JaxandScoutie: February 2006

Corsham, Castle Coombe and Lacock

Avisit to some friends (Pete and Joan), who live just outside of Bath, in Corsham, was the highlight of the weekend of the 18/19 feb. Our tour guide (Pete), showed us around a couple of villages, many of which have been used as settings for films like 'Harry Potter', and 'Pride and Prejudice'. The most quant and picturesque, was Castle Coombe, which has been rated many times as being the most beautiful village in England. We walked through the village, and then on a 3 mile loop through the surrounding countryside, which conveniantly took us into a fantastic little pub (where the local 5X ale went down a treat). Jacks and I were enjoying ourselves so much that our planned afternoon exit, fell by the wayside, and we found ourselves in the local pub in Box, called 'The Quarryman's'. After a fantastic evening, and a great meal, we made our way back towards London, with Jacks driving, and me nodding off every 10 seconds.

Seven Sisters Walk

Sunday (the 26th Feb), bright and early, we made our way down to the South Coast (west of Brighton). We had been down to Eastbourne and Beechyhead before, and thoroughly enjoyed the coastline, but this time we had planned on doing a bit more walking. Our route began in the small village of Exceat, and took us up into the Friston Forest. We walked for a couple of miles through the forest, and then came out on the South Downs, and some farmland. The views are truly spectacular along this ridge, and we were treated to clear skies (although there was a biting wind). We made our way down to Birling Gap, which is on the coast, and found a great little pub. Jacks had a veg lasagne, and I was in my element with a carvery of Pork and Turkey, with all the trimmings. After lunch, and a pint of the local offering, we made our way out onto the chalk ridge, called the Seven Sisters. Literally seven large undulations on a ridge, cut off from the sea by a sheer cliff face. The walk along the seven sisters is around 4 miles long, but is well worth the effort, and ends off at the Cuckmere Haven, where the walk joins the Cuckmere river (unfortunate name!). The undulating river winds it way back up to Exceat, and the end of the walk, which was around 17km long. A great day out, and a reminder of how much we enjoy being out of London.

Chelsea vs Everton

Jacks and I were lucky enough to be invited to Stamford Bridge to watch Chelsea against Everton, in a FA cup replay. The game was on the 8th of Feb, and started at 8pm. An experience in itself just getting to the stadium, and our seats (which were 7 rows from the field, just behind the goal, and to the side). The atmosphere was like a currie cup final, non-stop singing, with catch lines like you knicked my stereo, to the tune of O Solo mio (?). I reckon that of the 2 hours of football, we sat for only 10 minutes. There were around 40,000 spectators, and possibly 2,000 security and police. It turned out to be a really entertaining game, with Chelsea scoring 4 goals. Well worth the effort to get there, and the £25 ticket.

Hilarious

One of the funniest books I've ever read is Spud, by John van de Ruit. It is based in South Africa, in 1990, and tells the story of 'Spud's' first year at Michaelhouse. My train rides to work have become seriously entertaining for all the other passengers, with me struggling to control my laughter. Have a look at www.penguinbooks.co.za