Late August Break

Right at the end of August we had three nights away, taking ourselves away from bare floors, and the smell of fresh paint.  The weather was still ridiculously hot, dry and sunny, and a little rest and recuperation was needed.  I was a little below par and was not in the mood to take many pictures.  

However there were some lovely moments.  Our drive down to Topsham entailed a drive through glorious quiet Somerset and Devon countryside.  Our first stop was at Illminster, where we stretched our legs, had a little look around some antique shops, and admired some of the local architecture, built in honey coloured limestone, of which this is an example.

Fairly centrally placed was 'Ilminster Art Centre' called the Meeting House. We approached  the building as it looked open, and enjoyed looking round their gallery.  Here I found the book set for our reading group, right in the middle of the book selection, so bought it!  It was a strange moment, I wasn't really looking at the books, they were set out randomly, and I hadn't any idea what the book looked like, and my memory for names and titles of books is such that I have to write things down, yet my eye caught it.  I felt it was a moment of serendipity.   It was order from the library, so later went on line and cancelled it.  

At Topsham we soon settled in our very large room at the Globe, overlooking Fore Street. From our comfy chairs in the bay, we had good views out towards pretty buildings and trees and the Church. Streets with fine merchant houses, meant evening and morning strolls were a sure success, and at one stage we were followed by a cat for several streets.  We enjoyed watching the sun go down along the shore front as we decided what to do for dinner.

Towards the south part of Topsham, walking out along the Strand past the excellent Museum, at which we spent a lovely afternoon, no photographs allowed, we came on a circular walk.  I love peering over walls, when they are sufficiently low, and was delighted to see the little copse full of cyclamen.

Mr S fancied taking the train from Topsham to Exeter.  The station was easy to walk to, and we could spend as much time as we wanted to in the City.  There was a little rain at first, but it was lovely for a change!  We had a walk down to the Quay and mooched around Antique shops etc, and bought some local honey from a friendly very elderly gentleman sitting by his table.  What a lovely person, we heard his story of how he had retired and moved down many years previously and had several beehives on his flower rich meadows jjust up the valley, and just loved coming down to meet and chat with people.  His honey is lovely by the way.

In Exeter, the Cathedral green has a low wall by Cathedral close...Mr S was walking slightly ahead, when I decided that I would stand on top of it, to take this photograph.

But with shopping bag, camera, umbrella and handbag I felt hesitant about jumping down.  A gallant Japanese tourist, out with his young family, came to my aid.  I wonder whether he has a mother who does the same sort of thing?  Anyway he bowed as he let go of my hand, and I bowed too in thanks.  What added to the moment was this inscription at our feet.....we both smiled.....

I think I shall have to read again,  a few more of his poems, and a little more about William Blake.  A few years back I had a little period of reading some novels in which William Blake featured. 

He who binds to himself a joy
Does the winged life destroy
He who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity’s sunrise

After a good lunch, we set forth in search of the 'Turkish Deli' to get some Turkish Delight...the sort I had at the Cafe at Bideford Pannier Market on our holiday in the Summer.  The owner has given me a piece, but only bought to give out with coffees, he did not have any boxes for sale, but he was happy to tell me where he had bought it..in Exeter!  Of course there was Pomegranate and Pistachio Turkish Delight, and we added some large juicy dates to our basket too.

The Museum in Exeter is another must, and after a little while there, decided to return another time, out of School holiday time. It was packed with families. 

On our home-bound journey we stopped off at Bicton Botanical Gardens.  Maybe it was the time of the year, or our moods, but we were on the whole underwhelmed by the Park.  Yes, it had its long vistas and is well set out with the Italianate garden.  The tree collection is worth walking around.  The iconic silhouette of its curved roofed glass house with its palms is fine, but I felt the planting in the borders rather lacked luster, and the collection of Pelargoniums meager and plebeian.  The place seemed to concentrate on being a 'Venue', and a place to take children for things like soft ball, train rides etc, and the Museum needed a good clean and dust....

We stopped off at Ilminster again and had a nice lunch set in the garden area of the Meeting House..and then off home.  Back home I spent a couple of days resting........feeling much better at last.