Monday, 5 October 2015

Travelling up North!

We decided that this September we would go to Scotland so with the Caravan all packed up, and weighed on the local weigh bridge we set off.  First stop was at Burrs Caravan Club site in Bury.  The journey up was horrendous. It is a journey that normally takes just under four hours, but this time it took us just over five and a half hours, due to the amount of traffic on the roads. The M5 was stop start from just north of Worcester, and the M6 was no better.  We met up with our friends Kathy and Robert for dinner!
Kathy, Dennis andRobert.

On the Saturday we went to the Ribble Steam Railway at Preston Docks,along with Kathy, Robert and Dennis the dog!  Rode on the train and then toured the museum and workshops.  Well worth the visit!



On loan from the National Railway Museum

That evening we all went to the Church Inn at Birtle for dinner which was excellent.

At 11.00am on the Sunday we went left,  heading north to Englethwaite Hall CC site  for a one night stop.  This is a very neat site just off the M6 and is used by many on their journey north or south as it is so convenient.  Unfortunately the journey took us much longer than we expected as there was an overturned caravan just north of Blackpool.  There seemed to be no injuries, and remarkably the caravan was, albeit on its side, was still in one piece.

We have never seen this sign before!


The next morning we left at 10.30 and had a very leisurely cross country run up to Largs.   We were staying at Whittleburn CL site.  We were here for two nights as  we had come up to see Megan, a friend of Lizzie's Mum and Lizzie. Largs is a lovely seaside town which really is worth a visit.  The weather was superb and we enjoyed just wandering around the town.

The Bay at Largs

The next stop was to be Stonehaven CC site on the east coast of Scotland, just south of Aberdeen. The journey was excellent as it was just like driving on French roads.  We covered the 164 miles in under 4 hours.  The site is right on the coast  and is only a few years old so it is very smart. Again the weather was brilliant so we were able to tour Stonehaven and also sit out in the sun.
Part of Stonehaven beach

Stonehaven. The Caravan Site is on the Right

No, I did not buy one!

The Royal Deeside Railway was our destination for Saturday, which was a bit damp and overcast. This railway is only just over a mile long, but is well run, and at only £3.00 each for a ride was good value.  We also very much enjoyed the journey across country admiring the scenery.


On the Sunday we headed north again to The Keith and Dufftown Railway.  This is an eleven mile journey linking the Worlds Malt Whisky Capital, Dufftown,to the market town of Keith.

View from the Ccab



When we got there we had an excellent lunch in the station buffet before going for a 12 mile ride on the two car Diesel Multiple Unit.  No steam at all on this line! We sat at the rear of the train facing the direction we had come from.  I even got to sit in the Drivers seat as we we were going along, after being warned not to touch anything.

I really did not touch anything!



One of the Diesel multiple units.

 The ride on the train was excellent with good scenery to look at.
Good Scenery 

On the return journey the driver left the door in to his cab open and chatted away to us as we went along pointing out features of the line.  We stopped at one station and he said that the family that live by the station looked after it for the railway. We really did have an excellent day out!!!!
Looking along the line

Monday started very wet so we did the weeks shopping at the local Lidl!
|The next day showed a marked improvement in the weather so we drove to Dunnotar castle to sit and look out over the coast!
Whilst staying at Stonehaven we had planned to drive North to John O'Groats, until we discovered that it was a six hour journey each way!

Our week at Stonehaven was soon over so on the Wednesday we travelled south to the Edinburgh CC site.  we found the site easily enough and soon set up.  The site was so noisy though, as it was on the flight path to Edinburgh airport. Planes passing over every few minutes from 05.30  am until 11.00pm
We went into Edinburgh and found that extremely busy with traffic and people!
The next day we drove to Queensferry to look at the three Forth bridges! The rail bridge is now a World Heritage site.

World Heritage Site. The Forth Rail Bridge

We followed that with a day exploring the coast east of Edinburgh and discovered some lovely beaches.  Enjoyed coffee in a artist cafe in a place call Portobello.
Whilst in Edinburgh we had intended to travel on the new Borders railway, but in view of the news reports about overcrowding and trains not running we decided to give it a miss!
We had intended to stay here for a week, but in view of the noise we cut our visit short and left, heading for Buxton, after an overnight stop at Englethwaite Hall.
When we left Edinburgh we drove south on the A7, following the route of the Borders Railway, and saw one  train running on it!

