Day eleven in Devon. Goodbye.

At home now.  My wife intended that we had an early start and I have to admit I was sceptical about if this would happen, but she was amazing and not only ensured we left early, but reorganised the boot and drove past Stonehenge before letting me drive the rest of the way.

Getting back, all is unpacked and I am about to return to the ironing that I have to do for work tomorrow, both for me and my wife.  My daughter has found that her plant has died, though she insists it is not her fault, though she accepts the blame for leaving her keys there!  I have promised to buy both her and my son a plant each and to reward the one who keeps it alive the longest.  I think it will be a short competition but I hope they prove me wrong!

Day ten in Devon. The Royal George.

Almost our last day, in fact, our last full day in Devon.  We returned to South Milton so that my wife and son could browse the market there while my daughter and I went for a walk about town.

After that it was back to Appledore to eat at The Royal George, so good, we had to return.  This is one of the better places that we have eaten.  Not the best as that was The Five Bells Inn where we ate on our second day in Devon.  However, I would say that this was the second best place that we have eaten at this holiday, better than Britannia By The Beach.

Anyway we are now preparing for our trip on the road home tomorrow.

Day nine in Devon. South Molton.

Today was spent doing a bit of shopping.  I had gone for my morning walk which I noted that I was finding a lot easier.  I am not sure if this was because it was cooler when I walked, or if I am getting fitter.  Sadly, my stomach is not showing any improvement on this front.

My son got yet more sweets (eating them impaired his appetite this evening) while my wife and daughter bought other things.  My daughter bought some earrings which my wife had her eye on.  So after lunchtime we went back later for her to get some others.

At lunch though, we went to get our pottery.  Mine was the worst, which I expected, my wife was amazing with her work, but the kids had produced works to be proud of as well.  While there my wife got us some chips which we ate at Crow Point.  It is down a roll road, but was quite peaceful and I would like to return one day.  But that is for another time.

Day eight in Devon. Appledore.

Today was another relaxing day, though affected by rain at times.  My walk took me on my usual route for parts of it, and near to a Pokéstop that I had nominated earlier in the week.  This time on my walk, I went exploring in a different way and found what is best described as a lair.  I suspect that it was made by kids as opposed to teenagers as there was no litter there.

Later in the day we had lunch in Appledore at a restaurant which our hosts had recommended to us.  Sadly, I was too full to appreciate it, but did enjoy some fresh mackerel while my daughter and wife enjoyed the view of the estuary.  She drove there and I drove back.  Afterwards we popped to Westward Ho!  At the time it had started to rain so lots of people were leaving it, and while I understand that kids love it, the charm it offered was wasted on me and my wife.  Though some of the houses at Silford which overlooked it looked amazing.

My wife and daughter got bored (my son has been entertaining himself with his iPhone) and put some makeup on me, one taking one side and the other having access to the other.  I have yet to get a view on which was better though!

Day seven in Devon. Pottery

Today was a day spent pottering about.

It was meant to be a rainy day so my wife booked some time painting pottery.  However, it was a very hot and sunny day instead.  We got some takeaway chips from a highly recommended chippy near it.  We were glad about this as there appeared to be little social distancing in it, though they were very COVID aware in the takeaway part.

Painting pottery was fun, the kids were great as was my wife.  I failed to match them and later, when they painted a second time, I got my book out and started to read instead.

We had a drive afterwards as my wife found a place that sold hoppers.  They were okay and done in a Sri Lankan style.  To be fair, with the clients who they served, they needed to tone things down as Sri Lankan food is quite hot!

Day six in Devon. Valley of rocks.

Today, after breakfast outside, the kids and I went for a walk in the Valley of Rocks.  My wife was tired and rested in the car, and I honestly expected my son to do the same, but he got wind of my emergency supply of chocolate fingers and joined my daughter and I.  It was quite foggy and while my daughter wanted to walk down to the beach, with the poor visibility, there would have been little point.  So we went up instead.  I was impressed with the stamina of both children.  They walked faster than me and while both did so with vigour, my son has not been that active and I expected him to flag.  Instead, he powered on impressing me.  My daughter overcame her fear of heights as we climbed up the path and while we managed to walk out of the fog, it was a bit scary at times.

Over an hour later, we returned to the car where my wife had been reading.  We looked about for places to have lunch but decided to return to Barnstaple as social distancing was not as evident where we were.

Later I played throw and catch with the kids, and while me daughter was resting, a rabbit hopped about behind her.  After dinner, it was a few games, and now it is time for bed,

Day Five in Devon. Art and rain.

 It rained today though not until after we had breakfast outside.  Due to this, my daughter and I had a changed walk which involved walking around the farmhouse.  Afterwards we all played a quiz before heading off to Bideford to visit an art gallery.

M favourite was the rice exhibition where the artist had signified different things with different grains of rice.  Being an NHS worker, I was represented in one pile.

I did go for another walk when we returned and got back for dinner which our hosts made in a wood fired oven.