Having surfaced from what feels like three weeks of total immersion in Daphne du Maurier's haunting story of REBECCA ~ the book, the original Hitchcock movie and the BBC mini-series ~ I almost feel the call of Manderley, that very special house in the novel.
I will soon be on my way home to southwest England. You may already know that I hail from Devon, the county next to Cornwall where many of du Maurier's books, including Rebecca, were set, and where she lived for much of her life.
Thoughts of being home by the sea where I grew up bring much joy. There are also tinges of sadness as I no longer have my parents and sibling there, but do have cousins and many great friends. My home town has changed a lot from when I was a child. British seaside resorts have struggled to survive since travel to the Continent became easy and cheap.......and the European beaches often enjoy a warmer Summer climate with guaranteed sunshine!
This house is not Manderley in Rebecca's story, it is however an old, beautiful, large house overlooking the bay..................and it's where DH and I will be staying with some wonderful friends. 
Just a short walk from the house brings one to this small park with a view of Thatcher Rock , Tor Bay, and the English Channel beyond.
Below the house, looking over the cliff, one has the feeling of the strength of the sea as the water crashes around the rocks...........similar to the Cornish coast viewed beyond the windows of Manderley.
One of my favorite places to sit and enjoy just the feeling of 'being home'. This bench has been here so many years.....................and had better still be there when I take my first morning walk on April 27th!!! Hopefully I'll have new photos to show ~ these I took during my stay in 2007.
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I visited there shortly a few year ago. What a lovely area of England. I'm sure you will have a fabulous time.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a beautiful area. I would love to go there.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the photos....putting pictures to the wonderful scenes described in Rebecca. I finished it in two days and was immersed in it...I almost feel as if I've been there too, and just from reading the book. Daphne du Maurier is so good at painting pictures with words. The coves, the beaches, the surf, the cliffs, the woods, and those amazing azaleas. Staying with friends in a lovely old house overlooking the bay....simply heaven!
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking us along on your adventures to Suzannes and acroos the pond. We enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteMary,
ReplyDeleteI too recently spent weeks in the world of Daphne's books reading Rebecca, Frenchmen's Creek, Jamica Inn and Rule Britania. I loved them all! Rule Britania is about WWII and quite humorous in spots.
Carol
I'm looking forward to reading about your trip home!
Oh Mary, I hope your bench is still there. That is one of the wonderful things about England, they keep things, don't tear them all down. I hope you have a great time and what a beautiful house you will be staying in.
ReplyDeleteNancy
Mary, Rebecca is one of my favorite books. The author pulls you into the story, and captures your heart.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful trip home. Going home is good for the soul - even though it has many changes.
Thanks for the great photos, your right, it is very similiar to Cornwall, with the park bench reminds me of Fowey and the other reminds me of Porth Avalon!!! So beautiful, Enjoy, Enjoy
ReplyDeletekate
Very pretty!! I know you are going to have so much fun!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary ~ We're headed toward the sand and the sea also.We'll be leaving Wednesday afternoon and you will be headed toward 'home' before we return. We must get together upon your return - although we'll be leaving again on May 11 for the Keys...oh, well - perhaps our paths will cross before the summer is over! Have a marvelous time across the pond. We'll be thinking of you with love.
ReplyDeleteSafe journey!
Deborah
I'll take this coastline anytime over a sunbaked, crowded beach. I wish you a safe journey. Come back armed with wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous post, Mary.
ReplyDeleteSafe travels! I'm looking forward to photos and stories!
Hope you have a wonderful time while you are back over here - you might just be lucky with the weather:)
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying all your travel photos...hopefully I'll be able to see them in real life one day!
ReplyDeleteLovely blog:D
Hello Mary, time is flying by and I know you must be organizing your clothes to pack for your trip home. I know the sadness of parents no longer there when you go home. However, I know you will enjoy time with family and friends. What a beautiful view from that bench. I want to go to England some day. Both of my grandmothers were English. I am wishing you a wonderful and safe trip there and back.
ReplyDeleteHugs and love...Jeanne
WOW! What a beautiful place to stay - I know you'll have a most wonderful and relaxing time there. Safe travels, my friend :-)
ReplyDeleteSo very pretty..wish I could go there myself! Can't wait to see your new pictures. Happy trails!
ReplyDeleteHello Mary
ReplyDeleteI know those beautiful sights like the back of my hand.
I hope you enjoy your trip home.
Give Sal and I a call if you would like, providing you don't have too busy a schedule.
The weather is currently divine
Thanks for these beautiful photos. I am so glad you can go home again. I "can't". It is just too depressing, with the outmigration from Northwestern ND. Everything is boarded up, empty and falling down.
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