Devon Days

I am way behind with updating my blog, time has just flown by and lots of things I intended to do are going to have to go on hold. Ooops!

One of the reasons for running out of time is that we took a trip to North Devon. The weather was the usual mix for an English holiday from hot water bottles, wellies, waterproofs and sweatshirts required, to shorts, t-shirts and sun tan lotion required. Thankfully more of the latter than the former!

We walked coastal paths; lazed on almost deserted beaches; visited ancient churches; luxuriated in the glorious fragrance of bluebell woods and ate truly scrumptious clotted cream ice-cream, smothered with more clotted cream and finished off with a chocolate flake, something else that’s definitely not in the weight watchers book.

North Devon Coast Path

Bluebell wood

An ancient cross in Hartland Church yard

Inside Hartland church is an almost hidden room called the Popes Chamber and Museum an old door in the wall leads up a small steep narrow staircase.

At the top of the stairs the Popes Chamber is a small ancient room with wooden floor boards and a latticed window, with an old stone fireplace that almost fills one wall.

On another wall hang the remains of a Jacobean pulpit purchased by the church in 1609 for £1. 13s. 4d. It is a very quiet room and just a little erie.

We walked and drove down narrow single track roads with lush green verges covered in wild flowers, some with grass growing up the middle of the road. Some marked ‘unsuitable for motor vehicles’ taking you down old roads now little more than tracks through small coombes and ancient woodlands. Others winding tarmac roads you venture down very carefully hoping you don’t meet another vehicle on the way, passing through hamlets so small they’re gone before you notice.

Have fun, we are!