Chilly Days

Well, I wasn’t expecting minus temperatures on my travels, but here we are wrapped up on the Dorset coast. Managed to walk (and slide at times) to see Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove. Glad to say I wasn’t the only crazy person attempting the steep, icy path down. It didn’t trouble Poppy - I think she went down and came up about three times whilst I carefully and slowly covered the same distance.

Chesil beach and a walk around Portland was bitterly cold too and the coast path was very muddy. The mud stuck to my boots so at times my feet felt like they had weights tied to them! The sea was wild though and it made my lunch at ‘Taste Cafe’ near the Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre all the more delicious - piping hot red pepper and tomato soup with a warm cheese scone, just yummy.

The weather earlier in the week was beautiful and no where near as chilly. I went to find the statue of a special lady in Lyme Regis, as my lovely class had learnt about her last year when we were looking at dinosaurs. We enjoyed the beach and the walk along the promenade with quite a few people who were also enjoying the winter sunshine.

Indoor adventures included a tour of Exeter Cathedral, which also had it’s Christmas market on too, so the air was filled with sweet smells and people hugging hot drinks. Poppy wasn’t allowed in, but seemed more than content to have a nap in the van.

My plan is to be back in Norfolk for Christmas, so it’s time for us to leave the south coast and begin to head north and eventually east. I think we may be able to squeeze in a few more new places and adventures before we’re home though. Hopefully there are lots of you reading this who would like to catch up over a coffee or mulled wine! Poppy would also love to walk with any four legged friends (I’m sure she’s fed up with just me and a ball!) 

Stay warm everyone! ❄️ 

Sun and Snow

The last week has brought us to Dartmoor for walks amongst ponies and an endless landscape under blue skies. We stayed on the western side near Tavistock to walk to Kings Tor from Princetown and then also stayed near Crockernwell and did the Teign Gorge walk near Castle Drogo.

In between east and west Dartmoor, we ventured once more towards the sea, visiting a friend’s favourite places on the Devon coast including Hope Cove, Start Point, Mill Bay and Salcombe (although we settled for a view towards Salcombe rather than venturing over, as the ferry driver was on his lunch break!)

I wish I could capture photos of the night sky. The moon and stars have been so bright, especially with clear skies. Every time I see them I seem to say a little internal ‘wow’ to myself.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

A Christmas tree festival in Tavistock Church and a visit to the tree festival at Buckland Abbey has reminded me that Christmas is coming.

I timed it just perfectly to visit Buckland Abbey, as I arrived to see the Carol Singers in the Great Barn. Magical.

Tavistock Church was also beautifully decorated with trees from across the community. My eye was of course drawn to the trees decorated by the local schools, one of which had chosen to use natural materials from their woodland grounds. 

Another tree decorated in aid of the ‘Memory Cafe’ was adorned with knitted treats that looked good enough to eat. Another person visiting said ‘eat your heart out Mr Kipling!’ They did look remarkably realistic!

I’m sure by now you all have your decorations and trees up. I thought about decorating the van but not got round to anything yet - the days seem to fly by! We are however enjoying all the classic Christmas hits on the radio as we drive the Devon roads.

Harbours Large and Small

I seem to have visited a lot of harbour towns on my route along the south Cornish coast. Here are a few snaps from Looe, which had a banjo shaped pier, Polperro which was really pretty with its alleyways of little shops, pubs and cafes and finally as we crossed back into Devon I stopped in Plymouth with all its naval history including a statue of Drake and an archway marking the position of the Mayflower Steps. Without Poppy in tow I would have liked to have spent longer in Plymouth, as there was so much history around every corner. 

Our journey back through Devon will hopefully takes us to explore Dartmoor as well as the coast around Salcombe. There maybe time for a Devon cream tea along the way perhaps…

Polperro

Plymouth

Polperro

Barbican, Plymouth

Drake statue, Plymouth Hoe

Plymouth

Mayflower Steps, Plymouth

Plymouth

Looe