Devon and the South West

Tues:  8.4.2014.  Boris is now taxed after having a couple of minor problems fixed and passing his MOT test, so we were able to start sorting out cupboards etc. today in readiness for tomorrow’s departure and the beginning of this year’s Tour de Europe.  Our farewell dinner was a superb Moroccan lamb dish cooked by Mike M.

Wed:  9.4.2014.  After partaking of Marion’s delicious Lemon Drizzle Cake for morning tea, we were on our way south to Salcombe Regis in Devon, where we booked into an excellent caravan park for the night.  We spent some time in the afternoon rearranging some of our storage places in an effort to eliminate a couple of rattles and then christened our new Remoska with a piece of pork and veges we bought from a supermarket on the way.  I have to say a huge thank you to our Kiwi friends who recommended the Remoska to us last year, as the meal was excellent and soooo easy to prepare and cook!

We’ve had lovely weather for the last couple of days…sunshine and blue skies, though quite cold at night, but a welcome change from our first week here.

Thurs:  10.4.2014.  Another sunny day and we decided to stay a second night at this lovely park so that we could visit nearby Sidmouth.  It’s too hilly for us to go bike riding so we walked.  A couple of friendly local ladies, out walking their dogs, pointed us in the right direction to a viewpoint overlooking the town and cliffs…a magnificent view which warranted a few photos before we followed the very, very steep path down to Sidmouth. 

It took us a while to get down and we both suffered from the climb but still enjoyed wandering around the town and along the seafront, stopping at the lifeboat station where we were told about a few rescues, including that of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall (of River Cottage fame) and his son who were washed up against the cliffs last year when their boat’s power failed.  There was no way that we were going to walk back up that big hill after our visit so the local bus was our transport ‘home’.  It’s very chilly and I’m keeping my socks on tonight!

Fri:  11.4.2014.  Yet another sunny day and we set off reasonably early to McDonald’s (free Wi fi) in Exeter, in order to skype our son Paul and grandson Sam in NSW before Sam’s bedtime. 

Afterwards, it was back on the road again to Okehampton and a visit to the remains of the largest castle in Devon, which was begun soon after the Norman conquest.  Part of the ruins were blocked off for restoration purposes but we happily wandered around in the sunshine with hand held audio devices which described the buildings and life as it was…very interesting. 

Then it was on to Bude on the north west Cornish coast…or more specifically, on a hill overlooking Bude and the ocean. The afternoon was spent relaxing in the sunshine, soaking up the glorious scenery, with another Remoska cooked meal to complete a lovely day.

Sat:  12.4.2014.  It’s cold this morning and the sun has not yet made an appearance.  We’ll be on our way soon, travelling south to Tintagel and thereabouts.  Tomorrow  we leave this green and pleasant land, this England…for a few months…and will board the 3pm ferry from Plymouth to Santander in Spain, to arrive there on Monday at noon.  I hope the weather will be mild and the sea calm but will take a Kwell just in case!

Sat:  12.4.2014.  Today was bleak, grey sky and cold wind for most of the day.  We left our camping place and drove the couple of miles to Bude, stopping at the supermarket to stock up on liquid supplies, then through lovely Boscastle…nowhere for Boris to park so on to Tintagel.  It was busy there but not too crowded and as it was midday and we were feeling a little peckish, we opted for a bowl of vegetable soup each at the pub where we had dinner in 1995 when we were

B&B-ing.  An elderly gentleman at a nearby table recognised our accents and chatted away about his visits to Australia in the 1960s as a crew member of the “Iberia”. Others joined in the conversation and there followed some friendly banter between tables…good fun!  We then ventured down the long, steep hill towards Tintagel Castle, birthplace, it is thought, of the legendary King Arthur…he of round table fame. 

On arrival at the bottom of the hill, when we could see the steps leading up to the ruins, we baulked at thought of having to climb all the way up…and then all the way down again, so wimped out, only went a little way to take a couple of photos and paid 2 pounds to be driven back up the hill in the 4WD provided for that purpose. 

The drover was an Irishman who had worked in his younger life in Qld and in S.A. It’s surprising the number of people we meet along the way, who have either visited, lived or have relatives or friends living in Australia!  On then to Porthtowan, near Truro for our overnight stopover.  The sun made a couple of very brief appearances on the way, we’re hoping for a better effort from him tomorrow.

Sun:  13.4.2014.  We awoke to blue sky and sunshine!  Our last day (for a few months) in this green and pleasant land, this England…this afternoon we will board the overnight ferry to Spain.  The weather looks promising for a smooth crossing…I hope so!