Sunday 13 September 2015

Summer Sun and Devon Friendliness

 
It was really strange to write a post about the end of summer, to go away for a few days and then have the best weather we've had all summer! It was so lovely that we extended our break to a full week :)  In Sidmouth someone had set up a water sports business at the start of the summer and they had put up a notice thanking everyone for their custom and declaring their intention of finishing for this year, so it wasn't just me being premature in declaring an autumn chill in the air! The spot looked very inviting....
 
 
 
It's a pebbly beach but the colours of the pebbles are lovely...


As you can see, the sky is a bit grey but it was mild and with a fresh sea breeze blowing away the cobwebs....



On the map we saw a place called Beer which we just had to find and explore.  It is a tiny fishing village once rife with smuggling activity but now full of tourists and friendly shopkeepers.  This was our first glimpse of the cove and pebble beach.....


Here you can buy freshly caught fish, crabs, lobster direct from the beach....



The light was fading by this time but, if you click on the photo, you might be able to read the detail....


On the beach were row after row of deck chairs for hire at just 80p......


Or you could hire a beach hut for £10 and spend a whole day there.  The Jurassic cliffs look a bit crumbly, I hope they don't fall onto the huts :/



We heard about a carnival night in Seaton and tried to go there but it was impossible to get near.  There was nowhere to park and they closed the town centre off at 7.30pm in readiness. We were so disappointed to have to abandon our attempt.

Another lovely little village is Ottery St Mary.  Here we did manage to park and have a wander round. The village seems to be a hive of activity for the locals with every activity under the sun catered for including sewing classes for children. I got talking to the nice lady who owns the sewing shop and she said that the uptake has been so good that she will have to start another class just to fit all the applicants in. How wonderful!

Generally, we were so impressed by the friendliness of Devon folk.  We went into a store in Ottery and got talking to another lady shopkeeper (as you do :)) and commented on it. She replied " why wouldn't we be? We want you here!"  I had only purchased rubber gloves too. What a lovely sentiment....

The myriad of antique shops in the area were absolutely fascinating too. I resisted buying anything from them but it was so hard not to.  Instead we popped into all the charity shops and either made a small purchase (I got wool and a pattern) or a small donation.

We are home now so I am chasing my tail trying to catch up with housework, washing etc and the family are coming over this afternoon too.  Help!

Enjoy your day whatever you have planned x

6 comments:

  1. Sounds like you had a lovely time. I hate all the unpacking and washing when we get back home after time away. That area of south Devon is lovely isn't it?

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    1. It's really beautiful there, Sooze, but it's definitely back to earth with a bump!

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  2. What a lovely break, I'm glad the weather was kind, enjoy your family time this afternoon, x

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  3. I'm glad you had a good break, good luck with all your catching up x

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  Angie 💓 xx