Friends and sightseeing today…

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A housing complex in the countryside.  It appears there are many single-family homes in England and Wales with adjoining walls, comparable to privately owned townhouses, apartments or condos in the US and other countries.

 Fascinating Fact of the Day About Shirenewton, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales:

From this site:
“After the Romans left, Chepstow was within the southern part of the Welsh kingdom of Gwent, known as Gwent Is-coed (ie. Gwent this side of the woods). To the north of the modern town centre, a small church was established dedicated to St. Cynfarch (alternatively Cynmarch, Kynemark or Kingsmark), a disciple of St. Dyfrig. This later became an Augustinian priory on what is now Kingsmark Lane, but no traces of it remain. The town is close to the southern point of Offa’s Dyke, which begins on the east bank of the Wye at Sedbury and runs all the way to the Irish Sea in north Wales. This was built in the late 8th century as a boundary between Mercia and the Welsh kingdoms, although some recent research has questioned whether the stretch near Chepstow formed part of the original Dyke. It is possible, though not clearly substantiated, that Chepstow may have superseded Caerwent as a trading centre, and been used by both Saxons and the Welsh. The Lancaut and Beachley peninsulas, opposite Chepstow, were in Welsh rather than Mercian control at that time, although by the time of the Domesday Book Striguil was assessed as part of Gloucestershire.”
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This morning at 10:00 am we’re meeting up with Linda and Ken at the Chepstow Castle, a short distance from the center of town.  When they didn’t get to their holiday home until late in the day, after a very long road trip, they were exhausted and decided to stay in.

As it turns out their holiday home is quite a distance from ours (40 minutes) and thus we’ve all decided to get together during the days and back to our respective houses before dark.  The roads are narrow, winding and slippery in the rain and not easy to maneuver at night in the dark.

Subsequently, today we plan to stop for a “cuppa,” the English equivalent of a cup of tea, which these days may imply a cup of coffee as well, see a few sites and then head to a pub in the center of town in Chepstow which is packed with pubs and restaurants.
The view of the Wye River we encountered on a drive in the area.
Afterward, Tom and I will stop at the market to pick up a few items and head back to our holiday home to spend a quiet evening in.  Having late lunches with Linda and Ken won’t require a full dinner to follow when neither of us will be hungry by dinnertime. 

This is typical for us.  We’re so used to eating light during the day, that a full meal from noon to mid-afternoon is sufficient to hold us with a small snack in the evening.

With nothing planned for dinner last night, we’d planned to drive the short distance down the road to the local pub as shown in the photo below for a bite to eat.  As it turned out they were closed on Mondays.
The local restaurant where we’ll dine after Linda and Ken leave Monmouthshire.
With few groceries on hand, we made breakfast for dinner of sauteed onion, and cheese omelets with bacon, which proved to hit the spot.  We settled in for the evening and watched a few episodes of shows we’ve found on the UK channel,  Acorn TV (Amazon Prime for a small monthly fee).  

With only 24 days until we arrive in Minneapolis with new phones awaiting us, I decided not to have my current phone repaired.  We placed the SIM card on Tom’s phone for the remaining nine days we’ll be in the UK.  

Once we board the ship on the 24th we won’t have WiFi or calling on either of our phones but can use Skype on our laptops if we need to make a call.  Of course, we’ll have the ship’s WiFi on the unlimited package for the 15-night cruise.
These views are certainly more appealing on a sunny day.
As a matter of fact, we signed up for the “full perks” package when a special was offered after we’d booked the cruise.  The package includes WiFi for two, gratuities, the full beverage package for both of us and a US $400 cabin credit which can only be used onboard.

On the upcoming anniversary of our world travels on October 31st, most likely we’ll celebrate by dining in one of the specialty restaurants, using a portion of the cabin credit.  

Any remaining cabin credit may be used in the shops aboard ship, for laundry, for more specialty dining, or services in the spa (which we never use).  The drink package includes specialty coffees which we both love.  
Cattle grazing on a farm in the area.
On most ships, they make my macchiato sugar free which is still delicious.  Based on priority benefits as Elite members we’re able to order free cocktails from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm each evening.  

With this additional drink package, we can have any beverages at no cost throughout the day and evening.  We rarely drink alcoholic beverages during the day even when socializing while cruising.  

However, today, I may have a glass of wine and, Tom a beer during lunch with Linda and Ken.  Neither of us has had any cocktails or wine since we’ve been in the UK except for a few occasions when we’ve been out to dinner.

Well, folks, it’s time for us to get on the road to meet Linda and Ken at the Chepstow Castle.  Tomorrow, we’ll be back with photos!

Have a fantastic day!
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Photo from one year ago today, October 15, 2018:
“The cheetah’s body is built for speed. Its legs are relatively long compared to its greyhound-like body; it has a big heart and lungs and wide nasal passages. It is the fastest land animal, timed running at speeds of up to 114km/hour.”  For more photos of the “Ridiculous Nine,” please click here.

A drive through the area on a rainy day…Yikes, my phone is dying!…

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A horse on a nearby farm covered with a red blanket in the rain.

Fascinating Fact of the Day About Chepstow, Shirenewton, Monmouthshire, Wales:

From this site:
“The oldest site of known habitation at Chepstow is at Thornwell, overlooking the estuaries of the Wye and Severn close to the modern M48 motorway junction, where archaeological investigations in advance of recent housing development revealed continuous human occupation from the Mesolithic period of around 5000 BC until the end of the Roman period, about 400 AD. There are also Iron Age fortified camps in the area, dating from the time of the Silures, at Bulwark, 1 mile (1.6 km) south of the town centre, and at Piercefield and Lancaut, some 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the north. During the Roman occupation, there was a bridge or causeway across the Wye, about 0.6 miles (0.97 km) upstream of the later town bridge. Chepstow is located at a crossing point directly between the Roman towns at Gloucester (Glevum) and Caerwent (Venta Silurum). Although historians think it likely that there was a small Roman fort in the area, the only evidence found so far has been of Roman material and burials, rather than buildings.”
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We figured out that we’ve experienced eight sunny days since we arrived in the UK on  August 23, 2019.  Subsequently, taking photos has been challenging to say the least.


