Dartmoor and the English Riviera

Another brilliant sunny day, so we hit the road again. For the first time we departed from our planned itinerary for the day, largely thanks to the lady we met in the pub.

Our first drive through the Dartmoor National Park took us through narrow winding lanes to the village of Bovey Tracey where we stopped for the obligatory morning coffee and cake. There was also a craft centre there which we had a look through - beautiful ceramics, textiles, glassware etc. but all of it way outside our holiday budget.

We then headed south to Babbacombe on the English Riviera. Views along the coast from the cliff top, and Petra got to have her first fish 'n' chips lunch from a place that is supposedly the best in the South West, and second best in England. We also found the hotel where John Cleese conceived the idea for Fawlty Towers, but sadly didn't find the actual hotel used in the show.

On from Babbacombe we checked out Torquay itself. Walked along the beach and bought ice creams, as you do. Actually Torquay was surprisingly attractive and there were none of the crowds and ridiculous traffic arrangements of St Ives.

We drove back through the centre of Dartmoor, stopping to meet some of the Dartmoor ponies which roam everywhere and have no fear of people so you can get up close and personal. Stunning scenery too. We also stopped at Princetown, which is right in the middle of Dartmoor National Park, where we had a drink at one of the pubs and viewed the infamous Dartmoor Prison. Then to Okehampton to pick up some more provisions before heading home.

We hear that the weather will get a bit dodgy tomorrow.