of Porlock Vale, surrounded on three sides by the glorious hills of Exmoor National Park and on the fourth by the sea.  Please do not throw pebbles into the harbour!!!

Thank you so much for all your driving John and for an excellent couple of days.  We really enjoyed our visit.

On the way home  we stopped off to see some more friends, Alan and Janet, who have also moved to Somerset and had a relaxing lunch in their garden.

So lovely to catch up with old friends.

An Utterly Unique Adventure

Alun, Gemma and Emmie treated us to Afternoon Tea aboard No Man's Fort in the Solent.  The experience included return boat transfers, a full tour of the historic fort, a welcome glass of Prosecco and afternoon tea.  We were spoilt with excellent weather too.

We checked in at the Solents fort office in Gunwharf Quays and boarded the boat close by, adored the Spinnaker Tower, and as I mentioned we were lucky it was a beautiful day with calm seas and the sun was shining.

360 degree sea views and hot tubs on the roof.  What it's like to visit a Victorian fort in the middle of the sea, a mile from Portsmouth and 1.4 miles from the Isle of Wight.

Where soldiers once slept and gun practices were carried out, there are now 22 luxury bedrooms for overnight stays but we were just visiting for the afternoon.

Four forts were built between 1861 and 1880 after being commissioned by former Prime Minister Lord Palmerston.  They are great hulking forts that emerge from the sailboat-dotted waters of the Solent like Bond villain hideaways.

Black, iron-plated and standing strong against the tide for 150 years, they were designed to protect the Naval hub of Portsmouth and the south coast of England from the French.

But these days the Solent Forts spend less time looking out at our neighbour across the water and more time pre-occupied with entertaining guests.  The historic forts have become quite possibly the quirkiest accommodation in Britain, for those who are happy to splash the cash on creating some very unusual memories.  Where soldiers once slept and gun practices were carried out, there are now luxury bedrooms, while former lookout points are now perfect spots to relax with a drink.

There are four forts in total, built between 1861 and 1880 after being commissioned by former Prime Minister Lord Palmerston.  He was a little late in his bid to defend Britain from Napoleon.  Louis Napoleon, nephew of Bonaparte, declared himself Emperor Napoleon III in 1852, and there were immediate fears he may make good on the plan that his Uncle never quite managed.  Despite the huge forts being commissioned in a hurry, by the time they were built, the threat of invasion had subsided.

They became known as Palmerston's Follies, a name that has  stuck even though they were manned during WW1 and WW2 (although, thankfully, there was never a shot fired from any of them in anger).

The journey to No Man's Fort stopped off at Spitbank Fort first where some passengers disembarked   (The third fort, Horse Sand Fort,  is currently being left in it's desolate state, with a view to turning it into a museum so visitors can see how the defences looked when they were in use by the Ministry of Defence).

The fort truly is in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but sea and shipping lanes, where pleasure yachts and huge container ships sail by.  Phil a keen sailor, who has passed the Forts many times was very interested to see inside.

Then it is on to No Man's Fort, rising ominously from the sea in front of us.

Clambering aboard, we are whisked up a set of metal stairs and emerge into a nautically-themed reception.  From the water, No Man's may be all black iron plates and concrete walls, but inside creams, blues and nautical touches (there are a lot of knots) dominate.  Metal beams in the ceiling remind you of the fort's history.

The huge central atrium is kept light by a glass roof.  The atrium does have a temperature issue due to the limited flow of air - it was pretty hot - but it was also 30 degrees outside.

We were then escorted to the Roof and given a glass of bubbles.  The roof is carpeted in artificial green grass, with hot tubs, a fire pit, and lots of picnic tables and benches so everyone can enjoy the view - when the sun is shining - which, fortunately, for us it was.

This was then followed by a tour which was headed up by Justin, who did an amazing job in bringing all aspects of the fort to life.

Afternoon tea was then served in the Mess Hall, a spacious area decorated with sailors' uniforms handing from hooks and set up similar to a wedding venue with a seating plan.  Staff were very efficient and friendly and it was nice to sit with other people and chat to them.

Afterwards, we were able to look around in our own free time. The fort is amazing to explore, a mix of modern, old history and luxury.  Lots of opportunities to take fabulous photos and relax.

The top of the lighthouse, constructed on the roof of the fort, offers spectacular 360-degree views.

No Man's Fort is simply unique and we spent a stunning July afternoon here.    If you get the opportunity, take it, it's a memorable experience.  Thank you Emmie, Alun and Gemma for a wonderful Christmas present.

The Coolest Pre-School Graduation and Sizzling Gymnastics

The graduates waited nervously to receive their diploma.  One by one they were called out and as they walked along the stage the Master of Ceremonies read out a short sentence about each one.  They then posed with their diplomas as teary eyed-parents took photographs.

It is a scene re-enacted by twentysomethings in universities around the world every year.  But a younger crowd is starting to copy them - a much younger crowd.

More and more nurseries, kindergardens and pre-schools are offering "graduation" ceremonies for the 3 and 4-year-olds about to leave for primary school.

Jamie has graduated from pre-school.

There weren't many dry eyes amongst the parents, but the teacher got the most upset of all because she won't be seeing the children again.  It was a very happy afternoon and the start of the next part of Jamie's life.

Of course, it's not an actual graduation ceremony, but there's the whole aspirational side of it.  Who knows, at age four, what Jamie is going to achieve?

And Jamie really enjoyed the cake afterwards.

And then the next day another graduation ceremony - this time at Comotion.  And he also got a lolly!!

And then we went to two gymnastics events.  Emmie and Chloe love going to gymnastics.  The only frustrating thing is that they are constantly doing cartwheels and handstands.  Am I unreasonable to ask them to do some colouring or play with lego instead of practising handstands when I look after them?  I am impressed though - doing a handstand requires you to have a mastery of strength, technique, and balance.  None of which I now have!!!!  Oh yes, I have tried!!!

The first show was at Chloe's school gym club.  It was so lovely to watch Chloe with her megawatt smile, she obviously loves gymnastics and  I love cheering her on.

And then to Emmie's gymnastics event like no other!  Gymnasts from clubs across Bournemouth showed off their displays performing on stage in front of a huge crowd.  With gymnastics, dance, tumbling, group balances, lifts and throws there was so much exciting action to watch.  Bravo Emmie.

And it was soooo hot (30 degrees) but everyone was very happy, especially the Dads because England had just won their quarter final match in the World Cup Football.

To cool off we all went to the beach for delicious fish and chips and Fizz.  What a wonderful end to a fabulous day.

And on Sunday temperatures soared through the 100 degree F barrier at Heathrow where at 2.50 p.m. the mercury had risen to 100.

So Nanna went in the sea...…..