Sidmouth Today

It was a good day.

We started out this morning by taking my suit to the cleaners.

We then drove down the hill to pick up some liquid assets from the automated teller machine before picking up some medication and a newspaper, popping in to see our well-known local parrot and a lop-eared rabbit, some budgies, guinea-pigs and wide awake tortoises.

While we were shopping we picked up some gift cards and got money put on them to act as birthday presents for a couple of girls with birthdays. One of the girls we forgot about back in January and the other we rarely see, so we can only hope that this is a satisfactory offering for them both.

We had been invited out for lunch by a friend, so we set off to pick him up, but were attracted by the record low level of water in the local river, by the quay, so we stopped to take a few photos before picking up our friend by the side of the road in Heavitree.

Before heading for Sidmouth we visited my wife's sister to present her with a birthday invitation. As my wife is approaching a big one we are having a friendly function in a nearby local pub to celebrate the passing of the years. She provided us with tea as we sat and discussed the craft of making birthday cards.

A short stop to drop off one of the birthday gift cards was followed by a drive to an out of town health food store. My wife picked up an assortment of healthy eating from Joshua's Harvest Store in Ottery St. Mary. The choice there is excellent and I am glad the place is still an unsung secret. Our friend got himself an assortment of unusual jars.

The drive down to Sidmouth was pleasant with the car windows open on a warm winter's day in February. The views of wide open countryside meant we had left town life far behind until we arrived on the edge of Sidmouth town where I was introduced to a free car park that I had not been aware of before.

We wandered down into town and ate at a place called The Chattery where the food was very hot, delivered to the table very quickly and exactly as ordered. I could not fault the catering but I have no idea of the cost as our friend met the bill.

We then visited a shopping mall and picked up two 'missing items' from earlier shopping trips. We found birthday balloons with the right number on and a reasonably priced pot of superglue.
After that success we headed for the seafront and enjoyed the bright sun directed painfully straight into our faces (due to the low level sun at this time of year).

Wandering along I was introduced to Jacobs Ladder. I think originally it was a steep cliff walk but today it is a metal structure to take you from the bottom of the cliff to the top. I am very sorry but I had to prove I have not lost it so I ran up the steps. Recovery period may be extended slightly but I have still got it.

We wandered back through the gardens and down the hill into town for a coffee at Moccha's.
Then, after a lovely and productive day we wandered back up the hill to pick up the car and head home. Our friend, Jim, fell asleep in the back of the car. That is a good indication of a great day out enjoyed by all involved.

We stopped off at home for an hour before I had to take my wife for her induction at the gym that she has just joined. I am seriously impressed by her eagerness to train and I know it will do her the world of good as long as she remains injury free. I considered whether I should swim wile she had her induction but I opted for the pub over the road and had a pint while I read the paper.

I found out that Phil Beer (a local musician) has started his own record label. I found out that the M1 had been blocked at junction 18. I found out that I could complete the puzzle and the medium sudoku and I am halfway through the hard one. My wife joined me after her session and after a short drink (she was on the sparkling minerals) we headed for home and a deserved rest after a glorious day.

Tomorrow we are going to a concert with Steve Knightly as the main attraction.