Some of you may notice that 3 blogs have appeared in just over 24 hours. This is because Autumn proper finally arrived in the West Country and with only one planned task of the day we couldn’t give up on a cold crisp day with blue skies, bright sunshine and sharp shadows. We were out for all of the 10 daylight hours that November gave us yesterday.

Our early morning quest was to visit a farm cafe, that we always manage to miss,on our travels into the area known as South Hams. We like to have a small portfolio of places we have visited to take friends to. As I write this I realise we have never even taken our friend whose name is Hams to the South Hams.

Ironic really as his partner’s surname is Curnow the old word for Cornwall and he gets to visit Cornwall every time they visit us. Note to self to resolve this ommision.

Our target cafe of the day was Heron Valley. The orchard and fields overlook Heron Valley. As if to signal the beginning of a perfect visit a Heron rose into the air just in front of us and flew into the trees on the horizon to the right of this picture. Honestly!

Also perfect was the day bed provided for weary travellers. I was a traveller but hardly weary at 10 am. But needs must, for a photo opportunity.

Breakfast was fab. The dogs got chopped up sausage and a roaring fire to gaze at.

The cafe also has a small showroom for homewares made from recycled plastic water bottles. Autumn colours were everywhere.

And sharply defined shapes in the outdoor eating area.

https://www.heronvalley.co.uk/

https://www.weavergreen.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAudG5BhAREiwAWMlSjFVfXaYrHRA6X8h96CCll8TNBNFj6dpbrHX54PwMI9uF7zq8h6ZxlRoCStwQAvD_BwE

It was at breakfast we decided to extend our day and visit a garden centre.

This week I have taken delivery of two rambling roses. The yard has proved it can grow roses well, it has nurtured an old rose that has been there forever and a cutting that was gifted to me. I bought three rose plants from the London 2012 Olympic sell off . They failed to thrive in our back garden I don’t know if it was me or the clay that killed them off. They were the roses that provided the medal winners bouquets and may just have been exhausted plants. Whatever the reason I have become timid about buying new rose plants until this year.

Going to a garden centre did not alleviate my timidity. Too much information. We retreated to the cafe and I resolved to take advice from the growing advice provided with my two new climbers.

Autumn colour was everywhere. Some of it on my plate.

Some great colour combinations just in the texture of gardening sundries.

Two cafe stops in the first 5 hours of daylight suggest that the next 5 should perhaps be spent doing some exercise. Slapton Sands was our choice of location, just beautiful sea and sand with no tempting cafes. I think the words bracing and beautiful best sum up our beach walk.

There was another plan for our afternoon, more painting of walls at home. By staying out until sunset we quite naturally cancelled this plan.

And to finish, a pretty public washroom. I love a pretty loo.