Friday 9th May 2025
This is a little trip with the boys to Dartmouth. Unfortunately. ‘Fred’ had not been able to come as he had and important doctors appointment at the last minute and Ian did not arrive till Monday as he had to work on Sunday. John picked me up at Elm Gable at 10.30 and had already decided to go down the A303 – not my choice. It didn’t start well as the Andover Rd was closed and so we had to go down the A34 to Bullington Cross before joining the A303.
It was not particularly busy but of course slowed to a stop at Stonehenge, where we waited for about 10 mins. There were plenty of people wandering around Stonehenge as usual on the fine sunny day. We stopped once or twice at the usual ‘hold up’ places before turning off at Wincanton and going into Morrisons and into the cafe. We had sandwiches and coffee/ tea, The sandwiches were unusual in that they had made then themselves and were quite thick cut bread and in a small open brown box covered in plastic film. The shop was enormous – how can a small place like Wincanton have such a big shop? (and a large Lidl next door). We left there and headed west and of course after Ilminster the road just deteriorates and was very slow through the pretty Blackdown Hills to Honiton and on to Exeter, where we joined the busy M5.
We turned off onto the A38 towards Plymouth and then again at Buckfastleigh onto the A384 to Totnes, This was busy and the road slow but we eventually tuned off onto the A3122 Towards Dartmouth. This was an even slower narrow, busy’ A’ road but we eventually reached Gardentime garden centre, outside Dartmouth at 15.15 where we had arranged to meet the others. Bert had been there some time having driven across from Swanage and Huw and Clive arrived soon after having driven down the M5 from Bristol. We greeted each other and then went into the cafe inside to have tea / coffee and a cake, we left there and went a short way round the corner to our house at Hillfields. It was a large modern house which once we had ’sorted out’ the key box, we went in.
This is a little trip with the boys to Dartmouth. Unfortunately. ‘Fred’ had not been able to come as he had and important doctors appointment at the last minute and Ian did not arrive till Monday as he had to work on Sunday. John picked me up at Elm Gable at 10.30 and had already decided to go down the A303 – not my choice. It didn’t start well as the Andover Rd was closed and so we had to go down the A34 to Bullington Cross before joining the A303.
It was not particularly busy but of course slowed to a stop at Stonehenge, where we waited for about 10 mins. There were plenty of people wandering around Stonehenge as usual on the fine sunny day. We stopped once or twice at the usual ‘hold up’ places before turning off at Wincanton and going into Morrisons and into the cafe. We had sandwiches and coffee/ tea, The sandwiches were unusual in that they had made then themselves and were quite thick cut bread and in a small open brown box covered in plastic film. The shop was enormous – how can a small place like Wincanton have such a big shop? (and a large Lidl next door). We left there and headed west and of course after Ilminster the road just deteriorates and was very slow through the pretty Blackdown Hills to Honiton and on to Exeter, where we joined the busy M5.
We turned off onto the A38 towards Plymouth and then again at Buckfastleigh onto the A384 to Totnes, This was busy and the road slow but we eventually tuned off onto the A3122 Towards Dartmouth. This was an even slower narrow, busy’ A’ road but we eventually reached Gardentime garden centre, outside Dartmouth at 15.15 where we had arranged to meet the others. Bert had been there some time having driven across from Swanage and Huw and Clive arrived soon after having driven down the M5 from Bristol. We greeted each other and then went into the cafe inside to have tea / coffee and a cake, we left there and went a short way round the corner to our house at Hillfields. It was a large modern house which once we had ’sorted out’ the key box, we went in.
This years 'boys trip was to Dartmouth Devon, with friends John Edmonds, his son Ian, Gilbert Morrey (Bert), Me Adrian, Clive Richards and his son Huw. Last year we went to Caernarfon, Wales which was a wonderful trip, and probably difficult to follow.
Again it is an 'engineer's diary' of facts, as I do not have my lovely Rosie's talent for writing!
