Taunton Daily Photos

Roar....

2008-04-14T21:49:00.003Z

These are the railings at Somerset County Council.
The dragon or Wyvern or whatever it is is quite prominent in the council & pops up in all sorts of places around here. I think it's worth a Google (or any of the other search engines).
Ok, so it isn't a Wyvern - apparently they only have two legs...
So is it a Wyrm? It sort of fits the bill I guess. In any case its some sort of Dragon eh!? I am sure someone will tell me...

Paignton Zoo

2008-04-13T23:20:00.002Z

I had a trip to Paignton Zoo today, about an hours drive but worth it I reckon.
LOTS of Pea Fowl... the climate on the English Riviera must suit them!

Taunton Heritage Trail

2008-04-12T23:16:00.001Z

Do you know I still haven't walked this trail! I think I must have covered the points of interest, just not necessarily in the same order! This is what the Town Centre website says about it.

The Crescent

2008-04-11T23:11:00.003Z

A fine row of old houses, now used as offices, hair dressing salons & clinics.
The office I am working in this coming week is just behind these buildings.

Coffee on the Estate...

2008-04-10T22:30:00.002Z

Another shot from Dillington House.

I don't know what someone was doing walking up the drive with a coffee but I am pretty sure that this is not what the architects had in mind for the pillar!

Dillington House

2008-04-09T21:19:00.003Z

Sadly it was my last day at Dillington House today, back to HQ tomorrow then down to Exchange House in Taunton from next Tuesday for a few days. Hopefully by then the new offices in Quantock House will have been fitted out & we will have desks & computers. There is even rumoured to be a kettle on the way!
I'll believe it when I see it...

You Could Not Make It Up II!

2008-04-08T17:18:00.003Z

It's me, I'm back...

After moving closer to my work so I don't have to drive the 40 miles a day from Taunton to Portishead I have now been seconded to a post in... Taunton! So I have my commute back, but the upside is that I will be in Taunton a couple of times a week at least so I can resurrect this DPB.

Today I have been near Illminster at a fantastic location, Dillington House , as it is not exactly Taunton I am stretching it a little by posting a close up of a steel sculpture I found in the grounds, just opposite the stables & pheasantry if you go looking for it!

The Last Post

2007-09-23T22:50:00.001Z

UPDATE - Nailsea & Backwell Daily Photo is alive and kicking, smaller I grant you but hey!

Hi all, just wanted to say thanks for all the messages.

It's been a hectic few months and I am afraid TDPhoto can be no more! Due to circumstances beyond my control I have moved and no longer live in Taunton.

I had pretty much decided that my new home was not interesting to support a DPB, but I realised over the last day or two that thinking that was a cop-out.

So, now I am hoping a Tauntonian wants to take over the duties here, drop me a line please!

As for the new home, well I now live in a small/tiny North Somerset village called Backwell. It's pretty much joined at the hip with a little town called Nailsea so stand by for Nailsea and Backwell Daily Photos. Or should that be Backwell and Nailsea...?

Cheers,

MB

And again...

2007-06-10T20:46:00.000Z

Perhaps I should have posted this one first! Wasn't much of a band with only one Mandolin was it!

Band on North Street

2007-06-09T20:33:00.000Z

I wish I had some time to stand and listen to this band who set up in Taunton on Saturday. I heard the first tune which sounded something like The Pogues or Flogging Molly might have done. Sort of Irish or at least a little celtic... Anyway I didn't - I had to rush off - so if you know who they were drop me a line!

Back to the Old School

2007-06-08T20:37:00.000Z

Unfortunately I haven't actually been back to the school yet, I took this at the same time!
This is the front door, on Mary Street.

Taunton Baptist Church

2007-06-07T19:13:00.000Z

Not a religious man at all really, except in extremis! Always good to hedge your bets I reckon!
Anyway, the sun streaming from behind the Baptist Church was worth a click I thought.

Back to the chimneys

2007-06-06T20:11:00.000Z

Nothing special about the chimney on this house taken near Jellalabad but I love the colour of the sky - makes me hopeful for the coming summer!

Jellalabad Tower

2007-06-05T19:35:00.000Z

The main tower at Jellalabad Barracks, I don't know the reason behind the slit windows - surely by the time this was built there was no defensive reason to build them this way? One thing is for sure - they wouldn't let much light into the building. British Barracks have a long and distinguished history of being uncomfortable - I stayed in accommodation in Dorset that had been condemned, 8 men to a room with a metal frame bed and a metal locker - comfortable is not a word that springs to mind. By contrast our barracks in Hildesheim, Germany was an old Luftwaffe Kaserne - the rooms were smaller and more comfortable.

