Exeter

Monday it was finally the typical English weather Nick had warned me about.  After a leisurely morning in Marhamchurch with Seb and Leo, we headed to Exeter to catch our flight to Guernsey.  We had some extra time so wandered around town a bit.  Above is an old almshouse that was bombed during WWII, these are the remnants.  

And we found beer!

The cathedral in Exeter, home of nursery rhyme "Hickory Dickory Dock"

A look about the town.

And then we went to the airport, where we made it through security (more strenuous than the US airports, mainly because there were so many agents and they were bored).

Our flight stopped off in Jersey before heading on to Guernsey.  We saw a little of the sunset!

Bude

Sunday we headed to the beach to let the kids do some running.  It was quite windy at first, but we found some shelter to enjoy the sun.  

A few waves, but no surfing.

Looking out from our sheltered spot.

After lunch, the kids went home to nap and Nick and I went for a run along the cliffs.  Still windy but fantastic views!




I stopped every kilometer or so for a photo.  Otherwise I would have just taken constant pictures.



You can see the wind blowing my headphone cords!





Back at the end of our run at the beginning of NorthCott before back to bude and the carpark.




Despite the wind and colder temps, still a lovely day.

Marhamchurch

Nick's friends live right out side the seaside town of Bude in a place called Marhamchurch.  As we were going there, I was pretty sure we (the google GPS) was lost.  But we found our lovely guesthouse!  We headed over to have some beers and play with the kiddos.  (3 years and 3 weeks!)

Nick and Seb on a desperate hunt for the stuffed lion at bedtime.

After the kids were in bed we headed to a pub in the nearby town of Stratton.

The next day there was more blue skies.  Views from our guesthouse, which was on a farm.

We walked through the town of Marhamchurch later in the day, after we had some time at the beach (see Bude post).  It is interesting to be in a place where things are regularly 500 years old!

Plymouth

We spent Friday night in Plymouth, where Nick went to University and where his older brother Rupert and his partner Sue live.  We had wonderful italian this night, and then went for another run Saturday morning!

Views across Plymouth from Mount Pleasant.

Warm temperatures!

We headed down to Plymouth Hoe as it was such a lovely day.



Wonderful blue skies and plenty of people out for walks.


Much of Plymouth was bombed during WWII.  Many forts dating back to medieval times that were then used in the war.  There are a few old buildings but much of the city was rebuilt in the 1950s.


After Plymouth Hoe, we walked along the Barbican, where the Mayflower set off almost 400 years ago.



Nick and I on the Mayflower steps.  They are planning a big event for the 400th anniversary in a couple years.  Perhaps sending all the expats to America?  :)





We continued on the waterfront and grabbed a pint before it was time to pack up and head out.



Next stop, Bude for a couple days beach side!