Old Barnstaple.

Despite it being Saturday it was an early start to the day as Peter had to leave by 7.00 to drive down to Camborne (230 miles round trip) for a day's study and exam, (it was to do with routers and other networking stuff). I too had an early start, did some housework and went into town earlyish. I had to visit the bank, post office and library and then had a leisurely stroll around the shops looking for that elusive top that will cover up the flab and still make me look totally glamorous. Needless to say such a thing doesn't exist but it's fun looking. I also searched for sunglasses to wear after I get my eyes done. I know what I want but even going into the pricey surf/sports shops I didn't find the right pair. I'll probably end up getting a £2 pair from Primark. It was sunny but cool in town and there weren't too many people around, I hate being jostled in crowds or having to dodge slow moving groups which always seem to stop right in front of me. I did manage to get some clear photos of some of the older parts of town. The spire of the church is twisted because after it was built the timbers shrank unevenly as they dried out.
This is a 14thC chapel that was later the school , (in one tiny room).

The almshouses are still lived in by 'the deserving poor', ie needy older residents of Barnstaple. These narrow alleys are the original town roads.

Back home I finished off some school paperwork and tried to enjoy the patches of sunshine. One minute it was burning hot, the next it would be rather cool.

More of the hardy geraniums are coming into flower. There is such a range of colours and sizes and they will flower for some weeks.

This one is psilostemon, a large flowered tall variety.

This is 'Roxanne' which I bought years ago at the Gardeners' World Show at the NEC.

As well as the iris there are 3 of the common varieties here.

I like the unusual foliage of this one which has a special place up in the scree garden.

Earlyish night tonight as we are both rather tired, as always.

Barnstaple Pannier Market.

I didn't get to the Forest Schools course after all. I started the day with symptoms of cystitis. I've never had it before but a quick phone call to NHS Direct confirmed my self diagnosis and I was advised to get some medicine from the chemist's and to drink LOTS. I couldn't really see myself running around doing outdoor activities , rather running to the bathroom a lot, so I pulled out of the course. I was disappointed as I've done a lot of outdoor activities with youngsters at scout camp and at a city farm and it would have been interesting to see the kind of activities we are allowed to do now. Also it would have been excellent to spend the day with my colleagues. Never mind, that's the way things go.

At home summer is truly on its way. The wisteria is making its yearly attempt to flower but the snails are already lining up to munch their way through the flowers.

Today I saw the first of the climbing roses over the porch. Such a cliche but I had to have roses scrambling up the walls alongside the honeysuckle and the wisteria.

The purple drumstick alliums are making a grand appearance.

And a very tattered butterfly was soaking up the sun in the scree garden.

I had to go into town to collect some medicine from the chemists so I popped into the Pannier Market. Friday is the traditional market day, until some years ago we had a cattle market on Fridays as well. Many local businesses sell their wares here .......

.... from market gardeners to


Jacob sheep breeders.

This lady was busy knitting at her stall selling sheep's cheese, wool and woolly jumpers.

This stall specialises in organic vegetables, herbs and unusual varieties of plants.

There are also a number of farmer's stalls. If you look closely you can see that one of the duck's eggs on sale is bright blue. Occasionally there are goose eggs for sale.

This stall seemed to be specialising in dogs' toys.

I love the olive stall, it smells wonderful as you walk past. There are all kinds of olives to choose from and other delicacies such as sundried tomatoes and feta. Unlike the rest of my family I don't like the taste of olives but I love the smell.

The seconhand book stall has an overflow area around this traditional phone box.


If I wasn't planning to move I would have been very tempted to buy this wonderful iris on sale at one of the many plant stalls. I also managed to resist Roly's Fudge shop. The smell of the fudge cooling on a marble slab as you walk past that tiny shop simply makes your mouth water.

Barnstaple's Alleys.

Barnstaple is not a pretty historical town but a working commercial centre for North Devon. But once you look past the scruffy slightly run down facades you can see the layout of the medieval streets and alleys and there are architectural reminders of its ancient history.

This is on the wall of a building in Cross st above a baby goods shop.
The 1960s M&S building is an eyesore compared to these lovely old cottages.

The sun shone down on the throngs of shoppers walking along the High st which is pedestrianised during the day.

I went into town to do a few things and collect Romas from the bus station. The rest of the day has been spent organising paperwork. The pile is about 3" high so far but I'm almost ready to start filling in the forms.