A Short Trip To The South-West
A Short Trip To The South-West
October 2020
Monday 5th October.
As Adele has been laid off due to her school closing because of Covid-19 we thought we would take the opportunity and have a quick trip away, we were looking at North Devon / East Cornwall, after a couple of phone calls to get a site we came across Old Orchard View, a Camping & Caravaning Club CL at Broadwoodwidger who had space so booked a couple of nights.
We topped up with fuel and gas and eventually started at about 11.00am,the trip down the M5 was uneventful, we stopped off at Exeter services for a pasty for lunch then carried on down the A30, we arrived just before 3.00pm.
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| Old Orchard View CCC cs - Broadwoodwidger |
We sat and read with a cup of tea for an hour or so before having a G&T aperitif then time to get tea ready, tonight is left over Somerset pork from last night washed down with a bottle of rose wine. After tea we watched TV for a while then it was time for the much awaited Scrabble match, adele had much to prove only wining one of the last few games, scoring was tight right up util the last tiles of the game, adele was the winner and by 20 odd points, heres to tomorrows match.
Tuesday 6th October
We woke at 8.00am, late for us, we had had a very quiet and peaceful night, I took Izzy for a walk around our site, I say ours as we are still the only ones here, we had breakfast, our usual bacon, egg, tomatoes and fried bread then packed up for todays trip. We were on the road just after 11.00am towards Bude and Widemouth bay, the half hour or so journey was fine, we did encounter a few fallen branches as it had been so windy over night, one such branch was large enough to cause an issue on the road, adele put on her super woman cloak and got out to move it, unassisted by anyone around us.
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| Widemouth Bay |
We carried on and came to Widemouth first, we parked up right on the front of the beach car park, we wrapped up as it was really blowing a gale by now and took Izzy for a long walk on the beach. Returning to the van we were really wind swept but felt grat after all that fresh air.
Onward to Bude taking the coast road, we had not been to Bude for what must be over 35 years and we were both pleasantly surprised, as usual for seaside towns we did find it difficult to park the van as all the parking spaces were very small, but we persevered and found a spot on a car park by the old castle. Whilst driving through the town we found a shop selling pasties so bought a couple for lunch, we ate them in the van before going out to explore.
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| Bude Castle |
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| Sand Rails - Bude |
The old castle was now the town museum we walked around and out along the Bude sea canal built in 1823 which had lock gates to keep the water in, the history goes way back when boats bought in lime sand for use in agriculture, there are still tracks in the canal towpath where trucks filled with sand were hauled into town by horses, we then walked out towards the little harbour and break water, the wind was so strong it was becoming difficult to stand but we managed to get out onto the end which was brilliant. We had a good couple of hours but the air was now full of rain so made the decision to return to the van and start back to the site.
After completing todays diary we got tea ready, home made lamb meat balls with tomato sauce and pasta, I had a surprise after tea as adele had bought an egg custard tart from the small bakery we had the pasties from earlier in the day.
We tided up ready for my come back in the Scrabble Championships, a close game but Mr. Fegg came out winner today.
Wednesday 7th October
We woke at 7.30 after another peaceful night, its very overcast this morning but quite warm, After showering I took Izzy for her morning stroll whilst adele got breakfast on, we need to be on the road by 10.30am as we have tickets booked the the NT Lydford Gorge, we arrived just after 11.15 our timed tickets were for 11.30 so went to book in.
We were given our tickets and the covid-19 rules, one way system etc, the Devil's Cauldron, Pixie Glen and Tunnel Falls were closed for the winter, only the White Lady Falls and Old Railway path were open but this would be more than enough for us strollers.
The walk was spectacular, the leaves on the trees starting to change colour and the riverside walk lovely, the White Lady Falls were stunning, due to the recent rains there was plenty of water in the drop, quite powerful and noisy.
We carried on through the gorge to the railway rail line walk and back to the car park, a walk which should have taken 1 1/2 hours took us 2 1/2 hours it was so peaceful.
We had worked up an appetite so popped into the NT coffee shop for cake, distancing rules were in place so only a few tables available, adele had a cream tea but needed feeding so had a jacket potato and a cup of tea.
Feeling refreshed we were on the road again towards the parish Church of St. Micheal de Rupe, an iconic 12th century church on top of a Brent Tor rising over 1110 ft above sea level, giving stunning views across the countryside even on an overcast day like today, inside was very rustic with gas mantels for lighting, the stained glass window over the alter shows St, Micheal.
We were getting a little tired by now so decided to make an earlier return to Broadwoodwidger than planned, feet up and a cup of tea.
Adele read and I sorted out todays photos and started the diary, we prepared tea, streak with green beans and sauteed potatoes with a glass or two of red wine, after cleaning up it was time for the benivanadventures Scrabble Championship again, adele was the winner in a really good, close game winning by 8 points.
Thursday 8th October
Woke 8.00am to very misty skies, so misty that we couldn't see the end of the field, over breakfast we decided to move on as the weather didn't look as it would improve, we would move up country and take a drive through Exmoor, the weather was still dire until we got onto Exmoor, it had dried up a lot now, we stopped off on the moors in a lovely pull-in for a spot of late lunch, then carried on, the moors looked spectacular in their Autumn coat, beautiful colours. Time was pressing on and we needed to get some provisions, a quick shop in Minehead before back tracking on to Exmoor, we found a small CAMC cl at Exford over looking Dunkery Beacon, very, very basic but will do for tonight.
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| Only Us - CAMC cl - Exford |
Friday 9th October
We woke early this morning, well early for us, to a beautiful sunrise over Dunkery Beacon, it looks like we are in for a good day, we had bacon butties for breakfast before going to pay for our last nights site, very basic but for £6.00 we can't moan, it was after all in the middle of Exmoor and really quiet.
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| Exmoor Sunrise |
We left just after 10.00am for the 20 minute or so drive out to Porlock Weir, a place we have been to many times but is always a good walk out on the beach.
The mornings great start, weather wise, didn't last as we arrived at Porlock the heavens opened up and threw it down, we waited in the van for it to pass, adele went to get a car park ticket £1 per hour, we thought a couple of hours would do it but had only got £1.50 in change so 1 hour it was, we were quite surprised how many people were out considering the time, we walked out past the harbour, boats bobbing as the tide was in, to the old cottages on the beach, just as we got out of range of shelter it started to rain again, we got soaked.
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| Porlock Weir Harbour |
We made our way back to the van but not before popping into the tearooms to get a couple of cakes, adele a fresh scone with cream and jam and for me a slice of lemon sponge, we took them back to the van.
Heater on to dry out and kettle on for a cup of tea to go with the cakes.
The rain had now stopped and the skies had brightened up I went for another little walk on the beach with Izzy then realised we were out of time on the car park, hopefully no-one was checking tickets today.
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| Porlock Weir Beach |
We packed up the van and started our trip home up the coast to Bridgwater before picking up the motorway. The rest of the journey home was uneventful.
We had a lovely week away, weather was good considering the time of year and visited some places we had not been to before, we also found a couple more to visit especially the heritage fair ground museum but that we have to wait until next time.
Trip Details:
Miles: 543
Ave MPG: 31.3
Fuel Cost: £ 79.15
Fuel Cost: £ 79.15
Car Parking: £ 4.60
Nights: 4
Camp Fees: £ 30.00
Camp Ave per night: £ 7.50
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We put our holiday photos in to small slideshows and are uploaded on to our YouTube Channel, benivanadventures, they are not professionally produced but give a feeling of the area and places we visit - Click on the link below:
The South West - October 2020
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