Sunday 24 July 2011

The lure of DARTMOUTH


On Saturday morning, we felt like having a fun and relaxing day out. We gave Miss P the option of choosing where. Much to our delight she suggested that we all go to Dartmouth in Devon.
We went there on holiday two years ago and ever since then, Dartmouth has a special place in Miss P's heart.



Upon arrival we had a picnic in the park. We had the perfect weather for it, sunny but not too hot.



Lunch over and off we went in search of a bucket and a net for Miss P to do
some crabbing.



Whilst Miss P was crabbing, I was very happy sitting on the bench watching the boats and yachts go by. Although there isn't any maritime blood in my family (as far as I know), I have always had an interest in maritime history, archeology and sailing. Eventually, I would like to learn how to sail and then go around the River Dart and the River Helford.


"The Spirit of Adventure" cruise ship


A day out at the seaside would not be complete without a whippy ice cream with strawberry sauce and hundreds and thousands sprinkled on top!

For me, the lure of Dartmouth is the Dart estuary, the boats and the architecture. If Dartmouth didn't have any shops, I would be perfectly content. As Dartmouth does have shops, I had a little wander around. I topped up on some of my favourite soaps (Nesti Dante) from a beauty shop called The Cove and always call in to a French patisserie called Saveurs.












This shop had lovely chandeliers

Back to the sea and the boats







Two of my favourite seafront houses in Dartmouth














We left Dartmouth at around 19.00 hours and drove to Ashprington near Totnes to have a meal at The Waterman's Arms Country Inn. I had been there several years ago with my parents and my sister. I was nice to be able to go back there again, this time with Alan and Miss P.



After a lovely meal, we went and watched the ducks by the river. The evening had a magical feel to it as the sunset shone through the trees and reflected on to the flowing water.



Goodbye Devon...for now...




Today I am going to relax and read my copy of Devon Life which features an interesting article on The Beach Hut Caravan Company and another one about Mary Berry in a Salcombe home.

I hope that you are all having a good weekend or holiday!

A bientôt!

Isabelle X

38 comments:

Country Cottage Chic said...

Looks like a thoroughly good day out!

KC'sCourt! said...

Dartmouth is in my heart too. I holiday there as a child. My parent hired a cottage on the rivers edge, then 1982 my parents built a house in Dittisham till they sold it in 2001. Dartmouth will forever stay in my heart. We must go back again.
Julie xxxxxxxxx

Alison At BrocanteHome said...

Oh heavens, next time you go to Dartmouth, can I come too? It looks wonderful and has now made it on to my list of must go to's... if only for that little patissierie...

Blondie's Journal said...

It looks like you had a lovely day with your family, Isabelle! I so enjoyed your pictures! Dartmouth is a wonderful place to visit, that's obvious!! So glad you had a wonderful time!

XO,
Jane

Jem said...

The Waterman's Arms is one of the loveliest pubs I've ever visited :-) I so enjoyed visiting Dartmouth a few years ago - it's full of gorgeous little sidestreets. It looks like you explored pretty well! :-)

Jem xXx

millefeuilles said...

Golly where did you get all that blue sky and sunshine from? Those photographs are so inspiring and they have warmed the cockles of my heart whilst we wait for more summery weather...

Lovely

The Pea Pod said...

Hello Isabelle, thanks for your comment at The Pea Pod.

Crikey your post brings back some memories for me. I used to live just up the road from Dartmouth in Brixham. Dartmouth regattas are brilliant fun. x

Pomona said...

Beautiful - I want to go there! I edit books on naval and maritime history - Seaforth Publishing is the website to look at - lots of interesting books on the subject.

Pomona x

stefanie said...

oh, I want to go!!! its gorgeous there!!!!

Sandies' Patch said...

Oh i did enjoy the tour!
Thanks for that!
Did Miss P catch any crabs?
I love most shellfish.

Sandie xx

Madelief said...

Hi Isabelle,

What a lovely day out! You had beautiful weather too. We have been to Dartmouth many years ago. It still looks the same.

Happy sunday!

Madelief x

Madelief said...

Hi Isabelle,

Just read your comment. The place with the green shutters is indeed the museum. I think you will love it's garden!

Lieve groet,

Madelief x

Ingela said...

I found your blog "by accident" - I´m so glad I found it! Lovely pictures, nice stories and a lot to be inspired by. I´ll be back!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

BONJOUR ISABELLE!

