Oldies On Tour

Thursday 6th July 2023

Tomorrow we head to Penzance for a long weekend but first we headed to Jane’s as we are leaving the dogs and I needed to fit some plastic garden trellis stuff onto their garden gate to secure these two “hooligans” and keep them safe in one of their garden areas; mission accomplished. 

After a very early dinner or late lunch, not sure which we decided it was, however it was 1600hrs as tonight it is Mia’s show and as Jane and Mia headed to the theatre, we went and Visited Dave in Weston S Mare Hospital; much easier than trekking to Bristol!!!l

We arrived at the McMillan Theatre Bridgwater in time for a drink before heading to our seats for the evening performance.   The production Mia is in is a modified version of “Les Miserables” for children.   Tonight Mia is part of the crowd, but we would have preferred to be here tomorrow when she does her “solo” song playing Cosette as a child, but alas there was a “cock-up” with dates, so will miss her big moment🥵🥵.

I went so see this production several years ago in the “west-end” and I have to say it was not my cup-of-tea, and nearly gave up in the interview.   The prospect of seeing it again didn’t impress me, still duty called and being a modified version, probably shorter; wrong on that score, two and a half hours but at least we had excellent seats at the back of the auditorium set aside for “less mobile people”, my gammy knee comes in useful sometimes!!!

Whatever my thoughts about the story, the production was excellent, this amateur production looked very professional and the cast were spot on, obviously there was a lot of hard work in rehearsals to get to this high standard, well done to one and all.

Back at Hope farm we waited for a triumphant Mia to return, and when she arrived she was buzzing and on such a high, bed was the last thing on her mind, but school tomorrow🤔🤔.

Wednesday 28th June 2023

Again we awoke to a wet, dull miserable morning but “hey” it doesn’t matter, we are enjoying ourselves.   We were originally due to leave today but having booked a table in the local pub, we’ve had to extend our stay ‘till tomorrow so we are going to head out to Ilfracombe.   The dogs disturbed us in the night, probably hyperactive after there moment of madness on the beach yesterday!!

The drive to ilfracombe started as usual through the local narrow lanes but as we got near we dropped down through a pretty tree lined valley into the town and made straight for the harbour, always a good starting point!!

Ilfracombe also turned out to be a gem of a place with history etc.  It was originally inhabited during the Iron Age, naturally it was recorded in the Doomsday book in 1086.  Throughout its history there were 2-distinct parts of the town, one part is all about agriculture and the other is about the sea.  Though the little, well protected harbour is full of private pleasure craft now, in earlier ages it was a thriving fishing and commercial port.   It was also one of the main ports where commercial ships ploughing the Bristol Channel could take refuge during storms.

As the commerce dwindled during the latter stages of the Regency period, the town gradually became a retirement destination particularly for a number of distinguished naval officers.  It also became a tourist destination though access in those early years was mainly by boat but with the coming of the railways during the early Victorian period it started to bloom though it really came into its own as a holiday destination once the railway arrived in Ilfracombe.   One of the more unusual aspects of Ilfracombe which also contributed to the increased popularity are “The Tunnels”: these 4 “Tunnels” were the inspiration of local entrepreneurs and hand-carved in the 1820’s by a team of Welsh miners cutting through the rock cliff to give access to the beaches below.  These being Victorian times, the three beaches were modified into 3-tidal segregated bathing pools: as was the law at that time, two for women and one for men.  This law apparently was repealed in 1901.

At the entrance to the tunnels stands the impressive “Bath House”, built in 1836, a small scale Greek Revival building providing hot and cold seawater baths for visitors.   Today it used for self catering holidays and along with the tunnels, used for weddings venues.

We parked the car and took a wander around the harbour which is over shadowed by a 66-ft tall sculpture of a pregnant women standing on a pile of books holding a sword aloft named “Verity”, created by Damien Hurst in 2012; not sure why it’s here!!!   We then headed into the old town before moving on to find the tunnels.   The other unusual building here is the Landmark “theatre”, it looks like power station cooling towers, very unusual.

The signpost pointing up to the tunnels was very clear, but driving up the road there was nothing!!!.  The sign wasn’t visible from the way we approached them , so drove past several times before we “twigged” it was at the side of the Bath House but no car park to help identify the place, street parking only, still the three circumnavigations looking for them gave us a good look insight to the town and surrounding area!   

Naturally we had an entrance fee to enter but well worth a visit if for no other reason it gave us a in-depth insight to holidaying in the Victorian era and the dogs enjoyed the walk even though they were not allowed on the stony beach.

OK back to Saunton Beach stopping at a pub on route for a light lunch as we’re out tonight.

