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| Holland Hall, University of Exeter |
Now we are down in Exeter, Devon in the south west of England. Shirley is attending a conference here on student health as she deals with a lot of university students at her health centre. We are staying in The University of Exeter's Holland Hall, overlooking the valley of The River Exe. It seems that students even have double beds these days and en suite bathrooms. It was never like that in my day. We slept in cells and shared bathrooms. Why did I never have a dressing gown back then?
I have just got back to our pad from a hearty breakfast. The view from that breakfast room is fabulous. One hundred and eighty degrees of the verdant Exe Valley. Marvellous.
I had a long walk yesterday and I am planning another for today. Yesterday I caught the 10.13 train to Exmouth where I slouched around in grey drizzle before catching the 11.40 ferry to the village of Starcross on the other side of the estuary. I was the only passenger and felt like Richard Branson or Donald Trump must feel as they board their exclusive transport. But I haven't got Trump's golden hair or Branson's inane grin.
At Starcross the weather was brightening and it got better as I plodded the twelve miles back to Exwick - mostly by The Exeter Canal which runs parallel to the tidal and temperamental Exe. It was a delightful walk and I saw many wonderful things along the way. Some photographic evidence of which follows but now I must get ready to drive up onto Dartmoor for my next long walk.
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| My private ferry to Starcross |
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| Cove near The Point in Exmouth |
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| "The Double Locks Inn" by The Exeter Canal |
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| Swan with cygnets |
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| On The Exe in Exeter |
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| Exeter is nothing like Las Vegas - apart from the bouncers outside the city's pubs |
What's the story behind the message in rocks on the beach? Strange that it was intact. No waves to destroy it, but surely people would have kicked the rocks. Notice I am assuming you did not construct the message yourself.
ReplyDeleteCarol, he Photoshoped it.
DeleteNo I did not photoshop it Adrian! Unlike you I am not a techno-geek! I guess the tide just laps gently over those stones. They are embedded in the sand - at least for a while.
DeleteI am racking my brain cell trying to work out what they call those old rope stores in the penultimate picture.
ReplyDeleteNow they are bars, wine shops and eateries but in the past some substantial boats came up the Exeter Canal to the quay. The Exe itself would have been too difficult for larger boats.
DeleteI like it better than Crete.
ReplyDeleteThat is because you are an Anglophile Helen!
DeleteTrue, and it's time we returned, there are plenty of places we haven't explored yet. Perhaps next year.
Delete"as I plodded the twelve miles back to Exwick"
ReplyDeleteThat's quite a bit of plodding by my reckoning. At three miles per hour (a brisk walk, to say the least) that would have taken you four hours. Glad you had a hearty breakfast. You needed it.
It took me longer than four hours Bob. More like five and a half with all the photo stops and a little break for refreshment.
DeleteSounds like you're having another great time. You should add up all the miles you've walked - you could probably have gone to the moon and back by now!
ReplyDelete*Googles, where is Exeter?*
Who is Googles? Have you renamed your son?
DeleteYes, I stayed in similar residences...four to a room and yes, bathrooms down the hall.
ReplyDeleteFour to a room? Heavens! How did you ever get any studying done Red?
DeleteYou sure are getting around and about. You'll need a holiday soon, Yorky!
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely array of photos. :)
Seeing new scenes in unfamiliar places always gets my heart racing these days. It is so exciting. But I didn't always think that way.
DeleteOh, the swan and her babies. Oh, so precious!
ReplyDeleteI thought you would like that one Mama Thyme because you are a softie!
DeleteNever been in those parts of England myself, so it is very interesting to have a look through your eyes.
ReplyDeleteWhat better way to spend a day like that on your own than walking in such beautiful surroundings!
And I tramped another twelve miles the next day Miss Arian but more of that later!
DeleteMy niece and her husband live in Exeter and CJ and I have spent time there and, of course, visited the Quayside and Butts Ferry where there were still some artisan crafts occupying the old rope etc stores. I enjoy the city and the surrounding areas.
ReplyDelete