Holiday in Devon

Just got back from a week in Devon - almost no mobile phone signal at all, and very dodgy wireless, so couldn't post to the blog daily as I normally do - it's had to wait till I got back, so here goes with first installment. Saturday we set off from Celtic Manor, drove over Severn Bridge which I've never seen before - beautiful design. Amused that there's only a toll on one side of it, so you pay to get into Wales, but can get out for free!  Stopped at Barnstable to get some shopping, and then to Bideford for lunch. Found a pub by the banks of the river in Bideford which is a lovely little town.  Got to Woodford Bridge around 3, and checked into our small cottage, right at the top of the complex with great views over the fields. After 4 nights of eating out, I didn't fancy another restaurant meal so we unpacked, cooked a nice meal, and stayed in for the evening. It was bliss!

Sunday woke up to a lovely sunny day, and drove to Hartland Point, the furthest North West point in North Devon. There's a coastguard station and lighthouse, and we walked along the coast with some stunning views, including Lundy Island.

 Completed a nice circular walk by cutting inland down a lane. On the drive back from the point we spotted a National Trust sign and stopped to investigate. It was a working farm, East Titchberry Farm, a lovely thatched building with some ducks on the roof courtesy of the thatcher.

Then we drove into the village of Hartland, as it was getting dangerously close to 2 o'clock and we were both hungry. We'd also forgotten it was Mother's Day, so the local pub was busy, but luckily they squeezed us in for a lightish lunch (seabass for Stu and risotto for me). 

Then we went to Hartland Abbey which I'd spotted a sign to. We had a lovely walk round the gardens - the clematis and magnolia were out together with a whole host of spring bulbs and hellebores.  There was a lovely restored Victorian garden which you reached down a wooded lane, and a bog garden. Bright sunshine as well. We almost went on a newly opened circular walk to the beach, but it was getting late by then, so we drove back.



One of the peacocks decided to pay us a visit and Stu fed him grapes. He liked them so much he jumped up onto the wall next to me which was a bit of a shock!  They're quite big birds close up.

Then, about half an hour later we heard tapping on the window, and there he was again, demanding more grapes!

We had dinner in the restaurant, which was packed for Mother's Day, but the food was good. Great day - just pottering around doing things on the spur of the moment.