Home again

We woke earlier to a lovely clear sunrise with Lottie keen to go out, but by the time we were ready to leave heavy clouds were appearing. Van-Man gave Lottie a second short walk round the camp site while I washed up and got the van ready.

We set off straight for home. Van-Man handed over the helm to me at Victoria Services. My first drive was dry but windy, however I have got used to the gusts and managed to keep up to 60mph most of the way. I stopped at the Hog and Hedge at Whiddon Down where we walked Lottie, used the facilities and enjoyed excellent coffee.

Sally-Van

Unfortunately Van-Man drove into long queues waiting to get on the M5 at Exeter. As we reached the last exit we heard on the radio that 2 lanes were closed due to a broken down lorry. He turned off but ended up driving towards Torquay. After turning round we headed cross country to Honiton which was tricky and congested as lots of other drivers were by passing Exeter. He stopped briefly at the Honiton services for a toilet break and then carried on driving only to get stuck in a queue of traffic at Monkton. It was slow through the Blackdown Hills at times it felt we would have been quicker walking. The queues and stop start only abated after we joined the A303. Slowly the traffic flowed quicker.

Van-Man eventually stopped at the first lay-by after Solstice Services. This section had taken him over two hours.

The rain eased as I took over and I managed to drive at a good pace. We reached the M25 at 15.45 which we hoped was early enough to avoid the worst traffic jams. We eased onto the M25 without too much trouble and the traffic improved after we passed the M3 turn off. I drove into Cobham services to find a large area including that reserved for caravans, coned off. I had to park in the car park taking up two spaces to fit Sally-Van in.

Van-Man had an easy drive home as the M25and A22 were running freely at the speed limit.

It was not the easiest journey home from Cornwall.

West Pentire.

its a long way down

It was a dry morning so we walked Lottie at West Pentire. We walked along the cliff top towards Crantock beach but had to turn back before we got there. We then went to a supermarket and bought tonight’s meal and travel food for the journey home tomorrow.

Van-Man dropped me off at Blaze Church so I could join the family for the church service. He then drove to our daughters’ house and relaxed for the morning. Lottie stretched out in the middle of the lounge floor, something she doesn’t do when the family are at home.

goodbye sea

We arrived home bring pizza for lunch. Then we began a game of Monopoly with the older children. One dropped out then Van-Man walked Lottie. While he was out I played his hand for him. Despite Melody’s best efforts, my daughter's helpful swaps and my negotiations Van-Man won even though he had been out for an hour.

Lottie became restless while Chelle got their food ready so we said goodbye as they needed a quiet evening to get ready for school. Their schools have a different half term to most counties. I think it is because Cornwall depends on tourism so many parents need to be working on national half term week.

We filled with diesel and had a quiet evening before going home tomorrow.

Netflix at Holywell

Holywell dunes

tasty fresh water besisde the sea

We got up after eight so Lottie must have been as tired as her owners. We set out to walk Lottie at Holywell beach but on arrival at the NT car park we had to wait to see if our Motor Home could be parked as most of the car park was cordoned off.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

the life guards watch the few surfers

“Oh that area is need for the film crew... they are filming a new Arthurian Series for Netflix.”

“So they are stables then?” I pointed to la long marquee with stable like doors.

“Yes there will be horses charging along the beach in the film.”

the rocks offshore

Meanwhile his friend had moved the barriers sideways into the film set area giving an extra row of vehicles.

clean sand

The space was instantly filled by us several cars and another motor home.  We had to walk alongside the temporary road that had been laid down to get the film vehicles in place.




When we crossed the river Lottie insisted on going in for a drink. thirst satisfied we walked along the beach returning up into the deserted dunes.

The clouds started building quickly while we were walking back.  By the time we reached our daughter’s who was preparing lunch it was raining.

going up..

We relaxed after lunch until the rain stopped and then set out for a walk with the whole family. By the time we arrived at Goss Moor it was drizzling again. Lottie insisted on getting out so we waited for the family at the start of the path as cows were preventing us going further.

...through the dunes...

...as the clouds build...

By the time they arrived it was raining heavily. Our daughter jumped out from the driver’s seat and jogged over holding a small child’s coat over her head and shoulders.

“I like the rain gear” I said.

“It’s Verity’s. Her coat was on top.

Nobody wants to walk in this.”

up to the top

The rain was increasing as she spoke.

“We’ll see you later then,” Van-Man said. Fortunately the cows had moved away from the path so we followed the track until we met a large herd. We retreated gladly.

and down the other side

We had an entertaining evening with the family. The rain couldn’t prevent that.

We were fortunate to pitch in the dry and hook up to the electricity before the rain pelted down again.

through the vegetation

Seal Watch

seals at Godrevy Point

seals with young relaxing on the sand

The wind howled around the van during the night but I still had a good sleep. We got ready to leave lazily and left the campsite before 11 and headed east. At Land’s End that is the only way to go. We took our time as we can’t meet up with the family until 5.00.

On our way we decided to go back to Godrevy Point to walk Lottie as it was only a minor detour.

The lighthouse

This time we drove beyond the main car park to the field at the end of the road near the lighthouse.

We set out for a walk up the hill away from the lighthouse with the large Lurcher eager to explore new ground.

walking towards St Ives

Near the cliff top was a sign indicating that seals basked on the beach below.



It requested quiet voices and no sudden movements to avid startling them. We crept to the edge where several people were standing. It was high tide and the beach was full of seals relaxing on the sand.

The resting seals were unconcerned by the people far above them. I hoped Lottie wouldn’t bark but she waited patiently while we watched the occasional movement form the recumbent seals below.

St Ives from Godrevy Point

After awhile we walked Lottie around to the lighthouse where we were protected from the stiff wind. The views across the bay to St Ives were lovely.

We went back to Sally-Van for a long lunch rest. Lottie lay outside on the grass sheltered from the wind by the field’s stone wall.

good winds for sailing

After lunch we went back up the hill to look at the seals. The tide had gone out and we thought they had gone. We walked along the coast path away from the lighthouse to give Lottie a good run.
As we passed the beach on the way back I saw something move.
“The seals are there,” I said.

further along the coast path

As we watched our eyes gradually made out the seals that had moved down the beach. Lying between rocks, stones and seaweed they were almost invisible.

We walked back to the main vantage point. A large seal came out of the water and headed straight to a mum and her pup. She objected to the visitor by squealing loudly baring her teeth and trying to thump it with her flipper.

How many seals?

After a couple of minutes the newcomer retreated and left her alone.

We drove straight from Godrevy Point to Gwinear Camp site. We arrived at 3.40 and chose one of the level pitches. One was next to the toilet block so we picked the other which was next to a giant caravan with pull out sides.

the seal beach from the cliffside

Fortunately the pitches were well spaced apart so it didn’t feel too close.

We went over to our daughters for dinner. We had good food and great company before returning to the site in the dark after 9.00.

mum seal  argues with intruder seal

Mum seal left alone with her pup

Our pitch was not beside a bright light which I prefer as I sleep better when it is dark outside. The site was very quiet apart from the wind which gusted throughout the night.