Lyme Regis Wednesday 29th January 2025
Our first ‘Walk & Chat’ of the year took us to Lyme Regis.
We left Honiton at 12 noon and I think it is fair to say we were extremely lucky with the weather as there was a yellow weather warning for the day forecasting heavy rain and gales. We started off in dry weather with a walk along the promenade and the Cob, very invigorating to say the least. This was followed by lunch at The Royal Standard who looked after us really well leaving everyone happy and contended.
We had a further walk along the promenade, some carried on further than others past the Museum, but once we came past the cover of the walls the wind became too much and the rain suddenly became heavy so we headed back and all settled down for a cuppa before boarding the coach at 4pm. A very pleasant winter walk which turned out so much better than expected.
Seaton Friday 28th February 2025
We had incredible weather for our ‘Walk & Chat’ at Seaton. Spring is definitely on its way. People were sitting on the many benches along the seafront, enjoying the warm sunshine and what is hopefully to come. We got dropped off at the Harbour end and walked along the seafront to Pebbles Cafe, where we all enjoyed our lunch together. Once we were fed & watered, we split according to our individual walking abilities, some carried on walking along the seafront up to the Hideaway, then up the steps to the beautiful Gardens, around the gardens and back down along the path which runs alongside the main road. Here we split once more with the keen walkers walking back to the Harbour end whilst others decided to enjoy a cuppa & cake in the beautiful Green Leaf coffee lounge. We all met up at 4pm at the bus stop, where we boarded our coach back to Honiton. A fabulous day enjoying some lovely fresh sea air and having a good chat with everyone.
Photographs are courtesy of David Smyth today
The Byes Friday 28th March 2025
Another sunny day for our ‘Walk & Chat’ along the Byes, the wind was keen but the heat of the sun on our faces made up for it. What a lovely walk it was today with all the spring flowers popping up everywhere, the birds singing and everyone chatting together all the way to Sidmouth. We enjoyed a lovely lunch at Mocha and once finished carried on walking along the promenade to Jacobs ladder and back to town from where the coach picked us up at 4pm. Really lovely day and much enjoyed by everyone.
Exmouth Wednesday 30th April 2025
We managed to chose the hottest day of the year so far for our Exmouth ‘Walk & Chat’ . It was in the mid twenties with a clear blue sky and a gentle mild breeze, just perfect. We arrived at Exmouth Life Boat Station at 1pm, walked back to the Ocean where I had booked us in for lunch, but this is where we split up, some went to Rockfish and others had brought a picnic. Only 9 of us ended up eating at the Ocean, but the food was wonderful, generous portions and served efficiently and quickly. Good choice. Once finished we walked to the end of the Promenade and back, by which time the cow ch had arrived just before 4pm but was already time to go home again. A wonderful day was had by all but sadly only 2 photos, I completely forgot that David our lovely photographer was poorly and therefore not attending today. I was meant to take over from him. Luckily Katrina and Sharon had taken one each so saved the day.
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Donkey Sanctuary Friday 30th May 2025
What a lovely afternoon we had at the Donkey Sanctuary today. We started off with what was supposed to be around circle walk through the woods but sadly the woods were closed when we go down there, so we ended up down a rather steep path with no way out and had to go all the way up again. Good exercise for sure. Thank you so much to Charles for his help with supporting us all and lending a strong arm when required. Much appreciated.
Once back at the cafe we stopped for our refreshments, some enjoying their picnic outdoors and whilst some preferred the lovely cafe. As we had gorgeous weather today, we soon set off for another walk, this time on the flat along the fields to see the Donkeys, which was very much enjoyed by all, some were even lucky enough to see them being fed.
After a tiring but very lovely afternoon we left at 4pm and had a relaxed drive home enjoying natures cathedral in many places.
Rosemoor Gardens Friday 27th June
We had a wonderful at Rosemoor Gardens. Left Honiton at 11am, got to Rosemoor at 12.30pm, had a short talk in the coach before we all dispersed and walk in small groups, doing exactly what we fancied and were able to. Stella, Miriam and Peter had hired a mobility scooter each, which was available from 2pm. We went and had our picnic in the Rose Gardens and by the time we had finished eating it was time to collect the Scooter. They had a quick lesson each, signed the paperwork and off we went. Now we know the gardens we found our way around really quickly Stella and I first went to the Lake to give Stella practice on the scooter, then to Queen Anne’s Garden, having been there we met up withhold the group who were all enjoying a ice cream at the ice cream shed. Rested there for a while then went on to the gardens. Sat in the Rose garden and suddenly had a very colourful visitor. A beautiful Peacock who very much enjoyed a Greggs chocolate cookie out of Stella’s hand. He was a bit too close for comfort for me as I did not like the look of his very sharp peek. We had a Quick Look around the nursery before settling for a quick coffee outside the restaurant and by the time we had finished that one it was 5pm and time to get on the coach. We were the last ones on so were clapped beautifully making fund of us as I always do that to others. Beautiful day much enjoyed by everyone.
