Mostly Dry.

After an enjoyable late evening spent chatting with our friends it took a while to get up this morning. It was a pleasant surprise to find that the day was dry, more or less. We had a leisurely breakfast while Peter went off for an early row and then the day flowed by until it was time for a lunch of pizza. Feeling that we desperately needed some exercise we jumped in a car and went for a walk at Morthoe. It wasn't the best of ideas to go down into the Kinevor valley as the path was very muddy & slippery in places but I had thought it would get us away from the holidaymakers and the fierce wind. It was refreshing to stand on the beach at Bennet's Mouth looking across the waves to Wales before tackling the steep climb to the top of the cliff. From our vantage point we could see large grey clouds - overhead, and small patches of blue - in the distance. From the Bull Point lighthouse us girls took the shorter route back along the lighthouse road while Sam, Linas & Milo the dog went the longer way around the coast. (Peter was too tired after his rowing to come out for a walk.)
Before we left Morthoe we investigated the churchyard as Sam looked for, and found, the grave of a young lady, daughter of Sir Walter Foster, who drowned in the sea aged 21.

Following a supper of chicken tikka we watched a dvd of my Scilly Isles photos which Alex had kindly put onto a dvd for me using a programme that went from one picture to the next in an interesting variety of ways. I enjoyed reliving the holiday while Kate and Alex gamely watched frame after frame of gigs racing on the sea followed by views of small islands and then Tresco Gardens.

Very Windy.

We woke this morning to hear the wind roaring through the trees. It wasn't raining too heavily but it was not a day to be working outside. We thought we would go down to the beach for a breath of fresh air and maybe some spectacular waves. However we forgot that as the wind was blowing from the north-east ie from the land, the sea would be sheltered. When we got there the wind was icy and it had started to rain properly. In April you have to pay to park on the beach road at week-ends. The fee for up to 30 mins is 40p which we felt would be enough for us but the machine would not accept my money. On closer inspection although the half-hour fee is clearly marked on the machine the minimum the machine will accept is £1 (for an hour). It makes me really cross when things are mis-advertised so we didn't pay anything at all but stayed close by on the cliff and kept an eye out for a traffic warden. I shall be ringing the council tomorrow to complain because you shouldn't show a half hour fee if people can't pay it.

I haven't felt like doing too much this afternoon but after watching 'The Piano' the other day, which I found strange but powerful, I wanted to have a go at learning the theme tune. I found and printed out the sheet music but I fear it will take me a long time to learn it. I could sight read it through very slowly but I couldn't hear the tune so it all sounded dire. I then listened to it on YouTube which gave me the tune and I have been working on the first half page of the melody trying to get the 'memory' into my hands rather than in my head. Poor Peter will have the melody running through his dreams the number of times he has had to listen to it.

Listening to news this evening there were over 140 trees down across roads in Devon alone, and that's only the reported ones. Here it has just been a lot of leaves on the road.

Timber.

We woke to sun and quiet as we had forgotten that the electricity supply was going to be turned off (for repairs) today. Luckily that doesn't affect the rayburn so we still had hot water and could cook. Peter did have to delay his plan to clean out the rayburn as the hoover is essential for this job. Instead he finally cut down the small tree that was hanging too low over the stream. He even brought it down without landing on any of the clumps of newly emerging astilbes in the bog garden. It is surprising how much more open the area looks now even though it was only a few big branches.Once we had cleared away all the wood we moved our bed and I painted another wall in our bedroom. The weather was looking quite good, warm in the sun but icy cold when the many clouds were blown across in front of the sun. We headed down for another beach walk at Coombesgate and found when we got there almost unbroken blue skies. That's the drawback of living inland, we get the worst of the cloud cover.
There were many people at the beach taking advantage of the good weather so we turned (from this view south along Woolacombe towards Putsborough) and explored the rocks at the north end of the beach.

We noticed that the sand looked a bit higher and everything was generally messier after Monday's severe weather. It was very pleasant walking along and listening to the roar of the waves.

We ended our walk by sitting on a bench high on the cliff, looking out to Lundy and watching the waves. There were a few surfers but the waves weren't very good. Fine for the children out body boarding but not enough power in the waves to surf. Most of the surfers gave up after a while apart from 2 who just sat out at the back of the waves waiting for them to pick up. I used to spend hours sitting up on the cliff at Puts while Romas waited in the water and occasionally caught a good wave.

Reluctantly we left the setting sun and came home. Peter cooked some lamb steaks on the barbecue while I painted the skirting board of the wall behind our bed so that we wouldn't have to move the bed again.

The evening sun shone around the back of the house on to the newly cut logs. As the tree was on Paul's land they do belong to him. Next time I see him I shall mention that we have stacked them and hopefully he will say we can take them as he has thinned out a number of trees along one of the fields and has a lot of wood stacked there already.

