Brixham

Coming to Brixham from just outside of London as an 11 year-old was a real culture shock. New smells (fish!) new sounds (seagulls) and new faces (the inhabitants of the south west certainly have distinct facial features...to say nothing of the accent).
The total freedom of the countryside was something new and exciting also. Long walks around Mansands, totally unspoilt cliff walks all the way to Kingswear. In the winter you could set out with a ruck sack and disappear for a day and hardly see a soul.
A cliche it might be, but growing up in Brixham as a child really was the best time of my life.
I live in Ireland now but still think about those times and try to get back to Brixham as much as possible.
A large picture of the restored Brixham fishing smack, Vigilence, adorns the wall of my study. My grandfather worked as a deck hand on that vessel in the 40's and it was built in Uphams yard by a distant relative.
Hopes of retirement in Brixham are a constant thought. I hope it doesn't change too much in the next 30 years. A beautiful place.