Days 8 & 9 Tuesday and Wednesday May 20th and 21st Dartmouth to home

Apologies for the delay in posting this final one for the journey but as you appreciate when you get home there is much to catch up on and this got put on the back burner!  The day we left Dartmouth was bright and sunny and so after breakfast we packed and got a lift back to the car in Park and Ride from the B&B owner which was kind of him.  The stay in Dartmouth had been excellent with the accommodation awesome and plenty to do in and around the town.  We had by no means explored it all and it would certainly be worth another visit.  We had not seen the car since we parked it four days before.  We loaded our luggage and were soon away.

We had arranged to visit Val and Graham Thomas at their flat in Saltash on the way through as, although they live on St Martin's, Graham is having regular treatment at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth and so they are currently spending a lot of time on the mainland.  We got slightly lost on the journey to Plymouth but found our way to the A38 and eventually over the bridge and soon found the correct address.  It was good to see V & G, we were able to catch up with the news and see a little of their other life.  They were in good form.  We were treated to lunch at "Bandits" - a restaurant owned by Graham's son Dean - which was good in a slightly wild west setting.  After lunch we said our goodbyes and drove further west.  All went well and we stopped at Hayle shopping centre for a cup of tea and to buy a couple of items.  We then carried on and returned the car to Enterprise at Long Rock.  All was well with the car (sigh of relief!) and they dropped us into Penzance.   We had a pre-arranged meal at the Premier Inn and retired fairly early.

We were up early (for us) on the Wednesday in order to breakfast, pack and get to the Scillonian for 0845.  It was a bit overcast but not too breezy with the promise of the sun breaking through later. We could not use our favourite seats as the Scillonian was quite busy 

Daymark - nearly home

with 120 swimmers going across

Higher Town from Sc !!!

 for an event during the day.  The crossing was good and soon the islands came into view with St Martin's and the Daymark prominently visible.
We docked, disembarked and were soon on the ferry to Higher Town where Mandy met us and delivered us home.  We had had an excellent break with several things achieved which we wanted to do and Dartmouth proving an interesting place for us to visit.  Apologies again for this being a delayed post and thanks to all those who have viewed the blog and especially for the comments. 
     

Day 7 Monday May 19th Dartmouth Naval College

 It was quite a grey, cool start to the day for us. We breakfasted, had a little walk during which the Spanish galleon weighed anchor and left Dartmouth. We filmed a bit of it.  It would have looked good in full sail but we did not have time to check that out.  We had to go to the bandstand rendezvous place where we joined the party for a tour of the naval college.  Our ID was checked and our tickets before boarding a coach for the short drive to the college.  Our guide, Ben, was a former trainee at the college and was thus able to give a full insight into its workings and methods.  We left the bus and assembled at the flagstaff in front of the college.  From there he history of the training of naval officers on former ships and eventually in 1905 at the college was given.  All too much to take in but it was obviously very thorough from early days.  I could not get the familiar facade in one photo and so took a brief video. The captain of 

the dining hall

the ship/establishment lived in the eastern end section.  We began our tour at the western end which contained the dining hall.  At the front of it was a silver dish 

Nelson's silver plate

from Lord Nelson's at sea dining service. The hall had a very attractive and ornate ceiling.  

We came outside again and the passing out parades and procedures were explained.  

coat of arms above main door

Ben was good at giving anecdotes and making the story interesting.  After passing out the cadets have to go through the quite narrow main door with their swords in their hands - sometimes a challenge!.  Another one of the challenges faced by cadets was to be able climb the ship's mast which here is 

the ship's mast?

firmly bedded on land.  We walked over to a garden at the eastern end 

where the young royals met

of the building  and it was here that Queen Elizabeth first met Prince Philip.  Elizabeth was then 13 and so that introduction worked well.

We proceeded to the college chapel which was quite plain but had some very interesting architectural features.  Some of the stone was acquired locally.  There was a 

nave of chapel

model of an earlier ship called the Brittania hanging from the ceiling.  After the chapel we saw the 

front of the chapel

coats of arms of deceased naval knights of the garter and spent some time in the college museum.  We proceeded to the quarterdeck (the main meeting hall of the college) which had suffered bomb damage in the last war.  There were various fine artifacts of previous centuries around the entrance etc.  We had a comfort break and then time to visit the souvenir shop before heading outside to the coach and back to Dartmouth.  A very interesting and inexpensive tour which we would recommend.

Back in Dartmouth we went to M&S (where have I said that before!), bought a picnic and enjoyed it in the park with the sun now shining.  We then had some shopping time with me tasked with finding somewhere for us to eat this evening.  we each managed to shop a bit and when we met up I had arranged a venue for our dinner.  We had an ice cream on the quayside and went back to our room for a rest/reset.  Our dinner at 630 was good and so I was in the good books and then we walked along to Bayards Cove fort which was another defence for the town - it was interesting and largely intact. We walked back still in sunlight and I may add some photos from this time a bit later.  An interesting end to a good day.

