Time to head further west towards Devon and Cornwall today. Our destination was the Gidleigh Park Hotel, which is uniquely situated in the Dardmoor National Park. Exeter was targeted as a 1 1/2 hour drive, and Gidleigh another 40 minutes beyond that, so driving distances were really comfortable today.
I actually got a little walk in first thing this morning as Andrea was getting ready for breakfast. Again, another beautiful day appeared to confront us........haha, no complaints!
We headed down for breakfast around 8:30 and got the same table that we had for dinner the night before. We actually just got there in time before the place filled up. The buffet had the same choices as yesterday, but that was more than enough! The selection of pastries (croissants), home made breads, yogurt, fruit, fresh juice, soft-boiled eggs and their amazing ham and cheddar cheese plates was way more than we needed.......but could not resist!
OFF TO EXETER AND IT'S CATHEDRAL!
Exeter Cathedral stands on a site which has been at the center of the city since Roman times. The Cathedral was 'founded' by King Edward the Confessor in 1050 AD and the current building dates back to 1114 AD. The west front image screen is one of the great architectural features of medieval England. The addition of the image screen around 1340 marked the completion the rebuilding of the cathedral in the Gothic style. Work continued on the screen with the additional top tier completed about 1470.
High up on the north side of the nave is a projecting balcony built in the middle of the 14th century. It is decorated with carved angels playing musical instruments and is known as the Minstrels Gallery. The original purpose of this gallery is not known, but it may have been used by musicians or singers.
The magnificent Bishops Throne is one of the greatest treasures of medieval woodwork in Europe. It was made in the early 14th century using local Devon oak and is 18m (59ft) tall: the cathedral records contain details about the felling of the trees and the preparation of the timber.
We have included two video clips here because of the amazing impact the internal nave space had on us while we visited.......augmented by an organ rehearsal for the Sunday service. The experience was powerful.....which is probably an understatement. This is why we travel!
ON TO GIDLEIGH PARK
This is what is meant by British Hedgerows! Beyond this, we experienced one of the most incredible 'navigations' of our trip. The 'path' to Gidleigh Park was quite extraordinary. In looking at this in hindsight, it is probably something we should have anticipated. The hotel, recognized as one of the finest country Inns in England, with a 2-Michelin starred restaurant, is set deep into the Dartmoor National Park. It is truly amazing how any service vehicles could reach this place! When we later discussed this issue of accessibility, the staff told us that larger trucks (for trash, etc.) had to go off the road and access the hotel through a field! In any case, having survived the travel experience, it was truly an amazing adventure for us......unlike anything we have experienced!
MAKING TO THE HOTEL IN TIME FOR A LATE LUNCH ON THE TERRACE
THIS PLACE IS UNBELIEVABLE.......LIKE BEING PART OF A MYSTERY NOVEL ON PBS.
IT IS SO UNIQUE AND ALMOST LOST IN TIME. WHILE IT WOULD BE HARD TO SURPASS OUR STAY AT GRAVETYE, THIS MIGHT DO THE TRICK.......JUST HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS EXISTS IN A NATIONAL PARK AT THE END OF A 10 MILE TREK ON DIRT ROADS........AND TO FIND SUCH REFINED AND ELEGANT ACCOMMODATIONS. EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE FOR US IS THE NATURE OF THE LANDSCAPE AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE BUILDINGS TO THE SITE. THIS WAS ORIGINALLY A HUNTING LODGE AND THE SITING OF THE BUILDING REFLECTS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURAL SETTING AND TOPOGRAPHY. IT IS REALLY INSPRIRING!
A BRIEF SHOWER BEFORE DINNER.......BUT JUST THE RIGHT ATMOSPHERE FOR A WONDERFUL EVENING.......AN AMAZING RAINBOW, A FIRE IN THE BAR LOUNGE AND THE BEST SETTING FOR A ROMANTIC ESCAPADE! LOVE THIS PLACE! WE DECIDED TO SIT OUTSIDE AND HAD DRINKS AND APPETIZERS ON THE TERRACE. WE PLANNED TO EAT THERE BUT THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED QUICKLY AND WE MOVED INTO THE BAR. DINNER WAS AMAZING......
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