Brighter

We had a brighter start to the day. The sun was straining to gain ascendance over the ragged clouds. Diane had slept well and I had slept lightly (the hotel rooms are hot and I find it dries me out). 

Today's plans are not set in concrete, but the likelihood is that we will go to Lyme Regis. The one firm plan, however, is that we are meeting up for breakfast at 09:00.

During breakfast, I ordered a replacement Kindle which should be delivered to the hotel tomorrow. Using the iPad as an interim alternative is all very well, but it's a bit big and a bit heavy when lying in bed trying to read.

We decided that the trip to Lyme Regis would go ahead and met up by the car at 10:30. Trevor was kind enough to do the driving today and we drove along the coastal road and over the border into Dorset. We took a quick tour around the town before finding somewhere to park but then strolled down and along the river bank to the Town Mill. 

From there we dropped down to the seafront and took a gentle walk along the promenade towards the harbour and the the famous Cobb. The sun was still trying hard, and we stopped for a coffee, sitting out in the February sunshine and enjoying the view.

With the requisite amount of caffeine coursing through our veins, we continued to the harbour and walked along the wall to look back at the town nestling beneath threatening clouds. Some light rain started to fall but the sun had not conceded the fight. A rainbow was cast protectively across the pastel shades of the town.

We slowly made our way back and stopped in the High Street to look in the shops. Di and I popped into the Old Red Lion Hotel where we stayed some 30 years ago. By the time we came out, it was raining heavily. We scampered across the road, but the kerb was very high so I tried to help Diane up, unfortunately, she twisted and ended up on the floor with a very wet backside. Thank goodness she wasn't hurt.

We went into the Fossil Shop to allow Di to wipe herself down a bi,t and shelter from the rain. We took the opportunity to have a good look around. It really was a treasure house for dino-philes (if there is such a word). We spent about 30 minutes in the shop and then went back through some alleyways to meet up with Jane and Trevor back at the Town Mill.

We decided that a drink and a snack was the order of the hour, so snuck into The Ship and made ourselves comfortable in the corner. We ordered our food and Di disappeared to the Ladies' room where she was found, by Jane, trying to dry her leggings by poking her backside at the hot-air hand drier. Jane provided assistance by waving her hands under the sensor that kept the drier blowing. If only there had been CCTV!

Talking of strange goings-on, as we finished our food, a man walked into the pub with a white parrot on his shoulder. (It sounds like the start of a joke). I couldn't resist and went across to ask if he would mind if I took his photo. He replied, "Better than that..." and put the bird on my shoulder. It felt like the start of a Monty Python sketch.

From the pub, we made our way back to the car and came back to the hotel for a pot of tea in the Lounge. Then we had a quiet hour or so back in our rooms before meeting up for a drink in the bar and dinner.

It had been an excellent day and we were all quite taken with Lyme Regis.