Day 6 Sunday May 18th Dartmouth Castle

 Today began much warmer and sunnier than yesterday.  We decided to take the small ferry trip to Dartmouth Castle at the mouth of the river.  We went to M&S and bought some food for 

Spanish galleon by the quay

a picnic and then went to the ferry terminal and boarded for the short trip to the castle quay.  

approaching castle on ferry

We arrived and climbed the steep steps to the castle entrance. We were given information on the workings and the reasons for building and equipping it as it ended up. There were cannons elevated to fire at approaching historical ships and the castle was even armed for defence in case of an invasion during the second world war. For us the most interesting feature was the heavy chain which stretched across the estuary to Kingswear castle and could be raised as hostile ships approached.  These ships then became sitting ducks for the canons either side of the estuary.  I'm sure it was very effective over the centuries!  

looking to sea from castle

We went all through both parts of the castle and then the beautiful church which was in the grounds.  The castle is now maintained by English Heritage and the church is very well kept as well.  We came out and had our picnic on a bench overlooking the very busy estuary.  All sorts of vessels

church, castle and estuary

 were coming and going and there was plenty to watch. We later considered it time to move and made our way back to the ferry and to the town.  It was very evident that the music festival was still going on and we went back to our lodgings.  We had a cup of tea and relaxed before going out for a pizza tea.  We then returned for a quiet evening to end a relaxing day,    

Day 5 Saturday May 17th Round Robin Tour

 For the first time this holiday we woke up to an overcast day and it was quite windy and so a bit cold and unpleasant but could be worse!  Today we have booked a boat, bus, steam train 

timber framed building

and ferry trip to explore up the River 

timber framed building

Dart and this part of the Devon county.  We breakfasted and got ready without taking too many warm clothes as the forecast was for the sun to break through.  We walked through Dartmouth to the river cruise terminal and again admired some of the timber framed old architecture.

Our first travel instalment was on a river boat sailing all the way to 

naval college

Totnes.  We were able to get a good view of the Naval college from the water and hear of some of the activities of the cadets etc.  It took 90 minutes to get to 

steam train 

Totnes and we spent most of the time inside because of the temperature.  We could view the various creeks and the steam train travelling along the eastern bank as well birdlife with me lucky enough to photo a heron 

heron perched in tree

perched in a tree.  We had a cup of coffee and enjoyed the various insights into the backwaters of the river.  We soon approached our 

Totnes

destination and disembarked.  We had a short time in the quirky town of Totnes and then had to return to the quay for the next stage of our journey.

This part consisted of a short bus journey across to Paignton.  This took about 20 minutes and we had good views of the countryside.  We arrived at about 1300 and were leaving at 1530.  

Paignton beach

We were given good directions and 

Paignton palms

decided to make our way down a typical colourful seaside shopping street to the front.  We had a walk along the fairly nice beach and found a bench to enjoy our picnic.  There were green areas including a crazy golf course which had palms showing it to be part of the English Riviera.  By now the sun had emerged and we enjoyed the improved temperature.  We sat and people watched for a time and eventually it was time to make our for the next stage of our adventure. 

Pullman observation car

We were directed to the train station

leaving Paignton station

 where we had time for a cup of tea before catching a steam train back to Kingswear.  The train arrived and we elected to upgrade to the Pullman carriage at the rear where we had a good view of places we passed.  The train soon reconnected to the front of the carriages and we were away.  

alongside the river

our train

The journey took about 45 minutes and was probably our favourite part of the day.  We  went through cuttings, alongside beaches, through a long tunnel and for quite a time ran alongside the River Dart.  

celebration train

When we arrived at Kingswear there was a train along another platform which was geared up for a celebration trip.

We left the platform and quickly found the ferry to take us across the river to Dartmouth.  We went back to our lodgings sorted out and then bought fish and chips which we ate on the front listening to the festival music.  It proved to be a good but busy day.  

Day 4 Friday May 16th Tavistock to Dartmouth

 We woke early on a light and bright day.  Today we are moving base from Tavistock to Dartmouth in Devon and so good weather is a bonus for the travelling.  We showered, breakfasted, packed and checked out.  We had a quick look around the renouned Tavistock Pannier market but did not make any purchases.  It was 1000 and we decided to proceed to Two Bridges for a coffee where we stopped yesterday.  All went well and we were soon going 

we had to stop!

right across Dartmoor to the eastern side.  At one point we had to stop because there were two ponies and a foal standing in the middle of the road - an unusual traffic hazard!  Eventually the adults persuaded the little one to get off the road and we and traffic behind were able to pass.  Certainly a delight of driving on Dartmoor.

