A Day of Family History

My cousin John and his wife Christine live in Minehead and so we’d made arrangements for them to visit us at Umberleigh.  John’s father and my mother were brother and sister and we’re both very keen on family history. 

They arrived as the heavens opened and so we piled into their car and drove to Chittlehampton where we’d heard that the food was good in The Bell Inn.  After ordering, John got out his files and a photo of his parents wedding as there were faces in it that he didn’t recognise.  I managed to name a couple of people including the little bridesmaid but I wasn’t a great deal of help I’m afraid.  We noticed that most of the husbands were missing and then realised that it was 1940 and they were probably involved in the war. 

After lunch we returned to the motorhome and more photos were handed around and studied, laptops came out and we had a good old family natter!  It was a lovely day and I hope that it’s not too long before we can meet up again.

Day Out in Ilfracombe and Woolacombe

The weather forecast told us that today was the last of the guaranteed dry days and so we decided to spend the day out and about.  It’s a long time since we’d been to Ilfracombe and so this was our first destination.  We parked and walked along to the Landmark Theatre and took a look at the surrounding area …

As we left the Theatre we spotted this triple jump mosaic which celebrates the achievements of Jonathan Edwards who had lived in Ilfracombe …

I loved the wording on the last photo – “If you don’t take off you never know where you will land”

We made our way up to town where I wanted to try and find the building where my Marshall ancestors were in business as hatters in the 1850/60’s.  Unfortunately only one side of the road was still standing and the side where my lot had been was now a wall with overhanging plants!

We walked through town and found a little cafe where we could sit outside for a coffee then it was back to the car and a move to the harbour end of town.  I went for a wander and took some photos …

After returning to the car we suddenly heard a helicopter flying very low and so we nipped out and down to the water to see what was happening.  We think it was just an exercise …

Leaving Ilfracombe behind we took the road to Woolacombe as we wanted to give the dogs a run on the beach.  All the car parks were mega expensive so we managed to find a spot at the end of a cul-de-sac where we sat and ate our packed lunches before going for our walk.  The first beach we came to had a very clear sign telling us where we were allowed …

It wasn’t very far to go and once over the bridge …

we were on the sandy beach …

There were a lot of people about as it was a Sunday but the photos make it look as if the beach was deserted!  We walked back to town, had a coffee and then it was back to the car and on the road for home.  As we neared the campsite we stopped to take photos of the valley which had been flooded yesterday.  Amazingly it was virtually back to normal today …

We had a lovely sky tonight and when I took Hamish for his walk he met the cows in the next field …

In the evening we were treated to a roast dinner in the caravan and it was scrumptious!!

The dogs were exhausted after all the exercise they’d had and just went fast asleep while we ate …

War Graves

Each month I receive a newsletter from Lost Cousins and the latest one arrived in my inbox today. Reading through it I saw a link to the War Graves Photographic Project and I took a look at it. My great uncle John Northcote Marshall died in France in the September before the first world war ended and so I typed in his name. There he was:

Cemetery: Guards Cemetery Windy Corner Cuinchy

Country: France

Area: Pas De Calais

Rank: Private

Official Number: 37616

Unit: 8th Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment.

Force: Army

Nationality: British

Details:
6th September 1918. Age 36. Son of John Pyke Marshall and Mary Marshall. VIII. H. 18

These details were nothing new as I'd found him on the CWGC site but this time there was a gravestone accompanying it. For £3.50 I ordered a photo of his gravestone and it arrived this evening.

I admit I shed a tear when I received it.

Stratford Visit plus a Bit of Family History

Today was our last day out and about while in the West Midlands and we were going to Stratford-upon-Avon.  We took a slight detour on the way there but eventually found the right road and parked up near the river.  We walked along the riverbank passing the ferry …

and crossing the river …

we arrived at the Bancroft Basin …

had a wander around and made for the Baguette Barge …

 

 

 

 

 

After munching our way through sandwiches we set off for the town where I loved the old buildings …

We’d been unable to have cake with our lunch so a stop at Cox’s Yard was called for and coffee and cake enjoyed by all …

We’d spotted a boat trip on our arrival at the river and when we asked if dogs were allowed and got a positive response we climbed aboard.  We all settled down …

and had a really lovely time …

We then walked back to the car and once there we all paid a visit to the facilities while Hamish kept watch to see where everyone had gone …

Once on the road again Jo and I gave Paul directions to Hampton on the Hill where she was hoping that we might find some relatives in a graveyard.  Once there we found that the only church was Roman Catholic and so we moved on to Budbrooke where her family had also resided.  We found the church and began the hunt amongst the graves.  She found a couple of likely ones which on checking the laptop proved that one was a definite – yay – success!  The church was locked but we got chatting with someone who turned out to be the keyholder and he very kindly unlocked it for us. 

On the way back to the campsite we stopped for a quick look at Hatton Locks …

In the evening we saw a lovely rainbow …

and then Jo’s Godson Dylan arrived with his parents …

He’s gorgeous!!