Again the Saunton beach was as good as yesterday, the pooches went “nuts” and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and we had the opportunity to enjoy the fresh sea air as there was a wind blowing in from the sea but the sky was full of rain clouds.  Once “they” had calmed down we were back to the car as the rain started, good timing!!!

Having booked the restaurant in the Kings Head for 1930hrs we needed to get moving but typically when camping, the time we trooped down to the shower block it was raining, fortunately not too hard.

When we booked yesterday the pub was nearly empty but walking in this evening, wow, people everywhere, the pub was heaving and the restaurant full; jolly glad we booked as nothing available!!!     We chose to sit in the bar, bigger table than the restaurant and more space for TT& R it sit under the table.   Having perused the menu yesterday we already knew what we wanted and we were not disappointed, the publican was right when he told us how good his chefs were; the food was excellent and no doubt when we return in a couple of weeks time with Mark and Paula, we will be back in the Kings Head restaurant.

This is our last night, we head back tomorrow after a really enjoyable camping holiday in Devon, can’t wait ‘till the next one

Tuesday 27th June 2023

We woke to a wet miserable and horrible looking day, first for a long time, so no need to rush but we did have one objective in mind, find a beach that allowed dogs, off the lead so they can go “mad”!!!    We had also been pondering the merits of a “motorhome versus a caravan” so not being a nice day decided to seek out a caravan dealership and have a look at what’s available.

Looking on the internet we found a dealership not too far away so headed out.   Arriving at the address given turned out to be a holiday village and campsite; very nice it looked but no sign of caravan sales other than holiday ones so did an about turn and headed into Combe Martin on the off chance the dealership may have been there.   Combe Martin was one long street running down a valley to a small cove with a token beach but parking wasn’t available so apart from a ‘photo opportunity, we carried on and headed back to the holiday park, this being the “only” possible place to find what we were looking for!!

This time we had a good look around, driving up the various connecting lanes on site when low and behold, tucked around a corner hidden by beautifully manicured hedges was a caravan and motorhome dealership!!!   We spent some time looking at the various layouts in caravans, gathering all the relevant facts etc., and discussed the pros and cons of both with the sales people and arriving at the same conclusion, we are no further advanced so we headed off for coffee.   I must say, nothing will be done this year anyway but by the time we had finished our coffee the rain had gone and the clouds were breaking up so time to search for that one beach that has to be about!!!

Yesterday as we were driving from Braunton to Croyde Christine spotted a sign pointing to a beach with a picture of a dog, so we had great hopes🤞🤞🤞.   But first; whilst walking to the lighthouse the other day, talking as you do to strangers with dogs, we were recommended by “two” different sets of people of an alternative campsites at “Damage Barton”, this site is set high overlooking the sea, every pitch has a view!!   Conclusion, too well organised and regimented for us so pleased “we are where we are”!!

After negotiating more of the narrow Devonshire lanes, we arrived at the entrance to the Saunton beach car park and headed down to the sandy beach.   We did double check, dogs were allowed and off the lead😄😄.   So once we cleared the busy part around the entrance, Tom-Tom and Rosie went  “bizzerk”, tearing up the beach for all they were worth, freedom at last!!   It was now time to hit the waters edge, after all isn’t that what Cocker Spaniels like???    Tom-Tom was straight in, no messing but Rosie was slightly more hesitant, most probably due to her shorter legs; they loved it and as we were paddling with them, they showed no respect for our clothes, soaked or what?

Saunton beach is 4-miles long, we probably made just over a mile before turning back which I was pleased about.   Solo wouldn’t have worked on the soft sand and I didn’t fancy staying in the car so just gripped my teeth, put my best foot forward and headed off; watching the dogs enjoying themselves so much dampened the pain.   This beach, like many others is a haven for wind surfers as well as long board surfers but the other thing about this beach is, it is used by the RAF for training their pilots to land and take off in their C-130K Hercules transport planes!!!!!

We eventually returned to the car with the dogs thoroughly exhausted, wet, and covered in sand but very happy.

En route we stopped at a the Kings Arms, a small “Free-house” pub in the local village (Georgeham) for a quick pint where both dogs immediately collapsed under the table!!    Though the pub was empty we liked it and after looking through their menu, booked a table for tomorrow night.   Chatting to the landlord (owner) his USP is the food they serve,in his own words, he has “excellent chefs”, we will know tomorrow!!

Back on site for dinner, I was due to bar-b-q  tonight as I had the right parts and I was ready to go but it was windy and I couldn’t keep the gas alight so another failure on my part👹👹 and it was down to Christine, again.   After an excellent dinner we played a hand of crib but being tired and nothing on TV, bed called.

Monday 26th June 2023

Wow aren’t I the lucky one, another full English; not doing our weight any good though!!!  

Today we’re heading to Westward Ho then working our way back slowly.  One of the objectives is to buy the necessary bits to get the bar-b-q up-‘n-running.

