Eroding Cliffs

Today we took the ferry from Dartmouth to Kingswear to visit Coleton Fishacre - a National Trust property. Built in 1926, it belonged to the d'Oyly Carte family (of Gilbert & Sullivan opera fame). He made a lot of money in a short space of time - owned the London Savoy hotel, amongst other prestigious places - and was known by his contemporaries as 'Oily' Carte. Hmm. But his wife had an eye for gardens - they are spectacular. And the house is beautiful - not huge or grand by 'stately home' standards, but comfortable, indeed - with nice art deco pieces.

A pool was built on the stony cove below the gardens to contain the sea at high tide and create the perfect place for family and house-guests to bathe. It was accessible only via the garden but the path has long ago eroded. If you crane your neck at the cliff edge, you can just make out one bit of the curved pool wall (not visible in the photo). Must have been idyllic. The family tended to be in London during the week, and in Devon at weekends. In their absence, the servants could make use of all the facilities the residence had to offer.

Was really torn for choice as to what to blip today, but hope you like this leafy view looking down on the sea below the garden. No bathing envy today: the wind was quite chilly, and the sky iron-grey, but, luckily, no rain.