Essex & Devon

The kitchen unit and appliance fitting was completed as far as the team (Gary, Paul, Matt & Pete) were able in the time allowed to them and it was then time to hand it over to a professional to complete the fiddly bits. Work has progressed last week and this coming week should see it completed. It was a hard four days, but well worth the effort and we all enjoyed the shared experience.

Julie has found herself some interior design work in Kingsbridge and is working there a couple of days a week to help out. The work is very much along the lines of her own business, but is obviously a much larger concern. Again we are both pleased that she has managed to find another opportunity to meet people and get involved regardless of whether it becomes a long-term thing or not. It's early days and nobody knows where these things will end up.

We have both been astounded by the friendliness of the people we have come across and the opportunities that have presented themselves. Pete filling his days whilst still working was never an issue, but we were both concerned about how Julie would fill her time. Julie hasn't had to work too hard as the friendship and opportunities have found her, but she has been responsive to them and taken them in her stride.

This week saw Pete spending more time in London and saw him again stuck in traffic on the M25 This time he was able to pass the time with a little photography and took the sunset picture from the QE2 Bridge at Dartford.

On Saturday we went into Salcombe. It was a very windy day and the clouds were racing past leaving spotlit sunny patches across the countryside. The wind made for good sailing and there was plenty of activity on the water down by the yacht club. Julie has a feeling that she belongs on the water and is looking to join the rowing club to replace the fit club, as it is now closed for the summer - watch this space.

On Sunday we walked Rufus to get him out of the house for a spell. He is getting a lot better to control on the lead, but still enjoys taking his ball just far enough from your reach into the surf so you can't get it. He is also difficult to get him off the beach sometimes, but overall he is a pleasure to take out. Towards the end of our walk we got caught in a real downpour and got absolutely drenched. Still having the right cloths helped, so did the warm shower when we got back home.

Easter & Essex

Easter Monday's weather couldn't maintain the glorious sunshine of the rest of the weekend. The weather was dull and overcast, but we still went out to Anthony House in Plymouth with friends Linda and Ken. It is a National Trust Property situated in large grounds. We crossed into Cornwall on the Torpoint chain ferry, but the dismal weather didn't make it worthwhile getting out of the car to take photographs.

Although Pete was off work this week Julie worked at the Deli on Tuesday and although we were off to Essex for the weekend we both managed to walk Rufus a few times. Tuesday was abysmally wet, but we had a great walk with Rufus on North Sands, having the place to ourselves. The weather is something that we have vowed won't stop us doing things and as Billy Connelly says "there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes".

We have been back to Essex for the weekend for our daughter Gemma's birthday and to help fit a kitchen at Julie's mum & dad's house. Our first trip back in the middle of the day and as expected the M25 was it's usual bad self - no real problems to see, but slow traffic all the way round the North side. I'd rather be behind a tractor on a Devon lane any day.

The kitchen fitting has gone well and it's been great to catch up with family over the weekend too. I think we nearly saw them all, apart from Pete's older brother and his wife, as they are in Turkey, and their daughters who couldn't make our gathering for their own reasons. It is a shame, however, we nearly always manage to see them when we return to Essex. Julie's mum's garden is in full bloom and "The Bride" (see photograph) is again giving off a fantastic display.

Julie will be back in Devon this week, whilst Pete is staying in London due to work commitments. We've not been in Devon long, but really feel the need to get back and away from the hustle and bustle of Essex and London.

Countryside and Castles

Another good week for us, but another working week; Julie working at the Salcombe Deli a couple of days a week and Pete still working from home in the shed at the end of the garden. Julie also has a busy social life now, which is something we both hoped for with Pete still working, albeit from home.

The weather has been really good even though there were a couple of overcast days and some heavy rain on one of those days. Easter weekend has been really good so far, despite the predictions of the weathermen and a really noticeable increase in the people in town. As our house faces west the sunsets are quite often spectacular and frequent too.

Julie is continuing to walk Rufus and we have managed a couple of walks together with him this week. One of them with friends that took us out towards Marlborough. From there you also appreciate the countryside and farming around Salcombe. The footpath between Salcombe and Marlborough is nearly all in place (just needs tarmac) and walking that route gives a real view of the countryside that you miss when you drive, because of the hedges and the need to look for oncoming traffic.

On Saturday we decided to go into Totnes. It looked like a big mistake, as there was a hold up through Halwell and people fighting over parking spaces in Totnes. We ultimately parked at the station and walked in (not far) and managed to fit in a walk up to the castle. Not a lot to see in the castle, it being in essence a circular brick wall at the top of a mound, but some good views out to Dartmoor and the surrounding countryside.

Again Julie is working this morning so not sure what Sunday afternoon, will bring. Last Sunday it was a walk with Rufus, but not sure about today.

Salcombe South Sands & Sharp Tor

Another week has gone by and this one didn't have the best start, but we've resolved the issue in our minds and moved on.

We are both settling into Devon life and although Pete still has to work Julie is continuing to find things to occupy herself. The weather has been pretty good too and that always helps.

The Salcombe Deli didn't open last week as anticipated, but opened on Saturday the 4th of April. Julie has been helping out in the deli and has also been walking Rufus to release Sue from the task and allow her the time to do more with the deli. He is a handful, but a very lovable one.

This Saturday and Sunday have been split in two, as Julie has been in the deli both mornings. On Saturday afternoon we decided to walk to Sharp Tor, but were impeded in our attempts to get there buy a Calor Gas delivery blocking the road to the National Trust car park at Overbecks (the joy of narrow lanes). This gave us the opportunity to park at South Sands and enjoy the sun and beach there whilst we ate our Salcombe Deli sandwiches (recommended if you are in town).

We decided that rather than wait any longer we'd walk up to Overbecks and the view of the Salcombe Ria (Estuary) from up there is stunning, as you can see from the photo. The walk was one Julie did on her Fit Walk on Thursday and although it's a bit of a climb it's really worth it for the views and the walk back was quite easy.

We ended up back on South Sands in time to see the last ferry leave for Salcombe harbour and as you can see from the photographs they have a novel approach to getting the passengers on and off.

Not sure what Sunday afternoon will bring, but we're just off to find out...