31 August

GURNARD'S HEAD - ST JUST.   (15 Kms)

Great brekky. Whilst waiting to leave there were many Frieshans passing by for milking. Left for our walk to St Just at 0955 in search for Cornish pasties at Pendeen. Went on to the North Inn for lunch where we had tasty sandwiches and ploughmans on the menu. We kept our eyes peeled for some seals but only saw a couple. 

We passed through Botallack, the area where Polldark was filmed, and the Levant Mine and also many 14th century ruins of tin mining. Today seemed an easier walk than yesterday with more open areas to wonder. Think a blister or two are trying to appear on my feet!

We met up with a couple of marines in training about to scale down a rocky cliff. They were very interesting to talk too. I was expecting to pass more people on this walk than we have so far. 

We arrived into St Just more than ready for our rewarding drinks at the Kings Arms then checked into our accomodation at The Commercial opposite. It is a pretty town with the centre square surrounded by colourful window boxes and pots of flowers everywhere. They are about to have their annual awards of "The St Just in Bloom". The Commercial has won the last 4 years! They were all in a bit of mourning as their proprietor, aged 54 died of a heart attack last week. 

Dinner was at the Wellington, another pub in the square. 

30 August

ST IVES - GURNARD'S HEAD  (15 Kms)

St Ives is a beautiful town where the narrow streets are lined with art studios and galleries throughout the town. I visited the Hepworth Museum and garden which was very interesting. Barbara Hepworth was a sculptress and lived in St Ives from 1949 until she died in 1975. 

Rained all night! Left Cornerways after a group photo minus Bon who was collecting our lunch from her hotel- good girl Bon! It was strongly agreed we needed a coffee before setting off. Our waiter was from Geraldton!

Walked 9 miles (15 Kms) around rugged coastline. We were warned today's walk is the hardest sections of the SW Coast Path with lots of climbs and descents and a very rocky trail. The views were stunning. We covered areas of thick, dense bush of bracken and wild blackberry, slippery rocks, steps of stone and wood and muddy areas all along very narrow single file pathways. There were many stops for photos to capture the amazing views and scenery along the way. After 4 hours of walking we had our lunch of stale sandwiches! Most of the day had sunshine with patches of rain. Temperatures 14-17 degrees. We deviated off the track and had a half pint for the girls and a pint for the boys at Tinner's Inn at Zennor. 

We walked into Gurnard's Head more than ready to get our boots off and have a well earned G&T and pints. This place only has the pub with its motto - "Eatdrinksleep" where they have lived for 11 years caring for their Inn and guests. Gurnard's Head is surrounded by a few old slate homes and green pastures with many Friesian - black and white milking cows. 

What a treat we had installed for us tonight. Our dinner was fantastic, a 3 course meal, we had paid on booking, with so much choice and great wines chosen by our sommelier, Bonnie. A fun night had by all. 

28 August

BIDIFORD (in Devon) - PADSTOW (in Cornwall)

Woke to a beautiful sunny morning-24 degrees.Left the Mount, our B&B after brekky (not as exciting as previous choices) at 0930. We drove along many narrow roads again with hedges on either side and when on the main roads would see lush pastures along the way. Drove into Covelly, a pretty town, and out again as wanted to have some time in Port Isaac before getting to Padstow. 

Port Isaac is a picturesque town but very touristy with many galleries, pastry shops, pubs and of course the town of Doc Martin. 

Arrived in Padstow, did some washing and settled into the Metropol Hotel on the boat harbour. We took a ferry over to the Rock area and bumped into Gordon Ramsay, who has the residents up in arms as he has bought a £4 million beautiful old house which he is demolishing and building a monstrosity of a home!

Had a beer and G&T at the Mariner's bar before returning to Padstow, a 10 minute ferry ride opposite the Rock. Walked around the area before having a drink at the hotel bar. Tarquin gin is a Cornish gin which has recently won many awards. We met Steve, Jo and their 12 year old son, Max from Kent. 

Dinner at the hotel - amazing fish and delicious lamb. 

Unfortunately I can't upload any photos?!?! So the blog will be without any until it is sorted if successfully?!

29 August

PADSTOW - ST IVES

Woke to our 1st drizzle and very little visibility. Left the Metropol Hotel and drove to Tuoro where we returned the car to Hertz, taking an hour. Bought train tickets to St Ives (£6.50 each - $9) which took an hour after changing at St Erth. Dragged our bags behind us from the train station through very crowded streets of St Ives to our accomodation - Cornerways B&B. Set off to explore this quaint, very busy town and bumped into Bon, who arrived yesterday, joined us for coffee and a sandwich. 

Ang and Dave who had stayed with her brother and family for a week, Jill who had been with Bon in Croatia, Mike, Di and Ronnie, who were delayed in Perth then Hong Kong all arrived by taxi from the train station at 1600. Crow and Cherry missed getting off the train until Penzance and arrived at 1700!!

Welcoming drink from Tim (owner of B&B), then met Bon who was staying at the Queens Hotel, and ajourned at the Castle Inn where the tour was opened and ministerial positions were voted for. After a few more enjoyable drinks we set out to find a restaurant -Cafe Bistrow for a delicious meal all together. 

27 August

EXFORD (in Somerset) - BIDEFORD (in Northern Devon).

Exford is a smalll country village.  Woke this morning to the sound of hooves on the road and birds singing. Sun shining and will be about 23 degrees. 

