Atlantic Ocean ahead.

82.3 Miles. Now at Lands End.

Gypsy Rover at Penzance sea front car park.

We were in no hurry today as our next stop over, Trevedra Farm camp, request no arrivals before 1500 hrs. After filling and emptying all the relevant tanks we set off around 10.30hrs. Considering it was Easter Sunday with more fine weather the traffic wasn’t too bad.  During the course of the trip we pulled off the road twice for a cuppa and some lunch just to fill in time.

St Michael's Mount across the bay from Penzance.

Reaching Penzance we were still early so we pulled into the sea front car park which luckily was fairly deserted allowing plenty of room for us. We noted that there were plenty of other motor homes in the car park as well. We had a long chat with the owners of the camper with the Kiwi sticker on the back who are in the process of moving to New Zealand to join their son. An hour was spent walking around the harbour docks and back. Two large fishing boats were in the dry dock getting their hulls painted as well as some other work. There seems to be quite a large ship repair industry in the town which was a bit of a surprise.

Penzance harbour with the Isle of Scilly ferry at the harbour entrance.

Again we found the new site quite easily and it turned out that we were the first arrivals for the day even though it was 16.30hrs. It didn’t take long to sort out how far we are from Land’s End and what the bus situation is although tomorrow being a holiday this information may not be correct. Time will tell.

This beautiful sailing ship was moored off the coast at Penzance.

The camp is divided into 5 sections, each catering to different styles of camping. One section is full of VW Combi type campers with tents who are predominantly surfers. Since our arrival we have seen quite a few surfers coming back from the beach which is only 10 minutes walk away. They have a designated area in which to wash down their boards and wet suits and the shower room has been very busy also.

Sailor's Institute Mission Hall, Penzance.

A total of 1445 miles, since 5 March 2011

Polperro and Looe.

It’s been another great day for sight seeing where we started by catching the Western Greyhound bus 572 into Looe township. This only took 10 minutes but there was no way we would have wanted to walk it as we found that there were no footpaths for most of the way. With the fine weather the crowds were starting to arrive by the coach load and the beach was filling fast. With it being low tide there was nothing happening down on the quay as the fishing boats couldn’t get in or out.

Looe estuary bridge.

Heavy sea protection around the cliff's at Looe.

After a couple of hours we caught the Western Greyhound 573 bus to Polperro about 10 miles away. Because of the roads and being a country service the buses are only small 33 seaters. As the bus wound it’s way around the hills above Looe the driver went to go down one road and found his way blocked by some moron who had parked on the opposite of the road to everybody else effectively blocking the way. The driver then had to reverse the best part of half a mile before he found an intersection where he could take an alternate route. Even then he had to take two bites at getting around the intersection.

These elaborate arches and towers were built just to get the road through to Hannafore on the west side of the harbour.

England’s beaches have never been cleaner. Crystal clear water.

We eventually reached Polperro in one piece. Unfortunately the horse drawn buggies that used to take people down to the village from the main car park are no longer there. They have been replaced with trams that are converted electric milk floats. In a cost saving exercise the Cornwall County Council have banned the use of National Bus Passes on these vehicles which has caused an uproar and there is a petition circulating to get this changed. We know that it’s only a £1.80 return fare but elderly people who live in the village are being dis-advantaged. The tram operators and local business people are concerned that it could also affect tourism.

Speaks for it's self.

They called it smugglers cove and you can see why.

Polperro Harbour.

We walked down to the village and harbour before spending the next couple of hours exploring all the back alleys that make up this old smugglers cove. It was amazing to find that the majority of the cottages had Holiday Home Lets signs in the windows, so does the village become a ghost town during the autumn and winter?

Polperro trams. Converted milk floats. The horse drawn trams have been withdrawn.

The biggest things going on around the village is a new flood relief scheme which at times of heavy rain diverts part of the river Pol through a tunnel out into the neighbouring bay where it pours straight into the sea quite safely. The other is a new sewage treatment plant which is being built at the foot of the cliff’s just outside the harbour entrance. Everything for this project has had to be bought in by boat including the huge crane sitting on a temporary wharf to lift everything into place. A firm of abseilers had to be bought in to drill holes and insert steel rods into the cliff face to stabilise it and make it safe before work could begin. Not a job for the faint hearted as there was probably a good 60 foot drop down onto rocks below.