Photos with an asterisk are by Clive or Huw
Again it is an 'engineer's diary' of facts, as I do not have my lovely Rosie's talent for writing!
Photos with an asterisk are by Clive or Huw
'Our house'
The view? from the front of the house
There was a very large kitchen diner (huge, actually) and 2 floors of bedrooms /bathrooms. We settled on bedrooms, which as Fred hasn’t come meant with had a bedroom each (when Ian comes he will share with John). We setted in and later went out for a walk around, and down to the ‘holiday complex’ which was quite large. Later, John drove us up to the ’Sportsman’ Pub which he had booked for a 7.15 meal. The pub was quite large, but was fairly empty. All except John had ’Jail Ale’, and as they didn’t have any Guinness zero, John had ‘Proper Job’ zero: which he said was very good, Bert and I had starters, he of mushrooms and mine a sort of prawn cocktail but much trendier and was good. Then it was two steaks, a huge burger and two plaice, mine of which was very nice, but I hadn’t realised how many bones were in plaice.
By the time we left, after 9pm, there was no-one else there. The barman said it was ‘in between’ seasons. We came back and chatted with a whisky or G&T until we went to bed about 11.30pm.
John & Bert in the Sportsman
Adrian in the Sportsman
Clive & Huw in the Sportsman
Saturday 10th May
Awoke about 7 o’clock after a reasonable night's sleep although I found the bed rather soft. I wrote some diary and eventually got up before 8 o’clock and went down to find everyone except Clive already down there. We had breakfast and Clive arrived down about 9 o’clock after a good night About 10.30 we decided to go down into Dartmouth for the rest of the morning. We arrived there and parked in Mayors Car park and had trouble with a machine which would only take pound coins!. We wandered down along the front and after a while John booked us onto the ‘Round Robin Triangle’ for next Thursday This is a trip on a steam boat to Totnes then an open bus to Paignton and then the steam train down to Kingswear. We wandered around the town looking for places to eat for lunch or this evening. It was pleasant walking around in the sunshine although the wind was sometimes strong and cool! There weren’t really many people about for this time of year.
Awoke about 7 o’clock after a reasonable night's sleep although I found the bed rather soft. I wrote some diary and eventually got up before 8 o’clock and went down to find everyone except Clive already down there. We had breakfast and Clive arrived down about 9 o’clock after a good night About 10.30 we decided to go down into Dartmouth for the rest of the morning. We arrived there and parked in Mayors Car park and had trouble with a machine which would only take pound coins!. We wandered down along the front and after a while John booked us onto the ‘Round Robin Triangle’ for next Thursday This is a trip on a steam boat to Totnes then an open bus to Paignton and then the steam train down to Kingswear. We wandered around the town looking for places to eat for lunch or this evening. It was pleasant walking around in the sunshine although the wind was sometimes strong and cool! There weren’t really many people about for this time of year.
There did seem to be a shortage of pubs and all the eating places were going to be closed on Tuesday! Eventually we stopped at 12 o’clock at the George and Dragon which had an garden outside. We had a pint of ‘Otter’ and John got his Guinness zero (which is in short supply!) and we had various sandwiches of which John and I had prawn sandwiches which were enormous.
Along the front at Dartmouth
We called in at the information centre at looked at the Newcomen steam pump which was built by ohn Newcomen, who lived in Dartmouth, some 50 years before Watt’s steam engine.
Huw at the George and Dragon, Dartmouth *
On the front again, at Dartmouth
We left and wandered around some more and arrived back at the car after 2 o’clock. We left and drove back via the ‘park and ride’ to check that out and arrived back at the house. I retired to my room and wrote some diary before having a ‘little siesta’. I came down later to find the others except Clive sitting watching BBC Sport and Rugby. l had a cup of tea and wrote the diary up to date. The others had decided to go out tonight to the Old Inn pub at Halwell. We later left to go to the pub which was about 4 miles away and arrived some time after 6.30. to a fairly empty ‘old fashioned’ pub. We ordered Otter Ale all round plus John’s Guinness zero and we sat down. The menu was very comprehensive, there being a whole page of fish dishes and another of vegetarian. Most of us had starters – mine smoked salmon paté and then mains of which I had fish pie, which was very filling. Sadly the Otter ran out and we had to have IPA for our 2nd pint.
