Re: Mick's Motoring South Coast Saunter

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 30 Oct 2023, 17:09

NewcastleFalcon wrote: 30 Oct 2023, 17:06
mickthemaverick wrote: 30 Oct 2023, 17:01 Might that be the road through Colyton with the old Shell pumped garage?
No the answer is in plain sight if you enlarge the picture and look at the nearside...

Neil

Looks like an AA box but I don't recall it. I'd likely have been looking at a map along there...

Unread post by **mickthemaverick** » 30 Oct 2023, 17:10

Aah, then you are referring to the AA box quest!! I was referring to this post of yours Neil!

NewcastleFalcon · Unread post by **NewcastleFalcon** » 30 Oct 2023, 17:44

mickthemaverick wrote: 30 Oct 2023, 17:10 Aah, then you are referring to the AA box quest!! I was referring to this post of yours Neil!

Go on then have 60 points each

I presume you drove right past the AA Box on your Route, Was Colyford on your route too?

Neil

Unread post by **mickthemaverick** » 30 Oct 2023, 18:39

So picking up where I left off I went down to dinner in The White Hart dining room:

: Our evening dining room

I fancied something a bit different to my usual steak pie or chicken and bacon so I picked out the BBQ'd pulled pork with chips and peas accompanied by onion rings on the side, every bit as tasty as it sounds and looks:

: Yum yum!!

Jim had something different but I felt it worth recording his ongoing conversion from coffee to alcohol free cider!!

: Bubbly booze!!

Having filled our tums we headed up for our evening entertainment as it had been a long day. I settled down to watch the F1 Qualifying and Jim went for a jog around the town finding a couple of places of interest in the process:

: The White Hart

: Home of Proper Job

Sunday got off to a great start with the sun waking me and the sounds of the local bird population creeping through the crack in my window, up and dressed I met Jim for our 8 am brekkie and then we set off down the coast via a second trip round Mevagissey and then on to a delightful viewpoint at St Mawes:

: Across the water to Falmouth

: Pendennis Point from St Mawes

From St Mawes we worked our way down to Helston where I particularly wanted to call into The Blue Anchor which has its own brewery out the back. You can find out all you want to know on the internet but here's a picture as we left it refreshed with their very own Spingo and zero alcohol something or other

: My favourite pub in the world

Leaving Helston behind we ploughed on across the foot of Cornwall to one of the must visit in your life places, Land's End. We took the expected pictures:

: The first view

: A nasty growth

: A rare appearance

We spent a fair time wandering around and taking in the fresh air in the sunshine before it was time to go in for our predictable lunch:

: A traditional lunch

After that it was back into the car for our drive up the west coast to Bude for our next overnight stop. We had intended to call in to the Sharp's brewery at Rock but having enjoyed Land's End so much we had taken too long so that plan was shelved and we simply enjoyed the views driving up through St Ives and Portreath, around Redruth past Perranporth and on through Newquay, Padstow and Wadebridge to Tintagel. A brief look round without alighting followed before we headed on through Boscastle to Bude for our overnight at The Links Side Guest House.

Arriving in Bude we did the usual address into the satnav for the Guest House and were somewhat confused when I misinterpreted an instruction and turned right one junction too soon. The problem was I had turned into a one way series of streets so we had to work our way right round town to get back on route. Following the directions correctly we pulled up right outside our overnight stop. At this point I thought the F1 race was on at 10.00pm so we went inside to unpack, then meet for dinner at 7.30 after Jim had been for a run. Off he went and I sat admiring the views from my window before setting up the laptop to feed the Sky TV signal to the room TV via an HDMI ready for the grand prix later:

: My room

: Room with a view

: The TV setup

: A map of the town

It was as I was setting up the TV I realised that I had dropped a clanger. The race was due to start at 8.00 pm not 10 and Jim was out running. It was now 6.50 so I sent a message asking if there was any chance we could go and grab a takeaway ASAP so I could be back for the race. Jim was very happy to do that as neither of us were that hungry so dinner could have been a waste which the new plan would avoid. While Jim was returning and showering I searched the web fruitlessly for somewhere to get a takeaway we could safely bring back.

In the end when Jim was ready we shot out in the car for a drive round to see what was available. We had a real stroke of luck as the general store with a delicatessen counter was still open although the girl was in the process of tidying up ready to close. We dived in and went searching for suitable light supper food that we could take back to our rooms. Jim IIRC had a slice of quiche and a flapjack while I opted for a box of 'special' cookies and a bottle of Oasis Summer Fruits. Jim was happy with the beverage selection in his room, demolishing it completely he told me!! So we got back by 7.30 and I was able to settle down to watch the race. The perfect end to yet another great day!!

