This week felt like we were everywhere, but when I look back at the days we really weren't. I think because each time we stopped somewhere, I was out walking around. The weather was hanging in there too... the sun was in and out but luckily not much rain, even when it looked like it would pour down. With it not being cold out there, it makes you want to go out and walk everywhere and enjoy it.
I've noticed that I've become a bit like the British - obsessed with the weather. It isn't a bad thing, I just get why now. It's forever changing and you can't help but talk about it.
So I was out in Axminster in Devon. Many times we've been here and many times I've stayed in the car because I've been freezing my ass off (story of my life when I stay in the car). This is a small market town that is very busy. Traffic always up and down the High street with cars and pedestrians.
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| Axminster Museum, Senior Citizen Center, Arts Cafe & Tourist Info Building |
So here in the town I knew a 'type' of carpet was made and the town is known for it. It is high quality carpets that are now manufactured all over the world.
Like most towns there is everything you need. If you lived here you'd have no real reason to leave. They got their post office, grocery stores, take-a-ways, cafes, a couple of restaurants, church, bank, charity shops. I'd live here.
According to wiki, the town lies on two major Roman roads and dates back to the Celtic times of around 300 BC. But most towns in England are all old like this. I LOVE that about this country.
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| Axminster Parish Church |
I went to the local shop called the co-operative to get something. While I was standing in the queue, I started to think about back when I first arrived in England. Back then If I came to the shop and was ready to pay for my item, I would of just got in line right behind the person at the till (cash register) and wait. Here there were about 2-3 registers opened on a long counter where you would think doing that would be OK. I would of just choose which ever was opened or shortest without even thinking twice about it. That's how it usually works in the States, but in England, no. You have to start
one queue from behind them all and which ever one becomes free next is the one you go to. I know this now, which is why I started the queue away at the end of all the tills. But during my first month or so here I went into a shop alone and got in line right behind a person at the till (cash register). There wasn't a lot of people at the shop but there was one person standing in line from afar. I didn't know what she was doing... in my mind she was too far to be in line for the next till. But as I was waiting, something clicked in my head that she
was actually in line next and I had just gotten in front of her. I ended up walking to stand behind her and apologized for cutting in. I know she noticed, she was looking right at me, but I don't think she would of said anything at all if I would of stayed. Anyway, I'm a veteran at this stuff now :P and even though it's the smallest thing, it was just something I was thinking about while waiting in line.
When I go to the cashier I asked for what I needed behind the counter and after the guy gave me my stuff and was getting my change he asked, "So how long have you been here?" Usually people don't ask me questions when they hear my accent. You can always tell they notice it because they turn to look at me when they hear me talk or their expression on their face changes a bit, as if they notice but they never say anything. It's rare when someone does. Usually they are excited about it. So having this guy ask me this kind of surprised me. I told him proudly it was going on 3 years. :) And he said, "Oh! I thought you were going to say 3 days... you've been here for awhile now." I thought to myself, OH YEA! :) I'm a practically a freakin' citizen! Haha, OK not that close but still. It was cool.
This also reminded me of when Steve and I was at the barber shop for his birthday and an American guy came in to get his hair cut. I didn't know until he was up there getting it done and was talking to the barber. He was going on and on and on. I couldn't help but interrupt and tell him that I was too from the US. It was the first time I had heard an American in the same town as me. It was so weird. He was from California and here for work. Not sure how long he had been here, maybe 3 weeks or so is what I got from it. Anyway, it was kinda cool to meet another American in the town.
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| Inside Axminster Church |
So after our time in Axminster we headed further down into
Devon to
Exeter. We hadn't been here for almost a couple of years now when we came to see the cathedral and have some cream tea. Ya know, Devon is the home of cream tea. Also did you know that Devon is the third largest county in England? I didn't. And Exeter is one of the two cities in Devon, the other being
Plymouth.
So today I decided to have a little wander back down to the cathedral. It's such a beautiful sight and it had been way too long.
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| Exeter, Devon. England |
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| Cathedral Close. Exeter, Devon. |
It was still as beautiful as ever. It was nice to chill out with the rest of the folks enjoying it's beauty and the weather of course. I wanted to go inside but for £7.50 I didn't think it would be that much worth it.
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| Cathedral Close. Exeter, Devon. |
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Exeter Cathedral. Devon.
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Most of the cathedrals do cost to get in which I think is silly but I guess they need some way to keep it up. Either way, today wasn't the day for me and I was fine enjoying the beauty from outside.
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| Exeter Cathedral. Devon. |
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| Exeter Cathedral |
The next day we stayed in our home country of
Dorset in the towns of
Dorchester and
Bridport. It was nice not having to go too far out. I wanted to have a wander in Dorchester but this was the only time it really rained a lot. It probably lasted on and off for about 45 minutes but by then I figured it was too late to get out and look around so I decided to stay in.
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| River Brit. Bridport - trail to the park |
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| St Mary's Church. Bridport. |
I made up for it in Bridport. Usually when we go places I like to check out the areas and street view in googlemaps so I can get my bearings. I hate going somewhere and not know what is where and where I am. So I did this with Bridport and knew the exact route I wanted to walk when I was here.
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| St Mary's Church. Bridport. |
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| Bridport High Street |
Last time I was here I walked the High Street which was cool and busy but this time I wanted to walk the small back roads to the park along the river then back through toward the church and High Street where we parked.
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| Just some garden in Bridport I wish was mine :) |
It was a really good relaxing route. At one point I thought it was going to get caught in the rain but lucky for me I only felt a couple of very light sprinkles and that was it. I was pretty far away and would of got soaked so I'm glad that was all we had. The clouds were definitely gorgeous though.
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| River Brit, Bridport. |
Friday we ended up being right in our own backyard. It was nice being so local and even better that we were just across the street/parking lot from the beach in Sandbanks.
Sandbanks Beach. Poole, Dorset
The weather could of been better today but I couldn't complain either. It was mild enough to wear my flip flops and have my feet in the sand. There is one thing I am happy about with our beaches close to home is that they have proper sand. A lot of the beaches like
Brighton and
Lyme Regis are pebble beaches. People don't care though, they actually get comfy with their towels and chairs and make themselves at home. I don't see how comfortable sitting on a bunch of rocks could be but I guess you just have to make the best with what you have.
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| Kite surfers in Sandbanks. Poole, Dorset. |
It was cloudy but still a bit bright with the sun trying to fight its way out with no success. The wind was nice and mild too. I got to get some nice shells and relax for a while. This year I will make sure we spend much more time at the beach when the weather is nice and hot. We are silly not to being that we live just a few minutes away. It was the perfect way to end the week!
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| Poole Harbour. Sandbanks. Dorset. |
