Devon to London

London Eye

Sissinghurst garden

(NOT Lewes) This is Totnes in Devon (Thanks, Bel)

Thomas Hardy's birthplace

We left our lovely B&B in Bovey Tracy to stay in Two Bridges in the middle of Dartmoor. Here we set off on the walk to Wistman's Wood. It was a long walk across the marshy ground on a track shared with droppings, but we made it there without rain that threatened all the way. The wood was beautiful. Moss covered rocks and low trees. We clambered in and it was here, wearing my very expensive, all weather, all terrain boots, that I took a spectacular slide and ended up lying on my side in the soft mud. Nothing broken. Scraped skin on one hand and a bruised left leg. Thankfully David resisted the temptation to snap me wedged between rocks. We went back to the 'famous' hotel for afternoon tea. I hoped it would be spectacular when I paid 25pounds and we weren't disappointed when the three tiers of sandwiches, cakes, slices and strangely, potato flakes, arrived. The downer was we were eating this at 4.30 and David had booked dinner for 6pm. The hotel was old and needed a desperate look at. Our shower did not drain and the toilet leaked. We paid 50pounds per person for this! We travelled on across the moor to Tavistock then headed north to Lydford Gorge. A National Trust walk and absolutely beautiful. We did two long walks and set off for Dorcester where I visited the birthplace of my favourite author, Thomas Hardy. We next stopped at Wilton House to reclaim the title for Annie but sadly failed in our attempt. David took a photo and I bought a book. We drove through Salisbury to our next hotel at Stockbridge. Unfazed by the driving, we set off next day for Brighton, where we found sunshine, although it was very windy. I had hoped to see the portrait of my gg grandfather, the first lord mayor, but he is now in storage with the other mayors about 12 miles away and I needed to make an appointment 2 months in advance. We didn't stay in Brighton. It was so crowded. I think everyone was there for the promised BBQ summer! We stayed in Lewes for the night. Here we enjoyed a long walk and the next morning a visit to the castle. We drove through villages where my ancestors had farmed in the 1500s and to Robertsbridge for John where we visited the station. We visited Sissinghurst again, beautiful gardens. Dream on Susan. Next to Iris and David for a wonderful two nights. We walked into Smarden and David took lots of photos (what a surprise) Did I say he had taken 200. Mistake! He had taken nearly 300, but now, 500!!! We left Monks Hill farm mid morning for Paddock Wood and my cousin Michael. A lovely lunch and lots of FH talk. Now we are in London having arrived on the afternoon of the 27th. Since then David and I have separated. He has gone photographing the sites and I have gone to the library and archives. He has had a lot more success than I and so, feeling a little low, I am having a break and off to visit a relative today for more FH talk and lunch. Tonight dinner and The Mouse Trap.