Unread post by **mickthemaverick** » 30 Oct 2023, 18:53

NewcastleFalcon wrote: 30 Oct 2023, 17:44
mickthemaverick wrote: 30 Oct 2023, 17:10 Aah, then you are referring to the AA box quest!! I was referring to this post of yours Neil!
Go on then have 60 points each

I presume you drove right past the AA Box on your Route, Was Colyford on your route too?

Neil

Colyford was indeed on the route but I don't remember seeing an AA box although we did spot the Shell pumps but by then my cameraman was suffereing from overwork so they didn't get captured!!

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 31 Oct 2023, 05:07

Ahh the Blue Anchor in Helston

What a place! I did enjoy my natter with the locals in there... They were all very 'characterful'. And I can fully see why it's your favourite pub ever Mick...

I was so impressed with the barman who tried his hardest to find me something non-alcoholic... Truly a top place

NewcastleFalcon · Unread post by **NewcastleFalcon** » 31 Oct 2023, 09:22

Look left as you are heading towards Penzance from Helston and there is this picturesque scene, and an interesting vehicle which is bigger than it appears. The Marks and Spencer's Amphibious Vehicle.

: Geograph Stamped Image

: Geograph Stamped Image

Neil

Unread post by **mickthemaverick** » 31 Oct 2023, 12:25

Monday morning dawned without that old 'hell, its Monday morning again' feeling and I rose and dressed in time to beat Jim to the breakfast room. I have to say it was, without doubt, the best breakfast setting of the entire trip:

: The sunny table with attractive mats

Immediately cheered by the view over the golf course we both ordered and consumed a full hearty English!! It was fitting as the best room was complimented by the best meal, with Jim's enthusiastic gushings about his new found love - Bude - taking up the majority of the conversation. He'd had a brilliant morning run around the town and discovered all sorts of highlights convincing him of the need to make a future visit and spend some time there!!

After breakfast we thanked our host, Bryan, and set off on our journey north heading for Clovelly for morning coffee. Sadly when we got there we discovered that the rigours of commercialism have well and truly taken over. Gone is the donkey cart ride down into the village that I remembered so well, replaced by a diesel tractor drawn trailor with exorbitant fares!! Besides that parking in the car park at the top also demanded what we felt to be an outrageous fee so we mutually decided to give Clovelly a miss and leave its delights to the American tourists who were milling about the place!

So onward we went up towards Westward Ho! where I was unable to take any pictures due to the steering wheel in my hands and I had left my camera in the room in Bude so Jim couldn't take any for me either!! As a result I can only describe the rest of the trip in words and the pictures I did take with my phone when we were parked!! We left Westward Ho! and headed up the B3233 via Instow and Fremington to turn WNW towards Braunton along the A361 after crossing the River Taw in Barnstaple.

In Braunton we slotted left (sorry rallying term

) along the B3231 to run up the coast to Woolacombe via Croyde. On our exceptionally steep descent into Woolacombe I had to pull over to allow a climbing truck to pass and took the opportunity to snap the view of the approach:

: Down to Woolacombe

I believe Jim has already posted his shots on this descent! Leaving Woolacombe we took the inland route to Ilfracombe for a quick drive round the harbour to view the much discussed statue of the pregnant lady, again you will find the Ilfracombe pictures in Jim's gallery here

After that we ran over the clifftops and down into Combe Martin, England's longest village, where we stopped for elevenses and a look at the sea front:

: Coombe Martin Beach!

As we sat down to enjoy our snack my phone rang and it was Bryan from Bude to tell me he had found my camera and leads in the room. We arranged for him to post them back to me and he was happy to do so.. in fact it was waiting on the dining room table for me when we got back to Hertford, amazing service!!

Whilst driving out of Coombe Martin we passed a shop which I feel sure will evoke some memories in certain members!!

: Similar to where I started work!

We then headed across the northern edge of Exmoor:

: Exmoor

taking Lynton, Lynmouth and Porlock Hill in our stride and heading on through Minehead, Bridgewater and up to Burnham on Sea and Weston Super Mare before eventually turning SE towards Cheddar where we stopped for refreshments:

: Cheddar approach to the gorge.

