Back to South Devon

It was bank Holiday at the end of August when we returned to one of my favourite campsites, 'Hillhead' between Dartmouth and Brixham.

We were really fortunate that we had timed our visit with the Dartmouth Regatta. There were no worries about parking because there was a 'Park and Ride' right across the road from the camp site that took us down to Kingswear. From here we could catch the passenger ferry over to Dartmouth. But on the evening of the Red Arrows display we didn't bother crossing the river. Instead we stayed on the Kingswear side of the river, as did many other hundreds of people.

The air display was just brilliant, not just from the Red Arrows, but also the Typhoon. But how wonderful to see the 'Battle of Britain Memorial Flight' unfortunately minus the Spitfire. (See my other post about Derbyshire) The Lancaster and Hurricane were amazing, has to be said that they brought a lump to my throat.

I should probably make more mention of the boats seeing this event was a Regatta. But we didn't get down to the Regatta Guardship, maybe next year.

To see what else I do in my spare time. Please visit my craft website

Lake Garda without the Caravan!

This was our second visit to Lake Garda, we even went back to the same hotel. The Hotel Le Palme is situated in Limone at the north end of Lake Garda. Le Palme is a smaller hotel and is actually the oldest hotel on the lake, having formerley been a Gentlemans residence.

The hotel is right next to the ferry port in Limone which might annoy some people, but we just found it all the more interesting. After all where better to do some people watching.

 The hotel is that close to the lake that you can peer over the railings whilst eating breakfast and see the huge fish, ducks or swans.

It is worth taking the Cable Cars to the top of Monte Baldo, the views are spectacular! However be warned that the queues for the Cable Cars are horrendous in peak season. In July and August be prepared to queue for anything up to 2 hours.


Lake Garda from Monte Baldo

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2013

Cars, Cars, and more Cars and a few bikes thrown in for good measure

Day 1 From Devon to Bere Regis

We decided our best option was break up the journey a bit. So on day 1 we travelled from Devon to Bere Regis in Dorset. A fairly straight forward journey from Exeter along the A35, but unfortunately there had been a major traffic accident on the A35 that day and we had to take a major detour. A minor inconvenience for us, but life changing for the people involved in the accident.

We finally arrived at our site Rowlands Wait Touring Park a lovely small park set away from the main road. It was peaceful, well kept and not too busy. The owners were very friendly, and on our arrival (we had called ahead to let them know we had been delayed) tried their very best to help us settle in.  And supplying take away menus for the local pub.

 

 

 

Shower and Toilet Block

 

 

The shower and toilet facilities at the park were kept very clean and there was even a small play park for children. We left this park and travelled onto the Chichester Camping and Caravan Club Site.

 

On the way there we called at some Motorway Services how frustrating to read the signs about improper parking resulting in fines. Unfortunately there were no caravan parking places left. Why? because they were being used by motorists that didn't need them.

 







Leaving Devon and Cornwall!! but only for a few days

Watch this space because next week we are off to Chichester with the caravan. Will probably write loads about it, because we are going to Goodwood Festival of Speed

Can't Wait !!

I should add at this stage that being fairly new to caravanning we don't really mix in circles that discuss Campsites, good or bad. But we have found Alan Rogers Campsite Guide invaluable. We have only stayed at one camp site that we didn't like. And needless to say in wasn't in Alan Rogers Guide.

Bude for the Craft and Gift Fair

This weekend we were in Bude, North Cornwall. A chance for us to stay at one of our favourite sites Wooda Farm Holiday Park. We have stayed at this site many times, in good weather and bad and have never been disappointed.

It has to be said that this site is quite open and can be a bit exposed and windy. On one of our stays we actually saw someone chasing a tent down the field. But all the facilities are kept really clean, there is a park for the children, a small shop, woodland walk, golf and of course the Courtyard Bar.

Empty pitches at Wooda with Bodmin Moor in the background

This was a relaxing weekend with a meal at the Courtyard Bar and a walk along one of the local cliff paths.

Well worth the climb, fantastic views from the top!!

Rock and Padstow

Last weekend 31/5/2013 we finally took the Caravan out again. It was just for a short trip out to Padstow in Cornwall for a couple of nights.

This time we stayed at The Padstow Touring Park, our first time at this site. It has to be said that we were very impressed. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the site itself was well kept and cared for. And all the facilities were clean. There was a small play area that my daughter spent some time on, and a small shop. The site is not far away from Padstow, or the nearest Tesco.

While we were in the area we visited Rock, Padstow and a favourite beach of ours Porthcothan. A few years ago we rented a house in the area with friends for Christmas. On Christmas day we walked on the beach at Porthcothan, it was magical.

Porthcothan

We also visited Rock during our brief stay. I always find it too busy and too difficult to park. However there are fantastic views across the Camel Estuary to Padstow.

Looking across the Estuary towards Padstow from Rock







Lyme Hall and Lyme Park in Cheshire

I visit Cheshire where I was born at least 3 or 4 times per year. Unfortunately I do not manage to visit Lyme Park on each occasion. Which is a shame because I spent so many happy hours there when I was growing up.

