19 October 2011

Went to Cheddar and drove through the Gorge. There are 2 caves which you can go into, Cox’s cave is quite small and has some nice mirror pools, it also has the Crystal Quest which is really for kids, it’s really dark and you have to find the crystal. Kev motioned to me to turn round and there was a figure standing right behind me wearing a hooded robe, Kev said it was my best scream yet!! Kev noticed the figure was wearing converse trainers so he wasn’t scared. We also went to Gough’s cave where a bat tried to attack me. This cave takes you ¼ mile into the hill and had some really awesome natural mineral formations and mirror pools. Outside there was a flight of 274 steep steps to a lookout point from which we didn’t see much because of the low clouds, and my legs were sore for 3 days afterwards.  As we were in Cheddar we had to visit the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Co and do some tasting which was washed down with tasters of Legbender Cider at the shop next door. Of course we bought something from both shops.

Next day we went to Lynmouth we travelled across Exmoor and ended up having to go up and down a 1 in 4 gradient, poor Blossom we had to stop on the moor to let her cool down. Once we got to Lynmouth we took the clifftop railway to Lynton. Nice little towns.

Our next stop was Padstow where we had to have fish and chips at Rick Stein’s fish & chip shop. Had a walk round the harbour and some side streets finishing off with a nice Cornish ice cream.

Off to St Ives next day. As I was going to St Ives I met a man............... and guess what...........he was on his own. Anyway we took the Park & Ride from Leylant Saltings. Instead of a bus it’s a train, 5 mile journey to St Ives views from the train of beautiful beaches and scenery. The beaches were full of families, sunbathing and swimming, in mid October!!!

Onwards to Newton Abbot where we had to go to Ye Olde Cider Bar, which was a trip down memory lane for Kev as he was here 21 years ago and the place hasn’t changed at all, just the prices have gone up. Funny Kev’s memory is really bad but he did remember the prices from 21 years ago. The only alcohol they sell is cider and fruit wines. I sampled Quince, Damson and Sloe wines, very potent!!!!!

Leaving Devon and Cornwall behind and on to Dorset. First stop Monkey World as seen on TV. It was really cold today so the monkeys were all miserable looking. Most of the monkeys are rescued from the UK and abroad.

We had a really good day out at the Beaulieu Motor Museum yesterday. If you ever get the chance to go there it is well worth it. We spent 4 hours viewing the exhibits but could have done with another couple of hours to do it justice. We plan to cross the Channel on Friday.