MOMPESSON HOUSE & SALISBURY CATHEDRAL

 

Another week, another day trip with the friendly, efficient Uptons Coaches off to Wiltshire today.

Sat on the coach awaiting the feeder coach. Greeted by friendly, welcoming Ian, I've become a regular, hence the familiarity.  

A few regular faces onboard- the purple lady is back, bless her, she's a character and at her age she can be anything she wants to be.  There are a few whingers !! But they're sat in the back out of the way- best place for them!!

9.15am, and the feeder crowd join us. The weather is dry and grey, hope it stays that way. 

Stopped for a quick "comfort" break at Yeovil.  Then arrived in Salisbury at 12 noon.  Walked through At Annes Gate, the passage way up to the house and cathedral and some other museums. Passed some very grand old town houses with fabulous doors, the street is cobbled with millions of old pebbles and for a city, it's very quiet. 

Mompesson House was clad in scaffolding, unfortunately. And not very big at all. In fact, only 7 rooms to view, so it didn't take long to walk around. It was very homely and decorated accordingly for its era.  It had been home to a widow with her 3 daughters. 

Found the tiny cafe in the old garden room. Manned by just 2 women, serving tea in fine bone china cups and saucers to add to the ambience of the house. Was a nice touch.  

Because the house was so small and I had until 5pm to while away, may mooch around shops if l find them. Glad I bought crochet and quiz book as I have such a long time to use up and because the heavens opened with heavy drizzle l ventured into the cathedral and boy, that did not disappoint. I'm not religious by any means, but it was well worth all the time I did eventually spend in there. 

2pm I am as I said not religious but felt compelled to go into the cathedral, and there is something spiritual and endearing about being in this divine, tranquil space, even emotive in parts.  I lit a candle as I do these days, admired the architectureecture and carvings, embroidery, and the ambience. I felt the energy. I saw "the signs", names, dates as I walked the cloisters. I felt I'd been here before.

The majesty of this grand building. The Magna Carter with its perfectly written script in the tiniest of inked writings from the 1200's was amazing. 

The Vices and Virtues- Virtues being Good and feminine, Vices Bad and masculine!! Quite relevant me thinks, says it all. !!

Prayer cushions, Mary Magdalene, Jude Simon!!, a tombstone Symons, family birth dates. Signs it's what I believe in, even if others think it's "woo-woo" stuff.

The beautiful water feature in the centre of the aisle, the Easter display. The sacred water.  Im sat slone in one of the cloisters, no one here at all, I feel it. The energy.

I'm going back to the shop to buy the bronze praying hands. 

2.30pm for someone not religious, l dont want to leave the sanctuary of this magnificent place. I've bought myself treats, red crystal jewellery, the hands, and a scarf/pashmina.

I want to stay in the sanctuary of this place. 

Went back in and sat by the water feature and sacred water until 3pm. Just sat and took in the energy and peace. It feels great and energised. 

then took myself for a cuppa until 3.30pm, dragging out the time until 3.30pm or as long as I can. Signs they're gearing up to close, so I left and wandered out into the damp cold, still an hour to kill.  

Nowhere to sit and wait inside unless I venture into another cafe or pub- which l dont really want to do. No sign of any fellow travellers. I took shelter around a wall from the direction of the cold rain just as well as a swarm of hundreds of school boys went passed.  Once they'd dispersed, I went back to St Annes gate to shelter some more, still nowhere to sit. Still no fellow travellers. Stood looking at the dirty wall and noticed the bricked-up doorway, tiny in size. And various markings embedded in the ancient gated wall - wondering about the history and stories this gateway must hold. 

Eventually, a few fellow travellers emerged so we congregated under scaffolding for our coach. All cold, wet and a bit fed up to be honest. 5pm in rubbish weather is too long.

Apparently should arrive back at the pick up point at 7pm!! Flipping heck!!

Gave Ian the feedback so the company know for next time. 

Hope it's dry and light so I can stomp home and warm up. Got dropped off at a motorway junction, which cuts out 15 mins of walking. Was back home and in my jammies by 7.30pm- 12 hours after beginning my day. 

The familiar faces of the regulars said goodbye until we meet again.

