Tell me tales of Totnes (a fortnight in March).

[danny la rouge]

In March we are dog sitting near Totnes. Please tell me of stone circles, Palaeolithic sites, coffee shops, cakes, vegetarian cuisine, historical places of interest, art and the like.

They need to be accessible to me, with my chronic fatigue and pain and limited mobility. I will have a car and a blue badge.

 

[nogojones]

Full of hippies.

 

[danny la rouge]

Is Devonish Pasties a thing?

 

[editor]

In March we are dog sitting near Totnes. Please tell me of stone circles, Palaeolithic sites, coffee shops, cakes, vegetarian cuisine, historical places of interest, art and the like.

They need to be accessible to me, with my chronic fatigue and pain and limited mobility. I will have a car and a blue badge.

There be conspiracy theorists lurking at every turn. Tread carefully for fear of activating one.

 

[Elpenor]

Parking is tricky in the centre on Saturdays when the market is on (tarot readings, interesting food, dream catchers, other hippy shit) so I tend to take the train when I visit.

Good charity shops along Fore Street (the high street) but it’s a steep hill. So be aware of this. Also cafes, galleries etc

The old cinema is very cool, art house stuff plus current releases and releases. It also does nice coffee, cake, wine and get this danny la rouge live jazz on Sundays between 1200 and 1400



There are Dart river cruises you can do from the bottom of the hill somewhere though I’ve never done one. They seem a bit geriatric.

It’s quite nice to sit by the river if the suns out for lunch - and dogs will enjoy that. You can walk along the river towards Dartington but not sure if it would be accessible to you. Haven’t done this either!

I’m not an expert on the beaches, but if you want a tatty faded seaside resort try Paignton. You’re veggie so I won’t suggest places but Mrs La rouge may like the fish in some of the restaurants. I’ve never been to Brixham but told it is good for that sort of thing.

There are a few moorland spots which can probably provide good views without any / much walking, but I never have time really to go to them perhaps Idaho can advise. Am not very good with the tourist stuff to do as I’m too busy usually doing the day to day life stuff!

I live a few miles away just outside of Newton Abbot so if you fancy meeting one day give me a shout. I’d ought to check on the dogs welfare at least

 

[Bus Honeygun]

Is Devonish Pasties a thing?

Yeah, a traditional Devon one has the crimp on top and is shortcrust pastry, but for the most part they're the same here as in Cornwall.

 

[Pickman's model]

Parking is tricky in the centre on Saturdays when the market is on (tarot readings, interesting food, dream catchers, other hippy shit) so I tend to take the train when I visit.

Good charity shops along Fore Street (the high street) but it’s a steep hill. So be aware of this. Also cafes, galleries etc

The old cinema is very cool, art house stuff plus current releases and releases. It also does nice coffee, cake, wine and get this danny la rouge live jazz on Sundays between 1200 and 1400

View attachment 459910

There are Dart river cruises you can do from the bottom though I’ve never done one. They seem a bit geriatric.

I’m not an expert on the beaches, but if you want a tatty faded seaside resort try Paignton. You’re veggie so I won’t suggest places but Mrs La rouge may like the fish in some of the restaurants. I’ve never been to Brixham but told it is good for that sort of thing.

There are a few moorland spots which can probably provide good views without any / much walking, but I never have time really to go to them. Am not very good with the tourist stuff to do as I’m too busy usually doing the day to day life stuff!

I live a few miles away just outside of Newton Abbot so if you fancy meeting one day give me a shout. I’d ought to check on the dogs welfare at least

yeh he likes to make auld dogs learn new tricks through his hypnotism

 

[keybored]

The rare breeds farm is worth it for the owls alone. You won't be able to take the dog(s) in though.

 

[izz]

Full of hippies.

You say that like it's a bad thing

 

[mojo pixy]

Be careful who you talk to there, they might try and give you a copy of The Light

 

[Bus Honeygun]

As for Totnes, I have a love-hate relationship with the place. Mostly hate. There's some interesting stuff there - bookshops, bars etc. - but it soon winds me up and I have to get the train back to normal people land.

