Our Thursday day out - to Otterton Mill, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth and Beer.

What an unfortunate day to choose for our day out!  It rained all day, and the visibility for sight seeing and for taking photographs was very poor. Never the less, we still had an enjoyable day.

Our first stop was Otterton Mill. When we first arrived, even though it was raining, we took Charlie for his walk, along the river Otter towards Budleigh Salterton. On a nice sunny day I can imagine this would be a lovely walk. On Thursday however , the only sign of wildlife that we saw was one cock pheasant.  After walking for about half a mile, we returned to the Mill for a cup of coffee.
The café was packed - mostly with ramblers I think!

 Otterton Mill  -  Not an attractive building from the road -  but inside it offers a nice cup of coffee, and some lovely carrot cake!

                                        The back of Otterton Mill where plants are for sale.

Our next intended stop was to be Sidmouth, but we turned left by mistake when leaving the Mill, and hence our next brief stop was at Budleigh Salterton!  Retracing our route, we returned to Otterton, and carried on to Sidmouth via Penn Hill.
The views towards Sidmouth must be quite spectacular on a clear bright day. Although it was still raining, I did stop the car, and took our first viewing.

                                            Sidmouth on a misty day.

                                                          A deserted Simouth Beach

Plenty of shops to look at in Sidmouth.  I think that every other shop was a Charity shop. There certainly is a lot of them!
We took the main road out of Sidmouth, then turned right to Branscombe and Beer. The weather was still not good enough to encourage us to take a walk around Beer, but it did appear to be a very nice, clean place - and we definitely intend to return on a nice day!

                 Looking down at Beer beach on a dull day!   No swimmers or sunbathers today!

    The Anchor Inn, and a tidy row of houses overlooking the sea.   A very nice place to live!

  This little stream of water runs all the way down the main street into Beer. I wonder if it caused any  flooding recently!

The mileage for our trip from Exeter was just over 60 miles. We wish that the weather had been kinder to us - but never the less - it was another nice trip around the Devon sea and countryside.

We are fools whether we dance or not - so we might as well dance!

One of  the greatest lessons in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes!

A farmers daily responsibility for his calves.

I was interested to watch our neighbouring farmer feed his young herd of calves early in the morning.
I climbed over the gate into their field at 8.15am. Immediately I was surrounded by 87 young, mostly Frisian calves. They were waiting for their milk and calve nuts to arrive. I must have just given them false hope that it had come early!

                                                     Hungry calves - up close!

After waiting on a pile of logs, out the way of the calves for a few minutes, the Land rover and Farmer arrived with the milk and nuts.

 Some of the calves had wandered away from the feeding area on to some  good early grass in the joining field. They had to be called, and soon all arrived for breakfast!

I enjoyed being amongst the calves, and watching today's farming methods at close quarters, so to speak.  Again I make the comment  'how times have changed'   When I was farming with my Father, we were very proud to be milking about 20 cows.  Now a days the herd is more likely to be 200 or 300 cows!

Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous mind.

I keep this quote in mind, as I am tending to forget things.

My memories not what it was. I keep forgetting things.  It's like as though I've got Eisenhower's.

Have a nice day!

 

 

Another day out - to Princetown, Dartmoor and Tavistock.

Joan, Charlie and I, decided to have a trip out Thursday 27th March. Our first stop was to be the Warren Inn, Dartmoor. We did stop for a photo as we first drove onto the moors because  I was surprised to see  snow on the hills. Not good weather or conditions for photos - but never the less, the resultant shot does show what the conditions were really like! The temperature was 4 degrees.

Dartmoor

 

We had planned to have a snack and a drink in the Warren Inn - but when we stopped outside the Inn,  we thought it was too cold to get out and that it would be better to stop for a snack at a café in Princetown.

 

The Warren Inn - where the Fire never goes out!

