Friday, June 04, 2010

More Dalwood


Honiton was fun and at the bottom of the hill was an award winning restaurant – The Holt - which lived up to its reputation. There was even a floor show whilst a disgruntled lady burbled on endlessly at not being given free bread with her tapas. The barman patiently explained that bread wasn’t served with the tapas dish whilst husband stood silently by. In the end I perfectly understood why he wouldn’t accept her payment and remembered my shop days when – sometimes - the general public could be an absolute shower.


Another excellent pub - foodwise and especially beer wise, was the Old Inn near us on the A35 with a pleasant garden. We meant to visit Shute Barton – a National Trust Manor house – but it was closed. Driving towards the coast we stopped at Colyton and caught the tram to Seaton. The tram passes through the Seaton Marshes and the rive Axe estuary where there are about 50 different species of birds. I didn’t think my photographs would be good enough so I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.


We visited Seaton first a couple of days earlier and were seduced by fresh crab sandwiches on brown, followed by a double 99 (vanilla ice cream with a chocolate flake on top). Sitting scoffing on the beach we felt like genuine trippers. It was so like Hythe on the Kent coast where I used to model for Lisa Sheridan – photographer to the Queen – her house was right by the sea and it was a joy to have a booking there. She had a famous daughter – Dinah Sheridan - who starred in the film Genvieve with Kenneth More.


After our picnic lunch we thought it best to retreat from the beach – that brilliant sun cooled by a delectable sea breeze can play havoc with one’s skin, in spite of factors 5 hundred and thirty nine. We drove towards Beer – which had a traffic problem so slowly mosied back to the cottage to sit and gaze at the view and the animals. I would love to do the walk along the cliff – Seaton, Beer and Branscombe but only with one of my sons and I may have left it too late dammit!

20 comments:

Ms Scarlet said...

I am going to get out and about and use my legs this weekend.
There are so many walks I want to do around Devon.
Sx

Ms Scarlet said...

P.S...I thought you was Dinah Sheridan.
Sx

savannah said...

y'all know, because of our situation, 'm living vicariously through y'alls holidays, sugar! xoxoxoxo

(thank you again for your kind words, pat! i hope you know how much i appreciate your counsel.)

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Reasons I enjoy this blog - I get to 'travel'.

And there's so much beauty, it refreshes.

Plus, romance.

There's more but I must go vacuum this ol' house.

Pat said...

Scarlet: My counsel - do it whilst you can. I bless the three fractures I had some decades ago; it really taught me to value and protect my mobility. dinah Sheridan? Posher then me;)

Savannah: just so long as you are around and don't disappear. We need you:)

Pat said...

GG: did I miss the romance?

Kim Ayres said...

While you're waiting for responses from agents and publishers for your novel, I think you out to start compiling all your pub/restaurant reviews into Pat's Guide to a Pleasant Lunch Out. It would be a major best seller, I'm sure :)

Unknown said...

Cracking photos!

Pat said...

Kim: nice idea although pubs and restaurants are a moveable feast but I must give it some serious thought.
BTW its memoirs ducks - not a novel. Honest:)

John G: with weather like that its easy peasy.

lom said...

Never too late Pat, find someone to go with you and do the walk, lifes to short for 'wish I hads'

Pat said...

LOM: whilst I agree with you in principle the days when I cold just waltz off are gone - nor would I wish to.

sablonneuse said...

You certainly have some wonderful holidays, Pat. Thanks for sharing them with us - and I'm so glad the weather was good.

Pat said...

Sandy: wasn't that lucky? I think it's due to all the good wishes we received:)

Charlie said...

I continue to live vicariously through your words and photos. I love the Inn and the tram.

Pat said...

Charlie: and both on the same day

Granny Annie said...

Delightful and inspiring tales of relaxing and entertaining travels. I am envious of your closeness to such beauty.

Pat said...

Granny Annie: thank you:) ;It's fortunate we are close as our travelling is limited.

Pat said...

Don't ask me what); means. It just slipped out.

Leah said...

I just got a chance to go back and read all about your holiday, and gaze longingly at the lovely pictures. It sounds pure magic.

Pat said...

Leah: thank you for those kind words;)