Moving on to Tavistock

Our last morning here at Veryan as today we were moving on to Tavistock. We had a lovely pitch but oh so far away from the toilet block! This photo shows the yellow building in the distance which is the games and TV room and next to that, hidden behind the trees, is said block!
We were soon packed up and after saying our goodbyes to the staff we hit the road. Tregony Bridge was the first obstacle for Paul ...

but we made good progress and soon crossed the River Tamar and arrived in Devon ...

We were staying at the fairly new Camping and Caravanning Club Site at Higher Longford just outside Tavistock and once again we were shown to our pitches and set up camp ...

Unfortunately for Paul his brake cable got broken when he unhitched and so we decided to go over to Ashburton to a camping shop and replace it. We had a lovely drive over Dartmoor with Mike pointing out all the different places he'd visited when he'd been teaching and his school had regularly entered the Ten Tors event. We eventually found the shop and Paul bought a few extra bits as well as his cable. On our return journey we stopped at New Bridge on the River Dart, had an ice cream and a walk by the river. We went down by the bridge ...

and then walking under it we made our way along the river until we came to an open area where people were BBQing and generally have fun and games. Some lads were jumping into the water ...

We made our way back again to the car and continued on our way. We wanted to show Jo and Paul the clapper bridge at Postbridge as it's such a lovely bridge ...

The last time we were here we saw a dipper but not today. Back on the road again and we passed Dartmoor prison in the distance ...

before returning to the site for dinner.

St Mawes and a Ruby Wedding

The day began with two problems. Firstly for us Mike had packed the wrong tablets and for Paul there was a smell of gas which when investigated showed that the pipe had perished and he needed to buy a replacement. The decision was made that Paul would drive Mike home to get the correct medication and then they'd stop at the camping shop for some new pipe. Jo and I would stay at the site, walk the dogs and generally have a lazy time nattering and drinking coffee!

We took the dogs for a stroll around the field and then as I'd seen in the camping book that there was a lake on the site we asked in Reception and were told where to find it. Unfortunately dogs were not allowed near it so we took it in turns to hold the dogs and go and look at the lake. It was lovely ...

There was one huge fish - no idea what it was ...

We then went back to the vans and settled down to wait for the men. Fred decided that Jo's chair had been put out for him ...

as his mum was busy filling her Aquaroll with water ...

When the chaps returned Jo and I had a wander down to the swings which are put on the site for the children. Jo had a great time!!

After lunch we all piled into their car and after a quick drive into Veryan to check out the location for the party we headed off into St Mawes. We walked through the town and up the hill ...

until we reached the castle ...

It was then time to turn around and make our way back to the car passing this lovely thatch cottage ...

and window boxes full of pansies - so pretty ...

The Ferry had just arrived ...

and at the garage there were still the old pumps ...

What memories they brought back like 2/3d for a gallon of petrol!!! Mike then bought us all an ice cream which was eaten on the way back to the car with the rain just beginning to fall. Four empty tubs - it was yummy!

It was soon time to be changed and off to the party which was being held in the Village Hall. The band were The Tinners ...

and they played some lovely music while we sat and chatted and then ate a curry supper. Jo and Paul were having a good time ...

and the dogs had been invited too!

After eating the tables were moved and the dancing began ...

We'd had a lovely evening but left in time to get back to the campsite before they locked the gates. Thanks Mike and Sharon - hope you had a great Ruby Wedding.

Off to Veryan

After collecting the motorhome from store yesterday and filling it ready for a week away we went back to the storage site this morning to meet up with Jo and Paul. They hitched up their caravan and we set off for Veryan mid-morning. We'd all been invited to a Ruby Wedding party there tomorrow night and had originally decided to just camp overnight and attend the party. Jo and Paul then asked for the week off work and managed to get it so a holiday was planned beginning today. We found the site quite easily, booked in and were shown to our pitches ...

We took Hamish for a walk to find the dog-walk which was amazing. A huge field had been left natural except for a track around the edge and a bit in the middle which was suitable for cricket ...
We made our way back to the entrance and went down the road to find a very crooked sign ...

Not far to go for the party tomorrow!

Cycling the Tramway

After all our trips about the country we finally got the RV cleaned out and ready to be returned to storage. As it was dry this morning we set off with the bikes on the rack so that we could cycle back home along the Tramway. We began the journey on the road but soon after crossing the A30 we arrived at the Rodda's factory ...

and dropped down onto the tramway proper. It's a lovely safe ride with the occasional stone to tell you where you are or if there's a loop you might want to investigate ...

We saw this field which was full of all different animals ...



More stones ...


and Mike passing me by ...


A lilac tree in full bloom ...

and a very young magpie which was sitting on the track with no sign of parents nearby - hope he was okay.

We crossed a road which luckily wasn't very busy ...

and then cycling along a short bit of road we spotted this sign in the greenery ...


before reaching the main Porthtowan to Cambrose road where there's a cycle path so we don't have to be watching out for traffic. I could see Carn Brea in the distance ...


and then we passed Elm Farm where I'd bought my bike several years ago when they were selling off ex-hire cycles ...

It is now a much bigger business judging by the signs and the shed ...


On reaching Cambrose we crossed the road and set off along the final leg of the journey ...

Here we saw the sign about the passing loop on the tramway ...

and the stone sleepers which are the only remaining evidence of the workings ...

We then crossed a track ...

and were at the place where I had turned around when I'd walked the tramway back in March this year. The last part of the trip is on Portreath Tramroad.