An ‘English’ day 

I’m privileged to be staying on a very large English ‘estate. It’s spring , which means the weather is, as it is in Melbourne, a topic for serious consideration. It also means it is quite unpredictable with the weather bureau forecasts a constant ‘go to’

After a very proper breakfast of boiled eggs, toast and tea, we walked around the ‘estate’: so green, verdant lush grass, trees, a creek; if it weren’t for the mud in my boots I could believe I was submerged in a Thomas Hardy novel, but here I am – for real some hundred of years on 😃


A drive along very narrow roads took us to Charmouth, a seaside town on the West Coast – or South coast as always think it should be – I guess it depends how you hold the map 😜

From there we walked to Lyme Regis (even the names are so delightfully ‘British’)




Severe cliff erosion ( a very serious problem here, as it is in parts of Australia) meant we had to walk through the town and golf course instead of  along the cliffs. But this, too was enchanting, steep, out of breath walking, rewarded by stunning views of the coast and a delightful lunch on the beach front. 

We walked on pebble stone beaches, along with others, all making the most of the spring day. Heavily wrapped in jackets, boots, scarves, hats, many with dogs; seagulls hovering, fishing boats resting.  

Did I mention the imported sea sand so children could play on the beach? And did I mention that it is regularly washed away in storms? 


It was all so civilised, so solid, so British and so special. 

Exeter

A city ‘as old as time itself’ – well almost.   

The Romans were here in 50AD and left a wall to remind us.

The Roman wall- still very much a part of the city

We were here today, with photographs to remind us 😂


Churches were part of the landscape in one form or other from 50AD and the cathedral was started in 1112, demolished, rebuilt and by 1315 became what is known as Exeter Cathedral 


And what a Cathedral. 
 Just stunning. Described as ‘an immaculate cathedral, luxurious, confident and mature’ it has the longest single continuous vault in Europe.  

The Vault ; approx 96m (315 ft)
Which makes it the longest continuous stone vault in Europe
A close up of the vaults and ‘bosses’ which lock the vaults in place
Each ‘boss’ weighs about one Tonne and depicts a different story – this one the murder of Thomas Beckett
Canopied tomb of Bishop Stafford (1419) still perfect
Bishop from 1280-still retains its paint

 

Exeter Astronomical Clock dated from 1484. The hole in bottom of door below Clock was cut out circa 1620 to provide access for Bishop’s cat to deter rats and mice 😂

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Bishop’s Throne is 18m (59 ft) tall. Made between 1312-1316, from Devon oak, it is held together by wooden pegs
Choir stalls with tip up seats carved in 13 century – the oldest set in England
14century Minstrels Gallery – 14 carved angels playing musical instruments

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The cathedral is just spectacular, beautiful, and full of history. Signs of Cromwell and his men still remain with the heads of many effigies hacked off by them. I could bore you with so many stories 😜 but won’t.

Looking down the Naive to the stone pulpitum (built 1317-1325)


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Exterior – amazing

Exeter is a large city, with a glorious mix of old (very old) and new (some very new) parts. The university ‘feels’ everywhere, and the city is thriving. Large areas exclude cars so walking and window shopping is relaxed and unstressed.    

And so it was that a rainy blustery English day led us to explore a lovely city, enjoy a wonderful meal overlooking the cathedral, a wander through some exciting shops – feeling very lucky