Synopsis: Autumn holiday with Laura visiting from Germany. Trips out here and there and catching up with family. A time to relax a little, if you can believe that of me.
(selection of photos from Flickr photo set – use link above to view album) All arranged at the very last minute. Laura passed her physiotherapy exams on Friday 5th October, and that very same day I organised flights for Laura’s visit to England. Yes, my youngest daughter Laura is now a physiotherapist. Isn’t that something? The culmination of three years’ graft for Laura. And it was now time for Laura to take a break.
Mum (Nanny) forgot the mints! We had to buy some en route to Heathrow in a motorway service station. Mum always provides the mints on our journeys. It brought to mind something Helen and Laura’s cousin C said to his brother M a year or two ago, when on a trip out M mentioned that he’d forgotten his wallet, and C replied, “There were only two things you had to bring with you, one was yourself, and you forgot one of them!”).
Laura told us that Hendrik, when in the car, refers to her as his co-pilot, since she is in charge of all environment controls such as heating and entertainment. I can imagine Laura is very good at that, since she likes her comfort, and has an excellent taste in music.
Thursday 11th October: Laura arrived at Heathrow from Germany
I greeted Laura following the example set by the countless numbers of taxi drivers stood around holding placards on which are written their client’s name. On my placard was written the single word, ‘Physiotherapist’. There could be little confusion for whom that was intended. It got a smile out of Laura. How lovely it was to see her again.
Nearly a KFC disaster on the way home. Tradition has it that we stop for KFC at motorway services on our way back to Exeter. A couple of years ago I overshot the service station, so I was careful not to do the same again. On pulling into a parking space a service station worker came over to our car and said all services were closed since they were experiencing a power outage. Panic! Swinging Plan B into effect, we had sandwiches at the next motorway services, and decided we’d get KFC when back in Exeter. Phew!
Friday 12th October: Pizza lunch at On the Waterfront with Wendy, Kate, Charlie, and Erica, then back to Wendy & Colin’s
Higher Weir, Exeter - Laura
We started with a walk along the river. As there had been some very heavy rain the previous day, the River Exe was once again in spate, the water flowing with dramatic force over Higher Weir. We briefly looked in the Cricklepit Mill, but unfortunately we’d just missed a flour grinding exhibition. Still, it was interesting to look around the mill machinery.
Exe Bridge Graffiti, Exeter
We had intended to take a look at the recently painted graffiti artworks on the Exe Bridge, but the path was under water (photo left). We could only see the artwork on the side of the bridge pillars.
On The Waterfront (pizzeria), Exeter - Laura & Charlie
We walked over to On the Waterfront, where we were due to meet Wendy, Kate, Erica and Charlie (Kate’s first born). It was raining lightly so we went to take shelter inside. Laura very nearly said ‘danke’ to someone holding the door for her. Poor Laura, her brain being still fried from all the hard work and pressure of learning to become a physiotherapist. I hoped the couple of weeks Laura was to spend in England would help her level out again.
In the evening Laura showed me a copy of her physiotherapy certificate. She’d not only passed her exams, but done extremely well in her grades, having an overall grade of 2.3. A superb result! Well done Laura!
Saturday 13th October: Trip to Stourhead (NT) with David, Christine and Louise
Stourhead (NT) - lunch at the Spread Eagle Inn
An email bulletin I’d received from the National Trust suggested that it would be a good year for autumn colour at Stourhead (NT), therefore at the eleventh hour (9:30 in the morning to be precise), I phoned Christine to ask if she and her family would like to join us on an excursion to Stourhead. Despite the alarm this caused (Christine informed me she was the only one up, and I surmised that was only just), they said they’d like to do this, so we planned to meet at Stourhead. There’s a rather nice place to eat at Stourhead wonderfully named the Spread Eagle Inn, which is where Laura, Mum and I headed on our arrival at Stourhead.
