Family holiday

[Eddy Matthews]

We'll be off on our family holiday for a week, starting this saturday (6th september)...

A slightly sad time, as we've always gone away with my mam and dad - Mam died 4 years ago, and as some of you will know, my Dad died earlier this year. The holiday was booked before Dad died, so it's accomodation for 5 of us, but only 4 making the trip

Anyway, to the point of the posting.....

We're staying in a small farm cottage between Gloucester and Bristol, so what we're after is a list of things in the area worth visiting within an 80 mile radius (maximum) - Forget theme parks etc, as they aren't our thing! Museums, historic buildings, picturesque scenery, local markets/boot sales, anything unusual.....

Due to the fact that my daughter is mentally and physically handicapped and uses a wheelchair, long hikes, lots of steps,or anywhere wheelchair unfriendly are a no-no, so bear that in mind too....

So, can anyone give any suggestions for things to see and do?

Regards
Eddy

[andygh]

Sorry don't know the area in any detail but there's plenty of interest for boat fans in Bristol and Bath is a beautiful city.
Hope you enjoy it

[Tug--Kenny]

Hi Eddy.

I'm a Bristolian, now living in Newport, so do know the area well. Also I have a severely handicapped granddaughter with Reets syndrome. She is now 5 years old and although confined to a wheelchair goes everywhere

May I recommend Slimbridge Wildfowl trust on the river Severn, which shouldn't be to far away from your holiday place. They often go there as it's a magical place. Also, there is Bristol Zoo which I like a lot. Perfect for a day out, but watch out the weather.    as we get a lot of rain down here.

Have a nice time

ken

[Tug--Kenny]

Also down in Bristol is the SS Great Britain. I haven't been myself, but I hear it rather good. A lot of work has gone into her and she's looking the part nowadays.

If I think of anywhere else, I'll let you know.

Cheers...ken
 

[Eddy Matthews]

Thanks guys,

Any and all suggestions are welcome - It's okay picking up the "tourist" leaflets, but there are often other things to see and do which aren't widely publicised, and they regularly turn out to be the best!

Regards
Eddy

[swordfish fairey]

Hi Eddy, Gloucester is staging its Heritage Open Days between the 11th and the 14th September.  This is Europes largest free festival of History,Architecture & Culture.   I know the National Waterways Museum is part of the events taking place..... try this link      tourism@gloucester.gov.uk        Have a great one......... ........Smudge

[Bob Golder]

Hi Eddy.  I know you like driving so why not take a trip across the bridge to Newport - Museum, Castle, Transporter Bridge, Shops ( , don't let the women see them) a nice tidy place to visit.  Info is available at www.geocities.com.   Have a good one.

[Bob Golder]

Another possibility for a visit.  Laycock Abbey, about 20 miles east of Bristol as the duck flies, has the William Henry Fox Talbot ( the father of modern photography) museum as well as the usual house, tea room, gardens etc.  Info at www.nationaltrust.org.uk indicates good accessibility and parking within 100 yards.

[Eddy Matthews]

Well, despite the aweful weather, we managed to have a good holiday! Some of you will know I lost my Dad earlier this year, and the holiday was booked before he died - He always came with us, so it was with some sadness that I set off, but one thing made the whole thing worthwhile.....

We have a severely mentally and physically handicapped daughter, Christine, who cannot talk or communicate in any way. But I managed to snap the attached photo of her when we went for a trip on the Brecon Mountain Railway..... It may not mean much to you, but she's now 24yrs old, and it's only the second time I've ever managed to get a photo of her smiling!! She absolutely LOVED the train ride

[Misterbee]

G'day Eddy.
 Thank you for sharing the photo of Christine and story with us. I am sure her beautiful smile always glows within, and for it to surface while on holidays would have brought much joy to you and your family.

Smiling or not, the love is always there.

Regards.
Misterbee.

[kiwimodeller]

Eddie, I do some voluntary work with people with various disabilities and thought I would share with you a moment from the weekend that has to rank as probably the most amusing I have ever had. People with intellectual disabilities often have a wicked sense of humour. I have one lady who alwats blames her speech writer machine for telling dirty jokes and another guy who regularly rolls up after closing timein an inebriated state. If you say to him "Roly - you are drunk" his stock reply is "How the hell can you tell - I always talk funny!" But the best of all at the weekend was a very big guy who excelled at shotput and discus. When a local dignitary was presenting the prizes he suggested George would go on to bigger and greater things. Georges reply was - "Don't be stupid, can't you tell I have a problem with my neck-top computer" Everybody just dissolved in to fits - end of lesson. It is easy to forget they are all just people, sometimes a little different but still great people. Cheers, Ian.

[Ernie Lazenby]

 On a similar note the following took place around 1975.

  At that time I was doing voluntry work in my spare time at a local residential centre for people with physical and mental problems(Eddy knows the one on Trenchard Avenue where we live).  One of the lady residents was terminally ill and had months to live;  her idol was Harvey Smith the famous Horse show jumer famous for his two finger signal to judges at an event. At the time he was also a proffesional wrestler and on the bill at Middlesbrough Town Hall.

 I thought whats  lost by asking so off I trundle down to the town hall about 2 hours before hes due to wrestle and using my Police Warrant card got to see him;  without hestitation upon hearing what I had to say he bundled me into his Merc that had a bonnet that went on for ever and off we went to the home.  Harvey spent around an hour chatting to the lady and all the residents who were amazed to see an international sports star in their home.  He signed autographs kissed the lady I mentioned and left an abidding image of a really good bloke much different from the one portrayed in the national press.

 I know that one single act of kindness by Harvey Smith did a lot to lift the mood of all the residents not least his biggest fan who died several months after his visit. Thereafter I would not hear a single bad word said against Harvey who I see from time to time at Cartmel races in August. His wife is a race horse trainer.