Old School House

2007-06-04T18:22:00.000Z

How frustrating! I can't work out the writing on this gate!
When I took the shot I thought it said Orange Street Infant School, now I am not too sure. Looking on the map I can't find a street anywhere near beginning with 'O'...
A mystery - for now any Taunton locals able to help?

Multi-Storey Revisited

2007-06-03T18:12:00.000Z

Back on the multi-storey, this time looking down over East Street and WHSmith, over to St James Church and the Somerset County Cricket Club and out onto the Quantocks.

Roller

2007-06-02T19:31:00.000Z

Near the entrance to Jellalabad Barracks, almost in the entrance in fact.

I wonder how far that roller has been pushed in it's lifetime?

Taunton Town Charity

2007-06-01T23:39:00.000Z

Taunton Town Charity on Magdalene Street.

A building that deserves a better photographer than me but hey, I'm all you have!

Anything that provides good, affordable housing for the oldsters has got to be a good thing in my book, just waiting for the good affordable housing for us (relative) youngsters now!

Spiral

2007-05-31T20:52:00.001Z

Back to the Multi-Storey car park, this time inside, on top, looking down...

Did I mention the lift was broken!

Car park lifts and stair wells are never the cleanest, or most pleasant places to hang around so I made best speed to the bottom, well second best speed as I didn't fancy jumping.

Bee for Springwatch

2007-05-30T17:55:00.000Z

Seeing as the BBC's Springwatch is in full flow right now I thought I should post this Bee. I took the shot from my front door as little Ada was trying her best to grab the poor beastie! She is learning sign language so she was frantically signing Bee while trying to get hold of it and shaking my camera hand at the same time!

Old Pigs

2007-05-29T07:41:00.000Z

I don't think they used to sell old pigs...

This market ran from 1614 to 1882, I have no idea where they sold their pigs after that date, I have never seen pigs being sold at the cattle market although you do see sheep there!

Wet Bank Holiday

2007-05-28T18:57:00.000Z

Well it is tradition isn't it!
A Bank Holiday weekend, plenty of free time to get out and enjoy the countryside...
Except it's raining, and I have been struck down by another 'Man-Flu' - bugger!

Jellalabad Court

2007-05-27T10:06:00.000Z

This is part of Jellalabad Court, which is in turn part of the old Jellalabad Barracks which has been converted to accomodation. One of the flats sold here for £135 000 recently, although it is not described as a flat but a 'one bedroom apartment'.
In their day the barracks must have been huge, it seems that everywhere you walk around that area you see something that must have been part of the military, from smaller houses to flag poles.

The barracks housed the Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert's) who were raised in 1685 for King James and finally bit the dust when they amalgamated with the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in 1959 and became the Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry. When I joined my regiment in 1984 I seem to remember there being only one or two battalions of Light Infantry so they must have amalgamated again sometime between 1959 and the 80's.

The final part of the armed forces to use the barracks seems to have been the Royal Army Pay Corps as they didn't leave the place until June 1987 when they moved to Exeter. Even the pay corps have bit the dust now as they amalgamated with several other administration units to become the Adjutant Generals Corp.

and no jokes about dodgy piercings please...

Multi Storey

2007-05-26T22:33:00.000Z

Still the tallest building in Taunton, and looking from this angle for all the world like some kind of Somerset coliseum, is the multi-storey car park.
The fourth and fifth floors are protected by mesh fencing to help deter potential suicides, although quite why the council think the depressed can't negotiate chain-link fencing is a mystery really.
This was the first time I have stood inside the exit ramp, in fact since moving to the centre of the town I have not needed to park the car anywhere other than outside the house. Not a bad thing considering the lift was out of order today! ;)

Post Office

2007-05-25T22:41:00.000Z

The main Post Office building on North Street. Lots of hoohar (sp?) about the government planning to close another 2000 or so post offices as they are losing money on them hand over fist. No surprise when you can't do much else other than buy a stamp there. Things like buying a TV Licence you just can't do at the post office anymore, silly really.

Anyway, I am not sure when this was built but their is a really old doorway behind the castle that was apparently taken from the 'old' post office so I guess this is the new one. Judging by the architecture it has to be 1920 - 1939 or so to fit in with the Art Deco feel of the place. Might have a closer snoop around tomorrow.

Oh and do you see the pigeon? They get everywhere, not just on this blog!

Feathered Rat

2007-05-24T20:42:00.000Z

I had a friend in the army called Rat, his little brother was Mouse - this post isn't about either of them...