Stourhead (NT) - lunch at the Spread Eagle Inn
We had only very low hopes of securing a table, seeing that the high number of visitors were fast filling the overflow car park. But we were pleasantly surprised to find that we could be accommodated at a table for six, which was ideal. Stourhead really is a mobile phone black-hole. The lack of network coverage meant that my promise of getting a message to Christine upon our arrival was rather a challenge, but thankfully a young lady came to our rescue by offering us the use of her landline phone. I recommended the game pie to Laura, a dish Mum and I had liked on a previous visit. David and I chose the stroganoff.
This was to be the ‘Last Chance Saloon’ for Laura’s camera. She’s had a lot of problems recently with it not holding its charge, and today was it’s last chance, and it failed miserably. For some reason, despite the acquisition of new batteries and charger, the batteries show as discharged when placed in the camera, and we’ve never been able to fathom why. We both agreed that if the camera failed Laura today, it was out the window. I loaned Laura my compact for today, but we determined on getting Laura a replacement camera this holiday.
Stourhead (NT)
It was a lovely day in which to walk the Stourhead garden, warm and sunny, although we hadn’t timed it quite right for the best of autumn colour. There were splashes here and there, but many of the trees, I presume because of the mild autumn we were experiencing, had not yet turned. The landscaped gardens are pretty however, and there were many fine vistas we came across during our circle of the lake.
Stourhead (NT) - the Picture Gallery
Stourhead House has a fine collection of paintings, some of which I would think are from the Pre-Raphaelite school of art. There are also classical paintings, such as those on show in the Picture Gallery, as shown here.
In the evening I brought across to Mum’s some sausage rolls I had in my fridge. Christine brought some pasties (Ginsters) that she had in the freezer, along with a couple of pizzas, and we thus improvised a snack supper, that proved scrumptious. Can’s mother Christine had given me a bottle of Valpolicella on my Easter visit to Germany, and this we opened and shared with the meal.
Helen and Can's house warming party - sherry glasses (Laura’s photo)
That evening we displayed on Mum’s TV some photos of Helen and Can’s place. These were photos that Laura had taken on the night in June of Helen and Can’s house warming party. And there were the sherry glasses I’d given them as a house warming present (with a little help from Hendrik, who bought them for me – thanks Hendrik).
Sunday 14th October: Cycle ride to Exmouth for just Laura and me
I think we both really enjoyed this day. The weather was beautiful: warm and sunny, almost like a summer’s day, but better. I think the sense of escape from everything, especially for Laura after the hard work and stress of her physiotherapy exams, was a real treat. It was good to do some testing exercise out of doors, and this was the perfect day for it.
Fish 'n' chips on Exmouth sea front (Laura's photo)
Of course, fish ‘n’ chips on Exmouth beach was a must. We thoroughly enjoyed sitting in the sun eating our lunch. We watched the many people (and dogs) casually parading in the sun. What more could a person ask than this? Photo from Laura’s Oktober 2012 photo set on Flickr.
Laura's euphoria induced need to take a paddle (Laura's photo)
Laura, in a state of euphoria, possibly induced by the fish ‘n’ chips, said she wanted to go in the sea for a paddle. This wasn’t for me. And, although Laura seemed to enjoy her dip, it was exceedingly brief and she was barely submersed more than her ankles. Just sufficient to put pay to the notion that youngsters today had grown soft.
On arriving home we were both tired. We decided to treat ourselves to Crunchie bar ice creams and a cups of tea, which was just what was required to revive us. Laura transferred money into my bank account to pay for the cost of the air tickets; we then went over to Mum’s for the evening. That night we watched The King’s Speech DVD, which Laura had not seen before. It’s an excellent film, and we all enjoyed watching it.
Monday 15th & Tuesday 16th October: Time with Riki and John
Riki drove over to my place and picked up Laura. I took the opportunity to fix the new bathroom light, raise Mum’s water butt onto legs, take a swim, wash the car and do a little research into possible cameras for Laura.
Laura went ‘high-speed’ shopping with Grandma, on her one-hour parking ticket, with half-a-dozen shops to visit. But despite the lack of time, Laura did manage to find a delightful sky-blue cashmere jumper for £lots, which rather took her breath away.