I have to say that when we visit Scotland again we will stick to the western side as it is so much more interesting.

We reached Buxton CC site on Monday!  This is a quite spectacular site in an old quarry.
Whilst staying there we visited Buxton, which was quite interesting.
On one of the days we visited Matlock Bath, where almost every building seemed to be a Fish and Chip shop.
Cable cars over Matlock Bath

 We carried on with our Peak district tour, stopping in front of Chatsworth House to eat our lunch.
Whilst in Buxton, we went to 'The Duke'  for evening dinner!  We had a really excellent dinner, both of us having fish. Very impressed with it, and even better it was not expensive. www.thedukebuxton.com


Views over the Southern Peak District


Buxton and the Peak District is an area we will visit again in the future I am sure.

We left the site on Friday, heading south to the Adventure Overland site at Stratford Race Course.  We met up with Robert and other friends and had a very enjoyable time there, as there was plenty to look at, and the weather was warm and dry!

At the Show!

Part of the 'Camel@ display


The weekend was soon over and we headed home.knowing that the following Monday morning we had to completely empty the caravan for it to have the bathroom taken out to sort a leak in the shower.

This trip was 23 nights, so that makes the years total 145 to date!


Monday, 31 August 2015

Start Bay 1st to 22nd of August.

Well it may seem strange to be returning to Start Bay CC site so soon, but Zoe needs a holiday and this is where she decided she wanted to go!

This was also our first run in our nice new 63 plate Freelander 2, which we had collected three days before!

Our nice new to us 63  plate Freelander2 with our caravan.
As well as Lizzie sat in the sun!


On Saturday the 1st of August we left home at lunch time and headed on our normal cross country route to the M5 at Taunton. We left late to avoid the horrific holiday traffic on the motorway. This time we had decided to stay at Steamer Quay caravan site in Totnes overnight. We pulled on to the site at about 4.00 and found a pitch.The sum awning was soon up. This is a non electric site so the fridge and water were fired up on gas.
We went into Totnes in the evening for dinner at the Royal Seven Stars Hotel. I have to say it was very good albeit a trifle pricey!  As we do not eat out too often though we felt we could justify it!
The Royal Seven Stars Hotel, Totnes.  A place well worth visiting!
(image courtesy of Google)
In the morning we left the site at 11.00 to head to Start Bay CC site. As it was a Sunday the roads were very clear so we had a trouble free run into the site. We opted for Pitch 25, which is a grass one on the middle level.

We took our time setting up as we were going to be here for three weeks. The weather was very good and we were able to sit out in the hot sun!

Monday was hot so we had a lazy day in the sun.
We then spent the rest of the week going around the area, visiting Bee Sands, Burgh Island and South Milton  Sands.

Burgh Island


Everywhere was very busy with tourists. On one of our trips out it took us over an hour to get as far as Kingsbridge, normally a 15 minute run, as we were following a bus and a large lorry and kept meeting buses and lorries coming the other way. We also met caravanners and motorhomers who could not reverse, as well as people who thought there vehicle was 3 feet wider than it actually was!
We  also visited Modbury CC Site, as this could be a possible future destination for us!

Amy, Tony, Izzy and Freddie were all staying in Paignton, so on Sunday we drove over to see them. We then brought the two children back with us to stay the night as they wanted to stay in Nanny and Pop's caravan.  They stayed with us until Monday lunch time when they were collected by Ami and Tony. I have to say that they were as good as gold!

Freddie surveying the Caravan!

As they left Zoe and Emily turned up for a week, so we got their tent up behind the caravan!
Tuesday saw James, Jade and Jack turn up, as they had decided that they wanted a break as well.  So another tent went up the other side of the caravan! Horror of horrors I had brought the wrong tent, so we had to just put half of it up! Wardens were not over happy about us having two tents up, but as it was only for 4 nights we got away with it!
On Wednesday, Jade, James and Jack went to stay in a hotel in Brixham for one night, and Emily and Zoe went to stay with Ami and co!
Everybody returned the following night, and Jade and co slept in the caravan as it was so wet!
Salcombe was the venue for lunch on Friday, at the Fort!  Very good it was as well!

Salcombe Harbour
I know there are lot of pictures of Salcombe on here,
but it really is a magic place to visit

It was Zoe's birthday on the Saturday, so Emily and her went to Torquay for the night! We had booked them a hotel, and they were going to hit the night life.
James, Jade and Jack finally left on the Sunday morning, and Zoe and Emily returned!
We felt it was like living on a railway station with all the coming and going.
As would soon be my birthday we went to The Fort for dinner on Sunday evening, with Zoe being the chauffeur.

