 |
| The pastel houses in Kingswear, seen from Dartmouth quay |
As Rory has remained in Exeter for most of the summer, Dougie and I decided the only way we were going to ever see our student child was to take a trip to visit him instead. We turned it into a little holiday, staying at The Magdalen Chapter and doing touristy things instead of loading and unloading the boot of the car as we usually do.
The weather, having been glorious before our arrival, tried to scupper our plans but, despite the mist and drizzle, we headed west to Dartmouth, about an hour away. Conscious that many of these seaside towns are very busy in August, we did the decent thing, parking just out of town at the leisure centre and picking up the Park & Ride bus. We were joined by numerous tourists and locals plus a great many dogs. In most buses there is a large space for buggies and wheelchairs; this was taken up by a menagerie of pooches. I didn’t know whether this was ‘a thing’ in Dartmouth – Mutt on a Bus? Bark & Ride? – but it made for a jolly trip – some very sweet dogs and a slightly pungent wet dog aroma wafting up the aisle.
I had seen some wonderful photos online of the view from Dartmouth across the harbour to Kingswear with its beautiful pastel-painted houses. Our view wasn’t quite so clear and vibrant but it was still an impressive sight nonetheless.
 |
| View of misty Kingswear from Dartmouth |
Walking along the embankment we came across Bayard’s Cove fort. We had read a plaque which told us that in 1620 the Mayflower and the Speedwell lay at anchor at Dartmouth en route to America. They needed to repair Speedwell which was leaking. Despite the repair, Speedwell didn’t live up to its name. It had to return to Plymouth when it was 300 miles off the coast of Land’s End. The Mayflower did continue its journey and the rest, as we say, is history.
Taking a photo from within the fort itself was, I think, worth the hunkering down on the wet gravel, don’t you think?
 |
| View from inside Bayard’s Cove Fort |
Dartmouth proved to be a fantastic place for the four of us to potter. There were oodles of independent shops and lots of cafes and restaurants. Families were spending time successfully crabbing off the harbour walls – we preferred to mooch. The dreary weather was improved greatly by a fabulous steel orchestra playing in the band stand of Royal Avenue Gardens. The Pantonic All Stars, all the way from Stockport, provided a blast of the Caribbean to a damp day in Devon.
Having had a huge breakfast at the hotel, we didn’t need much for lunch and found the perfect menu at the Flavel Arts Centre. Home-made soup plus hot pork in a bun with apple and chilli sauce. Great service from two very hard-working young girls.. Always be on the look out for a local theatre/arts centre when you are in a strange town: more often than not the food will be good and the facilities (i.e. toilets) top notch (Trish’s top travelling tip number 204).
Dartmouth done (though in truth, we had only really scratched the surface of this pretty town and its surrounds) we jumped back on the bus. There was still a good chunk of the day left so we headed east to Babbacombe Model Village. I don’t know what it is about my family but we do have a thing about miniature villages. We loved the one in Bridlington but this miniature village was huge – there’s an oxymoron for you!
 |
| Brilliant Babbacombe Model Village (NB: the people you can see are real – this place is enormous) |
With a castle, football stadium and zoo plus Stonehenge and The Shard, this was more than just a village. Four acres of beautifully landscaped gardens to explore, peering through tiny windows and laughing at the best puns you will ever see in one place. I give you the National Trust property Lord Elpus Hall; divorce lawyers Ditcher, Quick & Hyde; travel agent Andy Waywego and sports centre A. Kingbody.
To end the day we headed for Torquay, drove straight into the centre of town and actually found a parking place. Happy faces all round. It was nippy by this time so we didn’t wander for long, taking refuge in Rockfish, a superb seafood restaurant which has other branches in Brixham, Dartmouth and Plymouth. Seriously good fresh fish and chips, in a smart, trendy atmosphere. This was a hit with us, as we devoured hake, monkfish, calamari and prawns – with unlimited chips. Yes, unlimited. Cider was the perfect choice to wash it all down with – after all, we were in Devon.
 |
| The interior of Rockfish restaurant, Torquay |
I see you've been staying busy too. We like Dartmouth a lot, beautiful little town, have spent hours exploring it.
Ha, so you have spent many hours there, from across the pond, and I have never been. Isn't that often the way?!
I had to go to Edinburgh to see Jack! he gets loads of work over the summer, it's nice when your offspring choose good places to study in x
I agree, although it's a long way, it's a real treat going to see him.
Yes, it always seems to be the way with lads. Out of Mother's sight, definitely no Mother on their minds! Your trip to Devon reminds me of the time we took our two to Westward Ho'…..it certainly lived up to its name and blimey, what a long journey that was (in a VW campervan which broke down on the motorway and where we were interviewed by the Daily Express doing a feature on what folks shouldn't do when they break down on the motorway, leading to the whole nation knowing we'd broken down on the motorway when they read about us in the paper the next day – they knew it was us because our fizzogs were plastered all over the middle pages!!).Thanks for popping over to mine, Trish. Always great to 'see' me old muckahs! x
What a great story – can't do anything quietly!
And yes, I've been a bit hit and miss with blogging over the holidays so it was great to pop over and catch up x
It's a great opportunity when you have kids living in a nice place. My mum has benefited from me living in Exeter too, and then various places in France, and Dallas, TX. It's important to make the most of it! Lots of lovely visits to your darling son… 😉
Too true, Sarah! We can't wait to go back again. Funny but the drive, now we are used to it, doesn't seem quite so long and tiring.
We love Babbacombe model village. Particularly the thatched cottage on fire with actual smoke. Well done the model firemen! My mum lives in that area, I'm going to forward on the info about that great fish restaurant. Thanks.
Yes, I saw that – very clever. Those firemen must be worn out.
My son and his girlfriend had tried Rockfish before so recommended it – their motto is 'Tomorrow's fish is still in the sea.'
Dartmouth is lovely – I was there for a wedding about 10 years ago, staying in a lovely little pub/hotel by the water. I'm salivating at the thought of the fish and chips.
I had done a bit of googling the day before and was sold on the photos I saw. I agree, such a pretty little town.
Devon is somewhere we have never visited but is high up on the list. I just love the picture across the bay it is so pretty. I think I am going to need to start planing a trip x
We had never really been before either – so many choices of where to go. Hope you get to visit soon, Sarah.
I love Dartmouth. We visited this summer and sadly had similar weather to you. We must to the model village next time we are that way #MondayEscapes
There are so many attractions in Devon – you could go every summer and still find a new place to visit!
Oh how I long to be by the coast. For me there's nothing better than mooching around. I haven't been to Dartmouth since I was a child – I reckon we should make a little weekend of this as Monkey would love the Babbacombe Model Village. And we would love Rockfish. Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes
Monkey would adore Babbacombe – it really is a treat, especially if you go back in the evening to see it all lit up.
I miss not living by the sea too. I was born on the north east coast and, although the Norfolk coast is just under an hour away, I would love to live even closer.
Ohhhh my, how pretty is that miniature village?? Amazing!
What a beautiful place!
Thank you for joining #MondayEscapes
I imagine if you are a gardener, the shrubbery would be just as enticing as the models!
Haha – Bark and Ride – that made me laugh! Dartmouth looks beautiful, even on a misty day, all those pretty houses. And don't worry, you're not the only one with a think for miniature villages – we love them! Will have to add Babbacombe to our list of ones to visit! Sabrina xx #MondayEscapes