Yesterday, mid-day, we took off to see if we could come up with some photos.  We didn’t do so well when it started pouring only minutes after we left the house.  The rain was coming down so hard that the camera lens was wet, not a good situation.  


There were only a few roads where we could take photos from the car and less where we could pull over so I could get out of the car.  As mentioned earlier, most roads in the UK countryside are narrow and winding, without a shoulder making them unsuitable for pulling over.
It was raining so hard, the camera lens was wet while attempting to take a photo of this nearby church.

Also, the high hedges along the roads prevent us from appreciating the exquisite scenery while driving, getting only an occasional glimpse in an opening.  We’ve experienced this since we arrived in the UK seven weeks ago.


When we do get a peek of the countryside it is breathtaking reminding us of parts of New Zealand.  Now, here in Chepstow, we are fairly close to two rivers, the River Wye and the Severn River and hope to have a few sunny days before we depart to take advantage of the stunning views.

The traditional dining room at the hotel restaurant where we had lunch on Friday.

Today, Linda and Ken will arrive and most likely we venture out for some indoor activities on the rainy days.  They are British and are used to all the rain this time of year.


Over the past few days, my phone has been acting up.  It shuts down each time it freezes while I am performing a task.  Also, loud music plays upon reboot and there is absolutely no way to stop that song.  This is an issue when I am having trouble sleeping and playing games on my phone to lull me back to sleep. This sound awakens Tom.

Tom’s lunch.

I’ve reset the phone to “factory reset,” run anti-virus software and an AVG cleaner, all to no avail.  I’ve gone through all my apps and disabled all I can while uninstalling as much as possible.  If anyone out there has a suggestion, please email me instructions to resolve the issue.

I’m not motivated to get it fixed or replaced since when we arrive in the US in 3½ weeks, our two new Google world phones will be waiting.  The new versions of these phones are being presented online tomorrow, October 15th.  

My Caesar salad minus croutons which Tom ate as usual.

After reviewing all the information as to the models we’d prefer, we’ll place our orders to be delivered to Minnesota with 24 hours after our arrival.  We’ll be able to communicate with our family, friends and each other while in the US and once we leave the US again two months later, we’ll have worldwide service paid in small monthly bundles with no longterm contract required.


We’ve conducted some research for a possible eating establishment for tonight’s dinner with Linda and Ken.  But, we’ll wait to definitively decide until we touch base with them soon.


Have a fantastic Monday!

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Photo from one year ago today, October 14, 2018:
The continuation of the “ridiculous Nine”…”The average litter size for the wild dog is between four and eight puppies. They suckle for the first three months of their lives before being taught to hunt.  For more photos, please click here.

Once again, adapting to a new location…Photos…

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The property is called The Studio but its larger than a studio apartment.  The main consist of living room, kitchen, dining area, and bathroom.  The master bedroom is upstairs on a mezzanine level, a small loft room with a futon bed.

Fascinating Fact of the Day About Chepstow, Shirenewton, Monmouthshire, Wales:

From this site:“The name Chepstow derives from the old English ceap/chepe stowe, meaning market place or trading centre. The word “stow” usually denotes a place of special significance, and the root chep is the same as that in other placenames such as Chipping Sodbury and Cheapside. The name is first recorded in 1307, but may have been used by the English in earlier centuries. However, the name used by the Normans for the castle and lordship was Striguil (in various spellings, such as Estrighoiel), probably from a Welsh word ystraigyl, meaning a bend in the river. The Welsh name Cas-gwent refers to the “castle of Gwent”. That placename itself derives from the Roman settlement Venta Silurum or ‘Market of the Silures’, now named Caerwent, 5 miles (8.0 km) west of Chepstow, which had been the Romano-British commercial centre of south-east Wales.”
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Every holiday home and also hotels require a certain amount of adapting on our part.  It’s not that we’re comparing our “old lives” before we began traveling.  It’s simply that we’re adapting from the last place we stayed whether it was for a week, a month or longer.

This is the property we’re currently renting.  It was a former town hall and next door where the owners live was the Rectory.  

Cruising often requires a considerable amount of adaptation but after 25 cruises in the past seven years, we no longer need to adapt to the small cabin’s lack of space when we so much enjoy the daily lifestyle aboard ship, spending little time in the cabin, other than for showering, dressing, and sleeping.

The kitchen, although small is fine for our needs.

Within moments of arriving at any new location, we access the potential issues.  We don’t say anything to the owner/property manager.  In most cases, the nuances were mentioned in the online listing.  


At times, an owner may minimize the less positive aspects, not necessarily to “hide them” but more so, these certain issues may be a bigger deal for us than other travelers, especially those staying two to three nights as opposed to our longer periods in most cases.

The stairway leading to the mezzanine/loft area where the bed, a dresser, and two small nightstands are located.

