It was misty at breakfast time but the sun soon burned away the mist and once again we had wall-to-wall sunshine. We'd originally thought we might walk from Mortehoe around Morte Point to Bull Point lighthouse. In the event we decided we didn't have the energy for that so instead we headed to Marwell Hill Gardens.
The clue is in the name - the gardens are spread around both slopes of a steep-sided area with a series of ponds in the bottom of the valley. I'm sure it's my imagination but there seemed to be more 'up' bits than the 'downs'. Anyway, I took some photos of the shrubs and views of the gardens and ponds.
We headed back to Woolacombe after a few hours at the gardens and took a break at the hotel before heading to the beach. We walked and paddled for a while then headed back to the hotel and sat and had our ice-creams in the grounds.
BTW, every time the lift at the hotel announces 'Ground Floor' I find myself singing in my head .. "perfumery, stationery and leather goods, wigs & haberdashery, kitchenware and food .. going up!"
Thursday, 24 May 2018
Sat 5th May - where is everything?
Today's plan was to do the coast walk from Putsborough to Croyde via Baggy Point. It was another sunny day as we drove to Putsborough and the narrow lanes were quiet which is always a good sign. From the car park at Putsborough we could see the sea mist rolling up and over the cliffs at the far end of Baggy Point.
Once on the coast path itself, there were lots more people coming from Croyde than heading in our direction. The violets, gorse and thrift were already in flower but the bluebells were not out but on the verge of blossoming and there were fabulous views back towards Woolacombe. But as we approached Baggy Point we began to encounter the mists blowing off the sea and the views disappeared. After passing Baggy Point and as we made our way down the path to Croyde the mists cleared and we were back into the warm sunshine.
A coffee and cake at the NT café in Croyde and feeling suitably refreshed, we began to make our way back to Putsborough. As before, it was clear and sunny as we began our return walk but ahead we could see the mists still rolling in over the headland. Having done this walk several times we knew the paths to follow - it would be disorienting if you were new to this area. Of course, we expected the mists to clear as we approached Putsborough but the mist stayed firmly in place even when we were back at the car. However, even without the sunshine it was still ice-cream time!
On the journey back to Woolacombe the narrow lanes were much busier. There were a few 'convoy' moments as lines of cars had to negotiate their way around each other. And when we got back to Woolacombe it was unrecognizable from earlier in the day - there were cars and people everywhere - that's a bank holiday weekend for you!
With hindsight, it had been very good planning to book a table at the Brasserie this evening and a table at Doyle's restaurant tomorrow.
Once on the coast path itself, there were lots more people coming from Croyde than heading in our direction. The violets, gorse and thrift were already in flower but the bluebells were not out but on the verge of blossoming and there were fabulous views back towards Woolacombe. But as we approached Baggy Point we began to encounter the mists blowing off the sea and the views disappeared. After passing Baggy Point and as we made our way down the path to Croyde the mists cleared and we were back into the warm sunshine.
A coffee and cake at the NT café in Croyde and feeling suitably refreshed, we began to make our way back to Putsborough. As before, it was clear and sunny as we began our return walk but ahead we could see the mists still rolling in over the headland. Having done this walk several times we knew the paths to follow - it would be disorienting if you were new to this area. Of course, we expected the mists to clear as we approached Putsborough but the mist stayed firmly in place even when we were back at the car. However, even without the sunshine it was still ice-cream time!
On the journey back to Woolacombe the narrow lanes were much busier. There were a few 'convoy' moments as lines of cars had to negotiate their way around each other. And when we got back to Woolacombe it was unrecognizable from earlier in the day - there were cars and people everywhere - that's a bank holiday weekend for you!
With hindsight, it had been very good planning to book a table at the Brasserie this evening and a table at Doyle's restaurant tomorrow.
Friday, 11 May 2018
Fri 4th May - Lynton & Lynmouth
It was misty, drizzly day so we grabbed some leaflets after breakfast and eventually decided to head for Lynton. The weather cleared up on the way and I managed to find my way to the car-park I had remembered from a previous visit. The cliff railway was nearby so we used that to make our way down to Lynmouth from where we walked along the riverside path (sometimes near the river - often 20-30 metres above) to the National Trust café at Watersmeet.
The wildlife know when they're onto a good thing and there are some very tame (or fearless) robins, chaffinches and blue-tits who hang around nearby on the lookout for crumbs and other goodies. It's a waste of time trying to shoo them away - they move just out of reach and chirrup at you (presumably telling you to hurry up so they can hoover up any crumbs you have left on your plate).
After walking back to Lynmouth (and after a restorative ice-cream) we caught the cliff railway back to Lynton and made our way back to the car. I don't imagine Lynton is that big a place but I managed to lose my bearings as I left the car-park so resorted to following the instructions from the sat-nav - bad move! I found myself driving up a very steep narrow lane which eventually joined up with the main road I had used on the way there. I had to chuckle at the sign at the top of the lane - "Unsuitable for motor vehicles" - they weren't kidding!
