Living at the seaside. . . . . . .

 Growing up in Torquay was a privilege. 

Recovering after WWII, it was still a more simple town, a small fishing port,

 on a lovely bay opening on to the English Channel. Although not visible, 

as children we would wave to France across the water!

Still important in British history, but quiet and elegant, it remained one of the

 loveliest places on the south coast to visit for a 'seaside holiday' with it's many 

beaches, hotels, guest houses, bed & breakfast establishments . . . . . . . . . . and

 now of course AirBnBs and vacation rentals.

Built on seven hills, you can see some of the older historic buildings still standing,

but of course times change and blocks of flats and condos have appeared.

Although we've enjoyed renting some lovely flats and houses over the past

 15 years when visiting (since the family house was sold), we are now excited to

 see - after years of planning permission - a Hampton Inn by Hilton hotel being

 built right on the harbour side (crane on left below), to be completed next year, 

so future visits home will most likely find us staying there. 

As family and friends agree, we're now at the age for ease, comfort,

access to public transportation, and in-town location, all of which a modern

 hotel can offer, and for us holidays now require cooking and housekeeping

 done by others. . . . . plus good lighting in the bathroom, haha!

I have so much more to share about this great trip home. 

It will take some time to edit photos and write posts.

We are now preparing to leave home early next week!

Yes, crossing the pond again - excited, and definitely happy that we'll be

 missing expected extremely oppressive hot, dry weather here in NC - please

 God spare the lovely hydrangea bushes - and heading to the cool and

perhaps damp shores of Ireland.

I'll be back here when I can - don't think I've forgotten you!

 Wikipedia covers the history of lovely TORQUAY quite well if you

 would like to know more about the town.

Seeing home in a new light. . . . . . . . .

I was gifted with this beautiful contemporary style poster featuring my English

 hometown when I was visiting for Christmas last year - thank you again for such a

thoughtful present Jean (we gals have been friends since our schooldays).

 I really like the soft colors, quite different from often garish versions of posters.

Because I've been unable to find a ready made frame to fit, I purchased an 

inexpensive black artist's stretched canvas and attached the poster with

 double-sided tape. An easy-peasy answer and all done in a couple of minutes. . . . . 

. . . . . and I think it looks perfect.

The poster is hanging next to the bed and I really enjoy looking at it

 each day and remembering my beautiful faraway home on the bay.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Awaking to another horrendous happening here in America,
 last night's Las Vegas concert attack, just breaks my heart. 

I pray for all, those gone forever in the blink of an eye, those critically

 injured fighting for their lives, those injured who will need care and will remain

 with both physical and emotional scars, and those who thankfully escaped injury

 but will forever live with the terrible memory of what should have been a happy night out. 

~~~~~~~~~

Dreaming of home in Devon. . . . . . .

I'd really love to be back in England for the last days of Summer. 

As that's impossible, I'm spending a little of my Labor Day holiday time enjoying

 the memories while freeing up storage space on my laptop, and moving travel photos

 to my external hard drive for safe keeping. Need to be ready for my next trip where 

I'm certain to be taking a lot of new photos to share with you.

These are a few more from the June visit to Torquay, the town where I grew up,

 and the area of South Devon I'm so familiar with.

Enjoy!