Around the South Hams

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Mike

Pouring rain last night. We ate at Dick & Will’s restaurant, which has a wonderful waterside deck. It wasn’t getting much use.

This morning we woke to drizzle and low cloud. An inland walk seemed the best option. The rowers weren’t put off however.

We head inland from Shadycombe towards Higher Batson and Horsecombe. The footpath verges on the extreme in places!

Eventually we cross the main road and arrive in Malborough. In every village we have seen scarecrows. The local school is running a competition – each scarecrow represents a children’s story, and if you can name them all you win cream teas for 6 at a the Soar Mill Cove hotel. Can you guess this one?

Lovely old cottage (offers in the region of £2 million) at Coombe on the way down to South Sands.

World’s biggest rhubarb? This stuff grows along the stream that runs down the valley. It is at least ten feet tall.

The weather stayed dry, but it was too chilly to tempt many people into the water at North Sands.

The ruin of Fort Charles. The Royalists withstood a long siege during the civil war, but were eventually overcome. The castle has been abandoned ever since.

Our track for today.

Gara Rock, and boat race

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Mike

OK let’s deal with yesterday evening first, as it was simply glorious.

We had cocktails at the Island Street bar, which seems to have become the favourite hangout for the local youngsters. My G&T was simply divine darling!

And that’s about all I can remember from last night.

This morning we got up early as the weather forecast wasn’t too clever. Got the ferry across to East Portlemouth.

Great views of Salcombe from here.

And off we go, first heading inland to Rickham Common, then south again to the coast path at Gara Rock. Quick coffee and off along the coast path.

Some lovely views from the cliff path. Weather beginning to close in.

The Salcombe bar, as immortalised by Lord Tennyson.

Back in Salcome, the weather continues to deteriorate, and there is a great commotion as we walk around Customs Quay, followed by the roar of mighty engines. The coastguard has received a Mayday call on VHF, and they’ve instructed the RNLI to launch the All Weather Lifeboat.

The RNLI quickly post some details outside the boathouse.

The weather continues to worsen, but that doesn’t stop the fleet of ‘Solo’ class dinghies from having their race around the anchorage. Val counted 42 of them!

Salcombe is looking good for the Jubilee. Here’s the pub where we’re staying.

Here’s our track from this morning:

Off to Salcombe

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Mike

Arrived at Kingsbridge about 12, crab sandwich on the quay. The new car did well; I think we got a podium finish in the M5 grand prix.

Descended into the madness that is Salcombe, and set off on a walk to Snapes Point, a hilly promentary just north of the town. Needless to say, it starts with a steep climb.

The views are great from the top however.

Back in Salcombe, the boaties are getting their craft into the water. There’s a fair degree of one upmanship involved, but I think this guy pretty much wiped everyone else out.

Despite all this high octane, high testosterone competition, Salcombe remains a peaceful spot. Batson creek at high tide this afternoon.

Snow!

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Mike

Gloomy and raining in the village this morning. We potter up anyway and get the cable car to Mannlichen, where it is snowing! After coffee we ski round to Scheidegg. Here’s Julie on Lauberhorn, trying to see where she’s going through the gloom.