THE TRIP TO ENGLAND

I'm returning to blogging today, as now I have a more reliable internet provider at home.... AT&T wireless, only 2G here, but with an aerial and amplifier/booster, it is faster than my dial up which sometimes I couldn't get at all..... never it seemed when I wanted to upload some pictures. I have never been able to comment on other blogs from home and hopefully will be able to with this set up.

I sized these pictures a month or more ago of my trip to England and Italy for 3 weeks in September and October. It was a wonderful trip, with two friends, Jane and Kris. We flew to London and took trains to St. Ives in Cornwall and spent a week hiking the coastal trail to Penzance. We had made reservations before along the way in Bed and Breakfasts, and arranged with them to transport out packs from place to place. We were very lucky to have good weather for most of the trip.

We hiked in Devon the second week on the Jurassic Coast, starting in Exmouth and ending up in Lyme Regis in Dorset. More lovely weather until the last day of hiking where a storm put us on a bus. Then back to London where we spent a few days and Kris and I went to Florence and Pisa for a few days.

I had big plans to paint along the way, but didn't do much. I took over 600 photos though.



A view from our room in the Regent Hotel in St. Ives


Along the trail, our first day of hiking

From the Tinner Pub in Zennor

We saw lots of cows. This one near Pandeen is a banded Galloway, if I remember right. Thanks to all the cows for the delicious clotted cream.

There were lots of old mining structures and shafts in the area....coal and tin

An ancient stone circle somewhere past Porthcurno. We often ended up inland from the coastal trail.... sometimes due to weather, sometimes we took the wrong turn. There are paths all over the place.


A beach somewhere near Porthcurno


A train took us to Exeter in Devon where we visited the cathedral. Then a night in Exmouth.



The pebbles on the beach at Budleigh Salterton were just marvelous. I wanted to take buckets home, but only took one small one.

On the path to Otterton Mill

Branscombe was a gorgeous village, the longest village in England and full of beautiful cottages.
the bakery in Branscombe
We stayed here, the Great Seaside B and B lovely inside and out.

Between Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth

Some days were windy.....
other days not.

Marilyn on the left and Rick on the left joined us (Kris, me and Jane in the middle) for a couple of days of walking in Devon . Here we are after our walk from Budleigh Salterton to Seaton. Note me with a pint instead of a half pint. Maybe had something to do with the lack of painting I did. Loved the ale.


Walking from Branscombe to Beer in Devon.


The morning of what was to be our last day of walking in Devon through the Undercliffs from Seaton to Lyme Regis. We took the bus.

In Lyme Regis, the ammonite motif was everywhere.


Three nights in London. A whole day at Kew Gardens in sunshine. Besides all the plant houses and gardens there was a fabulous display of botanical art at the Shirley Sherwood gallery.

Here I am in Florence, after the Ufizzi.