Even if you are 19,you are never too old to go crabbing


Zoe and Emily went home on Monday and life returned to normal.   The tents came down and we had a good clear up.
Thursday was my 65th birthday, so we went into the Meeting Room in Kingsbridge. It had changed owners but was still very good!  We were going to use the bus, but as it was rather wet we drove in!

Friday was still a tad damp. Angela and Alan Feltham came down from Teignmouth to see us!  For more years than I care to admit I worked with Angela!  She moved on from St Johns, but often used to come in to school in one of her new roles.  A considerable time was taken catching up!  We had lunch at the Church Inn, Stokenham, and it was pretty good. They left at about 4.00pm as they were flying to France early the following day  It really was so good to see them. Next time we will drive to Teignmouth to see them!

Saturday was a leisurely clear up day.  Good job we cleared up and took the awning down as the Sunday was wet.

We said farewell to our neighbours!  You get to know people round you quite well on caravan sites if they are there for more than a week!  As soon as the Dartmouth bound bus passed the site, we left and had a good run through to Totnes.  The motorway was awful, so we came off at Wellington and took a leisurely cross country drive home!

Thoroughly enjoyed the time at Start Bay, even though it was so busy for the middle week!

PS.  Sorry there are  so few photographs, but I managed to break 2 cameras!

Nights to date 121



Sunday, 30 August 2015

Southwell and Riat. July 2015

Well having got back from our French trip on at midnight on the Friday it was a case of doing the washing and cleaning and tidying the caravan ready for a departure on the next Wednesday up to Southwell to visit Stuart, Nic and Scarlet. We had a good run up the A46, arriving on the campsite which is next to the Old Silk Mill which is their English home.


Stuart and Scarlet were waiting on the site for us.  We soon pitched up with help from Scarlet!  That evening we went to a Pizza House in Newark for dinner with Nics parents.On the Thursday we went into Southwell for morning coffee and then all of us  lazed around the campsite.  Stuart had to leave at about 4.00pm for an IB meeting in Cardiff. After he had gone it was time for a BBQ in the very hot sun.

Lizzie and Scarlet enjoying the BBQ

Scarlet wanted to see the seaside, so on the Friday the four of us set off for Cleethorpes, where we had an excellent lunch in a beach side cafe, before spending several hours sat on the beach, where we had fun burying Scarlet on the sand.
Scarlet and I went for a paddle!

Scarlet is under there somewhere!





On Saturday we went into Southwell again. This really is a nice town and is well worth a visit. On Sunday the four of us went out for lunch at a delightful pub in the countryside. Scarlet spent some time playing in the adventure playground there.

Lunch!

Stuart got back from Cardiff at around 5.00pm

On Monday Lizzie and I went into Newark and collected Stuart Nic and Scarlet as they had returned the hire car.  We then lazed around the site in the sun.

At 5.00am on the Tuesday I collected Stuart and co, and took them to Birmingham airport as they were flying to Boston, where Nic was on a course for a week. It was very good to see the three of them, even if it was only for a short period, due to the pressures on theirs and our diaries.
Perhaps when they move on next year to a new country they might return to Europe and then we can drive out and see them!
We spent the rest of the day doing the washing and preparing a curry to take with us to RIAT.

We left at 11.00am on the Wednesday to drive south to the Royal International Air Show which is held at Fairford.

The run down to Fairford was straight forward and we got to the site at about 2.30, where we met up with Robert.  He had arrived earlier in the day and was already set up with his new expedition trailer.

Dennis
The next few days were spent watching the planes arrive and then practice their displays.

Mark arrived on Thursday and then Cathy came down with Dennis, the hound on Friday.

We went in to the show on Friday.It was very hot and we had a good look round. There were an amazing number of Spitfires on display and we watched them fly in formation on several occasions. We also were able to get very close to the Vulcan, which was making its last visit, prior to being grounded at the end of the year.
The Vulcan
A gaggle of Spitfires!

Red Arrows!


We also went into the show on the Sunday to see the bits that had not previously been open.  If we go next year we will not go in on the Sunday as the Adrenalin zone does not really interest us.
We did enjoy seeing these! Perhaps the next project for me to build!
On the Monday we all cleared up in the hot sun whilst watching the planes depart.
Robert and Cathy departed for their summer holiday near Eastbourne and we headed home having had an excellent time!