We knew when we rented “The Studio,” a former town hall, there would be several items that would require adaptation on our part which includes:


1.  The only bedroom is up a flight of stairs and is extremely small. There’s no bathroom on that level requiring we go downstairs in the middle of the night, should the need arise.  The bed is low to the floor, maybe 12 inches, as are the two nightstands.
2.  In the past several rentals in the UK, the only bathroom has been up a flight of stairs (not the case in Ireland where there was one on each level).  Recently, we’ve become adapted to going up and down stairs several times a day which ultimately has been a good form of exercise.
3.  The kitchen has an under-counter refrigerator with a tiny freezer. There’s only room for two ice cube trays, the bag of ice and two packages of bacon or one package of meat.  As it turns out, with Linda and Ken coming tomorrow, we plan to dine out each of four evenings and again after they leave for the remaining four nights until we drive to Southampton, staying in a hotel for two more nights until we board the cruise on the 24th.
4.  Parking is on the street but once we park in our designated spot we have a walk across a rock garden to reach our place.  We were drenched when we arrived on Friday and, it was a challenge for Tom to haul the heavy bags.  The owners kindly assisted with the bags.
5.  There’s no convenient spot in the house to store our opened bags since we aren’t unpacking here either, just taking out toiletries and clothing as needed.  As it turned out, there an enclosed shared storage area between us and the owner, on the main floor, the size of a double garage.  We were able to find places to leave our bags opened for easy access. It’s working out well.

The bathroom is all-new, as is most of the property and located on the main floor.

Once we adapted to these variances, we’re settled in and comfortably situated, these nuances being of less significance today.


Soon, we plan to get out for few photos for tomorrow.  With Linda and Ken arriving tomorrow afternoon, staying in a nearby holiday home, we’ll enjoy four days of sightseeing, wine drinking and the sheer pleasure of their company.  We’re looking forward to seeing them once again!

For the first time in a holiday home, we won’t be making the bed.  It’s low to the floor and a little difficult to maneuver around.

That’s it for today, folks.  We’ll be back with more tomorrow.  Happy day!

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Photo from one year ago today, October 13, 2018:
More on the “Ridiculous Nine” mentioned in yesterday’s post. “The spotted hyaena hunts and scavenges by night and is closely connected in African folklore with the supernatural world. Anyone who has heard the sound of hyaenas in full cry around midnight would understand the animal’s association with the dark arts.”  For more photos, please click here.

We’ve arrived in…Chepstow, Shirenewton, Monmouthshire, Wales…Beautiful country…

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It was drizzling as we walk along the vehicle-free road in the centre of town, High St.

Fascinating Fact of the Day About Chepstow, Shirenewton, Monmouthshire, Wales:

From this site:
“Chepstow (Welsh: Cas-gwent) is a town and community in Monmouthshire, Wales, adjoining the border with Gloucestershire, England. It is located on the River Wye, about 2 miles (3.2 km) above its confluence with the River Severn, and adjoining the western end of the Severn Bridge. It is 16 miles (26 km) east of Newport, 28 miles (45 km) east-northeast of Cardiff, 18 miles (29 km) northwest of Bristol and 110 miles (180 km) west of London.”
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Yesterday’s drive from Witheridge, Tiverton, Devon, England to Chepstow, Shirenewton, Monmouthshire, Wales (Whew! Lots of names!) was uneventful.  In England with high hedges and hills lining the highway and the lack of shoulder on many roads, it’s difficult if not impossible to take photos while driving.
There are several hotels and pubs/restaurants in the centre of the town of Chepstow.  We look forward to visiting several while Linda and Ken are here from Monday through Friday.

We stopped at an old-world pub and restaurant in Bridgewater and had a pleasing lunch.  I had a chicken Ceasar salad and Tom had a club sandwich (he loves bread!) while we became totally engaged in the lively refined-English chatter of a group of lovely elderly women who were having a get-together.  We could have imagined being at Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle) with the “ladies for lunch.”


Nor are we able to fully appreciate the beauty of the countryside from the highways and narrow roads as much as when we’re entrenched in an area where we have good access to the sprawling views.  
Chepstow Methodist Church.

A balloon or helicopter ride would be most advantageous.  It’s absolutely stunning in the countryside of England, Wales and not too long ago, Ireland and their many small towns and villages.  We have no doubt, we’d feel the same way about Scotland which most likely we’ll visit sometime down the road.

The Priory Church of St. Mary.

The world is a huge place.  When we speak to people we’ve met along the way, they often comment on how much we’ve seen of the world in our almost seven years. We always say, “As much as we’ve seen, we haven’t put a dent in it.”


If we stayed only a week in most locations we’d have seen a lot more.  In one way we may have limited ourselves by our often long stays in many locations.  But, if we had, we’d be “burnt-out” long ago and have stopped traveling by now.  
We walked under the Chepstow Town Gate. 


Having had the opportunity to experience an area long enough to visit their shops, dine in their restaurant, cook their local meats and produce, meet their local people and embrace their culture and nature has been well-worth limiting the number of countries we’ve visited.


We’ve yet to visit 100 countries although we should reach that number in the next year or two.  But this isn’t “The Amazing Race” nor are we interested in having bragging rights as to how many countries we’ve visited thus far.

The village is interesting and diverse with a wide array of shops and eateries.

To us, this is irrelevant.  What more important has been the vastness and scope of the experiences we’ve had, the people we’ve met, the cultures we’ve explored at our leisure and of course, the number of posts we’ve shared here, now at 2,617 as of today, along with photos into the thousands.


The house we rented in Chepstow is exactly as represented in the photos, clean, crisp, well equipped and small.  When we’d spent a little more than our budget for the first three properties in the UK:  Falmouth, St. Teath and Witheridge, we decided to go a little lighter, cost-wise, on the last property for its total of 11 nights.

Tom didn’t buy a thing at this sidewalk cake sale.  He’s saving himself for the upcoming cruise in 12 days.