Easter Sunday.

My pc decided to go slow yesterday and needed some remedial work so I couldn't post in the evening. Hence this late post.

We had a good Easter Sunday. We are not attending a local church at the moment so instead I sat in bed peacefully listening to the Easter Service from Manchester Cathedral. I had my eyes closed as I listened to the service, a warm breeze blew across my face and outside the singing thrush complimented and even surpassed the music .

Having given up meat for Lent and cut back and then finally given up chocolate as well, the chocolates I had bought for Easter tasted even better than usual. I find it much easier to give up something entirely than to be moderate, I have such a lack of will power that it is very hard to have 'only a little'. Peter cooked a beautiful leg of lamb for our dinner, he marinaded it for 12 hours and then slow roasted it. It was delicious!

It was only slightly drizzling so we decided to go for a walk along the beach.

The roads down to Woolacombe and the beaches were absolutely teeming. Children and dads were merrily digging in the sand and plenty of people were out catching the waves which weren't too bad.

We went down the steps at Coombesgate and walked northwards, towards Morte Point, where it was a lot quieter. It was low tide so there were lots of interesting rock pools to examine.

There is something so pleasing in the natural forms of the rocks and the contrasting clean sand forming flowing beaches between them.

It was very convenient to walk on the smooth sand and be able to peer into waist level rock pools in the rocky outcrops. We found more of the rarer dahlia sea-anemones and some enormous strawberry anemones. This one was as big as an orange.

Looking inland we could see the clouds dropping lower right to the top of the hill from which a number of hang-gliders had been launching themselves.

Back home the rain had set in. Luckily I had been able to hang the bathroom curtains from a rope set up in the shelter by the scree garden so they could at least drip out the worst of the water. While Peter prepared the meal I put another coat of white paint on our bathroom walls. Peter had got me some paint testers and the bedroom walls are definitely magnolia, how prosaic. After our most delicious meal we watched Jurassic Park (such an enjoyable fun film) followed by Hitch Hikers' Guide to the Galaxy which we hadn't seen before. We are fans of the radio series and luckily the film did not disappoint.

Out For A Walk.

It was a bright sunny morning today which was a good start to the official Easter break. There was a bit of a chill wind but I was still able to drink my morning coffee outside and listen to the birds. We decided to take advantage of the good weather and go for a walk at Mortehoe. Now that we have entered the tourist season the roads were very busy with cars and cyclists. The free road parking in Mortehoe continues until the middle of May and we were lucky enough to find a spot to park. I suppose most of the tourists don't read the street signs and go straight to the car park.
My knees were still painful from yesterday so we did the shorter walk around the point. I also took a hiking stick and I found it useful on the steeper sections of the path. The wind made it quite cool but on the sheltered side of the hill it felt pleasantly warm. We sat and drank our coffee to the gentle sound of the waves rippling against the rocks below us.

Not only were there a lot of families out today we were passed by a few runners and even some cyclists. I would think they have to do as much carrying as riding of their bikes along this undulating coast path.

The gorse, which flowers all year long, is coming into a spring flush of flowers and studded through the grass were delicate violets.

On the way to Morthoe we spotted another large wind turbine in a small industrial estate by the road. Last week we had thought the pylon was the tower for an incinerator but today it stood there like an alien craft looming over the buildings.

Back home I painted one wall of our bathroom with anti-mould paint and wiped down the curtain rail which I had taken down. I could do with washing the curtains but they are velvet and it would mean had washing them in the bath. And I will need a good drying day but I guess I will do it. I'll check the forecast and see what tomorrow is supposed to be like. Off I go now to put them soaking in a tepid bath.

Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day to everyone who is either being celebrated or celebrating/remembering their own mother. My boys are not at home but Peter sent them reminders yesterday. Peter brought me croissants for breakfast in bed and some fudge on behalf of the boys (bad move giving up chocolate for Lent). I had a brief email from Linas in the morning and Romas has sent me an email saying that he has been trying to phone but we were out. Vytas phoned in the efternoon and it was good to have a chat. This family have never been into making Mother's Day special once breakfast has been delivered and cards given so as usual it's back to normal for the rest of the day.

It was sunny first thing this morning so we went to Barricane Beach. It's so refreshing to watch the waves and feel the sea air.

The tide was still coming in so was no rock pooling today so instead we walked around looking for shiny shells and small pieces of sea glass. Not for any particular reason but simply because it is there, a kind of magpie instinct.

Too soon we could see a shower approaching from beyond Morte Point. We just had time to drink our coffee before the rain began to fall.

Back home it cleared up again and Peter went off to row. I got on with more gardening for a couple of hours until another shower sent me running to take in the washing from the line. Peter has just got home and it doesn't look as if there is any special dinner planned so I shall get on with making some supper before we settle down to watch Dancing on Ice. But it has been quite a nice day.

