Ilfracombe

 After a leisurely morning we jumped into the car and drove to Ilfracombe.  It was a place on the west coast that I had identified, but F also lived in a house called Ilfracombe many years ago, so it became a must see.  

We drove back lanes to get there - over small bridges and through many tree tunnels and arches.  Old trees (I think many birches) have grown so high and fighting for light have covered the one lane laneways making it appear that you are driving through tunnels, or significantly thick arches.  Lots of braking and pulling over or even reversing to let traffic flow the other way…a rather nerve racking drive, and one to keep your wits about you. 

Eventually we hit the larger roads and wound our way down to a valley that led to the sea.  We took a punt and drove right to the end of the harbour to find a parking spot - the gods were on our side!  At the end of the parking lot, and facing the sea was a very large bronze statue of “Verity” - absolutely magnificent!   She is a rather pregnant woman holding the sword and scales of justices while standing on books - one side whole - on the other skin stripped bare to expose muscles and internal features.   We were both in awe!   

Wondering up the port we were confronted with a constant stream of pedestrians - it is mid term break, so there were parents and grandparents walking their children.  Fish and Chips were in high demand!   We managed to find a small cafe opposite the marina and indulged in wine and a ploughman’s lunch.  It felt rather decadent!

After lunch we drove south to Bude…which we were both disappointed in.  Perhaps it was the grey and rainy weather, but we didn’t get out of the car and turned towards our lodgings.  The drive back was equally as engaging as the morning drive….long tree tunnels, hedges with pink foxgloves growing wild and high hedges masking beautiful rolling hills with green paddocks or red clay ploughed paddocks awaiting new growth.  

The wildflowers are similar to Ireland - white yarrow, yellow buttercups, pink ??? And rather than rhododendrums, we have foxgloves!  

F by the side of the road - a ramblers gate!

A small bridge over a babbling Brooke

Hedge laneways masking beautiful paddocks

Tree tunnels

Pregnant Verity

Verity from behind

The marina at Ilfracombe

Lunch spot!

The town…layers upon layers

The pano of the headland

Open square (circle?) near the beach

Now a theatre …but perhaps a brick Kilne?

Postcard shot…looking north Ilfracombe

Another looking north

Looking north Ilfracombe - Lighthouse and by chance one of the HUGE seagulls