Week 14 14th to 20th Jan

Monday 14th January – day 86

Last day at Tavistock, and the same feeling as when we left Helston, that we are leaving with too much still to see, so off to see as much as we can fit in today! Started with a trip down to Burgh Island, a small island divided from the mainland by tidal causeway. It is the setting for a famous Art Deco hotel set in the 1920’s time warp, when it frequently received visitors such as Noel Coward and the Windsors. We parked near the beach at Bigbury on Sea and made the short but bracing walk across, anticipating our elegant cuppa in this fashionable establishment, however when we got there we found that there was a notice saying that it was not open to the public! We did try to get to the reception to ask for a brochure but the front door was locked!! We were not even allowed into part of Pilchard Inn, the 14th century pub that also resides on the island, as it also was reserved for hotel residents only…….. well, I ask you, did that make us feel unwelcome (the answer is yes in case you are not sure!!) We walked to top for the views though (and to say that we did it!) and then left for Salcombe, our last Devonish coastal resort. It was another quaint narrow streeted fishing/holiday town, and after a (by now) very welcome cup of tea, we walked along the shingle edged harbour, and Helen made a very exciting find…. This still hinged complete scallop shell, along with several boarders! It’s colours glowed like burnished copper when wet, but alas it lost its lustre, and its limpety boarders, once dry, but is still quite a find as it is more or less complete.












Tuesday 15th January - day 87

Moving day today, so into Tavistock for a last look round before setting off for Bridport.
We were a little concerned as it had rained all night and there were storm and high wind warnings on the radio this morning. However it remained dry from the time we started to pack up, to the finish of our unpacking at the other end, HALLELUJAH and Praise the Lord! The only bit of excitement was driving up Bridport’s High Street twice, pulling the caravan, looking for a rather elusive left hand turn (or was it right – all depended on which approach the directions started from!!)
However we did find the little road up to Washingpool Farm shop, in the end. As we booked in I did begin to fear that both purse and waistline would suffer this week as the farm shop is absolutely bursting with a wondrous array of local, organic, and homemade goodies, first purchases - a pack of bacon and a white loaf, pass the ketchup……… say no more!!!
We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening settling in/blogging etc, but by 10pm, we were bursting to get out for some fresh sea air, so grabbing our anoracks we set off with a sense of anticipation, but were thwarted at the first hurdle, they had locked the farm shop gate entrance, we tried several other muddy and fruitless tracks, and sat in the car for a moment feeling deflated, but as we turned the car round in the farm yard preparing to sneak back with without looking too foolish, we found a road just behind where the caravans are parked, that took us out on to the road, in fits of giggles and pink cheeks we set off for West Bay, a marina/harbour just outside Bridport. We were so glad that we had persevered as the walk along the front and down into the harbour was fab - particularly bracing, the waves crashed right up to the barrier and the spray fairly flew across the path (and on several occasions over us) A little damp, but certainly invigorated we returned from our walk to sleep soundly.

Wednesday 16th January – day 88

Reasonable weather forecast brought out the boots (and over trousers just in case) and with Cicerone in hand we set off for Sidmouth. The plan was to catch a bus from Sidmouth to Budleigh Salterton and walk to the car from there. But you guessed it, we missed the bus (don’t say again!) so we drove onto Budleigh, to park up there. Fortunately we are now not only in the land of the 3G which gives us super fast internet access we are also back in the land of the regular bus network (though not cheap we found).
It took a while to get prepared as we were out of practice, but finally we left the town, and set off along the River Otter’s Wetland Nature Reserve. It took us inland for about 1km, where we crossed the bridge to walk back to the coastal path. The ground was muddy and slidy and the going was slow, but we made steady progress, lingering awhile though to watch a some feeding piglets on a cliff top pig farm.

We came to Ladram Bay, a beautiful spot that lies just before a 515 ft woodland ascent to the next cliff top just before 4pm and the sun was fading, I was a little concerned about finding ourselves walking through the dark woods close to the cliff edge, so after some discussion we decided to head for the road. The sensible decision we were sure, but the 4 extra miles mostly up hill also, before we dropped down into a twinkly Sidmouth, was a hard slog, and a fair bit of it walked in the dark. We made it though, but our faces were fair tingly with the cold, and we managed to steam the bus up somewhat on the return journey. But not enough however for us not to notice that we were being driven back through Otterton, the first village that we had come to, having come off the path, ah well!

Thursday 17th January – day 89

Surprisingly, the day is much more clement than forecast, so we head off to do a bit more of the coastal path around Lyme Regis. We planned a short circular walk, rather than run for buses, so parked in Ware, and headed off to find the path down to the undercliff walk, part of the Jurassic Heritage coastline. There was very little to see of the sea, and it was a bit of a jungle, but the verdant green fernery was pleasing to the eye, even if the squelchy path under foot made walking with any determination impossible. We walked a short distance towards Pinhay Bay, but felt that, as there was such poor visibility (it was now raining hard again) and the ground was too muddy, we turned and headed back for Lyme Regis via a beautiful open area called the Cobb (I think).
The path took us eventually down to the old harbour where Meryl Streep had stood as the French Lieutenants Woman in the 80’s film of the same name.
As we walked into town we could distinctly hear the chink of tea cups so we moved swiftly in their direction and found ourselves in a cosy warm tea shop eating toasted sandwiches and Welsh Rarebit, much need to prepare us for the walk up the very steep hill back out of Lyme and on to Ware.




Friday 18th January – day 90

Last day at Bridport, pleased that despite the persistent wind and rain, we have managed to get out and about more than anticipated, and today was no exception. Our first stop was to Weymouth, to remind ourselves of its charms, but apart from the harbour, we were to be disappointed. Unfortunately we lingered a little too long before we came to this conclusion and set off for lovely Lulworth Cove mid afternoon. The journey took us through some very picturesque villages in true Hardy country style.
The wind was again high as we walked up the little headland, to look down on the Cove, and the decision to leave Durdle Door for another day was quickly agreed!!

Saturday 19th January – day 91

Moved on today from Bridport to West Farm at Verwood, this is a well maintained and operated camp site. Hurray for a great laundry and drying area, and the shower and toilet block are warm, comfortable and will be a joy to make full use of!!! We are on a hard standing area close to all these amenities, so bonus all around! We are getting quite slick at setting up, it only takes an hour now from arrival.
On completion of the set up we left to have supper with Paul and Jean Arnold and their daughters Naomi and Zoe in Dorchester. This was a very welcome break from our own routines and we received a very warm welcome and a lovely evening meal!


Sunday 20th January – day 92

Decided on a lazy day today and therefore did not venture off the site until about 3.00pm, mostly to look for a pub that had good beer and an open log fire. Unfortunately the general temperature was about 12°C so a log fire seemed out of the question, certainly one could not be found during our walk around Wimbourne, the only real light at the end of a tunnel was the one lighting the Minster. So we left Wimbourne and headed for Cranbourne and found a pub serving Badger beer, Pickled Pheasant, which was more than adequate, as was the Stowford Press cider which were readily consumed.