Seaton Wetlands

Bearing in mind I live so close to this, it's amazing I've never been to visit the wonderful Seaton Wetlands.  JC is away and I needed a Bank Holiday distraction - this was perfect.  It even had a kiddies trail where you use the map to find where the hidden letters were.  No-one minded I didn't have a kid with me ;-)

I started with Black Hole Marsh, the Island Hide, then walked to the Discovery Hut.  This was not only next to the Seaton Tramway, but at a dual length of railway where the trams crossed.  I hadn't realised that the trams' colour signifies which timetable it is - but then I've not yet ridden on it.  This little tramline tractor was funny - it was following along behind the pink tram.  Keeping the rails clean perhaps?

After this I walked across Colyford Common to the Hide there, and around a reed path.  I don't think I walked every path at the wetlands, but I gave it a good shot.  Lots of flora and fauna to enjoy.  There was a  50/50 mix of either families with kamakeze kids on push bikes or photographers with serious zoom lenses. I fell into neither bracket but just enjoyed pottering around (and finding the letters of course).  

There was also a cafe - hurrah - so I sat in the sun with my coffee and a book.  I then found a leaflet which showed more areas of wetland to walk explore, and a path down into Seaton town centre.   So off I trotted, first to Borrow Pit then to Seaton Marshes Hide.

Then I walked down into Seaton and found myself a quirky cafe with gluten free panini on the menu and a super sunny garden.  A quick jaunt to check the sea was still there (very windy!) and back to the car.  

All in a lovely 12.6 km ramble.

Barbie Barbie!

Saturday 17 August 2024

Caitlin had asked for tickets to the Design Museum's Barbie exhibition for her July birthday.  And what sort of mother was I to turn her down?  Wonderfully, it worked out that Riona could also join us: she came down early to London as she and Caitlin are attending a Swifty concert on Monday.

So off to see Barbies we did, via the Natural History Museum.

Confession time, I had a Sindy as a kid, not Barbie.  I suspect I had a Sindy as it was British made, not American produced - in the same way Dad adhered to buying British Leyland cars as long as he could.  We didn't have much spare money so my Mum made me all my Sindy clothes which was kind of cute as we ended up with matching dressing gowns.  

I was always of the impression that Barbie was a blonde haired impossibly-figured doll.  It turns out she evolved with the times and has had work wear and even an astronaut suit for the past few decades.  I should pay more attention.

Oooh, Barbie box!

I then had a quick 10 minutes in other parts of the Design Museum. I am always drawn to map things (sigh) and typography.  And I found both.  Don't you just love a well designed road sign?

Amazingly, not only was Riona in town, but Mark was on his way back from France via London to Cardiff.  So we caught up with him too - I haven't seen him for ages!  Had a super meal in the cute Mali Vegan Thai before going our separate ways.  Lovely day, thanks everyone x