There has been some talk on the Taunton online forum organised by the local newspaper about the Pigeons that are such a nuisance in town. I saw this one perched on the wire near the canal - it seemed to be minding its own business pretty much.

I messed around with this shot in Photoshop, adding some noise and playing around with the levels until it looked similar to the photographs in my old natural history books I read when I was a kid, I must have learned about so much of the world in black and white!

It was hot today, very hot. I was teaching on a converted bus, with the sun glaring through the windows and the computers running it was very uncomfortable. I have made a concession for the police officers tomorrow - they don't need to wear uniform, I am such a considerate teacher! ;)

Hammet Street Chimney Garden!

2007-05-23T21:48:00.000Z

Another from Hammet Street, this time looking up to the top of these great houses.
I have already said how much I love chimneys, but taking your eye above the normal level is always interesting - especially when you think you know a place, it's surprising what you don't see unless you look!
In this case I wonder if the residents are aware just how much green space they have up there on their chimney stack? Plenty of anti-pigeon spikes but a goodly amount of green stuff too.

Firepool Lock

2007-05-22T20:29:00.000Z

A kid and his dad fishing next to Firepool Lock.

The Lock connects the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal to the River Tone and allowed the barges full of coal to reach the wharf.
The canal itself was opened in 1827 and was intended to be part of a larger network connecting Bristol to Exeter but the railway took lots of the traffic intended for the canal so that never happened.
Commercial traffic ceased in 1907 and after the 2nd World War the canal fell into disrepair.
Like most in the country it is now 'only' used for recreation.

I love canalsides, so much wildlife jammed into a small area. Some of my best memories of my father are from when we walked for hours on the canals around Hyde, Ashton & Glossop. I learned so much about plants and trees and animals from him then. I pass on a lot of that sort of thing now when I teach bushcraft and survival skills.

A funny thing happened to me today, I was walking in town with Ada when a woman approached me and asked "Are you the man from Taunton Daily Photo?" - I thought I was famous! However it turns out she recognised Ada! What a cheek - its MY blog not hers, she can't even use a camera yet!!! grrrrr ;)

Anyway, it was one of the people who run the About My Area website, a fantastic resource for communities. If you live in the UK check out your own About My Area, get involved...

Hammet Street Sign

2007-05-21T23:11:00.000Z

I found this sign up a tiny little alleyway off Hammet Street in the town centre.

It was one of three identical signs on one wall, quite why someone was so dead against placing goods or cycles against the wall was not clear!

Grey Heron at Firepool Weir

2007-05-20T22:20:00.000Z

Not the photo I was going to post today but having seen this magnificent bird sat sunning itself on its nest tonight I had to change the plan!

I don't know if it had just been for a swim but it certainly seemed to be drying itself in the last rays of the early evening. I had not noticed the nest before today, it is only 2 minutes walk from the house so I think it must be new. Normally the herons are to be seen a few minutes further along the river or at Hankridge Water Park about 2 1/2 miles away on the outskirts of town.

Burtons

2007-05-19T22:21:00.000Z

This is the Burtons/Dorothy Perkins shop on North Street in Taunton town centre.
I love the fact that Barbara Jessie Burton laid the foundation stone for this shop in 1930 and here it is 77 years later still being used by the same company - not many shops on the high street have that sort of heritage.

There is a photo of the same foundation stone laid three years earlier on a Burtons shop in Cork, Ireland here.

Burtons itself was started by Monty Burton in 1900 in Chesterfield, England as a tailors and gents outfitters.

Oh, and did anyone see Dr Who? Hot up there wasn't it! ;)

Polo

2007-05-18T19:27:00.000Z

Just over the road from my house is Taunton Canoe Club. I don't know if this girl was just early for a meeting or if she planned to play polo with the swan.

Back to the Tudor House

2007-05-17T23:30:00.000Z

I said I would go back to the Tudor House soon so I popped back tonight with the 200mm lens on the Nikon hoping to capture some detail I thought I had seen the other day.

Well here it is, I was not so interested in the woman, who looks like something from a ship by the way, rather the creepy face carved into the post she hang from!

What I didn't notice until I loaded the photo into Apple Aperture is the date carved into the beam behind it, from what I can work out it says 13?8, I will have to go back to try and see the missing digit.

While I was taking the photo there was a minor commotion behind me when a police officer was stopping a couple of lads drinking cider in the street, when I left 2 PCSOs had just turned up to back him up. I didn't think he would appreciate a photo so I left them to it!

