Exmouth (Day 2)

After an omelette containing foraged herbs and the chicken of the woods fungi from a nearby tree John was raring to go this morning, but first we needed to walk along the seafront to buy rolls and cheese for lunch so it was midday before we left for the tent show.

We were surprised just how many people were at the small outdoor show at the Westpoint Arena near Exeter. A lot of people a similar age to ourselves were interested in the small lightweight tents and we got talking to a lady who told us how pleased she was with her MSR three person tent that could accommodate her, her husband and child and two lurcher dogs when they camped out overnight on Dartmoor.

Tempted to buy a MSR Hubba Hubba two person tent we thought a three person might suit us better with more storage space for our pannier bags. In the shop John was tempted by a Helinox camp chair and we were both on the verge of buying an Outdoor Revolution Skyfall mattress which would suit us when staying with Angela's son and his family. But just now we had too many other costs to cover what with both our car and Marge playing up. Yes, Marge is being troublesome again. We spent quite a long time at the show, the weather being glorious made us want to spend the night out in the open in one of the smaller tents. Sorry Marge.

Upon our return to Exmouth we had to wait for a dog walking lady to return to her car so we could park Marge near to the other vans, so we delayed paying the overnight parking charge of eleven pounds until we were sure of a spot, which we have now right under the trees with views across to the seafront. By the time we walked down to the beach to read a while it was five o' clock. But read for a while we could not as a young boy was offshore in a cheap inflatable dinghy and we could see no adults watching him. He struggled to turn the flimsy vessel and return to shore so we watched him until he caught the incoming tide and landed safely on the beach.

Needing to walk a little more we walked into town for a meal. It being Saturday evening the girls were out on the town. Which group did you fall into as a youngster Angela. Breasts out or a skirt barely covering your credentials? Neither. Too shy and self-conscious. More long sleeves and jeans even in warm weather. Each group of girls entering the pub seemed to be wearing less clothing, not leaving much to the imagination. Returning to Marge a little light rain fell. Let's hope the girls clothing wouldn't shrink in the damp conditions.

We have enjoyed our time in Exmouth, but tomorrow will travel around the coast towards Teignmouth. 

Exmouth

Last night the sun eventually showed splitting the cloud into a design of crazy paving. We walked out back through the sculpture park to catch the sunset, but the cloud was too thick to see it. 

Last night Marge was one of five vans. The others were all permanent homes for young people. We could understand why with rents unaffordable and mortgages unobtainable. By nine thirty this morning all but one of our nomadic neighbours had departed. Would they return to Portland tonight or move on we wondered. 

Before leaving the tied island of Portland we stopped at Lidl for a baguette and chocolate brownies. We'd become so used to these foods being part of our daily diet whilst in France we couldn't resist.

The journey to Exmouth was challenging for Marge, particularly around Burton Bradstock and Lyme Regis. We drove through pretty villages of thatched cottages, stone bridges and English country pubs. Marge struggled more than a little up some of the long drags and was glad when we parked near to the end of Chesil Beach to take a photograph back towards Portland.

Deep breaths Marge, slow and steady. We're not happy either, memories of the Pyrenees fresh in our minds. However, the struggle was worth the views along the coast. Beautiful. 

We are in Devon now. A county of narrow, undulating, potholed roads. The drive is not much fun for John as he sits on the centre line and Angela can sense his nerves as she drives. Have Faith. Tonight, we are staying just back from the seafront at Exmouth behind the small nature reserve.

After lunch we took a walk up on to the coast path to Orcombe Point to the Geoneedle an impressive landmark constructed of various rock types found along the Jurassic Coast. Tired from waking early and the drive we lay on the grass for an hour with the sun warming us as a breeze blew across our prone bodies. Then a walk back down to the promenade and along the seafront to the far end of the beach. By now it was five o' clock and family, friends, couples were gathering on the beach making the most of a warm evening. The air filled with the aroma of heating charcoal. The vibe was great. We bought two ice lollies and returned to Marge who was now accompanied by a fair few vans including a forty year old Volkswagen T2 made in South Africa. It looked very retro. 

Tomorrow we will drive towards Exeter where we will attend a tent show. If there's one thing John can't resist it's looking at lightweight tents, and as we are hoping to cycle in France later this year he's on the lookout for a replacement for ours.

The other thing he can't resist is edible fungi. And not perturbed by last weeks dodgy digestive system he's spotted a young 'chicken of the woods' fungi with its golden-yellow shelf like structure growing on a tree nearby. Angela can tell it's heading our way which is fine, but she wont be eating it.

A last walk out to view the sun setting.