Week 4: No more moor!
- Sep 27, 2021
- 8 min read
Updated: Oct 17, 2021
(Fenwick Trout Fishery-in the last blog, Steve said we had arrived but I'll start this week with a little information about this location.)
-St Neot, Liskeard-Colliford Lake Holiday Park for 3 nights
-St Austell, Gray Farm Campsite for 3 nights-CL
Fenwick Trout Fishery-We did head to Padstow on the Camel Trail the following day. The weather was great. The cycle path was brilliant (flat and smooth) and it would have been a perfect ride for our Bromptons (small wheels) but there was this funny squeak/bark following us for most of the 11 miles...a sound similar to that a seal makes. It was Bear! We thought we would make a day of the ride and explore Padstow, therefore we needed to take Bear with us in his chariot, this dog would not walk that far and would probably write to the RSPCA to complain if we did. However, it turns out that his Highness was not particularly happy in his chariot either. I have no idea why...a cool breeze through his ears as he was pulled along, a smooth ride, treats provided at regular intervals and his comfort attended to by having not one but two cushions and a vet bed to lay on. I think Steve had it harder pulling a 10kg trailer with a 10 kg '+' (he has been trying to slim down!) dog in it.
The journey did have a little drama. I cycle behind Steve and Bear...so I can keep an eye on Bear, an escape plan would not be past him. I had noticed the trailer was wiggling a little but thought that it was because Bear was leaning to one side. However, he was being quiet and we just wanted to peddle when this was the case. There was then a noise, the trailer dropped and Steve stopped. The wheel nut holding Steve's back wheel and the trailer on had come off, the break away cable the only thing holding the two together. Eeek! We walked up and down the path patiently but could not find it. A really kind man, Joe and his wife also stopped to help us look but to no avail. Joe said he would cycle to the nearest bike shop for us and buy a new nut and then come back, he had a proper bike with big wheels and would be quicker. It was still about 2.5 miles away. Miraculously Steve then found the nut and fixed the bike and rang Joe to let him know, this was just in time, as he was at the till and about to buy the nut.
We made it to Padstow and it was a very pretty but busy fishing town. We had some take away from Rick Stein's fish and chip shop and the food was lovely. I had halloumi in honey. I've never had this combination before but it really works.
... and then it started to head 'down hill'a little!! We headed to Colliford Lake Holiday Park. The oddest campsite we've stayed at so far, I think maybe ever. There was a 48 pitch campsite, 3 static caravans, a hotel and 5 pods...apart from a receptionist, we were the only ones there. For our 2nd night, another motorhome stayed (was actually ecstatic to see it) but it left very early the following morning. There was a big lake nearby and on the day we arrived, it was dry. We planned to walk Bear to and maybe around the lake. The receptionist was unable to say for certain whether you could walk all around the lake, he didn't know? He told Steve you could get to the lake by walking back down the lane and turn left. It got odder. We walked past a really big wooden house that looked more like it belonged 'out west' in America. There was stuff everywhere: a few cars strewn about, a metal gate or two laid on the floor, concrete piled up-looked like it used to be a large water area, a beautiful wooden circle building that was missing half the roof, what was maybe a boat shed and lots of buildings that we couldn't see in (I tried looking) made from corrugated metal. Then there were lots of blue sheep. Not just sheep with a number or marking on in a bright colour. They had been sprayed so much that the whole body of the sheep was fluorescent blue?
We had a bit of a walk, we couldn't really get to the lake. There was a really odd feeling to the whole place and nothing else around. When walking back past the wooden house, a man was sat on the front porch smoking. He wasn't rude but firmly told us, this was private land and we were not allowed to walk on it. I am not sure who has watched the TV series Ozark...but my obvious conclusion was that something similar was happening here, surely the metal buildings were being used to grow drugs! Steve was less convinced but agreed, this place was odd!
Then, the weather set in. This was the last day we saw the sky...until we left 3 days later! The fog and damp were endless, it crept low to the floor, swarmed around us and hung across the trees. Often visibility was limited and by 5pm we would be unable to see the pitch next to ours. It felt very remote, dark and isolating. The thought of the 'possible' crime entrenched neighbour with a backdrop straight-out of Wuthering Heights ( I know it was a different moor) and a deserted campsite were....different? The sound of gun shots at night were an additional feature.
This however brought two pieces of clarity. 1-maybe the sheep are blue so they can't get lost (or easier to shoot). 2-Another place I know I won't be moving to...Bodmin Moor!
We had decided to start spending 3 nights in some locations, worried that we may be moving from some places too fast, maybe missing things or cramming too much in. After 1 night in the moors, Steve suggested we leave early. We've seen enough. I am however both dogmatic and a scrooge at heart. I refused to leave the moors early, we had paid for 3 nights, I'm staying 3 nights and the fog isn't driving us out!
