Jenny Wren Crafts - Blog

3rd July 2022

7/3/2022

Day 37 of my big adventure.

The weather forecast said that today was going to be a mostly sunny day so decided to book a 'round robin' trip. The trip started from Totnes with a cruise down the river Dart to Dartmouth, then a ferry over to Kingswear to catch the steam train to Paignton and finally an open top bus back to Totnes. I arrived in Totnes in good time for the 11.30 sailing so I could have a walk round. Totnes is a pretty little town with a bridge over the river.

The river cruise down to Dartmouth took 90 minutes and the scenery was beautiful. The river is very wide in places with villages dotted alongside as well as vinyards we were told.

These were taken approaching Dartmouth where there is a Royal Naval college. Prince Philip went there and it was there that he first met the young Princess Elizabeth when he was asked to accompany her on her visit with her father.

Dartmouth is very picturesque.

Steam train from Kingswear to Paignton. It follows the river for a while and then cuts across to follow the coast. Tried to take some pictures through the window. Paignton is not my favourite place, very fish and chips, ice creams, amusements and souvenirs so just took a couple of the beach.

2nd July 2022

7/2/2022

Day 36 of my big adventure.

Weather not great this morning, rainy. Did some washing and then it brightened up a bit so decided to go to Brixham. I first went to Brixham with my parents over 60 years ago and then my uncle had a caravan at Goodrington a few miles away so I used to go there every year till I got married and I've been back a few times since. The quickest way to get there from where I am staying is to Dartmouth and over the ferry. Otherwise the nearest bridge over the river Dart is Totnes and that's miles away. Lots of country lanes again including the interesting bridge in the first photo which is just wide enough for one car.

Had a nice walk round Brixham. The parking, as ever, was above the town which provides good views but kills you to walk back up. I should be used to it by now!

On the way back across the ferry we had to wait for the local train to cross. I have been on it before. It goes from Kingswear to Paignton.

1st July 2022

7/1/2022

Day 35 of my big adventure and a happy birthday to my friend Jackie.

Weather was not great first thing but brightened up by lunchtime so I sat outside to eat lunch and read. Decided to make the most of the sunshine and go to Salcombe. Another place I haven't been to for years. Took me just over 20 minutes down narrow country lanes again but well worth it, Salcombe is lovely. Built on the steep side of the estuary (again) with great views. The buildings give the impression of wealth rather than the old fisherman's cottages of Cornwall and the harbour seems to be full of pleasure craft rather than fishing vessels.

30th June 2022

6/30/2022

Day 34 of my big adventure.

I had work this morning but this afternoon I drove to Bigbury-on-Sea which was about a twenty minute drive down narrow country lanes. I'm sure I went there on a coach trip once many years ago but I can't imagine how! Anyway very nice and pretty much as I remembered it. Burgh island is just across the sand when the tide is out or can be accessed via a wierd vehicle on stilts when the tide is in. Burgh island is the setting for Agatha Christie's 'And then there were none' and has been used as a film location many times. There is an art deco hotel, a pub and very little else on the island.

June 29th, 2022

6/29/2022

Day 33 of my big adventure and I am now at California Cross, Nr Ivybridge in Devon. The site is tiered and I think I am on the fourth tier. There are a couple of ready tents but I don't think they are occupied. Today has been cloudy but warm and no rain. There is a washing machine on site so did a load of washing this afternoon.

27th June 2022

6/27/2022

Day 31 of my big adventure and a full month since I left home.

Not much to report today. Worked until mid afternoon and then went out to find a post box and to get diesel. Have now finished the back of my Autumn sweater.

26th June 2022

6/26/2022

Day 30 of my big adventure.

Rained a bit this morning but went brighter so decided to go to Fowey. (Pronounced 'Foy' apparently by the locals, like 'Muzzle' (Mousehole) and 'Snozzle' (St Austel).

Nice and sunny and a really pretty place on the river. Car park right at the top of the town again with steep road and steps leading down. (I'm getting kind of used to this now though it kills me to walk back up again. So unfit!!). Busy but not crowded so managed a few shots of the town this time. Wide range of building types from really old cottages to quite grand buildings.

25th June 2022

6/25/2022

Day 29 of my big adventure, four weeks since I set out.

Weather forecast for today was sunshine and showers and it certainly lived up to it. I decided to go to Looe but when I arrived it started to rain. Stopped after a bit though and the sun came out before another shower. It's been like that all day.

Finally managed to find a Jubilee souvenir to add to my collection, a nice plate. I just hope there's room on the shelf. Also picked up a couple of nice tops from a charity shop. Most of the charity shops I've looked in in Cornwall have been ridiculously expensive so I stopped looking in them. Only popped in this one to get out of the rain and found a pretty Mantaray top for £3.50 and an as new Saltrock T shirt in a lovely aqua colour for just £3. Much better!

Looe is pretty with a nice harbour and little narrow streets. Tricky to take pictures in the town as it was very busy. Ice creams topped with clotted cream appeared to be the local delicacy, as well as pasties of course.

24th June 2022

6/24/2022

Day 28 of my big adventure and I am now at a Certificated Site called The Leans, Nr Bodmin.

Weather was threatening rain when I packed up this morning but held off to a drizzle as I was pulling away. Rained all the way here. Should have taken 1 hour but took an extra 45 minutes due to roadworks on the A30. Anyone heading down this way over the summer be aware. Not too bad going south but evil going north. Anyway, here now and the rain has stopped. Didn't bother to go anywhere this afternoon, just chilled. Hopefully it will be a better day tomorrow and I can explore.

Site is bordered by countryside on three sides and by a couple of houses and the A38 on the other.

23rd June 2022

6/23/2022

Day 27 of my big adventure and my last day at Marazion.

I couldn't leave without a visit to St Michael's Mount so booked tickets for 11.30am this morning. The site is jointly looked after by the St Aubyn family and the National Trust. As a Trust member I didn't need to pay for the entrance, just for the boat over and back as the tide was in. The walk up was very steep cobblestones with no hand rail in places. I got as far as the cannons but didn't go right up to the castle as there was nothing to hold on to at all. Good views from the top though and the harbour was pretty.

Next stop was Porthleven where I stopped for a scone and jam and a cup of tea at a little cafe overlooking the harbour. There were some craft stalls around the harbour so I picked up a little birthday present for someone.

Final stop Kynance Cove on the Lizard Peninsula, just round the corner from Lizard Point and National Trust. Right on the cliff tops with great views. To get there I had to pass the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, which was massive.