Set off after yummy fluffy scrambled eggs and salmon heading for Lynton, a 30 min drive, to do a 3hr return walk from Lynton/Lynmouth to Watersmeet. 

We were driving along very narrow roads again with 40ft hedges on either side through the Exmoor National Park then driving through open moors. 

We started our walk along the beautiful river bank with fast flowing water to Watersmeet where we had coffees. Back to Lynmouth via the woodland walk route. All very picturesque. 

Then some fish & chips at this very pretty town then a little over an hour drive across to Bideford for a nights stay at The Mount B&B which has been operating as a guest house since the early 1930's. 

we drove 3Km to Westwood Ho and walked long to beach front to The Pier House restaurant where We sat outside for a drink before dinner overlooking fabulous sea views. Lovely curry and pasta dinner, sharing the restaurant with very well behaved dogs by their owners side. 

About to start our 3 hour walk. 

Putting in a bit of practice!

Watersmeet where we had our coffees. 

These amazing flowers are not fakes! 

A view from Lynton looking into the Bristol Channel. 

Ghastly beach near the mouth of the Bristol Channel. 

The tide is out at the beach, taken at 1900. 

The most decorated beach huts. 

I was saving my drink for dinner as I was driving!

Dogs are very welcome in restaurants!

Hungarian Vizslas - mother 5, daughter 18 mths. Sporting dogs of the Pointer Retriever breed. 

26 August

BOVEY TRACEY - EXFORD

Bovey Tracey is a beautiful market town of Devon known as the gateway to Dartmoor. We thoroughly enjoyed our nights stay in that charming hotel - Edgemoor Country House and its surroundings. 

Exford is a rural village at the centre of Exmoor National Park in Somerset with a population of around 400 people. The economy is dominated by farming, tourism, hunting and shooting. 

We had a lazy start to the day after being woken at 0200 by party goers next door!

Drove north on the highway through rolling green pastures. Had a coffee at The Anchor Inn at Greene King, a tiny village on a river. 

We then drove towards Exford on very narrow, windy roads which really only took one car comfortably but was two ways! Many people on horse back also shared these roads. 

On arrival of this tiny village we booked into The Crown Hotel where we took limited bags from the car as our room was in the attic but very comfortable. 

It didn't take long to explore this tiny village. Today was the opening of their annual summer show opened by Stanley Johnson (father of Boris Johnson) who lives here. Saw "best in show" of all sorts of produce and handicrafts!

A siesta and R&R for Michael to watch a few race meets especially the Ebor race at York which is the richest race in Europe. 

Went for a stroll and found a walking path, however I wasn't equipped with walking shoes?! Back in time or the duck race??? Michael forever the punter!

Drinks in the bar before. Lovely dinner at the hotel. Great to just walk upstairs (2 flights to the attic) rather than drive "home"!

Stopping at The Anchor Inn at Greene King...

for a coffee. 

Not much room on these narrow, windy roads!

Horses and on coming traffic to contend with!

Finally driving out on the moors for a few Kms. 

Our accomodation. 

Our room in the attic!

Setting up for their annual summer show. 

A welcomed beer each. 

Great being amongst these English pubs again!

Stanley Johnson (Boris's father) opening the annual summer show.

Where are the crowds?!

"Best in show"???

Pathetic onions compared to last "best in show" in 2015!

Wandered off feet our R&R and found a walking path. 

I wasn't prepared with my foot gear!

Back in time for the nuance duck race with the annual summer fair. Michael forever the punter but no places?!

Pre dinner drinks in our local bar. 

25 August

PLYMOUTH - BOVEY TRACEY

Plymouth is building up to its 400 year anniversary in 2020 to mark the departure of the Pilgrim fathers and the Mayflower ship that set sail to "discover America" in 1620. Today there are around 250,000 people making it the 27th largest city in England and Wales and has the 9th largest university with over 32,000 students. 

After brekky we spent some time at EE & Apple getting Michael's EE card to work for satilight. 

Walked a couple of Kms to collect our car, a Renault which we were very happy with but it's a manual! Good to be back on the right side of the road!

Visited The Hoe again in daylight then headed off for Bovey Tracey through the edge of the Dartmoor National Park. Walked up the Haytor Rocks at the top of the Dartmoor National Park on our way to our accomodation at Edgemoor Country Hotel. This hotel was once a boys Grammer School, constructed in 1879. We stayed in the Baskerville room, once a large classroom. 

Drove to a quaint little village close by at Widecomb on the Moor and after a walk we found The Inn for a Badgers Fursty Ferret beer each. This is where I broke a tooth!!!

Dinner in the old school hall after a drink at the bar (originally the school gym).

Michael checking score between Hawthorn and Bulldogs

We managed to get the biggest room in the hotel - Baskerville room twice this size originally a class room. 

Our patio. 

Edgemoor Country Hotel. Very grand and old in the Devon area which was a boys Grammer school built in 1879. 

We went for a drive and walked up to the Haytor Rocks in the Dartmoor National Park. 

Michael took the challenge!

Looking down on Widecomb in the Moor village. 

Found a quaint little pub for a Badgers Fursty Ferret beer each. 

Our little friends entertaining us!

Church House which was constructed in 1537. In the 18th century it was used as an almshouse (a building where poor people were allowed to live for free), and in the 19th century as a workhouse with the village school on the 1st floor. 

St Pancras church in Widecomb in the Moor. 

Our pre dinner drinks in the hotel grounds 

Then we moved into the bar, originally the schools gym.