We had been promising ourselves a visit to the Eden Project for more than 10 years and when we finally got there we were not disappointed. The biospheres are amazing, particularly the view when you climb the walkway to the very top of the largest dome. The temperature and humidity are very high at the top and we had to read through and agree conditions before being allowed on the walkway which does flex disconcertingly as you climb.
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| The view from the walkway |
The grounds around the domes are also interesting and have matured surprisingly well. We were fortunate to be blessed with a wonderfully sunny autumn day and were able to stroll around with few other visitors. The size of the car parks suggest that it gets exceedingly busy in the peak holiday season. By gift-aiding our entrance fee we got a year's pass so we plan to return again. possibly in the spring.
We also visited Crow Point which is across the Taw and Torridge estuary from Appledore, only a mile or so as the crow flies but around 20 miles by road. The dunes are beautiful and there are long stretches of deserted beaches.
The storms of recent years have meant that Crow Point is getting close to being Crow Island and the wreck of a fishing boat is gradually disappearing with each storm that comes. it was good to get our bearings and look across to the beaches and places we know well on the other side of the estuary.
On Sunday Hil was asked to assist at a service in the tiny village of Alwington a couple of miles from Parkham. The church was beautiful going back to the twelfth century. Not many churches these days have a Patron but this one does and we met her, Susan Pine-Coffin whose family have been associated with the church for 500 years or more! The history of the unusual surname is fascinating and began with the marriage of Edward Pine and Dorothy Coffin at Alwington Church in 1671. Their grandson, Rev John Pine inherited the estate and by Act of Parliament in 1797 assumed the name and arms of Coffin.
We also had an excellent meal in Barnstaple with very good friends at what is promoted as a takeaway but does have 3 or 4 tables for diners. The Nepalese food at Everest Gurkha Chef (www.everestgurkha.co.uk) was new to me and very enjoyable, service was also very good - we shall certainly go back again!
Back at The Granary we used the good weather as an opportunity to treat the fencing which we had erected 18 months ago when we first moved in. Whilst you can quickly spray an overlap panel fence this one had to be hand painted which took us both most of the day.
Of course we also visited local beaches and RHS Rosemoor and met up with other local friends in the village spending a few pleasant hours in The Bell next door . All in all a very enjoyable and busy 10 days.
