| Day 15 - Cottage Rest Day |
 |
| Copyright Famocon Tours 2001 |
| We know this was supposed to be a rest day after the last extremely hectic two weeks but the idea is that you don't so much as do nothing but move at a very leisurely pace. After sleeping in for the first time on tour we drove to nearby North Molton for a look around. North Molton has a post office, bakery, grocery, newsagent, garage with petrol and pubs with dining facilities. It has a fish farm down by the stone bridge. Around North Molton are some of the highest hills in Exmoor from where you can get fine views to Lundy Island and south to Dartmoor. There are also some deep woods nearby. Sheep farming and mining have a long history with the area. Gold was discovered at the Bampfylde Mine at North Molton in the late 1700's and caused a lot of excitement. The excitement is long gone but the rural charms remain. We then headed to Swimbridge and Barnstaple. Barnstaple has a river frontage and looks a lot better at high tide so we dropped in on the way back when there was more water. In fact, Barnstaple was a major port on the river Taw servicing the flourishing wool industry, particularly during the middle ages (the town was named in the Domesday Book). As trade increased, especially with the new colonies in America, bigger ports such as Bristol took much of Barnstaple's trade. The main places of interest in Barnstaple were the Pannier Market, Taw Bridge and Taw River, The Square, Tome Stone, Queen Anne's Walk, the Museum of North Devon, the Castle Mound and St Peter's Church. We headed west to the coast via Braunton to Saunton Sands. The beach at Saunton Sands is very popular with families and car parking and a shop are right at the beach. It is best near high tide just to avoid the very long walk across the sand to get to the water at low tide. Good panoramic views can be obtained from the main road above the beach. This first view of the west coast of England was wonderful and we took advantage of good weather to gets lots of photos. Croyde, Woolacombe and Ilfracombe were the next locations along the coast road. This is a lovely part of the country. Croyde is probably the best swimming beach in North Devon and has a charming village with many thatched roof cottages and food and gift shops. The view from Baggy Point is excellent. Woolacombe is just around the point from Croyde. It was recently voted one of the 6 best beaches in England and is certainly very popular. Ilfracombe is a former fishing village that became a retirement and tourist centre. It now attracts families looking for a quiet and relaxing holiday. We found our way back to the cottage at Twitchen via Hele, Two Pots, Berry Down Cross, Kentisbury, Challacombe and Fullaford, having picked up some extra groceries. Our afternoon was spent walking around the little village lanes and reading in snug and comfy chairs. |
| to go to Home and each of the other days in this itinerary |