July 5: Plymouth

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPlymouth 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.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWe 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.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWe 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. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe 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.

 

July 4: Plymouth

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe sun came out just as we entered the Plymouth England harbor. Getting through customs entailed walking by a drug-sniffing Newfoundland Setter, and then getting our passports stamp. Easy-peachy!

As we walked out of the terminal, we met two cyclist, Theresa and Adrian from Falmouth who kindly gave us a lift to the tourist information center. Unfortunately by the time we arrived, the office was closed…so we were SOL in getting hotel info. We started knocking on all the B&Bs until we found  suitable accommodations. A bit pricey, but with a view of the ocean.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERASince the UK uses the pound Sterling, we needed to get to the ATM. There, we asked locals for recommendations to a restaurant and were guided to the restaurant above the gin distillery. I ordered all vegetables, having missed them on the Iberian Peninsula: pea and mint soup; salad with watermelon, olives, and feta; and sweet potatoes with spinach. I will be happy not to see croissants, ham and cheese sandwiches, cod, and, of course, potatoes for a long time.

We are thinking of hiking the Southwest Hiking Trail from Plymouth to Falmouth. First , we’ll see what the tourist office has for info, then search out guidebooks and maps. I also have to find a better hiking shoe. Hopefully we will be off on Saturday.