| Exmoor, Somerset Saturday 11th September Kenny was ill. He had developed 'Man Flu' on Thursday and stayed in bed all day Friday under my orders (I was at work) to get as well as possible before we left. So the caravan was not ready for 'lift-off' first thing Saturday. He was luckily feeling better after a relaxing bath, although he still had a snotty nose and had started coughing (the dreaded and best not thought about catarrh!). We finally had everything loaded up and ready just after noon and I was feeling stressed. Kenny couldn't help being ill and he would be better soon, but starting a holiday like that is never a good idea. |
| Caravan Adventures with Christine & Dorothy |
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| Caravan Adventures accepts no responsibility for links to other sites over which it has no control |
Idyllic does describe this site perfectly and we were both pleased with our choice. After setting up we wandered down to the
shower block to inspect the facilities. Each block (men and women) had three showers and a toilet and there was a further
toilet block. The information shed was full of useful leaflets and folders about the local area and a large map outside showed
the detail for walks and places of interest. Next we walked across the road to the Badgers Holt pub to see what time it opened
as we planned to eat their later to avoid the need for any exertion in the caravan food preparation area.
shower block to inspect the facilities. Each block (men and women) had three showers and a toilet and there was a further
toilet block. The information shed was full of useful leaflets and folders about the local area and a large map outside showed
the detail for walks and places of interest. Next we walked across the road to the Badgers Holt pub to see what time it opened
as we planned to eat their later to avoid the need for any exertion in the caravan food preparation area.
We followed the AA route I had printed off the internet along with
the directions from the caravan site website and we decided
Deirdre the sat nav could have a day off. After a few showers
earlier on, the sun came through the clouds and turned the day
into one of those beautiful late summer stunners! Driving the last
few miles alongside the river Exe with dappled sunshine finding
its way through the trees was really special and the site setting
did not disappoint. We parked alongside the shop and I went up
to the Old Mill House reception to sort out payment and find out
what pitch we had been allocated. Once completed I returned to
the car with our two complimentary cups of coffee and biscuits,
this was going to be a very friendly site.
the directions from the caravan site website and we decided
Deirdre the sat nav could have a day off. After a few showers
earlier on, the sun came through the clouds and turned the day
into one of those beautiful late summer stunners! Driving the last
few miles alongside the river Exe with dappled sunshine finding
its way through the trees was really special and the site setting
did not disappoint. We parked alongside the shop and I went up
to the Old Mill House reception to sort out payment and find out
what pitch we had been allocated. Once completed I returned to
the car with our two complimentary cups of coffee and biscuits,
this was going to be a very friendly site.
| Dorothy & Harry on site |
Our pitch was the hard-standing we had
requested and we positioned the caravan
sideways on so we looked out over the
river. The site is adults only because it is
flanked by the river Exe one side and the
mill stream the other, too dangerous to
risk children and their natural curiosity for
anything connected with water.
requested and we positioned the caravan
sideways on so we looked out over the
river. The site is adults only because it is
flanked by the river Exe one side and the
mill stream the other, too dangerous to
risk children and their natural curiosity for
anything connected with water.
After returning to the caravan we had a glass of wine and some peanuts and chatted away the hour or so before making our way to the pub and our
dinner. Being early we had finished by 7:30 pm so wandered back home for a very early night. We both needed to catch up on some sleep due to
Kenny's coughing keeping us awake the previous night. Because I couldn't face setting up the double bed we slept on the two singles provided by the
normal seating and decided to do that from then on as it proved to be both easy and very comfortable. During the night I could hear the running water of
the river we were alongside and kept thinking someone had left a tap running - that would take a bit of getting used to! And just when I thought Kenny
was snoring and was thinking 'poor thing, his cold is still affecting his breathing', he did start snoring and I realised it had been coming from the tent
pitched next to us!
dinner. Being early we had finished by 7:30 pm so wandered back home for a very early night. We both needed to catch up on some sleep due to
Kenny's coughing keeping us awake the previous night. Because I couldn't face setting up the double bed we slept on the two singles provided by the
normal seating and decided to do that from then on as it proved to be both easy and very comfortable. During the night I could hear the running water of
the river we were alongside and kept thinking someone had left a tap running - that would take a bit of getting used to! And just when I thought Kenny
was snoring and was thinking 'poor thing, his cold is still affecting his breathing', he did start snoring and I realised it had been coming from the tent
pitched next to us!
