Westen above the sea/what happens when you sit for a bit.

It was a delight to visit Dr Felicity Mussel (who I had first met when I was a medical student in Bangladesh). She is now 7 years retired (which blows my mind) and lives next door to a very sweet park in Weston super-mare.

Weston was built up in earnest in the 1800s out of local stone, when the trains arrived and people wanted to holiday at the sea. I get the sense that it’s not really a place people consider visiting anymore, which is a shame I think, it’s a sweet town. I loved the stone buildings which made even Felicity’s small apartment seem like a castle.

She is a church bell ringer; and for Prince Phillips funeral, she and 4 others socially distantly rang bells leading up to the service; as apparently all bell ringers were up and down the UK. She explained in detail how they would adjust their ringing style to account for the sound difference of only having 5 ringers rather than 8.

I waited in the park while she did this and people watched a bit- self assured four-year-olds hooning down the hill on scooters, an older kid stuck in a tree being coaxed down by his mum. Lots of picnicking and warm reunions- more of the excitement of lockdown easing.

While I sat there, a friendly squirrel got up very close and we shared an apple.

Felicity returned and we got an ice cream from an 80year old guy with a glass eye.

And sat in the sun and talked some more.

Weston super mare. I give it 5 half apples out of 5. 🍏 🍎 🍏 🍎 🍏