July 18th 2017 - Overbecks; The Cott at Darlington.

Carol and Stephen were leaving today and we didn't want to waste our last day so we left them to their packing and headed for Overbecks because we knew there were thunderstorms on the way. The roads were horrendous - very narrow and twisty and there was lots of traffic. There is very limited traffic at Overbecks and when we got there there was no parking left and we had to turn and head back down the hill to find a parking place. Then we had to walk up the hill to the house. Overbecks is an Edwardian house and garden named after its last owner Otto Overbeck, an inventor, linguist and art collector.

The view from Overbecks.

Stephen would have enjoyed the little soldiers.

Because the gallery was not open due to electrical problems we had a coffee and then went outside. The garden was very nice but we just did a quick tour as the rain was starting.

When we went in again the gallery was now open so we could look at the collections there.

They had a primitive record player (a polyphon) in working order and at 12pm we were able to listen to it. It was surprisingly good.

After all this we headed quickly to the car because of the rain.

Back home Carol and Stephen had gone and we had missed a visit from Jenny who called before they left. We did a bit of packing and then went into Ashburton for coffee and cake and a present for Lindy and Jenny. Because it was our last night we had decided to eat out and went to The Cott in Dartington - one of the oldest and best thatched inns in Britain. It looks beautiful but, in the hassle of getting parked because it was packed, Jim forgot.There were so many people that we thought we wouldn't get a table but we did. It was fish and chips night - fish and chips for 2 for £18. Very good value but I went for a veggie option which was very good - pea tortellini. A good closure to our week in Ashburton.