The weather today has been a huge improvement, albeit very windy at times. There was a lot of debris both on site and out and about from last night's storm but it didn't cause any problems.
I had intended to have a good walk today but having done a fair bit over the last couple of days decide to have a drive instead (the leisure battery was also due a charge I reckoned). I wanted to visit Watchet but took the coastal route from Minehead through Blue Anchor, so called because when ships hauled up their anchors there they were coated in blue clay, or that's the story anyway! It came up in conversation a bit later about how the name conjures up images of a delightful quiet sun-kissed bay. When I stopped briefly for photos I could barely open the car door due to the gale! It's not a protected spot at all and sadly is now largely spoilt by the huge holiday park just off the beach.
Watchet is a delightful small town with reasonable facilities. I visited both the Town and Boat museums. The latter is largely dedicated to the "flatner" boats. These were double-ended flat bottom boats used mainly in the marshes and levels in the area, although some were also sea going. Both museums were free, although I made a reasonable donation to each. I had a walk out onto the harbour wall as there's a short stretch of the original mineral railway still there, I very nearly lost my glasses to the gale so was very careful.
I had my morning coffee and cake at the marina office/shop/cafe, which also has an antiques/collectables centre upstairs. I declined the opportunity to buy a Lego Millennium Falcon, apparently the largest set they have ever produced, as it was £850! A conversation ensued with the dealer manning it and a local gentleman. I learned more about local cricket than I really wanted to know but it was interesting. I did return later and bought a GWR sign for £20 that would have been at least double from a specialist at the railway shows. I've got just the spot for it but won't spoil the surprise for friends and family.
The next place on the list was the Bakelite Museum. This is one of those delightfully eccentric British collections. It's currently housed on three floors of an old mill (the top floor has some interesting agricultural equipment but is all but inaccessible up a ladder). They have decided though that is untenable in the current location. Damp is a major issue and being out of the way they just aren't attracting visitors. This will be the last year there so they are looking for new premises or it's likely the museum will close. Exhibits range from a Trabant car to eggcups and just about everything in between made from, or containing, early plastics. I really hope they do find a new home and are able to display things properly.
A quick trip from there into the village of Williton
provided lunch (a delicious bacon and brie baguette) and necessary shopping, bread rolls for breakfast, before I took a slightly circuitous route back to the site via a cider farm. I was quite good, I only bought a litre of the dry cider, Sheep Stagger Scrumpy.
The wardens on site have done an excellent job clearing up most of the storm debris, although if the wind doesn't die down fairly soon they'll have more to clear up tomorrow. It will be my last full day in the campervan before moving on to a hotel, I think back to railways with the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway and the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway on the agenda. It would be a shame not to visit them while I'm in the area.
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