Easter Hols - Day 4

My days here just keep getting better and better! Every day I wake up not really knowing exactly what the day is going to entail, and every day I have a blast!

It was another day where we were able to wake up slowly. Anna always comes to wake me up with a little knock on the door, and then peeps her head into the room, and today as I opened my eyes, the sun was shining through the windows, a first since I've been here. We (Heidi, Anna and I) decided to have our morning tea together in "my" room since it was sunny and warm. After breakfast and some nice morning chat, I looked outside and saw a bit of blue sky between the clouds. I told myself I was going to go outside and take some pictures, but before I knew it, the sun had been hidden away and I wanted it to be blue sky for the perfect photo op, so I missed it out. I hope that soon there will be a nice day and I can go and get some great shots!

By the time we decided what we were going to do today, it was around noon. Just before then, Heidi and Anna broke out into some kind of laughing fight, where they were poking at each other and running away. I probably looked really confused because they saw my face and explained the ritual, which I am determined to bring back to Canada with me:

On the first day of every month, you go up to people any time before noon, and say "a pinch and a punch for the start of the month" (and you pinch/punch them) and then they say "a flick and a kick for being so quick" (and you get to flick and kick them -- gently, of course!). So I flicked and kicked Anna, for my first interaction with the game. Sounds fun, doesn't it? Although I can see it getting a bit violent between some particular individuals....like my sisters and I....ermmm...

The original plan for today was to go in a horse-drawn barge down the river. I'm not really sure entirely how it works, but apparently its the last of its kind in the south west of England. But that plan was put off until another day when we found out that barges weren't running today! Boohoo! :( Good news is that we're still planning on going tomorrow and maybe Jenny and/or Bev will get to come too if they're not too busy!

As we looked for alternatives, we found a cool cave place where you can get tours and see how life used to be in England, etc. BUT Jenny made a very valid suggestion, that is, that we go somewhere where we wouldn't have to spend money, since we've been spending loads lately. So we went with that suggestion. Parents are so level-headed and intelligent at times like that, aren't they? 

We had poached eggs and toast for lunch (I think I've had poached eggs before, but I learned a cool way to cut them!) and then I also got to try some of Heidi's batch of bread and butter pudding. Which really is just bread and butter and raisins and eggs in a pudding. It sounds a bit odd, but if you've never tried it, I really think you should -- it was great! :)

Then we headed off to Wydecombe. We get to this little village and there's basically a church, a graveyard, a small parking lot, a few small booths and cafes, and then little houses. All set in a very hilly region, so quaint and tiny. 

The wind was getting bitter, and so we went for a walk that ended sooner than we thought it might have. But we still got some great photos, and I also bought some souveniers (a postcard and a Devon flag!). Then we got some 99p boxed shortbread and ate it in the car as we warmed up before moving on.

The countryside was just breathtaking! There were hills beyond hills and the clouds made it look really neat, and the sun would peek through every now and then. I can't even describe it in words, and the pictures really don't do it justice...it was just SO beautiful. 

As I was commenting on a particularly beautiful area, in a place called Haytor, Anna informed me that that's where we were stopping! It was basically a big huge hill with large rock formations at the top, and it was....just....amazing. I can't describe it any other way. If I lived in Devon, I'd go there all the time. I'll just post some pics for you to see, since I have no idea how else to tell you how beautiful it was. We could see soooo incredibly far away (we even tried to see the Robins' house, but we weren't exactly sure if what we thought was it, really was or not.). The wind there was SO STRONG, it was scary. At times, it was pushing me over, and I'm not exactly a twig! I almost fell between some rocks at one point, and Heidi got pushed down the hill by it (and fell into the mud!). It was really a struggle to fight against it, but, like I said, it was AMAZING and it was so worth it. And besides, I love the feeling after the wind has fought with my hair.

 

Seriously, doesn't this one look fake or photoshopped?? It was SO beautiful!!!

Then, on our way out of the area, we saw 2 ponies on the side of the road! I made Anna stop so that I could take a picture, and it was so close that I probably could have reached out and touched it!

We were on our way to visit Gran and Grandad Bedford, Jenny's parents, who live on the southern coast. We arrived around teatime and explored the house a little, had a good view of the sea from the conservatory window, and chatted away until it was mealtime. And let me tell you, this couple is a hoot! They were so, so, SO funny, and so welcoming! They talked to me lots about home and my Gramps, who is good friends with them, and had lots of stories to tell of their ventures in Canada, too. After the delicious meal of "toad in a hole" (ANOTHER new meal to me: basically sausages in a batter), we played some board games. The first game was a game played with dominos that they actually purchased in Canada, but I have never played it. It's called chicken feet....and after 5 rounds, I was declared the winner, somehow! haha it's because most of it is just luck; and I was a beginner so I seemed to be blessed in that area. Both Gran and Grandad Bedford were just so sweet and funny and we were all laughing our guts out at some point or another throughout the night. My camera decided to be strange and have troubles focusing, but I tried to include some of the pictures that I took there.

I think this was my favourite day so far! I absolutely LOVE seeing nature like we did today, and just sitting there and breathing in the fresh air (even if it is cold and rushing into your lungs-- I think it was more exhilirating that way!). On top of that, supper with the Bedfords (and the games after!) were so lovely and I really, really had a great time.

Anyway, it's late again and I really could use with some shut eye.

Until Next Time,

Beckers

XXX

P.S. 3 DAYS UNTIL EASTER!!! I am going to have a chocolate and cheese FEST as soon as I can after that. 

p.p.s. i asked today, and turns out i was right the first time...the SatNav IS 'Sean'. Just so you know.