Great Torrington

Yesterday afternoon Angela noticed a lady walking her dogs appear from a path behind the public toilets. Thinking the area looked like good hunting ground for fungi she suggested her and John take a walk that way.

Sadly, the fungi were in short supply and John only spotted one on the back of a tree in the lane by the old rectory.

The evening sky was clear, so just before nine thirty we walked down to the castle hoping to catch the sunset.

The ticket office for the castle was closed so we walked into the courtyard area for a sneaky peek. We needed to gain height to see the sunset so climbed high up onto the coast path.

We were too late to see the actual sun setting. All that messing around down at the castle had caused us to miss it. A couple who'd seen it shared their photographs with us. Never mind, we've seen some beautiful sunsets on our travels and know we have many more yet to see.

Only five vans including Marge last night. Our new neighbours had a teenage daughter. What's she wearing? They're a bit short. Very hot, hot pants Marge.

This morning we awoke to notification that two comments had been left on our blog. One from Ben ( Youtuber - Bejam) who we'd helped out a North Sands and another from the couple we'd met last night up on the coast path. So, it appears comments can now be left after a technical issue. So, feel free folks. Comment away. 

It was lunchtime before we left Tintagel walking down to Pengenna Pasties to buy our lunch. Not long after we left Marge decided to have a right strop going into safe mode, and then illuminating a warning light that caused concern so we stopped. Honestly Marge, you're bad for Angela's heart. All this stress. We restarted her and the light had gone out. Look my engine management lights not illuminated either. Well thank god Marge!

Bude was our chosen lunch stop. This is where we spent our honeymoon twenty-three years ago. The town was busy. We parked Marge with some other vans, paid for an hour's parking and took a walk around. Bude is no longer motorhome or campervan friendly because someone was living in a van by the canal. There were signs up everywhere saying basically you're not welcome! You're banned between eleven at night and nine in the morning. Incredible! We wondered how the traders in the town felt about it. The car parks are nearly empty at night, why not charge a small fee like they do in some of the other towns. Angela is so infuriated by it she's going to email the chief executive of the local council.

More driving on to Bideford. Fortunately, Marge created no more worries for us but Bideford did. We were expecting there to be lots of vans there, but there wasn't. The area didn't feel comfortable. We deliberated for some time about staying and after much too long decided to leave. The next stop was no good. No Campervans Overnight! Why? So, we drove inland to Great Torrington where we knew we could stay for eight pounds. 

Great Torrington is a pretty unpretentious town. It reminded us of France as do the far-reaching views across the open countryside behind Marge. Stunning. Angela is a believer that some things happen for a reason. Bideford's loss is Great Torrington's gain, especially Yau's House Chine take-away. What a lovely meal.

Tomorrow, we hope to cycle a section of the Tarka Trail. We will probably stay at Great Torrington a second night, our eight-pound overnight charge covers us until Monday evening as the parking is free on Sundays. Result Marge.