Taunton
I t actually ended up being quite a late night last night by the time I’d eventually got the day’s activities updated on the site.
One reason for this was the fact that I had a good chat with a few people on the phone last night, the funniest of which was with Steve – Hag. I say funny but what I should have said was interesting. The little bugger contacted his local BBC office about me, telling them about the walk and pointing them to this site. I know he’s dead proud about what I’m doing but this, well, what can you say? I suspect nothing will come of it but you just don’t know do you? I’ll keep you posted if I hear anything.
It’s becoming quite apparent that all this walking malarkey is really beginning to take its toll on me, not helped by this bloomin’ cold I’ve still got which has now decided to go to my chest, which is not very nice first thing in the morning. Most days after a mile or so walking in the fresh air, my chest clears up quite nicely but being indoors really does set it off quite badly. Hopefully it’ll sort itself out sooner rather than later. It’s fortunate that it doesn’t seem to be hampering the walking too much, he says with fingers well and truly crossed.
After a little stroll out last night it looked pretty obvious that Taunton didn’t have a great deal to offer worth looking at, even less than Launceston on my last day off! Knowing that fact I didn’t rush to get up and out today. I couldn’t even be bothered to get up and have breakfast this morning as I knew that if I got up and got dressed to go and eat, that would be it and I’d have to find something to do for the rest of the day. Instead, I stayed in bed watching crappy daytime telly.
Around 11am I’d taken about as much rubbish on the telly as one person could take and decided to get myself ready and go out. This sort of lie-in is almost unheard of for me but clearly I needed it after the last week’s walking?
I had a lovely refreshing shower and a shave – yes, I am still trying to keep myself looking presentable while on this walk, even with my limited resources – and I left my pit to head towards the town centre for something to eat and to pick up a few supplies for the next few days.
Just to make sure that I hadn’t missed something yesterday evening while walking around, I took another stroll to see what was about and I’m sad to say that my initial feelings on Taunton were correct, it doesn’t really have a great deal to offer. There is a castle but that was being renovated so I couldn’t even go and have a look at that. So, with nothing to look at and my shopping done I sat in the Castle Green Inn and enjoyed a pint of Taunton Ale, which was very nice.
I spent the rest of the afternoon sat in my room trying to chill out and get rid of a rather nasty headache I’d been suffering from all day…and failing. I guess I’m more tired than I originally thought?! I caught up with my washing and watched yet more TV sat on my bed. Boy, what a thrilling day…not!
I know this was a rest day, the purpose of which is to give myself time to try and recuperate a bit from all the walking, but I like to get out and have a look round and have something to do for at least some of the day. Today was a bit of a disappointment as Taunton really isn’t a great place and I can’t see myself ever willingly coming back to visit. Shame. There wasn’t even a great deal worthy of photographing either.
One thing that has struck me today is the change in people’s attitudes. I’ve absolutely loved the kindness and warmth I’ve seen over the last couple of weeks but since being in Taunton the change has been amazing. Nobody has said hello, smiled or anything. To be honest, I can’t wait to get out of here and back to the smaller, more friendly places throughout this wonderful country. This “big city” attitude is just horrid and I’m not sure I want to go back to it after I’ve finished this big adventure.
Without the distraction of the walking or something to look at today it’s actually been a bit of a lonely, boring day. I can’t wait to get back on the road tomorrow, even if it is a very long day’s walk ahead. It’s supposed to be quite hot tomorrow and over the weekend so I hope I can cope ok. I guess tomorrow’s blog post will tell all on that score?
Photos
I f you want to find out more about this day you can see the photos I took.
Thats great that Steve did that for you bruv will just have to wait and see if something comes of it!
Hope your headache passed I know you was worried about it earlier today when we spoke. All the best for tomorrow bruv I know its a long trek. Will keep in touch this weekend via the phone.