We used to walk across the fields and through the local farms to get there. Always with a picnic and a bottle of lemonade. We used to sit near the stream at the bottom of the drive, there we could chill our lemonade in the stream, and paddle our toes in the water. The perfect way to enjoy the long hot summer days.

Lyme Hall



Lyme Hall and it's 1300 acre estate was the home of the Legh family until 1946. The Hall is the largest in Cheshire and a Grade 1 listed building. The estate boasts herds of Red and Fallow deer.

Some might recognise the Hall, as it was used by the BBC in the 1995 adaptation of  Jane Austen's  'Pride and Prejudice' starring Colin Firth. Lyme Hall was used to depict Mr Darcy's home 'Pemberley'.  Although I believe from the book The Making of Pride and Prejudice (BBC) that the scene where Colin Firth emerges from the lake was not filmed at the lake in front of the Hall. But at another one close by.

As you travel up the driveway from the main gates on the A6 you will pass on your left, on top of a hill - Lyme Cage. It has been used as a hunting lodge, and as a lock-up for Prisoners.

Lyme Cage

On a good day it is worth taking a walk up to the Cage, as there are far reaching views. And quite often the Deer can be seen in the valley behind the Cage. When they are not visible elsewhere in the Park.

Austin Healey Rally in North Cornwall

Somehow my husband got to hear about an Austin Healey Rally in Perranporth taking place this weekend. And as he has a love all things motor racing, he decided we should all go down to Perranporth and take a look.

Donald Healey was born in Perranporth, and it was for this reason that the Austin Healey Owners Club had decided to make this the venue for their rally. It was a cold and sometimes wet day, but Austin Healey Owners had come from all parts of the globe. Even from as far afield as Australia.



Just two of the Healey's that attended the Rally

 

 

After leaving the Rally we travelled north up the Cornish Coast and made our way home.

Dartmouth and South Devon

 Dartmouth from Kingswear

For the Bank Holiday Weekend at the beginning of May we took the Caravan down to South Devon and stayed on the Caravan Club Site 'Hillhead'. We love this site, we have stayed here quite a few times now. The staff are very friendly, the site is well maintained, the toilets and shower blocks are kept immaculate, and it has a club with entertainment. There is a small shop, the Bar serves food and a very popular Carvery on a Sunday. And there is an outdoor Swimming Pool.

This time our visit had a purpose - I wanted to visit 'Greenway' the holiday home of Agatha Christie. I have read alot of her books and was really keen to visit the house. You can reach the house by boat down the River Dart from Dartmouth or you can get there by an old bus. But there is no parking! so don't take the car.

We left our car at Kingswear and got the passenger ferry to Dartmouth, from here we got a river cruise down to Greenway. Greenway is now run by the National Trust so it is a good idea to look into membership before you go, if you are not a member already. The boat fare is not covered by National trust.

The Boathouse at Greenway

 

The boathouse at Greenway lies on the river just before you reach Greenway Quay. For anyone that has read Agatha Christie Books you will remember that her story 'Dead Man's Folly' featured a murder in a boathouse. Which I always imagined to be just like this one.

 

When you leave the boat it is just a short walk through the woods to reach Greenway. The house stands in its own grounds, which are beautiful. I could imagine Agatha Christie entertaining friends and family here, but to me it would have just been an inspirational place to write.

 





 

Greenway from the River Dart

 

From Kingswear it is also possible to take a trip on the Dart Valley Steam Railway to Paignton. This is a short journey, but quite picturesque. The train cosses over a viaduct on its journey which also passes Broadsands beach with its colourful beach huts.

 

The Colourful Beach Huts at Broadsands

 

During our stay at Hillhead, Brixham was holding it annual Pirate Festival, which was great fun. The whole town appeared to be involved.

It has to be said that I have never seen so many Johhny Depp lookalikes in one day !

Brixham's replica of the Golden Hind.







An Introduction

I have to admit that back in 2011 when my husband suggested we should get a caravan, I was very sceptical. I was the one who had to sit next to him in the car when he moaned and groaned about the caravan in front of him. I had to listen to the snorting and heavy sighs that were expelled when we met one in the narrow country lanes, in  our native South West, England.

So we made a deal, we would buy a second hand caravan. And if it was not being used by the end of the season 2011, we would sell it in the Spring of 2012.

You have probably already worked it out already, here we are in May 2013 and we still have the caravan. And whats more in the Winter months when we don't use it, I actually miss my weekends away.

Because that is the truth of it, our Caravan use is mainly weekends away. We are very lucky to live in the area we do. Within an hour we can be at the South Devon Coast, or the North Cornwall Coast. And within two hours we can be at the North Devon Coast. And we have found some lovely sites within the boundaries of Devon and Cornwall. But we have also found some that we could not recommend.

But this Blog is not just about our excursions with the Caravan. It is a means for me to record the things we have done, both with and without the Caravan. Hence the title. Maybe it will shed some light on some of the places we have been, and help the reader to decide if it is somewhere they would like to visit. But hopefully it will just be enough, to bring to the fore, in the years to come, the memories we are making today!

After all we have all used the phrase "Do you remember the time......."

And if no one but me reads this Blog, it will still have served it's purpose and recorded the things I want to remember.