We headed back to the hotel without any further incidents and later on headed to Georgeham for a meal with Tina & Sid.
The wildlife know when they're onto a good thing and there are some very tame (or fearless) robins, chaffinches and blue-tits who hang around nearby on the lookout for crumbs and other goodies. It's a waste of time trying to shoo them away - they move just out of reach and chirrup at you (presumably telling you to hurry up so they can hoover up any crumbs you have left on your plate).
After walking back to Lynmouth (and after a restorative ice-cream) we caught the cliff railway back to Lynton and made our way back to the car. I don't imagine Lynton is that big a place but I managed to lose my bearings as I left the car-park so resorted to following the instructions from the sat-nav - bad move! I found myself driving up a very steep narrow lane which eventually joined up with the main road I had used on the way there. I had to chuckle at the sign at the top of the lane - "Unsuitable for motor vehicles" - they weren't kidding!
We headed back to the hotel without any further incidents and later on headed to Georgeham for a meal with Tina & Sid.
Thursday, 3 May 2018
Thu 3rd May - A walk to Putsborough
We'd already decided to walk down the beach to Putsborough when Margaret's friend Tina phoned. They were staying in Putsborough and invited us for coffee in the flat they were renting overlooking the beach. We said we would see them 'later' ie. whenever we got there but probably around midday.
It was a beautiful sunny day as we set off but with a stiff onshore breeze. There were a handful of surfers in the sea and a number of paragliders up in the shy - the onshore breeze meaning they could just hang motionless in the air above the hill behind the beach.
When we got to Tina and Sid's we chatted for a while and watched the surfers from their apartment window. A school party arrived as we watched and you could tell by their body language that the children were getting very excited about trying surfing and body-boarding. I didn't envy the teachers and other adult helpers trying to keep them under control
We headed back towards Woolacombe accompanied by Tina and Sid - they walked with us for a mile or so (around halfway) before they turned back.
We decided to treat ourselves to a cream tea at one of the beachfront cafés then headed back to the hotel and read for a bit before heading to the Brasserie for dinner.
It was a beautiful sunny day as we set off but with a stiff onshore breeze. There were a handful of surfers in the sea and a number of paragliders up in the shy - the onshore breeze meaning they could just hang motionless in the air above the hill behind the beach.
When we got to Tina and Sid's we chatted for a while and watched the surfers from their apartment window. A school party arrived as we watched and you could tell by their body language that the children were getting very excited about trying surfing and body-boarding. I didn't envy the teachers and other adult helpers trying to keep them under control
We headed back towards Woolacombe accompanied by Tina and Sid - they walked with us for a mile or so (around halfway) before they turned back.
We decided to treat ourselves to a cream tea at one of the beachfront cafés then headed back to the hotel and read for a bit before heading to the Brasserie for dinner.
Wednesday, 2 May 2018
Wed 2nd May - the journey down to Woolacombe
It could have been a lot worse. Pretty soon after joining the M5 at Cheltenham we started seeing signs telling us the motorway was closed between J25 & J26. A quick check of the road atlas, an announcement on the traffic news and the satnav updating meant we left at J23 instead. That meant we had to use the A39 which wouldn't be so bad if it didn't include Porlock Hill and the road between Lynmouth & Lynton, both of which are narrow in places and steep (1 in 4). Anyway, I managed it although I had to drop down to 1st gear a few times. What with those hills, a pony running out in front of me, an idiot with a horsebox with no indicators working, I was a gibbering wreck by the time we arrived in Woolacombe. I certainly earned my beer! :) A quick walk on the beach after checking in to the hotel and unloading the car - then a meal in the hotel brasserie and we're both feeling a bit zonked now.
Tuesday, 12 December 2017
Wed 11/10 - Homeward Bound
Our flight wasn't until later in the day so we were late waking up again and had a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Then it was time for the packing frenzy - trying to fit into the case what we had brought with us plus the various 'extras' we had accumulated along the way. We managed to fit everything in and checked out of the hotel just before the 12m deadline :-)
We were able to leave our luggage stored at the hotel and took another walk down Yonge Street - there was a 'Day Of Freedom' rally going on at Dundas Square - but after a bit it began to rain so we made our way back to the hotel. We stopped off at a supermarket so Margaret could buy herself a paperback for the flight home - we got caught out yet again by the sticker price not being what you pay as sales tax and federal tax is added on (don't understand why they don't just add it to the price - well, I DO understand but it was irritating that they didn't do it!).
Then it was a l-o-n-g wait in the hotel lobby as we had a two hour wait until our taxi transfer arrived. It was quite a flashy car (almost a limo) and we had a trouble-free journey back to the airport where, after we had checked-in, had yet more waiting around and filled the time buying & eating lunch and spending our last few Canadian coins (and almost got caught out yet again by the added sales tax).
