Dartmouth

Dartmouth naval college overlooks the beautiful town of Dartmouth which is built around the Dart River where it runs into the sea.  We took the ferry from the castle and church of St Petrox across to the shopping centre.  The town was crowded with people because this weekend is a bank holiday and this week is school holidays.

 The castle and church of St Petrox

 The navy college overlooking Dartmouth

Some of the beautiful houses overlooking the estuary

Joan's cousin David and his wife Jane spent the day with us, showing us the local sights.  We ended up at their house for afternoon tea.  They have a great garden.  Your typical old fashioned vegie patch.  Jona, you would love it.

Torcross

During WW2 over 1000 men died at Torcross.  This little village was evacuated, along with several others, to make way for 15,000 allied troops who needed to practice for the D-Day landings.  In April 1944, nine German torpedo boats found their way into these waters, and due to confusion on the radio frequencies, weren't detected.  They bombed two landing ships leading to the heavy loss of life. This event was kept secret until the 1970s.

A Sherman tank which was salvaged from the ocean

The inland part of Torcross seen from the car park.  

Torcross has suffered from damaging storms in recent times and the local authorities are working hard to save the A379 road, which is the access road to Dartmouth for the locals.  Huge amounts of boulders have been brought in to protect the coastline but more storms have just washed them away.

Devon Cream Tea

Breaking news....  what we have always believed to be Devonshire Tea is actually Cornwall Tea.  Pictured here is the real Devonshire Tea or traditionally known as 'Devon Cream Tea".  Freshly baked scones, made with eggs and dried fruit, and covered with lashings of clotted cream and then strawberry jam.  Delicious

The M5

We're here! And what a trip. The Brits seem to love to get in their cars on a public holiday and sit on the Freeway, going nowhere... 6 hours later we arrived in Kingsbridge.  Yes that's cars for as far as you can see. We pulled into a roadside stop, only trouble was that 100s of others decided to do the same things.  It was like a mini shopping centre with 1000s of people queueing for food and the toilets.  We had a traditional Cornish Pastie,  and I have to say Australia doesn't know how to make them, it was the best I have ever eaten.

Ground Control to Major Tim

It's midnight! Just arrived in Dubai. Flying in was amazing; there were so many planes circling it was like bugs around a light. Taxiing to the terminal reminded us of cruising the Main Street looking for a car park. Eventually we parked. We managed to get some valuable training as we walked what seemed like miles to clear security. It was good to walk after sitting for so long. We have been on the go for 24 hours now... As we were sitting in the airport 'Ground Control to Major Tim' appeared on the TV screen. We thought it was appropriate considering we had been one of those bugs flying around the lights of Dubai. This place mustn't sleep, the freeways were teaming with traffic and the airport was as busy as at midday- at midnight! Next stop London.

At last the day has arrived!

The annual wood day

Our annual wood day at Carboor happened on Saturday in preparation for the winter months.   What a great sight, seeing the men working hard, splitting the logs into usable sizes. They just love being out there together doing the blokey thing.  

The ladies enjoyed a leisurely stroll into the pines with the children.  The kids loved the huge and magnificent toadstool,bright red with white spots bursting out of it.  Just like the storybooks!

With all the trailers and utes filled with wood, our tummies filled with sausages and coleslaw and Audrey's 3rd birthday cake, and our hearts rejoicing in the fellowship of dear friends, we headed home.

We can leave for our holiday now that our wood shed is well stocked and ready for our return.  Allan has already set the fire and we have resisted the urge to light it.  A joy we will look forward to on our return; that first warm glow in the heater as we return to winter after two months of English 'summer'.

The Old Milking Shed at Peter and Julie's  in Carboor

My first entry

My first attempt at blogging in preparation for our Coast to Coast walk.

The Lake District - A Taste of what is to come!