Sunday 12th September
We both woke early due to the dawn chorus being assisted by the hundreds of pheasants we could see on the opposite side of the river and then we
realised there were also some around our caravan as we heard one decide to take flight and use our roof as a landing stage. We watched them from
the window and marvelled at what beautiful birds they were and what a lovely life they had, well, short life as they were obviously being bred for the
shoot, and what a lucrative business that is.
We both woke early due to the dawn chorus being assisted by the hundreds of pheasants we could see on the opposite side of the river and then we
realised there were also some around our caravan as we heard one decide to take flight and use our roof as a landing stage. We watched them from
the window and marvelled at what beautiful birds they were and what a lovely life they had, well, short life as they were obviously being bred for the
shoot, and what a lucrative business that is.
The information shed included some
scenic drive sheets and we decided to do
the Doone Valley and Watersmeet one.
We started by heading to Porlock and
got some stunning pictures looking
across the Bristol Channel to Wales. Next
was a walk to Robbers Bridge, a truly
mystical place, very pretty and tranquil.
scenic drive sheets and we decided to do
the Doone Valley and Watersmeet one.
We started by heading to Porlock and
got some stunning pictures looking
across the Bristol Channel to Wales. Next
was a walk to Robbers Bridge, a truly
mystical place, very pretty and tranquil.
To view any image full-size
just click on the thumbnail
just click on the thumbnail
| the mill & duck house |
| view from the caravan |
| view across the Bristol Channel to Wales |
| Robbers Bridge |
Some of the lanes after this were so narrow we had to breathe in and many of the bridges were only just wide enough for us to get across and had
fords through the water next to them for the larger vehicles like tractors to get across. At Brendon we stopped at the Staghunter’s Pub and had a
Sunday roast for lunch, very nice.
fords through the water next to them for the larger vehicles like tractors to get across. At Brendon we stopped at the Staghunter’s Pub and had a
Sunday roast for lunch, very nice.
Our plan for the day started with a tour of the Old Mill House on site that was open at 10:00, so we got up at a very leisurely
pace and breakfasted on croissants and coffee, very continental. The showers were functional but nothing special and we
learned why later that morning
The site owners gave the tour of the mill and it was extremely interesting and included a webcam showing the various bats
living in the mill roof. Because the caravan site was there before the National Park status was awarded to the area it was
allowed to stay (no new ones were allowed to be built subsequently) but no additions could be made, hence the shower and
toilet block could not be extended.
pace and breakfasted on croissants and coffee, very continental. The showers were functional but nothing special and we
learned why later that morning
The site owners gave the tour of the mill and it was extremely interesting and included a webcam showing the various bats
living in the mill roof. Because the caravan site was there before the National Park status was awarded to the area it was
allowed to stay (no new ones were allowed to be built subsequently) but no additions could be made, hence the shower and
toilet block could not be extended.
Continuing on to Lynmouth we got some more photos of
the coast and the weather was very kind to us all day.
Being Sunday the car park at Watersmeet was full so we
decided to give that bit (the waterfall) a miss, and anyway,
Kenny had a blister so didn't want to do any more walking
that day. On to Simonsbath and the water-powered
sawmill wasn't open so we went into the little shop there
and bought a book of Exmoor walks to use on this holiday
and future ones in the area.
the coast and the weather was very kind to us all day.
