Devon and Cornwall
I am ‘sat here’ as the locals would say, writing another blog well behind now. Cam has gone into the Fleet Air Museum in Yeovile and usually I would be quite happy to go too but just wasn’t in the mood hence catching up on a blogs.
We left beautiful Bergen very reluctantly and very early on Sunday morning to fly to Gatwick – it was a cloudy day with a little wind so I did not need to panic about missing anymore fabulous reflections. We arrived safe and sound and picked up our little rental car. Enroute to our destination we made a little detour to Esher and Oxshot for lunch and for me to have a look around the area I spent a lot of time in while living in the UK for a year – but everything (apart from the wood and train station) I couldn’t remember – no idea if it has changed or I just have a terrible memory.
From there it was straight to Stacy and Dan’s (game keeper and estate manager at Chargot Estate in Exmoor). Stacy and Dan are friends we met when they were travelling NZ and they have been a huge support to Holly while she has been here. We managed to follow the instructions of both our very slow phone GPS and Stacey’s messages and arrived late afternoon. It was so nice to be in the UK as it really had a familiar air about it for Holly and I. I was also reminded of all the beautiful fields bordered by stone or hedge fences and of course lots more yellow rape fields.
We did not really make any stops but we did laugh loud and hard as we literally flew past Stonehenge on the A303 – just enough time to take a snap out the window, it was really hard to see the significance of something in a field right next to a motorway but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some…
The estate Stacy and Dan are on is just beautiful, amazing views from their house and an incredible sunset that just lasted for ever. Before that though we were taken up for a walk on to a point where we could see 360 degrees out to Wales and right across the moor it was extremely beautiful and just what you could just imagine the countryside of Wuthering Heights!!
Dan’s parents were visiting as well so after a tasting of some amazing Sloe Gin made by Stacey we had a huge, and I do mean huge, farm roast meal. It was so nice to be with friends, and for Holly, who has stayed before to be somewhere familiar. We left first thing the next morning after a big breaky armed with ideas and places to go as we headed into Cornwall. I was pretty excited as going to stay with a friend Kim I have not seen for 26 years – last time was on a trip to NZ when Cam and I got engaged, literally on that trip, with Kim and Penny (Penny will appear in the next blog as not in Cornwall anymore 🙂 ).
We decided then we had done enough detouring and it was time to head to Kim and family in Falmouth. Kim, Penny and I worked at the Smugglers Cottage of Tulvern for a summer together (a few years back!!) but a reunion was well past time. I just love how the years fall away when you catch up with good friends and that was just what it was like. I guess facebook helps too as it keeps you in touch with basic details like how old the kids are, how many dogs, cats, rabbits, tortises and other creatures live at the home with the family of 6. We ended up staying 3 nights and just chatting constantly that is when we weren’t out exploring or Kim was working. A highlight was walking the dogs, Phoebe produced 14 pups a few years ago and now has a spinal injury so she cannot use her back legs but she has wheels she goes in that make her totally mobile – she swims (with or without wheels) chases balls and totally keeps up with walking its incredible really.
In between all this we three spent a few days sightseeing. Day one was St Ives and Sennen Cove both stunning but totally different. I wanted to go to Lands End but discovered it has all changed and become very touristy so from Sennens Cove you can see the coast line and if you have the time (which we didn’t) you can walk around to see Lands End. Sennes Cove was also complete with thatched cob cottages and to get there the lanes are so narrow you would need to back back to let another car past – perfect Cornwall.
We loved St Ives as well and spent a good few hours just wandering around but boy it must be total madness in summer as even now it was busy. We were lucky enough to see a school of dolphins swimming round the point and the classic picture of the sea fully out and the boats all moored in the sand.
We decided this might be the place to try a Cornish Pasty and sat ourselves out in the sun to enjoy it. I took one bite of mine popped it on the paper bag and it was promptly taken up by a seagull – between the shock and the laughter I didn’t manage to get a picture of it as it swallowed it in one huge gulp!! These gulls are enormous and now I know why – they live on tourist’s meals. After this we did spot the signs warning you. I just brought another one and guarded it very carefully.
Our second day exploring we decided to stay closer to home and went around Falmouth – first was a huge walk along the water front in wild weather (also classic Cornwall) but along the way we discovered surfers, swimmers and kite surfers. I thought we were hardy so I can only describe this lot as mental it was absolutely freezing. Cam took in the local castle while Holly and I went home to let the dogs out and then later in the day Cam and I went back for me to do a bit of reminiscing and explore Falmouth. I had been a bit disappointed about how little I remember but I suppose things can change in 28 years, Falmouth though lots of memories came flooding back.
So after a lovely visit, much chatting, dog walking and eating it was time to head off to Exeter with Holly. We were not quite sure if we were going to end up leaving her there or if she would do the next few days with us. Once she got back ‘home’ saw her flatmates and friends and worked out how close exams were the decision for her was pretty easy and she stayed on in Exeter.
Very sad for us but to be honest its long days in the car and visiting friends now till we head to London so it made a lot of sense. We have picked up a bag or so of extra bits of Hollys that we will take back with us and we got to have a great look around Exeter including curly fries at The Ram – the local student pub. We did get to meet some friends as well and at last cooked the pheasant she has from Stacy and Dan as our last meal – was pretty yum!! Cam and I headed off to the classic BnB complete with crooked walls, gorgeous tea tray in our room, floral everything and a cooked breakfast that meant you wouldn’t need to eat for a week – to top it off it even had a thatched roof for full authenticity…. tomorrow off to Stratford upon Avon
