Following the river to the sea

 We awoke to bird song and blue skies and our plans of jobs around the house and garden were instantly abandoned and replaced by a day out by the sea in Devon instead.


  This is Sidmouth, which has a wonderful park that follows the course of the River Sid


down to the sea ...... 





It was hard to believe it was January as we sat on the beach basking in the sunshine and eating sandwiches. All that was missing was the ice-cream!



On the way home, we discovered a beautiful village in a hidden valley that led to the sea. This is quite a common occurance along this stretch of coast. It will need further exploration another time, as there were a few things that needed doing back at home!


If this has wetted your appetite for similar images and you have 20 minutes to spare, do have a look at this 1961 British Travel Association Film about taking a holiday in the West Country. It is a wonderful piece, showing not only the delights of the West Country, but also the fashion, food and transport of that era! How I would love to have one of those cottage gardens packed full of flowers  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. If you search the British Pathe site you will discover many i fascinating news reports and film footage from all around the world.

Thank you for all your comments on the last post  especially about the effect of the storms on Chesil Beach. The beach is now clear of debris - thanks to many volunteers.   Luckily we missed seeing the dead cow that was washed onto the beach! A message in a bottle was also discovered that had been thrown in the water by a young boy 13 years ago from the north coast of Devon. Welcome to my new followers Tammy, Noelle, Liz, Wendy, (if you have links please let me know), also hello to Marie and Julie.


Sarah x


Comments

  1. Oh, my goodness!! I just love the Pathe film!! I had a ride in the horse and cart at Cockington when I was small as a birthday treat!! How quiet Devon and Cornwall looked, just a couple of cars, those were the days!!! I so enjoyed the jaunt to Sidmouth too!! What fabulous weather!! You are right about hidden villages, we found The Donkey Sanctuary by mistake as we pootled along the coast road many moons ago. What a marvellous mistake that proved to be!!!

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  2. Beautiful photos. We had lovely weather here today, but it was quite cold here!

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  3. Wow! everything looks so crisp and clean. Have a wonderful day.

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  4. Looks like you had a lovely day out! It looks like it could be the middle of summer on the beach!

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  5. Following a river to the sea is duch a romantic notion. Your river to the sea is beautiful.

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  6. What a lovely day - definitely too good to do jobs around the home.
    We have been noticing the catkins on the hedgerows, the greening of the willow, as on your photo, and so many bulbs popping up - Spring seems to be arriving early.
    Love the sunny first photo of the shadows from the trees reflected in the river.
    Did you manage to find the photo cube, and work it out? I can help if you want to make one.

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    1. The photo cube is on my to do list for this week. Thank you for the offer of help I will let you know if it doesn't work. Sarah x

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  7. Wow gorgeous scenery! What a beautiful place to live.

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  8. Ahhh, simpler days, with the sun always shining!!! Loved the video.

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  9. It looks completely stunning. How nice to drop everything and go out to enjoy the sunshine, it sounds like you had a lovely time.

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  10. Silly really, but I never really thought of Sidmouth as the mouth of the Sid river!! It has only just struck me reading your post when you pointed out the name of the river! Looks as though you had a lovely day out, there is a lot of water in the river though isn't there. xx

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  11. Oh Sarah, I thoroughly enjoyed that 20 minutes of such a charming tour back to 1962! WOW! What a place, with the thatched roofs, and the delightful life on the beach! THANK YOU for sharing this. My husband and I want to go to England, and I'd love to see the Lake District, but the shore is now catching my attention, thanks to you!

    But that village with the thatched roofs and the way The Mouse Hole is pronounced......MAGIC!

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    1. The West Country that includes not only Dorset and Devon and Cornwall have beautiful locations too. I haven't visited the Lake District but it is on my list of places to go! Sarah x

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  12. What a cheering post Sarah. We did see the first snowdrops in the village today AND it wasn't raining! It can only get better...

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  13. Isn't Sidmouth where the donkeys live? The village church looks pretty so I think a visit would be lovely especially as we love Donkeys. It was a beautiful day yesterday, we were lucky to get out for a walk too.

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    1. The Donkey Sanctuary is a few miles outside Sidmouth and definitely worth visiting. Glad you enjoyed a walk in the sunshine too. Sarah x

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  14. Brilliant! Housework can always wait when theres' a sunny day to grab. Love those amazing red cliffs.

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  15. After the awful weather we have had recently it is so good to get some fine days. And we need to take advantage of them. I've been going out to do a bit of gardening whenever we get some sunshine.

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  16. It's been a dream of mine for quite some time to make a holiday driving around English countryside. I am starting to be more and more convinced we should include Dorset on our tour.

