Devon or Dorset

Back home after a few days away

Weather was good, hotel comfortable, friendly staff

Staying in Devon, but travelling through Dorset.

Both counties I know from my childhood growing up in Somerset. 

 We spent a few hours at Buckfast Abbey

a beautiful and calm place

 Stunning abbey and grounds

 A couple of unexpected items in the grounds.

 Then on to Killerton House

The grounds were too much for hubby

 The bear house, yes they did keep a bear cub in here

 Supper in Beer, fish and chips over looking the beach

 This tiny resort is in between Seaton and Sidmouth,

I much prefer these smaller places, 

working boats and their kit, small cafe's and the smell of  chips every where.

 A few too many of these,

and another shingle beach (pebble)

 Loved this bench

 Today Lyme Regis, with a small area of sandy beach

 Looking across the bay

 and the other way

 Busy harbour, every thing here is about the sea

Cream tea, 

it tasted as good as it looked.

We had a very restful time, sounds as if we rushed around every where, but in fact it was just a couple of long lazy days, we planned our visits to ensure not too much driving, loads of time to explore and have coffee breaks.

I had been to Buckfast Abbey many years ago, then I was invited to see the cellar which has the most beautiful pillars in, hubby really enjoyed both the abbey and gardens. 

Both Beer and Lyme Regis were places I had visited with my mum and dad as a child, I don't think I could decide which place I liked the best, just to say I would not go back to Killerton. 

I am drawn to the sea, I'm not happy on water unless in a huge boat, but I do love to hear the waves on the shingle beach, hear the cry of the gulls, we have always lived close enough to the beach to visit often. 

I managed loads of reading, Life after Life by Kate Atkinson, it's a real good read, the first few short chapters were a bit confusing, but it is now gripping. We also spent a great night with hubbys brother and wife, loads of chatter and catch up time.