This morning we had to take the car to the Exway repair centre in Newton Abbot, in the hope that they will be more efficient than their counterparts in Barnstaple. To get there we had a truly atmospheric drive across Dartmoor as the weather was alternately stormy or sunny providing wonderful skies. We stopped for a while at Badgers Holt to view an ancient bridge across the Dart, which tumbled wildly over the stones because of recent rain fall.Once there we swapped the Land Rover for a Skoda, so with go Faster stripes ablaze we set off for a recce of the English Riviera. It started well as Sheldon was very pretty, but we did not linger as we were under the misguided imp
ression that Torbay was worth a visit…. wrong. We arrived in Torquay to everything we dislike, pretention and plastic, enormous boats and amusement arcades.Fortunately there were few visitors or we would have run immediately but as we had the place more or less to ourselves, and the sun was shining a watery, wintry icy glow we walked around the harbour to check ou
t the boats further. We drove on then to Brixham then via Stokeinteignhead. A very pretty sleepy village with a lovely pub which served excellent home made beef doorstops and Chris was reintroduced to Flowers IPA – happy bunny! Through Paignton without stopping, only so much a body can take and onto Brixham which had much more character. We stopped for a pint in a dubious hostelry to do our emailing – (the joy of having a mobile internet connection) as the signal is too weak at the camp site to pick up the internet. Home then to our cosy warm caravan for more fun with the PC diary!!!Tuesday 8th January - day 80
We woke to a windy wintry day, no walking today as too soggy underfoot, so off to revisit Polperro as we had dashed past it before Christmas. We were not disappointed with our return visit. The howling wind and threatening cloud had kept all sensible peop
le indoors, so we had the place to ourselves almost.
We were sheltered as we walked through the sleepy streets and were completely taken by surprise at the ferocity of the wind as we reached the harbour. It was hard to stay upright as we stood on the harbour wall, but it was worth it as the sights and sounds were spectacular. The wind really howled and whistled round the inlet, causing great slapping noises from the boats rigging, and the “Tubular Bells” sounds of rope on metal mast. We watched as waves crashed against the cliffs and were persuaded a way up the cliff path for a better
view of the swirling and churning of the surf, fabulous, with the salt on our faces making our skin tingle and the wind in our hair (well one of us!) - it felt good to be alive.
We woke to a windy wintry day, no walking today as too soggy underfoot, so off to revisit Polperro as we had dashed past it before Christmas. We were not disappointed with our return visit. The howling wind and threatening cloud had kept all sensible peop
le indoors, so we had the place to ourselves almost.We were sheltered as we walked through the sleepy streets and were completely taken by surprise at the ferocity of the wind as we reached the harbour. It was hard to stay upright as we stood on the harbour wall, but it was worth it as the sights and sounds were spectacular. The wind really howled and whistled round the inlet, causing great slapping noises from the boats rigging, and the “Tubular Bells” sounds of rope on metal mast. We watched as waves crashed against the cliffs and were persuaded a way up the cliff path for a better
view of the swirling and churning of the surf, fabulous, with the salt on our faces making our skin tingle and the wind in our hair (well one of us!) - it felt good to be alive. 
Reluctantly we moved on to Looe to try and re-see it in the light. Other than a lovely stroll down the promenade and some fine views of the town from the pontoon, we have to say that it lacked the charm we had hoped to find from our previous night time visit, but we were glad to have spent on hour or so there. Home via a public house in Tavistock so that we could do our emailing.
Wednesday 9th January – day 81
Another dull but dry day today, off for a visit to the well recommended gardens and grounds at Cotehele. We were not to be disappointed that the House was closed, for the grounds more than made up for them.
We spent 3 hours happily wandering round formal gardens, down woodland walks, past Dovecotes and stewponds to the muddy Tamar Estuary, where we walked along the river bank to the water mill (a real Constable landscape) and back up to the car park. We spied our first snow drops, violets and primroses, and the promise of spring as the daffodil and crocus shoots were clearly visible.