Newcomen Steam Engine at Dartmouth
The Old Inn at Halwell
Having our meal at the Old Inn
We left soon after 9pm and returned as the sun was setting to a mostly clear sky although it’s supposed to rain tonight! We came back and the others had cheese and biscuits and a nightcap - I didn’t bother with the cheese and biscuits! We chatted for sometime and finally went to bed about 11.15pm
Sunday 11th May
Awoke about 6.15 and had a shower. How can such a posh place and posh bathroom have a plastic curtain at the end of the shower cubicle!
I went down and transferred some photos onto the computer and then when the others arrived we all had breakfast. It had rained a bit in the night, but the sun had been shining since I got up, however after breakfast it became darker and then began to rain quite heavily, This continued for a couple of hours and then about 11 o’clock it stopped and cleared up. We decided to go out soon after and headed down towards Dartmouth and stopped at Sainsbury’s to get a bit of shopping and some money - the cash machine however was out of order! So we got the shopping and left and headed for Slapton Sands. When we arrived there we went to the Car park at the far end by the Sherman Tank. This tank was recovered from the seabed in Torbay in 1984 which had gone down in April 1944, when Exercise Tiger, which was a practice for the D-Day landings went wrong and over 700 American sevicemen were drowned when their landing craft were attacked by German e-boats. It had been researched and recovered by Ken Small who we met there in 1997.
Awoke about 6.15 and had a shower. How can such a posh place and posh bathroom have a plastic curtain at the end of the shower cubicle!
I went down and transferred some photos onto the computer and then when the others arrived we all had breakfast. It had rained a bit in the night, but the sun had been shining since I got up, however after breakfast it became darker and then began to rain quite heavily, This continued for a couple of hours and then about 11 o’clock it stopped and cleared up. We decided to go out soon after and headed down towards Dartmouth and stopped at Sainsbury’s to get a bit of shopping and some money - the cash machine however was out of order! So we got the shopping and left and headed for Slapton Sands. When we arrived there we went to the Car park at the far end by the Sherman Tank. This tank was recovered from the seabed in Torbay in 1984 which had gone down in April 1944, when Exercise Tiger, which was a practice for the D-Day landings went wrong and over 700 American sevicemen were drowned when their landing craft were attacked by German e-boats. It had been researched and recovered by Ken Small who we met there in 1997.
The Sherman Tank at Slapton Sands
We then headed across to the Start Bay Inn, on a Sunday lunch time and found a table in the fairly uncrowded bar, (John later said he had been there a number of times before and had never managed to eat inside). It was very much a fish and chip place except it had a lot more varieties of fish than a ‘normal’ place! So we all had fish and chips, washed down with a pint of Otter Ale, They also had lots of puddings which we all had with clotted cream - except John - very bad!
We left there and walked along the front back to the car. From there we went to Kingsbridge where we parked down by the harbour. We walked across and up the steep hill of the High street. About halfway up the hill we found a cash machine - which wasn’t working! Near the top of the street we found another one, which was working, but the sun was shining on the screen which made it almost Impossible to read. However eventually Bert and I managed to get some money out. We walked back down and across to the harbour, where the tide was going out. We left there and headed across to Hope Cove through busy country lanes. We parked down by the harbour. The pub there was extremely busy with people sitting out with sunshine.
Start Bay Inn *
Along the front at Slapton Sands
Hope Cove *
I have been to Hope Cove many times in the past, but did not recognise much. Hope Cove is in two parts, not connected by a road along the front. So I think must have gone to the other part!
