I regularly drive past the sign for Buckfast Abbey, a place I hadn’t visited since I was a child fifty years ago. A return visit was long overdue.
Benedictine monks first arrived there in the early 11th century, but the monastery was destroyed in 1539, during Henry V111th’s dissolution. In 1882 a group of French Benedictine monks settled there and a slow rebuild began.
This is what happened next.
What an achievement.
Impressive doors.
Once inside, initially I was distinctly underwhelmed, until I stopped comparing it to the Cathedral in Exeter. 
The vaulting is different but interesting.
A beautiful screen.
And some pretty chapels.
Buckfast is a peaceful place, the part that filled me with joy was an amazing stained glass area, where photography was not allowed. I’d go back just to see that again. I did manage to buy a postcard of part of it, 
But you will get a better idea here.
Now, once I went outside to the gardens, I really started to enjoy Buckfast. There’s a lavender garden, but it was past it’s best, as well as a sensory and a physic garden.
So this is Buckfast, a tranquil place to spend and hour or two. They have a restaurant and gift shop, as well as a conference centre. Visiting, and parking is free, so if you’re driving along the Devon Expressway why not call in?
I’m tempted to link to Jo’s Monday walk, because I didn’t sit down for a couple of hours even if i didn’t walk very far, and I don’t think she’ll tell me off!
Late summer calling
Now, the depth of field makes this look different from the reality. The grassy sand dunes are on the south west of the Exe, while the yellow apartment blocks are on the north east, with a mile of water in between.
Does this second photo help or hinder? I promise you that nature and manmade are definitely 
Just past the Elizabethan garden, there’s a little path with a patch grass to the right.
Via Topsham Quay, looking back down to the estuary.
and back up towards Exeter.
The grey sky and heavy rain of the afternoon cleared away for a lovely evening.
Lucid Gypsy 