Wells - 24th - 26th April

A short break this time as I'm only taking Friday off.

Set off to Cheddar caves and due to a road closure at Salisbury we end up taking a less direct route than I had expected but we get there via some very pretty villages in the Mendips and a drive down the gorge itself.

Park in the coach park and walk down to the main cave entrance, where Tina gets talking to the man from the RSPB whilst I sort out the parking ticket.

Explore the main caves and whilst we had been here 20+ years ago I don't remember it.

Afterwards we go back to Hymie and have lunch and then walk down to the second, smaller cave, which I do recall from our last visit, but has been Tolkienfied with a story of elves and dragons etc. Head for the museum and spend 10 minutes talking to the flint nappers, which was very interesting. It's a small museum telling the story of man's development of tools, fire and hunting skills.

Then head off for the campsite about 8 miles away, just outside Wells.

Arrive and there is an 8-month old beautiful looking Boxer in reception that licks and slobbers all over Tina and whilst he is quite excited Tina definitely eggs him on and ends up with scratched arms - but all is OK.

Site has recently been developed so looks quite bare but very well laid out and reasonable views, only downside is the new shower block isn't finished and as we find out in the morning the old one's only do cold water.

It's pleasant enough to sit outside with a cup of tea, so we do for a short while and then back inside and crack open a bottle of wine - very relaxing.

Next day after cold showers we walk into Wells, which did take about 15-minutes as promised by the site warden. It starts off very sunny but by the time we get there its has become overcast so we head for a little tea shop and have a cuppa. Fortunately we are inside when the heavens open for a short sharp shower.

Then we walk up to the market square and check out the potential venues for lunch, deciding on the Old Spot and phone and make a booking - good job to as they are quite busy - anyway lunch booked for 12:30 so it's off to the cathedral.

No wonder it costs £3k a day to run this place, it has the most wonderful oak beamed extension - just for the toilets, which have got to be the best public conveniences I've been in.

Join a guided tour of the cathedral, which was brilliant must do this more often as it is far more interesting than wondering around on your own.

Wells cathedral has a stunning series of three scissor arches, which were built to stop the tower falling down. (see above)

It's lunchtime and we go back to the Old Spot and have a very pleasant 3-course lunch for £15 a head plus wine: herring, belly pork and orange sponge pudding - T /Devon blue salad, chicken and almond tart - me.

Avoided a second downpour during lunch and afterwards go to the Bishop's palace, see the swan and it's bell, that it rings for food and have a wander around the house and gardens.

On the basis that we walked in to Wells and did a fair bit of walking during the day we take a taxi back and relax for the rest of the day.

Early May we're off to Paris.