We left there for a meal with Roger in Truro via a drink in Jamaica Inn. What a shock we had, seldom has a place so failed to live up to its romantic expectations. Daphne DuMaurier may be turning in her grave as rampant and tacky commercialism sat right next to the roaring open fire in the shape of one armed bandits (and several of them) we could not bring ourselves to sit in the room with the wide screen TV! So a swift ½ pint of rattler later we made a hasty retreat.
Roger, who came to stay with us for the weekend of Mike and Brian’s celebration, treated us right royally to a feast at a lovely restaurant called the Plume of Feathers in Mitchell. Prior to the meal we were given a personal and torchlit tour of his lovely garden and were introduced to his even lovelier baby goats, which one of us would happily have taken home! We gladly accepted an invitation to stop over rather than make the journey back late at night. We were very grateful for this, and were treated to a definitely alternative lifestyle, but we will leave Roger to explain that to you.
Thursday 10th January – day 82
We were supposed to be going straight back to caravan following our overnighter, but once purchases had been made we decided to return to Port Isaac
as we were almost passing. We were still looking for our little something to remind us of the peninsular (as well as the lovely print given to us by Roger!) and had been most impressed by the pottery gallery there. On arrival we found that the gallery was closed, but undaunted we made a phone call and the potter was willing to open up for us. We took a lovely windswept walk a little way along the coastal path whilst we waited for the moment that we could return to the gallery, and were remin
ded of some of the beautiful
Another dull but dry day today, off for a visit to the well recommended gardens and grounds at Cotehele. We were not to be disappointed that the House was closed, for the grounds more than made up for them.
We spent 3 hours happily wandering round formal gardens, down woodland walks, past Dovecotes and stewponds to the muddy Tamar Estuary, where we walked along the river bank to the water mill (a real Constable landscape) and back up to the car park. We spied our first snow drops, violets and primroses, and the promise of spring as the daffodil and crocus shoots were clearly visible.
We left there for a meal with Roger in Truro via a drink in Jamaica Inn. What a shock we had, seldom has a place so failed to live up to its romantic expectations. Daphne DuMaurier may be turning in her grave as rampant and tacky commercialism sat right next to the roaring open fire in the shape of one armed bandits (and several of them) we could not bring ourselves to sit in the room with the wide screen TV! So a swift ½ pint of rattler later we made a hasty retreat.
Roger, who came to stay with us for the weekend of Mike and Brian’s celebration, treated us right royally to a feast at a lovely restaurant called the Plume of Feathers in Mitchell. Prior to the meal we were given a personal and torchlit tour of his lovely garden and were introduced to his even lovelier baby goats, which one of us would happily have taken home! We gladly accepted an invitation to stop over rather than make the journey back late at night. We were very grateful for this, and were treated to a definitely alternative lifestyle, but we will leave Roger to explain that to you.
Thursday 10th January – day 82
We were supposed to be going straight back to caravan following our overnighter, but once purchases had been made we decided to return to Port Isaac
as we were almost passing. We were still looking for our little something to remind us of the peninsular (as well as the lovely print given to us by Roger!) and had been most impressed by the pottery gallery there. On arrival we found that the gallery was closed, but undaunted we made a phone call and the potter was willing to open up for us. We took a lovely windswept walk a little way along the coastal path whilst we waited for the moment that we could return to the gallery, and were remin
ded of some of the beautiful pathways that we had lost photos of back in November. We made our purchase and decided to move on to Boscastle to remind ourselves of its delights, and retake some photos there. We had a lovely late afternoon walk up to the lookout, and were treated to a watery sunset. We were home by 7pm ready for another session with the PC!
