Devonshire
On Thursday night, Brian, Ruth and I played speed Scrabble. We all three really enjoyed the game, and we only got stuck (where no one could use all their pieces) once.
On Friday Brian took me to the Eden Project. It’s in southern Cornwall. You can see from the website, but it’s like Kew except with more of a Disneyland-meets-the-hippies feel. There was a great focus on environmental impact and responsibility, which was refreshing. And the food was really, really good; Brian and I had Caribbean Chicken Curry for £7 each. Yum!
In the evening, we attended a village party. Lots of people were there, and almost every one of them had a connection to California. The host and hostess had stayed there for 18 months a few years ago, and Brian’s neighbors had a son living there right now, and a second son on his way to visit the first. We all had a good laugh about that, and about the differences in definition of the word flapjack. The hosts provided vegetarian fare, and it was scrumptious. The last half of the party took place around a bonfire which I was charged with keeping alight. I wore my shorts, and flip-flops, but around the fire it didn’t matter.
On Saturday, we went to Exeter and shopped. I bought books... it’s a weakness I have. I picked up one that’s full of Sudoku puzzles. I’ve done several since, and I even woke up on Sunday thinking about them. Which was quite scary. :-)
Brian had told me about Arrested Development, which he’d just gotten on DVD, and he really wanted to show me some episodes. I was game, and so we watched three of them. It was hysterical! I’d heard it was funny from a couple people, but this show didn’t receive nearly as much buzz as it should have in my little part of the universe. Must... watch... more... episodes! Scrabble again this night.
Sunday, Brian and I went hiking on Dartmoor. He was looking for a particular path which he never was able to find, but we got plenty of time in tramping around in the woods. And my goodness, the scenery was beautiful! Got some splendid pictures. On the way back, we stopped to take some pictures of a prison that was built on the moor in Napoleonic times and is still running. It’s extremely foreboding. Then we stopped for Devonshire Cream Tea. Mmmmmmmm!!!!!
Back at the ranch, I Sudokued for a bit and then we went to the Mare & Foal, the pub literally out the Ridgers’ front door. My steak was great, and I had it with English mustard. (The poor waitress gave me a blank look when I asked her for steak sauce.)
A couple more episodes of Arrested Development in the evening, and then bed. Brian dropped me off at Exeter St Davids in time for the 1002 this morning.
I’ve spent the rest of the day wandering around bookshops. Brian pointed me towards a four story Waterstone’s that really is magnificent. I think it’s actually bigger than the Picadilly Circus one, in terms of floor space. It’s certainly easier to get lost in the one on Bloomsbury. And the big bookshop paid off: I found the dictionary of nautical terms I’ve been looking for! And a couple other books besides, of course. :-)
Now I’m on my way to Mary Poppins the musical, which is supposed to be great. We’ll see. I leave at 1000 tomorrow.
See you all very soon.