Elizabeth the First's secret command to Sir Francis Drake was....

...To this day, no-one knows, but he brought her unimagined treasure from his raids on the Spanish fleet, bringing silver and gold from S. America. The first man to circumnavigate the globe,  he also chased off the Spanish fleet in the famed Armada and in-between battles, improved the water supply to the village, Buckland Monochorum, where he had his 12C home--Buckfast Abbey. To this day, when a Spanish parent threatens their naughty child that 'Draco' will get you, they are referring to Drake.

The advice of St Benedict to the Abbott in 525AD would hold good for any church minister today!

The Abbey--now in NT hands, has many displays and the grounds contain the largest medieval barn imaginable--like an aircraft hanger.

There were many portraits, as well as scenes of costumed residents of the era, and a thicket of yew trees with a mystical air to them.

The Abbey is set on the edge of Dartmoor and today's mist gave the surrounding area a foreboding appearance. The statue of Drake was recovered many years ago from under a hedge on the moors (?). Maybe they didn't like his trousers!

The final pic is of us with Caryl's dessert the night before!