Dr Who

2007-05-16T20:11:00.000Z

No, the Doctor has not come to Taunton but this is a photo of Rebecca, my partners sister taken from the official Dr Who website.
She is appearing in the episode called '42' to be shown on the BBC this Saturday so it's all round to mine for pizza and TV!
She's looking a bit grubby but apparently she is some kind of spaceship mechanic so you can't blame her for being a little oily! ;)
Tenuous Taunton link... Rebecca lived here before moving to drama school in London...

London Plane

2007-05-15T19:35:00.000Z

This is London Plane, a really common tree in British towns. I think it is a cross between an American Sycamore and... erm... hang on... Wikipedia to the rescue...

It IS a hybrid between the American Sycamore and the Oriental Plane, first spotted in Spain!

So WHY is a tree growing in Taunton, tracing it's roots (pun intended) back to the orient and America, first noticed in Spain called a London Plane????

Oh and it is the symbol of the NY City Parks Department? Do they call it the London Plane or the New York Plane? So many questions, never enough answers...

Sustrans - National Cycle Network

2007-05-14T22:42:00.000Z

Surely they can't both be the way to 3?
Where is 3?
What happened to 2? and 1?

These are signs for a route on the National Cycle Network a massive collection of safe cycle paths mapped and maintained by Sustrans - the sustainable transport charity.

Sustrans was started in Bristol in the 1970's with the aim of making a network of 2000 miles of cycle paths by the year 2000, in 2005 it had already reached the 10000 mile mark, an amazing achievement.

I am a Sustrans Ranger - that means I am responsible for a short section of the network, I have to ride it from time to time to make sure the signage is still clear and nothing it blocking the route. It's been a while since I did it - I don't think I am a very good ranger...

Cows

2007-05-13T23:33:00.000Z

Apparently Cows Rock!

Is it a place? A statement? A music genre?

I need to know, I NEED to find the mystery sprayer!

Cricket

2007-05-12T23:15:00.000Z

Not something you see every day... The Windies playing in my back garden!
Straight from work I picked a couple of friends up from Weston-super-Mare and brought them down to my house. On the way to buy some beer and wine for pre-, and post- curry drinks myself and Nick sat and watched the last few overs of the first days play.
The light was failing and the Somerset bowler looked as though he was trying to take the batsmans head off with some evil bouncers, you really would not want to stop a cricket ball in the chops at that speed - irrespective of wearing a helmet!
Anyway, straight from the World Cup the Windies treated the bowling with disdain and were wacking a couple of fours per over - we managed to see one get his Century up before we had to rush off to get the beer.
Lots of beer, some wine, a Pathia and even a Bullit and Coke later... my head hurts!

Beer

2007-05-11T20:43:00.000Z

Tonights entertainment...
Just a couple maybe, this one - a lovely organic hoppy beer and later a Banana Bread Beer.

Teaching tomorrow though so it really should only be a couple... I'll let you know how it goes!

Anyone else on the pop?

Rubbish II

2007-05-10T19:23:00.000Z

Another view from the makeshift druggie den...

Can you believe they have torn the porn magazine apart, I don't know... What are they like?! Can they not share nicely!?

Modern Life is Rubbish

2007-05-09T21:50:00.000Z

In a small area of ground between St. Mary Magdalene church and 'Posh Nosh' is a pretty horrific collection of detrius. Alcohol containers, used syringes, burned clothing and a whole lot of unrecognisable mess.
See the CD? 'The Best New Worship Songs... EVER' - the irony eh!

Tudor House

2007-05-08T21:05:00.000Z

Just a quickie - this building deserves some real good photos taking so I will go back and try and get some!
It's the Tudor House on Fore Street, the oldest house in Taunton, parts of it date back to 1350. It belonged to Sir William Portman who was responsible for escorting the Duke of Monmouth to London for his execution after the Monmouth Rebellion!
I would love to spend the night in there, I bet it is so creaky and spooky!

YMCA Gym

2007-05-07T20:29:00.000Z

Not entirely sure it is somewhere I would enjoy working out but back in 1895 I am sure it was cutting edge!

I thought the YMCA was an American institution but it seems to be thriving over here, and by the looks of this imposing building, was thriving here over a hundred years ago.

I will definitely go back when the light is a little more favourable to see if I can get some sky into the photo so it doesn't look so artificial.

Vets

2007-05-06T10:45:00.000Z

Seems strange that a 'normal' business such as a veterinarian is housed in such an impressive old building somehow.
I have no idea how old the building is but the windows and stonework looks ancient.

Dirty Weekend

2007-05-05T09:51:00.000Z

How about this for a cheeky advertising line!

At least they have a sense of humour, they must have to have planted this skip on my road for the last 6 months taking away a couple of our valuable parking spaces - grump! ;)

Mini Milk

2007-05-04T22:14:00.000Z

Ok, another photo with more than a little personal interest!

