Watchet

 

Up early again this morning to meet up with Angela's son, his wife and grandson Elliot who have been on holiday in Ilfracombe for a few days. The sun shone, the sky a vibrant blue backdrop to the slow-moving cumulus clouds. After coffee and a walk with the family we returned to Marge annoyed to see a school minibus had taken one of the only four Motorhome Only spaces in Ilfracombe. Can't you read?

More pastry products eaten we headed off in the direction of the Exmoor National Park. What's going on. This is punishment! The drive was horrendous. Steep long hills then a drop into the valley. Twice Marge objected and went in to safe mode. We couldn't blame her. If Angela had realised the drive to her chosen overnight spot would have meant enduring this drive she wouldn't have bothered. And the signpost had said this was the route to Minehead avoiding the steep hill! All that effort and we decided not to stay at the campsite behind the pub we'd seen online as it was in the middle of nowhere alongside a busy road. So, we drove down a 17% hill and into Watchet where we knew there were two overnight motorhome bays.

Oh, dear Marge. No room at the inn. We parked in a car bay hoping one of the vans would leave. No luck. The police drove in and Angela asked them if we'd get away with overnighting even though Marge was 'not parked wholly in the bay' as instructed on the information board. They thought we should buy a ticket and not worry as it was unlikely the parking enforcement officer would come around until nine in the morning. So, we didn't buy a ticket, hung around Marge and talked to our English neighbours who were over from Spain where they were residents. At  six o' clock the parking went free until nine in the morning. Another early start Marge. Up by eight. We really wanted to take a look around the newly built arts centre at east quay, but apart from the two spaces, where the vans supposed to park. Crazy! Money saved on a campsite and Angela's bargain haircut we decided to track down a Chinese takeaway.

John wanted spicy. Local people don't like spicey the girl in the take away told us. Lightweights. 

Marge is now with the other two vans parked alongside the West Somerset Railway. Twice we have enjoyed seeing the steam engine as it hissed and wooed out of the station.

A lovely sunset ended the day. Tomorrow we will leave the coast and head south across country. Hopefully there will not be too many hills. Could we go to Norfolk next time? Yes Marge, sounds a good idea, nice and flat around the fens.