Being what they now call a digital nomad, I can work remotely in different locations. In March I went stay at my Mums place, close to the North Devon coast. I grew up around here and the area will always be close to heart. And home.
The first weekend I went to Croyde’s Baggy Point that you can see below. You can really feel the rugged North Devon coastline here. A ship’s graveyard. I went with my pal Jason and we walked all the way along the coastal footpath. I even remember coming here for a school trip. There a type of ladder / viewpoint pole you can climb and look out from. Its a popular surf spot, where your safe from hitting the rocks.
We found a good spot to sit on Baggy Point and we there for about an hour. A nice spring evening.
The next day I walked with mum down the track known as the “american road” beause american soldiers once jogged along here during their training for the D-day landings. This leads to where the main part of their training for the mission was, at Braunton burrows. Im sure there remains further undiscovered evidence of this in the form of ammunition at least.
I used to collect rounds from the marines that trained there in more recent times. Was going to put the collection behind a glass frame, but never got around to it.
Birthday
On the Wednesday it was my birthday. Mum drove us to Mortehoe near Woolacombe. A slow, windy walk down hill on a sunny early spring morning. Passing stunning coastal scenery along a rocky pathway
Me and mum went to see the Bull Point Lighthouse. It’s a bit of a walk down from Mortehoe village. The sun was up, shining on all of us.
Was on the lookout for Seals that can be seen here, but none on the day. The rocky coastal path continues round. Its also home to sheep that scutttle away when you get close. Skittish creatures that they are.
Had a lovely burger pub lunch at the Chichester Arms. Washed down with a pint of San Miguel. Mother, the designated driver on soda water.
Back home in the evening. Had food and watched a BBC documentary about the plane MH370 that disappeared in the Indian Ocean in 2014. Best birthday in years.
Plymouth
On the Friday I went to Plymouth on the South Devon Coast on the train. I lived here for 2 years and was a student at the University.
Met my pal Jordan for a coffee at place called Caffeine Club. A 24/7 student cafe. Many a night / morning for food there, after pulling an all nighter for a uni deadline. Caught up and took a walk down to the Plymouth Hoe, some pictures below:
At the barbican we stopped for a pint in one of the pubs by the docks. Nice pint of ale. Then onto the Student Union bar, which made us feel ancient, but nostalgic nonetheless. Had a Guinness and talked to each other about what we had been upto.
Plymouth is very much a Uni and Navy town. If your not invloved in one of those two activities, you can feel like an outsider looking in.
We walked out of the City Centre to the Hyde Park pub in the Mutley area of the city. Inside its like the Madama Tussauds of old Alcohol and Tobacco brands. Kind of cool I think. Then my pal Tom turned up after finishing work and we all had a pint. Jordan left not long after that.
Me an Tom headed to The Camel Shisha Bar near the Uni. We shared a mixed flavour Shisha.
Been years since we had one, chilled there an chatted for an hour. Shooting the shit. Time for food; off to the Barbican Steakhouse for a Sirloin (Him) and a Ribeye (Me).
Few more drinks in a Wetherspoons and then crashed back at his place on the sofa. A fry up the next morning before I headed back up to North Devon on the train.
Got back to Mums, drank tea in the garden with her.
Crowe Point
That Sunday, me and Jason took a walk to Crowe Point beach. Nice day. Took the narrow road from Braunton through Velator. Past the boats on the small quay (not like the Plymouth one at all). Had a few blasts on our weed vapes. Good sunny day for this type of mission. Passed the toll point and on.
We walked upto Crowe Point carpark. A lot of people out walking dogs. This beach is kept quite private to the locals. A hidden gem.
To get from one side of Crowe Point to the other, you walk along the sandy boardwalk path that has been here as long as I can remember.
I worked for the next week from home and spent some good time with mum.
Ilfracombe
On the Friday at the end of the week I went to the town of Ilfracombe to catch up with some friends. I used to live in the flat above of the mate who was having us round. A takeaway, some music an a few laughs.
The morning after, took few snaps around Ilfracombe harbour, take a look:
Ilfracombe’s St Nicholas Chapel is closed during the winter months and overlooks Ilfracombe and its harbour. My gran used to live here as a child and read looking out of the window. Gives the spot a personal connection to me and my family. Its good to look inside.
You can also set eyes on “Verity” This statue is of a pregnant sea creature pointing a sword into the sky. Straight from the mind of artist Damien Hirst who also has a restaurant close by.
Woolacombe
On my last full day, me and mum took a drive out to the seaside holiday village of Woolacombe. A nice walk on the beach on a windy spring day. Up and down the beach for the best part of an hour. Quiet at this time of the year; heaving in the summer.
Some quality time finished off with tea and a brownie each in a cafe! Nothing better than a sugar hit after a walk in the cold.
After a nice cosy break, the next morning it was back to Exeter airport to catch the flight to Glasgow. The morale of the story is visit North Devon once if you can its beautiful.
Until I see you again Devon…
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