Go west, go west!

The renowned Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, Devon
(too bad the clouds obscure the pretty countryside)

From our initial stopover in Ampfield, we have gradually been making our way west.  After our visits to Winchester and Salisbury, we drove a bit further west to Shaftesbury, where our second cousin, Ann lives.  We met her for lunch at a little restaurant at the top of Gold Hill, a place featured in just about every English calendar.  While we managed to get some photos, it sure would have been a lot better if the sun had been out.  I paused at the top of Gold Hill as it is a place that Mom enjoyed visiting many years ago and a photo of it was on the calendar in her bedroom last November.


From Shaftesbury, we continued south and west through Blandford Forum and Lyme Regis to the little town of Seaton on the coast,  Our cute B&B was just a few yards (yes, the English are not yet in metric) from the seafront.  It was so good to smell the sea again.



Beachfront Cottage, Seaton

The Seafront, Seaton

Wednesday morning, we left Seaton and continued west.  Our host at Beachcroft Cottage had suggested we visit the villages of Beer and Branscombe.  I'd been to the latter but not the former.  They are both lovely with thatched cottages and old churches and buildings, and located on the coast.


The Seafront in Beer

The Beer High Street

The Masons Arms in Branscombe

 

                                                        

Church just outside to Branscombe





One of the wider - truly - Devon lanes!

After leaving Branscombe, we took the narrow (and I do mean narrow!) lanes of Devon to Sidmouth where I'd been many times both with Mom and her cousin Jean who lived in Budleigh Salterton then we drove the even narrower lanes through Otterton over Budleigh.  There is something exciting, albeit somewhat terrifying, stepping up to the challenge of driving these lanes.  You always pray you don't meet any big

The Seafront at Budleigh

vehicle but, because this is farm country, it is inevitable you will often come up against Land Rovers,  The trick is remembering where the last pull out is.  I must say everyone is very courteous and patient even though they are often driving these lanes over 40 mph - NOT ME!  After a quick stop at Budleigh for a photo op, we headed to Exeter to the cathedral and further west and south toward what is called "The English Riviera" -  Dawlish, Paignton, and Brixham.  Knowing several Rivieras as I do, believe me, this region in no way resembles its Italian and French namesakes!  Our hotel was just outside Brixham and we headed into the very busy fishing harbour for dinner.  Yes, I had fish and chips and Kath had mussels and chips.  Girls have got to do what girls have to do!