Cornwall 2012 - Padstow and The Camel Trail

The Execution Cell at Bodmin Jail.

The Camel Trail is a disused and resurfaced railway line that runs from Padstow to Bodmin via Wadebridge. It is around 17 miles long and affords some stunning views across the estuary looking towards Rock. The last passenger train was in 1967, freight finally ceased in 1983, when a need to invest in new track forced closure of the line.Its a lovely bike ride with a few interesting diversion options along the way. Arriving in Bodmin you are immediately greeted by the ominous grim stone building of Bodmin Jail. Built in 1779 and closed in 1927, the range of buildings are mostly in ruins, although parts of the prison have been turned into a tourist attraction.

Padstow is situated on the west bank of the River Camel estuary approximately five miles northwest of Wadebridge. Padstow was originally named Petroc-stow after the Welsh missionary St Petroc. Once a busy fishing port only a handful of boats remain these days. Padstow is best known for its "'Obby 'Oss" festival. Its origins are unclear, it most likely  from an ancient pagan festival such as Beltane.

Cornwall 2012 - Harlyn Bay

Great to be down on the North Cornwall coast again after a couple of years absence. We are actually staying in St Merryn a mile or so inland and closed to the  fishing village of Padstow.

This stretch of surfing beaches is know as 'seven bays for seven days' stretching down towards Newquay.

Samaritans Annual Conference - York University

Central Hall

Themed as 'Space to talk' this is the 59th Annual Conference. The long weekend promised the opportunity to hear thought provoking plenaries and seminars along with the chance to mingle with around 1,000 fellow volunteers.

Terry Waite CBE

Chief Exec Catherine Johnstone * Stephen Hoddel Chairman

Our keynote speaker on the Friday evening was Terry Waite CBE. In January 1987 Terry was captured in Beirut whilst attempting to secure the release of hostages. He was kept in solitary confinement for 4 years and 5 years in total or 1,763 days if you prefer.

Attended some really interesting seminars relating to Self Harm, Borderline Personality Disorder and Suicide in the media and how Samaritans advise. Some lovely grounds at the University and some very tame birds in the beautiful lakes.

Marillion - Wolverhampton Civic

It's always good to discover a new band who you immediately strike a chord with. No, not Marillion of course who I have been following since 1983 but the support band Dee Expus.
The long trip down from Sunderland was a journey worth making as they went down well with the crowd. In fact Mark Kelly of Marillion  played keyboards on the latest album. Very much 'Porcupine Tree' influenced they are a solid and talented band.

Andy Ditchfield - Dee Expus Guitars & Vocals

 

A brand new Marillion album 'Sounds that can't be made' to celebrate although I have to confess to only the briefest of listens. As always a packed house full of the loyal army of followers however unfashionable the perception may be. It never ceases to amaze me the first question that always accompanies the mention of Marillion - 'Is Fish still in the band? Resisting the urge to apply physical damage I politely point out that he left the band in 1988. Some 13 albums later Marillion have gone from strength to strength flying  below the radar except to those of us who kept the faith and have reaped the richest of rewards along the way.

Steve 'H' Hogarth - Neverland

Guitar Maestro Steve Rothery

 . The Marillion set opened with the 17 plus minute long 'Gaza' from the new album. It is a very complex song but was played to perfection and went down well. In total there were 4 tracks from STCBM - including the title track, Power and The Sky above the Rain.

Pete Trevawas on Bass Guitar

Half way through the set we were treated to the classic 'Neverland' a real crowd favourite. This is where 'H' is at his most emotional and puts heart and soul into it. As always a fantastic and storming rendition. Marillion fans know every word to every song and no concert is complete without 'H' holding the microphone to the audience for them to make a contribution. It was pure adulation from the audience as 'H' put it something that few other bands command from their followers.

