Devon Part 3 or What not to do in Devon.

The most terrifying time I have had in a long time was during our visit to Devon. It all started out well but let me tell you if you plan to visit Bigbury on Sea and Burgh Island then what ever you do don't rely on a 

SAT NAV to guide you there. 

For some bizarre reason it will direct you to a road from Aveton Gifford called (and the clue is in the name) Tidal Road.

The first thing you come to is what looks like a small ford. No problem you may think but a bit further around the corner you come to this. 

Which at High Tide becomes this

and then this

and apparently the flooded road can be like this on and off for 3/4 of a mile.

Fine if the tide is out but not if it is coming in you could get stuck. 

Luckily we only went part of the way to the house you can see on the middle photo as it wasn't too deep but the tide was coming in rapidly. The owner was standing at her gate and we spoke to her about the road ahead. She said at least two cars get stuck daily in the water and have to get the breakdown service to rescue them. 

Luckily she had someone working on her property who was local and he showed us the road the locals use to get back to the main road. It was narrow and more like a cart track with a very sharp right turn that meant reversing into someones turning point outside their property but at least we didn't have to go back through the water or wait for Low Tide. 

I looked on You Tube when I got home and saw how close to the water the road goes. 

So only follow the SAT NAV if you know it is low tide, the tide isn't coming in or you have a four wheel drive vehicle that is high up or you fancy driving into a tidal estuary.

It was funny when I recounted the story to my sons of the day dad drove us into the sea but at the time, well you can image what I was saying. 

Devon Part 2

Most National Trust properties don't open until at least 10:00am so we tried to visit a place of interest on the way to which ever house we were visiting that day. On the way to Coleton Fishacre we stopped off at Wembury Beach. It was not the sunniest of mornings but still there were lots of people out on surf boards and canoes plus families searching the rock pools. 

Andy said that the little island reminded him of Kirrin Island. although I think it is a little small for that. 

Andy thought this was funny. We're not sure why there is an old lady on the toilet sign.

After a brief stop off at the beach we headed for Coleton Fishacre. 

This was the holiday home of the D'Oyly Carte family built in the Arts and Crafts style with viewpoints out to sea. The pretty gardens have meandering paths filled with plants from different parts of the world.  As we entered we could hear music coming from the piano in the saloon which added to the atmosphere. I was sure any minute Bertie Wooster would come down the stairs saying 'Right ho, old thing', as the pianist was playing the theme tune from the 90's TV programme .

Although the house was delightful I found it a sad place after reading about it's history. Lady Dorothy and Rupert D'Oyly Carte weren't happy and after the death of their son lived separate lives, finally divorcing in 1941. So although Lady Dorothy's bedroom was lovely I can imagine she spent many sad lonely nights in it.

Rupert had his own room when he stayed at the house. She eventually remarried and went to live abroad.I can recommend a visit to this house if you are ever in the area followed by lunch or tea in the cafe. The food was delicious!

Still to come- Lydford Gorge, Cotehele, Knighthayes Court, Bigbury on Sea, Totnes and Kingswear but it maybe be a few days before I can write about them.

Devon Part 1

After not having a holiday last year I decided that whatever the finances are we would get away for a few days. I needed a change of scenery and so when I saw that Travelodge had a £10 per room sale I got up early and booked a few nights in Devon a place we had travelled through but never stopped in.

I really wanted to visited Greenway the home of Agatha Christie which open a few years ago. I found out before leaving home that they do not encourage cars to visit the property but to travel to the house via ferry, train or bus. Having never been to Dartmouth we decided to start the journey by parking in Dartmouth and catching the ferry and I am pleased we did as the trip up the estuary was a lovely way to arrive.

Dartmouth

Dartmouth

Taken from the ferry on the way to Greenway

The view from the ferry of of Agatha Christie's Boathouse.

We had lunch on the front lawn at Greenway with it's view over the estuary.  

First things first, coffee and cake.

The cake was served in a huge chunk,

What I loved about the house was it just looks like the family have gone out for a while and left everything lying around. I was told by one of the people working in the house that the family had requested that was how the National Trust were to present the house to the public.

I have read many of Agatha's books over the years but I still couldn't resist buying two more. These are both written using her home and surrounding area as the inspiration for them.

I am off to do some reading now but will be back with another part of our Devon holiday later.