After a comfort break we headed up through the gorge, see Jim's gallery linked above for the photos, and then down to Wells which was to be the last significant touristy visit for us. Wells Cathedral is famous for its ornate architecture and it certainly is worth a visit if you are in the area:

: Wells Cathedral

From Wells we headed north up to Wick, the one in Somerset

, for our last overnight stay. Arriving at Toghill House Farm we were delighted to find we had two first floor rooms in a converted barn, each with their own staircase from the lobby and furnished to a very high standard:

: Car Park

: Hotel

: Four Poster room

The views from my room's skylight were magnificent and the camera just doesn't do them justice:

: View left

: View right

We followed our usual routine with me unpacking and setting up the laptop while Jim went for a run before convening to go for dinner at 7. We had noted a couple of possibles on our way to the farm so we headed back onto the A road to track one down. At this point we ran into an unexpected traffic jam which turned out to be the result of a rather mysterious accident which must have happened minutes before we joined the A road. When we reached the scene we saw a van on its side in the middle of the road, indicator still flashing and a severely dented car half in the hedge to our left. Not wanting to appear ghoulish we took no pictures and carried on past as the emergency services were in attendance.

Further along the road we found a Chef & Brewer and stopped for dinner. The less said about that the better as you will find in the next and last instalment!!

NewcastleFalcon · Unread post by **NewcastleFalcon** » 31 Oct 2023, 13:54

I wonder if it is still there

Red Dwarfers found it in 2016. Just by the side of the A39.

Still there in 2018 when the google streetview cameras last went past.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.20364 ... ?entry=ttu

Neil

Unread post by **mickthemaverick** » 31 Oct 2023, 14:22

The final sunrise of the Saunter found me in the bathroom washing in cold water to try and calm down a very iffy tum! Ignoring it for a bit I packed my bags and headed down to the somewhat dreary breakfast room. Not really surprising as we had been spoilt in Bude and this one just didn't match up at all. Things got worse when another couple arrived in the room with the chap holding a lead, on the end of which appeared to be a drowned rat. Neither Jim nor I are happy with animals in public dining areas and both nursing dodgy tums we ate up quickly and escaped into the fresh air.

Our route took us down through Bath and Frome to Cranmore where we visited Alasdair (Stickyfinger) to see the classic Saxo he had rescued from the working hatchback Jim had taken to him a few weeks ago!

Details of the resurrection can be found in Alasdair's thread here.
We were both extremely impressed with the result and I actually suggested Alasdair had swapped the plates onto a proper Saxo for our visit !! Of course he hadn't and the car will make someone an excellent show car when he decides to move it on. We had a terrific time with Alasdair but we had to cut it short due to our decision to cancel our afternoon plans and head home before either of our stomachs gave up the ghost.

So leaving Alasdair we let James and Michel know that we would not be making it for dinner as planned and set course for Hertford. We stayed off the motorways in order to facilitate any unexpected stops that may be needed and chose instead to head up through Trowbridge and Devizes to join the A4 for the journey east. We did make a short detour through Avebury in search of a comfort stop and then went non stop back to Hertford. We arrived to find my camera had beaten us home, a triumph for the Royal Mail, and had a very welcome drink before Jim set off back to Paggers.

It had been a brilliant 6 days and this thread will always be here for a reminder should we need it but I doubt that. Great route, great places, great meets and great company. Trips don't get much better - or do they?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 31 Oct 2023, 14:41

mickthemaverick wrote: 31 Oct 2023, 14:22
It had been a brilliant 6 days and this thread will always be here for a reminder should we need it but I doubt that. Great route, great places, great meets and great company. Trips don't get much better - or do they?

It certainly was Mick and here's to the next one

I'm sure it will be even better although a very high bar has been set!

Yes, Bryan's guest house in Bude was awesome and what made the breakfast so good for me was the presence of both Marmite and peanut butter

No other establishment provided those essentials, shame on them... Breakfast toast, butter, Marmite and peanut butter spreed in generous proportions - the only way to start the day!

And Bude... I'm still in love

NewcastleFalcon wrote: 31 Oct 2023, 13:54 I wonder if it is still there Red Dwarfers found it in 2016. Just by the side of the A39.

I was looking for it Neil and didn't see it but then again, things like AA Boxes can easily hide from me in plain sight!

I remember it as a youngster, and the barrel of water beside it for topping up hot and bothered radiators...

Unread post by **mickthemaverick** » 31 Oct 2023, 14:52

PS I forgot to recommend the obvious place to stay if any one fancies a trip to Bude!!

: The Falcon Hotel

Now we know how the North Eastern section gets its income!!

Unread post by **MarcusMcGuinness** » 31 Oct 2023, 20:31

Great write-up, Mick. What was the total mileage that you covered in those 6 days?

Mac

Unread post by **mickthemaverick** » 31 Oct 2023, 20:35

That is slightly up for debate as the planned route was 1113 miles but we made a few alterations and we ended up doing 1163.

Unread post by **MarcusMcGuinness** » 31 Oct 2023, 20:57

Yes, goodness! Well, you certainly packed a lot in, in only a few days, while at same covering some long distances. Great stuff.

Mac

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