Westward Ho! N. Devon: Saturday, 6th October, 2018.

Out for a bracing stroll with Moira and John whom we have not seen for 32 years.

David, Moira and John stop talking for a second 

to take a short break from all the catching up.

Westward Ho! welcomes the Atlantic breeze.

Chatting with a local once again.

Always good fun.

Bideford, N. Devon: Friday, 5th October, 2018.

Early evening after a long drive down and we're now on 

The Quay in Bideford above the River Torridge hoping somewhere nice to eat will open up soon.

Enjoying a chat with a local.

Loads of boats, Vic. What's not to like?

Howard and Vicky in The Italian Kitchen waiting for our scran to arrive.

The scran's here. Let's eat!

The sky just before night over Bideford's industrial units.

How romantic.

Epic walk to Diglis Bridge and back home via town and Gheluvelt Park: Monday, 1st October, 2018.

Walked about two miles now so time for a sit down.

But lurking just a few feet to Vicky's right is………

……….a ginormous 2 foot funghi.

Ghastly…….

…….and following on behind are several more.

You have been warned.

Crossed over the river at Diglis Bridge and we are now on our way to town.

Vicky would like the world to know that her top is not red.

No, it's cherry.

Howard and David reckon it's raspberry.

If anyone thinks I am walking to Birmingham from here they can think again.

Autumn Crocus in The Cathedral grounds.

Somebody chewing their nuts in The Cathedral grounds.

It's time for lunch and Howard considers the Daily Specials.

Back in Gheluvelt Park now.

Cygnet is still surviving/thriving on it's own.

The hand that feeds.

Getcha bill outtarit! I'm havin' me photo took.

The cygnet is 4 months old today.

Fit Bit stats (so far):

16,100 steps. 7.59 miles. 2,576 calories burnt. 9 stairs.

Gheluvelt Park Cygnet Update: Sunday, 29th September, 2018.

Just a fairly short walk this afternoon along the river 

and back to the park to feed the ducks…….

……and to see if the cygnet's parents are here 

as we haven't seen them since Tuesday.

It would seem that the parents have had enough of parenting 

unless they come back to the park every evening to check up on their offspring.

It's all a bit strange as all the swans on the river still have their cygnets with them.

If we were experts, we'd have all the answers.

VSCC Hill Climb, Prescott, Glos.: Saturday, 29th September, 2018.

It's 11-ish and guess where this olde-fella has just been.

Fun-guys lurking in plain sight.

Always good to start with a wander around the paddock 

as competitors queue up for their practice runs.

He's a lovely mover.

Olde-fella unsuccessfully tries to dodge out of Vicky's way.

Vicky, an old car, and glorious Gloucestershire.

Obedient drivers and she who must be obeyed.

We need a cuppa tea now, and some lunch, so we head for the restaurant.

Lunch is over and then the Timed Runs are about to start at 1:00pm.

Sarah Foster lines up her 1934 747cc Austin 7 Nippy………

…..and then nips past on her way to Orchard Corner.

Vicky is armed and dangerous and on her way to Ettore's Bend.

Peter Johnson and his 1933 1496cc Frazer Nash Colmore 

is also heading for Ettore's Bend, but at a slightly faster rate.

Photo of an olde-fella taking a photo………

……..of Graham Beckett in his 747cc Austin 7 Simplicity

braking for Ettore's Bend.

We've now walked up to the outside of Pardon Hairpin for the traditional shot across 

glorious Gloucestershire to wonderful Worcestershire and The Malvern Hills.

The Worcestershire Beacon is the second hill from the right (see yesterdays blog).

Great car, shame about the camper vans.

Robert Britcher - 1930 2148cc Alvis SA 16.95 Special - rounds Pardon Hairpin.

Simon Skelding - 1939 1911cc AC 16/80 Special - with his eyes on the Esses.

Andrew Cheyne - 1934 4453cc Lagonda 3 1/2 4 1/2 Litre - at the exit of The Esses.

There's something about a red racing car.

Andrew Wilson - 1925/28 1482cc S Frazer Nash Norris Special - powers out of The Esses.

Almost at the top of the hill now.

Michael New - 1928 4939cc Amilcar G Type Montlhery - rounds Semi-Circle…….

……..and then crosses the finishing line.

Selfie to prove we made it to the very top.

At this point the day goes eerily quiet.

Bird song can be heard coming from the woods.

15 minutes passes with just the sound of two commentators 'filling'.

We decide to start the walk back down the hill.

No cars are on the hill, but there are red flags and rescue vehicles at Pardon Hairpin.

We arrive at Pardon Hairpin just as the crashed 1933/34 3377cc 

Talbot 95/105 S/S is about to be transported back to the paddock.

A quick chat with spectators reveal that the driver, Cecil Schumacher, 

was able to walk away and seemed to be OK.

Relieved to hear this we continue onward and back down to the car.

Off back to Worcester now and this week's Big Shop.

Malvern and back on the bus with Roger: Friday, 28th September, 2018.

On the way into town and the Bus Station via a walk along 

the River Severn where 3 swans and 3 cygnets are making their way downstream.

Looks effortless, doesn't it. But you can't see their feet.

With Roger at the Bus Station.

Pensioner Bus Passes armed and ready but sadly just out of shot.

We have arrived in Malvern.

The bus has taken 50 mins to get here.

It takes 25 mins in Roger's Astra Estate diesel on a bad day.

Just saying.

Halfway up the 99 steps that take us towards The Worcestershire Beacon.

You would think that 99 steps would get you most of the way to 

the Beacon but it only gets us about a 5th of the way up.

Still a long way to go yet.

When you are running out of breath it's always a good idea to stop and take a photo of the view.

This one is looking to the north-west and where the…..ahem…..cool breeze is coming from.

At the top and Roger balances The Beacon on the top of his bonce.

Skill.

Two proper walkers, with sticks and everything.

Dave and Roger sipping tea and scoffing biccies sadly just out of shot.

The way back down to Malvern.

The Malvern Priory looms below.

We catch the 44 back to Worcester at 12:55.

It takes even longer to get back than to get here.

Over 90 mins 'cos the traffic in Worcester is jammed solid 

due, I think, to there being a race meeting on.

I get home at 2:45. Normally I get home at 12:45.

Kinda sums up public transport.

Just for the record, here are my Fit Bit stats today (so far):
18,256 steps.
8.61 miles.
2,985 calories burnt.
96 stairs.
Good job the weather was nice.