30th May – Coach Trip

Today we did ride on one of them there charabanc things to Cornwall. We did pass through Stratton where cousin John’s girl, Anna Maria and her 21 children live.

I climbed the tower at Liskeard Church and then looked at the sundial carved by Samuel Braund (branch 6).

    

More grub then and I met Grace Braund. She be 92 and may be the oldest member of the Braund Society. 92 is nowt. I be 203.

29th May – Clovelly and Bucks Cross

I did listen to Chris talk about them there Clovelly donkeys – then they did go and see them. I keep away meself they catch all the fish that should belong to us Bucks Nanny goats. I did rescue a few of ‘em one time though and they did write poetry about me and me family as a thank you.

I met Ellie and Archie today (branch 2).

I met baby Sophia (branch 1) but she wanted to chew me.

Then off to the vilage hall at Bucks Cross. I did find this nice piece of wood to lean against when whoosh a gurt wooden ball came hurtling towards me! I think I need a few pints o’ cider down the Coffin Arms to recover.

    

28th May – East Shallowford Farm

Today I did go down south to Dartmoor to meet many Braunds at East Shallowford Farm. Young Rebecca looked after me well – praper job.

27th May – Sheepwash

I head off to a little place called Sheepwash. ‘Ere be the home of some Braunds from branch 3 but they be all gone long since. I do settle down with Mollie and Kyle (branch 2) for me grub.

Then young Rebecca from Germany (branch 5) takes me to Black Torrington where the earliest Braunds in Deben do come from.

26th May 2012

I be off on a walk from Hartland Point to Hartland Quay for me grub. ‘ere be many I know and Doug and Heather (branch 11) ooo I not met afore. ’tis a mite wndy but glorious scenery. Down ‘artland I spy the ‘ole Gladys May.

That be the boat of me cousin Noel Braund (branch 2). Ee did sail ‘er down Bucks with that there Chris Braund when Chris were a tacker. I be very excited to look round the museum and see me own picture and some of me sons and the ole Ebenezer my that were a good boat.

Back in Devon 24th May 2012

At last I be ’ome in Deben. I’ve enjoyed me adventures but ‘tis good to be back. No sooner home though than I be off agen but ’tis to Cornwall so the views be familiar. I be stopping’ near Land’s End. With me be Chris Braund (branch 2) me great great great grandson, Janet Few (branch 6), Pam and Brian Hall (branch 1) ’oo I met in Australia and Chris Parry (branch 4) and her friend Kerry who did bring me home.

I be off to St. Michael’s Mount, built as a monastery many years since. You do walk across a path to get to it. You do be meant to walk across a path to get back too but that their descendant of mine, Chris, he do leave it too late. He baint got ’is boat with ’im neither. Never fear there be boats we can travel in.

Then I do go to this ’ere Minack Theatre. It do be very good. First 4 young varmints called ‘Flats and Sharps’ play music that they do be calling bluegrass. The sea be very blue but I see no grass. Then ‘Fisherman’s Friends’ do sings songs of the sea. I try to keep me voice down as I do join in. Not to worry, that there Chris will drown me out. Me favourites be ‘What shall we do with a drunken sailor’ and ‘Bound for South Australia’ ceptin I ent. Been there, done that, got the garnsey.

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Captain James April 2012

In April I went for a trip to the River Murray.

I went on a car ferry across the river, a speed boat along the river and got very toasty next to the fire on the river bank.

           

On a visit to Edithburgh I met Terry Braund (branch 4) who is an artist. This was my favourite painting.

It is very different to the old life boat at Clovelly.

I also went to the Cemetry where I found 9 “cousins” graves.

 

25th of April is ANZAC Day.

Thousands of people in most towns in Australia and New Zealand attend Services of Remembrance.

I went with Christine and John to the Maitland War Memorial for the Dawn Service and Breakfast.

We found William Gaylard Braund’s name on the memorial.