Being Sunday the car park at Watersmeet was full so we
decided to give that bit (the waterfall) a miss, and anyway,
Kenny had a blister so didn't want to do any more walking
that day. On to Simonsbath and the water-powered
sawmill wasn't open so we went into the little shop there
and bought a book of Exmoor walks to use on this holiday
and future ones in the area.
| views on the Minehead road |
Over Winsford Hill we got our first sight of the beautiful Exmoor ponies and some lovely photos of them. I did work with the
ponies when I was a teenager so they are very close to my heart. Back to the caravan for a cup of tea ended the day out.
ponies when I was a teenager so they are very close to my heart. Back to the caravan for a cup of tea ended the day out.
the highly camouflaged Exmoor ponies!
Monday 13th September
After a good night's sleep we woke late, showered and breakfasted. We took the damp
towels to the washing room for a quick tumble dry and while waiting I took some photos
of the resident Indian Runner ducks who were really cute.
After a good night's sleep we woke late, showered and breakfasted. We took the damp
towels to the washing room for a quick tumble dry and while waiting I took some photos
of the resident Indian Runner ducks who were really cute.
| Indian Runner ducks |
Tarr Steps was first on our itinerary and the weather was grey and a bit
cold so coats were required. With not many people around we got some
good photos and had a lovely walk along the river before returning to
the car and heading for Minehead. It was lunchtime by the time we
arrived so we had some very tasty toasted sandwiches in a little tea
shop, Kenny had bacon with brie and I had feta with roasted vegetables
and hummus, and then we headed for the seafront. On our walk there
Kenny informed me the elastic had gone in his underpants which
explained why he had suddenly started walking as though he had a wasp
down his trousers - people must have thought he was mad!
cold so coats were required. With not many people around we got some
good photos and had a lovely walk along the river before returning to
the car and heading for Minehead. It was lunchtime by the time we
arrived so we had some very tasty toasted sandwiches in a little tea
shop, Kenny had bacon with brie and I had feta with roasted vegetables
and hummus, and then we headed for the seafront. On our walk there
Kenny informed me the elastic had gone in his underpants which
explained why he had suddenly started walking as though he had a wasp
down his trousers - people must have thought he was mad!
| stream above Robbers Bridge |
| views of Tarr Steps |
| Minehead beach |
Once on the promenade I took some photos of the deserted beach showing the brown coloured sea and grey skies. But we
were not deterred by the dismal weather and after buying some saucy postcards we took the steam train to Bishop's Lydeard
and back, a journey taking a good 3 ½ hours but well worth it. Although the scenery was not as good as we expected the
journey was nostalgic and Kenny told me stories of how he cried as a child when taken on a steam train due to the smoke and
the noise! He didn't cry so much this time but really loved it, as did I. The stations we stopped at along the way had been
lovingly restored and tended with troughs of flowers and hanging baskets, what a treat.
were not deterred by the dismal weather and after buying some saucy postcards we took the steam train to Bishop's Lydeard
and back, a journey taking a good 3 ½ hours but well worth it. Although the scenery was not as good as we expected the
journey was nostalgic and Kenny told me stories of how he cried as a child when taken on a steam train due to the smoke and
the noise! He didn't cry so much this time but really loved it, as did I. The stations we stopped at along the way had been
lovingly restored and tended with troughs of flowers and hanging baskets, what a treat.
| Braunton |
| Nunney Castle |
| Tornado |
On the drive back to the caravan it was dusk
and we saw a pair of red deer in a field, what a
lovely sight. We had pasta with garlic bread for
dinner and as neither of us wanted to watch a
DVD we sat listening to Classic FM and
chatting. What a relaxing way to end the day.
and we saw a pair of red deer in a field, what a
lovely sight. We had pasta with garlic bread for
dinner and as neither of us wanted to watch a
DVD we sat listening to Classic FM and
chatting. What a relaxing way to end the day.
| our pitch setting |
Tuesday 14th September
It was raining. We had planned to visit Dunster castle but decided to wait for the weather to improve so got up late and had croissants and coffee for
breakfast. We had boiled some eggs the evening before and were taking egg and beetroot rolls with us for lunch. But the rain didn't stop and so we
stayed in the caravan all day reading, chatting, eating and drinking. Kenny dozed off a couple of times and I got a bit stir crazy but that didn't last long
and we heard the weather forecast for the rain to stop in the evening, which it did and the next day was due to be fine. So we had pasta for dinner,
watched a DVD and went to bed.
