Chard

It’s back to Sue’s old home town, Chard, South Somerset. We find our Air BnB, which is in a rural setting and very quiet. A meal in the first evening, ready for the interment of Sue’s mothers ashes the next day.

We meet Sue’s brother Jim and his wife Nicki, and bury Yvonne’s ashes in Chard cemetery. We are then treated by Sue to lunch at The Cotley Inn, a Michelin star gastro pub in the nearby village of Wambrook. Back to Jim and Nicki’s, and load the car with boxes of photos and papers, for Sue to sort through!

Dinners is at an old favourite, the Windwhistle Inn, near Cricket St Thomas. Decent pub grub, but the Pharts are still pretty full from lunch.

The next morning the travellers wake up with sniffles, and are wary as Tim and Sharon in Swanage had both tested positive for Covid.

However, they decide to drive to a National Trust property near Crewkerne, called Montacute. Magnificent gardens and a huge home, dating back to the 1600’s.

The Pharts have developed heavy colds, so pick up a Covid test pack in Crewkerne. They test and oh no, positive. That will change the plans for the next couple of days.

With the Old Pharts still Covid positive and feeling a little under the weather, activities are limited to outside, with little people contact. Also dining in of an evening. Planned gatherings with the family over the weekend have been postponed. Sue had also arranged to meet up with old Uni friends in Winchester on Monday for lunch. Sadly, cancelled.

It is thus local walks and exploring. We drove to and climbed up Pilsdon Pen, one of the highest points in Dorset, with panoramic views. And also back to our old favourite, Lyme Regis. We managed a walk along the waterfront and Cobb, before the rain set in.

Having joined the National Trust shortly after arriving in England, we are keen to make the most of. About 9 miles away, near Ilminster, is Barrington Court. It is a worthwhile visit, with impressive gardens and buildings. Also, over 20 years ago, Blair played cricket there in Sue’s brother Sean’s village cricket team. Sadly the ground had been “let go.”

With the Pharts still testing positive, and with a very wet day forecast, it is decided a trip to Taunton is on the agenda. They pick up a few bits and pieces, have a pleasant luncheon then drive back to Tatworth in the pouring rain. They dine in again, care of goodies picked up from Marks and Spencer.

The next day, Covid free! They meet Jim and Nicki for lunch at the Windwhistle, a spend a pleasant few hours in their company. They can finally dine out again of an evening, so drive to Hunter’s Lodge, Axminster. Good, honest pub grub. The next morning it is pack up time, and off to Bristol.