A last look around Easton:

A transit day from Winchester to Torquay, with stops in Salisbury and Exeter to view their cathedrals. As on previous days, we just can’t get enough of this lush green countryside. The sight of so many yellow canola fields, especially when they are draped over rolling hills, really lifts the spirits.

Salisbury was only about half an hour from Winchester. Inside the cathedral (admission free) volunteer Tim (an ex-Navy man) offered to give us a brief tour before his next big group. He explained that the cathedral was built on a greenfields site – there was no town there at the time, so it is amazing that it was completed in only 38 years. There were many lovely stained glass windows (a passion of mine, as you may by now have gathered), from various eras, sometimes mixed together in the same panel. The vaulting both here and in Exeter is quite spectacular.

 

After a lunch of M&S sandwiches, consumed in a lay-by, we headed on to Exeter – over 100 Km away from Salisbury. The cashier at the cathedral was sick today, so we got in for free. However, here, as in Salisbury, we made a donation to the building fund to salve our conscience. There were volunteers on patrol here, as in other cathedrals, who were only too happy to answer questions. We really appreciated being able to benefit from their knowledge.

The two cathedrals, while different, were both stunning in their own distinct ways.

Where are staying – Torquay – is Fawlty Towers country. We hasten to add though that our hosts are the antithesis of Basil and Sybil.

The hostess recommended a nearby restaurant for dinner. This was one of the quirkiest we have ever been in. The decoration was Hollywood-themed – there were statues, photographs and memorabilia of the stars. I sat all evening being beckoned to come outside by a statue of a seated Marilyn Monroe in a white dress.