North Devon in the Wind and Sunshine

We've been away for about ten days in North Devon, on the coast at a small holiday village, Woolacombe, overlooking the coastline and out towards Lundy Island. Morte Bay, probably better known today for it's two mile sandy beach called Woolacombe Sands that stretches between Baggy Head (to the east) and Morte Point, both reknown for their rocks that have caused many shipwrecks over the centuries. We recall this area in particular from visits when walking the South West Coastal Path and also on the Devon "coast to coast" cycle route (27) that passes through Mortehoe and Woolacombe to reach the "Tarka Trail" at Braunton. It is a particularly beautiful section of coastline with numerous coves, sandy beaches and plenty of places to stop and enjoy the sea air and food. The village itself is very dependent in tourism and reading a little about the history of the area, it seems it has been this way since the Victorian era.

Sunset from Woolacombe showing the treacherous rocks off Morte Point (centre right). Lundy is a little to the left but not visible until later on our holiday when the misty horizon cleared. The island is due west of Morte Point.

We met up with Bex, Tony and of course Sam (we're now first time grandparents with Sam now 11 weeks old!!); they shared the apartment with us for part of the holiday. To start with the weather wasn't too good with high wind and lots of wave action and foaming on the beach making walking very refreshing. However, we didn't get the predicted rain during the daytime and later in the week, the sun showed and the wind dropped bringing us some summer weather and enough surf to keep twenty or so surfers in action. We managed several excursions including a coastal walk to Croyd, Heddons Mouth and up a valley to Mortehoe, a nearby village. We also hired a "Tramper" (http://www.countrysidemobility.org/) for Helen's Dad to go between Fremington Quay and Inslow (on the estuary where the rivers Taw and Torridge meet) stopping for lunch at Inslow, about 3.5 miles from Fremington Quay.

Turbulent scene looking from near Morte Point across Woolacombe Sands to Vention and Putsborough in the far distance.

Certainly lots to do around this area and part of the coastline, a place we will no doubt return to many times.