Last weekend I visited chocolate-box Devon. After setting off and reading the directions (in that order) I saw the words 'pass Stonehenge' amongst others. This got me a bit excited. But due to traffic being horrific we didn't stop and did 'pass Stonehenge' as directed.
A lot of tar later and we passed Exeter, heading towards the West Hams and Totnes. Our final destination was between Totnes and Dittisham, along the river Dart (and very near to where Agatha Christy used to live.)
From the moment we left the A3-something you start winding through the trees, along the river and down the increasingly smaller lanes. For an advanced warning sign of the width of the road ahead look at the hedgerows. The bigger and taller they are, the smaller the road will be.
But brake testing aside this is such a great area to come and get away from it all, to relax and enjoy the views, glass of wine in hand. And if you run out of vino you can always visit a nearby vineyard!
The area is also bustling with tourists mingling with locals, but not too many tourists - the roads tend to encourage only those who seek something 'off the beaten track' to visit. The area is fairly arty and we stayed with their daughter Jilly, a sculptor, who has a guest house with the most fabulous view of the River Dart - framed by the panes.
The view from my window early in the morning. Mist over the river and sun just rising.
The garden
Across the mud-flats the boats rock on their moorings
The Italian water taxi (rumour has it, it runs on Prosecco?)
Their kitchen has the most wonderful wooden sink, adorned by the blue lady
Even fallen trees look arty in Devon
Phyl and Bonham relaxing in the sun
Down by the water, under the trees... the perfect place for a braai
The view from the sunset-sofa
More view from the sunset-sofa (house down by the river)
The fish that swims from the ceiling, in front of the blue lady
A large, old, gnarled oak
The boats on the mud-flats, waiting for the tide
This barrow was filled with apples and pears. I spent a lot of time peeling these pears
Picturesque? The boathouse on the left, with dingy pulled on shore
Lucky