Devon

Monday morning brought mixed overcast with some sun, but warm. The day produced occasional drizzles; we aren’t far from the Atlantic Ocean so the marine influence causes mixed weather. The area is known as South Hams and has a definite character of its own. Driving out of Stamcombe Manor was easier than getting in because it was daylight, so the narrow roads weren’t quite as scary. However, high rock walls and/or dense twelve-foot hedges on both sides of a narrow passage makes one aware than even a small mistake means a trip to the body shop. The protocol for handling the case of meeting someone driving the opposite way works quite well; you make careful note of each pullout as you pass them and the person closest to one backs up; all very polite and civilized. Everyone waves when you wait for them to go through.

We went into Kingsbridge for a little shopping, then drove through Chillington and Stokenham (these villages make Gualala seem big) to Torcross on the coast where we had an excellent lunch of fish and chips at the Start Bay Inn. The beach is beautiful but it consists of very coarse sand and large pebbles; good for walking but not lying about. Then we drove up the coast about six miles to Dartmouth. The road was at best narrow and at worst single track-- we’ll never complain about Highway One again! The scenery was fabulous—rolling green hills and ocean vistas, alternating with charming small villages.

Dartmouth is on a harbor formed where the Dart River meets the Atlantic. The town is very nice but is a tourist-oriented shopping site. We drove back to Stancombe Manor after doing a bit of shopping for food and had dinner in.