High Street Shopping

Look up, look up..........................the old buildings are beautiful against the blue sky, facades fit for the Queen.Down below at street level, the tiny shops are crammed to the doors........even out the doors on this fine day. If looking for everyday china and kitchenware, this minuscule shop had it all. Shelves and tables so crowded they almost groaned from the weight of the china. DH waited patiently on the pavement ~ I held my breathe as I moved gingerly through a narrow aisle, not wanting to be 'a bull in a china shop'.Perhaps 'a little tea pot short and stout' in the traditional English style is needed for your cottage. The Brits usually sip a wake up drink of tea rather than coffee. These basic, chunky china tea pots sit waiting a few scoops of loose 'English Breakfast' or a couple of tea bags. Don't forget, you need a tea cozy too!
Afternoon tea, served at 4 o'clock, requires a more elegant tea pot and delicate cups and saucers - these blue and white ones are pretty. Note the French inspired tin salt keeper, canisters and jugs - "copycats". I think they should still have the words in French!

No fancy Royal Doulton and Wedgewood bone china dinner services here ~ just solid cream and white everyday wares for the cottage or converted barn.

Super gravy boats............... and coffee mugs by the hundreds..................bring on my strong black cafe Americano, or a steaming creamy latte if that's your morning wake up drink of choice.
Across from the china shop was another quaint little place, a miniature hardware store, named Hooks & Handles. Loved the sweeping brooms standing at attention by the door, with true natural stiff bristles - need a new one for my deck but couldn't fathom how to fit it in my suitcase, sigh!
These charming shops are situated in a tiny area named 'The Triangle' in the seaside town of Teignmouth on the South Devon coast. It was here I spent my childhood Summer holidays with my cousin Sue...................more on that later.