Day 5 Saturday May 17th Round Robin Tour

 For the first time this holiday we woke up to an overcast day and it was quite windy and so a bit cold and unpleasant but could be worse!  Today we have booked a boat, bus, steam train 

timber framed building

and ferry trip to explore up the River 

timber framed building

Dart and this part of the Devon county.  We breakfasted and got ready without taking too many warm clothes as the forecast was for the sun to break through.  We walked through Dartmouth to the river cruise terminal and again admired some of the timber framed old architecture.

Our first travel instalment was on a river boat sailing all the way to 

naval college

Totnes.  We were able to get a good view of the Naval college from the water and hear of some of the activities of the cadets etc.  It took 90 minutes to get to 

steam train 

Totnes and we spent most of the time inside because of the temperature.  We could view the various creeks and the steam train travelling along the eastern bank as well birdlife with me lucky enough to photo a heron 

heron perched in tree

perched in a tree.  We had a cup of coffee and enjoyed the various insights into the backwaters of the river.  We soon approached our 

Totnes

destination and disembarked.  We had a short time in the quirky town of Totnes and then had to return to the quay for the next stage of our journey.

This part consisted of a short bus journey across to Paignton.  This took about 20 minutes and we had good views of the countryside.  We arrived at about 1300 and were leaving at 1530.  

Paignton beach

We were given good directions and 

Paignton palms

decided to make our way down a typical colourful seaside shopping street to the front.  We had a walk along the fairly nice beach and found a bench to enjoy our picnic.  There were green areas including a crazy golf course which had palms showing it to be part of the English Riviera.  By now the sun had emerged and we enjoyed the improved temperature.  We sat and people watched for a time and eventually it was time to make our for the next stage of our adventure. 

Pullman observation car

We were directed to the train station

leaving Paignton station

 where we had time for a cup of tea before catching a steam train back to Kingswear.  The train arrived and we elected to upgrade to the Pullman carriage at the rear where we had a good view of places we passed.  The train soon reconnected to the front of the carriages and we were away.  

alongside the river

our train

The journey took about 45 minutes and was probably our favourite part of the day.  We  went through cuttings, alongside beaches, through a long tunnel and for quite a time ran alongside the River Dart.  

celebration train

When we arrived at Kingswear there was a train along another platform which was geared up for a celebration trip.

We left the platform and quickly found the ferry to take us across the river to Dartmouth.  We went back to our lodgings sorted out and then bought fish and chips which we ate on the front listening to the festival music.  It proved to be a good but busy day.