Mostly,, not about boats :o)

This entry into the blog is partly to prove that I'm still alive and partly to prove that I have a life away from Fantasie 19s.

This week end was my birthday, Early February is a naff time to have a birthday as the weather is alway cold. However, not being faint hearted we booked a drafty cottage in a remote part of Devon for the weekend and the three of us drove down in my 46 year old 39bhp Triumph Herald. I'll add at this point that the car is older than me... I'm just not saying by how much!

We set off straight after work on Friday, it's 120 miles from Corfe Mullen to Slapton so I guessed it would take us three hours to get there. The Devon lanes at night in a car with no power, drum brakes and tallow candled headlights (I made that last bit up) is a real roller coaster of a ride. Slow up to the crest, hurtling down with no idea what coming at you.

We got to Quack Cottage at 7ish.  Pitch black but once inside we knew the drive had been worthwhile. Beamed ceilings, a wood burner and big comfy chairs. Julie put a pizza in the oven and James prized the tops off the 'Fursty Ferrut' while I got the fire going; that's team work :~)

Snug inside

In the morning the beauty of this place was apparent, The cottage garden slopes down to the river, the hamlet nestles perfectly in a wooded valley which block out all the distractions of modern life.  Dogs and ducks roam freely and the owners of the cottages, who live just across the river, are friendly and helpful.

 Quack Cottage

The Owner house

On Saturday we drove the long way round to Strete, just so we could enjoy some more of these roads. We walked from Strete to Stoke Flemming via the tea shop at Blackpool sands and then back to Strete.

 Parked at Strete church

 A Devon doorway

Walking down to Blackpool Sands

It was only 4.5miles but they know how to make hills in Devon .  The afternoon was spent in Dartmouth, eating Pasties and dodging the rain. The biggest headache we had was trying to decide where to eat. With only one night out available and so many fantastic looking Pubs and Restaurants to choose from it was a near impossible task. We booked for the Tower Inn in Slapton but when we got there, there was no where to park and as it was raining we didn't fancy walking too far.  I phoned the Tower Inn and cancelled the booking. I would have felt guilty had it not been for the fact that two of the cars in the car park, which only has space for four or five, belonged to either the owners or staff as they'd been there all day.We drove to the Tradesmans Arms in Stokenham and had a great meal.

Sunday

After cleaning and packing we were on our way. We had decided to take a real slow drive through the less well trodden routes between Dartmouth and Poole, stopping frequently to take in the area.  Our first  stop was just down the road at Torcross. Torcross is at the Western end of Slapton Ley. It is a fabulous place to watch birds on the Ley, eat Icecream or Fish and chips, play on the beach or just take in the view.

Alley way at Torcross

Sherman Tank - Memorial to D-Day training disaster

Our journey then took us back to Dartmouth and across the Dart on the Lower Dart Ferry to Kingswear. As you can see, not much traffic at this time of year. It almost makes up for the cold. :)

Lower Dart Ferry

From Kingswear we drove on through Paignton and Torquay but instead of taking the obvious route to Buckfastliegh we stuck to the coast, passing through Babbacombe before our next stop at Teignmouth.  I'd never been to Teignmouth before but I think I'll be back, Probably with Jelly Bean next time.

Teignmouth Harbour

Well it wouldn't be right without at least one reference to a Fantasie 19. I'm not sure which one this is, If you've already sent details then I am sorry for my forgetful state :o)

From Teignmouth we pushed on through Dawlish and inland along the banks of the Exe. There are lots of references to Brunells Atmospheric railway around here, threaded our way through Exeter and popped out near the Airport without having so much as set tyre on the M5. On the way into Sidmouth we picked up a miss fire and the engine wouldn't idle at junctions. When we stopped I checked the points but they were fine. After a fiddle with the carb the problem was traced to dirt in the idle pilot valve.  Sidmouth is another great seaside town, sporting a victorian front and magnificent red cliffs . A pasty and a pot of tea was the order of the day here.

Julie on Sidmouth Prom

After leaving Sidmouth we followed the signs to Lyme Regis seeing signs Seaton and Axemouth on the way, . I would have love to have stopped in ever town but there is only so much time in one day. We stopped at Colyford at a forcourt and garage which looked like it had been dropped straight in from the 50's, I couldn't resist the photo opportunity.  We also briefly  stopped in Lyme Regis but it was sooo cold we got straight back in the car and Continued our journey. We were back in Dorset now and heading for home. At Bridport we again ignored the obvious route and stuck to the coast road which gives stunning views over Chesil beach to Portland bill.  At Portsham (Posham) We headed in land, past the Hardy monument,  towards Dorchester and then one the last few miles to home.

Herald posing at the pumps in Colyford

It was a great weekend , I can think of nothing better than beatling around the UK's beautiful countryside in a fantastic old car ... Well maybe sailing around the coast of these great Isle might just beat it but that be another day... week...year ;~)