Odds and Sods March 2022

Wow, here I am posting my March Odds and Sods in March. This must mean I have caught up on the Odds and Sods at any rate. Some of these photos will be tasters of posts still to come as I have not edited those sets yet, but this set gives an impression of what March had to offer.

I took the first Car Tour from a new second hand book Car Tours of South Devon and found myself in Ashburton. I have already edited part of that tour and there are 3 Ashburton posts up. The next one will be Buckland on the Moor which I am working on.

These next few feature the Cafe Latino in Ashburton, just because it was so unexpected and so colourful.

Outside, an Ashburton one that got left out. The pavement in granite with inbuilt granite guttering. I love old features like this. What a simple solution to a problem.

While in Mylor in Cornwall we went to Swanpool Beach. Where I spotted what I thought was a jellyfish, only it turned out to be the base of a plastic bottle instead.

We dined at the Pandora Inn, which is an unusual name for a pub, which turned out to be named after a ship.

Steeped in history, parts of the Inn date back to the 13th Century. With its flagstone floors, low-beamed ceilings and thatched roof it’s not difficult to believe that little has changed since that time. In the 13th century, there was a farm on the site. In 1488, the Restronguet Estate Accounts state that the rent was 8s 4d a year.

The inn was re-named in memory of the HMS Pandora, the naval ship sent to Tahiti to capture the mutineers of Captain Bligh’s Bounty. Unfortunately, the Pandora struck a remote part of the Great Barrier Reef in 1791 and sank with the loss of many crew and mutineers. The captain, Captain Edwards, was court-martialled on his return to Cornwall where he is reputed to have bought this inn.

Closer to home a stroll up the lane. It's a steep one but lined with Spring flowers.

I think the original inventor of the roller coaster may have got their inspiration right here.

On the other side of the valley with a long lens is the neighbouring village and this nice line-up of roofs which I had not noticed before.

These are some sort of hybrid Daffodil thriving in the hedgerow. Planted, discarded, or self seeded? I am not sure.

A glass insulator, shining blue in the morning sun.

The copper still at the Salcombe Gin Company, during a visit and gin tasting.

Part of the gin tasting experience is a hands on with the botanicals that make up their unique blend. Always Juniper, some Cubeb, Coriander, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Fennel, Ginger, Red Peppercorns, Rose Petals, Lavender, Camomile, and Orange Blossom. I think I got them all.

A walk through the woods alongside Old Mill Creek, Dartmouth. A busy boat yard with several boats in for repair including a ferry.

Deeper into the woods and it is reassuring to see that kids still occupy themselves with building dens. In this case quite an impressive structure. Bear Grills would be proud of them.

On the moorland part of the Car Tour we definitely felt like we didn't belong, as the animals have the right of way. We had to wait for these sheep to cross in single file, about twenty of them.

Then after the route took us through a farm yard we encountered these cattle, which at first we assumed were being moved by the farmer. Until we realised there was no farmer and they were out on their own taking command of the road. Following cows is not that unusual around here. This herd only delayed us for about five minutes until they approved a new patch of grass. Previously I have followed a herd for up to two miles.

In Exeter our largest nearby city we made this discovery, an interesting pedestrian bridge. From this angle I thought the large circle was an art installation.

Until we got closer when the circle of tons of concrete turned out to be an integral part of the structure, a counterweight attached to the cables, holding the whole thing aloft. This point of the river Exe was for centuries the lowest crossing point of the river. The M5 Motorway now has a viaduct that crosses it further down.

I visited a historic church in a neighbouring village. Some of it is 13th century or older while this is positively modern. It appears to be a view of the village leading down to the water. Another set of photos still to come.

Over the road from the church were some old and ruined farm buildings including this barn, now open to the skies.

Meanwhile in Dartmouth I explored some of the upper regions of the town where I hadn't ventured before. There were some nice views across the lower town and Kingswear the other side of the river.