Clevedon...
Glorious cloudless sunny day with just enough of a cool north wind to make it comfortable. Kai and I set off at just gone ten, but missed our planned bus as the X39 was late, so caught the next one (the X7) instead - they're every half an hour so it's no hardship. Lovely journey, and when we arrived at Clevedon sea front there was a small craft fayre happening on the green:
Had a look around, and rode the miniature railway, then meandered along the front, stopping at the usual small cove so Kai could go rock scrambling and I could get some notes written.
There must be something about that cove - every time I sit there with a notebook and pen I am inspired, and the answer to the latest knotty writing problem comes to me. [happy grin] Today was no different...
At the far end of the front is the pier. (That's Cardiff in the far distance to the left.)
With the majority of the grockles gone it was wonderfully peaceful, but energising at the same time.
There were local artists selling paintings at special end-of-season rates, and there was one I rather liked, an impressionistic picture of Flat Holm and Steep Holm on an overcast day - it came home with us.
Not entirely sure where I'm going to hang it, but we like original art (this makes our fourth piece), especially signed.
The ride back was great. We caught the other bus - 346? 364? - which goes all around the houses. Literally, it services Clevedon and Nailsea residential areas, Tickenham and Backwell. Nowt better on a hot, sunny afternoon than a fast ride on a jouncy, bouncy bus with the windows open and a cool breeze rippling your hair...
We just had time to nip from bay 16 to bay 10 for the X39 when we arrived at Briz: the driver was due to leave. Unfortunately, just as he was closing the bay door a man dived through, asking if he and his friend could get on with their suitcases, and while they were doing that, another queue of customers surged on too, so driver wasn't exactly in a good mood when he was
finally able to pull out.
So when a young lad (17 as he freely admitted) got on at the centre with his friend and both of them presented
child Dayrider tickets he refused to allow them to ride, saying the tickets were invalid. Which they were. Often drivers will let you make up the difference - but sonny Jim thought it would be more helpful to give the driver a mouthful of abuse.
At which the driver ordered them off the bus.
They refused to go, saying they had to get to Brislington (it's a 40 minute walk, Ken and I used to do it every day to get work) and demanding their tickets back.
The driver turned off the engine. Cue more abuse. Driver asked lad if he swore at his parents like that. Lad then lost any sympathy he might have had from us passengers by saying 'yes'...
Police arrived. Police woman spoke to the kids while policeman spoke to driver. Police woman stuck her head in and asked driver if he'd be prepared to let it go if the lad apologised. Driver said no, he wanted to take it further. Can't really blame him - while I'm not the greatest fan of our bus drivers, some of them do get some bloody awful, abusive customers...
Anyway, we
finally got home: it was an interesting end to a really wonderful day!
Ken finished the wall up in the square while we were out. I asked him to leave it looking 'ruined' on the top, which he has done - it reminds me of the courtyard in a castle ruin now, really nice. And he's used up the last of the cement and sand, so no more mortaring this year. 'ooray! Now I'm looking for lawn chamomile for ground covering up there. I think I've found a supplier, but it won't be available until the spring.
I've decided to redecorate the bathroom. Ken's fault: he wants a new shower curtain (although I must admit that despite regular cleaning the old, blue-with-gold-sprays one is in pretty bad shape). The current colour scheme was based around the old curtain (lapis lazuli and amber) but it's been on the walls since Kai was a baby: it's definitely time for a change.
I'm fancying varying shades and intensities of teal. The flooring will have to stay, so anything I choose will have to harmonise, but paint, new towels (also much needed) and a new lightshade will make all the difference. Of course, I should have done this back in the summer and the warmer weather, but with a bit of luck I can get it done soon, before the weather gets cold. (Will also aim to get a proper support made for the sweetheart vine GoodTwin gave me, which is currently climbing up the wallpaper...) Pics as I go along.
Debating an early night now - lovely day but a little tiring.
.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment