Well here we are at the end of our second week, and as they say, what a difference a day makes....Lots of sleep, good food, fine views and weather have all played their part in unwinding our tires and frazzled spirits, and we are TRULY on holiday now, here follows a taste of what we have been up to this week, for those brave enough to scroll down further!
Happy reading.......
Monday 22nd Oct – day 9
Trying more of the coastal path today, public transport still not working for us, so another circular route planned. The weather is colder and windier but still clear. Parked back at Lee Bay, walked up to Hunters Inn through woods and across fields. Final descent to the Inn was down steep hill with gradients of 16% (but what does that mean, really!) let’s just say it was steep enough to crush the toes in the boots! The reward was stopping for a clotted cream ice cream, then on to Heddons Mouth and back along the coastal path, panoramic views all around but no camera to record them with, as forgot to bring it. Final leg of the walk included a bliss reminder of childhood as we rebelliously scuffed up clouds of dead leaves, not caring if there was dog pooh underneath (don’t tell mum)
The walk ended foolishly as we found an off road sign pointing to Lee Bay, which we thought may be a short cut, and kinder to our feet and tiredness. However 20 minutes and a steep gradient later, we followed by a cut back to within two minutes of where we left the road earlier!
Home for a warming supper and an evening of frustration with the blog, hey ho!
Tuesday 23rd Oct – day 10
Grockles day planned drove down to Coombe Martin for a walk and picnic. Sat on a bench overlooking the beach watching the other grockles enjoy the late autumn sunshine, paddling but fully dressed in rolled up trousers and woolly jumpers, Ahh, the great British seaside holiday.
Trying more of the coastal path today, public transport still not working for us, so another circular route planned. The weather is colder and windier but still clear. Parked back at Lee Bay, walked up to Hunters Inn through woods and across fields. Final descent to the Inn was down steep hill with gradients of 16% (but what does that mean, really!) let’s just say it was steep enough to crush the toes in the boots! The reward was stopping for a clotted cream ice cream, then on to Heddons Mouth and back along the coastal path, panoramic views all around but no camera to record them with, as forgot to bring it. Final leg of the walk included a bliss reminder of childhood as we rebelliously scuffed up clouds of dead leaves, not caring if there was dog pooh underneath (don’t tell mum)
The walk ended foolishly as we found an off road sign pointing to Lee Bay, which we thought may be a short cut, and kinder to our feet and tiredness. However 20 minutes and a steep gradient later, we followed by a cut back to within two minutes of where we left the road earlier!
Home for a warming supper and an evening of frustration with the blog, hey ho!
Tuesday 23rd Oct – day 10
Grockles day planned drove down to Coombe Martin for a walk and picnic. Sat on a bench overlooking the beach watching the other grockles enjoy the late autumn sunshine, paddling but fully dressed in rolled up trousers and woolly jumpers, Ahh, the great British seaside holiday.
Then on to Watermouth for a more invigorating walk along a coastal path, with a tour of a derelict WW2 pillbox on the headland and magnificent views back towards Great Hangman lit by a warm early evening sun.
Wednesday 24th Oct – day 11
More of the coastal path today, taking in the stretch between Lee Bay and Woolacombe; parked along the esplanade and walked through the lovely Mortehoe. Picked up the path to Lee Bay over the fields, it is much quieter here, having left the crowds behind.
More of the coastal path today, taking in the stretch between Lee Bay and Woolacombe; parked along the esplanade and walked through the lovely Mortehoe. Picked up the path to Lee Bay over the fields, it is much quieter here, having left the crowds behind.
Again panoramic views greeted us as we joined the coastal path. The walking was a bit like being on a roller coaster at times, as we went up one side and down the other only to be greeted with the next incline almost immediately.
The National Trust very kindly laid steps for the steeper ascents, Chris counted 57 steps to get half way up to the top of the first rise, (only he would be counting them all!)
Morte Point was fascinating, with some dramatic rock work, which looked rather like a dragons back descending into the sea
The National Trust very kindly laid steps for the steeper ascents, Chris counted 57 steps to get half way up to the top of the first rise, (only he would be counting them all!)
Morte Point was fascinating, with some dramatic rock work, which looked rather like a dragons back descending into the sea
As we are walking these narrow cliff pathways, with steep and deep drops very close to the path edge I am beginning to wonder just how many lives have been lost over the centuries, as some of these narrow cliff side paths must become very dangerous during times of fog or wind.
Back to the car by 6pm and off for a well earned pint of Barum for Chris and Scrumpy Jack for Helen, a wonder round Woolacombe and a romantic moonlit (well street lit actually!) walk along the beach to end a lovely day.