Once here, we weren’t disappointed, especially with the bathroom on the main floor.  The bedroom is up on a “mezzanine” (loft) level but more on that tomorrow when we go into a little more detail about the property with photos.
This morning, we drove to High Street in Chepstow’s centre of town and couldn’t have been more thrilled to see yet another hilly village packed with shops, pubs, restaurants and a wide array of businesses.

Although it was raining it didn’t keep tourists or locals from shopping in the village.


We stopped at a “Boots” store for a few toiletries for the upcoming cruise, checked out the menus posted outside several pubs and restaurants and Tom got an excellent and much-needed haircut.


We walked up and down the hilly roads while I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.  I could walk with ease.  Wow!


Be well!  Be happy!

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Photo from one year ago today, October 12, 2018:
One year ago, we had the fantastic experience of seeing what is called, “The Ridiculous Nine” as opposed to the “Big Five” all occurring in one morning on safari with friends, Lois and Tom who stayed with us for one heart-pounding experience after another.  Please click here for details and many more photos.

On our way again…Wales, here we come…Favorite photos…

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Beautiful tomatoes we picked every few days.

Fascinating Fact of the Day about Devon: From this site:

“Devon derives its name from Dumnonia. During the British Iron Age, Roman Britain, and the early Middle Ages, this was the homeland of the Dumnonii Brittonic Celts. (The shift from “M” to “V” is a typical Celtic consonant shift.) The Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain resulted in the partial assimilation of Dumnonia into the Kingdom of Wessex during the eighth and ninth centuries. The western boundary with Cornwall was set at the River Tamar by King Æthelstan in 936. Devon was later constituted as a shire of the Kingdom of England.”
The car is loaded with everything but the perishables, which we’ll pack moments before we leave in a short time. Once again, the packing was quick and easy, and I didn’t give it much of a thought until yesterday so Tom could carry the heavy bags downstairs.
The Dorset sheep on the farm are adorable, although dirty from the constant rain.

While in Wales, I plan to go through the supply bag and my clothing bag to clear out anything we don’t need and any clothing that has to go due to wear and tear.  

All the lambs are being moved from one paddock to another.

At times, I could toss the whole lot when I am sick of looking at the same things over and over again. But, until we get to the US, where we’ll each rebuild our wardrobe, we’ll do the best we can. We prefer to buy clothing in Minnesota when there’s no sales tax on apparel.

Tom, the shepherd, enjoyed taking part in herding the sheep.

The only time weight is an issue when we fly from Fort Lauderdale to Minnesota and then several more flights in the US for two months, moving from state to state to visit family.

This is my favorite photo.
It’s raining today (not surprising), but we have less than a two-hour drive to the holiday home in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales, most of which will be on the main highway, so the drive shouldn’t be too bad.  
The pristine beach at Torquay.

One of the four properties we rented over two months in the UK that we were a little concerned about was too small. It has only one bedroom leaving few options to open our bags and not officially unpack. We’ll only be there for 11 nights, but as always, we’ll figure it out.

An impressive design made by a skilled sand sculptor.

On Monday, we’ll see our friends, Linda and Ken, who are staying nearby for four nights and I’m certain we’ll spend a lot of time with them. If we’d known they were coming ahead of time, we’d have booked a bigger property enabling them to stay with us.  

We explored parts of the massive apple orchard.

They stayed with us for a week in Marloth Park, and it was as easy as it could be. They were fantastic houseguests who pitched in and helped with meals, cleanup, and picking up after themselves.

Even the chickens were entertaining.

While in Wales, they’ve selected a holiday home not too far away so we can all spend time together. No doubt, this will be a busy and fun four days. If the weather improves a little surely, we’ll go sightseeing together.  

The pond at Pond Cottage where the ducks carried on all day.

Linda and Ken are avid world travelers, currently coming off a trip on the Orient Express, and we can’t wait to hear all about it. It is very similar to our upcoming train adventure in India on the Maharajas Express at the beginning of February.  We’re anxious to hear the ins and outs of traveling overnight by train, a first for both of us.

With the cool weather, we had a fire in the wood-burning stove almost every day and evening. Tom gathered the neatly arranged dry firewood from the shed every few days.

Most likely, we’ll dine out while they’re visiting, but I noticed our new holiday home in Chepstow has a dining table for four. Most likely, we’ll cook a night or two.

The chicken was looking inside the house to see if we had any pellets.

Well, folks, we’re signing off from the fabulous farm in Witheridge and will be back tomorrow with photos of our new location.

One day’s picking in the garden.

Have a purposeful and yet peaceful day!  See you soon!

Photo from one year ago today, October 11, 2018:
Ms. Warthog’s poses for the camera.  For more photos, please click here.

A peek inside a 500-year-old farmhouse…Pheasants in the garden…1 day and counting…

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Considerable updating has been done over the centuries to maintain historical integrity.

Fascinating Fact of the Day about Torquay: 
From this site:

“A major development for the future of Tiverton came in 1815 when industrialist John Heathcoat bought an old woolen mill on the River Exe. It followed the destruction of his factory and machinery in Loughborough by Luddites thought to have been in the pay of the Lacemakers of Nottingham. As a result, he moved his entire lace-making operation to Tiverton and such was his reputation for looking after his workforce that 500 people – workers and families – walked the 190 miles from Loughborough to come and live and work for him in Tiverton. The factory turned around the fortunes of the town and once again it became a significant industrial centre in the southwest. Trade was aided when a branch of the Grand Western Canal from Taunton to Tiverton was opened in 1838 followed by a branch of the Great Western Railway in 1848. The Heathcoat factory is still one of the town’s core businesses today.”
When John and Renate invited us to see their historic 500-year-old home, we jumped at the chance. They were packing for their one week holiday and respecting the time they needed to prepare to leave at 2:00 am, we didn’t stay long.
A large dining table suited for their large family who often visits.