We left there and went cross country back to the house, arriving back at 4.30pm. I wrote some diary and we had a cup of tea about 6 o’clock.
We watched Countryfile on TV and about 8 o'clock John got us all beans on toast followed by cheese and biscuits all washed down with some wine. Then it was more chat until we retired to bed at 11.15.
We left there and went cross country back to the house, arriving back at 4.30pm. I wrote some diary and we had a cup of tea about 6 o’clock.
We watched Countryfile on TV and about 8 o'clock John got us all beans on toast followed by cheese and biscuits all washed down with some wine. Then it was more chat until we retired to bed at 11.15.
Trip to Dartmouth, Devon with the 'boys'
Monday 12th May
A good night's sleep – so good I didn’t wakeup tall nearly 8 o’clock, so when I went down at 8.10 everybody was having breakfast. It had rained a bit in the night, and the weather wasn’t fantastic, so it was decided to go down into Dartmouth again. We drove down there and parked in Mayors Carpark again and then walked along the front again and around and ended up in the market, where we had tea/ coffee in the café there about 12 o’clock.
A good night's sleep – so good I didn’t wakeup tall nearly 8 o’clock, so when I went down at 8.10 everybody was having breakfast. It had rained a bit in the night, and the weather wasn’t fantastic, so it was decided to go down into Dartmouth again. We drove down there and parked in Mayors Carpark again and then walked along the front again and around and ended up in the market, where we had tea/ coffee in the café there about 12 o’clock.
We wandered back towards the front and on the way bought pasties in the ‘pasty shop’ and took them down to a seat on the front to eat them. We had to fight off a seagull and a dark pigeon, who were intent on getting them!
Tea/coffee in the market *
We left and went right along to the far end, where we watched the ferries going back and forth across th Dart River.
Eating pasties on the front
We then went across to the Bayards Cove restaurant which we eyed up for tonight. A short distance away we all had ice creams. We went back to the car and went home arriving about 2 o’clock and John went off to pick up Ian who was arriving in Totnes just before 3 o’clock. I went down and got the website up to date. John arrived back with Ian after his long 7 hour train Journey from Newcastle and then it was cups of tea/ coffee and much chat! Huw booked the restaurant for tonight and a taxi as we can no longer fit into one car. Our taxi arrived at 6.30, we all piled in and it whisked us down to the restaurant – Bayards Core – right at the end of Dartmouth by the ferry.
Steam train leaves Kingswear across the river *
Lower Dart River Ferry
John, Bert Clive watching the ferry
We went in and had a table for 6 in the front window. Everyone had starters – mine mackerel paté and the the main course. Mine was Sea Bream and crab and some had ’puds’ again mine was white chocolate brulee. This was washed down with a pint of ale, which I didn’t like much. The meal was very good, if rather expensive but there weren’t many places open, being a Monday. We came out and while waiting for the taxi a chap came out of a fish and chip shop and gave Ian two full boxes of chips! Ian tried to give one away to the people waiting for the ferry, but they had obviously come across from Kingswear to eat and weren’t hungry. The taxi arrived and, we were home in no time. The taxi driver said he had a pick up from Heathrow in the morning £300! It was now 9.30. We had cheese and biscuits and a nightcap and Ian polished off one of the boxes of chips! We all went to bed about 11.15.
The Baynards Cove Inn *
Tuesday 13th May
Awake early about 6.30, finished the diary. Went down for breakfast about 7.45 and everyone soon arrived. Today we had decided to go on the train from Buckfastleigh to Totnes and we arrived at Buckfastleigh about 11.30 and had a look around the Museum , bought tickets for the train and were on the platform at about 11.50 and into a corridor compartment.
Awake early about 6.30, finished the diary. Went down for breakfast about 7.45 and everyone soon arrived. Today we had decided to go on the train from Buckfastleigh to Totnes and we arrived at Buckfastleigh about 11.30 and had a look around the Museum , bought tickets for the train and were on the platform at about 11.50 and into a corridor compartment.
