Outing to Topsham

We went to Topsham on the River Exe estuary today with our friends – an outing that had been planned months ago and postponed more than once for various reasons. Today turned out to be a perfect day for our visit – a crisp, bright, sunny winter day – if rather cold! At least the others could keep warm by walking but I was sitting on Betsy, my small buggy, and I got pretty cold despite being well wrapped up! Our walk was split into two halves, divided by lunch.

Topsham is a very pretty and unusual small town, and its chief feature is the numerous Dutch style houses with their pretty gables – built by Dutch merchants in the days when the town was a thriving port. It has been a major centre for fishing and shipbuilding in the past, and there are also many examples of fine Georgian architecture. There are some fascinating shops – but we weren’t there for shopping today, but for exploring some of the more picturesque areas and sharing a lunch out together.

Some waterfront pictures.

Some of the gorgeous Dutch houses.

Even a garage with a Dutch gable!

Some other interesting architecture.

There was one house that particularly intrigued me, and I took several photos of it.

A modern house which really fitted in with the general style of the town.

Some interesting architectural details that caught my eye.

My hubby and I were intrigued by these sliding shutters.

Some of the streets were very narrow and winding, and definitely not designed for modern traffic! We frequently had to find an opening or gateway, in order to let cars pass.

Some of the places where we walked, through the town and along the estuary frontage, and the sort of details I always notice!

This photo was taken in the small area of park that included a children’s play area. Beyond the reed bed is the estuary.

A very neat and tidy log store.

Beautiful frosty leaves on the roadside.

Grow where you’re planted?

Pigeons were going in and out of a little hole in the wall with a special place for them to rest their feet. There’s no place like home!

Everywhere we looked, people had pretty things in their windows, and of course their Christmas decorations were still up. We saw several Christmas cribs in people’s windows, including this very pretty one made of raffia, including a gorgeous raffia angel!

A knitted Christmas crib.

A beautiful slate house sign. I love the contours of the slate surface.

A beautiful, and probably expensive shop. I adore these unusual carved wooden wine racks.

Some lovely old boaty bits, decayed and rusty, speaking of Topsham’s maritime past.

Finally, my favourite picture from today, I think.

We had lunch in a lovely pub – a real winter warmer to set us on our way for our afternoon walk. During lunch, I gave our friends the little album I’d made about our woodland walk together back in the summer. They were thrilled. I am so pleased they like it.

I hope this has given you a taste of a pretty and picturesque little town in our local area. We are so privileged to live in an area where there is so much beauty and variety, and to have such lovely friends to share it with!