Thursday 27th March - Charlie Barnett

Hello to you all.

Although still not 100% I am now well enough to be back at work. The downside to being off work is coming back to see a mountain of paperwork awaiting me. By the time I get through it all and catch up I’ll be off for another two weeks booked holiday and then I’ll come back to another paper mountain to climb.

During the Easter weekend my secretary and I visited some more Somerset villages. This week’s update, Milborne Port, was one, along with Burrington, Cluckington, Horsington, Wincanton and the fantastically named Nempnett Thrubwell. You will see the results in due course.

Sad news this week in the passing of a dear friend, Charlie Barnett.

Charlie was a character. One of a kind. A bit eccentric sometimes but always friendly and would always have time for a chat and a drink. Unfortunately his lifestyle got the better of him. After being admitted to hospital for tests he never came home.

You were a good friend Charlie B. We will miss you.

Charlie Barnett 1960 - 2008

Thursday 20th March 2008

Hello again.

Another Thursday, another week off work. I do feel better than last week though. It’s been some time since I’ve had two weeks off sick. In fact, if my memory serves me, I think the last time was back in 1980 after the famous football/brick/nose incident. I stress to add that the whole thing was a complete accident with a large element of misfortune on my part. Still, at least it’s a better story than a virus.

Anyway, regular visitors to the Somerset3d website will (hopefully) have noticed a few changes to its look. As I’ve had some time to spare (you can only watch so much TV you know) I thought it was time to do a bit of spring-cleaning around the site. I haven’t done too much, just tidied things up a little. The navigation bar has been improved and the ‘Speakin Zumerzet’ feature now has it’s own page. This will make it easier to check how popular the feature is to help decide whether to continue it in the future.

This week’s update is Bleadon and I’ve added more pictures at Milton Clevedon. There’s not much at Milton Clevedon but the church is worth a visit.

There’s not much else to say, as I haven’t been anywhere to do anything. So I’ll bid you farewell for now as I must head to the kitchen for another lemon based medicinal hot drink (no product placements here you know).

Sickness comes on horseback but departs on foot. Dutch Proverb.

Thursday 13th March 2008

Good day to you all.

Today's blog is being written, whilst heavily sedated, from my sick bed, hence the late posting. My 7 year old stepdaughter very kindly shared her virus with me at the weekend, and I've been off of work ever since. It's not the best of ways to spend a birthday is it? Yes, I'm yet another year older today. I now have 46 good years under my belt and now for number 47. Unfortunately my waist measurement is beginning to catch up with my age. I don't like the idea that the journey around my waist is longer than the journey down my inside leg. As soon as this virus clears it's back to the exercise regime.

As for the photography, well the virus has taken care of any trips out. Having said that, the weather here has hardly been photography weather. Extremely high winds combining with hailstones and rain means my camera stays in the bag.

So a short blog from me today. Too much computer work just amplifies my headache.

Just a quick mention that Loxton is this week’s update on the main site.

As far as my birthday is concerned, I’m going to do my best to ignore my virus and enjoy it the best I can.

I have no fear of getting old. After all, it’s much better than the alternative.

Thursday 6th March 2008

Good morning to you all,

This week’s update is of Curry Rivel. We visited the village last Saturday and also ventured on to Curry Mallet and Isle Abbotts.

I’ve lived in a quiet market town for most of my life, and since late 1996 in a cottage out in the country. One thing I enjoy about the country life is the friendliness people show for one another and also the trust they can give to total strangers. This was highlighted very clearly on Saturday whilst in Curry Rivel. We hadn’t been out of the car long and only just started taking photos when a voice called out to us. Initially I thought it was the owner of the cottage I was taking a photo of, unhappy that some non-villager was outside her house taking pictures. But no, all the lady wanted was some help in putting up some curtains. Of course we obliged, and the Lady, or Mrs B to give her some of her name, was more than happy to show us her fabulous house and wonderful gardens. It didn’t stop there. After wishing her well, and handing Mrs B a pair of 3d glasses, we went off to the nearby church and, after being greeted by the church cat, were made to feel very welcome by the church cleaner, ensuring we saw all the ancient artefacts on show around the building.

In some places in Somerset, and indeed in most counties, the villages are gradually being destroyed by a lack of support from the councils and the Government. At the moment there are a number of village Post Offices being threatened with closure and village pubs are closing down far too frequently. One day, I fear, the villages will be nothing more than commuter sanctuaries, where on week-days the streets are empty and at weekends everyone is busy mowing their lawns and cleaning their cars in readiness for next weeks work schedule. I hope I’m proved wrong.

My message to you is to go out there, visit these villages, support your community, and see proper village life before it’s too late.

In case you didn't spot it this week sees the start of a new feature on the Somerset3d website called ‘Speakin Zummerzet’. Basically it's a chance to understand the Somerset language so if you visit us you can make some sense of what we are saying. If you watched Hot Fuzz and had to use the subtitles then you know what I mean.

Thought for the day.

"A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory" - Steven Wright.

That's all for now. More next week. Have a good one.