Another lockdown… another commute

[Mendip]

^^^^ You'll get no argument from me there.

There are two or three Russian contractors that we no longer use... they just steal stuff. Most data is digital and it's very difficult to stop people copying files but some older data/information is hard copy and these guys have been caught red-handed stealing. They know they'll be caught but just don't care.


OhOh, we'd always do a face to face handover with our replacements for a couple of hours at least at crew change, but Covid distancing procedures prevent this. It's a huge set-back for oncoming crew on a complex project because no matter how well a handover is written it's not the same as spending some time with someone. But there ya go.


For my journey back to the UK from Turkey I had to navigate this tortuous UK government website and fill out this Passenger Locator Form. While filling it out there was a section that forced me to buy a home-testing PCR kit, and fill out the order code on the from as proof of purchase. At Amsterdam the check-in girl checked through this, along with my negative Turkish Covid PCR test certificate, before letting me check in.

At Bristol Airport the immigration guy didn't even look at it. I tried to get him to look at my negative PCR cert but he wasn't interested. It pissed me off to be honest after all the effort I'd gone to, and the home testing PCR kit cost me 60 quid... which no doubt went directly to one of Boris's cronies useless companies. The tosser.

Anyway, once I'm fully vaccinated I'll not have to do that stuff, and today was the day. Mindful of my desire to keep my lost weight off I cooked meself just a small breakfast to get through the ordeal. That was bacon and sausages crossed off the 'to do' list.



My second Covid vaccination was booked at Shepton Mallet in the heart of the Mendips.

'The history of the name Shepton Mallet can be traced to an Anglo-Saxon village by the name of Sceapton, meaning 'sheep fold', mentioned in the Domesday Book, while the 'Mallet' bit comes from the Malet family who held Shepton from the Abbey of Glastonbury in the 12th century.'

I have a sister who lives close-by in Wells and she gave me detailed directions on how to get to the vaccination centre in Sheptin Mallet, but my usual habit of switching off when a female gives me directions kicked in and I didn't listen to a word.

After driving around the damn place for 30 minutes this morning I started to regret not paying some attention to my sister, but then I chanced upon this... it felt like fate.



I was in and out in 20 minutes... and now I just have to wait a couple of days for the Pfizer jab info to get uploaded onto this NHS App thing, which I can then download and start my Thailand Pass application. There was no way they could upload my Norwegian Pfizer jab to the system, but even so I think I'll be OK.



After my jab I thought I may as well have a little poke around Shepton Mallet... I had free parking at the vaccination centre car park and it seemed a shame to waste it.

I came across this rank of shops and thought of a past member here called Dillinger... and not because of the Police Station but the Greggs of course! I continued on, I don't eat that kind of stuff any more, and besides, Greggs don't do Steak and Kidney Pies.



After thinking of that Dillinger I also though of the Shepton Mallet jail. I don't know why my brain made that association... did he go to jail?

Anyway, a bit of background...


HMP Shepton Mallet, sometimes known as Cornhill, is a former prison located in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England. When it closed in 2013, it was the United Kingdom's oldest operating prison, and had been since the closure of HMP Lancaster Castle in 2011.[1] Before closure Shepton Mallet was a category C lifer prison holding 189 prisoners. The prison building is grade II listed, while the former gatehouse and perimeter walls are grade II.

The prison was opened before 1625 but was already in poor repair by the end of the First English Civil War in 1646. It was expanded in 1790 but conditions were again criticised in a report of 1822 and further building work was undertaken in the 1820s and 1830s. This included the installation of a treadwheel for those sentenced to hard labour. In 1843 the number of cells was increased by adding a second storey to each wing. The prison was damaged during a fire in 1904. In 1930 the number of inmates had fallen and the prison was closed.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 the prison was reopened as a military prison. It was initially used by the British Army and later by American forces who constructed a new execution block to hang condemned prisoners. It was also used for the storage of important historical documents from the Public Record Office in London, including Domesday Book. Following the war the prison continued as a military "glasshouse" until it was returned to civilian use in 1966.

The Prison was decommissioned in 2013 and is now run by the Campbell Group as an interactive tourism destination, offering guided tours, ghost tours, and other activities.


But first I had to find it. I started by walking down the High Street... a nice little place, even in the drizzle...



There's something for everyone in Shepton Mallet! I didn't go in... I've had enough of foreign food for the time being.



Then I saw this place and wondered if I should find out what I'd been missing in Turkey... but it's not really my thing...



This is more my style, but I'll be buggered if I'm paying £8.50 or a haircut when I've got my own strimmers at home.



I continued on to the town centre. It was lucky The Bell was boarded up because it was 10:30 already and I fancied a pint!



The Market Cross... built around 1500.



Plenty of rules.



But onward to the prison.

Next I came across the Church of St Peter and St Paul, dating back to the 12th Century.





I started looking at some old grave stones but could have been there all day, so forced myself to move on.



A couple of squirrels as well...



I continued walking but found no sign of the prison and just as I was on the verge of asking someone for help I came up to this big wall. It certainly looked suspicious.



I decided to follow it around and see where it led me.



It was taller than your average wall, and then I found this road sign. I was definitely getting close.



I traipsed on and on...



And finally found an entrance!





I went inside to investigate.



I followed the signs and a lot of voices...



... until I found another doorway.



I'd come so far I know I should have gone in to the visitor centre as I'm sure it would have been fascinating... but there was a group of women nattering on to the receptionist at the entrance and nothing was moving fast, so I decided to visit another day. I'm planning on a trip the UK next summer with the daughter and I'm always looking for things to reinforce her good behaviour... I reckon a trip to a prison may do her some good. I read that you can stay the night at Shepton Mallet prison... that could really sort her out!

And besides, I was hungry.

So off I went. I wonder if everyone who stays at a prison leaves a good review?



I'd spotted this little place on my way to the prison.



You can forget about the history and stuff, the best thing about England is that you're never further than 100 yards from a decent pie!

If I fancied a steak and kidney pie in Korat it would take two days of planning and procurement and another day of cooking.

I bought this one in 2 minutes flat and ate it on the move.



It was well worth losing the roof of my mouth and slopping gravy down my shirt front!



The pie was so hot my nose started running so I had to use my face mask to blow my nose and wipe all the gravy off my hands. It didn't seem to matter as hardly anyone was wearing a mask anyway.

My last job of the morning before getting back in time for the sausages my mum was cooking for lunch was a quick call into Tescos and luckily masks weren't compulsory. I've a few things on my list to buy over the next couple of weeks and I thought Tesco would have an egg whisk and pastry brushes.

I found the pasty brushes, but sadly no egg whisk.

But I did find heaven...



A good morning's work done. Time to go home!



More fate... but I didn't want to let my mum down. (it was a close run thing...)



What's not to like... a field of sheep with a cock pheasant to boot. It's good to be home!



And what a beautiful home this would make... in another lifetime maybe.

But I bet they don't have a pond with a jetty!