Synopsis: An Easter Monday Trip out with Mum. Fish and chips at a cafe at Roundham, Paignton, then on to Overbecks (NT), Salcombe. The sun shone and Overbecks looked beautiful, as did Salcombe.
The weather wasn’t looking too promising first thing, but the forecast sounded good, so Mum and I decided on a little outing. I suggested we go to a National Trust property, and that Overbecks near Salcombe might be a good choice. Our intention was to make the most of the drive down by taking the coastal route. From Haldon I dropped down to Teignmouth and from then on followed the coast road.
Roundham car park, PaigntonOur first stop was at the Roundham car park near Paignton harbour. The plan being to have an early lunch in a fish and chip cafe down by the harbour. We left Jaffa in the car; he seemed content enough to curl up and snooze away an hour whilst we went to eat. The fish and chips were good, and the setting by the quaint little harbour was lovely too.
As soon as we had eaten I was keen we got on our way, as there was still some driving to do to get to Salcombe. I headed out of Paignton for Kingswear from where we’d use the car ferry to reach Dartmouth. From here we followed the scenic coast road through Stoke Fleming, then swooping down to Blackpool Sands. By now the clouds had begun to break up and we were seeing quite a lot of sun. The road then goes over a hill, through Strete, before dropping down to travel the length of Slapton Sands, reaching Torcross at the far end. It was certainly very busy here, even for an Easter Monday. The good weather had obviously brought everyone out, all of whom seemed in fine holiday spirits.
I drove on through Kingsbridge, where I’d been on the previous day. Then on to Salcombe, having to negotiate tight hairpin bends through narrow roads to finally reach our destination of Overbecks, which stands on Sharpitor, at the far end of Salcombe. The approach road is narrow and steep, but we were soon parked up on the side of the road as we were advised by the National Trust person on the entrance.
It was a little bit of a trek up the steep hill to reach Overbecks, but Mum managed it quite well. Once again we left Jaffa to snooze in the car, which seemed to suit him just fine.
Overbecks (NT), SalcombeMum and I looked around Overbecks House first. There are numerous displays around the house. One was of the maritime history of this coast; there was also a display of the taxidermy. A children’s play room has a child’s size door to reach it, making us stoop to enter. There was a corner devoted to what the groundsman’s room would have been like, including exhibition of a man trap. This device looks gruesome, particularly the spikes designed to stab deep the leg of it’s prey. The use of these was banned by law around 1900, but apparently land owners continued to use them to deter poachers.
Overbecks, Salcombe, home of eccentric inventor of the Rejuvinator, Otto Overbeck.
There is a superb old magnolia in the garden. The house has a photo of Otto Overbeck standing by this tree in 1920. Otto was an eccentric character. He invented his Rejuvinator, which fed an electric current through a person who would hold in their hands two electrodes. Seems bizarre today, but at the time it was taken quite seriously, having been patented in a dozen different countries.
We wandered around the garden next. The exotic plants were looking amazingly healthy, especially considering how harsh a winter we have had, and the fact that it was still early in the year. There were quite a lot of children about, playing various games such as noughts and crosses on the lawn.
Unfortunately we were just too late for tea in the tea room. We decided on heading off home and brewing up our own cuppa.
National Trust properties are always soothing places to visit, and so was the case today. I guess it’s refreshing to escape into a different world, of only for a little time.
Two funny conversations I overheard whilst at Overbecks today:
Conversation 1) Two gentlemen, obviously of the northern genus, passed me on the stair balcony. As you will know if you’re familiar with Overbecks, the balcony is littered with stuffed creatures, creatures of the air, the sea and the land. One gentleman says to the other, “It’s a shame to see all these animals stuffed. But then, if they weren’t stuffed, we wouldn’t see them. And they are dead anyway.” Now the strange thing is the other gentleman didn’t laugh, whereas I was thinking this chap really ought to be on the stage!
Conversation 2) A family is returning, as were we, to their car. The woman is saying something to her presumed mother, something about the very peculiar attitude of a friend of hers. She says, “I really can’t believe my friend said that. It would be like someone going up to Nick (obviously husband to storyteller) and saying he is bald, or that he has a big nose.” Well, I’m thinking, to myself, said husband seems to me to be quite follicly challenged, and his proboscis does bring to mind Pinocchio after having told more than a few fibs. Now, is it just me, or is this a rather insensitive way to convey a message?
No comments:
Post a Comment