Wednesday 17th October: Laura and I do odds and sods in Exeter
Britannia, Birth Certificate, Camera (Jessops & Panasonic shop), lunch at George’s Meeting House. Laura buys a couple of jumpers in Primark and a couple of smart evening tops in Jane Norman.
Laura has held a savings account at the Britannia since she was about ten years old. Mum and Dad would put pocket money (or ‘sweet’ money) into this account, to balance amounts given to their other granddaughters. Over the years this accrued to be a not inconsiderable amount. Time had come to close the account, and, after the experience of attempting to do this with Helen last year, we thought we were prepared, in that Laura had her passport with her, as proof of identity. But we were confounded yet again. This time there was the additional requirement of a letter or statement with her address on it. We preceded across the road to Nationwide, where the teller amused Laura with a story of how the Britannia, “Require this and that, and a hair from your mother, etc, etc.” This soothed Laura’s frustration a little.
We were also foiled in attempting to get a certified copy of Laura’s birth certificate, since the Register Office is now closed, with a notice saying this must be done by either telephone or email. Life sure can be frustrating in this green and pleasant land of ours.
Laura and I sat down momentarily in the library to look over the details of a selection of cameras that I’d printed the previous evening. We then strolled over to Jessops to look at some possible options. There was a clear favourite in Laura’s eyes, a compact Canon camera that was incredibly tiny but packed a real punch in features, and was remarkably easy and intuitive to use. We needed time to think this over, but I doubted Laura would find a better option.
It was now approaching 12:30, the time Mum was due to meet up with us for lunch in George’s Meeting House, but because she hadn’t been feeling too well, she was waiting for a call from the hospital. As a result of this, she sent Laura and I a text message wishing us a pleasant lunch and having to cry off as she’d not received a call as yet. Laura and I had a simple meal of jacket potatoes and a glass of shandy each in very pleasant surroundings, giving us time to mull over the cameras we’d been examining.
Next stop was the Panasonic shop to see if their camera offerings could topple Canon. Their camera was impressive, and achieved second choice status in Laura’s mind, but still the Canon was number one. We decided however, since the Canon Laura liked was about to be superseded by a later model, we’d wait till this became available before making a decision.
Next stop Primark where Laura bought a couple of jumpers, and a present for me (underpants). I went to buy three steak and kidney pies in town whilst Laura did a little more shopping. She found a couple of very nice tops in Jane Norman, although struggled with how to wear them. We then headed back to Mum’s where we immediately put our supper on on as we needed to eat early for we were due to go out to the theatre later on.
That night we went to see a new production of Mansfield Park at the Northcott theatre. This was excellent, and we all enjoyed it, along with a packed auditorium of theatre goers (I was lucky to get tickets at short notice). How lovely a night at the theatre can be. Laura looked most elegant, as she wore one of the new tops that she’d bought that afternoon. That of course meant that I had to dust off a jacket from my wardrobe for the occasion. A Review of Mansfield Park can be found on the Austen Only web site
Thursday 18th October: Buckland Abbey and drive over Dartmoor
Approaching Postbridge from the north east, Dartmoor
I thought it would be nice for Laura to take this rare opportunity to see Dartmoor clothed in its autumn colours. I say ‘rare’, since Laura hasn’t visited England at this time of year before. The plan I devised was for us to drive over Dartmoor through Manaton to Buckland Abbey (NT) where we’d have lunch and visit the abbey. We had some heavy rain as we went, but between the rain we stopped on the moor briefly to take a few photos.
Buckland Abbey - Estate Walk (yellow route) - coke producing ovens
As planned, we ate at Buckland Abbey, darting quickly between buildings, since it was raining heavy on our arrival. We had a quick pasty lunch in what I assume to be a farm building. Then, as the sun came out over lunch, we set off on one of the ‘estate walks’ (the short yellow route). The weird thing about this walk was the fact that loads of mud stuck to me, and yet Laura survived unscathed, as if she were coated with Teflon. How could that be? I seemed to be a mud magnet on this day, and looked rather a mess as I returned to the abbey.
