Exeter

Take the Tarka Line to Exeter. The train service is approximately every 2 hours and the train is packed - it's mid morning on a Thursday and people are standing. I find it symbolic of the UK public transport system - its obviously popular but has outdated rolling stock and is overcrowded. Is it really beyond the wit of man to make the service hourly or have a 4 carriage service rather than 2 overcrowded ones?

Anyway, rant over. Exeter is not quite what I'm expected. For one it's quite hilly. Secondly the centre contains many ghastly post war buildings amongst which there are several oasis of beautiful old architectural gems. It looks as though the city has evolved in patches with little overall direction. Much redevelopment is going on - but are we merely repeating the mistakes of the 50s and 60s with glass replacing concrete as the material of choice?

Potter around the centre and wander down to the quayside - highlight is the cathedral with its wonderfully vaulted ceiling. A welcoming place and the refectory does a fine caramel shortcake.