Martin's Mag.

Possibly the last really hot few days of the Summer, so we had a couple of days near Swanage, on the inaccurately-named Isle of Purbeck. Fantastic area, haven’t been there for years. We walked from Woodyhyde Farm to The Square and Compass at Worth Matravers in the late afternoon. Great pub (last there with Pete and Diane and Rob and Linda – and Miles and Rolf – over ten years ago) but doesn’t really “do” food, so we went back and Sal knocked something up with couscous in the camper. Fortunately had a few bottles tucked behind the driver’s seat. Watched sunset.

The Square and Compass pub. What it’s all about.

The Square and Compass pub.

Sparrow and chili-flavoured crisps.

Corfe Castle behind the Swanage Railway.

The following day we drove into Swanage and walked about ten miles, along the coast towards Studland and back. Fabulous views over Poole harbour, Brownsea Island, etc. Later Sal had a crab salad and I had a pint of prawns for the second time in a week!

Living the dream…

Swanage Bay with Old Harry’s Rock in dustance.

Swanage Bay.

Swanage pier.

Swanage pier.

Swanage.

Swanage.

Swanage.

Swanage Bay.

Swanage.

Swanage trompe l’oeil.

Swanage trompe l’oeil.

Swanage trompe l’oeil.

I met some old (in both senses) friends in a pub called The Volunteer Tavern, between Old Market and Cabot Circus in central Bristol. I seem to have missed this pub, over the many years that I have been visiting such places in the area. It’s a good one: dedicated young landlord, real ale, simple fresh food, garden, wooden floor/no carpet (always a good sign, don’t know why).

Afterwards I took some photos.

The greenhouse is working well. Another few years and it might have paid for itself! This year has been great for tomatoes, chillis, cucumbers and various herbs, particularly basil. Bowls of toms like this every couple of days have been a regular harvest for the last month or so. Very good for the prostate, I understand, although not sure what’s in it for Sal.

One of Bristol’s regular Summer events with possibly even more variety of airborn craft than the more famous Balloon Fiesta. We walked down to The George at Abbotts Leigh afterwards where I had a pint of prawns. Ages since I saw prawns sold by the pint; reminded me of Southend.

The biggest kite in the world! Alledgedly.

Sal’s favourite kite.

We stayed with Freda for a couple of nights in a village a few miles south of Salisbury. The village is called Alderbury, which is very close to Whaddan. So close, in fact, that they share a village sign:

Alderbury-Whadden in Wiltshire.

We had a very nice day in Salisbury, and, the next day, a meandering trip back along the River Wyle and then the Salisbury Plain.

Salisbury market.

Fungi at Salisbury market.

Salisbury market.

Salisbury Cathedral from cafe.

Salisbury cottage.

Salisbury.

Brave duck.

“Lion” cottage, Salisbury.

Salisbury across fields.

Langford Lakes nature reserve.

Langford Lakes nature reserve.

You’re right, we do seem to spend a lot of time around Bristol docks. The area, including Hotwells and into the old centre of Bristol is very familiar to us, and, although neither of us is a Bristolian, the area is probably the closest we get to a home town.

Today we visited the M Shed, a museum of the history of Bristol, for a photographic portraits exhibition.

Exhibition organised by The National Portrait Gallery, M Shed, Bristol.

One of the many Gromits, with fan.

View of Bristol Harbour through grill of temporary boarding.

Clevedon has a Victorian “pleasure” pier. The “pleasure” was the ability to use it for promenading and for boarding pleasure craft, which were largely unaffected by the tides. Any Victorian pier is, to me, a slight disappointment as I grew up near Southend-on-Sea, which has a mile-and-a-quarter long colossus, complete with train (see previous entry).

However, Clevedon’s is a real gem and, being the cheapskates we are, we took advantage of an evening’s free entrance, saving the magnificent sum of £3.60.

Clevedon pier.

Clevedon pier.

Clevedon pier.

Clevedon pier.

Dekchair design exhibition on Clevedon pier.

Onions, garlic and shallots.

No more onions! – Ed.

Last Christmas my uncle, Ivor, bought us a packet of shallots for our allotment. Yesterday, we lifted them, and a fine sight they were! We also lifted some onions as well as the usual selection of courgettes, peas and runner beans.

Shallots (before lifting, obviously).

Shallots (after lifting, ditto).

The lady of shallots.

Shallots (after sorting out).

Onions from the allotment.

Broad beans, courgettes, potatoes.

Onions, garlic and shallots drying in shed.