This is the beautiful Ada in Vivary Park last week trying to decide if she is enjoying this new cold milky thing she has been handed.

It took a few moments but she eventually decided frozen milk is a good thing and at that point things got much messier, hopefully - if we get a good summer - she may have lots more practice!

Super Juice!

2007-05-03T21:03:00.000Z

This funky juice and soup mobile establishment appeared about a year ago.

I haven't tried it yet, perhaps I should - just so I can report back!

Bikes

2007-05-02T18:33:00.000Z

All these bikes sat waiting for their owners to ride them home...

Lucky people who don't need to get into the car each day to rush to work!

For the record this is at the council buildings.

The Tone towards French Weir

2007-05-01T20:27:00.000Z

Almost at the same point that I photographed the Bluebells was this view of the Tone at dusk. I love the way Willow trees look - very dreamy.

Bluebell

2007-04-30T08:16:00.000Z

Just before they disappear for another year the Bluebell...

The native British version of course, as opposed to the more dominant new Spanish species.

These are pictured close to the castle, on the walk back to town from French Weir.

British, Spanish, French... how international is Taunton all of a sudden! ;)

Gorse

2007-04-29T20:12:00.000Z

Another photo from down in Children's Wood.
This time a Gorse in full flower - I guess it's a weed, you wouldn't want it in your garden but it does look great on heathland where it is usually the biggest splash of colour

Sun in Vivary Park

2007-04-28T16:44:00.000Z

Difficult to stay out of the park when the weather is as great as this. A little bit of work in the garden in the morning so I didn't feel too guilty about wandering around in the sun.
Lots of people sitting around having little picnics agreeing that it was the best thing to do on such a great day.

Light on the Tone

2007-04-27T22:06:00.000Z

While walking down the riverbank I though the light reflecting off the water was worth a quick snap. It was really bright!
Here's hoping for much more sun this weekend.

Willow Fair

2007-04-26T23:47:00.000Z

The last one from the Willow Fair - just a general shot of people milling around enjoying the day.

Down with the Willow!

2007-04-25T20:33:00.000Z

Ok so it was a bit too easy - the poster behind the basket was a HUGE giveaway! ;)

This one is even easier... How about these for environmentally friendly, sustainable sending away packages! Classier than the cardboard coffins that are quite popular at the moment and probably even better for the umwelt.

Get yourself one ordered now from The Somerset Willow Company Limited, you never know when you might need it, and until then you could always store blankets inside it :)

Up with the Willow

2007-04-24T20:30:00.000Z

Still at the Willow Fair, inside one of the display tents now.

Can anyone see what the very talented chap is weaving? One thing I would have thought would have been updated and built of more modern materials by now, glad it hasn't though - it's nice to see something changed so little since they were first made.

Willow Music

2007-04-23T20:50:00.000Z

Another from the Willow Fair - this guy was doing a great job of trying to smile for my photo as he played his whistle and whatever than instrument is he has attached to himself!

Somerset Willow Fair

2007-04-22T12:29:00.000Z

Well I am back - a few days later than expected but I have had a week off work and I took advantage of it! I will make up for missing so many posts - I hope!

Yesterday I went to Somerset Willow Fair in Vivary Park in Taunton. It's a little celebration of willow weaving and basket making set up by several small interested parties from the Somerset Levels.

It was a great little event, lots of demonstrations and classes going on, in fact it's still running today for anyone who can pop down! I was particularly impressed with all the work the companies had been doing with the local schools, it seems every school around had some sort of willow monster, dragon, dinosaur or similar to show off. At least one of the schools had created a living willow covered seating area - that will look fantastic in a year or two I reckon.

Anyway - here is what has got to be the biggest, walk-in, woven watering can in the world... unless you know different?

Hawthorn

2007-04-12T21:01:00.000Z

Does the Hawthorn grow where you live?

What a tree! I will be burning lots of Hawthorn this weekend, cooking and hanging around the campfire, if it wasn't for those sharp prickles it would be the ideal tree.

I took this a couple of days ago down in Childrens Wood - alongside the river the council planted a tree for every child born in the borough for a couple of years, a nice idea. I wouldn't mind if 'my' tree had been a Hawthorn, shame I am about 30 years too old and from a couple of hundred miles north!

As I am away with the Scouts this weekend I may not be able to post for a few days - see you soon.

Roundabout

2007-04-10T23:44:00.000Z

Ok I am a little too old to be playing on the childrens apparatus at the park but I had been pushing Ada round and round on this for so long that I thought I deserved a play...