Buckland Abbey - House - Drake's Drum
It says ‘abbey’ on the ticket, but in truth, this is now more of a manor house than an abbey today, since, at the time of dissolution, the property came into private hands and was converted into a manor house. The old abbey church had it’s two transepts lopped off and three floors inserted into it. The house once belonged to Sir Francis Drake and it is the nautical paraphernalia that is perhaps the most interesting aspect of the house. This is a photo of Drake’s Drum, which it is said, will sound in alarm if this country should ever again fall into crisis. My guess is it’s making quite a din at present.
It was a quick ‘pasta bake’' ready-meal in the evening, as we arrived home rather late after a Tesco shop. Laura had things to buy in Tesco to take back to Germany (Battenberg (Mummy & Helen), clotted cream (Hendrik), Ginger wine (Mummy) and Starburst (Toby)). Mum and I had collected some Tesco vouchers for cutlery. Laura inspected these in the shop and liked them, and therefore decided to buy herself a set to take back to Germany with her. We opened a bottle of English beer (Speckled Hen), to have with our meal.
Friday 19th October: Seaton Tramway and moussaka cook in the evening
It was Pink Friday, in aid of Breast Cancer, hence our tram driver on the Seaton Tramway was dressed in pink from head to toe. We were only charged £1 each for our three tickets and asked to contribute the rest of the cost of our tickets, voluntarily, to the Breast Cancer charity. The tram was bedecked in pink balloons; you’ll see them in some of my photos.
Seaton Tramway - Seaton - Pink Friday tram on the right, with Pink Friday driver
The day was overcast and a little dull, but the trams looked charming all the same. They may be rather basic, with their hard wooden seats on the upper deck, but they do have very elegant lines. Note the Pink Friday driver of our tram, suitably decked out for the occasion on his double-deck tram.
Seaton Tramway - Colyton
We reached Colyton, the tram terminus, at about 12:30, perfect timing for lunch. There’s a small station cafe serving simple but tasty meals at Colyton, and once again (Mum and I had visited in the summer) the bangers and mash were first choice for each of us.
Seaton - ice creams all round
We had rather delicious ice creams in Seaton whilst walking along sea front. We then looped up over cliff cutting through Cliff Field Gardens on our walk, before dropping down Castle Hill and then cutting through the centre of town back to our car.
Laura had given me a bottle of wine from the Wurttemberg region where she lives, so I suggested that one evening we’d cook a meal to go with the wine. My suggestion was that we cook a moussaka, and this we did in the evening; it was delicious. This was the first time we’ve tried the recipe, but it is definitely one that we’d use again. Laura asked to take a copy of the recipe back to Germany with her, which I duly provided her with.
Saturday 20th October: Torquay ferris wheel and the big family get together to celebrate Laura’s birthday
I’d been in Torquay a few weeks back and discovered that a huge ferris wheel had been erected next to Pavilions. A little background reading and I discovered that this was a temporary construction that had come straight from London’s Victoria Park where it had formed part of the Olympic celebrations earlier in the summer. Since the ferris wheel was only to be around till the 31st October, this looked too good an opportunity to miss, so off we set.
Torquay - view of the ferris wheel from the harbour
On arriving in Torquay we strolled down the Rock Walk where we caught our first glimpse of the ferris wheel. We then headed up town to Tesco to buy ourselves sandwiches and a drink for our lunch which we consumed by the harbour-side, looking out on the ferris wheel.
Torquay - view from the ferris wheel
After lunch we completed a circuit of the harbour before purchasing tickets for our ride on the big wheel. There was quite an interest in this attraction, but we didn’t have to wait long. Once on the ride it was immediately obvious that we were to be treated to some unusual and spectacular views of Torquay. This is definitely a ride to be done on a clear sunny day, and our choice of day was just perfect. Torquay was at its best, and we were seeing it from an awesome bird’s eye view.
The family celebration of Laura' Birthday (Laura's photo)
The first birthday Laura’s had in England for about twenty years. Although not Laura’s ‘official’ birthday, which is on the 22nd October, this was the best opportunity we had to get together as many of the family as possible. As you’ll see from this photograph, we had quite a turnout.
