We are in North Devon! I wish I could say we are bathed in sunshine but that’s not quite the picture. It drizzled most of the day yesterday. We made the best if it and donned our raincoats to visit the historic pannier market in Barnstaple. It was rather disappointing. I suppose they don’t have the most interesting stalls there in a Monday morning and there was little of interest to any of us. We cheered ourselves up with a delicious cream tea with local clotted cream and then drove up to Ilfracombe.
The statue Verity in Ilfracombe
We particularly wanted to see Damian Hurst’s statue, Verity. Even in the gloom it looked magnificent on the harbour but is rather disturbing – a huge naked and pregnant woman, holding her sword proudly above her head but with the scales of justice behind her. Most disconcertingly, the skin and muscles on one side are stripped back to reveal her skull and the baby curled up in her womb.
Opinion is apparently divided in Devon but we liked her. We liked Ilfracombe altogether actually and will go back on a nicer day. We had a walk through the town centre in the rain dodging from charity shop to charity shop and picked up a few bargains on the way. This is typical of us – the girls love a bargain just as we do!
It has been quite bright today and this evening the sun has been shining here in Devon. We spent the day at Croyde Bay just up the road from our little wooden chalet. It was lovely. We had a good hike up to Baggy Point and a picnic on the beach, then drove to Braunton and hit the charity shops again. More bargains!
The chalet itself is perfect, on a very quiet and well maintained site. It is cosy but large enough for the four of us for the week and much better than a tent on those rainy days! I love not having to get up early for work, taking each day as it comes and spending a bit of time with the family. Tomorrow the plan is to visit RHS Rosemoor. We are members so will only have to pay for the girls to get in. We are hoping for a little more sun but will plan for all eventualities, as ever!
Mrs LH says
Banstaple pannier market brings back memories. It was at one time huge with loads of stalls. I like Barnstaple, used to work at the hospital there – i suspect it’s changed though from when we last visited many years ago. You look like you’re having a lovely break.
Margaret Powling says
what a shame you had bad weather. Here in Torbay the weather has been lovely! But Torbay is more crowded than N. Devon, indeed, they are like two different counties. The chalet looks lovely, an ideal place for a holiday.
Margaret P
VickiEY says
My favourite beach between Putsborough and Woolacombe! We are going to be staying overlooking the sea at Putsborough next month and will definitely do the same walk as you in reverse, as we do almost every year. It’s an area we have been visiting since 1985 with our boys and now just the two of us! A wonderful area, especially if the weather improves for you.
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