Holiday : Devon 2008

Went to Brixham in Devon Saturday 21st June for a week, so here is diary of our activities

Saturday 21st June

The day dawned dull and drizzly, which kept up for the whole journey down. We left around 10:30am but the run was surprisingly clear, except for a section around Stonehenge (I guess due to the Solstice being this morning!) so despite stopping a couple of times, we arrived at the bungalow around 3pm. First impressions of the immediate area was that of a council estate, but actually wasn't all that bad really. The bungalow was big and clean, but you could tell it was owned by an elderly lady.

By 4pm we were walking into Brixham town to see whats what. We are staying at the top of a hill on the outskirts of town, so is quite exhausting 20 minute walk, but amazing views on the way down. Our route takes us through a picturesque park as well. It is still drizzly and very windy, but quite refreshing after the journey. On arriving in the town, seems there is a trawler race, so the pubs are packed with drunk trawler men, who are also protecting about fuel costs (lucky us) ! We had a walk around, got cold and wet, so had a nice cup of tea in a cafe on the harbour front. Then decided to have Fish and Chip supper, which was most excellent :-) This gave us the energy to walk back up the hill to the bungalow, it certainly is a steep climb!

A short rest sees us fit and healthy enough to venture out again (back down the hill, again!) but this time to a pub for a drink or two..... enough lubrication to get us back up the hill (didn't seem so high or steep this time)

Sunday

Woke early and out by 9:30am ! Not raining, but still windy and cloudy (with Sunny spells) Walked around Battery Gardens after getting a paper and sat to have a nice read in the Sun whilst looking at Tor Bay below us. Walking round the headland found an isolated craggy cove, which was great, but very steep hill to climb back up for lunch back at the bungalow. Also managed to watch the French Grand Prix before going out for another walk where we found a beachy cove for future reference (not exactly sunbathing weather today) After a rest back at the bungalow, went out to find dinner. Tried the local pub, but they don't serve food after 4pm on Sundays (would have been OK any other day!) so ended up at the local Holiday Park where the restaurant was open to non-residents. Food was OK, but the main advantage was that we didn't have to climb a big hill to get back to the bungalow. Got back to the bungalow knackered by all the walking done so far, so just enough strength to watch Top Gear and a bit of footy

Monday

Up early again.... must be the Sea Gulls waking us up I think... also the bed is tiny double compared to what we are used to ! Out and about by 9:45am and went to Paignton Sea Front for a walk. Cloudy, cold and windy today, although starting to get Sunnier by the time we left around midday. Went onto Compton Castle and had a good look around, but not very big place so only there a couple of hours, so ended up at Totnes for a nice lunch by the river.

After lunch we walked up the high street (which is steep uphill climb!) going to the museum, buying an Ice Cream, finding a bear shop and going to the Castle before running out of time in the car park

Back at the bungalow feeling knackered again, but force ourselves walk into Brixham to find a pub for a drink. Walked back via the closest pub to our Bungalow before the hill climb to take away some of the pain of getting up that hill!

Tuesday

Up even earlier and out on the road by 9:15am heading for Kingswear. Parked the car at the top of a steep hill !! and walked down to get the ferry to Dartmouth and at the shops by 10am. Walked around a bit then stopped for elevenses This gave us the energy to walk to the Castle and have a good look around. Back into the town in time for lunch and found a lovely tea shop to stop in "The Singing Kettle Tea Shoppe" and had a nice lunch (albeit a little expensive, but certainly worth it)

After lunch we did the rest of the shops, couple of parks and nice views walking along the river, then went back on the ferry just in time to look in the Bear shop in Kingswear, so now have a new addition to our furry family (called Charlie so I'm told)

Once we had walked up the hill to get the car and got back to the Bungalow, we were knackered (again!) so drove to a local Carvery pub/restaurant... unfortunately it is curry night, so no nice roast turkey for dinner. The normal (non-curry) menu was OK, so had a decent enough dinner.

After dinner, had just enough left in the legs to have a walk along Paignton sea front before heading back.

Wednesday

There was a knock on the door at 7:30am as the fuel delivery man wanted access. We had been told about the delivery but was expected around 8:30am and he should have gone to the bungalow 4 doors down for access.... oh well, its Sunny spells but still very windy, so can make the most of an early start

Went to Berry Head to start off, which had Napoleonic/WW2 forts as well as lots of wildlife to see. The guillemot colony was incredibly noisy and there was a RSPB post where the very helpful lady had telescope and binoculars set up to allow anyone to take a closer look.

Then went to Coleton Fishacre which was spectacular art deco interior to the house and fantastic views around the gardens (up and down hills again!) before going back to base for a well earned cup of Tea and a quick snooze!

Around 3pm set off into Brixham for a long walk to Shoalstone Beach then back round to the Harbour (and back up the hill!) returning around 5:30pm for another well earned cup of tea.

It's been a long day, but with the local Weatherspoons pub firmly in our minds, we set off back into Brixham and had a decent meal in the pub. Only slight problem was the air con in the pub was set to super cold, so was glad I had my jumper with me!

After the meal we had a slow meander round the harbour to let the food digest, before fueling ourselves with a swift pint in the pub for the walk back up that hill

Thursday

Decided today is our "rest day" so are intending to spend the day at the beachy cove by the lifeboat station. Despite the sunny weather promised by the BBC the previous evening, it looks just as windy and cloudy as the previous days.... so decide to lay in bed until 9:30am. Didn't leave bungalow until 11am so got to the beach around 11:30am. Quite warm and sunny by now, but lots of clouds about. Leave beach around 1pm and go back to the bungalow for lunch. Then walk back down and get the first cream tea of the holiday. Get back to the beach, but actually around 4:15pm by now and no sign of the sun, so only stay half hour before walking back to get ready for dinner.

Decided to drive to Stoke Gabriel based on looking at the map (looked like it may be quaint and on the river), but the two pubs in the small town didn't appeal so ended up back at the Carvery pub we went to before. Unfortunately no carvery being served tonight, but did have a reasonable meal from the normal menu. As the weather is looking a bit like rain, decide to go back to base and walked down the local pub

Friday

Forecast is to be wet all day, although it looked kind of OK when we woke up. Still cloudy and windy, so decided to go into Brixham where we had a walk then a Fish & Chip lunch. Decided to come home early, so packed up and left around 1pm, arriving home by 5pm after an uneventful journey home

We both enjoyed the holiday and were glad we went, but both felt the hills on our legs ! It was a shame the weather wasn't better but didn't really have an impact on us, apart from making us decide to cut half day from the stay down in Devon on the Friday. Overall it was a good holiday and a nice rest. Certainly is a very beautiful part of the country and well worth seeing and experiencing