A sociable weekend.

Last weekend we visited various friends who live further along the south coast. On Saturday we had a good catch-up and a tasty tea with friends who live in Lyme Regis in a wonderful former sea captain's house. We had a short walk on the cob, the harbour wall featured in Jane Austen's novel, "Persuasion" and in the film, 'The French Lieutenant's Woman' which is based on John Fowles' book of the same name.

We drove on to spend the night in Sidmouth, staying at the rather tired but very friendly and quirky Royal Glen Hotel. A plaque on our bedroom wall informed us that we were in the room where Victoria had slept as a vwey small child before becoming queen. (Sidmouth is swamped with plaques as this post will demonstrate!

We ate a very hearty breakfast on Sunday morning, so, in spite of doubtful weather we set off to walk beneath the cliffs towards C0nnaught Gardens. We dodged the waves but did catch a bit of sea spray. One or two people were soaked!

The blue plaques around the town have information that brings the past alive.

A bit of bad behaviour put on record!

We met up with the book group back along the coast in Seaton at a member's home for lunch. Jane Austen's 'Mansefield Park' was up for discussion which seemed very apt after visits to Lyme and Sidmouth!

Autumn colour

Every day the colours intensify and more leaves fall. Even in dull, damp weather I enjoy this time of year. If we are not taking a 'proper' walk we take a short half hour walk around the block. We kick through the fallen leaves of varying colours, sometimes red, sometimes yellow.

It is great weather for mushrooms and toadstools. This one was growing in the damp leaves in the kerb. I looked in my nature book without success to see if I could find out what it was. (a friend has just got in touch to tell me that it is a shaggy ink cap, sometimes known as a 'lawyer's wig.' She says they are supposed to be edble and tasty when young but I'm not going to try!)

These ones are in the garden and feasting on an old tree stump.

An occasional glimpse of sunshine is much appreciated!

And I'm still enjoying my beautiful bouquet!