15th April 2015 - Boscastle, Tintagel, Widemouth Bay, Hawkers Cove

Really nice Wild Camp on Bursdon Moor, with a stunning sunset to complete yesterday. Today again started misty, and ideal day to cross something of my "Bucket List" Tintagel! For one reason or another I've just never got there, and for someone mad about King Arthur, and the such like it has to be done. 

   Stopped at Widemouth Bay on route. Although misty the views of the cliffs, and rough rocky coastline were still awesome. The force, and power of the sea always strikes you on the side of the coast. The roar of the waves is deafening, and the vibrations underfoot as the waves hit the rocks is a stirring thing to witness. 

   One place that knows the power of nature is Boscastle. A beautiful picturesque village that was devastated by flood 11 years ago. It's a must visit. The new flood defences they've put up, and are still working on can be seen. Take time to visit The Old Forge Gallery, Artist Helen Setterington, right down the bottom of the village, opposite end to the car parking. Loved Helen's work, and I think you will too. Vivid and detailed local landscapes, and she makes her own frames. Also Crafty West Country Gifts, 3 Bridge Walk. Linda and Andy have travelled a fair bit too! Don't forget to top up your spells at the Witchcraft museum!! 

Say hello to the locals!! 

Tintagel was next. After wanting to get there for so long, would I be disappointed, would I heck! There are some places I won't take the Hairy Lads, busy towns, obviously shops, and Tintagel Castle. With extremely steep steps, of varying sizes, cliffs, and very steep climbs I personally don't think it's a place for dogs, not safe for them, or the person on the end of the lead. Some people did take theirs, but it wasn't for mine. I was totally blown away by how rugged the coastline was, and exactly where they'd built the castle, being 2 parts of it, and even how it was built. The sea mist just added to the atmosphere, it helped the imagination go back to the days when this was occupied. A stunning and magnificent fortification. If you're not into heights probably not the place for you. Loads a steep steps and climbs, but worth every step. Stunning views, lots of the ruins to explore, rugged coastline and pounding waves made it an awesome place to visit. I took loads of photos, they can be viewed via thevalleyphotographer.co.uk or join the Travels And Tails Club to view all the iPhone images. Only £10, or donation to diesel fund at gofundme.com/TravelsAndTails 

Wild Camped at Hawkers Cove, beautiful place, really misty when arrived. As it slowly lifted it revealed a stunning coastline, which provided a great late evening walk. As a note, there's a dog friendly beach just down from here, never tried it as wanted to move on, but may be worth a look. 

14th April 2015 - Simonsbath, Westward Ho!, Hartland, Bursdon Moor

After saying how amazing the weather had been, it really changed this morning. Very misty, only see about 100m in front of you, so no views were to be had. It was however still very warm. On reflection as I'm writing this, I think at the start of our travels I covered to much mileage, not exploring enough, which may have to be rectified at a later date! Travels And Tails Part 2!! 

    Westward Ho! the next stop, even the road signs have the "!" on them. Parking seemed difficult in town, so headed to the West side, finding nice cliffs to walk along with the lads, and even an empty, supposedly, maybe haunted house, myths and takes seem to vary. Lovely old house perched right on the cliff edge. Also a boat with a hedge growing through which I just loved. The weather reverting back to a gorgeous sunny day. See the images below, more at thevalleyphotographer.co.uk 

   

Further round the coast is Hartland, lovely village with an Abbey. As it happened the BBC decide to film a drama the same day I decided to explore! They did take over a tad, everywhere in town, and especially the Abbey. It's an adaptation of a book by same Author as Tinker, Tailor, Solidier, Spy. So keep a lookout for it. 

    Every now and then you come across a hidden gem that few seem to know about. Bursdon Moor is such a place. Lovely Moor, lots of wildlife, several Neolithic mounds. Not very big, but great place to Wild Camp. There's a pull in with information, and bins, just as you go on to the Moor from main road. There's no signs saying "no overnight parking" so presume it's ok! 

13th April 2015 - Lynmouth, Exmoor, Porlock, Dulverton, Simonsbath

Spending your night in a layby is not the greatest. Lorry Drivers do it everyday, and seem to cope. For a "Wild Camp" it was quiet, and that's it really! Does seem hard to find good places to park up, maybe the area, or I'm just not savvy enough yet. Although England is not known for its "Wild Camp" possibilities. Scotland, Wales and Europe are a lot more geared up for it, and accommodating. Ridiculously steep hill into Lynmouth 1 in 4!! 

     Spent day on Exmoor, with stunning views that go on forever. Ponies everywhere, what more would you want? Weather has been amazing so far on the trip. As you can see from the photo, Max loves to sunbathe. Just at the start couple of rough days, otherwise wall to wall sunshine. Today fairly momentous as I've clocked up a 1000 miles, doesn't seem that far!! Villages worth visiting are Porlock, and Dulverton, both stunning and picturesque. Real chocolate box locations. 

    

Another stop over in a layby, near Simonsbath, purely because I knew there were loos nearby for the morning, and I could continue exploring Exmoor. Lots of images available via thevalleyphotographer.co.uk, or join the "Travels And Tails" Club to view and download all the iPhone images from trip. Join by donating to the diesel fund at GoFundMe.com/TravelsAndTails 

12th April 2015 - Glastonbury, Cheddar, Burnham-On-Sea, Dunster,

Always loved Glastonbury, and although on this trip I'm trying to visit mainly places I've not been before, just had to return to Glastonbury. There's a great Car Park near town, even has somewhere to park the hairy lads when hot, some great shade. I do think it depends on what car/vehicle you have as to leaving dogs in cars. Personally I wouldn't do it in a normal car, but in the Mitsubishi Delica I'm happy to leave them parked in shade. With blackened windows at back, curtains and sun shades, water, toys, a cool space on the floor, they seem happy enough. The loos here just crack me up. Soon as you go in, a voice says "you have 15 mins before you have to leave this cubicle, failure to do so will engage the alarm system!!" Tempted to stay 16 mins and see what happens. First time you hear it, can be a tad scary!! 

