Rambling with GB

Tuesday morning began with heavy rain and no Internet connection. Neither is a disaster if one is in a 'Don't sweat the small stuff' mood but both were less than satisfying. The former meant a change of plans since walking around the parkland of Bicton Park taking photos was no longer appropriate. The latter made it impossible to collect e-mails, read blogs, post blogs or do comments; all essential parts of my 'normal' day.


Daughter-who-takes-photos solved the first problem and the Weather Gods solved the second so GB and I headed into Exeter city centre for a ramble and a coffee (with crossword, of course). We tried a new venue for our coffee - Hansons - the middle building of these three. A large tea cake, good coffee and excellent service meant it probably won't be our last visit.

We then had a look around St Martin's Church, a meander through the charity shops seeking books and a wander down the High Street looking in phone shops. One of the attractions of High Street is the lovely buildings some of which will appear on my Exeter blog in due course.

Some of the shop windows are attractions in their own right - like Lush - Fresh Handmade Cosmetics. I've left this photo large so if you click on it you can see the detailed ingredients in some of their soaps.

I bought a replacement phone but only one book. How's that for self-control?


GB and I then headed down to the Quay for lunch (and a crossword) and while at the cafe saw a Dipper. Unfortunately the craft shop next door, which we both favour, is closed on a Tuesday. We had a look at the outside of Cricklepit Mill whose wheel was turning again; work on the third waterwheel being at a stage where the leat did not need to be empty.

Then we returned to Frog End and picked up Helen to go to Otter Nurseries where GB bought some plants for his pond. After a delightful dinner at Frog End all three of us played on our laptops. That's not quite true - Helen was working on hers. "And so to bed..."
 

Exeter here I come...

"Good friends,

good books

and a sleepy conscience:

this is the ideal life."

~ Mark Twain

At the end of the week I am heading down to Exeter for a couple of weeks to stay with Helen and Ian. So expect some new postings on my Exeter blog in the very near future!

The Year of the Pedestrian

I was still working when the Year of the Pedestrian (1988/9) came and went. So far as I recall it wasn't something that most local authorities bothered celebrating. One exception was Devon County Council which erected a statue in the High Street, Exeter. I like it.

Murder victim

We came across this on Sunday. If I had had a piece of chalk upon my person I would have drawn a chalk outline around it and then put an arrow to the rope in the background, labelling it 'Forensics - check if Murder Weapon'.
 

Ah Sweet Mystery of Life...

GB and I both passed by this work of art in Exeter the other day and were convinced that we had taken photos of it last year. So I just grabbed a swift photo in passing. When we checked, neither of us could find a single photo of it among those of our visit to Helen and Ian's last year. Without such evidence to the contrary we would both have sworn that we had taken them. Weird or what?

No doubt I'll get a chance during the coming couple of weeks to rectify the omission in which case it will be added to my Exeter blog.

Down to Exeter

GB and I came down to Exeter yesterday and an account of the journey will be found on my Pensby et al blog....

As with my Hebridean wanderings, I have decided to put my Exeter and Devon diary in their own blog. So, for the next couple of weeks, you are welcome to visit cje in exeter.... For future reference, this link will be found in the left hand column of this blog.
 

The Little Street

Exeter, England is home to what is allegedly the narrowest street in the world. Parliament Street is a 50m long street which links the High Street to Waterbeer Lane and dates from the 14th century. It was formerly called Small Lane and was renamed when Parliament was derided by the city council for passing the 1832 Reform Bill. The street is approximately 45″ at its widest and less than 25″ at its narrowest.