To celebrate Emily’s birthday this year we took a trip to the Mendip Hills to meet some of her family. Heading out early in the morning, we made good time to Cheddar. After some cheese shopping (of course!) we ventured into the gorge for a day of rock climbing. Something neither Emily nor I have done before…
Cheddar is a really pretty place
Continue reading ““Gorge”ous Cheddar and Bath – 17/10/2020 to 18/10/2020″
With October rains fast approaching and the last weekend spent driving up and down the motorway in preparation for a house move, Emily and I were keen to make the most of this past weekend’s beautiful weather. Fancying another stretch of the coastal path we rose early to be out to Mothecombe in the crisp morning air shortly after the sun rose. It was cold but glorious, and we had the place almost to ourselves for 20 minutes before setting off along the cliffs to Bigbury-on-Sea.
An empty Mothecombe – as beautiful and as cold and crisp as it looks!
If you follow what Emily and I you will know that Dartmoor is one of our most regular haunts. So when old university friends Simon and Maisie mentioned coming down to visit for an overnight wild camp, we were thrilled. I was tasked with sharing some Dartmoor highlights during an afternoon walk, as neither of them have seen or done much hiking in the National Park. So we drove to Venford where we shared one of our favourite walks that covers the brook, waterfall, Bench Tor and ridge line before circling around the reservoir.
Back again
Continue reading “Wild Camping: Dartmoor – 12/09/2020 to 13/09/2020”
An early morning start saw Emily and I heading to Dartmoor before the bank holiday crowds. Taking the car through the smallest of country lanes to get to Gutter Tor car park we were thrilled (and a little relieved) to be out on such a clear and crisp morning with miles of moorland more or less to ourselves.
Gutter Tor
Doing something totally different is always fun and doing it with friends is even better. So, when offered a day out in Cornwall wandering around fields aimlessly, Emily and I jumped at the chance! We teamed up with friends Martyn and Steph to tackle the Cornish Maize Maze. A great day out, and an annual event that changes each year. This year we wandered around a pirate themed puzzle searching for Blackbeard’s Treasure.
Pre getting lost…
Continue reading “Get Lost: The Cornish Maize Maze – 22/08/2020”
This 7.1 mile stretch of the coastal path is filled with unbelievably gorgeous views into secluded beach coves, boats and small yachts sailing out on the shining seas, and winding steps up and down the coast… so many steps. This was easily the most strenuous section of the coastal path we have done so far. Still, 100% worth it and making a holiday weekend out of two sections of the coastal path has been the absolute best experience with memories made to last a lifetime.
Goodbye Fowey! Hope we meet again someday
Continue reading “Climb your heart out: Polruan to Polperro – 09/08/2020”
An early morning train ride into Cornwall is always something to look forward to as it usually means Emily and I are on a mission. This weekend was no different. Par to Polperro via an overnight stay at Fowey. Disembarking at Par we made a beeline for Par sands and the coastal path; only stopping to pick up some free fresh produce for our journey. Armed with overnight bags we set off, making the most of the sunshine and tramping through sand onto weaving cliffs as we made good time to Polkerris.
The sand was glistening at Par
Continue reading “Parfect Cornwall: Par to Fowey – 08/08/2020”
Saturday afternoon Liam and I went out for a fabulous socially distanced lunch out with his family, where we had some delicious lasagne at Bonnie’s Brunch. A newly opened family run cafe in Plymouth we have all given two thumbs up to. We got back home and decided that even though the promised heat wave wasn’t quite as strong as anticipated, the weather was still far too nice to pass up! We packed up our bags and headed up to Venford Reservoir on Dartmoor, somewhere we had visited earlier this year with Liam’s parents (link). This time however, Liam had something new and exciting in store for me. I couldn’t wait!
The days adventure begins!
Browsing the Devon Wildlife Trust website and following their instagram has long been a way for me to find out new nature reserves, trails and places to explore. Recently while being determined to spend more time in the beautiful and on my doorstep Tamar Valley AONB, I discovered that one such nature reserve and trail was just outside of Tamerton Foliot. Warleigh Point Nature Reserve. Armed with the promise of stunning views over the rivers Tamar and Tavy, it gave Emily and I a chance to go out with my parents and blow the working week away without having to do much forward planning. Perfect as we have been house viewing nonstop recently!
Deceptively close to the city
Continue reading “A Different Perspective: Warleigh Point – 11/07/2020”
I think getting outside and walking is one of life’s simple pleasures. It is pretty much free, and it gives you the opportunity to see and do things that you would have missed out on by staying indoors. As with all simple pleasures, sharing these walks with friends and family is even better than venturing out solo. That is why, after being tipped off that the Tamar Valley trains were running for free, I jumped at the opportunity to head out to Gunnislake with the family in tow. Suspension of cash payments due to Covid19 is a slim silver lining I had to take!
River views from the train