Mud - NOT amateur radio

Exactly 6 years ago, I visited my brother in Devon. Although the weather, as I recall, was quite decent, we had some mud!

As they say, "come to sunny Devon where it rains 6 days out of 7".

Estuary - NOT amateur radio

This is the Kingsbridge Estuary, which goes from Salcombe up to Kingsbridge. This is in the South Hams of Devon. It is where I was born and brought up.

Walk- NOT amateur radio

Years ago this would have been a trivial walk for me. Nowadays it is like climbing Everest. I walked from Salcombe to my brother's house a distance of 2.9 miles along the Devon lanes. For me this was important to know I could do it. It took me 1.25 hours which for me is good. It was very hot and Devon hills are steep!

South Devon - NOT amateur radio

A very similar photo was posted here recently. I go back there (on my own) in July to stay with my brother. This photo was taken last month.

Small world - NOT amateur radio

This old photo shows the Crowder Café in Salcombe, Devon many years ago. It replaced a cottage in which lived a chimney sweep who apparently could not tell the time. I was told he would sometimes arrive at an ungodly hour in the early morning!

Back in WW2 Montgomery and Eisenhower came to Salcombe to inspect D-day troops. My aunt served Eisenhower (later US president) at this café. Small world.

Thurlestone,Devon - NOT amateur radio

At the weekend, we returned from a period in South Devon, where I come from. We met my brother and some of his family, but stayed in Thurlestone, not far from the cliffs. This is a very unspoilt part with stunning views (see photo and video).

Bowcombe Creek - NOT amateur radio

We did a short walk here last week. It is a delightful spot, not far from Kingsbridge. Even when the tide is out it is beautiful. The tide turned as we were there and started to come in.

Where we stayed in S.Devon - NOT amateur radio

As mentioned earlier, we have now got back from our break in Devon. This is a video reminder.

Sunset - NOT amateur radio

The sunset in the west last night in Devon.

The island is Burgh Island, made famous by Agatha Christie. King Edward VIII and Wallace Simpson stayed here too. There is a famous art deco hotel there and a sandbar which gets covered when the tide is in.

Walk - NOT amateur radio

This morning we did a great walk at Snapes Point, near Salcombe, Devon. Unlike a few years ago, I found it hard going. I managed to slip and fall, although thankfully no damage done. The views are splendid.

At almost 70 I am finding some things quite hard now. Since my stroke in 2013 I am always giddy although several people say how well I look. In the mornings I am also very tired. I guess I have to learn to adapt and I am not as fit as I once was.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/stroke

14th century cross - NOT amateur radio

At the moment there seems to be a craze across the UK to hide painted pebbles. Young people especially seek these out, take a photo and post on social media, then re-hide the stone somewhere else for the next person to find it. It is innocent fun. Yesterday I noticed a stone on the base of this 14th century stone cross at Thurlestone, Devon.

A grave mistake? - NOT amateur radio

My wife photographing something last night. Not sure what it was! Thurlestone, Devon.

Where I was born and brought up - NOT amateur radio

Until I went to university, I lived in the South Hams of Devon. This picture was taken 8 years ago, but it probably hasn't changed much in 1000 years. We know my ancestors owned a piece of land near here in 1428. I can trace the family tree right back to  about 1550 with no breaks. Our family has probably been hereabouts for thousands of years.  BTW, Thurlestone (this place) means "rock with a hole" so Thurlestone Rock has been there a long time!

South Devon - NOT amateur radio

Where I originate from in South Devon is a beautiful, unspoilt part. There are some great cliff walks. We have an unbroken family tree hereabouts back to the mid 1500s and one record of land ownership here in 1428. In all probability my ancestors were here thousands of years ago.

Best bus rides in England (video)? - NOT amateur radio

With the closure of the A379 along Slapton Line, Devon we lose one of the best bus rides in England. I hope they repair this road, although I have my doubts as the storm damage is bad.

South Devon Storm Damage - NOT amateur radio

As some may remember, I come from the South Hams, Devon.  In the recent bad weather a lot of damage has been caused along Start Bay. My niece sent me some links. In 50 years' time the coast will be very different, probably not in my lifetime, but almost certainly in the lives of my grandchildren.

https://www.facebook.com/forestandbeach/videos/1927135213995457/

See also https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/gallery/damage-a379-torcross-1295121

Seaside Winter - NOT amateur radio

This picture was taken a few years ago and shows where I came from in Devon. We have proof that our ancestors lived hereabouts in the 1400s.

Devon - NOT amateur radio

Whilst looking through some old photos, I cam across this one of South Devon where I was born and brought up. God's own country!

Western Backway - NOT amateur radio

Kingsbridge, Devon has very old pedestrian walkways that go around the town. This is Western Backway that also has a mill leet, although the mill closed long ago. Not many visitors are aware of these.

Groundsman's hut - NOT amateur radio

Bolt Tail in the distance. This groundsman's hut at Thurlestone Golf Club is being rebuilt. It was a corrugated shed. I expect the next time I see it, it will be completed!  The second view is a typical Devon scene with Burgh Island in the distance.