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    1. The West coast of England which also includes Devon and Cornwall as well as Dorset is always a popular place to visit. Over the last few years more Europeans have discovered this special corner of England too. Sarah x

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  17. What beautiful photos, so crisp and clear-It all looks so lovely:)

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  18. Lovely to see the sun on the water. I always so enjoy your sea pictures x

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  19. It's so lovely to just get outside and I have left washing and ironing to enjoy the sunshine recently. I love Sidmouth and have thought about moving there, we even looked at a few houses during our move down south.

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  20. I think you were brilliant to abandon your plans of work around the house and head out into the beautiful day to explore instead!

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  21. Wow what an enchanting place to live. It looks so serene.

    www.highheelsandtutus.com

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  22. Wasn't it wonderful weather yesterday ... we made the most of it too. I heard about the dead cow ... glad I didn't see it! M x

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  23. Glad to see you had some lovely weather to enjoy, I just looked back at your other post about the storm.

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  24. Hello Sarah
    I dont blame you for abandoning the jobs and going on a lovely walk. looks like lovely weather too x

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  25. Was just reading your blog when you sent a message to mine ;-) Have enjoyed reading this very much and will have a look at the suggested video. Such blue skies!!

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  26. Have a picnic in the open air on a sunny wintry day sounds like the best thing to do Sarah ! I would enjoyed so much a walk through this amazing English countryside and breathtaking coasts...
    Have a lovely week!
    Olympia

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  27. It seems like you've been having incredible weather there lately! This looks like such a beautiful place. I really love that scene in your photo with the weeping willow hanging down over the water.

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  28. I enjoyed the film very much and wonder how much the area has changed. Is it more crowded than the film depicts? Do they still use donkeys to carry your luggage. It was indeed a blessing to be out in January at such a lovely place and probably not nearly as crowded as summer. Loved your photos. Thanks!

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    1. It is more crowded than the film depicts especially in the. Height of summer and in the popular spots but a short walk can take you away from the crowds. The place with the donkeys is called Clovelly and they are still the only mode of transport in the village. Sarah x

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  29. It looks so wonderful! Wish I was there!! I'm so looking forward to spring.

    Have a fabulous week xox

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  30. What a perfect thing to do to postpone any jobs and go out and enjoy some lovely countryside instead. I love the idea of following the river to the sea - and of course all rivers and streams are so full and fast flowing at the moment. I will make time for the video - I'm sure I'm going to really enjoy it.

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  31. I've always the name 'Sid' for the river. Lovely pics and I've just been reading and article from the Independent about Chesil where our friend Geoffrey is quoted! x

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  32. Oh Sarah that old film! The frocks and high heels, the matching jackets and handbags. The cravats and ties (and the man does the driving...) The old cameras, and as you point out, the lack of crowds. How things have changed!

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  33. Olá amiga,vim retribuir sua carinhosa visita ao meu cantinho.
    Obrigada,volte sempre !

    Beijos Marie.

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  34. Sunshine Sarah wow we are worlds apart with the weather. Just off to watch the film link on your blog now.
    Hope all is well ?
    Annie x

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  35. I have come back to look at your first photo again. It is just magical. Looks like a path I would love walking. Thank you for continuing to take us on your explorations!

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  36. It looks like a gorgeous day on your part of the coastline - it's still a bit frosty and wet here!

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  37. Stunning photos of the river Sid and the path leading to the sea Sarah.
    Your weather seems better than ours!
    here its rain, windy and very cold.
    I do hope that some of the poor people still with flood waters are getting better assistance.
    Terrible floods there this year. I really felt sorry for some of those people.
    Nice to be out and about.
    I will be looking up Chesil and also watching the video.
    xx val

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  38. Beautiful Sarah! Please send some of that lovely weather our way :-)

    Have a lovely evening!

    Madelief x

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  39. I always love "walking" with you and exploring all those lovely places you guide us through.

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  40. An interesting post with some nice pictures. Glad you enjoyed your day out!

    Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

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  41. You could almost be fooled into thinking it was summer - I wish. Beautiful photos Sarah and I loved the path to the sea that you took us on. x

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  42. Little glimpses of blue skies have been much appreciated here too. Imagine finding the message in the bottle ! did it make the local news ?
    They keep finding unexploded world War two bombs on a spit of land locally. The waves crash against the spit & when it is shored up again, bombs are found !

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    1. Yes it did make the local news and the seven year old boy who had written the original letter was still living in the same place so he received a reply - although now he is 19!
      Sarah x

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  43. Hell Sarah, It good to be back to see your most wonderful and beautiful photos Down by the Sea. The river seems to be overflowing and rushing to the sea. Love seeing the wee village.. Your posting always make me smile. Hugs Judy

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