Leaving mid morning and heading along the “Atlantic Highway”, the “pretentious” name for the A39!!! We arrived in Westward Ho in time for a late “mid-morning” coffee.  The two things that struck us was how easy it was to park the car and how many summer attractions were closed, after all this is a holiday destination🤔🤔.   Having walked the length of the promenade, we understood why; not much going for the place and stony beach as well though there were a few surfers trying to find that illusive wave, though we didn’t see any!!

Westward Ho was originally a village/appendix to Bideford until Charles Kingsley’s best selling novel, Westward Ho written in 1855 changed everything with this village now getting its new name to attract visitors.   Apart from the aforementioned history, a sunken wreck that only shows itself once in a blue moon, and a beach that has a backdrop of large pebbles, we couldn’t appreciate why it is a holiday destination, still we could be wrong!!!!!

We now headed towards Bideford, but as the dogs hadn’t been able to have a good run on the beach at Westward Ho and Bideford being a small town on the estuary of the river Torridge, we had to find somewhere.  Anyway after some intuitive navigation we drove through a small housing estate in Appledore, and low and behold we came across a track that “looked” as if it headed down to the sea and though the track looked ideal for the dogs, it certainly wouldn’t suit “Solo”!  Anyway, as I parked up, Christine headed out with Tom-Tom and Rosie and I hobbled on slowly after them stopping to get the dogs to chase back and forth between us to “add” to their exercise.  This path got narrower and narrower and the hedges were extremely overgrown with stinging nettles and brambles as we headed into the wilderness, and as it meandered down and seawards, became muddy.  At this point, about half a mile later I stopped and headed back but Christine carried on, “Stirling performance”.  After about 10-minutes I see Tom-Tom rushing towards me from the direction I’m walking back in, now I started to worry, what’s happened to Christine and Rosie, why Tom-Tom on his own, what’s happened???  Then I hear her dulcet tone from the other side of the hedge and when I reached a gate we’d seen on the way down, there they were waiting.  The irony is we’d stopped at that gate to read the sign about keeping dogs on a lead as this field had livestock in, what we hadn’t realised it was actually a footpath going to the beach!!!  All the struggling could have been avoided had we had known; Should have had a good old fashioned ordnance survey map with us!!!

We headed into Bideford central car park as we needed “Boots” the chemist then down the  street running along the quay looking for a hostelry, toilet required!!  Though the sky was overcast it was warm so sat outside to watch the world go by.

Bideford has a far more interesting history than Westward Ho dating back to the Doomsday book (1086) and earlier.  Various Kings and Queens confiscated the lands around then granted them to others; repeated several times! Fought over during the Civil War, and allegedly the nazis had map of it in preparation for their invasion, ha!!   The central point is “Long Bridge”, spanning the river Torridge, connecting East and West of the town.  This current bridge was built to replace the original wooden one in 1474 and has survived!!!  This was also a ship building area back in the “day”, perhaps this is why Harland and Wolf have a yard here!!!

Wandering along the narrow “High Street” back to the car passing some quaint properties we headed back to the camp site but en route decided to head down to Croyde Beach.

Croyde itself is quite small but a very busy little seaside place with a large beach and ideal for surfing, waves permitting!!    We had good fortune and parked right by the entrance and headed down only to find that sign “No Dogs Allowed”, oh well worth a try so headed back though stopped at the “Manor House Inn” for a quick pint.

After dinner we sat down with iPlayer and watched Elton John’s performance at Glastonbury.

Sunday 25th June 2023

Following a restful afternoon and an early night, today we’re off exploring this part of Devon, but firstly Christine decided to set us up for the day by cooking a “full” and I mean a  “full” English; first for some time too!!!

The weather isn’t looking too good this morning, very overcast and during the night the wind got up giving our awning a “run-for-its-money” which apparently kept Christine awake at times.   The forecast is overcast during the morning, 30% chance of rain at 1500hrs followed by sunshine, good traditional English holiday weather!!!!! 

After the “substantial” breakfast and clearing up we headed out.   Mark has recommended a good walk where the dogs would have good exercise, Christine would get her steps in and I can go on Solo (my scooter).  Our final destination was Bull Point Lighthouse but to-get there we had to park the car in the village of Mortehoe, some one and a half miles away.   This 3-mile walk will be a test for Rosie’s short legs, Christine’s stamina and probably more importantly, Solo’s battery power as we had been pre-warned it was “up hill and down dale”!!

We arrived at the Mortehoe car park, passing a quaint looking building serving cream teas, treat for later🤪🤪, parked and headed up the lane.  We did try and get nearer but that was impossible, a very narrow lane with yellow lines everywhere!!!!   

