North Devon and the sun comes out., Daisy goes Canyoning, a Farmer goes in my Black Book, noisy neighbours, dogs with handles and the Trewethett shuffle.

Arrived at Trewethett Farm Caravan Club site on Thursday 27th May, booked in over the Bank Holiday weekend until Wednesday 2nd June when we head further south.

Site is in a great location high on the South West Coastal Path mid way

between Boscastle and Tintagel. It’s about an hour to either and we enjoyed the cliff top path, but initially felt a bit limited as, on foot, the site is a liisolated but nonetheless stunning. It was good to find circular routes to both, to vary the walking.

Walking to Tintagel on Friday was “interesting” as Pooch ran off enthusiastically and innocently toward the “stream” in Rocky Valley, which turned out more like River Wild. A couple walking down the opposite side thought we’d lost her as she was swept down 2 (not small) waterfalls which head out to meet a swirling Atlantic. A bit heart stopping moment, but did it phase her; did it buggery!

It was absolutely stunning to walk to both places, but I perhaps regret not bringing the bikes to explore further. A bus to Port Isaac was considered, but a 2 hour bus trip plus this being the most demanding section of the SWCP

persuaded us to not bother.

On the Monday we had a great walk from the site via Nectin Glen and over many many fields and copious stiles(more later) to Trebarwith Strand. We went via a few pretty hamlets and the approach to the cove was breathtaking, med blue sea; but far too busy for us so we kept on the SWCP for lunch stop with a view and out of the crowds. Lovely path back to Tintagel with a cracking pub stop at the Malthouse for a few Korevs.

I mentioned the stiles, and the farmers are going onto my blacklist... we have learned to love the Cornish slate stile which is accompanied by a “normal” one Derbyshire stile very often 2’ after; making us feel like showjumpers every 1/2 mile. Annoying that many farmers chose to add barbed wire across the stiles just to add to the challenge & perplex Daisy with a nice risk of getting gutted as she inevitably leaps over them to explore the next field. Victor

Meldrew mode will be engaged in a soon to be written note to the local council to express our gratitude for the challenge!

The CAMC site at Trewethett has an interesting check in process which works well as the layout has dead ends. You get given a marker to place on your chosen pitch, prime ones with the best view go quickly. So, running shoes needed on arrival! We were on 2nd row first night but soon sussed a couple in the best pitch were off that night, so emulated German sunbed/towel tactics and bagged a prime spot on their departure. Each morning saw people swapping pitches, carrying chairs, driers etc to mark their spot.

Our last day continued with some great sunshine and we enjoyed our walk to Boscastle again. Daisy happy again with her swim in the harbour. It’s sobering to think about the 2004 Boscastle flood which occurred on Monday, 16 August

2004 in the two villages of Boscastle and Crackington Haven. The villages suffered extensive damage after flash floods caused by an exceptional amount of rain that fell over eight hours that afternoon.Can’t imagine that happening here on such a lovely day.

Overall we had a great stay for 6 nights, and would return again but maybe only for a couple of days as a stopover. The walking is quite rightly world renowned and the views unbelievable, the sea is a brilliant blue and as clear as the Caribbean. Reminded me of the Path of the Gods on the Amalfi coast.

Final thought from me is Dogs which need a handle to hold them back are probably not friendly! 4 month old puppy Cockers are, but we’re still not having one x