"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - BENJAMIN FRANKLINThe fellow i travelled with, as far as LYME REGIS, where i disembarked the X53 bus, while he went on to Exeter and beyond, was ultimately, not happy enough to live with God as a monastic. He was turned-down - the feeling being, that he was not tough enough. He did not realise that the object was not to "hide from the world," but to open oneself and "embrace the world." Funnily enough, his hairstyle and rotundness, were good imitation of a friar or monk ! i have often seen him waiting in Weymouth for this bus, but have never spoken to him until today, opening with, "Waiting for your favourite bus, then"? ...and ended-up talking for almost a couple of hours on the bus. He was a mine of information on bus travel in the south-west. And dug-out many timetables and maps from his bag, to give me a better picture. i had thought EXETER and back on the same day was about the limit from Weymouth, timewise. BUT he has been to BUDE in CORNWALL for a trip.! Of course, on a bus, non-stop, all day, is NOT what i would care for. BUT GLASTONBURY is within range. Bridport (on X53), then to Yeovil (on 47), then to Glastonbury (on 377). And WIMBORNE via POOLE ; CERNE ABBAS via DORCHESTER....aaahhhhh!
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My idea for my day in Lyme, was to cobble together some thoughts and photos around JOHN FOWLES, MERYL STREEP, THE MAGUS and THE GREEK ISLANDS. But when one "cobbles" in this manner, there is no knowing where things will lead !
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The first thing that engaged my eye, was a tent on the beach, manned by a sculptor/photographer = ADRIAN GRAY. His work struck chords within me of Andy Goldsworthy and Richard Long. And, of course, he is familiar with them. Talk of LADAKH etc ensued. i bought some cards....This is a part of the "Jurassic Coast EARTH FESTIVAL." How fortuitous. i had no idea.
Walked-on along beach-front towards THE COBB....after buying cards to send....Oz, Laos....and/or...wherever....hard-copy correspondence not what it used to be...and then there is kindle...
...walked up, and out, and along THE COBB, on that arm, arcing into LYME BAY. No thought of FOWLES, or WOMEN, or MAGIC....
...just walked. camera in hand. mindful of steps and slabs, seagulls, sky, AND SEA. Step by step. Perfect moments. Nothing disturbs or punctuates my reveries. Not even the clicking of the camera's shutter, in this digital age. Dogs do not bark. Children, respectful of the silence, as are little boats on their moorings...
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In town, a'wards, nothing beats BEING on THE COBB. But the TOWN MILL BREWERY i visited and the HUNDERTWASSER cards i bought, sure do come close and make for a more rounded day...
...to enjoy at home. The bruv was right in saying -
"have your base and be mobile."
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Perfect travelogue'n'blog! From the 'monk' to the Hunderwasser cards (suddenly reminded it was Walter Billeterback in early 70s who was keen on him : H's solution for city traffic problems was a spiral leading cars around & around & up their own arse). Overcast day, yes? --the views drained of colour but exactly as i imagine the Cobb... Will look up Adrian Gray... And yr thought that the entire south-west within yr ken now is exciting! Good stuff, Bern!
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