Friday 11th January – day 83
Friday 11th January – day 83
We think that it rained all night, and it was still pouring when we got up. Fortunately Newton Abbot phoned to say that the car was ready for collection so n
o decision about how to spend the day was necessary! Chris took a run over the moor for the car, and I stayed at base to catch up on necessary domestics (running out of knickers). Managed to finish naming and storing all photos as well so beginning to feel that we are catching up now!!
Chris returned with a sparkly as well as a mended car, we are indeed impressed with the Newton Abbot Exway Repair Centre, so we are now really beginning to feel that our breakages are behind us, and long may that continue.
Saturday 12th January – day 84
Brighter this morning, a little respite from the rain, which is lovely as we are meeting friends for lunch and a walk on Dartmoor today. Off to Tavistock first though for a look round the Farmers Market and the award winning Pannier Market. Well worth a visit – any day except Sunday and Monday! We were tempted to a rather fabulous looking Spelt loaf, sprouts and a
yummy venison pie –that’s dinner for Sunday sorted. Off to Mary Tavy via Brentor a lovely church on a hill, no time to walk up to it today, but on to lunch with Liesel and Nick. (This is them on their boat last summer)
Lunch was a feast so we sat for a while as it settled, and by the time we were ready to step out on to Dartmoor it was drizzling. By the time we got from the house to the moor it was raining and by the time we got to our return point it was pouring. We looked like 4 drowned rats (that rustled) by the time we got back and we w
ere only out 50 minutes!
o decision about how to spend the day was necessary! Chris took a run over the moor for the car, and I stayed at base to catch up on necessary domestics (running out of knickers). Managed to finish naming and storing all photos as well so beginning to feel that we are catching up now!!Chris returned with a sparkly as well as a mended car, we are indeed impressed with the Newton Abbot Exway Repair Centre, so we are now really beginning to feel that our breakages are behind us, and long may that continue.
Saturday 12th January – day 84
Brighter this morning, a little respite from the rain, which is lovely as we are meeting friends for lunch and a walk on Dartmoor today. Off to Tavistock first though for a look round the Farmers Market and the award winning Pannier Market. Well worth a visit – any day except Sunday and Monday! We were tempted to a rather fabulous looking Spelt loaf, sprouts and a
yummy venison pie –that’s dinner for Sunday sorted. Off to Mary Tavy via Brentor a lovely church on a hill, no time to walk up to it today, but on to lunch with Liesel and Nick. (This is them on their boat last summer)Lunch was a feast so we sat for a while as it settled, and by the time we were ready to step out on to Dartmoor it was drizzling. By the time we got from the house to the moor it was raining and by the time we got to our return point it was pouring. We looked like 4 drowned rats (that rustled) by the time we got back and we w
ere only out 50 minutes! We were treated to tea on return – part Lapsang Souchong part Earl Grey, a first for me and to be highly recommended. Thanks to Nick’s wi-fi we were able to check out sites for Dorset where we are off to next.
Home to dry out our wet weather gear!
Home to dry out our wet weather gear!
Sunday 13th January – day 85
Guess what, another wet day, the clouds are dark grey, no pretence of a chance of sun today, the ground is so soggy under foot that it is not even worth wondering whether
we might get out on the moors! So, off for a drive over atmospheric Dartmoor to see what Widecombe in the Moor has to offer. It is very pretty even in the rain, and the Old Village Inn won us over completely with its blazing log fires - in three rooms! It was toasty warm by the fire, but being intrepid explorers we set off for Buckfast Abbey
, and we were so glad we did. This Monastery was beautiful and peaceful, but also industrious as the monks who live there work the land, keep bees, brew mead and sell honey, and one monk created the most wonderful stained glass window I have ever seen, with a vibrant radiant Jesus, arms open wide, welcoming all who enter the prayer roo
m.
m. It was lovely to sit there awhile in the peaceful atmosphere, but disappointment struck, as when in the end we went to the café for a cup of tea, we found that it had just closed! Rain finally stopped play, and we set off to return home back over the moors.
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