Bristol - Saturday 23 August

After a lot more talking on friday, we left the Wellands after lunch and continued on to Bristol to be with Derrick and Mary Sheppard. The journey took about 1 1/2 hours from Uffington. We hadn't seen them since they paid a fleeting visit to us in Pretoria about 15years ago. Ned saw them when he was in England in 1988 - a visit that Paul their son remembered as he and Mary had gone with Ned to visit a goat farmer and he had seen a kid being born. I was pretty tired from all the talking we had already done, and so did not contribute much to the conversation that night!
We took a drive to Westonbirt National Arboretum - a very large tree garden (large garden and large trees!) It was so peaceful to be walking amongst the trees - so many varieties, well placed and spaced, with contrasting greens, and some already turning with autumn colours. The dogs were in their element as well - running with abandon, fetching sticks, and greeting other dog visitors!
If we lived in the area I would hope that I would make time to visit often! One of the sights was a 2000year old lime tree grove; and another was a huge Cedar of Lebanon - one that I'm sure King Solomon would have coveted for a building project if he had still been alive today!
That weekend there was a tree festival in progress, part of which included people carving trees into various and amazing shapes using chain saws. This was one of the 'sculptures' that I liked.
We had dropped Paul off at his blacksmith's workshop on the way, and so collected him again on the way back - first inspecting his work place and seeing his creations. What a talented young man he is - with great musical abilities too.

It was a very relaxing day, and I was much refreshed and rested at the end of it.