Somerset Cider Farm

When we attended a neighbourhood barbecue a few nights ago, we were asked where we'd been in Somerset. We told of all the marvellous places we had visited. "Have you been to a cider farm yet?" Why, no, we hadn't. But it was definitely on Joe's 'to do' list.

Our neighbours recommended we go to the Wilkins Cider Farm in the village of Mudgley. Anything in a village called Mudgley is a must-see in my books!

We set off yesterday morning in search of some 'proper' cider.

My goodness, the Somerset countryside is beautiful. So peaceful. Pastoral. One day I want to go for a week long walk-about on its many footpaths. And climb over stiles like this one to cross farmer's fields.

The narrow country road we'd been driving on for half an hour finally led us to Mudgley and the Wilkins' cider farm.

This farm is not on the beaten path. In fact, it's the exact opposite. People find it through word of mouth.

We walked into the stone barn. Thick cobwebs hung from the ceiling and covered most everything inside the building. Huge wooden casks stood in a row along a wall.

We were greeted by Roger Wilkins. He asked us, "Wanna taste?" He poured us each a 'taste' in an 8 ounce glass mug.

The mugs were so full the cider spilled onto the floor as he handed them to us.

The cider comes in three styles: dry, half and half, and sweet. I couldn't drink the dry cider. Roger told us it was 'an acquired taste'. No kidding, Rog! But the sweet cider was very nice indeed.

We bought a litre of sweet cider and a pottery 'loving cup' with three handles, for sharing sips amongst friends.

After sampling our cider, we walked through the barn into the lounge.

When I remarked on the mural on the back wall, one of his helpers nonchalantly said, "Banksy did that portrait of Roger." Banksy was here?  BANKSY WAS HERE? BANKSY WAS HERE?  I couldn't believe it.  How cool.

Even though Roger was busy, he had time for a quick photo shoot.

Roger Wilkins is a very generous man.

Roger then said to us, "Wanna try my friend's cheese?" Of course we did! We couldn't believe the thick slices of cheddar he brought us to sample!

Just then a large extended family came in. They were from Liverpool and were on their way to Cornwall for their holidays. They joined us with their mugs of cider. It quickly turned into a party!

At Roger's invitation, Joe poured us each another half mug of cider.

Before we left we not only added two big pieces of cheddar to our purchases, but we also bought a huge wedge of the most delicious Stilton we'd ever eaten.

What a fabulous experience.

The village of Mudgley, meeting Roger Wilkins, drinking sweet cider in his stone barn, eating English cheeses, seeing a Banksy mural, and partying with Liverpudlians.  All in the same afternoon!

None of it expected.

All of it appreciated.

Welcome To The Neighbourhood!

Wherever we have travelled in the United Kingdom this summer, we have been treated with nothing but kindness. As I've written here before, the people we've met along the way have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help us, to include us, to make friends with us.

But the most helpful, friendliest and kindest people we've met live right next door in our adopted neighbourhood.

Let me tell you about Pat. Shortly after the taxi dropped us off at the house back in July, Pat came over to introduce herself. Not only had she put a carton of milk in the fridge for our tea, she drove Joe to the local convenience store so that he could grab a jug of wine and a few bottles of beer to ease the pain of our jet lag. The next day, she showed us the way to the grocery store with us following her car. She has collected the mail and watered the garden while we took off and gallivanted around Dublin and Edinburgh. She has been fantastic.

She and her husband Graham invited us over for drinks last night before we went to another neighbour's house for a birthday BBQ. We chatted about our families, our careers, and our travels. They gave us great advice about where we should visit before our time in Somerset comes to an end.


We then went next door for dinner. Dogs, kids, champagne and hamburgers. All on a summer's evening. A winning combination.


Everyone was so welcoming. It felt wonderful to be included in their celebration.





We had an interesting conversation about the similarities and differences between our two countries. (My burning question was "How the heck do people manage to dry their clothes in this country without dryers?" The answer? "Slowly.")


After dessert, the girls all jumped in the hot tub and we bid everyone good night.