DAY TRIP-ARLINGTON COURT.

 

I am trying something different this time. Hope you enjoy the read.  As always, these are my words and feelings, and my own style of writing. This is how l write whilst on the move, so all taken from my note book and random not structured.

Thurs. 9th April Day trip to National Trust property Arlington Court and Carriage museum in North Devon. Travelled with Uptons Coaches.

Day trip time, weather 8am cloudy at the moment as I trek to the pick up point a half-hour walk up the road. Nerves kicking in, or should I say adrenaline, happy to be going out, out visiting somewhere new.  Its been a while. But is the start of travel day trip season for me anyway.

Not many of us today- 11  in total. The Tiverton purple lady is a regular and a very able-bodied frail elderly lady who sits and chuckles at all sorts. The rest of my fellow travellers are new bodies and not overly chatty.

We arrived at 11.30am, as did the heavy, drizzly wet rain; it had been dry up to Bampton, our last pick port. Then fog & damp followed us over Exmoor. 

Had a quick pit stop in the cafe for a sausage roll and coffee served by very friendly, welcoming staff. Looked at the mini map then set off to trek the estate, trekking through trees, rhododendrons which are beginning to blossom- I love a rhododendron.  Daffodils, carpets of primroses and, wild garlic which smells gorgeous, bluebells in 3 shades of colour- blue pink and white. 

Its 2.20pm, I've been in the old stables where 40 glorious carriages are housed, most built in the 1800's from wood and leather, all in great condition, given their age and use by the landed gentry and royalty- Queen Vic no less. I've been in the grand house too, which had a lovely feel to it, homely and warm. Was home and owned by the Chichester Family in particular, a strong female Rosalie Chichester. 

For my last hour l took shelter back in the cafe for cream tea and a cuppa, of course its stopped raining now I'm indoors!!  

Cream tea- so full up now, think new meds prevent me from eating so much, which has to be a good thing, as I feel quite sick and bloated right now. I moved into the other closed dining area to shelter from the cold and crocheted until the bus came.

Anyway, back to Arlington, a lovely house, great gardens, kitchen, walled , wooded lots of winter storm damage where huge trees with their roots just fell over ripping up their attachment to the earth. Quite sad and amazing considering the size of them.

Lots of wild garlic, especially down a little path into a woodland canopy with a babbling brook, moss-covered logs and bluebell carpets- loved it down there  a nice atmosphere.

Had a mooch around the shop with its usual National Trust goodies, candles honey jams, blankets, etc. but as l left and started to walk back noticed a black and white bird hopping around the field it wasn't a wagtail- I would say a Blackbird with a health problem as it was quite distinctive black and white plumage.. 

Typical, as we're about to leave, the sun came out, no heat like yesterday, where we had a day of summer!! 

Slept well for an hour in the warmth as we drove back through Exmoor valley and its sleepy villages and towns, as if time has stood still here.

Been a good day lots of trees and nature inclusion, which l loved. Even stroked the stone memorial stone of Vanguard, the estate dog who apparently ad died aged 13 7 weeks after he lost his owner.  The carriage museum was fascinating, with some seriously old but well-preserved carriages.

Lots of things for kids to do given it's the Easter holidays. Staff in the cafe were super friendly. But they do need to provide napkins!! 

Watched a gang of kids climbing a huge tree, nice to see kids doing outdoorsy things. 

I need to sort a travel diet that's not bread and pastry-based so l dont feel like l am right now. 

Indoors, jammies on and it's 6pm. Got dropped off by J25 so not so far to walk home makes a difference. Quick walk past tesco to get light food options to calm my still bloated belly. 

Been a long day but a good one. Until next week. Wiltshire destined.

HAPPY EASTER

Happy Easter, everyone. 

A time for religious and non-religious celebrations. Bunnies, Lambs, chicks, new life, new leaves, Spring beginnings springing into life.

The return of the sun and warmth. 

Apparently, Easter Sunday is always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the equinox.  The divine moon decides when we have Easter.

It's about Jesus being crucified on the cross and rising again when he vanishes from a stone tomb. Where I live, 3 crosses get erected on a hill to symbolise this.  Even though I'm not religious its a nice sight to see.