 

We parked the car at Princetown  (£1.00 all day) I can imagine the public would be very happy if all car parks charged this amount for all day parking! Even  £1.00 for 3 hours parking would be an acceptable charge!

 

National Park Visitors Centre in Princetown. 

 

Lords Café and Gift shop.

 

 Dogs are allowed into the café . Charlie was given a doggie chew (which he enjoyed)

It was very clean there, and I compliment the service and the food. It was a very welcome and  pleasant stop. Charlie enjoyed it too!

 

Our trip continued. We took the road to Yelverton, as I wanted to see where I used to live in Horrabridge, not far from Yelverton. My parents had a bakery shop / business there. I remember my Father feeding the pigs in a field at the back of the shop. I guess any waste from the bakery would have been utilised!  I think this must have been a turning point in my Fathers life  -  changing from a Master Baker,  to become a Farmer. 

The shop now looks empty and neglected!  A shame!

 

Next stop - Tavistock. We parked by the Town Hall, which is right by the indoor market. Joan loves looking around this place. There are many stalls selling various items of clothing, jewelry, sewing and craft bits and pieces etc. Joan bought a bag of assorted buttons, and I purchased a bag of sunflower seed. Tavistock must have been really pleased to have seen us again!

 

                                                     Entrance to Indoor Market

A glimpse inside the market!

 

Time to make our way home. Took the road to Okehampton. Got on the A30.

Drove through Tedburn St Mary, Whitstone,  Nadderwater and back to Exeter.  A round trip of 83 miles. Another very nice day out!

 

Must plan next weeks trip now!

 

Some colour coming into the garden.

Never take Life too seriously  -  nobody gets out alive anyway!

The ground starts to dry a little - but then, down comes the rain again. However, although the soil is still too wet ideally, I have started to clean up and to hoe various flower beds. and to loosen the soil a bit. Also I have pruned all the roses, and will feed them with some general fertiliser in a couple of weeks time. There are many plants starting to show signs of growth, and there is a bit of colour coming into the garden. I like this time of the year!

I have taken a few photos of some flowering plants and shrubs. Taking the camera on a stroll around the garden certainly makes me realise the many jobs that need to be done!

Stellata Magnolia

Spot the ShihTzu

 

More daffs. A lovely show this year.

                                                              Grape hyacinths

Peamore House

Note the Blue sky!

Peamore Cottage

Exeter in the background

I missed the best of this rainbow - but rainbows have a special meaning to us.

 

Inquisitive Suffolk sheep

 

Nothing worth having comes easily!

 

 

A nice day spent at Steps Bridge, Moretonhampstead, and at Fernworthy resevoir, Chagford.

We set out at approximately 11.30 hrs. with the intention of going to the Warren Inn on Dartmoor. Our route from Exeter was through Longdown and then to make our first stop at Steps Bridge, Dunsford.  I lived at Brook Farm, Dunsford, many years ago. At a guess, I would think nearly 50 years ago! It brought back several memories seeing the Steps Bridge Hotel / Pub.   Back in my visiting days, it was the 'IN' place to be seen, and people went there to sit outside on nice days for light refreshment, and the pub was always open for discos, and drinking / socialising in the evenings. My Father, Tom, was one of the regulars and loved the place, and I know that many people will remember his singing with a group of friends. The Barman then was a very pleasant man called Danny.
Now  however, it is no longer a place for visitors to be able to stop for any refreshments. It is a lovely spot - and I envy the people that live there.

                                                          Steps Bridge   Dunsford

River Teign

 

Who built this wigwam?

The wild daffodils are self seeding and are very prolific. A lovely sight at this time of the year.

Many Ramblers were out walking, both singly and in groups. A very popular place for a stroll in the countryside, especially with dogs! We had lovely weather and really enjoyed a very pleasant walk beside the river. Charlie loved it!

 

 

Next stop Moretonhampstead. We bought coffee and hot pasties at a well stocked butchers / delicatessen shop.  Very nice it was too!

