Thursday 30th May 2026.
Left the warm sun in Somerset and landed in Brixham, Devon, which was stop no. 1 of today's trip.
We have a full coach today, and l have a travel companion, a Yorkshire man from Watchet. He introduced himself as he took his seat next to me. He's friendly and chatty. A few other regulars on board as well, with our usual friendly super-efficient driver Ian. Uptons really are a lovely company to travel with. Always punctual, clean and welcoming.
Only in Brixham for an hour and a half, so time for a quick mooch about and lunch before we head to Agatha Christie's house/ home, Greenway.
I found a little cafe frequented by locals and had a small cooked breakfast, which set me up for the day. The weathers taken a nose dive into heavy drizzly rain, and it's now cold, but I guess being by the sea its to be expected.
The cafe was full of local blokes, im guessing fishermen and boat engineers. Then a weirdo walked in, stood at the door and preached that we and the cafe were all blessed and Jesus loves us!!! Ok then. He made us all chuckle nonetheless.
After lunch, because the heavens had opened i went in search of a scarf, found a lovely little shop but it only took cash which is a rarity these days. So then had to go in search of a cashpoint which l found surrounded by 3 dodgy-looking blokes. Reluctant to use it, then realised I was standing next to a bank, so ventured into there to get some cash out. Walked back to the shop for my purchase. No sooner had I put on the scarf the rain stopped, obviously!!!
This small fishing town is gearing up for the 2 day pirate festival over the May bank holiday weekend. So pirate paraphernalia is everywhere, including a "real life" pirate standing by his actual pirate ship the Golden Hind- apparently!! The "real life" pirate is called Freddie!!
Back on the coach for our next stop, Greenway. The former home of the great Agatha Christie, I have to admit I have never read any of her books but have obviously heard of her.
Well, the weather played ball and has changed again!! Back to warm, glorious sun, perfect for a wander about the house and gardens. It's a lovely, homely house and very quiet, peaceful gardens overlooking the River Exe below. Didn't get to see the famous boathouse as I spent all the time with my friendly companion. Who wanted the chat and company even bought me a cuppa tea. He chatted about his recently late partner whom he'd lost just last year, and whilst chatting, we had a robin come join us on the table- if you know you know right.
After our chat and tea we wandered up into a wooded glade to admire the view from higher up, and as a fellow writer could see why Agatha was inspired by these lands and views, which wouldn't have had such abundant shrubs as there are now. Rhododendrons are everywhere, frilly and vibrant- beautiful.
Before going back to the coach, we sat on a wall and chatted to fellow travellers basking in the now hot sun surrounded by beautiful greenery- it was a lovely end to the visit. Back on board, we all pretty much fell asleep until drop off spot J25 for me, from where I hobbled home sore feet and weary. Been a good day. Weather sunny and warm everywhere except Brixham.
Next coach trip in 2 weeks, after tomorrow's visit to sacred Glastonbury for May 1st Beltane celebrations and the May day parade.
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Friday 1st May 2026- BELTANE, GLASTONBURY - MAY DAY
A quick last-minute dash for the bus to Glastonbury for Beltane- made it. Anxiety had nearly scuppered this trip, that and my still sore feet from yesterday. Wearing sandals to cool and soothe my pain is helping.
I arrived and was dropped off with a group of vibrantly clad ladies/ sisters on the bypass!! Which is not an ideal spot for a bus stop but as the main town was shut off needs must. We all trundled off towards the Tor and Chalice Well, where it was heaving with hundreds of brightly coloured people- many "Green men", ladies in flowing skirts of red, purple with flower garlands on their heads. The Maypole had already been "dressed" l think l must have come earlier last year because l remember them dancing and weaving. Still, today was magical. The sights, sounds, and scents are energising.
Couldn't get near the Well but found a perch up on the walled area. I got hit on the head again- not sure what by, but something was thrown at the back of my head- second time this has happened to me in Glastonbury!!!
Meditation ceremony was lovely, spoiled a little by jets and helicopters overhead. The three OMS at the end are always amazing- ther verbarations created are something else. The trees were full and lush green in a variety of shades.
After meditation l waited for the crowds to disperse a little before collecting my red spring water, paddling in the sacred pool- that helpd my sore feet and was a welcome relief. Then went for a much needed cuppa tea.
Feeling rested and serene l left Chalice Well to pop around to the White Spring to collect more water. Timed well as the parade was headed up the road, accompanied by drumming and a stream of vibrant, colourful people. The many Green Men carrying the very long May Pole up the road passed the White Spring. I was positioned brilliantly on the corner behind a railing for a bird's-eye view. It was amazing.
Drumming, chanting, colour, just magical.
Whilst the road was still closed, l too advantage of the emptiness to belt back into town with the hope of getting an earlier bus home as the roads were then reopened. Waited until 2pm - no bus!! So opted for food and went across to the local cafe The Abbey Tearooms, for a cuppa tea and lunch. Not overly welcoming of a lone customer l have to say. I sat in a corner and rested.
