Devon Day Three Part Two - Totnes to Dartmouth

Boarding the Ferry at Totnes the boys set off on the 90 minute river cruise to Dartmouth.

Harry & Henry get out their little boat to play with.

Oliver comes along to join in with the game.

They were thrilled to see quite a lot of wildlife, from the buzzards soaring above, some kestrals, herons nesting and some Little Egret in the distance.

They spotted some Shelduck

Canadian geese nesting

Some Cormorant.

Most exciting for they boys though was being escorted into Dartmouth by the Royal Navy.

The Naval College on the hill.

On the seafront of Dartmouth the boys enjoy a spot of fishing and playing with their boats.

Seems they didn't notice the sign that said 'No Fishing off the Pontoons'.

Before long the Ferry arrived ready to take them over to Kingswear ready for the Steam train ride back to Totnes.

The two red head lads enjoy a bit more birdwatching armed with their binoculars and camera.

Kingswear Station coming up!

Henry 'the Engine Driver' and Oliver 'the Ticket Inspector' wait for the train to arrive.

"Here it comes"  Henry calls.  Poor Oliver faints from the excitement.

Never mind...Oliver soon recovers and gets to experience first hand the engine and standing on the foot plate with Henry.

After the tea break the Engine is moved to the front of the train...or is it the back of the train?

Here it comes towards the viewing carriage.

"Look!" Henry exclaims, "It is going to tow us backwards".

The engine is coupled to the the viewing carriage and off they set.

Henry enjoys the scenery

Oliver collects a ticket from one of the passengers.

Before long the train journey is finished.  The boys get to admire the Engine Hercules one last time before it is driven off for the night.

Devon Day Three Part One & The Girls do some Washing.

On the Wednesday we set off for our 'Round Robin' trip.  Starting with a 25 minutes bus trip between Paignton and Totnes.  We had hoped for an open topped bus, but unfortunately they didn't have one running on the Wednesday only a double decker so we sat up there instead.  

Arriving at Totnes the first thing the boys wanted to do was to visit the castle.

Under the English Heritage stewardship Totnes Castle is a Grade 1 listed monument and is one of the best preserved examples of a Norman motte and bailey castle in England. The surviving stone keep and wall dates from around the 14th Century and sits on a large hill above the town of Totnes and commands great views of the valleys below. 

Henry and Harry are very impressed by it.

They can't wait to explore and are soon off climbing up the steps...

With their two new friends they find an ideal spy hole.

What a shame you didn't bring your long bows!

They chat for some time about what it must have been like all those hundreds of years ago.

Climbing and exploring castles is thirsty and hungry work.

Sitting within the stone walls they enjoy their morning snack continuing their chatting.

Part Two, the boat cruise between Totnes and Dartmouth coming tomorrow...

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Harper and Molly are busy helpful girls indeed

"Those boys certainly get their clothes all mucky don't they?" Molly states to Harper.

"Shall we do the washing for your Mum?" Harper suggests.  "Let's load it all in the machine"

Harper holds the door open for Molly, while she loads the washing machine.

"Do you think these can all go in together?"  Molly asks.

"I think so" Harper replies..."I think we put them on a hot wash...or was it a cold wash?"

"I think it must be in between...not too hot and not too cold"  Molly says.  

"There, about 40 degrees should do it I think.  I'm sure that is what Mum sets it at"  

They put some powder in the machine and turn it on and wander off to play.

Let's hope they got it right!