The more you look, the more you sea ;)

Storm Gareth brought some rather strong winds to the English Riviera today. Fortunately Tilly, one of my charges,  a 14 year old Red Setter, only requested a sedate lap of the park, which was a tad concerning considering the number of trees we were walking beneath, but we survived it. Molly on the other paw, would have liked to have gone further, but that would have to wait til later as I had date with two friends for coffee plus a visit to Torre Abbey gardens &  museum.

A lovely walk around the gardens including the Tropical house, & Cactus house then back into the building for the 2 exhibitions that we wanted to see, first 'Torbay Rocks' a brilliant step back to the 50's, 60's & 70's music scene in Torquay. The majority of these artists were booked through a local promoter called Lionel Digby who moved to Torquay with his family in 1946. There were admission tickets, hand painted /sign written advertising posters on display, appearance  contracts. All fascinating .. Climax Blues band with supporting band Dire Straits Admission price £1.25. ONE POUND TWENTYFIVE!!!!?  Pink Floyd 8/6d. Supertramp, & Joan Armatrading tickets ranged from £1 - £1.75. These bands were receiving approximately £300 per night for the gig. The clubs that were around then have long gone. 400 Club, Shiphay Manor, Casa Marina, Tiffs, clubs that I went to at weekends.   The exhibition brought back such great memories for me. I did'nt get to see any of these artists/bands live in Torquay but loved their music. We got to dress up in some wigs and fashions of the day which was a bit of a scream. We always have fun wherever we go.
Next exhibition, Images & Imagination - Torbay Photographic Society Exhibition. A very mixed body of work, not all to my taste, but that is art.

We then had a wander through some of the permanent galleries, where this piece entitled 'A Secluded Beach' by Fred Yates hangs. The more you study it, the more you see. The Quicktan body builder/poser on the left, the chap reading the paper fully dressed with overcoat & trilby, the naked man sat with what appears to be a black car tyre inner tube around his waist, the knock kneed twins ........ This was the finale to our very entertaining visit.

Back to the dogs, Molly & I explored a new route down onto Babbacombe beach through the woods, relatively sheltered from Storm Gareth thank goodness. We had a slight battle on the seafront. Molly had picked up a disgustingly manky wet wipe and refused to release it from her grasp. Not sure I managed to retrieve all of it but did'nt fancy the consequences of her eating it. :(

That's about it really. Oh, I did sample Sainsbury's English vintage cider this evening. 2017 was a very good vintage ;)