It was raining. We had planned to visit Dunster castle but decided to wait for the weather to improve so got up late and had croissants and coffee for
breakfast. We had boiled some eggs the evening before and were taking egg and beetroot rolls with us for lunch. But the rain didn't stop and so we
stayed in the caravan all day reading, chatting, eating and drinking. Kenny dozed off a couple of times and I got a bit stir crazy but that didn't last long
and we heard the weather forecast for the rain to stop in the evening, which it did and the next day was due to be fine. So we had pasta for dinner,
watched a DVD and went to bed.
Wednesday 15th September
The weather forecast was right and it dawned
beautiful and dry. With showers and breakfast
sorted we headed off in the car to Dunster and the
castle. Being National Trust members the car park
and entrance to the castle was free. As we were a
bit early we looked round Dunster village first, what
a pretty place, but totally spoiled by the traffic.
The weather forecast was right and it dawned
beautiful and dry. With showers and breakfast
sorted we headed off in the car to Dunster and the
castle. Being National Trust members the car park
and entrance to the castle was free. As we were a
bit early we looked round Dunster village first, what
a pretty place, but totally spoiled by the traffic.
| the Yarn Market, Dunster |
| Dunster High Street |
| the Dove Cote |
We headed up to the castle next and took the circular walk around the base
of the site and eventually ended up at the castle entrance. The inside of the
castle was lovely, sometimes impressive, but not quite as spectacular as we
hoped, although the views were stunning. We spent a good few hours looking
round before heading to the Stag's Head for a very good lunch - I had a huge
and tasty cheddar ploughmans and Kenny had a spicy lamb tagine. We then
walked back through the village towards the car buying some scones and
clotted cream on the way to have our own cream tea back at the caravan.
of the site and eventually ended up at the castle entrance. The inside of the
castle was lovely, sometimes impressive, but not quite as spectacular as we
hoped, although the views were stunning. We spent a good few hours looking
round before heading to the Stag's Head for a very good lunch - I had a huge
and tasty cheddar ploughmans and Kenny had a spicy lamb tagine. We then
walked back through the village towards the car buying some scones and
clotted cream on the way to have our own cream tea back at the caravan.
| the Dream garden |
| Dunster church from the Dream garden |
| Dunster Mill |
| Dunster houses |
| Dunster Castle |
| Dunster church |
| Dunster Castle gardens |
| Dunster bridge by the mill |
As the weather was still good we got back to the caravan and decided to walk to the weir at the
end of the site and then do one of the circular walks from the site entrance. The walk was 2
hours and 3½ miles and took us alongside the river Exe that runs along the side of the site and
up a very steep heart-pounding hill before turning back along the river and back to the site. We
saw numerous pheasants and a huge heron who we disturbed from his fishing at the edge of the
river.
Once back at the caravan we had a welcome cup of tea and our scones, clotted cream and
strawberry jam, lovely!
end of the site and then do one of the circular walks from the site entrance. The walk was 2
hours and 3½ miles and took us alongside the river Exe that runs along the side of the site and
up a very steep heart-pounding hill before turning back along the river and back to the site. We
saw numerous pheasants and a huge heron who we disturbed from his fishing at the edge of the
river.
Once back at the caravan we had a welcome cup of tea and our scones, clotted cream and
strawberry jam, lovely!
| above is our pitch from the other bank below is the weir |
Thursday 16th September
It was raining. I had decided that whatever the weather we would go somewhere, and Kenny agreed (he knew I would
drive him mad if we spent the day in the caravan again!). Breakfast and showers later we headed off in the car to
Knightshayes Court. The rain had stopped by the time we arrived but it was spitting a bit and still grey skies. We were
some of the first in so had a fairly quiet tour of the house which we both loved and thoroughly recommend.