Mortehoe is a pretty little village that can trace its origins back to the Doomsday book and beyond. Always a farming community, but in former years it was a base for smugglers and wreckers.  Since the coming of the railway in the 19th Century, Mortehoe became much more dependent on tourism, with numerous holiday camp sites all around.

We headed up the hill, two dogs with Christine in charge and me on Solo carrying the dogs water bowl, water and various cloths.  Jolly good this scooter’s basket!!! Passing a number of beautiful second homes until we reached the big gate across the road; from here it is National Trust property and looking at Google, the lighthouse should be just around the corner; wrong.  The lane twisted up and down causing great concern for Solos’s battery capacity.  Along the way we met numerous hikers and when asked, we were told the lighthouse isn’t very far. In distance they were correct but it was the hills that bothered us.   Anyway after a considerable distance I was really panicking, going down hill was fine but gong up again, well?????   We arrived at another gate and we decided I wouldn’t go any further, I think Christine was concerned she may have to push me back up!!!

Eventually Christine and two knackered dogs re-appeared and confirmed we’d made the right decision; firstly there was another steep hill to go down, then back up and secondly, well it was a bog standard lighthouse, so hadn’t missed much!!!

Our trek back was ok except one particular hill was too much, too steep and Solo needed a push, thank you Christine.   At the point we arrived back at the National Trust gate, poor Rosie was completely shattered so she also finished up in the basket!!!

Arriving back in Mortehoe we headed straight for the cream tea place, after all we had earned it only to be told they had sold the last cream tea🥵🥵🥵. Disappointed or what??   We just had to make do with a piece of cake instead😩😩😩

Back at the site I set up the bar-b-q only to find I had got the wrong connectors; as I mentioned yesterday this is our first outing purely for a holiday, so again tonight’s meal fell to Christine to prepare.

Tonight we were going to watch Elton John at Glastonbury, but oh dear, another failure.  I’d remembered to bring our IPTV black box with the necessary leads etc but forgot the zapper to operate everything!!!!   So we played crib followed again by an early night, it’s the Devonian air making us tired.

Tomorrow we will head out again

Saturday 24th June

Its been a long time since our last post but much has gone on.  Finding then buying a suitable abode with minimal renovation work needed; that turned out to be a joke, minimal turned out to be major; still 5-months later—————-

At long last we can escape and not feel pressurised to get the house finished; the vast majority of the work is completed and what’s left is now in the hands of the suppliers, so we’re off for a few days to Devon in Rosie two. 

Though we have used Rosie a number of times, none of them have been for purely a holiday.   We enjoyed time in her whilst moving to England driving up through Spain,  we lived in her some of the time we were house hunting and finally we lived in her full time whilst our house was being renovated following the “great flood”: today we are 100% holiday, yeah!!

We originally booked this campsite for a few days at the end of May; Jane, Mia and the two of us then at the weekend, Dave would join us but alas that didn’t materialise due to Dave’s horrific accident.   Rather than lose the deposit we made the decision to re-arrange and come this week, so after breakfast we headed off.   Though this particular part of Devon is new to us, Mark, Paula and the girls stay around here every year and we were warned it is quite isolated and surrounded by narrow lanes so being just under 2-hours away, we also brought the car.   

The “convoy” hit the road and apart for a fuel stop, we made good progress though we were slowed down on the north Devon link road, several miles of road works!!!   Prior to leaving I bought some SatNav software that is used by HGV’s, you enter the vehicle’s dimensions and weight etc., to avoid low bridges and very narrow country lanes that Waze sends you down.    All was going splendidly until we were told to turn left as we came out of Braunton.  Now we knew the village is surrounded on all sides by small country lanes but this side road was stupid.  So much for my smart SatNav software!!! To add to the misery, the farmers haven’t cut back the hedgerows so Rosie scraped both side as we ploughed on.    Had I not used this SatNav and used an old fashioned map, I would have gone a Different way and saved poor Rosie the pain of being scratched.  Message to self, delete the app and ask for my money back🤞🤞🤞

We arrived at the site and after paying was ushered to the pitch we had booked which includes a hook-up point.   A very pleasant site, not overcrowded and on a slight hill but our pitch has been levelled so “perfect”, and for the first time we actually put the awning out.   By the time we had set ourselves up, had lunch, we decided to stay put today, just sit in the sun and relax and head out tomorrow.   Of course all this was very new to Tom-Tom and Rosie, (our new canine friends); they were miffed they couldn’t just run around this big field. 

On this site, tucked away is a food “shack” but more importantly it has a Pizza Oven so we ordered a freshly baked garlic Pizza to accompany our home cooked Spaghetti Bol dinner; big mistake,  too much and we suffered most of the evening, that’ll teach us to be greedy!!!  Christine on the other hand states she was not stuffed doe to running around with the dogs 

Tomorrow we will head out and explore.