The healing powers of Devon (now with pictures!)

My last post really didn't say what I had intended it to say so I'll have another go!

I got a bit distracted prior to writing my last post and would like to draw your attention to the cause of my distraction. I follow a few other blogs and one is the blog of another patient in a similar situation to myself. Jess is an incredible young woman who is also waiting for a liver transplant and the post that distracted me was about her first phone call. I'll leave it there and urge you to read the blog yourself. You can find it here.

Anyhoo, back to my convalescence week and my time in a Modbury...

I love my hometown and going back for whatever reason always reminds me of what a great little place it is.

You may never have heard of Modbury, the peaceful Devon town with a population of approximately 1500, but it is a town worth knowing about! England is currently up in arms over the new legislation about charging for plastic bags. Modbury stopped using plastic bags 8 years ago after resident Rebecca Hosking, a wildlife camerawoman, showed business owners the damage that plastic bags can cause to wildlife. All Modbury businesses backed the plan to ban plastic bags and have since used paper bags or biodegradable bags. Many businesses complain about the cost of implementing such a scheme but if a small town like Modbury that is predominantly independent businesses can survive making this change during a financial crisis, I don't see why others can't follow suit. The majority of Modbury residents have a collection of reusable bags accumulating in their homes/ cars/ handbags/ pockets so no longer have any need for plastic bags. It's such a simple change to make that if the rest of England could take on with the same enthusiasm as the residents of Modbury rather than complaining about every aspect of it, such a huge difference could be made to the environment.

Charming Modbury Town

I enjoyed being back for nearly a whole week and having no car meant that I was able to properly rest and be chauffeured when I did go out. For once, I managed to be quite well behaved and took each day at a time, trying to build up slowly and rest in between doing things. I had a haircut on the Tuesday at Nicholas Hair and Beauty, the same hairdresser that I went to as a child and always go back to when I'm in the area. It has changed over the years and has been able to keep itself relevant with fantastic staff, treatments and therapies. There is something really lovely about having a haircut. I love having my hair washed and head massaged then catching up with the goings on that in the town that Mum has a missed out!

On Wednesday I took myself for a little wander around the shops in the town. I love that there is such a diverse range of shops in such a small town and that there is so much support. That is the joy of growing up in such a close knit community. Having a dad as a GP in the town meant that my brother and I were quite well known in the town. I also took part in all of the shows and pantomimes whilst Paul was a keen sportsman and outrun everyone at sports day and in The Famous Modbury Mile!

I made sure to visit a few of my favourite shops in the town starting with Pickles. As a child, this place was like an Aladdin's cave of a little bit of everything! From proper dog treats to wetsuits, hardware, kitchenware and everything in between! It hasn't changed all that much as you an still get a whole lotta stuff in this treasure trove but is has brought itself up to date with the layout, kitchenware products and baking bits and bobs. It is also the place to buy your 'Modbury' fridge magnet (as requested by my strange but wonderful other half!). Next stop was the veg/ pet shop to find out if the owner knew of any pet groomers in the area. My little munchkin Coco is having difficulty seeing out from behind all the fur at the moment. The chap knew of someone but couldn't find the number so was going to wait for his wife to get back. In the meantime, I popped round the corner to Modbury Melodies, one of the newer additions to the town run by a wonderful local couple. This is a fab little music shop filled with a great range of musical instruments and goodies. Paul is very knowledgeable and not only runs the shop but teaches alongside. He also organises music events in the local pubs and my parents had performed in one on the Sunday before I visited so I went in for a chat to see how it had gone. Fingers crossed I'll get to see the next one or maybe even be involved! Whilst in the shop, the chap from the pet shop popped in to let me know he'd found the number for the dog groomer- another perk to living in a place like Modbury- people go out of their way to help.

