Heading South

We headed out from our St. Paul's pad, caught an UBER that deposited us at the Budget rent a car near Euston Station. Not sad to leave the bells of St. Paul's. Had to make a quick study of manual driving with right hand drive then we threaded our way through town and on to the highway south to Weymouth about 2.5 south of London. Dull driving on highways for the most part but towards the end the roads got narrower, flanked by hedgerows neatly cropped. We stopped at Durdle Door a lovely stone beach with a dramatic white chalk cliffs and a rock outcropping with an large eroded hole - the door. I am sure AK Rowling named Dumbledor after this place. We walked the beach past a robust couple standing in bathing suits up to their calves in the onrushing sea. It felt like the setting for Broadchurch.

Arrived in Weymouth late afternoon and settled into our airbnb, a small apartment with a door on the street and parking a few blocks away. A definite tourist town, a bit rough around the edges and down for the offseason. The main hotel on the strip was defined by a row of motorized strollers parked on the sidewalk by the front door. The next day we woke to wind and rain and we set sail for St. Ives about three hours away. While Weymouth was tired St. Ives is awesome and our rental place is so 'cute' (a description I hate but that is appropo). This seaside town is absolutely charming. We have only been here for an afternoon but in that time Hannah went for a run on the cliffs / headland and Sue and I walked the narrow streets and the working fishing pier that protects the harbour. An absolute highlight was a short visit to a gallerly / museum that had been home to Barbara Hepworth a famed mid twentieth century sculptor who worked there until she died in a fire in her studio. It was presumed she was smoking in bed - bad move. There we walked through a sculpture garden that was one of the most satisfying gallery experiences ever - top five for sure. I will add a few photos but could include dozens. More on St. Ives tomorrow. We are here until Sunday but could easily stay longer.