And Easter is about abundance of food- simnel cake, easter biscuits, hot cross buns, chocolate easter eggs, roast lamb dinners.  And a 5-day weekend if you're lucky enough not to have to work. 

But the 5-day weekend can be a drag for some people. 

Going to be Debbie Downer now and say if you're a baby boomer, empty nester without transport, those 5 days and any bank holiday can just be a reminder that it's a time that your offspring have flown the nest, have families of their own and will exclude you from festivities.  Whether they mean to or not. Or more than anything, and rightly so, do their own family thing.

It doesn't make things any easier to stomach or cope with the reminder that you/ l am alone and isolated. There is no affordable transport on a Sunday or a bank holiday.

Anxiety prevents me from wandering alone around the local area despite the glorious weather. If I were to live within walking distance of a beach, I wouldn't have a problem walking alone. But in an urban-rural area alone, I do.

I think the plan of action for future bank holidays would be to book to go away to a seaside venue so that I can then dine and walk alone without any issues.

WHAT IS A MUM?

 

What is a Mum, Mother, Mummy, Mom?

Here in the UK we've just had Mothering Sunday, a day to celebrate all mums. All women who nuture children. Whether it be their own or step children, foster children. Some women dont actually nuture. Some dont want to be mothers, each to their own. 

This blog has been inspired by me listening to podcasts whilst crafting. Today l listened to an inspriational lady whom l admire, we havent met in person but have on zoom. Lise Thorne- Walking_this_way podcaster, instagram icon for Midlife women, Money Conversationalist with her mate Adrienne. On todays pod Lisa spoke to her guest speaker Lara Milward who said her upbringing in Canada had inspired her to be who she is today. She was bought up in a world where being a girl didnt mean you couldnt do something. 

My own upbringing was kind of the same l guess!  In that my mum wasnt a tactile mum at all. She was one of 5 sisters, a twin, she lived to the ripe old age of nearly 96. She passed just 3 years ago. And yes l do miss her because she made me who l am today. 

I was and still am l think, searching, craving for that love she never gave me. She wasn't a tactile mum, she was intelligent and skilled in all things needlework. She taught me and many others how to knit, sew, crochet.  She taught me how to me because I rebelled and fought against what she wanted to be. When it came to choosing my options in school l wanted to do art because l loved art and still love crafting. But no, "she decided" I was going to do French and be a bilingual secretary!!!  

Needless to say l did not pass French because l didnt study it, because I did not want to do it.  So l didnt.!!

Over the years, I've had a variety of jobs, the last one lasted 22 years of physical grafting. But my best and most accomplished job was that of a Mum. Alone parent in the end to my 4 now adult children. 

A Mother gives life to new humans. I gave life to 4 new humans and 2 angel babies. And in turn have given or rather they've given new life to 8 new humans- 4 girls and 4 boys. 

My mum's harsh upbringing with her Irish Dad during the war years, in London, moulded her into who she became; she, in turn, moulded me into me. I'm strong, resilient, and capable. I'm a crafter, a writer, a family historian, and Grandmother-Nannie. 

I learned to be stubborn, pig-headed, and a do- er because my mum told me l couldnt do things, l wouldnt amount to anything, l wouldnt be able to achieve anything.  So l did stuff any way, l said watch me do the opposite. So maybe she did love me because I proved her wrong. Maybe her tough love was her saying she actually believed in me.  Personally l wish she'd chosen the softer approach that I believe I've used with my 4. Firm but fair. And always giving a cuddle when needed. To all 12 of my humans. 

My upbringing and experiences have shaped my humans into who they are, how they are not just with themselves but with their humans. Having the strict upbringing I had led to naivety, which went onto abusive relationships, which I've come out the other side from, because as my mum put downs pulled me down, the abusive relationships pulled me and physically put me down. I always came back stronger and more resilient. A 6ft 2in para tried to physically and mentally put me down, yet here I am still bloody standing. A lone 64-year-old independent wise crone. I've been, I am the Maiden, Mother, Warrior, Crone. ( my next tattoo)! 

So being a Mum, Mother giver of life means I am, we are, strong, resilient women who deserve and should always be celebrated.  

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY .  

