Exmoor House, Dulverton CC Site 9th - 16th December

Our Christmas Time Trip

We decided that we would head for Dulverton for our December trip.  We  were on this site at the same time of year last year and thoroughly enjoyed it so we have decided to give it another go.
Leaving home at about lunch time on the Sunday we set off on a cross country route to avoid the Christmas chaos on the M5.  We drove down through Keynsham, Wells and Glastonbury.  As we drove through Glastonbury, we spotted a burger van in the B&Q carpark, so, even with the caravan on tow it was straight into the carpark for a quick cuppa.  Then it was back on the road heading south. we had  to avoid the A361 where it crossed the Somerset levels as it was flooded and totally impassable. On to the M5 for about half an hour, in which time we did not see another caravan, which is very unusual.  Then on towards Tiverton before turning North towards Dulverton and the site. The roads began to get very wet and muddy, and the caravan got really filthy on the front!.


It was a leisurely set up on Pitch 15, after paying the weeks fee of £115!  No wonder we normally use CL's, as they cost about £70 per week. I popped the awning up and got water and elctric etc set up, whilst Lizzie set up the inside, and soon got the temperature up to 30 degrees! Talk about being toasty warm.  We picked pitch 15 as it was south facing and would pick up any available sun.

Monday dawned clear and frosty, -5, but the caravan was lovely and warm.  Then a gentle stroll into Dulverton for coffee and some retail therapy.  Afternoon spent writing Christmas cards!

This was the view from the caravan!

Tuesday was even colder over night and one Aqua Roll froze up!  I still cooked breakfast outside in the bright sun though.  We drove across Exmoor to Porlock.

 The roads were extremely slippery, and the traction control on the Freelander2 came into its own.  Coffee was had in Porlock weir in a rather cold pub. We then took the toll road towards Lynton.  Never driven this road before.  It was very bumpy and the toll gate was a very narrow arch way.

On to Lynton where the town was utterly deserted so we headed for South Moulton which proved to be a delightful, reasonably busy market town.

Then back towards the site, travelling down a long ice covered hill, where the dashboard of the Freelander2 looked like a Christmas tree as all the electronics came into play to keep the vehicle under control.


Wednesday.
We spent the day in Dulverton, embarking on a short trip round the local hostelries.
Bridge Inn - Very expensive food and beer.
Lion Hotel - only us there and just as expensive.
The Rock - a proper pub, and cheap beer.Beer was a £1.00 a pint cheaper than the others, and of better quality!.

Dulverton Main street

Then a wobble back to the caravan to cook Venison for dinner!

Thursday
Frosty start yet again, so we headed for Morrisons in Tiverton to replenish supplies.  Was not over impressed with Tiverton, or rather the people. It reminded me of the Forest of Dean community.  Best say no more.
Back to the site where it was Steak, cooked on the Cadac for dinner, accompanied by chips from the local Chippy. Excellent.

Friday.
Woke to the noisy tones of Exmoor rain at its worst. It rained so hard and so much that the signals to the TV aerial and satelite systems were badly disrupted.  It finally stopped hammering down at about 3.00pm, and the sun made an appearance, so we set off for the Copper Kettle tea shop in the main stree for afternoon tea..

Saturday fortunately dawned bright and sunny, so we set off to visit Westward Ho, as neither of us had ever been there. We sat on the front enjoying a mug of tea whilst we watched the waves crash in.

 Probably not a town we would visit again.  Exmoor rain started again so we head for the caravan.

Sunday was dry, and we were able to clear up easilly.  When we left there were only two motor homes left on the site. We took the same route home as we came, and found a burger van in Wells for Sunday lunch.


So that unfortunately brings our caravanning year to a close.  I am preparing a data page to show how many miles we have travelled and how many nights we have been away.