The Byes Friday 30th January 2026
Our January ‘Walk & Chat’ went along the Byes to Sidmouth. What an energising, wet but exciting ‘Walk & Chat’ it was. Only a small group ventured out due to the at times heavy rain and rather strong winds.
We got off the Trip minibus at Livonia Road, walked down the Byes to the Sea front. The crocuses and even daffodils in bloom greeted us all the way down. The water was very high but just fabulous in particular at the drive through where it came right up to the road. We had a lovely lunch at Mocha before a couple of us ventured for a short walk along the seafront where the waves were hitting us as we screeched for joy. A special experience much enjoyed by all.
Knightshayes Friday 27th February 2026
Lovely ‘Walk & Chat’ at Knightshayes today. So lucky with the weather which kept dry whilst we walked the loop around the estate having enjoyed a nice lunch first on arrival.
Once it started to rain we decided it was time for a visit to the house, the library and the Stable cafe.
Really nice walk with glorious trees and flowers and lots of colour already. Lovely afternoon much enjoyed by all. This year’s ‘Walk & Chats’ are funding by a National Lottery Community Grant.
Dawlish Warren Friday 27th March 2026
Lovely ‘Walk & Chat’ today at Dawlish, starting off at The Smugglers Inn for lunch, which is beautifully situated on the Bay. The food was good, The Carvery superb and the service good despite them being very busy.
Drove back to Dawlish town after lunch and the ones of us who wanted to and were able, took a lovely walk along the river up past the hospital to the park, walked around the park and back down to the river. Crossed over when we could and walked back on the other side. Such lovely little quaint houses, which takes you back years, lots to talk about. Really sweet & pretty. The black Swans one called Rosie were nesting and everything was so calm and idyllic. Enjoyed a cuppa and shared a cake at the Old Mill before we departed just gone 4pm. It drizzled a bit a couple of times but we were really lucky today considering the forecast.
A wonderful trip much enjoyed by all.
Photographs courtesy of David Smyth
Branscombe Wednesday 29th April 2026
What a lovely Walk & Chat we had this afternoon at Branscombe.. The weather was kind to us although there was a strong wind at the seaside.
The walk down from the Village Hall was gorgeous and once we reached the seaside we joined the non walkers for lunch, some sitting inside others outside either in the shade or in the sunshine. Each to their own. We had a little wander around outside and just enjoyed being at the seaside. Marian & Teresa even managed to walk to the top of the hill, see if you can find them in one of the photographs!!
We departed Branscombe at 3.15pm, drove to the Donkey Sanctuary where we met Chris & Kay, which was a lovely surprise. Had a cuppa & cake with them and had a little walk around outside hoping to see the small donkeys, but they flatly refused to come out of their shed. We departed at 4.45pm having had a wonderful day out.
Exeter Quay Friday 29th May
Wonderful Walk on the Quay today, fabulous weather, great company and good food at the Waterfront who thankfully took our booking late last night after Samuel Jones let us down and cancelled our booking. The carers were amazing walking all the way to the swingbridge across to the other side and back along the warehouses and eventually back to the ice cream parlour next to the Prospect Inn. Miriam shared her mobility scooter with Pat, which benefitted them both. Miriam got to walk some of the way and Pat got to sit and drive the scooter for the first time for a while, both winners. Perfect afternoon very much enjoyed by everyone.
Westbay Friday 26th June 2026
What a lovely afternoon we all had at West Bay today. Miriam & Marion could not have picked a better place for us to eat. The waitresses were extremely courteous and the food was lovely.Thank you ladies.
Marion led the walk around the harbour and beach. Some of us had a little paddle in the sea, which was wonderfully refreshing and real fun trying to walk across the pebbles and pebbles, gosh how it hurts your feet when you are older. I remember clearly running across it all as a child and never giving my feet a thought. Today I literally crawled back on my hands and knees as it hurt my feet so much. It was however worth it all as the sea was fantastic Oh how I wish I had brought my swimming costume and I believe I was not the only one who regretted that either.
We had a lovely ice cream with a proper vanilla wafer before boarding the coach, at least some of us did, as Val Lloyd had no sooner got hers, taken a few licks and the sea gulls got her ice cream, one pinched the ice cream itself and the second one came along as if in a pact together and pinched the cone out of her hand. That was £4 right down the Gulls throats.🥲
Budleigh Friday 26th June 2026
What a brilliant day we had at Budleigh today’s so very lucky with the weather and Westley’s cafe at the Methodist Church did us proud with our lunches. The food was freshly prepared, tasty and well presented. Really nice.
We split in to two groups after lunch. Stella’s group stayed along the seafront and had fun trying every bench.
The rest of us walked to the Wetlands and managed to walk all around, crossing at the second bridge, brilliant effort by everyone in this heat in particular. I am so pleased everyone made it.
We enjoyed a well earned ice cream on our return to the seafront where we all sat together taking in the gorgeous view until it was time to meet the coach in the car park.
Boston Tea Party Friday 28th August 2026
Due to the severe heat we have been experiencing this last couple of months our monthly Walk & Chat got changed this month to a Cuppa & Chat at Boston Tea Party with Town Cryer Caroline Kolek giving us a lovely talk about her life as a teacher, town councillor, town Mayor and finally a Town Cryer. We also covered the unitary changes and how that will affect the councils and the community. Great inspirational talk by Caroline, who has given an incredible 22 years to the community in her various voluntary positions. A huge thank you to Caroline for todays talk which went down well with everyone who attended and for everything you do for the community.
Topsham Wednesday 30th September 2026
Wonderful afternoon at Topsham today. We were lucky with the weather and had a really nice day. Lunch at the Passage Inn which was really nice and a good walk along the Goats Walk. Due to lack of time we sadly did not complete the circle but came back the same way. We did manage to see the lovely view from the hide but not the new indoors view point which was further down the lane. However I think we can safely say that it may be a walk to be repeated next year, perhaps in the spring when we will allow ourselves another hour.
We very much enjoyed our visit to Watermeadow Grange, Lizzie our hostess was very welcoming and had the refreshments waiting for us when we got there.
Thank you to everyone who helped served the refreshments, really appreciate your help and I think Lizzie was thrilled to bits that all she had to do was make the tea, a few coffees and then stack the dishwasher after we left. Just before we left I presented Lizzie with a few of the wonderful fiddle muffs that May Bowsher makes for us and some Dementia Friendly forget me not broaches. She was absolutely delighted and thought May’s workmanship was absolutely stunning. Thank you May for making this possible.
We all decided that we would not mind staying at the Water-meadow Grange for a couple of weeks, it is sheer luxury and with so much entertainment going on all day long. They work closely with the community too and have an open morning session for the community to visit. Very proactive and just lovely. Thank you so much to Lizzie for inviting us.
