Martin's Mag.

Llyn Gwynant, Snowdonia

Posted on 09/08/2014 by Martin

I’ve recently bought a canoe, so we went to Lake Gwynant, about 4km SE of Snowdon, to try it out. Great weather (but the remnants of Hurricane Bertha are fast approaching across the Atlantic) and canoe worked well. Unique campsite, on the edge of the lake, seems to attract an eclectic mix of punters, mostly tents and a few campers. Unsuitable access for anything bigger.

Llyn Gwynant, Snowdonia.

“Treetop viewer” (you lay on it). Near Ganllwyd on the River Mawddach.

View from the “treetop viewer”. Near Ganllwyd on the River Mawddach.

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Veg!

Posted on 29/07/2014 by Martin

Three nights away and this lot has grown in our veg patch.

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Exemoor and Porlock

Posted on 29/07/2014 by Martin

A long weekend staying at Burrowhayes Farm near Porlock, North Somerset.

Exemoor, near Porlock.

Porlock Weir.

Exemoor, near Porlock Weir.

Exemoor, near Porlock.

Exemoor, North Devon.

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Bruges, Belgium

Posted on 13/07/2014 by Martin

Record high temperatures and sunshine in England last week, particularly the West. So we took the camper to Belgium where the weather was unremittingly awful. Despite the conditions we had a really good time exploring the lovely city of Bruges, riding our bikes around the surrounding countryside and, when the rain became too heavy, sampling the cuisine of the area. Also stocked up, on the way back at Dunkirk, with the next few months’ supply of wine.

Bruges, Belgium.

Lace shop, Bruges.

Bruges, Belgium.

Tintin and Snowy, Bruges, Belgium.

Scooter, Bruges, Belgium.

Scary lace-weaving automaton in window, Bruges, Belgium.

Bruges, Belgium.

Long beery lunch “to avoid rain.” Honest.

Weird public sculpture in Bruges (double exposure).

View from waffle shop.

Bruges, Belgium.

Old brewery, Bruges, Belgium.

Bruges, Belgium.

Sal works wonders with enormous prawns in the camper.

Bruges, Belgium.

Sculptures in hotel gardens near Bruges.

Bug house in conservation centre near Bruges.

Boat “Rudy” in Bruges.

Bridge (road) lowered.

Bridge (road) raised.

Bruges, Belgium.

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Walcot Street, Bath

Posted on 26/06/2014 by Martin

Unusual poster in this hippy/artistic/alternative area of Bath.

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Poppies

Posted on 20/06/2014 by Martin

Poppies at Failand, North Somerset.

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Cycle ride to Chepstow

Posted on 19/06/2014 by Martin

There are two motorway bridges over the River Severn, and one (the M48) has paths on either side for walkers and cyclists.

Sal, about half way.

Chepstow. The Bridge Over The River Wye.

Ancient petrol pumps in Aust on the English side of The Severn.

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Powys, Mid Wales

Posted on 15/06/2014 by Martin

Took advantage of the good weather forecast and spent a couple of nights in Crickhowel, a nice little town on the River Usk. Fantastic scenery, good pub (The Bridge End Inn) and easy cycle ride along the Monmouth-Brecon canal and back. Met Wendy and Graham in their camper; safety in numbers.

Sisters.

Wendy, Sal and Graham on Crickhowell bridge over The Usk.

From bridge towards pub garden.

Tunnel on the Monmouth-Brecon canal. (See “light at end of tunnel”.)

Sheep by canal.

Paddle gear on lock.

Bench (and our bikes) on Monmouth-Brecon canal.

Lock on Monmouth-Brecon canal.

Arthur’s Stone. Neolithic burial chamber in the hills above Herefordshire’s Golden Valley.

Hay on Wye. Sal on Table.

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Horse Dung

Posted on 09/06/2014 by Martin

When we moved into out present house, five years ago, most traces of the natural world had been removed from the garden via the use of decking and plastic sheeting. We were told by neighbours that the soil was not good due to the land’s previous use, some decades earlier, as an industrial (“brown field”) site. To which we said “Horse Dung!” And, many sacks of the stuff later, the garden’s looking good and producing quite a lot of vegetables. And we live to tell the tale.