Probably the last time we will see the Vulcan flying!




Thursday, 27 August 2015

France.May & June 2015

Well we left home on the Saturday night heading for Poole. We had to make several diversions round Bath and Blanford due to road closures, so the journey took longer than usual! We dropped the legs on the caravan and had supper along with a few glasses of wine and turned in.

At 6.00am we were woken up by the Brittany ferry men and directed to be in Lane 11 in half an hour. So quick mug of tea, legs up and we moved forward to the ticket office.  Tickets stamped and we were quickly through to passport control and security. For the first time ever we were not checked at the security barrier, just waved straight through.  At 07.30 we were on to the ferry, so it was up onto deck for a good breakfast.  We enjoyed a very smooth crossing of the Oggin and arrived in France at 13.45 French time. Straight out on to the French roads and down to Villeieu-Les-Poeles.  This is a site we often use as our first and last stop in France, as it is about 90 miles south of Cherbourg. It is also in the centre of Town so it is good for shopping.
We arrived, put our sun awning up and enjoyed our first drink in France.


By 10.00 the following morning we were on our way south, heading for a site at Angers. We had a really pleasant run across the wonderful French countryside. French roads really are a joy to drive as they are so empty. The site we had selected from the ACSI guide was Du Lac de Maine. We arrived on site at about 2.30 and within 15 minutes were set up in the glorious sunshine. The site was large and very spacious. It is on the banks of the River Loire, and would make a good base for more than one night if you wanted to tour the area. However as we were heading for real sun and heat it was only a one night stop.

We left at 10.00am the following morning and headed down through Poitiers and Limoges aiming for Camping De Montreal at St Germain Les Belles.  This really is the king of sites. It has individual pitches set on the edge of a lake. We always phone ahead to make sure Hans keeps us a lake side pitch. Hans, the owner is Dutch, but like so many continentals is fluent in many languages. We had dinner in the restaurant, and it was excellent. The following day was a non driving one so we sat in the sun and I cycled round the lake.

Early morning over the Lake at Capmping De montreal

Looking across the lake to the campsite. Camping de Montreal
Again we were on the road at 10.00am on Thursday morning, having a straight run down A20 towards Toulouse and camping Le Rope.  As we went down the A20 it became a Peage (Toll  Road). We had invested in a Tag, that would bill my bank account automatically!  As we nervously  approached the Toll gate we wondered if it would work!  All of a sudden there was a ping from the tag, lights turned green and the barrier rose!  Success!

We found the site, which was behind huge gates, more reminiscent of a prison entrance!  Our pitch was a bit scruffy.  However the toilet block we superb!  We purchased a cooked chicken from the cafe for dinner. The site was very noisy as it was close to the peage and the railway! At 04.00am the site got very noisy as people started getting up and leaving for work. We certainly will not be using this site again!

We left at 10.00am and headed south to our final destination, Camping Floride at Le Barcares. We arrived there at 2.30, and spent time setting up as we were going to be here for over 4 weeks.  Our pitch has its own toilet and shower block. It is 100yards from the beach. Around us were many Dutch people that we have met in previous years, who welcomed us back.  When you are on a site like this where many people stay for weeks at a time you soon get to know people.

We soon fell into a routine of lazy days sat in the sun, enjoying good food and wine!


However things were soon to be disturbed!

After three days or so on camp we needed to go shopping to purchase food and wine. Set off towards the supermarket and the Freelander2 does not feel right. As we go down the dual carriageway, we start to loose power and the engine management light comes on!  Time for a U turn, and we limp back to the caravan!  Large glass of wine and I ring Red Pennant, the Caravan Club break down service!  I explain the problem and say that it needs to go to Land Rover Perpignan!  They say they will get it arranged, and in an hour or so I am called back to say that a big breakdown truck will be with me in the morning to take the Freelander away. Land Rover Perpignan did not want me to attempt to drive it as I could make things worse. The next day at the appointed time the breakdown truck appears and the Freelander, which now also has a flat battery is winched on to the truck and taken away!  Red Pennant say that it is going to be a few days before it is fixed so they have arranged a hire car for me. I duly get a taxi and set off to get my hire car.  A few days later I get a call to say that the Freelander is fixed, it was a split turbo hose, and  I duly set off to return the hire car, get a taxi to Land Rover Perpignan and collect the Freelander.  I pay the bill and return to the caravan and all seems well!
Our first hire car