Eventually 18:35 rolled around and we were able to board our flight back to the UK. We were in the same seats as on the flight out so had plenty of legroom and after we had eaten tried our best to get some rest as with the time difference, we knew we would be arriving back at Heathrow at 6:30am.
We were able to leave our luggage stored at the hotel and took another walk down Yonge Street - there was a 'Day Of Freedom' rally going on at Dundas Square - but after a bit it began to rain so we made our way back to the hotel. We stopped off at a supermarket so Margaret could buy herself a paperback for the flight home - we got caught out yet again by the sticker price not being what you pay as sales tax and federal tax is added on (don't understand why they don't just add it to the price - well, I DO understand but it was irritating that they didn't do it!).
Then it was a l-o-n-g wait in the hotel lobby as we had a two hour wait until our taxi transfer arrived. It was quite a flashy car (almost a limo) and we had a trouble-free journey back to the airport where, after we had checked-in, had yet more waiting around and filled the time buying & eating lunch and spending our last few Canadian coins (and almost got caught out yet again by the added sales tax).
Eventually 18:35 rolled around and we were able to board our flight back to the UK. We were in the same seats as on the flight out so had plenty of legroom and after we had eaten tried our best to get some rest as with the time difference, we knew we would be arriving back at Heathrow at 6:30am.
Tue 10/10 - Toronto
A beautiful day with warm sunshine and as we didn't have any tour booked that we had to rush off for, we slept in until around 8:30am then had a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Before heading out we checked with the concierge that we would be able to pre-book a taxi for the following day's transfer to the airport.
We had decided to use the hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus tour to see the city and headed off to the pickup stop following the directions given to us by the concierge. I confidently lead the way except I had made a 'schoolboy' error and lead us to the wrong side of the road (had to remind myself they drive on the right in Canada - doh!). Having caught the bus we soon decided it was never going to be more than 'okay'. We were treated to an uninspired commentary which was difficult to hear most of the time. I 'switched off' very quickly and amused myself taking photos of interesting juxtapositions of buildings. As we made our way around the city it became a game of spot the CN Tower.
We hopped off the bus at the harbour front centre and made our way to where we could catch the boat trip that was included along with the bus tour. The boat trip was really good - we had great views of the Toronto skyline from the harbour and were constantly being 'buzzed' by planes landing at the nearby 'Billy Bishop' airport. After the boat trip we made our way to the 'Amsterdam Brewhouse' for lunch. I can't remember quite what I ordered but Margaret decided to try a local delicacy called Poutine - this consists of fries with cheese grated over them floating in a bowl of gravy. It wasn't as good as Margaret was expecting - possibly would have been better without the gravy!
After lunch we caught the bus again and hopped off at the Distillery area. It's an area of the city that is unspoilt and doesn't allow any 'chain' stores - only small shops - so it was an interesting area to wander around and I took yet more photos.
We caught the bus afterwards but as it was towards the end of the day it was stopping at Dundas Square so we had to walk back along Yonge Street to the hotel. We both thought the area was a bit seedy with tattoo parlours and nude revues along the way. Having got back to the hotel we ate dinner there and used the in-house terminals to check-in for the following day's flight and print our boarding cards.
We had decided to use the hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus tour to see the city and headed off to the pickup stop following the directions given to us by the concierge. I confidently lead the way except I had made a 'schoolboy' error and lead us to the wrong side of the road (had to remind myself they drive on the right in Canada - doh!). Having caught the bus we soon decided it was never going to be more than 'okay'. We were treated to an uninspired commentary which was difficult to hear most of the time. I 'switched off' very quickly and amused myself taking photos of interesting juxtapositions of buildings. As we made our way around the city it became a game of spot the CN Tower.
We hopped off the bus at the harbour front centre and made our way to where we could catch the boat trip that was included along with the bus tour. The boat trip was really good - we had great views of the Toronto skyline from the harbour and were constantly being 'buzzed' by planes landing at the nearby 'Billy Bishop' airport. After the boat trip we made our way to the 'Amsterdam Brewhouse' for lunch. I can't remember quite what I ordered but Margaret decided to try a local delicacy called Poutine - this consists of fries with cheese grated over them floating in a bowl of gravy. It wasn't as good as Margaret was expecting - possibly would have been better without the gravy!
After lunch we caught the bus again and hopped off at the Distillery area. It's an area of the city that is unspoilt and doesn't allow any 'chain' stores - only small shops - so it was an interesting area to wander around and I took yet more photos.
We caught the bus afterwards but as it was towards the end of the day it was stopping at Dundas Square so we had to walk back along Yonge Street to the hotel. We both thought the area was a bit seedy with tattoo parlours and nude revues along the way. Having got back to the hotel we ate dinner there and used the in-house terminals to check-in for the following day's flight and print our boarding cards.
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