Wonked

Our visit to the West Country continued with an inspection of the Wonka vessel, tied up to the Cobb at Lyme. Actually a rental from Yarmouth, seemingly the last remaining steam drifter - YH89 - from the days when I imagine that there were hundreds of them. A rental guarded by a clutch of security guards, not in uniform as I recall, lounging in the vicinity. I suppose we should have asked if we could take a look around onboard, but I didn't think of that. But we could take a ride or a charter. Prices on application to reference 2.

In the meantime, with no winch or gear visible, we wondered how one got the long drift net up into the boat to get the fish out. And we were interested to see the tiller rods running across the deck: one can only suppose that a seasoned fisherman would know to step over them, just like a seasoned actor knows, barely looking and without thinking, to step over the dolly tracks on a set. Also the countered stern, like those sported by big yachts of the time. Not something modern ships and boats have at all.

But it was reported in the London free press, a week or so later, that Wonka himself had been seen parading on top of the Cobb. One Timothée Chalamet, a Frenchman, thought fit to be the third incarnation of the Wonk. While his minions combed the town for people fit to be extras in the forthcoming film.

Amused by this rate card posted on what was the harbour master's hut. Not including customs or excise.

From there onto Bicton Agricultural College to admire the fine avenue of Araucaria down their front drive, the first time I have seen such a thing, although there are Araucaria copses in the small stately home called Arlington Court, further to the west, on the edge of Exmoor. Noticed but not snapped nearly a decade ago at reference 1.

From there to Budleigh Salterton, a pleasant place we stayed at for a week something over eight years ago and noticed at references 3 and 4. The interesting, old-speak contraptions for hauling the boats up the shingle were still there, and on this occasion I notice the pots - no idea whether they do lobsters, crabs or both - which, at least in part, appeared to have been made out of recycled tyres.

Part of Budleigh beach.

Another part. From which I learn that rotating a crooked shot in Powerpoint, and then putting a maximal horizontal rectangle inside it (to produce the snap above) is not as easy as it sounds. And the horizon is still not quite horizontal. But a fine beach, even if swimming was off, at least for us. I think there were a few hardy types to be seen, it being that sort of resort.

On the way back we took in a very fine panoramic viewpoint, rating a blue sun burst on the map and providing a fine view of the Exe, seemingly operated by the people at reference 6. A view not previously seem by BH despite having known the area for sixty years. But she did claim knowledge of the earthworks of Woodbury, just behind. Hopefully we shall return for a picnic one day.

On this day, we dined in the Oak Room, where we found that amuse bouche had arrived in Dorset. Quite good too. Then kidneys to start and chicken to follow for me, both doused in rather too much sauce. Possibly the same sauce on both of them. 

But I was pleased to get kidneys at all, kidneys not being something one is offered that often. Ice cream with Polish style wafers. Waitress from Katowice, a little to the north of what used to be Czechoslovakia. I think the place crops up in 'The Good Soldier Švejk'. Concerning whom, finger trouble has turned up a very bad statue of him at a cross roads at Некрасовская ул., 26, Самара, Самарская обл., 443010, that is to say somewhere in Russia.

Taken with a respectable Sancerre, seemingly from the people at reference 5, although this particular one 'Le Petit Broux' is not to be found there. Perhaps one of those wines made for export to the ignorant Brits of Brexit only. On the other hand, Bing offers me the stuff at less than a quarter of what I paid for it. And Google seems to think that Broux is not a word in French at all, although it may be something to do with walnut stains and it may be a name. And with Guillot-Broux being a rather fancier producer than this one.

The waitress started out at Chatteris, in the north Cambridgeshire fens about ten years ago, so quite possibly picking vegetables there. And now about to move back to London, her summer engagement at Lyme Regis presumably coming to an end. She had mixed views about the merits of English people but I think she planned on staying.

Followed up, for a change, with a spot of Glenmorangie in the bar downstairs, enlivened by a railwayman from Waterloo who knew all about the mysteries of staff passes on the railways and how the rules for same had changed for the worse after the privatisation of British Rail.

PS 1: I couldn't run down the rule for 'there not being on the menu' and 'their not being on the menu' today so chose to avoid the problem. Where there/their is referring to the kidneys. I think the rule is something about 'their' being correct when there is a possessive involved, but I don't see it at the moment.

PS 2: drinking water provision for the lepers of Lyme Regis. Hopefully no longer operational.

References

Reference 1: http://pumpkinstrokemarrow.blogspot.com/2012/08/visit-report-2.html.

Reference 2: https://www.lydiaevamincarlo.com/.

Reference 3: http://psmv2.blogspot.com/2013/07/post.html.

Reference 4: http://psmv2.blogspot.com/2013/07/fine-dining-in-east-devon.html.

Reference 5: https://www.vins-sancerre.com/en/.

Reference 6: https://www.pebblebedheaths.org.uk/. 'The Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust was established by Clinton Devon Estates in 2006. Its creation was in response to increasing national and European recognition that lowland heathlands are a habitat rich in wildlife, are highly threatened, and require professional management to maximise their wildlife value. The Conservation Trust has management responsibility for the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths and the Otter Estuary'.

Reference 7: https://clintondevon.com/. 'Over 700 years of history Clinton Devon Estates has continually adapted and adjusted in order to remain successful and relevant. This agility is no less relevant in todays’ ever-changing landscape than it was during the Civil War, world wars, industrial revolution or the recent global financial crisis. With so much history it would be easy to look back rather than ahead. The continual evolution of our strategy is critical to keep us focused on the future and to ensure that we meet the wider demands of Society and we are prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead'. One of the bigger families of East Devon?

Reference 8: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton_Devon_Estates. The amazingly comprehensive Wikipedia knows all about it. Amazing in the sense that it has done pretty well in just twenty years.