INSOMNIA

 

Insomnia

3 nights pre full Leo Moon

2.46am Awake

Restless legs

Twitchy feet

Tinnitus- constant ringing

Tossing, turning, left side, right side

Cosy bed, cold air windows open ( a little bit)

Cat, no cat company- a feeling of security that some one is there

Heavy eyes

Tired yawning

Aching knees

Hot feet, Cold sheets

Stargazing, rain watching

Sleep no sleep. 

ANXIETY!! - ( contains mild swearing)

Why is anxiety such a bitch!!

I mean going to a health appointment which l knew would be uncomfortable causes no issues at all.  My first bus journey of the new year wasnt an issue either. Nor was standing awaiting the unreliable bus- which was actually on time and running!!  whilst watching the direction of the huge black rain cloud as well.

But getting out of the flat door- oh my gosh!! 

So fuelled with the knowledge that l had an appointment to go to, in my head I planned how l was going to get there.  Originally l decided to be good that l would walk down. Planned in my head the route and rough time it would take me. That night, sleep was a buggar, woke feeling like a coiled spring. Tense, annoyed. Didnt help that after getting up, dressed and ready, l then glanced at my desktop calendar and realised the appointment was the next day!!! What a plank !! 

With this realisation, immediately the annoyance and tense coiled spring relaxed into phew and what a plonker for not reading the letter properly.  Then the lovely people at the medical centre rang me to remind me of said appointment on the day it was meant to happen. Even they giggled when l said l had planned on trekking down a day earlier!!

Cut to day 2. Day of actual appointment. And yet again sleep happened but restlessly and annoyance crept back in. Tossing and turning most of the night. Annoyed at the cat who wanted to share my pillow space as he usually does. Then feeling guilty because i'd been mean to him - he's an old boy as well!!

Morning of the proper day of appointment. Most of which went smoothly.  Kept myself busy, conscious that l had to have an earlier lunch. Adrenaline kicked in, hobby l was doing had shaky hands. And the copious visits to the loo happened which is normal for me when l have anxiety bouts. But why??

I mean, when l get to where I'm excited or nervous to go to i'm fine. Once I'm out the door and en route to the designated transport pick up point, for day trips, when I'm on the bus, plane, whatever it is, I'm fine. I settle into my journey and all's good. 

But getting out the door!!! Nah- it's shit!!

I even have a book titled 'How to tell Anxiety to Sod Off by James Withey' don't even know if I've actually read it, judging by the condition of it, l haven't. Maybe that's the first thing to do after writing this!!

I piss myself off for being anxious!! But it just happens my body reacts. I know that the feelings of excitement and mild fear are the same. l know various coping skills which help. It's when I'm indoors in the safety of my secure bubble, which is home, that l have an issue. 

It's such a bitch!!

BRAIN DUMP BLOG

       Short and sweet little brain dump to kick start the new year.

Thoughts provoked by listening to Fearne Cottons Happy Place podcast, l love to listen whilst crafting.

My past life - teenage years spent alone in my room, where we lived above butchers shops, 2 in particular. Ive realised have shaped my life now. I spent alone time because we had no front door as such so spent hours amusing myself, listening to music- cassettes and vinyl records back then and doing art. Sitting around doing nothing was not an option. Keeping myself busy trained me for my retired life now.  Today is the 3rd January 2026 and l havent physically engaged in conversation with a actual human since Christmas evening, apart from the odd politeness from fleeting delivery people as they race down the stairs having dumped delveries at the door step, having played a game of chicken/ knock down ginger - the game we played as kids where you knock some ones door and leg it before they anwser!! 

Todays delivery people do the same!!

I was brought up in a world where the era was about control by our parents- what we wore, what we ate, how we lived, what jobs and lives we would have, what options we were to do in school.  

These days there is huge freedom and choice and people and children can say no, i dont want, l dont like- they're allowed an opinion and are allowed to voice it, rightly or wrongly.

Whereas we had to put up and shut up to keep the peace. 

Being our authentic selves was not an option.

Its interesting to look back in hindsight and see how l lived back then - ( back in my day!!) is how lm now living today in my flat.

Alone in my flat but today l can and do make my own choices about everything- because l can.