After a few weeks drifting south through Shropshire, Warwickshire and Bedfordshire, we proceeded to Devon and Cornwall. The plan was to meet up with a bit of family on their Summer holiday near Polperro for a few days at the end of August.
Stover
We had two nights at Stover, near Newton Abbott, just into Devon. The campsite is next to a country park with a large lake and visitor centre. We had a pleasant walk around the lake in the sunshine. The visitor centre was still closed since the Covid problems. There was a coffee van doing a good trade and lots of young families enjoying themselves.
Plymouth
It was not too far from Stover to our next destination. The journey was through beautiful countryside and country lanes. Plymouth Sound Caravan and Motorhome Club site is next to the village of Down Thomas and has commanding views of Plymouth Sound. The walk down to nearby Bovisand Bay is quite steep and gives you a jolly good work out coming back up! Down Thomas is a small village with a lovely pub and a very well stocked shop. The area is very attractive with some lovely walks along the coastal path. We definitely got our daily exercise quota whilst we were there.
To visit Plymouth, we opted for the Park and Ride. This involved driving back along the narrow lane from the site, around Plymouth to the other side, and through busy traffic to the football ground! However, once there we had plenty of space to park and the bus dropped us off in the centre. We had read that the best place to go is the Barbican with its narrow, cobbled streets and independent shops, so we made our way there and enjoyed a cup of coffee overlooking the harbour. It was a windy day and Clyde had his hat whipped off his head and dumped in the briny, never to be seen again! From the Barbican we walked along by the Sound and up to the Hoe.
We had a very enjoyable few days here and got plenty of fresh air and exercise. On our last night we were treated to a free firework display, albeit at a distance
Callington and Dartmoor
Our next stop was at a place called Callington, selected for its proximity to Dartmoor. The trip from Plymouth started in fog, which is not so pleasant, but as it cleared we were treated to more fabulous views. The campsite was on a terraced hill behind a very popular restaurant and had splendid views across the Tamar valley and town of Callington. We did not visit the town but had a great day on Dartmoor and a trip to the National Trust property, Cothele House and Quay. The journey to Cothele House was a challenge in the van, through very narrow lanes and hamlets. It was even more nerve wracking on the way home, as I took a wrong turning and the lanes were even narrower! You need nerves of steel at times, travelling in a motorhome.
Cothele House and Quay are situated on the River Tamar. It is another downhill walk to get to the Quay but worth the effort. There is an old Tamar fishing vessel which is unique to the tidal river, and a winch. There is also a small visitor centre in an old barn. The waterside restaurant was closed due to staff shortages, so no cup of coffee or cake. Instead, we rewarded ourselves once we had struggled back up the steep hill, with tea and scones at the cafe.
We had a chance encounter here with a well travelled couple who are thinking of buying a campervan. We exchanged tales over our tea and cakes. Oh the joy of travel!
The day spent on Dartmoor was also a joy. We had a good walk around the rocky outcrops and springy moorland pathways. The ponies were totally unconcerned by our presence. The stream running across the moor was crystal clear and sparkling in the sun. Altogether a worthwhile trip. The route there through Tavistock took us through beautiful countryside and the town looked like a great place to visit. Sadly, not much parking space for us on this occasion.
Next stop, Cornwall