Abbey Gate Farm CS, Axminster

     This is our second visit to Abbey Gate Farm but this time without the grand-kids.

     We drove down on the 27th of December and to return home just in time for the New Year celebrations with Carol & John.
     It was time to just chill and have time to relax.  On Thursday, we drove into Exmouth for a look around.  It was lovely weather - almost hot enough to not need a coat!

     We had a look around Exeter one day as I needed to go to the bank.  The Park and ride is well worth using.  There's a lot to see and would love to come back to have a better look.

Looking out over Axmouth harbour entrance.

     Just off the main road from Axmouth to Seaton is the entrance to Axmouth harbour and is the location of Britain's oldest concrete bridge  Built in 1877, it is also the youngest scheduled Ancient Monument.
     We had a look around Axmouth harbour, apparently it was one of the major sea ports in days gone by but the river started to get blocked off by the shifting shingle bank.  The river flow reduced and started to silt up.  This created a superb wetland area at Seaton, ideal for bird watching.
     We found this wetland on our last day here and is easily walked as there are proper paths that are wheel chair friendly.

True Lovers Knot PH

     We'd seen reports of the site but have never been as some of them were unfavourable but each to their own.   It's not far from Blandford Forum and is an easy drive to for us from Amesbury.  Setting up and access were no problem so there's nothing left to do but go for dinner in the pub.
Lovely food, would love to come back.
     On Saturday, we went into Blandford for a look around.  We parked up near to Waitrose and decided to walk into the far end of town via the river path.  Just over the footbridge, we some an otter in the river.  Excellent, we stayed there for about 10 minutes trying to get a decent shot with our phone. We also saw a kingfisher flying into a tree overlooking the river.  Seeing these two, set us up for the day!

     We found a 'non-slip mat' in one of the shops in town - just what we need for the caravan!  We bought it and tried it out as soon as we got back.  What a waste of time!  Any mat that we put down always follows the pile of the carpet and ends up against the sliding door to the bathroom.
     On Sunday, we had to leave caravan there as it was too windy to be towing - 50mph winds with stronger gusts.
     Mike went back on Monday to pick it up and it still was a bit blustery.