Welsh Weekend

It may seem like a crazy idea going to West Wales in the height of winter, but believe me it was the best thing I could have possibly done. The time leading up to Christmas is always hectic so there is nothing better than getting away form it all. I went to New Quay on the Welsh Coast and stayed at a Bed and Breakfast called The Hungry Trout. Friendly staff, massive breakfast and warm rooms. All you need for a Welsh retreat. New Quay thrives on tourism throughout the summer so going in winter the place looks quite different to the post card pictures.

The beach was quiet, half the shops were closed for the winter and the boat trips had stopped. But one thing that never closes or justs up shop is the breath taking Welsh Coastline. You can access coastal paths extremely easily and walk for miles. I must have covered a fair distance over my weekend taking me along cliffs, through fields and down to the beaches. I even took off my shoes and went in the sea for a little paddle! My feet were like two ice blocks when I came out of the sea but I was glad I did it in that weird kind of way. I also ventured to Aberaron where I treated myself to good portion of fish and chips. Lovely stuff.

The fresh sea air and good food meant the whole weekend was a success. There wasn't even that much rain which I was quite surprised at. There is something magical about waking up to the sound of the waves crashing against the beach. When ever I look out to the dark ongoing sea, I'm always inspired and reminded there is lots to see and do in this world. Diolch Cymru.

Devon

I spent a weekend in Devon in Widecombe in the Moor. It's one of the most picturesque villages I've visited. Surrounded by wild Dartmoor ponies, damp grass and rising mist, it's certainly a place you can get lost in. The great thing about Widecombe is that you can access some great walking routes on the moors. The surrounding tors can all be seen above the mist and you can navigate yourself round a 6 mile circular route back into the village. With two pubs to choose from when you arrive back, you are spoilt for choice.

Friendly local the Rugglestone Inn is a cracking place to rest tired feet and refresh thirsty bodies. If you are looking for a typical country pub, this is it. A crackling fire, cosy wooden seating and a home cooked menu you'll want to order everything of. But I think the best thing about a trip to Widecombe is the lack of phone signal. Peace, quiet and nothing else. Bliss.

John Barrowman Magic

I went to watch John Barrowman in concert at the Oasis in Swindon. It was a bit random as I have never watched Torchwood and I've only seen one episode of Tonight's the Night. What did I expect from a Barrowman concert? A very camp night. What did I get? A very camp night!

The Oasis hall was packed full, I was say about four thousand people in all. The majority of the audience were women in their 60s or 30 something women accompanied by a very embarrassed other half. It's a shame John Barrowman is gay because he is certainly one for the ladies. The audience were beside themselves every time there was a wiggle of he bum or a cheeky look their way. Apart from all the jumping about on stage, the continuous gay jokes, Barrowman certainly does have a set of pipes on him. He filled the room with his powerful voice which could cope with the cheesiest of pop songs to a soft meaningful ballad.

What was also overwhelming was how much he involved his family in the performance. The big screen behind the band had selections of holiday pictures, family moments and prized memories caught on camera. It may be all part of the show but Barrowman seemed to open up his child hood and his dreams to all of us. Mum and Dad Barrowman were actually in the audience and got on stage for a little part of the show!

I have to hand it to Barrowman, love him or hate him, he is good at what he does. He entertained from the minute he stepped on stage until his closing song. John ended with Gloria Gaynor's classic 'I am What I am' which sums up his character completely. Most of the audience were on their feet by this point joining in with the lyrics. What seemed like half of Swindon came to watch him and they all left smiling.

Swindon's Hooter

The Great Western Railway works has brought many things to Swindon. Industry, wealth, people and probably the most important thing, memories. For those who used to work on the railways, the sound of the hooter is something they will never forget. This hooter used to blast across Swindon as a call to work. The sound used to cut across the town and the countryside to ensure employees of the works were ready to get into work.

The hooter blasted at several other points during the day, letting people know it was time to start lunch, finish lunch, stop work and so forth. It was the sound of the town right up until 1986 when the twin brass hooters blew for the last time.

Graham Mack is a presenter on BBC Wiltshire. With the help of local people he is on a mission to get the hooter blowing again. Graham isn't from Swindon but just wants to learn more about what made the town what it is today. When it comes to the hooter it's all about local knowledge. Many of Swindonions have been on the case to help track down the whereabouts of the hooter and the possibility of rekindling the sound of the railways.

My family have lived in Swindon for generations. My Grampy worked on the Railways and my Grandma worked at Wills Cigarettes. They both remember the hooter so I thought I'd pay them a visit to find out more...

Swindon GWR Hooter by bribriwilliam

I think there are many people,not just in Swindon, like my Grandparents Colin (91) and Sybil (86) Humphries, that would like to hear the hooter again. It will bring the memories of the railway back to those who worked in Swindon decades ago. But it will also bring a sense of appreciation and identity to a younger generation that know little about Swindon's industrial past.

I'll keep you updated as to whether Graham ever gets the hooter blowing again.