MERCI POUR ÊTRE VENUE CHEZ MOI!

It is so very lovely to meet you and your pictures of this lovely town are enchanting for this American city dweller! I love your vintage tastes and sidebar gallery of quaint cottages and magnificent spots in your part of the world!

You are part Belgian...you lived in France. WELL! I am a French teacher learning some Dutch and I love all things EUROPEAN!

THANK YOU for coming over and do please visit again! Anita

Rut och Signe said...

Beautifull place you are showing. Wonderfull pitcures. Marie from Sweden!

Tracy said...

Beautiful...stunning photos. Looks like a fabulous day out, I love letting the children decide where to go! Glad you had the sunshine for it x

Unknown said...

OMG what a charming place to visit thanks so much for sharing with us! Warm hugs, Esther

lemonade kitty said...

Thanks for showing us all those lovely pictures it almost felt like I was there with you. I must have a peek at the beach huts website, Lucey x

Anonymous said...

You have a beautiful blog with amazing photography. I didn't see a follow button so I've joined your other blog, plus joined this one through email.
Hugs Rosemary...

Catherine said...

Beautiful photos. It reminds my of Agatha Chritie!

bellaboo said...

I'd love to live in that part of Devon one day.Your favourite places are the same as mine! Looks like you had a wonderful time! :0)

Anonymous said...

what a lovely post I really enjoyed your photo tour in fact so much so that I'll be making the trip myself, hope the weather is as kind to me. Im off to check out the rest of your blog now for more inspiration thankyou Im now a follower
Buttercup and Bee

Ashley said...

Looks like a really lovely family day out. Some proper quality time together and so lovely and sunny!

Ashley xxx

Sarah said...

Looks like a wonderful day out!!

S x

Unknown said...

WE BOUGHT OUR HEAVY GOLD WEDDING RINGS THERE - I LOVE IT XX

Anonymous said...

Glorious post, Isabelle! It's so Agatha Christie and when I forwarded it to David to enjoy at work, he said, 'it looks as if it just needs a grisly murder and Barnaby on the case.' Glad you didn't have to experience that of course! I'm so envious you can get to so many lovely spots.
Daisy would love that ice-cream. And, I am also the same when it comes to the sea. I feel I must have some old pirate blood in me somewhere. Perhaps you can learn to sail and row to Australia? xx

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

What a lovely day out... I'm jealous of the Mr Whippy and sprinkles!!

Victoria xx

ted and bunny said...

thanks for the lovely day out, I feel quite like I've been there myself
xx

Vintage Jane said...

Dartmouth is a favourite place of mine - it is where we spent our first wedding anniversary, spoiling ourselves with a stay the dart Marina Hotel. Your lovely photos have transported me back there. I haven't been able to comment on your last Glastonbury post (blogger won't let me for some reason) but as I am only about 25 mins from Glastonbury we may be close by! M x

Jess said...

Heehee I was looking for ME in the background of your photos! I go to Dartmouth a lot and love it there too. It's lovely to see your photos, it's like visiting there all over again! :)xx

melanie said...

What a lovely place to visit :) xxx

LissyLou said...

what a lovely time you had!! that blue house is gorgeous - it looks just like a dollhouse i used to have x

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

How I enjoyed this , I really did feel for a moment like i was there, your pictures are so personal and beautifully framed.
How close those housed are to the sea! I wonder if they get wave splashed in the winter?
Best
Julie

Hesta Nesta said...

I love Dartmouth too Isabelle, I was working as a nurse in the sickbay at the Royal Naval college twenty years ago and that's how I met my hubby!! He was training to be an Naval Officer. I love all the lovely individual shops, and your photographs certainly made me feel a little homesick. I always try to squeeze in a visit to Dartmouth when I come down to see my parents in Brixham.
Jo xx

Simone said...

It all looks so wonderful. I dream of days out like that! x

Sal said...

It's a lovely place to be ,isn't it ? I always love a trip to Dartmouth! Hope all is well with you, Isabelle xxx

Meine Dinge Franka said...

How lovely!!!!!

I've been in Devon with my parents when I was 14 years old!
A long, long time ago!
:-)

Salut!
Franka

Andy said...

What a wonderful blog - with fabulous pictures. And in one of them you can even see the Dartmouth Office, as in:

www.TheViewFromTheDartmouthOffice.com

which may help you whilst you're away from this special place.

Thank you for such a special post.

Andy