Devon & Cornwall

Descending the rock

Sunday
We drove down to Devon.  We did it in 6.5 hrs including a lunch stop which is brilliant.  No hold ups anywhere and decent weather.  We actually arrived to sunshine which was a bonus (it is always foggy in Devon) I took Tom down to the cricket field to play cricket for a while so he could have his run around and then we all collapsed after a rather good ducky dinner.

Monday
Today it dawned thick fog.  The usual weather for our visits.  It had been a while since I had done a run, so I put on my super stretchy leggings and went for a romp around Dartmoor.  I was sort of looking forward to it as it was a flat run, but I found I really missed the down hill sections that I get here.  It took me the same amount of time to do 5km of flat running there as it does for me to 5km of up and down running here.  I did sort of get lost at one point, I was planning to run to The Rock and back, first of all I couldn't see The Rock - not surprising as visibility was only about 5 meters.  I sort of went round a big circle trying to find it, got there in the end.  I then ran towards what I thought was Crapstone, only to end up at Leg O'Mutton.  Oh hum.  By the time I got back, I had done well over 5km.  I got back, had a shower and then the three of us headed out to the Dartmoor Diner for lunch (sort of becoming a tradition now - always good service and good food)

Dartmoor foal

After lunch, the fog had cleared so we went back to The Rock - completely visible now.  Tom had a clamber and then we played a new version of cricket.  Matt was installed in a camping chair and bowled whilst Tom and I took it in turns to bat and field.  It worked quite well.

We had an ice cream and then played a bit more before returning back to Crapstone.  Oh must mention, think it is prime foaling time at the moment, lots of bonnie looking leggy foals all over the place, all very cute.

Tuesday

An awesome lunch

We headed to Penzance.  Believe it or not, it only costs £15 for a return ticket for all 3 of us to Penzance (2 hours each way).  It was too good to not take up.  I hadn't been before and Matt only once when he was very little. It was a very pleasant ride down to Penzance, it really didn't feel like 2 hours at all.  All very lush and green, gentle undulating hills and tantalising glimpses of the sea.  The train was empty meaning it really was a very lovely trip.

Hiding in the tropics

On arrival, we headed to a cafe Matt had seen on trip advisor for lunch.  We sat down, looked at the menu and took a deep breath at the prices.  A fish finger sandwich for £8?!  Really.  Oh hum, there wasn't another cafe nearby and with Matt on his crutches and all of us hungry we decided to stay and ordered.   The food turned up and we weren't disappointed - wow, Matt's fish finger sandwich was immense - he was a very happy bunny, although now he has stated he could never eat a fish finger sandwich again as it was soooooo good, all others will  pale into insignificance!  Tom had an avocado, smoked salmon and cucumber sandwich which was just as big and delicious.  Luckily I ordered soup, meaning I could help Tom with his sarnie - there was no way even he could finish it by himself.



We left the cafe with very happy bellies and then explored the prom of Penzance.  Found a very cool shop full of pirate and sea side themed goodies.  Tom bought himself a Killer Whale which he named Kai with his holiday money.  We continued around the Prom (the only Prom in Cornwall), in the rain, past the huge triangular swimming pool (not yet open) and to the small amusements where we spent some time loosing £1 each.

Our train home

Then back up through Morab Gardens - a sub tropical garden which really was full of sub tropical species and very interesting for it too.  Next was a stroll along the high street, where we picked up some cakes ready for our trip back on the train.

It really was a very pleasant afternoon and I would like to return, hire a car and do some exploring.  Go to Land's End (just because you should shouldn't you?!), St Michael's Mount and visit the little villages and beaches.  In the sunshine, I believe it looks really nice!!!!

We got the train back to Plymouth, bus from the train station back to the park and ride and then drove home.  Matt had over done it and was exhausted.  Oops. He struggled to eat tea, and flopped on the sofa.

Wednesday

Pointing to old people?

Today was Grandparent day.  Tom spent the day with Granma and Pop Pop - they took him on the boat across the harbour to Mont Batten for the day.  Matt and I had a very quiet day so Matt could recover from yesterday. I went for another run across Dartmoor and didn't get lost (no fog today) and then we headed to the Garden House for lunch which was very pleasant.  The afternoon was spent sorting out more Malaysian holiday - just an airport hotel at KL to go now and a couple of tours and we will be pretty much sorted.

Date night!

Matt and I had a date night in Tavistock in the evening at the Cornish Arms, nice food but very very  slow service, meaning that we headed back home to have cheese for pudding as we couldn't bear to wait any longer at the restaurant.  Tom, G & PP went for a Chinese in Yelverton.

Thursday
The long drive home.  It took an hour longer than on Sunday - due to a couple of traffic queues.  Oh hum.  Other than that it was pretty uneventful.  Couldn't face cooking so went to The Old Post Office for tea.  Then easy telly and bed.

Thanks to Granma and Pop Pop for their hosting, great food, drink and company as always.