"Cheerio".........for now

Tomorrow I'm 'crossing the pond' and going home. I'll be looking eastward from the balcony and waking to this sunrise view for the next couple of weeks - looking across the bay, toward the English Channel. My hometown, Torquay, is in Devon in the Southwest of England.

Staying here in this beautiful Regency crescent building which was built 150 years ago. The center section is a five star hotel, each end comprises of private residences, a few rental apartments and timeshare units. Our 'Balcony Apartment' is to the left of the palm tree on the second floor (first floor in England)

You can see how the building is elevated just above the beach - high tide in this picture below - and there are scenic walks along the cliffs - part of the South Devon Coastal Path. Below - looking back from the cliff walk, across the bay to the west. I always sit on this bench and take in the panoramic view.From this location we can walk downhill to the harbor and into town just beyond that sandstone cliff, takes about 15 mins. as I love to stop and admire the gardens along the way. Return walk takes longer uphill (Torquay is built on seven hills like Rome) but it will be good exercise for us after these clotted cream teas at 4 PM each afternoon! Warm out of the oven scones served with homemade strawberry jam and Devonshire Cream - the specialty thick clotted cream of the county of Devon.

There is also Cornish cream from the neighboring county of Cornwall - complete with ongoing debate about whose cream is best. As far as I know, nowhere else in Britain is known for it's cream, probably because these are the two counties where the Jersey breed of cows are raised and produce high fat, creamy milk.

Needless to say, imbibing in this afternoon treat is neither low cal nor healthy for the arteries - but it's not like I do it often - two years since the last delicious cream tea! This English tradition is best enjoyed in a lush flower filled cottage garden, a proper but very cozy tea room, or on a terrace overlooking the sea. So, I will indulge, and also have one for my British friends over here - Jackie, Paula and Jen - gosh I already see another diet on the horizon in November!

Hope to take some new cottage pics to bring you - Devon is known for its thatched roofed, cob walled cottages surrounded by lovely flower-filled gardens, apple orchards and babbling brooks. Old villages are numerous, surrounded by ancient family farms, usually with a square towered Norman church, and of course the local pub, the social center of the community.......anyone ready for a pint of bitter (dark ale).........or perhaps you ladies will have a 'Shandy' (lager and lemonade)?

Below is my little journal to jot down my thoughts and add some memorabilia from this trip The 'stamps' were made especially for me by my wonderful friend in Washington State - fabulous! Thanks again dear Patti.
Wish I could tuck each of you cottage loving gals into my suitcase and take you on a guided tour of scenic Devon - know you would love it all. I'll do my best to take pics to share with you on my return. Until that time - end of October - I'll miss you all but promise to catch up with you again. Thank you for becoming my friends, I really do appreciate the time you spend visiting me online, and I love checking in with all of you and reading your wonderful posts.

So "Cheerio" for now. Don't forsake me.............don't forget me.................I promise to be back before you know it.