I experimented with some long shutter speeds to blur motion as I went round and round and round and round... but after a few minutes of that I was in danger of getting reacquainted with my Easter Sunday lunch (cushion of lamb from our local butcher, thanks Gerald!) so I took this one and got off pronto.

Ladybug

2007-04-09T23:34:00.000Z

Ladybirds are a bit of a feature in my house, from the fancy dress costume hanging up in Ada's room to the large, sit-on, toy in the front room. However these two were enjoying a quiet lunch together today on the bank of the river heading towards Hankridge.
The holiday weekend is over, in less than five hours I have to get up and get ready for work again - ho hum! Hope you all had a good weekend wherever you are.

The Balloon Has Gone Up

2007-04-07T18:05:00.000Z

Just caught this flying over my house as I walked back from buying some cider ready for a night of football (soccer for our American friends) and boxing.
That's watching not taking part, obviously - cider might be partly responsible for some of the shenanigans that go on in town later but it's not drunk ringside as a rule!
It has been a lovely day, perfect for floating above us all, being pointed at by children, barked at by dogs and photographed by bloggers...

Chimney

2007-04-05T22:17:00.000Z

I often wonder how much of our towns are unseen because they are above eye level.
I am going to start posting a series of rooftops and chimneys, as a way of making me expand my viewpoint if nobody else's! - apologies to all of you who read the nonsense I typed when I first posted this... and I hadn't even been drinking...

Another Head

2007-04-04T00:11:00.000Z

Back to the court and another stone head on a doorway.

Once again I have no idea of its relevance or why it is guarding the door but I do think they look great.

Where is my bike?

2007-04-02T23:36:00.000Z

Seen wandering through town...
Wonder if he found it eventually? ;)

Bath Place

2007-04-01T18:26:00.000Z

This is the bottom end of Bath Place - its a lovely shopping arcade in town.

Some great shops on here, the old WI shop I featured earlier, a fantastic fishmongers and a sandwich shop that do a great BLT!

I will feature some of the shops over the next few weeks.

Taunton Crown Court

2007-03-28T22:25:00.000Z

What is he? A dog? Anyway, he is hanging off the wall next to a side door to Taunton Court.
I was having a wander around this morning when I saw him, I think this photo would improve with a conversion to black & white, a task for the weekend maybe.

Subway

2007-03-27T22:39:00.000Z

Just off the river is this little subway - there are two decent pieces of art on the walls so I thought I'd shoot one of them for the blog.

Ok, its not Banksy... but then what is, except Banksy of course...

It's not right is it?... you are not meant to find graffiti sexy.... ;)

Taunton Cider

2007-03-26T23:54:00.000Z

This used to be our most famous cider - before it was bought by Mathew Clark brands and moved out of Taunton. I believe it still mentions Taunton but Blackthorn is sadly no longer a Somerset cider...
This sign is rotting away at the old factory at Norton Fitwarren, soon to be houses!

Quantocks

2007-03-26T01:37:00.000Z

Went walking in the Quantocks today, it was great - the trees up there have a hard life - mostly Hawthorn and like this one they grow really slowly and are seriously windswept.

The Fun Farm

2007-03-24T19:43:00.000Z

Lately my little Ada baby has been getting so excited when she sees animals of any kind, and so incredibly good at learning the sign language for them, that we thought it would be good to take her to a farm.
So this morning at 11:00 we met some friends at The Fun Farm 5 minutes away from the house.
It was incredibly good, the farmer there has been working the farm for 20 years but has found it increasingly difficult to make ends meet so now he has shut up shop as a 'real' farm and caters exclusively for parties of children.
I might use more photos next week but for now I would say if you are anywhere close - go and visit! £2.50 for adults, £1 for children - a good half days worth of things to do at least.

The Car

2007-03-24T01:24:00.000Z

Only one photo I could post today!
You would think that 1500 or so police officers might have seen what happened to my car in police HQ....
grrrrrr

A few days late - Mothering Sunday

2007-03-22T00:23:00.000Z

It was Mothers Day on Sunday last, also known as Mothering Sunday.

I don't think Mothers Day means the same thing around the world - here it seems to mean that I have to go out on the Saturday and buy a diamond necklace?!

Anyway, back to the point - we celebrate the mothers, we should make breakfast in bed for them (ok, serve it in bed - not MAKE it in bed - that would be silly), we should take them to lunch so they don't need to cook (although cooking is now being shared more and more by us males so thats not really relevant anymore) OK, we SHOULD buy them diamonds!

Historically it is always the fourth Sunday of Lent and on this day we should all return to our 'mother' church so we all get to meet up with our families. If we are in 'service' we get this one Sunday off each year to make the trip back to that Mother church and catch up with who has been born/died/married/forever been erased from the family history due to that unfortunate incident with the goat and the blancmange...

