Walking into town ----------

On our first morning in Torquay we were up early and walking to town. 

Warm and partly sunny it was perfect for a hike.

We walked along the beachfront from the cottage, climbing the cliff walk/steps up 

over Daddyhole Plain (above the rows of new-style beach huts) and along the 

Rock End section of the Southwest Coast Path.

Meadfoot Beach at low tide.

The tower, which you actually walk through, and sections of old wall, are all remaining 

of the former Rock End estate. Very expensive homes have been built here - you 

can imagine the beautiful sea views they must have.

Bob and Jasmin at Rock End.

This board shows our path along the cliffs - we climbed to Daddyhole Plain 

from Meadfoot Beach, following the coast pathway to Beacon Cove. With stops for 

gasping at the views across the bay - Jasmin had not been on this walk on her last 

visit many years back - and of course taking photos, it took about an hour.

Passing the Living Coasts - Britain's only coastal zoo - read more here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_Coasts

Reaching the harbor we were a bit tired, but if I could walk into town with 

such views here in North Carolina, I'd sell my car! 

Ready to continue our day, we headed to the ferry for the sail

across the bay to the fishing port of Brixham.

Torquay's Inner Harbour

Boarding the Western Lady VI ferry which crosses Tor Bay in about half an hour for 

just a one pound fare - the best bargain in town!

Here, the ferry was passing the Grand Hotel, one of the oldest and largest hotels 

along Torquay's shoreline, and where Agatha Christie spent her honeymoon. 

Across from the hotel is a rocky beach and row of traditional style beach 

huts - my favorites.

For me, the small beach, named Corbyn Head, holds many childhood memories. 

When in elementary school - about a two mile walk from here - on warm June afternoons 

before school was out for the Summer hols, my neighbor, whose two children were 

in school with me, would meet us at 4 PM and walk us to the beach. She'd bring 

our swimsuits, towels, cheese and tomato sandwiches, orangeade drinks, and we'd

 spend a few wonderful late afternoon hours swimming and playing in the rock pools 

when the tide went out.

Those really are days I will always cherish.

Next time I'll show you Brixham at the far end of Tor Bay.

Down to my home in Devon. . . . . . . .

Arriving in England is usually the same for me. 

When we're going straight home to Devon we take the National Express 

coach from Heathrow airport to Torquay. We no longer drive in the UK.

It's a long ride and one has to be prepared with lunch/snacks for the 5 hour 

ride - we pick up a sandwich and bottled drink from M&S or Boots at the

 airport shops and, having purchased tickets online, just wait, somewhat 

bleary-eyed from the overnight flight, until the 501 coach shows up - always 

on time believe it it not!  The ride on an almost Summer day is lovely. At this 

time of year the countryside is spectacular. It was cloudy leaving London but 

as the southwest counties appeared on the signposts, the sun peeped out 

and by the time we were 'home' the afternoon was perfect. 

My dear cousin David was at the coach station to meet us.  

He took us to a grocery store for the basics we needed at the rental cottage

 and drove us to our 'home' on the coast for the coming ten days.

More about David in a future post - we grew up together, our mums were sisters, 

and thankfully we have stayed close despite the distance since I emigrated to 

the US over fifty years ago.

The pink cottage, almost on the beach, was awaiting our arrival.

We let Jasmin choose which bedroom she preferred - this was the magnificent 

view from her window.

The sun goes down late over Tor Bay at this time of year - it remains light 

until around 10:30 PM which is wonderful, and the early dawn brings bright 

mornings by 5:30 AM.

Here, as we looked across the bay, the lights came on in Brixham, the fishing

 town where my father was born.

It's a long journey home - but always worthwhile.

Sleep was welcome that night.

Theatre in London. . . . . . . . .

Two very special London theatres - quite different - were not far from our hotel on the Thames River. 

During our one full city day we walked over 12 miles and were able to see both. 

We took the tour of The Globe, it was fascinating. 

Built entirely of English oak, the colorful interior was 

quite opposite to its rather austere exterior. 

Sitting and looking up at "the heavens" painted with clouds 

and sky, I noted the trap door through which actors 

could be lowered using a harness. 

The Globe is the only thatched building that has been 

permitted to be built in London since the 

Great Fire of London in 1666.

The museum area inside the theatre was interesting also.

Go here to read more about Shakespeare's 

Globe Theatre in London.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakespeare%27s_Globe

For more details on the Royal National Theatre go here - 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_National_Theatre

Goodbye London --------

County Hall (where we stayed at the Marriott Hotel which was so convenient) and the London Eye.

Yes, London's skies were truly this blue!  

Days were hot, the evenings cooled a little. . . . .and 

we walked and walked (with some travel on the 

Underground), covering 12 miles on foot one day!

We arrived back yesterday to hot, humid, rainy Raleigh. 

More stories soon of our great time in England.

London on a Summer Evening. . . . . . .

Evening on the River Thames - Parliament and Big Ben

The perfect weather has followed us to London - we've had sunshine every day of this trip.

Tomorrow we cross the pond - sad to leave but always happy to get home.

In an English Garden. . . . . . . . . .

I have best friends who have the best gardens.

Above, Jasmin loving the beautiful flower garden of 

my very dear friend Jackie here in Torquay. 

More on our special friendship, and the wonderful 

places we journeyed to in Devon on a day out with her, 
when I get home and have more time to blog!

Tomorrow we head to London. 

Hot temperatures expected. 

Sightseeing will be non-stop until we jump, or

crawl, aboard that plane on Friday and fly home.

Time has gone by far too quickly.

Torquay in Sunshine. . . . . . .

Coastal view from Ilsham Marine Drive in Torquay

We're still here in beautiful Devon.

What an amazing time. 

Brilliant sunshine, warm temperatures, great food, 

and lovely people.

No time to blog but I will show you more photos of this 

lovely southwest county, and my hometown by the sea, later.

A whirlwind tour of Devon. . . . . . . .

Wow, what a busy few days we've enjoyed already! The time is flying by much 

too quickly and I have little time to attend to my blog. . . . . . sorry.  I will be back here 

to share my lovely hometown soon. Places such as my 'local', the pub named the 

Devon Dumpling in the village where I grew up, the cottages, the very same railing 

where I did somersaults as a child. All this and more I'm sharing with Jasmin who 

is enjoying this whirlwind tour as we cram in as much as possible. The weather is 

being so kind to us - and all is going well following a few glitches at the start!  

More later.