Exeter

We woke up this morning to a horrendous storm. It was forecast and there had been warnings about it for a few days now. Its still a bit of a shock though after the fairly pleasant week we've been having so far. The rain pounded, the wind howled and the sea rose up in fury, all the elements of nature harnessed against us. Sorry that is a bit dramatic but I'm feeling poetic!

So we did what most sensible people would have done, hunkered down beneath the duvet and hoped it would go away. I also consoled myself with a cup of tea and the papers; cosy.

Eventually we decided we ought to get up and have some breakfast, though it was nearer brunch time, whatever/whenever that is?

Once the rain settled into awful instead of bl**dy awful we braved the great outside, and donning our wet weather gear, set off for Exeter, by train. Now those of you that know this part of the south west know that Isambard Brunel, in his wisdom, build the railway line between Teignmouth and Exeter along the coast and the banks of the river Exe. The stretch to Dawlish Warren is particularly impressive, looking out of the window you can believe you're on a boat rather than in a train, and when the waves are sweeping over the sea wall it can be quite an experience.

Once in Exeter we only had time for lunch at Zizzi's and coffee at Nero, plus a short walk through some gardens by the old city wall. Whilst in Café Nero the rain continued to hammer down and that is where I took today's photo of a gentleman sheltering from the rain, at his ease, in a very impressive window opening which is part of the Guild Hall Shopping Centre. The light reflections are from the café. I thought there was something interesting about the composition, though the quality may not be too good as I took it with my phone.