Still in Ilfracombe. The Quay was TOO busy; the Old Town deserted. Cheered, I bought Big Issue for £3, Jarvis Cocker making his 317th appearance on the cover of that highly readable paper. For the first time, closed shops and pubs outnumbered the open ones. A shame, as Fore Street is marvellous, and I’m sure… Continue reading LEAVING THE BIG ISSUE IN THE WELLINGTON
ILFRACOMBE TOURIST BOOM
After my Ilfracombe cream tea I walked up Hillsborough, the hard way (straight up, not the zig zag path). It’s not as well-pubbed as the area round the Sheffield Wednesday ground, but it raises the heart rate and the view are better than from the Leppings Lane stand. With its tremendous calf-stretching ascent and wondrous… Continue reading ILFRACOMBE TOURIST BOOM
A CREAM TEA TICK IN ILFRACOMBE
Thursday, 8am. Bideford let you lie in till 10 with the overnight ticket, so I did, before deciding to stay another day, just like in the East 17 Christmas Number 1 (not US). Who wouldn’t like to wake to views like this ? I made myself a coffee and remembered not to spray the campervan… Continue reading A CREAM TEA TICK IN ILFRACOMBE
BRINGING THE LONDON PLAGUE TO EX39
Bideford Town FC looked gorgeous as I arrived back at my campervan. One last pint ? Steer clear of Spoons, till the last night at least. Lacey’s Ale & Cider House sounds like a Beer Guide place, doesn’t it ? It even doesn’t sell Doom Bar, which is always popular. “Pint of Old Appledore please”… Continue reading BRINGING THE LONDON PLAGUE TO EX39
NORTHAM – BURNLEY TATTOOS IN DOOM BAR’S PREMIER STOCKIST
Have I shown you this OS extract before ? Very useful. Take a look at that built-up area between adorable Appledore and bucolic Bideford. That’s Northam. No, me neither, but there’s 7,489 souls here. That’s more than Waterbeach. Only one (very non-GBG) pub though. I make that one pub per 17 people but Russ will… Continue reading NORTHAM – BURNLEY TATTOOS IN DOOM BAR’S PREMIER STOCKIST
APPLEDORE – A LITTLE DEAL ?
Yet more, Appledore. With an hour’s walk back to the campervan and a serious chat with Baa Baa Toure ahead, I thought I’d better spend ten minutes writing off the village as the Aldeburgh of the West or something. But it was enchanting, and surprisingly normal. The Royal Plaice combined deep fried haddock and Doom… Continue reading APPLEDORE – A LITTLE DEAL ?
APPLEDORE, NO BORE
Next up on Wednesday night a lovely straightforward downhill walk and a straightforward Proper Pub at the end. Blistering heat, but that only spurs me on, and now I see I made Appledore in 47 minutes rather than the hour plus suggested by a sluggish Google Maps. At the top of the hill the village… Continue reading APPLEDORE, NO BORE
BIDEAWHILE IN BIDEFORD
The Cornwall/Devon Grand Tour moves into its 11th hour of travel as we land in Bideford. A second day of glorious sunshine as I pulled into the Riverbank Long Stay Car Park, in sharp contrast with the downpour we saw on the Saturday. Slight diversion : For a pint of Doom Bar (or lesser equivalent),… Continue reading BIDEAWHILE IN BIDEFORD
WELCOMBE HOME, WELCOMBE
I’m thinking of starting a Peters & Lee* fan club you know. It’ll really wind up all the Tull and Coldplay and Zappa fans who read my blog. I could give free membership to folk who join the Doom Bar NBSS 4.5 club. Welcombe (pop 187) was my introduction to the delights of Devon, though… Continue reading WELCOMBE HOME, WELCOMBE
A MAZE IN THE BUSH
Now I take my snood, to Bude. There’s a book in me somewhere with a title like that. The Cornwall/Devon border is where the OS Map gets interesting, with Lucky Hole, Yeol Mouth and Gooseham competing for Russ’s attention. Loads of new places and lovely long words in the GBG to tick. And some… Continue reading A MAZE IN THE BUSH
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