Filling the Fridge...and Ready to Go !!

That's all I've done today... Sainsbury's Paignton by 0930... Fridge switched on in Wally Filled by 1100 bags packed, bikes on,raring to go..... Lunch with Dot, Fish supper with Dot.... early to bed....ready for ?? QWhat's black and white, and Red all over ??? A ....

The Man That saved Boris !!

No, not that Boris.....

Boris the Scottie Dog !!

David called around 10 a.m. to collect me, and the two of us rode from Brixham, along some great muddied tracks, and back roads to Stoke Gabriel.

As we arrived at the River Shack Cafe, http://www.therivershack.co.uk/ in a great location at the head of the creek, we saw the owner ,what we thought putting out the Life Ring...

'out for the weekend' we said, and received the grave response...

'No, it's back in it's place after being called into action earlier today '!!

It turned out that the owners dog had been 'fishing' in the River, when along had trotted 'Boris' the Scottie dog,who decided to join in the 'doggiefishing', unfortunately it hadn't realised it was only a shortie, and got dragged away in the current, and the intrepid cafe owner had thrown the life ring to 'Boris', who clung on...until managing to be rescued ...

Everyone was happy, particularly the lady looking after 'Boris' - whilst his owners were away....and don't know of the 'Daring Rescue'

Amazing what happens in deepest Devon !!

We celebrated with Cumberland sausage butties ( in Devon !!) and a latte.. before visiting the church, and returning on a gentle ride --

with several ups and downs in between !!

Election Fever strikes in South Devon...

The latest candidate to throw his hat into the ring.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/doyoubleedlikeme/4517035351/ One of our favoured cartoonists !!

The start of the Blog...a day to remember !!

What a day....

it was raining early morning,

and so I cancelled my prospective Bike ride,

and decided to update the blog...

What a day.....I'm worn out typing.

Anyway, hope you enjoy reading it all,

and look forward to our travels ....

Joe

The Naming Ceremony for 'Wally'

Wednesday 28th April 2010

Well, the big day came

It was relatively quiet , and I needed to do a few things to 'Wally'

prime amongst them was the attachment and naming ceremony...

As can be seen Dot ( the beloved M-i-L) almost created Mayhem and dented the bonnet....but just held off as she named my lovely home after her daughter...

She'll accompany me on me travels wherever....

At the Southerly Point of Devon at the 'Pig's Nose'

Tuesday 27th April 2010

up bright and early, to Sunshine in Brixham, before getting the early bus across to Kingswear, where the Sun dissapearred under the rolling sea mist coming up the Estuary, and although still warm and pleasant wasn't quite as warm as it could have been...

I was collected by Lesley and David, and accompanied by 'Gimley' the dog we went travelled to East Prawle, parking next to http://www.pigsnose.co.uk/ where everything seemed to be named after Pig's, although I couldn't see any...

We walked along the coast to Prawle Point, http://www.nci-prawlepoint.org.uk/the most Southerly point in Devon, and along the spectacular cliffs, and sheltered coves , and back to the Pig's nose pub for a welcome pint of Pear Cider.

We then drove to Beesands, overlooking Start Bay, for lunch at

http://www.thecricketinn.com/ a really refreshing crab salad...and another Cider

then back to Dot's for an evening relax...

A Lazy Day recovering...

Sunday 25th April 2010

Not a great deal doing today...

wandered around Dartmouth, visiting the various Art Galleries,

and shops...

before Checking out of the Dart Marina,

travelling back across the River, on the lower ferry

and to Brixham

for a few days at Dot's...

Hayley and Ruperts Wedding Day

Saturday 24th April 2010

up bright and early , Breakfasting with Dot,

and then leisurely morning before getting ready and together with Dot travelling from Dartmouth, across on the old ferry to Kingsweir http://www.southhams.gov.uk/index/residents_index/ksp_streets_and__transport/sp-dartmouthlowerferry.htm where we collected Bethany and Adam, and travelling the short distance to http://www.ukattraction.com/west-country/church-of-st-mary-the-virgin.htm ready for Hayley and Ruperts wedding

The weather was glorious, sunny and warm, although not too hot, and everyone looked forward to a grand ceremony. They were not to be dissapointed ! with Hayley saying her vows at full pelt, and everyone cheering !!

As they signed the register, there was a special performance by http://www.riviera-singers-brixham.co.uk/ with Dot (the beloved M-in-L ) singing in all her finery...

After the service the bells rang out as all gathered for the official (and unofficial) photographs...a spectacle to behold ! The blushing bride clearly enjoying herself as she was driven away by Rupert in the Bridal sports car...leaving the celebrity (who?) to sign autographs !!

As they drove away to Dartmouth, everyone raced to beat them, and overtook them in the ferry queue...as they waited for their own special ferry to take them across the River...

The rest of the Day went equally well, with afternoon reception at http://www.royalcastle.co.uk/ and memorable speeches,

followed by an evening River Cruise on the River Dart, and nearby coastal towns, with energetic dancing ( for all those that could - and couldn't)

landing back in Dartmouth for around midnight, and back to the luxury of the Dart Marina Hotel, and a welcome bed...

