Thursday, May 29, 2008

Thursday 29th May 2008

Hello there,

So, Rain. Do you think we've had enough now? I know it's good for keeping the dust down, and for the garden, and for the water supplies, but really, do you think we've had enough yet?

This week I'm on holiday with my family on the Isle of Wight. I'm staying at my Sister-in-law's in Niton with her wonderful family. Now the forecast for today, the last time I looked, was for more rain, hence the opening statement. However, a look out of the window will reveal bright sunshine and, dare I say it, clear blue sky! So it looks hopeful for a photography day today.

We photographers rely on the weather forecast to be able to plan our missions, to ensure we are dressed for the elements and to make an effort to head towards the sunshine. The problem is we can't rely on the forecasts any more can we? They seem to change by the hour. I'm sure it wasn't always like this. I can remember when the forecast for the week was what we got and if the weather man/lady said it would be nice, it would be nice. They always got it right (apart from Mr Fish). Today I'd be just as well off checking some seaweed in the morning or checking where the cows are before going to bed.

This weeks update, Ashill, doesn't look much when you first arrive at the place. It will take a bit of exploring to find the interesting bits but they are well worth it and you can finish off your visit by taking home a gurt big flagon of the local apple juice.

Right, I'm off to make the most of what weather is out there before it changes. I'll let you know how I got on next week.

Have a good weekend.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Thursday 22nd May 2008

Good morning to you all,

Boy am I tired. In fact the whole family is tired. For different reasons it hasn't been a good week when it comes to sleeping. Hopefully we'll all be able to catch up over the long weekend coming up.

The weather continues to be good but I understand that wet weather is returning just in time for the Bank Holiday weekend! Pah!

Next Tuesday we are off to the Isle of Wight to visit The Cousins. So expect yet more 3d's of the island on the website soon.

This weeks update is of
Wincanton. The town has an industrial feel about it and, at first glimpse, doesn't appear that interesting. However, if you make an effort to have a walk around there are plenty of places of interest. The last page of the Gent feature has been posted too. As I said on an earlier post it's very much like a Brugges Lite but it is a place worthy of a visit. I'm sure I'll return there again, soon.

Right, I'm off to catch up with work before I fall asleep.

More next week.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Thursday 15th May 2008

Good morning to you all and it's a late blog from me today.

I've been starting early all week and it's beginning to catch up with me, concentration levels are being affected.

Anyway, yesterday after work I visited Hemmington, Hardington, Lullington and Laverton (Try saying that after a few beers). All very nice places, except I couldn't really find much in Hardington. Maybe I took a wrong turning (probably) or maybe all the buildings are camouflaged (unlikely) but either way I couldn't find the Manor House or the church of St Mary's, nothing really but farms. It looks like I'm going to have to try again with this one.

This weeks update is
Woolverton which is in the same area as the villages I visited yesterday. Not a large village by any means but pleasant nonetheless. There is also the third installment of the Gent feature to enjoy. There will be a feature on St Omer in France in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to find out more.

That's it for me today. Late and short and sweet (a bit like me really).

See you next week, have a good one.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Thursday 8th May 2008

Hello to you all,

We’ve had some beautiful weather in Somerset over the last five days, so I was able to take advantage of it last Saturday and venture out to obtain some more stock for the
Somerset3d website.

I decided to head to the south of the county and explore some villages between Yeovil and Taunton. I ended up visiting Stoke sub Hamdon, Seavington St Michael, Ashill, Hatch Beauchamp, Staple Fitzpaine and Creech St Michael. It was whilst I was wandering around the last village that my First Aid skills were called into action.

I had just reached a small bridge that straddled the Taunton to Bridgewater canal when a breathless youngster appeared asking if I had a mobile phone and, if so, could he borrow it as his friend had hurt his foot when running through a field just the other side of the canal. I lent him the phone and waited whilst he called his mother to report in. Once he’d finished I offered to help get his friend to the bridge. We carried him from the field and got him to the bridge. He said his foot really hurt, especially when he tried to get his shoe off. I suggested to leave the shoe on and asked him to lay on the floor. I then suggested that the injured foot ought to be raised and asked his mate to rest the injured limb on his knee. Upon inspection I could see where a piece of cane had pierced his shoe and gone on into his foot. I suggested that he should be taken to the local hospital so that they can remove it without causing further damage and to also check the wound for any contamination, as you never know what may have been sprayed in the field. They promised to stay where they were and wait for the parents to arrive. I said that I would be wandering up the canal and back taking photos and would check on them if they were still there when I returned. Well, about 10 minutes later I was heading back to the bridge and I noticed that the boys had now gone. I assumed they were with their parents. But I assumed wrong. For they were now near a road bridge that went over the canal and the injured one had since taken his shoe off and removed the obstacle that had penetrated his foot. He proudly showed me the two inch long spear, covered in blood, and then tossed it into the undergrowth. I suggested he ought to have kept it to show the hospital staff exactly what caused the injury but we couldn’t find it. I asked them to stay put to wait for their parents and offered my mobile again so that they could tell them where they had moved to.

Now, all of the above could have been so much easier if these boys had some knowledge of First Aid. The shoe would have been left on and the boys would have stayed put, with the injured limb raised. When I worked full time in the leisure industry I was constantly campaigning for the schools to have one games/sports lesson a month in the classroom, to explain more on why health related fitness is important and to cover basic first aid. It still doesn’t happen but I still feel that all children would benefit more from learning about why keeping fit is important and the basics of First Aid rather than learning something 90% of them will never use again, e.g. long division.

How about you, what do you think? Are you trained in First Aid? Do your children have any First Aid knowledge?

More next week.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Thursday 1st May 2008

Good day everyone and welcome to May,

This week's update is of Curry Mallet and I've also added the first of a four page feature on Gent in Belgium.

As you regular readers will know my secretary and I visited Gent a couple of weeks ago whilst on holiday. We both liked the place and found many areas that reminded us of Bruges, only that Bruges has more of it. It being the architecture. I suppose you could say that Gent is a watered down version of Bruges, but that would be unfair on Gent. The city has it's own character and feel. I would definitely recommend a visit. We are back in France in August for two weeks and plan to visit Gent again.

My Stereo camera arrived in the post yesterday. The next step is to pop down to my cousins' camera shop to see if they can help with getting it serviced for me. I'm also hoping that the friendly Kodak rep will be able to assist with a copy of a manual for it. If any of you out there know of how to get hold of one I'd be extremely grateful for the information.

Well, that's it for now. Work beckons.

More next week.