Guess what, grey again as we took the car ferry across to Kingswear and drove a short way to Coleton Fishacre.
This elegant Arts and Crafts House with Art Deco inspired interiors was the country home of the D’Oyly Carte family, of Gilbert & Sullivan fame, and was well worth a visit.
It contained some fabulous furniture, light fittings and fireplaces as well as this swanky swimwear!
The gardens were huge, running down to the sea and filled with exotic species.
It seems that this might just be the beginning of our Devon Discovery as there is obviously far more to see, but for now, we are heading home.
Needless to say the morning was overcast, but this morning it had a slightly yellow cast and there was a strange look to the sun, caused by dust in the air sucked up by the passing Hurricane Ophelia.
Fortunately we didn’t see any adders, but we did pass the Higher Car Ferry …
Another grey day dawned, but with no rain forecast we optimistically set out on foot. We walked along the coast a mile or so to Dartmouth Castle which was built at the end of the 15th century, together with Kingswear Castle the other side, to protect the estuary. A chain could be raised between them to obstruct attacking ships. We turned inland to climb up to Gallants Bower once the site of a Civil War Fort, for a view of the estuary and then on towards Little Dartmouth.
After a couple of miles we took a path down to the coastal path …
We could have walked back, but thought it much more fun to take the little ferry back to Dartmouth.
The Anzac Bistro was our choice for dinner, a cosy little spot offering garlic mushrooms on toast to start which we shared then golden haloumi and roasted vegetables for Chris and mussels in wine and cream sauce for me. Another cracking meal was followed by another attempt photographing the town at night and we were amazed to find at the end of the day we had walked almost nine miles!
Our drive to Devon took us down the A303 and having spent years driving by, we thought this time we would stop and see the new visitor centre, especially as it is free to National Trust members. The building is unobtrusive but smart with an engaging museum and we then took the five minute ride on the shuttle to the stones.
We chose Taylor’s for dinner where the very stylish first floor restaurant overlooks all the twinkling lights of the harbour.
We enjoyed a fabulous dinner of prawn and crab tian and halibut for me and beetroot with goats cheese followed by aubergine and mushroom tart for Chris after which we were too replete for desert!
We are heading to Dartmouth in Devon to celebrate our wedding anniversary and are looking forward to some coastal walks, a boat trip on the River Dart and an opportunity to use our National Trust cards!
Off Travelling Together 