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

Up On The Moor

As I was so close to it, I stopped off for a couple of days near Bodmin to visit the moor. Wow, it is a totally unique landscape - sheep in the middle of the road, ponies galloped across the moor in front of us whilst we were out on a walk, no real marked footpaths, stone circles and buildings left from the mining industry for the landscape. It really was a feast for the eyes.

We visited The Hurlers (three stone circles in a row,) The Cheesewring (a precarious stack of rocks) above a disused quarry and through a village called Minions (nothing to do with the film!)

Back in Bodmin we walked up the steepest hill to see the monument, were invited into the ‘warm space’ at the tourist information office and told to make myself a cuppa and made an exciting visit to Screwfix for a teeny, tiny oil radiator. Yes it has definitely turned colder and after waking up to ice on the inside of the windscreen, I decided that maybe a little heat might be a good idea.

My favourite morning was the morning of the hard frost as we went to Cardinham Woods and the sunlight breaking through the trees was just stunning and its warmth so welcoming. I chose the highest route to walk thinking it would lead us into the sunshine. I was right. I stood still, faced it and smiled as I felt its warmth. Back at the van to put the kettle on and plan our next stop. Let’s see where the road takes us…

Beautiful Buildings

My grandparents enjoyed nothing better than going for a daily drive to find and visit one of Norfolk’s many churches. I think we have over 800 in the county, many with round towers. My Nan kept a draw with all the information guides she had picked up after each visit. They loved it and when in the school holidays my sister and I would often be looked after by my grandparents, we too were taken to see some of these beautiful buildings. I’m not sure whether we quite appreciated them when we were younger, but often on this journey I have found myself visiting a church or Cathedral and certainly have found time to admire the architecture and craftsmanship involved. 

Whilst visiting Truro Cathedral, I happened to be there during their short, daily moment of prayer. To join with a small group of strangers in such a magnificent space was a very moving moment and one I shall remember. 

Another special day was visiting St Michael’s  Mount. Waiting for the tide to reveal the causeway whilst eating a hot pasty in the sunshine on the beach, I suddenly felt like a proper tourist! I’m glad I opted to leave Poppy in the van after her run on the beach as the causeway was slippery in parts and the Pilgrim’s Steps up to the castle would also have been a little treacherous with a lead in hand! 

The views were great from the top although we had to hang on to our hats around the western side as the wind was so gusty! The guides inside the castle were fantastic and give you a real sense of the stories within each room.

So thank you Cornwall, you continue to provide us with winter wonders.

Truro Cathedral

Inside the castle on St Michael’s Mount

Lanhydrock, late Victorian house and estate, National Trust

Truro Cathedral

On the Mount - very windy! 

Heading towards Porthleven from Loe Pool and the Penrose Estate

Low Pool on the left, Cornwall’s largest natural lake