It was such a thrill to wander through the house seeing snippets of who they are, the family life they enjoy with grown children and many grandchildren who visit often and the high regard for the property’s history in every change or addition they conduct.

Almost every room has a fireplace or wood burning stove used as supplemental heat for the house.

These two lovely people have meant the world to us. It’s been such a joy to develop close relationships with our landlords/property managers that have endured over the years, most of whom we’re still in touch on Facebook which has proven to be a great resource.

John and Renate’s 500-year-old house has been appointed with authenticity in mind.

Renate and I have sent messages back and forth this past week. They will return hours after we leave tomorrow morning by 10:00 am. We’re sorry we’ll miss seeing them one more time.

Built-in window seats.

Over the past week, we’ve seen several ring-necked pheasants, both male and female hanging around in the garden. We haven’t been able to take a single photo outside since each time we hear or see them, they fly away when they see us.  

An Aga range is known as a top-of-the-line addition to any kitchen.

As a result, all of the bird photos we’ve included here today, except for the three geese, were taken through a window in Pond Cottage. Although it’s not mating season with winter quickly rolling in it’s been delightful to see the groups of males and females, pecking at the grass and making a variety of sounds we didn’t recognize.  

After owning the property for over 30 years, they’ve made many additions such as granite countertops, new appliances, sinks, and cupboards. Floors throughout the house are either original stone or wood.

We’re currently in the process of wrapping up our packing.  Mine and Tom’s clothing bags are done (gee…I love not unpacking!) and downstairs waiting to be transported to the car.  Luckily, once the bags are downstairs, he’ll be able to wheel them to the car.

These three geese stopped by for a visit.

The only other items to pack are the toiletries and supplies bag, the digital equipment and plug-ins and the food. I’ve placed all the non-perishables in one area of the countertop and it will only take moments to load it into grocery bags.  

Over the past week, several ring-necked pheasants, both male and female have been hanging around the garden.

The perishables will go in the yellow insulated Costco bag which surely will stay fresh with only a two-hour drive ahead of us. Since check-out here is 10:00 am and check-in in Monmouthshire is 2:00 pm, we plan to stop for lunch along the way.

From this site: Pheasants are birds that can be found alone or in small flocks. Typically, a mother hen and her brood will stay together until early autumn. While pheasants are able to fly fast for short distances, they prefer to run. If startled, however, they will burst to the sky in a “flush.” Their flight speed is 38 to 48 mph when cruising, but they can fly up to 60 mph. When chased, Pheasants spend almost their entire life on the ground, rarely seen in trees. They eat a wide variety of foods including, insects, seeds, and leaves. Roosters typically have a harem of several females during the spring mating season. Hen pheasants nest on the ground, producing a clutch of around twelve eggs over a two to three week period in April to June. The incubation period is about 23 days.

Tomorrow, we’ll upload our final post for Witheridge including a number of favorite photos. This has been wonderful, for two reasons, one; we’ve loved this farm and two; I regained my health while here. We couldn’t be more cheerful and optimistic.

This adorable bird, a Green Woodpecker, was sitting on a fence post.  We took all of the bird photos through the window glass. They were so close, they would have flown away if we opened the door.

As soon as today’s post is uploaded we’ll be off to the garden to collect a few more tomatoes to take with us for tomorrow night’s dinner. We’ve purposely kept a meal available, to easily cook to avoid the necessity of grocery shopping on our first day in Chepstow. We’ll settle in for a day and then take off shopping and exploring.

Our friends, Lynne and Mick, the most educated birders we know, who live in Jersey, UK, got back to us and identified this bird as indicated above.

Back at you tomorrow! Have a fantastic day!

Photo from one year ago today, October 10, 2018:
We flipped it over for this photo. This is an African Black Beetle. We swept it over the edge of the veranda. A few minutes later a band of mongooses stopped by and one of them immediately started devouring the beetle, savoring it so much, he made funny noises while crunching on its hard shell. Mongooses are carnivores. They don’t sting but have a potent toxin they release when agitated that can feel like a sting and cause irritation. For more photos, please click here.

Feeling great….Last few photos of Torquay…Two days and counting..

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A cute little restaurant, the Cottage Cafe.

Fascinating Fact of the Day about Torquay: 
From this site:

“Roman soldiers are known to have visited Torquay when Britain was a part of the Roman Empire, leaving offerings at a curious rock formation in Kents Cavern, known as “The Face.” No evidence has been found of Roman settlement in the town. The first major building in Torquay was Torre Abbey, a Premonstratensian monastery founded in 1196. Torquay remained a minor settlement until the Napoleonic wars when Torbay was used as a sheltered anchorage by the Channel Fleet, and relatives of officers often visited Torquay. The mild climate (for the UK) attracted many visitors who considered the town a convalescence retreat where they could recover from illness away from the cold and cloudy winters of more northerly or easterly locations. The population of Torquay grew rapidly from 838 in 1801, to 11,474 in 1851.”
Six weeks ago, I came off the three heart medications, each of which was causing terrible side effects.  The conditions for which they were prescribed are not issues I’ve experienced except during the first few weeks after surgery while I was hospitalized.

The exhaustion, the constant need for naps, the chronic pain in my muscles and joints preventing me from walking or performing simple tasks, the erratic pulse often too low, the atrial fibrillations, the bouts of high and low blood pressure, and the frightening breathlessness, all are gone.

My pulse is comfortably in the high 60’s. My blood pressure runs in the 115/70 range. I can breathe easily and walk up and down several flights of stairs with no more difficulty than others without heart issues. I am often sleeping through the night…a first for me.
The best shot I could get of this church was when there was no nearby parking.

