Sneaky Weekend Away in Porth, Newquay - October 2013

After a pretty eventful month for us we managed to sneak away for a long weekend at one of our regular sites, Porth Beach Touring Park, just outside Newquay.  According to the forecasters (who are always right!) we had a very stormy weekend ahead of us.  Not to be deterred by them we travelled down to Porth from Bude on Friday afternoon.  After setting up we walked into Newquay for a pub lunch before returning to the site to spend some time just chilling out with Paddy...just what the doctor ordered!

After a lovely lay-in we got up Saturday morning and had the traditional 'camper breakfast' of egg and bacon baps.....yummy!!

The weather was dry, and still fairly warm for October, so we walked into Newquay again, along the coast path, out through town and back onto the coast path to Fistral Bay, which was incredibly busy with happy surfers and large waves.  Along the way we stopped off at Pilchard Point and the Huers Hut, watched paddle-boarders on the sheltered side of the bay and saw lots of coasteers (basically lunatics that jump off cliffs and swim to the next one following the coastline - rather them than me!).

We had a coffee in town prior to returning to the campsite for the afternoon.

That evening we had a superb Indian takeaway delivered to the site, which we thoroughly enjoyed.

Overnight was a experience to say the least.  We hoped that we may be sheltered from the strong winds in the valley at Porth but the wind was blowing off the sea straight through the valley and as there were only 15 or so campers on site there was no protection!  The wind started blowing late evening and the rain came down and we were all up most of the night!!!  The joys of camping eh?! It all adds to the experience.  By the morning, and home time, the rain had stopped and the wind has eased slightly so our trip home wasn't as eventful as it could've been.

Another great stay on a lovely site. 

Sadly we have no trips booked or planned for November but that doesn't mean we won't be able to sneak one in......watch this space!!

North Devon - October 2013 - Ilfracombe

Next morning we were all up early to get our bikes ready again for a ride into Ilfracombe straight from the site, via the old railway line.

Once in Ilfracombe we chained the bikes up alongside the harbour and had a wander around.

Ilfracombe's most famous resident is the artist Damien Hirst, who not only owns a restaurant alongside the harbour but has 'donated' a bronze statue,  called Verity, of two sides of a pregnant woman.  Now, if that's art I can honestly say I'm not a fan.  One side is beautiful the the other side is positively vile!  Still, it seems to be bringing lots of visitors (and therefore trade) into Ilfracombe and the surrounding areas.  After viewing Verity we walked up to St Nicholas Chapel where we had a stunning view of the bay and across to south Wales.

We then walked around the harbour area and found a small tearoom where we had a sandwich for lunch, sat in the sunshine.

From there we walked along the promenade, past the Landmark Theatre and back up to catch the bike track to the campsite. 

Our afternoon was spent chilling out with Paddy in the camper before getting ready for an evening out in a lovely pub in Croyde.

Apart from the BBQ rain on the Friday evening the weather was warm and sunny for us - better than our September trip!

We are hoping to head off again at the end of October for a long weekend but it all seems to be dependant on Mike's job at the moment so watch this space!