English Counties - Whistle Stop Tour

Travelling west from Ilfracombe we reach Combe Martin.

Just outside Combe Martin is Chambercombe Manor, said to be the most haunted manor in England.This manor was visited by the Most Haunted team.

When you're in the north of Devon save one day for a visit to Lundy island. An experience I'll never forget. Lundy is property of the National Trust. It measures about 3 miles (5 km) by 0.75 miles (1.2 km). Situated approx 19 km from the coast, only reachable after a 2 hour trip on the MS Oldenburg. And what a trip that can be when you’re in the companion of a large group of seasick school children – filled up with all the candy they had for the whole day - and there (even more sick) teachers. Real fun when you’re not suffering any form of discomfort.

At the end of this trip we reach the point where Lundy must be. We had to believe the captain because al we could see was a thick grey cloud. Not much for a first impression.

Picture by Ted van Onzen

On the island the only thing we could do was follow the road to reach the village, passing all kind of interesting? buildings.

Picture by Ted van Onzen

Lundy is divided in 4 quarters. Each quarter is indicated by a wall. We had only 5 hours to spend on the island and knowing there will only be a boat to the main land three times a week, it’s difficult to see the whole of the island in one visit. Not such a difficulty at that moment because we couldn’t see anything of the island at all.

Hoping the weather will improve (50/50 change according to the locals) we start our tour by heading south to see the castle.

Picture by Ted van Onzen

Following the path westwards we know we must be careful because some where out there is Devil’s Limekiln a sea cave, open to the air with a drop of 100 feet. We must have missed it by an inch and suddenly we found are self at another not so pleasant place for the faint hearted.

Picture by Ted van Onzen

A little further another building dooms up out of the fog. The old lighthouse.

Picture by Ted van Onzen

At noon a small glimpse of the sun is trying to penetrate the thick cloud of fog an slowly it became much brighter.

Picture by Ted van Onzen

Al last we can enjoy the real beauty of Lundy and what a beauty it is.

Picture by Ted van Onzen

We heading north at the east site of island. Passing quarries, ruins and strange rock formations.

Picture by Ted van Onzen

When we reached Three Quarter Wall, time is to short to make it to the far end of Lundy.

Picture by Ted van Onzen

We’re heading west and back to the landing bay along the west coast. Seeing lots of birds, wild life,

Picture by Ted van Onzen

and more strange rock formations

Picture by Ted van Onzen

Mother Nature is a great sculptress.

Now we can see the old lighthouse in all his glory

Picture by Ted van Onzen

and on the way back to the boat we see more building we passed this morning without knowing they were there.

Picture by Ted van Onzen

The MS Oldenburg is ready for the trip back to the main land.

Picture by John Edwards ©

The see is calm the school children tired so an easy trip home.

Bye bye Lundy. I really hope to come back on day.

http://www.picturesofengland.com/England/Devon/Lundy_Island/pictures/thumbnails/1

for more Lundy picture

Ted that is a beautiful tour.  At first I was totally put off by the seasick children because I knew I would be joining them very soon.  But the rest of your trip more than made up for it. 

Wonderful, thank you for sharing your experience and photos (and John's) with us. 

I hope you have all put this in your favourites along with the Isles of Scilly so you won't forget to plan your visits, lol.

Oh my goodness, I will have to change my plans.  Going across Dartmoor I came across Drewsteignton and I have to have a look around here and I think I will stay overnight,  looks like I will be eating at the Angler's Rest Pub (Virtually of course, lol)

Picture by Graham Rains

Picture by Barbara Whiteman

Picture by Gerry Dunlop

Check out the information here on Drewsteignton

 http://www.picturesofengland.com/England/Devon/Drewsteignton

Can we back-track to Brixham (my home town) please?

A view of the harbour, which I see most days.  My Mum was born in the pink house at the top of the picture.

Picture by Marjorie Pope

And a view of the opposite side of the harbour, taken by my friend, Lorry.

Picture by Lorry Parton

And a beautiful Brixham sunset.

Picture by Lorry Parton

Thanks for the pics of Brixham Marjorie. Unfortunately I'm now in Drewsteignton, but I would have detoured at Totnes so I could come and have tea with you.  Oh well, maybe next time I am 'virtually' in your area, lol

But tell us more about Brixham, what to see, what to do, special attractions, where to eat/drink/sleep etc.

I loved the harbour, Marjorie.

We paid a short visit to Brixham during our stay in Torquay. We had choosen to stay in Torquay because off the strong presence of my favourite writer Agatha Christie.

One of our favourite places over there was the Pavilion overlooking the harbour.

Picture by Vince Hawthorn

Picture by Vince Hawthorn

Near to Clovelley there is as Peter already mentioned Hartland Point And Hartland Quay, the latter is well worth a visit for sae views geology and just being off the beaten track.

Further on towards the east you can find Lynton and Lynmouth, another worthy stop. Lynton is high up and Lynmouth is at sea level,apart from driving between by far the best way is to use the cliff railway. There are two carridges running on parallel very steep tracks and connected together by a cable. The car at the top has a tank filled with water, the brake is let off and gravity takes over and as it goes down with it's greater weight it pulls the other car up and the whole thing is repeated for the next journey.The view from the cliff railway is tremendous!! Once in Lynmouth and after a stroll round the various shops a visit to the fish and chip shop near to the cliff railway can be recomended. Beware of the locals.

Picture by Vince Hawthorn

So my Devon knowledge is a bit limited other than to suggest a trek accross Dartmoor, and long ago before my picture taking days was surveying job in 1974 at RNAD Ernesettle which is seen from the Tamar Bridge on the Devon side just north of the bridges. Wherever you go in Devon have a good trip.