Sea Mist.

We woke to a lovely sunny day and about time too. It felt so warm outside the house that once again I set off for our coastal walk with bare legs and arms. I began to get a bit apprehensive as we approached the coast. First we could see that the horizon was obscured by a large cloudbank and then as we came down the hill into Morthoe we could see billowing sea mist in front of the cloud bank. It was a very different scene that greeted us as we walked down the combe. The horizon had gone and thick mist was blowing from the sea. In the mist it was a bit chilly but we discovered that you could blow puffs of steam in the cold spots. Luckily there was no-one around to see and hear us puffing away like a pair of kids. As soon as we walked out of the mist it was remarkably warm.
The tide was at its very lowest so we had a good view of the rock formations that are usually hidden underwater.

Being creatures of habit we stopped at our usual bench for a cup of coffee. Today we noticed a couple of benches had bunches of flowers on them. People remembering loved ones who also enjoyed this beautiful spot.

Back home it was bright and sunny so I had a worthwhile afternoon out in the garden. I have made a start on clearing the streamside bog-garden which needs a bit of a clear up. I will also have to talk to Paul about cutting down a couple of his overhanging trees one of which will put my eye out if I try walking along the path. I have in the past simply chopped the trees myself but they are on his land so I ought to clear it with him first. In fact he should chop them down but we can easily do it ourselves.

More Sun.

It was another lovely morning. So nice that when we went out for our walk I wore shorts and had bare arms. As long as my back is warm and my ears protected from the wind, which was the case today I am happy. Last week I got a bit too hot on the final hike back up the slope but today was just perfect. It felt like a spring day and we passed a number of young couples out having picnics in the sunshine. Ah to be young again! However we enjoyed our cup of coffee sitting right out at the Point and watching the sun on the waves. Still no sign of seals. This is the time of year they have their pups so perhaps they are in more secluded places. We watched a coastguard helicopter hovering over a container ship going up the channel but didn't see anyone being winched up or down.
On our way home it started to cloud over so we were pleased that we had manged to catch the sun. Out in the garden I gave the santolina bushes their annual trim. They now look like brown hedgehogs sitting on top of the stone wall by the house but they will soon be covered with silver blue foliage. Great plants which need minimal work. As I've been working round the garden I've been thinking how low maintenance the garden is and on the whole it is not too bad. It would be nice not to have so much to do but then I do like the garden. Hopefully if I can keep on top of all the weeding through the year and with my reduced teaching hours it shouldn't be such hard work next year. I keep thinking about what the ideal size/kind of garden would be for our next home but I know I would find it difficult to be closed in by other people's fences. We'll just have to win the lottery and then I could have someone else do the work.

A Breezy Walk.

It was a nice bright day today so we went to Morthoe for a good walk. I haven't been for a proper walk for a while so my legs felt a bit worn out. Now that I have made such good progress in the garden I can take time to walk up the hill more often to keep myself a bit fitter.. We timed our walk just right, between the before lunch and after lunch walkers so we had the place to ourselves. There was a chilly wind blowing but it was very refreshing to be out.
There was still time for some more weeding when we got home before an evening of watching Dancing on Ice, a tense programme tonight with a shock ending. At least it is the judges who make the final decision unlike Strictly where the competition is more about popularity and less about ability.

A Weeding Day.

The same sort of weather again today, grey and threatening to rain. I spent the afternoon out in the garden weeding one of the heather beds. It's now had a thorough tidy up and I even managed to remove some of the more stubborn weeds, mainly brambles and bracken, which had eluded me last year. The hillside is now beginning to resemble a garden, albeit an untidy one, more than an overgrown bank with a few bushes poking out. I also removed all the blanket weed that was growing in the rill at the bottom of the rocky bank and at the same time did a general weeding so that is one more area done.

In case anyone was wondering what the anemones we were looking for yesterday are like here are some of them.

These are the Gem anemones (I think). They are quite inconspicuous almost looking like part of the rock.
I took photos of all the specimens that we found and it wasn't until I looked at the photos that I saw some of them did have their tentacles out, like this one.

This Strawberry anemone was on the side of a rock and was one of the biggest anemones I have seen. It must be enormous when the tentacles are extended.

Some Gems, Strawberries And A Gurnard.

It was rather grey and dreary today so for our walk we decided to go to Barricane beach. When we arrived the tide was out so we walked along the cliff to the next beach, Coombesgate and then had a rock pooling walk along the beach to Barricane. I love the way there seems to be a separate world in each pool as you look down through the crystal clear water.

