Sunday 25 May 2008

Ashburton.. and ...any good at map reading?

Ashburton was our stop for a spot of lunch , on Friday.
Ashburton is almost a 'mini Totnes' with some lovely little shops, with fripperies which delight.
It also has a bookshop which sells second hand books..a few floors of them as well!

http://www.thepedlarspack.co.uk/

I managed to find one Angela Brazil book, hardback with dustjacket for £2!! I grabbed it as it was in superb condition too.


Having never studied geography and always being one to turn a map, so that the road I am on is facing the direction in which I am travelling (if you get my gist!) but I need to bring out my map reading skills (so sadly lacking), Ashburton always confuses me.
There's an East Street, a North Street, a West Street.... but there's no South Street as that is called something else..how daft is that?!! ;-)
And I never know which street I am in, much to dear DH's amusement.

I believe this to be North Street:

This, apparently, is West Street:

Which means that this is... East Street:

Anyway, North Street, I love you!

It was in one of the antique shops in North Street, I unearthed this little 'gem', for my garden!!A child's garden seat!

Which is no longer a child's garden seat !!
By the way..Ashburton is an old 'Stannary' town.
Stannary towns were the locations where refined tin (or white tin) was assessed, coined and sold.
You can read all about Stannary towns here, if you so desire:

18 comments:

  1. I am highly envious of the Angela Brazil book!

    Love the garden seat too

    April xx

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  2. Ooh another nice place to visit next time I'm down there. Thanks for the link about stannaries. I've just started reading the Poldark books again so it all ties in nicely. :0)

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  3. How daft is that? Well I ask you.As a self confessed compassphobe what difference would it make?
    Maybe I should speak to the town planners and National Geographic and ask them to rename it Shabby Chic Street. lol!

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  4. Hi Sal, Ashburton is one of my favourite places.. all the little antique shops are just heavenly.. This is weird... your little bench was in a dream of mine the other night... I think I must be VERY jealous of it! Where is the bookshop? I've never found that before! x

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  5. Hi Sal love the childs bench. I have an old settle that needs a makeover, must get on with it. By the way, I have tagged you. Check out my blog for the details.

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  6. ooh I had a lot of catching up to do on your blog, I don't know how I get so behind!
    Lovely photos Sal! :D

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  7. Hi Sal, Ashburton looks a very interesting little town, the kind of place we love to visit. And the garden seat is a great find for your garden.
    I love Angela Brazil books too. I have several that belonged to my mum when she was a girl and I read them all when I was young.
    Margaret and Noreen

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  8. Must remember Ashburton for when we next go West, most strange there being no South Street though? What a dear little seat, looks lovely surrounded by all your colourful pots. Lucky to find that book so cheap, very unusual for something to slip through the net! x

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  9. Hello Sal, I've finally got round to visiting you! why I hadnt found you before I dont know..what a lovely blog you have Ive only had a quick read but I'll be back to read more..that garden centre is gorgeous,there's one by us a bit like that..very old fashioned with lots of what they are supposed to sell..plants! I love your little bench too,how gorgeous does that look with potted plants on!
    x

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  10. What a lovely area you live in, with such beautiful places to visit and shop. Will visit again soon, enjoyed your pics!

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  11. Looks like a wonderful place to visit, and you found some real treasures as well.

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  12. What a cute little town! Thanks for taking us there and for the history of such a place. I love England's architecture. So pretty! Your new bench is darling and the flowers are gorgeous!!!!!

    xo
    Becky

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  13. I haven't been to Ashburton since Big Sister was a toddler, Lovely to see some photos again. Love the garden seat, what a find!
    Kimx

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  14. Oh, the children's garden seat is just beautiful with plants on top and all around! You certainly have a green thumb! Just a fine way to use the seat too, as children seldom actually want to sit down!
    ~Emily

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  15. What a pretty place. I'm rubbish at reading maps too and reversing into parking spaces if that's related in any way :) The little bench looks lovely
    Twiggy x

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  16. I'm glad none of you were hurt in the explosion in Exeter - what exactly happened that day?

    The garden center is so beautiful - I could spend hours walking under the wisterias and sipping tea in the garden cafe.

    I remember visiting Ashburton - another interesting Devon town - I need to come back for a long stay and catch up on all these places - you make them sound so interesting Sal.

    By the way - with all my thousands of miles traveling the highways and byways, I too always turn the map around! We now have a GPS in the car and that helps a lot!!

    Hope life is good and the weather fine in Devon.

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  17. Hi Sal I adore that little garden seat...whatbriliant find. I am wondering at what time you took the photos? the streets look so peaceful and car free!
    Carol x

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  18. Ashburton is a charming little town with a big heart! We visited in April and I particularly loved the variety of vintage shops there..
    Is that favourite shop of yours called Belly Fish per chance??
    A fine and noble establishment.. where we bought two pretty hare mugs.

    Michelexx

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Thank you for taking the time to comment! ;-)