Appledore, Devon

Saturday, June 7

After another wonderful English breakfast, we went outside to wait for Gail & Aunty Betty to arrive to take us out for the day. There had been a shower while we were having breakfast but then the sun came out and it was quite hot, so much so that we were taking off sweaters and rolling up shirt sleeves - lovely!

Waiting in warm sunshine outside The Seagate

Gail drove up with Aunty Betty on board and we were off to see all the important spots to Angie & Tony in the area. We saw where Angie's Grandfather had lived, a number of the houses her parents had lived in before emigrating to Australia, homes Gail had lived in and the church Tony & Angie had been married in and all the time Aunty Betty was giving us a running commentary on life in Devon. Next stop was the Pannier Market in Bideford that nowadays is more of a craft market than a produce market. Al spotted an antique store so we had a quick look there before heading to The Royal - the hotel where both Tony & Angie had held their wedding breakfast and Gail and her husband, Wayne had actually been married as well as having their wedding breakfast there. Aunty Betty insisted in buying us our lunch and we all had great English style roasts.

Cow Park Terraces where Angie's family lived

Noelle, Betty & Gail outside St Margaret's, Northampton where Tony & Angie were married

From there Gail drove us to her home and we met her 6 year old son Will and caught up with Wayne again. They have carried out the most amazing renovations in their home and we were blown away by the finished job along with the size of their block and home, especially for England. After a lovely afternoon tea, we headed off again for a nearby seaside village, Westward Ho. This area has become very trendy in recent years so has many lovely restaurants, new multi storey apartment blocks and a sensational beach. We had a good look around before Gail drove us back to Appledore where we had a local specialty - a Hoskings ice cream. They are absolutely delicious and so much creamier than any we get at home.

Gail, Wayne & Will's home in Bideford, Devon

6 year old Will

Aunty Betty was anxious for us to see her place and have a cuppa so Gail drove us there then headed off herself as she & Wayne were going out for dinner. Aunty Betty had a hip replacement operation five weeks ago and has made an amazing recovery and now gets about town (with the aid of a walking stick) at a cracking pace. She walks every evening the weather allows so wanted to take us on a walking tour of Appledore town centre. It really is a quaint seaside village and everyone we passed knew Betty and she, them. She has a wonderful memory for an 84 year old and told us what every place used to be as well as rating how it is now! When we reached The Seagate B&B where our car was parked, we offered Aunty Betty a lift home which she accepted.

Outside Aunty Betty's Home

We had a lovely "family" day and have made arrangements to go to church with Aunty Betty in the morning followed by lunch at her favourite bistro before we head off to Tenby, Wales. We have really enjoyed our brief time in Devon and can see why Angie loves it so much. It has the best of both worlds - a lovely beach area surrounded by rolling green hills divided into patchwork squares with hedgerows. Because the weather was so lovely today, we saw it all under blue sky and sunshine too!

Al & Noelle in The Royal's restaurant

 

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