Our River Boat and Train Journey to Great Malvern, May 14

To see more photos, please click on the links to the right  -->

He Said:

A travel day, so it’s fine if it rains... and it does.

Our boat trip from Dartmouth to Totnes was refreshing, lot’s of bird life and the air was clean, I enjoyed being out on deck watching it all go by, and we caught a break in the rain during the trip until we were walking the rest of the way into Totnes.  The River Dart is quite long, and tidal for the hour and a half trip up river.  We were sailing at a low tide, so the mud flats on each side were extensive, and the birds were out looking for food.  The photos and the sights from the boat were well worth it to me.  After that the long train trip was more of a time to reflect on what was ahead.

She Said:

Another rainy, gray start to the day, but a good day for No Walking.  We took the ferry up the River Dart to Totnes, where we caught the train to Great Malvern.

Along the way, we sailed through Dittisham, the widest part of the River Dart and the staging area for the 485 US Landing Craft that departed from here on June 3, 1944 and sailed for Normandy and the D-Day Allied invasion.  It must have been a sight to see - bucolic hills and tiny, pristine villages, then...military might the likes of which, I'm sure, no one had ever seen before (or even dreamed of).

We saw a couple of huge Atlantic Gray seals, pretty far upriver, plenty of egrets and herons, too.  It was a lovely, atmospheric boat ride.

Tony the Dartmouth Taxi driver met us with our luggage in Tones and drove us to the train station.  We rode 1st Class happily to Bristol Temple Meade station.  We had a really delicious picnic lunch - all our Dartmouth leftovers - cheeses, crackers, tomatoes, salami, carrots, cookies and chocolate.  Yum!

We passed thru Worcester Shrub Hill station and remembered visiting Ei's Auntie Dorie, 11 years ago.

We arrived at the Cotford Hotel and quickly settled into our very luxurious room.

Dinner tonight in the Hotel restaurant is supposed to be a treat - the chef is highly acclaimed and the hotel and restaurant are recommended by Conde Nast.  I am looking forward to a gourmet meal (and, maybe some lamb).  We ate in every night except the first in Dartmouth, and we were happy to do so because of the excellent Marks & Spencer food shop in town.  However, we arrived to Great Malvern late this afternoon, so we didn't walk into town, so no shopping for room provisions.  No matter; I am ready to be served!


The empty boat

Flora and Fauna along the River Dart

the train....