Wednesday 5th February 2003

This morning we decided to go to Wooky Hole to explore the caves. Jennifer, Andrew, Nick, Rick and I went for a walk up to the headland behind the Priory. You can see the sea on three sides from here. There is the Severn Bridge to the right, an island called Flat Holm to the left and straight ahead is Cardiff in the distance. We watched a Kestrel hovering and Nick took some pictures of it swooping to catch it's prey.

Eventually everyone was ready and we set off to Wookey. The caves were interesting and well worth having a look around, apparently 100's of bats live here so flashes are not permitted. There's a silly animated green witch operated by our tour guide Preferred the caves at Nerja last year {see Spanish diary} A new addition to the cave tour are the areas which are used to store cheese from the Cheddar Gorge till it matures. Unfortunately there is nowhere to buy it fresh here.

We were guided around the old paper mill next to the caves where the paper is still handmade and air dried, demonstration given. Some lovely old fashioned parchment but horrendously expensive in the gift shop.
There followed an end of pier type gallery with one armed bandits, gypsy fortune teller machines and the laughing sailors and policemen, remembered from my childhood with a Hall of Mirrors to walk through before finally reaching the outside world again. How bizarre is that??!!

We drove on to Wells for lunch and we found The City Arms pub that is serving lovely food and a pint or two of Old Tosser or Moles ale. After lunch Andrew and I went to the cheese shop recommended by the waitress and bought some extra mature cheese to take home for Grahame and another 3 types of local cheese for everyone to try back at the Priory. We wandered through the streets looking at lots of little shops. We found Jennifer and Bernie sitting outside the Cathedral, the others were inside, we decided to find a coffee while we waited.

On arrival back at the Priory there was a lovely sunset, Nick and I watched it through the trees. Andrew lit the fire and we settled down for the evening with some wine.