Totnes and Torquay

The whole point of our trip down to the South West of England was to visit our very good friend T'Other One, who moved down to be with her family, and this was our first visit to see her.  
We started out in dry but overcast weather, driving through Devon-shire countryside to her cottage, where we spent a wonderful 5 hours nattering ........ 
eating ....... 
computering .........
drinking and ......... 
catching up.  
During this time it started to rain, as we were rather occupied we didn't notice and it was quite a shock when we looked out and saw how wet it was!!!  
On the drive back to camp the skies opened up and we were a bit despondent when we arrived back but at least the rain had stopped.  We intended to go visit a few more places on the morrow but ........ all this rain ..........?!
The next day was cool and overcast but we decided we would go exploring anyhow, so off we went with woollies, macs and umbrellas!!!  The bus dropped us further into Brixham, just outside the ferry point so we thought - why not?!  We bought our ticket and walked round the quay watching the wildlife then the boat pulled in and off we went.  

See the blue boat on the right side - we were smaller than that............. it was a bit choppy out in the bay but we enjoyed it and soon landed at Torquay.






We docked just behind the shops and strolled round the marina into town.  While we were walking round I spotted this guy on the right -  he was 'walking' that boat along the quayside.......... (see the folks watching him) strolling along pulling the boat (down on the water) behind him .......... 






We went into several cafes to have 'a coffee and cake', several were a bit 'tired' and one actually tried to charge extra for coffees and, when we complained, were so rude!!!  We asked for our money back and came out in disgust (said cafe NOT in this photo of High Street).  
Little did she know that she had made it better for us because  ............ 


further along and set back a little was this pattisserie........... 




inside was pure heaven ......... and the cream tea was the cheapest we had seen advertised and was to die for........... served by the friendliest of staff, with attractive crockery ........ heart shaped plates and patterns on our coffee ........ oooh! doncha just love it!

Visiting here made our visit to Torquay and we would definitely recommend a visit to Serendipity, for service, value and a look at their patisserie counter ....................

Day out in Brixham

The country side round here abouts is so different to what I expected!  It is very hilly, so steep in places it's a wonder the bus can climb up.


We caught the local Stagecoach (doncha just looove that!!) bus into the town and then started walking.

We really didn't know what to expect and found it was a Harbour Town!!!



We managed to get our shopping at really good prices and I quite enjoyed myself.  There were the usual souvenir shops, teatowels, windmills, postcards ..... need a couple of those....rock.... need a couple of sticks of that ........ and then we were at the harbour.

There is a mock up of the Golden Hind among the fishing boats and yachts.

Prince William of Orange landed round here just before he became King.



We found the main street and completed our shopping and found a lovely cafe for coffee and cake (toasted teacake actually!)


Loved the art on the walls especially one mixed media one so I asked if I could take a photo - inspiration.

Corrugated cardboard and burlap used on lower left

on the middle - folded paper and a cotton bud dipped in gold paint!!! 

When we came out we found the bus stop opposite so that was just what we needed!

We're going to catch this Stagecoach soon...........

Aircraft Museum

On the way home from our visit to the Japanese Garden I spotted three 'helicopters' flying in formation.  We pulled over and found they were old planes so PJ thought there should be an airfield nearby.

This is what we found...........



.......... a museum!!


Although the ladies taking the entrance fee were not very friendly - apparently they wanted to leave on time so didn't really need people turning up two hours before closing!!! - we hurried out to Shed 2 (where we had been told to go to start our visit).



There was a large display outside and it was good to be able to get up close to the exhibits.
Each plane was clearly signed with lots of details for each.......




As we turned into the shed I could see another display and a further shed.








Shed no 2 told the story of flight.........

..... microlites.....

...... walkways clearly marked.....

.
...is this what Prince William flies? .....

...... displays of information ............

......... shed one showing up......








... amazing that such large planes lift  off the ground, even with such a tight cockpit.........

.........  inside there was a corner set up as a tribute to our war heroes, survivors and fallen.........

..... original turrets ...........

look at that damage ..........

.......... another fighter plane ........


and down to the exit........



couldn't pass the cafe by so in for a coffee and cake!!!

Smashing staff meant we sat and chatted for some time before leaving.

Japanese Garden (picture heavy)

Earlier on in the year N bought a trip to a Japanese garden as a present for PJ's birthday and we have finally managed to get to see it (We also have a visit to a stately home and boat cruise to come).
We spotted the small gateway into the garden, cruised past and found the carpark (field) a small entrance leading into a barn with a passageway to the garden.  We followed the sign to pay, situated in a small cafe so we stopped for a coffee and a chat with Mr Maitreya - click here - then proceeded to view his garden.




We were greeted by this blue dragon in his island setting so we guessed he was heralding a good day - The Year of the Dragon is a lucky year!!


Here is a view of the pool...........

The bridges were strong enough to support us although I was a little bit unsure at first but then the fish came into view.........









Little paths led off to interesting sights like this tea room............

and more pools............










and a small rill running cheerfully through the greenery...............




........... into another pool..........

.......... where the pond skaters went about their business........

We spotted this visitor to the garden but then he was gone, so I followed him trying to catch him keeping still long enough to take a photo!!!

The tree shapes were as amazing as I expected........







........ from the Rhus on the left to the Forsythia on the right ...........















......... from the firs to the elms.............










Although it was a bit cloudy for most of our visit, the sun did come out for a short while and we sat on a bench, looking at this view, listening to the birds and watching swallows flying past........

I think these are slightly mis-placed but the 'stinky bugs' found them attractive!!!
They were situated just outside the house which contained the Crystal Garden, the photo of which does not show the real beauty of the place.  Our host says he spent about £30,000 creating this and it certainly shows, some of the crystals were magnificently large!

Nature is always lovely, invincible, glad, 

whatever is done and suffered by her creatures.

All scars she heals,

whether in rocks or water or sky or hearts.

- John Muir, Scottish-born American Naturalist, 1838-1914