It was a relief to escape the London crowds on Sunday, when we rented a car at Heathrow airport. After a rainy start, courtesy of ex-hurricane Bertha who visited England that day, we went towards the English south coast. The weather was stormy, with sunny spells alternating with showers. That made for beautiful seascapes.
English Channel after Bertha
Upon reaching the coast there were people kite surfing, essentially parasailing with a surfboard. I had never seen that before. Because of Bertha’s wind, they went very, very fast. It looked very exciting. I guess I was born too early!
Kite Surfing after Hurricane Bertha
- Watch Arjan’s English Channel Video (MP4, 35.49 MB, 0:17 sec)
That evening we dined in a nice restaurant with a view over Christchurch Harbour, a bay with whitecaps.
Choppy Christchurch Harbour
The next day, on our way to Devon, we traveled along the south coast of Dorset through a picturesque landscape with spectacular vistas of the cliffs on the English Channel, alternating with medieval villages in the lovely English countryside.
St. Catherine’s Chapel and the Fleet on the Dorset Jurassic Coast
Picturesque Abbotsbury Village
Dorset Rural Byway
The English are very accommodating when you try to get into a restaurant. In the US when it is very busy, they may tell you “we are all booked” and then gently stare you out of the establishment. In England, they tell you “we are all booked”, pause a bit, and then say, “But if you don’t mind waiting, our service is very slow, but we can probably fit you in somehow”. Meanwhile, you can have a drink. Part of the pub culture, there’s always room for more.
Cott Inn in Totnes, Licensed Since 1320 A.D.
Photos © 2014 P.J. Gardner. All rights reserved.
Video © 2014 Arjan Post. All rights reserved.