Thursday 25th October – Day 12
Moved out of Twitchen Farm and onto pastures new in The Cattery near Crackington Haven, south of Bude. Easy journey and settle in, set up took a little longer as we now have a new porch, the instructions are all written and no pictures, however we shall, and did, overcome. This provides a much needed breaker from wind, and another lay out area. The instructions advise that it is an “easy porch” that can be erected in 5 minutes, not so, it took at least 45 mins, we can only assume that practice makes 5 mins.
The pitch looks out over farm land and those all important “views”. The camp site is very well maintained and reasonably level. The on site facilities are much improved from Twitchen as the unit’s purpose built, the shower gives good spray and is free!
The decision to eat out was unanimous, and we decided to go to the Coombe Barton Inn at Crackington Haven. This was shown in the Good Pub Guide but can only assume that it is listed as it is the only one in the village. However the food was adequate for the evening but we decided that in future when we eat out that we look for the good food guide instead.
Friday 26th October – Day 13
Our first day out from The Cattery and returned to Devon to visit Instow, we decided to drive through and from what we saw carried straight on and over to Appledore! Instow its self is really only a strip of beach with some housing, etc. Apart from an ancient signal box on the railway there appeared to be of little interest to us to stop.
Back to the car by 6pm and off for a well earned pint of Barum for Chris and Scrumpy Jack for Helen, a wonder round Woolacombe and a romantic moonlit (well street lit actually!) walk along the beach to end a lovely day.
Thursday 25th October – Day 12
Moved out of Twitchen Farm and onto pastures new in The Cattery near Crackington Haven, south of Bude. Easy journey and settle in, set up took a little longer as we now have a new porch, the instructions are all written and no pictures, however we shall, and did, overcome. This provides a much needed breaker from wind, and another lay out area. The instructions advise that it is an “easy porch” that can be erected in 5 minutes, not so, it took at least 45 mins, we can only assume that practice makes 5 mins.
The pitch looks out over farm land and those all important “views”. The camp site is very well maintained and reasonably level. The on site facilities are much improved from Twitchen as the unit’s purpose built, the shower gives good spray and is free!
The decision to eat out was unanimous, and we decided to go to the Coombe Barton Inn at Crackington Haven. This was shown in the Good Pub Guide but can only assume that it is listed as it is the only one in the village. However the food was adequate for the evening but we decided that in future when we eat out that we look for the good food guide instead.
Friday 26th October – Day 13
Our first day out from The Cattery and returned to Devon to visit Instow, we decided to drive through and from what we saw carried straight on and over to Appledore! Instow its self is really only a strip of beach with some housing, etc. Apart from an ancient signal box on the railway there appeared to be of little interest to us to stop.
Appledore however was a delight, with lots of old terrace cottages which were the old fisher cottages. It was a real trip back in time passing along these colourful terraces.
We walked out of the town and round the end of the bay towards and into the Burrows which is an area of grazing, mudflats and sandy beach. We walked along the edges of mud flat and beach and enjoyed the freshness of the wind and wildness of the area.
Toward the end of the walk out we watched an inshore fishing boat returning to its berth, and it caused the comment that it would be great to buy fish on the quayside.
Returned back to Appledore, but now had to walk on the high tide path, back through the terraces of cottages. By now we were getting quite hungry and decided to try a local fish and chip supper, these turned out to be really very good, and we felt like a couple of postcard cartoons as we sat on the quayside and ate out of the paper, yum! As evening settled in and we noticed some lights further down the quay and people walking back with plastic bags of fish. We finished our supper and strolled down to find the earlier seen trawler selling the fish off the quay. Our wish came true, so we purchased two plaice for £3.00 and supper for another evening.
Saturday 27th October – Day 14
Tim returned from Paris, as no work had materialised, and he is home for a few days to organise a European rail card before setting back off again for a month’s European city hopping. We arranged that he should come down and spend a day or two with us, but we did not expect to find him sleeping in the car as we set off for our morning shower. The young chap loves the sense of adventure of driving through night, especially as it’s in his dad’s new Jaguar, arriving before dawn and managing several hours’ kip on arrival!
We were well prepared with the eggs, bacon, beans etc and lingered over our brunch as we caught up, then set off out to take in some of the local sights, Boscastle first, where we had a pint in the Wellington Inn, which was featured in one of those fix it programmes (DIY SOS?) after the flood, there was a plaque showing where the water came up to ….. on the first floor!
