Sun Oct 14th to Sun Oct 21st

Mints On Tour

Hi Folks, well here we are one week in and being technical experts several drafts in!! But hopefully here is the first weeks installment (for those who are interested) on our grand year out .

Sun 14th Oct - day 1

What a week we have just had, but we finally managed to set off Sunday pm, rather than Saturday am as hoped, but we are off now, heading for our first stop just outside Ilfracombe.

Monday 15th Oct – day 2
We chose well however for our first weeks stay, Twitchen Farm is situated just outside Ilfracombe, in rural splendour, there are two other caravans on the site which is 3 acres so we feel as though there is plenty of space for all.

The “camp site” is an organic farm, selling their own beef, and looking very much like it belongs in a previous generation, as does the owner a friendly weather beaten old lady called Mrs Thomas.
The shower facilities are best viewed through closed eye lids, but still provide the basics, so we are staying clean!

Chris is here being the hero as he manfully started the business of sorting out the caravan set ups.

Tuesday 16th Oct – day 3
Off for a shopping trip to Exeter in the pouring rain! We were impressed by what we saw, and hope to make a return trip in calmer circumstances!
We made our last big spend there, purchasing my new phone! And an internet dongle, which meant that we now have the joy of being able to email and web search, ah to be back in communication!

Wednesday 17th Oct – day 4
Today has been the easiest day so far, the morning spent doing the final set ups as Chris put up a magnetic knife holder, and I sorted out the internet connections, and off we set for a walk around Ilfracombe, which reminded of us of Tiperary, faded and poor, however basking in glorious early evening sunshine. Chris looked particularly uncomfortable as we settled for a quick drink in a hotel bar, so that I could use the facilities, he was concerned about the twee factor, and the two mobility bikes recharging in the corner, we did not stay long.
I think that we need to rest for a few days before we really set off on our walking tour!!!!!

Thursday 18th Oct – day 5
Woke up to glorious sunshine again, a very late and leisurely start, still one or two ongoing “set up” jobs to be completed – small beer though.

Packed a picnic, sense of holiday growing! Very pleasant drive through Exmoor, along a cliff road, to Lee Abbey where we sat like a couple of old codgers at the picnic table enjoying our sandwiches and the view, before walking down to the beach for a stroll.

On then though the back roads to Lynton, pleasant but end of seasonish, found that the bus that we need to catch to get us to Porlock to start our walks does not leave until 11am, which may mean that it will be a root march back to Lynton if we are to arrive in the light!
Drove on down to Lynmouth and up over Exmoor, very bleak, decided that we would not be walking the moors, stopped for a beer in the Black Venus as recommended by Bill Cavendish, it was very lovely and very popular with the locals, looks like a good place to eat.
Late evening of frustration as we tried to access the internet but no joy, I hate technology!

Friday 19th Oct – day 6

Another glorious day, spent mostly in the caravan attending to “administration” sorting out the next site etc. We have been enjoying splendid isolation here for the last few days, but are now expecting the arrival of the half termers!

Late afternoon trip to Bude to check out our next destination, as advised by an older couple who came to do the same here at Twitchen, will make the journey with the van easier. Took the coast road back to Bideford, which has left the same impression as Ilfracombe, faded, tatty and gaudy (may be being a little unfair there to Ilfracombe)
Ended the evening with a sumptuous feast from Somerfields of pasta salad eaten with a plastic fork, gazing out at a fun fair in full illumination, we know how to have a good time.

Saturday 20th Oct – day 7
Another leisurely start, waking again to glorious sunshine. Today we made our first proper full day out as holiday makers, setting off for Lynton, with rucksacks and walking boots at the ready.
The local buses were not running to time so rather than do a coastal stretch we decided to do a circular walk finishing on the coastal path.
What a happy decision, we walked for several miles along the idyllic autumn shaded River Lyn, before hiking up hill and joining the coastal path just before Foreland Point, a rather disappointing visit to the light house, meant that we had to detour back to the coastal path, leaving us a little concerned that we may run out of light.

But no worries we rounded the headland to see lovely Lynmouth in the distance and enjoyed panoramic sea views as we descended to the shoreline, a short stroll through the harbour and sea front suggested that Lynmouth is worth a return visit.

Sunday 21st Oct – day 8
Domestic duties abound today, washing, food restock and a hunt for cheap petrol, and horror of horrors Tescos is the supermarket of choice, I may need time to recover!
However we ended the day with a lovely evening stroll along Croyde Bay, watching surfers waiting that elusive breaker, and then falling off their boards in excitement. A little final excitement for us as the light faded rapidly was - hunting the exit in the dark, not an easy task as the black featureless rocks hid the contours of the ramp, and the small pools, which we mostly found with a SPLASH!

That's all for now folks.

Thanks to those who have already added comments, once we have learned how to reply, you will get one!!!!!!