The train left on time pulled by a GWR tank engine no. 1369. It was an uneventful journey of 6 miles along to Dart Valley to Totnes. The station is some ¾ mile from the town, so we just had a look around it.
Buckfastleigh Station
Ian by 'Tiny', built 1868, the only surviving Broad Gauge locomotive
I went for a visit to the ’Gentlemen’s’ and the others decided to go to the observation ‘push me pull me’ car at the end of the train. Not knowing this, I went back to the compartment we had left, but unfortunately someone had taken that so I headed off down the train looking for the others. I didn’t find them, but the door to the end carriage was locked, so after a couple more up and downs of the train, I sat in the carriage nearest to the engine which was empty. It wasn’t long before the ticket collector came and I had to explain that I did have a ticket but it was with 5 of the others I had lost. He said the others were in the last carriage and I couldn’t get there while the train was moving. He was quite happy! so I moved back clown to the 2nd to last carriage and at Staverton station walked along the platform and joined the others.
Adrian, Ian, Bert, Huw, Clive and John, happy travellers on the train
GWR tank engine no. 1369 at Totnes Station
The old and the new pass in Totnes Station
When we reached Buckfastleigh, some of us went to look at the model railway while the other got cups of tea/coffee and sat outside in the sunshine.
We were going to go back to Totnes for something to eat, but in the end we went a short distance to the Dartbridge Inn. It was now about 2.30 and we weren’t sure they would be serving food but it was a huge place, and there were people still eating in there. We ordered pint's of Abbott Ale and food which didn’t take long to come. It was plain food, but after last night, it was very cheap, although we only had a main course. Mine was fish and chips.
We were going to go back to Totnes for something to eat, but in the end we went a short distance to the Dartbridge Inn. It was now about 2.30 and we weren’t sure they would be serving food but it was a huge place, and there were people still eating in there. We ordered pint's of Abbott Ale and food which didn’t take long to come. It was plain food, but after last night, it was very cheap, although we only had a main course. Mine was fish and chips.
The view from the observation Car leaving Staverton Station - once I'd managed to join the others
An old London bus at Buckfastleigh Station - the same one that was used at my nieces wedding at Dartington Hall in 2018
John wanted to get some food in Morrisons in Totnes and as we had to have 2 cars today, he Ian and Bert left to do that, whilst Huw drove Clive and myself straight home, arriving about 4.30. the others arrived back and later some watched NASCAR racing on TV, I wrote some diary and some had cups of tea.
About 8.00 pm John and Ian cooked baked beans again, which was washed down with some wine followed by cheese and biscuits. After a nightcap, everybody seemed tired and we retired to bed soon after 11.00 pm.
About 8.00 pm John and Ian cooked baked beans again, which was washed down with some wine followed by cheese and biscuits. After a nightcap, everybody seemed tired and we retired to bed soon after 11.00 pm.
Dartbridge Inn *
Wednesday 14th May
Awake at 6.45am and finished the diary. Went downstairs – Huw had laid breakfast and Bert came down soon after. The others soon arrived and we all had breakfast. Afterwards I did some website and some watched some racing on TV. Late morning we decided to go to Brixham. We went down into Dartmouth and waited for the ferry to come across which was some 10 mins. We took about 5 mins to cross and although I remember the ferry when Emma was a baby, I’m sure something has changed!
Awake at 6.45am and finished the diary. Went downstairs – Huw had laid breakfast and Bert came down soon after. The others soon arrived and we all had breakfast. Afterwards I did some website and some watched some racing on TV. Late morning we decided to go to Brixham. We went down into Dartmouth and waited for the ferry to come across which was some 10 mins. We took about 5 mins to cross and although I remember the ferry when Emma was a baby, I’m sure something has changed!