We walked down towards the headland and were diverted into a visitor centre, to see some of the news footage during the flood in 2004. It was amazing to see the cars and vans being pushed along in the flood water, and the escapes of the local people by being winched up into helicopters. As we walked along the river bank we saw all the new flood defences that are being made, and all house repairs seem to
have been completed, so there is hope for the Horsefair.
Moving down the river to the original sea defences, we walked up the hill to watch the great foaming breakers crash against the rocks - made us feel glad to be alive. I think this may have
been the highlight of the day.
Tim returned from Paris, as no work had materialised, and he is home for a few days to organise a European rail card before setting back off again for a month’s European city hopping. We arranged that he should come down and spend a day or two with us, but we did not expect to find him sleeping in the car as we set off for our morning shower. The young chap loves the sense of adventure of driving through night, especially as it’s in his dad’s new Jaguar, arriving before dawn and managing several hours’ kip on arrival!
We were well prepared with the eggs, bacon, beans etc and lingered over our brunch as we caught up, then set off out to take in some of the local sights, Boscastle first, where we had a pint in the Wellington Inn, which was featured in one of those fix it programmes (DIY SOS?) after the flood, there was a plaque showing where the water came up to ….. on the first floor!
We walked down towards the headland and were diverted into a visitor centre, to see some of the news footage during the flood in 2004. It was amazing to see the cars and vans being pushed along in the flood water, and the escapes of the local people by being winched up into helicopters. As we walked along the river bank we saw all the new flood defences that are being made, and all house repairs seem to
have been completed, so there is hope for the Horsefair.Moving down the river to the original sea defences, we walked up the hill to watch the great foaming breakers crash against the rocks - made us feel glad to be alive. I think this may have
been the highlight of the day.
From here we went over to Tintagel, - another grockly disappointment! - taken over by commercialism and everything hyped on King Arthur, Merlin and Camelot. (except of course the old post office which looked incongruous amongst its brassy neighbours)
Leaving Tintagel on foot we took a walk through the drizzle, out along the headland to see an ancient church and even older remains of a fortress, well worth the trip, you could really imagine the living conditions in the swirling mist and drizzle.
We returned home via the Coombe Barton for a pint before supper, but as we arrived we could see the sea pounding onto the beach, and the incoming tide breaking onto the beach and rocks.
We returned home via the Coombe Barton for a pint before supper, but as we arrived we could see the sea pounding onto the beach, and the incoming tide breaking onto the beach and rocks.
Tim felt he could get a better view from further down, and ran at speed across a small gully, but unfortunately not as fast as the incoming waves …… he was cheered by us and other visitors as the wave caught him mid way and was caught up to his knees.
Following a restorative pint we were home for dominos and cards, which Chris seemed to keep winning, we have not yet worked out his technique ….. but we are watching!
Sunday 28th October – Day 15
After a very windy night, we were greeted by low cloud cover in the morning, so to arrive at Clovelly in warm sunshine was a real treat. The cost of £5.00 per person to visit this chocolate box tourist trap winded us a little, but as we had made the journey we decided to look big and pay up.
I have to say it was worth it though, the sun shone brightly on us as we weaved our way down the cobbled streets to the little harbour. We discovered the locals method of transport, as we spotted a sled used for carr
ying down any items too heavy to carry.
Sunday 28th October – Day 15
After a very windy night, we were greeted by low cloud cover in the morning, so to arrive at Clovelly in warm sunshine was a real treat. The cost of £5.00 per person to visit this chocolate box tourist trap winded us a little, but as we had made the journey we decided to look big and pay up.
I have to say it was worth it though, the sun shone brightly on us as we weaved our way down the cobbled streets to the little harbour. We discovered the locals method of transport, as we spotted a sled used for carr
ying down any items too heavy to carry. We broke the crawl back up the hill with a well earned pint in the New Inn, and were well rested before we set off for the final trek!!
However much we enjoyed Clovelly the real thrill for us was the next stop at Hartland Quay.
The wind had got up again and was whipping up the waves along the shoreline. I was a little sad that we didn’t have time to get the boots on and stride out over the headland; maybe we will get an opportunity before we move on from the Cattery.
As dusk fell we made our way home for locally made Cornish pasties, we switched on Radio 4 to listen to the 6 concerned for a while about her error until Tim asked the pertinent question ……. “When did the clocks go back?” did we miss our lie in,… drat!!
After supper and a film (bless the PC) Tim left late, for his midnight journey up the motorway.
After supper and a film (bless the PC) Tim left late, for his midnight journey up the motorway.
