Monday, May 04, 2015

Day Trippers

We were all quite sad when Veronica - who started our bereavement group - now known as the friendship group announced the she and her new husband Peter were going to up sticks and find a house in the Torbay area. We cheered somewhat when she insisted that as soon as they had settled in - give or take a few dozen cardboard boxes we should all go down and spend the day with them.

 
 
The logistics were complicated - how many cars - who would - could drive, who would go with whom etc.  In the end Patsy's dog being in season, illness and prior engagements whittled us down to four.
Elaine had always insisted on driving as she knows the route (her version ) like the back  of her hand
and Chrissie, James and I gratefully accepted her noble offer.
 
 
The drive would not be easy as Dunster was closed owing to controversial alterations to the cobbles in the street so all the rush hour traffic were using the villages - creating havoc.  However Elaine is a doughty driver and was determined to use her favourite route so there was much braking, reversing and sharp intakes of breath- but we finally got through the mayhem.
 
James and I were sitting in the back as Chrissie is prone to travel sickness and by now James was feeling queasy so we stopped here whilst he had a walk around.
 
 
Off we went again.

 
At last a glimpse of the dazzling sea

 
Miraculously we finally found the lane off a lane where Veronica and Peter now live.  They are surrounded by these rollocking hills and we had tea/coffee and homemade, wafer - thin shortbread alfresco.


Veronica's new kitchen.  James did take his cap off eventually.

It is a super kitchen - a fridge like a garage but V said they regretted the area where James is standing as it becomes a bottle neck.


 
The house is like a Tardis - once inside it goes on an on.
Elaine the fearless driver with V's dog.

James and Peter in the back garden

 
Looking down at the back of the house.  There is more building work still to be done so that Peter can have his own office.
I was told this was not mimosa.  Looks like mimosa to me:)

 

Children had lived here previously and this was their fort.

See what I mean about the hills?

Then there was lunch - heavenly soup, a scrumptious chicken dish and you can just see the bread and butter pudding which was so light it trembled.

 
After coffee and when we were able to be mobile again we set off to drive down to the beach - down a perpendicular lane.

We were all feeling somnolent but the air was crisp and reviving and we did quite a bit of waddling.



 
So peaceful - far from the madding crowd.

Back at the house we had tea with three different cakes and then reluctantly said  a fond farewell  with lots of hugs.
Elaine was a star and delivered us to our doors - with the exception of James who nipped through the ginnel from my house.  It was a special day.

21 comments:

Kim Ayres said...

I used to live in Brixham, in the Torbay area, so I know just how frustrating the roads across Devon can be.

In fact, I might be back down that way in early July. I'll keep you up to date with travel plans if they go ahead as a trip down South wouldn't be complete without seeing you :)

Pat said...

Kim: I'll look forward to it.

Anonymous said...

I once followed TomTom's shortest route from the Torquay bypass to Meadfoot Beach. Oh my! It didn't say the lanes at Cockington were less than one car wide! But we got there!

That looks as if you were at Babbacombe Beach with the famous cliff fall. I have only walked down there through a cliff garden, leaving car at the top.

Pat said...

Rosneath: I had the names fresh in my head but a week or two has passed. Babbacombe does sound familiar and there was certainly a rock fall. Narrow precipitous lanes are the price one pays in Devon it seems.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, Pat!!

Pat said...

John: thanks John xox.

savannah said...

I see why all y'all suggested the MITM and I re-think our (his) desire to motor around the U.K.! Looks as if it was a lovely visit, Pat! :) I also learned a new word today, ginnel! xoxoxox

Pat said...

Savannah: Hate to think I might have put you off visiting Britain. That's why both my sons love driving around the States,
and Al and I enjoyed driving round New England back in the day.xoxox

maurcheen said...

It's hard to beat a good days jaunt with friends. I had a good night out last night with Mrs. M and my good pal Paul (the plumber) and his missus.
Lovely photies Pat. :-)

XXX

OldLady Of The Hills said...

What a lovely day, Pat....It is so very beautiful there---the water and the rocks and their home and grounds.......And lots of yummy food, too! This is such a great post, my dear.....WONDERFUL pictures, too!!!

angryparsnip said...

The two trips I had taken to the UK we all took turns driving. But that was a bit ago.

Oh Pat what a lovely day you had.
They do live in a beautiful area. Now must look up where this is.

cheers, parsnip

Ms Scarlet said...

Indeed the roads are very frustrating in Devon... and now the hedges are growing high so that it feels like driving in a maze.
Looks like a beautiful day, Pat. And it probably is mimosa.
Sx

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Pat! "...and we did quite a bit of waddling". You all sure had a feast.

That is my kind of place, far from the madding crowd, peaceful beautiful.

I have a yen for cake and tea now mmmm.

I love the way you've all bonded.

Ponita in Real Life said...

What a beautiful area! I love those hills. And how you all went "waddling"! We don't have any flowers up here yet, but my tulips are valiantly straining to get their buds into the sun. We are to get rain the next couple of days, so that will help clean up winter's dust, and green things up. I love your little photo journeys, Pat. :-)

Pat said...

Maurcheen: they become rarer with age. We don't always find ourselves on top form all on the same day.

Naomi: we had been warned of stormy weather but fortunately it held off till we were home. And we were thankful when we saw the blackened skies.

Parsnip: the actual place is - I believe Maidencombe.

Scarlet : I was told it was acacia but isn't that a blanket term for mimosa?

Neena: I'm pretty sure you would have relished the day:)

Vagabonde said...

What a lovely day trip! The house looks very comfortable and the view is pretty. Being so close to the sea is also quite appealing. I’d love to share hot tea and 3 types of cakes with good friends. It certainly was a nice day for y’all.

Mage said...

What a charming home, and what a stunningly beautiful area.

Pat said...

Vagabonde: we have become a bit like family - tolerant of each other's idiosyncracies.

Mage: the narrow roads are a small price to pay - as long as one isn't driving.

rashbre said...

It all looks lovely, and I like the descriptions with the controversial cobbles and the trembling pudding. I assume you are already planning the next visit!

Pat said...

Rashbre: thinking about it. James has already planned to stop off there en route to his hols but I'm going in the wrong direction - the Baltic.

About Last Weekend said...

what a lovely day, wonderful group - and gorgeous area. Did not ever got there I don't think but feel as though I really did make it after all. I get car sick too and always take the front seat. Used to make my siblings crazy