To the Seaside

UK pride in Wells

Boarding school cottages

Climbing to the Tor in Glastonbury

The Tor

Sidmouth promenade

Lyme Regis

Last weekend we drove to Devon and Dorset for some relaxation and beach time and also to see Franny's and my great-grandmother. We stayed in Sidmouth, a small seaside town in Devon, and from there drove to other beaches and sites. After spending a night visiting Grandma, we drove to Wells where we wandered around visiting the cathedral (can't visit an English village without one), the market stalls selling amazing food (I had a grilled pepper stuffed with couscous for lunch), and the living quarters for a boarding school. I was definitely envious of the street where students live- a wide, pedestrian only road lined with cottages. Every house had a dark blue front door, a small garden, a chimney, and a view of the cathedral.

After Wells we drove to Glastonbury to climb to the Tor. It was a steep climb straight up the hill and was made more challenging by the dodging of sheep. Only afterwards did we see the stairs on the other side of the hill. The view was naturally very picturesque from the Tor, and was the perfect place for our lunch from the Wells market stalls. We then walked back down and drove to Sidmouth where Franny and I collapsed in the room and read until dinner whilst Mom and Dad walked along the promenade.

The next day Dad did a walk along the cliffs overlooking the beach and Mom, Franny, and I went swimming (in the indoor pool; unfortunately it wasn't ocean weather). Before driving home we stopped in Beer and Lyme Regis to see the beach and also for ice cream made from Devon clotted cream and Cornish pasties.
It was a fantastic weekend away, and a great break from all of the exams I've had recently. Now it's finally summer here and been in the 70s and 80s all week! I feel very English wearing knee socks to school.