Keep in mind. I’ve never really noticed any difference before and after the surgery. I’d completed the stress test with seeming ease before the surgery without being out of breath. Then, I was easily able to exert myself, and now, there’s no difference.  

But it was an abnormal stress test readout attributed to the plethora of tests and surgeries that followed. Finally, it was the angiogram that provided the scary situation I was in.  I still have blockages but no angina (chest pain or otherwise). We’ll see what the future holds.

In the past month, I’ve stopped obsessing about how I am feeling at any given moment. With all the side effects I had, it’s no wonder I was in a state of worry and concern. I no longer check my pulse 20 times a day, my blood pressure ten times. All is well.
There are numerous churches in Torquay of many denominations.

Each of the three drugs had its own unique set of side effects. As I weaned off one medication after another, the changes in how I was feeling were palpable. I’m so grateful.

Sure, you may say I should have gone to a doctor before stopping these drugs. But, after considerable reading on reputable medical studies, all my side effects were expected. Normal? Yikes!
(Please do not take any of this information as advice or suggestions for your health. Please see your physician if issues arise).
A clock tower.

Once we left South Africa in May, I left behind a relationship with a cardiologist. I’d requested records from him and the surgeon, but they weren’t as comprehensive as they should have been to present to a new doctor.

IF I had gone to a cardiologist in another country, I would most likely have been required to have more tests, some invasive and some with a degree of risk. I took my own life into my hands which, in itself, wasn’t without risk.
However, if I’d had any new symptoms as I weaned off the drugs, I would have immediately sought professional help.  Now, I can stick to having my first annual checkup in February, which I plan to do.
We were surprised to see a casino in Torquay.

As we look to the future, we do so with innate optimism and passion for our continuing travels. We realize the risks, but after we’ve experienced what we have been through this past year, we know we can figure out the best possible solutions.

In two days, we head out for the last of the four holiday homes in the UK before we’re off to Southampton for a few days in a hotel and then on to the cruise back to the US. One month from today we’ll be with our families!

Enjoy your day to the max!
 
Photo from one year ago today, October 9, 2018:
Traffic jam on the way to the river. For more photos, please click here.

Part 2…Torquay, the much revered English Riviera…Living on farms…Three days and counting…

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High Street in many towns and villages has banners flying indicating the main shopping area.

Fascinating Fact of the Day about Torquay: 
From this site:

“Torquay’s name originates in its being the quay of the ancient village of Torre. In turn, Torre takes its name from the tor, the extensively quarried remains of which the town’s Lymington Road can be seen, thus giving this the original name of Torquay, then Torkay, Torkey, and Tor Quay before joining the words together to Torquay.

The area comprising modern Torquay has been inhabited since Paleolithic times. Hand axes found in Kents Cavern have been dated as 40,000 years old,[4] and a maxilla fragment, known as Kents Cavern 4, maybe the oldest example of a modern human in Europe, dating back to 37,000–40,000 years ago.

It’s going to be hard to leave this incredible farm in three days. Our only disappointment has been the amount of rain during our stay, impacting our ability to explore further this beautiful 150-acre property and more of the surrounding area.

Several beachcombers wandered the shore with the dogs, tossing balls for them to chase.

Once again, we’ve discovered that living on a farm has been a memorable experience. In the past seven years, we’ve only spent a total of four months living on farms. Although not significant time-wise,  each unto its own has left an indelible mark on the accumulated scope of our travel experiences.

The center of town has a variety of shops and restaurants.

In the future, we may search for farms as possible holiday homes based on the depth and magnitude of their effects on our level of enjoyment along with a profound sense of well-being and pleasure.

A footbridge was leading to the beach promenade.

People often ask what has been our favorite experience since we began seven years ago. For both of us, the answer is simple…being close to nature, whether it’s living in the bush surrounded by wildlife or living in the area where we can spot indigenous wildlife and birds and, of course, living on farms.

Our two experiences of late include St. Teath, Cornwall, and now in Witheridge, Devon. And, when was our third? Our first farm adventure occurred when we lived on the alpaca farm in New Plymouth, New Zealand.

We walked on this bridge down to the beach.

As we’ve mentioned many times in the past, the three months we spent living in a newly built farmhouse with 100 alpacas surrounding us in various paddocks will be remembered as one of our favorite stays in any location.  

To begin reading a few of the alpaca farm adventures, please click here. When I just looked up the link, my heart did a flip-flop when I saw the adorable face of my favorite little alpaca (called a “cria”), Mont Blanc, who later lost his little life. Such memories.

The cliffs overlook the beach and promenade.

Then, of course, the four months we spent in Kauai, Hawaii, with almost daily interactions with the nesting, hatching, and eventual fledging of the stunning Layson albatross chicks who nested in the nearby neighborhood of several of the friends we made while there.  

Click this link for more and the beginning of our posts for this life-changing opportunity, one we’ll never forget as the chicks were about to hatch. We followed their story day after day, cherishing every moment of this peek into the life of these fantastic birds.  

This little dog made us laugh when fast chasing a ball.

And, as many of our long-time readers are well aware, the total two years we spent in Africa, our lives were filled with adventure and excitement beyond our wildest dreams. It’s hard to believe we left South Africa only five months ago, as the memories linger on.

The contemporary spire on a church in the downtown area.

It was in October 2013. We had the blissful experience of our first safari in Kenya. We still find ourselves reeling over the endless sightings we were blessed to see. Please click here where those photos began.

Well, it goes on and on. Mother Nature is our hero and will remain so for whatever time we are gifted with as we strive to continue this year-long journey.

There are many ornate office complexes in the town.

We are very grateful for life…for ours and theirs…the mission continues.

Be well.

