Weekend Away: Being Human and Bradford on Avon

Last summer we discovered how much we enjoyed holidaying in the UK and so when mum proposed a weekend break in the West Country we jumped at the chance. We were all (m+d, f+s, a+s) booked into a self-catering cottage in Bradford On Avon, not far from Bath and Bristol for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday night and avidly searching the internet for things to keep us entertained. Scotty and I head down on the Thursday though to Bristol to spend a night with Fabs as we want to visit her new place there.

The theme of the evening is "wrong five minutes" as although the train journey goes well we pull into Temple Meads and it is pouring with rain outside. We have no wet weather protection but aren't going to spend a small fortune on an umbrella at the station so decide to brave the short (according to the map) distance to her office. Our drenched map gets us to the bus stop outside the station and then we call Fab. We're not far and a few road crossings later we are walking towards her building. We must look like drowned rats when we get into the foyer; not the best way to impress her new boss and work mates. We apologise for our state and explain the terrible weather that is in town. But on leaving reception moments later to head to the pub all sign of rain has evaporated! It seems that we left the station in the wrong five minutes and the weather is fine all evening!!

We have a great night with a few beers in different pubs and bars, a pie for dinner and then more good beers. Fabia definitely knows where the real ales can be found in Brizzle!

In the morning Fab has a few things to catch up on at home, so Scotty and I take the opportunity to do some sight-seeing; Scotty and Alice style! Last summer it was Torchwood, Dr Who and Gavin and Stacey, this summer it is Being Human! We just LOVE the show and we've researched a bit on the web as to where the main sections are filmed. Fabia has even done us a map! We make it to Totterdown and are very excited to find the Being Human House so have our photos outside it and stalk the pubs down the road that are also featured.

For lunch we grab some wholesome food and then meet MJ and Patti at the flat for a cup of tea.
MJ is taking us to Bradford On Avon, and we arrive not long after mum and dad have done from London. After settling into the house (apologies to Fabs again that she ended up on the sofa bed!) we head out to dinner at the Dandy Lion, a good ale/good grub pub in Bradford. Two nights and two pies, so I'm happy!

The next day we decide to explore Devizes which is a town near-by. As usually happens we all have different ideas of what we want to do and so we split into two groups; Dad and Fabs head to town while Mum, Scotty and I walk the Devizes flight of locks. It's a great little walk down then up the gentle slope.

Back in town we all meet up for a spot of lunch. We discover that Somerset have their own pasties to rival those of the Cornish variety. It's more porky and minced meat, so the texture is very different, but they're still good. In the afternoon we shop a little bit for veg in grocers and books in charity shops.

Before heading home to cook dinner we all stop at the Wadworth's Brewery which is in Devizes and offers a museum, tour, tasting room and shop. The tour has already happened today, but we browse the displays about the brewery's history then buy some souvenirs in the shop and a few tasters in the tasting room. Scotty and I are pleased to come away with a new fridge magnet bottle opener, beer mustard, a new mug (that says "I'd rather be drinking beer") and a set of Wadworth's posters for our own brewery. We enjoy the tasters and scheme about how the Grand Malt next year should host brewery tours as well as developing a "brew it up" business plan, hosting other peoples brews for a small fee.

MJ, Mike and Patti come round for a cup of tea and cake. We have a nice walk around the grounds and this enables us to eat more cake (which is a good thing as between us we have four different cakes to eat up this weekend!).   That evening it's the kids turn to take over the kitchen. Fabs, Sam, Scotty and I together cook a roast which we manage to demolish and wash down with the last of the Nova Scotia wine we brought back.

Sunday morning can only have one aim; car boot sales. We've done a bit of research and have found out about three in the area. We all find a few things to empty our purses for and so are happy. Back at the house we grab some lunch and then head for a walk into Bradford itself - as we've only seen it in the dark so far! The walk takes us through a few fields according to the map, but what the map doesn't tell us is that these fields are currently planted with a crop of corn!

Sam convinces us that this is the correct route and so off we hike right through the middle of these fields of corn. It feels like something from a horror film as we can only see about a metre ahead and behind! However, his navigation skills are exemplary and we soon emerge on the outskirts of the town.  It's a very pretty area, and it's a lovely day, so we wander around the parks and the old medieval sites and grab ourselves an ice cream as a holiday treat.

This evening we drive over to Bath to visit MJ and Mike and celebrate their wedding anniversary. MJ and Patti take Scotty and I to visit Patti's flat and she shows us around and makes us a cup of tea.

Our drive back on Monday morning includes a diversion to the standing stones of Avebury and to the lay-by cafe with the most miserable lady serving "baguette or bap?" but it's been a great weekend and a real break.