Thank you neighbours of Waterleaze! By welcoming us into your homes, you have made our time in Taunton extra special.

*As always, please click on the photos to enlarge them for greater detail.

My First Boot Sale!

One of the many things I love about travelling is experiencing something for the first time. I remember seeing my first castle in the hills of southern France. I squealed so loudly Joe almost drove off the road!

I remember seeing the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in Brittany. Sun-bathers on the beach thought we were a couple of weirdos for taking a photo of our feet in the water.

I saw my first hedgehog last week IN THE WILD a few doors down from where we are staying in Taunton.

But I had never been to a 'boot sale'. That is until yesterday.


Hundreds of cars were parked in an orderly fashion up and down the field of a local school. The items for sale were either placed neatly on a table or jumbled in a heap on the ground. There was more of the latter going on than anything else. I loved it.


I bought a few treasures but mostly browsed.

There's another boot sale on Sunday morning at the racetrack. I can hardly wait.

Scotland Forever

"There are no stars so lovely as Edinburgh street lamps."
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)




We just returned from spending four days in Edinburgh, Scotland. The land of tartan, thick brogues, a bloody past, haggis, scotch, eloquent poets, music, moors and glens.




It is a beautiful city. An ancient city. Full of castles, crags and meat pies.




Friendly people. Amazing architecture. And history. so much history.




Edinburgh Castle looms over the entire city. Every time you look up, it is there staring down at you.








Walking through the narrow, dark and cramped alleyways between the buildings of the old city made me think of how scary that part of Edinburgh must have been 300 years ago. It quickly conjured up images from 'Sherlock Holmes' and 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde'.




Many things we'd heard about Scotland were true. Men really DO wear kilts. We saw lots of guys sporting them on the streets.




We heard bagpipes being played both outside and inside buildings.




And yes, it does rain most of the time.








We hiked up Salisbury Crag to Arthur's Seat.
















From up there we had incredible views of the city.








And also amazing views of the Firth of Forth and the North Sea.




We spent a morning at Edinburgh Castle. The views from the top were spectacular, but this wasn't my favourite castle. Its history is that of a military stronghold so its focus is on war and weaponry.




The most poignant part for me was the cemetery for soldiers' dogs.




We went on a Literary Pub Tour one evening. We learned many things about Edinburgh's history, authors and drinking establishments. How sweet it was to listen to 'Miss McBrain' put Robert Burns' poetry to music and serenade us in a leafy courtyard just off of the Grass Market.




Mr. Clarty' on the other hand was impossible to understand. His brogue was so thick we questioned if he was even speaking English!




We visited Holyrood, the Queen's official residence in Scotland.




Between the audio guide and a private tour of the abbey ruins we learned a lot about this venerable old castle.




For all you royal watchers: Did you know that the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips got married here? And did you further know she had her wedding photos (that the public has never seen) taken in the abbey ruins? Neither did I!








We hiked up 297 steps inside an extremely narrow spiral staircase of the Sir Walter Scott monument.








Again, sweeping views of the city from the top. Plus an excellent workout.




We visited St. Giles Cathedral,




sat in pubs and listened to music,




bought clothes,




visited the Scottish National Gallery,












and watched the city get ready for its world famous Edinburgh Festival.




But the best part was this:

When we travel I rarely buy anything for myself. I prefer to spend my hard-earned dollars on experiences. But ever since seeing a hedgehog scurry through the neighbourhood in Taunton a couple of weeks ago, I have been on the lookout for a hedgehog souvenir.

I found it in Edinburgh! It is totally impractical. It is totally frivolous. And I totally LOVE HIM! He is about 12" tall and weighs several pounds. He is a doorstop. I can hardly wait to get him home to prop open our bedroom door. Sigh. Is he not the cutest?

And THAT ladies and gentlemen was our 4 day excursion to Edinburgh. It started out on shaky ground but ended on a high note.

SCOTLAND FOREVER!

*Please click on the individual photos to enlarge them for a closer look.