Batth/Street Blues: Saturday, July 27th

Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not. -Samuel Johnson, lexicographer (1709-1784)

The Bristol and Bath Railway Path is a 15-mile (24 km) off-road cycleway, part of National Cycle Network National Cycle Route 4. It has a 3-metre (9.8 ft) wide tarmacked surface, and was used for 2.4 million trips in 2007, increasing by 10% per year.

It was built by the cycling charity Sustrans between 1979 and 1986, which leased a five-mile stretch near Saltford, with the help of the then Avon County Council, and using volunteers turned it into its first cycleway.

The path follows the route of the Midland Railway Mangotsfield and Bath Branch Line, which was closed during the Beeching Axe of the 1960s in favour of the more direct former Great Western Railway between the cities, from Lawrence Hill in central Bristol to Newbridge in Bath. It passes through the suburbs of Easton, Fishponds, and Staple Hill, then the villages of Mangotsfield, Warmley, Bitton and Saltford, before ending at Newbridge.

Bath end: The end of the path is at the Brassmill Lane trading estate in Bath

Warmley station: The station platform at Warmley contains a cafe, serving refreshments seven days a week from Easter to September, weekends September to Easter, and public toilets.

Avon Valley Railway: Between Avon Riverside and Oldland Common the path shares its route with the heritage Avon Valley Railway. Along this two-mile shared section the path crosses the railway line at two level crossings. There has been opposition to the Avon Valley Railway expanding their line, demonstrated by the painting of graffiti along the path where it runs parallel with the line.

Bristol end: The path starts at Trinity Street, Lawrence Hill

Hi again, Sarge! Another smashing breakfast, duplicate of yesterday's, this morning. As soon as I've posted a few more messages we are off to discover Cheddar Gorge, about an hour away, and then on into Street where we have a room for tonight.

Will meet Cora Lee's 3rd cousin, Chris Durston, and his wife, Mandy, at an as yet unnamed pub in town. They live in Street and Coriandre will call later today to get directions to pub they will choose.

Time to pack up last bits and pieces. Fondestos from Cora Lee. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Checked out of the Holiday Express at just before 11:00am and made our way, in a south-westerly direction, without too, too much difficulty, about an hour later, to Cheddar, descending into the village itself through the rather spectacular Cheddar Gorge, a limestone gorge in the Mendip Hills. Didn't take us long to find the Methodist Church there and we parked down the street from the lovely structure. Cora Lee knew, from her grandmother's diary of the trip she and her husband had taken there in 1968, that a number of Durstons were buried in the adjacent cemetery. 

 Since it was a relatively small graveyard it didn't take us long to walk up and down the rows of headstones and we were able to identify four plots bearing the Durston name, although Corinne wasn't sure who the individuals in question were.

Walking back to the church we noticed an elderly gentleman tending to the grass and flower beds at teh front of the church so we approached him and asked if the church was open. He said it certainly was and proceeded to show us inside. We introduced ourselves, telling him of the connection to Cheddar and learned that Rex Thomas was a local lad, born and bred in Cheddar and now at the ripe old age of 90! Still very spry and sharp, mind you, Dear Reader, he told us to wander around while he finished up outside and then he'd take us to the cemetery. (We didn't have the heart to tell him we'd already done so and were, in fact, glad that we didn't as when he eventually pointed out the graves we'd seen earlier, he was able to provide the genealogy of those interred.)

 While we were walking form one plot to another he asked if we would care to pop down the road to see if Roger and Sue Durston were at home. We knew, again from the diary, that there had been a Durston farm next door to the Anglican church, a little towards the other end of town and Rex confirmed that Roger still owned this land. Rex suggested I bring our car and park it in the church lot and he would then drive us the few blocks to see if Roger and his wife, Sue, were at home.

We did just that and were warmly welcomed into their house. After Rex made the introductions we thanked him for all his kindness and trouble and he returned to the church as he had a few more maintenance chores to complete. The building itself looked to be in excellent condition and actually sports a huge array of solar panels on the roof so current congregation is obviously taking very good care of the structure, originally built in 1847, both inside and out.

Roger and Sue were delighted to see us and we spent an hour or so trying to sort out all the family collections. They pulled out a number of albums of family photographs and Cora Lee and Roger huddled together, discussing Famiglia Durston while Sue and I chatted. She is Roger's second wife and trained as a nurse at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London. Now however, she works alongside Roger on the farm. He is 72 and is keen on traveling now so is gradually easing out of the business of being a farmer. However, they still have over a hundred sheep and it was fascinating to hear about what that entails, from growing hay to treating their feet to moving them from one pasture location to another.