Oh, I took my family to Hestercombe House and had afternoon tea, these are the sweets that followed the salmon and the cucumber sandwiches!

Shield Bug - Where's Wally?

2007-03-17T18:49:00.000Z

While walking through town today, outside the swimming pool in fact, I saw this Shield Bug, I've always liked them. They have great colours if you get up close. It's just a shame this one was sat in the middle of a flower bed... I just know Ame will slate me for taking more flower photos! ;)

The Brick Tree!

2007-03-17T00:06:00.000Z

Just behind the Scout centre on the river this isolated and gnarled old tree caught me eye.

Its nothing special to look at, but then....

You see hidden away IN the wood lots of bricks, there must have been a substantial wall there before the park swallowed up gardens.

Tone Angler

2007-03-15T22:41:00.000Z

This is a pretty tranquil scene for a midweek afternoon.
Without exaggeration this chap was angling no more than 50 metres from the main road through Taunton, I suppose it's a great illustration of how far we have come in cleaning up our rivers.

French Weir

2007-03-13T21:58:00.000Z

Had a quick walk around French Weir today - no Kingfishers around, far too many schoolkids on bikes but I'll catch one of the little blighters on film one day!

Hammered Dulcimer

2007-03-11T20:05:00.000Z

As the title suggests - this chap is playing a Hammered Dulcimer, he is often seen in Taunton playing away.
The sound is great, a little like a piano or perhaps a harpsichord? Any musicians out there want to correct me? ;)
Anyway, read his note on the front of the instrument - he's available for hire at very decent rates - so get hiring!

The Wall

2007-03-10T22:15:00.000Z

Just behind the Cider Mill in one of the previous posts is the Old Library, it was - well, an old library! Now it is one of a chain of bars named 'Pitcher & Piano'. For a chain it is not bad, decent enough food and good drinks - if a little pricey.
Anyway, leading off the Old Library as was, pitcher & Piano as is, is this wall.
It's the first time I have looked at it, that's the thing with this DP business, I find I am 'seeing' stuff for the first time. Loving some of the images you are showing me too!

I don't know if they have just removed some ivy or similar from the wall, it's the only reason I can think of for the extremely damp green areas.

Waak Waaak!!!

2007-03-10T01:00:00.000Z

Ducks in the UK say Quack, apparently...

I reckon they say Waaak!

It's the sort of noise I'd make if my feet and bum were permanently immersed in cold water.

On the Rails

2007-03-08T22:38:00.000Z

I felt a little exposed getting this shot.
Stood on the rails, all the time I was taking to focus I could imagine a train smashing into my back. I know it would be painless, still - best not to hang around...

Cider Mill

2007-03-07T22:32:00.000Z

This is a 17th century cider mill, it was presented to the town in 1971 by Taunton Cider, they don't exist anymore - the company were bought out and shut down. Wiped out the major employer in one of the outlying villages overnight. The buildings are still there rotting away, they will be demolished soon to build housing.
Cider is very important down here, I will visit Sheppys soon and get some photos of their operation, their cider is amazing stuff, worth searching out.
Their is a saying that a vat of cider is not worth drinking unless they find at least one drowned rat in it... Hope it's just a rural legend though!!!

Out of Season

2007-03-06T23:16:00.000Z

Just a quickie tonight, I need to be asleep!

This is Somerset County Cricket ground again, my house backs onto the ground virtually in the centre top of the image.

Not much going on here now, not until summer.

Crocii - is that even the correct plural?

2007-03-05T02:51:00.000Z

Back to Vivary park for the Crocii I posted the other day, this shot has not been touched, boosted, cropped, adjusted, fettled, frotted or any other operation - legal or otherwise!

I was just snapping away, blown away by how many flowers had shot up, I really should have spent more time on some composition - still, am I the only DPBer that feels a bit strange walking around town with a camera permanently attached to my face??

Lunar Eclipse

2007-03-04T00:09:00.000Z

Well Saturday night was the lunar eclipse, I wonder how many other eclipse photos make it onto the DPB??
Does this even qualify? I mean, I took the photos FROM Taunton... ;)

Crocus

2007-03-03T01:50:00.000Z

I'm back!
Get things back to normal tomorrow, until then - I took this last week, love the contrast - nature does it so much better than we ever could!
M

Station - and apology

2007-02-20T19:15:00.000Z

Took this the other day going to work, very early!

