‘Discovering Exeter’
Good Afternoon,
Fellow Readers and Authors,
I do hope you are all well, wherever you are in the world.
My last article as I recall, was written beneath the shade of an oak tree in the New Forest, and I was about to head west again to Cornwall. The following morning I did just that, and Monday saw the Little Van and I heading to Exeter.
Over the years I have skirted around many towns and cities on route to another destination, and I often wonder what experiences I have passed up in the process.
Exeter is one of those cities which has always intrigued me as to what it has on offer. After leaving the New Forest, my quest for the day was to finally explore this historic city.
Traffic and parking having been researched, I opted for the Matford Park and Ride on the outskirts of the town to avoid any congestion. For three pounds, and a ten minute bus ride, I was delivered to the central bus station, with a short walk to the centre.
Exeter precinct is a clean and tidy array of shops as one would expect, serving the local community will every brand known to man. It has however, blended the new with the old in a tasteful way. The cathedral for example, stands above all that surrounds it, testament to those who built it almost a thousand years ago.
The construction was started in 1114 by Bishop Warelwast, and the Norman Cathedral began to take shape. Rebuilding in a Gothic theme started around 1270, and was completed in 1400. With the longest medieval stone vaulted ceiling in the world, Exeter Cathedral is a captivating testament to man’s ability to produce truly awe inspiring structures that delight visitors from across the globe.
Further down towards the Exe River, I discovered the ruins of the old Exe Bridge. It now nestles in a patch of land between several busy road junctions. Work started in 1190, and was completed in 1214. This bridge is one of the oldest medieval bridges in Britain, and during its day, it measured over 590 feet traversing eighteen or so arches across the river Exe. The Old Exe Bridge also boasts as being the oldest medieval bridge in Britain that still has a chapel on it.
All of this was waiting for me to take the time to discover it. Like so many things in life, we are all ensconced in our daily routines often making promises to ourselves that somehow never transpire. My day out in Exeter was testament to this.
Of all of life’s lessons that it has delivered to me over the years, the joy of finally making a day like this happen was truly priceless. In the future, I will make the time to turn left instead of heading straight on, the experience is clearly worth more than a promise to oneself.
Returning to the park and Ride late that afternoon, I discovered something less enchanting about my visit. In the corner of the facility I heard the steady hum of a large diesel generator. Talking to one of the car park attendants, he informed me that the generator was in fact the source of power for fifteen odd electric car charge posts. None of them were in use.
The irony of it all. The machine runs from seven in the morning until ten at night. It seems that the local distribution network is unable to cope with an additional potential supply, and the generator appears to be the only solution.
I have never been an advocate of these vehicles, based on the sheer ridiculousness of situations like this. In the quest to go greener its obvious fossil fuel for all of its faults still owns the day.
Enjoy the rest of your week, and make those promises to yourself happen 😊
My thanks again to my Goodreads followers, and those of you who have purchased one of my novels this month. Your on-going support is as always met with gratitude on my part.
Stay safe, and keep reading and writing, and most of all, follow your dreams whatever they may be.
Best Wishes
AR
Fellow Readers and Authors,
I do hope you are all well, wherever you are in the world.
My last article as I recall, was written beneath the shade of an oak tree in the New Forest, and I was about to head west again to Cornwall. The following morning I did just that, and Monday saw the Little Van and I heading to Exeter.
Over the years I have skirted around many towns and cities on route to another destination, and I often wonder what experiences I have passed up in the process.
Exeter is one of those cities which has always intrigued me as to what it has on offer. After leaving the New Forest, my quest for the day was to finally explore this historic city.
Traffic and parking having been researched, I opted for the Matford Park and Ride on the outskirts of the town to avoid any congestion. For three pounds, and a ten minute bus ride, I was delivered to the central bus station, with a short walk to the centre.
Exeter precinct is a clean and tidy array of shops as one would expect, serving the local community will every brand known to man. It has however, blended the new with the old in a tasteful way. The cathedral for example, stands above all that surrounds it, testament to those who built it almost a thousand years ago.
The construction was started in 1114 by Bishop Warelwast, and the Norman Cathedral began to take shape. Rebuilding in a Gothic theme started around 1270, and was completed in 1400. With the longest medieval stone vaulted ceiling in the world, Exeter Cathedral is a captivating testament to man’s ability to produce truly awe inspiring structures that delight visitors from across the globe.
Further down towards the Exe River, I discovered the ruins of the old Exe Bridge. It now nestles in a patch of land between several busy road junctions. Work started in 1190, and was completed in 1214. This bridge is one of the oldest medieval bridges in Britain, and during its day, it measured over 590 feet traversing eighteen or so arches across the river Exe. The Old Exe Bridge also boasts as being the oldest medieval bridge in Britain that still has a chapel on it.
All of this was waiting for me to take the time to discover it. Like so many things in life, we are all ensconced in our daily routines often making promises to ourselves that somehow never transpire. My day out in Exeter was testament to this.
Of all of life’s lessons that it has delivered to me over the years, the joy of finally making a day like this happen was truly priceless. In the future, I will make the time to turn left instead of heading straight on, the experience is clearly worth more than a promise to oneself.
Returning to the park and Ride late that afternoon, I discovered something less enchanting about my visit. In the corner of the facility I heard the steady hum of a large diesel generator. Talking to one of the car park attendants, he informed me that the generator was in fact the source of power for fifteen odd electric car charge posts. None of them were in use.
The irony of it all. The machine runs from seven in the morning until ten at night. It seems that the local distribution network is unable to cope with an additional potential supply, and the generator appears to be the only solution.
I have never been an advocate of these vehicles, based on the sheer ridiculousness of situations like this. In the quest to go greener its obvious fossil fuel for all of its faults still owns the day.
Enjoy the rest of your week, and make those promises to yourself happen 😊
My thanks again to my Goodreads followers, and those of you who have purchased one of my novels this month. Your on-going support is as always met with gratitude on my part.
Stay safe, and keep reading and writing, and most of all, follow your dreams whatever they may be.
Best Wishes
AR
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