......a real 'Cream Tea'

Before leaving Widecombe a misty rain blew in. Warm shelter with a good cup of tea, or even better, a real Devonshire Cream Tea, was needed........and while the flowering chestnut trees were stunningly beautiful in the rain, their shelter left much to be desired.

At the village green cafe, the entire complement of inside tables was reserved for a soon to arrive huge German tour bus!

There was room at The Old Inn, if you wanted to swig back a cold beer (yes, beer is now chilled in England)..................but no authentic Devonshire Cream Teas.


So, back into our mini-bus - there were eleven of us remember - and off across
Dartmoor in search of teatime treats.

The ponies were pretty, quite at home under damp, gray skies.

The moorland rivers, such as the River Dart, continued to make their way to the sea, babbling over rocks and under ancient granite bridges............

................and then we spotted it, the appropriately named, Edgemoor.........

..............a picturesque country hotel on the edge of the moor. The open windows welcomed one to come inside.

It looked promising. Romantic and a little quirky.....if there hadn't been rain I would have grabbed this delightful garden chair sprinkled with petals.

The gardens were lovely, as English gardens always are.......thanks to a lot of that cool 'misty rain'.

Stunning azaleas, and clematis climbing everywhere.

Our quest was over. The perfect Devon Cream Tea was served in the lounge. China teapots with strong, black steaming tea. Fresh baked scones, light and not too crumbly, homemade strawberry jam.....and generous pots of thick, clotted Devonshire Cream from a nearby farm no doubt. This was as good as it gets....take my word for it.