Hillhead

We’ve zigzagged back into Devon to spend a few days with Tom & Emma who are on holiday for a week in Brixham. Decided to stay at Hillhead which was the CAMC “flagship” site I think at one time; bit too crammed in for our liking tbh. I’d have been pretty miffed if we pitched either in what was effectively a lay-by for £50, or on some very sloped pitches. We did fall lucky and bagged pitch 94, own space in a hedged vee shape with no vans in front of us and a sea view, which was nice. Next door neighbours were a bit close however and we enjoyed inhaling her smoke and hearing snoring in the night!

First day got the bus down into Brixham, a few beers with Tom next to the harbour. For me, an evening sun worshipper Brixham needs to be turned round

to face the sun...most pubs in the shade with all precious seats in the sun gone. That said we had a pleasant evening and a nice meal back at their cottage before getting a taxi back up to the site, for a few rums to finish the day off.

The cottage Tom rented was in a good location (despite the steps) and the park nearby had lovely views over Torbay with its moored unused cruise ships could easily have been a Mediterranean resort, very pretty.

Next day we walked down to Brixham on the SWCP, well down, up, down, up, down, up, up, up, up. It was stunning to be fair but the walk took longer than we expected and it was hot. I think we climbed 72 floors and the cliff top is around 120m, gained very rapid so steep. Not a walk to beach carrying deckchairs!! We stopped off at Mansands and then on to St Mary’s Bay where we had lunch and met up with Tom & Emma. Spent a pleasant few hours on the

beach, where Daisy was occupied digging for England.

After some extensive research I found us a sunny pub in Brixham, and we headed uphill/downhill once more to settle on a very nice terrace belonging to the Prince William pub. A lovely few hours drinking and eating in the afternoon sunshine, to justify the walk and recover. Lovely views across the harbour, reminiscent of Positano which is a place we both love. Again jumped in a taxi back, driver was a raving lunatic this time 70mph through very narrow roads stopping for no-one.

A lovely couple of days and nice to spend some time with Tom & Emma. Off to the Cotswolds next, however our SatNav decided we needed to visit Paignton’s narrow back streets (twice) to avoid “traffic jam ahead” - so an hour after leaving we were still in Torbay. Overcame that and we were sat in the sunshine by lunchtime in our favourite site for the last leg for this time out; Broadway

in the Cotswolds.