Laura, looking sharp in her new top (Laura's photo)
This was an opportunity for Laura to try out the other new top that she’d bought just a few days earlier. Once again, Laura showed off her style; what an elegant daughter she is! And once again I was forced to dust off my jacket to be her partner for the night. Oh dear! have I really become that dowdy? (that’s a purely rhetorical question!).
Sunday 21st October: A quick dash into town for me to secretly buy Laura’s birthday present then a visit to Claire and Dave’s, in Taunton
I only got the idea for Laura’s birthday present when surfing the Internet this morning, so it was a last minute dash into town to deal with that. Then Laura and I joined Mum at her place for lunch. We’d a second moussaka from the cook on an earlier night (see above), so this we heated up for lunch.
Bridgwater & Taunton Canal - Kaitlin, Tom, Dave, Laura, Mum & Claire
Claire and Dave had been unable to make it to Exeter to celebrate Laura’s birthday and instead invited us up to supper at their place. We went for an afternoon stroll by the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, complete with a falconry display. The falconry display was needless to say unexpected, and only really livened up when the bird got in amongst someone’s chickens, whereupon there was a loud chorus of squawks emanating from greatly alarmed chicks. We met Kaitlin and Tom, Dave’s children, and shared a delightful afternoon-come-evening with them all.
Monday 22nd October: Laura’s Birthday; I took Laura and Mum out for a birthday celebration lunch at the Lamb Inn, Sandford
Laura’s birthday card and present from me were waiting for her on the breakfast table when she came downstairs. The book I gave Laura was Practical HDR, an idea for which, as I say, I only came up with on the previous day. It seemed a good match with the new camera Laura intended to buy. Laura, when she saw her present, said she feared I had high expectations of her, to which I replied, “Yes, of course I have.”
Wendy and Colin invited us up to their place to say a final goodbye to Laura. It was a last opportunity for Kate and Laura to see each other; prior to this holiday, they’d not seen each other since 2004, as Kate lives in Australia, Laura in Germany.
Laura's Birthday - lunch in the Lamb Inn, Sandford
My objective for Laura’s celebration meal, was to give Laura a thoroughly English flavoured occasion, so I selected the old Lamb Inn in Sandford as our destination. It is a beautifully rustic old pub. Laura had the most delicious steak, and Mum and I had venison. We of course finished our meals with scrumptious puddings. The whole meal was of excellent quality. And I think I satisfied my aim of giving Laura a very English meal for her birthday, since the Lamb Inn, with its oak beamed rooms and open fires, is rich in English rustic quaint.
Laura's Birthday - Laura promenades in new 'luxury' jumper
In my best form, I suggested a trip to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, to show Laura some fossils collected locally, since she’d asked about them earlier in the week, and it was of course closed, as it doesn’t open on Mondays. This always catches me out. Instead we settled upon a walk around Exeter.
We had a snack supper, and then ordered Laura’s new camera on Amazon.de. Well, it was Laura’s birthday, and since some of the money going towards it was her birthday money from Mum and myself, it seemed the ideal time to be doing it.
To finish the day off, Laura had spotted Breakfast at Tiffany’s in Mum’s collection of DVDs, and asked what sort of film it was. She said she had heard a lot about it, and seen the iconic photographs, but didn’t know the film. Apparently Mum hadn’t watched it either, so we decided that was how we’d close Laura’s birthday, and what a delightful end it proved. What a charming film it is. A master-class in acting. What spellbinding magic Audrey Hepburn could weave.
Tuesday 23rd October: Laura’s to fly back to Germany. Accident on M4 makes for a long day
We were detouring through Marlborough where we stopped for a toilet stop. We took the opportunity to purchase sandwiches and Coca Colas for our lunch. Since we didn’t know what the traffic would be like on our journey to Heathrow, we ate our lunch in the car.
As always, goodbyes are very sad, and this was no exception. We’d enjoyed Laura’s visit so much, and Laura seemed to enjoy her stay too. We have lots of nice memories to console us till next we meet.
