POSTCARDS FROM ZUMMERZET!

I thought I would make up a couple of postcards from the area around Porlock, in Somerset, known by the locals as Zummerzet!

We went out for quite a long walk last evening – in fact my total steps for the day were almost 10,000! I am including an extra to show part of the village we saw on our walk. It’s just a shame I can’t share with you the video that I took in the evening as we sat listening to the bell ringing practice in the grounds of the church.

All the shots in the two collages of Allerford, a small village about 3 miles from Porlock were taken today.

We called into the West Country Blacksmiths at Allerford Forge, and Mr HCB bought my first Christmas present!! Talk about “Shop Early for Christmas”!! I’m not saying any more you’ll just have to watch out for it on the 1st December!

After wander ming around the Forge and the village, we came to the Packhorse Bridge built of local red sandstone rubble, paved with cobbles - well-worn by the passage of feet for over 500 years, - now a bit more worn by the feet of the HCBs! The bridge is supported on a central pillar with a roadway width of 4 feet, the low parapets enabling horses to cross without interfering with the overhanging loads -there is an adjacent ford but we didn’t paddle through!

I also found this out this interesting information, courtesy of Mr. Google:

“Many roads and tracks were inaccessible by wagon and so the hardy Exmoor pony was called upon for transportation.

The bridge was built for times long past, yet it continues to speak powerfully across the ages. In 1830, when the wool trade was in decline and the number of horses crossing it were fewer, a boy called John Moresby was born and brought up in the small village of Allerford - just a few miles from Porlock.

John eventually became Admiral Moresby, a British naval officer and explorer, who surveyed the coast around the Pacific islands of New Guinea. Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, was named after him. His thirst for new ways and possibilities encouraged him further, to chart shorter routes between Australia and China.”

As we often say, “Every day is a school day on Blip”!

I thought the use of a defunct Silver Cross twin pram was rather quirky - but decided that we have enough books at home so didn’t buy any today.

On our return to Porlock, we decided to treat ourselves to lunch at the Old Library Café, which was very enjoyable, followed by coffee at Big Cheese - we do like to spread our favours around.

Many thanks for all your comments, stars and hearts, all of which are much appreciated.