John and Huw had been trying all morning to arrange for us to go out tonight, by taking a taxi down into Dartmouth and going to a restaurant in Kingswear, but nothing was working out. It was now well after 1 o’clock so at this point we changed our minds and decided to have a meal at lunch time, so John and Ian wandered up and down looking for a place to go. In the end we went over to ‘La Petite Maison’ restaurant and had a variety of meals, including lamb shank, full breakfast both veg and normal, King Prawns,and mussels followed by various puds.
Crossing on the Upper Dart Ferry *
We went up over the hill and down into Brixham. We wandered around and past the ’Golden Hind’.
Golden Hind at Brixham
Brixham Harbour
After all that food, what did we do but go the pastry shop and buy pasties for supper tonight.
By now our car parking had run out So we had to leave. We returned the same way but just as we reached the ferry and the queue was driving on, the train came and so we and the ferry had to wait until the it had passed.
By now our car parking had run out So we had to leave. We returned the same way but just as we reached the ferry and the queue was driving on, the train came and so we and the ferry had to wait until the it had passed.
La Petite Maison restaurant
Our meal in the restaurant *
We were soon back in Dartmouth and up the hill and into Sainsbury’s to replenish some food including oven chips for tonight. I wanted some more money, but the ‘hole in the wall’ was still not working. We returned home with the sun still shining in the garden so we all had G&T’s and sat out in the sunshine. I had a little siesta after and the others watched some rallying on the TV. About 7 o’clock, the pasties and chips were put in the oven.
The chefs seemed to have a bit of trouble with the oven as it was a clever one, which didn’t have anything like pasty and chips on it menu and was only finally solved by putting it on manual. Supper was finally ready at 8 o’clock when we sat down with wine to eat. It was really a bit large after our big lunch. After supper we sat and chatted and later some had nightcaps. Tomorrow we are going on the ‘Round Robin’ trip booked earlier in the week, and the problem was getting down there as all the car parks in Dartmouth are only up to 4 hours and we will be longer than that. The usual answer is the Park and Ride but at this time of year there is no ’Ride’! You have to catch the local bus which doesn’t run as often. We could have used our bus passes but Bert and I had forgotten then, Huw and lan are too young, and Clive lives in wales and they don’t work in England.
So two cars and bus rides were going to cost the same as a taxi. So there was the solution - only at 9 o’clock in the morning all the taxis are doing school runs!! So we are going down at 8 o’clock and having breakfast down there somewhere.
This meant for most, getting up early so they all went off to bed at 10,15 leaving me alone with my G &T and I finally went to bed about 11.00.
The chefs seemed to have a bit of trouble with the oven as it was a clever one, which didn’t have anything like pasty and chips on it menu and was only finally solved by putting it on manual. Supper was finally ready at 8 o’clock when we sat down with wine to eat. It was really a bit large after our big lunch. After supper we sat and chatted and later some had nightcaps. Tomorrow we are going on the ‘Round Robin’ trip booked earlier in the week, and the problem was getting down there as all the car parks in Dartmouth are only up to 4 hours and we will be longer than that. The usual answer is the Park and Ride but at this time of year there is no ’Ride’! You have to catch the local bus which doesn’t run as often. We could have used our bus passes but Bert and I had forgotten then, Huw and lan are too young, and Clive lives in wales and they don’t work in England.
So two cars and bus rides were going to cost the same as a taxi. So there was the solution - only at 9 o’clock in the morning all the taxis are doing school runs!! So we are going down at 8 o’clock and having breakfast down there somewhere.
This meant for most, getting up early so they all went off to bed at 10,15 leaving me alone with my G &T and I finally went to bed about 11.00.
Looking down to Kingswear from the ferry queue
Train stops play! it will be us tomorrow
Thursday 15th May
I didn’t have a good right, was too hot with all that food! Woke at 6.30, had a Shower and wrote the diary and went down at 7.30 a.m. The taxi arrived just before 08.00 and we were down in Dartmouth by 8.10. We wandered across to the Coastal Trail café and had tea /coffee and filled croissants. The cafe had a really foreign feel to it, in the early morning sunshine looking out over the harbour, with plenty of ‘early morning’ locals in there.