I had not known, beforehand, that we were actually going to be in the village which gives its name to this world famous cheese and we both wanted to take a stroll to the last remaining cheese factory, but a few blocks from their home. This being the case we arranged to spend half an hour or so looking around the shops which line this part of the lower gorge, (a very, very busy tourist attraction), and would then return to their place. Roger had very kindly offered to take us to the aforementioned family farm, now really only the site of about five or so huge barns/outbildings, which serve as storage facilities for his farm equipment, hay and the like.

Thanking them again, for their warm welcome, we set off and found our way to The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company, the only cheesemakers left in Cheddar itself. A relatively small operation but  very attractively appointed, set up for cheese tastings quite like a winery offering complimentary pours. We sampled all eight or so of the cheeses available for tasting as well as four others from local dairies, liking everything. Bought three packages, (Would dearly have loved o buy more but don't really have a way to keep things cool while in the car and none of our hotels, so far, have had bar fridges.)

By this time it had started to drizzle so we hurried back to he Durston's house and said hello and goodbye to Sue again. Roger drove us to the church to collect our car and I followed him to the farm, but a few minutes away. There we took a look at all the machinery, (He still has the first tractor he ever owned and keeps all of his "antique" equipment in almost pristine, running order, to be used for all the necessary farm work, from  cutting and baling hay to hauling 20 sheep or so, to different plots of pasture 

land he either owns or rents ), and various buildings, (One of the structures here had been the site of an ochre smelting operation at one time, although long before Roger's mother came into possession of the land, I gather. When Roger worked there as a young boy it was used to house the dairy cattle his father owned.), that still occupy what remains of the land he shares with a cousin. He also pointed out the original farmhouse, adjacent to the church, now occupied by his son's wife, (Long, long story so you will be spared, for the moment, Dear Reader!), and the acreage beyond the assembled buildings where his mother had started a caravan park in 1954 or 1957, and which Roger had kept as a viable business concern until quite recently, divesting himself of it as one more step towards retirement.

After this fabulously interesting tour we thanked Roger for everything, said our goodbyes, in person, and then he proceeded to lead us out of  the village to start us on the way to Street where we had a booking at the Wessex Hotel and

where Chris Durston was to meet us later that evening. It had started to rain quite heavily while we tramped around the farm buildings and some even heavier downpours on the way to Wells, town not that far from Street. Made a few wrong turns thereabouts but managed to set ourselves straight after we stopped for gas at a Morrisons, (a large supermarket chain, originally from Yorkshire), and a java for the harried driver. Have not yet figured out how to work the defrost so when windshiled misted over Cora Lee had to turn on A/C and heat at the same time so that I could see what not to hit on the wrong side of the road!

Managed to find he Wessex once we reached Street itself by simply driving down the High Street and there it was. Were in our room by 5:00pm and Chris had phoned earlier, (Cora Lee's cell is working like a charm and she was terribly excited to receive her first call here in the UK!), to say he and Mandy, his wife, would collect us at 6:30pm. We did a bit of unpacking and I had a shower while Cora Lee knocked back the large Jura she insisted I pour for her as we had had a few "words" on last leg of drive: I suggested she might wish to enroll in Navigator School and she insisted I enroll in Polite School! We kissed and made up, however, Dear Reader, so not to worry!

Chris was waiting in lobby when we came downstairs and we introduced ourselves and met Mandy, waiting in the car. Chris had been unable to find a dinner booking for any pub which they liked, close by, and we ended up having to drive a few miles to Wedmore, where we had a reservation at The Swan. Chatted agreeably while we made our way to the pub and once there we continued to get to know one another. Enjoyed a delicious meal. I had Gloucester Old Spot, a delicious pork dish, while other three decided upon Cornish Hake. Chris and I had a half pint of Bitter Bully, an ale brewed in Cheddar, and then helped Cora Lee with a NZ SB. Mandy was the designated driver so had a Pimm's with Ginger Ale.

Once again, the Durstons huddled, looking over a collection of pictures Chris had brought along and Mandy and I chatted about our lives, getting to know one another a bit. After dinner Chris asked if we'd like to come back to their place for a drink and continue the visit there so we after we settled the bill we did just. They live just outside of Street in a very comfortable house and we met their delightful dog, Elly, a Black Lab, once inside. Over the course of the time there they offered their country house on the Devon Coast, if we wanted to stay there before making for Cornwall. AS our plans had not yet crystallized for the next few days we were delighted to accept. We arranged to meet back at their home, on Sunday afternoon, (They were off to Bath again to visit Chris' mom who had just undergone hip replacement surgery, (She is 90!),  in hospital there while we are off to Amesbury to visit the mounds there and take a look at Stonehenge. Chris will take us on a tour of the family peat harvesting operation before we set off 
for their vacation home, a former pub called the Malt Shovel!

