Tuesday- I had planned to go to Plymouth today. On the way to the bus terminal we stopped next to a church. Names of the stone wall included William Clapp (an ancestor that I hadn't planned to search for). So I decided to stay in Exeter.

I toured the Guildhall and then the majestic Exeter Cathedral . Construction began in 1114. The vaulted ceiling is 315 long. The bosses (the Cathedral has more than 400) of the vault act as keystones locking the vaults in place. The mirror trolley allows one to view the ceiling without neck strain. A portion of the Cathedral was destroyed by bombs in WWII. It had been rebuilt and contains a cross made of Devonshire driftwood. The handmade needlepoint seat cushions are longer than the Bayeux tapestry.

Noon time there were students lunching in the area. I had a terrific lunch at Patisserie Valerie. I returned for a Napoleon pastry later in the day. Did a little research. Saw the Tudor "House that Moved" which still looks like it is moving.  Did a little shopping. Most chain grocery stores have self check out. I did fine yesterday, but I and many others had problems today. I visited the public library and neighboring garden & castle ruins. I had asked the hours at Patisserie Valerie and returned for supper. Dang, the kitchen had already closed .

Wednesday- Took the bus past the edge of Dartmoor 1.5 hours to Plymouth. I had downloaded a walking tour to my mp3 player. It was a great tour that provided information & directions and allowed me to enjoy the sights. I had a half a pint of Humpty Dumpty ale at Minerva Inn, the oldest pub in Plymouth (built around 1540) and toasted my ancestors who may have had a pint here before boarding the Mayflower. I had another Croque Monsieur at the Boston Tea Party (a chain).

Views from the third floor of the Mayflower Museum were spectacular-- Dartmoor in the distance. On the memorial plaque at the Mayflower steps the following was interlaced with information about the  passengers. "As one small candle may light a thousand so the light here kindled hath shone to many yea in some sorte to our whole nation." The Elizabethan garden also had a listing of Pilgrims. Many parts of Plymouth (also Exeter) were damaged by bombs in WWII. Plymouth has kept the ruins of one church as a memorial to the war. The Plymouth Gin distillery didn't have any spots remaining for tours but I enjoyed this history of Dutch Courage.

Hoe Park with a Sir Francis Drake statue, other military memorials and Smeaton's Lighthouse were at the end of the tour. I finished the day at Pizza Hut which was next to my bus stop. The ride back in the dark on the top tier of the bus was a little scary when it brushed against a number of trees.

Sorry- the pictures are all out of order.
.