Days 70 and 71

(Dan’s comments are italicized)

On our last day with Jane in Plymouth, we managed to leave the rain behind for a bit when we visited Dartmouth. What a beautiful village!! If the UK had the weather, it would rival almost anywhere in continental Europe.

Because Dartmouth is another old town, many buildings were still standing from 500+ years ago. After leaving Plymouth, the Mayflower had its last stop in Dartmouth (to pick up passengers) before crossing the pond. I’m not sure how easy it would have been to leave such a pretty place, especially if the sun was shining!

I was fascinated that the old telephone kiosks had been turned into defibrillator kiosks and, as is my wont, equally fascinated by an old watchtower that I found to be particularly beautiful.

The views from above the town were just as wonderful as those from the town itself and made for the perfect end to a perfect visit. And we were SO lucky with the weather as it rained all the way there and all the way back!

While Rhia was taking in the beauty, I was fascinated by the crowds gathered on the edges of the docks.

These people are catching crabs. It is a really big thing on these docks. It took me back to my childhood when I would use the same tools to catch crabs at the bay. I could have stayed in this spot for days on end, but reluctantly left because we had timed parking.

The following day, we said goodbye to England. Although it was a bleak start to the day, it made for some nice photos.

And then it was hello to my homeland of Wales. I have to admit that it was wonderful to see and hear Welsh (and a joy to understand the language of the train announcements!) I love the sound of the language, also. I know so few words, but the song in the voices are comforting.

Some of the trains from Cardiff (the capital of Wales) to the coal-mining valleys aren’t in high demand so are tiny!!

We’re now staying with old school friends; there’s something very comforting to be with people who have known you for 50 years… especially when they don’t have photos to support their claims. 😂

It is nice to arrive at a place that I am familiar with. I am looking forward to seeing the changes to the valley since I first visited over twenty years ago. It is also great to be with people who know us.