Mon. 1st June 2026
A day trip with Upton's coaches to Coleton Fishacre in Devon.
Another week, another trip. Weather not too good at the moment, dull but dry, rain threatened.
Having to wear clothes and sensible shoes this week, as the mini heatwave we've had here in the UK has ended for now. Can't say I'm not a little bit pleased as we really aren't used to extreme heat over here!!
I'm wearing my new Skechers slip-in trainers, recommended by family and friends,
as I do a lot of walking and have to say they are very comfy.
A new month and week, I love it when a new month starts on a Monday its very neat.
Despite dull weather, it is very warm. Heading towards Devon as the schools return after half term, good luck to those sitting exams and entering their final weeks of education- just do what you can, don't stress over them.
I'm rambling - sorry!
I trekked to the pick-up point, chatted with fellow travellers, the feeder coach was a little late, picked us up and transported us to Wellington to join the main coach, driven again this week by the lovely Ian. We have a full coach again today, and I have a companion. Seems our lovely driver has had a morning of it due to returning school kids on his school run.
Anyway, we made it to the first stop, Exeter Garden Centre, not really time for a coffee, just mooch around the wares. I bought biscuits and sweets!!
Lady l am sitting next to SB, who was friendly and chatty, so no napping for me today. Today was all about socialising, which is rare for me these days. I usually see and speak to no one for most of the week. So this was a lovely change.
Our lovely driver had another headache due to the main gage of our venue being blocked by water works, his diversional route was down single track lanes - in a new coach!!!
We squeezed, scratched and crunched our way via our alternative sat. nav route to arrive at a very damp, dull venue.
Coleton Fishacre is an Art Deco-style house home to the D'Olly Carte family, who had connections to the Savoy in London. This was their country retreat with views out to the sea. The main house is curved and homely, constructed of heavy stone, with a tiered garden.
We took their word for the views, as the drizzly mist had blocked any view of the sea. A few shadowy rocks could be glimpsed, but that was all.
The abundant, well-manicured garden, despite the damp, was lovely, sights, scents, sizes and colours of all sorts from the exotic plants everywhere. White wisteria over a gazebo features a lot this year. The floral perfume from it is beautiful.
A lot of steep sloping paths, I avoided as it's ok to go down, but the climb back up in the wet is not good. A fellow traveller I got talking to had fallen on wet stones and hurt her knee. So we sat and rested briefly under the cover of a roofed patio attached to the house, before retreating to the cafe for more tea and cake- of course!!
We were joined indoors by a very friendly Robin who visited every table for crumbs. I ventured over to the shop in time to miss a heavy shower and bought a hanging bird feeder for my balcony. The shower eventually stopped enough for everyone to rejoin the coach for home.
Our lovely driver had been given lots of support as he negotiated the single-track route in and was now being given encouragement for steering us home. Roadworks finished, the proper accessible route was open - phew!!
All the way home, SB and I chatted; her husband's family are from my late mum's last home town area in Dorset, which, given that it is now June and anniversary time, was very apt.
I've enjoyed today despite the miserable weather and the home trek in steady rain, avoiding cars driving through large puddles.!!
The abundant trees are now sagging from the copious amounts of rain which we haven't had for a month. So much-needed watering. But it's gone from one extreme to another, heatwave to mega rain, no happy medium.
We wouldn't be British if we didn't chat and moan about the weather. It's all a focal point and a conversation starter.
No coach trips for a couple of weeks, but I do have a road trip down to Dorset with my son for my late mum's anniversary, something we as a family said we'd do every year and has only been done once since she passed. Sadly not an easy place to visit without a car.
Anyway, I've enjoyed this trip socailising its been good for my soul.
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