3pm still had half an hour to the next due bus, but would it turn up, where would it turn up- a lovely girl who needed to get to Yeovil decided to trek up to the bypass venue/ bus stop. For me that wasn't an option as standing for a long period of time is not possible and up there there is nowhere to sit, no facilities, so l stayed put at the main stop. Now very tired and had had enough, l was planning on contacting my offspring to come rescue me if I stood here much longer.
What a bloody joke!! A bus finally arrived at 4.15pm. And picked up the girls from the bypass temporary stop. How they got back to where they had to be, I don't know. But everyone having enjoyed the parade and festivities was suitably tired, grumpy and weary. Which was a shame.
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Wednesday 13th May 2026
Day trip time.
Off to Darts Farm & Topsham in Devon. Coutryside and sea and animals- maybe. Both new places for me, so don't know what to expect. Hope the weather stays dry.
Trekked to the pick up point, swallowed a fly-creature en route and choked and coughed my way up the road for a good 10 mins, eyes streaming!! Made for an eventful walk.
The feeder coach arrived to grey, stormy, sunny skies to collect 3 of us. Onto the main coach up the road, welcomed as most days by the lovely Ian.
Straight onto Darts farm as it was only a few miles up the motorway. Turns out to be a giant farm shop, laden with all manor of edible produce. Could've spent a fortune on gorgeous-looking food. But I don't come on trips to food shop or to shop at all, really.
I found a busy cafe corner, climbed up onto a tall bar-type chair for coffee and a lemon pastry, which was lovely and very messy!!
We weren't here long, so after my coffee I wandered down the path past a stall cooking bacon sarnies oh my days they smelt good!!
At the end over the car park l found a field with a log fortress play area, 2 large tents used for a sheltered picnic area and indeed there were some animals- chickens over in a loarge compound, and smaller paddocks with 2 red cows and 3 sheep. I think the pigs were staying in their hut as it was very cold blustery, windy day.
It was a lovely venue, but not some where l would come again. Always people to make small talk with on these trips with fellow familiar-faced travellers, which is lovely. Most of us are on our own so chatting about nothing in particular is lovely for all of us.
Topsham was about 10 minutes drive up the road. By the River Exe estuary, a sleepy, quiet town. I wandered down to the Quay passed a few shops, mostly charity shops. Found a wool shop !! Wouldve been rude not to go in there, so I went in an d bought some red wool for a new project. The lovely lady who ran it was friendly and had some beautiful handmade bits in her tiny little shop.
I also at the end of the Quay, found a large pub/restaurant l had lunch in as it was very cold and windy out, so not really a place to sit and gaze at the mud plains of the estuary - the tide was out, so the brown sludgy mud/ sand wasn't really appealing. Although the sound of the boats' sail chains glanging and rattling in the wind was quite a nice sound. All the boats were bobbing away, hanging onto their moorings for dear life.
The Lighter Inn, where had lunch as lovely, with low ceilings, nice beams, food was lovely but pricey, £25 for a chicken Caesar salad and a pint of cider!! A nice place to while away a couple of hours out of the cold. After which l ventured into the famous antique centre, which is very much like Aladdin's cave one back home. Not really my thing,, nothing in there caught my eye so l left and wandered down the road, briefly sitting by the wall of the estuary, gazing at the boats, 2 white & red ducks and the vast expanse of mud and murky water.
Suitably blown by the wind l then walked back up the hill, found a few of my fellow travellers and sat in the sheltered sun outside a church for a chat about our adventures. One lady l call the denim lady as she's always in denim, had bought herself a large china statue from the antique centre and was lugging "him" up the road like a baby!! I helped her with her bags when we got to pick-up time, and we all giggled about the random things we do on these trips. The joys of being older, lone, women with time to spare. !!
I didn't take many photos at all as there wasn't anything to picture to be honest. It was a lovely day but not one I will repeat, that's for sure.
I found it a bit boring to be honest. I like stately homes with vast estates and gardens and wooded glades I can wander in safely.
Didnt take long to get home today, so after a little kip en route we were dropped off at J25, which is always a preferred stop as it cuts out abit of the trek home, where I had a much-welcomed cuppa tea and cuddles with my fur baby.
That's it all caught up. A long read l know, sorry. But the next adventures are only next week, a day trip followed by a visit to see family, travelling alone via London!!! For someone who has some anxieties, this will be a challenge, but excited to do most of it.
I'll be back to tell you all about it when I'm home,
POST SCRIPT:- I'd like to just add a brief chat about anxiety as a lone female traveller. Before leaving for my adventures l overthink. I frequently go to the loo, even after going out of the front door l will often come back in for another wee!!
Then I worry about tripping and falling over en route to the pick-up point. I worry about colliding with a cyclist on the blind bend of the footbridge that goes over the dual carriageway. I worry about the bridge collapsing whilst I'm on it!! Ridiculous right!!
But that's how anxiety presents itself to me. Once I'm out the door and trekking, on the coach etc im fine and I embrace the day out.