Photo from one year ago today, October 8, 2018:
They aren’t particularly handsome animals, but they are an essential part of the animal kingdom. For more photos, please click here.

Part 1…Torquay, the much revered English Riviera…Wardrobe issues…

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A creative sand sculpture artist was busy working on the beach in Torquay, Devon, known as the English Riviera.

Fascinating Fact of the Day about Torquay: From this site:

“Torquay (/tɔːrˈkiː/ tor-KEE) is a seaside town in Devon, England, part of the unitary authority area of Torbay. It lies 18 miles (29 km) south of the county town of Exeter and 28 miles (45 km) east-north-east of Plymouth, on the north of Tor Bay, adjoining the neighboring town of Paignton on the west of the bay and across from the fishing port of Brixham.The town’s economy, like Brixham’s, was initially based upon fishing and agriculture. Still, in the early 19th century, it developed into a fashionable seaside resort, originally frequented by members of the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. At the same time, the Royal Navy anchored in the bay. Later, as the town’s fame spread, it was popular with Victorian society. Renowned for its mild climate (for the U.K.), the town earned the English Riviera’s nickname.

The writer Agatha Christie was born in the town and lived there during her early years, and there is an “Agatha Christie Mile,” a tour with plaques dedicated to her life and work.”

When it was sunny a few days ago, we didn’t waste a moment dropping everything to hit the road to visit the popular town of Torquay, Devon, known as the English Riviera.
It was beautiful to see the ocean once again in Torquay, Devon.
Driving was always challenging when many roads weren’t marked, and the GPS signal was seldom available. Saving the online directions helped, but only when we closely watched the odometer for turns which helped but still wasn’t perfect.
It was one of the few sunny days in weeks inspiring us to go on a road trip.
Once we got onto the highway, the M5, finding our way was easy with many signs marked for Torquay, the popular seaside resort town. It took us over an hour once we made it to the highway.
 
Upon arrival in the lovely town of Torquay, after we’d had lunch in a restaurant with a parking lot (yeah!) with excellent views of the sea. We had a nice lunch and were on our way to check out the attractive location.
Torquay is a busy tourist location as well as a permanent home for many British and foreigners.  Its current population is 65,245, making it the third-highest population in Devon, but not in England’s top 320 cities/towns/villages.
Perhaps, someday, we’ll stay in Torquay for a few weeks as we’d done in the equally fantastic seaside town of Falmouth, Cornwall, which we left only a month ago. It was a memorable experience along with the two farms we’ve experienced on this two-month leg in the UK.
 
The time in the English countryside has passed quickly, and when we realize we’re leaving Witheridge in a mere four days, for 11 nights in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales. 
As shown above, over 1,000,000 tourists visit Torquay each year. Many stay in hotels and holiday rentals in buildings.
After spending two nights in a hotel in Southampton, we’ll be boarding the ship to begin our 15-night cruise back to the US in only 17 days from today, arriving in Fort Lauderdale on November 8th. We’re both very excited to see family again and, of course, to go on yet another cruise.
 
On our last cruise on August 11th from Amsterdam back to Amsterdam, I could not walk freely without awful pain.  Plus, my wardrobe was seriously lacking in options to wear both during the day and in the evenings when a more dressy attire is expected.  
The beach was clean and sandy, but the cool weather only attracted walkers, runners, and those exercising their dogs.
My clothes are worn out, and although I’ve tossed every tattered item, the remaining options showed signs of wear. It was frustrating to try to figure out what to wear each day and evening.
 
Also, most of my tops were low-cut v-neck, none of which I was excited to wear with the huge scar on my chest. No, I don’t mind it showing during our day-to-day lives, but I don’t care to draw attention to it in evening attire.
 
A week ago, the box of supplies we’d ordered from the US arrived (and received in five days) included a half dozen new tops I can wear on the cruise, along with the three casual dresses I’d fit in a prior package several months ago that arrived in South Africa, after quite a hassle.
Contemporary buildings line the boulevard, with many historic properties located throughout the town.  Parking was tricky.
My pants are all in good shape, so that these new tops will work out well.  I have one black skirt I’ve been hauling around for a few years that I’ve yet to wear. The scars on my legs are still raised and red, and unless I wear my opaque black tights, I doubt I’ll ever wear them. Maybe I’ll try that this time around.
 
We’ll pack in the next few days, and now that I have a few new things, I can unload an equal number of worn items I’ll no longer wear. This will make packing easier when we have to fly once again when we arrive in Florida in one month.
 
Today, we’re staying in again. You know…the rain continues.
 
May your Monday be sunny and bright!
Photo from one year ago today, October 7, 2018:
Cape buffalos sure know how to cuddle. Note the bird on his head. For more details, please click here.

Why do towns in UK have so many names?…Knock me over with a feather…Well, not quite…How about a sheep?…

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Chickens willingly wandering up the steep ladder to 
the safety of the barn at night.

Fascinating Fact of the Day about Tiverton: 
From this site:

“Tiverton enjoyed prosperity from the wool trade into the early 18th century, but then came a period of decline during the early industrial revolution. There were occasional riots, and societies of Woolcombers and Weavers were formed to protect jobs and wages. However, by the end of the century, due to cotton imports and the expansion of industrialization elsewhere, the town’s woolen industry was in terminal decline. In June 1731, another major fire broke out in the town, destroying 298 houses. After this, the streets were widened.”

We should clarify a fact I’ve intended to mention during many posts but failed to do so. In England, most cities have a few names. The answer is described more comprehensively than I could have. From this site:

“In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a town traditionally was a settlement which had the charter to hold a market or fair and therefore became a “market town”.In Scotland, the equivalent is known as a burgh. There are two types of burghs: royal burghs and burghs of barony. 
Note the chicken on the second ladder inside the barn.