     Love the shops in town. Real cafe culture too. Nowhere else do you find the variety, and the amount of magical, mystical, and the amazing. If you've never been, the shops alone are worth a visit, along with the Abbey and the Tor. Lots of myths surround here, King Arthur, Leylines and much much more. Visited one of my favourite shops, "Witchcraft Shop" Cat And Cauldron, purchasing "A Wisewomans Guide, To Spells, Rituals, and Goddess Lore" right up my street, or should I say mystic path!! Say hello to Trevor, ace chap!! 

      I was lucky to meet a lovely lady here, Sue. Who also had a Lurcher, and had been travelling in a Camper for 4 years. I have a long way to go!! Very inspirational lady, who made me think. Could I still be doing this 4 years down the line? Could spend forever in Glastonbury, my sort of place, but have to move on, onto the Cheddar Gorge. 

  Not far from Glastonbury, the Cheddar Gorge. The road runs right through the Gorge creates an awesome spectacle. Cheddar itself was absolutely heaving, probably being Sunday didn't help!! There's plenty of Parking spaces further up the road to view the Gorge. I even saw a Parking Warden climbing his way steadily up the steep hill, so be warned, altitude did not deter him!! 

    Next was to find a nice spot to park up. Tried Burnham On Sea, not one of my most favourite places if I'm honest!! Along the coast to Dunster, Dunster Castle, still nothing so ended up getting my sleep in layby on A396. 

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11th April 2015 - Wantage, Uffington White Horse, Stonehenge

After last nights poor experience at the campsite, we moved on early. Into Wantage again for some shopping, couldn't resist going back a second day! Market was on today, with some great fresh veg and fruit bargains to be had. Didn't manage to walk up to the White Horse yesterday as it was just too hot for the lads. It's a shame now, as I remember the Ridgeway, it was rutted, and looked like an ancient track. You could imagine the old carts trundling down it, or the Romans cursing the ruts as they marched. Now it's all been flattened in parts, to make it more "user friendly" which in my mind takes away the whole atmosphere, and just makes it another chalk track. 

    Parked up near the Ridgeway, turn opposite road into Compton Beauchamp, takes you right up to the top. Good place for a Wild Camp, although not tried it this time. Lovely walk up to the White Horse, again lovely sunshine, also a real strong breeze to blow the cobwebs away! 

  Uffington Hill Fort, off Ridgeway, near White Horse 

  White Horse looking down over St George's Mount. 

No one is really sure why the White Horse is there. Lots of theories, ceremonial, fertility, offering to the gods, but it can definitely be seen from above better than on the ground! The hill fort has amazing views, and you can see why it was built there. Your enemies would have hard job creeping up on you. St George's mount is said to be where St George slayed the Dragon, but I'm not sure about that myth!! 

    Leaving the White Horse behind, we moved on to another landmark, Stonehenge. Personally I think it's way too commercialised now. I do understand they get hundreds, even thousands of tourists, but all these huge visitor centres, and "experiences' just ruin these places, in my opinion. These were obviously sacred places in their past, and should be treated as such, rather than amusements parks. 

   Wild Camp in a layby, getting used to this now, and lads take it in their stride. Even getting quite attached to the better ones!! 

10th April 2015 - Avebury, Wantage, Uffington, Waylands Smithy, White Horse Hill,

One of the advantages of staying overnight near some Gallops meant I could take some photos of the horses in the morning mist! They'll be uploaded to thevalleyphotographer.co.uk Driving into or through Avebury is always amazing, with standing stones everywhere you look. Found the main car park, but with no choice of visit time, or how much to pay, I did feel £7 was a lot for just some quick photos. So I changed my mind. If you turn left out of car park, then take next road on right, drive down there a short way, there's a layby to park in! Yes, I know the money keeps these places open. If you're spending all day, and there's a car full, £7 is ok, but for 1 person, just have a quick look, use the layby!! 

    Next stop Wantage. Always loved Wantage, and it's not changed a bit. Lots of little local shops. Market at weekends. Free parking for couple of hours, so a stock up of essentials. Well worth a visit, some lovely buildings, and different local shops to spend your money in. 

    Onto an area I know really well, the Vale Of The White Horse, and Waylands Smithy. Played round here as a kid. The fields then were full of poppies, and lapwings, now just full of very bright yellow rape. Parked at the NT car park, decided walk to Waylands Smithy first, really really hot day. Ended up just walking to the Smithy, and leaving the White Horse till tomorrow. Just too hot for walking the lads too far. At the car park Thames Valley Police were driving round when I got there, and when we got back. Seems to be a problem of cars being broken into while people are walking/exploring tourist sites. Easy targets. Don't leave valuables in your car, if you can help it. 

    Instead of Wild Camp tonight, thought I'd use a Campsite, electric would be handy, back up some photos. Big mistake as it happens, one of the worst sites I've stayed at. Britchcombe Farm Campsite, right under the White Horse, and I'm afraid to say that's all it has going for it. With no fresh drinking water to be found anywhere, only via wash up sinks or toilets, not exactly hygienic!! Also electric at £6 a night, ridiculous. I also heard complaints about lack of toilets for the amount of people camping in various fields around, some were "doing it" in the hedges, nice. There is a Wild Camp to be had, next road down opposite Compton Beauchamp, turn left up to top of hill. Park up by Ridgeway, much better alternative!!