I didn’t have a good right, was too hot with all that food! Woke at 6.30, had a Shower and wrote the diary and went down at 7.30 a.m. The taxi arrived just before 08.00 and we were down in Dartmouth by 8.10. We wandered across to the Coastal Trail café and had tea /coffee and filled croissants. The cafe had a really foreign feel to it, in the early morning sunshine looking out over the harbour, with plenty of ‘early morning’ locals in there.
. About 9 o’clock we wandered across to the landing stage and began to queue as the lady said they were going to load about 9.30 and people were beginning to gather. Just before 9.30 we were allowed on an took seats right up the front (bows) and settled down on the ‘Cardiff Castle’ much to the delight of Clive. The boat began to fill up, in particular around us with a coach load of American ladies.
Breakfast in the Coastal Trail café
View out from the Coastal Trail café feeling very 'foreign'
We left on time at 9.45 and headed out through the myriad of moored boats and then past the Upper Dart car ferry, on a beautifully sunny, if a little windy, day.
The Cardiff Castle waiting to leave for Totnes *
Our captain gave us a pleasant commentary all the way to Totnes. The tide was going out and so we had to keep to the main channel which criss-crosses the wide river. There was a little wildlife - mostly birds, but we did see a seal at one point. It was generally pleasant in the sunshine but occasionally the wind blew strongly and coolly. The river was straight at the start but was very windy towards Totnes. On the way, we passed Agatha Christie’s home at Greenway, Dittisham, Stoke Gabriel and Sharpham House.
Off through all the moored boats
Past the Upper Dart car ferry *
Our bus at Paignton *
Passing Greenway (hiding in the trees)
Passing Stoke Dameril
We arrived at Totnes about 11.15 and docked where there seemed to be hundreds of people waiting for the return journey. We Saw a nice looking pub on the other side of the river, but it was a bit of a walk around there.
Arriving in Totnes
Looking across to the Steam Packet Inn, Totnes *
We walked up to the road bridge and crossed the River Dart and walked up the main Street where I managed to get some money from a machine. We then walked along to the pub we had seen- the Steam Packet Inn and sat out in the sunshine and had a pint of Otter Ale. It was still only 11.50 and they didn’t cook food till midday, but by the time we had all chosen, it was 12.00. The food was all typical pub food but it soon came and was all good - mine was scampi and chips.
Lunch at the Steam Packet Inn *
The next part of our trip was an open-top bus ride, which left at 13.25, so by the time we had finished it was time to walk back. We arrived back to the quayside where our boat had come in and the bus was waiting so we all climbed up and sat in the beautiful sunshine. We left on time and soon realised that it was fine going slowly along the streets of Totnes but when we got out on the open road it was very windy. However it was a lovely ride the 6 or so miles to Paignton looking out over the open countryside and we were soon pulling into Paignton bus station.
Looking across to the Steam Packet Inn from the bus
Off for a blow on the open-top bus *
Leaving Totnes
Having been there 3 years ago with Emma, I already new Paignton was a very uninspiring place for a seaside town - I suppose it is the poor man’s Torquay. We walked round to the railway station, and had to wait for two main line trains to pass to get across the level crossing and then walked into the steam train station. The Steam Locomotive 75014 built 1951 BR Standard Class 4 4-6-0 'Braveheart' was sat at the entrance being filled with water as we went into the booking hall.
Railway Station, Paignton
Steam Locomotive 75014 built 1951 BR Standard Class 4 4-6-0 'Braveheart'
The train we had been booked onto was not until 3.25 but there was a train waiting for the engine in the station full of passengers and we could have got on this one but we wouldn’t have had booked seats and as it was already full we may not have found seats together. So we decided to wait for our train. This may not have been a good idea! So we sat down at tables on the platform and had tea/coffee from the cafe. Various people wandered off during our waiting time trying to find something interesting! We were entertained? by a large lady who was telling the couple on the table next door all about the railway.