Polperro harbour at low tide.

On our return to catch the bus home we found quite a queue who told us that they had been left behind by the last bus as he was full. When the bus finally arrived the queue had grown even further so it was going to be interesting to see what happened. We got on the bus OK but we watched with interest as the bus filled up and finished up with 3 people left. We understood that these buses are not allowed to have standing passengers, probably health and safety again. We did notice that all the seats had safety belts with a sign to wear them. Perhaps something to do with the fact that the bus travels over steep narrow roads and long drops off the side of the road. However the driver ascertained that some of the passengers were not going far so he allowed the last 3 people on saying that as long as everybody was seated by the time he reached Looe that would be OK. Back in Looe we had a 20 minute wait to catch another bus back to the camp which also finished up full to the brim.

Polperro's water wheel.

Cousins as Visitors.

Today an arrangement had been made for my cousin Steven to come and visit. As Steven lives in Plymouth this was probably the best opportunity to catch up. There was a surprise attached to this as Steven’s brother Colin drove down from Yeovil and they arrived together. A very enjoyable five hours was spent together discussing all manners of things and the day went all too quickly.With a bit of luck we will meet up again in New Zealand some time in the future.

Weather wise it was a good day to be inside as we had the first rain we have had for quite some time. Needless to say the temperature's didn’t rise to what we had expected but it was what might be expected for Easter week-end.

Off to Looe in the heatwave!

29.3 Miles. Now at Looe Caravan Club Site.

With the Easter week-end upon us we decided to get underway A.S.A.P. as we needed to fill the pantry. We set the Sat Nav for Tesco’s Roborough just on the outskirts of Plymouth. Arriving to find the car par about three quarters full we managed to squeeze Gypsy Rover in at the rear of the car park. With 2 consecutive long week-ends we took on as much as we could handle to hopefully avoid having to look for a supermarket during this busy period.

Heading across the Tamar Bridge. Brunel's railway bridge just off to the left.

After stowing everything away we pulled into the Tesco’s service station next door. For the same reason as above and a good price of £1.39 per litre we filled up which should last us a couple of weeks.

Brunel's railway bridge over the Tamar.

We arrived at the camp just after lunch to find the camp relatively empty. We were given the option of any site we liked so we chose  one close to the facilities block. During the course of the afternoon the camp has slowly filled up with still a few vacancies available. The temperature  has also been going up during the course of the afternoon to the mid 20’s again. This is the 4th time this week. If this is Spring what is Summer going to be like?

A camp with a view. Caravan Club site at Looe in Cornwall.

Once all the washing and drying were finished, we walked down the road to find the bus stop and timetable for trips into town and Polperro if we get the chance. Apparently it takes about 45 minutes to walk into town but that could be a bit risky as we are unsure of whether or not there is a footpath all the way. The speed the traffic travels up and down the road  is quite horrendous.

Gypsy Rover with her backside hanging over the bank at Looe.

A total of 1363 miles, since 5 March 2011

Another Scorcher on the Moor!

With yesterday being recorded as the hottest day so far, today was going to follow in a similar vane. After a slow start to the day we eventually decided to walk down into the village for look around.

Dartmoor Fern about to burst forth.

Bluebells on Dartmoor.

Pink Bluebells? Must be something lacking in the soil.

In the centre of the village was the park or green where teenagers were making the most of the school holiday and the fine weather and playing the fool in the river.

Just across the road was the local bakery where his ware’s were best described as amateurish in presentation, i.e misshapen and uneven in size, but they were large portions and cheap. One pound twenty for two very large cream doughnuts with real cream. There goes the diet!

On the edge of Dartmoor.

After having a bite to eat in the park we headed off up Jordan Lane which we had worked out would take us back onto Dartmoor near where we were yesterday. It was a tough uphill slog all the way but we made it and probably worked off the doughnuts in the process.

Jordan Lane , Horrabridge leading out onto the moor.

We found 2 granite posts with SB engraved on them which we hadn’t seen before. A possible interpretation could be South or Southern Boundary, we would be interested to know if anybody has the answer. The ponies were still within sight but we never got close to them today. A short distance later and we were back at the track down to Sortridge farm and a much needed cuppa back at the van. We estimated that we had walked between 4 and 5 miles in roughly 3 hours. Not bad going even if I say it myself.

