Welcome to Devon...

my great-grandfather, [who was born in Devon] ~ bless his soul.. went to Australia on an assignment with the Royal Navy.. and fell in love with the place. I have always wondered why. But, I am beginning to understand the reason. Why, my great-grandfather decided to move his family to the other side of the world. The rain. or, rather to get away from it.

that said, again, I am not complaining, just observing and learning.

when we woke this morning, it was raining. and the forecast was for heavy, at times torrential rain.. well, that puts off my plans of a walk to the Abbey across the field.. so we had a quick breakfast and headed to Honiton for a cup of tea. I had a bagel with jam.. I am a little over scones.. [did I say that?] & I sat and listened to two little old ladies behind me chatting.. and their voices and accent took me back to my Pa's sisters.. Auntie Bertha and Auntie Queenie, they sounded so much like them!!

.. and then we drove to Exeter to do some more Yule-tide shopping and to grab some groceries for our stay here..

the roads or laneways, were washed away, at times made treacherous by these damn drivers here. too fast in the wet and thus, taking away my enjoyment of exploring. I am beginning to not want to venture out but to stay safe in the cottages.. fear wells up within, every time we set off, knowing that we are going to encounter the too fast, impatient drivers. I clasp my hands in fear, tensing every time one overtakes in a rush, or hovers over the back of us.. Maybe it is because they know the roads.. but I know the roads back home and I don't drive like an idiot, especially in the rain.

so we arrived at Exeter.. did some grocery shopping at Sainsburys and then headed to the main part of the city. it looks like a nice place to explore.. but not in the rain. .. lots of gorgeous old homes and alot of cathedrals. .. but today, we explored shops.. Marks & Spencer.. Thorntons toffee shop and a few others..

the rain really put a damper on the whole thing.. wind whipping this way and that, umbrella turning inside out...

I bought some christmas spice candles for our stay in the cottages in Cornwall [I am really going to get into the whole feel of it!!], still have yet to buy a wreath for the front door.. I bought myself a little owl decoration and a few gifts for those back home.. oh and a Union Jack pillow for my bed 16 pounds.. now all i have to do is get it home.

I tried on hats..

and visited shops that I normally don't visit

and we listened to Scottish Pipers playing for Christmas shoppers

then we headed home in the rain, through flooded roads..

cooked dinner and then settled down with a cup of tea

and a piece of the Victoria Sponge [because we can't waste it..] The rain pours down outside and the wind whips around the cottage.. making me feel very safe and secure in my little Devon cottage.. oh that reminds me.. my auntie Bertha who was Pa's sister.. had a cottage in Terrigal called 'Little Devon'..

did I tell you that I bought a Moon gazing hare in Bradford-on-Avon? have no idea how I am going to get that home.. but I will. I once bought a set of antique grocers scales in America and packed it into my bag!