Depending on everyone's schedule we hope they might be able to visit us in Cornwall or that we might visit them in Devon when they will be there. They usually spend each weekend there and it is not all that far from where we will be staying in Cornwall. As we all had a busy day on Sunday, we said goodbye to Elly and Mandy drove us back to our hotel, Chris along to keep her company on way home. Thanked them for lovely evening and having their address we waved goodbye.

Time for breakfast so will sign off for now. To be continued... 

Hi Derek! Sorry too hear about Margaret's latest operation. Do hope all goes as well as can be expected. You and Gayle have certainly had a lot to deal with right before leaving. 

Sorry to be a bother but just want to confirm date you expect us to arrive. Not sure if it is on the 30th or 31st. Either is fine with us and since we will not be all that far away, in any event, timing, (late afternoon/early evening or earlier), is really up to you. With all of the things you have had on your plate and with our whirlwind traveling road show some of the details are easy to overlook/misread. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dancing all night long — with Rashidah Radzi

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  Patrick James Dunn No wonder we couldn't sleep! Could hear the music all the way to Bath where we have been for last two days/nights! You never change, Dearest Host Daughter!
  
  

  
• Nadienka Wyss Haha you don't want me to change anyway because then you wouldn't be able to complain about my behavoir! Am I right Dearest Host Father?
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  Patrick James Dunn Greetings from Street, near Glastonbury! I never complain, Dearest Host 
  Daughter, I simply comment on inappropriate behaviour and trust that you will see fit to follow my informed, sage advice! Your kinder, gentler Host Mother sends along fond wishes. Cheers, Rebellious One! Pic shows our hosts in Wetherby, Yorkshire, Jim and Christine, at train station in York where we picked up our rental car, this past Thursday.
  
  

  

  Hi Patrick/Corinne
  

  
  

  Pleased the journey and hotel in Bath worked out well. As you said a bit tricky keeping together after station.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Still warm up here but some talk of rain tomorrow.

  
  

  I visited my mother yesterday and took her out in the wheelchair while Chris hosted Laura and William and we intend to get together with Ed tomorrow here.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Chris and I had a short ride this morning.

  
  

  Rich arrived home around midnight on Thursday and then off to Cheshire for the wedding yesterday, back tonight we expect.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Some talk of back to KL on Wednesday for him.

  
  

  Thanks for your comments on your stay - we were relieved the weather was on our side. Evans left a message saying the carrying bag had arrived and could you give them a forwarding address- perhaps you received same message?

  
  

  

  Thanks you both for your kindnesses too.

  
  

  Cycling round Bath sounds interesting- the benefit of being able to do bike transport!

  
  

  Best wishes Jim and Christine

  
  Hi Sarge!
  
  I gather from the moving obituary in the Chronicle Herald that Sheila's funeral will be today. Please convey our deepest sympathy and condolences to Michele and all the rest of the Darrow family and extended relatives and friends. No update on Dusty as of this message, basically last night, due to time difference.
  Funeral happened today and some interesting stories to tell you when we see you in Sept. Wayne
  
  

  

  Hi mom, 
  

  
  

  Glad to hear your visit with Durston family is going well.

  Not sure what you know or if patty emailed you but gramps has a blood clot in his lung and will have to stay in the hospital a while longer and is on blood thinners. 

  
  

  
  

  I spoke to grandma and she said gramps is feeling fine, her and Pam were taking him his paints and a picture he had been working on. She said she would call Monday with an update. Love you. Chloe and Mags
  

  
  Hey Patrice a.k.a the willie whacker and Chloe
  
  I guess this email didn't make it out from my new computer on July 18th as I thought it had. I just checked with Chloe this afternoon as I wondered why I hadn't heard from either of you and suspected there was something amiss.
   
  

  

  Anyway had fun reading your last exerpt and hope all is well and you are continuing to have fun filled adventure. We're at the cabin and had a really nice afternoon just relaxing and going for a swim down the street. Have a look at the pics. of the  desk unit rendereing and let me know what you think, if all's well I will proceed in having the components made up. Talk soon, Al
  
  Hello Patrice,
  
  Very glad to hear you are there safe and sound!. I haven’t had a chance to read emails of late and have a lot of catching up to do. I did want to send long a picture of my concept of the desk unit and see if there ere any changes that anyone wanted to make. Let me know and I will get in touch again soon. Cheers, Al