We carried on the windy roads until arriving at Ashburton, we joined the A38 and went along a few miles before heading to Totnes,  We stopped at Totnes for a short break and to have the picnic we had bought in Tavistock.  We carried on then to Dartmouth and the Qashqai satnav soon got us to our waterfront B&B where we had to unload our luggage.  Our room was ready early and so we were able to deposit everything and as there was no parking available we then went and parked in a Park & Ride and made our way back on a bus.

replica moored up

We sorted everything out in our room, relaxed a while and decided to have a wander through the amazing town.

Dartmouth castle

  A music festival was taking place and due to start a bit later,  We organised dinner at a pizza restaurant, sat on the front and watched boating activity, organised an excursion for tomorrow and generally relaxed.  Eventually we went to a M&S foodhall and purchased goods for a picnic tomorrow.  We came back to the room and got ready for visiting the pizza place.  It was 

Dartmouth Kingswear ferry

good that we booked as the town was heaving but we did very well for food etc.  We have now come back to the room and enjoying the quietness here,

Day 3 Thursday May 15th Onto Dartmoor and a good climb!

 Another good sunny day which we had plans to make the most of.  We were up, breakfasted (a delicious Cornish Arms way to start us) and ready to go by 1000.  We had decided to go up and onto Dartmoor and attempt to climb the 1450 feet high Cox Tor.  It all depended on our 

Car, wife and Cox Tor

fitness and joints - particularly 

View from the top

my knee.  We had climbed this hill several times before as part of other walks and so we knew the possible problems and how to cope if we did get into difficulty.  We set out and the initial portion from the car park is comparatively flat which we we managed OK.  As the gradient increased we began to puff and took several breathers.  But we 

Chris at top

persevered and took an elongated

me at top!

 route to avoid the steep and very rocky sections.  My wife was concerned about my health but there were no threatening episodes.  We got to the trig point at the top and took photos to prove we had made it.

The view at the top was fantastic and 

Tamar Bridge in view 

well worth the climb.  It proved to us the reasons we have fallen in love with Dartmoor.  Fantastic views, a real wilderness, animals 

Tavistock well below

(sheep and ponies) allowed to roam free to graze at will and scarcely any other people in sight.  The car park and cars looked very small from the top and the town of Tavistock nestled into a valley. We managed to get 

pony and very young foal

photos of lambs and very young foals with their mothers.  It was soon time to descend and we chose a different route but took it carefully avoiding slips and trips.  We noticed that since we left an ice cream van had arrived in the car park.  We needed very few stops on the way 

sheep with lamb

down and were soon back at the car.  As it was sunny and we felt pleased with ourselves, we decided to celebrate with a vanilla cornet with clotted cream and a 99er chocolate flake.  We do know how to live high!  That was enjoyed and we were able to watch the animals on the level part at the bottom of the Tor.  We were pleased to climb the Tor but will not be taking part in the annual Ten Tors race anytime soon!

It was nearing lunchtime and we had decided to go to another of our favourite places the Two Bridges hotel near Princetown.  We really needed a cold drink 

the old bridge at Two Bridges

and very light snack and the hotel duly obliged.  In our time originally the main road went over a single track granite postbridge and went very close to the hotel, now the road has been rerouted with a new bridge and the original bridge is now part of the hotel driveway - very appropriate and scenic.  We had our light lunch and a short walk along the West Dart river before returning to the car.

We now returned to Tavistock and after sorting ourselves out we went for a quick walk around the town.  It is as charming as ever but unfortunately it looks as if some of the special individual shops have had to close down. We did a bit of shopping and found a restaurant with a good Tripadvisor reputation for dinner in the evening.  We returned to our room, had a little rest and got ready for the meal.  The meal lived up to expectations and concluded a day that was for us a much better experience that yesterday although we think we will sleep well!

  

Day 2 Wednesday May 14th Penzance to Tavistock

 As with many of our travelling trips not everything goes to plan and so it proved today.  We had an email during yesterday evening that our hire car from Enterprise would not be available at 1100 as booked but would only be around at about 1700.  This caused consternation in the ranks and a phone call was placed first thing in the morning.  We talked with the manager about the possibilities and the best solution turned out to be a smaller car which would be ready at about 1330.  We now had a morning to fill.