Honiton Town Wednesday 30th July
Brilliant ‘Walk & Chat’ today with Caroline Kolek our deputy town cryer who gave us a wonderful guided walk along Honiton High Street. She stopped at 6 blue plagues and gave us a really good history lesson about them all. So very interesting and just the right amount of time at each one, not too long but long enough. Incidentally Caroline will be taking over from David Retter after Honiton Show in August, when David steps down for good after 30 brilliant years in service. Thank you so much Caroline for giving us such a brilliant and interesting walk.
We ended up at Boston Tea Party and sat outside in the glorious sunshine. Stella arrived first with Vanessa to welcome all the none walkers. Thank you Stella. We all had a wonderful afternoon with excellent service and lovely cakes. I believe much enjoyed by all. Thank you to Boston Tea Party for having us.
Lyme Regis Sunday 24th August 2025
Candles on the Cob
What a wonderful, beautiful and emotional evening this proved to be. 5000 candles all being lit at the same time on the Lyme Regis Cob in memory of all our lost and loved ones who we will never forget. The event was organised by the Lyme Regis Rotary Club with profits going to the local charities and clubs. It was packed everywhere on this very beautiful and mild summers evening.
We had a door to door minibus starting off from my place at 4pm and in due course picked the carers up from 12 different addresses. Paul our Trip driver was new to us, but was so very kind and could not have done more for us. We had dinner at the Pilot Boat booked for 6.15pm and at 7.30pm Paul drove us down to the Cob to save us struggling through the crowds. 7 of us went to the gardens for a better view, the rest stayed on the Cob. We left for our gentle drive home just gone 9.15pm after a most moving but wonderful experience.
Friday 25th September 2025
Visit to Otterton Mill
Wonderful ‘Walk & Chat’ to Otterton Mill today, with an interesting talk by the owner CHRIS. around the working Mill and thanks to Val, he also came outside to talk to the few of us who could not get inside due to access. He was charming and so very honest about the course of their recent fire. Apparently it was caused not by any electricity fault at all or anything else like that but by hot washing left in a hot tumble dryer, but with an open door and dryer switched off from the mains. Apparently the tea towels were left in a thick pile all knotted together. He had done the washing himself but was too tired after a very long day to take them out, shake them out and fold them. What a big mistake that proved to be. You could never have imagined that it was possible for a fire to start like that. We certainly live and learn every day.
The talk was followed by lunch in the marquee from which they operate as their temporary restaurant. The main one is obviously closed for now. It is amazing what they can turn out in the small space they have and so very quickly too.
We had a lovely walk up to the Bridge and back and I am pleased to say a lot of us made it safely there and back but definitely needed a little sit down and a cuppa and cake before we departed Otterton at 4.45pm after a superb day out.
Wednesday 29th October 2025
Visit to Bickleigh
Lovely ‘Walk & Chat’ to Bickleigh. Starting off with lunch at Bickleigh Mill and a quick look around their lovely gift shop. On to Bickleigh Castle for a walk around the grounds, which were really interesting. Sadly the house was not open today, they only do guided tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays and close the house at 3pm every day, so we just missed it. However what we saw was lovely.
On to the beautiful Bickleigh Church in the little pretty village. What a gem the church is, lovely seats and pews and the most beautiful stained glass windows, so pleased we managed to fit all 3 in today.
Once finished we returned to Bickleigh Mill for a cuppa & cake and another look around the gift shop and grounds before we departed at 5pm. Lovely but tiring day with packing in so much.
Friday 21st November 2025
Visit to Darts Farm illuminated Garden
Our walk this months took us to Darts Farm for Hospiscare’s illuminated Memorial Garden. The wet and cold weather during the week, had sadly spoilt the individual roses illuminations, so instead they had to use plan B and floodlight the garden instead. Hospiscare raised the fabulous amount of £10,000.00 despite the awful weather, bad illuminating and lack of signposting and assessibility., which will definitely be improved upon next year, it was a first with a hard learning curve for them.
We enjoyed a lovely cream tea before our walk and in addition some wonderful Fish & Chips from the Shed afterwards before being driven safely back home by Trip Community Transport, thankfully with a door to door service as it was dark and rather cold.