Over the road, I popped into Fifth Sense. Another new shop to the town run by another lovely local team. This is another little Aladdin's cave but a little more girly than Pickles! As you walk in, the scent is beautiful. Upstairs, Isabelle creates gorgeous natural and organic essential oils which in turn become soaps, bath bombs and other luxurious goodies. Fran stocks a lovely range of home ware, gifts, baby goodies and much more. She creates fabulous furniture giving old pieces a new lease of life. There are some stunning lamps created by local artist Dagny Burgess - I noticed that Mum had nabbed herself one of these which looks perfect in the snug room! I left with a lovely little gift from Fran who gave me one of the bath bombs so I could enjoy a relaxing and revitalising bath to help me feel better. Thank you Fran!

Gift Baskets Available from Fifth Sense

Further down the road is the delightful Ringrose shop, stockists of the famous Modbury Mug designed by local artist Kate West. They also have a great range of gift cards, wrapping paper, scarves, jewellery and much more. There are some lovely seaside themed goodies that always attract my attention.

One of the 'Modbury Mug' designs by Kate West

Back down one of the side streets is the Lazy Cow Cafe and the Crazy Cow gift shop. Whilst I didn't take a break in the cafe on this day, I have done many times before and they make the best cakes, lunches and cream teas around! I did take a peek in the shop and was overwhelmed by the incredible smell of baking- I think it was caramel or toffee something at the time! Oh the sweet, sugary temptations! There were freshly made brownies on the counter and cakes being cut ready for decorating as well as a whole range of delectable looking cakes wrapped and ready for sale. I had to make a bit of a swift exit to avoid temptation but did notice some lovely looking cookbooks for sale too.

Seriously yummy cakes at 'The Lazy Cow'

There are so many more goodies in the town that I didn't make it to as that turned out to be quite enough effort for one day. It may be small but I would recommend a visit if you're ever in the area!

On Friday, my Mum took the day off work and we went with the lovely Gill for lunch in Salcombe at The Winking Prawn. It was the perfect day for it. I Couldn't quite believe that it was October. We sat and enjoyed our lunch on the decking outside overlooking the beach with still seas, clear blue skies and a sailing boat making the most of the glorious weather. Lunch was delicious - yummy prawns and dip with a few chippies- and was followed by a quick shopping trip to Salcombe town. We didn't stay too long as mum was feeling a little under the weather and I still wasn't up to long days out.

South Sands Beach, Salcombe in October!

My man turned up in the evening which was wonderful. I'd missed him and needed hugs! On Saturday, Mum and I decided to introduce Caius to Totnes - a slightly wacky town with a bit of a hippy culture that is twinned with Narnia and has it's own shop called Narnia (I'm yet to see any wardrobes, lamp posts, fur coats, fauns or lions for sale there though). We had a lovely little wander around the shops and a tasty lunch in one the the very many cafés before heading home for more rest- a couple of films and a yummy dinner of fresh skate wing caught by Dad on Friday.

Heading into Narnia...

On Sunday I went with mum to visit my grandad and take him out for a coffee. He hasn't been too well and had ended up in hospital the same weekend as me with a chest infection so he wasn't altogether with it but he always enjoys getting out and about. We visited Glazebrook House Hotel which is clearly one of Grandad's favourites. Apparently he loves the coffee there and they know exactly how he likes it. The staff were so friendly and attentive and couldn't do enough to help. To top is off, the hotel is decorated in an Alice in Wonderland theme with giant teacups filled with pansies on the tables outside, rooms named after characters from the books and some wonderfully bizarre decorations adorning the place. Being a bit of an Alice in Wonderland fan, I was in heaven. Everywhere you went there was something to look at. I'm hoping someone will treat me to a short break there someday!

a sneak peek of Glazebrook House

Back home we had a lovely family Sunday lunch together before Caius and I headed back to Bristol and so ended my week of rest and relaxation.

A week after returning to Bristol and I am once more writing from a hospital bed having been admitted yesterday morning. However, since this has taken me half of the day to write, I'm going to leave it there. I also have some pictures to add but my iPad is not playing ball right now!

Keep Smiling (and remember to support local businesses!)
:-)