Game 3 - against Somerset at Taunton

Tuesday was a rest day but although the weather was fine, the wind was bitterly cold so we did not do the exploring we had planned.

On the Wednesday morning we set off for Taunton for the game against Somerset Over 60s at Taunton Vale Cricket Club. After a quick lunch of bacon rolls our players were out on the oval doing their warm-ups.

The players then posed for a photograph before the game began.

The match resulted in the third tour win for the Australian team. Somerset won the toss and batted on a flat wicket. They made 3 for 236 in their 45 over innings with three players retiring at 50. Australia passed the score with three overs to go. John Dedman, Murray Harrison and Phil Dresher all reaching 50.

During the afternoon the WAGS went exploring and visited the village of Dunster on the edge of the Exmoor National Park and a short distance from the coast. As some of the group had missed lunch we stopped off for afternoon tea before exploring the picturesque village. Many of the buildings date back to Medieval times.

Dunster Wool Market

Dunster Castle

St George's Church

Church Garden

Dovecote

Tithe Barn

After the game both teams posed for a combined team photo before the post match dinner.

Exploring area around Yeovil

The previous evening we had a team dinner which included the presentation of caps. The Saturday was a free day and five of us used one of the cars to explore some of the attractions near Yeovil.

The first stop was the Fleet Air Arm Museum, a collection of naval aircraft.

The first hall we visited held a collection of early aircraft.

Information panels described how early aircraft were used by the Navy, including at Gallipoli during the First World War.

As well as military use of aircraft a major display features the a prototype of the Concorde.

We were able to walk through this narrow aircraft

as well as view the cockpit.

Another part of the exhibition provided a simulation experience of life on an aircraft carrier.

Visiting this museum was a great experience and we spent several hours there.

After lunch we visited the Haynes Motor Museum - the largest collection of cars in the UK.

The museum holds a large range of cars showing the history of motoring.

In one area of the exhibition hall all the cars are red - quite impressive.

There is also a display of racing cars

as well as a display of minis.

It was an interesting collection with some spectacular cars on show.

The final place we visited was Sherborne Castle. The central section of the castle was built for Sir Walter Raleigh in 1594. It has belonged to members of the Digby family since 1617. Additional wings have been added to the original structure.

The grounds surrounding the castle are most impressive.

View of the castle from the other side of the lake.

Ruins of the original castle can be viewed nearby.

Yeovil - part 2

In the afternoon we went for a walk in the Yeovil Country Park, a short walk from the hotel. This is a series of parks and the one we explored is Ninesprings.

Initially we walked uphill on one side of the springs through a variety of vegetation

and on the way found an interesting and comfortable bench

with a pair of carved animals, maybe seals or otters, on either end.

On the lower path we had views of the springs and waterholes.

It was an enjoyable walk.

Yeovil

On the first morning in Yeovil I decided to explore while the men had a training session. There are many interesting buildings in the town some, such as the Mermaid hotel, dating back to the 1600s.

The town has an interesting streetscape with a wide selection of architectural styles.

In 2000, to mark the new millennium, plaques were placed on some of the older buildings denoting their heritage significance. A monument to commemorate the Millennium was located at the junction of Henford and South Street.

One of the first places I visited was the local library. A staff member was photographing a new display in the library window so we discussed displays, the relationship of the library with local history organisations as well as the role of public libraries. Inside I met two other staff members and we discussed the increasing use of information technology in libraries including the challenges when the computer systems slowed down or refused to work. They were experiencing network issues. I had a look around the library collections. On the second floor there was a comprehensive local history collection. There was also a large collection of books relating to aircraft - the area has a large naval air museum and connections to the aviation industry. There was also an excellent sheet music collection.

The other place where I spent some time St John's Church. The first part of the building was constructed in the late 1300s with many extensions and alterations since then. The church tower is currently being restored.

I spent some time speaking to a member of the church about the history of the building and the memorial windows. It is an impressive building.

Outside the church most of the trees have been decorated with knitted items, including blankets. Apparently they had appeared on the trees three days earlier - all a bit of a mystery.

Back on the main street I continued on to the market which is held from Tuesday to Friday.

There are a variety of stalls, some selling fruit

while another sold meat.

There was also a collection of garden items for sale.

Street entertainers providing Peruvian music was unexpected.

On the way back to the hotel I passed the war memorial erected to the memory of soldiers and civilians who died during the two world wars.