Boundary marker on Plaster Down?

Top of Pew Tor.

We think the name of the town Horrabridge is named after this bridge.  The Farmer at Sortridge Farm was horrified to learn that we had driven Gypsy Rover over it.  But Dot had asked a policeman for directions and he assured her it was fine. And it was, although a tight left turn afterwards.

Dartmoor.

42.7 Miles. Now at Sortridge Park CL at Yelverton.

The little wooden caravan is for the Muscovy ducks to sleep in safe from predators.

Crockwell Park Caravan Park was probably the best CL site we have encountered so far. The only reason for booking it was because the previous site hadn’t come up to scratch. The proprietors were very helpful with transport and route information which made things easier.

Dartmoor ponies quite unconcerned with our presence.This young colt came within 6 feet but then lost his nerve.

There were no detours today and it was only an hours journey to our next site. Arriving at Sortridge farm on the edge of Dartmoor we were greeted by a very friendly proprietor who gave us an Ordnance Survey map of the area and showed us how to get up on the moor. After lunch we put on our hiking boots and set off. Three quarters of an hour later and we were standing on the Heather and Gorse covered Plaster Down, Dartmoor. As it was such a lovely day there were many families enjoying picnics and the wide open spaces where kid’s and dog’s could run riot and let off steam.

Plaster Down, Dartmoor. The hills in the background are Cox Tor, Middle Staple Tor and Great Staple Tor.Views over Devon.

We found 12 ponies with 2 foals who were only weeks or months old. We stood quietly among them and one foal came to within 6 feet of us before his bravado gave out and he ran back to his mum. With it being the warmest day we have encountered so far (26 ⁰C and its still spring) we were quite weary by the time we got back to camp so a snooze was the order of the day.

Old machinery dotted around the camp make it interesting. A 1902 chaff cutter perhaps.It's lost one roller but most grandparents would have had one of these.

A total of 1334 miles, since 5 March 2011

Torquay and Paignton.

14.2 Miles. Now at Crockwell Park CL at Kingskerwell

Gypsy Rover parked next to the coach park at Teignmouth.

Today turned out to be a much better day than yesterday. We got away from camp quite early heading for Newton Abbott. As we arrived in Teignmouth we spotted a coach/car park so we pulled in on the off chance of being able to park here. The signs at the Pay & Display didn’t help so I rang the Council Parking Services and explained the situation. The young lady on the other end of the phone took my details and the registration number and gave us permission to park alongside the coach bays, Bingo!

Teignmouth sea front.

With a pay & display ticket and a wee note attached to the window screen we headed into town. We were looking for a supermarket and a Boot’s chemist. We found the latter who could dispense our monthly prescriptions no problem and the only supermarket in town was a Cooperative, so a case of hobson’s choice.

Teignmouth.Teignmouth. Another six sided tower.The main railway line to Paignton along the seafront at Teignmouth.

As the next camp site wasn’t far away we were soon on site and set up. Obtaining directions to the bus stop, we were soon hiking down the road. The buses to Paignton via Torquay run every 10 minutes so we didn’t have long to wait.

Torquay, Devon. from the top deck of a double decker bus.Torquay, Devon. the old Post Office along with the old lamp on the wall.Torquay Park near the marina.Balloon rides at £14 a go.

We have visited Paignton before and we were hoping that we might be able to catch up with another couple of boating companions, Derek and Christine from Nb Kalimera. Unfortunately they have moved house so that was a non event.

I'm free, now this grass looks sweeter.Energy saving at Paignton. Solar panels and wind turbines power the beach light's.Torquay from Paignton.View from the pier at Paignton. Castle or Hotel?

The Paignton to Dartmouth steam railway was in operation so we got a look at Manor class, Lydham Manor with a rake of Devon Belle carriages. As we have travelled on this line before we didn’t bother to book any tickets today, just take a few photo’s. We did however enjoy re-acquainting ourselves with the town before heading back to the bus station and a bus back to camp.

GWR Manor class "Lydham Manor".The Devon Belle observation coach at Paignton.

Making friend's with a kitten at Crockwell Park who was equally at home stretched out inside Gypsy Rover.

A total of 1291 miles, since 5 March 2011