Monday 20 July 2015

Didn't find any sheep, but a nice time in Weston Super Mare

Hello. The plan when I left Slimbridge was to pop into Bristol for a couple of hours and look for sheep. Lovely Grey said there are 70 to find, that can't be too difficult I thought, given the size of them and the fact that they are painted in bright colours. I checked the map and decided to head for Brandon Hill Park, dump the car, and have a walkabout. Easier said than done. Roadworks, slow moving and stationary traffic, lots of car park signs which made it so confusing, Trapped, couldn't change lanes to get in any of them, being carried along with the flow, hadn't a clue where I was. Enough is enough, stuff it, I can't be bothered, get me out of here. 
Saw a sign for Weston Super Mare, that will do, lets go to the seaside instead. At Weston I followed signs for South Beach car park, oh dear, it's closed due to a previous event, contractors clearing away equipment. I found a wide street with no restrictions, luckily it was right next to Clarence Park, so we enjoyed a stroll among the flowers and the friendly squirrels. It was a nice place to sit for lunch.  

A nice variation on a flower bed, plant vegetables instead.

In the middle of the vegetables put a hanging flower display.

The squirrels were very tame they took food from your hand. This one was so chuffed when I gave him a grape, he soon scoffed it. 
When he had finished he hung around for more. No grapes left so I gave him a cherry.

The Promenade in Weston is lovely and clean, It's very wide and a lot of new building work has gone on to make it a really pleasant place to walk. On the beach is a Sand Sculpture Festival, this year is their tenth anniversary. I have picked out a few photo's from the twenty or so I took. Rocky was allowed to go in, the entrance fee for an oap is £3. Reasonable I thought. 



This Festival is on until the 27th of September. Check out the web site for more information. There are lots of videos on there, how the sculptures are made, and meet the artists. I have just watched at least ten short videos on the home page, so don't click off after the first one. 
I've found this vid on yooootooob, which shows how the sculptures are made.

We didn't have a ride on the big wheel, I don't think Rocky would have liked it. 
The pier is looking splendid. On the 28th of July 2008 a massive fire destroyed the pavilion. The new modern pavilion opened on October 23rd, 2010. Looks fab.

Can we have a ride on the train please. Oh go one, I like trains. Sorry Rocks, no time today.

Time to leave Weston Super Mare and head south to Devon.

We arrived at Lemonford Caravan Park Near Newton Abbot a few minutes after Lovely grey landed back from work. The kettle went on and we sat down for a natter and a cuppa. It was great to meet her at last after reading her blog for so long. I put the tent up while she made our dinner. Can't remember what it was called but it was nice, vegetables with eggs, washed down with a glass or two of vino. The chat continued quite late into the night, ok for me, I don't have to get up for work in the morning. My head felt a bit fuzzy when I crawled into bed.

More tomorrow. Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip

12 comments:

  1. So sorry you missed all the Shauns! But you seem to have regrouped fine!

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  2. We've been stuck in Bristol a couple of times, without meaning to be stuck, just trying to get in and out!

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    1. Hi Sue. A nightmare. Best to go into the city on the park and ride, or train.

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  3. I wonder where the produce from the flower bed goes...I'm hoping it's a foodbank or charity.
    Popped over to Lovely Greys...wow! Shaun is one funky sheep!
    Jane x

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  4. I loved the sand sculptures especially the Aussie themed one ! Cheryl : )

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  5. Sounds like you had a lovely time. Is rocky your dog? X

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    1. Aww he looks very sweet at first I thought he was one of your mindees I wasn't sure. How old is he?

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    2. He was a mindee, and now lives here. He is about 14.

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  6. Watched the sand sculpting. Amazing!

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  7. The sand sculptures are amazing!

    I also love the vegetable garden with the flower baskets.

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  8. Hi.Wow sandsculpting has come a very long way over the years.We used to go to the one in White Rock,British Columbia,every year,when we lived there.Those are amazing and very talented artists too.(the videos were very interesting,thanks)Ah, visiting places that aren't familiar can be challenging at the height of tourist season but I see you always manage well.I'd be freaking out I think,tee-hee.We had to go to Toronto recently and the Pan -Am Games are being held right now.So glad the hubster knows T,O. better than I.Lovely photos and info,much appreciated by me.How lovely to visit with Lovely Grey and bond over some libation.Looks like a very nice time,your creating wonderful memories.Aww,Rocky,such a sweetie and he seems to take all the travelling in stride and looks happy.Does he have lurcher in him?Bye for now,D.

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