Dartmouth blossoms in May

Crossing the lower ferry today from Kingswear Helen and me enjoy a lazy jaunt along this favourite home patch of Devon, unhindered by much traffic en-route, apart from along Paignton ring road, skirting Paignton Zoo.
After Coffee and snacks at the pannier market I spied a tempting accessory for the Morgan in the form of one brass and bulb air horn which made a wonderfully deep honk. Sadly my idea for some extrovert posing was immediately thwarted by Helen, with a succinct and very final: "NO" !
What a glorious time of year this is to be sure; with trees in blossom and parks in floods of colour.
Tor Cross Inn was our next stop, for fish and chips plus ice cream, enjoyed by the sea wall today. Now being surveyed for storm damage following severe recent gales.
Returning by the same way we are home by 3 pm ...

The inner harbour at low tide

Almost Mediterranean today 

Lower Ferry

At full steam in mid channel

Little traffic in the harbour 

The powerful little ferry tug

Dartmouth Pannier Market

Gale force winds send billowing cumulus clouds tumbling down off Dartmoor today and put the wind up the tail of the Morgan as we head down to Dartmouth via Kingswear and the lower ferry. 

Lower ferry crossing

Tug boat diplomacy

Two hours free parking

The steam train begins the scenic run to Paignton

Blossom looking good in the park

Curios and collectables at the market - Business is brisk - Totnes-Market- Curios & Collectables

Ebony elephants, Dartmouth pottery ware, Brass candlesticks, Silverwares and jewellery to suit all pockets, Fishing rods and reels, Torquay pottery, One decorated Ostrich egg, Costume jewelry, Victoriana, Mirrors, Paintings, garden ornaments, African carving, collectable metal cast toys, Antique bottles, 

Antique railway lamps, Onyx eggs, trinket boxes, Echo valve radio, Leather trunk and a surprise box of treasures

Bayards Cove just out of the wind

No queues for the ferry today.

We spent a pleasant couple of hours wandering along the water front and shopping for some Epiphanes boat varnish. We enjoyed a  meaty bap sitting in the pannier market and browse some of the stalls of curios and collectables. 

Thoughts of dietary  restraint all but forgotten, we enjoyed ice cream at Bayards Cove, sitting beside the waters edge as the ferries came and went.  So relaxing in warm sunshine and sheltered from the wind just here.