From the shoreline and the sea

Last night's excellent dinner was served in a room and in a style which made TSH and Diva wonder if Miss Marple was at one of the other tables. Formal, restrained and with top class service. Doesn't happen any more. But it does here and, apparently, in the other hotels of the Brend Group.

The weather was dry and with a reasonable temperature and both had a great day. The route was through Exmoor and then along the coast road from Minehead to Ilfracombe. TSH went to photograph steam trains whilst Diva sat in a tea shop with her Kindle. TSH bought a book to help with his project.

DIVA IS ABOUT TO HAVE A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN. Following reader requests, she is trying to write about the good bits of the holiday so that everybody knows that a good time is being had by all. But it is starting to read like a Christmas Round Robin letter and if anyone posts it to one of those ironic sites which mock, she will sue.

Diva wants to write about the white knuckle ride through the narrow twisty 25% gradient A roads, full of loose dogs, nervy horses and local drivers who own both sides of the road. About the Dutchman almost reversing his massive LH drive camper van into another vehicle. About the sheer drop over the cliffs and into the raging sea beneath. About the church wardens who lure the unwary from the route to the town car park and into their most expensive church car park. And its not high season so there are not that many caravans to make the roads even more interesting.

Ilfracombe has a massive Damien Hurst statue - Verity. A pregnant woman with a sword and the scales of justice. TSH and Diva were impressed but did not understand the connection with Ilfracombe.

Monday's 20% off order from M&S was collected from Barnstaple - isn't click and collect wonderful?


TSH and Diva are both really enjoying their holiday.

Devon Day 1

TSH and Diva are beside the silver sea rather than actually on it this time. Well, they are overlooking the river Taw and it's low tide so it's a bit mudflat-ish but the view is very open and not overlooked. The day started in traditional fashion with an English breakfast at the local cafe. The breakfasts are always excellent but they seem to have increased the quantity whilst keeping the quality at least as good.

An uneventful journey was followed by a short walk round the shops, where Diva bought a new hairbrush. Barnstaple is a mixture of seaside, historic market town and standard shops geared to older people. The Imperial is as it sounds. Old-fashioned but in a good way with what looks like a very recent sympathetic renovation. When reception rang to check that everything was OK, Diva was able to tell them that her cleaning inspection had not managed to find any dust. A rare event. The compliment will be passed to the cleaning team.

Fruit, chocolates, biscuits and water in the room was a welcome sight.

TSH and Diva are both enjoying the holiday very much.