Summer in Devon - cycling

 We awoke to full sun as usual but the weather forecast was a bit mixed. As we were eating our porridge some clouds came across and there was the feel of rain in the air. A good day for a cycle ride. We didn’t want to leave Misty in baking heat, but overcast skies would be fine. We took her for a quick trespassers to the harbour before Ian wrestled the bikes off the back of dame Shirley and we loaded up all our required stuff. By this time it was time for lunch so I made a sandwich. Eventually we were ready for off. We decided to follow NCR 51 into Ilfracombe. We crossed the main road and headed into the small town of Berrynarbour then proceeded to climb the hill out. We climbed, and climbed, and climbed. The biggest hill ever, thank the lord for electric. As we rode it began to rain a little, then, as we descended the hill into Ilfracombe it rained harder. After a few wrong turns, mandatory on a bike ride, and mainly due to poor NCR51 signage, we arrived at Ilfracombe harbour. The rain had stopped so we chose a nice cafe with outdoor seating for cuppa and cake. 

Ilfracombe

We decided to leave NCR51 and circle round on the way back, via the quaintly named two pots, but our route, although not a main road on the map, was just like Sheffield Parkway. Arriving at a junction between the New Barnstaple Road and the Old Barnstaple Road, we decided new had to be quieter. And so it turned out as we arrived in Two Pots in one piece. This was where we left the motorway and headed onto an amazing, downhill, sea view filled country lane. After a couple of miles of bliss we arrived back on NCR 51 just outside Berrynarbor, and at the very top of the hill into town.

Blissful lane

Back on Route 51

From there it was downhill all the way back to Dame Shirley, where we found Misty had been having great fun eating a bag of fruit pastilles! 

After showering and reaffixing the bikes, the rain had stopped and the sun came out, so we headed down to the harbour and over the road to Watermouth Castle. This used to be a theme park with rides etc, but is now a Park Dean resort with log cabins. It also has a restaurant and bar open to non residents. It has an amazing view over the harbour, and extremely friendly staff. It was also really quiet. We sat outside as the sun set eating fish and chips and drinking beer. We made friends with Woody, an ancient lab on his last legs who’s owner, who lived there for some reason, took him down to the harbour for a swim every day. The owner also had a new labrador puppy ‘to ease his pain!’ 

Fish and chips at The Castle

After tea, the tide was in and Misty went for an evening swim.

Late evening harbour swim

Back at Dame Shirley we watched an episode of Annika but I could hardly keep my eyes open, so it was off to bed

OS Watch

Neighbour watch

A Motorhome has arrived that has erected an enormous fence all around a large area grass and nothing that is going on inside the fence can be seen. Here is a surreptitious photo

The fence is the white thing with crosses on. And yes we are right by the childrens play area. Thank god there are hardly any children now the big family have left.