Our day in Cockington and Paignton

Our second day in Paignton started off relaxing - I needed (yes needed) a sleep in. The seagulls had squawked all night (I thought they went to bed at dusk) - the babies had flown their nests and obviously felt like partying all night. They are amazing scavengers and there are notices around everywhere not to feed them. So, about 11.00 we set off to find a spot for breakfast and wandered along the beach, first past the pier and then past all the people under sun umbrellas sitting on the concrete path and road (which is closed off for summer time) because the tide was in and there was little sand to play or sit in. I have never seen such a variety of umbrellas they even had pink ones made our of plastic straw similar to the huts you see in Fiji as well as a huge range of colours. By the time we came back most of the people had migrated to the sand as the tide went out. The bathing sheds were packed with umbrellas, chairs, picnic food, padding pools, bikes - quite a collection.

We walked around to Torquay and followed a post '3/4 country mile' to Cockington. Well a country mile is a long way I can tell you that!! We wandered down rather an overgrown path and I managed to avoid the stinging nettle this time. It was quite a touristy little village with lots of craft shops, an old church and some thatched cottages. We had a cream tea while listening to a pianist playing - quite decadent - and went for a horse and cart ride. There was a quaint little church and rose garden, beautiful hydrangeas and a 'boomerang' cricket field. The field was set right in the middle of a small valley and unless you hit a 6 the ball would undoubtedly roll back to the wicket. We wandered back across the hill and along the beach. I couldn't wait to get in the water, and having little time because we had to catch the train back, jumped in in my clothes and forgot to take my hat off. I think Harry and most of England at the beach thought it was quite amusing. But I enjoyed swimming with the one seagull. Monday morning dawned again and we rode our bikes into work for the first time. It took a bit longer than expected (could it be because we went a different way to the one we had planned??). Riding over cobbled stones is quite an adventure. It was great fun and we hope the weather lasts so we can continue doing it more.