 Full Set List 

• Splintering Heart (except)
• Gaza
• This Town
• The Rakes Progress
• 100 Nights
• You're Gone
• The Other Half
• Sounds That Can't Be Made
• Neverland
• A Voice From The Past
• Power
• Fantastic Place
• Real Tears For Sale
• The Sky Above The Rain
• The Great Escape
•  

Encores

•  A Few Words For The Dead

• Sugar Mice

Glastonbury - Chalice Well & Wells Cathedral

It was great that all things I wanted to see were in easy walking distance from the hotel. After a good nights 'ghostless' sleep we set off for The Chalice Well, one of the most loved holy wells in the UK. The Well and surrounding gardens are a peaceful, spiritual sanctuary to soothe the soul and restore spirits. People come here to experience the healing properties of the Well and the 'Red Spring' or 'Blood Spring'. The legend is that the blood of Christ spurted from the ground when Joseph of Arimathea washed the cup used at the last supper. The water was very rich in iron and too much is not recommended. I felt full of the essence of life after a few sips!

Both The Well and the Gardens lie in a stunning vale between Chalice Hill and The Tor. The gardens rise up following the course of the waters to the source at the well head. The water provides 'energy' as well as the healing properties.






 King Arthur's Court and Healing Pool

Just a few miles away lies the beautiful cathedral city of Wells. Named after the three wells dedicated to St Andrew. Wells Cathedral is the seat of The Bishop of Bath and Wells who lives nearby in the Bishops Palace. Built between 1175 and 1490, Wells Cathedral has been described as “the most poetic of the English Cathedrals”. The magnificent West Front (1230) contains one of the largest galleries of mediaeval sculptures n the world. It is an illustration in stone of the development of Christian faith right through the twelve apostles with Christ. Inside there were some fascinating clocks. On the North Transept is an amazing astronomical clock dated between 1386 - 1392. The dial is a geocentric view of the universe, with sun and moon revolving round a central fixed earth. Above the clock and to the right is a figure, known as Jack Blandifers, who hits bells with a hammer held in his right hand and by hitting his heels on two bells hung beneath him. A set of jousting knights also chase each other every 15 minutes.

Vicars'Close is claimed to be the oldest purely residential street with its original buildings all surviving intact in Europe. It is made up of 27 residential Grade 1 residencies dating from mid 14th Century.

Glastonbury - Abbey & Tor

A lovely way to spend a Birthday! Down in Somerset at Glastonbury staying and staying at a 600 year old coaching Inn steeped in history and old folk law. Not to mention it's own resident ghost and playing host to Henry VIII as he watched the Abbey burn , more of him later. It really was like stepping back in time. In fact we had been told that it was not unusual to hear Harps and flutes in the rooms. It wasn't long before my heightened senses detected a crude medieval Recorder type sound circulating. Unfortunately the excitement was soon crushed as I discovered a busker below the bedroom window. Famous for it's music festival although the site is being 'rested this year Glastonbury is Glastonbury is a place of religious tourism and pilgrimage due to it's location at the centre of ley lines. Just wandering up the High Street it was clear that the residents were certainly a 'New Age' community!

Glastonbury Abbey is the earliest Christian sanctuary in Britain and legend says Joseph of Arimathea brought Jesus here. History records show the Abbey was standing in the year 600. In 1184 it was rebuilt after a fire, the remains today date from 1184 - 1539. It was then during the Dissolution of the Monasteries that Henry VIII had it demolished. In 1191 legend also says that the monks found the buried remains of King Arthur and Queen Quinevere. This was promoted by medieval monks who insisted that Glastonbury was Avalon. ( the place where King Arthur's sword Excalibur was forged).

Behind St Patrick's Chapel is the Holy Thorn Tree which is said to have originated after Joseph of Arimathea plunged his staff into the ground and it burst into leaf.

Glastonbury Tor is a very steep hill with St Michael's Tower perched on the top. Tor is actually a Celtic word for outcrop or hill. It is truly a stunning site and somewhere I have wanted to visit for years. Remains of a 5th century fort have been found on the Tor. Glastonbury Tor is often cited as one of the possible locations of the Holy Grail. One of several myths along with The seven deep, roughly symmetrical terraces that are one of the Tor's enduring mysteries. I do know that the climb to the top was exhausting but well worth the effort for the spectacular views afforded from the top.