Summer in Devon - Damage Barton

 Sadly, we awoke for the final time at Watermouth Bay. It’s a great site with massive pitches and loads of room for dogs. Lots of great walks, Broadsands beach, places to eat and a bus stop just outside the gate that takes you as far as Barnstaple or Lynmouth. The sun was shining (of course) as I took Misty up to the enormous dog field. This morning it was heaving with dogs of every shape and size. Misty enjoyed it. Back at Dame Shirley we feasted on porridge before readying for departure. 

Porridge in the sun

At precisely 11 we were waving goodbye to Darren of the dyed ginger hair and his friendly crew. I don’t think anyone would dye their hair ginger but Ian reckons he has. 

We were only 30mins from our next site so took the opportunity to call at Tesco in Ilfracombe for vittels. Ian spotted an outside mat which we purchased for sites with hard standing where it’s usually coarse pebbles. Misty does not like them on her paws.

We took a bit of a detour through Braunton simply to kill time, and rolled up at Damage Barton farm camp site at precisely 1pm. Damage Barton is a very very efficient site. It has lots and lots of rules and regs. It’s also in a superb position high on a hill overlooking the sea. We were given pitch Y7 at the very top near the toilet blocks, shop, and reception. Being high on a hill it’s very windy, so although we carefully laid out the new outdoor mat, we decided against the awning. We sat and had lunch overlooking the sea. Marvellous!

Lunch with a new mat

After dinner, it being only about 3pm, we decided on a walk. I collected a lovely map of walks from reception and we set off to Bull Point. Down the hill past Damage Barton Farm itself. It’s a real thing. Then into the fabulous Kinevor valley which was brimming with butterfly’s. This lead to Bennett’s Mouth, a little inlet.

Kinevor Valley

Bennett’s mouth

From here it was a slog up the coastal path to the lighthouse at Bull Point. 

The path leading out of Bennett’s mouth the other way

At the top

Overlooking the lighthouse

There it is

From here we veered off the coast path and took the lighthouse road back to Morthoe, where we found a nice pub, purely to give Misty a rest of course.

Views from the lighthouse road

The pub in Morthoe

After the pub it was a quick drag through another camp site, one that had its own pub and fish and chip shop on site! Back on the path and up to Dame Shirley. Five and a half miles of amazing walk. I think we were due a barbie as a reward. I was a bit worried about the wind and the smoke, but the wind blew the smoke away. We had bought some beef steaks and venison steaks at Tesco, and along with stuffed peppers, also cooked on the barbie, it made for an amazing meal watching the sun go down. 

Steaks on the barbie

Barbie perfection

It was pretty late by the time we had done the washing up, and getting chilly, so we retired inside to watch our old mates, The Arctic Monkeys, at Glastonbury. We weren’t overly impressed.

OS Watch

Neighbour watch

The caravan in front of us has the most amazing little light up balls hanging from its awning. (I know, awning, wind) I am coveting them. The camper van on the end of our row lit a fire pit. Fire pits are NOT allowed at Damage Barton. There is a Roller Team Zafiro 696 just like ours across the way.