Torquay in the county of Devon in Southwest England. This is my birthplace, my hometown......................the place people have asked how could I have left. Some people never leave home, some move across town, perhaps travel to a bigger city, others fly to another coast. I crossed a great ocean expecting to explore for a while and then return to this lovely place...........life throws curves, life changes. Perhaps one never can go home.
Torquay is built on seven hills making the view from Tor Bay especially scenic. The beaches are many and varied, sand, pebbles, rocky. In the pic below, the area by the steps lower left, was my childhood favorite and we headed there after school on early Summer evenings for a swim.
The town is known for the flower filled public gardens along the seafront and wooden pier where Agatha Christie would roller skate. She is one of the town's famous people having grown up there. I am not famous by any means!
Across Tor Bay are the towns of Paignton and Brixham and beyond the bay the English Channel.
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Like most English seaside towns, Torquay is a now a little worn around the edges and the tourist trade has suffered. People head to the Continent where the beaches of Spain are especially popular with guaranteed sunshine all Summer long. The natural beauty of Devon is hard to beat though, and beyond the beaches is rolling countryside and moorland so very beautiful.............nothing beats a real 'cream tea' in a cottage garden on Dartmoor!
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Oh I want to join you for a real cream tea! Doesn't that table look so pretty sitting out in the garden. And Devon is breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteI have a book set in Devon or Cornwall which is a great read. I need to go look up the title for you. It is a cozy read about a woman restarting her life in a small cottage. I will get back to you with the author. It was called Autumn if I recall and was th author's first book. Perhaps you have already ready it.
You asked me about housing here in Holland. Yes it is far too expensive here too. The same problem here too with people's salaries not high enough to pay for the houses. We have been searching for a bungalow or apartment for over 4 years. Most things we like are out of our price range. It is terrible and things are going up in price all the time.
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
~~ Heidi ~~
Oh this is just wonderful! I love the pictures! I am so glad that my Aunt Heidi told me to come here! The pictures are just so wonderful! The cream tea looks delicious! YUmmmmmmm!
ReplyDeleteOh, how did you ever leave this beautiful place. Heidi and I are
ReplyDeletesure going to have to go to Devon the next time we go to England. I
have one question though, do they
have the Edinburgh Woolen Mill shop there? That is a must for us.
We will have to have a tea of course.
Nancy
I never knew England had 'tropical'-looking areas such as this. I don't know that I would want to leave if I lived there. Look at that scrumptious tea table!
ReplyDeleteJust saw Nancy's comment - I loved the Edinburgh Woolen Mill too!
Beautiful photos Mary. You are quite a photographer!
Hugs,
Deborah
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about your trip and seeing the wonderful pictures.
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed visiting your blog, seeing the pics and reading about your growing up!
ReplyDeleteJacki
What a lovely place to have lived. It looks absolutely gorgeous. I have a fondness/weakness for pastries and those pictured look delicious.
ReplyDeleteI am having such a fabulous time on my visit! It seems as if I could be there! Those gardens are divine. What a pleasure it must be to sit there and take in the beauty of the flowers and the ocean. And I don't think anything ever beats living in a beach town. Now, as to being famous...you surely are to us friends in the bloggy world! Isn't that all that matters? :)
ReplyDeleteHow lovely!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have tea with you.
What a beautiful place.
Rosemary
OHHHHH! We love the pictures and all of the beautiful countryside! We will be right over for tea and scones!
ReplyDeletesmiles, kari and kijsa
You are right! Nothing beats a real cream tea in a cottage garden!
ReplyDelete