Plymouth is a welcoming city and tourist flock to enjoy the beauty and shopping. Unexpectedly, I received that confounded stare when I asked someone if the markings in the road indicated a crosswalk. Gee, I thought I was speaking English! Luckily someone interpreted it as a “pedestrian crossings.” I am learning.
First thing this morning, Dennis wished me a happy b-day. Then to my delight, I discovered the B & B had oatmeal (porridge). I actually squealed with joy at not having to eat the typical Iberian toasted bread or croissant, which caused others at breakfast to laugh.
We went to New George Street to resupply. This street has three outfitters, and we shopped at two. I bought shoes and a shirt; Dennis bought a shirt, socks, and a hiking pole to replace the one that wore out. Most important, we went to a book store to buy The Southwest Coast Path guidebook and a Kindle to replace my broken one We went to pharmacy (Boots) for Omega 3 and a UK electrical adapter, which weighs more than a cell phone. Now we plug this into the wall, then the Spanish adapter that lets us plug the American cords. Traveling can get complicated. At least we were able to buy everything we needed in four stores, unlike in Spain where stores tend to specialized in only one thing: pharmacy–drugs; hardware store–adapter, etc.
We walked on Hoe Hill, a large open area with monuments to veterans, an 18th century lighthouse, and a large Ferris wheel (8.5 £ per person). The park is beautifully adorned with flowers, holly bushes, and something which I have not seen in a long time, deciduous trees. Along the boardwalk we spied only a few brave boys in the water; even though it is July, the temperature is only in the 60s F. Even though I was wearing my fleece pants and jacket I did not stand out too much from the locals who wore long sleeves and pants.Of course, the younger generation was more scantily clad, as was Dennis.
The royal citadel is a walled area, different from the walled cities in Spain and Portugal in that the rocks appear newer and better maintained. The deep blue sound glimmered in the sun and contrasted with the stony cliffs and multicolored sail boats–very picturesque and Dennis took many photos. 
The one on the right shows the marina, Charles Church, and residential housing in the background.
We delighted our taste buds with Thai food, and then returned to prepare for our hike from Plymouth to Falmouth on the Southwest Coastal Path, which is deemed one of the most beautiful hikes in the UK. Though the path is more than 600 miles long, we will do only a portion before heading to London.
