A small inlet, just to the north of Polzeath which can only be reached at low tide, as a result no crowds; just one or two couples,  no rowdiness or Blackpoolities, we had walked around the headland to enjoy  this small bay of solitude for a few moments calm. We sat on the rocks which are in the view of the photograph, did a water colour, then had the obligatory picnic, whilst we relaxed and enjoyed the pure peace. A lovely young family turned up. They didn't stay long, but chatted a short while. After a while we again rounded the rocky outcrop into the main bay and enjoyed a 99 ice cream, obligatory at the sea side, before walking a mile back to the car.

Most people take images of caves looking in, so I though, why not go in and take an image looking out; that way nature gives you a natural frame to the picture.

Morning. We have just got up, done our Lateral flow tests (both negative) and after an un-rushed breakfast plan to move on north towards Parra Combe, which is near Lee Abbey.

 

 

Slept like a log, ten hours!

The weather remain wonderful, with even the gusty winds on the cliff tops being rather warm. Long sleeves and a sun hat are essential, without them you would burn very quickly.

On our walks we keep meeting interesting people. Yesterday on the tops above the Rumps we met a diary farmer from Cheshire, he had escaped from his wife and daughters, having left them ion the sands in Little Bay; he was walking to Lundy Hole and back along the coastal path; quite a walk. He couldn't bring his dog on holiday with him, because it was a working dog and needed on the farm with the staff who had remained. We met him later on in the day near Little bay. Then a little later meeting an Indian family on the tops and also meeting them again in Little Bay. They were walking back up to the car and the little girl was tired, so she sat down and refused to walk. Dad and the boys walked on, mum waited patiently.

Because of the pandemic which is very active down here, we are trying to stay away from the towns and concentrations of people, rather visiting remote areas, there is no shortage of those in this area. Above is Porth Garvin, just round the corner from Port Issac of Doc Martin fame, which will be crowded, so not a good venue to visit.

Today we plan to visit Porth Quin, another small quiet inlet and then move to Porthilly Cove, another quiet almost forgotten spot.

Lundy Hole

Today was gorgeous as was yesterday and as tomorrow is planned to be; yippee!

Yesterday we walked along the coastal path to Lundy Hole, a rather challenging walk. Amazingly we saw ravens and heard but did not see sly larks.  The views from the cliff tops were unbelievable. A truly spectacular day.

Today Daymer Bay was visited. Again amazing, blue skys, then green to blue seas and miles of sand; a water colour is painted, but it needs scanning before it can be posted.

Tomorrow Little Bay and the Rumps head, we are getting very fit with all the walking and both of us are getting rather tanned.

 

 Well we are off on our travels again and this time we have wound our way to Cornwall and a quiet house in the middle of nowhere, but to be helpful in describing our location, just north of Polzeath, will do and visually the house is about half a mile to the right of the painting.

We took our time driving down, stopping in Ilchester for the night; a quiet almost forgotten village with a long history back to at least Roman times. Judging by the considerable numbers of old but very substantial building there is also evidence of considerable wealth in the past. We found a friendly Italian restaurant where the food was good. Sleeping wise, the Ilchester arms was superb. So we were on the road by nine in the morning having slept very soundly and in the morning having feed well, arriving at the holiday destination  late lunchtime. 

For the week we are sharing the house with old friends Joan and Robert, so that should be very pleasant. All the chores shared, that sort of thing.

This morning being the first up, after breakfast a short time with the Bible awaits. At the moment 2 Chronicles awaits my attention; can't wait, its good stuff. Before that Liz will want a coffee; us men are never off duty.

Good morning everybody and now we are back home properly and getting on with normal stuff. The trees project is taking a slight twist at the moment and I am trying to think along the lines of traditional still life. Seeing texture, gettin in fairly close up, sharp details, that sort of thing. So to make me think a little more, I have changed my pen to a Muji pen (a Japaneses company) and gone in very close up. the image is A3 size, that is large for an ink, so the work was challenging. The above is an old beech tree with some ivy growing nears its base. I plan to do another similar drawing, so that they are a pair.

Our walks at the moment are fantastic, the vegetation is about as thick as it will get and with all the rain we have had this year, this thickness of the foliage is incredible.

 

Oh well back in Lymphstone in Exmouth estuary about ten days ago and I am sat amongst a whole pile of sea/fishing clutter by the quay and then the photo is a quick look over my right shoulder., and more clutter. Lovely and peaceful, if my family had agreed, I could have stayed there all day sketching, sadly that wasn't allowed. Isn't it a shame that holidays don't last for ever!

Back home and today is Sunday; this morning church was on the agenda, we were looking at Biblical superheros; it was good meeting everybody again. Old and new friends are so important, especially now as we are emerging out of the current lock-down. This afternoon we strolled into town along the canal bank to the light box where we met a couple who are old friends and then a lady who has been a friend for oodles of years; that was rather good. We walked home in a shower of rain, which was quite refreshing, although Liz did whinge a little, I wonder why? This evening a friend is coming round for supper and a DVD on the telly.

Now that is what I call a good day.

 

Well we are back home after a super break. above is a quick sketch of Lymstone a very quaint small village on the Ex estuary. As you can see the water comes right up to the houses. A high tide must be interesting.

On holiday we did plenty of walking, managing to walk in excess of three miles most days, now that we are home the plan is to keep that up. Yesterday and today the plan has worked and we have seen immature green woodpeckers, a roe deer and a buzzard take of from only 20 or 30 feet. Seeing it leap into the air and spread its wings from so close a view point gave us a super impression of this large birds power. Today we went to Polsden Lacey and saw hundreds, literally hundreds of butterflies.Tortoiseshell, Fritillary, Gate Keeper, Marbel White, Brimstone, Small White and the common Blue, we saw many more, but not those which I could identify. 

To cap it we walked five miles in brilliant sunshine, so now we are home with tired legs, but very happy Now the evening splan is a DVD probably a Foyles War. and then sleep; lovely sleep.