2014 Devon

Saturday

Arrived at 3.00 in heavy rain. Lovely cottage with lots of rooms. Sam & Enna arrived at 5.00 having collected a hire car (Polo) from Bristol airport. They all went off to Morrisons while I watched Monaco qualifying highlights and had a nap. I cooked curry for dinner.

Sunday

Heavy showers again but cleared by lunch. We loitered until 1.00 and went into Tavistock for a mooch. Went in the Pannier Market - lots of plants as it was garden week. Returned in time to watch Monaco highlights. I cooked bolognaise whilst the boys played FIFA on the PS2. Pauline has been doing silk painting.

Monday

Sunny morning. Went for early run (4 miles). Sam & Enna went to Haytor and Bovey whilst Ben, P and I had a walk from home and after lunch went to Lydford Gorge. Ended up joining the NT for a year too - been meaning to do it for a while and it was a good deal spread the cost over the year too. Lydford was beautiful with several spectacular waterfalls.  Sunshine all day.

"Sam continues to charm us with his wit and repartee. Seldom has one man's conversation been held in such high regard by his party and those in his company do hang on his every word, do they not Mr D'Arcy?"

Tuesday

Run @ 6.30 (3 miles off road & hilly!). Spent morning reading and discussing P's new job. Took an hour to get to Looe - our poor little Yaris struggles on the hills with 5 up! Wandered around East Looe and found some free WiFi in the Information Centre. Drove to Talland Bay, down some very steep and narrow lanes. Walked along the coast path to Polperro and had chips on the harbour wall. Enna got splattered by a seagull and had to wear my fleece on the walk back. We saw a tiny baby vole(?) on the path, still blind.

Wednesday

Others went into Tavistock so Enna could get WiFi to access her emails for the scholarship application she is making to Chelsea College. I stayed home and made bread. Ceris arrived at 12. After lunch, Ceris slept whilst Enna and Sam went off to the moor. P, Ben and I did a lovely walk from the cottage down along a wooded stream with trout. P cooked pizza and we had champagne to celebrate Sam and Pauline's new jobs. Watched Prometheus.

Thursday

Bit of a dull day. Ran in morning (3.5 miles). Grey and mizzley. Enna wrote her Chelsea application and then we bought some BT WiFi time so she could send it off. Ceris, Ben, Pauline and I went to Okehampton. It is a small and uninspiring town. Bought food for a roast in the evening. I am reading Access 2013 The Missing Manual and John Ortburg's The Life You Always Wanted. Both stimulating but in different ways!!!

Friday

Went for a walk down to the river before lunch. Sam & Enna left at around 1.00. P, Ceris. And I went off to see Mark and Aleena Clarke (Tom's parents) in Yelverton. Had a lovely  walk on the Moor and a cream tea to follow. It was great seeing them and we all get on really well.

Watched Toy Story 2.

2013 Devon

Sat 25th May
Didn't pack until this morning as we have been busy emptying the kitchen! The old one is being ripped out whilst we are away and the new one is due to be installed the week we get back. 
Left home around 10.30. Hit bits of traffic and then stopped at Exeter for lunch. Left there around 4 and picked up food in Newton Abbott. Arrived here around 5.30. Nice little log cabin/large shed - very cozy. Amazing sea view.

Sunday 26th May.
Glorious day - 15C with cool breeze. Walked down from house into bay and then West along coastal path and by golf course. Our conversations are about considering if we should change church.  Had picnic on bench by tee off spot. Came home and chilled. I am just starting to learn MS Access so been playing with that and reading Ender's Game. England doing well against New Zealand in the Headingly test.

Bank Holiday Monday 27th May
Parked north of Salcombe and walked in along footpath and back roads. The town has now become full of twee clothes shops and posh restaurants. The owner of the holiday home said it has become the home of many millionaires. Picked up more provisions and came home to read/draw/listen to cricket. Rain started about 4 and we watched it come in across the sea.

Tuesday 28th May
Went for 4 mile run. Horrible, horrible, horrible day. Had a big argument on the way to The Eden Project about being taken for granted. Continued in Eden and so went back to car. Once we had both calmed down we went back in. Don't want to go back there in a hurry - has some bad memories now. England won the 2nd test - in spite of the rain.

Wednesday 29th May
Misty morning that soon turned into a sunny day with a few clouds.
Went to Totnes and ambled round. Parked by the river again and ate lunch there. Drove onto Dartmoor and walked up to a reservoir from Shipley Bridge. Still discussing churches and what to do. Paula and Jason keep cropping up in these conversations.

Thursday 30th May
Went for 5 mile run along cliffs early - lovely. stayed here in the morning, drawing and reading. Went to North Sands in Salcombe and sat and read on the grass and then in the car. Both fell asleep! Moved car into car park and then walked south to the viewpoint. Beautiful sunny day - 20C but strong wind.

Friday 30th May
Beautiful sunny day and a bit less windy. Went into Kingsbridge in morning and then home for lunch. Dozed and read in the afternoon and then went for walk down into bay and along the beach in the evening - so lovely. Did a bit of rock pooling in the evening sunshine! Perfect end to a lovely week. We have had such brilliant weather - best for years! Great area with lots to see and plenty of great walks on the doorstep. Holiday home was in good location with stunning views. If it had a wardrobe and a hot shower it would be perfect.

Saturday 31st May

2012 - Cornwall

Sat 11th August

Long journey to St. Austell. Went across Dartmoor but had to make big detour as horse box and artic got wedged. Nice cottage. Watched Mo Farah win second gold in 5 km. 

Sun 12th

Went to car park of Gardens of Heligan and did walk to Mevagissie. Warm and close. 

