Harlech Castle ~ 29 Oct 2002

Today we explored. Driving along the B4405 was just lovely. Tay-y-Llyn Lake, then onto an interested town called Dolgellau, Barmoth ~ all just so beautiful. Every thing is golden in colour, gold, yellow, amber, orange. Our destination is Harlech Castle.

Harlech is one of the most magnificently sited of all the Weslh castles, views of Cardigan Bay, the Lleyn Peninsula and inland the mountains of Snowdona and the Cader Idris range. Harlech is a castle of Edward I. Building started in 1283 and completed only seven years later. It was thought impregnable, but was taken in 1404 by the army of Owain Glyndower who established his court here until his family was taken prisoner four years later.

On the way home we stopped at Castell y Bere. This is an ancient Welsh castle ruins ~ a mountain fortress of Prince Llewelyn. Wales is such a glorious country, very proud of it's culture, history, people and natural beauty.

Camel Trail ~ 22 Oct 2002

I gave up work two weeks a go, I was over working long hours and Ian and I decided it was better for me to finish up earlier than planned. To keep myself occupied while Ian has been at work I've been walking and exploring in and around St Merryn. It's been a very pleasant place during the 'off season'.

With our time coming to an end in Cornwall I thought I had better explore the locally famous Camel Trail. The Camel Trail is a path from Padstow to Wadebridge a 5 1/4 mile trip one way. This walking/cycling track has been converted from a disused railway track. It runs for 17 miles from Padstow to Bodmin. Incomparable with the Rimutaka Incline and not quite as interesting, there isn't a lot of rail remains left of a once busy railway. The line was opened in 1899 and closed in 1967.

The river Camel derives it's name from the old Cornish language. Cam = Crooked, Hayle = Estuary "The Crooked River".

It was a very beautiful trip, a birdwatchers paradise. Being autumn there were many herons, little egret, oyster catchers and gulls. The leaves were turning and the wild blackberries were at their peak. A time to relax and embrace this beautiful countryside.

Launceston ~ 1 October 2002

Having one more day off before we went back to work we decided to go to Launceston. Only to visit the castle, use the internet and because it has been mentioned a lot in my book I am reading "Jamaica Inn" by Daphne Du Maurier. It was a miserable day, over cast and misty.

Launceston Castle is a fine ruin overlooking the town. It was the chief seat of Robert of Mortain, brother of William I. The view over the town is nothing but impressive. Even on a cloudy misty day like we experienced today. A cylindrical keep and ruined curtain walls are all that remain but it was well worth the visit.

We have enjoyed the for days off very much. Not long now until we finish work and enjoy the rest of our time here.

Boscastle ~ 14 August 2002

Today we drove up to Boscastle. We arrived early before many of the tourists arrived. We enjoyed a cup of coffee in the village before we set off on a six mile walk which took us along the coastal path ~ giving us fantastic views of Boscastle Harbour and Pentargon inlet.

We crossed inland along farms until we got to St Juliot's Church. It was here where Thomas Hardy met his first wife, Emma Gifford while supervising the restoration of the church. Here, he was inspired to write "A pair of blue eyes". Emma encouraged Hardy to leave his profession as an architect and turn to writing full time.

We had our picnic lunch here before travelling back to Boscastle through Valency Valley. This was an unspoilt valley owned by the National Trust. We returned to Boscastle tired but very full filled. Cornwall is very beautiful.

Clovelly ~ 9 July 2002

After Tintagel we drove up to Clovelly, a small fishing village in Devon which has also given into the tourist trade. We paid three pounds each and we entered into a village lost in time. Small and narrow cobbled roads, white washed cottages, sweet little harbour with a very old stone quay.

We met two lovely donkeys named "Noah" and "Kiwi". Being such a lovely place it was spoilt by the tourist industry. It had a slight feeling of a theme park which was a little sad, but I suppose without it places like Tintagel and Clovelly could not exist.

We then carried on to Crediton. It was lovely to see Bett and Arthur again. We stayed the night and drove on to Wilmington to see about a job. I'm happy to be back in Devon again.

Tintagel ~ 9 July 2002

This week we decided to go back to Devon to visit Aunt Bett and Arthur in Crediton and also look at a job in Wilmington at an old pub.