As a result of my enquires about the Daisy anemone I had been told about a couple of other less common species of anemone so our time was spent looking for Gem and Dahlia anemones. Peter was the first to find some Gem anemones and we found about 10 in all as well as another Daisy anemone, some strawberry anemones one of which was 10cms across and some grey anemones. I've sent photos to the nice chap at the Marine Society and I'm sure he will be able to confirm what they all were. There were a lot of people around especially down at Woolacombe as it is the start of the half-term holiday and the surf was reasonably good.



These are the common Snakelocks anemones.




Hardly any of the rock pools have stones to hide under so when I found a large flat stone in a pool I lifted it off carefully and found this 12cm grey gurnard. When we were rock pooling on Lundy a member of our party found out that these fish bite. After taking a photo I put the stone back to keep it safe from the seagulls until the tide came in.



We dropped in at Tescos as it is on the way home and by the time we got home it was raining gently so no chance of any gardening. Supper tonight is ham & cheese tortellini for which Peter will be making a mushroom sauce.

Snow ?

This morning it was cold and grey but we decided to go out for a walk anyway. By the time we got in the car it was raining lightly so we thought the beach would be a better choice than up on the cliffs. As we drove along the rain looked suspiciously like sleet but that did not deter us. The rain wasn't too bad at Barricane Beach and we had a gentle amble around, picking up yet more shells and enjoying the sea air. There were some men out fishing off the rocks but they didn't seem to be having much luck and were starting to pack up their gear.
At Barricane Beach it is fun to explore the many small rock pools.

As usual there were beadlet sea anemones,

the green snakelocks sea anemones, which will sting

and this anemone which might be a different species or more probably an older brown beadlet.

After our walk we stopped at Tescos to pick up a few things and there I met a friend who I haven't seen for a long time. I don't know if people do this in other parts of the country but in Devon it is common to see a group of people having a long conversation in the supermarket. Even Peter spotted someone he hadn't seen for many years and had a long catch-up with him. As we drove home the rain was now definitely sleet, almost looking like snow. Being ever the worrier I looked at Metcheck and it was forecasting sleet through the night and then the temperature dropping to give us snow. That was enough for me so I donned waterproofs and drove my car to the top of the hill. Although the road was clear the fields were beginning to turn white. I left the car in a gateway with the de-icer under the car (in case the locks freeze). I didn't even have to walk down as a friend came by on his way to visit our neighbours and he gave me a lift in his Landrover. It is dark now but the last time I looked the grass at the back was also beginning to turn white. - Just been out and the sleet has turned back to rain but I prefer not to take any chances. Now to start a wood fire so we can have a cosy evening.

A Walk On The Cliffs.

It was a good day for a walk today even though Peter had worn himself out rowing first thing. We went off for our favourite walk around Morte Point. There was a very cold wind from the south-west so for once the shady side of the headland was not so cold.
As we were well wrapped up we stopped for coffee right on the headland. The path is that flat area which has been cut from the rock and then bends around to the right.

I sometimes think my camera is a little optimistic with the turquoise blue it gives for the sky, I don't have any filters set but maybe I need to make some adjustment. But all said it was sunny.

This was from exactly the same spot but looking out to sea back along the path towards the point. Our conversation today was all about our trip to the Scilly Isles in May.I think half the fun of a holiday is in the planning. In this case we have the double challenge of keeping costs down and also camping for 5 days but being limited in the amount we take. That will keep me busy for a while.

Once home there was only time for an hour of weeding before it got too dark to see what I was doing. Now for a warm evening watching Dancing on Ice and enjoying a prawn byriani.

Simple Pleasures.

It was wild and windy today but not raining so I took myself down to Woolacombe to walk along the sands to Putsborough and back. The waves didn't look the 10-12ft that the weather man had said but the wind was so strong that not one surfer was attempting the messy waves. I togged up in full waterproof gear and strode off along the beach.


The wind was blowing a thick layer of foam along the tide line. For a while I simply admired it as I walked along but then I gave into temptation and paddled in the foam which at times came right to the tops of my wellies. Walking through the foam caused it to break off and be blown up the beach in random shaped blobs so I embraced my silly side and sent foam up in a veritable foamstorm. Arriving at Putsborough the cafe was sadly closed so I had to forgo my planned coffee but I sat on a bench and ate a biscuit while watching the waves roar in.

The wind was pushing me along on the way up so the return journey was a bit more of a struggle.

There were few people out today and the weather buoy had been removed by something with tank tracks.

I had felt a little overdressed with all my clothing when I walked along the beach but sitting out on the clifftop at the end of my walk I was glad of every single layer. The wind was so strong it was hard to stand up and it felt quite icy.

On my way home I finally got a chance to photograph some of the herd of Highland cattle that live in the fields. There is only one place to stop and it is rather muddy so I took this photo through the car window. I'll try again another time as it is a large herd with some cute calves as well.