Came back to watch Olympics review and closing ceremony. Olympics has been really great for our country. So many people have been given such a great time and given such brilliant support to every GB athlete. We have loved it so much... Usain Bolt, Jess Ennis, Mo Farah, Chris Hoy, Ben Ainslie, the rowers, Andy Murray, Laura Trott. 

Mon 13th

Parked at St Just In Roseland and walked along coast to St Mawes. Weather was occasional mizzle and then cleared to sun. Had a pastie and walked back. The church grounds at St Just is wonderful and had lots of plaques along the paths with scripture 

Watched the first British Bake off episode. 

Tues 14th

Went to Fowey but on arrival at car park I realised that the car brakes were getting worse. We had a service done before we left but on the way here I felt the brakes were not right. At the car park I realised that the handbrake was not working and the foot brake began to bite but then travelled a longway before full braking effect. Phoned Keith Motors and they said to take to a Ford dealer. We tried St Austell but only Truro could do tomorrow at 9 am. Went for riverside walk at pentewan - could not go far due to car. 

Weds 15th

To Truro for 9. Dropped off car and got lift into Truro. Was wet and windy. Got car back about 3. Keith Motors put the brake adjusters on back to front and so it was getting worse. Keith Motors paid for it (£90)  and I said we would see them on our return. 

Went to Trellisick in the strong wind it was very bracing!

Thurs 16th

Hired bike and TRIKE from Bessoe! P did really well and loved it! Went for a ride for hour and a half on track and bit of road. We will now seriously look at getting one for her. Went and did a walk south of Falmouth along coast - slight drizzle but was lovely. We had tickets to see outdoor performance of Importance of Being Ernest at Pendenice Castle but rain was lashing down and so we didn't go. 

Fri 17th

RAIN!

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (Ephesians 4:16 NLT) Are we all doing this?

Stayed in reading and drawing for the morning. Went into St Austell (parked in Asda and walked in). Came back and did most of packing. Watched Entrapment. 

Sat 18th

Left at 10 and went to Eden Project. It was lovely. Relaxed and ambled round. Lovely flowers. Sunflowers were great. P saw cannabis!  Had coffee and cake in lovely dining area. Watched zip wire girl get stuck and then rescued! Left at 4.30 and home by 8.30 - no traffic! Effectively added an extra day to holiday (this was also the best day) and beat traffic. 

2011 - Barmouth

Sat 6/8

Set off at 8.30. Good journey. Stopped once for food. Picked up a few bits from Dolgellau on way in. Mike and Leo were very welcoming. They are selling up and moving to Cheshire! Went out to panoramic walk  Ate ready made Curry. Watched Kindergarten Kop. 

Sun 7/8

Went into Dolgellau to Info Centre. Got book of walks around Dolgellau. Did no. 8 - was lovely. No rain. Came home. P slept. I read. Mike and Leo were in garden. They showed us round and we chatted for an hour - they are lovely guys. If they became Christians what would we say to them about their lifestyle???!!! Watched 1 episode of Emma. P really liked the DVD extras on locations and costumes. 

Mon 8/8

Grey, windy and heavy showers!! Not like August at all! We got into Barmouth by 9.25 and there was no one around. Got more waterproof trousers. Tried to head towards the drier weather and went to Harlech. Was quiet. This area must be dead in winter - that is why Mike and Leo are moving. It must be hard for young people living here. 

Came back through Barmouth and grabbed some food and came home. Spent the afternoon reading and then did a walk along the estuary from Dolgellau. Naturally it rained! But we were equipped for it. Came home and watched 2 episodes of Emma. 

Tues 9/8

Lovely day. Walked up Cader Idris along Pony Path. Was cold and windy at top and most of the way down.  Home for shower and a read and then a meal out at George III at Penmaenpool - very pleasant day. 

Weds 10/8

Wet and windy in Barmouth but dry in Aberystwyth. Wandered round there and Machynlleth. Took scenic route home. Salmon for tea. Started watching 'Creation' but it was really depressing!! Watched Dads Army and some Heroes instead. 

Thurs 11/8

Wet. Parked at Penmaenpool and walked into Dolgellau. Spent morning in coffee shop. P checked email on their PC. Walked back and home for lunch. Did dry up by evening but we stayed in and read. 

Fri 12/8

Low cloud and very damp. Went fir run early - parked up and ran into Barmouth and across bridge.   Did precipice walk and then packed up and came home.  All in all the week was spoilt by the rain but it was good to get away.

Day 10 Tuesday 17th August

Had a lazy day. Went to Castlepoint for food - Ben and Enna coming home from Newday today so will cook Sausage Casserole.

Day 9 Monday 16th August

Today we did one of the best walks we have ever done anywhere and it is only an hour from home!
P found a circular route on the map that looked good, taking in the Jurassic coast and Purbeck hills. We parked outside Kimmeridge and took path to beach, then up onto coast path.

Met 2 older couples - one from Exeter who have walked the whole of the SW coastal path and said this was the best port of all of it. The other were from Swindon and started coming there when they couldn't get to Switzerland in 1990 and had been coming back ever since - this was their favorite bit!

Chapmans Pool

Then we came inland and walked back along the ridge - fantastic 360 view point.

Kimmeridge Bay

9.3 miles. Fantastic weather - hot (25 C), sunny and a fairly strong NW wind that kept us cool all the way.
Perfect weather, perfect scenery, perfect day - made in Heaven!

Day 8 Sunday 15th August

Took day off from church. Read for a bit - just started "Demolishing Strongholds" by Dave Devonish - had it for a while and thought it followed on from Adam quite well - good so far.
Did a hive inspection and then did a long walk in the forest from Slap Bottom, round Burley and up through Ridley Wood - fantastic! 8.7 miles. Spur of the moment decision to eat out - Cat and Fiddle had run out of food! So we went to Cooper Dean Harvester - had delicious fish and chips.