We took the long way round and stopped at Tintagel Castle and the old Tintagel Post Office. We were able to use our New Zealand Historic Places Trust card at the old post office [a thoughtful farewell gift from Ian's parents]

The old post office was a fourteenth century manor house and was used as a post office in the Victorian times. The wood reeked of history complimented by beautiful gardens.

We then walked down to Tintagel Castle. I wasn't totally sure what to expect. Not a lot of the castle was left and unfortunately it's a losing battle. The sea and weather is slowly chewing away at the castle bit by bit. There was enough castle left to get some idea of this fortress on this magnificent site. This part of the coast is so breath taking.

We stood on the banks which are covered in beautiful wild flowers watching the wild sea crashing against the cliffs. It reminded us a little of the West Coast in New Zealand, except you were against a back drop of an ancient castle.

The village of Tintagel have surrendered itself to tourism and has turned itself into the famed birthplace of King Arthur. The beauty of the coastline was more special to me than this connection.

Newquay ~ 5 July 2002

Our job is so mundane, we seem to just live for our two days off. Today we travelled down to a surfing town called Newquay. It is about a half hour drive from St Merryn. What was once a small fishing town is now a colourful fair ground for surfers, swimmers and tourists.

It's a good feeling having a day off and with hard earned cash in your pocket to spend on what you wish. We found an Internet cafe, it's a good relief to hear from home and write back. Kasey had written a wonderful poem and I wasn't too surprised to hear of Buster's adoption to the "donkey lady" down the road. [Buster was an unruly Terrier dog of my parents - my mother found it hard to cope with his energy]

Newquay has golden sand and interesting little coves. We wandered along the beach to see the "Island" There was a house converted into a cafe on the Island with a wonderful bridge crossing over from the mainland. It was a great little spot.

British Sunday ~ 23 June 2002

Sunday - A nice peaceful sleep in. Bett and Arthur took us out a traditional Sunday lunch at the "Waie Inn". Afterwards we had a little walk through the woods near Eggesford. The forest is a popular walking track with wild Foxgloves and little streams running through.

After a cup of tea at a near by garden centre Arthur gave us a tour of his area where he grew up - Coldridge. Arthur has a wide knowledge of the area which makes our trip much more interesting. Lovely narrow country lanes, with fields, hedges and white washed thatched cottages.

I rang home later that evening. Dad spoke to Aunty Bett and commented on how she sounded just like his own mother. Bett and Arthur are such a wonderful couple!

Aunt Bett in Devon ~ 22 June 2002

It was never our intention to stay and work in London. Both Ian and I had a desire to work in Devon, Cornwall or maybe the Lake District. Today we decided to take the bus to my Aunt's home in Devon and from there we will organize somewhere to live and work.

We caught the coach at Victoria Station 10 am this morning. It was a bit of rush and we ended up running with all our luggage just in time to catch the coach before it left. The reason we were late....The All Blacks were playing Ireland this morning!

We are on our way to Exeter, Devon where Aunt Bett and Uncle Arthur is meeting us. It's a good feeling leaving the busy city. It doesn't take long until you can see green pastures, cows and horses. The coach trip was going to take the 'scenic' route until they decided against it. Yesterday was the summer solstice and many would be coming back from Stonehenge. That was a bit of a disappointment. Even though the scenery was just as beautiful. We past Winsor Castle in the distance. It is a huge building, impressive even from a distance. It was a 4 1/2 hour trip from London to Exeter and we arrived at 2.15 pm.

It was lovely to finally meet Aunt Bett after all this time. [I had been writing to Aunt Bett from New Zealand since I was a child] She and Arthur are very hospitable. They live just out of Exeter in a small town called Crediton. We went for a small walk with Arthur to pick something up for tea. I have a lot of family history here. We walked past the house where my Great Grandparents use to live, I'm sure I will discover more family history as we stay a little longer. The Crediton Church dominates the town where Black Crows or Rooks play on the headstones. It's a very pretty and quaint little place.

After dinner Arthur took us out for a drive to see the beautiful surrounding countryside. It's the classic English country scenes you see in the movies or in books. Coleford is a small village with thatched white washed cottages, small narrow lanes boarded with hedges, rabbits and crows - absolutely beautiful and so quiet! I really like it here.