Failure is the Key to Success

Return to North Devon Part 12

by Ian Posted on August 9, 2011

Today was lovely weather. After a slow start, the kids went out to play on the tennis court. We joined them after a bit and had a nice walk through the bamboo to get there. While we were playing a buzzard soared overhead and the swallows were ever present.
The afternoon was much of the same and we returned to The Clinton Arms in Frithlestock for the evening. It was a bit quieter in there tonight, but the service, food and atmosphere were still good. I asked for a real ale recommendation and tried one of the guest ales, Black Prince; very nice. I’m definitely a real ale convert.

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Return to North Devon Part 11

by Ian Posted on August 8, 2011

Originally we were going to go cycling today, but when we got up it was very windy and overcast.
We changed our plans and decided to go to Lynton and Lynmouth to see the cliff railway amongst other things. On the way we were going to stop at The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway, for a ride on the restored section.
The A39 is a bit of a windy road north of Barnstaple, with a couple of hairpins. We overshot the entrance; the sign said 150 yards, but it was about half that, combined with the sat nav indicating the turn was further, we overshot.

We had drinks and cream scones in the tea rooms while waited for the next train at 12:15. It was a touch of nostalgia to hear the sound of the train travelling across the jointed track sections, clickety-clack. The section of the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway restored is only a mile long, but their intention is to eventually restore the whole 19 miles. Initially, I was sceptical about their hopes, but after looking further into it, they do look to have a real chance, if they can raise the funds.
The wind was really starting to get up now and the temperature was dropping, so we headed back to Fremington Quay Cafe for lunch. It’s a single track road down to the quay and we had to use the passing places a couple of times. The wind at Fremington Quay was so strong it was hard at times to stand against it; very glad we didn’t go out on the bikes, it would have been a headwind against us all the way back.
The menu at the cafe had changed from last year and it had a bit of a different feel about it. Doing further investigation, new tenants took over the lease in October, following the departure of the previous tenant. That said the food was wonderful and well worth a visit.
We saw a RAF rescue helicopter flying around and then hovering low over the other side of the river Taw. Initially I thought it was on a rescue and then we realised that there was an airfield the other side of the river. It is the Royal Marine Base Chivenor, where the RAF has the “A” flight of 22 Squadron with two search and rescue Sea King helicopters stationed.

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Return to North Devon Part 10

by Ian Posted on August 7, 2011

Overslept this morning and was woken at about 7.30 to the sound of my car alarm. Had to rush upstairs for the keys to turn it off. Wide awake now!
It was pouring down, so apart from the fact it was late, I wouldn’t have gone out on the bike. We went out to The Big Sheep today. It was raining when we got there and we were only the third car to arrive. I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but we bought some sheep food when we went in. The first place we went to was the animal barn. The puppies just inside the door were so cute and then there were the rabbits and the ferret and the lambs.

Then there were the hungry sheep; you’d put food on your hand and they’d lick it off. Before we knew where we were, nearly 3/4 of an hour had past. We came out of the barn and caught the end of the sheep show. From there the kids went to play on the jumping pillows and then we went to eat in the restaurant.
This was a bit a disappointment to me, I felt that the prices were high for what you were getting. Anyway, after that we caught the end of the lamb feeding. Jo and the kids went of to play and I waited on afterwards for the brewery talk. After the talk, I headed to the brewery shop where there was free tasting of their brews. The Big Sheep is the home of Country Life Brewery. I tried Old Appledore Ale (3.7%), Golden Pig (4.7%), Black Boar (5%) and Devonshire 10’DER’ (10%). They didn’t have any bottles of Golden Pig to buy as following the Great British Beer Festival, where they won a silver medal, they had had a bit of a rush. I bought a bottle of Old Appledore and Black Boar.
I then joined Jo and the kids who were watching the sheep dog trials and then we watched the sheep shearing and the sheep show. We went back into the animal barn and the rain came down yet again. We kids then went to play in Ewetopia, the indoor playground. After about an hour, we visited the shop and then came back to the cottage (in the rain again of course).
We eat out this evening at The Hunters Inn again. As on all previous visits, the food and service were brilliant.

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Return to North Devon Part 9

by Ian Posted on August 6, 2011

I went out on my bike again this morning. I rode down to Landcross and headed south towards Torrington. It was a more varied terrain than heading north; I think there were more uphills than downhill on the way south. After about 20 minutes, I turned round and came back. I stopped at Landcross bridge for a few minutes to admire the views before riding back to Hallsannery. About 8.5 miles, although I didn’t manage the ride all the way up the drive today.
Today was a day of heavy rainstorms and brief interludes. We spent some time with the kids helping them with their cameras. Our laziest day so far.
We went out to The Clinton Arms in Frithlestock tonight. This is a lovely pub with a really friendly atmosphere. I had a steak and ale pie, Jo had pork steaks, P had homemade cod and salmon fishcakes and A had beef burger and beans. Service was really quick, we had the meals about 10 minutes after ordering them and the food was great. We finished off with 3 icecreams and I had the fruit crumble.
When we paid, we were given tickets for kids free entry at The Big Sheep, oh well no loss if we don’t use them.
We had been planning to go to The Eden Project tomorrow, but after looking at the weather forecast have put it off for a day. While looking around for an alternate, we looked at The Big Sheep and thought why not.

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Return to North Devon Part 8

by Ian Posted on August 5, 2011

I was determined not to have another slow start today, so I was up before six and went out on my bike for a short ride to get the day going. I rode down to Landcross and joined the Tarka Trail and then rode up to the Torridge Bridge and back. Only about 6.5 miles, but enough to get the day going, the last bit back up the drive and Hallsannery was a real killer; I ended up in the lowest gear and only just made it.
We went out to the historic fishing village of Clovelly today. This is famous for 3 things, its steep cobbled street, fishing harbour and donkeys.

The kids got to make a fuss of the donkeys and A got to hold a little owl. It was surprising how much time passed as we meandered down the street, looking in the shops and taking photos. About 1 o’clock we had got as far as the Treasure Chest and the Tea Rooms. The lady at the Treasure Chest was busy sticking no photography signs over all the goods in front of the shop. I understand that people taking photographs doesn’t pay the rent, but her trade is going to be tourists who are going to be taking photos. Needless to say, this was probably the only shop we didn’t go in; this photographer and his family voted with their feet.
We stopped at the Tea Rooms for some lunch; I had a ploughman’s lunch, Jo had a fisherman’s lunch, P had a crab sandwich and A had sausages in a roll. After we had eaten, we continued on down to the harbour.

After quite a time at the harbour, we made our way back up via the many shops and eventually got back to the pottery. Jo and the kids all wanted to throw their own pot, very good value for £2.50. OK, the bowls aren’t fired, but we have instructions for doing that when we get home.
We ate in tonight.

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Return to North Devon Part 7

by Ian Posted on August 4, 2011

OK, this morning was a bad morning. Too much sun and not enough water yesterday took its toll. It took a lot of water and time to get going today. Lunch was bacon sandwiches.
We finally got to eat at the Old Barn Inn in Bickington. When we ordered the food, we were told that it was about 25 minutes for it to be cooked. That would have been fine, however, it was at least 50 minutes by the time it finally arrived. By this time, A, who had been fine all day, had a headache and was feeling tired and hungry. The food was nice, but the service let the meal down.