3 day trip to Devon - Day 2; Stoke Gabriel

Looking back to the Yew Tree. Barb and Jeantine listening to the Sexton explaining a little of the Yew tree history.

From Wikipedia, Stoke Gabriel village has an approximately 1,000-year-old yew tree in the churchyard of The Church of St Mary and St Gabriel, a church which has stood since Norman times. Legend has it that if you walk backwards seven times round the yew's main stem you will be granted a wish.

Jeantine can be seen under the yew tree - which is supported by wire rope and propped supports

Looking back toward the village and heading for a lunch break

Wikipedia says; "The village has two public houses; The Church House Inn and The Castle Inn."
I think we chose the Church House Inn, with my lunch receipt stating T.G. Inns Ltd, Church Walk, Totnes and amount for £26.40, which included my choice - the Cauliflower Cheese. I'm sure we would've posted to Facebook with the Pub wifi connection

After lunch it was back to the Church yard to get another photo of the Harding headstone looking toward the houses where the Sexton lived.

Then through the gate and down to the river we went

We can see the river

through the gardens

With an occasional thatched roof catching my eye. It's a pity modernity interferes with the nostalgic view with power lines.

Down at the recreational park by the mill pond with the church in the background

From Wikipedia, "The village is a popular tourist destination in the South Hams and is famous for its mill pond and crab fishing (known colloquially as crabbing). It is equidistant from Paignton, Dartmouth and Totnes, and has a population of approximately 1,200" We must have dropped into the Rivershack to get a drink and to people watch as this link said, "The Rivershack, situated between the beautiful River Dart estuary and the tranquil mill pond of Stoke Gabriel village, it is truly a stunning location. Ideally situated for crabbing and river activities and walks."
There was steady stream of people coming in to buy a crabbing kit of bucket and net - and whatever else they needed. It seemed a quite a tradition and a good distraction to keep the kids occupied.

The sign says "Our coast supports some of the richest underwater reefs and sea caves anywhere in Europe and the areas shown have been proposed as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) The Mackerel Cove to Dartmouth Reefs area covers approximately 40km2 and is home to diverse and colourful jungles of filter-feeding sponges, anemones, sea fans and corals which live on bedrock reefs and in sea caves and thrive here in the plankton rich tidal currents along these shores."

1:56pm Typical muddy estuary

2:30pm Gable Cottage and house by the Pub as we head back to our rental car to head to Ashprington, Totnes, Devon - a place I was taken by in late August 1963 by Nancy & Frank Litton to show me a typical English Village