But then, suddenly, a sunny day! So we hopped in the car and went to see Sidmouth - our favourite summer beach spot back in the sixties.
A pebble beach, of course. I remember getting out of the car and wanting to rush down to the water, but having to hobble across the stones instead.
There are warning signs about not swimming out to the rock islands - I'm pretty sure they weren't there before. I suppose they are some sort of anti-beach-erosion device.
So there are really two beaches at Sidmouth. There's this one, the first one you come to.
And then there's this one - obviously the place to swim.
And in between - wonderful rock pools.
I remember the rock pools - they were even good in winter.
And then there's Jacob's Ladder just above the rocky area.
We were hungry, and it was very cold (despite the bright sunshine and brilliant blue sky) and so we climbed up and went to the restaurant - this part is all relatively new.
We had intended a light lunch. I ordered soup, but (as they only had one soup serving left) Peter ordered a couple of fish cakes.
Not quite what we expected. After lunch we waddled our way around the delightful old gardens at the top of Jacob's Ladder.
Connaught Gardens, I think they are called, and they would be wonderful on those hot summer days,
when the sun is not just bright, but hot as well.
It was 2 in the afternoon, and the sun was low in the sky - time to head back to Torquay.
Happy memories.
