Plymouth Ho

Monday

Had been raining all night and the river had risen and was edging towards the driveway which Alison said would be covered later on. So we got out while we could and drove across The Moors on our way to Plymouth to stay with Linda and Ian (David’s cousin.) It was wonderful scenery coming across - magical views. We stopped to take a photo of Dartmoor Prison in Princetown - very bleak. David remembered as a child driving past the prison one evening with his Mum & Dad and getting scared as a thick fog came down and his Dad had trouble seeing where he was going and they were all winding each other up about escaped prisoners and getting lost. Stopped at Yelveton Nursing Home to visit David’s auntie Jean who is 98-was a bit sad as she wasn’t the big strapping healthy woman as we remembered but still had her wonderful sense of humour and is getting well looked after. Arrived at Linda & Ian’s and after a quick homemade soup we headed off to Plymouth Ho for a 8km walk. Saw where the Pilgrim Fathers left for America, and walked through the Barbican area where there is a lot a very old buildings, and visited the Gin Distillery which has been there since the 1700’s, didn’t sample any unlike David’s mum who apparently did when she visited!!!!!!!!! Called in on the way back to see Linda and Ian’s friends Sharon and Andy for a quick Aussie wine (or two!!) before heading back home for a lovely homemade curry and more wine and spirits!! (you know what Ian’s like ).Early night as we plan to make the most of the good weather and have a big walk in the morning.

Just made it out!

Dartmoor Prison - spooky!

The outdoor swimming pool!!

Outdoor iceskating rink-David didn't want a go!!!!!!

Lost on The Moors (nearly)!

Sunday

Got woken early by the hotel fire alarm!!!!!!!! It was extremely loud!!!! It turned out to be a pot of stock that had burnt dry that had been left on the stove by the chef ALL NIGHT!!! No damage thankfully only to our sleep pattern. We helped Ali for a while changing beds for new arrivals but she was insistent that we made the most of the day as it was so sunny and to get out and have a walk. We took up her offer and drove to Fernworthy Reservoir which is on The Moors of Dartmoor.  Part of the road was flooded and we were not sure if we could get through but as the car in front did we risked it. Parked up and started our walk around the reservoir and it turned out to be a typical David walk!!!!!!! Half way around it was not very well sign posted - so we asked other walkers if we were on the right track and were told yes you can walk around but it is very muddy. So we decided to head to higher ground up and over and away from the reservoir! Further on we asked more walkers for directions which we followed and it took us further from the reservoir and we had to try and avoid many swamp areas! (We were starting to think they were deliberately trying to get us lost as they knew we were Australian because of the hints about the cricket!!!)  David later told me he was worried that we weren’t going to make it back before it got dark!!!! We managed to get to the top of the hill (stunning views across the moors) and saw the reservoir again. Saw a few of the famous wild Dartmoor ponies roaming around as well as many cows that I am glad were not bulls!! We finally arrived back at the car - although we had encountered a few problems it had been another fantastic walk (Mum you would have loved it!!!!!!!) Shame there was no pub at the end. Drove back via the village of Chagford and had a quick look around the church. Back to Mill End for a relaxing evening as Ali insisted she do kitchen duties on her own as not as busy tonight. Off to Plymouth in the morning to stay with Linda & Ian (David’s cousin) for 2 nights before coming back here on Wednesday.

It was icy in places today

Just need to get up that hill behind through the swamps!!!

So I put this rock ontop of this one

and just push it over a bit! and if I stand on the top we may be able to see our car!!!!!

Relief! We now know where we are going!

The flood we went through

Mill End Hotel Chagford Devon

Friday & Saturday

Left Bridport early in the dark and arrived in Chagford Devon at The Mill End Hotel http://millendhotel.com/ at 8.30am (and it was still dark!!!). My friend Alison who I grew up with works here at her sister’s hotel - what a place!!!! Fantastic - stylish/classy/oldie worldy it’s got it all. There are 15 rooms (some suites) and a restaurant. It is a mill so there is a huge water wheel with water running all under the property. People come here to relax and walk their dogs (yes they can stay too) it is a beautiful part of the world. We have been helping out in the kitchen and with housekeeping (we now appreciate how hard a job it is) as it’s the changeover between Christmas and New Year so very busy. Very hard work and the jobs are never ending (Alison works so hard). We are staying in the house next to the hotel which is also gorgeous. Spent about 5 hours helping the first morning cleaning and changing 15 rooms with Alison and Cheryl, then before it got dark Alison took us over to her friend’s house called Puddiconbe House at Drew Steignton (and they reckon Australia has some strange names!!) to feed four horses while her friend was away. Then to Oakhampton for some supplies. Got back to the hotel and grabbed a staff meal each, before Alison and Jo went to help in the kitchen with the washing up for a couple of hours. Ended up having a late night chatting until 1.30am.

Saturday was the same, but less rooms to clean so Jo and myself got back around 1pm, had some lunch and then had a great walk along the local river to Fingle Bridge Inn absolutely brilliant, funny how they always build a pub at the end of these walks. Alison picked us up from this one as it would have been pitch black by the time we walked the 4kms back. Another staff meal waiting for us when we returned. Then Jo and Alison went off to wash more dishes (women’s work never stops!!!!!) while I made sure the cushion on the sofa didn’t lift up expectantly! And caught up with emails and the blog.