BRISTOL — This morning began with an early walk to the railway station to reserve a seat to Paddington (the advanced ticket office is closed Sundays). That done, I returned to the hotel to get the car and drive to Mells, the birthplace of my ancestors Benjamin and Joseph Coles.

I found Mells relatively easily. I managed to squeeze the car in to a space along a street and entered the churchyard of the parish church. I didn’t find any tombstones of familial interest but I wasn’t really expecting to—my Coles family had left Mells around 1800 and most 18th century and earlier tombstones are barely legible.

I then drove into Frome, a large(ish) town nearby and had a look around. I stopped and bought a postage box to send my collection of guide books home and help lighten my baggage. I headed back to Bristol early afternoon, partly to ensure I got a park but also to give me time to pack the box.

I got the box packed with all my guidebooks but I fear it might be a bit too heavy. It will be interesting at the Post Office tomorrow!