On the Thursday we cycled to Alpaca Trekking with Moor View. Steve had added every light we had in the van to the bikes...hopefully, at least the sheep would see us-they are probably writing their blog about two mad humans on funny little bikes with lights that flashed like a Christmas tree. It was about 9 miles of undulating hills and as well as the fog, there was torrential rain. We arrived very wet.
However, literally as we arrived the rain stopped. We managed to dry off in the warm cafe area. The alpaca trainers were really welcoming and we had a fantastic afternoon alpaca trekking. We weren't sure what to expect but it was lots of fun. Each alpaca has its own character. They are quite shy animals, with none in our group really wanting to 'lead' the trek. My alpaca, Ludo, would push to the front but once there, become a little overwhelmed and not walk. If one alpaca stops for a wee, they all stop. The man walking with Casper become quite concerned that his alpaca had a problem, after we all stood still for a good 5 minutes whilst Casper had a wee. After the trek we had a cream tea and hot chocolate in the cafe. It definitely fuelled us for the bike ride back. This was one of my leaving presents from 'TIA' and was incredibly thoughtful.
On Saturday it was Bear's 3rd birthday. We decided to leave the moors early and celebrate later in the day...without the fog. We drove to Par beach and Bear was able to open his birthday presents. We then went for a walk along the beach-Bear loves a beach-followed by a walk along the coastal path and a drink in the pub. Along the coastal path we stopped at another bay for Bear to be able to go into the water. Steve asked me whether Bear should be allowed off the lead, pointing out the beach was empty apart from a group of four adults half way along. I said 'that's fine, as long as you understand you are in charge of him'. Bear is prone to finding trouble. Bear dashed along, with Steve commenting on how happy he looked. Bear kept dashing along...and found the sock of the only people on the beach...who were getting changed. Bear was very happy, he loves a sock and got to bound along a beach before heading into the water. Steve looked less happy, more embarrassed and worried as he sped along behind trying to encourage Bear to stop and return the sock, whilst also apologising to the woman. Two commands Bear can do...but when he wants: stop and drop. It could have been worse I thought Bear had grabbed the woman's knickers!!
We then headed to the our next campsite, Gray Farm. A brilliant CL at the back of a farm. Great views over looking the sea, quiet and spacious. There are also plenty of walking and cycle paths all around, with a 1 mile path straight into the Eden Project.
After a really bad night's sleep on Sunday night, due to the heavy rain and wind-a negative of the Mo Ho, as it sounds so loud and if the top windows are open you get wet-we woke to brilliant sunshine. We normally always use the BBC weather app but the weather moves so fast by the coast, that it is really unreliable. We were really pleased though as we were heading off to Hang Loose, which is on the Eden Project site. This has different adventure activities to take part in. Thoroughly spoilt, as this was another leaving present for both Steve and I from 'TIA'. We both completed the Sky Wire and Sky Trek activities. It was lots of fun and great to see the Eden site from up above. Steve was also really touched that he got to complete both the alpaca trek and the Eden activities, for my leaving present.
For my next blog, I thought I'd add some information about food...maybe random but I know people are interested in how we are living in the motorhome and if it was me...I'd want to know what people are eating.
And finally for this week:
An observation about Devon that I forgot to mention on the previous blog...nakedness! 1-when we were at East Prawle at the beautiful little cove with Mark, there was one other elder man on the beach. He approached us and nervously asked about naturism, he mumbled a little and it was unclear what he was saying. We all apologised and said we were not locals and did not know if it was a naturist beach??? He then looked directly at me (I supposed as the only female) and asked would I be ok, if he 'was a naturist' at the back of the cove. What do you say? I really wanted to say 'please, just keep your clothes on'. Why do you need to be naked? However what I said is 'It's fine, if this is what you would like'. Luckily a family with children came onto the beach and the naturist decided to stay clothed! Again Bear did see an opportunity and had dashed over to the back of the beach to where the man was, just as he was about to take his trousers down. I retrieved the dog and moved away with speed.
Then, even more random.... when we were at Start Point, by the seals. Steve had told me before we arrived that to attract the seals, you should sing to them. A little odd and I didn't really pay much attention to him, as I was unsure if this was a Steve wind up. However, near by where we spotted the seals, a lady was further down the hill side, by the water. She also spotted some seals...then stripped off naked, stood at the water's edge and sang?? It didn't work, no seals went to see her.
I am pleased to say that so far the folk of Cornwall have had a more 'clothes on' approach.
Ohh and this is the last final. We have had to delay plans to head away because of Covid, changed plans because of Brexit and now...there seems to be no petrol, rather essential for a Mo Ho. We have a full tank at the moment, lets see what next week brings...
So glad you have enjoyed your activities... the zip wire looks great. It may even be added to the list of things I fancy doing during my 50th year...
Love the blog and will definitely be checking in over the coming months...x
I'm sure you will have a much better chance of getting fuel down that way. According to the news today, London and The South East are currently the worst areas in the country for getting any...🙄. Every garage in Bicester closed by lunchtime today...🙈
Have a great time...x