The Lap of Luxury

Friday 23rd April to Sunday 25th April 2010

as me and Wally arrived at http://www.dartmarina.com/ I realised I was in for a few days of Luxury...

My Bedroom overlooked the River Dart, and I could see the higher ferry operating acros the River, along with yachts coming and going up and down the River...and on the other side of the River the steam coming from the engine of the train on the http://www.aboutbritain.com/PaigntonandDartmouthSteamRailway.htm

After a pleasant afternoon soaking in the pool,Spa and steamroom I joined Dot for evening dinner in the Restaurant....magnificient !!

We had a table overlooking the River Dart, watching the sunset, and had a good meal of (mine) Oysters, Sea Bass and Chorizo,followed by a lemony dessert, all washed down with Wally's favoured New Zealand sparkling wine !!

Coffee etc followed by an early night.

The rest of our stay at the Hotel was equally pleasant, although we had other things to do...Wedding !

Preparing for the Big Day

Friday 23rd April 2010 well, it was all systems go, the Boltoners had arrived in the night, I'd slept in the 'Wally' the Van, and most, although not all had arrived in the area... Everyone ( around 20 or so) met for Breakfast/Brunch at Alfresco's http://www.cafealfresco.co.uk/ in Dartmouth where Hayley used to work..a big table had been reserved, along with various other tables and stools surrounding it - enjoyable chaos followed with various dogs appearring form all over the place, and popping up between your legs when you were least expecting it... Then many of us wandered through Dartmouth and up to Dartmouth Castle http://www.theheritagetrail.co.uk/castles/dartmouth%20castle.htm , which we quickly bypassed as Bella the dog decided to wander into the kitchens to see if there was any spare grub lying around !! much to Zoe's embarrassment !! We carried on to Castle Cove, which as can be seen was a spectacular,sheltered cove, where our group were the only ones present, on what had become a quite warm,sunny day (for April !) http://www.westcountrywalks.com/dartmoor-swdevon/sdartmoor/dartmouthcastle/dartmouthcastle-01.php Then most of the wedding party returned to the other side of the river, as I prepared for the next part of the day....

Lost Mother in Law !!

Thursday 22nd April 2010

A fine day dawned bright and sunny

Me, Dot (the beloved Ma in Law !), and Bella (the dog)

went to Broadsands beach, near Paignton,for a swim (for Bella) and some strenous walking (for me)

whilst Dot took it easy !! Thats her on the bench !!

Me and Bella left her on the bench, and wandered along the coast, through to Churston Cove, and eventually making our way To Churston Ferrers...where we found the car - but no sign of Dot !

How do you explain losing the Mother in Law !!

An hour or so later she appearred from the direction of Churston Cove, having decided to come looking for us ( Yes, you've guessed it - missed us in the woods) and spent quite a time looking for us. Me and Bella were quite unconcerned...

She greeted us with the emphatic action of throwing the car keys at me ''Take me home'' and promptly sat down demanding she be driven home -which to be fair is a reasonable response...

Later in the day I had dinner at Lesley and David's home in Kingsweir, followed by a wedding 'rehearsal' at Churston Ferrers, for Hayley and Ruperts wedding...where I met the motorbike riding funny and entertaining Vicar Ian Blythe.

Quite an entertaining 'rehearsal'took place, especially when the bride and groom had to practice saying their vows at great volume...

Followed by a few pints of Jail Ale in the pub next door

the Churston Court http://churstoncourt.co.uk/

the evening finished with the long awaited....

First Night residing in 'Wally'... I had prepared diligently earlier in the day,the bed was made, the heater was on(although not for long - I'm only a pensioner,and need to save money!), although with a very starry,clear night sky....it was chilly to say the least. Although I was hardly in the middle of nowhere, being on Dot's driveway, leaving the house vacant for the night time travellers from Bolton !!

A great sleep was had, along with a quite scenic (but chilly) toilet area !!-regretting that extra pint of Jail Ale ...

Start of the Relaxing...

Wednesday 21 st April 2010 A sunny day in Devon, and so accompanied by Zoe, and Bella ( the dog!) we got dropped off near to 'Mansands' beach, and delicately passing by the 'nudist colony' - although to be fair, it's not yet 'naturist weather' in Devon - and walked along the coast from Mansands, around the cove of Sharkham Cove, and onto the top of Berry Head, overlooking Torbay, and Brixham. We visited the new visitor centre, and old Fort area http://www.naturesouthwest.co.uk/main/en/att-provider-8537.html before we traversed around for Lunch with Dot at the Berry Head Hotel http://www.berryheadhotel.com/ A fine lunch, overlooking the Bay, and pretending we weren't really that cold !! Brrrr as the breeze eventually made it's presence felt. A rather relaxing day followed, with a luxurious bed on the lounge floor at Dot's !!

Setting Off

Well, I set off from home, on a pleasant 20th April2010 Just as me and Wally were ready to go, the pleasant Post Lady arrived, and voila !! took my picture...good timing eh ?? Good journey of 5 hours, 240 miles to Brixham