After breakfast we had already arranged to have our annual eye tests and so we proceeded to Boots.  It was a glorious blue sky day.  I was booked first and it turns out that my cataracts have developed and now require operating on and so that process was put in motion.  Christine is not at that stage yet but did require new reading and distance specs which will be posted to her in due course.  We checked out of the Premier Inn but arranged for them to store our luggage until 1300 and with time on our hands we went for a walk on the 

Olympic Gold postbox

promenade.  The Ross Bridge was 

Helen Glover plaque

closed for maintenance and went behind the weigh bridge spying the golden post box erected to commemorate the Olympic gold achieved by local rower Helen Glover.  The box is suffering from being close to the sea. The tide was quite low and it turned out to be very hot.  We went a little way but decided to return to the Jubilee Pool cafe for a cold drink and piece of cake.  There was more of a refreshing breeze at the 

looking to Newlyn

cafe.

It was approaching our collection time and so we meandered back to the hotel, got together our luggage

The Jubilee Pool

 and went to the arranged pick up point at the train station,  We had another phone call to say the car was delayed a bit longer and would arrive at 1350.  From then on things went to 

swimmers off Battery Rocks 

plan,  We picked up the car, did the paperwork and were soon underway.  The journey to Tavistock was smooth with a quick stop at Hayle retail park and then straight to our Tavistock accommodation.  We have since settled in, had a meal at a good pizza restaurant and are now ensconced in our room.  The end of a day which did not go exactly to plan!




  

Day 1 Tuesday May 13th Home to Penzance

 Another short break holiday begins!  We have decided to take  pre summer visits to Tavistock,  which we have visited often with many happy memories, and Dartmouth which we visited briefly on a cruise (see blog!) and thought we would like to spend some more time there.  The day began mild but overcast and showery on St Martin's but the forecast was for it to clear and brighten up.  We had several things to complete in the morning before the pack began at 1100.  It does not take us long as we are well practiced.  Our boat was 230 from Lower Town and we were there with time to spare.  It was an open boat, the Guiding Star, and the chop meant that some sea water was thrown over us but not too badly.

On St Mary's Heather and Alan were there to meet us and we had quick catch-up before boarding the Scillonian.  We found a good couple of seats with a window and settled down for 

Our cases in this container?

the voyage and hoped our cases were travelling with us - unlike on one occasion.  The weather had cleared by now and we were soon underway with us going between

No Men-A-Vaur for us today

 St Mary's and St Martin's past Men-A-Vaur.  There was a little white water but it did not affect us.  We carried on into the Atlantic past the Wolf Rock lighthouse and Lands End.  We managed a snack from the ship's 

Middle Town from Scillonian

buffet which was well received and pretty good quality.

I spent some time on deck and managed to photograph                        

Lamorna Cove

 Lamorna Cove and the Tater Dhu lighthouse.  

Tater Dhu lighthouse

We were well on time and docked OK before safely collecting our luggage and have now settled in for the night at the Premier Inn.  All went well on our first day.

Days 10 & 11 Friday, April 11th and Saturday April 12th Our journey home to the Scillies

 Two uneventful days in one for the final post of this holiday.

Ready to leave

Friday was the day we left the Gower and Worms Head.  We breakfasted and packed to make a fairly early start on the long journey to Penzance.  Before we left the car park it was time for a quick photo of my sun-tanned wife alongside the Merc which had served us well with the Worms Head in the background.  The Worms Head Hotel had been a good comfortable base for us and had the advantage of being very close to Potton where the rest of our group were staying.  We were soon underway and had a happily uneventful drive back to Enterprise in Swansea.  After a quick inspection there were no penalties to pay and so we trundled our cases back to Swansea station.  Our first train was to Cardiff and we were well on time and it left at 1130.  Our only change at Cardiff was leisurely, we found the reserved seats and settled back for the journey through the rest of Wales and southwest England to Penzance.  The only disappointment was that there was no refreshment service on the train but we had some bits and pieces and having had a good breakfast we just about survived!  The journey was its usual scenic self in the bright sunshine and tide well up. We arrived at Penzance on time at 1840 and were soon checked in and ensconced in the Premier Inn.  We had booked a meal deal and enjoyed a basic, good pub type dinner before retiring. 

The next unlike all the previous days on this holiday started with some drizzle.  We had our breakfast at a still leisurely pace because the sailing time for the Scillonian was 1015.  We were glad to have our waterproofs for the walk to the quay and when we got the Scillonian found it pretty busy with most people staying inside.  We settled down and were soon underway with the sea calm but the weather not 

Aboard the Meridian for St Martins

conducive for going outside.  The voyage took about 2 ¾ hours and we disembarked just after 1300.  We had to wait for a 2pm boat to Higher Town. The rain had stopped by this time. We 

Past Guthers Island again

planned to walk the road to home but did have a lift some of the way.  I went for our car and collected the luggage from Higher Town waiting room.  We were all back indoors by 1530 after a good journey at the end of a superb time away.

So that is cheerio until our next trip.