It was less than three weeks since our return in July, when we set off to Devon again. In fact, we had also spent time with friends from Parkham in the meantime, when they came to Knutsford and we visited the RHS Tatton Flower Show.
We hoped for a clear journey down the motorway but sadly, 2 cows had somehow escaped from a cattle truck near Junction 10 of the M6 and the motorway was closed completely. Fortunately we knew exactly where we were and relatively easily found our way back to the M5, a couple of junctions further on. The rest of our journey was uneventful and we arrived mid-afternoon in Parkham.
The weather forecast for this trip was not good and lived up to expectations, it is disappointing that following the beautiful weather in May and June the weather has deteriorated for the main holiday period. We decided to get on with a few minor maintenance tasks during the wettest periods. This included replacing the front door handle which had broken when our son and friends visited.
On dry days we did get out for walks with the dog. You may have noticed that most of our walking is done on the beach or near the coast. This is because we have generally had homes a good distance from the coast. Our Stourbridge home was at least three hours from the coast and although the coast is nearer to Knutsford, it is still around an hour's drive away. We do have plans to explore the beaches of the Wirral and Lancashire in the coming months.
On this visit we were pleased to take advantage of our friends' local knowledge of places to walk inland and drove with them to The Puffing Billy, just outside Great Torrington. The Puffing Billy is on the Tarka Trail but there are also many other paths to follow in some beautiful countryside alongside the River Torridge. On our return to The Puffing Billy we enjoyed refreshments and it was warm enough to sit outside, although the wasps were also out in force.
Storm Antoni hit Parkham on the Saturday of our visit and whilst windier than usual, was not as bad as anticipated and no way near as bad as Storm Eunice, which we remembered from February last year. It did seem unwise to make any unnecessary journeys in the car with the risks of branches laden with leaves and fruit coming down.
After the storm the next couple of days were much better. We drove into Cornwall and parked at Rectory Farm Tearooms, Morwenstow for a circular walk along the coast path and back up the Tidna Valley from Tidna Shute. On the way you pass the steps down to Hawkers Hut, the smallest of the National Trust properties where, in the mid-eighteenth century, the eccentric vicar, Parson Robert Hawker spent many hours writing his poems and sermons and smoking opium, inspired by the fantastic view across the Atlantic. This is a wonderful walk along the coast and through beautiful woodland but the path is very steep in places. A cup of tea at Rectory Farm will be very welcome on your return. Sadly. it was closed on this occasion.
Between showers we also walked around the village lanes a number of times. There were few flowers in the hedgerows but blackberries were beginning to ripen and we were able to collect a few to complement our morning cereal.
It was still damp and cloudy when we left for Cheshire, although the weather was forecast to improve, and hopefully holidaymakers will have a few more sunny days. We look forward to returning for the bank holiday at the end of the month when we will be joined by other family members staying in the cottage next door.
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