Wednesday 11th to 18th October 2023
The approach to the site is down a narrow country lane but only for about a third of a mile. We made it to the site just before a car came in the opposite direction.
There's easy access to the field but there were 10 place holders which we found strange. We looked around at the free pitches and decided on the one near the entrance and away from the chemical waste. Setting up was easy enough then after a cuppa we headed out to Asda to get some nibbles.
That evening after spag bol, we had a go of the new game we bought - True or False. Of course, we had to make up our own rules as the game is for 3 or more people!
Thursday 12th
There was a craft fayre on at Widecombe in the Moor so we visited there. We had to go down quite narrow roads but eventually came across this very rural village that took you back in time.
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| "Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all" |
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| Mike's just pocketed an acorn from the village square oak tree with the idea of growing it on! |
There were 2 carparks there including spaces for coaches! How they come down those tiny roads I don't know although there was another road so maybe they took that one. (yes, there was and it was much wider)
The craft fayre was in the church hall. I'm not sure whether the stall holders make much money this time of year but they would certainly make a killing during the summer.
We got a pasty from the little kiosk near the carpark and wandered around whilst eating that. First pasty of many, me thinks. Mike ate his so fast that I thought he'd left it behind!
We took the other road out of Widecombe and stopped at Haytor which I climbed. I really enjoyed climbing it but I couldn't see much as there was very heavy mist all around.
Afterwards, we then went to Bovey Tracey and the Heritage Centre there. It was housed in the old railway station there from before all the Beeching cuts. The building is now a listed building. It was very well stocked with memorabilia including photos of roads and streets from yesteryear and today. Very interesting. While talking to the staff, one of them mentioned visiting the House of Marbles while we were in Bovey. Well, we found it and it was amazing and not just on about marbles. Our favourite exhibits were the marble runs where you could set off a series of marbles and they went off in all directions. Very mesmorising! Whilst we were there, I bought a hand blown robin for Christmas.
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| This was the largest marble run |
In the evening we walked up to the pub on the corner with the main road. It was drizzling but that wasn't any deterrant. The food and atmosphere was lovely. We had a small table in a nook all to ourselves. We later found out it was the porch of original pub. Very cosy.
The road the site is on is extremely busy and noisy which is a complete surprise as it is a single track. There is a larger camp site just up the road a bit and various villages so it must be people there using it but we have had tractors with trailers, double decker buses and lorries with extra trailers on the back. Really surprising and I am very curious why!
Friday
We wanted to see if we could see our friends Terry and Lynn so headed off to Brixham. Along the way I phoned him with the only number we have and had to leave a voice mail. I hope he gets it and returns the call. So knowing he wasn't at home, we diverted to Dartmouth, mainly so I could have a crab sandwich. Last year, we visited Dartmouth with Carol & John and found a lovely cafe up a back street that had the most wonderful welcome and did the most wonderful crab sandwich. We got to Dartmouth across the lower ferry. We thought we'd have to pay using a card as the man had the reader in his hand and we wondered how he could get a signal as we had difficulty. Anyway we paid by cash in the end up.
Dartmouth was a lite disappointing as the much longed for cafe was closed so we had to look for another. We did find one and I did get my crab sandwich but it wasn't the same.
We came back the long way via Totnes so no ferries and called in at a garden centre come farm shop. It was full of Christmas stuff - a bit behind Tesco's me thinks.
Saturday
We arranged to meet up with Terry today at lunchtime. Terry is a friend from our Navy days so we have known him for a long time but not always kept in touch. Well, it was just like we'd only seen him last week. The conversation was instantly easy going and he and Mike shared many boat (submarine) stories. Lynn and I also shared what we had been doing and family stuff. After lunch, they came back to our caravan. I think they were quite impressed not only with the van but also the mod cons we have - and biscuits!
Sunday
There was an Apple Day on at Cockington today so we attempted to go to it. Trouble is everyone and their dog (literally) also had the same idea. So after waiting in a traffic queue for the carpark, which we didn't think we'd get in to, we decided to keep going and go to Totnes.
We had a Treasure Trail for Totnes and as luck would have it, brought it with us. The trail was good and took us along the river then back into the town and ended up near the museum. Very hard going with the hills and rough ground near the river, so we were both glad when we got back to the car for a sit down even though we had a coffee in one of the cafes.
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| I don't think that the kingfisher is called Fred ;) |
When we got back, and after seeing to the ablutions, Mike had a lie down and I started my decoupage I had bought with me.
Monday
We have another treasure trail, one for Dawlish, so headed there to do that trail. It was very windy and the sea was rough but very enigmatic. I loved it! The trail took us along by the sea to areas I certainly hadn't know about before. There trails are really good for getting you to see areas of towns you would never see by simply visiting a place.
This trail was slightly easier for walking although we didn't get all the clues but for us that's not why we get them. The railway line alongside the sea is still in the process of being repaired after getting demolished in a storm a few years back
Back to Newton Abbot and to Ivor Dewdneys shop for a few pasties. We will take them home as we had decided to go home a day early due to a storm coming in.
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| Mike's in heaven! He always had a few of them whenever he was in Plymouth on his submarine. |
So it's off to the Two Mile Oak Inn at the end of the lane - again but who's counting.
We met an elderly gentleman at the pub and got talking to him. He is an ex-marine and as we are both ex-Navy we had a bit to talk about. He was on holiday on his own and was really enjoying himself.
Tuesday
Home today. Set off at 10.55 and managed to follow a van up the road to the junction. We were able to watch his brake lights for any traffic coming in the opposite direction. It has been a bit of a worry during this trip.
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| I don't think this pasty wants to be eaten! |