We decide after a couple of days to go for a  run down the coast towards the Spanish border.  Off we go, stopping for morning coffee at St Cyprien.  We then continue our meanderings and all of a sudden the Freelander stops again!   After a bit of nursing, and some most un Paul like language we reach a small village and call Red Pennant.  Getting to be on first name terms with the brilliant staff there now!  Explain the situation, and they agree to find a Tow truck to take us to Land Rover Perpignan. Alas it is lunch time, and in France that means everything is shut for two hours!  Eventually a tow truck turns up and  the Freelander is loaded. Unfortunately there is only room for one in the lorry so Lizzie opts to travel in the Freelander on the tow truck. We get to Land Rover where the Freelander is unloaded and we get a Jaguar taxi back to the caravan.  As it is now the weekend again we are told that we will here nothing until the Monday. Red Pennant sort me out another hire car and we carry on enjoying the sun and 40 degrees of heat!


 Monday comes and Red Pennant ring to say it is a broken fuel pipe and there is not one in France!  Red Pennant keep badgering Land Rover to get it sorted. They also ring me daily with the latest news! Over a week later Red Pennant decide that if it is not fixed by the Tuesday, a 4X4 will be shipped out to us, and ours taken back to the UK on a truck. Miraculously the pipe arrives and we get the Freelander back!
The moral of this tale is make sure you have Red Pennant looking after you!

Morning Coffee stop!
Meanwhile our life at Le Barcares has continued, with trips to local markets and pretty villages, as well as time sat on the beaches, just enjoying the relaxed lifestyle with plenty of good food and wine.
My sea food dinner


Our Chicken man at the Market.
Freshly cooked chickens for 7 Euros.

Just oneof the market stalls.
The local market is held every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday!


Our beach! plenty of room for all




We decided that before we began our journey home we would undertake a long trip that we had promised ourselves to Andorra. We set off and a couple of hours later after climbing some amazing passes, that made Lizzie quite nervous as the drop at the edge of the road was often over several thousand feet, we reached Andorra.
Andorra

This is a shopping mecca as everything is so cheap. We spent several hours there just wandering and shopping before wending our way home from the mountainous country.
The route back down

  We did fill up with Diesel before we left as it was 1 euro a litre, about 71p.

Finally our time at Le Barcares was coming to an end. Many of our Dutch neighbours were also leaving as the prices for the pitches were about to double!

We cleared up and left to begin our nervous run home, was the Freelander going to behave. We set off up the Peage, which was very windy towards Narbonne, and then turned inland towards Toulouse.We had decide to stay  overnight at a site on the river at Moissac, a site we have been to before, called de l'ile du Bidounet.  It is an OK site with a very narrow entrance through an arched bridge.  The pitches are quite small and are laid out in a strange way.
Camp site Entrance

The Lake at Moissac

We left there at 10.00 the following morning and headed up the motorway back to Camping de Montreal, where we stayed for a couple of days, before moving north to Camping les Noblis, at Montreuil-Bellay. This was a lovely site with and excellent Bar and wifi.  It really would make a good touring base!

We left there and headed Villerieu-les-Poeles, where we were going to spend a couple of days doing shopping and enjoying our last proper French meal! The weather had changed and instead of burning heat we had a bit of rain.

Our last night in France




Our last proper French meal!




On the Friday we had a leisurely clear up and the headed for Cherbourg for our 18.30 ferry back to England. We landed at 22.00 and arrived home at midnight.

In all we covered 2002 miles! We had an absolutely fabulous time, with fantastic food and weather.
So good in fact that we have booked our pitch in Barcares for most of May and June next year!

As for the Freelander, well she has made her last foreign trip with us as she will be replaced shortly.  Our nerves cannot face another trip abroad in her!









Monday, 18 May 2015

Start Bay, Salcombe. 22nd April to 4th May.

Set off from home and went out on the Wells, Glastonbury, Street route to the M5 and then on down to Devon. Onto the Devon Express way, coming off on the Buckfastleigh turning. Access to the site was really easy as the roads were very quiet.
Arrived at the site and discovered that it had been remodelled with lots of hard standings. We were however able to pitch up on no 9, which is a grass pitch still, although it has moved closer to the ablutions block and levelled up.  There is also a new car park, next to the pitch.
We soon put up the new awning, and set up as we will be when, if all is well we go to France next month. This meant that apart from the usual table,chairs and cupboard we had our expedition fridge (cools to 28 below ambient temperature) and our travelling washing machine.