Afternoon tea on the station
Our train pulls in *
The train finally returned and we all piled into our compartment of a corridor carriage and left on time. The trip down to Kingswear was pretty but unremarkable. We arrived at Kingswear and walked down the platform to the jetty and the boat was waiting for us there and we all went up onto the top deck for the short trip across the Dart River.
Crossing the River Dart
Dartmouth from the boat
We disembarked but by now it was after 4 o’clock and on ringing for a taxi, they were by now all on school runs (this is why it may have been better to have taken the earlier train!). We wandered around for a while and ended up in the sunshine in the George and Dragon garden again, having a pint of Jail Ale. Part of the problem with taxis was that we wanted one for 6 and there are not many taxis in Dartmouth let alone ones to take 6. In the end we managed to get one just after 6.00 pm for 4 and John and Huw stayed behind and the rest of us went back to the house and Ian drove back to collect the others. So by 6.30 we were all finally gathered together. By now Clive had cut up some veg’s and when John and Ian returned they cooked a Spaghetti Bolognaise. Huw served G&T’s and we all settled down to our last meal together with a little wine. By the time we had finished it was gone 10 o’clock and people started drifting off to bed for an early night after a long day (for oldies)
Friday 16th May
Up about 6.30 after a good night and wrote some more diary. I went down just before 8 o’clock to find the table laid as usual (Huw) and the others slowly drifted down. After breakfast everyone got packed and said their goodbye’s after another wonderful week away. I left with John and lan and John drove us to Totnes Station where we dropped Ian to catch his train back to Newcastle. In front of us, dropping off some people was our taxi driver of yesterday morning! We left there and drove up to the A38 and M5 to Exeter. The traffic lady on the radio warned of delays there because of the Devon County Show just off the M5 at the Westpoint showground, but there was little delay. However it slowed at junction 21 on the uphill section where we actually stopped probably due to a van which had broken down on a carriageway . We turned off at Gordano, the roundabout being well boggled and parked in the rest area. We went across and got sandwiches and then sat on a rock in the sunshine as the service area was very full and all the tables taken. We left there and got stuck in another jam due to an accident on the Avon bridge. It was a bit slow along to the M4 but not too bad, for that junction. We then headed east and had no more hold ups to Chieveley where we turned off. I got John to take me to Chieveley Pharmacy to pick up my medicine as I have run out and I am away on Monday to Spain. Then it was home to Elm Gable - the end of another good fun holiday with ‘the boys!
Up about 6.30 after a good night and wrote some more diary. I went down just before 8 o’clock to find the table laid as usual (Huw) and the others slowly drifted down. After breakfast everyone got packed and said their goodbye’s after another wonderful week away. I left with John and lan and John drove us to Totnes Station where we dropped Ian to catch his train back to Newcastle. In front of us, dropping off some people was our taxi driver of yesterday morning! We left there and drove up to the A38 and M5 to Exeter. The traffic lady on the radio warned of delays there because of the Devon County Show just off the M5 at the Westpoint showground, but there was little delay. However it slowed at junction 21 on the uphill section where we actually stopped probably due to a van which had broken down on a carriageway . We turned off at Gordano, the roundabout being well boggled and parked in the rest area. We went across and got sandwiches and then sat on a rock in the sunshine as the service area was very full and all the tables taken. We left there and got stuck in another jam due to an accident on the Avon bridge. It was a bit slow along to the M4 but not too bad, for that junction. We then headed east and had no more hold ups to Chieveley where we turned off. I got John to take me to Chieveley Pharmacy to pick up my medicine as I have run out and I am away on Monday to Spain. Then it was home to Elm Gable - the end of another good fun holiday with ‘the boys!