The Local Government Act 1972 allows civil parishes in England and Wales to resolve themselves to be Town Councils, under section (245 subsections 6), giving the chairman of such parishes the title ‘town mayor.’ Many former urban districts and municipal boroughs have such status and other settlements with no prior town status. 

In more modern times, it is often considered that a town becomes a city (or a village becomes a town) as soon as it reaches a specific population. However, this is an informal definition, and no particular numbers are agreed upon. 

A young apple tree produced its first bright red apple.

The cultural importance placed on charters remains, and it is not an unusual event for towns across the UK to celebrate their charter in an annual Charter Day (normally a fair or medieval market).”

Black-eyed Susans. As a result, we are located in Witheridge, Tiverton, Devon, which is comparable to listing a village, a town, a city, and a county. When we mention any of these areas, they each have it’s own “downtown” or High Street, as explained below at this site:

“High Street (or the High Street, also High Road) is a metonym for the concept (and frequently the street name) of the primary business street of towns or cities, especially in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth of Nations. To distinguish it from “centres” of nearby places, it is frequently preceded unofficially by the name of its settlement. 

It implies the focal point for business in a town, especially shops and street stalls (if any) in town and city centres. As a generic shorthand presupposed upon linear settlements, it may denote more precise concepts such as the urban retail sector, town centre sectors of employment, all small shops and services outlets, and even broader concepts taking in social concepts.

This may be Common Montbretia.
The number of High Streets grew from the 17th-century and reached a peak in Victorian Britain. Since the 20th-century, the prosperity of High Streets has been in decline, forcing many shop closures and prompting the UK Government to consider initiatives to reinvigorate and preserve the High Street. 

High Street is the most common street name in the UK, which according to a 2009 statistical compilation, has 5,410 High Streets, 3,811 Station Roads, and 2,702 Main Streets. The smallest High Street in Britain is located in the small market town of Holsworthy in Devon. The street itself is no more than 100 yards (100 m) long and consists of only three shops.”
Zucchini, aka Courgettes in many parts of the world.
High St. is most comparable to “downtown” or “Main St.” in many towns throughout the US and a few countries worldwide. Each country we’ve visited seems to describe counties, towns, cities, and villages.  We find it’s essential to be aware of how they are related to ensuring we don’t sound like idiots when speaking to locals.

As for the other “mention” in today’s heading, here’s how the story goes: Yesterday afternoon, we wandered over to the paddock closest to Pond Cottage to greet the sheep and to feed them some of the small pellets Renate had left for us, along with different smaller pellets for the ducks, geese, and chickens.
Unable to identify these purplish flowers.

No, feeding the feathered friends and the sheep is not quite as exciting and eventful as providing 25 kudus, eight zebra,s, and six warthogs and babies, standing at the edge of the veranda.  

We make the most of every possible animal interaction regardless of where we may be living at any given time and haven’t been disappointed. But, yesterday was unique in that we were feeding animals face to face standing at our feet.

In Marloth Park, the wildlife was just that…wild, requiring a reasonable distance for safety reasons. Many tourists had been injured over the years when approaching the wild animals, which, unlike domestic animals, can quickly turn from friendly to dangerous, especially when competing for food.

The bright green vegetables appear to be butter lettuce but are overly ripe and too late for the picking.
Once inside the gate, at first, the sheep backed off, guarded and cautious with “people” they didn’t know. They freely gathered around. We proceeded with caution, speaking to them in soft voices while holding out our flat hands with pellets.

I was busy taking photos while attempting to feed them with my other hand. Suddenly, a sheep decided to walk from behind me between my legs to the other side. Go figure. My stance was a little wide while standing in the tall grass to balance myself, which was uneven and highly wet from days and days of rain.

This all happened so quickly I had no chance to further steady myself. I’ve never had a sheep or other animal walk between my legs. I tumbled and hit the ground. Luckily, for a few things, the ground was mushy and soft, and two, my sternum has wholly healed (although still painful to the touch and when I move specific ways).
A goose with a knot on her head.
During the seconds it took me to hit the ground, I tried to avoid falling on the many piles of sheep poop, and…much to my liking, I succeeded. My pants, socks, sweatshirt, and shoes ended up dirty and wet, remedied by a wash in hot water in the kitchen’s washing machine.  

I wasn’t injured but wondered if I’d be stiff today. Good grief! I awoke this morning feeling as good as I’ve felt each day over this past blissful month…free of pain, stiffness, and discomfort.  This won’t deter us from revisiting the sheep before we depart the farm in five days. Next time, I’ll keep my legs together and be more cautious.

Today’s above video was taken around 6 pm last evening when Allison, the temporary farm helper here twice a day while John and Renate are away, knocked on our door when we’d asked her to let us know when she’d be guiding the chickens into the barn.  
It was the wide sheep on the right that caused me to topple.
As mentioned in yesterday’s post, our reader/friend Adele suggested making a video of this momentous event. Only two of the five chickens hadn’t already wandered into the barn, up the steep ladder, on their own. Allison and I searched for the two remaining chickens. I found them in a side paddock, and they freely followed us toward the barn.
Alas, they “performed” as expected, making me laugh out loud as I took the video, barely able to keep the camera steady. Please click on the video for a chuckle. Chicken may be construed as having “pea brains” only motivated by food.  But entering the barn is for comfort and safety at night.  Maybe they aren’t so dumb after all.

That’s it for today, folks. Enjoy your Sunday!
Photo from one year ago today, October 6, 2018:
At first, we spotted this warthog sitting in the cement pond. By the time I grabbed the camera, he’d already begun to climb out. For more photos, please click here.