Royal Bassett

Thousands lined the streets of Wootton Bassett to watch the Princess Royal deliver the letters patent to the town. The police were expecting between 15,000 and 20,000 people but I don't think the crowd even reached 5,000. Even though the numbers were less than predicted the atmosphere was buzzing all the same. Rows of service men and women turned out to honour Wootton Bassett becoming Royal. The Prime Minister David Cameron was present along with all the local usual suspects.

Big screens all along the street enabled most people to get a view Princess Anne in her cream outfit making the town officially Royal. The big screens also played poems written by local school children.

Poem for Wootton Bassett by bribriwilliam

Flags were flying, hands were clapping and smiles were in abundance. Everyone I spoke to seemed to enjoy the ceremony and felt Wootton Bassett deserved the Royal title.

Local businesses did a roaring trade cashing in on the extra footfall in the town. Others have already changed their branding to include the Royal prefix and town signs and bus stops have all been renamed too. With repatriations no longer coming through the town, has the Royal name closed it's military legacy?It will be interesting to see what happens next in Bassett's journey.

A Sprinkling of Italy

About two weeks ago I started on an Italian journey with a close friend. I've been to Italy a few times at the end of September, beginning of October and I've always found the weather to be perfect. This trip was no exception.

First stop, Pisa. I had no pre conceived ideas about the Tuscan city and really did not know what to expect. What I found was beautiful. Pisa has an understated charm about it which I love. It's not grand, it's not arty in fact it's very plain except for the lopsided tower that draws in millions of tourists each year. The Leaning Tower is at the heart of the city. At first sight it was a lot smaller than I had imagined but mesmerizing all the same. If I looked at the tower for too long I felt really disorientated which was very bizarre.

Florence was the next city. Just a short train ride away lies the heart of Tuscany. The beat that keeps the wine, music and romance flowing through the region. Florence is undoubtably a glorious city. Amazing architecture and grand art work all oozing Italian flare. Every street you turned down there was something interesting to look at or wonderful food to smell. All my senses were engulfed with the Italian charisma I love so much. Great coffee, smart leather bags, pizza, wine, gelato and tradition.

After leaving Florence by train, six hours later we arrived in Sorrento. I stayed just outside of the centre of Sorrento which I am very glad about. The main square is pretty but overwhelmed by packs of Americans and British. You did have to walk very far without hearing an English accent complaining about the weather. Sorrento is a strange place. You have to pay to use any of the beaches, but in fact they are not really even beaches. More like a bit of sand with a jetty to sunbathe on. It was not quite what I had imagined but it's pretty all the same. Luckily after a disjointed conversation with an Italian man in a coffee shop my friend and I were pointed in the direction of 'La Conca'. A beach about 4 miles from downtown Sorrento. No charge and no Brits (apart from myself and my friend!). It was lovely. Crisp blue water and grey volcanic sand topped off with sunshine. Thank you Italy.

Italy isn't all about sunshine, sea, coffee and pizza. The history of the country is mind boggling. How buildings, streets and ornaments have survived hundreds of years is beyond me. I still can't get over how smart the Romans were and how much we owe to their engineering genius.

I couldn't go to the Sorrento region without visiting Pompeii. What I had in my head was not what confronted me as I stepped through the gates of this massive archeological site. The sheer size of the place was just staggering. I had no idea how much of the city had been preserved when Mount Vesuvius took hold of it. Walking round the site is like walking round a ghost town (all be it with a few hundred tourists in). But you can easily find yourself alone looking at the inside of what once was a bedroom, living room bathroom. It was as if my Year 8 history class had sprung to life. The preserved bodies look unreal. Like they were put there just to make everything seem a bit more real because you find it hard to take everything in. It is eerie but worth it.

Rome was the final stepping stone of my Italian tour. Here there is what seems an archeological site on every corner. From the Colosseum to the Vatican Rome holds wonder and delight which can keep you occupied for hours. I did lots of walking in Rome. Along the river, through the streets, in the parks and in the shops. The city has a lot to offer and I believe in foot is the best way to experience it. You stumble on the unexpected and unique. Even though I have been to Rome before, it still has a sense of excitement and intrigue which I hope it will never lose.

This is England

There is nothing quite like a warm summers day eating fish and chips at the sea side. I recently visited Whitby in North Yorkshire which was fabulous. Not only is it a pretty seaside town it boasts historic interest too. The small harbour and sandy beaches are overlooked by St. Mary's Church and St. Hilda's Abbey. By walking up the 199 steps to the church you are welcomed by a panoramic view that is straight off a post card. Inside the church you are treated to most eclectic building I think I've ever been into. Architecture from all eras, balcony's, triple decker pulpit and box pews. Magnificent to say the least. From it's 11th century beginnings, it's kept and built on it's religious bonds. You can circle the graveyard and spend many a moment breathing in the sea air whilst imagining a time gone by.

From a spiritual journey to a material one. Whitby also showed me the loveliness that is Whitby Jet. All around the town you can find Whitby Jet Jewellery in all shapes and sizes and prices. From small antique shops to those who carve it on site, Jet is the Gem of Yorskhire.

I only visited for the day and I was surprised by its mix of traditional sea side appeal and it's metropolitan bars and cafes. A good mix of ice creams, candy floss, olives and gin.