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À day of ferries, pints and decisions (mostly about drinks)

An early start today—well, early by our standards. A taxi was booked for 9 AM to whisk us off to Kingswear, just a few miles away, where we would board the ferry across the River Dart. And by “ferry,” I mean a barge with a boat that politely nudges it along. A charmingly low-tech approach to river crossings, but hey, it works.

At 10 AM, we met our guide for a two-hour tour of the Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC). A place steeped in history, tradition, and crisp uniforms. Walking through as part of a civilian tour group while naval personnel bustled past on serious business made us feel like imposters—but very interested imposters.

By 12:30, our brains were bursting with naval knowledge and our stomachs were demanding immediate attention. A short walk upstream led us to the Floating Bridge Pub, where a pint of Otter Bitter disappeared alarmingly fast, swiftly followed by a Jail Ale, which met the same fate. Hydration is key, after all.

Post-lunch, the sun made a grand entrance, and we wandered through town, dipping into a few shops. One painting caught our eye, but EasyJet’s strict luggage policies ensured that an impulse purchase was out of the question. The shop owner kindly offered to investigate shipping options, so the fate of the painting now rests on logistics (and whether we still love it after a night’s sleep).

Ferry-crossing number two ensued, and upon stepping off, we called a taxi to return home. A well-earned nap was not only needed—it was taken.

The evening was an exercise in efficiency:

• Step 1: G&T aperitif (while making grand plans for tomorrow).

• Step 2: Dice games (fuelled by a second G&T).

• Step 3: A homemade Chris Chowder, following a recipe from the now-legendary New York pub, The Spotted Pig.

• Step 4: Cheese, crackers, and a final bottle of wine, because restraint is overrated.

With full stomachs and slightly foggy heads, it was time to call it a night—ready to do it all over again tomorrow. Well, maybe with fewer ferries.

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