Thought I was back on track but my uncle Ted has died up in Hyde so I will be heading up there as soon as my little bro lets me know whats happening. No idea how long it might be but hey, nothing I can do to avoid this trip, and I wouldn't want to.

Suppose I get to see some of Gerald's blog for real again, if there could be a bright side.

M

Rainy Night

2007-02-20T00:32:00.000Z

Well, it's been a while since I posted, things have been a bit busy both with work and home but are settling down again now.

I took this tonight, my first attempt at low light photography, and as it was raining I didn't hang around!

Looking forward to catching up looking at all your photo blogs.

North Street II

2007-02-13T01:02:00.000Z

Another quickie,
This is the front of North Street Congregational church, I have never seen it free of people or cars so I have not been able to get a better shot, people seem to congregate around it, maybe in summer...

North Street

2007-02-12T01:31:00.000Z

Hey I'm back...
I will fill in the gaps I missed later, and normal service should be resumed tomorrow!
This is a shot taken around the back of North Street Congregational Church, it seems quite a busy place thats sits just back from one of the main roads in Taunton.
Where this was taken is accessed via Whirligig Lane though (just had to get whirligig in again, such a funny word!)

Springing!

2007-02-07T23:19:00.000Z

Apologies for another quickie but I am battling with a toddler who is spouting forth from all orifices!
Poor girl....
Anyway, on Sunday I shot this out on the Wellington Road, how early?! Where is winter?

Glebe House

2007-02-06T23:11:00.000Z

Love this doorway, and its brick facade.

It is the gate to Glebe House on Whirligig Lane... How cool is that for a street name!

Esto Vigilans

2007-02-06T00:24:00.001Z

This is the side of my bank, well it's not my bank obviously, if it was I'd have someone to blog for me... It's the establishment where I bank!
Loved the patterns cast by the sun against the concrete.

Signs, again!

2007-02-06T00:21:00.001Z

You have to wonder how they ever get any mail, or perhaps they get too much!?

Country Rovers

2007-02-03T23:55:00.000Z

This is all that is left of 'Country Rovers' a Land Rover repairer and dealer a few minutes walk from my house.
A few weeks ago I woke to find half the constabulary parked at the end of the road as the place had gone up in smoke overnight. The roads were closed for a couple of days due to all the hazardous materials inside, and the need for an investigation into the cause of the fire.
Today with the blue sky the outline of the steel girders was quite striking so it had to be the daily photo.

St Mary Magdalen by night

2007-02-02T21:53:00.000Z

Another photo of St Mary Magdalen, this time taken by night on a slow shutter by the light of the church itself.
Not got time to write much tonight as I am relaxing on my sofa with Katy...

Katy is a fantastic cider made by a local cider farm Thatchers if you can get hold of it you should give it a try it really is a great, strong cider.

Parking II

2007-02-01T23:17:00.000Z

Another example of a parking sign being completely ignored...
If I ever have to protect a parking area I think I'll go for machine guns and razor wire, signs don't seem to work!
The sign is behind a skate shop on East Reach, if you notice the stickers on the car it looks like this belongs to one of the skaters, not that I am saying that skaters are more likely to park illegally of course!

County Stores

2007-01-31T21:32:00.000Z

Well this is it, I had to go back this afternoon and get a photo!
While I was there I picked up everything I need to make Nigiri tomorrow, ok it was meant for tonight but something happened with an evil KFC so the less said the better!

While I was waiting outside to take the photo, a colleague from the constabulary was making an arrest a few hundred metres away, she obviously called for backup as a response car made its way to the scene with the 'Blues & Two's' flashing & blaring.
As soon as the siren was heard a dodgy looking bloke started muttering in an agitated fashion and then nipped into the shop. If you look in the near window you can see him observing the police make their arrest... How interesting... I wonder if he is wanted or just nervous around the plod???

The Bow

2007-01-30T23:15:00.000Z

A little deeper into the gate itself so you can see down towards the shopping area and North Street.
There is a fantastic shop on this street called County Stores, it is full of everything you could possibly need to cook with! It kicks sand in the face of the supermarkets when you are looking for ingredients for Asian food or Italian ingredients etc. It really is good, and it is not a chain, it's the only one of its kind. Long may it fight off the standardisation of the high street!

Castle Bow

2007-01-29T20:56:00.000Z

Back to the more scenic sights of Taunton...
This is looking towards the Castle Hotel with Castle Bow leading down to the main shopping area of the town.
It is a very impressive old gateway and portcullis, you can imagine being one of those Parliamentarians and trying to storm it!
Right on the left of shot is an approaching crusty/goth... Tauntons coffee shops and Vivary Park are full of goths with credit cards... take pity on them, adopt a goth...