A series of unlikely outcomes

Friday 7th August

I had quite a few titles for todays blog including

Battery bum twitch

The sound of Sidmouth is … Morris Bells

My big sis’ confirmed I’ve definitely been here before

Why does everyone walk so slowly grrr (for Isabel that one)

Where Walking sticks come to die ..,

Anyway batteries … the bike says it has 44 km left in it which is quite disappointing so my 30km trip back to Exeter could be interesting. Also for phone – one power pack already dead and the other at 75% and iPhone is on 80% so my first retirement micro stress has come on. Not so easy to find charging points in bars or pubs here to abstract some electrons either – bum is Twitching.

Morris dancing is bat shit, unfit people nearly having heart attacks after mad dance. There is so much of it here so as you walk round the streets you can hear the Morris folk wandering and their bells a-jangling.

My big sis’ confirmed after reading blog that I have more than likely been here as I suspected – am sure this is where I saw that massive eel battered to death as mentioned. She sent an interesting text – she has quite a memory!

“Hi – having read your blog … yes to you having been to Sidmouth before … probably when you were 9 in 1970. Mum, dad, Jane and you were in a caravan for 2 weeks in Exmouth, so would have visited the local area. It was in term time and I was doing exams so stayed with Bill and Lena. I came down for the weekend and dad met me at Exeter St David’s. The previous year we were at the Crown pub in Horsell for two weeks as mum and dad were running it for the landlord whilst he was away. When Maria, Emily and I went to the Saatchi gallery last week they had a bit about the moon landings and I remember we were at the pub in 1969 because I had to ring someone about my O level English language result and watched the moon landings whilst there!! Have fun xx”

Great bit of Dyson memorabilia – I remember being at the Crown pub too whilst there the freezers broke down. There is a churchyard opposite where very many relatives are buried both Dyson and Johnson.

However, Isabel …. People here walk so slowly – it – is – annoying.

Finally I have never, ever seen so many people with walking sticks (and on wheelchairs) and with grey hair and bald heads as in Sidmouth.

So back to today – I woke at 0900 and was so comfy snoozed until 1015. The sun was out so I laid my wet clothes out to dry.

I tried to boil some water using jet boil but auto ignition didn’t work and I was without matches so took myself off for the three esses. Despite the facilities being quite basic they are very clean and the shower was warm enough.

Packed up, readied tent for tonight then decided to take bike down into Sidmouth but ride it without any power assist to conserve battery – quite a big hill down so will definitely have battery on for the return.

Parked bike then pottered – bought another power pack to help calm my twitchy bum then walked along seafront to Marlin for half a pint.

Wandered through town again and bought a couple of fun things including this hilarious filthy tea towel for Em and Joe.

Wandered again and found the Salcombe Tap Room close to Ham Marquee and sea front so had half a porter. On way I walked past the place I am convinced I saw the eel murder – confirmed by Chris to be 1970.

Thus to the Ham for the afternoon gig with Eliza Carthy and friends – Carla and I saw her at Kings Place (Kings Cross) with Jon Boden a couple of years back.

I have warmed to Sidmouth and the folk festival is so great – I need to plan and come again for a tad longer next year I think. Two acts I am sad I missed – Fisherman’s Friends and Sam Sweeney who Carla and I have also seen – twice – the most amazing fiddle player (also of Bellowhead). The weather today is roasting too – sun, beer, food, music … this is living.

Whilst queuing a doddery old bloke wandered up as I was near an exit and asked was Liza Carthy on here – I said yes so he walked through and the guard tried to stop him – a bit of an altercation ensued when said security said you cannot come in here and he shouted yes I can … turns out this was Martin Carthy a literal folk legend and mercury prize nominee and revered member of English folk.

Sat in a spot that will allow me a quick escape as I have dinner booked back at Marlin at 1730 and bought myself a pint of ‘fraid not (4%) and sat and people watched – so much to watch here – old people mainly with sticks and tankards lashed on to their belts giving clip on Carla a run for her money – I need me one of these – next year I will maybe bring my English Rose Pewter tankard ‘clipped on’.

Well what a very pleasant surprise – first half was Eliza Carthy and Jennifer Read singing bawdy songs – an older lady walked out shaking her head – I think they might have sang the word piss at one point … dear god that woman must live a sheltered life.

But the second half – oh my god / probably the best live music I have ever witnessed – a performance piece by Sean Cooney (what a voice) with Eliza Carthy (fiddle and voice) and Sam Carter (exquisite guitar and voice). It told the story of the Peterloo massacre in St Peters Fields in Manchester (protesting the corn laws) – it was quite simply emotional and phenomenal. I actually had tears in my eyes it was so good and so moving. Obviously I bought the book of the story and lyrics and the CD.

After, back to Marine for moules frites, old fashioned (2) and the best vanilla ice cream I’ve ever had (am clearly in the zone).

Trying to take my time so I am not too early for the queue for Spiers and Boden at 8. – love ‘em.

Well they didn’t disappoint really, really good.

After, I cycled home and snuggled down for bed after a lovely day.