The wood panelling in some of the rooms was wonderful and the ceilings just amazing. We spent some minutes trying to
work out how much we would need to buy a place like that and decided that even a lottery win wouldn't be enough!
It was raining. I had decided that whatever the weather we would go somewhere, and Kenny agreed (he knew I would
drive him mad if we spent the day in the caravan again!). Breakfast and showers later we headed off in the car to
Knightshayes Court. The rain had stopped by the time we arrived but it was spitting a bit and still grey skies. We were
some of the first in so had a fairly quiet tour of the house which we both loved and thoroughly recommend.
The wood panelling in some of the rooms was wonderful and the ceilings just amazing. We spent some minutes trying to
work out how much we would need to buy a place like that and decided that even a lottery win wouldn't be enough!
| Dulverton church |
| Knightshayes Court |
| the walled garden |
| the stables now houses the shop & restaurant |
Then into the restaurant for lunch and a wander round the walled kitchen garden where we got some advice on growing rhubarb, something we had
planted in our own vegetable plot earlier in the year. Some hard work had gone into restoring the house and gardens as well as maintaining them in
perfect condition and we marvelled at the beautiful scenes we saw at every turn.
planted in our own vegetable plot earlier in the year. Some hard work had gone into restoring the house and gardens as well as maintaining them in
perfect condition and we marvelled at the beautiful scenes we saw at every turn.
This was one of the best places we have visited so far and we spent a
good 3 hours there. The weather had brightened up during our tour of the
gardens and so we decided to visit Dulverton on our way back.
Dulverton is a very pretty village and from there we drove across the
moors on our way back hoping to see some more ponies, but we were out
of luck. And we never saw, ‘the beast of Exmoor’, although Kenny thought
he spotted some of its relatives in Minehead!
good 3 hours there. The weather had brightened up during our tour of the
gardens and so we decided to visit Dulverton on our way back.
Dulverton is a very pretty village and from there we drove across the
moors on our way back hoping to see some more ponies, but we were out
of luck. And we never saw, ‘the beast of Exmoor’, although Kenny thought
he spotted some of its relatives in Minehead!
| the walled garden contains beds of flowers as well as vegetables |
| views of the moors but no beast! |
Back at the caravan we had a cup of tea and the remainder of the scones and cream from the day before and settled down for a relaxing evening. This
was our last day as we were heading home in the morning.
We love this site and it is one of the few we plan to visit again in the future.
was our last day as we were heading home in the morning.
We love this site and it is one of the few we plan to visit again in the future.
Friday 17th September
We were up early and packed up and ready to leave by 09:30. The weather was lovely, typical! We had a good journey home and used Deidre this time
and she took us along a better route for the caravan along bigger roads, always a consideration when towing.
Home for lunch but the motor mover had stopped working one side so Kenny had to hitch the caravan back up to the car and reverse it back on to the
driveway, not an easy task. But he did it and decided to phone the caravan place where we had bought the caravan nearly 2 years ago for some advice.
Someone came out within the hour and fixed it for free, what excellent service that was!
Julie
September 2010
Kenny’s Trip Tip
Always plan for good and bad weather to avoid disappointment and using a plastic box (the under-bed type) to store muddy boots under the caravan will
avoid treading mud inside if you don’t have an awning.
We were up early and packed up and ready to leave by 09:30. The weather was lovely, typical! We had a good journey home and used Deidre this time
and she took us along a better route for the caravan along bigger roads, always a consideration when towing.
Home for lunch but the motor mover had stopped working one side so Kenny had to hitch the caravan back up to the car and reverse it back on to the
driveway, not an easy task. But he did it and decided to phone the caravan place where we had bought the caravan nearly 2 years ago for some advice.
Someone came out within the hour and fixed it for free, what excellent service that was!
Julie
September 2010
Kenny’s Trip Tip
Always plan for good and bad weather to avoid disappointment and using a plastic box (the under-bed type) to store muddy boots under the caravan will
avoid treading mud inside if you don’t have an awning.