 

Moretonhampstead.

 

Next stop  -  Chagford.  We decided not to go to the Warren Inn - that could be our next trip out!

Chagford remains a typical Country small town. It seems to have stayed the same for ever, and doesn't appear to have changed much since I used to visit Fernworthy Resevoir for several weeks during the late 80's. I used to transport about 10 young men from Exeter, that were on a Government scheme.  It was at the time when people who had been on unemployment benefit for more than 6 months,  were encouraged to work on a Community project for an extra £10.00 a week. Our project was to build the bridges, and widen the footpaths all around Fernworthy reservoir acceptable for wheelchair users.  I think that the bridges we erected are still intact and in regular use.

 

Chagford main shopping place

A picturesque Country Town.

 

A nice view of Fernworthy 

 

Many picnic tables to use!

Courting time for the ducks.

 

Have a nice day.

 

Hunt at Powderham

The South Devon Hunt at Powderham, was held Saturday 15th  March 2014. It was a well attended event. I would guess maybe 100 or more followers. I am still undecided as to whether I support hunting or not! I consider myself to be a true Countryman, and to know that foxes are hunted by a pack of hounds, I don't feel is really a sport. I do like the meeting and seeing the horses and followers, but I think that is where my support ends. The Huntsman in the photo is being offered refreshments, and a drink. The food and drink that was being given to the hunt riders and supporters was very impressive, and I have to admit to enjoying a couple of whiskies and a sausage roll (or two) myself!  So Thank you Powderham for the welcome refreshments!  
I will go out now and feed our foxes in the garden!

Jane with the tray of whisky and Port. Courtenay on Megan and Dave.

                                                                     Courtenay


Today, the Golf was due for it's MOT.  I have been having the test done at Ashburton Motors for the last few years. I think that if you are pleased with the service you have received from a garage , then it is better to stay loyal, and return each year.  The Golf passed, as I would have expected, (it has only done just over 11,000 miles from new) so now I can get the road fund licence on the internet  -  cost £30.00 for 12 months.  Not bad, that!

The main street in Ashburton

Cookery school, by the MOT garage.

Some photos taken today.

Suffolk yearling

Early double camelias

My neighbours woodland garden.

Jimmy - finding a way to get at the peanuts!

Enjoy the fine weather. Maybe rain coming soon.

This fog gets me in a reflective mood!

I had the Blues because I had no Shoes  -  then I met a Man in the street with no Feet!

Middle age is when you have met so many people that every new person you meet reminds you of someone else!

I'm listening to a Leo Sayer CD.  'At his very best' Is that why I am thoughtful this morning?   'When I need you'  I like that track.  I have just bought the CD from Amazon, on the internet. The CD cost 1 penny, the postage £1.49!  How times have changed.

Yesterday we had a trip to Exmouth. We took Charlie, who loves going anywhere with us. In fact we feel very guilty now if we leave him at home on his own. It was still slightly foggy, but Exmouth is a nice place, and the sea air must have done us some good.

Exmouth  front

 

 

 

 

                                                           Exmouth Pavilion

Water Park

 

 

It got too hot to leave Charlie in the car in Exmouth, so we took him home and then went to Wetherspoons, at the Imperial, Exeter.  It was packed.  Mostly Students I think!  A great life it would seem!

 

Wetherspoons

 

I sold 2 stools on ebay. The auction lasted 7 days, and the winning bid was for 99 pence.

The buyer from Crediton paid by Paypal, and I will eventually receive the sum of 76 pence

.Did Alan Sugar started like this?

My 99 pence stools!

 

I took some photos of a nearby rookery. The rooks have just recently started to take the bird food, on the bird table close to the house. They are very clever, and fly away as soon as they see you. I don't like this bird.

 

 

 

 

 

I met a Dutch girl with Inflatable shoes last week  I phoned her up to arrange a date, but unfortunately she'd popped her clogs! 

 

Peter Kaye