A lot of hippies and conspiraloons, but they're increasingly eclipsed by wealthy middle-age hipster types.

 

[TopCat]

Full of hippies.

Really rich hippies.

Not much parking.

Twee shops

Nice high street.

 

[TopCat]

You say that like it's a bad thing

It’s a bad thing

 

[Elpenor]

Yeah, a traditional Devon one has the crimp on top and is shortcrust pastry, but for the most part they're the same here as in Cornwall.

I find them disappointing on both sides of the Tamar

 

[Elpenor]

As for Totnes, I have a love-hate relationship with the place. Mostly hate. There's some interesting stuff there - bookshops, bars etc. - but it soon winds me up and I have to get the train back to normal people land.

A lot of hippies and conspiraloons, but they're increasingly eclipsed by wealthy middle-age hipster types.

Feels like the standard uniform for Totnes is posh hiking attire, three quarter zips these days. I swear it’s the same sort of people who might have lived in East Dulwich

The hippies selling their wares always seem to be really miserable so that’s something

 

[Bus Honeygun]

You can walk along the river towards Dartington but not sure if it would be accessible to you. Haven’t done this either!

Pretty sure it is completely accessible. Shorter version to the Cider Press is totally flat and quite a nice stroll. Things Happen Here is a good spot and danny la rouge may time it right for a gig or event.

 

[Poot]

They're into naked yoga and they vote Conservative.

 

[danny la rouge]

Be careful who you talk to there, they might try and give you a copy of The Light

What’s the Light? It sounds Watch Towery!

 

[danny la rouge]

They're into naked yoga and they vote Conservative.

I’m not ruling out the former but the latter is just perverted!

 

[mojo pixy]

I'll not link to their site, but wikipedia has this to say....

The Light (newspaper) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[danny la rouge]

I'll not link to their site, but wikipedia has this to say....

The Light (newspaper) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Wow. And that’s produced in Totnes? I wonder if it’s too late for us to back out!

 

[mojo pixy]

Wow. And that’s produced in Totnes? I wonder if it’s too late for us to back out!

Tbh I don't know if it's actually published there but I have a strong suspicion it's one of their bases/strongholds. There always seems to be someone selling them in the market square, as well as sightings in Paignton, Torquay and Newton Abbot.

 

[Sue]

You definitely need to go to this and send us pix of your new dreamcatchers and crystals:

the market is on (tarot readings, interesting food, dream catchers, other hippy shit) so I tend to take the train when I visit.

A lot of hippies and conspiraloons, but they're increasingly eclipsed by wealthy middle-age hipster types.

Ah, this explains danny la rouge's choice of destination.

 

[danny la rouge]

Tbh I don't know if it's actually published there but I have a strong suspicion it's one of their bases/strongholds

I’m sure there are plenty of decent people too.

 

[Voley]

What’s the Light?

Peter Hook's backing band.

Expect Joy Division B-Sides played chronologically (with a bonus set of unreleased early New Order) played hourly.

 

[keybored]

Tbh I don't know if it's actually published there but I have a strong suspicion it's one of their bases/strongholds. There always seems to be someone selling them in the market square, as well as sightings in Paignton, Torquay and Newton Abbot.

Manchester "based" tbf.

 

[danny la rouge]

I wanted to see what fashions were current in Totnes so I know what to pack. This was one of the top hits:



I’ll need to find the hippy and hipster contingent, I think. I’m not going to fit in with the tank top massive!

 

[Kevbad the Bad]

Dartington well worth a visit. You have to pay to enter the grounds in theory, but I never have and no-one stops you. Interesting buildings and gardens accessible in large part. Also a good restaurant where more than one type of cuisine is available for the rest of your life.

 

[Elpenor]

Buckfast abbey is nearby and is free

Oh and on Totnes market I am sure there was someone doing palm / foot readings once.

He was dressed like someone from Monty python's the life of Brian

 

[danny la rouge]

Buckfast abbey is nearby and is free

I’ll go and harangue them about the damage they’ve done in my community!