North Sands (Salcombe)

Yesterday evening the sea behind Marge swelled and the water in the harbour in front of her rippled. What a contrast. This morning we were up by half past seven, blinds and door open. No, we had not stayed overnight. Our neighbours from Windermere in the Lake District decided they would stay on for another night. We exchanged information on places to stay and talked about travelling in France. 

First stop today, Dartmouth. But what a journey to reach the town. We drove up, up and up. Keep going Marge, you're doing well. Oh my god. These Devonshire roads! The parking for vans in Dartmouth if you can find a space, is right on the waterfront. Breath in Marge, we're going to shoehorn you in here right opposite the public toilets. How much? Twenty pence. Card payments accepted. After the nerve-wracking drive Angela was in need of a full twenty pence worth, squeezing out every last drop to get her monies worth.

Across the river Dart at Kingswear a steam train that ran to Brixham sounded, resonating across the harbour. Tired from our early start we lunched on Devon pasties, the best ever. They were so filling Angela decided we'd have fish for our evening meal.

Leaving Dartmouth early afternoon, the weather decided at long last to settle. The sun played hide and seek with the thin grey cloud. The steep inclines of this morning left behind we now had to contend with narrow roads dwarfed by high hedgerows. John had the line of sight whilst Angela driving on the left-hand side relied on his instruction. Does she know what's she doing? Yes Marge, no tricks from you please. As if. Well, what was all that about when we filled up with fuel? Immobilising yourself for five minutes. We just can't trust you, and don't think we didn't notice your engine management lights been on since we left this morning. Is this all-pay back for us going off in Wee Margie? 

The drive down to tonight's stop at North Sands was narrow, steep and winding. Perhaps it wasn't a good idea to bring Marge down here! The bay however is stunning and tonight Marge is one of four vans staying. The waves are rolling in crashing into the sea defence just fifteen feet away. A little worrying as it's a spring tide.

One of our two neighbours tonight posts videos on YouTube. One is the fitting of a Ridgeline fly screen which coincidentally John has just bought for Marge ready for our next trip to Scotland to repel the midges. He lives in his van and is travelling around the coast of the U.K. We are meeting more and more people who have chosen van life. Angela noticed one of his rear tyres was losing air so John lent him our electric pump which showed air was leaking through the tyres valve. 

Tomorrow we will all go our separate ways. Where will we all be tomorrow night who knows? But we will all remember crossing paths with each other.