My Wookey Is Wet

Up relatively early today because we're out and about on a tourist mission today :)

I'm not quite sure how it came about, but the subject of stalactites and stalagmites nudged it's way into a conversation Phil and I were having about a week ago, and he mentioned a place called Wookey Hole - some show caves in Somerset. After a quick bit of research on the web, we decided it would be rather cool to go see them in the flesh, and so today's the day :)

The trip there took forever!!!! I opted for the drive there, and some 3 and a bit hours and enough rain to fill an ocean we finally arrive. A quick bite to eat, and some rather cool "avoid the million french school kids that have turned up" defense tactics, we wind our way up to the entrance of the caves where the tour guide is waiting.

The caves really are quite impressive, made even better by the fact that they've added some quite funky light and sound affects to make the tour even more interesting. The guide is also very funny, making what could have been a rather laborious 30 minutes of staring at rock rather more fascinating and insightful.

Although the caves are considerably more extensive than the bit the sightseers get to see, they've got a rather impressive portfolio of history (involving cavemen and a witch) and a few records toboot, including the largest unsupported dome shaped cave. This cave in particular has several 1000 tonnes of rock upon it, and to this day nobody has been able to fathom just how it is remaining upright, in fact it could "collapse at any time" - so we are told as we are standing in the middle of it, and "in times of flood, the cave fills up in about 30 minutes to create a vast whirlpool of tretourous water" - as the torrential rain continues outside!!! hehehehe - honest, you could physically feel yourself making your way to the exit as the guide was quite cooly reiterating the facts and figures!

After the cave visit, we then have a quick look at some of the other attractions they have at the centre, including a dinosaur park, papermill, penny arcade (full of very old slot machines and the like) and a very disorientating mirror maze (which I didn't like one bit but Phil was fascinated with) :).

With some typically "I've been to [insert attraction name here]" goodies purchased we then set off home, only now it takes half the time to get back, where we then wait for Phils sister to arrive. She's staying over the night with us and also picking up a spare TV that we have laying around.

We get Chinese for tea, whilst watching The Eurovision Song Contest (oh how proud I am to be british ;)). Not that political / tactical / hate / brown nose voting goes on obviously (har har!) but from what I heard, well the greeks deserved to win! Mind you, the whole thing has certainly gone down hill since the days of Abba and the like.

Wish me luck with the nightmares tonight, I'll probably have a few after being subjected to 2 over enthusiastic Ukrainian presenters, one with a voice that could shatter glass, the other with a monobrow ;)

Posted by Abi on the May 21, 2005 10:28 PM