we always have trouble travelling together, Jun always needs an extra hour, so if you want to leave at ten, you are out of the house at eleven. We have got halfway to Heathrow when she has remembered something at home she needs. I always allow for this and so it has become a little game we play nearly every time we go out.

Today I am writing whilst sipping a Cuba Libre, one of my favourite drinks, whilst Jun reads and enjoys a gin and tonic. We are not at an exotic location, I have just come in from cutting the grass and annoying the neighbours this bank holiday by shattering the quietness with my Flymo.

But we have been travelling. Last week we stayed in the Swan at Wedmore, only thirteen miles away, an enjoyable one night break. I have to recommend it to you. A big comfortable bed, and two great meals. For a small place Wedmore punches above its weight.

Then on Saturday I was at a wedding at Rook Lane Chapel in Frome, a great location; beautiful historic building, magnificently restored which allows itself to be a blank canvas to couples to enhance their big day. This wedding was just beautifully decorated with simple, but very effective floral decorations. I like officiating there as the acoustics are perfect. It is available to hire at extremely good rates and is often the location for exhibitions, particularly during the Frome Festival.

Finally today, up early, but out a little later than I wanted (Jun won this morning’s game) for the Mells Daffodil Festival. I hear what you are saying, but it is always on Easter Monday and Easter is late this year. I feel it is getting bigger each year we go. Great stalls, bric-a-brac, flowers, herbs, soap bombs, garlic from the Isle of Wight. I think there were 125 of them. Traditional and modern so burgers and vegan lentils and something from Peru, rock bands, Morris Men and Town Cryers. Beer tents, cider bars it was all there.  Very enjoyable, something for everyone, but the crowds made it feel like human pinball.

Thats is the trouble travelling it opens up all your senses.

U2 are not up there amongst my favourite groups, but I do like their song Beautiful Day, Bono sings of the damage we do to the world.

I was reflecting on this during a walk this afternoon, along the old Strawberry Line from Dulcote to Wells. You part walk alongside the old line and then rise up onto the embankment and follow the line for around a mile to the edge of the City of Wells.

Credit where credit is due, it was Jun’s idea and I readily acquiesced to it. There were other things I should be doing, but with the sun shining and clear skies it was the right thing to be doing, some exercise and a different take on our local Somerset countryside.

Close to our starting point, there is an old cattle pound from the 1860s being restored by enthusiasts. They have obviously planted tress and tidied the route. Volunteers are the hidden treasure of our country.  As we walked we saw butterflies – peacocks and brimstones fluttering their jaunty flight close to the tree line and hedgerows. Under a bridge there is some magnificent artwork, a sculpture of three figures chasing one another as dolphins would when playing in the ocean. Birds were singing, cyclists and other walkers were engaging all enjoying the warmth of the sun and the beauty of the day and location.

As we made our way back to our start point we meandered off the old track and enjoyed bluebell filled woods and different vistas. Close to the end there was a notice from the volunteer group asking for support. They wish to open up an old bridge and cutting, to enable people to have about a hundred metres of walk in the nearby town of Shepton Mallet. It was turned down by the Council, but they are seeking public support to get it available for walkers and cyclists. I know that it is one of the last bat roosts around Shepton with all the development that has taken place.

So as Bono sings “it’s a beautiful day”