Early morning over Start Bay viewed from our pitch!

On Thursday the weather was very good, so we went down to Start Bay, ordered the papers and enjoyed Coffee at the Start Bay Inn. Spent the afternoon sat out in the sun.

Tor Cross Beach




Beesands was our venue for morning coffeea on Friday, and also where we bought our fish for Friday dinner. Fresh Plaice straight off the boat.

Eels hanging to dry in the sun outside Britannia Fish Sales

We drove along the coast to Blackpool Sands, but unfortunately the cafe was shut, so we came back to Slapton village where we found an excellent little pub. The Tower Inn at Slapton Village. Lots of photographs on the walls of Slapton during the occupation by the American forces during the 2nd WW.


Good menu as well so we will return at some point.
We drove past the C&CC site at Slapton Ley.  Big sign up saying only 8 caravans allowed,but we counted over 20, so some rule bending going on there!

Salcombe for morning Coffee on Sunday. Good sunny weather but a trifle cold if you were out of the sun. the estuary was quite busy. we popped to North Sands on the way back!  Tide was in so it all looked good..

Salcombe harbour looking good!
In the afternoon we went down to Torcross to the 'Operation Tiger memorial service. This is held by the Sherman Tank that was dragged from the sea some 20 years ago.
Operation Tiger was a practice by the American troops for their landing on the Normandy beaches. Unfortunately they were surprised by some German E boats that sunk many of the landing craft, causing some 800 fatalities.
At the memorial service there were Americans who served in the operation, as well as many ex-service men and civilians.

The Operation Tiger Rembrance Service



Roast chicken for dinner and the gas ran out. Fortunately we had a spare!

On Monday morning we had an early start and headed for the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh. The train was running late, but the station staff kept us all well informed.  We left half an hour late for the picturesque ride down the Dart valley to Totnes. The  Railway is very well run with lots of staff. It is also very tidy, other heritage lines please take note!
The carriages that we were travelling in were 1940's GWR stock and were quite comfortable. We were hauled by an ex London Transport tank engine. Excellent day out.

South Devon Railway
We spent some time on Tuesday fishing from the beach at Slapton, but the fish were not biting!




We started Wednesday with a proper breakfast. It was a bit wet first thing but soon turned into a super day. We set off for Totnes, where we caught the train to Exeter. We wanted to do this so that we could travel along the rail line that runs on the sea wall at Dawlish.  The train was very crowded, but we still had reasonable views, apparently the train had fewer coaches than normal!  It was going from Penzance to Manchester Piccadilly, so I imagine that it would get even busier!

As we waited for the train back, it was announced that there was no disabled room in standard class!  Hasty conversation with the platform staff and we were put into First Class!  Leather seats, and a carriage to ourselves.  Superb views over the sea wall and surrounding country side!

The view as we travelled along the Sea wall at Dawlish

Then the Guard appeared!  He had not been told that we were on the train.  Apparently the first class carriage that we were in stopped beyond the platform end at Totnes.  So a quick phone call to rearrange the stopping point for the train, so we were able to disembark safely!
Absolutely brilliant service from First Great Western.
Just as we were leaving the station it was announced that the round Britain Rail tour, headed up by Britannia was coming through, so we delayed our departure to watch it!  Unfortunately it was headed up by a diesel, but still went through the station at high speed!

Thursday was a good sunny day so we sat outside before going to the Tradesman's Arms in Stokenham for lunch. Excellent.
Lunch in the Sun outside The Tradesman's



We set off for Beesands on Friday  to purchase our fish for dinner, then on to Hope Cove to visit the totally revamped Hope and Anchor pub.  It really is huge now, and very well done, although they have done away with the huge inglenook fire place which is a shame.  We do wonder where everybody who visits will park though!

We drove to Kingsweir on Saturday to visit Margaret in her apartment that over looks the Dart Estuary and Dartmouth. We had a really excellent time there, enjoying a light lunch. The views were something really special.

The view from Margaret's appartment


Sunday was a very windy day so we just popped over to Salcombe for the morning.

 I popped to Beesands on Monday morning to pick up fish to take home. We then cleared up and got home in 3 hours 45 minutes as the traffic was very light.

We look forward to our return trip in the summer, when hopefully the weather will be even better!