Well, not really barnstorming, but there were some rainstorms, well just showers really – it was that kind of day.

We started our day with another traveling morning (yes, you can get from Tavistock to Barnstaple by bus!) and we arrived in Barnstaple about noon and checked into our most welcoming B&B, The Old Vicarage.  Little did we know how welcoming – more on that below…

Our first stop in town was the Pannier Market, a daily market with rotating merchandise (Monday = crafts and general) in a grand hall.  We had lunch at a surprisingly gourmet tea shop called Tea by the Taw that offered river views and massive “toasties”.  We got a little flavor of the local area history at the Museum of North Devon, which offers excellent value for the price (free!).

Back in our room we found tea waiting for us, accompanied by homemade chocolate cake under elegant glass cake domes – what a treat!  Refortified, we ventured back outside on a walk along the river, crossing on a Victorian era railroad bridge.  The day ended with a trip to see the movie Minions, an appropriate choice since most of the action takes place in England.